Although the workers' anger subsided, Vice Minister Bai was still somewhat embarrassed.

After quickly finishing lunch, Sun Zhengguo invited me to his office.

"Vice Minister Bai, please have a seat. I am truly sorry for today. We couldn't even have a peaceful meal. I hope you can understand."

As he spoke, Sun Zhengguo went to the cabinet next to him, took out a tea box, and prepared to brew a cup.

"Comrade Zhengguo, your words make me ashamed. As the old saying goes, it is not scarcity that is a concern, but inequality. I have not even understood such a simple principle. I have really lived my life in vain at my age."

After Vice Minister Bai sat down, he began to reflect on his mistakes and deeply mocked himself.

This vivid analogy made Sun Zhengguo, who was brewing tea next to him, smile slightly.

This was all for nothing; he spent so much time and effort today, directing and staging this farce himself. Let's see if the Ministry of Metallurgy will dare to act out of line again.

Soon, the tea was brewed, and Sun Zhengguo brought it over and gently placed it on the table.

"Vice Minister Bai, please have some tea."

"Thanks!"

After expressing his gratitude, Vice Minister Bai picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then spoke.

"Comrade Zhengguo! I really have to thank you this time. If it weren't for you, I don't know how things would have ended. But don't worry, when we get back, I will definitely make them correct their mistakes. Rewards are important, but we can't let them incite conflict among the workers."

See? They've realized their mistake!

Sun Zhengguo didn't say much. As long as it could be changed, that was fine. He just nodded with a smile.

The two then put aside their unpleasantness and discussed some work-related matters…

Half an hour later, Vice Minister Bai finished his two cups of tea before preparing to take his leave and return to the Ministry of Metallurgy.

To make the most of the performance, Sun Zhengguo was very polite and escorted him all the way downstairs. Even as the car started moving, he was still waving and shouting, "Welcome to come again next time."

Even at this point, Vice Minister Bai probably doesn't know that all the embarrassing things he's encountered today were caused by the person who waved goodbye.

If he had known, I wonder if he would have gotten out of the car and gone to fight Sun Zhengguo?

...

The next day, not long after I started work, the Ministry of Metallurgy sent someone to deliver two whole pork halves.

The person responsible for delivering the meat talked with Zhao Guoping for a while before leaving the research institute.

After the man left, Zhao Guoping went upstairs to his office to report the matter to Sun Zhengguo.

"Director, the meat that our department promised has arrived, two whole racks! In addition, the department has also revised the reward."

"Really? Then tell me, how would you like to change it?"

Sun Zhengguo put down his pencil and looked at Zhao Guoping with interest, taking it as a way to relax.

"That's right, Director. From now on, the workers' overtime pay will be settled according to the normal wage. All the extra money will be used to buy pork, and everyone will have it from now on. We'll also improve our meals from time to time."

"Hmm! That's more like it." Sun Zhengguo nodded in satisfaction; this was fair.

Although the overtime pay for workers in small workshops is less, it is still within the normal range and should be acceptable to everyone.

As for the other workers at the research institute, although they didn't work overtime and received less pay, they still managed to eat meat, so they could at least feel a little better.

It really is a win-win situation!

At this moment, Zhao Guoping saw Sun Zhengguo's expression and had a question in his mind that he couldn't help but ask.

"Chief, you didn't arrange those people yesterday, did you? And then you pretended to answer the phone before finally cleaning up the mess."

It has to be said that Zhao Guoping had already guessed the whole truth, but how could Sun Zhengguo possibly admit to something like this?

"Guoping! You really have a vivid imagination. How could I do such a thing? It's all just a coincidence."

Zhao Guoping was still skeptical of Sun Zhengguo's words and was just about to ask him again when the phone on the table rang.

"Then you're busy, Director, I'll go to the workshop first."

Zhao Guoping was also very sensible; when the phone rang, he offered to leave.

After he left, Sun Zhengguo picked up the phone, but before he could speak, Minister Li's voice came from the other end.

"Zhengguo, you did a good job this time. I heard that Bai Laogui got humiliated at your research institute yesterday and was left looking disheveled."

"Minister Li, who spread these messages? How did they manage to alarm you so quickly?"

"Don't worry about who spread the news, just tell me if it's true or not, hahaha!"

Sun Zhengguo was quite helpless in the face of such a mischievous Minister Li.

"Yes, yes! And their gifts arrived this morning—two whole racks of pork. Are you satisfied now?"

"Hahaha……!"

"You did a good job this time, you deserve praise. Come to the ministry right away, I need to talk to you about something."

"Minister Li, what exactly is going on? Why are you being so mysterious?"

"Stop talking nonsense! You'll know when you get here."

Minister Li was really efficient; he hung up the phone as soon as he finished speaking.

Hearing the busy tone on the receiver, Sun Zhengguo immediately put down the phone and tidied up his desk.

He then went to Zhou Weimin's office and told him that he needed to go to the ministry to handle some business.

Once everything was arranged, he went downstairs, got into his car, and sped off towards the Ministry of Machinery.

Before long, the car arrived at the Ministry of Machinery Industry and drove smoothly into the ministry compound.

After the car came to a stop, Sun Zhengguo got out and went straight to his office on the third floor.

"Minister Li, what exactly do you want to see me about? You didn't explain it clearly over the phone, so I'm not sure what to do."

Upon arriving at the office, Sun Zhengguo sat down confidently and asked questions without the slightest fear.

"Hehe! You're still worried about not being confident? Come on, tell me about yesterday first, and then we'll talk about your business. I'll give you a heads-up beforehand, anyway, it's a good thing."

Well! Sun Zhengguo never expected that Minister Li would be so gossipy and so interested in this matter.

Left with no other choice, he had to recount yesterday's events again.

However, he chose not to mention that he played a dishonorable role in it.

After listening to him finish speaking, Minister Li did not ask any further questions. He just gave him a meaningful look, then took out a document and a red booklet from the drawer and handed them to him.

"See for yourself!"

Sun Zhengguo didn't stand on ceremony and took the document, reading it quickly.

The document essentially states that the CNC machine tool he researched this time has once again filled a gap in the domestic market, and after deliberation by the Party Committee of the Ministry, he has been promoted to a Level 3 Engineer and enjoys the title of Associate Researcher.

And that little red booklet is the new engineer's certificate.

Sun Zhengguo never expected that he would be promoted to Level 3 Engineer this time.

It's important to know that reaching this stage means you've already entered the ranks of senior engineers.

Moreover, he currently enjoys the title of associate researcher, which is an even greater affirmation of his academic achievements.

After reading the document, Sun Zhengguo calmed himself down a bit and then began to express his determination.

"Thank you for the organization's kindness, and thank you to all the leaders for your concern...!"