The air in the meeting room seemed to freeze; the smoke lingered, and all eyes were fixed on the factory director and the party secretary. The heated debate had laid bare all the pros and cons, all the worries and hopes. Now, someone needed to make the final decision and take responsibility for what could determine the fate of the Red Star Factory.

The Party Secretary frowned, chain-smoking, his gaze sweeping across the faces of those present before finally settling on the open proposal in front of him. He didn't immediately express his opinion. As a former political commissar, he knew the weight of this decision; it wasn't just an economic issue, but a political one, concerning the stability of thousands of employees.

The factory director, a veteran leader who had worked at the Hongxing Factory for nearly thirty years, rising through the ranks from technician, was unusually silent. He leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped on the table, his eyes slightly closed, as if resting or contemplating an extremely difficult internal struggle. The deep wrinkles on his face were even more pronounced under the lamplight, a testament to the dedication he had poured into the factory.

No one urged him. Everyone knew that the old factory director was making an incredibly difficult decision. Supporting Liu Li meant withstanding immense internal pressure and external uncertainties, and breaking the decades-old operating model; rejecting Liu Li, on the other hand, meant watching helplessly as the Red Star Factory succumbed to stagnation and decline.

Time passed slowly, and the conference room was so quiet that the faint sound of a train whistle could be heard from afar outside the window.

Finally, the factory manager slowly opened his eyes. His slightly cloudy but still sharp eyes didn't look at anyone, but stared straight at the faded old photo of the factory's early days hanging on the wall of the conference room. It was a group photo of the first batch of workers in front of the simple shed, around the first homemade machine tool, and each of their faces was filled with entrepreneurial passion and pride.

His gaze lingered on the photograph for a long time, his eyes revealing a hint of reminiscence and complex emotions.

Then, he sat up abruptly, slamming his hands on the table with a soft but impactful sound that jolted everyone awake. He glanced around, his gaze finally settling on Liu Li, his eyes filled with scrutiny, expectation, and a resolute determination.

"Stop arguing!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority, instantly silencing all the remaining whispers in the conference room.

"I've read Comrade Liu Li's proposal three times," he said, his tone calm yet each word carrying immense weight. "The data is solid. The analysis is thorough. The approach may sound risky, but upon closer examination, it's the only viable path we can see right now!"

He changed the subject and looked at the conservative members: "Old Chen, Old Li, I understand your concerns about losing your soul and the risks! Everyone here is doing this for the good of the factory!" His affirmation calmed the previously agitated group down a bit.

But then his tone became incredibly heavy: "But comrades, we can't keep fooling ourselves! The things in the warehouse won't magically turn into money! The banks won't lend us money indefinitely! And our superiors... can't keep us in their arms forever! I understand this trend! If Hongxing Factory doesn't change, it's waiting to die! If it changes slowly, it's waiting for others to come and collect our corpses!"

"Bang!" He slammed his hand on the table, making the teacup lid jump, revealing the intensity of his inner decision.

"I take this responsibility!" he said in a loud and clear voice. "I have decided to adopt Comrade Liu Li's suggestion! The factory will formally establish a 'New Product Development Project Team,' with Comrade Liu Li as the team leader, who will be fully responsible for the research, development, trial production, and market promotion of civilian products such as small agricultural machinery! All resources within the factory must be prioritized to meet the needs of the project team! We will provide manpower and coordinate equipment as needed!"

He looked intently at Liu Li, his gaze carrying both entrustment and pressure: "Liu Li, I'm entrusting you with the factory's most capable workforce, and I'm placing the hope of whether Hongxing Factory can overcome this hurdle in your hands! Don't have too many worries, just go for it! But," he changed his tone, becoming unusually serious, "remember your 'small steps, quick progress' approach, and control the risks! What I want to see is to quickly produce products that can be sold and generate revenue!"

"Yes, Factory Director! I guarantee I'll complete the mission!" Liu Li stood up, her back straight, her voice clear and firm. At that moment, she felt not only a sense of mission, but also a profound sense of trust.

The old factory director's decision was like a thunderclap, cleaving through the hesitation and gloom that had shrouded the Hongxing Factory. It marked a crucial step for this long-established state-owned factory, driven by the pressure of survival, as it finally took the initiative to move towards the market and proactively seek change.

As the meeting ended, people left the meeting room with varying expressions. The conservatives remained silent, but their eyes held less confrontation and more complex observation; the reformers and their supporters, on the other hand, looked excited and eager to get started.

Liu Li walked at the back, looking at the old factory director's slightly tired but still upright figure, her heart filled with respect. She knew that this old leader had risked his prestige and future for her and for the Red Star Factory, gambled on an uncertain future.

The old factory director has personally sounded the clarion call for a new journey. Now, it remains to be seen how she and her project team will carve out a path of hope and hardship.