After a moment of deep self-reproach, Minister Li calmed himself down, picked up the dedicated phone on the table, and dialed General Manager Lai's number.
"Hello! Is this Manager Lai? This is Li Dongsheng."
"Oh! It's Minister Li. You haven't called in a while. Is there some good news to report?"
Upon hearing General Manager Lai's words, Minister Li was speechless, feeling mostly self-reproach.
"General Manager Lai, I want to apologize to you. Due to my negligence, Comrade Zheng Guo has been wronged, which has caused our scientific research to stagnate."
"What?" Mr. Lai was also very surprised.
It should be noted that since Sun Zhengguo rose to prominence, the entire country's machinery industry has made great strides forward, which can be described as a qualitative leap.
As for the foreign exchange saved? That's an astronomical figure.
Are you serious about telling me that such a talented person has been wronged, causing his research to stagnate?
Hearing no sound from the other end of the phone, Minister Li felt extremely uneasy, and he already hated Cheng Wanli to the core.
After a few seconds of pause, the voice on the other end of the phone said again, "Minister Li, could you tell me the specific reasons?"
"Okay, Mr. Lai."
Minister Li then recounted the whole story in detail.
After listening to the story, General Manager Lai realized that Minister Li couldn't be entirely blamed; after all, things within the system are sometimes hard to explain...
"Minister Li, please send someone to deliver the documents in a moment. I will immediately send people to begin the investigation. Rest assured, I will investigate this matter thoroughly."
"Okay, Mr. Lai, I'll send someone to take care of it right away."
After the two hung up the phone, Minister Li immediately sent someone to deliver the documents.
Then, General Manager Lai immediately arranged for comrades from the Discipline Inspection Commission to investigate the matter and see who was involved.
A massive, sweeping operation is about to begin.
The first person to fall was Cheng Wanli's patron, the deputy director of the General Office, who was immediately placed under investigation and required to cooperate with the investigation…
It must be said that the operation of the state apparatus is indeed very powerful; some things are investigated thoroughly before dark.
When General Manager Lai saw the report again, he couldn't help but shake his head and sigh deeply.
The cause of the matter is actually quite simple: someone was envious and wanted to reap the benefits.
But they don't realize that this is a research institution. Even if you pick the peaches, without someone to plant the peach trees, it's just an empty shell!
After reading the report, Mr. Lai remained silent for a long time, pondering some matters.
A moment later, it seemed that Mr. Lai had made a decision, and he immediately called over the staff.
"Notify the comrades from the Discipline Inspection Commission to go to the research institute tomorrow and settle this matter."
At this point, Mr. Lai paused for a moment, then added.
"Those officials who neglect their duties should be removed from their posts! And those officials who break the law should be arrested without any leniency."
"Okay, Mr. Lai, I'll arrange it right away."
After the staff left, Mr. Lai sat for a while longer before making a phone call...
The next morning, the rising sun broke through the clouds and shone on the earth, making people feel exceptionally warm.
The workers at the research institute were also infected by the good weather, humming cheerful songs as they happily arrived at work.
However, this good mood was soon shattered.
Early in the morning, Cheng Wanli and Wu Zhen began to inspect their territory, giving various lectures and finding fault with it in order to demonstrate their power.
"Section Chief Chen, what's going on with you guys? Why haven't you come up with anything new lately? It's still the same old routine. Do you think you're doing right by the country? Do you think you're worthy of your positions as officials?"
What could Chen Lianshan say when he heard Cheng Wanli barking incompetently again?
Innovation, my foot! Why don't you just fly to the moon? If innovation were that easy, what would be the point of having so many researchers?
However, Chen Lianshan's silence does not mean that others are easy to talk to.
Zhang Yucheng, seeing those two old men acting all high and mighty again, had been itching to get back at them for a while.
"Oh! We're not worthy of this cadre position. Then let me ask Deputy Secretary Cheng, what contributions have you made to our institute? Do you deserve this cadre position?"
Zhang Yucheng's counterattack silenced the entire workshop, creating a somewhat oppressive atmosphere.
Cheng Wanli never expected that even Sun Zhengguo, who now dared not bare his teeth, would still have someone challenge his authority.
“Deputy Secretary Cheng, please don’t misunderstand, Deputy Section Chief Zhang didn’t mean that…”
"Section Chief Chen, don't explain, I'm not deaf."
Cheng Wanli reached out to interrupt Chen Lianshan, then glared fiercely at Zhang Yucheng.
“Deputy Section Chief Zhang, you need to be responsible for your words. Whether I have made any contributions or not is not for you to evaluate.”
"Don't think I don't know your background. You're just relying on your uncle's backing! But let me tell you, he's not qualified. Be careful what you say."
Faced with Cheng Wanli's threats, most people would have just tolerated it.
But Zhang Yucheng is clearly not an ordinary person; he not only has an uncle, but also a grandfather!
"Cheng Wanli, you cowardly fellow, you dare to threaten me? Come on, I'll stand right here today and see what you can do to me?"
Now that the two sides have completely fallen out, Zhang Yucheng has even stopped using his official title and is now pointing his finger at Zhang Yucheng and cursing him.
How could Cheng Wanli tolerate this?
If he can tolerate this, what status will Cheng Wanli have in the research institute in the future?
"Hmph! Very well, Zhang Yucheng, you dare to openly defy your superiors, showing no discipline or organization whatsoever. I think you should be suspended from your post for now and reflect on your actions."
"Clap clap clap! What a display of official power! Deputy Secretary Cheng, if I hadn't come, I would never have seen such a domineering side of you."
Just as tensions were running high, Sun Zhengguo walked over from behind the crowd, clapping.
"Director..."
When everyone saw Sun Zhengguo coming, they all made way for him.
Cheng Wanli became furious when he heard Sun Zhengguo mocking him.
"Director Sun, you arrived late and may not know the situation, which I don't blame you for. But Zhang Yucheng openly questioned his superiors, so suspending him from his post for reflection seems reasonable, doesn't it?"
“Deputy Secretary Cheng, what did Deputy Section Chief Zhang do wrong? You, who are in charge of all cadres, have started to interfere in production matters. Did you even consult me?”
“You…!” Cheng Wanli pointed at Sun Zhengguo, preparing to resort to his old tricks again.
"Director Sun, since my decision doesn't count, let's convene a standing committee meeting and have everyone vote by raising their hands!"
"You can do whatever you want with it, but I'm telling you this: you can do whatever you want with the other cadres, but you can't touch any of the technical cadres."
Sun Zhengguo didn't indulge him and directly stated his determination.
"Director Sun, aren't you going a bit too far? What if I insist on suspending him from his post?" Cheng Wanli said with a dark face.
"Then why don't you give it a try? I guarantee you won't even have a chance to regret it."
Sun Zhengguo's eyes flashed coldly as he spoke with absolute certainty.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com