Chapter 132 Appraisal Meeting
After this incident, Director Huang tried his best to go and inquire about the progress of the project when Lin Yuanshu was at work, so as not to be unable to find Lin Yuanshu.
Previously, Lin Yuanshu reported on his work once a month. However, after Director Huang learned that Lin Yuanshu's project team had started pilot-scale experiments, he changed the reporting schedule to once a week.
Director Huang went from paying attention to being extremely concerned, and would occasionally go to the laboratory where Lin Yuanshu's project team was located to check on the situation. After all, he couldn't afford to be indifferent, as the project was nearing its end.
We can't wait until the project is over and the Minister of Health asks him about the penicillin improvement project, only to find he knows nothing!
News of Lin Yuanshu's project progress also reached Deputy Director Liu's ears. Deputy Director Liu couldn't help but sigh, "Although Lin Yuanshu is very capable, it's a pity he can't be used by us. No matter how capable he is, it has nothing to do with us."
After a moment's thought, the assistant offered a suggestion: "I heard that Comrade Lin Yuanshu has been leaving get off work on time lately, leaving Director Huang empty-handed. We can use this as an excuse to have Comrade Lin Yuanshu lead his team to work overtime. Firstly, it will make Comrade Lin Yuanshu realize the consequences of offending you. Secondly, it will demonstrate your dedication to the project. After all, Director Huang has been too lenient with Comrade Lin Yuanshu. The project has already progressed to the pilot-scale testing stage, yet he doesn't allow Comrade Lin Yuanshu to seize the time to complete the project in one go, instead letting him leave work on time. The work of the project team under Comrade Lin Yuanshu's leadership is far too lax; they show no sense of urgency whatsoever."
If he were Lin Yuanshu's boss, he would have ordered Lin Yuanshu to work overtime long ago. After all, success is just one step away, how can he slow down at this time!
After hearing his assistant's words, Deputy Director Liu looked up at him with a complicated expression. If he didn't know that his assistant was loyal to him, he would have suspected that his assistant was one of Director Huang's people, which was why he gave him this idea.
He frowned and objected, "Guess why Director Huang didn't order Lin Yuanshu to work overtime? It's because he didn't want her to finish the project early! Isn't it to win Lin Yuanshu over? Lin Yuanshu is still in a neutral position. If I make a fuss about it, Lin Yuanshu will definitely be dissatisfied and then side with Director Huang. Director Huang can then use this opportunity to help her out. If we do this, it will obviously do more harm than good, and it's not worth it."
The assistant said somewhat ashamedly, "I was too presumptuous and didn't consider this point. Luckily, you didn't believe my bad idea, otherwise the consequences would have been unimaginable."
He was only thinking about letting Deputy Director Liu show off his power in front of Lin Yuanshu, but he ignored the possible consequences.
Deputy Director Liu said in a serious tone, "You need to learn to think twice before you act in the future. As long as Lin Yuanshu has not completely sided with Director Huang, we will not touch her for the time being. After all, when I become the director, I will still need Lin Yuanshu to fight for the research institute!"
The assistant immediately praised, "You have such foresight."
Deputy Director Liu revealed a smug smile. This was partly due to the fact that Lin Yuanshu was a tough nut to crack, and with the Minister of Health protecting her, he couldn't easily take action against her.
Two months later, Lin Yuanshu not only organized the experimental data from the small-scale and pilot-scale tests, but also wrote the "Report on the Achievements of the Improved Penicillin Process".
She stretched her neck at her workstation, looked at the freshly completed results report, checked it again, and after confirming that there were no problems, said to Tang Dasi, "I've gone to Director Huang's office to submit the report. You guys continue to organize the experimental records and strain files, and try to archive our research data as soon as possible."
Everyone nodded in unison, indicating that they understood.
Tang Dasi felt uneasy. He clasped his hands together and muttered, "I hope God will bless us so that everything goes smoothly, that no accidents happen, that our research report can be successfully submitted, and that it can pass Director Huang's inspection smoothly."
Hearing Tang Dasi's rambling, Hong Shuang'er said confidently, "Comrade Tang Dasi, you're worrying too much. We've already overcome the most difficult step, so there's nothing to worry about in the work ahead. Don't forget, Director Huang is Team Leader Lin's mentor! He can't possibly not help Team Leader Lin. Besides, we've completed our project so well that, both publicly and privately, there's no way we'll fail to submit it."
Lin Yuanshu patted Tang Dasi on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Have more confidence in our research results, and have more confidence in yourself. If you really can't do it, then have more confidence in me!"
Tang Dasi couldn't help but smile with relief and readily agreed, "Okay."
Things going too smoothly made her a little suspicious. She always felt that someone would come out and sabotage things at the crucial moment, and she had an inexplicable sense of unease. It was all the fault of the team members in Team Leader Lü's project team. They had bullied her so much before, which made it difficult for her to welcome the success with peace of mind.
Apart from Tang Dasi's slight unease, the other members of the project team were very confident in their research results, believing that they could not only submit the research results but also easily pass the institute's acceptance.
Not long after, Lin Yuanshu walked into Director Huang's office with a report and data, placed them on the desk in front of Director Huang, and said softly, "Director Huang, we have lived up to your expectations and our project team has completed the project task. This is our results report and relevant data on the improvement of the penicillin production process. Please take a look."
Director Huang didn't waste any words and went straight to reviewing the reports and data. After all, he had been paying close attention to the progress of Lin Yuanshu's project team every day, so he wasn't surprised by Lin Yuanshu's arrival. He mainly wanted to check the authenticity and completeness of the reports and data.
Lin Yuanshu stood there for a few minutes. Seeing that Director Huang was completely absorbed in the report and ignored her, she whispered, "Director Huang, please take your time reading. I'll be going now."
Director Huang waved his hand without looking up, indicating that Lin Yuanshu could leave.
Seeing this, Lin Yuanshu didn't linger and left the office without hesitation. Her project was completed, and the research institute and the Ministry of Health were now busy.
It took Director Huang five days to review all the data from Lin Yuanshu's project team, including experimental records and so on.
It must be said that Lin Yuanshu's research report and data were very thorough and meticulous. There were no contradictions in the data, the experimental procedures were extremely standardized, and the report had no missing materials. Even the batch numbers of the experimental reagents were recorded. It was clear that he had not wasted his time.
He put the research report and data in his briefcase, then took the briefcase to the Ministry of Health and handed the research report and data to the Minister of Health.
He sat on the sofa opposite the Minister of Health and asked in a serious tone, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu's project team has completed the entire process of small-scale and pilot-scale testing. I have checked it, and there are no problems with the data. Considering the special nature of the penicillin improvement project, I would like to ask about the project acceptance. Is it to be handled by our institute? Or do you have other plans?"
Without hesitation, the Minister of Health said, "It seems my judgment was correct. Comrade Lin Yuanshu has not disappointed me. The penicillin improvement project is very important to the country, and we absolutely cannot be perfunctory. Therefore, I plan to apply to the higher-ups to organize an 'appraisal meeting' later. At that time, I will invite experts from other research institutes, representatives from pharmaceutical factories, and leaders from the Chemical Industry Bureau to join the appraisal meeting. We will conduct acceptance and appraisal at the same time. Only in this way can we quickly promote Comrade Lin Yuanshu's improved penicillin production process to the whole country."
The appraisal meeting allows them to avoid doing too much "prestige work." If they followed the normal acceptance process, too much time would be wasted, and there would be no need to do such useless work.
The improved production process for penicillin is different from that for other drugs. The promotion of penicillin is even more important because penicillin is a life-saving drug. The more it is produced, the more it can alleviate the urgent need for medication at the grassroots level. Currently, production teams across the country are experiencing a shortage of penicillin.
Therefore, we cannot promote it slowly like we did with previous drugs; instead, we must focus on promoting it as quickly as possible.
Director Huang was not surprised by the Minister of Health's decision. Ever since the research results submitted by Group Leader Lü of the First Research Institute six months ago were not ideal, the Minister of Health had placed his hopes on Lin Yuanshu.
It's not that Team Leader Lü's research results are bad, it's just that they lack the value to be promoted. The improvement efforts are too small, and there's not much difference between promoting them and not promoting them.
"Alright, then I won't bother you any longer. I'll go back to the research institute now to arrange the appraisal meeting," Director Huang said seriously.
The Minister of Health smiled at Director Huang and praised him, "Go! Your Dongfanghong Research Institute is performing better and better. I will commend you to the higher-ups. Keep up the good work."
Director Huang's eyes lit up instantly, and he replied with great excitement, "We will continue to work hard and will definitely not let you down."
He wasn't happy because of the Minister of Health's praise, but because the Minister of Health was willing to speak well of their research institute in front of higher-ups. As long as they could catch the eye of higher-ups, their research institute could obtain more resources and it would be easier to apply for experimental materials.
After Director Huang left the office, the minister began to look through the reports and data. The more he looked, the more shocked he became. He did not expect that Lin Yuanshu's research results were even more impressive than the improvement goals she had written before. Compared with the research results, the improvement goals she wrote were conservative.
If Lin Yuanshu's improved penicillin production process can be successfully promoted nationwide, China's penicillin production will not only be self-sufficient but also exported to other countries, while also reducing the price of penicillin—a win-win-win situation.
Fortunately, I insisted on having Lin Yuanshu in charge of this project team. If it had been someone else, we certainly wouldn't have achieved such great research results.
Just like Team Leader Lü, whom he had placed high hopes on, the research turned into a lot of noise but little action in the end.
After Director Huang returned to the research institute, he told Lin Yuanshu about the appraisal meeting.
Lin Yuanshu was quite pleased with this, after all, the more the Minister of Health valued her research results, the more benefits she would receive. She couldn't be the kind of person who gave without expecting anything in return.
Director Huang lowered his voice and revealed, "Once your research results are successfully handed over to the Minister of Health, and this project is completely completed, I will recommend you to the Minister of Health for a promotion to associate researcher. I will not overlook your contributions."
Lin Yuanshu's lips curled up slightly. This was truly good news. With Director Huang's promise, she could now focus on finishing up the work with peace of mind.
It must be admitted that she was quite lucky. It was 1976, and the scientific research system had been severely impacted before. Therefore, there was no formal assessment for becoming an associate researcher. Promotion only required public evaluation and leadership recommendation.
When that decade ends, which is next year, promotion to associate researcher will require passing a professional examination and submitting research results, which will be approved by the Ministry of Health. Both are indispensable.
Although she was confident that she could pass the professional exam, she thought it would be better to avoid taking it if possible.
In the 1970s, the salary of an associate researcher was about 150 yuan. In terms of purchasing power at that time, she was already considered a high-income person.
She planned to save the money and buy some gold to keep at home after those ten years were over, since money depreciates, but gold doesn't depreciate so easily.
Lin Yuanshu suppressed the jumbled thoughts in his mind and spoke his heart without hesitation, "Director Huang, I trust your character. You won't let me work in vain. Although I may appear to be neutral, I have always been biased towards you. I am very willing to do things for you."
As long as Director Huang remains the director of the Dongfanghong Research Institute, she will definitely favor Director Huang.
Director Huang was very satisfied with Lin Yuanshu's answer.
The two chatted for about half an hour before Lin Yuanshu left the office.
After getting off work, Lin Yuanshu told Deputy Director Mao of Hongguang Pharmaceutical Factory and Deputy Director Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory about the news that the Ministry of Health was going to hold an evaluation meeting on the penicillin improvement project.
She wouldn't interfere with their joining the appraisal committee; she would only inform them in advance, and what they did next was their business.
She told Deputy Director Mao of Hongguang Pharmaceutical Factory that she genuinely wanted to help him.
The reason she told the deputy director of Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory was simply to show her goodwill, to express that there was no conflict between her and Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory, and that she was happy to help Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory.
In fact, even without her help, Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory would have known about this news in advance. After all, Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory would definitely be one of the pilot units for her improved penicillin production process. Her actions should be considered as icing on the cake.
When Deputy Factory Director Mao heard the news, she was naturally extremely excited. If she could join the appraisal meeting, she might be able to make Hongguang Pharmaceutical Factory one of the pilot units. Even if it couldn't become a pilot unit, it could still increase Hongguang Pharmaceutical Factory's industry recognition and influence.
She trusted Lin Yuanshu, so she never doubted that the news was false. After calming herself down, she went to see Director Qian and her husband as soon as possible.
After all, relying solely on Director Qian's connections wouldn't be enough to get her into the Ministry of Health's appraisal committee, since most of Director Qian's connections are in the chemical industry.
Upon receiving the news, the deputy director of Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory was just as excited as Deputy Director Mao, and he immediately told the director about it.
The Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory was unaware of this news because the minister's application had not been approved, so the minister had not yet informed the officials of the Ministry of Health. Therefore, the leaders of Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory were naturally unaware of this matter.
The factory director pursed his lips, seemingly lost in thought, and said, "I had long guessed that the Ministry of Health would organize an evaluation meeting after Comrade Lin Yuanshu's project was completed. I just didn't expect this day to come so soon. Whether our Jishi Pharmaceutical Factory can make further progress depends on whether Comrade Lin Yuanshu's improved penicillin production process is as effective as before. We must participate in this evaluation meeting. You did a great job. Continue to maintain a friendly relationship with Comrade Lin Yuanshu. Don't let us down at this crucial moment!"
The deputy factory director nodded with unwavering determination. "I will."
If it weren't for Comrade Lin Yuanshu's unwillingness to accept bribes, he would have really wanted to send a gift to Comrade Lin Yuanshu's door during holidays to ensure a long-term friendly relationship.
The Minister of Health's application was approved the next day, and he began to formally work on the evaluation committee. The directors of other pharmaceutical factories also gradually heard the news.
Two days later, the Minister of Health made the appraisal meeting clear at the meeting, and everyone present felt that the matter had been settled.
After the meeting, everyone left the conference room one after another, chatting as they walked. After all, such a big thing had happened, and they wanted to discuss it with others.
One of the institute directors exclaimed, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu completes project tasks incredibly quickly. The time she takes to complete two projects is enough for our institute's staff to complete just one."
Another director nodded in agreement and whispered, "I really hope that Director Huang is out of his mind right now, suddenly dislikes Comrade Lin Yuanshu, and starts to suppress him. That way, I'll have a chance to transfer Comrade Lin Yuanshu to my research institute."
The director who had spoken earlier said with a complicated expression, "You're really wicked, but this matter is unlikely to happen. Director Huang is too busy protecting Comrade Lin Yuanshu right now to suppress her."
The director raised an eyebrow, somewhat displeased, and said, "You're calling me bad? Don't you want this kind of thing to happen?"
The director who had spoken earlier touched his nose and said truthfully, "Of course we hope so."
The directors of the 49 City Research Institute now have a strong dislike for Director Huang. They treat him with utter contempt and disdain, almost resorting to sarcastic remarks.
They were filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred towards Director Huang! They also wanted to impress the higher-ups, gain the favor of the Minister of Health, and have the institute allocated more resources.
The key issue is that Director Huang didn't rely on his own abilities, but rather on the influence of Comrade Lin Yuanshu, which made them even more jealous.
Director Huang was completely unconcerned about the jealous behavior of the other research institute directors. He believed that those who did not arouse jealousy were mediocre, and they could only look at him with disdain.
The pharmaceutical factory leaders acted in stark contrast to the research institute directors. They tried hard to befriend Director Huang, hoping he would speak well of them to the Minister of Health and get them a place on the evaluation committee.
Director Huang answered every question, but nothing came of it; he wouldn't make promises to others so easily.
Director Yu left the Ministry of Health with a stern face; he did not chat with the directors of other research institutes.
He didn't want to see the gloating expressions of the other research institute directors, or hear them say things like, "It's a pity that Comrade Lin Yuanshu wasn't transferred to the First Research Institute, otherwise he would be the one showing off today."
The first thing Director Yu did upon returning to the institute was to call Team Leader Lü into his office.
Team Leader Lü nervously entered the office and asked with a smile, "Director Yu, what are your instructions?"
Director Yu took a deep breath and said confidently, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu has completed the project. In order to promote the penicillin production process improved by Comrade Lin Yuanshu as soon as possible, the Minister of Health is preparing to organize an evaluation meeting. If nothing unexpected happens, our institute should have a spot. You can attend then. Anyway, you have the deepest understanding of penicillin in our institute."
A hint of hesitation flashed in Team Leader Lü's eyes. If it were any other project, he would have agreed without hesitation, but this was a penicillin project!
He submitted a similar project proposal just six months ago, and it hasn't even been approved by the Minister of Health yet. If he attends this evaluation meeting now, he'll just be making a fool of himself.
Even if others don't laugh at him, they will still view him with prejudice.
"I don't think I'm capable enough. Could someone else participate instead?" Team Leader Lü asked cautiously.
Director Yu refused without hesitation: "No, you are the most suitable person for the research institute. You can't be unwilling to face the things related to it just because of a temporary failure. You can go and see where you lost, and try again next time to find a way to surpass Comrade Lin Yuanshu."
Team Leader Lü forced a smile and reluctantly agreed, "I know what to do."
If he had a choice, he wouldn't want to just hand over his research results like that, but he heard that Lin Yuanshu's project team had already cultivated a "high-yield strain".
If he had chosen not to submit his research and continued his penicillin research instead, he certainly wouldn't have completed the project by now, and Lin Yuanshu would have submitted his research results before him.
Unless his later research results are more impressive than Lin Yuanshu's, his research results will be useless, and he will lose miserably.
So it's better to submit it in advance. Although it's a bit embarrassing, at least it won't render his research completely useless and leave him with no benefit whatsoever.
This is already the best option.
After Team Leader Lü left the office, Director Yu couldn't help but sigh. These days, it's really hard to find a good candidate who can stand on his own.
He never imagined that if he missed Lin Yuanshu, he would find it very difficult to meet another person as capable as Lin Yuanshu.
As soon as Team Leader Lü stepped out of the office building, he ran into Team Leader Bai. He pretended not to see Team Leader Bai and strode forward.
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