Chapter 79 Successfully Persuaded
After hearing Lin Yuanshu's words, Deputy Factory Director Mao felt a little more at ease. She came up to Lin Yuanshu, looked at him seriously, and asked, "Are you sure you can modify the naphthalene intermediate production workshop to produce sulfonamide drugs? It's not enough to just make the drugs; we have to meet the national standards. Otherwise, we won't be able to get a drug production license."
Facing Deputy Factory Director Mao's questions, Lin Yuanwen showed no fear and spoke eloquently: "I already have a general direction for the renovation of the naphthalene intermediate production workshop. First, we'll renovate the reactors to stainless steel for chlorosulfonation, ammoniation, and other steps. The storage pipes are already made of acid-resistant material, so they don't need modification. The filtration and drying equipment can continue to be used. We need to add a cryogenic control system, an exhaust gas absorption tower, and so on. We'll start by modifying these key steps' equipment, and then gradually carry out a comprehensive renovation. First, we'll ensure compliance, then upgrade..."
Deputy Factory Director Mao fell into deep thought, and finally made up his mind and said, "Alright, I'll choose to trust you this time. I hope you won't let me down. But then again, after listening to what you said, I feel that you had this plan all along, rather than having this idea only after you knew that I wanted to change the chemical plant into a daily necessities factory!"
It wasn't that she wanted to give up the daily necessities factory, but after Lin Yuanshu's description, she felt that converting it into a pharmaceutical factory wouldn't be so difficult. At least it sounded much simpler than the daily necessities factory. Most importantly, this plan would be easier to implement.
Lin Yuanshu paused for a moment, then decisively denied it, saying, "The reason I can speak so eloquently is because I am quite interested in pharmaceutical knowledge. When I am working, I sometimes think about how great it would be if I could make pharmaceuticals myself. Therefore, I imagine myself making pharmaceuticals in the production workshop, which is why I was able to determine the direction of transforming the production workshop and converting the chemical plant into a pharmaceutical factory at the first opportunity. I would never dare to have such a plan for something so big."
It's better to let Deputy Director Mao handle the things that attract hatred. After all, the leaders and workers of the chemical plant dare not make things difficult for Deputy Director Mao because of her status and position, as well as because of her lover. But that doesn't mean they can't make things difficult for her.
That's why she didn't bring the plan she had prepared beforehand.
The plan I had from the beginning and the idea that came to me after talking with Deputy Director Mao were two completely different things.
Deputy Director Mao did not doubt Lin Yuanshu's words. After all, it was impossible for Lin Yuanshu to have guessed in advance that the country would fall out with the big brother and that the development of the dye chemical plant would take a sharp turn for the worse. With the chemical plant thriving, how could she possibly have such a plan!
She sat back down next to Lin Yuanshu and solemnly instructed, "Fate is truly wondrous. Go back and prepare a plan and submit it. Without a plan, it will be difficult to persuade Director Qian and the others. I will do my best to make you one of the people in charge of this plan. You must also cooperate with me and try to persuade Director Qian and the others."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yuanshu finally felt relieved. It seemed that he had persuaded Deputy Factory Director Mao. With Deputy Factory Director Mao leading the way, the project proposal wouldn't just sit in the office gathering dust.
"No problem," Lin Yuanshu readily agreed.
It's been such a difficult journey for her. She can finally go back to her old profession. If she hadn't been unlucky enough to meet that deputy director of the pharmaceutical factory, she wouldn't have had to take so many detours.
Seeing that Lin Yuanshu agreed so readily, Deputy Factory Director Mao smiled slightly and patted his chest to assure him, "You only need to be responsible for one thing: renovating the production workshop and finding a way to make it produce medicines that meet national standards. I'll take care of everything else."
Lin Yuanshu nodded and said with a smile, "I'd like to say in advance that it's a pleasure to cooperate with you, and I hope our plan will proceed smoothly."
She didn't want to deal with those troublesome and trivial matters; she just wanted to devote herself wholeheartedly to the workshop renovation project.
Over the next half hour, Deputy Factory Director Mao asked Lin Yuanshu some questions about pharmaceutical knowledge and workshop renovation.
Lin Yuanshu answered each question, demonstrating his professional competence.
After Lin Yuanshu left the office, the secretary came in. After tidying up, he tentatively asked, "So, did Comrade Lin Yuanshu agree to help?"
If Lin Yuanshu angers the deputy factory director, he will have to find a way to sever ties with Lin Yuanshu.
Deputy Factory Director Mao, with a complex expression, said, "That's considered an agreement."
The secretary looked at Deputy Factory Director Mao with some confusion and subconsciously asked, "What do you mean by 'considering it an agreement'?"
Deputy Factory Director Mao noticed the secretary's confusion and explained seriously, "After discussing with Lin Yuanshu, I don't plan to convert the chemical plant into a daily necessities factory. Instead, I plan to convert my pharmaceutical factory. I've already asked her to go back and write the plan, which we'll bring up at tomorrow's meeting."
The secretary gasped when he heard what Deputy Factory Director Mao said. So this was what they meant by changing Deputy Factory Director Mao's mind. He thought they were advising Deputy Factory Director Mao not to be so radical, but he didn't expect them to be even more radical than Deputy Factory Director Mao.
"this……"
The secretary was at a loss for words; this was completely unexpected.
Deputy Factory Director Mao didn't seem to care about his secretary's flustered state. He smiled and said, "I've already been so radical. What's wrong with being a little more radical? Don't worry, I'm not stupid. I won't turn the chemical plant into a pharmaceutical plant all at once. I've decided to first convert two production lines. If there are no problems, then I'll gradually convert the chemical plant."
Upon hearing this, the secretary relaxed a little. As long as it wasn't a major undertaking, it would be fine. After all, converting a chemical plant into a pharmaceutical plant involved not only huge changes to production equipment and processes, but also extremely complicated approval procedures, making it not so easy to proceed.
He thought he had found a reliable leader, but the leader was too radical. Then he found an assistant for the leader, but the assistant was even more radical. To be honest, he really belonged to the conservative group. He felt that the behavior of Deputy Factory Director Mao and Lin Yuanshu was like dancing on the edge of a knife. If they were not careful, they would lose everything.
But he was already on the game, and he had no choice but to grit his teeth and keep going.
On the other side, Director Qian asked his secretary as she walked in, "What is Deputy Director Mao doing now? Who has she won over? Her actions are too radical; she's making such a big move right from the start. I don't even know what to say!"
The secretary replied in a low voice, "Deputy Factory Director Mao called Comrade Lin Yuanshu to his office, but I couldn't find out what they talked about."
After all, Deputy Factory Director Mao's secretary was guarding the office door, so there was no way he could arrange for someone to eavesdrop.
Director Qian waved his hand dismissively, saying confidently, "Comrade Lin Yuanshu is not the kind of person who blindly follows others. He won't follow Deputy Director Mao's reckless actions. I can't just stand by and watch the chemical plant be converted into a daily chemical plant. Over the years, I've poured a lot of effort into the chemical plant. How can outsiders understand my feelings for it!"
The secretary's expression was quite complicated. To be honest, he felt that Comrade Lin Yuanshu's behavior was also quite radical.
"I will continue to send people to keep an eye on Deputy Director Mao to prevent her from doing anything underhanded. I believe that whether it is the workers or the cadres of the chemical plant, they all have feelings for the chemical plant and do not want it to become a daily chemical plant. Deputy Director Mao is destined not to win over anyone," the secretary said confidently.
Factory Director Qian nodded in approval. "I'm confident in entrusting this matter to you."
After leaving the office, Lin Yuanshu did not return to the production workshop, but went to the technical department to meet with the head of the technical department.
She felt that she should be able to win over others better than Deputy Factory Director Mao, since Deputy Factory Director Mao was now practically the enemy of the leaders.
The head of the technology department was quite surprised by Lin Yuanshu's arrival, since Lin Yuanshu's current work had nothing to do with him. He jokingly asked, "What wind blew you here?"
Lin Yuanshu answered truthfully, "It was Deputy Director Mao who brought this strong wind. I just went to see Deputy Director Mao, so I came here specifically to talk to you."
The head of the technical department was stunned for a moment, then frowned and said, "Are you out of your mind? You're even getting involved in this mess. Don't you see what ridiculous things Deputy Factory Director Mao said at the meeting? Now is not a good time to curry favor with Deputy Factory Director Mao. You should stay far away from her. Whoever gets involved with her will be in trouble."
Lin Yuanshu sat in the chair in front of his desk and said slowly, "I have convinced her to change her mind. She is no longer planning to convert the chemical plant into a daily necessities factory, but is planning to convert it into a pharmaceutical factory. Our chance to make a big splash has arrived."
The head of the technical department said speechlessly, "This isn't about making a mistake in adjusting the factory! It's about not adjusting it in the first place. I'm not willing to join this plan. I think this whole thing is completely unreliable."
“But if we don’t make adjustments, the development of the dye chemical plant will only get worse, not better. You all see the current predicament of the dye chemical plant, yet you choose to just go with the flow,” Lin Yuanshu said earnestly.
The Minister of Technology said nonchalantly, "So what? With the country backing us, what are you worried about?"
"If most people are as unambitious as you, the factory will never improve. We can't keep walking with our ears covered forever. We need to be prepared for danger in times of peace, do you understand?" Lin Yuanshu said earnestly.
She certainly didn't want a wave of layoffs to happen at the Hongguang Dye Chemical Plant.
"Then what do you want me to do?" The head of the technology department looked helpless.
If it weren't for the fact that Lin Yuanshu had helped him before, he would have kicked Lin Yuanshu out of the office long ago.
Lin Yuanshu took a deep breath and her tone softened. She said softly, "We've worked together before, so you should know my personality. I'm not the kind of person without prejudice, and I can't just make changes rashly from the start. I plan to modify two sulfadiazine production lines first. I'll need the help and support of the technical department. This matter should be discussed at the meeting tomorrow morning. I hope you can choose to support me."
Upon hearing this, the head of the technical department's expression softened. According to Lin Yuanshu's plan, at least there was room for maneuver, which was much more reliable than Deputy Factory Director Mao's previous plan.
Seeing that the expression of the head of the technical department had softened, Lin Yuanshu continued, "Sometimes, being complacent is a form of regression, because your enemies are constantly advancing, and you don't want to stand still, do you? You previously earned the title of model cadre for transforming the naphthalene intermediate production workshop, so you should know the opportunities brought by innovation and transformation. If you can transform the naphthalene intermediate production workshop into a sulfadiazine production line, you should know how much benefit you can gain. Besides, even if you fail, it has nothing to do with you. After all, this plan was proposed by Deputy Factory Director Mao, and she will take full responsibility for any problems. You don't even have to take any risks, so what's there to hesitate about?"
The head of the technology department gave a helpless smile. "Sigh, you're really good with words. You've convinced me again. Let me make this clear: at the conference, I will only approve of your plan. I won't go to great lengths to help you fight for it like last time. Whether you succeed or not still depends on your abilities."
"Okay, I understand, thank you." Lin Yuanshu gave a bright smile.
Without the support and assistance of the head of the technical department, she would have been unable to make any progress in modifying the workshop, since her expertise was unrelated to mechanical equipment. She could only put forward her own ideas and requirements, and the specific operation still depended on the technicians.
After saying goodbye to the head of the technical department, Lin Yuanshu went to see the head of the maintenance department, who naturally refused to get involved in this mess.
Lin Yuanshu smiled slightly and said softly, "I only wanted you to join this project because of our good relationship. After all, the head of the technology department has already agreed to join, and he'd love to have a monopoly. He'd be even happier without you..."
Upon hearing this, the repair department manager replied without hesitation, "We're such good friends, you don't need to be so polite. It's just a matter of speaking up for you at tomorrow's meeting, right? Leave it to me."
The more the head of the technical department didn't want him to join, the more he wanted to join, which infuriated the head of the technical department. Because of his participation in the transformation of the naphthalene intermediate production workshop last time, he also gained a lot of benefits, and the work of the maintenance department was also valued as a result, unlike before when he was ignored.
After meeting with the head of the repair department, Lin Yuanshu did not meet with any other leaders. She had little relationship with these leaders and was worried that the news would reach Director Qian, causing him to prevent the conference from being held tomorrow.
She had barely returned to her office and hadn't even sat down when Director Xia stormed in with a stern face and demanded, "What were you doing just now? Why are you only coming back now? I heard you went to see Deputy Factory Director Mao. What did you two talk about?"
Lin Yuanshu sometimes really felt that Director Xia's information network was a bit too good, it was as if there were surveillance cameras installed in the chemical plant, monitoring everyone's every move at all times.
She explained with a smile, "Deputy Director Mao didn't talk to me much. He mentioned the matter of converting the chemical plant into a daily-use product factory. I think this plan is not very good. If we are not careful, it may lead to the dye chemical plant being shut down and converted."
She wasn't lying; she genuinely felt the plan wasn't working, so she proposed a better one.
Director Xia nodded, expressing his approval: "That's why some female comrades are prone to acting impulsively, doing whatever they want without any foresight. People should be like you, boldly expressing their own ideas. Don't just agree with her just because she's a leader. Although I haven't become the deputy factory director yet, don't worry, you'll get everything you're entitled to. Just stay here and work by my side!"
He just couldn't stand those people who tried to curry favor with Deputy Director Mao. They were clearly trying so hard to please him before, but after they found out he wouldn't be the deputy director, they started trying to please the newly appointed one. They were too opportunistic.
Lin Yuanshu smiled but did not answer; she really didn't know how to respond to Director Xia's question.
Director Xia didn't notice anything unusual about Lin Yuanshu. He just assumed that Lin Yuanshu was unhappy that he had spoken ill of female colleagues. He wasn't stupid; he could naturally tell that Lin Yuanshu would help female colleagues at work.
Most of the leaders at the chemical plant didn't want it to become a daily chemical plant, so they paid close attention to Deputy Director Mao's every move. They also learned that after Deputy Director Mao put forward his plan, the first person he met was Lin Yuanshu.
They sent their men to the production workshop to find out what Deputy Factory Director Mao and Lin Yuanshu were talking about. Lin Yuanshu easily dismissed everyone with the same excuse he used to deal with Director Xia.
In the evening, Lin Yuanshu handed the revised plan to Deputy Factory Director Mao and then went home. She had worked overtime for the first time ever to revise the plan.
Deputy Factory Director Mao carefully reviewed Lin Yuanshu's plan. After finishing, she couldn't help but sigh, "It seems I'm really getting old. My plan isn't as detailed as Comrade Lin Yuanshu's. Every step in her plan is meticulously crafted and can be implemented directly. No wonder Factory Director Qian and other leaders look down on my plan. Anyone who has read Lin Yuanshu's plan can see that there are still many areas in my plan that need improvement."
The secretary whispered to comfort her, "We can't judge Comrade Lin Yuanshu by common sense. Her work ability is indeed outstanding. Not just anyone can come up with the process of solvent sulfonation to produce naphthalene intermediates. However, there are things she can't do. If it weren't for Director Qian's support, she wouldn't have been able to transform the naphthalene intermediate production workshop. And if it weren't for your support now, this plan would just be a piece of waste paper."
After listening to his secretary's words, Deputy Factory Director Mao smiled and said, "That's true. If this plan is to be implemented, it will require not only Lin Yuanshu's efforts but also ours. This stage should be handed over to these young people."
Her initial purpose in joining the Hongguang Dye Chemical Plant was to find a way out for the plant. As long as there was a way out, it didn't matter whether her business plan was adopted or not.
She and Lin Yuanshu shared the same goal: to make Hongguang Dye Chemical Plant better and better.
On the other side, Lin Yuanshu returned home after get off work. Xue Dafu and the others had already returned. Zhou Xiangyang was working the night shift today, so she walked home alone.
As soon as Zhou Dafu saw Lin Yuanshu enter the living room, he asked, "I heard you had a dispute with Deputy Factory Director Mao? No matter what, she is the deputy factory director. How could you be so disrespectful to your leader! You are my daughter-in-law. I can't turn a blind eye to your mistakes, so I'm going to apologize on your behalf tomorrow."
Lin Yuanshu raised an eyebrow, somewhat speechless. "I think your apology on my behalf is fake; you're really just trying to curry favor with Deputy Factory Director Mao."
So we should not believe or spread rumors. A perfectly good thing can become completely distorted when it reaches Chow Tai Fook. Luckily, it was just a dispute, not a fight.
Zhou Dafu awkwardly touched his nose and said emphatically, "I'm doing this for your own good. I'm just worried that your relationship with Deputy Factory Director Mao is too bad, and that he might target you because of it. It's good that Factory Director Qian is protecting you. If he weren't, you would be left with nothing but tears."
The eldest brother couldn't stand it anymore. He slammed his hand on the table and shouted, "Dad, don't get involved! Second Sister-in-law has her reasons for doing things her way. There's nothing wrong with her opposing Deputy Director Mao's plan. You want to curry favor with Deputy Director Mao, but he wants to send you to another factory. Think about it carefully. If the chemical plant becomes a daily chemical plant, it won't need so many workers to maintain the equipment. In that case, your only fate will be to go to another factory. Do you want to leave the chemical plant?"
He had been living in constant fear that Lin Yuanshu would get involved with Deputy Factory Director Mao. He was so excited to hear the good news that Lin Yuanshu and Deputy Factory Director Mao had a dispute, but his father wanted the two of them to shake hands and make peace. Of course, he couldn't just stand by and watch this happen.
Lin Yuanshu raised an eyebrow. She hadn't expected her older brother to be so insightful and farsighted, which impressed her. It seemed that intellectuals of this era still possessed genuine knowledge and skills.
Zhou Dafu paused for a moment, his expression gradually turning serious. He sighed, "I was thinking too little. What's that saying again? Right, when gods fight, mortals suffer. I just hope this farce ends soon so I can continue to find ways to please Deputy Factory Director Mao."
Upon hearing Zhou Dafu's words, Lin Yuanshu asked a soul-searching question, "Why do you insist on currying favor with Deputy Factory Director Mao? Can't you just curry favor with someone else? It would be more reliable to curry favor with Factory Director Qian than Deputy Factory Director Mao."
Zhou Dafu couldn't help but break down and said, "Do you think everyone is like you, able to chat and laugh with Director Qian? It's not that I don't want to curry favor with Director Qian, but I simply don't have the opportunity to get close to him. It just so happens that Deputy Director Mao is short of people, so I thought of getting close to him."
Lin Yuanshu looked at Zhou Dafu with a complex expression.
Sigh, I don't know where things went wrong. Her father-in-law used to think about getting ahead through his abilities, but now he wants to get ahead by flattering her.
The elder brother listened to Zhou Dafu's words and fell into deep thought. If Deputy Factory Director Mao could become his backer, wouldn't he no longer need to worry about being bullied by the cadres of the Revolutionary Committee? Moreover, he could summon Lin Yuanshu at will and dismiss him at will, and Lin Yuanshu would not dare to resist him at all.
The key question is how he can get close to Deputy Director Mao. Deputy Director Mao doesn't have any children studying in his class, and their only connection is that they both know Lin Yuanshu.
Unless he apologizes on Lin Yuanshu's behalf, thinking about it that way, his dad is really something else...
Lin Yuanshu earnestly advised Zhou Dafu: "Dad, mountains may crumble, and people may run away. You must believe in your work ability. In another ten years, you will definitely be promoted."
Zhou Dafu looked at Lin Yuanshu with a solemn yet subtle expression. He didn't want his daughter-in-law to become the workshop director while he remained a mere team leader; that would be too embarrassing.
Zhou Xiangyang was the only one in the family who had no interest in the new deputy factory director. After all, he was just a cook. Whether it was a chemical plant or a daily chemical plant, he was still a cook, and the adjustment of the chemical plant would not affect him in the slightest.
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