Chapter 215 I Want to Stay at the Grassroots Level
Zheng Kaihe's palms were full of sweat. He clenched the newly signed contract, and his knuckles turned white from the force.
Twenty automatic looms—this wasn't just an order; it was the largest export deal the machinery factory had ever seen. What made his heart beat even faster was the additional clause: the customer had reserved priority purchasing rights for next year's new models, meaning their products had entered the international market.
He looked up and saw the red slogan on the wall: "Develop foreign trade, support national construction". At this moment, the bright slogan seemed particularly eye-catching and matched his current mood.
"Thank you for your trust!" He shook the hand of the blond foreign businessman in the lead tightly, his voice trembling slightly.
"We will provide you with a full set of technical information. If necessary, we can send engineers to provide on-site training for three months, provided you arrange for food and accommodation."
The foreign businessman pushed his gold-rimmed glasses up his nose and said with a smile in slightly stiff Chinese, "Director Zheng, we believe in China's technological strength, and we trust Miss Jiang's professional judgment even more."
He turned to look at Jiang Haitang standing beside him, his eyes full of undisguised admiration, "Her explanation of the warp tension adjustment system is even clearer than our technical consultant's."
Zheng Kaihe then realized what was happening and looked at Jiang Haitang.
He recalled that before he left, Director Mao had patted him on the shoulder and said, "Kaihe, the Canton Fair is our factory's opportunity. If we can close a deal in three days, our trip won't be in vain. If you really encounter difficulties, find Comrade Jiang Haitang. She can help you with a surprise."
He didn't take these words to heart at the time, thinking that Jiang Haitang should not be so capable. However, he didn't expect that with Jiang Haitang's help, the plan that originally took three days to break zero was completed on the same day.
It’s only been half a day since the Canton Fair opened, and we’ve already had such a good start. This is something to celebrate, and we have Jiang Haitang to thank for all this.
"Engineer Jiang, you have made a great contribution to today's matter!" Zheng Kaihe's voice was full of gratitude.
If Jiang Haitang hadn't come to the rescue just now, the booth would have been deserted by now.
Thinking of this, Zheng Kaihe looked at Yan Peiwen with a somewhat unpleasant look.
Jiang Haitang smiled calmly, "Director Zheng, you're too kind. I'm also a member of our machinery factory, and it's my duty to do this. I can't just watch our factory's business fail."
"I might need your help at the machinery factory over the next few days, but don't worry, I'll call the factory and ask them to arrange for an interpreter to come over."
Yan Peiwen, Zheng Kaihe has decided not to use him.
"No!" Yan Peiwen sensed the danger and immediately objected: "I'm a professional translator, you can't find another translator!"
"Yan Peiwen, not only did you let us down, but you also didn't allow us to find another translator. Do you think you have the final say in the machinery factory?" Zheng Kaihe didn't intend to continue to tolerate Yan Peiwen.
As for the punishment he will face after returning, let's talk about it after he returns. Even if he is punished, he must complete the task of the Canton Fair perfectly.
"Zheng Kaihe, don't you want a future anymore?"
"I know you're talking about your father. If your father, Deputy Director Yan, really punishes me for your dereliction of duty, I can accept it. But before the punishment comes, I'm the deputy director of the machinery factory and the person in charge of participating in the Canton Fair this time!"
Zheng Kaihe was really prepared to break off relations with Yan Peiwen and did not give him any face at all.
It was this girl who called herself a "professional translator" who hesitated when asked about the "instantaneous tension bearing coefficient" by the customer. Finally, she blushed and said, "This is a deliberate difficulty," which almost drove the customer away.
Yan Peiwen stood aside, and his beautiful eyes were full of resentment when he looked at Jiang Haitang.
Why Jiang Haitang?
A bitch from the country could actually convince those foreigners to order products.
"Director Zheng, you..."
"Comrade Yan Peiwen," Zheng Kaihe took a deep breath, "you should stay in the guesthouse for the next few days. You don't need to come to the booth."
At the beginning, Yan Peiwen insisted that his foreign language level was good enough, and even refused the factory's request to arrange for another translator, which led to a dull atmosphere today.
A machinery shop does need a translator, but it doesn't need one who's a drag.
She was stuck during a simple conversation today. Even if he didn't understand foreign languages, he could feel that Yan Peiwen's foreign language proficiency was questionable.
Yan Peiwen suddenly raised his head, and his white Dacron shirt became tighter due to the movement, revealing his slender collarbone.
Her face, originally fair and beautiful, was now flushed red, and her almond-shaped eyes were fixed on Jiang Haitang.
"Zheng Kaihe, you have no right to stop me from coming to the booth!"
"What we want is a translator, not someone to cause trouble." Zheng Kaihe's voice turned cold.
"I'm causing trouble?" Yan Peiwen's voice suddenly rose, a twist crossing his delicate face. "I'm just a country bumpkin, and you all protect me. Do you think I'm easy to bully?"
Zheng Kaihe was so angry that he almost laughed. Since when did they dare to bully this second-generation official?
He clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. "Comrade Yan Peiwen, if there's any disciplinary action, I'll wait. But until then, I'm the person in charge of this Canton Fair. The interests of the machinery factory are more important than anyone else's reputation."
"You!" Yan Peiwen was so angry that his whole body was shaking. When he looked at Jiang Haitang, his beautiful eyes were filled with resentment.
Yan Peiwen looked at Jiang Haitang with vicious eyes, but was surprised to find that there was a person standing not far behind Jiang Haitang.
It's Vice Minister Zhou! When did he arrive? Did he hear everything I just said?
Zheng Kaihe only just noticed Vice Minister Zhou at this moment and quickly stepped forward. "Vice Minister Zhou, why are you here? You didn't even tell me in advance so I could prepare."
Deputy Minister Zhou waved his hand, his eyes passing over him and falling on Jiang Haitang, his eyes full of gentle admiration.
"I came here with Xiao Jiang. I just saw her secure a big order for the textile factory, and now I saw she secured an order for your machinery factory. It really is true that women are just as capable as men!"
"Deputy Minister Zhou, you're too kind. I just did what I should do."
Looking at the humble Jiang Haitang, Vice Minister Zhou felt even more satisfied, and he turned his gaze to Zheng Kaihe.
"Deputy Director Zheng, you did the right thing. I will report this matter to the department. Don't worry, we will never let anyone who is dedicated to their duties and serves the public suffer any injustice! No one will be wronged!"
Vice Minister Zhou's words were a blatant endorsement of Zheng Kaihe.
"Deputy Minister Zhou, I didn't, it's just..." Yan Peiwen immediately began to explain.
"You don't need to explain. Although I'm old, my ears are still good and I can hear clearly." Deputy Minister Zhou waved his hand and interrupted Yan Peiwen's defense.
Yan Peiwen panicked and almost shed tears.
But Vice Minister Zhou had no intention of letting her go. He glanced at her sternly.
"Comrade Yan Peiwen, when Nixon visited China in 1972, Premier Zhou Enlai said that diplomatic work should be judged by performance, not status. You haven't even fulfilled your basic responsibilities as a translator, and yet you're putting on airs here?"
Yan Peiwen's face instantly lost color.
Her father had told her a long time ago that Vice Minister Zhou was notoriously stubborn and hated being treated specially.
Last year, a director was criticized by him at a meeting for using backdoor channels to approve scarce materials for his relatives, and was directly transferred to the warehouse.
She opened her mouth to argue, but Deputy Minister Zhou raised his hand to interrupt her: "Your responsibility is to build a bridge of communication, not to create obstacles. When you go back, strengthen your business study."
This sentence was like a heavy hammer, shattering Yan Peiwen's last hope.
She knew that her future might be ruined by these few words.
She bit her lips hard, her nails dug into her palms, and her gaze shot towards Jiang Haitang like poisonous arrows. She would never let this hateful bitch go!
Jiang Haitang felt a chill in her heart when she felt the resentful gaze.
"Comrade Jiang Haitang," Deputy Minister Zhou said, his tone much softer as he turned his gaze towards her. "Not only are you proficient in foreign languages, but you're also very familiar with mechanical technology. It's rare to have such a broad perspective. The ministry is currently establishing a foreign technical exchange group. Are you interested in working in Beijing?"
Everyone around held their breath. Everyone knew that working in a ministry was something many people dreamed of, let alone such a direct promotion.
Yan Peiwen widened his eyes and was almost going crazy with jealousy.
Why? A country girl gets such an opportunity?
Jiang Haitang was also stunned for a moment, then shook his head sincerely: "Thank you for your appreciation, Vice Minister Zhou. But I still want to stay at the grassroots level. Jincheng Textile Factory still has many technical difficulties to overcome, and I can't leave."
Deputy Minister Zhou was a little surprised, but then he smiled appreciatively. "Great, you're ambitious! The grassroots really need people like you. This invitation is valid for a long time. Whenever you figure it out, feel free to come find me."
He paused, then smiled like an elder and asked, "Are you married? Do you want me to introduce you to an ambitious young man?"
Jiang Haitang's cheeks flushed slightly, and she smiled shyly: "I'm already engaged, and I'm going to get married after the Canton Fair is over."
"Oh, as an outstanding female comrade like you, your partner should also be outstanding." Deputy Minister Zhou asked with interest.
He guessed that Comrade Xiao Jiang was unwilling to work in the ministry probably because of family reasons.
If Xiao Jiang's partner is equally outstanding, perhaps they can be transferred to Beijing to work together.
"My partner is Lu Liangchen from Jincheng Textile Factory."
Deputy Minister Zhou's eyes lit up, and he immediately laughed, "So it's Xiao Lu! Not bad, not bad. You two are both good kids."
Jiang Haitang's heart moved. It seemed that this deputy minister knew the Lu family.
It is not surprising that Lu Liangchen's family has connections with the leaders of the department.
Just then, footsteps were heard outside the booth again.
Several foreign merchants with high noses were attracted by the loom and were looking inside curiously.
Zheng Kaihe hurried forward, but just as he opened his mouth he remembered the language barrier and looked back at Jiang Haitang awkwardly.
Jiang Haitang understood, stepped forward quickly, and greeted them in fluent English: "Gentlemen, welcome to Jincheng Machinery Factory's looms. This loom's production efficiency is 15% higher than similar models, while energy consumption is 8% lower..."
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