Since arriving in the capital, Chen Qing had never imagined he would be on a business trip.
But someone always has to be the pioneer and pilot.
The suggestion she made.
No one else approved, so she had to go.
Chen Qing didn't go alone; she brought twenty students from Tsinghua University with her.
The matter was quite simple. The Consumer Goods Industry Department was short of money, and Chen Qing believed that this was hindering the country's development and that reforms were needed to prevent the precious foreign exchange from being habitually given to familiar departments. However, when she made this suggestion, someone jumped out to obstruct her.
Director Li of the Technical Department, a senior comrade with gray hair, slowly sipped his tea in the conference room and casually said, "Director Chen is young and promising. He has made Shengxia Factory a great success. I've seen it in the newspapers. It's remarkable. However, the work in this department is different from managing a factory. With a factory, you can make the decisions quickly and efficiently. But in our department, everything is interconnected. We have to consider the overall situation across the country. So, the pace can't be fast. Many things can't be rushed."
These few words, though mild, were like a knife wrapped in cotton, precisely stabbing at Chen Qing's most criticized aspects: his lack of seniority, his autocratic style, and his ignorance of ministry rules.
Invisible isolation.
This is the routine that everyone has been using for the past year.
Chen Qing has been behaving himself and everyone has been polite and courteous to him for the past year.
But she had things to do...
I'm sorry.
Unable to cooperate.
Chen Qing's expression remained unchanged; he even smiled and nodded: "Director Li is right. The work of the ministry is more macro-level and requires more caution. That's why I need to rely more on the experience of you veteran comrades."
She first showered him with praise, then returned to her usual tone and began showing photos, presenting data from the small factory she had set up with Tsinghua University students during the summer vacation over the past six months.
“I understand that when allocating foreign exchange, people tend to favor practical aspects, while industrial upgrading and aesthetic issues are relegated to the back burner. But the winery I'm showing you was on the verge of bankruptcy. After upgrading its packaging and technology, the entire factory has been revitalized. The number of employees has expanded from 76 six months ago to 203. What I mean is that we cannot simply allocate foreign exchange according to the old model. We must give opportunities to factories that are proactive and innovative.”
They exchanged glances.
But they tacitly remained silent.
At the time, her swift handling of a corrupt department head did indeed put them on edge for a while. However, Chen Qing's prolonged inaction, after the aura of her being the factory director faded, caused them to lower their guard and start viewing young people with the same respect they would show to an older person.
Chen Qing then produced another document: "Since 1977, I have reviewed every single foreign exchange transaction we have approved. I no longer need to track the data because the following year, our foreign exchange is basically still approved for these factories. However, although we say that 80% of the approved funds are to be used for machinery to expand production capacity, in reality, less than 5% is used for new technologies and materials to improve quality and design. Shouldn't we impose subsequent requirements on the factories that apply for foreign exchange? If they don't meet our requirements, should our foreign exchange be approved for other factories? What do you think?"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately became serious.
Every department head has several factories under their command, and these factories are not ones that Chen Qing can control.
The atmosphere at the scene became tense.
Chen Qing seemed oblivious: "I understand that heavy industry needs long-term national support to upgrade, but our light industry needs support without technological reform, and this support will not last for one or two years. I suggest cutting it off directly."
hiss--
Some people couldn't help but gasp.
Zhou Zhengmin's office was closest to Chen Qing's, and he was most familiar with her. Over the past year, he had been learning from her. Apart from eliminating a corrupt section chief, she had not targeted anyone else. She was also a very kind person and had treated everyone to meals, desserts, and fried chicken several times. She was a generous and eager-to-learn female comrade. Unexpectedly, after a year of silence, the first collective meeting was held to cut some factories, which were closely related to several section chiefs!
"Director, why don't you reconsider? It's easy to shut down a factory, but what will happen to the employees?"
Director Li immediately chimed in, "Yes, you're a young man..."
Chen Qing glanced at him coldly and said, "In our department, we judge ability based on age. Why don't you, Director Li, take my place?"
When Director Li met Chen Qing's gaze, he immediately shivered, overwhelmed by an uncontrollable fear. However, his long-standing position of power and influence made it impossible for him to bow his head; he could only turn his head and give a cold snort.
Those present also sensed Chen Qing's imposing aura and were inwardly horrified.
Chen Qing continued, "The decision to shut down the factory cannot be made simply by my opinion; we must conduct thorough investigations, and everyone is welcome to speak up."
No one said a word.
Chen Qing smiled and said, "I see that no one likes to talk, so I'll speak up. Of the hundred factories we have foreign exchange support, I suggest cutting fifteen of them. Implement this immediately."
Everyone: "..."
Didn't we agree to discuss this properly?
Why does it have to be implemented immediately?!
Secretary Zhang distributed the specific list of factories to be shut down to everyone. As everyone looked at the list of factories, their hearts were filled with shock. Everyone knew which factories were truly pragmatic and which were just occupying positions without doing anything. Chen Qing's plan was to kill all these parasites!
Chen Qing stood up: "The meeting is adjourned. Since you did not follow my instructions, I will find someone to do so."
As Chen Qing reached the door, he suddenly turned around and said, "By the way, just a reminder, this is only the first batch of names. Please wait for the second batch."
She said all she needed to say, and everyone understood that the director was about to cause trouble!
After she and Secretary Zhang left the meeting room, everyone stayed. Zhou Zhengmin, who was the person most familiar with Chen Qing, kept asking him what to do.
Zhou Zhengmin didn't know either.
His relationship with Chen Qing was always very distant.
In his eyes, Chen Qing was just like a student preparing for the college entrance examination. Apart from the necessary approval documents, she was either studying or on her way to study. Who knew how much she could learn in a year, or what she would do?
“I have no other choice, but cutting fifteen factories is not something that Director Chen can decide on his own. It requires coordination with local people. Besides, there is a Minister Chen above Director Chen, right? You can ask Minister Chen to plead for leniency.”
He was fortunate.
The factory he had his eye on was doing some work.
Although it's just a little.
However, it is not on the list of factories that have been eliminated.
but……
From the perspective of an ordinary citizen, Chen Qing's precise elimination of so many factories could truly revitalize the industry.
Because at least 70% of the workers in these fifteen factories are lazy, keeping them around is a waste of money. (End of Chapter)
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