Chapter 218: Factory Director Li’s Breadth Of Mind
Border Region Arsenal Meeting Room
Li Muzhi and Zhang Wanhe had not yet arrived, but the quiet here had already been broken by several students.
One of the students sat on the table, his tone striking: “Have you all heard? The factory director of this Border Region Arsenal is said to be just a young man in his twenties, not much older than us.”
Soon another student followed: “I’ve heard too. I always feel the rumors aren’t realistic. How could a young man not much older than us produce so many weapons and ammunition.”
“Yeah, not to mention cannons, just making explosives has stumped so many people. He makes explosives and weapons as simply as eating and drinking. I think there’s definitely some bragging in this.”
……
Some question, while others support.
Several pretty and elegant female students put forward different views:
“How can you talk about Factory Director Li like that? Doesn’t the ancient saying go, ambition lies not in high age!”
“Factory Director Li has made such a great contribution to our army. What have you done for our army? What right do you have to question Factory Director Li!”
“We are a rigorous team. If Factory Director Li really didn’t have this ability, no one could fake it.”
……
“We are a rigorous team. The organization says freedom of speech, everyone has the right to raise questions.”
“The problem is your questioning is wrong. The weapons made by Factory Director Li have already struck the Japanese invaders hard on the battlefield. That’s obvious to all!”
“Obvious to all? Did you see it?”
“I didn’t see it, but other comrades did.”
“The ancient saying goes, seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving.”
“Hmph, I won’t allow you to question Factory Director Li like this. He hasn’t even married for the military industry cause. Such a great person, no one can question him!”
“Maybe he is already married, just hasn’t announced it. I know what you little girls are thinking. Don’t even think about it.”
“What are we thinking? We’re not thinking anything. This is respect for Factory Director Li, admiration for him.”
“Oh my, not embarrassed at all. Respect, admiration, it’s just that you’ve fallen for him. You haven’t even seen him and you’ve fallen, tsk tsk.”
“What nonsense are you spouting? I’ll pinch you to death.”
……
When Li Muzhi and Zhang Wanhe arrived at the meeting room, it was already in chaos.
Several female students and several male students were in a commotion, with others pulling them apart.
Zhang Wanhe’s face immediately darkened: “This is an arsenal, not a vegetable market! Whoever makes more noise, get out now!”
Don’t think Old Zhang Comrade is always smiling in front of Li Muzhi. In front of these people, his authority is no joke.
These students quickly stood obediently, not daring to breathe.
“All sit down.” Zhang Wanhe waved his hand, and these students hurriedly sat down one by one. Of course, all eyes were still on Li Muzhi.
This young man not much older than them, could he really be the factory director of the Border Region Arsenal!
“Let me introduce, this is Comrade Li Muzhi, now the factory director of the Border Region Arsenal.” Zhang Wanhe solemnly introduced Li Muzhi’s identity, then continued, “Headquarters leader has issued the order: whoever dares to touch a single hair on his head will be executed on the spot!”
Zhang Wanhe emphasized the four words “executed on the spot.”
Of course, whether the headquarters leader issued such an order, or if it was Minister Zhang’s own invention.
That didn’t matter.
What mattered was that these four words came out, and the atmosphere in the meeting room clearly became much more solemn.
Even those troublemakers who had questioned Li Muzhi couldn’t help shrinking their necks!
Executed on the spot, that meant absolute authority, not to be touched.
Li Muzhi said to Zhang Wanhe: “Minister Zhang, they are all still kids. Don’t scare them.”
Then, Li Muzhi smiled at these students: “Everyone, Minister Zhang was just scaring you. Here at the Border Region Arsenal, everyone has the right to raise issues, everyone can participate in discussions, and everyone’s status is equal. Of course, if you don’t follow organizational discipline, Minister Zhang’s attitude—you’ve seen it—not easy to talk to.”
Li Muzhi’s smiling attitude eased the atmosphere in the meeting room a bit.
Some were still observing Zhang Wanhe’s attitude.
Li Muzhi is the arsenal’s factory director, Zhang Wanhe is the head of logistics, the latter is the former’s superior.
Yet Li Muzhi said something about Zhang Wanhe in front of everyone, and Zhang Wanhe showed no displeasure or frown.
This detail was not simple.
If things go wrong, Minister Zhang’s words about executed on the spot were no joke.
Of course.
If the rumored weapons and ammunition were all made by Li Muzhi, then Li Muzhi is the precious darling.
For us to see him and stay to serve at the Border Region Arsenal later, that’s fortune from fate.
Li Muzhi continued smiling: “May I ask what you were arguing about just now? Feel free to say it.”
Those troublemakers stayed silent. Joking!
Didn’t you see Minister Zhang being polite in front of Factory Director Li? Saying in front of Minister Zhang that we questioned Factory Director Li, no good end.
We just think the discipline is a bit too strict, we’re not fools.
Instead, several female students who supported Li Muzhi spoke up: “Factory Director Li, it’s them questioning you, saying you’re too young, that producing so many weapons and ammunition isn’t realistic, must be fake.”
“We didn’t question Factory Director Li, we didn’t.” The troublemakers immediately denied.
“What, dare to do but not admit?” Several female students questioned.
“We didn’t, we didn’t, we just…” The troublemakers denied again.
Zhang Wanhe interrupted: “All shut up!”
In a swish, the meeting room immediately fell quiet again.
Li Muzhi said to Zhang Wanhe: “Minister Zhang, I’ll talk to them. You go do your work.”
“Okay.” Zhang Wanhe nodded, and before leaving, he seriously reminded: “I’ll say it one last time: whoever dares to touch a single hair on Xiao Li, don’t blame me for not warning you.”
With that, Zhang Wanhe walked out.
Of course, he still had the guard captain wait outside to secretly protect Li Muzhi.
If these troublemakers couldn’t be suppressed by Li Muzhi, they definitely couldn’t be allowed to harm him.
With one sentence, Li Muzhi made Head of Logistics Zhang Wanhe obediently leave.
In an instant, even those students not good at reading the room could see it.
Li Muzhi is truly the absolute authority in logistics, Minister Zhang’s lifeline, not to be casually doubted.
“Don’t be nervous, relax your mood, just pretend you’re still in your old classroom.”
Li Muzhi’s smile was like a spring breeze,
“For you to be selected here proves each of you is an elite sifted from the sands, remarkable pillar talent.”
“With you joining the Border Region Arsenal, it’s like giving wings to a tiger. On behalf of the Border Region Arsenal, thank you.”
“I believe with your support, the Border Region Arsenal producing even more powerful weapons is just around the corner!”
……
With these words from Li Muzhi, the students’ expressions clearly relaxed a lot.
After all, who doesn’t like hearing praise.
Especially inexperienced students.
In an instant, those female students’ eyes began to sparkle.
Factory Director Li speaks so nicely, and he’s good-looking too.
Several female students immediately spoke:
“Factory Director Li, you’re too kind. We’re not as good as you say.”
“Factory Director Li, serving the organization is our duty. Whatever the organization asks us to do, we do it. Coming to the Border Region Arsenal is the organization’s arrangement. You don’t need to thank us; it’s what we should do.”
Others also humbly said a few words, even those troublemakers said politely: “Factory Director Li, you seem much easier to talk to than Minister Zhang. Minister Zhang always scolds us as troublemakers. He only sees our flaws, but you, Factory Director Li, see our shining points. You have sharp eyes for talent!”
Li Muzhi continued smiling: “I’m just telling the truth. Maybe you’re even more excellent than I imagined.”
“Factory Director Li, just say it, what do you want us to do?” Someone, praised by Li Muzhi, was eager to start contributing right away.
Even those troublemakers were getting restless.
Factory Director Li has sharp eyes for talent; we must prove ourselves well.
Fine steeds are common, but rare are the discerning judges!
Hard to come by a discerning judge; can’t miss the opportunity.
“I have an exam paper here. Which one of you can come up and copy it on the blackboard.” Li Muzhi took out a prepared exam paper.
These questions were carefully set by Li Muzhi in his spare time, covering physics, chemistry, math, and more.
Although Li Muzhi had the students’ information lists, he still needed to test preliminarily through questions what areas they excelled in, and the specific level and depth.
Then targeted training later.
“I’ll do it.”
“Factory Director Li, let me.”
“I write good handwriting, Factory Director Li, let me.”
……
The students all had their hands raised.
“You then.” Li Muzhi pointed to the female student who said she had good handwriting.
“Yes, Factory Director Li.” This female student was thrilled, hurried forward, took the exam paper from Li Muzhi’s hand, picked up chalk, and began copying it on the blackboard.
“These questions are all very difficult. If any of you can solve one or two, that would make you top elite talent.” Li Muzhi continued.
Actually, these questions weren’t that hard.
Li Muzhi wanted to build their confidence. Once they solved a few, praise them again, and goodwill would rise steadily.
With goodwill up, they’d be more serious and diligent in training later.
The military situation was truly urgent. Li Muzhi hoped to train them into the backbone of the Border Region Arsenal in the shortest time, making them its strongest bastion.
“Factory Director Li, rest assured, we won’t disappoint you.”
“Factory Director Li, I’ll see just how hard your questions are.”
……
The students were all confident, wanting to prove they were top elite talent.
“Good.” Li Muzhi said good, then, “Exam time is two hours. I need to go do my work now. I’ll come back in two hours. Hope everyone follows discipline while doing the questions.”
“Factory Director Li, are you so busy?” Someone couldn’t help asking.
Factory Director Li speaks so nicely; we all want to stay with him longer.
If he’s gone, that black-faced Minister Zhang might come back.
“Yes, the Border Region Arsenal is short on manpower, especially top elite talent. With you here, I think I can rest well soon.” Li Muzhi answered solemnly.
Praised by Li Muzhi, the students immediately became enthusiastic: “Factory Director Li, rest assured, we’ll definitely follow discipline, no noise, no copying.”
We are top elite talent, Factory Director Li has high hopes for us; how can we disappoint him.
“Good, in two hours, I’ll come back.” Li Muzhi smiled, turned, and left the meeting room.
Li Muzhi returned to the office, with the guard captain watching secretly here.
These students really did the questions obediently, no noise. The guard captain sighed in admiration: “Factory Director Li is really something. A few praising words, and these students are happily obedient, much more effective than Minister Zhang’s black face scolding.”
The guard captain had been prepared to deal with these troublemakers, after all, Li Muzhi’s time is precious, can’t waste it on troublemakers.
Now it seems completely unnecessary.
With Factory Director Li’s nice words, the troublemakers’ faces bloomed like flowers.
This is also Factory Director Li’s breadth of mind.
He doesn’t pursue others’ questioning, instead says nice things about them. Who wouldn’t feel good about that.
