Wang Yu pushed open the ward door and saw a young man standing by his sister Wang Ling’s bed.
He had a slicked-back hairstyle and wore gold-rimmed glasses, giving him a refined appearance. He was dressed in a suit, which was uncommon for the era, and it was clearly of excellent quality.
“Zhao Tao!”
Wang Yu walked forward, his face stern. “What are you doing here?”
Zhao Tao, the director of the Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory.
He was as young as Wang Yu, but he had inherited his father’s position as factory director.
As soon as he took office, he kicked the struggling Jiangyang Automobile Manufacturing Plant when it was down. He spent a large sum of money to cut off all their dealer channels, completely snatching all their customer resources.
His actions were swift and ruthless, leaving the Jiangyang Automobile Plant with no chance to react! Furthermore, the county had originally provided financial aid to the automobile plant to help it through its difficulties, but this was halted due to his various maneuvers.
The funds were delayed, and there was even talk of repossessing the factory to cover debts.
Moreover, Wang Yu had vaguely heard that the former factory director’s idea of developing an independent engine project was born after being incited and persuaded by the higher-ups at their Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory.
In short…
He appeared harmless on the surface, but in reality, he was a scoundrel who had driven their factory to its current predicament. He was the main culprit!
Facing Wang Yu, Zhao Tao had a smirking expression.
“Tsk, tsk, don’t be so distant. I heard that Factory Director Wang’s sister was hospitalized, so I specifically came to pay my respects.”
He emphasized the words “Factory Director” with a heavy tone.
Because he was young, he couldn’t command respect, and Wang Yu had been mockingly nicknamed “Little Factory Director” or “Child Factory Director” by the factory workers.
Zhao Tao’s words were laced with clear sarcasm.
As for the “respects”…
Wang Yu scanned the room and saw Wang Ling’s face pale with anger, then remembered what he had overheard in the hallway, and his heart suddenly understood.
Clearly, no one would visit a sick person empty-handed and then intentionally deliver barbs and mockery. It was more likely he had come to gloat.
“I heard this surgery is quite expensive. Can you afford it, Wang Yu?”
Zhao Tao smiled maliciously at Wang Yu.
He was wearing his factory uniform, and he hadn’t slept for a whole day and night. His face was dirty, his eyes were bloodshot, and his clothes were stained with oil.
“I wonder how many cars you’ve managed to fix with all your effort? Have you saved up enough for even a fraction of the surgery fee? Or, if you kneel down and beg me, I might help you cover the remaining costs.”
“If that doesn’t work, our Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory can acquire and merge with your automobile plant. I’ll even give you a job as a gatekeeper, suitable for a leisurely retirement.”
“You!”
Hearing Zhao Tao’s string of words, Wang Ling’s little face contorted with anger, and tears welled up in her eyes. She felt like she was dragging her brother down.
“No need to trouble you.”
Wang Yu stepped forward and held his sister’s small hand. It was pale and cold due to her severe illness and long-term malnutrition. Wang Yu comforted her, patting her hand.
“I will find a way to resolve the factory’s issues. We don’t need to merge.”
Zhao Tao was stunned by Wang Yu’s reply, then burst into frantic laughter.
“Hahahaha! Who do you think you are? With that broken-down factory, if I don’t intervene, even a god can’t save it!”
Zhao Tao’s words were righteous and matter-of-fact.
For years, their agricultural machinery factory had wanted to venture into the automotive industry.
The country was vigorously promoting agricultural vehicles to revitalize rural areas, and they had tasted success in this.
However, agricultural vehicles were ultimately just agricultural machinery, not proper automobiles. To advance further into the automotive industry, they needed relevant qualifications.
And Jiangyang County’s only qualification was held by the Jiangyang Automobile Plant.
This was why he had meticulously planned to bring down the Jiangyang Automobile Plant.
Only if they went bankrupt and closed down could the agricultural machinery factory legitimately take over everything.
In the past, as a state-owned enterprise, it was difficult for them to act, but now, after restructuring into a private entity, it would be a disservice to the opportunities heaven had provided if they didn’t act decisively.
As for why he had come to see Wang Ling, partly it was out of a victor’s desire to flaunt his success, and partly to put psychological pressure on Wang Yu, urging him to agree to the merger sooner.
“I know the state of your factory. You haven’t paid wages for half a year. Can you even afford to pay for your sister’s surgery?”
Zhao Tao said triumphantly, with a look of disdain. He was like a proud rooster, strutting and showing off.
“Yes, I’ll go pay the surgery fee right now.” Wang Yu said calmly, taking out a stack of cash from his hand.
“And then, the factory took on an order and made some money. We just paid three months’ worth of wages. So, well, thank you for your concern!”
Uh…
Hearing Wang Yu’s words, which were neither soft nor hard, Zhao Tao was like a rooster with its throat caught. His laughter stopped abruptly.
He probably hadn’t expected Wang Yu’s factory to actually make money. The stack of bills in front of him was undeniable proof.
His attempt to show off had instead made him appear like a ridiculous clown.
After an awkward pause, he forced a smile.
Zhao Tao said, “Even if you got lucky and received some orders, what of it? Your factory will still go bankrupt sooner or later.”
Wang Yu didn’t even raise his eyelids.
Anger without strength was utterly meaningless. Wang Yu had felt this deeply in his previous life, especially when his own country was technologically monopolized by the great powers.
He knew then that everything depended on first becoming strong himself, which was why he had studied technology so diligently.
“As for the future, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Perhaps your agricultural machinery factory will be the one to go bankrupt. In that case, I might reconsider acquiring you.”
“Hmph! A tough beak on a dead duck. I’ll see how long you can hold out.” Zhao Tao snorted coldly and turned to leave, striding away.
His back was proud and arrogant, leaving only Wang Yu and his sister in the ward.
“I’m sorry, Brother. I’m holding you back.”
Wang Ling’s eyes were red, and she looked at Wang Yu with shame.
Wang Yu merely lowered his head and looked at his sister.
“It’s alright, don’t worry. You have to believe me, everything will be alright.”
Wang Yu’s tone was filled with confidence and pride, which immediately put Wang Ling at ease.
After comforting his sister and telling her to rest well, Wang Yu went to the attending doctor to pay the surgery fees and quickly left the hospital to return home.
He washed his face with cold water from the tap and slept briefly to refresh himself.
Then, to everyone’s bewildered gaze, he locked himself alone in the factory director’s office.
A bald fountain pen, a stack of scrap paper, a enamel mug with a broken handle filled with tea leaves, and boiling water poured in.
Wang Yu’s expression was grim. “Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory, is it? Let’s see who goes bankrupt first!”
Taking a deep breath, Wang Yu picked up the scrap paper and began to furiously sketch and write.
On the paper, design drafts were constantly being revised, evolving from the initial framework to a gradually perfected form.
During this time, he also referenced and appropriately optimized the old parts used by their automobile factory.
After a long while,
The sun had already set outside the window. A complete set of blueprints lay on the paper.
He stretched his long body, his joints cracking. He picked up the untouched tea and drank it down in one gulp.
Wang Yu suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with light.
The mere Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory was only taking advantage of the era’s dividends.
At this time, the country needed construction and vigorous rural development, which gave rise to agricultural transport vehicles, a special type of vehicle.
Many factories like Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory had boomed thanks to this wave of dividends.
But most of them only focused on making money, ultimately resulting in a hybrid product that had to decline along with the phasing out of agricultural transport vehicles.
In that case, let me show you what an agricultural transport vehicle should be!
…
Provincial Capital, Jiangning City.
A truck loaded with goods drove down the street. The driver in the cab, Liu Dahai, was smoking a cigarette and in a very good mood.
Yesterday, he had delivered goods to the provincial capital, and the recipient had been polite and paid him a good price.
Ever since these brakes had been improved, the effect had been truly excellent!
He no longer had to be as anxious as before, constantly worried about an accident happening if he couldn’t stop in time and causing injury to the vehicle and himself.
“Tsk, that young man is truly something else.” Liu Dahai muttered with a smile. He should treat him to a drink later.
Just as Liu Dahai was thinking, a child suddenly darted out from the side of the road!
What!?
A child, about four or five years old, was chasing a ball and ran directly into the road!
And the child was heading straight for Liu Dahai’s vehicle!
“Oh no!”
The thoughts of almost everyone present, the pedestrians on the roadside, cried out.
Because it happened so suddenly, no one had time to react, and they could only watch helplessly as the child was about to be crushed under the wheels!
At such close range, with such a large truck and such a small child, it was impossible to avoid!
Even a god would have been hard-pressed to save him!