Sail across the sea

Chapter 569 Traveling a Thousand Miles
Outside the F22 production workshop of Canghai Fluorochemical Company, a temporary stage was erected. A large red banner above it read "Commissioning Ceremony of Canghai Fluorochemical Company's Dichlorofluoromethane (F22) Unit".

Below the stage, over a hundred folding chairs were arranged, and the room was already about 70% full. Cangfu sent invitations to 46 fluorocarbon product manufacturers across the country, and 37 of them actually came to Yanxiu, which was quite a show of respect.

Each company usually sent one or two people, and many of the employees knew each other, so they inevitably started chatting when they got together:

"Look at their workshop, it's as clean as a canteen. Compared to this, our workshop is just a rural shed."

“Your factory was originally just a makeshift shed in the countryside. You know what, I came to Yanxiu Refrigerant Factory last year, and it was filthy back then. But this time, wow, it’s been completely transformed.”

"What Yanxiu Refrigerant Factory? They're called Canghai Fluorochemical Company now, okay? That name sounds so much more sophisticated."

"That's right, they're now a subsidiary of Canghai Chemical, something we country bumpkins can't compare to."

Are you familiar with Canghai Chemical?

"Of course I know. This is a star enterprise in Maolin Province. Let me tell you this: the vitamin C they produce is directly exported to the United States, and they can earn two or three hundred million US dollars in foreign exchange every year."

"What, two or three hundred million US dollars? Are you kidding me? You'd be lucky to get two or three hundred million RMB."

"I don't remember exactly. Even if it's two or three hundred million RMB, you do the math and see how many US dollars that is?"

"Who can calculate that? But if the annual sales revenue is several hundred million RMB, the profit must be at least tens of millions. No wonder they can make such a shabby factory look so beautiful."

"By the way, what did you say Yanfu called us here for?"

"Didn't the invitation say that their F-22 equipment was going into production and that we were invited to attend? I figured it was just to get some people to make a show of things, take some photos, write a press release or something, and the leaders would look good, right?"

"Just for this kind of face and prestige, with food and lodging provided and travel expenses reimbursed, it must have cost tens of thousands just for the group of us?"

"Having money means you can do whatever you want."

"Shut up. They paid for it, and you're still whining."

"Shh, it's time, the ceremony is about to begin..."

As per the requirements of the invitation issued by Cangfu, the attendees were all factory directors or deputy directors or chief engineers from various companies, all prominent figures who were quite aware of the importance of attending a meeting.

As the organizers walked onto the stage, everyone stopped chatting and turned their attention to it. Some even straightened their clothes, adopting a solemn demeanor.

"Distinguished leaders and guests, welcome to the beautiful Yanxiu, where we are celebrating the commissioning of the 3000-ton hydrofluoric acid and 5000-ton dichlorofluoromethane production facilities of Canghai Chemical Group's Fluorochemical Company. I am Xiao Pei, the host of today's celebration. First of all, please allow me to introduce the main leaders attending today's celebration."

The host on the stage was none other than Xiao Pei, who had just joined Canghai Chemical Group and was now the group's public relations director.

Following Xiao Pei's introduction, the leaders on the stage rose one after another to wave to the audience. Among them were Wu Zhefu, Deputy Director of the Fertilizer Department of the Ministry of Chemical Industry; Wan Jiansheng, Deputy Director of the Maolin Provincial Economic Commission; and Gao Yiping, General Manager of the Maolin Provincial Fertilizer Industry Group. Also present were local officials from Luping City and Yanxiu County, but no one seemed interested in learning more about them. After the introductions, it was time for the leaders to speak. Wu Zhefu and Wan Jiansheng, representing the central and local governments respectively, delivered speeches, which were nothing more than congratulations on the completion of the new plant, praise for its technological innovations, and an emphasis on the importance of fluorochemicals. They concluded with various expressions of hope and encouragement—all platitudes.

One point that everyone noticed was that both Wu Zhefu and Wan Jiansheng specifically mentioned the Montreal Protocol in their speeches. Wan Jiansheng's statement was somewhat vague, while Wu Zhefu clearly stated that the country is very determined to control CFCs and hoped that the participating companies would prepare as soon as possible.

"What do you mean, Director Wu? Didn't you say that the Montreal Agreement wouldn't have much of an impact on China?"

Some people in the audience couldn't help but whisper to the person next to them.

"They didn't say it wouldn't have much of an impact. I remember they said that we didn't need to do anything before 2000, but we would have to start managing it after 2000. Our province's attitude is to wait and see."

"Yes, isn't it still a long way from the year 2000?"

"Who knows..."

Amidst a murmur of murmurs, Wu Zhefu finished his speech, and Xiao Pei picked up the microphone to announce the next speaker: Gao Fan, Chairman of Canghai Chemical Group.

Amidst the astonished gazes of most, Gao Fan walked to the podium. He first bowed to the entire audience, then adjusted the microphone and addressed the crowd with a smile:

"Dear colleagues, thank you very much for taking time out of your busy schedules to attend the commissioning ceremony of our production facility. Many of you have traveled from afar to attend. The furthest away should be Director Duan from Zhankou Chemical Plant in Fengshi Province. The straight-line distance between you and Yanxiu is more than 1500 kilometers. That makes three 'not a short distance's journey."

Everyone laughed, and for a moment they felt that the incredibly young chairman on the stage wasn't so bad after all. At least he didn't have the arrogance of someone who had achieved early success, but instead seemed quite approachable.

"The main purpose of our grand invitation to everyone to come to Yanxiu this time is not to support our equipment. The production of such a small device is really not worth the trouble of your presence. We would feel very guilty if we troubled everyone to travel such a long distance for such a small matter," Gao Fan continued.

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at him with puzzled expressions, unsure of Gao Fan's meaning. Did Cang Fu reimburse their travel expenses and invite them over for some other reason?

Gao Fan smiled and continued, "Actually, the reason I invited everyone to Yanxiu this time is because of Director Wu. Director Wu assigned a task to Cangfu, which is really beyond our capabilities. We really have no choice but to ask you all for help."

At this point, he turned to Wu Zhefu and gave him a bright smile, which made everyone in the audience look at Wu Zhefu as well, wondering what had happened.

Wu Zhefu had no choice but to force a smile, without offering any explanation.

　I recommend a friend's novel from the period drama "What is Lawyer 1983", which is about lawyers.

　　In the mid-autumn of 1983, the day Shen Xing walked into the legal counsel's office, he received a white-on-top, blue-on-bottom police uniform, a pair of gleaming handcuffs, and a Type 64 pistol.

　　Years later, he finally understood that lawyers are like pistols: either never draw them, or you're killed with one shot...

　　This is a work by an older author; his character and writing style are far superior to Orange's...

　　(End of this chapter)