Scholars in the courtyard.

Chapter 3043 Getting too old, can't keep up anymore.
Secretary Guo understood what the other party meant, but he also had his own judgment on these matters.

"Secretary Wu, I'd like to ask, where does this unease come from?"

"Is it because of the welfare benefits that the Ninth Department provides to its workers?"

The three remained silent, which was an indication of their agreement.

Secretary Guo chuckled and said, "But in my opinion, the treatment they received was entirely a reward for their contributions."

"What's there to worry about?"

The three frowned, puzzled.

Then Secretary Guo chuckled softly, "Secretary Wu, you know about the White Horse fighter jet, right?"

Secretary Wu nodded, "I know, they are our pride, the guardians of the blue sky!"

Secretary Guo nodded, but then asked, "Secretary Wu, do you know how much was sacrificed to develop the White Horse fighter jet and to manufacture nine White Horse fighter jets?"

Secretary Wu's breath hitched, and he was speechless.

"Then do you know how much foreign exchange the 'medicinal wine' developed by the Nine Departments has brought to the country?"

"Do you know how much money we made because of a small game console?"

"And where did this money go?"

“Building roads, railways, bridges, and reservoirs all require money.”

"Everyone needs food and machinery."

"And all this money was earned little by little by the comrades of the Ninth Department with their own hands."

"You might think that this is what should be done, that it is loyalty to the revolution, and that it is a necessary spirit of dedication."

"But do you think that two first-class fitters, one who worked hard for the revolution and collapsed from exhaustion at his workstation, and the other who just slacked off at his workstation and couldn't even finish two pieces a day, should receive the same treatment?"

"Is this fair?"

As Secretary Guo finished speaking, the three of them remained calm on the surface, but their hearts were in turmoil.

Because they were already aware of what Secretary Guo might say next.

Ironically, they felt that the meaning behind those words was correct.

"unfair!"

Director Huo patted the chair and said solemnly.

The other two nodded in agreement. They couldn't lie against their conscience, and they certainly wouldn't resort to moral blackmail.

"Yes, that's why the Ninth Department wants to give some benefits to the workers who have made outstanding contributions. What's wrong with that?"

"Personally, I don't think there's any problem."

Secretary Guo smiled, and the three of them looked at each other in bewilderment.

But Secretary Chen still had doubts: "We agree to give welfare to workers who have made outstanding contributions and merits."

"But the current Ninth Division is a large-scale operation, with everyone receiving a share, which is abnormal."

Director Huo and Secretary Wu both nodded, which was the main reason they came to see Old Chen.

If the nine departments just tone it down and don't push it to involve everyone, everyone else will keep quiet and have no objections.

But the nine departments decided to distribute the money to all employees, which drew criticism from outsiders.

No sooner had Secretary Chen finished speaking than Secretary Guo burst into laughter, "Secretary Chen, you still don't understand the Ninth Department."

"How do you say this?"

Secretary Chen's expression was serious.

Secretary Guo asked directly, "How about this, you just name any factory in the Ninth Division, and I'll explain why they were able to receive the reward, okay?"

The three of them were surprised by Secretary Guo's words, but since things had come to this point, they had no choice but to speak up.

Then Secretary Chen said, "There is a seaweed factory in Tianjin, which belongs to the Ninth Department."

"Seaweed factory, that's a bit of an unbalanced business, but it's okay, I happen to know something about them."

Secretary Guo smiled confidently and then explained, "You know the Ninth Department has a chemical plant, right?"

Secretary Chen nodded, and Secretary Guo continued, "Then you must also know that Minister Yang is also on secondment at the Academy of Agricultural Sciences!"

The three nodded again. After all, the emergence of Yangcun No. 1 had greatly advanced the development of agriculture in China and indirectly saved countless lives.

For his contribution to the revolution, Yang Xiaotao deserves a place in revolutionary history.

"Last year, Director Deng of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences approached Director Yang, wanting to increase agricultural output, and asked him to produce more fertilizer."

"After Director Yang agreed, several fertilizer plants were set up in the city below the chemical plant. These seaweed plants were the ones that the fertilizer plants were researching seaweed fertilizers for."

"Moreover, last year, the finished product was already produced and used in winter wheat. The exact yield is unclear, but Director Deng of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences personally went to the Ninth Department to express his gratitude."

Do you think they made any contribution to this?

"Yes, you may think it's only right, but according to the Nine Departments' evaluation criteria, it deserves a reward."

After Secretary Guo finished speaking, all three of them fell silent.

"And this power plant."

Secretary Guo continued to speak proactively, knowing that they wouldn't agree if he didn't provide more case studies.

"The establishment of the power plant actually had many problems, such as the composition of personnel, training, and local arrangements. In our view, there were so many problems that it was like a sieve."

"But what the Ninth Department sees is the result."

"Did you know that in the heavy snow, a group of people were making a fire on the mountain and slowly digging through the frozen ground?"

"In the strong wind, we climbed up the iron frame that was twenty or thirty meters high."

"And sometimes they're gone for months at a time without coming home."

"My three leaders, I dare not say that the nine departments are completely without problems."

"But I dare say that the Ninth Department will never withhold even a tiny bit of reward from anyone who contributes more."

"I will not change my will because of other people's opinions!"

"This is also the principle I have always adhered to, as I have personally witnessed the Ninth Department gradually reach its current position over the years."

"The capable should do more!"

"He who works harder, will reap greater rewards!"

The three of them were silent.

A long silence fell over the office.

"This tea is quite good."

After an unknown amount of time, Secretary Wu suddenly picked up the now-cold Da Hong Pao tea, took a sip, and then laughed.

The tranquility was broken as Secretary Chen picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Indeed, this tea has a cool and refreshing feel, soothing to the soul."

Director Huo didn't have so many feelings. He picked up the tea and drank it all in one gulp. Then he said to Secretary Guo, "Secretary Guo, is there any more? This tea is so good, I want to drink more." Secretary Guo immediately stood up and said, "Don't worry, there's plenty for everyone."

Secretary Chen joked, "Be careful not to drink too much and need to go to the toilet."

"Then let's go! It's good to keep the good stuff in the family!"

"Get lost, the boss doesn't need your little bit of money."

The four of them chatted and laughed, creating a harmonious scene once again.

Just as the four were chatting, the office door suddenly opened, and then Old Chen walked in from outside.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw the three people inside and smiled.

"Xiao Chen, Xiao Huo, and Xiao Wu, what brings you three here?"

“I heard it all outside, they were saying something good.”

Old Chen warmly stepped forward and shook hands with the three people. Secretary Chen held Old Chen's hand and said, "I didn't say anything, I just took a liking to your tea. It's really good."

"Get out of here, you're trying to steal my tea again."

Old Chen smiled and sat down to the side. "I rested a little late last night and didn't get up."

"How long have you been here?"

The three sat down again, and then Secretary Chen, who was in the lead, said with a smile, "We haven't been here long, and we're just chatting with Secretary Guo."

Director Huo also expressed his concern, saying, "Sir, I heard you often work until midnight. That won't do. You need to take good care of your health."

"Yes, boss, you stayed up all night last night, that won't do."

Secretary Wu also tried to persuade them from the side.

The concern shown by his three former subordinates warmed Old Chen's heart. He then waved his hand and said, "I know, I know, I won't do that again."

"I was so happy last night that I couldn't fall asleep for a while."

Old Chen said happily, then picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and looked at Secretary Guo, "You rascal, you're using my good tea to do favors again."

Secretary Guo grinned, and then Old Chen continued, "Do you know how much electricity that nuclear power plant in Department Nine generated last night?"

The three men immediately understood the meaning behind Chen's words, and then, feigning curiosity, asked, "Sir, how much did you say?"

Old Chen laughed heartily, "I'm afraid it would scare you if I told you!"

"In one hour, the power generation reached 142 million kilowatts."

"You don't understand, do you? Let me put it another way and you'll get it."

Old Chen, like a child who has received a new toy and wants to share it, blurted out before the three could react, "The current power generation of this nuclear power plant can support the electricity consumption of both Beijing cities."

"what?"

"so much?"

"This nuclear power plant is amazing!"

The three were so shocked they could hardly believe it.

They knew that nuclear power plants would bring about huge changes, but these changes were just too great.

You should know that there are several large thermal power plants around Beijing now.

Today, a nuclear power plant easily surpasses all the thermal power plants combined.

They've left them far behind?
The key point is that these thermal power plants consume a significant amount of electricity every day.

And what about nuclear power plants?
I heard this thing consumes very little power.

this.
At this moment, all three of them remembered what Secretary Guo had said earlier: they knew far too little about the Ninth Department.

"The key point is that this is only the first phase of the nuclear power plant project, and it only has two generator units."

"There will be a second and third phase, and the number of generator sets will increase accordingly. By then, not only Beijing, but the entire North China region will be able to use electricity."

"What will it be like then?"

Old Chen sighed, his vision was gradually being realized, and the key to realizing these visions was the nuclear power plant of Department Nine.

"Boss, if that's the case, then we should develop nuclear power plants even more!"

"This is an important energy source for industrial development."

Director Huo immediately spoke up.

Old Chen laughed and said, "Young Huo, your words are biased."

Director Huo smiled and said nothing more.

"That's what I thought too last night."

"But after a good night's sleep, I felt a bit rushed. The nuclear power plant has just started operating and we need to observe it for a while, accumulate experience, and gather data before we can continue to develop."

"If we act hastily, things could go wrong."

Old Chen said seriously, but in fact, he had asked Yang Xiaotao the same question last night when Yang Xiaotao told him the news.

Then, what I mentioned above is Yang Xiaotao's answer.

At this moment, Mr. Chen felt no psychological burden at all about borrowing the phrase.

Finally, he added, quoting Yang Xiaotao's own words, "If the technology matures, we can consider building a second nuclear power plant."

All three nodded in agreement.

This mature and prudent approach is typical of Mr. Chen.

"By the way, is there a problem with your visit this time?"

Old Chen picked up his teacup and got down to business.

The three nodded in unison, and then Secretary Wu spoke up, "Leader, the three of us are here to inquire about the goals and direction for the future development of light industry."

Old Chen put down his teacup and asked curiously, "Wasn't it already ordered at the beginning of this year?"

Secretary Wu smiled and said, "Now that we have electricity, plans have to adapt to changes, right?"

Old Chen immediately understood the three men's purpose and said, "Let's not rush to make a decision on this. The electricity from Dengzhou will be prioritized for the production of the Ninth Division. They are making every effort to expand their industry. Let's talk about it later."

The three had anticipated this and did not insist on it.

After exchanging a few more words with Mr. Chen, he got up and left.

After Secretary Guo saw the three people off, he returned to his office and recounted the previous conversation.

Old Chen listened quietly and then nodded to indicate that he understood.

After Secretary Guo left the office, he sighed in disappointment, "I'm getting old, I can't keep up with the pace of development anymore."

"But it shouldn't become a stumbling block to progress either."

There will be another chapter tonight, please vote for me next month!