That year the flowers bloomed 1981

Chapter 1496 You're Just a Sidekick
"To relieve some stress?"

"Yes, Shangbin only has two prototype cars right now, and mass production is still a long way off! Let's get two prototype cars too. It's all just a prestige project anyway, as long as neither of us is inferior to the other."

Li Ye looked at Ma Zhaoxian in surprise, and then smiled after a long while.

How could a cadre like Ma Zhaoxian, who climbed his way up from the bottom, not be good at superficial work?
This is similar to the relationship between Sugo and the Lighthouse during the Cold War; whatever high-tech equipment you have, I will immediately follow suit and "possess" it.

Regardless of whether this possession is real or not, the first thing to do is to start bragging.

After a moment's thought, Li Ye said confidently, "Kamaz has already produced prototypes of its gearbox and rear-drive system, which are now in the comprehensive testing phase. We can conduct on-vehicle testing ahead of schedule, but the engine is not feasible; we must use an imported one as a temporary substitute."

Ma Zhaoxian immediately said, "Sure! If only the engine is imported from Jiangsu, then the domestic production rate exceeds 90%, which is definitely enough to apply for the Ministry's Outstanding Progress Award."

How do you calculate the domestic production rate?

"Uncle Ma, don't exaggerate too much. Even if we use an existing engine and make a prototype as soon as possible, there will still be a lot of tuning and testing involved. Testing is a long process, and it will be a long time before we reach mass production."

"I understand, I understand, technical matters must be handled with rigor."

Ma Zhaoxian nodded repeatedly, then suddenly asked, "Li Ye, what if we conduct mass production and testing simultaneously?"

Li Ye said with a wry smile, "Uncle Ma, it's very difficult to build a good reputation, but it's very easy to squander it. Mass production and testing at the same time is like having users do experiments for us!"
For a heavy-duty truck, durability is paramount. If users experience constant problems during use, the overwhelming negative feedback will completely destroy the reputation we've built for light trucks and light buses.”

"Oops, I was too hasty."

Ma Zhaoxian took a deep breath before abandoning his plan to use users as guinea pigs, even though many car manufacturers in mainland China do the same thing these days.

Looking at the anxiety in Ma Zhaoxian's eyes, Li Ye seemed to have guessed why the other party was unusually impatient today.

Ma Zhaoxian was competing with Shang Bin and "vying to show off" in front of Qu Si and others.

Although Li Ye's independent research and development path can be explained in great detail, it cannot stop Shangbin from being able to produce this year and make a profit next year, which will immediately give the higher-ups a remarkable achievement.

If someone in higher positions uses this as an excuse to lavish praise on Shang Bin, the current "two giants" situation within the Jingnan Group might change.

This kind of "short-sighted" phenomenon was not uncommon in the 1980s and 90s, and it is still frequently seen decades later.

It's just like planting trees. Poplar trees can yield returns in three years, but when will your small-leaf sandalwood mature?
Before you've even achieved anything, what are you bragging about? I'm being transferred in two years. Do you expect me to plant trees for the next administration? Stop talking nonsense. Water and fertilize the poplars first, and you little sandalwood can take a backseat.

Li Ye understood what he meant and could only comfort him, "Uncle Ma, we have the advantage of being a latecomer, and we also have KamAZ's technical parameters, so the difficulties in the testing phase are relatively easy to overcome."

Although the final mass production time is uncertain, the result is certain: we will definitely be able to build a modern heavy-duty truck with leading domestic standards.

Ma Zhaoxian laughed heartily: "I believe in you, Li Ye, and you believe in me too. I can withstand the pressure."

"."

Li Ye bid farewell to Ma Zhaoxian and took a car home.

While he was in the car, he called Wu Yan and asked him to make a plan to start the vehicle testing as soon as possible.

However, Li Ye did not expect that his decision would provoke strong dissatisfaction from Wu Yan.

"Li Ye, have you started to compromise with the pragmatists too? I heard from Xiao Zhu today that you came back from the Southwest without saying a word, and I felt really relieved! But now you're going to go along with them?"

Li Ye immediately retorted, "Go to hell with you, you scoundrel! If I were a scoundrel, I'd sell you out first and count the money!" Wu Yan retorted, "Even if you sell me, I'd still oppose this stupid, amateurish approach. Our research and development plan has undergone extensive review and approval; it's not something you can just change as you please."

Li Ye said angrily, "Change your sister! The engine development is so slow, what's wrong with me letting you start testing the car body and other components first? Do you have to let the engine hold you back? Are you going to lose patience and cancel our project altogether?"

"."

Wu Yan remained silent for a long time after being rebuked by Li Ye, before muttering, "Anyway, I just don't understand. We've always been developing step by step, so why should we change our pace just to cater to other people's preferences?"

"Whether you understand or not, just do as I say right now. If you dare to disobey me, I'll teach your brother-in-law a lesson."

Wu Yan's brother-in-law was planning to "start a business" in Fenghua Plaza, and Li Ye had reserved a nice storefront for him, which he could now use to "blackmail" Wu Yan.

"Go, go, go! You're the factory manager, you call the shots! Beep beep beep~"

The call ended, and it was unclear whether Wu Yan was too angry to talk to Li Ye anymore, or whether Li Ye had touched a nerve by referring to him as "brother-in-law."

They're all troublesome people.

Li Ye cursed inwardly, feeling both angry and helpless.

Anyone who has led a team of dozens of people knows how difficult it is to achieve the ideal of "strict obedience." There are people taking care of their own business, going east or west, and all sorts of trivial and annoying things that can drive you crazy.

Li Ye and Ma Zhaoxian are currently in this position of "tidying up a mess".

They need to figure out the intentions of their superiors, fight against competitors of the same level, motivate their subordinates, unify the workers' thoughts and ideas, and ensure that the company's production is efficient, safe, and smooth.

Why are those who get promoted through connections at the appointed time not the same as those who rise from humble beginnings through connections?

Because when you're working your way up from the bottom, there are countless aspects to consider and countless compromises to be made.

Even lucky individuals like Li Ye, who have ample funds and connections and save themselves a lot of trouble compared to others, still face pressure from all sides. Li Ye really doesn't know how managers without funds or connections can turn their lives around.

. . . . . . . . . .

While Li Ye was discussing countermeasures with Ma Zhaoxian in Beijing, Shang Bin was also making restless moves to form alliances within Southwest Heavy Truck.

"Hey, Mr. Chen! Mr. Qu was very satisfied with our prototype today, which wouldn't have been possible without your support. However, if we want to expand production in the short term, we'll need to work together. Yes, yes, we're on the same page."

"General Manager Jiang, this is Shang Bin. The matter we discussed the day before yesterday... yes, yes, the main problem now is with the branch factory. That Li Ye is both incompetent and stubborn."

"."

Shang Bin spent over half an hour on the phone before he finally calmed down.

Things went much more smoothly than he had imagined. Several potential allies were very interested when they heard that the light vehicle company could purchase their parts on a long-term basis, and they all said they could try to put pressure on the light vehicle company to facilitate Shang Bin's proposed technical solution.

This attitude made Shang Bin somewhat proud, but more than that, he felt jealous.

Shang Bin clearly sensed that everyone's enthusiasm was solely due to the reputation of the First Branch Factory, and that he, Shang Bin, was merely an extra.

[It's such a waste that the factory has fallen into the hands of someone like Li Ye!]

(End of this chapter)