Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 397 Trip to Shanxi

The Lunar New Year passed quietly amidst the sounds of firecrackers and family reunions in Beijing.

The Spring Festival of 1990 was exceptionally lively at the He family home.

He Yuzhu spent time with He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang, enjoying the happiness of being surrounded by their children and grandchildren.

He Yaozu and Le Huizhen, newly married, were naturally the focus of everyone's jokes.

Ho Yiu-chung, holding his camera, claimed he was going to film a "Ho family Spring Festival documentary".

He Ningxue received special attention from him and appeared in his photos frequently, which caused her to chase him all over the yard, claiming that he had violated her portrait rights and demanding that He Yaozong pay her.

Just after the Lantern Festival, Mei Suxin called the He family.

"Uncle He, Happy New Year!"

"Suxin, Happy New Year! How's your deal going?" He Yuzhu didn't think Mei Suxin was just calling to say hello.

"Uncle He, regarding the cooperation proposal you mentioned last time, our factory has held several meetings and also made a preliminary report to the relevant authorities." Mei Suxin paused, seemingly considering how to phrase it, "The reaction has been very strong. Some support it, feeling it's the only way out; others oppose it, thinking the conditions are too harsh, worried that the factory will be swallowed up and its nature will change."

He Yuzhu wasn't surprised and calmly asked, "And what about you? What do you think?"

“Me?” Mei Suxin took a deep breath. “Uncle He, I agree with your assessment. The chances of a successful ‘military-to-civilian’ conversion on the factory’s own are very slim. We need funding, technology, and even more importantly, the vision and ability to open up the market. These are precisely what you can provide. However, this first step is indeed very difficult to take.”

"I understand. It involves the livelihoods of thousands of people and their lifelong habits, so caution is warranted."

"I also think so."

"Here's what you're going to do: take your people to Xiangdu, or you can go to Jidong either. We have factories there. You'll see for yourselves once you visit."

"To be honest, I visited both the electronics factory in the Special Economic Zone and the car factory in Hong Kong. My dad took me there, and I was really impressed. I never knew that technology outside had developed to this level."

"It's not enough for you to just look at it yourself; you also need to take others to see it. Although we are no longer in an era where falling behind means being vulnerable to attack, falling behind means being eliminated and losing your job. We must make them understand this clearly."

"Then I'll try to see if I can persuade them."

"You must persuade them. At the very least, you must bring along those who are willing to accept the changes. This includes not only the leadership, but also the technical staff and worker representatives. They are the ones who will speak up for you."

"it is good."

"Tell me if you are short of travel expenses."

"No need, no need, our factory can handle it ourselves. Besides, I would like to invite you to come and take a look at our factory. After all, you'll only feel at ease if you see it for yourself," Mei Suxin hurriedly said.

"Alright, let's do it in late March, when the weather is warmer, and it'll give you some time to look around outside."

“Okay! I’ll wait for your news!” Mei Suxin said.

Mei Suxin is also a decisive and capable woman; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to become a factory manager. A few days later, she led a team to Jidong. They visited the color TV factory, the motorcycle factory, the motor factory, and even the construction site of Yellow River Heavy Industry. She wanted to let those people know the strength of her partner, and the effect was obviously achieved, exceeding expectations.

Then they went to Guangdong Province, visiting not only electronics factories, automobile factories, and refrigerator factories, but also military feed mills and refineries.

After visiting the military's factory, these people's perspectives underwent a significant change. The military was already collaborating with outside entities to run factories, let alone their unit, which had been separated and placed under the Ministry of Machinery Industry.

Actually, Mei Suxin was stuck in the middle of the process. If he had reported it directly to the top, it might have been approved right away, because it was Zhou Baige's father who was in charge.

There was an information gap involved, and He Yuzhu didn't know which department they were under, so he didn't give any random directions.

If he knew the truth, he would have gone to the Zhou family long ago; there would have been no need for all this trouble.

At the end of March, before the chill of the north had completely faded, He Yuzhu and his group of five Yellow River off-road jeeps embarked on a journey through Shanxi.

The only people who went were Xiaoman, He Yaozu and his wife, He Yaozong and He Ningxue, and a few people brought by Fan Hu. In those days, the roads were not so safe, especially when driving.

He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang didn't go because they were too old. He Yuxin and the others also didn't go because He Yuxin was going to Jidong. Gong Xue was pregnant, and Zhong Chuhong was also pregnant and couldn't go. They were all very disappointed that they couldn't go with them.

Their first stop was Mount Wutai.

In the car driven by He Yaozu, Le Huizhen sat in the passenger seat, holding a small notebook and a camera, recording her observations along the way.

He Yaozong was forced to become a driver, while He Ningxue carried his camera and filmed him non-stop the whole way.

When we arrived, Wutai Mountain was still very cold, and the temples on the mountain were shrouded in a thin mist, with the scent of incense mixed with the chilly air.

He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang did not come, so Xiaoman went into several main halls on their behalf and offered incense.

He Yuzhu also bowed earnestly. His very existence in this world was so bizarre that one couldn't help but believe it.

The convoy left Wutai and headed towards Xixian County along the slightly bumpy road in early spring.

Outside the car window, the gullies and ridges of the Loess Plateau were still covered in withered yellow winter clothes, with only a few cold-resistant grass sprouts showing a hint of green.

He Yaozong was driving, and He Ningxue was holding a camera and pointing it out the window, muttering, "This road is going to be tough, the footage will be shaky."

Upon arriving at Xiaoxitian in Xi County, He Yuzhu asked Fan Hu to contact the local cultural department.

I heard there was a Hong Kong business delegation, and a deputy director surnamed Wang came to accompany them.

Upon entering Qianfo Temple, the guide emphasized the rarity of the Ming Dynasty painted and suspended sculptures.

Deputy Director Wang added from the side: "Mr. He, we dare not say anything else about Xiaoxitian, but the exquisiteness and well-preserved state of the painted sculptures in the hall are among the best in the country."

He Yuzhu looked up at the elaborate and ornate suspended sculptures that filled the beams of the palace and nodded: "Truly a masterpiece. Director Wang, these treasures must be protected from fire, moisture, and insects. I see this palace is quite old; are there any difficulties in its maintenance?"

Deputy Director Wang sighed: "To be honest, funding has always been tight. We can only do our best to maintain the existing facilities; we lack the resources for in-depth protection and restoration."

He Yuzhu pondered for a moment, then whispered a few words to He Yaozu beside him.

He Yaozu understood, stepped forward and exchanged business cards with Deputy Director Wang, and said that the Yellow River Group could consider donating a special fund for the protection of cultural relics in Xiaoxitian.

Upon hearing this, Deputy Director Wang excitedly grasped He Yuzhu's hand: "Mr. He, this is truly a timely help! On behalf of Xi County and Xiaoxitian, thank you!"

After leaving Xiaoxitian, the convoy headed north towards Datong.

The perilous Hanging Temple and the magnificent Yungang Grottoes deeply impressed the He family.

At the Yungang Grottoes, He Yuzhu specially invited a senior researcher to give a lecture.

As the other party explained the damage caused by weathering and water erosion to the grottoes, He Yuzhu frowned slightly.

He again instructed He Yaozu to donate a sum of money for the protection of the Yungang Grottoes Research Institute in the name of the Yellow River Group.

Le Huizhen quickly took notes. As a reporter, she keenly sensed that He Yuzhu's actions were not only about doing charity, but also about conveying an attitude of cherishing cultural heritage.

She wrote in the margin of her notebook: Corporate Social Responsibility and Cultural Heritage.

He Yaozong, holding a camera, kept adjusting the angle to capture the compassionate eyes of the Buddha statue and the marks etched by time.

He whispered to He Ningxue, "These images are excellent source material; the weight of history is palpable."

He Ningxue, unusually, did not refute, and looked at the incomplete yet still solemn Buddha statues, softly humming in agreement.

Heading south, He Yuzhu explored the bustling streets of Pingyao Ancient City, the rise and fall of Shanxi merchants at Qiao Family Compound, traced the roots of the Big Pagoda Tree in Hongdong, and witnessed the spirit of loyalty and righteousness in Guan Yu's hometown. Along the way, while appreciating the historical sites and scenery, He Yuzhu never forgot to communicate with the local cultural or tourism departments to understand the current status and difficulties of protection and development. He also donated varying amounts of protection funds in the name of "Hong Kong businessman He Fei" or "Yellow River Group".

Xiaoman quietly stayed by He Yuzhu's side, watching him talk with officials from various places, watching him worry about those ancient sites that had weathered the storms of time and then donate money.

After leaving Guan Yu's hometown, He Yuzhu and his group continued south, arriving at one of their key destinations—Lishan. They contacted the local cultural bureau under the guise of a Hong Kong business investment delegation.

The bureau chief personally received them. Upon learning that they were compatriots from Hong Kong, he was incredibly hospitable, not only arranging a dedicated tour guide but also accompanying and explaining the entire process.

After a bumpy journey of more than ten hours, we finally arrived at a certain point on Mount Li, where there was no road left.

Mount Li is majestic, rugged, and beautiful, with ancient trees reaching the sky. Legend has it that Emperor Shun once cultivated the land here.

The tour guide was a local expert who knew the history, legends, and anecdotes of Lishan Mountain like the back of his hand and told them in a vivid and engaging way.

"Mr. He, Mrs. Qiao, look over there, that's Shunwangping, the place where Emperor Shun cultivated the land." The tour guide pointed to a flat mountaintop in the distance.

Xiaoman nestled close to He Yuzhu, listening to the tour guide's explanation and gazing at the rolling mountains and lush forests before her, her eyes filled with amazement: "Brother Zhu, this place is so beautiful, even the air feels sweet."

He Yuzhu squeezed her hand and whispered, "I promised to take you out for a walk, this is the first stop. Later, we'll visit all the places marked on the map."

With her camera and notebook in hand, Le Huizhen took notes and photos intermittently. With a journalist's keen eye, she captured the interplay between natural scenery and cultural history, paying particular attention to some dilapidated ancient buildings and stone carvings. "Director," she couldn't help but suggest to the Director of the Cultural Bureau, "these stone carvings are severely weathered, and the beams and pillars of that temple seem to be leaning. These are all precious cultural heritages; shouldn't we consider strengthening some protection measures?"

The director sighed: "Reporter Le is right. We certainly want to protect it properly, but local finances are tight, and maintenance funds are really limited. We can only do our best to provide some basic care."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu said, "Director, cultural heritage is the foundation of a nation. Although our Yellow River Group mainly focuses on manufacturing, we are also willing to do our part to protect what our ancestors left behind. After this inspection, we can discuss setting up a special fund for the protection and restoration of cultural relics in Lishan and the surrounding area."

Upon hearing this, the bureau chief excitedly grasped He Yuzhu's hand: "Mr. He, this is wonderful! On behalf of Yuanqu and the ancestral culture passed down in Lishan, thank you!"

He Yaozong was completely absorbed in framing the shot. The vastness of Shunwangping, the depth of the primeval forest, and the vicissitudes of the rugged ancient road all became excellent subjects for his lens.

As he filmed, he murmured to himself, "It's so visually stunning! The weight of history and the magnificence of nature can be perfectly integrated into a film. For my next movie, I definitely need to find a location with this kind of cultural depth!"

He Ningxue didn't have such profound thoughts. She just felt that the mountain path was very tiring, but when she saw the beautiful scenery, she felt that it was all worth it.

She linked arms with Le Huizhen, chattering away about which angle would be best for taking photos, occasionally teasing He Yaozong who wouldn't let go of the camera: "Second brother, if you keep taking pictures, you'll use up all the film!"

Fan Hu and his men were scattered around the group, remaining vigilant to ensure the safety of the entire family.

The younger generation of the He family has felt this deeply throughout their journey.

They grew up in Hong Kong and were used to the hustle and bustle of the city. Although they often returned to the mainland, this was the first time they had systematically appreciated the magnificence of their motherland's landscape and the profundity of its history.

He Yaozu helped Le Huizhen up a steep set of stone steps. Looking at the distant mountains with their overlapping peaks, he exclaimed, "Only after coming out for a walk do you realize how vast and profound our motherland is, far beyond your imagination."

Le Huizhen nodded, deeply agreeing: "Yes, reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. These experiences are more direct and more shocking than any report."

After leaving the Lishan area and resting in the county town, the convoy drove out of the mountain road the next day and arrived at the location of Factory 541.

The factory area is built against the mountain and is quite large, but many buildings show signs of age, and slogans from a special era are still preserved on the walls.

Mei Suxin and the factory leadership team were already waiting at the factory gate.

"Uncle He, Aunt Man, you must be tired from your journey!" Mei Suxin greeted them. Behind her, the factory leaders looked at her with curiosity, scrutiny, and a hint of barely perceptible expectation and doubt.

He Yuzhu shook hands with each of them, his gaze sweeping over the factory area with its distinctive characteristics of the era and the simple-faced cadres and workers in front of him. He already had a clear idea of ​​what was going on.

This will be a tough battle, not just a business negotiation, but also a clash of ideas and mechanisms.

Guided by Mei Suxin, they began their tour of the factory area.

Inside the huge workshop, old-fashioned machine tools were still humming, and workers, dressed in faded overalls, were operating them with focused concentration.

The technical backbone introduced the existing equipment and products with great familiarity, but could not hide a hint of melancholy when faced with the trend of advanced technology.

After the tour, the two sides sat down in the conference room of the factory's guesthouse.

At Factory 541, besides Mei Suxin and several deputy factory directors, there were also Party officials, the chairman of the trade union, and several highly respected veteran workers.

He Yuzhu didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "Director Mei, leaders, and veteran workers, from what I've seen all along, your factory has a very good foundation, your workers have solid technical skills, and their hard-working spirit is truly admirable. However, if I may be frank, the existing equipment, products, and business strategies will be difficult to adapt to the upcoming market competition."

He paused, looked around at everyone, and continued, "The cooperation proposal that I had Suxin bring back last time may sound a bit harsh. But please understand, the market economy doesn't believe in tears, it only recognizes strength and efficiency. I'm investing real money and advanced technology, and I must ensure that they generate the value they deserve. This will not only give me the confidence to continue investing, but also allow everyone here, as well as the thousands of employees in the factory and their families, to see hope and benefit."

The conference room was silent, with only the faint sound of machinery coming from outside the window.

An elderly worker with graying hair couldn't help but speak up: "Boss He, what you say makes sense. But this factory is the result of generations of hard work, and suddenly it's being decided by outsiders. We're not happy about that!"

The union chairman chimed in, "Yes, Mr. He, the issues of employee resettlement and compensation are the most pressing matters."

He Yuzhu listened attentively, and only after they finished speaking did he slowly say, "I understand the old master's feelings. But please think about it: is it better to cling to the past glory, watch the factory struggle step by step, and even eventually close down (the factory went bankrupt in the 1990s), and let everyone go their separate ways? Or is it better to make a tough decision, introduce new vitality, revitalize the factory, and ensure that everyone can not only continue to have jobs, but also have better income and a more stable future?"

His eyes shone brightly: "Regarding employee placement, I reiterate my promise that after the new company is established, we will accept all employees who wish to stay and provide them with new skills training. In terms of compensation, we guarantee that it will not be lower than the current level in the initial stage, and as the company's efficiency improves, wages and bonuses will only increase accordingly! For those who do not wish to stay, we will also provide reasonable compensation in accordance with national regulations."

Mei Suxin spoke up at the opportune moment: "Mr. He's proposed cooperation is not about swallowing us up, but about leading us to forge a new path. Everyone who went to Hebei and Guangdong saw that the Yellow River Group has the strength and the sincerity! We cannot miss what may be our only opportunity just because we are afraid of change!"

The meeting lasted for several days, filled with debate, questioning, explanation, and weighing of options.

Ultimately, when He Yuzhu clearly stated that the first phase of investment would exceed ten million yuan and that he would introduce advanced special vehicle modification technology and precision instrument production lines, which are currently considered advanced internationally, the voices of opposition gradually weakened.

The realities of the situation and the blueprint drawn by He Yuzhu made most people realize that this might be the best opportunity for Factory 541 to be reborn.

The initial cooperation agreement was finally reached with great difficulty.

The specific details still require further, more complex consultations between the two teams and approval from the relevant ministries.

When He Yuzhu learned that they belonged to the Ministry of Machinery Industry, he was stunned. Hadn't he just walked right into a trap? Why didn't he ask earlier? If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have had to go through all this trouble.

He privately told Mei Suxin, "Suxin, if you go directly to your minister in Beijing, this matter will definitely be resolved."

"Uncle He, how did you know?"

"You'll understand this later. Remember to go directly to the minister and don't waste time on those intermediate steps."

"But it's not that easy for me to see him."

"Just talk to his secretary and mention the Yellow River Group."

"Oh! Uncle He, you know the minister's secretary?"

"You'll see when you get there." He Yuzhu was almost amused by his niece's naiveté.

Before leaving, Mei Suxin came to see her off with her husband and two children. Her eldest son, Xu Jun, a young man who looked a little shy but had bright eyes, followed behind his mother the whole time.

He Yuzhu remembered that Mei Suxin had mentioned that this child had graduated from technical school and was operating CNC machine tools in a factory, so he casually asked, "Xiaojun, I heard from your mother that you want to go out and see the world?"

Xu Jun was taken aback when He Yuzhu asked him directly. He paused for a moment, then nodded vigorously: "Yes, Grandpa He, I want to see how factories outside operate."

He Yuzhu appreciated this kind of thoughtful young man and said with a smile, "Okay, once things are looking up here, I'll have your mother arrange for him to go to a factory in Jidong or Guangdong Province to learn a thing or two."

Xu Jun's face immediately lit up, and he looked at his mother excitedly. Mei Suxin smiled and nudged her son, saying, "Aren't you going to thank Grandpa He!"

"Thank you, Grandpa He!"

As the convoy drove away from Factory 541, the figures of Mei Suxin's family and factory leaders gradually shrank in the rearview mirror, eventually disappearing behind the loess slope.

On the return trip, we didn't take the original route, but instead turned west.

(End of this chapter)