Bright Sword: From Border Region Manufacturing to Major National Heavy Industry

Chapter 218 Director Li's Broad-mindedness
Border Region Ordnance Factory Conference Room
Before Li Muzhi and Zhang Wanhe even arrived, the tranquility here had already been broken by several students.

One of the students sat down at the table and said in a striking tone, "Have you all heard? The director of the arsenal in this area is said to be a young man in his twenties, not much older than us."

Another student quickly chimed in, "I've heard about it too, but I always felt the rumors were unfounded. How could a young man not much older than us produce so many weapons and ammunition?"

"Yeah, let's not even talk about cannons. Just making explosives alone has stumped countless people. He makes making explosives and weapons seem as easy as eating and drinking. I think there's definitely an element of exaggeration in that."

……

Some people have questioned it, while others may support it.

Several pretty girls offered a different opinion:

"How can you say that about Director Li? As the old saying goes, ambition knows no age!"

"Director Li has made such great contributions to our army, what have you done for our army? What right do you have to question Director Li!"

“We are a meticulous team. If Director Li really doesn’t have this ability, then no one can fake it.”

……

"We are a rigorous team. The organization has said that there is freedom of speech, and everyone has the right to raise questions."

"The problem is that you're asking the wrong question. The weapons that Director Li manufactured have already dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese invaders on the battlefield, which is obvious to all!"

"It's obvious to everyone, so did you see it?"

“I didn’t see it, but the other comrades did.”

As the old saying goes, seeing is believing, hearing is deceiving.

"Hmph, I won't allow you to question Director Li like that. He's dedicated to the military industry and hasn't even gotten married yet. He's such a great man, no one can question him!"

"Maybe he's already married, but it just hasn't been made public yet. Do you think I don't know what you young girls are thinking? Stop thinking about it."

"What were we thinking? We weren't thinking anything. We were just showing respect for Director Li and admiring him."

"Oh my, aren't you ashamed? You even show respect and admiration. You've just fallen for him. You haven't even met him yet, and you've already fallen for him. Tsk tsk."

"What nonsense are you spouting? I'll strangle you."

……

When Li Muzhi and Zhang Wanhe arrived at the conference room, it was already in complete chaos.

Several girls and several boys got into a fight, while others tried to break it up.

Zhang Wanhe's face immediately darkened: "This is an arms factory, not a vegetable market! Anyone who causes trouble, get out of here!"

Don't be fooled by Comrade Zhang's usual smiling face in front of Li Muzhi; in front of these people, his face carries considerable authority.

The students immediately stood still, not daring to breathe.

"Sit down, everyone." Zhang Wanhe waved his hand, and the students quickly sat down. Of course, all eyes were still on Li Muzhi.

This young man isn't much older than them. Could he really be the director of the border region's arsenal?
"Let me introduce you. This is Comrade Li Muzhi, currently the director of the border region's arsenal," Zhang Wanhe solemnly introduced Li Muzhi's identity, then continued, "The headquarters leaders have already given orders: anyone who dares to lay a finger on him will be shot on the spot!"

Zhang Wanhe emphasized the last four words, "execute on the spot."

Of course, it's unclear whether the headquarters leader actually issued such an order, or whether this was just Minister Zhang's fabrication.

None of that matters anymore.

The important thing is that as soon as those four words were uttered, the atmosphere in the meeting room became noticeably more somber.

Even those few troublemakers who had questioned Li Muzhi couldn't help but shrink back!

Execution on the spot signifies absolute authority that cannot be challenged.

Li Muzhi said to Zhang Wanhe, "Minister Zhang, they are all still children, don't frighten them."

Then, Li Muzhi smiled and said to the students, "Everyone, Minister Zhang was just trying to scare you. Here at the border region's arsenal, everyone has the right to ask questions, everyone can participate in discussions, and everyone is equal. Of course, if you don't abide by the organization's discipline, you can see from Minister Zhang's attitude that he won't be easy to talk to."

Li Muzhi's smiling attitude eased the atmosphere in the meeting room.

Some people are still observing Zhang Wanhe's attitude.

Li Muzhi is the director of the arsenal, and Zhang Wanhe is the logistics minister; the latter is the former's superior.

When Li Muzhi said something to Zhang Wanhe in front of everyone, Zhang Wanhe did not show any dissatisfaction or even frown.

This detail is quite significant.

If things go wrong, and Minister Zhang is shot on the spot, it's no joke.

Of course.

If the rumored weapons and ammunition were all made by Li Muzhi, then Li Muzhi is a precious gem.

It's a stroke of luck for us to have met him and to be able to stay and serve in the border region's arsenal.

Li Muzhi continued with a smile, "May I ask what you two were arguing about just now? Feel free to tell me."

Those troublemakers didn't say a word, huh?

Didn't you see how polite Minister Zhang was to Factory Director Li? If we say in front of Minister Zhang that we are questioning Factory Director Li, we're definitely in for a bad time.

We just felt the discipline was a bit too strict; we're not stupid.

However, a few of Li Muzhi's supporters spoke up to the girl: "Director Li, it was these guys who questioned you, saying you're too young, and that it's unrealistic for you to produce so many weapons and ammunition. They said it must be fake."

“We did not question Director Li, we did not,” the troublemakers immediately denied.

"What's wrong? You dare to do it but not admit it?" several girls questioned.

"We didn't, we didn't, we are..." the troublemakers denied again.

Zhang Wanhe interrupted, "Shut up, all of you!"

In a flash, the meeting room fell silent again.

Li Muzhi said to Zhang Wanhe, "Minister Zhang, I'll talk to them. You go ahead with your work."

"Okay." Zhang Wanhe nodded, but before leaving, he still gave a serious reminder: "I'll say it one last time, if anyone dares to touch a single hair on Xiao Li's head, don't blame me for not warning you."

After saying that, Zhang Wanhe walked out.

Of course, the captain of the guard was still left to wait outside and secretly protect Li Muzhi.

If Li Muzhi couldn't control these troublemakers, he definitely wouldn't let them harm him. With just one sentence, Li Muzhi made the logistics minister, Zhang Wanhe, obediently leave.

In an instant, even those students who weren't very good at reading between the lines could see it.

Li Muzhi is truly the absolute authority in logistics, the lifeblood of Minister Zhang, and cannot be presumptuously trusted.

"Don't be nervous, relax and just imagine you're back in your old classroom."

Li Muzhi's smile was like a spring breeze.
"The fact that you were selected to come here is enough to prove that each of you is an elite who has been sifted out from the sands of time, and an outstanding pillar of society."

"With your addition to the Border Region Arsenal, it's like giving a tiger wings. I thank you on behalf of the Border Region Arsenal."

"I believe that with your support, the border region's arsenal will soon be able to produce even more powerful weapons!"

……

As soon as Li Muzhi said those words, the students' expressions visibly relaxed.

After all, who doesn't like to hear praise?

Especially students who are inexperienced in the ways of the world.

Instantly, the girls' eyes lit up.

Director Li speaks so pleasantly, and he's also very handsome.

Several girls immediately spoke up:

"Director Li, you flatter us. We're not as good as you make us out to be."

"Director Li, serving the organization is our duty. We will do whatever the organization asks us to do. Our coming to the border region arsenal was also arranged by the organization. You don't need to thank us. This is what we should do."

The others also offered a few words of modesty, even the few troublemakers said politely, "Director Li, you seem much easier to talk to than Minister Zhang. Minister Zhang always scolds us for being troublemakers. He only sees our shortcomings. Only you, Director Li, see our strengths. You have a discerning eye!"

Li Muzhi continued with a smile, "I was just telling the truth. Perhaps you are more outstanding than I imagined."

"Director Li, just tell us, what do you need us to do?" After being praised by Li Muzhi, some people couldn't wait to start working for him immediately.

Those troublemakers were also itching to make a move.

Factory Director Li has a keen eye for talent; we'd better prove him right.

A thousand-mile horse is always there, but a bole is not always there!
It's not easy to find a mentor like that, so we can't let the opportunity slip away.

"I have a test paper here. Could any of you come up and help me copy it onto the blackboard?" Li Muzhi took out a test paper that he had prepared beforehand.

All of these questions were carefully prepared by Li Muzhi in his spare time, and the content of the questions covered physics, chemistry, mathematics and other subjects.

Although Li Muzhi had the list of these students, he still needed to conduct a preliminary test to determine their strengths and the depth and level of those strengths.

We will then provide targeted training.

"I come."

"Director Li, let me do it."

“I have good handwriting, Director Li, let me do it.”

……

The students all raised their hands.

"You're the one," Li Muzhi said, pointing to the girl who had said she had good handwriting.

"Yes, Director Li." The girl was overjoyed and quickly stepped forward to take the test paper from Li Muzhi. She then picked up the chalk and began to copy the test paper onto the blackboard.

“These questions are extremely difficult. If any of you can solve even one or two of them, you will be considered top-tier elite talents,” Li Muzhi continued.

Actually, these questions aren't that difficult.

Li Muzhi wanted to build their confidence. They had solved a few problems, and he would praise them later, which would boost their goodwill even more.

Once you've built up a good impression on them, they'll be even more serious and hardworking when you train them in the future.

The military situation was extremely urgent, and Li Muzhi hoped to train them all to become the backbone and cornerstone of the border region's arsenal in the shortest possible time, making them the most solid base of the arsenal.

"Director Li, don't worry, we promise we won't let you down."

"Director Li, I'd like to see just how difficult this question is."

……

The students were all confident and eager to prove themselves to be top-tier talents.

"Okay," Li Muzhi said, "The exam will last two hours. I have to go and do my work now. I'll come back in two hours. I hope everyone will follow the rules while taking the exam."

"Director Li, are you that busy?" someone couldn't help but ask.

Director Li is a very pleasant person to talk to; we all want to stay with him a little longer.

He's not here, and that stern-faced Minister Zhang might show up again.

“Yes, the border region's arsenal is short-handed, especially in terms of top-tier elite talent. With you here, I think I can finally get some rest soon,” Li Muzhi replied solemnly.

The students, praised by Li Muzhi, immediately became very enthusiastic: "Director Li, don't worry, we will definitely abide by the rules, we won't make noise, and we won't copy others."

We are all top-notch talents, and Director Li has high hopes for us. How can we let him down?

"Okay, I'll come back in two hours," Li Muzhi said with a smile, then turned and left the conference room.

Li Muzhi went back to his office, while the captain of the guard secretly watched him from there.

The students actually did their work quietly and stopped making noise. The guard captain exclaimed, "Director Li is really something! A few words of praise and these students are all happy and well-behaved. It's much more effective than Minister Zhang's stern reprimands."

The captain of the guard was prepared to deal with these troublemakers, after all, Li Muzhi's time was precious and he couldn't let his time be wasted on troublemakers.

Now it seems that it's completely unnecessary.

After Director Li uttered those sweet words, the prickly guy's face beamed with joy.

This also reflects Director Li's magnanimity.

He doesn't pursue others' doubts; instead, he praises them. Anyone would feel comfortable in that situation.

(End of this chapter)