Road to Revival

Chapter 94 Lu Yaozu Inspects Red Star II

This is a very close attitude. Not only did the leaders of Red Star think this way, but Lu Yaozu's entourage was also thinking about the same issue.

"Is this how it works? Let's take a look at Red Star's Hall of Fame first. There are samples of the company's main products there, which can give the leaders a direct impression," Tao Tang said.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. You're in charge now." Lu Yaozu turned around and got into Tao Tang's Audi. While the leaders were discussing matters at the second station, the cars parked in front of the first station had already been brought over by Wang Fumin.

In the following days, Tao Tang accompanied Lu Yaozu and his group to visit Hongxing's factory history room, as well as the research institute, Branch Factory 3, and Branch Factory 13. Branch Factory 3 was the gearbox assembly plant, and Branch Factory 13 was the mining machinery assembly plant. Gearboxes and mining machinery were undoubtedly Hongxing Company's two most competitive flagship products. On the production line, Tao Tang personally introduced the market and production capacity of the products to Lu Yaozu. This was a general introduction, not delving into technical details; he no longer needed an assistant.

"Not bad." As Lu Yaozu walked out of the assembly workshop of the 13th branch factory, he stopped and said to the leaders of Tao Tang and Hongxing, "I don't know about Pingquan, but in terms of machining capabilities, there aren't many in Beiyang that can compare with Hongxing. I noticed that you have a high proportion of old equipment; some of your lathes are from the 1980s."

"Yes, the burden of technological transformation and product upgrading is heavy. Secretary Lu, now that you're here, how about giving us a lesson?" In front of Lu Yaozu's entourage, Tao Tang had to maintain sufficient respect for Lu Yaozu.

"I'm not falling for your tricks. How about this, you show me around the factory area. The other comrades rarely come here, so this is a good opportunity for them to gain a deeper understanding of Hongxing's production and operations... By the way, what's your total budget for this year?"

"Strive to reach 100 billion."

"100 billion is a considerable sum. Hongxing is the leading state-owned enterprise in Pingquan and contributes to Pingquan's economic growth and social stability." He said this to his entourage.

Lu Yaozu's meaning was clear: he didn't want a group of people following him. His two sentences just now served as his "closing statement" regarding his inspection of Hongxing. Everyone present was shrewd; Zhang Xingwu immediately called Wang Fumin, and sure enough, Tao Tang took the car keys and personally drove Secretary Lu away. Those left behind exchanged bewildered glances. Zhao Qingmin said to the city leaders who had accompanied Lu Yaozu, "Since Secretary Lu wants you all to gain a deeper understanding of Hongxing Company's operations, let's go to the office building. I've prepared a PowerPoint presentation for you all to review and provide guidance."

After Lu Yaozu and Tao Tang left, Zhang Yulin, the deputy secretary-general of the municipal party committee, said, "Alright then, we've seen the main production sites and the main problems have been basically solved. Let's go watch the Red Star propaganda video." After Lu Yaozu left, Zhang Yulin was the highest-ranking official, so when he spoke, the others naturally didn't object. The key point was that they weren't particularly interested in the production sites either.

"By the way, Lao Ai," Zhang Yulin called Ai Weihua over, "I see that Hongxing's wastewater treatment facilities are quite good... and the problem doesn't seem too serious. Since the company leaders are already taking it very seriously and the temporary measures are effective, shouldn't you withdraw the production stoppage order?"

Ai Weihua wasn't stupid. "Follow the Secretary-General's instructions. Since the accident was accidental and Hongxing Company has handled it very well, we will immediately lift the production stoppage order."

"Thank you, thank you," Zhao Qingmin and Zhou Bing said repeatedly, expressing their gratitude and promising to strengthen equipment management in the future to prevent such problems from recurring.

"Please get in the car, leaders. It's still quite a distance to the office building." Zhao Qingmin ushered Lu Yaozu's entourage into the car and took them back to the office building.

Tao Tang understood that Lu Yaozu's trip, besides helping him solve the environmental problem, must also be for the new city plan. Therefore, Tao Tang showed Lu Yaozu around the factory without reservation, from the factory area to the residential area, almost a complete circle.

In a small square in the northwest corner of the residential area, Lu Yaozu instructed the car to stop. The paved square was small, and seven or eight old men were talking about something, completely ignoring the car parked there.

"This is quite a large operation. Judging from the written materials alone is insufficient. How large is it?" Lu Yaozu, sitting in the passenger seat, asked.

"Nearly 9000 mu (approximately 667 hectares). The total number of employees and their families is nearly 90,000."

"You've returned home in glory. It's been two months since you came back, how are you feeling?"

"Haha, so you weren't sure before, but now that you're here, you're all set."

"Forget it. I can't help you with anything. But I really didn't expect to end up running with you. We're really destined to be together..."

"That's different. You govern Pingquan, a region with 10 counties, 2 cities, and 400 million people, while I'm just a village head within these walls. Oh, congratulations again! I know you've been looking forward to governing a region for a long time, and now you have the stage to do so. Have you thought about how you're going to do it?"

"No... However, Pingquan needs a new engine. The main obstacle to the new city plan is your company... To be honest, the province has different opinions on this... Lao Tao, what's your stance on this?"

"I've considered it, but it's not a mature idea. My general feeling is that from Red Star's perspective, relocation is not advisable. From your perspective, the pros and cons are hard to say."

Why do you say that?

"The central government has been emphasizing the transformation of the economic growth model. In reality, the drawbacks of relying on investment to drive the economy are becoming increasingly apparent... I am not familiar with the situation in Pingquan, but nationwide, if government bankruptcy were allowed, it is estimated that a considerable proportion of governments would already be insolvent... This is by no means a long-term solution..."

Lu Yaozu didn't reply, but squinted at the large area of ​​bungalows. "The province is working on the renovation of shantytowns, so you have a heavy task here."

"The conditions are simply not right now. I haven't even considered it."

"Oh? Why?"

"The demolition involves huge economic compensation, and Hongxing's relatively closed environment must be taken into consideration. It is difficult for Hongxing to achieve market-oriented operation of shantytown renovation on its own. The government subsidies are just a drop in the bucket, and given Hongxing's current situation, they are absolutely unsustainable. In addition, I must first take care of the livelihoods of nearly 300,000 people. Relocation means production stoppage, and production stoppage means the market voluntarily giving up. It's tough."

"Remove this wall, and the market will be limitless... The most suitable development direction for Pingquan is westward... It could be a win-win situation."

"Let's not talk about Hongxing for now, since it's just a local area. This is just my feeling, and it might not be accurate, but the real estate market in Pingquan city is nearing saturation. Without a large influx of people from other areas, building a new city would be too risky..."

"Yes, the risks are huge. That's the main concern of the province's opposition to the plan. But we can't ignore the enormous pressure of the economic downturn... Let's talk about your situation. Last time in Beijing, after you left, Feng Shizhao talked about Red Star. He hoped that you could carve out a path for yourself without relying on the support of the Brilliant Headquarters. Can you do that?" Lu Yaozu changed the subject.

"Easier said than done... It's like a mediocre general in wartime who takes a ruler, measures something on a map, and tells his men, 'It's only a hundred or so li, we can make it in a day with a forced march.' Little does he know that there are towering mountains and great rivers in between..."

"Haha, you just asked me what I was going to do. Now I'm giving you that question back. What are you going to do? Can Red Star replicate your success in Binjiang?" With that, Lu Yaozu got out of the car.

"I don't know." Tao Tang got out of the car. "The situation in Hongxing is more complicated than in Shengdong, but the situation among the masses is the same."

"I know you've got a way... never mind, I don't know either. I was worried about being surrounded by workers when I came to your turf today. But everyone seems to be in a good mood."

"Workers are the most reasonable people; it's always the cadres who cause problems."

"Yeah, yeah. The higher-ups have realized it now, haven't they? I saw the Red Star case in the province; it might not be over yet. You need to be careful. Hey, got any cigarettes?"

"I only care about the future, not the past. Hey, you know I've quit for a long time... Let me see..." Sure enough, there was a pack of Yellow Crane Tower cigarettes in the storage box. Tao Tang knew there were many kinds of this brand, but he couldn't say the price of this pack.

"Didn't expect me to come?" Lu Yaozu didn't care about the quality of the cigarettes, and tore open the packaging to light one.

"I knew you would ask about it, but I didn't expect you to come in person."

"Because I'm just like you, a player who doesn't play by the rules."

"I don't think so. I've always thought of myself as a law-abiding citizen. Now things are upside down, and it's news that I eat in the cafeteria. Isn't that absurd?"

"Your spirit is commendable, but it's unnecessary. The key is to resolve your wife's problem as soon as possible. Damn it, you're a complete bastard in this regard."

"Mind your own business and mind your own business."

"Haha, I don't care about you. Is being single so liberating? Do you feel superior just because you're trying to fool young girls?"

"Freedom is a load of rubbish. Every day, the moment I open my eyes, it's all about work..."

"Yeah, yeah, only someone like Liu Laowu deserves to talk about freedom. We don't even have that right. You're right, once you get this, don't covet that. Go back, I should go too." Lu Yaozu stubbed out his cigarette on the edge of the trash can and carefully threw it in. "What about your parents? Are they still in Binjiang?"

"I bought a house and I'm going to bring them back."

"Oh, it seems you're planning to stay for a long time..."

"What about you? Are you going to bring Mu Jia over?" Lu Yaozu's wife, Cheng Mu Jia, was also Tao Tang's classmate in university. Tao Tang had largely facilitated Lu Yaozu and Cheng Mu Jia's relationship. Given Lu Yaozu's family background, one would generally expect him to marry someone of equal social standing for a political alliance, but Cheng Mu Jia was highly regarded by the Lu family. She was an excellent woman, capable both in public and domestic, a true virtuous helpmate to Lu Yaozu.

"I'm not considering it for now. You've been back in Yanjing for over a year, and she complains that you don't visit her. It's been several years since you last saw each other."

"It's been several years..."

"She's always worried about your personal life. I told her that Tao Tang isn't someone who can be easily manipulated, so let's stop worrying about him... Let's go back." Lu Yaozu opened the car door.

(End of this chapter)