78: Bringing his wife and children to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 161 A Meal Starts a New Journey

One person after another arrived here.

Those present were Master Li, Liu Xiao, Chen An, and Old Hu the carpenter.

Those apprentices who are still working in the factory also came: Zhao Jianjun, Wang Zhigang, Tao Bao, Liu Dequan, and Guo Xiaosi.

Ma Chunlai had already gone back home, but Ye Bingwen still asked someone to send him twenty yuan as travel expenses home.

Including Ye Bingwen himself, the number of people present was exactly ten.

At this moment, Zheng Shuyun and An'an arrived together.

Upon seeing Master Li, An'an immediately rushed over and hugged his leg.

"Grandpa Li"

"Oh dear, An'an."

"Draw me a picture." Then let Grandpa see it.

"You look fat in your work clothes."

Mr. Li was stunned when he heard this.

Liu Xiaojun, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but laugh.

"An'an, actually, Master Li isn't fat."

"People who wear work clothes tend to look fat."

After hearing this, Master Li chuckled and shook his head.

After all the dishes were served, everyone sat around the table.

Ye Bingwen stood up.

"There's no particular reason why we've gathered everyone together today."

"There was a time before when I treated everyone to a meal; you should all remember that."

The people at the table all nodded.

"What I said during the last meal was true. I told them that the factory had no money."

"I'm going to tell you the truth today. The payment for the goods has arrived, and the loan has been approved."

The people at the table all had relaxed expressions on their faces.

Zhao Jianjun was the first to speak.

"Director Ye."

"Ah ha"

"So our factory will never have a problem with insufficient funds again, right?"

Ye Bingwen shook his head slightly.

"I can't guarantee that payments won't stop in the future; business isn't that predictable."

"But I can tell you that as long as the factory exists, I will be here; as long as I am here, your wages will not be reduced."

Zhao Jianjun nodded and then didn't continue speaking.

Master Li is holding the wine glass in front of him.

"Xiao Ye, let's have a drink first."

Ye Bingwen also raised his glass.

Seeing this, the people at the table also picked up their glasses and started drinking.

After finishing his glass of wine, Old Hu the carpenter picked up a piece of food and chewed it slowly.

He suddenly sighed while he was eating.

"Oh, let me tell you, I'm already this old, and I've done a lot of carpentry work, but the work I've done at the Hongqi Factory these past few months has been the most interesting I've ever done in my life."

"What's so interesting about it?" Liu Xiaojun asked curiously.

"The most expensive piece of wood I've ever carved was a mahogany screen for a retired cadre. It took me three days to complete, and he gave me fifty yuan for it."

The wooden molds carved at the Hongqi Factory were worthless, but they were used to carve tables for the state. After hearing this, the people in the room remained silent.

Old Hu the carpenter drank another glass of wine.

"Let me tell you young people something: there are plenty of jobs that can make money, but you can't find a job that serves the country just anywhere."

Chen An handed a piece of roast chicken to Old Hu the carpenter.

Then Mr. Li asked, "Xiao Ye, what are the plans after the loan is approved?"

"Replace that old press with a new one; this machine should be retired."

"Then fence off the open space behind it and build a simple factory on it."

"Ah ha"

In addition, we need to recruit some more people. Liu Xiaojun immediately took over the conversation and asked, "Uncle Ye, how many people do we need to recruit?"

"It depends on the specific situation, but at least five people need to be hired."

"From now on, you'll only be responsible for process parameters and equipment maintenance. Leave the equipment maintenance to the new staff."

Liu Xiaojun smiled very happily.

That's great! Chen An then asked, "Director Ye, how's the testing equipment situation going?"

"Let's buy one too. Let's buy a device that can detect internal problems, so we don't have to borrow one every time."

"So, approximately how much will it cost?"

"Around three thousand yuan."

"Can"

The people at the table chatted while waiting for the food to be served.

Sister Song brought over a pot of Northeastern stew.

"Xiao Ye, I put an extra piece of meat in your dish."

"Sister Song, you flatter me."

"Your wife and I are old friends."

After Sister Song finished speaking, she glanced at Zheng Shuyun again.

"Shuyun, how long have you been wearing this dress? Once Bingwen's factory is up and running, have him buy you a new one."

"Something that was bound to happen sooner or later."

Ye Bingwen felt very warm after hearing these words.

Zhao Jianjun said some things during the meal.

"Director Ye, there's something I need to tell you."

"Go ahead and say it."

"When Xiao Zhang left last time, I also had some doubts."

"My family was also urging me to go back to my hometown, and I hesitated for a long time at the time."

"7

Zhao Jianjun shook his head.

"After Xiao Zhang left last time, I saw you give him fifty yuan for travel expenses."

"At the time, I thought to myself, working for a factory manager like that, I'm sure I won't be treated badly."

Ye Bingwen also picked up his wine glass.

"Old Zhao, thank you for your help."

"Director Ye, you don't need to thank me. I will definitely work hard."

Wang Zhigang echoed, "Director Ye, I think so too."

Tao Bao chimed in, "Me too!"

Liu Dequan and Guo Xiaosi both nodded in agreement.

Seeing that the atmosphere was not right, Liu Xiaojun immediately picked up his wine glass.

"Uncle Ye, let's toast Uncle Ye."

"I've learned a lot from you these past two years."

"Xiao Jun, don't say that. Actually, I've learned a lot from you."

"Uncle Ye, it's true that I bought the mixer from the scrap yard, but if you hadn't given me twenty yuan, I wouldn't have bought it back."

"The twenty yuan was well spent."

After they finished speaking, they finished the wine in their glasses.

By this time, Master Li had already drunk quite a bit of alcohol.

"Xiao Ye"

"Master Li"

That's what I mean.

After putting down his wine glass, Master Li's face showed signs of drunkenness.

"I was already grateful to have food to eat, I never thought I could work in the military industry."

"Master Li, you're too kind."

"I won't stand on ceremony. I told my wife that my life wasn't in vain that I was able to work at the Hongqi Factory."

"Master Li, no need to say anything more, drink."

Master Li drank all the wine in one go.

The person next to Old Hu the carpenter also laughed.

"Old Li, you've had too much to drink."

"I'm not drunk."

Everyone at the table was grinning from ear to ear.

The atmosphere at the dinner table began to liven up.

Liu Xiaojun was there, recounting how he moved the mixer back from the scrap yard, speaking with great enthusiasm.

Old Hu the carpenter recounted how he carved mahogany screens for retired cadres when he was young, speaking with great relish.

Ye Bingwen sat in his seat and watched them.

After pausing for a moment, Ye Bingwen looked around, then picked up his wine glass and said: