Chapter 161 Period
Compared with Song Yuanchao, the most shocked person was Li Daqi.
Li Daqi never expected that Director Ma would arrange him like this, and there was no sign of it beforehand.
For a moment, Li Daqi didn't know what to say. On the contrary, Song Yuanchao was very calm. Although he was surprised at Director Ma's decision at first, after Director Ma's explanation, Song Yuanchao understood his thoughts.
The situation encountered in the factory in the past few months gave Director Ma a great sense of crisis. As he said, times have changed and the old ways no longer work.
Originally, Director Ma always thought that as a factory leader for his whole life, as long as he did his job well and kept the factory in good order, the factory would continue to prosper. But who would have thought that since last year, or to be more precise, since June last year, everything had changed. Especially around the National Day, the situation in the factory was so bad that it was unimaginable, which made Director Ma deeply worried.
If it weren't for Song Yuanchao, who pulled the factory back from the brink, the factory would probably be in a state of depression. Director Ma knew his own abilities very well, and he saw many of his own shortcomings in this matter, which was why he made such a decision.
Song Yuanchao sincerely admired Director Ma's style of not being greedy for power and taking the initiative to give up his position. He also thought that doing so was the most appropriate choice at the moment. He promoted Li Daqi to the position and made preparations for the handover in advance to avoid other accidents. Director Ma's arrangement was well thought out.
"Master... I..." Li Daqi was about to say something, but Song Yuanchao beside him nudged him with his foot and took over the conversation, saying, "Master, I understand your good intentions. I think there is nothing wrong with you doing this, but it is unfair to you..."
"Hahaha, kid, why would an old guy like me who is about to retire feel wronged? Besides, even if Daqi becomes the factory director, he is still my apprentice. Just like you, don't say that you are a college student now, even if you become a big leader in the future, you are still my apprentice!"
Song Yuanchao also smiled and nodded repeatedly, saying, "Of course. Let's not talk about this. Even if I become a grandfather at the same age as you, I am still your apprentice, right?"
"Ce Na, you are so slick! By the time you reach my age, your master would have already moved to Tieban New Village!" Director Ma laughed.
After chatting for more than an hour in the factory office, Song Yuanchao was ready to leave after lunch. Director Ma knew that Song Yuanchao had just returned and must be very tired after sitting on the train all night, so he did not try to keep him. They agreed to meet again in a few days. Song Yuanchao said goodbye to Director Ma and left the school-run factory.
Li Daqi walked Song Yuanchao out. When they reached the factory gate, Li Daqi took out a cigarette and handed it to Song Yuanchao. He then lit it up and took a puff.
"Yuan Chao, after thinking about what Master said today, I think it's better..."
"Brother, since Master has arranged it this way, you should listen to Master!" As if he could see what Li Daqi was going to say, Song Yuanchao put his hand on his shoulder and said seriously.
Li Daqi looked up at Song Yuanchao, a puzzled look on his face.
"You, I understand your thoughts. You just feel that this is a bit unfair to your master, right?" Song Yuanchao asked.
Seeing Li Daqi nodded, Song Yuanchao sighed and said, "In fact, you should understand Master's intention. He did this for your own good and for the good of the factory. Master has been engaged in revolution all his life. To put it bluntly, he has eaten more salt than we have eaten rice. He also understands some things better than you."
Song Yuanchao pointed backwards, pointing in the direction of the school-run factory: "How long do you think the factory will remain so popular now?"
Li Daqi was stunned, not quite understanding what Song Yuanchao said.
Song Yuanchao glanced at the factory, as if he had traveled through time and space to see the dilapidated appearance of the factory he had seen in his previous life.
If it weren't for Song Yuanchao, perhaps this factory would have been struggling on the brink of life and death, and would have finally closed down after a year of struggle. A few years later, even the factory building and land were sold, and it would not be as bustling as it is now.
"When I first came here, the factory was doing very well. The workshops were busy and everyone had a smile on their faces. But our factory is not a large state-owned factory. It's just a small factory on the street. I think you know the situation of the employees."
Seeing Li Daqi thoughtful, Song Yuanchao continued, "Big factories have strong financial resources and high levels. Even if they are not doing well, they are temporarily backed by the government. But what about our factory? Who will back it? No. 2 Middle School or the Education Bureau? None of them are possible."
"A factory like ours is in an awkward position. It might not have been a problem in the past, but now the policy has changed. The market is open and the competition is fierce. Now is just the beginning, and the situation will be more serious in the future. So if you want to build the factory, you have to rely on yourself. Once the factory collapses, what will happen to these employees? Have you thought about this problem? Master made this arrangement with this in mind. He will be old in a few years, so he can help you get up earlier and guide you earlier. When the time comes, he will hand over the factory to you safely and stably, and he will be completely relieved."
Song Yuanchao didn't say anything profound, but it was something real. Compared to Song Yuanchao who studied at Yanjing University, Li Daqi had been working in the factory and was naturally very familiar with the situation of the factory.
Song Yuanchao was right. The school-run factory had just experienced a crisis. Although it had recovered, the crisis still existed. It was precisely because of this that Director Ma realized that it was no longer possible to continue to lead the ship with his old ideas. This is why he thought of stepping down and letting someone more capable do the job. He chose Li Daqi, and while he still had a say and could make decisions, he helped him get on the horse and sent him off for a while, so that he would feel relieved when he completely stepped down.
"Okay, I won't say any more. Don't think too much about this. Just accept it when Master asks you to. Sometimes it's not a bad thing to accept responsibility. It's a good thing!"
Patting Li Daqi on the shoulder, Song Yuanchao said with a smile: "Zhengguo and the others will be back in a few days. Then we will have a good gathering. I have something to explain to you. This matter is not only related to this factory, but also to us brothers. Brothers! The 1980s are here, remember! This is an unprecedented golden age, and the time for us to show our talents has finally come!"
After waving goodbye, Song Yuanchao left the factory and went to No. 2 Middle School to visit the principal, Zhou.
Principal Zhou was particularly happy to see Song Yuanchao coming, and happily accepted the gifts Song Yuanchao brought.
Song Yuanchao didn't stay in the school for too long. He chatted with Principal Zhou for about an hour. Since Principal Zhou had to go to the Education Bureau for a meeting in the afternoon, Song Yuanchao stood up and said goodbye.
When leaving, Song Yuanchao told Principal Zhou about his dinner appointment with Director Ma and invited him to join them. Principal Zhou did not refuse and readily agreed.
"Oh, look at my brain, I almost forgot about this." Just as he was about to send Song Yuanchao out, Principal Zhou suddenly remembered something and slapped his forehead, asking Song Yuanchao to wait a moment.
As Song Yuanchao looked puzzled, Principal Zhou quickly walked to his desk, took out the key from his pocket, opened the top locked drawer on his right hand side, and took out an envelope.
Holding the envelope, Principal Zhou seemed to have some emotion on his face. He sighed, walked to Song Yuanchao and handed him the envelope.
"This is your father's back pay. It just came in the day before yesterday. Keep it."
The thick kraft paper envelope felt heavy in his hand. It was the last thing his father left him. Looking at it, Song Yuanchao's eyes suddenly blurred.
"My child, your father would be very happy if he knew that you have achieved such success now. Find some time to visit him and tell him that everything that happened in the past is over and that the organization has given him a verdict. Let him rest assured down there..."
Principal Zhou's eyes were also slightly red. He and Song Yuanchao's father had been colleagues and good friends for many years. Principal Zhou felt extremely ashamed about the Song Guangzeng incident. Many times he thought that if he had had more courage back then, perhaps Song Guangzeng and his wife would not have left the world so early.
In his previous life, Principal Zhou personally delivered this envelope to his home, but Song Yuanchao was indifferent to Principal . Due to the death of his parents, Song Yuanchao had no good feelings towards No. 2 Middle School, and it was because of this that he blamed Principal Zhou.
But now it is different. The grudges of the past have long gone with the wind. Principal Zhou is a respectable elder. The departure of his parents was a historical mistake that should not be borne by others. On the contrary, Song Yuanchao no longer has any resentment towards Principal Zhou, only gratitude and respect.
