In such a bright workshop, Old Huang became aware of his insignificance. There weren’t many things around that he could handle, and so many sleek, beautiful machines were unlike anything he was familiar with. Even the cutting tools seemed completely different – Old Huang kept pondering how people here sharpened these tools. Old Huang remained silent the entire time, following Liu Jun closely, mobilizing all his senses to absorb the new things before his eyes. Even without Liu Jun’s explanations, Old Huang knew these machine tools were far superior to those Liu Shitang treasured like precious items and hid in the former molding workshop. Old Huang observed how Liu Jun harmoniously collaborated with the workers here, working together seamlessly.
Old Huang watched for as long as it took to process the ten samples, never moving more than ten steps away from them. After watching for so long, Old Huang understood one principle – the processing fundamentals were still similar, but the difference lay in equipment operation. What originally required years of apprenticeship and training to achieve in operational skills was now entrusted to machines, so these young men before him could all produce ultra-high precision products with extremely low defect rates. Meanwhile, the years of experience Old Huang took pride in seemed completely useless here. In this large workshop, Old Huang felt something in his heart – whether it was sorrow or something else – he felt he had fallen behind, become unimportant, and been marginalized.
Old Huang couldn’t help thinking of his former master, a once-famous cooper. Not long ago, so many people fought to become the master’s apprentice, and the master was proud of his specialized skill, dedicating himself to perfecting his handicraft, just like how he now honed the old machine tools to perfection. But years ago, the master’s home no longer bustled with visitors during Spring Festival – only he, the once unwelcome apprentice, still brought gifts to visit. After so many collective state-owned machinery factories closed down, private manufacturers competed to poach workers, but no one wanted to recruit the master. With a pitifully small retirement pension, the master now lived on a remote street in the city, operating a hardware store with a storefront barely one meter wide, doing small jobs that elderly men and women brought to his door. Looking at the brand-new machine tools before him and listening to Liu Jun and others speaking terms he couldn’t understand, Old Huang realized for the first time that he would soon, sadly and helplessly, follow in his master’s footsteps.
Although all ten samples were successfully tested, both Liu Jun and Old Huang were in low spirits on the return journey. Only Mr. Wang kept inquiring about the design principles of a curved surface he found ingeniously designed. Liu Jun patiently explained, though holding the steering wheel made the oral description unclear. But Old Huang interjected, “Mr. Wang, although I’ve always deeply respected you, you shouldn’t ask Ah Jun too many questions. It’s inappropriate given the circumstances.”
Both Liu Jun and Mr. Wang were startled. Mr. Wang quickly explained, “I have no ulterior motives. Sorry, sorry, I forgot. I won’t ask anymore. Little Liu, the mathematical knowledge applied in your design is very interesting and inspiring to hear. Recommend some books to me later. I don’t think many people at Shi Yiji can comprehend it, so you needn’t worry too much about them copying the entire series.”
Old Huang, being tactful, immediately continued, “I’m a rough person who speaks directly, but it seems I was overly cautious. I can’t guarantee others, but Mr. Wang is not that kind of person. Mr. Wang is recognized as qualified. But Mr. Wang, we of the older generation can’t help but admit we’ve fallen behind. Ah Jun, let me patiently tell you two old stories today about my master and me…”
Although Mr. Wang was displeased at being challenged by this oil-stained rough man, having weathered many storms in his lifetime and possessing remarkable composure, his expression remained unmoved. But hearing Old Huang’s testimony about how the back waves of the Yangtze River push forward the front waves, he was moved. What Old Huang described was no different from his situation.
“We used to recite Chairman Mao’s words: ‘The world belongs to you as well as to us, but in the final analysis, it belongs to you.’ I can’t speak grand principles, so I’ll just quote the great man. Your father’s Qianjin Factory, like us, has also grown old and outdated. How to save Qianjin Factory – Ah Jun, you need to bring out your methods.”
“Old Huang, you’re a person of understanding. If I wanted to counsel Little Liu, your two stories would illustrate the problem perfectly.” Mr. Wang was deeply moved. He knew workers possessed extraordinary wisdom, but hadn’t expected Old Huang to have such insight. “Little Liu, Shi Yiji is currently trapped by similar problems. Due to the leadership’s shortsightedness, we haven’t fully launched new development projects for a long time. So the old can’t improve through developing new products, and the new can’t gain practical experience. The entire technical department appears overstaffed and underutilized, viewed even more by leadership as dispensable. Leadership no longer expects to rely on their technical team to develop new products, preferring to spend money buying blueprints to digest or copying and imitating finished products. What I find most tragic is the change in technical personnel’s mindset – many have been worn down to pursue not technology but profit. The idealism of technical personnel has completely vanished. They no longer discuss interests or pursue advancement, becoming extraordinarily vulgar in attitude. There’s already a tendency toward vicious cycles. This is no longer just Shi Yiji’s problem, but an industry-wide chronic illness. Old Huang was right earlier – shortsightedness will eventually lead to being abandoned by the world. Shi Yiji’s current path is impassable. Little Liu, your path of independent R&D is correct in the general direction. But with the current poor environment, independent R&D will be very difficult. You must be mentally prepared and maintain your convictions.”
“Yes, Uncle Huang, Mr. Wang, thank you for your support. I will work hard.” What Liu Jun least expected was Old Huang using his own rather embarrassing story to encourage him not to follow the beaten path but to innovate – this was hardly the fault-finding Old Huang he originally knew. And Mr. Wang’s vision was even more far-reaching. “Uncle Huang, I believe Mr. Wang won’t leak my design. This is intuition – mutual appreciation between kindred spirits.”
Mr. Wang said, “That may be so, but it’s still better to be careful. Old Huang’s reminder was correct – some secrets are safest kept buried in one’s stomach. Hehe, Old Huang, don’t be embarrassed, you’re right.”
If anyone else had praised Old Huang this way, he would have shot back with “Who do you think you are?” But Mr. Wang’s praise, Old Huang accepted gladly, immediately turning to express his torrential admiration accumulated over many years. Liu Jun found it amusing listening on the side, but his previously anxious heart settled down. He thought he would persist to the end, believing this society had more law-abiding people, and believing this society wouldn’t forever remain shortsightedly stuck at the imitation level.
However, Qian Hongming sat in a bar holding a glass of dark beer, continuously shaking his head at Liu Jun, who had just gotten a haircut and looked almost unrecognizable to him. “Believe? In an era when even contracts can’t be trusted, you still believe in spirit?”
“I choose to believe in contracts. Otherwise, there’s no point doing anything.”
“Should I watch you learn lessons from repeated contract violations, or should I stop you, even at the cost of falling out with you?”
Liu Jun smiled embarrassedly, “I know you mean well. I’ll make contracts properly beforehand. Hey, you’ve gained weight.”
“That fast? Jiali has gained much more – she’s almost becoming round. I’ve been living well lately. My mother-in-law came to take care of Jiali, so I also get to enjoy good food and meals – truly the most comfortable life I’ve ever had.”
“Aren’t you traveling on business every few days?”
“Compared to hopeless burdens, what does business travel amount to? To be honest, my sister has now sold her old house, bought a new one with a mortgage, and every day energetically busies herself with work and renovation. She’s also gained weight. Let’s not talk about this. Tell me your plans – I do a lot of business and can help you think things through. I think we should first target Shi Yiji’s Mr. Yang as our benchmark, assuming we cooperate with him, and see what we need to watch out for.”
Qian Hongming differed from Liu Jun – his understanding of human nature was fundamentally different from Liu Jun’s. Past hardships made him unafraid to assume the worst malicious intentions from Chinese people. Moreover, having witnessed Yang Li’s blatant spying behavior, indicating the product’s considerable economic benefits, he had already determined that countless greedy mouths awaited Liu Jun’s path ahead. With Liu Jun’s technical brain, spoiled in foreign laboratories, he estimated that Liu Jun couldn’t handle it and would inevitably hit walls everywhere. He had to help Liu Jun prepare for potential problems. Liu Jun was probably his only friend whom he didn’t need to judge with malicious assumptions.
But Qian Hongming hadn’t expected Liu Jun to continuously use Old Huang’s attitude change and Mr. Wang’s consistently idealistic support to convince him, telling him people were full of goodwill and deeper understanding was all that was needed. Qian Hongming almost slammed the table in anger. He could usually control his emotions skillfully, but today Liu Jun had truly infuriated him. He pounded the small table with his fist, angrily saying, “Liu Jun, I can go a whole day without saying a word – I’m usually sparing with words to others. So, considering I’ve talked so much today, listen to me! No, listen to your friend! I’m no match for you in technology, but you’re completely blank in business. And you need to understand one thing clearly – from now on, you are starting to deal with businesspeople.”
Seeing Qian Hongming so agitated, Liu Jun couldn’t help glancing at Qian Hongming’s large beer glass – this person couldn’t handle alcohol well. But he also admitted Qian Hongming was right – he was completely blank in business matters and needed help from his father and Qian Hongming. Only his father and Qian Hongming would selflessly force help upon him, so what reason did he have to refuse? Although he had his own set of principles, he ultimately obediently followed Qian Hongming’s arrangements and guidance. They determined how to cooperate with others next.
Afterward, Liu Jun wouldn’t let Qian Hongming drive after drinking, so he drove Qian Hongming downstairs. Having previously cared for Cui Jiali, he was already familiar with this route. Unexpectedly, after getting out, Qian Hongming asked him to wait, hurried upstairs, and came down breathlessly with a set of discs, saying these were Cui Jiali’s treasured collection, reluctantly given to Liu Jun as negative teaching material. Liu Jun leaned toward the light and saw the cover read “A Chinese Odyssey.” Qian Hongming frantically told him to study and understand the character Tang Monk, also saying he could no longer tolerate Liu Jun’s worldview and philosophy of life. Liu Jun laughed heartily, whistled, but stubbornly refused to agree, leaving the still chattering Qian Hongming behind as he drove away.
The night brought warm breezes – perfect timing for gliding through darkness with car windows open. His good friend’s steadfast support, Old Huang and Mr. Wang’s goodwill, all strengthened Liu Jun’s confidence.