Siheyuan: Craftsmen of a Great Country

As if it was an appointment, Vice Minister Zhou had just collected the note when his secretary knocked on the door and came in: "Notice that the chief wants to see Jiang Chen."

Upon hearing the word "leader", Vice Minister Zhou immediately sat up straight: "Now?"

The secretary nodded: "Yes, the chief is only free now."

Vice Minister Zhou said: "Jiang Chen, hurry up and get ready to see the chief."

Jiang Chen scratched his head: "Which leader?"

Vice Minister Zhou said: "You'll know when you get there! Secretary, tidy up his clothes and go right away."

In fact, Liu Yue took good care of Jiang Chen's clothes, with almost no wrinkles.

But Vice Minister Zhou is still not satisfied, which shows that this chief must have a good background.

While arranging clothes, Vice Minister Zhou said with care: "When you go, communicate well with the chief, be honest, don't talk nonsense, and answer whatever the chief asks."

"But don't feel pressured. The chief has come to the Ministry of Industry to organize an annual meeting to formulate the 59-year plan. He is not here specifically to come to you."

Jiang Chen nodded, after arranging his clothes, he turned around and left with his secretary.

The secretary took Jiang Chen to the private office of the head of the Ministry of Industry and knocked on the door: "Chief, Jiang Chen is here."

"Let him in!" A strong voice came from inside.

Jiang Chen carefully opened the door and went in.

Even though he was mentally prepared, when he saw who the leader was sitting on the chair, his head still exploded with a bang.

In my mind, I couldn't help but think of the text I learned in elementary school, Reading for the Rise of Planting Flowers, Ten Mile Long Street.

He knew that Sangang Machine Tool would definitely attract the attention of the country, but he did not expect that this person would actually ask to see him by name.

The chief looked at Jiang Chen kindly: "A true hero comes from a young age. Sit down and pour your own water."

Jiang Chen mechanically walked to the chair opposite the chief and sat down, trying to keep his upper body straight.

The leader said: "Comrade Jiang Chen, I have read the report of the Ministry of Industry on Sangang Machine Tools, and it is very good."

"Flower growers need young comrades like you who are thoughtful, capable, practical, and dare to take on responsibilities. I heard that during the research and development period, you worked overtime and day and night. Thank you for your hard work!"

Jiang Chen said: "It's not hard work to fight for the rise of planting flowers."

"Hahahaha." The chief laughed: "You little comrade is very interesting."

After that, the chief chatted with Jiang Chen.

They chatted about work, the future, and even asked Jiang Chen if he had a partner.

They even talked about what kind of reward Jiang Chen wanted.

But there was no mention of the manufacturing blueprints being stolen by the enemy.

Finally, the chief suddenly asked: "You have never seen your father, right?"

Jiang Chen nodded: "Yes, Chief. My father left Sichuan in September 37, and I was born in April 9. He has never returned home since then."

The chief was silent for a moment and said slowly: "You two, father and son, are both good comrades in the flower gardening family. Don't blame him."

"Okay, go ahead and ask Zhou Xinjing to come over."

Jiang Chen was stunned: "Zhou Xinjian?"

The chief said: "That's Vice Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Industry."

Jiang Chen said: "Okay, chief, I'll leave first."

After that, he exited the room.

On the way to the meeting with Vice Minister Zhou's office, Jiang Chen kept thinking about why the chief would talk about his cheap father Jiang Hai at the last moment.

At a certain moment, he even saw a complex expression of reluctance and emotion flash across the chief's face.

So, what’s the secret here?

Why did my father not come home after fighting in the war? Why did he pass away from his injuries but failed to become a martyr.

Why did the chief specifically emphasize not to blame him?

I can’t understand it, so I simply don’t think about it.

After all, apart from the blood flowing in the body, there really aren't many other emotions.

Back in the office, Jiang Chen conveyed the chief's message, and Vice Minister Zhou immediately stood up and left.

Yang Weimin smiled and said: "Xiao Jiang, how do you feel about meeting the chief?"

Jiang Chen chuckled: "I don't have any other feelings. The chief is very easy-going. We just chat like normal."

Tao Yuan said: "You kid, don't be ignorant of blessings. With today's side, you kid has a bright future."

Jiang Chen snorted: "Even if I didn't have this side today, I would still have a bright future."

Tao Yuan laughed: "That's true, your kid's head is a priceless treasure."

Jiang Chen looked at Tao Yuan's proud look and couldn't help but said: "The leaders of other countries always treat each other like a little comrade, how come you here treat me like a kid like you?"

Tao Yuan's expression changed.

Although I know Jiang Chen is joking, as a member of the system, I am very sensitive to this kind of thing.

On the contrary, Yang Weimin didn't care: "You boy, look how scared you are of Representative Tao."

More than ten minutes later, Vice Minister Zhou came back, his expression seemed to be much more relaxed: "You are lucky."

However, he did not explain this sentence. Instead, he turned around and called his secretary: "You should contact the National Daily immediately and tell them that if there is nothing particularly important tomorrow, they will leave the headlines to our Ministry of Industry."

"Then I went to the Propaganda Department to write two press releases. One was about the successful development of world-leading machine tools by Zhonghua No. 3 Steel Rolling Plant, and the other was about the chief's cordial summons to Jiang Chen, the chief R&D technician of machine tools."

"The manuscript should be more rigorous and you should keep an eye on it yourself."

The secretary nodded: "Okay, I'll do it right away!"

After the secretary left, Jiang Chen said, "Mr. Zhou, I'm going to report tomorrow. Isn't it too hasty?"

Vice Minister Zhou said: "Today the chief summoned you, we must make good use of this gimmick."

"The Ministry of Industry is under a lot of pressure now, and it needs results to boost its morale. This machine tool is very suitable. So we must seize the time."

Tao Yuan said: "I'm just starting to write the manuscript now, does the newspaper have enough time to type it?"

Vice Minister Zhou said: "That's their business. Our people risk their lives to do things. What's wrong with them working overtime?"

Yang Weimin suggested: "How about giving Jiang Chen an exclusive interview?"

Vice Minister Zhou looked at Jiang Chen: "What do you think?"

Jiang Chen thought for a while: "I don't think it's necessary for the time being. When I report the launch of the machine tool and the boss's summons, I'm already very popular, so I don't want an exclusive interview!"

If he wants to realize Li Xiang, the key is to have influence above.

As for downward influence, in this non-traffic era, he doesn't value it.

The wood is beautiful in the forest, and the wind will destroy it.

If it weren't for his great ambitions, development would be the best option.

Vice Minister Zhou nodded: "That's what I mean too. Xiao Jiang is still too young at the moment. He can take advantage of machine tool research and development and be summoned by the chief, but he should not be the protagonist for the time being."

"Being sharp is not necessarily a good thing, and it may increase the risk. By the way, Xiao Jiang, have you considered changing to a safer place to live?"

Jiang Chen shook his head firmly: "No, it's good for me to live in a courtyard. I feel that my heart is particularly peaceful there, and my efficiency in reading, studying and thinking is much higher than in other places."

Just kidding, his system can only be used in courtyard houses.

If he moved his residence, it would be like breaking his wings.

Vice Minister Zhou did not insist: "Okay, since that's the case, then you can live in the courtyard with peace of mind."

"Okay, let's go to the meeting!"