Great Power Industry: You're a private company building an aircraft carrier?

"This is outright extortion!" Wang Liang exclaimed anxiously. "Engineer Zhu, you also came from our First Heavy Machinery Plant. How can you team up with others to extort us?"

"Extortion? Who's extorting whom? Who stole the project?" Zhu Lijun said, "The conditions I just mentioned weren't what Engineer Qin demanded. They were what I came up with, from the perspective of First Heavy Machinery. Only in this way can Engineer Qin take over the project and turn the tide!"

A sneer crossed his face: "At this point, you're still thinking about earning two billion dollars in foreign exchange? The problem now is, how are you going to compensate foreigners with four billion dollars!"

After saying that, Zhu Lijun turned his head and said, "You should make a decision as soon as possible. After all, Engineer Qin is not a god. If you give him less time, he won't be able to build it!"

They're gone? They just left like that?

"Hey, Engineer Zhu!"

"What, is there anything else?"

Meeting Zhu Lijun's gaze, Zhao Guangsheng suddenly couldn't utter his angry words and quickly changed his tone: "Isn't there any other way? At least leave us something to eat!"

“Even so, Engineer Qin might not agree. I’ll have to plead on his behalf. Whether it works out or not, it’s up to fate.” Zhu Lijun said, then sighed, “Sigh, when will you guys get rid of that arrogant attitude! You always think that heaven is the boss and you’re second only to them. In a market economy, whoever has the technology is the best!”

Zhao Guangsheng was speechless. Watching Zhu Lijun leave, he suddenly sighed, "Sigh, let's go back."

"Go back? We haven't even reached an agreement yet!"

"Go back to the capital and ask the old factory director to come out," Zhao Guangsheng said. "I don't know how the old factory director's illness is, but this matter is of great importance, and we must ask him to come out and take charge!"

Zhao Guangsheng was well aware that if he went back and stated these conditions, the factory workers would cause an uproar!

Everyone was eagerly anticipating this two billion dollar order, but now it has to be given to Laiyang Factory. Even the parts that have already been manufactured have to be sold to Laiyang Factory at scrap metal prices. This is comparable to the Boxer Protocol!

Once this news spreads, Zhao Guangsheng is completely finished. He might get rotten eggs thrown at him on the street, or even have a brick hit on his head.

He dared not make the decision himself; he could only ask the old factory director for help!

"Ok."

"Also, call the other factory leaders and ask them to come to the capital. We'll discuss this in the old factory director's hospital room."

"Ah."

……

One day later.

Wang Zhenguo, the former director of the First Heavy Machinery Plant, lay on his hospital bed, looking out at the biting cold wind.

A soft creak came from outside as the door was pushed open.

"Doctor, I'm all better now, when can I be discharged?" Wang Zhenguo said, turning his head as he saw several deputy factory directors push open the door and enter. He was initially delighted, thinking they had come to pick him up, but then his expression changed: "Something happened at the factory?"

"Director Wang, I'm sorry to the factory, I..." Zhao Guangsheng said, his voice choked with emotion.

"What's wrong? What kind of man is this, crying like this? Even if the sky falls, there are tall people to hold it up!" Wang Zhenguo said, "Tell me what happened."

"This story begins more than two months ago." Guo Jianli remained relatively calm as he began to explain, "At that time, people from the South suddenly visited the Laiyang factory..."

As Wang Zhenguo listened, his brows furrowed even more deeply.

After Guo Jianli finished speaking, Wang Zhenguo said, "Give me a cigarette."

"Director Wang, your illness..."

Give me a cigarette!

Wang Zhenguo lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, then exhaled, and then couldn't help coughing twice.

"Director Wang..."

Wang Zhenguo waved his hand, took two more puffs, and finished the cigarette. His thoughts became clearer.

“This is a trap,” Wang Zhenguo said. “The South Koreans never intended to genuinely purchase from us. They just want compensation: a 10% down payment, double the compensation, and three months. The risks involved are terrifyingly high! We’re not exactly broke; how can we accept such a contract?”

"It's all Old Zhao's fault..." Xing Fugui hadn't finished speaking when he saw Wang Zhenguo's sharp gaze and quickly lowered his head: "It's all our fault..."

At times like this, passing the buck is the most shameless thing to do, and it's what the old factory director dislikes the most.

“The contract has been signed, so we have to abide by it,” Wang Zhenguo continued. “Right now, the only way is to build the machine and deliver it on time, leaving the South Koreans with nothing to say!”

“We’ve been working on it, but we’ve failed every time. It’s almost time to give up…” Zhao Guangsheng’s tone was extremely frustrated.

What about other domestic organizations?

"Only Laiyang Factory in China can manufacture it, but they are unwilling to help," Zhao Guangsheng said, feeling aggrieved.

"You stole someone else's project, and now you can't build it, so you want their help. Put yourself in their shoes, would you agree?" Wang Zhenguo said. "Since when has our First Heavy Machinery been ruthless within our own ranks? If you're so capable, go out and steal orders from other countries' companies on the international stage. Are you stealing orders from your own people, or from private enterprises? Aren't you ashamed?"

Everyone lowered their heads.

"Since they were willing to give us the project last time, it shows that they still considered the bigger picture. This time, we should lower our stance and ask them for help. Since Engineer Qin is a capable person and has built projects before, he will definitely help us. All they want is our attitude."

"They want our lives!"

Speaking of this, Zhao Guang was furious and told Zhu Lijun what he was asking: "If we do this, won't we be working for nothing and even losing money!"

"Give me another cigarette."

"Old factory director, you can't smoke anymore!"

"Give me!"

Wang Zhenguo lit the second cigarette, but didn't put it to his lips to smoke; he simply let it burn quietly between his fingers.

After the cigarette burned out, Wang Zhenguo spoke again: "Agree to their demands!"

"Old factory director, we..."

"Don't take on a job you're not qualified for. This is a profound lesson!" Wang Zhenguo said. "After this is over, you all need to conduct a thorough self-examination! Also, don't hold a grudge against Laiyang Factory. They did nothing wrong. They helped us avoid a four billion dollar compensation claim, which is good enough!"

"Old factory director, there's another possibility: the Yang Factory and the Nanbang people set a trap for us at First Heavy Machinery!" Zhao Guangsheng gritted his teeth. "Unfortunately, we have no evidence!"

"This is the difference between you and Engineer Qin! Your vision is too narrow!"

Wang Zhenguo was not angry, but looked at them seriously: "My illness... The factory needs to take charge of the overall situation. The higher-ups have asked for my opinion several times. I originally wanted to promote one of you, but now it seems that none of you are qualified!"

Several people shuddered.

They snatched the orders from Yang Factory not only to benefit the factory, but also to prove themselves, gain recognition, and become the factory manager from the deputy manager!

I just didn't expect that my poor performance would have the opposite effect.

"I will apply to my superiors to have Engineer Qin become the head of our First Heavy Machinery. Only he can lead our First Heavy Machinery to go abroad and go global!"

The expressions of everyone present changed.