Gumingliang's home was also in District Jia-2, but his seniority was much older. When he was serving as deputy factory manager, Zhen Jingcai was just a workshop deputy director. Therefore, his residence was among the earliest batch of quadrangle courtyards, quite far from Zhen Jingcai's small courtyard.
When Lu Weimin and Zhen Jie arrived at Gumingliang's home, they saw Gumingliang standing by the window, watering flowers silently with a solemn expression. Lu Weimin knew that Gumingliang had already been informed of the matter.
"I have already reported the relevant issues through the proper channels to the higher-ups. The factory will hold a party committee meeting this afternoon to discuss the situation. This is my responsibility. Jie, go back and tell your mother that as the Party Secretary of Factory 195, I will fulfill my responsibilities. I trust Old Zhen. If Old Zhen has no problems, I will certainly clear his name. If Old Zhen really has issues, I will do my best to help him within the bounds of principle."
When Zhen Jie and Lu Weimin explained their purpose, Lu Weimin noticed a flash of surprise in Gumingliang's eyes. Clearly, he did not expect these two inexperienced juniors to come to him, and their well-reasoned and composed words left no room for refusal.
Gumingliang, a seasoned veteran of Factory 195, spoke with a mix of authority and caution. Lu Weimin knew that if things proceeded as usual, it would not affect Gumingliang much, but Zhen Jingcai would have no chance of a comeback at Factory 195. He needed to remind Gumingliang.
"Uncle Gu, as far as I know, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) is the one investigating Uncle Zhen. What kind of case requires the CCDI to get involved? Is it really just about Uncle Zhen accepting some jewelry and cash? Uncle Zhen is at most a department-level official; it doesn't seem to warrant the CCDI's attention. Is there something else going on?"
Lu Weimin believed that the cunning Gumingliang was well aware of what the investigation of Zhen Jingcai meant.
Factory 195's performance had been poor in recent years. The state's attempts at reforming state-owned enterprises, including the delegation of power to enterprises and the rise of the factory manager responsibility system, had directly led to a shake-up in the factory's power structure.
If Liang Guangda had been a capable leader, it would have been fine. However, Liang Guangda failed to pull Factory 195 out of its losses. Instead, the factory became even more disorganized under his leadership. After becoming the Party Secretary, he became even more arrogant and greedy than Gumingliang.
This became most evident after Factory 195 was granted the opportunity to go public to address its financial difficulties. It ultimately led to the collective downfall of the factory's leadership and plunged the once-glorious large enterprise into a decade-long slump, only to gradually recover when China's large aircraft project was restarted.
A wave of turmoil surged in Gumingliang's heart. Through his reading glasses, he carefully observed the young man before him. This was Lu Guangzong's youngest son?
Guo Zheng had mentioned him, but Chen Fazhong said that the university had reported that this guy was heavily influenced by bourgeois liberal ideas. Therefore, he overturned his initial decision to allow the young man to join the factory, which made Guo Zheng very unhappy.
But on this issue, Gumingliang would not compromise. Factory 195 was a large state-owned military factory and could not tolerate someone steeped in bourgeois liberal ideas, even if that person was a model worker like Lu Guangzong.
Gumingliang's perception of the young man changed after hearing his words. The ability to speak so clearly and insightfully proved that the young man was not simply brainwashed by bourgeois liberal ideas.
Understanding the rules of the CCDI's investigation and hinting at the underlying issues demonstrated the young man's maturity. Was he really just a recent university graduate? And the words Zhen Jie had spoken earlier were undoubtedly influenced by this guy.
"Xiao Lu, whether it's the CCDI or the provincial CCDI, they are all functional departments of the Communist Party. I heard you are also a Party member. You should understand that as a Party cadre, you must obey the organization's decisions and cooperate with its work. This is both a right and an obligation."
Gumingliang's expression was serious as he placed the watering can on the windowsill.
"The disciplinary department has informed me about the investigation of Old Zhen. I have clearly stated that the factory's Party committee will fully support and cooperate with the higher-level disciplinary department. However, I have also asked them to proceed with caution to avoid demoralizing the cadres. I will continue to insist on this."
For Gumingliang to say this much was already quite rare. Lu Weimin nodded. "Uncle Gu, with your words, we are reassured. We all believe that Uncle Zhen would not make such a mistake, but where there's smoke, there's fire. You are the stabilizing force of Factory 195. I believe you see deeper and farther than we do. The hard-won favorable situation of Factory 195 should not be affected by external factors. As children of Factory 195, we feel this deeply."
Gumingliang detected some underlying meanings in the other's words. He had rejected the young man's application to join the factory because he was not a child of Factory 195 employees. Now, the young man was using this to mock him. This made him both amused and irritated. When had Gumingliang become someone to be lectured by these young whippersnappers?
As soon as they left Gumingliang's home, Zhen Jie said worriedly, "Damin, weren't your words a bit too harsh? That's not good."
"Zhen Jie, don't deify Gumingliang. He is human and can make mistakes. Yes, he has experienced many storms, but does he realize the subsequent impact of this matter?"
Lu Weimin got on his bicycle and gestured for Zhen Jie to get on. Zhen Jie didn't hesitate, lightly jumping onto the back seat. The bicycle swayed as the handlebars turned, and Zhen Jie let out a startled cry, quickly hugging Lu Weimin's waist.
The brief embrace caused Zhen Jie's right breast to press tightly against Lu Weimin's back. Even through two layers of clothing and a bra, Lu Weimin could clearly feel the immense impact of Zhen Jie's chest, soft yet firm, causing a slight tremor in his heart, nearly making him lose control.
Zhen Jie was wearing a thin, tie-dye printed cotton dress with a blue background and floral patterns, giving off a charming and bright aura.
Compared to Zhen Ni, Zhen Jie's face was less delicate and charming but more alluring and radiant. Both sisters inherited their mother's figure, which was renowned in Factory 195 when she was young. It was said that Zhen Jingcai was attracted to Le Qing because of her performance of "Ten Farewells to the Red Army" at a factory cultural evening.
The sisters' chest development was unusually mature. In the language of internet users twenty years later, Zhen Ni would be a typical **, and Zhen Jie would be a genuine model figure.
Although the contact was brief, Zhen Jie quickly released Lu Weimin's waist once she was seated. However, she still felt her cheeks burning hot. She glanced around, relieved that no one had noticed. If a familiar person had seen her, they would have thought who knows what.
Brothers, where are your recommendation votes? Your evaluation votes? I'm working hard! I want to be on the list!