116: Revisiting Newport

Shanghai Railway Station was filled with steam and the clamor of people; the whistles of trains entering and leaving echoed one after another.

The air was a mixture of coal smoke, sweat, and the scent of parting.

On the platform, Lu Fan was dressed in sharp, dark casual clothes, with the recovered Ah Fu by his side.

Standing across from him were Chen Liting and a slightly nervous Zhao Chengqiang.

Lu Fan gave a solemn instruction: "Sixth Brother, I'm leaving this game of chess in Shanghai to you.

At the factory, go full throttle. Keep the machines running even when the people rest; produce at full capacity for a whole month!

Make good use of the Salt Bureau's fleet. Send all the stockpiled and newly produced or purchased supplies north.

Stuff the warehouses as full as possible, and transport the rest to Changsha."

Chen Liting looked grave and nodded vigorously. "Don't worry! Even if I, Chen Liting, have to risk my life..."

"...I guarantee the machines won't stop and the flow of goods won't break for this month!"

"As for the warehouses in the north, my brother Pillar will keep an eye on them personally to ensure nothing goes wrong!"

Knowing the weight of the responsibility on his shoulders, he made the promise with a serious expression.

Lu Fan turned his gaze to Zhao Chengqiang. "A Cheng, follow Sixth Brother this month. Watch more, learn more, and ask more.

Factory management, material allocation, personnel coordination, external social engagements... these are all essential skills. Learn them diligently."

This was both a test of Zhao Chengqiang's ability and a way to groom him.

Zhao Chengqiang straightened his back, his eyes determined. "Boss! I will definitely learn with all my heart and never hold Manager Chen back!"

He knew this was a rare opportunity and a sign of immense trust.

"Very well." Lu Fan gave Chen Liting one last reminder, "Remember the timeline. Produce at full capacity until the end of July. And then..."

"Dismantle the machines! Every piece of core equipment, every blueprint, and every technical backbone—leave no one behind, move them all to Changsha!

I did this back in Qingniao, so I know the ropes inside out~~" Chen Liting patted Lu Fan's shoulder, giving him a reassuring look.

Wooooo~~~!

The train bound for Changsha sounded its whistle, urging the passengers.

"I'll leave things here to you." Lu Fan said no more, nodding to Chen Liting and Zhao Chengqiang. "Take care. I'll see you in Changsha."

With that, Lu Fan led Ah Fu and strode toward the carriage.

Chen Liting and Zhao Chengqiang stood on the platform, watching the two disappear into the carriage entrance.

The train started slowly, spewing thick smoke as it left the platform and headed southwest.

The clamor on the platform remained. Chen Liting took a deep breath and patted Zhao Chengqiang's shoulder. "Chengqiang, let's go! Back to the factory!

For the next month, we'll have to work our lives away!"

The two turned and quickly merged into the crowd, heading to their own battlefield with heavy responsibilities.

After a day of bumpy travel, Lu Fan and Ah Fu arrived in Changsha.

In the temporary command post at New Port Pier, Lu Fan met Bai Jinbiao, who was in charge of the infrastructure for the entire industrial zone and port.

This former Northeast Army officer was now even more tanned, his face etched with the marks of weather and hard work.

But his eyes remained sharp and spirited.

"Boss Lu! You've finally arrived!"

Seeing Lu Fan, Bai Jinbiao beamed with joy, strode forward, and gripped Lu Fan's hand firmly.

"This batch of cement and rebar is a godsend. We were just worrying about lacking materials for the pier expansion and the reinforcement of the rear warehouses!

Five thousand tons of cement and three hundred tons of rebar have solved our urgent need!"

Pointing to the silhouettes of the warehouses rapidly taking shape in the distance, he said excitedly, "In another twenty days... no, fifteen days.

The industrial zone will definitely be basically formed and can enter the next stage."

"Engineer Bai, you've worked hard. The progress is good." Lu Fan was very pleased as he looked at the bustling, ever-changing scene before him.

However, he didn't forget to instruct: "Material reserves are the foundation. The warehouses must be sturdy, concealed, and moisture-proof.

Grain, medicine, clothing, and the metal raw materials coming later must all be properly settled."

"Rest assured! I'll stake my life on it!" Bai Jinbiao thumped his chest.

Then he lowered his voice, his face showing excitement. "Boss Lu, there's more good news!

On Young Master Tang's side, he's moving incredibly fast! The reinforced company you wanted? Hah, he directly recruited a full reinforced battalion for you!

A full six hundred people, all veterans who just recently retired. They're from the Northeast, the Northwest, Liangguang... from all over. Many have even seen blood!"

A sharp light flashed in Lu Fan's eyes. "Oh? So fast? Where are they? Take me to see."

"Right at the Garrison Battalion's new base! It's not far from here! Young Master Tang is keeping an eye on them!" Bai Jinbiao immediately led the way.

Despite his current infrastructure work, the military soul in his bones was still active.

The two took a military jeep and soon arrived at the comprehensive training base located in the outskirts of Changsha, an expansion of the Garrison Battalion.

The base was built against a mountain and was heavily guarded.

Through the barbed wire and sentry posts, the loud slogans and dense gunfire from inside could be heard from afar.

On the observation deck at the edge of the base's training ground, Lu Fan met Tang Jifeng.

The Commander was in casual clothes, sitting under a sunshade drinking cold cola, occasionally picking up binoculars to watch the training in the field.

This eldest young master had a top-tier brain for schemes, but for everything else, he was a bottom-tier lazy bum.

"Brother Fan!" Tang Jifeng put down his binoculars and stood up, waving warmly to Lu Fan. "Over here!"

After a few pleasantries, Tang Jifeng pointed to the training ground and said with pride: "Look, six hundred and seven of them, top-tier tough guys. Their foundation is absolutely solid!"

Lu Fan took the binoculars and looked out.

On the massive training ground, hundreds of sturdy men were performing various basic training exercises in groups.

Drills, physical training, bayonet fighting, earthwork, aiming... Although the movements were slightly unpolished due to the integration period, that aura of ferocity couldn't be hidden.

Just as Bai Jinbiao said, these were a group of veterans who had seen storms and had real skills.

However, Lu Fan also keenly sensed something unusual.

In the gaps between training, many veterans had a look of scrutiny and indifference in their eyes.

They followed orders, but the pride belonging to the strong was clearly visible in their expressions.

After all, they were veterans who had experienced regular military life and even the flames of war.

Forced by livelihood to work as security for an industrial zone, they inevitably felt some resentment and even a bit of contempt.

"Good soldiers." Lu Fan put down the binoculars, his tone flat. "But they have quite a bit of ego."

Tang Jifeng gave a wry smile. "Tell me about it! These guys have the skills, but they're also incredibly arrogant!

My instructors can barely keep them in line. Just practicing these old routines isn't enough to subdue them."

"Mhm." Lu Fan nodded, already having a plan. He handed over a cigarette. "Assemble the troops."

A sharp assembly whistle sounded, and the soldiers on the training ground quickly stopped their actions, gathering in front of the reviewing stand with astonishing speed.

Over six hundred people formed a dense, dark mass. Although their clothing was mixed...

...once they stood at attention in formation, an invisible murderous aura spread out.

Their gazes collectively turned toward Lu Fan and the others on the reviewing stand.

In those eyes, there was curiosity and scrutiny, but mostly defiance.

Lu Fan walked to the front of the stand, his gaze calmly sweeping over the field. "I know what you're thinking.

A group of veterans who have fought in wars and seen blood, pulled here to be security guards. You're not convinced and feel overqualified, aren't you?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

There was silence below, but the eyes of many veterans flickered; he had clearly hit the mark.

However, for the sake of the good pay, they endured it.

Lu Fan didn't waste words and simply waved his hand. "Bring it up!"