Chapter 169 Secretary Lin

Returning to the conference room, the atmosphere was completely different.

It wasn't just politeness; it was respect.

Lin Xi took a bank draft he had prepared in advance from his briefcase and gently tapped it on the table.

"One million."

Factory Director Hua looked at the string of zeros, his breath hitching for a moment.

"This is the deposit."

Lin Xi's tone was serious, "But this money is not for paying out bonuses at your factory."

"I hope it will be used exclusively for its intended purpose—upgrading the control lines and filtration systems in the polymerization workshop."

"All modification plans will be provided by Red Star Technology."

"We want a strategic partner, not just a simple contract manufacturer."

Factory Director Hua stood up and solemnly shook Lin Xi's hand:

"Manager Lin, rest assured."

"If I can't even handle this, I'll resign as factory director and let you take over!"

Lin Xi smiled and pulled over Wu Qingshan, who had been standing in the corner.

"This is Engineer Wu Qingshan, our technical backbone."

"From now on, he will be Red Star's representative stationed at the plant."

Lin Xi patted Wu Qingshan on the shoulder,

"On one hand, he will assist everyone with the technical upgrades; on the other hand…"

He didn't continue, but Factory Director Hua understood immediately.

It was both assistance and supervision.

But this was precisely the bond of trust that both sides needed.

Two days later, Jincheng Railway Station.

The biting Northwest wind whipped up snowflakes, stinging the face.

Lin Xi stood on the platform, making final arrangements.

"Engineer Jiang, you return to the Changguang Institute."

Lin Xi instructed,

"The Joint Center cannot be left unattended; the industrialization of the grating ruler must be completed by the end of April."

"You also need to keep an eye on the subsequent formula adjustments for the cutting fluid."

"Understood." Jiang Jun nodded, his eyes full of drive.

"Erga."

Lin Xi turned to Sun Erga,

"You stay here for a few days and finalize the matters regarding the activated carbon and the traditional Chinese medicine residue."

"The air purifier is our cash cow; we must produce the samples and confirm the production capacity before the Canton Fair."

"Don't worry, I've already contacted the sources for the medicine residue, and I guarantee they meet the requirements."

Sun Erga grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

The whistle blew, and white steam shot into the sky.

"And what about you?" Wu Qingshan asked.

Lin Xi tightened his coat collar and cast his gaze toward the distant tracks.

"I'm going to Shandong Province, to Haiwei City."

"To work on carbon fiber!"

In the early spring of 1982, the sea breeze on the Jiaodong Peninsula still held a bone-chilling cold.

A jeep kicked up yellow dust as it pulled up below the Haiwei City Government Guesthouse.

The door opened, and Director Sun from the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building Industry's Materials Bureau stepped out first, wrapped in a military overcoat.

The letter of introduction in his hand, stamped with the red seal of the "Seventh Ministry of Machine Building Industry," made the eyelids of Director Li from the Investment Promotion Bureau, who had come to receive them, twitch uncontrollably.

What kind of organization was the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building Industry?

That was an agency with direct access to the highest levels of power, one that built missiles and sent satellites into the sky!

Director Li was so excited his hands were shaking as he shook hands, and countless major projects instantly flashed through his mind—was a secret base going to be built in Haiwei?

Was a national-level major project going to be established here?

This was a once-in-a-lifetime political achievement!

However, when Director Sun revealed in the small talk that the purpose of this trip was merely to inspect a township enterprise—the Haiwei First Fishing Tackle Factory—Director Li's smile stiffened slightly.

"A fishing tackle factory?"

"The one owned by Factory Director Chen?"

Director Sun laughed it off:

"Yes, the Ministry has some foreign trade tasks."

"I heard that the fishing rods here are well-made, so we came to take a look."

The huge disparity left Director Li confused.

But after all, these were leaders from the capital.

He dared not be negligent and hurriedly ushered everyone inside.

Lin Xi carried his briefcase and quietly followed at the end.

Even though he was wearing a crisp woolen coat and had a steady demeanor,

in this setting, his 21-year-old face was still too deceptive.

From the moment they got out of the car until now, everyone's attention had been on Director Sun.

Lin Xi was naturally treated as the accompanying secretary.

No one paid him any mind, and he was happy to be left alone.

His gaze passed through the guesthouse's glass window, looking at this slightly dilapidated small coastal city.

Who could have imagined?

On this seemingly unremarkable piece of land,

the "black gold" that would one day terrify the Western world—high-performance carbon fiber—would be born.

The welcoming banquet that evening was filled with the boldness characteristic of people from Shandong Province.

Sea cucumbers, prawns, and palm-sized abalones were piled high like mountains, and glasses were filled to the brim with high-proof baijiu.

"Director Sun, although our Haiwei has a weak foundation."

"But our workers are obedient and willing to endure hardship!"

Director Li held his glass, his face flushed as he pitched,

"You can pick any plot of land you want, and water and electricity will be free!"

"As long as the Ministry is willing to support us, we will agree to any conditions!"

Director Sun was a seasoned veteran in government circles.

He knew full well that Lin Xi didn't want to expose the sensitive target of "carbon fiber" too early.

He sipped his wine and smilingly deflected:

"Easy to say, easy to say."

"This time, we are mainly looking at civilian products to support local foreign exchange earnings."

"We can talk about the specifics after we visit the factory."

In the corner of the banquet table sat the director of the Haiwei First Fishing Tackle Factory, Chen Guangwei.

This future "Father of Chinese carbon fiber" was, at this moment, just a township entrepreneur worrying about paying his workers' wages.

He wore work clothes with frayed cuffs, his hands neatly placed on his knees.

Facing this table full of high-ranking leaders, he appeared particularly uneasy.

He looked up at Director Sun from time to time.

In his eyes, there was both a longing for the future and a hint of trepidation about being rejected.

"Factory Director Chen, eat something."

A gentle voice sounded beside him.

Chen Guangwei was stunned, turning to see the young "little secretary" picking up a mackerel dumpling and smiling and nodding at him.

"Oh, oh! Right, thank you, Leader."

Chen Guangwei was somewhat flattered and hurriedly picked up his chopsticks.

Lin Xi chewed the delicious mackerel filling, observing the man calmly.

He was truly very ordinary.

Thrown into a crowd, he would just be a common Shandong farmer.

About 40 years old, sturdy build, dark skin, rough fingers.

Who could have imagined that it was precisely such a pair of rough hands that,

in the decades to come, would tear a hole through the wall of carbon fiber technology blockades strictly guarded by Europe, America, and Japan.

The livestream chat was flooded with comments:

"Tearing up! Is this what he looked like at 40? He looks so simple and honest."

"He never accepted interviews in his life; being able to see him in person now is simply precious video footage!!"

"Who could have imagined that this man huddled in the corner would one day make Boeing and Airbus have to buy his materials!"

"Truly the light of the nation, a real backbone!"

The next morning, a thin mist rose over the sea.

According to the reception schedule,

Director Li enthusiastically arranged today's "main event"—a tour of Liugong Island.

It was not only scenic but also the ancient battlefield of the First Sino-Japanese War and the location of the Beiyang Fleet Admiral's Office.

In this era, there wasn't a single inspection team visiting Haiwei that didn't go to the island.

At the pier, a white ferry boat had already started its engine with a chugging sound.

"Director Sun."

"Let's go to the island and take a look first!"

Director Li greeted enthusiastically,

"That is our national key scenic spot."

"We'll go up there for a tour, and when we get back, we can go to the factory; it's a good balance of work and rest!"

The sea wind was biting, stinging the cheeks.

Director Sun tightened his overcoat and was about to step onto the boat.

Lin Xi, standing behind him, suddenly spoke up.

"Director Sun."

Lin Xi's voice was not loud, but it was clearly audible over the roar of the motor,

"You all go ahead; I won't be going up."