Chapter 74: An Interesting Young Man

While Li Kejian was still conversing with the test drivers, staff members from the same delegation had already come looking for him.

“Director Li, we finally found you! Director Fang and President Luo are getting anxious—everyone’s waiting for you,” one of the staff said, drenched in sweat.

Li Kejian simply replied with an unhurried “Alright,” and took his time shaking hands and bidding farewell to the test drivers. He then nodded to the staff member, saying, “Let’s go join Director Fang and young Luo.”

The Director Fang and young Luo that Li Kejian mentioned were the two highest-ranking leaders in the National Machinery Industry Committee’s delegation to Southern Yue Province: Fang Xuesen, Executive Deputy Director of the National Machinery Industry Committee, and Luo Yi, President of the Academy of Mechanical Sciences.

Both were heavyweight officials; Fang Xuesen’s deputy director role came with a special parenthetical note—senior cadre—second only to the committee director himself. Luo Yi, on the other hand, was someone Li Kejian had personally mentored and promoted from the grassroots.

Although Fang Xuesen and Li Kejian had few direct dealings later on, he always maintained the utmost respect for this senior figure. During this central government inspection, Li Kejian held only an honorary vice-director title, but both Fang Xuesen, the head of the delegation, and Luo Yi, the deputy head, treated him with exceptional consideration.

Of course, as a veteran Party member, Li Kejian would never make any unreasonable demands. When visiting institutions, he preferred to wander about alone, observing the real situation for himself. This habit was precisely what led to his chance encounter with Zhao Guoyang.

When Li Kejian rejoined the main group along with Xiao Li, a staffer from the Machinery Committee, Director Fang hooked his arm in a friendly manner and complained, “Director Li, next time we must assign someone to accompany you at all times, otherwise we just can’t relax.”

“Haha, my apologies—it was my fault. I met an interesting young man and ended up chatting a while longer,” Li Kejian replied with a hearty laugh.

At this, Luo Yi, who’d been listening with a smile, became curious. “Director Li, what kind of young man managed to capture your attention?” he asked.

“Well…” Remembering how Zhao Guoyang had mistaken him for a businessman earlier, Li Kejian couldn’t help but find it amusing. “This young fellow is quite remarkable. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable about every aspect of motorcycles, but he also has impressive insights into the automobile field. And I don’t just mean technical matters—he even understands market trends and future prospects.”

As he spoke, Li Kejian looked around. “I don’t actually know his name yet. I was just about to ask some colleagues from Siyang Group. The test drivers said he seems to be from their technical department…”

As the three senior leaders conversed, Mao Zhongliang, the provincial official responsible for accompanying the central delegation, quietly listened with a smile. Upon hearing that the person Director Li sought was from Siyang Group’s technical department, Mao immediately interjected.

“Oh, someone from the technical department? That’ll be easy to find!” He turned with a grin to Ma Guoqiang, Chairman of Siyang Group, who had been respectfully listening to the leaders’ conversation. “Guoqiang, have the head of your technical department come here. Academician Li has something to discuss with him.”

Ma Guoqiang readily agreed. He pulled his secretary, Xiao Yang, aside and gave a few instructions in a low voice. Xiao Yang promptly vanished into the workshop.

None of the senior officials paid much attention to Ma Guoqiang’s actions. Fang Xuesen, clearly delighted by Li Kejian’s comments, said, “Director Li, it’s rare for a young person to make such an impression on you. Once we find him, if you think he’s suitable, why not bring him to work in the capital?”

“President Luo here has just sent a batch of young cadres to the northwest for development; he’s in need of talented people. Isn’t that so, President Luo?”

“Haha, Director Fang, I have to admire how well you know the Academy of Mechanical Sciences! That’s exactly the case. Several departments are in dire need of new blood, especially the Vehicle Research Institute, which is really understaffed.”

“Since this young man is so highly regarded by Director Li, I believe he would be well-suited for a position at our academy,” Luo Yi nodded repeatedly.

Seeing Luo Yi agree, Fang Xuesen turned to Mao Zhongliang and said, “Comrade Mao, we’re here plotting to recruit talent from your province’s enterprise without even asking your opinion. Surely you have some objections?”

“Not at all!” Mao replied with a broad smile, waving his hand. “How could I object? For a young man to be recognized by an expert like Director Li is a stroke of luck. If he has the chance to further his studies in the capital, it will surely benefit his future tremendously.”

“To have our province help identify a promising talent for the central authorities is truly an honor for us. An opportunity like this—we would never stand in the way.”

It must be said, Mao Zhongliang’s words were well-chosen. At his response, Directors Fang and Luo, as well as Li Kejian, all broke into laughter.

While the senior leaders conversed, Liang Hongjun, Head of the Technical and Quality Department of Siyang Group, hurried over behind Secretary Xiao Yang.

At the sight of him, Ma Guoqiang felt reassured. He had always held Liang Hongjun in high regard and had long intended to promote him to the ranks of senior management. However, opposition from the board had made this difficult to accomplish. Now, with the central leaders specifically requesting to meet the technical chief, Ma Guoqiang saw a golden opportunity to push Liang Hongjun into the spotlight. If he could make a good impression and receive praise from the visiting officials, perhaps the board would no longer have grounds to oppose him.

That’s why Ma Guoqiang had so eagerly sent Xiao Yang to fetch Liang Hongjun.

According to the original schedule, the technical department was to be the last stop on the central leaders’ tour of Siyang Group, so Liang Hongjun had been waiting in the department, making preparations. When Xiao Yang came rushing in with the summons, Liang was left somewhat bewildered. Now, faced with the imposing lineup before him, his nerves only intensified.

Ma Guoqiang now led Liang Hongjun over and obsequiously introduced him: “Director Fang, President Luo, Comrade Mao, this is our Siyang Group’s Head of Technical and Quality, Comrade Liang Hongjun.”

Feeling a bit ill at ease, Liang Hongjun greeted the senior leaders, his gaze finally settling on Li Kejian.

Li Kejian was a benchmark in the field, a nationally renowned academician. As a technical professional himself, Liang Hongjun had long heard of his illustrious reputation.

Noticing the awe in Liang’s eyes, Fang Xuesen couldn’t help but tease, “Haha, Director Li, it seems that in the hearts of technical professionals, none of us can match your standing…”