Chapter 75: The Highest Honor

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Outside the final assembly workshop of Four Sheep Group, Li Kejian was moved by the look of admiration on Liang Hongjun’s face. He took a moment to compose himself, then said to Liang Hongjun in a gentle, cordial manner, “Xiao Liang, I might have to trouble you with something. I’d like to ask you about someone…”

Li Kejian described the physique and appearance of Zhao Guoyang, as well as his earlier conversation with him. After listening to the academician’s account, Liang Hongjun was completely bewildered. He thought hard, but among the more than one hundred people in his technical department, there was no one who matched the description given by Li.

Li Kejian, initially hopeful, sensed Liang’s confusion and added anxiously, “By the way, that young man should be new here. None of your factory’s test drivers seem to know him either.”

Hearing this, Liang Hongjun hesitated but explained honestly, “Sir Li, based on what you’ve said, I’m pretty sure the young man you mentioned is not from our technical department.”

“Every newcomer in our technical department must intern in various positions after joining the factory. The test team is where they spend the most time. So…”

“Oh! Not from the technical department? Xiao Liang, are you certain?” Li Kejian’s jaw dropped wide, as if he could swallow an egg.

Liang Hongjun replied with absolute certainty, “Yes, I’m sure.”

“Sir Li, actually the test team is jointly managed by the workshop and our technical quality department. If the young man you mentioned was really from the technical department, he would certainly know the test team members.”

Several leaders could tell that Liang Hongjun was being truthful. Looking at the relatively young but already gray-haired technical officer before them, Director Fang nodded silently to himself: people from technical backgrounds are indeed straightforward.

Li Kejian’s disappointment was obvious, which made Ma Guoqiang, the chairman of Four Sheep Group, nervous. He didn’t know Li’s exact status, but Director Fang and Dean Luo’s respectful attitudes had already made it clear that Li was no ordinary figure.

Now, with Liang Hongjun’s words leaving no room for maneuver, they were likely to offend someone.

Thinking of this, Ma Guoqiang hurriedly put on a smile and said, “Well… Sir Li, even if the young man isn’t from the technical department, if he’s in our factory, we’ll definitely find him!”

“Chairman, I’m just worried he might not be from our factory. You know, dozens or even hundreds of people from supporting manufacturers visit every day. Maybe he’s a technician from one of those companies…” Liang Hongjun reminded kindly.

Hearing Liang’s genuine words, Ma Guoqiang almost wanted to kick him. Seeing Ma’s discomfort, Luo Yi laughed and intervened, “Chairman Ma, Minister Liang speaks plainly. Whether that young man is from your factory or not, we still need to investigate carefully. We can’t afford a mistake.”

“Yes, yes, Dean Luo is right!” Ma Guoqiang quickly echoed.

Li Kejian had calmed down by now and sighed, “Thank you for your candor, Xiao Liang. If you’re not busy, could you accompany me during the next tour?”

This was quite an honor for Liang Hongjun. Given Li Kejian’s towering status in mechanical manufacturing, most people would consider it a privilege to talk with him for even a few minutes.

Liang Hongjun felt his blood rush, his whole body warming up, though he knew he couldn’t decide this alone. Chairman Ma was still present.

Seeing Liang’s questioning look, Ma Guoqiang nearly lost his composure, thinking, “How could you be so dense, Liang Hongjun? Is this even a question? Of course it’s fine!”

But Ma Guoqiang understood that Liang’s action was a sign of respect for him. In all situations, knowing one’s place and putting leaders first was something he had always admired about Liang Hongjun.

“Sir Li, rest assured, Xiao Liang definitely has time. His job today is to be your personal companion…” Ma Guoqiang quickly pushed Liang forward as he spoke.

Though Li Kejian wasn’t a fan of Ma’s slick style, as the saying goes, one doesn’t hit a smiling face. Since Ma was being so humble, Li couldn’t fuss about it, and exchanged a few polite words with him.

After this brief episode, the inspection team moved on to the next site.

……

Approaching two in the afternoon, the central inspection team’s visit to Four Sheep Group concluded. As the leaders departed, Ma Guoqiang and the board’s executives lined up, applauding enthusiastically. Surprisingly, Liang Hongjun was among them.

Director Liu, Dean Luo, and other central leaders shook hands with the Four Sheep Group’s senior staff. When Li Kejian shook hands with Liang Hongjun, he enthusiastically shook his arm several times.

“Xiao Liang, sorry to have taken up your time today!” Li Kejian said earnestly.

Liang Hongjun shook his head, “You’re too kind, Sir Li. Accompanying you on the inspection taught me a lot—I truly benefited from it. I’m the one who gained!”

Li Kejian smiled, “Enough, don’t flatter this old man. Come to the capital when you have time, I’ll treat you to dinner!”

“And that young man—Xiao Liang, you must make every effort to ask around for me. I’m counting on you!”

Liang Hongjun immediately straightened up and replied loudly, “Sir Li, rest assured. All personnel from supporting factories are recorded upon entering and leaving our premises. Even if that young man isn’t from Four Sheep Group, I’ll help you find him!”

“Good, good!” Li Kejian nodded repeatedly, seeming pleased.

……

As for what happened later at Four Sheep Group, Zhao Guoyang knew nothing. After his casual chat with Li Kejian, he returned to the hotel, had dinner, and went upstairs to sleep.

The bed at the inn last night had been so hard he barely slept. So Zhao Guoyang’s nap at noon lasted half the day.

By the time he woke up, it was nearly five o’clock.

“Oh dear, now I’m in trouble!” Zhao Guoyang muttered as he put on his jacket. “Minister Liang had said the inspection would end in two or three hours at most, so by two or three in the afternoon, he’d be free to check our factory’s chassis. Now I’ve delayed things—hope it doesn’t mess anything up…”

With worries on his mind, Zhao Guoyang hurried downstairs and called Liang Hongjun’s office from the front desk.

“Minister Liang, it’s Zhao Guoyang… Are you free now?” Zhao asked cautiously.

“Oh, Guoyang! Sorry, I’ve been busy checking things and forgot to contact you. Come to my office now, and we’ll go see your chassis together.” Liang Hongjun sounded in good spirits.

“Alright, I’m on my way!” Zhao Guoyang replied quickly.