novellhall Chapter 168 Resignation
Chapter 168 Resignation
Conference room in the administration building.
The curtains were drawn tightly shut, and the fluorescent light shone a stark white light on the large white sheets of paper on the wall, on which were written in calligraphy: "Rectify work style and eliminate bad elements."
It goes without saying who this "horse" is.
Factory Director Zhou sat in the middle, with Party Secretary Lao Fang on his left and Deputy Factory Director Sun Desheng on his right.
The ashtrays in front of the group were piled high with cigarette butts, some still emitting wisps of smoke. The teacups were filled with water repeatedly, and the tea leaves had turned black from being steeped, indicating that they had been chatting for a while.
When Cheng Zheng pushed the door open and entered, the talking inside stopped abruptly.
He glanced at the people present, said nothing, and pulled out a chair to sit down.
Assistant Zheng stood quietly beside him, her face already looking rather grim.
Factory Director Zhou slowly stubbed out his cigarette, raised his head, and glanced at Cheng Zheng's face with a faint smile on his lips: "Ahem, Comrade Cheng Zheng has arrived."
They didn't call him "representative," they just called him "comrade."
"You've come at the right time. We just finished discussing the matter of your fiancée impersonating someone else, which has caused quite a stir. Not only are the factory workers and their families talking about it, but other state-owned factories and units are also paying attention. As the swindler's fiancé and the direct leader of the technical department, you bear a great deal of responsibility in this matter."
He paused, his tone carrying a hint of condescension, "How could you let a swindler infiltrate the factory and work in such a crucial department as the technical department for so long?"
Sun Desheng nodded in agreement: "That's right. Although the investigation team's results haven't come out yet, if that comrade impersonating Shen Qing is really an enemy agent, Comrade Cheng Zheng, your problem won't just be a matter of oversight. Your own innocence will be hard to guarantee. Who knows if you've also been bribed by enemy agents and are infiltrating the factory? Moreover, with your current identity, you won't be able to gain the trust of the employees to manage the factory."
"Director Zhou and Deputy Director Sun are right." Party Secretary Lao Fang took a sip of tea, then slowly put down his teacup. "So, Comrade Cheng Zheng, after our unanimous discussion at the meeting, we have decided that you are no longer suitable to serve as the factory representative. We hope you will take the initiative to apply to the higher authorities to resign from your position."
Cheng Zheng leaned back in his chair, expressionless, his lips slightly pursed, his fingers tapping lightly on his knees, the rhythm neither too fast nor too slow, like a lurking beast silently observing its prey.
He knew what these people wanted to do.
In his first year in office, he conducted an audit, which resulted in the imprisonment of several people. Some of those present had intricate connections with them. His arrival served as a warning, and while these people dared not act rashly, their avenues for personal gain were blocked, and they harbored a deep resentment.
Lin Shuyao's situation has now given them a pretext—a pretext to get rid of him so they can continue to profit from him.
Furthermore, they thought that by keeping the Soviet expert in check, the task of building the car was a sure thing. If they kicked him out and took over, the credit for building a domestically produced car the following year would naturally go to them.
After a few seconds of silence, Cheng Zheng's fingers paused on his knees. He slightly raised his chin, his gaze sweeping over Director Zhou's face, and said in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, "Okay. I will apply."
The leaders exchanged glances, all somewhat surprised.
They thought Cheng Zheng would get angry, vehemently oppose it, and use his family background to pressure them, but he did nothing at all and just casually agreed.
"Representative—" Assistant Zheng panicked, not expecting Cheng Zheng to actually agree. "You recruited the factory's technical backbone one by one! You used your connections to secure the foreign exchange quotas for purchasing scarce machinery and equipment, and Comrade Lin persuaded the Soviet experts to stay! You can't resign now!"
Cheng Zheng raised his hand to stop Assistant Zheng.
"Let's go."
Cheng Zheng stood up, and Director Zhou's face flashed with a relieved look. He called out to him, "Wait, Comrade Cheng Zheng, do you have any recommendations for the leadership of the technical department?"
Whoever Cheng Zheng recommended, he wouldn't choose.
The question is simply to eliminate a wrong answer.
Cheng Zheng naturally understood, and a slight smile appeared on his lips, though it didn't reach his eyes: "Comrade Zhao Tiemei, I suppose. She's experienced, capable, and the most suitable candidate."
Sure enough, Director Zhou waved his hand: "The technical department leader has a lot of work pressure and heavy tasks, so it's more prudent to choose a male comrade."
"Director Zhou has already decided on the candidates, why is he asking for my opinion?" Cheng Zheng's lips twitched, his sarcasm undisguised.
After saying that, he strode away without looking back.
Assistant Zheng was stunned for a moment, then quickly followed.
In the corridor, Assistant Zheng walked beside him, her eyes still red: "Representative, how could you agree to them? You've sacrificed so much for this factory, what right do they have—"
"I know what I'm doing." Cheng Zheng didn't stop walking, his voice low and calm. "Let them be smug for a few days."
He will settle this score, one by one.