Chapter 47: Letter of Introduction in Hand! Off to See the Section Chief!

Fang Youcai quickly signed the contract with Li Junsheng and gave him a letter of introduction, complete with the official seal and all necessary details.

Holding the letter, Li Junsheng was genuinely delighted! The first step toward conducting business openly and aboveboard was accomplished, and with unexpected smoothness—a promising start.

As he handed over the contract, Fang Youcai probed, “Brother Li, is the Machinery Factory up to something big, having you lease one of our workshops? Are you using our space to produce something?”

Tang Liang was equally curious. Wasn’t his future father-in-law just an ordinary worker at the factory? How did he suddenly become responsible for such a major undertaking?

Li Junsheng carefully put away the letter and replied honestly, “You could say that’s the case. The Machinery Factory has a massive backlog of defective products, obsolete equipment, and scrap materials. Sending it all to the state-run recycling center wouldn’t even cover the transport costs, but leaving it piled up is no solution. So I thought of leasing a workshop, recycling and reprocessing the defective goods, old equipment, and scrap into other products. We’ll sell them properly, help the factory recover some funds, avoid losses, and solve the waste disposal problem. That’s why I came to sign this cooperation agreement and lease a workshop!”

“If Section Chief Fang wants to set up a production and supply department for me in the workshop, that’s fine too. Once those defective goods are brought over and remanufactured, it’s indeed production and supply.”

Li Junsheng wasn’t deceiving Fang Youcai; he genuinely was helping the Machinery Factory solve a problem. He would also make good use of the agricultural machinery factory’s workshop!

After listening, Fang Youcai nodded repeatedly, thinking Li Junsheng was no ordinary man! Surely, he wasn’t just an old worker—being entrusted with this matter at least meant the factory leadership trusted and valued him. Who would’ve thought such a golden opportunity would land in their agricultural machinery factory’s lap!

Being able to cooperate with the city’s Machinery Factory was fantastic news for the agricultural machinery factory. If Li Junsheng succeeded, their own reputation would rise as well—not to mention the profits he would bring them.

“So that’s the story. If we can help the Machinery Factory, it’s our honor. Here’s to a great partnership,” Fang Youcai said, shaking Li Junsheng’s hand with delight.

No wonder he was willing to take sole responsibility for profits and losses—he had the Machinery Factory backing him! And as for those defective goods and scrap…

Even if they were flawed, they were still copper or iron—valuable materials! Just remelt and reforge them into something else, and the money would come rolling back in. How could there possibly be a loss?

“No wonder you made a special trip out here, Uncle Li!” Tang Liang interjected. “By the way, have you two eaten yet? Since you came all this way, Brother Li, I must treat you to a meal!”

Fang Youcai was eager to keep Li Junsheng a little longer, hoping to invite Tang Liang’s parents as well, so both families could meet and leave a good impression. That way, his nephew Tang Liang’s relationship with Li Xiaoyu would be more secure.

But Tang Liang replied, “Uncle, we already ate before we came. Uncle Li was very good to me—he treated me to a nice meal!”

Li Junsheng did not look down on Tang Liang for being from a rural town, which surprised Fang Youcai and made him feel honored. He couldn’t help but chide his nephew, “How could you let your Uncle Li spend money on you? Next time, don’t let that happen—you’re the younger generation, you should treat your uncle!”

Tang Liang scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. Honest and unpretentious, through and through. If Tang Liang’s parents were as simple and genuine, Li Junsheng thought marrying his youngest daughter to this family would be a good match.

With the letter of introduction in hand and a proper status secured, Li Junsheng lingered a while longer with Fang Youcai before preparing to return to the city. Tang Liang, who had to report back to work the next day, accompanied him.

As for Fang Youcai, when he saw Li Junsheng was about to leave, he insisted his wife pack up several home-raised chickens and homegrown grains and fruits for him to take back. It was his way of thanking Li Junsheng for fixing his equipment and looking after Tang Liang.

Li Junsheng tried to decline, but Fang Youcai was so enthusiastic that, when Li Junsheng wouldn’t take them, he simply foisted them upon Tang Liang, making him carry the goods.

So Li Junsheng arrived bearing gifts and left with even more. On the bus ride back to the city with Tang Liang, he found everything pleasing to the eye. The hardest part of his plan—the very first step—had gone off without a hitch; the next phases of conducting business openly would be so much easier.

The city bus was a bit crowded. Midway through the ride, an elderly woman boarded and found no seat. Tang Liang immediately stood and offered his spot, choosing to stand himself.

The more time Li Junsheng spent with the young man, the more he liked him.

After getting off the bus, Li Junsheng patted Tang Liang on the shoulder and praised him, “You really have the spirit of Lei Feng! Next time you come to my house for a meal, don’t be so polite—no need to bring so many things.”

Tang Liang grinned from ear to ear. “Sure, Uncle! Should I carry these things to your house for you?”

Li Junsheng shook his head. “No, I don’t need them. Take them back to your dormitory and use the factory’s kitchen to make something nice for Xiaoyu. Otherwise, if I bring them home, she won’t get to enjoy them anyway.”

He didn’t care much for the chickens—he was just thinking about his youngest daughter being too thin and wanting her to eat well. He didn’t mind missing out on a few meals himself.

“You’re so good to Xiaoyu!” Tang Liang said warmly. He knew things were complicated in the Li household, and Xiaoyu’s mother didn’t treat her well—thank goodness her future father-in-law doted on her.

“Go back to the textile factory and try to become a permanent worker. I have high hopes for you!”

Tang Liang nodded, carrying the gifts from his uncle, already planning to treat Li Xiaoyu to a hearty meal.

As for Li Junsheng, he didn’t head straight home but took the letter of introduction from the Agricultural Machinery Factory and set out to find Section Chief Zhou.

He had met his daughter’s chosen one—now it was time to start making money in earnest.

Judging by the time, Section Chief Zhou should still be at the factory.

Li Junsheng went straight to the Machinery Factory, knocked politely at the office door.

“Come in!” came the voice from inside.

Pushing open the door, Li Junsheng saw Section Chief Zhou poring over some documents.

When Zhou looked up, he was surprised to see Li Junsheng. His instinct told him nothing good could come from this unannounced visit.

Startled, he quickly stood, pulled Li Junsheng into the office, glanced around to make sure no one else saw him, then closed and locked the door.

Li Junsheng raised an eyebrow—he hadn’t expected Zhou to be so on edge.

This is the importance of doing business by the book, he thought—no need to be as jumpy as Section Chief Zhou.

Zhou turned to him and asked coldly, “What brings you here at this hour? What do you want?”