Chapter 240: Assuming a New Post
Chapter 240: Chapter 240: Assuming a New Post
That morning, Jiang Dahai went to work at the factory as usual.
Although his transfer order had already been issued, he was still an employee of the machinery factory until all the paperwork was finalized. He had to do his job properly.
But in the eyes of the machinery factory workers, he was a completely different man now.
Not only had their form of address for him reverted from "Jiang" back to "Mr. Jiang," but some even started calling him "Director Jiang" directly.
When he arrived at the warehouse, everyone else scrambled to do his work for him.
Zhou Weiguang even invited him into his office for tea.
Overnight, everyone in the factory, from top to bottom, had become polite and respectful toward him.
Jiang Dahai wasn’t used to this at all. After half a cup of tea, he made an excuse to leave Zhou Weiguang’s office and went to the personnel department to ask about his transfer.
The personnel department staff thought he was just being impatient and patiently explained the situation to him.
They explained that while the order had been issued, the transfer of his personnel file and official status required approval from various leaders. The process could take anywhere from three to five days to ten days, half a month, or even a month or two.
Fortunately, Gu Cheng was very efficient. He had Jiang Dahai’s personnel file sorted out in just a few days.
After completing the departure procedures, Jiang Dahai didn’t rush to report to the Bureau of Agriculture.
Having had a few days to cool down, his initial joy and excitement about the transfer had faded, replaced by hesitation.
He didn’t have much formal education. Aside from his technical skills, he didn’t know anything else.
’Can I really do a good job as a director at the Bureau of Agriculture?’
’What if I mess up?’
Jiang Moli knew her old man was suffering from a case of workplace anxiety.
"Dad, don’t overthink it. Just take it one step at a time. If it really doesn’t work out, we’ll just drop dead halfway."
Jiang Dahai was speechless. "..."
"Come on, I’m taking you shopping."
"Don’t you have to work?"
"There are two or three hundred people in the Song and Dance Troupe. One more or one less of me makes no difference. I’m taking you to buy a couple of new outfits. Your job performance aside, we can’t lose when it comes to making an impression."
Jiang Dahai thought about it. He really didn’t have any decent clothes, so he went with Jiang Moli to the department store.
The father and daughter spent the whole morning at the department store.
They bought Jiang Dahai two twill cotton Sun Yat-sen suits, a padded jacket, and a pair of black leather shoes.
Fine clothes make the man. When Jiang Dahai put on the Sun Yat-sen suit and leather shoes, he really did have the air of a cadre.
"Dad, forty is the perfect age to take on new challenges. No matter when, no matter what happens, I’ll always have your back. Don’t be afraid. If you don’t give it a try, you’ll never know how useless you truly are."
Jiang Dahai was speechless again. "..."
’That was a great speech. Please don’t give it again.’
Arriving outside the entrance to the Bureau of Agriculture.
Remembering his daughter’s words, Jiang Dahai smoothed the hem of his brand-new suit, held his head high, and strode into the Bureau of Agriculture.
Gu Cheng received Jiang Dahai personally.
He had single-handedly established this Agricultural Machinery Department, and he was also its direct supervisor.
Although the department currently consisted of only Jiang Dahai—a general without an army—if it grew and developed in the future, it would not only give Gu Cheng a greater say in the bureau but also serve as a political achievement in his career.
Therefore, Gu Cheng had high hopes for his new subordinate, Jiang Dahai.
After meeting with Jiang Dahai, he assigned a young functionary named Tian Yang to lead him to the Agricultural Machinery Department office to assume his post.
The office was very plain. According to Tian Yang, it had been converted from an old records room.
Other than a set of old a desk and chair and an old file cabinet, there was nothing else.
Jiang Dahai was quite content.
After Tian Yang left, he took out his teacup, notebook, and fountain pen from his satchel.
He arranged them on the desk, and it finally felt like he was at work.
Gu Cheng hadn’t assigned him any tasks, and Jiang Dahai didn’t dare wander around. So, he took out his research notes and began to study them.
KNOCK KNOCK.
Hearing the knock, Jiang Dahai looked up. Seeing it was Gu Cheng, he quickly stood up.
"Vice Director Gu."
Gu Cheng stepped into the office, glanced at the notes on the desk, and said with a smile, "Studying, are we? Excellent. By the way, do you know anything about medium-sized wheeled tractors?"
Jiang Dahai nodded. "The Chuantuo-10 farming tractor our factory produced last year is a medium-sized wheeled model."
Gu Cheng clapped his hands. "Wonderful! The mechanized farm in Pixian County just called. Their plow has stalled again, and they need a technician sent over right away. The bureau can’t spare anyone at the moment. How about you go take a look? It’s the wheat planting season, so they’re in a big hurry."
Without a second thought, Jiang Dahai packed his bag. "Alright, I’ll go."
Jiang Dahai took the car Gu Cheng arranged to the farm and, with practiced ease, fixed the plow’s malfunction.
He returned to the Bureau of Agriculture just as it was time to get off work.
Gu Cheng was quite surprised to see him back so soon. "Is everything at the farm settled?"
"It is. The oil hadn’t been changed in a long time, causing the engine to overheat and stall. I just changed the oil and it was fine."
Gu Cheng nodded. "Good. Director Jiang, thank you for your hard work today. You can head home."
"Yes, sir!"
Back in the Agricultural Machinery Department office, Jiang Dahai picked up the enamel mug on his desk and drained it in one go. GULP, GULP.
After drinking, he wiped his mouth and carefully looked around the unfamiliar, humble office. A satisfied and pure smile spread across his face.
’I can do this job as Director of the Agricultural Machinery Department!’
...
After school let out at noon, Lu Tingting had just stepped out of her classroom when Wu Meixia and Song Ke rushed up to her excitedly.
"Tingting, I just heard some news! Jiang Moli’s dad was transferred to the Bureau of Agriculture to be a director!"
After a full morning of classes, Lu Tingting was as wilted as a frost-bitten eggplant.
But hearing this, she instantly perked up.
"Who did you hear that from?"
"I heard it from Tang Hao. His dad works at the Bureau of Agriculture. Jiang Moli’s dad is now the Director of the Agricultural Machinery Department, on the same level as Tang Hao’s dad!"
’That damn woman really has some tricks up her sleeve! She actually got her own father into a government agency!’
Lu Tingting felt an indescribable joy welling up inside her.
The three of them had originally planned to eat at the cafeteria, but Lu Tingting changed her mind. "Let’s go eat at a restaurant outside!" she said.
Wu Meixia demurred, "Maybe we shouldn’t. I don’t have much allowance left for this month."
Lu Tingting puffed out her chest. "My treat."
Wu Meixia and Song Ke were both puzzled. "Why the sudden urge to treat us to a meal?"
"Can’t I just be happy?"
"What are you so happy about?"
Lu Tingting was taken aback by the question.
’Right, what am I so worked up and happy about?’
’Who cares? All that matters is that I’m happy.’
"Why all the questions? Are you coming or not?"
"We’re coming!"
The news of Jiang Dahai’s transfer to the Bureau of Agriculture spread like wildfire through the Military District Courtyard, becoming the talk of the town among the families.
No one was more upset than Wu Miaoyun. She was so vexed she couldn’t even eat.
’To think I went to An Hui before and spouted all that nonsense.’
Now, her face just burned with shame.
’That Jiang Moli is such a troublemaker, always stirring up heaven and earth and causing disasters, yet somehow she always manages to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.’
’It’s just bizarre!’
...
As Jiang Qing left the machinery factory after work, she saw two young women across the street smiling and waving at her.
"Jiang Qing!"
She walked over to them. "What are you two doing here?"
"Waiting for you, of course! The exam admission tickets are ready to be picked up. Let’s go together."
"Okay."
The two young women were her high school classmates. She had run into them before at the subdistrict office when she was registering for the college entrance exam.
Back then, when she had tried to greet them, they had been dismissive and aloof.
But a couple of days ago, they had taken the initiative to ask her to study with them.
’They probably found out that Jiang Dahai was transferred to the Bureau of Agriculture to be a director and decided I was valuable now.’
Jiang Qing didn’t mind their snobbery. After all, she was just using them to improve her own grades.
When they arrived at the subdistrict office, both of her high school classmates successfully collected their admission tickets.
But when it was Jiang Qing’s turn, the clerk handed her registration form back to her.
"Your admission ticket wasn’t processed."