"Is this guy kidding me?"
"No way? What a load of crap? How can someone be proficient in so many techniques at once?"
"Is your third grandfather talking nonsense there?"
The entire group of workers was instantly thrown off balance. Before, Brother Hu could at least be considered to be making jokes, and no one took him seriously.
But now, things were different. Zhao Jianguo had just listed a string of professions and jobs, making almost everyone's jaw drop!
Skills required time to accumulate. Especially the trades he listed were all technically demanding. It was hard to even get started without significant time and effort, let alone master them.
It was like athletes; some are good at running, others at long jump, high jump, weightlifting... How many people dared to claim they were proficient in all ten events?
And Lin Jianguo was arrogant enough to say he had no problem with any tools, materials, or requirements. This was beyond bragging; it couldn't even be described as boasting!
At this, the crowd erupted in jeers. Even the workers from other state-owned factories cast contemptuous glances. There was no need to show off or flaunt like this!
In a way, this united the workers from the state-owned factories and the automobile factory against a common enemy.
"Don't believe me?" Lin Jianguo smiled faintly. "If you don't believe me, let's try it. You can bring any model of tools and equipment you want."
"Hmph, I don't believe you!" Brother Hu sneered and immediately grabbed a welding torch from the workshop and handed it to him.
He didn't believe there was anyone else as versatile as the young factory director. It was ridiculous. Let me, Tiger, expose your trickery for the young factory director!
"No problem," Lin Jianguo said, taking the welding torch. He kicked aside two old iron plates from the warehouse.
Without a word, he raised the welding torch. His movements were as fluid as flowing clouds and as graceful as a dragon's flight, a perfectly executed sequence. The two iron plates were welded together seamlessly.
The welded joint was perfectly tight, even, and neat, with no bubbles or debris. It was simply flawless!
"This..."
This maneuver completely impressed everyone. They were all workers, and although their trades and skills differed, they weren't without basic judgment.
Anyone with eyes could see the skill involved. Many welders in the crowd were silently astonished.
This guy's arrogance seemed to be well-founded. With just this one skill, he was on par with seasoned masters!
"Hmph, what's there to be proud of?" Brother Hu scoffed dismissively. Although he was an amateur and could only watch the spectacle, he could tell from the expressions of those around him that this guy had real substance.
However, with a glance at his subordinates, several of them grunted and heaved a lathe, along with a large pile of materials.
"Machine a bolt with a 45-degree thread and a diameter of six millimeters for me."
Wang Yu also became interested and stepped forward, saying directly.
"No problem," Lin Jianguo chuckled. He found a small iron rod from the materials and then, with a series of fluid actions involving setting the cutter, indexing the teeth, and mounting the workpiece, the lathe hummed to life, and the job was completed.
"Tsk, tsk, not bad!" Wang Yu marvelled, holding the freshly made bolt.
The surrounding workers were also convinced. This was truly amazing!
Some of the lathe operators gasped. He didn't even need to calculate the tooth pitch, just jumped right in. How skilled must he be?
"What's so great about this? Try again!" Brother Hu was becoming agitated. He kicked his subordinates, who then huffed and puffed to bring over a vise used by a fitter.
"Master, could you polish this for us?" Feng Daochun came forward, having somehow rummaged up a worn-out caliper from somewhere.
"No problem."
In just a short while, the caliper gleamed like new.
"This!"
Everyone was speechless. Amazing, truly amazing!
The simplest task of cutting and polishing revealed the craftsman's masterful skill!
No wonder the saying "A fierce dragon does not cross the river"! Lin Jianguo's abilities were indeed as audacious as his words!
"Again!" Brother Hu had descended into frenzy. Cursing and kicking, he ordered his subordinates to bring over a milling machine.
The poor subordinates dared not speak but looked dejected as they moved the heavy machine. This old-fashioned milling machine weighed several hundred kilograms!
"Young man, mill an dovetail groove for me." Old Director Li Ming also became interested.
"No problem!"
...
"Bore a counter-sink groove here."
"No problem!"
...
"Rivet these iron plates together."
"No problem!"
...
Lin Jianguo accepted all requests without refusal, completing each task perfectly. His movements were as graceful as flowers blooming and butterflies dancing, a single, fluid, and pleasing performance!
"This... this..."
The crowd was at a loss for words, their mouths agape, unable to describe what they were seeing.
This was simply a versatile genius!
"I wonder if my skills are up to par," Lin Jianguo said lightly, looking at Wang Yu, his tone filled with arrogance.
"Very good. I rate you as a Level Seven. Our rating is internal and not comparable to national standards, so don't take it too seriously," Wang Yu smiled slightly. "Of course, you'll get paid what you're owed. Your monthly salary will be 500 yuan, with bonuses and overtime pay calculated separately."
He hadn't expected to find such a treasure! This was a true all-rounder!
A talent, a scarce talent!
500 yuan!
Upon hearing Wang Yu's words, everyone's expression changed drastically.
How much money was that? Wouldn't that mean he earned in a month what they would take a year to earn without eating or drinking?
"Wait a minute! Young factory director, he just arrived, is it appropriate to give such a high salary?"
Someone from the automobile factory spoke up, his tone clearly tinged with envy.
"Inappropriate?" Wang Yu tilted his head. "If any of you have this kind of skill, I can also offer 500 a month."
"This..."
No one said anything further.
"Since no one has any objections, Uncle Ma... pay him! Give him the 500 yuan salary for this month in advance."
"Hold on! This isn't right." Someone spoke up again, and it was Lin Jianguo himself.
"Factory Director Wang, I don't want this money," Lin Jianguo's words stunned everyone.
"Oh? Why?" Wang Yu raised an eyebrow slightly.
"I believe a Level Seven evaluation is insufficient. Why isn't it the highest, Level Eight?" Lin Jianguo asked without hesitation, causing a stir among the crowd.
However, after witnessing his skills, no one dared to say anything more.
"Heh heh, why not Level Eight?" Before Wang Yu could speak, Old Director Li Ming walked forward silently.
He picked up the welding torch and completed the weld at an even more inclined angle than Lin Jianguo had.
In welding, the greater the tilt of the torch, the higher the difficulty coefficient. Old Director's torch was tilted at more than double Lin Jianguo's angle, yet the final result was perfectly tight and uniform, no less impressive than Lin Jianguo's weld!
He then started the lathe again, also without any calculation, and immediately began to machine a bolt, which was smoother and neater than Lin Jianguo's.
Next, he polished, milled grooves, and riveted... He performed all the tasks that Lin Jianguo had just completed.
Not only was he faster, but his work was also superior. When the finished products of both were placed side-by-side, the difference was clear!
While Lin Jianguo's work was excellent, it still fell short of the mastery demonstrated by the old director.
After finishing everything, Old Director Li Ming panted slightly. He was getting on in years, and the series of tasks had taken their toll. He silently put down all his tools and looked at Lin Jianguo with a faint smile.
Although he said nothing, his meaning was clear.
Just this? Is that all?
You want to challenge the young factory director's authority?
Heh heh!
The old director's light chuckle, though not loud, caused everyone's expression to change.