"Wages are owed for half a year, the workers have rioted several times, and if the wages aren't paid soon, we won't be able to suppress them."
"The county finance department has urged us several times, and if the arrears aren't paid, the factory will be repossessed to cover the debt."
"The utility bills are three months overdue, and if they aren't paid soon, we'll have our water and electricity cut off."
"The suppliers have refused to deliver goods, demanding that outstanding payments be settled before cash-on-delivery."
"Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory is kicking us while we're down, not only stealing our clients but also poaching all our distributors."
...
The small office was crammed with people, all with worried expressions, talking at once.
"Alright! Everyone be quiet."
A young man behind the desk rubbed his temples with frustration. All eyes immediately focused on him.
"You're making me lose my train of thought."
The young man forced a smile, waving his hand tiredly.
"Factory director!"
"Factory director!"
Everyone opened their mouths, but upon seeing the young man's exhausted demeanor.
They could only shake their heads in resignation, sigh, and turn to leave.
Everyone left, and the office became empty.
He slowly took out the remaining half of a cigarette from his pocket and fumbled for a match.
He lit it and took a slow puff.
"Hoo!"
The cigarette had been stored for too long and had gone damp and moldy, making it unpleasant to smoke. However, the pungent smell of tobacco brought a sliver of clarity to his numb mind.
His name was Wang Yu.
Once a genius in machinery and metallurgy. He was self-taught and had earned seven degrees.
His greatest dream in life was to elevate the nation's manufacturing technology, so it would no longer be subservient to outsiders.
An industrial powerhouse, manufacturing and industry were the foundation of everything.
Otherwise, one would always be at the mercy of others. Even with high-end technology, if one were choked off at raw materials and basic components, one could only feel frustrated and helpless.
To this end, Wang Yu studied diligently, even venturing overseas.
He later rejected an offer from a superpower and, after overcoming numerous obstacles, returned from abroad. He had intended to showcase his talents, but ultimately died in a car accident.
When he woke up again, he had been reborn thirty years ago.
Jiangyang Automobile Manufacturing Plant.
Jiangyang County, Guanjiang Province.
Once a labor reform factory, it produced automobile parts and was later reformed into a small automobile manufacturing plant.
It was now a negative example of the first wave of state-owned enterprises failing during privatization. Due to the former factory director's decision to lead an independent engine project, which consumed a vast amount of manpower and resources, it failed.
The factory was crippled, its books were in deficit, and its capital chain was broken.
The former factory director, finding no way out, committed suicide. A new factory director, thrust into the position, took over.
That was Wang Yu...
This man, who looked to be only twenty years old, was actually a thirty-something soul reborn.
He pushed open the office window and gazed towards the production workshop in the distance.
The workshop had long since ceased production. Products were unsellable, equipment was idle, and workers were on holiday. Only a few scattered workers were listlessly cleaning.
Since heaven had given him a second chance at life, perhaps it was to make up for his past regrets.
To build a strong industrial nation, a manufacturing powerhouse. To build whatever the country needed!
...
But now, what could be done with this mess?
No money, no people, no resources, and even the distributor channels were cut off.
There was not a penny in the books, and they were deeply in debt.
Poor him, the factory director. Although it looked like he had benefited from privatization, acquiring such a large factory without spending a dime.
In reality, he was merely a scapegoat for the overwhelming debt. If he couldn't repay the money, he would end up in prison!
That damned Jiangyang Agricultural Machinery Factory, if they hadn't been ungrateful and stabbed him in the back with a sudden blow.
The factory wouldn't have ended up like this...
"Factory director!"
Old Sun from the gatehouse, wearing his reading glasses, approached.
"What is it?"
"Your sister fainted in class and is now at the county hospital..."
"What?"
Before Grandpa Sun could finish, Wang Yu's face changed drastically. He stomped out his cigarette and turned to run.
He grabbed a bicycle and raced to the county hospital.
In the pungent smell of disinfectant, a pale young girl lay on a hospital bed in the emergency room.
She was the only family he had in this era, his sister Wang Ling.
His parents had died in a car accident five years ago, leaving only Wang Ling and him to rely on each other. A doctor was examining her by the bedside.
"Doctor, how is my sister?"
Without looking up, the doctor replied to Wang Yu's question.
"Acute appendicitis, pay the money and prepare for surgery."
"Surgery!"
Wang Yu's face stiffened. The factory hadn't paid wages for half a year, and his sister's tuition had been borrowed with great difficulty. How could they afford surgery?
"Doctor, can we not have surgery?" Wang Ling said timidly from the bed.
She knew their situation and had been hiding her discomfort, fearing the cost of hospital visits and worrying her brother Wang Yu. But today, the pain was unbearable, and she had directly fainted.
"Not have surgery? What are you joking about!"
The doctor interrupted Wang Ling, his voice stern.
"It was a minor issue, but you delayed seeking treatment. Now it has perforated and caused an infection. If you don't have surgery soon, you could go into shock at any moment!
Do you understand shock? It means you could die at any moment!"
"Doctor, please arrange the surgery as soon as possible."
Wang Yu spoke directly. Although he didn't fully understand the doctor's technical explanation, he knew the importance of surgery. Medical conditions in this era were not as advanced, and delaying could indeed be life-threatening.
"But, brother!"
"It's okay, you rest well."
He stopped Wang Ling, and Wang Yu pulled the doctor away from the emergency room.
In the corridor, Wang Yu looked at the doctor helplessly.
"Doctor, regarding the surgical fees, could you be lenient?"
The doctor shook his head with a sigh.
"Young man, there's nothing I can do about money. Your sister needs surgery urgently. I'll give her anti-inflammatory medication for now. I can only hold it until the day after tomorrow afternoon. You have time to raise the money."
"This... alright."
Wang Yu's throat felt dry. He knew the doctor was right; even if he knelt and begged, it would be useless. It was better to use this time to figure out how to get money!
But the problem was, where would the money come from? The factory was on the verge of collapse, his sister desperately needed surgery, and he might even end up in jail!
Internal and external threats, besieged on all sides!
Money, money, money! A penny can stump a hero!
Even after being reborn, he still had to worry about this!
He really didn't understand how the protagonists in those wish-fulfillment novels managed to thrive after being reborn? But for him, he still had to worry about this meager silver.
Lost in thought, Wang Yu stumbled out of the county hospital.
Returning to the factory, he saw an old truck parked at the entrance of the production workshop.
The front of the truck was deformed and dented, and two workers were busy nearby.
"Hmm, repairing a car?" Wang Yu was slightly surprised.
The factory was currently shut down, and its only source of income was repairing vehicles.
Jiangyang County was a transportation hub, and many trucks passed through.
When some vehicles broke down, they would stop by the factory for repairs. With materials and labor readily available, the workers could earn some hourly wages to supplement their income.
Looking at the truck, it seemed to have been in an accident, with a dented and deformed front, but fortunately, it wasn't serious.
"This damn thing!"
Beside the vehicle, a man in his thirties was cursing loudly.
"What's wrong, master?" Wang Yu instinctively stepped forward.
"What else? The brakes failed."
The driver, speaking with a northern accent from Guanjiang Province, looked unlucky.
"Halfway through, the brakes leaked oil and failed, hitting a tree. This piece of junk has screwed over several of my brothers."
The driver glanced at the truck and cursed again.
Wang Yu understood. In this era, the manufacturing processes were substandard and of poor quality, and brake rubber parts could easily break.
The consequence was oil leakage, followed by brake failure, leading to accidents!
Moreover, even if they didn't fail, the braking effect was poor.
After all, trucks were not like private cars that could brake easily.
"Wait!" A spark of inspiration suddenly flashed in Wang Yu's mind.
In the future era, more advanced air brake technology would be adopted to replace these traditional oil-based brakes.
Compared to traditional technology, air brakes had faster response times and stronger braking effects.
The key was that there was no oil leakage problem, greatly increasing safety!
Currently, this technology was in its nascent stage, rough and primitive, and had just begun to be used in large passenger buses.
If he remembered correctly, his factory had previously supplied parts to a bus manufacturer in the provincial capital.
There was also a batch of materials and parts!
"Master, hold on!" Wang Chong suddenly spoke, his tone respectful.
In this era, being a driver was still an excellent profession.
High salary and respected!
"What is it, little brother?"
The driver looked at Wang Yu with some confusion, unsure of what this young man wanted.
"I am the factory director here," Wang Yu stated his identity. "I can solve your brake problem."
"You say what? The brake problem can be solved?"
The driver was stunned, half-believing, half-doubting.
The look in Wang Yu's eyes clearly suggested he thought this child was bragging.
In this era, which truck driver didn't have issues with oil leaks or brake failures?
They all lived on the edge, earning a living through sheer boldness. Throughout the country, no one had ever heard of anyone who could solve this problem!
This young man's claim was too audacious! This factory director was likely a fraud!
But then again, it made sense!
The factory was in such a state, it was likely just someone who talked big without substance!
Thinking this, the driver pursed his lips and turned to leave.
"Master, don't rush off!"
Wang Yu naturally saw the doubt in the driver's eyes; it was only natural.
"If you trust me, little brother, let me make arrangements and try.
After all, driving on the road, safety is most important, wouldn't you agree?
If I can solve the problem, reward this little brother with some skill money for food. If not, let's just say we've gotten to know each other better. I won't charge you for the repair fee, how about that?"
At this moment, Wang Yu's tone was confident.
A simple air brake system was not a problem at all.
Perhaps moved by Wang Yu's strong conviction.
The driver was first stunned, then burst into a hearty laugh.
"Alright, I, Liu Dahai, will get to know a young brother like you! If you can truly solve the brake problem completely. Old brother won't shortchange you on the labor fee, and I'll even treat you to a meal. And my group of brothers who drive nearby will also come to you for business!"
"So, it's a deal!"
Wang Yu decisively agreed and headed straight to the parts warehouse.
Yes, the parts and materials were relatively well preserved, but they were all of the old, traditional structure and couldn't be directly applied to the past-life technical solutions. Many modifications were needed.
Looking at the dusty parts warehouse, Wang Yu pondered, comparing the dimensions of the parts with the chassis structure of Liu Dahai's truck.
He drew one sketch after another on the ground with a chalk pen.
"Little factory director, what are you doing?"
Li Ming, the workshop supervisor, passed by, looking curious.
"Don't disturb me!"
Wang Yu waved his hand, still immersed in his thoughts.
He continued to write, revise, and modify with the chalk pen in his hand, the sketched structures constantly improving and changing.
"Little factory director, you..."
Li Ming looked at the sketch and was instantly stunned.
Although he didn't understand what was being done, the standard and beautiful industrial drawings completely shocked him.
In this era, professional drafting software was not yet widespread. Manual drafting relied heavily on technical skill.
With just this skill, it would take years of diligent practice for a master craftsman to achieve it!
After a long while, Wang Yu finally let out a long sigh.
He tried to stand up but found his legs numb from squatting for too long, and he almost fell to the ground.
"Be careful!"
Li Ming quickly supported Wang Yu, but before he could say anything more, he heard Wang Yu's faint voice.
"Convene a meeting of all cadres."