Chapter 122: Duty-Bound and Always at Your Service

To be showered with such high praise by a figure as prominent as Fang Xuesen would, for most people, result in either overwhelming joy or crippling nervousness. Yet, on Zhao Guoyang’s face, neither of these extreme reactions could be found.

Knowing his own capabilities, Zhao understood that his assessment of the domestic "three major and three minor" automotive enterprises was nothing short of "apt." Perhaps a top-tier scholar like Li Kejian could draw similar conclusions about the success or failure of these companies after analyzing a series of data. However, thanks to his memories from a previous life, Zhao’s judgment regarding the future trajectory of these car manufacturers was far superior to that of anyone else—a fact even Li Kejian could not challenge. Since this farsighted commentary was merely the result of his foresight, Zhao felt there was nothing to be proud of; thus, his calm demeanor was perfectly understandable.

While Zhao remained composed, the others in the conference room were far from it. Ji Chongxuan could not help but wink at Li Kejian and whisper, "Old Li, let’s make a deal. Let me have young Zhao for a while, will you? You know I’m still lacking a heavyweight data analysis researcher. Let him work with me for a year or two as a favor—what do you say?"

"No way, not a chance!" Li Kejian narrowed his eyes and replied with ironclad resolve.

Seeing Li’s uncompromising expression, Ji’s face fell. He glared at Li as if he were looking at a sworn enemy. At Peking University, Ji served as the academic leader and director of the National Key Laboratory of Mechatronic Systems. The laboratory focused on the design and manufacture of mechatronic systems and equipment, boasting two deputy directors, thirty professors and researchers, eighteen associate professors and associate researchers, and over a hundred doctoral, master’s, and postdoctoral students. In Ji’s estimation, Zhao’s level of expertise was more than enough to qualify him for a research position. Had it not been for the fact that Zhao only held an undergraduate degree, Ji would have already applied for a professorship on his behalf.

Ji’s internal calculations were rapid and precise; he figured that if he could lure Zhao to his team, he could promote him to deputy director within a year or two once the lab achieved some success. With that title, even if the State Machinery Commission came looking for him, he would have a way to fend them off.

However, no matter how well Ji calculated, how could he outsmart Li Kejian, a fellow academician? Li himself held academic leadership positions in three or four national key laboratories; he simply chose not to concurrently serve as director due to his advanced age. Li muttered to himself, "Nice try, Ji Chongxuan. Thinking you can pull a fast one and snatch such an outstanding talent from right under my nose? Do you take me for a fool?" With that thought, Li pulled a stern face and glared back at Ji, showing no intention of backing down.

As the two academicians locked horns, Mayor Huang of Songjiang spoke up. "Haha, Director Fang is absolutely right; young Zhao is indeed an exceptional talent!" Huang Zhigang looked at Fang Xuesen with a smile. "Now that the central government has set the policy to vigorously develop Puxi, our Songjiang city is in dire need of talent. We are lacking promising youths like Zhao to support our efforts."

"By the way, Director Liang, wasn't the talent introduction program your Machinery Commission launched recently aimed at recruiting talent nationwide?"

Liang Xiaofeng nodded repeatedly. "Indeed, Mayor Huang. The Songjiang Machinery Commission has already reached out to our counterparts in several provinces and universities across the country, hoping to offer generous terms to attract first-class talent. Given Comrade Zhao’s capabilities, he would undoubtedly be the top choice for our program."

Hearing this, a look of smug satisfaction appeared on Huang Zhigang’s face. "Yes, yes, that’s exactly it. Director Liang, since Director Wang from the Jiangnan Provincial Machinery Commission is here, why don't you sign a memorandum with him in a moment? Discuss it with our comrades from Jiangnan and get Zhao’s personnel file transferred to Songjiang as soon as possible..."

When Huang finished speaking, Wang Ziqing opened his mouth to refuse, but upon seeing the mayor’s half-smiling, piercing gaze, he swallowed his words. Watching Director Wang—who usually had a good relationship with him—behave so timidly, Zhao found it secretly amusing. Throughout the journey from Jiangnan to Songjiang, Wang had been the undisputed leader and public face of the delegation. Whether it was Jiang Hong, Liu Renhe, or Liu Yaohong, all of them treated Wang with the utmost reverence. Seeing him act so cautious now, Zhao found it rather strange.

While Huang could easily suppress Wang Ziqing, he had no such leverage over the other two bigwigs, Fang Xuesen and Li Kejian. Li was already semi-retired and held the rank of a vice-minister, serving as a key advisor to the Premier; even a high-ranking official like Huang had to treat him with respect. As for Fang Xuesen, his title of Executive Deputy Director came with the rank of a full minister. Although the heads of central ministries were slightly lower in stature than the Mayor of Songjiang, Fang was remarkably young. Among the high-ranking officials in the central government, he was one of the youngest, and heading a heavyweight department like the Machinery Commission gave him a limitless future.

Though Huang might not fear Fang, he had to show him some courtesy. Take the Songjiang International Automotive Expo, for instance; compared to a random deputy director, Fang’s presence significantly elevated the prestige of the event. Regardless of Fang’s true motives, he had genuinely helped Songjiang. Just to be polite, Huang couldn't afford to offend him.

Just as Huang was speculating about how Fang might react, Zhao spoke up first. Having already guessed the intentions of the bigwigs in the room, he realized he had to step in to prevent a clash between the mayor and the director.

"Mayor Huang, it’s like this: I have already discussed this with Director Liang previously. I do not wish to leave my hometown for work elsewhere at the moment, so..." Seeing the mayor’s expression shift, Zhao added, "However, since Ninghai is so close to Songjiang, if there is ever anything Mayor Huang or Director Liang need me for, I would be duty-bound to help and will be available whenever you call!"