Chapter 39: Exemplary Conduct

While Wang Youchang, Ma Jian, and Zhao Guoyang were speaking nearby, Inspector Old Ma and Old Wang were quietly confiding in hushed voices behind them.

Old Ma voiced his concerns, “Old Wang, this young Section Chief Zhao seems quite confident. Maybe he really does have some skill. And the way he handled the welding just now—his technique is clearly practiced, not inferior to Old Liu’s. I’m worried you might lose this time.”

Old Wang squeezed his shriveled pocket with a pained expression and replied with a bitter smile, “No helping it. Losing is losing. We underestimated him, after all.”

As the two whispered, Ma Jian began to hand out cigarettes.

He was a shrewd leader, well-connected both up and down in the factory. Catching sight of Old Wang and Old Ma, Ma Jian tossed them each a cigarette.

“Old Wang, Old Ma, catch!”

“Ah, Double Happiness—thank you, Director Ma.” The two received the cigarettes with polite words and lit up.

Strictly speaking, smoking was prohibited in the welding group’s workspace, but people in those days weren’t so particular. Besides, the workshop was full of dirt mounds and nothing much would catch fire, so nobody bothered to keep to the rules.

Many times, even Liu Linzhi, the welding group leader, would have a cigarette dangling from his mouth during work.

The group smoked as they waited for the results.

After a while, Zhao Guoyang judged that enough time had passed. He put on his sanded gloves and walked over to the fan.

“Master Zhou, if you please. The time should be about right—the welded spots should have set!”

Zhou Jingfang acknowledged him, “It should be set. I checked a few corners, and I don’t see any issues.”

Zhao Guoyang nodded and took the fuel tank from Zhou Jingfang’s hands.

Watching Zhao Guoyang approach step by step, Wang Youchang rubbed his hands, feeling anxious inside.

It wasn’t that he doubted Zhao Guoyang’s ability, but fuel tank leaks had always been notoriously hard to fix. Even the big machinery factories hadn’t mastered perfect re-welding techniques.

No matter how skilled Zhao Guoyang was, he was still a young man in his twenties. Could he really accomplish what the big factories couldn’t?

Zhao Guoyang walked unhurriedly to Wang Youchang and Ma Jian and respectfully addressed the two leaders, “Director Wang, Director Ma, please wait here for a moment. Master Ma, Master Wang, and I will go to the inspection station for testing.”

“No need, no need—we’ll all go together!” Wang Youchang waved his hand.

With Director Wang’s word, everyone naturally followed to the inspection station, with even Liu Linzhi and Zhou Jingfang tagging along for the excitement.

Once there, Inspector Old Ma and Old Wang divided the tasks: they refilled the tank with water, then took the fuel tank from Zhao Guoyang and submerged it thoroughly.

A minute passed. Two minutes. After five minutes, not a single bubble appeared in the tank.

Seeing that the maximum required inspection time had been reached, Old Ma and Old Wang glanced at each other, their faces full of astonishment.

Noticing their hesitation, Ma Jian pressed, “Well? What’s the verdict, Old Ma, Old Wang?”

Before either could answer, Wang Youchang’s expression already showed relief. “Five minutes without a single bubble—the density test is definitely passed.”

“Alright, Old Ma, Old Wang, take the fuel tank out. Let’s check if there’s any wrinkling at the newly welded spots.”

Old Ma and Old Wang retrieved the fuel tank, drained it, and placed it on the dry ground.

Examining the corners and flanges, now gleaming with a slight sheen, Wang Youchang couldn’t help but raise his thumb in admiration. “Well, nothing more to say, Guoyang—you’re remarkable. If nothing else, your re-welding skills alone deserve to be called ‘master.’”

“Quite right, Director Wang. The welds are smooth and even, which I’ve seen from Section Chief Zhao before. But how did you get this shine on the corners and flanges? It’s even more beautiful than before!”

Zhao Guoyang smiled, “Director Wang, Leader Liu, honestly, there’s nothing profound about it.”

“Copper welding uses copper’s low melting point to blend it evenly into the weak spots—like the corners of the fuel tank. This makes the weld dense and improves its appearance.”

Seeing the group enlightened, Zhao Guoyang added, “Of course, if we can avoid copper welding, we should. Copper is much pricier than iron, after all.”

“Haha, of course. Guoyang, you think us old hands can’t do the math? If we had any other way, we wouldn’t have resorted to this!” Ma Jian laughed teasingly.

By now, Inspector Old Ma and Old Wang were thoroughly convinced.

The two shuffled over to Zhao Guoyang, about to speak when he cut them off.

“Master Ma, Master Wang, thank you both so much today. If you hadn’t caught the issue with these fuel tanks in time, it would’ve been a huge headache if the later batches made it to the production line.”

Zhao Guoyang spoke sincerely, “The bet with Master Wang was just a joke—please don’t take it to heart. To thank you both, lunch is on me. Let’s go out to a restaurant!”

His gesture moved the two inspectors.

They’d thought it strange for someone so young to be in such a position, but after the fuel tank incident, their doubts were gone.

To them, this young Section Chief Zhao was not only technically skilled, but also impeccable in character.

After hearing Zhao Guoyang’s words and conferring about the earlier bet, Ma Jian grinned.

He turned to Wang Youchang, “Director Wang, since Guoyang is treating us to lunch, why don’t we join in the fun?”

Wang Youchang was at first reluctant to let Zhao Guoyang spend the money, but seeing Ma Jian wink at him repeatedly, he understood.

Clearly, Old Ma wanted to do Guoyang a favor and lend him support.

Zhao Guoyang was happy to oblige. “If the directors are willing to grace us, nothing could please me more.”

“Oh, Leader Liu, Master Zhou—you should join us too. This afternoon, I’ll trouble you to use my welding method and repair all the defective fuel tanks.”

“No problem. Section Chief Zhao, I watched your procedure carefully just now. We can follow your example.”

Liu Linzhi’s remark made everyone burst into laughter.