Chapter 66: Do Your Best—I'm Quite Optimistic About You!

Seeing that things were about to fall apart, Ma Jian’s heart was in turmoil. He glanced behind him and caught sight of Zhao Guoyang, whose expression remained calm and composed.

The moment he saw Zhao Guoyang, Ma Jian felt like a drowning man spotting a piece of driftwood—his spirits instantly revived. He cleared his throat and said to Director Liu with an ingratiating smile, “Director Liu, our factory’s wind-powered fire extinguishers have been refined over several years and are now undergoing upgrades. Little Huang just returned from training at the Forestry Department and might not be familiar with all the details.”

“For these technical matters, our Deputy Section Chief Zhao from the Technology Department knows best. Why not have him give you a brief introduction?” After Ma Jian finished speaking, Mu Aijun realized that some of what Huang Xiaohua had just said was simply untrue, meant only to mislead.

Mu Aijun, with his military background and upright nature, could not tolerate falsification. His gaze toward Huang Xiaohua now carried a hint of reproach.

On the other side, Director Liu Yaohong glanced at Ma Jian and replied noncommittally, “Deputy Section Chief Zhao, you say? He’s also a cadre in your Hongda Machinery Factory’s Technology Department?”

Ma Jian nodded repeatedly, “Yes, yes, yes. Zhao is a top graduate from Jinling Polytechnic University. He joined our factory just this summer, and due to his outstanding performance, he’s already been promoted to Deputy Section Chief.”

“Oh? Promoted within half a year of graduation? He must be quite the talent. I’d like to hear what he has to say…” Director Liu nodded.

Seeing that Director Liu had agreed, Ma Jian quickly beckoned Zhao Guoyang forward.

Zhao Guoyang had heard Ma Jian’s words from the start. Unhurriedly, he stepped forward, greeted Director Liu Yaohong with calm confidence, and began his explanation.

“Director Liu, to be frank, the wind-powered fire extinguisher has certain limitations in its application. First, due to its power constraints, it’s ineffective against fires with flames that are too high. Thus, it cannot be used for all rescue scenarios.”

“Secondly, if the fire occurs in areas with shrubs—especially grass species with dense growth—when the shrub height exceeds one meter, the extinguisher is not suitable. Beyond that height, visibility is compromised, and shrubs, being highly flammable, can cause rapid spread. If firefighters don’t retreat in time, it may easily result in casualties.”

“In addition, during high winds, using the wind-powered extinguisher on a head-on fire is inadvisable, as it can cause the fire to backdraft.”

“Of course, if working in forests with a lot of fallen wood and chaotic debris, one must also be very cautious when using the wind-powered extinguisher.”

“Lastly, this tool can only extinguish open flames; it is powerless against smoldering fires and may even worsen the blaze.”

After detailing the extinguisher’s limitations, Zhao Guoyang didn’t forget to cover for Huang Xiaohua: “Of course, when combating fires, several types of extinguishers are often used in tandem.”

“Even in places where wind-powered extinguishers are less suitable, they can serve as necessary supplements for other tools. So, when our Section Chief Huang said that our factory’s wind-powered extinguishers are applicable in most settings, he wasn’t entirely mistaken…”

Hearing this, a relieved smile appeared on Liu Yaohong’s face. Clearly, Director Liu was very satisfied with Zhao Guoyang’s explanation.

He gazed at Zhao Guoyang’s youthful visage and nodded with a smile, “I have another question, Deputy Zhao. Is the engine in your factory’s wind-powered extinguisher really imported?”

This was the most glaring error in Huang Xiaohua’s earlier boasting, and Zhao Guoyang struggled to find a way to smooth it over.

At this moment, Wang Youchang and Director Zhou Taishan had walked over. Upon hearing Director Liu’s query, Wang Youchang was taken aback and responded promptly, “Director Liu, it’s not imported. The engine equipped in our wind-powered extinguisher is the IE52F manufactured by Liuzhou Machinery Factory…”

After Wang Youchang’s clarification, Zhao Guoyang quickly adapted, “Yes, yes, the IE52F gasoline engine from Liuzhou Machinery Factory is actually a replica of the German 1101 four-horsepower engine. The names are similar and easily confused. Section Chief Huang may have simply mixed them up…”

Director Liu Yaohong, experienced as he was, immediately recognized that Zhao Guoyang truly understood the field and was helping cover for Huang.

In fact, both he and Huang were Deputy Section Chiefs in the Technology Department—rivals, one might say. Yet in this situation, Zhao Guoyang did not take the opportunity to undermine his competitor. Such character was admirable.

This realization sparked Liu Yaohong’s interest in the young man.

“Deputy Zhao, your factory manager just mentioned you graduated from Jinling Polytechnic University. Which department did you study in?” Liu Yaohong asked at a measured pace.

“Director Liu, I was in the School of Mechanical Engineering,” Zhao Guoyang replied honestly.

“The School of Mechanical Engineering? Then you must know Dean Mao Tiansheng?” Liu Yaohong smiled.

“Yes, Dean Mao was my teacher. When I insisted on returning to my hometown to work, it was he who helped arrange my employment,” Zhao Guoyang answered, a little embarrassed.

Zhao Guoyang’s words only deepened Liu Yaohong’s interest. He was very familiar with Mao Tiansheng; the Machinery Committee of Guangling City and Jinling Polytechnic University had a partnership, and he and Dean Mao often conversed and kept in touch.

“So, you’re the Zhao Guoyang whom Dean Mao regretted seeing leave?” Liu Yaohong said with a smile when he saw Zhao Guoyang’s awkward nod. “Dean Mao has mentioned you to me many times. He planned to recommend you to our Machinery Committee here in Guangling, but you insisted on returning to your hometown, so it didn’t happen. It seems we’re quite fated to meet.”

Director Zhou Taishan of Ninghai City’s Machinery Committee chimed in with a laugh, “Hearing you say that, Director Liu, I think I need to reassess Deputy Zhao. Dean Mao is well-known, and he doesn’t often praise young people.”

“Deputy Zhao is a key technical talent in our factory. He recently secured a major order from the Siyang Group for us. Because of his outstanding performance, the factory made an exception and promoted him to Section Chief, preparing to cultivate him as a mid-level cadre among the younger generation,” Mu Aijun added, feeling proud as the two leaders showed such interest in Zhao Guoyang.

“Indeed, talent should be promoted without regard to convention. Mayor Qin, Hongda Machinery Factory is doing the right thing here!” Liu Yaohong said to Qin Chengmin, who stood beside him with a smile.

Mayor Qin nodded, a trace of appreciation in his gaze as he looked at Zhao Guoyang.

“Young man, keep up the good work. I have high hopes for you!” As the inspection of the workshop concluded, Liu Yaohong warmly patted Zhao Guoyang’s shoulder as he passed by.