Rich in the 70s: I Made a Rugged Veteran a Millionaire

Textile Factory, Grand Hall.

As Jiang Cheng took her seat, the previously noisy grand hall fell silent for a few seconds.

A few seconds later, fragmented whispers began to rise, giving people a sense of wanting to hear but not being able to completely understand.

Factory Director Fang stepped forward.

"Everyone, please quiet down."

Factory Director Fang personally managed the crowd, and everyone respectfully quieted down.

Seeing this, Factory Director Fang tapped the microphone, with a whooshing sound echoing.

"The position of deputy director at our textile factory has been vacant for a long time. The opinion from the top is that we can hold a speech election after all, as workers’ strength is the driving force of production progress."

"Today, there are three comrades who have become the final candidates: Finance Director Mr. Zhou Zhennan."

Zhou Zhennan stood up, and the sound of applause rang out.

After nodding to those around, Zhou Zhennan sat down.

"Production Director Jian Chunsheng."

Jian Chunsheng displayed a sincere smile, adding more warmth compared to the solemn Zhou Zhennan.

Applause sounded again.

After Jian Chunsheng took his seat, Factory Director Fang unconsciously smiled, showing pride as an elder witnessing accomplished youth.

"The last candidate is Ms. Jiang Cheng who, although not a formal employee of our textile factory, is qualified to sit here due to her involvement in foreign exchange orders and the cooperative project with Huahua."

Jiang Cheng nodded to Factory Director Fang and stood up.

The thunderous applause did not arrive as expected, only sparse clapping, giving a sense of lukewarm acknowledgment tinged with reluctance.

Most people would be embarrassed and unsure what to do, but Jiang Cheng maintained her usual smile, calmly nodding, preparing to sit down.

"Wait a moment!"

Zhou Zhennan stood up.

"Factory Director Fang, I raise an objection regarding Jiang Cheng’s candidacy."

Factory Director Fang was filled with dissatisfaction!

This Zhou Zhennan must be crazy!

If you have an objection, why didn’t you mention it earlier!

"Mr. Zhou, what is your objection?"

"I suspect you exaggerated Ms. Jiang Cheng’s contributions; as far as I know, she is merely an external translator without even an elementary school diploma!"

"A person without even an elementary school diploma, I almost question her language proficiency, let alone her ability to secure foreign trade orders."

Zhou Zhennan spoke logically and convincingly, causing discussions to arise below.

Factory Director Fang suppressed his anger and counter-questioned Zhou Zhennan.

"Mr. Zhou, are you suspecting me?"

"I’m the one who said Ms. Jiang Cheng secured the foreign trade orders; I’m the one who decided to award Ms. Jiang Cheng bonuses. Are you implying I’m lying?"

Factory Director Fang’s direct defense of Jiang Cheng was unexpected for Zhou Zhennan.

"Director, I do not mean to question you. I’m only looking out for the factory’s interests."

"Ms. Jiang Cheng’s basic qualifications completely fail to meet the requirements for deputy director; I hope the director can handle this justly and heed the public’s opinion."

Zhou Zhennan spoke with righteousness, as if he were acting for the greater good of the factory.

Down below, a worker’s representative also stood up.

Though said to represent the workers, he was actually Zhou Zhennan’s yes-man.

In his speech, he completely debased Jiang Cheng’s identity, education, and even her appearance.

If not limited by societal constraints, this group would almost have accused Jiang Cheng of being a national menace.

Factory Director Fang had never been this angry.

He held back his rage, listening until the worker representative was done, unable to conceal his murderous gaze.

"Without investigation, there is no right to speak! You are only listening to one-sided accounts."

"Just because someone completed something you couldn’t, not only do you disbelieve, you smear them."

"This is narrow-minded, misleading, stagnant self-confinement!"

"Your inherent impressions are blatant prejudice!"

Factory Director Fang passionately spoke, but most people still insisted on their views.

"Bang! Damn it! The contract is right there; what makes you not believe it!"

Factory Director Fang glared furiously, almost steaming with anger.

Jiang Cheng felt comforted inside.

She hadn’t thought much when doing these things.

But when successful, receiving deserved thanks would still make her happy.

She respected Factory Director Fang’s defense and his determination to contribute to the nation akin to hers.

Yet, the people present like Zhou Zhennan only harbored selfish intentions.

Upon seeing Zhou Zhennan for the first time yesterday, Jiang Cheng recalled who he was.

He was He Dan’s mentor in the book.

After graduating from night school, He Dan joined the textile factory, apprenticing under Zhou Zhennan.

Later on, He Dan accused Zhou Zhennan of embezzlement; after verification, Zhou was imprisoned, and He Dan took over Zhou’s duties.

In the book, He Dan was depicted as righteous, but according to Jiang Cheng’s understanding of He Dan, she suspected He Dan also partook in some activities, ambitiously wanting more, hence why he reported Zhou Zhennan.

Regardless of the circumstances, Zhou Zhennan did truly embezzle.

Jiang Cheng even thought Zhou Zhennan’s insistence on not issuing her bonuses might stem from him not having the funds or intending to pocket them.

Jiang Cheng glanced at her watch, it was time for Manager Mu to arrive.

"Such liveliness today, am I coming at an inconvenient time?"

Manager Mu arrived.

Jiang Cheng raised her eyebrows.

She was not surprised by Manager Mu’s arrival, but she was surprised that he was not alone.

Both Bamboo Factory Director and Tao Changzhang from the ceramics factory had come as well.

The three directors walking into the grand hall together swiftly calmed the infuriated Factory Director Fang.

"Three directors, how come there’s time for you all to come together today? We’re holding an election; could you wait a moment?"

Factory Director Fang said from the stage, as Secretary Feng went down to guide the three directors.

Manager Mu led the way and stopped Secretary Feng: "No need for trouble; I’m here to find Ms. Jiang Cheng."

"These two... insisted on coming along upon hearing about my visit, nothing I could do."

Manager Mu appeared slightly helpless, smiled at Jiang Cheng before Factory Director Fang could speak.

Jiang Cheng expressed appropriate surprise, stood up.

"Manager Mu, is there urgent business?"

"Yes!"

Manager Mu turned and took a ’familiar’ large leather envelope from the secretary’s hands.

"I’ve come to deliver money, isn’t that a big deal!"

Manager Mu frankly said, "Our furniture factory benefited from Ms. Jiang’s assistance, securing our first foreign exchange order, so I’ve come specifically to deliver bonuses to Ms. Jiang."

"Additionally, both the ceramics factory and the bamboo weaving factory from the province have entrusted me to bring their bonuses as well and hand them over to Ms. Jiang."

At this point, Jiang Cheng had already walked to Manager Mu’s side, with a confused look, she said: "I just did what a Hua Xia person should do."

Manager Mu immediately showed a disapproving look.

"I’m a simple man, not understanding grand principles, but I know the saying horses must eat grass to run."

"You spent countless brain cells communicating with foreigners, not to mention investing personal resources; there’s no way to let you shoulder everything alone."

"What would that make us!"

"Our furniture factory is small, but we know things shouldn’t be handled this way, and we should not chill the people’s hearts."

Factory Director Fang: Whom are you talking to? Whom?

Manager Mu insisted on stuffing the leather envelope to Jiang Cheng, who tried to decline once more.

"I truly cannot accept it."

"No way, you must!"

During their struggle, the "coincidentally" torn leather envelope revealed a pile of cash.

Nearby workers: Whoa! Real money!