Chapter 131: Two Old Foxes

Of course, that statement was also suspected of being an excuse. He was no longer the same person he used to be; he was no longer the rural cowherd boy who was desperate for money.

Although Liu Siwen understood the implication, he did not refute it. Instead, he replied helplessly, "Zhaoqing Machinery went bankrupt three years ago. Where would you find a maintenance technician now?"

"True. Looking across the country, those who can repair bottling equipment are few and far between. I have hired these people at high prices, but even after spending the money, there was still no result," Liu Dawei agreed.

"Oh?" Liu Xing was truly surprised by this inside information. He really could not have imagined that in the early 1980s, skilled mechanical technicians would be so scarce.

"Then why don't you just buy new bottling equipment?" Director Wu couldn't help but interject. If they had new equipment, wouldn't all the problems be solved?

"You're certainly speaking without feeling the weight of the situation. Do you know how much a new set of bottling equipment costs?" Liu Siwen gave a bitter smile. Li Dawei also sighed, not knowing what else to say.

"How much?" Director Wu was curious. Zhang Xiangjun, Ding Lan, and Niu Lianfang also listened with interest. After all, it was rare for them to hear inside information about bottling equipment.

Liu Siwen glanced at Li Dawei. Seeing that Li Dawei did not confront him this time, he felt a sense of relief and said slowly, "When Hengshui Winery and Zhongyi Winery bought the H-156 model bottling equipment from Zhaoqing Machinery, a single unit cost nearly one hundred thousand."

"My Hengshui Winery purchased a total of 25 units, costing over two million back then, and that did not include shipping and other expenses," Li Dawei added.

"Zhongyi Winery spent about three million," Liu Siwen supplemented.

When these words were spoken, not only was Director Wu shocked, but Liu Xing was as well. After all, one or two million in the 60s or 70s would be equivalent to tens of millions decades later. It was clear that the city bureau leaders at the time placed great importance on Hengshui and Zhongyi wineries, otherwise they would never have invested so much capital.

But now, with the changing times, these old bottling machines were likely not even worth ten or twenty thousand each. If they weren't repaired, in a few years, they would be nothing more than piles of worthless scrap metal. This was the crux of the issue, and one of the reasons why Liu Siwen and Li Dawei had set aside their pride to find Liu Xing at the market. If the current stalemate wasn't broken, both wineries would face the danger of bankruptcy.

No, that danger probably already existed; it was simply being concealed from the outside world.

Director Wu still had doubts. He took a light sip of tea and asked Liu Siwen, "Even if everything you say is true, how can you be sure that Liu Xing is definitely capable of repairing the bottling equipment?"

"Yes! In our eyes, he is just a child," Zhang Xiangjun added.

Liu Siwen hesitated, not knowing how to answer, but finally cleared his throat and revealed the truth: "Previously, Section Chief Zhang of Hengshui Winery stopped Old Yu's medication without authorization. I used that opportunity to help Old Yu, getting people from the Eighth Hospital to provide him with medicine first—after all, a person's life is at stake. Later, when Old Yu's condition stabilized, he told me the inside story about the bottling equipment."

"He said..." Liu Siwen smiled awkwardly, "He said Liu Xing's 'film covering method' was very effective, but it lacked several key materials and critical installation techniques. Otherwise, he would definitely have been able to fix the equipment at Hengshui Winery."

Seeing that everyone, except Liu Xing, looked astonished, Liu Siwen continued, "Old Yu also said that the explosion at the Hengshui Winery workshop last time was not his fault, nor was it the fault of the other technicians. It was caused by Liu Changsheng smoking in violation of the rules, but Section Chief Zhang..."

Before he could finish, Li Dawei interrupted, "Can you stop talking?"

"What? You did the shameful things at your factory, but I'm not allowed to mention them?" Liu Siwen retorted with a mocking smile.

"You!" Li Dawei's face turned black, and he wanted to curse, but he held back. He was in the wrong, and if the matter continued to escalate, it would be bad for the reputation of Hengshui Winery. Therefore, for now, he had to endure it. As long as Liu Xing agreed to repair the equipment, everything else was negotiable.

Director Wu sensed Li Dawei's thoughts and understood Liu Siwen's current position. He lit a cigarette and said, "Let's not mention the matter regarding Section Chief Zhang anymore; it's pointless, as he will never get out of prison for the rest of his life. I'm just curious: since maintenance technicians are so important, why did you try to cheat Liu Xing out of his film-covering method back then?"

Director Wu looked at Li Dawei, his eyes cold. "Wouldn't it be better to act with integrity and treat others with sincerity?"

"If you hadn't had so many petty schemes, I can tell you that based on Liu Xing's character, he would have done his best to fix your equipment," Director Wu took a drag of his cigarette and continued to lecture. "Do you know why he asked you for money when you went to Nitrite Village? Because Liu Xing discovered your petty, devious nature during your conversation. Asking you for money was simply a way to expose your ugly face."

"I... I..." Li Dawei stammered, unable to speak.

"Don't doubt it. I know Liu Xing, and I know that his family has a deep grudge against Liu Changsheng. When you went to ask for his help, you certainly didn't punish Liu Changsheng first. If you had, none of these subsequent events would have happened," Director Wu flicked the ash from his cigarette. "Liu Xing has been wary of you from that moment on."

Seeing Li Dawei fall silent, Director Wu added, "Now that things have reached this point, I know you don't want to see this and that you regret it, but I don't understand why you can't be more honest in your dealings. If you had just talked to Liu Xing properly, would he have stood by and watched?"

"I came here with that intention," Li Dawei said shamefully.

"No, your sincerity is not enough. At least, I don't see it," Director Wu sighed. "Enough of this; it's useless to talk about it. I don't want to get involved in your messy affairs, but I still want to ask: how much was the compensation you paid the technicians you hired from outside?"

"This..." Li Dawei hesitated, afraid to say.

Liu Siwen stepped in, "The compensation for external technicians depends on the situation, but it is never less than eight thousand to ten thousand, because the technicians don't come alone—they come as a team." In reality, this statement hid a lot of information; for instance, the enterprise behind the team also required a cut. In truth, the technicians themselves didn't receive much, maybe a few hundred yuan each for months of work.

"That much?" Director Wu, who didn't know the inside story, was shocked.

Zhang Xiangjun was indignant upon hearing this. "Factory Manager Li, you are truly generous. You could pay ten thousand to external technicians who couldn't even fix the equipment, yet when my nephew asked for two thousand, you tried to scheme and cheat him. Hmph! What a calculated move!"

"I originally..." Li Dawei tried to explain, but Director Wu cut him off sharply. "Enough! No more nonsense! I don't have time to listen. The fact that you tried to cheat my nephew is undeniable, and your excuses are useless. Now... I will act as a mediator. I want you to put aside your prejudices and sit down to talk properly. It depends on how you look at it."

No matter what, Li Dawei was the factory manager of Hengshui Winery, responsible for the livelihoods of thousands of people. If he let things continue to spiral into chaos, he would likely be implicated as well.

This was not alarmist; it was the truth. If the winery's operations faced a crisis, the local public security would surely be affected. As the person in charge of public security for the HY urban area, he had to take action to prevent greater trouble.

Of course, the most important point was that before coming to the market, Secretary Yan had already spoken with him, urging him to facilitate Liu Xing's involvement in repairing the bottling equipment. This was still a secret, but he had to help, because Secretary Yan's words essentially represented the will of the HY city leadership.

Hearing Director Wu's words, Li Dawei was eager to agree. "Of course, I am willing to let Director Wu take full charge."

"I am willing too," Liu Siwen added with a smile. As long as Liu Xing would work on the equipment, everything was negotiable.

"I am not willing," Liu Xing, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

"Why?" Director Wu didn't get angry; instead, he asked with a faint smile. Zhang Xiangjun also smiled. He understood Liu Xing—he would never compromise his principles for the sake of power. This was exactly what he admired most about him.

"Because I don't have time to repair bottling equipment now, no matter how much money is offered." Liu Xing pointed to his shoe store. "Half a day's revenue today is several thousand. Although that's partly due to the market day and the grand opening, I can easily make over ten thousand a month. In such a situation, I naturally want to focus on making shoes to earn money. Why should I take on a thankless task to help repair your bottling equipment?"

"In other words, you looked down on me back then, but today, you are not worthy of me," Liu Xing said coldly, looking at Li Dawei.

There was an element of spite in these words. But Director Wu, Zhang Xiangjun, Ding Lan, and Niu Lianfang knew that Liu Xing's true intention was to vent the anger he had been harboring. After all, the current situation was entirely Li Dawei's own doing. If Li Dawei wanted Liu Xing to voluntarily go to the Hengshui Winery to repair the equipment, without a sincere apology, not even the highest official in the land could make it happen.