Chapter Forty-Five: The Final Veto Power

  Unlike Xiang Ji Yong's arrogance, Ning Zhong Ying's attitude was tough but not vicious, and even looked a bit gentle. Wei Bao Lin knew that when Ning Zhong Ying showed this expression, it meant he had put himself in the role of a cat, while treating his opponent as a mouse. In other words, Ning Zhong Ying was now in a playful mood towards him, toying with him with a confident grasp of victory.

  Ning Zhongying stepped down as the factory director two years ago and has been keeping a low profile, not interfering with any affairs of Qingfeng Factory. However, this does not mean that he is unaware of the situation in Qingfeng Factory, especially among its leadership. He has not taken action only because there hasn't been an appropriate opportunity or a compelling reason to do so. Recently, Qingfeng Factory has been facing great turmoil and undergoing significant transformation. Ning Zhongying knows that he can no longer sit idly by and, as the former factory director, it is his duty to come out and rescue the factory from its crisis.

  Today, Xiang Jiyong rushed to the factory gate to block the car carrying knife blades, while Leng Yuming hastily ran to Ning Zhongying's home to report the matter. Ning Zhongying immediately put on a serious face and arrived at the scene of the conflict at the factory gate.

  As soon as Ning Zhongying appeared, he turned the situation around. Xiang Jiyong and Xiao Dongping immediately had a backbone, and Ma Daren and others who were making soy sauce also had to submit to Ning Zhongying's authority, following his orders to intercept the truck carrying knife blades. The opponent was left with only two people, Wei Baolin and Di Jianguo, would Ning Zhongying put them in his heart?

  "Old factory director, regardless of whether you support this decision or not, the decision has already been made. As a veteran comrade, you should obey the collective decision of the factory leadership and should not take actions that resist the factory's decisions." Wei Baolin's tone began to become more severe, he saw that Ning Zhongying had already decided to confront him, at this time, retreating was useless, he could only use his current authority as the factory director to suppress Ning Zhongying.

  Ning Zhongying spread out his hands: "Director Wei, you said a decision has been made, who made it?"

  "Of course it's me," said Wei Baolin.

  "Then who are you?"

  "I am the current director of Qingfeng Agricultural Machinery Factory."

  "What about me?"

  "You were the former director of Qingfeng Agricultural Machinery Factory and have now retreated to the second line." Wei Baolin reminded him bluntly.

  Ning Zhongying smiled and said: "Look at your memory, I reminded you earlier that I am the director of the Research Office of Qingfeng Agricultural Machinery Factory. You should call me Director Ning."

  "What's the big deal?" Wei Baolin didn't react for a moment. As everyone knows, the research office is just a retirement home, and many old cadres are ashamed to say that they are directors or researchers of the research office, because this means that they are marginalized, of course, the official statement is called "retiring from the front line".

  Ning Zhongying said: "Because I am the director of the research office, so I have the right to veto your decision. This is the responsibility given to me by Pingyuan County Economic Commission, Director Wei, you shouldn't have forgotten, should you?"

  "Veto......" Wei Baolin was stunned, and his heart suddenly surged with countless sheep and camels. Nima, what kind of thing is this!

  If Ning Zhongying was not mentioned, Wei Baolin indeed forgot. When arranging for Ning Zhongying to step down and take charge of the research office, the county economic committee director specifically mentioned that the research office is a very important position and an indispensable part of the enterprise decision-making body, responsible for helping and supporting young cadres.

  According to the county economic committee, the research office has the right to know, suggest and supervise the decision-making of enterprises. Most importantly, in major decisions involving the rise and fall of enterprises, the research office has the final veto power!

  Granting such great power to the research office was a social demand at that time. On the one hand, a large number of old cadres who were in their posts did not want to put down their power and refused to accept the arrangement of retiring to the second line. The superior authorities had no choice but to promise to keep important powers for them, so as to let them leave with a happy mood.

  On the other hand, the superior authorities are also somewhat insecure about the young people who take over. These young cadres have plenty of vigor but lack experience and stability. If they take a step too big, it will be a headache for the senior leaders. In order to give young cadres an additional constraint, the superior authorities have given the research offices at all levels the final veto power, so that old comrades can hold the pass at critical moments and avoid major losses.

  From top to bottom, all departments that accommodate retired officials have similar authorizations. However, these retired officials are unlikely to exercise any veto power, firstly because they do not want to offend those in power, and secondly because they indeed have a mentality of not being in their position and not seeking their own interests.

  After a long time, everyone forgot about these powers and thought that the retired cadres were useless people who could be ignored.

  But who would have thought that Ning Zhongying, who had been dormant for two years, would take out this treasured sword at this time and solemnly exercise his veto power.

  No wonder Ning Zhongying today unusually asked himself to call him "Director Ning", it turned out he was waiting for him.

  "Old factory director, aren't you making things difficult for us young cadres?" Wei Baolin was helpless. He knew that Ning Zhongying wouldn't make a move unless it was a fatal blow. Since the opponent had found an excuse to stir up trouble, there was no way he could use intimidation to force them to back down anymore.

  "Director Wei, I don't understand what you're saying. Our factory's workers work hard to produce 20,000 blades, which can be sold for 50,000 yuan on the market, but you sell them to others at a low price of 4,000 yuan. Moreover, the buyers are even afraid to reveal the purpose of the blades. As the director of the research office, I come to investigate and it's not allowed? If you can explain the reason for this matter clearly, am I, Ning Zhongying, an unreasonable person?"

  You're just an unreasonable person! Wei Baolin shouted in his heart, but Ning Zhongying's words were moderate and he really couldn't find a reason to refute. Ning Zhongying even had the ability to make a fuss when he was not in the right, now that he was in the right, who knows what kind of trouble he would stir up?

  "Director Ning, regarding the decision to switch production to washing machines, I have already reported the situation to you and you are aware of it. The purpose of handling these 20,000 blades is to clear out the warehouse in order to receive the materials for washing machine production equipment. These 20,000 blades are defective products, mistakes have been made, and we don't need to discuss who was right or wrong now. The key is to look forward, you say yes or no?" Wei Baolin defended himself.

  Xiao Dongping thought that if he didn't take advantage of the situation now, when would he? He immediately reported to Ning Zhongying again about the experiment with the repaired blade at Yongfeng Farm, and also took out the procurement intention letter written by Lin Anbao.

  Ning took over the proof and looked at it, then raised his head and said to Wei Baolin: "Director Wei, have you seen this?"

  "This doesn't prove anything, one product can't save Qingfeng Factory." Wei Baolin replied.

  Ning Zhongying said, "One product can't save Qingfeng Factory, but if we do every product well, how could Qingfeng Factory end up like this? Now, as the director of the research office, I order you to immediately return the blades to the warehouse and immediately organize a technical breakthrough to complete the welding of the blades."

  "Director Wei, who is he listening to?" The business personnel of the township enterprise couldn't help but ask Wei Baolin. In his opinion, this was a disaster that had no reason to happen. A current director was being completely suppressed by a former director who had stepped down. And the former director still dared to give orders, what kind of current director would put up with this?

  At this time, Xiang Jiyong had already arrived with a few workers. The onlookers who had been watching the commotion since Ning Zhongying appeared had quietly gathered around again, but didn't dare to get too close. Wei Baolin saw the situation and knew that there was no chance of turning things around. Ning Zhongying had both official status and public opinion on his side, and if he continued to stubbornly resist, he would only end up humiliating himself. He let out a loud hum, turned around, and walked away from the scene towards the office building.

  Dai Jianguo saw this and hurriedly followed after him like a pet dog, keeping Wei Baolin company.

  "Drive it back!" Xiao Dongping felt happy to see Wei Baolin leave, and he waved his hand at the truck driver, giving orders.

  "What the hell are you guys doing? I've had a wasted trip!" The driver was extremely frustrated and couldn't help but lash out. This loading and unloading, nothing was accomplished in the end, who did he provoke?

  Ning Zhongying glared at him and shouted: "Which unit are you from, dare to come to Qingfeng Factory and scold people? Try scolding again!"

  "Alright, alright, let's get going. Do you really want to go to the police station?" Ma Daren urged the driver forward, pushing him while persuading and threatening at the same time.

  "Ah..." The driver was intimidated by Ning Zhongying's fierce gaze, he was just a rural transporter who had made some money over the years, but still felt somewhat inferior in front of city people. Especially with a state-owned factory like Qingfeng Factory, it was entirely possible for them to fabricate a charge and have him taken away to the police station for a half-day interrogation.

  A good man doesn't eat a loss in front of him, the driver comforted himself, then crawled into the driver's seat and started the car. The workers brought by Xiang Jiyong directed from the side, letting the truck drive back to the warehouse, unloading the blades that had just been loaded with great difficulty one by one.

  Unloading goods is something that naturally doesn't require Ning Zhongying and others to get involved. Xiang Jiyong walked up to Ning Zhongying, with a mix of emotions, and said: "Old factory director, thank you."

  "Thanks for nothing," Ning said with feigned indifference. "Don't bother me with this kind of thing again."

  Xiang Ji Yong didn't have a joking tone, he said: "Old factory director, since you've taken charge of this matter, you can't let go. Wei Bao Lin is now afraid of you and has softened up, but don't you still understand his character? I believe, he will definitely continue to create obstacles. This business of switching to producing washing machines really can't be done."

  Ning Zhongying narrowed his eyes and looked at Xiang Jiyong, asking: "Then in your opinion, what should I do?"

  Xiang Ji Yong gritted his teeth and said in a low voice: "We must bring down Wei Baolin and replace him with a new factory director!"