Chapter 2788
You really know how to pick someone to compare yourself to.
Chapter 2788 You really know how to pick someone to compare yourself to.
"This is a matter for the Ninth Department; don't come looking for me!"
Old Chen was happy for only a short time before someone came knocking on his door on the third day.
Old Wang sat in the chair opposite, with Old Zhou from the Sixth Ministry of Machinery Industry beside him.
Upon hearing what Elder Chen said, Elder Wang immediately interrupted, "Leader, that's not what I meant!"
"The Ninth Department did the right thing. Our Seventh Department just doesn't have the money. If I had the money, I would have done the same thing!"
Old Chen rolled his eyes. "You only dare to say that if you're broke."
Old Zhou, who was standing to the side, nodded vigorously, "That's what I think too."
Old Chen was utterly speechless; they were all poorer than the last.
"Those people from the Nine Departments are generous enough to share the meat from their own bowls; we certainly can't be ungrateful!"
Old Wang continued, then added with a grin, "But what the Ninth Division received was only a small piece; the lion's share is still with you!"
Old Zhou nodded, "Yes, yes! That's what I think too!"
Old Chen glanced at the two of them, then picked up a teacup from the table, as if to offer them tea as a parting gift.
But the two of them came here shamelessly, pretending not to see anything.
"Leaders, we at the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry are suffering!"
Do you know how much money we've invested in building a satellite launch base?
"This is a bottomless pit! We've suffered serious damage, and we'll have to tighten our belts for the next ten years!"
"Boss, you have to help us!"
As Old Wang lamented, he didn't forget to kick Old Zhou, who was standing nearby.
Upon receiving the signal, Old Zhou immediately got to work, saying, "Leader, we at the Sixth Ministry of Machine Building are suffering..."
Old Chen was speechless, while Old Wang pulled at his face, cursing inwardly, "Couldn't you have used a different word?"
I also felt a little regretful. Why didn't I ask this guy to come along?
Before Old Zhou could finish speaking, Old Chen interrupted him, saying, "I've already said I have no money. All your talking won't help!"
Old Chen was already used to it. He picked up the water glass on the table, took a sip to moisten his throat, and prepared for a long battle.
When Old Zhou was interrupted by Old Chen, he was a little at a loss and subconsciously looked at Old Wang next to him.
Old Wang was speechless again.
But the reason I came here today is to beg for alms. How can I explain it if I don't get any?
He is the hope of the entire department; we can't let him down.
Thinking of this, Old Wang immediately crossed his arms, looking very unhappy, and sighed, "Old Chen, I know that among the various ministries, our Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry hasn't made much contribution, so you don't favor us. But we have also tried our best, and we also want to use our hardworking hands to contribute to the revolution..."
"You fart!"
Before Old Wang could finish speaking, Old Chen couldn't stand it anymore and stood up, cursing, "You, surnamed Wang, if you can't speak properly, then don't speak at all!"
He dared not take the blame for this.
We knew from the beginning that each of the various departments had its own strengths, and that none of them were unimportant.
Moreover, the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry has made contributions to rocket and missile research over the years.
Even now, there is preferential treatment in the allocation of funds.
However, compared to other ministries, the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry also incurred greater expenses, resulting in some losses.
But he treated all nine departments equally.
If there is any favoritism involved, it's merely his personal preference. In official matters, he always handles things impartially and never shows favoritism.
It's like a head of a family who has nine daughters who have married out, but the other daughters all come back to freeload, constantly eyeing the family's secret stash of money.
At this time, the youngest daughter not only refused money, but also brought things home to show filial piety to her father. What father wouldn't like such a daughter?
As a father, of course I hope my daughters can live a good life!
So when Mr. Wang said that, Mr. Chen felt very angry.
With so many people in the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry, how could they say such irresponsible things?
Just as Old Chen stood up angrily, Old Wang lowered his head and said sullenly, "Leader, you're just being biased!"
"Old Qin and the Third Ministry of Machine Building had some kind of aircraft project, and they hadn't even finished the design drawings yet, when you just waved your hand and slapped us in the face. What about us?"
At this point, Old Wang looked aggrieved.
Old Chen opened his mouth, then shook his head helplessly.
Damn it, how could I forget about this?
To be honest, I was tricked by that guy Lao Qin.
I thought it was agreed with the Ninth Department that we would work together to research a new type of aircraft.
He felt that cooperating with the Ninth Division was more reliable, so he gave them 50 million.
But it turned out that the two guys had spent half a day blocking the entrance to the Ninth Department before they managed to smooth things over.
But it made him regret it.
If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have given so much.
Okay, now it's time for the comparison.
They really brought this on themselves!
Old Chen sat down again helplessly. He knew that these two guys had probably come prepared, and today was destined to be a protracted battle!
"If that's what you're talking about, then we'll have to discuss this further!"
Old Chen looked confident, then took out a stack of documents from a drawer and rummaged through them for a while before finally pulling out a few.
Old Wang's eyes twitched slightly after just one glance.
Old Chen didn't even look at him, and tapped his finger hard on a document. "This one, from the year before last, you said you wanted to research engines, and I approved 30 million. Where is the engine?"
Old Wang unconsciously clasped his hands together. "Well, didn't the nine parts come out later?"
"What about yours? And what about the subsequent funding?"
Old Chen pressed further, and Old Wang said dejectedly, "Then, wasn't that for rocket engines?"
"Don't worry, we can check the accounts there!"
Old Chen sneered, "This, your rocket engine, twenty million, not a penny less, right?"
"Even when you failed a few more times, I still paid you in full each time without saying a word!"
Old Wang nodded somewhat embarrassedly.
"and this!"
Old Chen continued pointing at the documents on the table, "This is what you submitted last year, saying you were researching something about high-altitude fluid dynamics and needed research funding. I remember you said you needed five million, and I gave you ten million, right?"
Old Wang nodded sheepishly.
At this moment, Old Zhou, who was sitting to the side, couldn't sit still anymore. He reached out and did the math, and realized that it was already sixty million.
"Old Wang, you've got so much money already, and you're still not satisfied!"
Old Wang nearly fainted upon hearing this. "Old Zhou, which side are you on?"
"I'm on my own!"
Old Zhou spoke with a firm resolve.
Because in the past two years, the most I've received from Old Chen is at most 20 million.
Then Old Zhou stared at Old Chen for a while.
But Old Chen was prepared, and took out an even thicker stack of documents from the cabinet on the right, which made Old Zhou's heart sink.
But the thought that his family didn't actually have that much money gave him some confidence.
"This is the amount of steel your six ministries have used over the years."
"Would you like me to explain it to you in detail?"
Old Chen slapped the thick stack of documents forcefully.
At this point, Old Zhou's expression changed again, just like Old Wang's.
There's no way around it; building a ship requires just too much steel.
Unfortunately, the ships built in those years either had quality problems or technical problems, and many of them were unusable!
That wasted steel…
In recent years, they have been building ships while also undertaking the work of dismantling ships and recycling steel.
Some shipyards even dread shipbuilding assignments.
If you don't do it well, you'll have to tear down your own place.
Disassembly is troublesome, but it's mainly frustrating to look at!
The two of them immediately drooped their heads like wilted eggplants.
"Boss, we have no choice."
"We're so broke we can't even afford to cook!"
Old Wang said with his head down, feeling somewhat speechless.
Old Chen's ability to dredge up old grievances has improved again; we can't use this trick anymore.
We need to find another way.
Unlike Wang Lao's feigned blushing, Zhou Lao was genuinely blushing.
He whispered, "Boss, how about... how about we get next year's budget?"
"Everyone's waiting for the title of Emperor Gaozu of Han!" "If I go back like this, wouldn't I become a laughingstock?"
Old Chen almost jumped up when he heard this, and it took him a long time to suppress his anger. He said in a stiff tone, "Old Zhou, let's be realistic and stop talking nonsense."
"Even if you were given three years' worth of funding, you still couldn't accomplish something like that Emperor Gaozu of Han."
Old Zhou looked up, wanting to explain.
Then Old Chen said, "Even if it's made, without an airplane, how can you make it transport goods?"
Old Zhou opened his mouth, as if to say that airplanes can be designed and manufactured.
But the Sixth Ministry of Machine Building couldn't do that job.
Old Chen continued, "Also, the annual maintenance costs are probably not enough with your limited funds."
"Also, shipbuilding requires steel. I remember you submitted a plan that required a lot of special steel. Did your Sixth Ministry of Machinery prepare it all?"
"Also, this requires a large engine, have you prepared that as well?"
"Oh, by the way, you're planning to use nuclear power, right? Have you discussed this with the Second Ministry of Machine Building?"
Old Chen kept saying "It's all good," one sentence after another, which made Old Zhou's face darken more and more. In the end, he simply lowered his head and dared not look at Old Chen anymore.
Seeing this scene, Old Wang thought to himself, "What a terrible teammate!"
Even if I came alone, this wouldn't have happened.
As a result, this incompetent teammate not only failed to help, but also boosted the morale of others and diminished our own.
"Leader, we also want to contribute to the revolution."
"Such passion!"
Old Wang spoke with deep affection, but Old Chen, being an old fox, didn't believe him at all.
"Give me a break. You think I'm blind? You don't know that you're cooperating with the Ninth Department for a hundred million?"
Old Chen said dismissively, "These guys all complain about being poor, but their warehouses are all full. They're all damn nouveau riche."
Hearing this, Old Wang felt even more aggrieved, "Leader, this is shameful, so shameful!"
"Hey, speak properly, don't swear."
"And what are you crying about, you big man? Hey, hey."
Old Chen couldn't stand these old folks anymore, so he got up and walked aside to keep his distance from them.
"Boss, this is embarrassing."
Old Wang, however, persisted, pointing to his finger and saying, "It was agreed that each family would contribute half of the expenses."
"As it turned out, they were incredibly generous; they gave away half of it all at once."
"But when it's our turn, we scrape together a little from here and a little from there, and after all that struggling, we still don't even have half left. Isn't that just embarrassing?"
"How embarrassing! How embarrassing!"
Old Chen felt a headache coming on when he saw Old Wang's shrewish actions and tone.
However, after hearing what the other party said, I can understand it somewhat.
It's great to work with the Ninth Division because you never have to worry about them taking advantage of you.
However, cooperating with the Nine Departments is also quite difficult, because without the corresponding strength, it is easy to be unable to withstand the psychological blow.
That's how it is right now.
The nine officials took out their money, but when it came to their own, they couldn't.
As a result, the project stalled.
If the Ministry of Finance were to ask again, "You've been paid, why aren't you doing the work?", it would be even more awkward.
Old Chen sighed and sat down, looked at Old Wang, and said in a heavy tone, "Tell me, how much do you want this time?"
As soon as Old Chen finished speaking, Old Wang immediately stopped talking and watched as Old Chen deftly extended his hand to slap him.
"five million?"
After Old Chen finished speaking, Old Wang pushed him hard with his palm, "Well, add another zero."
The office suddenly fell silent. Old Chen stared wide-eyed and asked, "How much?"
Old Wang chuckled, "Leader, treat everyone equally, treat everyone equally."
"Fifty million isn't much. Putting aside everything else, just one game console brings in billions. You can just lift a finger; fifty million is nothing."
"Come on, be serious. I remember when you submitted your report last time, didn't you say you were short 20 million?"
Old Chen was too lazy to argue any further and asked directly, "How did it become fifty million?"
Old Wang rubbed his palms together, revealing what he thought was a simple and honest smile. "It's almost Chinese New Year, and the Ninth Department has already started preparing New Year's goods and benefits. We can't fall behind."
"These comrades have all worked hard all year. Seeing others happily returning home with a bunch of things, while we're just taking home two couplets, isn't that discouraging?"
After Old Wang finished speaking, Old Chen looked at Zhou Lai and asked, "And you? Too?"
Old Zhou nodded.
Seeing this, Old Chen said irritably, "You guys really know how to compare yourselves to someone. The Ninth Division earned their positions through real ability, and nobody can say anything about that."
"If you compare yourself to others, aren't you just asking for trouble?"
At this point, Old Chen felt a pang of sadness.
People at headquarters also need to celebrate the Lunar New Year!
Old Wang remained silent, while Old Zhou, though agreeing with Old Chen, still felt a pang of envy.
He also wanted to give his comrades something better.
"Alright, I see now, you're all arrogant and conceited."
Seeing the expressions on their faces, Old Chen knew that if this matter wasn't resolved today, he would be in trouble again later.
After a moment of contemplation, Old Chen thought of something and casually said, "How about this, it's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish."
“I have a project here. If you do it well, I can’t say it will solve the funding problem, but it will give you some breathing room.”
The two men, hearing this, immediately asked curiously, "Boss, please tell us."
"Yes, please tell me quickly."
Old Chen coughed lightly, then placed his hands on the table and said in a serious tone, "You all know that the Ninth Division used the photocopier incident to outmaneuver Canon this time."
The two looked at each other and then nodded.
Others may not know about this, but they often get together to talk about it, so they know the inside story.
Honestly, that was a great job.
"So, I can let you try out the camera industry I've brought back this time."
As soon as Old Chen finished speaking, Old Zhou waved his hand and said, "Leader, isn't this from the Ninth Department? They went through so much trouble to get it back. What are we doing here? Stealing the fruits of others' labor?"
"We can't do that."
Old Wang was equally adamant: "Yes, we didn't contribute to this, so how can we expect to reap the benefits without working for it?"
Old Chen glanced at the two of them and said, "Hehehe, do you two think this is a good thing?"
"Let me tell you, the Ninth Division really didn't take a liking to them."
"If you don't want it, I'll ask the Fourth and Fifth Ministries if they're interested."
At this moment, the two stood up almost simultaneously, their expressions excited.
"Leader, leader, our Sixth Ministry of Machinery Industry is interested."
"And our Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry is also willing."
If this camera is made well, it might not be a windfall, but compared to their lack of any industry, it would definitely be a breath of fresh air.
As for why the Nine Departments look down on them, that's because they have high standards and don't care.
"Okay, let's go. I don't have any food for you two."
Old Chen waved the two away, then a smile appeared on his face.
This matter was originally intended for the subordinate departments, but the Ninth Department is currently overwhelmed with too many projects.
These two got together, so we assigned the task to them, saving tens of millions in the process.
In a good mood, Mr. and Mrs. Wang went out, when suddenly Mr. Wang slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Oh no, oh no, we've been tricked!"
Old Zhou was still happy. "What's wrong?"
"What's wrong? We didn't ask for our money back."
Old Zhou opened his mouth as if to speak, then turned back to look at the office building, "Shall we go back?"
Old Wang sighed deeply, "Let's turn back."
"We've already taught them how to fish, so what are we going back for?"
Old Zhou nodded. "Then where shall we go?"
Old Wang looked up at the sun; it was almost noon. Then he laughed and said, "Let's go to the Ninth Department and go freeload."
He then quickly got into the car.
After hesitating for a moment, Old Zhou followed Old Wang into the car.