Chapter 300: Differential Treatment
Director Feng’s face stiffened slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Director Hu said with a smile, “Old Feng, although we are technically Little Su’s superiors in our daily operations, one thing has nothing to do with another. Right now, we must follow the team leader’s arrangements. Little Su, please continue!”
Su He nodded and said, “Information gathering must be woven through the entire lifecycle of the Guangzhou Fair. Whether it’s the preliminary preparations, the exhibition period itself, or the wrap-up after the fair concludes, we must guarantee a seamless flow of information.
“Only after mastering the initial information can we embark on specific preparations. Therefore, there’s no time to lose. Start gathering information right after this meeting ends and report back to me at any time.”
Director Feng thought to himself, Report… to you?
Your choice of words is truly unapologetic!
However, out of the four team members, three were firmly on Su He’s side. Even if he felt stifled in his heart, he could only endure it.
Yet no matter how he felt, he still did exactly as Su He said, throwing his absolute everything into it. Although his macro vision and perspective were limited, his heart to earn export foreign exchange for the country was burning hot!
While the four old men worked up a storm, Su He didn’t sit idle either.
She had the System Broker help her gather a massive amount of information regarding the Guangzhou Fair in the 1970s, which included extensive written records and even some archival video footage.
The System Broker’s tone carried more than a few shades of smugness:
[Host, you always say that having me around doesn’t add much and losing me doesn’t change anything. But look at this—see how useful I am! If nothing else, my existence can save you from taking countless detours!]
Su He nodded. “You’re absolutely right. You truly have saved me from many detours, which is precisely why I treat you so well!
“Not only did I teach you the principles of conducting yourself in the world, but I also taught you how to generate wealth, transforming you into the intellectual backbone of the system world!
“What you’ve gained vastly outweighs what you’ve given, so you must remain grateful! I haven’t eaten claypot rice in a long time—send me a portion!”
The System Broker: “…”
You’ve grown entirely addicted to freeloading, haven’t you?!
However, it didn’t dare to refuse. Bitter lessons from blood and tears had taught it that if it refused, the problem would bound to escalate far beyond what a single portion of claypot rice could resolve!
Su He reviewed the data while devouring her claypot rice.
The System Broker thought to himself that although the dog host frequently failed to act like a human, she was completely beyond reproach when it came to professional dedication!
Over the next few days, Director Tian and the others continuously funneled the gathered information to Su He.
The information was highly jumbled and diverse—ranging from macro data like the opening and closing times of the exhibition to minor details like the fish-tail style passes.
Su He synthesized these pieces of information with the data she had looked up herself to extract the precise intelligence she required.
On this day, Lu Qifeng gathered the accompanying personnel for the Guangzhou Fair together.
Inside the meeting room, the four old men sat in a neat row, while Su He sat at the absolute end.
Lu Qifeng didn’t put on any grand airs. After a brief opening statement, he said, “This Guangzhou Fair is an excellent opportunity for our An County to earn foreign exchange through exports, and it is even more of a window to showcase our An County’s elegant demeanor.
“I hope everyone can exert their utmost efforts to win this tough, uphill battle…
“This is the handbook distributed by the provincial foreign trade department, containing relevant introductions to the Guangzhou Fair. Take it back and study it thoroughly.
“In addition, next Monday, the provincial foreign trade department will conduct training and guidance for the accompanying personnel of the Guangzhou Fair. The location is set at the Provincial Friendship Hotel. You must attend punctually…”
Finally, Lu Qifeng said, “Although I am the team leader, I am not very familiar with some of the specific, practical tasks. Therefore, it would be best for you to elect a deputy team leader. Take a look—who would be suitable?”
Director Tian let out a cough. “County Chief Lu, I feel Little Su is the most suitable candidate to serve as this deputy team leader.
“First, she possesses a foundation in foreign trade, making her highly adept at handling the tasks.
“Second, she holds concurrent posts across all three of our enterprises, meaning she is thoroughly familiar with our products and business operations.
“Third, she is young, brimming with ideas and drive, and possesses a highly active mindset, which will be immensely beneficial for us to break new ground. Fourth…”
Director Tian listed ten distinct reasons in a single continuous breath.
Lu Qifeng: “…”
I highly suspect you wrote a script beforehand!
He looked toward Director Hu. “Old Hu, share your thoughts as well.”
Director Hu said with a smile, “I agree with Old Tian’s opinion. Little Su is indeed the most suitable candidate.”
Lu Qifeng turned his gaze back to Principal Chen. Principal Chen maintained a look of profound maturity and weight; only after pondering for a moment did he speak: “I also agree with Old Tian’s opinion.”
Director Feng thought to himself, Keep putting on a grand show, all of you!
However, he didn’t dare to voice any objections either, expressing his agreement as well.
Lu Qifeng felt that this outcome was outside of his expectations yet entirely logical, so he didn’t ponder it too deeply. He spoke to Su He:
“Little Su, since everyone has elected you to serve as this deputy team leader, I hope you will shoulder the responsibilities of the role and help our An County claim more orders at this Guangzhou Fair.”
Su He immediately stood up to declare her resolution: “County Chief Lu, although my heart feels somewhat anxious, receiving the trust of all the leaders leaves me intensely excited. Rest assured, I will execute the role of this deputy team leader flawlessly and exert my absolute everything to contribute to An County’s export foreign exchange earnings…”
Director Feng desperately wanted to plug his ears.
You already elected yourself as the team leader in private, yet you’re saying all this now. Don’t you find it a bit fake?!
Lu Qifeng, however, was highly satisfied with Su He’s attitude. A young person who possessed both exceptional competence and high principles like Su He was simply far too rare!
The moment Director Tian and the others emerged from Lu Qifeng’s office, they immediately headed over to the food factory to hold a small meeting.
Su He shook the handbook in her hand and said, “If I remember correctly, the jade carving factory and the steel mill received this handbook the day before yesterday, didn’t they?”
Director Tian said hurriedly, “Exactly. The jade carving factory received it the day before yesterday in the morning.”
Director Hu added, “The steel mill received it the day before yesterday in the morning as well.”
Su He let out a soft sneer. “Even if the provincial capital is more convenient than our location, it should still have been distributed into our hands by yesterday afternoon at the latest.
“Yet, we only received it today.
“It seems my prior guess was entirely correct. The provincial foreign trade department views us merely as a tag-along accompanying the crown prince to study; they fundamentally aren’t taking us seriously at all!”
Director Tian instantly commenced cursing and swearing: “Damn it, they truly don’t view us as anything significant at all!
“Which enterprise didn’t build itself up step by step from nothing? Is it possible for someone to start running the exact moment they’re born?!
“This is flagrant discrimination! It’s differential treatment!
“In my view, we ought to report the situation to County Chief Lu and have him go slam tables at the provincial foreign trade department…”
Director Hu shook his head. “Old Tian, you’re viewing the matter far too simplistically!
“The provincial foreign trade department can easily deflect it with any random excuse, and it wouldn’t be easy for County Chief Lu to genuinely break face openly with them.
“The core of the issue is that our An County is indeed a tiny sesame seed within the delegation. Even if County Chief Lu escalates the matter, the higher-ups might not necessarily intervene.”
Director Tian gnashed his teeth. “Then we just stare blankly and swallow the loss? Giving us a warning blow right at the start—how can we have any good days ahead?! Little Su, what do you think we should do about this?”
