Volume One: Breaking Free

Chapter One: Taking on a Critical Mission

Autumn, 1994.

Sanlihe, Beijing—Second Bureau of the Ministry of Machinery.

“The national machine tool industry has suffered large-scale losses for five consecutive years, and the situation in the first half of this year is even more severe. Of the eighteen leading factories in our machine tool industry, half are suffering serious losses, and the rest are not doing well either. Some enterprises are barely breaking even by relying on key project orders, but if state orders decrease, these enterprises will immediately fall into the red. Linhe First Machine Tool Factory, which produces ‘Changying’ brand machine tools, has had an output value in the past two years of less than half of what it used to be. Right now, it owes more than 40 million yuan in bank loans. At this critical juncture, the leadership team at Linhe First Machine Tool Factory has been exposed for collective corruption and has been completely removed. Given this situation, Old Sullivan, what are your thoughts?”

Director Thomas Sherman sat behind his desk, asking in a low tone.

Sitting across from Thomas Sherman was Henry Sullivan, the director of the Electromechanical Division of the Second Bureau. He was 54 years old this year, the most senior and oldest director in the bureau. When Thomas Sherman first started working at the Second Bureau, Henry Sullivan was already the deputy director of the Electromechanical Division, while Thomas Sherman was just a junior staff member under him. Now, Thomas Sherman had become the bureau director, while Henry Sullivan had only been promoted half a rank, becoming the director of the Electromechanical Division.

There were various opinions in the Second Bureau as to why Henry Sullivan had difficulty getting promoted. Some said it was because he was too principled and had offended many people; others said it was because he was indifferent to fame and fortune and never fought for promotion opportunities; of course, there were also some more conspiratorial theories, but those were not worth mentioning.

However, no one believed that Henry Sullivan’s lack of promotion was due to a lack of ability. In fact, the bureau leadership and even some ministry leaders had said that Henry Sullivan was a very capable cadre, clear-headed, thoroughly familiar with the industries under his supervision, and especially in the machine tool industry, he was practically a “living encyclopedia.”

Henry Sullivan himself truly didn’t care about his position. Watching one after another of his much less senior colleagues get promoted above him, he had no complaints, and continued to diligently and cheerfully manage his own little domain. In his own words, being a division director was so much more relaxing—just keep your head down and work, and if the sky falls, the bureau director will hold it up. There’s no need to worry about all sorts of troublesome matters. What’s not to like about such a job?

At this moment, Henry Sullivan had not yet realized that the carefree days he sought had come to an end. Hearing Thomas Sherman’s question, he simply answered according to what he knew: “The situation with the Linhe First Machine Tool Factory leadership team is their own fault. Actually, two years ago, I already reported their problems to the bureau, but…”

“The bureau took your report very seriously,” Thomas Sherman quickly interjected, explaining, “It’s just that when it comes to the entire leadership team of such a large enterprise, the bureau had to be especially cautious. This time, the organization was able to uncover the serious problems with the Linhe First Machine Tool Factory leadership, and your report played a part in that.”

Henry Sullivan fell silent; what Thomas Sherman said was true. Two years ago, when he reported the problems at Linhe First Machine Tool Factory to the bureau’s party committee, it was just based on some impressions, without any solid evidence, so the bureau naturally couldn’t make a big move lightly.

Thomas Sherman steered the conversation back, continuing, “The bureau’s party committee believes that the top priority now is to immediately rebuild the leadership team at Linhe First Machine Tool Factory, resume production, and turn losses into profits as soon as possible. For chief engineer, the party committee plans to transfer Old Carter from the Mechanical Design Institute.”

“Nathan Carter?” Henry Sullivan asked.

“Yes, that’s him,” Thomas Sherman said.

Henry Sullivan nodded. “He’s very capable—no problem being chief engineer at Linhe First Machine Tool Factory.”

“For chief economist, Susan Newton from the ministry’s Planning and Finance Department will take the post.”

“Little Susan is famous for being a human abacus. Having her as chief economist is a good arrangement,” Henry Sullivan said with a smile.

“As for deputy factory director, we already have some candidates in mind. What we’re missing is someone to take the helm. The party committee intends to appoint a comrade with experience and a sense of responsibility to Linhe First Machine Tool Factory, combining the roles of factory director and party secretary, and taking on full responsibility,” Thomas Sherman said.

“Experienced and responsible… let me think who might be suitable…” Henry Sullivan mused.

He thought, Thomas Sherman was discussing this with him because he hoped he could recommend a few suitable candidates to the party committee for consideration. He was quite familiar with the national electromechanical industry and knew many people. As for those who fit the description of “experienced and responsible,” there were quite a few in the industry, but these people were all in important positions, managing their own domains, and not easily transferred.