“My grandfather’s books—my brother has read them all, and some are even in German.” Standing in another corner, waiting for instructions, Lucas Franklin also spoke up. He couldn’t figure out what was going on with this Director Lawson who had just come in, but after hearing Ethan Franklin repeatedly emphasize how many books he’d read, and finally Liam Franklin also stepping out to vouch for Ethan Franklin, Lucas Franklin felt he ought to say something as well.

He didn’t really understand what it meant to have a sense of proportion, so in order to prove just how awesome his brother was, he simply bragged as much as he could. In his mind, these weren’t really lies—over the past few days, Ethan Franklin had indeed gone through all the books their grandfather left behind, including those German books that looked like scribbles. His own brother actually understood German—how impressive was that! Even he couldn’t help but feel a little proud.

“You know German!”

Lucas Franklin’s words stunned everyone in the room. Samuel Lawson reacted the most strongly, staring at Ethan Franklin in shock and asking.

Uh, this little brother really is a liability… Ethan Franklin thought helplessly to himself. He really did know German, and was actually quite proficient at it. In his previous life, he had specifically learned it when working on technology imports—after all, Germany was a major source of equipment for China, and for someone in equipment, knowing some German was perfectly normal. Over the past few days, he had dug out his grandfather’s books and flipped through them, even skimming the gist of some of the German ones. Maybe Lucas Franklin had noticed him reading those German books and, wanting to help him brag, just blurted it out now.

“Grandpa taught me a little.” Ethan Franklin wasn’t sure how much he should admit, so he answered vaguely. At the same time, he shot Samuel Lawson a pleading look, as if to say: Uncle, if you keep going, I’m going to get exposed—don’t bite the hand that feeds you, okay?

Samuel Lawson’s mind was in turmoil; he felt he could no longer see through this young man before him. Previously, he’d thought Ethan Franklin probably had some family background, could read mechanical drawings, and had stumbled upon that flush toilet diagram by accident, which was why he’d been able to warn him. But now it seemed Ethan Franklin’s abilities went far beyond just reading blueprints. He had studied metallurgy with William Franklin for four or five years, and even learned some German, able to read professional books in German. Just this alone made him a talent worth cultivating.

The ten-year movement had turned China’s education system upside down. In today’s China, finding a young person who knew German and also understood some metallurgy and mechanics was harder than building a hot rolling production line from scratch. Those engineers who had learned German in the early years were at least in their forties, and many had long since abandoned their specialties. Those who were still working were all key personnel in their units and couldn’t possibly be seconded for other tasks.

When the Economic Commission negotiated with German manufacturers, they often couldn’t find suitable German translators. Helpless, they had to use an English translator to translate Chinese into English, and then have the other side’s translator turn the English into German. After so many rounds, the meaning of some things got completely twisted, leading to countless jokes and disputes—not worth going into detail.

This young man before him could speak German, understood metallurgy, and had a sharp eye—able to spot a hidden flush toilet where no one else noticed. To put someone like this in the Metallurgical Department of Nanjiang Province as a handyman was a complete waste of talent.

Samuel Lawson’s first thought was to go back and give James Quinn and the others a grand recommendation for this gem, and have them transfer Ethan Franklin to an important position. But then another, more selfish thought crept in: Why should I let others have such a promising talent? Why not quietly bring him to the capital? After a few years of good training, he’d surely be able to take charge of things on his own. By then, the look on James Quinn and the others’ faces would be priceless.

“By the way, Little Franklin, your father is a physics teacher, and I saw you have a soldering iron at home. I suppose you can fix radios? The radio I brought from the capital—something’s wrong with it, maybe a wire came loose. Could you come with me to the guesthouse and help me fix it?”

Samuel Lawson changed the subject, putting on a casual air as he extended the invitation to Ethan Franklin. He had decided to find a private opportunity to have a good talk with him.

Chapter 7: The Direction Was Wrong from the Start

Metallurgical Department Guesthouse, in the luxury suite where Samuel Lawson was staying.

Everyone else had been sent away by Samuel Lawson. Sitting across from him in a single armchair was only Ethan Franklin. Samuel Lawson sat on the long sofa, studying Ethan Franklin with great interest, secretly amazed.

If it were anyone else, facing a ministry leader seven or eight ranks above them, even if not terrified, they’d at least be a little nervous. But not Ethan Franklin. On the way to the guesthouse in the Metallurgical Department’s car, he’d put on a show of being a bit reserved. But once Gregory Grant left and it was just him and Samuel Lawson in the room, his expression completely relaxed, as if he often chatted and joked with leaders of this level.

“Do you smoke?” Samuel Lawson took out a pack of cigarettes and gestured to Ethan Franklin.

“No, thank you, Director Lawson.” Ethan Franklin waved his hand.