Chapter 327: The Sandbar Conversation (Part 2)

They say it's easier to be an official if you have connections in the court. Anyone who can attain a certain position must have some degree of family background, and Ding Kai is no exception. Although the First Engineering Bureau is a state-owned enterprise, it still falls within the system according to domestic political circumstances. Ding Kai's position as the director of the First Engineering Bureau is largely thanks to his father, who was a provincial party secretary.

However, success and failure often go hand in hand. Ding Kai's political path has not been smooth sailing.

In fact, Ding Kai became the director of the bureau at the age of thirty-five, but now, at nearly forty-five, he remains in the same position.

Despite ten years of stagnation with no advancement in rank, this is not due to any serious political errors on Ding Kai's part but because of his brother's betrayal of the country. Although this matter may not be directly related to Ding Kai, he was still implicated. In the wake of this scandal, it is already remarkable that he has not been pushed out of his position as director. Any further progress is unlikely.

Despite this, Ding Kai has not lost heart. Compared to others, the First Engineering Bureau, being a business, still allows him to make money. However, due to central policy adjustments and the influence of his family, support for his bureau has dwindled. Other engineering bureaus have caught up, making his business increasingly difficult to manage.

If it were not for these circumstances, the First Engineering Bureau, which had built nearly half of the country's road and rail mileage, would not have had to deploy its best engineering team for a section of highway between counties. Even if this road was a model project requiring early completion and acceptance, the bureau's strength could easily handle it.

On the other hand, Ding Kai's background in a powerful family gives him a deeper understanding of the treacherous nature of politics. After his brother's defection, he became even more reluctant to stay in the political arena. Instead, he preferred to use his status as a descendant of a red family to engage in business. To him, being a wealthy businessman might be as fulfilling as being a high-ranking official. Especially for people with a background like his, being a giant in business could be as desirable as being a high-ranking official.

This is Ding Kai's background and his aspirations.

Zhou Ming is not a mind reader and cannot know Ding Kai's thoughts directly, but having returned from his previous life, he could infer Ding Kai's future actions from the series of moves he made later.

Thinking of this, Zhou Ming said to Ding Kai, "Since Director Ding has said so, I won't beat around the bush. I do have something important to discuss with you today."

Zhou Ming paused as his pager went off. He glanced at it, handed it to Su Han without a word, and continued.

"Sorry," Zhou Ming apologized to Ding Kai before continuing, "I'm not sure if you've ever considered making the First Engineering Bureau the strongest engineering company in the world?"

"The strongest in the world?" Ding Kai gasped as if something in his heart had been touched.

"Yes, the strongest in the world!" Zhou Ming said firmly. "Director Ding, you know I'm in business, but you don't know my aspirations. I have a characteristic: either I don't do something, but if I do, I must do it to the best of my ability. Some people prefer to be the head of a chicken rather than the tail of a phoenix, but I wouldn't even settle for being the head of a chicken. I aim to be the phoenix and the dragon that trample everyone else!"

Zhou Ming's powerful words struck Ding Kai like a thunderclap, making him feel the blood in his veins start to pulse with excitement.

Indeed, a man must strive to be the strongest. The idea of being the head of a chicken rather than the tail of a phoenix is merely consolation for those who cannot become the head of a phoenix or dragon. Otherwise, why is it said that a true warrior dares to face a dismal life and bloody reality?

Such thoughts stirred Ding Kai to the point of trembling. While not everyone can inherit the will of the great, nor become the Pirate King, everyone certainly has a desire to become a king. Especially for men, dreaming of being in control of the world is a common aspiration. Even if times are not as chaotic as in the past, a man should aim to excel in whatever he does.

If one hides in a greenhouse, trembling at the storm outside, without the courage and determination to face challenges, what's the point of having that support? It's better to cut off that support and find a person to marry and live a stable life.

Looking at Zhou Ming, Ding Kai had always known he was an exceptional person. But now, he truly experienced Zhou Ming's exceptional nature.

Although anyone can say the words Zhou Ming just spoke, and such sentiments are often seen in novels and dramas, how many people truly understand and strive to achieve such goals? It is said that a general's success is built upon countless bones of the dead. The bones are those who spoke grandly but failed to act. 

Ding Kai believes Zhou Ming will work hard and ultimately succeed. Although he hasn't known Zhou Ming for long, he believes in him.

However, despite his belief, Ding Kai is not the type to be easily swayed by motivational speeches and sacrifice his youth and life recklessly. At forty-four years old, having been in the bureaucratic system for over twenty years and experienced his brother's defection, Ding Kai's nerves have become exceptionally steady and resilient.

The harsh realities of the world mean that no matter how inspiring Zhou Ming's words are, if success is not achieved, everything is meaningless.

Thus, despite the excitement Zhou Ming's words ignited, Ding Kai suppressed his emotional turmoil, exhaled deeply, and said, "It is said that since the reform and opening up, the domestic business world is full of competitors. Mr. Zhou, you truly have the spirit of a hero cutting through the dragons."

Ding Kai's tone then grew wistful, and he continued, "But I can't match that. My age is already quite advanced, and I don't possess your ambition to conquer the world. Furthermore, Mr. Zhou, you know, unlike you, I am a government official in the engineering department. My job is to follow the nation's call and always work for the country's construction."

Before Ding Kai could finish, Zhou Ming interjected, "Director Ding, do you really think so?"

Ding Kai frowned, "What do you mean by that, Mr. Zhou?"

Zhou Ming, seemingly ignoring Ding Kai's question, continued, "If I remember correctly, while the engineering bureau is named as such, it has always functioned as a state-owned construction enterprise since its establishment. It has always followed central directives for government projects, but that was in the past. With the continuous progress of reform and opening up, and the relaxation of policies, I believe the engineering bureau should also evolve, undergo state-owned enterprise reform, and develop further."

Zhou Ming stamped his foot and said, "I don't understand engineering, but those who inspected the project said the quality of this road is outstanding. I believe it because if a company that has built half of China's infrastructure lacks technical prowess, it would be unacceptable."

Zhou Ming then looked directly at Ding Kai and asked, "So, given that the technology of our First Engineering Bureau is so strong, why not leverage this advantage to develop and expand, taking the bureau to the world stage? Why cling to outdated thinking? Or is it that Director Ding does not want or is unable to lead the bureau effectively?"

As soon as Zhou Ming finished speaking, Ding Kai quickly rebutted, "How could I not want to lead the bureau well? I…"

Ding Kai's response trailed off. He understood that Zhou Ming's words were intentionally provocative to stir his emotions. However, Ding Kai knew he could not criticize Zhou Ming for this. He realized that regardless of Zhou Ming's intent, the crucial aspect was how he responded. As a seasoned bureaucrat, Ding Kai should not be so impulsive, but the frustrations of recent years had taken their toll.

Zhou Ming smiled and patted Ding Kai's shoulder, saying, "Director Ding, the First Engineering Bureau is still a leading construction enterprise in the country, but it no longer holds the absolute advantage it once had. The Second Bureau, Fifth Bureau, and the Nineteenth Bureau are catching up. With the ongoing reforms, the market mechanism being introduced, and other factors, the central government will no longer extend the same level of support to the First Bureau."

Finally, Zhou Ming said with earnestness, "Under these circumstances, the First Bureau is indeed in great danger."

Ding Kai fell silent. If Zhou Ming had spoken with provocative or emotional tones, Ding Kai might have felt better, but Zhou Ming's factual and narrative tone made it difficult to accept.

Although Ding Kai was a seasoned bureaucrat who had weathered many storms over twenty years, he still had ambitions and wanted to make a mark. This does not mean he could watch the First Engineering Bureau fall from the top to mediocrity over ten years. Not only Ding Kai, but any man with ambition could not tolerate such a decline.

After a long silence, Ding Kai suddenly asked Zhou Ming, "So, what should we do?"

Zhou Ming did not answer directly but asked, "What do you think of the technical level and management capabilities of the First Bureau?"

Seeing a glint of realization in Ding Kai's eyes, he answered confidently, "As you mentioned, half of the country's railways and highways were built by us. Our capabilities are unquestionable!"

"Exactly," Zhou Ming said, "Director Ding, I believe that if the First Bureau undergoes state-owned enterprise reform and transitions to a market-oriented operation, with its strong foundation, it will certainly rejuvenate and become the top large construction enterprise not only in the country but worldwide!"