Chapter Six: Selling the Patent

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The speaker was Li Tie, the technical director of the oil factory. With the factory leadership’s endorsement, Song Yi immediately put down his burdens and eagerly dragged Liu Weidong to ask all sorts of questions.

That entire afternoon, Liu Weidong was busy writing and sketching in the technical department.

The polymer separation and purification equipment designed by Liu Weidong astonished both Li Tie and Song Yi.

These two had already visited the South to inspect imported equipment, yet Liu Weidong’s design was even more advanced than the imported machines.

“Weidong, have you studied the blueprints of imported equipment? Where did you get these materials?” Song Yi was dumbfounded.

“Director Li, Engineer Song, this machine is an improvement based on imported equipment. Its performance surpasses that of the imported models. Not only does it increase purity, but the separated raw materials are also more diverse. I want to keep the patent for our factory, but...”

Li Tie smiled, “Talented professionals like you are very welcome in our factory. You can come in directly as a technician. We can also help resolve your rural-to-urban status conversion.”

Liu Weidong smiled quietly but said nothing. Instead, he glanced toward Lou Yanru, who was sitting on a bench.

Lou Yanru felt as if she were dreaming.

Was this still the same man who had been unambitious, drinking heavily and gambling every day?

Where had he learned all this knowledge?

Hearing that Director Li was willing to let Liu Weidong enter the factory as a technician, Lou Yanru’s mouth dropped open.

If Liu Weidong could become a city resident with a stable job, would her mother still force her to divorce him?

But to her surprise, Liu Weidong shook his head.

“Director Li, you know the flood at Qianjin Commune, right? Our production team is now out of grain. At a time like this, I can’t just think about myself. I want to use the money from selling the patent to buy grain for the production team. I also want to sign a castor bean planting contract with our factory...”

Li Tie and Song Yi exchanged looks, both shocked.

It’s not uncommon nowadays for people to make grand claims, but sacrificing personal interests for the collective good—what spirit is this?

“Xiao Liu, are you sure you want to do this? You know, nowadays, getting into a state-owned factory with a stable job is nearly impossible, even with connections.”

Liu Weidong nodded. “I have no choice, Director Li. I can’t let my entire production team starve just for my own benefit.”

In that instant, Liu Weidong’s image grew towering in the minds of Li Tie and Song Yi. They thought of Lei Feng, Zhang Side, and Norman Bethune...

The timing of Liu Weidong unveiling the polymer separation machine was perfect.

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The oil factory had already examined several foreign machines, which were exorbitantly priced.

Liu Weidong’s design was innovative and could be manufactured locally in Binjiang. Not only would it save the factory a great deal of money, but once the equipment was developed and produced, selling the machines would bring in another significant income.

Li Tie immediately went to consult with the Party secretary.

“Weidong, you really don’t want to work at our factory? A talent like you wasted in the countryside is a crime. What about rural-to-urban status conversion? Aren’t you tempted?”

Song Yi still couldn’t give up.

But Liu Weidong only smiled and didn’t respond.

Rural-to-urban status conversion?

Grain was valuable now, but starting this year, the market economy was gradually opening up. New terms like “ten-thousand-yuan households” and “enterprise restructuring” were emerging.

In his past life, he never had a stable government job, yet he became the richest man in Binjiang.

How could he expect to dress his wife in wool coats and polyester pants by earning a few hundred yuan a month from a job?

In his previous life, the oil factory had spent more than 200,000 yuan on imported equipment, and later spent a lot on maintenance. Liu Weidong had started in fine chemicals and later dealt in imported machines. This kind of refining machine, he could assemble blindfolded—it wasn’t high technology.

More importantly, the oil factory had ceased production in 1992. He had no desire to become a laid-off worker.

After chatting briefly with Song Yi, Li Tie returned jubilantly.

“Xiao Liu, I talked with the Party secretary and director. The leadership unanimously believes it’s better to build the machine ourselves than buy one. Secretary Wang agrees to buy out the patent, but the payment will be in installments. First, we’ll give you 2,000 yuan to buy grain. Our factory will sign a contract with you. What do you think?”

Liu Weidong’s expression remained calm, but Lou Yanru, sitting quietly in the corner, felt her heart pounding.

Two thousand yuan?

Her mother was the deputy director and director of traditional Chinese medicine at the Central Hospital, earning just over fifty yuan a month. Two thousand yuan was a huge sum.

“Director Li, you must have doubts about my design, right? I will continue to provide guidance. If my machine isn’t better than the foreign ones, I won’t take a single cent.”

Li Tie immediately relaxed. “So you agree? Let’s go to finance to sign the contract. I’ll have them prepare the money. How much grain do you want? If there’s any problem, I’ll personally coordinate with the grain bureau.”

Lou Yanru felt like she was dreaming, following Liu Weidong to finance to sign the contract.

Ten thousand jin was not corn kernels, but cornmeal, which Li Tie arranged with one phone call at just 0.12 yuan per jin.

While waiting in the director’s office for the cashier to fetch the money, Liu Weidong smiled at Li Tie.

“Director Li, I have a small favor. I want to buy some good tobacco, liquor, and malted milk powder. I know these are rationed, and farmers can’t usually get them.”

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Li Tie waved his hand grandly. “That’s easy. I’ll make a call. You go directly to the Fourth Commercial Store and see Director Wang. Since you’ve signed a contract, you’re officially our factory’s contracted engineer. We’re family now—no need to be polite.”

Two bundles of Da Tuan Jie tobacco were laid out on the table, making even Li Tie and Song Yi envious.

Liu Weidong handed over the money for the cornmeal to Li Tie and gave the rest to Lou Yanru.

“Director Li, please arrange a vehicle to deliver the grain to Production Team Two tomorrow. I’ll first go with my wife to buy tobacco and liquor, then return to discuss with the production team before coming back to sign a purchase and sales contract with the factory.”

Li Tie agreed wholeheartedly and sent a jeep to take Liu Weidong and his wife to Henan Street.

Sitting in the back of the jeep, Lou Yanru clutched her military-style backpack tightly, staring wide-eyed at Liu Weidong.

She hadn’t spoken a word all day.

Firstly, she didn’t understand any of their technical discussions.

Secondly, happiness had arrived so suddenly, it still felt like a dream.

How did a poor boy who hadn’t even finished junior high suddenly become an inventor?

Only when they got off the jeep and entered the Fourth Commercial Store did Lou Yanru pull Liu Weidong aside into the stairwell.

“Weidong, be honest with me. How do you know how to design machines? You’re not fooling them, are you?”

Liu Weidong was both amused and exasperated.

“Wife, are you crazy? Do you think Song Yi and the others are amateurs? If I weren’t desperate for money, I wouldn’t sell this patent.”

“But why didn’t you agree when Director Li wanted to bring you into the factory as a technician? Rural-to-urban status conversion? You could even become a cadre. What a great opportunity!”

Liu Weidong patted Lou Yanru’s cheek and smiled.

“Wife, do you really care so much about a stable government job? We’re now ‘ten-thousand-yuan households.’ We’re among the first in all of Binjiang City. How much does your mother earn in a year?

I’ve told you, I won’t let you suffer anymore. Do you think I’m just spouting slogans? Come on, let’s go upstairs to buy what you want. I’ll also help you become a private school teacher and get you a quota for the college entrance exam.”