Chapter 146: The Enemy of Destiny

The negotiations had concluded, and it was time to return to the base to begin the design process. However, the Fengtian Institute had pursued them, and it was clear this would not end easily.

Deputy Director Zhang of the Fengtian Institute, sensing that things were going poorly, had sought out his old superior to pour out his grievances. The key was that the old superior had changed; it was no longer the one from the Ministry of Aviation from last time. This time, he had found a deputy director who worked at the Science and Technology Commission, someone equal in rank to Director Yang.

Usually, people addressed him as "Director Yang," omitting the "Deputy" out of respect—a common practice when the primary director was absent. However, he was still, in fact, Deputy Director Yang. Of course, if the two parties were on bad terms, such niceties were ignored, and they were called whatever was appropriate.

This situation was tricky. They were all in the same system and saw each other constantly. Director Yang knew Yang Hui was technically in the wrong, so he found it difficult to say much.

"Old Jin, you know we had already discussed this. But I didn't expect Base 0011 to be so desperate for personnel. They've already headed off to the Southwest; calling them back now isn't realistic. They’re likely on the train already."

Hearing this, it sounded as if Director Yang was still hedging, which was unacceptable. Director Jin, however, couldn't be too blunt, so he spoke tactfully.

"Old Yang, does this mean we have to wait for them to finish their aerodynamic tests before they return? The comrades at the Fengtian Institute don't have that kind of time to waste."

The fact that they didn't have time to waste was exactly the point. Once they lost their patience, things would be easier to manage. Since they already had enough people, the Fengtian Institute wouldn't suffer any real loss.

Under normal circumstances, Director Yang would have ignored them, but the Fengtian Institute had extensive connections and could reach someone of his own rank within the Commission. He couldn't ignore a colleague's face, so he had to find a way to compensate them. There was no way to touch the graduate students Yang Hui had already taken, so he had to look elsewhere. Being in charge of personnel, he naturally found a solution.

"Old Jin, I understand. How about this: I’ll pull a few more graduates from other universities for the Fengtian Institute to bring your count up to ten. We won't say any more about it."

It was an unexpected boon. Although they didn't get the original recruits, being topped up to ten was a win.

Seeing Deputy Director Zhang’s beaming face, Director Jin knew how to handle it. If the matter could be resolved this way, it was enough, and he wouldn't have to sour his relationship with Old Yang. He knew that if he offended the man in charge of personnel, the Fengtian Institute would suffer greatly when it came to future graduate distributions—a loss they would surely regret.

Knowing when to quit while he was ahead, Director Jin said, "That sounds good. Zhang, are you satisfied now?"

Satisfied? Of course, he was satisfied. How could he not be? They had broken into the double digits. "This is naturally excellent. We are overjoyed. Thank you, Director Yang, for your generosity. The Fengtian Institute will not forget this."

Director Yang felt uneasy. The current crop of postgraduates from Beihang was limited, and the aerodynamic postgraduates from Northwestern Polytechnical University were about all that was left. Between Base 0011 and the Fengtian Institute, the Beihang graduates were already exhausted, and now he had to pull even more from Northwestern. He didn't know how he would appease the other factories and institutes—it was like choosing between his own palms and the back of his hands.

"You two institutes have taken so many people this time; you’d better behave yourselves regarding next year’s aerodynamics graduates. Don't even think about it."

After he sat down to figure out how to squeeze out these extra spots, the now-satisfied Fengtian Institute didn't care about next year—that was a problem for later. As for the base, they hadn't planned on taking more; they needed to digest these fifteen graduates properly, or they’d be in trouble.

Once the Fengtian pair left, Director Yang called Chief Designer Yu. At the guesthouse, Chief Yu was deep in worry, fearing the Fengtian Institute wouldn't let it go. When a subordinate informed him of the call, he hurried to pick it up.

"Hello, this is Yu Ximing."

Director Yang, having cleaned up the mess for the base, decided to vent a little. "Yu the Rascal, tell me who I am. You don't even recognize me?"

Poor Chief Yu, having just picked up the phone, couldn't tell who was on the other end, but hearing it was Director Yang, he dared not retort. He smiled and said, "Oh, it’s Director Yang. I didn't hear you clearly just now. I understand now."

"Enough of that. I know you’re cursing me in your heart. Let’s talk business. The fifteen graduates for your base are settled, and I’ve sent the Fengtian people away. Come pick up their files tomorrow."

Hearing that the fifteen were secured and the Fengtian Institute was handled, a weight was lifted off Chief Yu’s heart. He felt that being called "Yu the Rascal" wasn't so bad after all—if being insulted twice meant gaining substantial benefits, he would take it a hundred times over.

"That is truly excellent! Thank you, Director Yang. Base 0011 will never forget your great kindness. I, Yu Ximing, thank you."

Director Yang was speechless at the talk of "never forgetting." He’d be lucky if the other design institutes didn't curse him daily. "Enough. You took fifteen people this time; don't even think about next time. You’ll only get one or two symbolically next year so I can answer to the other institutes."

"No problem, Director Yang, you can rest assured. We won't ask for more aerodynamic design graduates next year. You handle it however you see fit; we won't say a word."

Chief Yu felt a secret thrill. They wouldn't ask for more *aerodynamics* people, but that didn't stop them from asking for other types of designers. The institute needed more than just aerodynamicists. If Director Yang knew what he was thinking, he’d probably fire him on the spot for such insatiable greed.

Yet, this was the mark of a qualified director. Chief Yu was the head of the institute, and his duty was to fight for every resource, including talent.

After hanging up, Chief Yu immediately sent someone to book train tickets. He didn't consider flying; although they could get a discount within the aviation system, frugality was the order of the day.

While picking up the files, he ran into Deputy Director Zhang from Fengtian. Enemies meeting face-to-face, their eyes blazed with fire. Another verbal battle was about to erupt, but the clerk emerged just in time for Chief Yu to enter and retrieve his documents, narrowly avoiding a clash.

Although the conflict was temporarily suppressed, it would continue to simmer. The grudge had been set, and it would become the most significant spectacle in the Republic’s aviation industry—from fighter jets to carrier-based aircraft, from civil airliners to engines, the two would clash everywhere.