Chapter 3: Beach Conversation
“…Orphans of civilization?”
Li Yingchun clicked his tongue and said helplessly, “Where is it just orphans of civilization? From the family perspective, now we truly are orphans!”
He pulled a photo sealed with clear tape from his pants pocket, looking at it while shaking his head and sighing, “My wife, my daughter, and my precious grandson… all living in Tianjin, and only this old man works in the shipyard… sigh!”
Chen Wenyun, upon hearing that, didn't know how to respond. His wife had passed away, and his son was irresponsible, finding a back‑end logistics contract at the shipyard behind his back… if possible, he’d rather that unfilial son hadn’t transmigrated with him!
Fortunately, Li Yingchun, after one sigh, put the photo away and turned to look at Chen Wenyun seriously: “Engineer Chen, you and I are both from engineering backgrounds, so I won’t beat around the bush!
Our current situation is actually very bad!
Because in everyone’s hearts there still remains a slim hope!
What if a rescue team cos?
What if we can go back and see our families again?
But we all know, that’s basically impossible!
No one knows when that wormhole will appear again!
If we continue to wait around hoping for luck, before long, everyone’s morale will collapse into despair!
Even if we don’t collapse emotionally, our supplies won’t allow us to waste more ti!
Therefore! We must puncture this veneer of hope!
Engineer Chen!
Regardless of whether Colonel Yang has made any discoveries this ti, we all must shatter everyone’s unrealistic expectations, otherwise the longer we delay, the higher the price we’ll pay later!”
Having said this, Li Yingchun paused, fixed his gaze on Chen Wenyun. The latter’s expression turned grave, and after thinking for over ten seconds, he t Li’s gaze and nodded heavily: “I understand! President Li, you are right!
If everyone continues to refuse to face reality and doesn’t imdiately start fighting to survive—living off the plant’s supplies until exhausted—sooner or later we’re finished!
We must unify everyone’s strength, first ensure survival, then talk about anything else!
President Li, do you have any concrete ideas?”
Hearing agreent to his thinking, Li Yingchun smiled inwardly and nodded slowly: “First! From the day we ford the Ergency Status Committee until now, twelve days have passed. We can’t continue this loose, disconnected state!
All departnts of the shipyard, Hengda Machinery Factory, Longgang Middle School, nearby residential communities, plus the navy and other personnel, should be united under one new leadership body!
The original Ergency Status Committee must yield to this new powerful institution, setting up dedicated organs exercising governnt‑type functions, so that everyone’s strength is bound together as one!”
After hearing this, Chen Wenyun instantly understood Li Yingchun’s purpose in inviting him for a walk on the beach—to gain his support!
Currently, among the Ergency Committee’s eight mbers, the boss of Hengda Machinery, Zhao Chengming, was close to Li Yingchun; the navy’s two captains Yang Yunfeng and Su Shengyun stood together; Longgang Middle School’s principal Sun Debo was neutral; the Happy Ho residential community owners’ reps Jiang Dalong and Zhang Jian had banded together; and himself… as Bohai Ship Group’s chief engineer, both morally and logically he should stand with Li Yingchun!
Chen Wenyun didn’t hesitate and imdiately solemnly stated, “…President Li, rest assured, now no one is more suitable than you to lead the new authority!
You were originally the helmsman of the shipyard, and now the shipyard’s over 2,500 employees will certainly support you. The navy officers and sailors—more than 500 on Guizhou and Rizhao ships—won’t be hard to persuade either!
Hengda Machinery, the middle school, and the residential area all have countless ties to the shipyard… as long as their safety and interests are assured, they won’t oppose!”
Li Yingchun nodded repeatedly, pleased by Chen’s stance—but he didn’t want just verbal support.
So he added, “Engineer Chen! To be honest, I’ve already contacted General Manager Zhao of Hengda Machinery; he’s willing to persuade their employees to support leading the new body…
But the Happy Ho owners’ committee, plus Principal Sun Debo from Longgang Middle School, and so dissenters…”
Chen Wenyun knew this was the sign he should take on that task. He thought a mont and asked, “Why are the owners’ committee and Principal Sun Debo opposing?
Forming a unified new managent body should benefit them and everyone!”
Li Yingchun hesitated a few seconds before telling the truth.
“…Sun Debo wants to request more supplies for the school, that can be negotiated.
But the Happy Ho owners’ committee wants to retain their committee in the future, and that I definitely can’t agree to!
Happy Ho community has over 800 people, including children and the elderly; with so many, they must be distributed into different departnts of the new managent body!”
“If the owners’ committee continues to exist, it will overlap with the functions of the new managent body.”
Chen Wenyun nodded slightly, knowing full well that Li Yingchun’s real objection wasn’t just about functional overlap.
Humans instinctively form cliques. Now that half of the Happy Ho community had transmigrated with the shipyard, those hoowners naturally feared that the shipyard would overpower them and infringe on their interests… even though many of them had originally worked at the shipyard.
After a mont of thought, Chen Wenyun said to Li Yingchun, “…I’ve had so dealings with the two leaders of the owners’ committee, Jiang Dalong and Zhang Jian. I’ll talk to them.
If I can persuade those two, it’s as good as persuading the entire owners’ committee.
But convincing them will definitely require so concessions. Honestly, their insistence on keeping the owners’ committee probably stems from fear—fear that without it, no one will speak for them, and their rights will be ignored…
I think we should start from that angle and ease their worries…”
Li Yingchun humd in agreent. Seeing the hesitation on Chen Wenyun’s face, he chuckled and said, “…Engineer Chen! If there’s sothing on your mind, just say it! Is there anything we can’t talk about between us?”
Chen Wenyun stopped walking, took a mont, and then continued, “President Li, since you’ve asked, I’ll be blunt!
Personally, I believe that before establishing a new managent body that includes everyone, shouldn’t we hold a eting open to all?
To discuss and reach a consensus on principles that protect everyone’s rights?
After all, we’re no longer in the original ti and space. Laws and systems can’t be copied and pasted directly, because the circumstances are entirely different!
If there’s no set of rules recognized by the overwhelming majority, people will worry whether the new governing body might infringe on their interests—whether those in charge will abuse their power…
After all, without a definite future, who’s going to work hard and strive?
If people’s rights aren’t guaranteed, how can we talk about uniting their strength?”
Chen Wenyun’s words left Li Yingchun deep in thought. Previously, his focus had only been on promoting the formation of a new committee to replace the current ineffective Ergency Committee and unify command over the 4,500 people—they hadn’t seriously considered this aspect…
Or rather, he had instinctively rejected the idea of a “public agreent.”
Still, what Chen said wasn’t wrong. The situation now was indeed entirely different!
There were just these 4,500 people for now—if they could be united, this group could use the existing resources and tools to develop rapidly, and even accomplish great things in this world!
But if they couldn’t unite and instead fell into factions, fighting each other for the remaining supplies, then everyone’s future would inevitably be bleak…
After weighing the pros and cons, was there even a choice?
Li Yingchun imdiately promised Chen Wenyun, “…Yes, we must hold a eting with everyone! Let people voice their biggest concerns, and give them peace of mind!
Chief Engineer Chen, once Colonel Yang and the others return, you go and notify everyone—tomorrow morning, we’ll hold the eting in the Bohai Ship Group Hotel’s auditorium!”
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