Stephen Vance had an expression of bored idleness, but it vanished instantly, replaced by a look of sharp focus. He reached out and eagerly took the appointment letter. "I'll fight for the country for another 20 years! Please rest assured, superiors, Stephen Vance will definitely go all out to complete the task!"
The visitor, filled with admiration for the old man who had devoted his life to the national defense industry, offered a solemn salute. "Thank you for your contribution to the country, Mr. Vance!"
Stephen Vance's son's family hurried over when they received the news. After his son, John Vance, learned the situation from the two staff members and confirmed they were genuinely from the arms factory, he was relieved.
But John Vance tried to persuade his father. "Dad, you're retired now. You've worked hard your whole life, and it's time to enjoy life at home. Why do you want to go back to the factory again?"
His daughter-in-law, also chimed in, arguing that her father-in-law had worked in the old military factory for decades and should finally be enjoying his retirement.
Listening to his son and daughter-in-law, the old man glared at them. "What nonsense are you talking about! The country needs my old bones—this is my honor! I've worked in the military factory most of my life. I can't live without the lathe. I retired and went home, hanging out with the old folks in the community all day, and it made me sick from idleness!"
"Dad, you—" John Vance, knowing his father's stubborn temper, could only offer a wry smile.
Stephen Vance ignored his son. "Alright, do you still want to control your old man? I've decided: I'm taking part in this mission given to me by the state. Don't try to persuade me. The chance to touch a lathe again, and to see my old friends? I'm very happy!"
Stephen Vance had already asked the officials who came. Several retired senior technicians from his old factory had been hired back. Stephen Vance was so delighted he wanted to go back to the factory immediately.
The same scene unfolded across the country.
These veteran workers who had just retired, possessing extreme technical skill and experience, signed up actively when they heard the call from the state. These old comrades were proven high-tech talents. Although they are old, their lifetime of experience is the most valuable asset. Not to mention that they had worked in highly secretive units like military factories for decades, meaning there was no concern regarding confidentiality regulations.
Many retired university professors, teachers, doctors, nurses, police officers, and some state-owned enterprise cadres were also secretly invited back.
As a result, many "Sunset Red" tour groups—composed of retired old men and women—gathered from all over the country to the base in Zheng City under the guise of taking a holiday. Compared to the eye-catching mobilization of young people on a large scale, these old people, who spend their retirement doing square dancing, drinking tea, and playing chess, were far less noticeable.
The experts of the advisory group planned to train these experienced veterans at the base for a period of time. Afterward, Jason would transport them to the world of A Song of Ice and Fire to help build Westeros' industry, education, and medical care systems from scratch.
Those retired cadres from state-owned enterprises would manage the joint ventures established in Westeros for the first time. For example, Zhongwei Grain Group, a joint venture with Hualiang Group, would be mainly responsible for the import and export of grains between modern China and Westeros.
Beiwei Farm Group, a joint venture established with Beidahuang Company, would provide agricultural equipment and talent from Beidahuang Company to help Westeros develop mechanized farms. They would introduce various modern machinery such as tractors, cultivators, combine planters, and combine harvesters in order to improve the development and utilization of land.
ChemChina would build a fertilizer plant in Westeros in the future to supply the region's fertilizer needs. Of course, the fertilizer industry needs to rely on the coal and oil industries. At present, Westeros has not yet proven sources of coal and oil resources, so the fertilizer and chemical plants cannot be built temporarily.
However, the corresponding chemical talent—those valuable, skilled workers who retired recently—had all accepted re-employment and returned to the factory. As soon as the location for the chemical factory is determined in Westeros, they can immediately begin the factory's production and construction.
These elderly people were sent to the base in batches, and many workers who had labored in the same factory or production workshop were delighted to see each other again.
Stephen Vance saw many of his old friends. "Old Li, Ma, you're back too? Hahaha, we can work together again in the future!"
Old Li's hair was completely white, but his spirit was excellent. "Oh, Old Vance, your old boy is back too! Hahaha, I thought you were staying home and enjoying yourself all the time!"
Master Ma was the youngest of the three. His left hand had been injured years ago and never fully recovered, but he was incredibly experienced and a top-tier veteran worker.
"Brother Vance, Brother Li, how are you!" Old Ma greeted them with a smile. He turned to look at the increasing number of old men and women gathered in the hall and couldn't help but marvel. "Wow, good heavens, all the old guys from our factory are back!"
Stephen Vance looked around and nodded happily. "Yes, they're all from our factory. I know Wang Ertie from the woodworking group over there; I asked him to build the cabinets in my house back then."
All those present had worked in a factory network, and they gradually began to reconnect.
Soon, an expert from the advisory group walked in and silenced the old masters. He then announced the actual reason for their assembly: to enter the world of A Song of Ice and Fire and start building civilization from scratch.
These old men and women were stunned when they heard terms like "shuttle," "Otherworld," and "Westeros."
"The country has discovered an Otherworld?"
"Incredible... this is our country's biggest secret, no wonder the secrecy work was so well done. I hadn't heard a single thing about this before."
"I'm so excited! Woohoo... our country has finally ushered in a great rejuvenation! We were humiliated for hundreds of years because we were backward, and now we are finally going to rise again!"
"Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"
"Prime Minister, this prosperous world is exactly what you wished for!"
Listening to the advisory group expert on stage, these veteran workers—steeped in old industry and technology—understood immediately how great the nation would become with access to the resources of an entire world, and how rich and powerful the people would be.
Thinking that the country was about to achieve great rejuvenation, the old people cried tears of pure joy.
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