In the end, the main factory purchased four Lianxiang Computers and two Fengyu Computers.
Niu Hongzhang had originally suggested using Lianxiang Computers exclusively, but Ma Zhaoxian believed Lianxiang's reliability still needed to be verified, while Fengyu Computers had built up a reputation over the past two years, so they should split the order evenly.
However, Lianxiang's Chinese Character Cards came with a buy-two-get-one-free deal. Under Niu Hongzhang's strong recommendation, they took one more, successfully saving the main factory the enormous sum of two thousand yuan.
Li Ye did not particularly care either way. Using products from both brands in the same environment and comparing their respective strengths and weaknesses was not a bad thing.
But Niu Hongzhang still seemed dissatisfied. After the computers were installed, he stopped Li Ye and said he wanted to "have a talk."
"Little Li! After what happened today, my opinion of you has changed somewhat. At the very least, you can judge matters on their merits rather than by the people involved. Fengyu Computers is clearly your connection, yet you can still be fair and impartial."
When he saw those two fellows from Fengyu Computers "extorting" Niu Hongzhang, Li Ye had not shielded them. Instead, he had rebuked them very sternly, which had somewhat exceeded Niu Hongzhang's expectations.
In public institutions, all sorts of muddling through and protecting one's own were perfectly normal. People who could truly judge matters on their merits without personal bias were rare indeed.
But Li Ye did not accept Niu Hongzhang's assessment. Shaking his head, he denied it. "Secretary Niu, stop constantly tying me to Fengyu Computers. If their products are excellent, I'll recommend them with all my strength. If their products are lousy, then of course I'll turn ruthless and cold-faced."
"Fengyu Computers has nothing to do with you?"