Manager Zhong

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Zhong Gaokuang (钟高旷) 30
Alias(es)	Manager Zhong; Old Zhong
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Huahai Company; later Guanglun Petrochemical / Guanglun Petroleum 16 392 508
Occupation/Role	Oilfield senior expert; technical mentor; later supervisor for Guanglun Petroleum's fracturing work 15 482
Status	Deceased; died following surgery for late-stage stomach cancer 526 527
First Appearance	Chapter 14

Background / History

A renowned Fengcheng Oilfield expert and one of its former “Eight Diamond Guardians,” Zhong was known for his engineering background, impatience, broad industry connections, and strict separation of personal and professional interests 15 19 30. He had previously managed personnel in the oilfield, and his prestige remained considerable after retirement 47.

During Liu Shang's Huahai interview, Zhong tested the freshman with difficult practical questions concerning water-injection-well profile control. Liu's answers impressed him enough that Zhong immediately attempted to take him on as his assistant; Xu Tiande's competing claim led to a recruitment dispute between the two experts 15 16.

Zhong worked closely with Liu on surface sub-distribution technology for water-injection wells. With Liu's assistance, the tool and process design were nearly finalized in a day and later succeeded almost a month ahead of schedule, saving substantial resources 28 29. Zhong assigned Liu a 30,000-yuan technical bonus, defending the amount by arguing that Liu's suggestions had accelerated the project by at least a month and a half 30.

He repeatedly protected Liu from workplace hostility. Zhong restricted other employees from assigning Liu work without his or Xu's approval, publicly reprimanded Yang Xu and Fan Song, and furiously confronted Ma Yuan when Ma attempted to shift blame for a materials issue onto Liu 43 51.

After Liu left Huahai, Zhong recognized how difficult he would be to replace. He noted that Liu had absorbed the workload of an experienced deputy technical manager while making the technical staff's work easier, as well as handling client oilfield relationships effectively 143.

Zhong later left Huahai to support Guanglun's expanding operations, believing his expertise would be more useful there. He became involved in Guanglun Petrochemical and continued traveling to oversee technical projects despite his age and declining health 388 392 441. When Guanglun's fracturing project department encountered major problems, he returned to supervise personally, stressing the cost and complexity of fracturing-truck operations 482.

He was diagnosed with late-stage stomach cancer after it had metastasized. Despite surgery, including a total gastrectomy, he developed brain metastases and died less than a month later 526 527.

Personality

Zhong was hot-tempered, direct, and impatient, especially when confronted with incompetence, dishonesty, or attempts to undermine talent 19 43 51. His sternness was tempered by humor and warmth around people he trusted; he joked freely with Liu, encouraged him, and treated him with an affection that made their professional relationship deeply personal 25 49.

He had exceptional confidence in his judgment of people. Although initially skeptical of Liu's youth and apparent impatience, Zhong changed his opinion when confronted with Liu's work and became one of his earliest, most forceful supporters 24 30. He valued practical ability over seniority, defending Liu's bonuses and technical projects despite resentment from other Huahai employees 30 79.

In his final period, Zhong remained concerned less with profit than with the technological future of China's oil industry. He was frustrated by an industry culture of networking and influence-seeking at the expense of genuine technical work 527.

Abilities & Skills

Oilfield Engineering Expertise

A senior oilfield expert with experience in water injection, profile control, well repair, and fracturing operations.

• Tested Liu Shang through difficult questions on practical water-injection-well profile-control applications 15.
• Led research into surface sub-distribution technology for water-injection wells 26 28.
• Recognized technical and manufacturing flaws in on-site tool trials alongside Liu and other experts 81.
• Supervised Guanglun's fracturing operations due to the high cost and operational complexity of fracturing equipment and materials 482.

Talent Identification and Mentorship

Zhong possessed a respected ability to recognize technical potential and cultivate it.

• Identified Liu's value during his interview and sought to make him his assistant immediately 16.
• Supported Liu's technical development, tool designs, project approvals, and bonus allocation 28 30 79.
• Was widely regarded as someone who had never misjudged a person's character or potential 74 508.
• Continued guiding Liu in his final conversation, cautioning him against excessive stubbornness and urging him to deliberate before major decisions 527.

Industry Connections

Zhong retained substantial influence in the Fengcheng Oilfield after retirement.

• His reputation and connections enabled Liu to establish relationships and conduct business within the oilfield circle 47 135.
• His endorsement lent weight to Huahai's technical decisions and Liu's early standing within the company 81.
• Numerous industry and government figures attended his funeral, reflecting his long-standing influence 527.

Relationships

• Liu Shang — Mentor, protector, and early supporter. Zhong recognized Liu's talent, defended him at Huahai, later joined Guanglun's technical work, and entrusted Liu with final advice and project concerns 16 43 388 527.
• Xu Tiande — Long-time colleague and fellow senior expert. The two initially competed to recruit Liu, then jointly mentored him and collaborated on technical projects 16 24 79.
• Song Guangyuan — Huahai's president and Zhong's employer. Song valued Zhong's abilities and generally deferred to his technical judgment, though Zhong openly challenged him over Liu's bonus and treatment 16 30.
• Song Jia — Had a close, grandfather-like bond with her. She was devastated by his illness and death 527.
• Lu Wenjun — Son-in-law; a powerful figure connected to Liu Shang's projects 418.
• Wang Decheng — Worked alongside Zhong in Guanglun's later technical operations and accompanied him during the fracturing project crisis 482.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Huahai Recruitment and Technical Mentorship

Zhong serves as one of the first senior figures to recognize Liu Shang's expertise. His practical examination of Liu begins a mentorship that gives Liu access to Huahai's technical work and protects him from skepticism over his age and salary demands 15 16.

Surface Sub-Distribution Project

Zhong and Liu refine the surface sub-distribution process and tool design, achieving an early success that proves Liu's practical value to Huahai. Zhong ensures Liu receives a proportionate reward for his contribution 28 30.

Protection of Liu Shang at Huahai

As internal conflict intensifies, Zhong uses his authority to shield Liu from Yang Xu, Fan Song, Ma Yuan, and other hostile employees. His intervention establishes Liu as directly answerable to Zhong and Xu Tiande 43 51.

Support for Guanglun

Zhong follows Liu's development after Huahai, analyzes Guanglun's profile-modification advantages, and eventually joins the company to contribute his expertise in well repair, fracturing, and continuous tubing technology 265 388 441.

Final Guidance and Death

Even while hospitalized, Zhong remains preoccupied with oil-industry technology and Guanglun Petroleum's project departments. His death becomes a major emotional loss for Liu, who credits Zhong's protection and guidance as essential to his rise 527 528.

Notable Quotes

“I'll make the decision today. I want this kid! He'll follow me from now on and be my assistant.” 16

“This kid Liu Shang, he stirs up big waves wherever he goes. Back when he was just a poor college student looking for work here, I saw at a glance that this young man would be something special.” 508

“You, my child, are too stubborn, too extreme. Too rigid, and you'll break easily.” 527

Trivia

• Zhong's proposed 30,000-yuan bonus for Liu was controversial within Huahai because Liu had been with the company for only a short time and was still a freshman 30.
• He compared Liu's impatient confidence to his own youthful temperament 15 218.
• Zhong believed Guanglun's continuous-tubing technology could make the company unmatched in China's petroleum technical-services sector if fully developed 441.