On the banks of the Hutuo River, great achievements are being forged—let me share the story of dedication. In the previous installment, Li Ganpo led the Jingye team through countless obstacles—land acquisition for the steel‑making project, talent recruitment, and more—only to face a 20‑million‑yuan funding shortfall at the critical stage of the civil‑engineering phase. Could the people of Jingye surmount this financial hurdle, which would determine the success or failure of the steel‑making venture?

At that time, steel prices were surging at an average daily rate of 100 yuan per ton. If the company had chosen to continue seeking financing or waited until it secured the necessary funds before launching these two projects, the losses would have been incalculable—money that could have been earned would have slipped away right before its eyes.

Previously, Li Ganpo had bitterly experienced the setbacks of a chemical plant’s production delays caused by equipment malfunctions, which in turn cost him a lucrative market opportunity. This time, he was determined not to let the steel‑making project fall behind schedule again. After consulting with several senior executives, he decided to transparently share the company’s current situation with all employees.

“Steelmaking at the Group—What Should We Do?” Mobilization Meeting

On May 6, 2002, at 3:00 p.m., a large delegation arrived at the construction site of the Jingye Group’s steelmaking project. They toured the 1,500-square-meter steelmaking workshop, the 4,500-square-meter oxygen‑production plant, and the 110-kilovolt substation, expressing their admiration as they went. It turned out that this was part of the “The Group Is Building Steel—What Should We Do?” campaign organized by Jingye Group. After visiting the bustling construction site, more than 300 cadres at or above the team‑leader level gathered on the open space in front of the steelmaking command center, where Li Ganpo addressed them briefly: “First, if we don’t proceed with the steelmaking project, the Group will have no future; second, as the Group moves forward with steelmaking, the entire society is behind us; third, each of us should ask ourselves: ‘With the Group building steel and everyone contributing, what should I do?’ Following this, all units are to arrange for every worker to come and visit, so that each person can see firsthand the progress of the steelmaking project and decide whether it is worth investing in.”

At a critical moment, employees of Jingye Group rallied with high morale and stepped forward, driven by their confidence in the Jingye steelmaking project. They proactively sought ways to help the group get the steel plant up and running. Some sold cattle and pigs, others cashed in their grain reserves, and some even tapped into funds earmarked for building homes and marrying off their children. Soon, long lines formed outside the office, and banknotes—each bearing the warmth of its owner—converged into a simple yet profound expression of collective love for Jingye. Within just a few days, the 20-million-yuan funding gap for the steelmaking project was closed, allowing the operation to resume smoothly.

In Li Ganpo’s view, this is nothing less than the burning hearts of everyone—people who trust in their dedication and in themselves. Even after all these years, he still remarks with deep emotion: “Jingye Group was built brick by brick, step by step, by its countless employees.”

Employees of Jingye Group have stepped up with the most straightforward, down-to-earth efforts to bridge the funding gap, breathing new life into the steelmaking project. With financing now in place, talent assembled, and land ready, will Jingye Group’s steelmaking project be completed and commissioned on schedule? Stay tuned for the next installment to find out!