Chapter 542: Shazhu directly flipped the table

Yagangchang's spiritual civilization construction work.

It refers to publicity work, responsible for publicity and related tasks, showing movies, creating bulletin boards, and organizing workers' grand gatherings.

Deputy Factory Director Li's goal was Yagangchang's production management and sales work; assigning him publicity work was equivalent to sidelining Deputy Factory Director Li from Yagangchang's core management.

He wasn't very happy.

But there was nothing he could do.

In this power struggle for profit.

He considered himself defeated, smiled at Factory Director Yang, cheerfully took on the publicity work, and patted his chest to promise he would give Factory Director Yang a satisfactory answer.

His steady, smile‑like‑a‑tiger composure even made Factory Director Yang secretly give a thumbs‑up.

I thought the matter was settled.

But it still added a few twists.

He harbored no jealousy toward Shazhu.

Huang Shiren realized he could no longer debate with Shazhu whether he was a person or benevolence, suppressed his anger, and spoke a few pleasantries.

"Comrade He Yuzhu really knows how to joke; from now on the two of us will work together, and I hope Comrade He Yuzhu's cooking skills will bring Bai Xu greater glory."

"Group Leader, take a look—we've finished processing a few parts, and the morning's quota is done."

"Sorry, I'm narrow‑minded; you've been riding on my head, defecating and urinating, yet you still want me to say you're good? I can't. The documents above make it clear: they say I, He Yuzhu, have treated Bai Xu as my own private plot. Since there's still room to fix things, I quit—my wife, my sister, they won't work either. As for Thus: Thus: Mahua and Liu Lan, I don't trust you; I fear you'll sabotage them, and they won't work either."

The news of Shazhu's return to Ershitang spread like wind through Yagangchang; tens of thousands of Yagangchang workers instantly erupted in uproar. During the time Shazhu was away from Ershitang, the workers' meals were subpar, and they constantly compared the food and steamed buns to Shazhu's, leaving the cooks also unhappy.

It gave Shazhu a feeling of petty triumph.

"You."

Huang Shiren's face stiffened; he had imagined Shazhu might embarrass him, but he never expected Shazhu to flip the table without even leaving Factory Director Yang's office.

"Gone."

"Have you retrieved everything?"

Yagangchang has ten canteens; when Shazhu was there, Ershitang ranked first among them and was the workers' top choice for meals.

"Yeah, those IOUs and triangular debts are enough to keep him busy."

A bit awkward.

"As you wish."

Without Shazhu, Ershitang lost its glory and actually fell to last place.

Just thinking about being able to eat Shazhu's food, the workers inexplicably felt a surge of enthusiasm, which also made Factory Director Yang and the other plant leaders laugh and cry at once.

The people of Ershitang spontaneously formed two lines and gave Shazhu a gaze of attention.

"Master Wang, you are now the squad leader of Ershitang; everything in Ershitang is up to you. I am just a private under your command—feel free to give orders."

"You are a Yagangchang employee; Bai Xu is nominally a subsidiary of Yagangchang. How can you just say you won't work and not work?"

After Factory Director Yang conveyed the superiors' relevant opinions to Shazhu, this little‑bearded brother stepped forward and extended his right hand to Shazhu.

Inside Ershitang it was lively as ever.

The happiest place was none other than Ershitang.

Shazhu let out a "pfft" laugh.

"Hello, Master He."

If it were someone else.

In fact, Shazhu even became a motivator for Yagangchang workers' enthusiasm.

Beforehand, it was agreed with Deputy Factory Director Li that Shazhu would handle the kitchen and cooking, while Huang Shiren would oversee the big picture and take charge of Bai Xu restaurant's concrete management, leveraging Shazhu's culinary skills to earn them merit.

Man is unlucky.

There are no eternal secrets under heaven.

No idlers remained inside the room.

"Zhuzi, you've given me another unexpected joy—I never thought you'd consider the IOUs and triangular debts."

He showed no regard for the ugly expression on Huang Shiren's face.

The boastful sound of Shazhu flew into everyone's ears in the room.

Huang Shiren also had no recourse; he could only agree, then glared at Shazhu, said goodbye to Factory Director Yang, and walked out the door.

With the shout "I, Hu Hansan, am back again," it was announced that Shazhu officially returned to Yagangchang's Ershitang.

"Stir‑fried eggplant, braised pork chunks, pork stewed with vermicelli—let's eat."

"Hahaha!"

Even drinking cold water gets stuck in the teeth.

"Hello, workers."

It seemed as if he were echoing Factory Director Yang.

A slight whisker.

Such a skilled chef might be transferred again someday; Old Wang wouldn't deliberately seek trouble with Shazhu, for she isn't foolish and won't ruin her own future over someone who could be reassigned at any time.

Shazhu's return inadvertently rescued them.

The books showed a profit, but what was produced was just a pile of IOUs, impossible to explain to superiors.

Back then he still thought of summoning Shazhu for a proper chat, hoping that once Bai Xu opened they could avoid IOUs as much as possible.

The newcomer called Huang Shiren.

Chefs eat by pure skill; if you're able, you're a big shot; if not, you're a nobody. Shazhu's culinary talent ranks among the best in the Capital City—had it not been for that accident years ago, He Yuzhu might have gone to work for a government bureau.

Superiors directly appointed an airborne leader to handle all of Bai Xu's affairs; this person showed up with an appointment letter before Factory Director Yang, and when Shazhu entered, the guy sitting opposite Factory Director Yang was him.

Factory Director Yang froze.

It felt just like the first time I met Shazhu, staring intently at him.

Translation: "It was as if it was the first time meeting Shazhu, staring straight at Shazhu."

It felt just like the first time I met Shazhu, staring intently at him.

Make sure to keep meaning.

I really don't want to work anymore.

Mainly, over the past few days, I've seen too many things like this.

Gone?

Shazhu turned his head and raised his voice toward Factory Director Yang, whose eyes hinted at a smile.

There's nothing to be done; who let me just know how to cook? Factory Director, I'll be transferred back—I don't want any position, just to cook.

Comrade He Yuzhu, you're joking; we all serve the people. I know Master He resents me for seizing Bai Xu's management rights. To be honest, I truly don't blame him; this is a task assigned by superiors, I must complete it satisfactorily. Please, Master He, be magnanimous, and together let's add bricks and tiles to Bai Xu.

It caused Huang Shiren's expression to change again.

My sister and my wife don't need it; nowadays jobs are hard to find, to avoid causing you trouble, I estimate at most a month's time; after working over ten years, let's rest well.

In order to avoid the result of self-theft by those guarding.

The person Deputy Factory Director Li sent to give me eye drops, you can just throw down the burden, let them know peaches aren't that easy to pick.

Master He, this is the honor the organization entrusted to us; you can't just throw down the burden.

Ershitang's shift leader, Old Wang.

Comrade Huang, what do you think of this?

No one knows who reported Shazhu's misdeeds, claiming he turned Bai Xu into the He family's private plot; the back kitchen is handled by Shazhu's apprentice and a colleague of over ten years; the second-floor private rooms are managed by Shazhu's distant younger sister; the first-floor hall is fully overseen by Shazhu's wife Yu Li; Shazhu also oversees the overall situation.

Say a heart-stabbing remark.

Master He, you've finally returned; you don't know what kind of days I've been through lately; sit, sit, sit—we've always kept your seat for you.

Since that's the case, I hereby announce that from now on, Master He will oversee the specific affairs of Ershitang.

Just based on appearance, Thus: Thus: Mahua and Liu Lan lost confidence in him; rather than staying in Bai Xu to sit idle and be given small shoes, it's better to advance and retreat together with Shazhu.

Good, good, good.

Otherwise, it would really be hard to explain to the superiors.

Thus: Thus: Mahua and Liu Lan quickly learned of the changes at Bai Xu, also knowing that Shazhu had transferred them back to the steel plant, feeling a bit of warmth inside.

Master He, you're back; the great authority over Ershitang's management is now handed to you; you give the orders.

Team leader, I think we should be foolproof: those who work work, those who queue queue; in case others have the same idea, we wouldn't get to eat Shazhu's cooking, would we?

Just within less than ten minutes after Factory Director Yang and them ended their meeting, a mysterious phone call came to Factory Director Yang; after connecting, not knowing what the other side said, anyway Factory Director Yang's expression wasn't good; he sent someone to fetch Shazhu and explained the situation to him.

Some words, Shazhu and Factory Director Yang could then talk openly.

Factory Director Yang, who was discussing matters with people, opened the window and said to those inside: 'Listen, listen carefully; this is the voice of the workers.'

Factory Director, what grievance, not grievance—I know what's going on; what background does this Mr. Huang Shiren have?

Comrade He Yuzhu, I am Huang Shiren, not Huang Shiren, I am a person of the people, wholeheartedly for the people.

Originally, the reason for going to Bai Xu was entirely out of respect for Shazhu's face, believing Shazhu could make Bai Xu more nourishing.

I've long heard that the Red Star Steel Plant has a chef famous throughout the Capital City; today I see, indeed the reputation is not undeserved; I am Huang Shiren.

Under the circumstances that the deed is done.

I understand, Huang Shiren, the one who forced Yang Bailao to death and turned Xi'er into the White-Haired Girl; I say, Huang Shiren, you're not righteous; look how you've driven Yang Bailao to sell his children.

Master He, this is 'the able bear more work'.

His words had just fallen.

The problem is, this brother is not an ordinary person.

Factory Director Yang, I have a matter to trouble you with: when Bai Xu was first established, our steel plant and Bai Xu had an agreement; Bai Xu personnel could first be transferred from the steel plant; please tell the logistics director to transfer Thus: Thus: Mahua and Liu Lan back again; they are workers of Ershitang, seconded to Bai Xu for work; transferring them back also wouldn't violate policy.

Huang Shiren really thinks this way: if Shazhu stays in Bai Xu, Bai Xu achieves results, that's Huang Shiren's merit; if Shazhu doesn't stay in Bai Xu, Bai Xu's benefits are poor, Huang Shiren will then use the excuse that Thus: Thus: Mahua and Liu Lan are Shazhu's confidants to exonerate himself.

Comrade Huang, Master He, say a few less words; you both have anger in your hearts; otherwise, following Master He's opinion, I will transfer Thus: Thus: Mahua and Liu Lan back to the steel plant; as for Bai Xu's affairs, Comrade Huang will be fully in charge; Comrade Huang, do you think this arrangement works?

Huang Shiren, you still have a sentence unsaid, which would let your Huang Shiren advance further in your official career.

I'll transfer you, Thus: Thus: Mahua, and Liu Lan back shortly; as for your wife and sister's matters, forget it—I'll send the Buddha to the west, I'll transfer them all back together.

Old Wang, you're not righteous.

They forcibly pressed Shazhu into his previous seat.

Taken back.

Shazhu smiled and comforted them a bit, then brought Liu Lan and Thus: Thus: Mahua to Ershitang.

White slips and triangular debts—only someone like Factory Director Yang knows these things; many enterprises, because of white slips, because of triangular debts, have caused factory directors to lose their factories, units to lose their units.

After entering the door.

Still Huang Shiren, huh.

Zhuzi, I've wronged you.

…… => This is an ellipsis line. We need to output exactly the same? The line contains "……". We should translate? It's just an ellipsis, meaning omission. We should keep as is? Probably output the same: "……". We'll output: "……".

If it truly were the organization's honor, you wouldn't deliberately show off in front of me; I'm doing this for your own good, lest Bai Xu fails to achieve results in the future, you blame heaven and others, give Thus: Thus: Mahua and Liu Lan a 'shit bucket' on their heads, saying they dragged you down, which is bad for your official prospects.

Both of them let out a bout of complaints.

At a glance it's not something good.

Shazhu once again blocked Huang Shiren's path.

This morning's work, everyone put in extra effort, finish early, go early to queue at Ershitang; Shazhu returns to Ershitang; I estimate many will go to Ershitang to get meals; put in extra effort, don't let our unfinished work cause us to miss Shazhu's food.

For the first time, his gaze fell solemnly on Shazhu; he examined Shazhu seriously and found Shazhu is someone who doesn't follow conventional tactics.

What me?

As a result, Shazhu in one breath exposed what he had in mind.

Outside Ershitang, full of vigor.

You, I envy you.

Shazhu was seen.

The accounts were settled at month's end.

People are emotional animals.

Among Bai Xu's fifteen staff, those connected to Shazhu already accounted for one‑third; if they ever teamed up to falsify accounts, how could Bai Xu's reform be demonstrated?

I no longer had any thought of being wary of your feelings; you damn well came to pick peaches, yet I still bothered being polite to you, so I deliberately made a teasing remark.

Huang Shiren changed his expression for the third time.

If Shazhu doesn't work at Bai Xu, their staying there loses all meaning.

He surely just endured it.

When Shazhu pushed open the door of Ershitang.

Shazhu's frankness.

Being scolded and questioned about one's ancestors every day, naturally one isn't very happy.

Triangular eyes.

"As the dog reminded, the second rascal, put down your livelihood for a moment, take all the team members' lunch boxes, line up at Ershitang; for every meal Shazhu makes, take one portion; as for the meal money, we'll split it equally when we bring the food back."

"Team leader, I'll go right away."

"Deputy Factory Director Li." Factory Director Yang, striking while the iron was hot, deliberately poked Deputy Factory Director Li in the heart, using the workers' praise of Shazhu's cooking, kicked him while he was down, saying: "You were just in charge of publicity; I think this is a breakthrough point; He Yuzhu's return has mobilized the workers' enthusiasm at Yagangchang; this is positive; this is a good thing that demonstrates our workers' value; I think we should really publicize it."