Chapter 558

Changed to someone else.

What's with talking about rewarding a motorcycle?

Sure to be taken as a joke.

You've got the ability—first reward me a new bicycle.

When you can't even afford a bicycle, talking about rewarding a motorcycle—what's the difference from writing a bad check?

Thus: Thus: Mahua believed Shazhu's words without hesitation, smilingly expressed his stance, saying he was waiting for Shazhu to reward him with a motorcycle; they chatted a while longer, then Shazhu rode the motorcycle, carrying Thus: Thus: Mahua toward Bai Xu.

On the way.

Thus: Thus: Mahua, sitting inside the Item: niezi, suddenly recalled something, saying that this morning, when he took his children out of the Siheyuan, he met Yan Fugui at the gate.

Yan Fugui didn't know where Shazhu's new home was, so he asked Thus: Thus: Mahua.

Thus: Thus: Mahua, lacking Shazhu's authorization and knowing the nasty nature of those people in the Siheyuan, feared they'd come looking for trouble for Shazhu, so he didn't tell Yan Fugui Shazhu's detailed address.

Yan Fugui had no choice.

He asked Thus: Thus: Mahua to pass a message to Shazhu.

Tomorrow is Sunday; Yan Fugui waits at the Siheyuan for Shazhu, asking him to come over to discuss something.

Shazhu told Thus: Thus: Mahua to inform Yan Fugui that he would come to the Siheyuan's door tomorrow, telling Yan Fugui to get ready.

As for what matter Yan Fugui is looking for Shazhu about.

Too lazy to guess.

Since we'll know the outcome tomorrow, why waste effort now?

It's nothing more than some Siheyuan matter.

……

Yagangchang.

Factory Director Yang's complexion was extremely unpleasant, his face drawn out long.

Before him lay a document transmitted from above.

The content of that document was what made Factory Director Yang angry.

For Yagangchang to develop, besides having funds, it also needs relevant technical support; ten years ago, Yagangchang's production process already lagged behind foreign peers.

Because of some things, the original picture of striving to catch up turned into stagnation, even regression.

The rust-speckled production machines silently attest to all this.

Upon taking office, Factory Director Yang secretly vowed to make Red Star Yagangchang number one nationwide, number one in Asia, number one in the world.

He had grand ambitions.

But he was also constrained by conditions.

Even a skilled woman cannot cook without rice.

Yagangchang's current production process has been left behind by two li, product quality lags two to three generations behind, raw material loss rate is higher, and other energy consumption rates also exceed those of foreign peers.

For a simple example, one ton of iron ore yields 0.5 tons of steel, while foreign peers may produce 0.65 tons, with better quality and higher strength; Yagangchang's energy consumption per ton of steel is higher than that of foreign peers, and it also causes great environmental damage.

This is a one-plus-one-greater-than-two formula.

A major policy to revitalize the economy has been formulated; once fully opened, Yagangchang simply cannot compete with foreign peers' product dumping.

By then, likely the only option will be to shut down.

Factory Director Yang then conceived the idea of introducing foreign investment, submitted his proposal, and proposed to give Yagangchang's shares to foreign parties in exchange for their advanced production lines.

With advanced production lines and equipment, Yagangchang could greatly reduce all losses, achieving the goal of saving every penny.

But some said no, others called in, cursing Factory Director Yang as a traitor who wanted to sell Red Star Yagangchang to foreigners, causing more than ten thousand Yagangchang workers to lose faith.

The official document arrived at Factory Director Yang's hands at this juncture, and he then passed it to Xu Daming.

Xu Daming originally had no right to know this, but the person who took over Yagangchang with the advanced production line belongs to the Lou family.

As Xu Daming was Lou Xiaoe's ex-husband, he also had some connection.

Factory Director Yang then had Xu Daming accompany him in several talks with the Lou family representatives; they were about to reach an agreement when someone above threw a wrench in the works.

Worried.

"Take a look."

In his tone.

Full of bitterness.

Factory Director Yang leaned his back against the chair, staring blankly at the ceiling.

Xu Daming received the official document and looked at its content.

He couldn't help but feel bitterness on his face.

Regarding Yagangchang's joint venture, some expressed support, others opposition.

These opponents' meaning is basically the same: they think Factory Director Yang's doing this is highly improper; the polite way to say it, the impolite way, they curse his eight generations of ancestors, saying he's a traitor; they believe that once Yagangchang brings in foreign capital, it won't be theirs anymore.

They say Yagangchang has changed its color, turned into all sorts of messy colors.

"Director, this matter." Xu Daming scratched his head, then suddenly brought up Shazhu: "I think we should go find Shazhu and hear his opinion."

Factory Director Yang gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

Although he thinks Shazhu is a notable figure, the Yagangchang joint venture is of great importance; this opposition comes from someone even higher than Factory Director Yang.

What does Shazhu have?

Just his position as head of Bai Xu?

That's nowhere near enough.

Yagangchang already had shares from Lou Xiaoe's family; they had withdrawn from management, developed abroad for ten years, and returned with advanced production lines—a good thing, win-win; moreover, Lou Xiaoe will inject extra funds into Yagangchang to set up a research room for studying and innovating Yagangchang.

A perfectly good thing, not saying Lou Xiaoe harbors ill intent, and then claiming that this would make Yagangchang become the Lou family's property!

People's opposition isn't simply opposition; it's constructive opposition, saying that Yagangchang is a top-tier large factory, cannot afford any mishap. One can first find some insignificant small factory, use that small factory as a pilot; if successful, then promote this successful experience in Yagangchang; if it fails, Yagangchang suffers no loss.

The suggestion is very reasonable.

Those who originally agreed also began to waver.

Following the principle of minority submission to majority.

The matter of Yagangchang's joint venture to introduce an advanced production line came to nothing.

People had Factory Director Yang contact Lou Xiao'e, asking whether they should choose another small factory as a pilot.

During this period, Lou Xiao'e clearly expressed that people only valued Yagangchang's willingness; the proposal to use a small factory as a pilot would obviously be rejected.

Ah!

A sigh.

Flew out from Factory Director Yang's mouth.

The current Red Star Yagangchang is already in a perilous state; to put it bluntly, it is only one step away from bankruptcy.

Regarding this.

Xu Daming deeply felt the same; during this period, Xu Daming followed those people from the Propaganda Section to prepare materials and had examined Yagangchang's data reports.

That kind of genuine data report not disclosed to the public.

Shocking.

As long as there is production, the result is expenses exceeding income.

Sometimes he saw Yagangchang's dilapidated gate, saw Yagangchang's chaotic streets and workshops, and those idle workers who didn't know what to do; an indeterminate feeling welled up in Xu Daming's heart.

Is this still the Yagangchang he knows?

It has come to this.

What most pained Xu Daming was the equipment inside Yagangchang; these pieces of equipment were rusted all over, clearly the result of long-term lack of maintenance.

Moreover, some equipment and production lines were missing many key components.

These missing key components could be taken away; they must have already ended up at the waste recycling station.

The current scene at Yagangchang can be summed up in one word.

Chaos.

To want to bring back to life.

The only way is to take an unconventional path, introduce foreign capital, complete the production line upgrade, stimulate the workers' work enthusiasm, revitalize Yagangchang; as for how to handle the foreign capital, the basics are in our hands, so naturally we decide, and we can also leverage the influx of foreign capital to find ways to sell Yagangchang's products and earn money from foreigners.

Unfortunately.

Because of certain people, Yagangchang can only continue to linger on.

This is one aspect that pains Xu Daming and Factory Director Yang.

Certain aspects.

Xu Daming and Factory Director Yang are on the same side.

Since the arm cannot twist the thigh, for matters that Factory Director Yang is helpless about, Xu Daming naturally cannot force himself to do them, yet he still feels that Shazhu can solve this trouble, inexplicably having complete confidence in Shazhu.

"Factory Director Yang, if it really won't work, why don't we follow people's suggestion and first try a small factory?"

Factory Director Yang glanced at Xu Daming.

There are some things that Xu Daming is unaware of and hasn't seen through, mistakenly thinking that these are merely what appears on the surface.

The reason Xu Daming was brought in is because of the special relationship between Lou Xiaoe and Xu Daming; as her former husband, Xu Daming is undoubtedly the best person to liaise with Lou Xiaoe.

Because Yagangchang really couldn't find anyone else, and Lou Xiao'e specifically named Xu Daming.

Xu Daming was unaware of the internal situation: Yagangchang could not possibly accept Lou family funds, and Lou Xiaoe also clearly realized this.

Yagangchang originally belonged to the Lou family,.

This is a fact.

No one can change it.

Using the original words of those who opposed Lou family funds entering Yagangchang: it was originally the Lou family's enterprise; if Lou family funds were injected, would this Yagangchang still be the original Yagangchang? Would those appointed Yagangchang cadres still be cadres? Would the workers of Yagangchang become Lou family employees?

……

Siheyuan.

Xu Daming stood quietly at the doorway.

His gaze toward the Siheyuan was full of memories.

More so, he was thinking of past events: how Jia Zhangshi behaved shrewishly, how Qin Huairu played her tricks, how Yi Zhonghai lacked virtue, and also the bits and pieces of his relationship with Lou Xiao'e.

Over a month ago.

Xu Daming, after several years apart.

The first time he met Lou Xiao'e, he didn't dare recognize her; still, Lou Xiao'e generously extended her hand to Xu Daming, shook hands, and stated her identity.

When the words 'I am Lou Xiao'e' flew from Lou Xiao'e's mouth, the shock to Xu Daming was undoubtedly the greatest.

Pearl light and precious aura.

This was Xu Daming's first impression.

Mature dried rations.

This was Xu Daming's second impression.

Wearing jade earrings, hair coiled up, her clothes spotless, feet in black leather shoes, she gave Xu Daming an air of superiority, completely opposite to the country girl who married Xu Daming and stayed in the Siheyuan.

During the meal.

Lou Xiao'e took out a large black brick from her bag; when Xu Daming and others wondered what it was, Lou Xiao'e pulled out the antenna, pressed a few numbers, and sound came from inside.

Only then did Xu Daming realize that was a telephone, a mobile phone that could be held in hand to make and receive calls at any time, and his eyes filled with endless envy.

Although Lou Xiao'e spoke in Cantonese, Xu Daming still managed to catch a few words: children, family.

Lou Xiao'e had a child, and had her own family.

Then take a look at yourself.

The more he muddled along, the worse it got.

Xu Daming, immersed in his thoughts, was called back by a shout; he turned toward Yan Fugui, who was speaking, and stated his identity.

"San Daye, I'm Xu Daming."

Really, it's you, Xu Daming, oh my goodness, my Damiao—where have you been this period? What have you been doing? You didn't even say hello to the neighbors; you don't know, during this time you were away, San Daye almost went crazy with worry; during that time, Shazhu searched for you frantically, asking everyone he met if he'd seen Xu Daming, even going to the jail to inquire.

That period.

Rumors flew everywhere inside the Siheyuan.

Especially Jia Zhangshi, who spoke with certainty, said Xu Daming, like Liu Haizhong, had been arrested for doing too many things.

The neighbors also believed Jia Zhangshi's nonsense.

Who made it so that Xu Daming, neither seen alive nor dead, was suspected of having met with misfortune?

Gradually.

Inside the Siheyuan, without Xu Daming, there were no voices concerning him; only when Qin Jingru appeared did people remember that the Siheyuan still had a missing person named Xu Daming.

Seeing Xu Daming return, Yan Fugui, without further thought, shouted excitedly.

Yan Fugui's shout caused those people inside the Siheyuan to jump up in an instant.

Who?

Xu Daming!

Qin Jingru's former husband.

How did he come back?

Wasn't he said to be dead?

Or perhaps he was released?

They're not fools.

A quick glance at Xu Daming's attire made them realize they had misjudged him.

When leaving.

Xu Daming's clothes, hat, and shoes were all half-new; he was a film projectionist at the Yagangchang.

Upon returning.

Damiao's clothes, hat, and shoes were all new.

This was also thanks to Xu Daming's connection with Lou Xiao'e, because he joined the liaison team, wanting to make a good impression on Lou Xiao'e, and since they had been a couple, Factory Director Yang specially approved a hundred dollars, inside and out, to buy Xu Daming two sets of clothes, which also shocked the neighbors.

"He really is Xu Daming."

"Didn't Jia Zhangshi say Xu Daming was in jail? Look at his clothes—he's struck it rich."

"Oh no, Xu Daming's back—what will Qin Jingru do?"

Because Xu Daming was neither seen alive nor dead, they believed Jia Zhangshi's report that he had died or might be imprisoned.

Qin Jingru then used Xu Daming's disappearance as a reason, went to the Jiēdào office, and applied for this absentee divorce.

Because the Siheyuan house's ownership belonged to Xu Daming's father, Qin Jingru's plan to seize the house fell through; later, the Jiēdào office, considering that Qin Jingru had nowhere to live, stepped in to rent Xu Daming's house, letting her and her man live there.