Chapter 149: Steel Rolling Mill Report

The thin morning mist hadn't cleared yet, Li Ping'an got up, first cooked porridge, then went out to handle personal matters; seeing a line at the public restroom, Li Ping'an thought a toilet should be built in Xi Kua Yuan with water and electricity, otherwise they'd still have to leave the Siheyuan to use the toilet, which is inconvenient.

After returning, Li Ping'an washed up, woke his younger sister, ate breakfast, and left. Just at the courtyard gate, he ran into Yi Zhonghai and his disciple together with Liu Haizhong pushing a bicycle, ready for work.

"Is Ping'an going to the Steel Rolling Mill to report in?" Yi Zhonghai said with a smile, but his eyes glanced at Li Ping'an's old military uniform.

Jia Dongxu leaned toward the master and whispered: Master, what good position could he be assigned to?

Veterans usually end up in the Security Section. Yi Zhonghai lowered his voice, saying at most he's a Team Captain. Remember, don't provoke him in the factory.

Liu Haizhong puffed his belly and hummed: We've spent half our lives in the factory still as workers, and this young man becomes an officer after a few years of service, that's the world...

Li Ping'an pretended not to hear, and walked with steady steps toward the Steel Rolling Mill.

The gate tower of Red Star Steel Rolling Mill rose high, the red flag fluttered in the morning wind. A guard reached out to stop him: Comrade, please show your credentials.

Li Ping'an produced his registration letter: I'm here to report to the Security Section.

The guard took the letter, read it, and immediately stood at attention and saluted: Good day, Section Chief! I didn't realize it was you...

This is not the army now, no need to salute. Li Ping'an waved his hand, asking someone to take him to handle the paperwork.

Yes! Xiao Zhang, quickly take the Section Chief to the Personnel Section!

The young guard Xiao Zhang jogged along, leading the way. Through the workshop where machines roared, the two arrived at the Administrative Building.

In the Personnel Section, a bespectacled female officer took the documents, her eyes instantly brightened: Section Chief Li, your résumé is truly impressive! Three third‑class merits three times, two second‑class merits...

She opened the salary sheet: You are classified as a level‑16 officer, monthly salary 110.5 yuan. Food allotment is 35 jin, and additionally each month there are industrial coupons and cloth tickets...

An older clerk nearby leaned in: Section Chief Li, this salary is enough to marry a wife! The factory also gives officers bicycle tickets, and at year‑end there are welfare distributions.

Li Ping'an gave a slight smile: It's all thanks to the organization's care.

The female officer said while filling the form: Your benefits rank among the upper‑middle in the factory. Factory Director Yang specifically instructed that combat heroes receive the best placement.

After completing the paperwork, Xiao Zhang led him to meet Factory Director Yang. The middle‑aged officer grasped Li Ping'an's hand firmly: Comrade Ping'an, we've been waiting for you. The Security Section is now yours; you must keep the factory's security tight!

Then he met Logistics Director Li Huaide. The director smiled so broadly that his teeth were visible: Section Chief Li, if you need anything in the future, feel free to ask!

Having received a dark‑blue uniform, an aluminum lunchbox, and a thick stack of meal tickets, Li Ping'an finally arrived at the Security Section.

In the office, a few uniformed staff were sipping tea and chatting; when Li Ping'an entered, they merely lifted their eyes lazily.

Xiao Zhang quickly introduced: This is the newly arrived Section Chief Li.

A scar‑faced man rose slowly: Wang Dahu, a battalion Team Captain.

Li Ping'an glanced around; these people had no bearing, they didn't look like a disciplined force at all.

All Security Section members were notified: those on duty, assemble at the playground in half an hour.

Wang Dahu was startled: Now?

Right now.

Half an hour later, over fifty people stood sparsely on the playground. Li Ping'an stood at the front of the formation, his gaze sweeping each face.

I am Li Ping'an, the newly appointed Security Section Chief. My voice is not loud but strong; I know many of you are veterans, and you may feel resentful.

Murmured whispers rose from below.

Today we'll set up a ring here; whoever can defeat me, the Section Chief will let him become Section Chief.

The whole venue erupted in a roar.

Wang Dahu jumped out: Section Chief Li, are you serious?

In the army, there is no joking.

Wang Dahu stripped off his coat, saying: In the troops I was the champion of the Reconnaissance Company, take that!

Li Ping'an assumed the opening stance of Bajiquan.

Wang Dahu lunged forward in a spear‑step, his fist striking straight at Li Ping'an's face. Li Ping'an neither dodged nor avoided; his left hand blocked, his right hand performed a close‑mount, forcing Wang Dahu to retreat five or six steps before regaining balance.

What power! Wang Dahu set aside his contempt, unleashing all his skill. No matter how he attacked, Li Ping'an always easily deflected.

After three or five rounds, Li Ping'an placed a thrusting elbow against his chest: I accept.

The whole venue fell silent.

Wang Dahu, panting heavily, stood at attention and saluted: Good day, Section Chief!

Now everyone put away their contempt.

Li Ping'an returned to the front of the formation: I now announce new rules.

First, run ten laps each day during drills. The last five will be given three chances; if they rank at the bottom for three consecutive days, they will be reassigned.

The crowd below gasped sharply.

Second, day‑night shifts rotate every half‑month. Night shift patrols occur every two hours; sleeping is strictly prohibited. One violation costs one yuan and a record; three violations lead to reassignment. I will inspect irregularly.

The formation began to stir.

If you cannot accept it, you may be reassigned right now.

A young squad member spoke: Section Chief Li, I have no objection to the training, but we're not getting enough to eat...

Li Ping'an's gaze hardened: If you have a suggestion, don't you report it? We are a disciplined force, not a band of irregulars!

The young member quickly stood at attention: Report!

Report, Section Chief, the food allotment is insufficient; increasing training intensity makes us fear we won't get enough to eat.

I will resolve this issue. Li Ping'an nodded, saying he would coordinate with Logistics today. Anyone else with a problem, raise it now.

At this moment another veteran raised his hand: Report!

Report, Section Chief, night‑shift meals are all cold; can we arrange a helper to prepare a midnight snack? Winter is unbearable.

Li Ping'an thought briefly: That's a good suggestion. Night‑shift comrades indeed need hot meals. I will apply to Logistics.

He surveyed the whole room: Anyone else with a problem, raise it now.

Since there are no objections, we'll enforce the new rules. Li Ping'an checked his watch; now, everyone must run ten laps around the playground, and the last five will have extra training tonight!

The squad members inwardly complained, but after witnessing Li Ping'an's skill, no one dared to defy.

When running, Li Ping'an always stayed ahead, his stride steady. Some of the older team members could keep up at first, but later fell behind.

After completing ten laps, Li Ping'an stood at the finish line without a change of expression, watching the team members collapse to the ground.

Starting tomorrow, training will begin half an hour earlier each day. Li Ping'an's voice was steady as each Team Captain led their people to familiarize themselves with the new patrol routes.

Back in the office, Wang Dahu came in, scratching his head: "Section Chief, your Bajiquan is really impressive; could you teach the brothers?"

Want to learn? Li Ping'an gave him a glance and said, "I'll tell you after you finish the basic training."

Just then, Li Huaide entered with a cheerful smile, pushing the door: "Section Chief Li, I heard you're going to increase the food ration for the Security Section?"

Director Li is really well‑informed. Li Ping'an invited him to sit down: the training volume is being increased, the ration is insufficient. There's also another matter: the night‑shift comrades need a hot midnight snack.

Well… Li Huaide showed a hesitant expression: food supplies are tight right now…

Li Ping'an took out a document: this is the Military Industrial Enterprise Security Regulations, which stipulate that security personnel receive the same ration as frontline workers. Director Li, would you like to take a look?

Li Huaide took the document and wiped his sweat: since there's a regulation, of course we'll implement it. I'll arrange it right away.

After seeing Li Huaide off, Wang Dahu said admiringly: "Section Chief, you really have a system."

Li Ping'an looked out the window: leading a team requires strict discipline as well as generous care. Go tally the team members' family situations, and report any especially difficult cases to me.

Wang Dahu stood at attention and saluted; this time it was sincere.

When the off‑duty bell rang, Li Ping'an changed back into casual clothes and left through the factory gate. As the sun set in the west, his silhouette stretched long in the afterglow.

At the factory gate, Yi Zhonghai and his disciple were just finishing their shift. Jia Dongxu whispered: "Master, I heard Li Ping'an today defeated Wang Dahu."

Yi Zhonghai squinted: "From now on, be careful in the factory; this person is not ordinary."

Li Ping'an seemed not to notice them, walking straight toward the Siheyuan. His steps were steady and powerful, as resolute as when crossing a fire line on a battlefield.

A new battlefield has already been laid out.