Chapter 173: Hiring Turmoil

The news that the Steel Rolling Mill is expanding and hiring swept through Nanluoguxiang like a gust of wind. The hiring conditions were spelled out clearly: they want young, strong lads, martyrs' families get priority, and applicants must have urban household registration.

Around noon, a crowd gathered under the Old Locust Tree in the Siheyuan. Yan Bu Gui lifted an enamel jar and spat words that flew like missiles: "Great fellows, this time along our Alley, more than twenty people are watching!"

Jia Zhangshi cracked sunflower seeds while giving Qin Huairu a sideways glance: "Some people, with rural household registration, still dream of getting into the Steel Rolling Mill!"

Qin Huairu hung her head while scrubbing clothes, her eyes reddened. Has she never wanted to enter the factory? When she married into the city, she needed to transfer her household registration; Jia Zhangshi refused because of a few mu of land he wanted to keep in the countryside. Now, she has not even the qualification to apply.

Jia Dongxu squatted on the doorstep muttering: "I'll talk to my master. Our family is a respectable worker family, and my master is a seventh‑level plier worker; the factory should give him some face."

Enough! Jia Zhangshi spat sunflower shells, "Yi Zhonghai may be a seventh‑level plier worker, but he's not even a worker, let alone a leader; there's no point asking him!"

In the Central Courtyard, Yi Zhonghai's home had its windows open, and the elderly couple were murmuring.

Old Yi, do you think Li Ping'an, now Deputy Director, can get a quota?

Yi Zhonghai sucked on his tobacco pipe: "Hmph, just became Deputy Director—does he really have that much nerve?"

Just then, a commotion came from the Front Courtyard. Director Wang was surrounded by a few youngsters, hurriedly wiping sweat: "Follow the policy, don't push, don't push…"

When Li Ping'an pushed his cart into the courtyard, Yan Bu Gui lunged forward: "Ping'an! You're now Director, the hiring quota must include you, right? My family …"

Third Elder, Li Ping'an stopped his cart; this matter must follow the rules.

When he reached the Central Courtyard, Jia Dongxu came over: "Ping'an, we're neighbors after all…"

Li Ping'an smiled without replying. In his mind it was as clear as a mirror; countless people in the courtyard were watching the three quotas in his hand.

Sure enough, the next day the factory held a meeting, and Logistics Director Li Huaide kept him aside: "Ping'an, this expansion is a political task. As Deputy Director of the Security Section, you have three quotas; you must guard them well, and the Security Section will also expand."

Back in his office, Li Ping'an stared at the quota sheet, grinding his teeth. This is not a hiring quota at all; it's clearly a hot‑potato.

Wang Dahu peeked in: "Director, several leaders called on the Telephone to greet you…"

Everything must be handled according to policy. Jia, the Security Section must consist of veterans or martyrs' families; we must support the army, not let soldiers shed tears or bleed, and take good care of martyrs' relatives! Li Ping'an locked the sheet into a drawer.

But the tree wants calm while the wind keeps blowing. After an evening overtime, Li Ping'an returned home; as soon as he entered the Alley, Yan Bu Gui stopped him.

"Ping'an, the quota matter…" Yan Bu Gui rubbed his hands, pulled out two packs of Da Qianmen cigarettes from his pocket, a small token…

Li Ping'an pushed away the cigarettes: "Third Elder, you're making me commit a mistake."

"Look at you…" Yan Bu Gui sneered, "How about this: you get Yan Jiecheng into the factory, and for any matters in the back courtyard I'll stand on your side…"

Li Ping'an simply walked around him. Yan Bu Gui, with two packs of cigarettes, just wanted to get Yan Jiecheng into the factory. What is he thinking? A Steel Rolling Mill position now fetches four to five hundred, and he wants to use courtyard matters to pressure himself; I don't want to deal with courtyard affairs, it's of no use to me.

From behind came Yan Bu Gui muttering: "Once you're an official, you stop recognizing people…"

What made him even more headache‑inducing was that Yi Zhonghai also came knocking.

"Ping'an, Yi Zhonghai adopts a senior's posture in the office: with many youngsters in the courtyard, you as a leader must keep the water level even…"

Li Ping'an patiently listened: "First Elder, policy isn't set by our family; the factory's recruitment isn't under my jurisdiction. Anyone who wants to join the factory can register with Director Wang, or go directly to the factory to sign up."

That night he tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The three quotas felt like three massive stones pressing on his heart.

Early the next morning, he went straight to Li Huaide.

Director Li, you should still set these three quotas. He placed the sheet on the desk; I've just taken office and am unfamiliar with the factory's situation.

Li Huaide was momentarily stunned, then smiled: "Comrade Ping'an, you really understand the rules."

All for the sake of work. Li Ping'an remained neither obsequious nor arrogant.

Stepping out of the office, he let out a long sigh. This move of retreating to advance both avoided the web of personal favors and bought Li Huaide a personal favor. These days, work quotas are worth a fortune, and Li Huaide must remember this favor.

Sure enough, that afternoon Li Huaide praised him at the cadre meeting: "Comrade Ping'an has a strong sense of the big picture; he is worthy of everyone's learning!"

The news spread back to the Siheyuan, causing another round of chaos.

Yan Bu Gui thumped his chest and stamped his foot: "The three quotas just given away? What a waste!"

Jia Zhangshi slapped his leg in delight: "Deserved! Let him act pretentious!"

Only Qin Huairu silently chopped vegetables in the kitchen. She recalled the four characters 'urban household registration' on the hiring notice, and felt a prickling in her heart.

That evening Li Ping'an returned home, and his sister Li Pingle gathered near: "Brother, I heard you gave away the quotas?"

"What, you also want them?" Li Ping'an teased her.

"No way!" Li Pingle, who works at the Textile Factory, lifted her chin, just curious how you gave the quotas away!

Li Ping'an: "We don't have many relatives, and we don't know who to sell to. If the people in the Siheyuan found out I didn't sell to them, they'd complain even more. It's better to transfer them out and keep a low profile!"

Li Ping'an ruffled his sister's hair, while his mind plotted another move. This hiring is only the beginning; the factory's future storms will require careful, step‑by‑step strategy.

From the Front Courtyard, Xu Damao shouted: "Dad! I also want to change my workstation! Showing movies is so unenergetic; dragging such heavy equipment to the countryside every day is exhausting!"

Xu Fugui scolded: "You little brat! Showing movies is a technical skill; once you master it, going alone to the countryside will feel wonderful!"

Li Ping'an stood by the window, watching the mottled tree shadows in the courtyard. The three quotas were like mirrors, reflecting the myriad facets of life.

The next morning at work, Li Huaide specifically invited him to the Small Canteen. Four dishes and a soup, the quality was not low.

"Ping'an," Li Huaide served him a portion, "let's communicate more about future factory matters."

Li Ping'an recognized this as a reciprocal favor. He smiled and nodded: "Win‑win cooperation."

Stepping out of the canteen, the sun was perfect. Workers at the expansion site were bustling with activity. New factories, new lives—all would begin here.

Only he didn't know, this hiring uproar was far from over. Those who didn't receive quotas were brewing new stories in the shadows.

At home, Yan Bu Gui shuffled his abacus: "Three quotas! How much less money I'll earn…"

Yi Zhonghai sipped tea: "Young people are still too inexperienced."

Qin Huairu stared dreamily at the Steel Rolling Mill. Soap bubbles burst at her fingertips, like one dream after another shattering.

Li Ping'an pushed his cart out of the factory gate, the setting sun gilding his silhouette. The road ahead is long, but this first step he took was steady and sure.