Chapter 334

Li Ping'an laid out future tranquility within the tiny stamp space, but could not sustain it for long.

Inside the Steel Rolling Mill, the open and covert struggle over that key workshop director post was like a taut bowstring; after days of deadlock, it finally came to a close with the issuance of the Factory Party Committee's final decision, a "Pop!"—the dust settled.

The result was Yang Weiguo's narrow victory.

At the final and most intense Party Committee meeting, Yang Weiguo, relying on his solid technical background and emphasis on production stability, won the support of most of the factory's technical backbone and some pragmatic mid-level cadres.

His stressed maxims—"production safety outweighs heaven" and "technical foundation is the base"—ultimately prevailed in the output‑focused industrial system; in the end, the senior deputy director with deep experience and solid skills received the appointment.

The news spread, and some rejoiced while others worried.

Those supporting Yang Weiguo naturally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the factory's production order was secured and unhealthy trends suppressed; the newly appointed veteran director was full of ambition, ready to launch a major push.

However, to many people's surprise, Li Huaide, the losing side, showed little dejection or anger after the decision was announced.

After the Factory Party Committee meeting ended, Li Huaide even ran into Yang Weiguo in the hallway; he managed to put on his usual, slightly exaggerated smile, stepped forward and shook hands: "Director Yang, congratulations! Old Liu (referring to the new director) is indeed an experienced comrade; with him overseeing workshop production, we can all rest easy! The factory's work still depends on our team's unity!"

His words were spoken righteously, as if the earlier fierce opposition had never happened; beneath that smile, no trace of defeat or dejection could be seen, instead revealing an inscrutable depth.

Seeing Li Huaide's flawless smile, Yang Weiguo felt not relief but heightened vigilance. He knew this deputy well—Li Huaide was no one who easily admits defeat or bears a broad mind; his current "magnanimity" was more like a strategy of advancing by retreating.

"Comrade Huaide is right, unity is important," Yang Weiguo said, withdrawing his hand without changing expression, tone flat: "It's all for the factory's development."

Returning to his office and closing the door, Li Huaide's smile instantly vanished, his eyes turning sinister. He walked to the window, watching the workers coming and going below in the factory area, his fingers unconsciously tapping the sill.

Losing this time doesn't matter. He smirked inwardly. Yang Weiguo, you think you've won? It's merely a temporary occupancy of a position.

He was indeed not discouraged. This contest was originally his probe and exertion; winning would be nice, allowing rapid expansion of his influence; losing was fine too, at least he could see who in the factory was die‑hard for Yang Weiguo and who were mere fence‑sitters, and more importantly, he succeeded in putting forth the ideas of "breaking convention" and "promoting newcomers," planting seeds among some young workers and grassroots cadres.

This loss actually clarified his next direction for him: a dual approach of top‑level maneuvering and grassroots infiltration.

He picked up the telephone, connected to his father‑in‑law's secretary at the Ministry of Industry, and respectfully reported the factory's "latest situation," emphasizing Yang Weiguo's "sticking to old ways" and "suppressing the enthusiasm of young comrades" as "problems," and tactfully asked his father‑in‑law to give some "guidance" at an appropriate time.

After hanging up, he began calculating personnel moves within the factory. Though he hadn't secured the key workshop director post, could he perhaps place his own people in other less conspicuous but equally important deputy roles, or positions such as warehouse management and quality‑control links?

There was also the idea of a "Production Technology Innovation Study Group"; although temporarily shelved, it could be renamed, say, a "Young Workers' Study Group," to gather those with ideas and dissatisfaction with the status quo—this would be the future force.

Of course, there was also Qin Huairu as a pawn. Li Huaide narrowed his eyes, recalling that woman in the Logistics Department who was becoming increasingly obedient. Though her rank was low, being in logistics gave her broad contact and access to some factory rumors and material situations, making her useful. It seemed he ought to give her a little sweetener to bind her tighter……

At the very moment Li Huaide was secretly calculating, Li Ping'an, the Security Department Chief, also received the news.

Chen Jianghe came in to report, his tone carrying a barely detectable ease: "Chief, the workshop director has been decided—it's Deputy Director Old Liu."

"Hn." Li Ping'an merely gave a faint reply, his face showing no expression, continuing to review the documents in his hand, as if this had been expected all along.

"Deputy Director Li's side… this time he hit a snag," Chen Jianghe added tentatively.

Li Ping'an lifted his head, glanced at Chen Jianghe, his gaze calm: "The Factory Party Committee's decision, we in the Security Department will implement resolutely. As for matters between leaders, that's not for us to discuss. Just do our own jobs."

"Yes, Chief." Chen Jianghe's heart jolted; he instantly grasped Li Ping'an's stance—no participation, no commentary, remain neutral.

Li Ping'an lowered his head and kept working on official duties, yet his mind was like a clear mirror. Yang Weiguo's narrow victory meant the factory's current balance was barely maintained, but the conflict was not resolved; rather, it might intensify due to Li Huaide's temporary setback. Li Huaide would certainly not take defeat lying down; his sort would only become more patient and crafty after a loss.

His earlier vague support for Li Huaide now seemed just right—it hadn't thoroughly offended Yang Weiguo, yet it left a favor with Li Huaide.

Li Ping'an pondered silently. From now on, he must be even more careful with words and deeds, firmly holding the Security Section's position, lest any side easily drag him into trouble.

In the siheyuan, the outcome of this high‑level struggle had not yet caused major ripples. Ordinary workers only cared about their wages and livelihoods; who became workshop director made little difference to them.

Xu Damao returned from work, hearing the news left him a bit unsettled. He leaned somewhat toward Li Huaide, fearing that if Factory Director Li lost influence it might drag him down. Wang Cuihua saw his look and couldn't help scolding: "Look at your pathetic ambition! Even if the sky falls, there's a high beam to prop it up—why waste your idle mind on running a movie? Hurry up and feed those two chickens!"

Sha Zhu was at home, cheerfully frying an extra egg, and told Ma Dongmei: "See? Director Yang is reliable! Someone like Li Huaide, who only knows how to flatter with words, deserves this treatment!"

In the west wing courtyard, all remained tranquil. Li Ping'an returned from work, as usual checked his son's homework, played with his daughter, and chatted with his wife about household matters. The factory's storms and changes seemed shut out by that courtyard gate.

Only he himself knew that, in these seemingly peaceful days, he was like an experienced helmsman, carefully adjusting his course—harnessing the wind while avoiding hidden reefs—moving steadily toward his chosen direction amidst the era's torrent and the factory's undercurrents.

The dust has settled on the workshop director contest, but it is not an end; rather, it marks the start of another, more complex struggle.