Chapter 338: Xu Damao Shows Loyalty

The "Supervisor" sword in Li Huaide's hand flashed cold light, stirring the hearts of the Steel Rolling Mill workers, yet also illuminating some people's hidden desires and ambitions. Xu Damao was one who, burned by that cold light, felt restless and then became full of ambition.

Since the Supervision Team was formed, watching Li Huaide's authority grow daily, even his trusted clerk stationed in the Supervisor's office has become a bit more upright in the Propaganda Section.

Xu Damao felt as if twenty‑five mice were clawing his heart. He boasted that he was on Factory Director Li's side; the last contest for workshop chief yielded no benefit, and now the wind rose again—could he miss it? Seeing the factory's shifting fortunes, the chance to pick a side and show loyalty was fleeting; Xu Damao could wait no longer!

But loyalty cannot be shown with words alone. Xu Damao knew Li Huaide well; he was the type who wouldn't let go of a hawk without seeing a rabbit. Empty flattery would not even make a splash with Factory Director Li. He had to place a heavy bet, spend blood and money, so that Li would see his "sincerity" and "value"!

The idea, like a raging vine, wound tightly around Xu Damao's heart. He began to lose sleep, tallying his family's assets.

The side earnings from taking movies to the countryside, the household savings Wang Cuihua scrimped, and the two old hens brought back last time—though he couldn't bring himself to eat them, they were still living things, not money… after cobbling everything together, the cash he could actually move amounted to a little over two hundred yuan.

At that time, for an ordinary worker family, that was almost an astronomical sum, representing all the years Xu Damao had painstakingly saved.

"You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child!" Xu Damao steeled himself, his eyes reddening. He decided to gamble big! Not only to give money, but to give it cleverly, so that Li Huaide would be deeply impressed and think of Xu Damao as "one of us", a "talent to be cultivated"!

First, through a distant relative who worked at a department store, he gritted his teeth to obtain two extremely scarce "industrial vouchers". Those things were harder to get than cash and could purchase goods not found on the market.

Then, pocketing the large sum and the vouchers, he slipped into the Trust Store like a thief, where one could sometimes barter for good items without tickets.

His goal was clear: to buy something both valuable and practical, that also displayed "cultural taste", not the crass approach of simply handing over cash, cigarettes, or liquor.

In the end, he settled on a pair of fine Jingdezhen blue‑and‑white porcelain vases, said to be Republic‑era reproductions of Qianlong pieces, with delicate painting and warm glaze, which would look impressive at home, costing a full eighty yuan! He also bought a brand‑new "Hero 100" gold pen, a standard accessory for cadres and intellectuals at the time, symbolically significant, costing over thirty yuan.

With the remaining cash, he bought two Zhonghua cigarettes and two bottles of Moutai liquor—hard currency that could be shown off at any time.

Seeing his nearly emptied family funds and these meticulously prepared "generous gifts", Xu Damao felt his heart bleed. Yet thinking of the possible reward—Deputy Section Chief of the Propaganda Section? Or a temporary transfer to a more lucrative department? Even greater benefits after Factory Director Li came to power… he forced the pain aside, replaced by a frenzy of all‑or‑nothing zeal.

How to deliver was a technical matter. Carrying it straight to the office would be too conspicuous; delivering to his home… Xu Damao knew which staff dorm Li Huaide lived in, but a sudden visit would be improper. He pondered for a while and decided to use an opportunity to "report work".

First, under the pretext of "reflecting the grassroots's positive response to the Supervisor's work", he went through that pen‑wielding clerk and secured ten minutes of Li Huaide's "precious time";

The night before meeting Li Huaide, he barely slept, rehearsing his speech repeatedly, ensuring it wasn't too blunt yet made his intentions clear.

The next afternoon, Xu Damao deliberately put on his most presentable cotton‑blend Zhongshan suit, his hair slicked, and tucked an inconspicuous old cloth bag under his arm, heavy inside with all his "sincerity" and future ambitions.

Walking toward the Administrative Building, sweat beaded his palms, his heart pounded like a drum, a mix of nervousness and the exhilaration of staking his entire fortune.

Arriving at Li Huaide's office, after the secretary announced his arrival, he took a deep breath and pushed the door open.

Li Huaide was seated behind a large desk reviewing documents; when he saw Xu Damao enter, he merely lifted his eyelids, expression neutral: "Comrade Damao, what is it? I hear you have some insights on the Supervisor's work?"

"Factory Director Li!" Xu Damao instantly wore a twelve‑point respectful, even flattering smile, his waist involuntarily curving a bit, "Sorry to disturb your precious time. I have no real insight; it's just that when we played the propaganda film in the workshop, the workers voiced strong support for your directives to strengthen safety supervision and promote technological innovation. Everyone says you're truly thinking of the factory's long‑term development and taking responsibility for our safety!"

He uttered the empty flattery while carefully placing the old cloth bag on the wall‑adjacent coffee table, the motion natural as if merely setting it down.

Li Huaide, ever shrewd, glanced faintly at the seemingly ordinary yet slightly heavy cloth bag; his face remained unchanged, merely uttering a "hm" as his fingers tapped the desk: "It's good that the grassroots are aware. The Supervisor work is just beginning and still needs everyone's support and truthful feedback."

"Of course! Of course!" Xu Damao promptly echoed, leaning forward, lowering his voice, his tone exceedingly sincere, "Factory Director Li, I, Xu Damao, have no other skill but absolute loyalty to the factory and to the tasks you assign, with no ulterior motives! Whatever errands or matters you need attention to, just command me! I will spare no effort to handle everything properly!"

His words were almost a naked declaration of loyalty. As he spoke, his gaze casually flicked again toward the cloth bag.

Li Huaide finally set aside the documents, leaned back in his chair, and stared deeply at Xu Damao for a few seconds before smiling—a smile bearing a knowing, superior tone: "Comrade Damao, having this intention is good. It's all revolutionary work, no hierarchy. If you convey some genuine grassroots dynamics, especially… differing views on the factory's current production management, promptly, that also advances the work."

His words effectively endorsed Xu Damao's allegiance and gave a clear directive—to act as eyes and ears, gathering "issues" and "negative feedback" from Yang Weiguo's faction.

Xu Damao's heart surged with joy, realizing his heavy bet had paid off! He suppressed his excitement, nodding repeatedly: "Understood! Factory Director Li, I understand! I will report to you promptly and accurately!"

"Hm," Li Huaide nodded satisfactorily, as if only now noticing the cloth bag, gesturing with his chin, "In your bag…"

"Oh! Look at my memory!" Xu Damao slapped his forehead, hurried to open the cloth bag, and with a nonchalant motion took out each item, "Factory Director Li, this is a hometown specialty from a distant relative of mine who heard I work under you and insisted I bring it to you as a sign of respect. Two bottles of liquor to relieve your fatigue; two cigarettes for entertaining guests; this pair of vases, decent enough to display; this pen for signing documents… all are modest tokens, please don't refuse!"

He said it lightly, but each item he took out made Li Huaide's eyes brighten a bit. Especially the pair of blue‑and‑white porcelain vases and the Hero gold pen were not mere "local specialties"; their value and purpose were mutually understood.

Li Huaide's smile deepened; he waved his hand, his tone a mix of reproach and satisfaction: "Look at you, what's this? We don't do this here! Take it back, take it back!"

"Director! This is just a token of goodwill! If you refuse, it means you look down on me, Xu Damao, and I can't explain to my relative!" Xu Damao, resolute, forced the items onto the coffee table.

"Ah, you…" Li Huaide helplessly shook his head, no longer arguing, and said lightly, "This won't set a precedent. Leave the items here; I'll have the secretary handle them. I received your intention. Keep up the good work; the factory won't overlook any enlightened, capable comrade."

With those words, Xu Damao felt as if he had taken a calming pill; his whole body felt a few pounds lighter. He reiterated his loyalty once more and gratefully exited the office.

As the door shut, Li Huaide looked at the pile of "tokens" on the coffee table, a hint of mocking pride curling his mouth. He didn't place much weight on Xu Damao's small‑scale allegiance and tribute, but it signified a shift in wind, a sign of his growing influence.

He would of course accept those items with a smile. As for what Xu Damao seeks… that will depend on his future performance. A dog shackled with a golden chain is sometimes more useful than a person.

Xu Damao stepped out of the Administrative Building, the wind blowing, and realized his back was drenched with cold sweat. Yet his heart was filled with ecstatic joy and anticipation.

He glanced back at the imposing office building, as if already seeing his bright future. This all‑in gamble with his family's savings, he believed he had already secured a ticket to entry.

Whether the future leads to promotion or total loss, at this moment blind optimism obscures it. The golden shackle is already on, and he, willingly dragging that shackle, rushes toward the tempting yet perilous steps of power.