Chapter 347: The Chessboard After the Turmoil

The aftershocks of the late‑night raid in Sheep Tail Alley, like a stone thrown into the deep pool of the Steel Rolling Mill, stirred ripples far deeper and more complex than what the surface shows.

The Project Team slipped away with the captives and the Radio Station, leaving a sealed courtyard and countless whispered guesses at the Alley entrance, but those guesses were for now strictly confined to a very small circle.

For the overwhelming majority of Steel Factory workers and cadres, days seemed still the same: the machines roared on, the canteen remained noisy.

However, among the few who knew and those with keen noses, the scent in the air had already changed.

Xu Damao was the most "keen‑nosed" of all. When the spy turmoil first erupted, he was terrified to the point of nearly losing his soul, especially after hearing it involved special parts, fearing that an investigation would uncover his hopping around the logistics system under the name of "Supervisor". Those days he kept his tail tucked, rarely even appearing at the Propaganda Section's door, and everyone looked like a plainclothes officer.

When the hype seemed to subside and the Project Team withdrew, his lingering anxiety finally settled back into his gut, and immediately that restless, eager‑to‑prove‑oneself heart began to stir again.

"Damn, what a back‑handed move!" Xu Damao muttered in his own corner of the Propaganda Section, grinding his teeth at the movie poster on the wall, "Just when I was about to earn a merit with Factory Director Li, a spy pops up out of nowhere! The whole limelight got snatched by the Security Section's tough guys!"

He completely forgot his own earlier embarrassment in the canteen, feeling only that his luck was poor.

But who is Xu Damao? He's a flexible "talented hero"! With Factory Director Li, the connection can't be cut; he still must offer his attentiveness.

He mulled it over: the spy matter is a big deal, the Security Section showed its face, but what Factory Director Li wants is not just catching the spy, but the plant's say and concrete managerial authority.

The logistics "front", cannot be lost because of a single accident!

He picked up again the somewhat worn folder, which contained his "dedicated research" results of recent days—a draft proposal titled "Improving the Logistics Material Management System to Eliminate Loopholes (first draft)".

This time he acted "smart", no longer mentioning specific menus or a particular reception, but elevating to the level of "systems", "processes", and "long‑term mechanisms", with the text tightly centered on the theme "learn from recent incidents and strengthen internal controls", making him appear enlightened and competent, while subtly echoing Li Huaide's earlier advice to "pay attention to methods" and "identify systemic issues".

"Right, that's it! Spies are external threats, we're dealing with internal worries! A two‑pronged approach will showcase Factory Director Li's foresight and my own loyal competence!"

The more Xu Damao thought about it, the more he felt the plan was brilliant, as if he could already see Factory Director Li's approving gaze.

He carefully transcribed the proposal again, his handwriting neat, and even highlighted the key points with red pen.

Xu Damao's abacus clicked noisily, unaware that his actions, and even some of Li Huaide's thoughts behind him, fell under another pair of steady eyes.

In Yang Weiguo's office, the windows were open, a mildly warm early‑spring breeze drifting in, diluting the rich tobacco scent inside.

He had just finished hearing the Production Department's report on the quarterly plan, his face revealing little expression.

The secretary entered and quietly reported two matters: first, preliminary news from the Project Team that the interrogation of Tan Fugui's group had progressed, confirming a covert intelligence cell targeting, but not limited to, the Steel Factory's special materials and equipment intelligence, now being deeply probed; second, Xu Damao had again visited Deputy Factory Director Li's office, staying about twenty minutes.

Yang Weiguo gave a soft "hm" and waved the secretary out. He rose, walked to the window, and watched several workers below repairing a material‑transport vehicle in the open yard.

The spy matter was serious in nature, but fortunately discovered in time and handled effectively, amounting to the removal of a nail lodged nearby.

Objectively, this incident actually bolstered his authority and image as factory head in safeguarding plant safety, especially the security of core production secrets.

Higher‑up departments were clear: they demanded the plant cooperate with deep probing, while also strengthening its own security and confidentiality training.

As for Li Huaide and Xu Damao… Yang Weiguo's mouth twitched with a faint, almost mocking curve.

A hopping clown is nothing to fear, but buzzing flies are irritating. Xu Damao's leaping about was merely an attempt to use Li Huaide's influence to pry open a gap in the logistics system, slip in sand, and dig at the wall's foot.

This spy incident unintentionally disrupted their rhythm, but it seemed they had no intention of stopping; instead they wanted to use the pretext of "strengthening management" to make a comeback.

"Fine then," Yang Weiguo muttered to himself, "Water so clear has no fish. Let them move; only when they stir can we see what is false, what is real, and where the true core lies."

He returned to his desk and picked up the internal line: "Connect to Logistics Department Lao Wang… Lao Wang? Regarding the next phase of centralized material procurement and inventory checkpoint plan, my suggestion is to advance it a bit and make it more meticulous, especially for special materials and critical spare parts; the ledger must be clear, permissions explicit. Yes, we need to establish a system… Also, over at the canteen, the hospitality standards must be balanced—show enthusiasm but watch the impact. As for He Yuzhu, you coordinate with him; the principle stays firm, the method can be flexible."

On the other end, Logistics Department Chief Lao Wang responded repeatedly, his mind as clear as a mirror. The factory head was applying the unchanging to the myriad changes: on one hand leveraging the situation to solidify internal management and seal possible gaps; on the other, offering principled support to the canteen's "front‑line" position while cautioning strategic awareness, avoiding giving others a lever. Clever—four ounces moving a thousand pounds.

Li Ping'an saw these undercurrents as clearly as fire. The spy case's follow‑up was handled by the Project Team; he would cooperate where needed, but his main focus had returned to routine security within the plant and addressing any new risks.

Xu Damao's renewed activity, Li Huaide's tacit approval or even indulgence, and Yang Weiguo's steady response, in his view, were merely another ordinary move on the power chessboard.

What he cared about wasn't who won or lost, but whether this game would again spill beyond its bounds, affecting normal production order and plant safety.

The last time, it was a group of real spies that spilled over; next time, could it be something else?

In the afternoon, he inspected the Workshop, deliberately looping near Workshop Two. Inside, the machine tools roared, workers busied themselves, seemingly unaffected.

But he could sense that the section chief and workshop director's gazes now carried extra caution and scrutiny.

Wang Youfu's matter, though not public, spread through rumors at astonishing speed, leaving everyone with a taut string in their hearts.

"Li Chief!" a slightly hoarse voice called out. It was the senior master from Workshop Two, surnamed Zhou, an eighth‑grade plier worker and technical ace, highly respected in the workshop.

"Master Zhou, you're busy," Li Ping'an said, halting his steps.

Master Zhou approached, holding a part, his face somewhat stern, lowering his voice: "Li Chief, there are some words—I'm not sure whether they should be said."

"Master Zhou, speak, I'm listening."

"That kid Wang Youfu is a clump of mud that won't stick to the wall, damn it!" Master Zhou set the tone, "But lately, there are other rumors in the workshop."

"Oh?" Li Ping'an remained expressionless.

"Someone's saying the plant intends to use this incident to launch a massive sweep, strict control, so that even taking a screw now requires eight reports… making some of the younger workers restless."

Master Zhou frowned, "If you ask me, what must be managed should be, but not to the point where everyone's hands are tied. We workers still need to focus on doing the job well and maintaining the machines. Some bad currents need fixing, but don't let the honest workers get caught up in them."

Li Ping'an nodded; Zhou's words reflected the sentiments of many senior masters and technical backbone.

They care about production, resent upheaval, and hope for a stable, focused work environment.

"Master Zhou, rest assured," Li Ping'an said sincerely, "The plant has its own rules, the Security Department its duties. Our goals are the same: to run production well. The rats that need catching will be, but we won't scare the good cats at work. Don't take rumors lightly. If real difficulties arise or any issue is found, you can go straight to the workshop or to us."

Master Zhou's wrinkles eased a bit: "Your plain words give me confidence. Alright, you be busy, I still have to go to the school's bed."

The old man waved his hand, turned, and plunged back into the roar of the machines.

Li Ping'an watched Zhou's back, knowing clearly that true stability lies in people's hearts.

Spies are external threats, easy to identify and eliminate; internal unrest from power friction or mismanagement, causing morale drops, is a longer‑lasting, more draining internal friction.

People like Xu Damao see only their own prospects and how to please superiors; Li Huaide plots power and territory; Yang Weiguo weighs the big picture and control.

But the vast workers like Master Zhou, and functional cadres like Li Ping'an, care more about whether the factory can run healthily and orderly, fulfilling its mission and feeding tens of thousands of families.

The East Wind (the reform wind sparked by the spy incident) has risen; some seek to let it fill their sails, some aim to steady their ships, and others silently reinforce the dikes to prevent flood damage.

Li Ping'an withdrew his gaze and continued his inspection. The plant's roads spanned in all directions, the machinery's symphony deafening.

Amid the clamor and bustle, the invisible chess game kept going, but the players' thoughts and moves had already undergone subtle and profound shifts because of an unexpected "East Wind".