Chapter 42

Section Chief Zhao, when Niu Guishan first hoodwinked me, he said our factory's new batch of worker children recruitment had only ten slots, and I don't know whether those ten have been filled. Bring out the recent recruitment list and let me see.

Ah, San Shui, you've come all the way from Ha Cheng; you must be tired. I think we'll end today's meeting here, go to the cafeteria to welcome you and wash away the dust, then you can rest properly.

Hey, isn't it too early for a section chief to speak? My father is the factory director; he hasn't even said to adjourn, and you want to end the meeting? Is your authority greater than his?

Zhao Guoqing looked toward Leader Huang with a pleading gaze.

Ahem, it's indeed getting late; why don't we go eat?

"No!" Qin Miao said firmly: "I'm not hungry; what meal? Section Chief Zhao, you dare not let me see the list—could there be something fishy?"

Old Factory Director

Old Wang, go to the factory director's office and fetch our factory's recent recruitment list; it's in file folder number six.

Qingshan

During this period, Qin Jianhua has been in the workshop, wholly focused on production, and truly hasn't inquired about the Personnel Section affairs.

A few minutes later, the recruitment list was placed before Qin Miao.

Zhao Ping, age forty-two, workplace, worker cinema. Section Chief Zhao, this is your second aunt, right?

Zhao Fugui, age twenty-seven, workplace, logistics warehouse. Section Chief Zhao, this is your cousin, right?

Zhao Fuqiang, age seventeen, workplace, logistics warehouse. Section Chief Zhao, I've never heard of this person; is he a distant relative of yours?

Zhao Fugui

The first six are all relatives of Zhao Guoqing!

Come, let's look at the next few: Liu Neng, nineteen, workplace, worker bathhouse—so young, already assigned to the bathhouse; is he firing the boiler or scrubbing workers? And here's an older one, Du Jianmin, fifty—so old, he's probably just waiting to collect our factory's pension, right?

Leader Huang's face also darkened.

Section Chief Zhao, in your month as head of the Personnel Section, your most important task was arranging the final intake of worker children into the factory—ten slots—and now, here, I don't see a single worker child! Explain, what's going on?

What does the Personnel Section even do? No need for you, San Shui, to stick your nose in! Zhao Guoqing gritted his teeth: "The recruitment procedure fully follows protocol, with signatures from all levels of leadership, and the old factory director signed too!"

Sigh, I, San Shui, can't just butt in, Dad—you're the factory director; you say, those ten precious slots have just been wasted like this—should the head of the Personnel Section be held accountable for serious leadership responsibility?

Exactly, I never imagined that Zhao Guoqing, the power in your hands has become a tool for self‑enrichment! Qin Jianhua was also startled by this recruitment situation; the six relatives, plus the other four, are definitely not from the factory—they're probably bribes for Zhao Guoqing, right?

Now I announce the removal of Zhao Guoqing's all positions! The factory will organize an investigation team to conduct a thorough investigation of this recruitment process; if any illegal or disciplinary violations are found, they will be handed over to the relevant authorities.

Qin Jianhua! Zhao Guoqing stood up: "Don't think that being factory director lets you do as you please! Let me tell you, my uncle is the head of the Men Gou District Power Bureau..."

Zhao Guoqing! Leader Huang's face darkened: "What attitude is this? How dare you speak to Factory Director Qin like that? Apologize at once!"

Provincial Governor-level leader

Comrade Lao Qin, Zhao Guoqing isn't that old; in work, making a small mistake is possible—who can avoid mistakes? This matter must make him reflect deeply! Huang Leader stared sternly at Zhao Guoqing: "Zhao Guoqing, when you go back, write a deep self‑criticism."

Yes.

Comrade Lao Qin, how about this? If there's a mistake, just fix it—I still think highly of Comrade Zhao Guoqing; I believe he will surely learn from this and throw himself into work even better.

San Shui, what do you say?

Writing a self‑criticism is enough—if self‑criticism worked, why would we need law and police? Qin Miao said: "Those ten people we hired, fire them all, then recruit anew the children of our factory workers; transfer Zhao Guoqing out of the Personnel Section and send him to the frontline workshop to work."

Qin Miao, don't go too far!" Zhao Guoqing gritted his teeth: "I know, you're just a new official blowing off steam, trying to impress your father, but bullying me Zhao Guoqing? No way! If you push me too far, my uncle...

Enough!" Huang Leader shouted at Zhao Guoqing: "Go back right now and reflect deeply!"

Zhao Guoqing rose angrily and walked out; when he reached the door, Qin Miao's voice rang out again.

You're wrong—this isn't just a new official blowing off steam; it's about purging the rotten elements in Qingshan Factory. If we don't kick out you trash, Qingshan Factory will sooner or later be ruined by you! I, Qin Miao, grew up here; I don't want to see so many uncles and aunts lose their jobs! As for your so‑called uncle, bullshit! I'm on familiar terms with the military‑region leaders, even provincial‑level leaders!

Those words startled Huang Leader; a provincial‑level leader is someone he looks up to! Is Qin Miao really this fierce?

Your uncle? Even if he were a dragon coiled around me or a tiger lying beneath me, if he dares to stir trouble in our Qingshan Factory, I can still send him packing!

San Shui, San Shui, don't be angry, come, have a sip of water." Huang Leader enthusiastically picked up the kettle and poured water for Qin Miao.

Sigh, I'm indeed thirsty and hungry. Huang Leader, shall we go eat next? I'll have to toast you a few cups—our Qingshan Factory was transferred from the military‑industrial system to the local system, and we'll still be relying on your support.

Sure, sure!

You've seen today's events—Zhao Guoqing must get out! If he doesn't leave, my father as factory director would lose all authority. Actually, I'd be willing to follow my father to Ha Cheng and easily find a factory director job, but then Qingshan Factory would be ruined! This factory is absolutely the shining gem of Men Gou District; if it falls, Men Gou District loses face, right?

And you say it's not to give your father prestige! You've put me in the middle—how am I supposed to smooth things over!

Whether Qin Miao really knows the military‑region leaders or not, the fact is that this stainless‑steel plate material was indeed arranged by him; otherwise, so many people in Men Gou District coveting the factory director post would never dare to act, and we'd still have to let Qin Jianhua take the job!

If this factory goes under, Men Gou District's performance record would have nothing to show for it!