Chapter 434: Taking Precautions

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "Dad, you taking Li Huaide as an apprentice is a double-edged sword. It's true he has connections and can help you get things done, but a person like that is also prone to causing trouble. If he messes up one day, he could very well implicate you."

He Yuzhu naturally couldn't mention that Li Huaide might harass women or keep mistresses in the future—after all, those were things Li Huaide would only do once he gained power later on.

But he was indeed worried that if Li Huaide used women to win over He Daqing, that would be trouble.

As a man who could run off with a widow, He Daqing clearly had little resolve when it came to women.

"He wouldn't go that far! I heard his wife is quite good-looking too!" He Daqing said.

"That guy has a slippery mind; there's no guarantee he won't lead you into a trap one day. Once he starts any shady business, you must tell me immediately!" He Yuzhu urged.

He Daqing nodded: "I've been in the world for decades; if an average person tries to play tricks in front of me, I can see through them at a glance. Even if Li Huaide has a thousand tricks, I don't believe he can lead me astray."

He Yuzhu said half-jokingly: "I believe you on most things. But if Li Huaide sends you a beauty, can you hold your ground?"

"You little brat, you really look down on your old man!" He Daqing glared, "There have been plenty of people trying to corrupt me over the years, and I've scolded them all away. I think it's you who can't hold your own!"

"Alright! Forget I said anything. This bad habit of mine, it might just be inherited from you, which is why I'm worried about you!" He Yuzhu said with a cheeky grin.

"Get lost! The more you talk, the more ridiculous you get." He Daqing picked up a broom handle, ready to strike.

He Yuzhu quickly laughed and ran out of the room.

In the blink of an eye, three months passed, and it was already the end of the year.

A piece of major news arrived: the Korean War had ended.

As soon as He Yuzhu arrived at the Rolling Mill, he received a call from Secretary Liu, asking him to report on the progress of the Special Steel blast furnace renovation and the design of agricultural machinery.

He hurried to drive to the Machinery Industry Bureau of the Ministry of Heavy Industry.

In the Bureau Chief's office, Secretary Liu gripped He Yuzhu's hand tightly and said excitedly: "We succeeded! As the Anti-aircraft Guns were continuously transported to the front line, the United Nations Forces lost their air superiority, and after several rounds of negotiations, a ceasefire agreement was finally reached. We have a share of the credit for this!"

He Yuzhu was also invigorated: "Hearing this news, I ate an extra half-pound of steamed buns this morning! I originally thought it would at least drag on until the middle of next year."

"The Military Commission's assessment was similar to yours; they all thought it would last until the second half of next year," Secretary Liu laughed. "There's more good news: word came from Panzhihua that they have indeed found two very good mineral veins. The exploration team is still searching."

"That's great! If the ore volume is sufficient, we can build a large Steel Factory there. The iron that can't be used locally can be transported here for deep processing," He Yuzhu said.

"However, the exploration team in Shandong has encountered some trouble; they haven't found ore in the place you mentioned, but they are still persisting with the survey," Secretary Liu added.

"Take it slow," He Yuzhu said.

"How are things at the Steel Factory?" Secretary Liu asked.

He Yuzhu reported: "Over these three months, I have led the team to build a 30-ton converter, which is still in the experimental stage. If it succeeds, it can be widely promoted in a year and a half. In three years, perhaps our country will no longer be short of Special Steel."

"That's wonderful! I'll wait for your good news," Secretary Liu could not hide his excitement.

He Yuzhu took out a stack of blueprints and handed them over: "Actually, I didn't spend much time at the Steel Factory; I mainly provided the ideas to the Engineers—they have accumulated quite a bit of experience over the years. During this time, I mainly drew blueprints for small Water Pumps, light walking Tractors, matching agricultural tools, threshing machines, and small Generators."

Secretary Liu took them and looked at them carefully, one by one.

About half an hour later, he slapped the table hard: "I thought you would first make those fancy small cars for export, but I didn't expect that what you brought out are all the most practical agricultural machines!"

He Yuzhu explained: "Our country is still poor right now; even if we made those high-end things, no one could afford them. I think the top priority is to improve the level of agricultural mechanization. In a year of severe drought, these machines can still pump water for irrigation, so we won't end up with nothing to harvest."

"That's a practical idea! The current international environment is still complex; if we really run into a disaster year, our ability to resist is too weak," Secretary Liu agreed deeply.

He Yuzhu continued: "A while ago, I dismantled the engines of several foreign cars and gained some insights, so I designed a multi-purpose Diesel Engine. It can not only be used on small Tractors but also power water pumps for field irrigation. And it can be mass-produced very soon."

"Good! Make the prototype as soon as possible, and I will organize Experts to evaluate it," Secretary Liu decided.

Municipal Bureau, office.

Chen Jian leaned into Zhou Hao's ear and lowered his voice: "Team Leader Zhou, we've left Mei Feng out in the cold for these days; he's become much more obedient."

Zhou Hao said indifferently: "People aren't afraid of having no hope; they are afraid of seeing hope and then having it shattered."

Chen Jian laughed: "He was quite arrogant a while ago, wanting good food just to do some work. Now, he's happy as can be for a few mixed-flour steamed buns."

"Has he deciphered those fake intelligence reports from recently?" Zhou Hao asked.

"He's been very proactive, and even asked why you haven't come to see him," Chen Jian said. "I told him you went to handle a big case, and he actually asked if he could help. Don't you think this guy is pathetic?"

"He can be used by us," Zhou Hao said: "There's a lead recently that a Professor Sun in the mechanical department of Huaqing University often spreads rumors and slanders our system. Let Mei Feng participate this time; let him interrogate him and see if we can get anything out of him."

Chen Jian hesitated: "This... violates principles, right? Should we ask Section Chief Tian for instructions? After all, he is our direct superior."

Zhou Hao shook his head: "She's been busy with the enemy agent case at the Mentougou mine lately and isn't in the Bureau at all; she doesn't have time to manage us. I'll just go report to Deputy Bureau Chief Zuo. We'll act tonight; once we catch Professor Sun, we'll have Mei Feng interrogate him directly."

He Yuzhu returned from Secretary Liu's place, feeling relaxed and humming a little tune.

Just as he arrived at the entrance of the Siheyuan, he saw Xu Damao bragging to a few children there.

He Yuzhu walked up: "Damao, you've lost quite a bit of weight; you look energetic."

Xu Damao, who was in the middle of bragging, saw He Yuzhu, blushed, and pulled him to the side: "Buddy, I've missed you to death!"

He Yuzhu laughed: "You must have been beaten up quite a bit inside, right? Your mouth is as sweet as if it were smeared with honey."

Xu Damao pulled a long face: "Don't mock me. I had to work every day inside, and the food was terrible; I couldn't stay there for another day."

"Your time wasn't up yet, how come you were released?" He Yuzhu asked.

"My Siqiang pulled a lot of strings, and since my behavior was decent, I was released early," Xu Damao said.

"What are your plans next?" He Yuzhu asked.

"My mother begged Lou Laoban, and it was only after much effort that I got into the Rolling Mill," Xu Damao replied.