Chapter 602: New Factory Director Takes Office

At 9:20 in the morning, the auditorium of the Red Star Rolling Mill was already packed with a dense crowd.

Today's meeting had only one agenda item: the inauguration of the new Factory Director.

Those attending included cadres from various branch factories, as well as Workshop Directors and department heads from the Rolling Mill itself.

The crowd below the stage was bustling and whispering, all guessing who this new Factory Director could possibly be.

Li Huaide arrived a bit late, following He Daqing, and the two jogged all the way to the auditorium.

"Siqiang, have you heard who the new Factory Director is?" Li Huaide asked, panting.

He Daqing shook his head. He had long been disappointed in this Apprentice and replied offhandedly, "With your father-in-law's background, how could you not know who it is?"

Li Huaide gave a bitter smile: "He doesn't like me asking about matters from above."

Liu Haizhong was now a Deputy Director of the No. 3 Forging Workshop, so naturally, he had come as well.

Seeing He Daqing from afar, he shouted at the top of his lungs: "Daqing! Why are you here so late too?"

"Just finished transporting a batch of grain to the warehouse," He Daqing replied.

"Daqing, how much flour can each person get this month?"

"Over twenty-three jin for everyone!"

Just as they were speaking, a small black sedan drove in from the entrance and pulled up steadily in front of the auditorium.

Stepping out was Deputy Minister Liu from the Ministry, followed by several people in Zhongshan suits, among whom was actually He Yuzhu.

Factory Director Yang came down from the building and walked quickly to greet them.

Li Huaide nudged He Daqing with his elbow: "Siqiang, didn't Zhuzi go to the Oilfield? How did he end up here?"

He Daqing was also stunned for a moment, then explained: "He has been helping out over at the drought-relief team."

Li Huaide's heart sank, and he pressed: "Siqiang, did Zhuzi tell you whether he's coming back to work at our Rolling Mill?"

He Daqing shook his head: "He hasn't been home for over a month. I haven't asked him about work matters either."

On stage, He Yuzhu accompanied Deputy Minister Liu to take their seats on the rostrum.

Li Huaide suddenly noticed that He Yuzhu was sitting next to Deputy Minister Liu.

His expression darkened, and he felt a vague premonition in his heart.

The first to speak was Factory Director Yang.

He stood before the microphone, looked around, and his voice carried a sense of emotion: "Over these years, I have done some things right, and I have done some things wrong. I have offended some people, but please understand, my original intention was good; I did not intentionally make things difficult for anyone, everything was for the sake of work... Today, I am leaving. I hope that under the leadership of the new Factory Director, our factory will reach even greater heights!"

Factory Director Yang's speech was not long, and after he finished, thunderous applause erupted from the audience.

Factory Director Yang gestured: "Now, I invite Deputy Minister Liu to announce the candidate for our Factory Director today."

Deputy Minister Liu sat before the microphone, cleared his throat, and unfolded the document in his hand: "Today, the Ministry has selected a new leader for the Red Star Rolling Mill. This leader is not old, but has rich experience. He once personally assisted in the construction of the Lingnan Tractor Factory and the Lingnan Industrial Park; he also started from scratch to build our Red Star Rolling Mill's Red Star Farm. In the process of building the farm, he assisted the country in discovering the Songliao Oilfield, and within two years, increased the crude oil production of the Songliao Oilfield to three million tons..."

The audience was deathly silent; everyone held their breath.

Deputy Minister Liu paused and raised his voice: "Who is this person? It is Comrade He Yuzhu, who once served as Deputy Factory Director at our Rolling Mill!"

As the words fell, the audience was silent for a moment, and then, it exploded with a roar.

"What?"

"Impossible, right?"

"He Yuzhu? That's way too young!"

Li Huaide's eyes widened into circles, and he turned to look at He Daqing: "Siqiang... you... your security work was too tight, wasn't it?"

He Daqing was also bewildered and slapped his arm: "I really don't know, damn it!"

On stage, He Yuzhu stood up and walked to the microphone.

He scanned the audience, smiled slightly, and began: "I am an old acquaintance to everyone here, so today I won't spout any empty, pretentious nonsense."

A burst of laughter rose from the audience.

"The country and the organization trust me and have placed me in this position. To put it bluntly, it means bringing me back to lead everyone in working hard and fast to boost production. Our Rolling Mill is a key enterprise... My short-term goal is simple and clear: from now until this time next year, we will produce seventy thousand sets of Diesel Engines and water pumps. If we lack grain or steel, I will solve it. But for the effort, you must provide it. I will reward those who truly help me; I will kick out those who drag me down..."

He Yuzhu's speech was simple and direct, with clear goals, making everyone understand immediately—he had come to be this Factory Director with a mission.

He also indirectly told everyone that there would be no shortage of food or clothing in the coming year.

But everyone must work overtime.

As soon as he finished speaking, applause rang out like thunder.

By evening, the Ninety-five Courtyard was in an uproar.

When Jia Zhangshi heard from Jia Dongxu that the new Factory Director was He Yuzhu, her whole body trembled, and her face turned pale instantly.

"Dongxu..." she grabbed her son's arm, "The house I live in was allocated by the Rolling Mill, will he... will he kick me out?"

Jia Dongxu sighed: "No, but... if it depends on you, it's really hard to say."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Our relationship with the He Family is entirely maintained by Yingzi and Shen Guizhi. If He Yuzhu really wants to deal with us, he has to consider his mother's face."

Jia Zhangshi rolled her eyes and pouted: "In my opinion, Zhao Yingzi must be having an affair with He Yuzhu!"

"Mother!" Jia Dongxu's face darkened, "If you say that again, I'm going to tell Yingzi."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"What makes you think I wouldn't?" Jia Dongxu glared at her, "Mother, you must watch your mouth from now on, otherwise, don't say you'll be kicked out, even I will suffer because of you."

Jia Dongxu was truly fed up with this mother of his. Ever since she returned, she had turned the whole courtyard into a mess, and Yi Zhonghai had spoken to him about it more than once.

Jia Zhangshi nodded repeatedly: "Dongxu, don't worry, I won't provoke him anymore, is that enough?"

Jia Dongxu glared at her and said: "From now on, don't provoke anyone in this courtyard!"

Jia Zhangshi quickly agreed: "Fine, fine, fine, I'll listen to you. From now on, I'll just play cards with those old sisters of mine and won't get involved in the courtyard's affairs."

At Liu Haizhong's house.

A small wine pot was set on the kang table, and a plate of scrambled eggs was still steaming.

Liu Haizhong sat cross-legged and took a small sip of wine.

The Second Aunt leaned in: "Zhuzi has become Factory Director, can he promote you to a full Director?"

Liu Haizhong shook his head, then nodded, and smacked his lips: "This Zhuzi, he was appointed in a time of crisis. It seems the Rolling Mill's main task going forward is to produce drought-relief equipment with all its might... Last time I went to Lingnan with him, I finally understood—this kid, he doesn't care about personal connections. If you work well, he dares to make you a Director at eighteen; if you don't work well, don't even think about moving up a step at fifty."

The Second Aunt's eyes lit up: "Then you should just perform well?"

Liu Haizhong nodded: "I certainly understand that. But many people don't. Today Yi Zhonghai even asked me, saying that with Zhuzi as Factory Director, is it a good thing or a bad thing for us. I told him: this matter depends entirely on oneself. Whoever wants to rely on their seniority, He Yuzhu definitely won't pay them any mind."

"Old Liu, you really have improved quite a bit after your trip to Lingnan," the Second Aunt said with a smile, "In my view, you will definitely be a Director next year."

"I hope so!" Liu Haizhong raised his wine glass and took another small sip.

As soon as He Daqing entered the house, he started shouting: "Guizhi, do you know who the new Factory Director is at the factory?"

Shen Guizhi didn't even look up, her hands busy sewing little clothes for He Yulu: "How would I know about your factory's business?"

He Daqing slapped his thigh: "It's our son!"

The needle in Shen Guizhi's hand trembled, and she pricked her finger until it bled, "Really? Our son really became Factory Director?"

He Daqing nodded and said: "Do you know what I'm happiest about today?"

Shen Guizhi shook her head.

"Li Huaide wanted to snatch my position as Logistics Director, but that's not happening!" He Daqing paced back and forth happily.

In the Chen Family living room, the atmosphere was somewhat stifling.

Because He Yuzhu had become Factory Director, Li Huaide couldn't sit still, and that very evening he took his wife back to his father-in-law's house.

Deputy Minister Chen held his teacup and glanced at him: "Huaide, are you here because of work matters?"

Li Huaide nodded vigorously, his face full of worry: "Dad, the He Family father and son are now covering the sky with one hand at the Rolling Mill, I'm afraid I have no hope in this life. Can you help me transfer to another place?"

Deputy Minister Chen shook his head and set down his teacup: "Young man, you must be able to endure loneliness. There will always be opportunities."

"But..." Li Huaide grew anxious, "Factory Director He Yuzhu is only twenty-five, and I'm already thirty-five! Even if I wait until retirement, I won't outlast him!"

Deputy Minister Chen looked at him, his tone unhurried: "The environment will always change. Be patient."