Chapter 644: Worrying for Tian Dan

Deputy Bureau Chief Meng asked, "Little He, I hear the canteen at your Red Star Rolling Mill is the most impressive in the whole city; not only can you eat there yourselves, but you can also buy food for your families, and the prices are cheap. Since your factory is so well-off, why are you still dragging your feet on paying the urban maintenance and construction fee?"

As soon as He Yuzhu heard this, the tone felt wrong. They were supposed to be friends meeting up, so why had it suddenly turned into a debt collection? Besides, this wasn't a matter he could decide on his own.

He smiled and explained patiently, "Deputy Bureau Chief Meng, I'm afraid you have some misunderstandings about our Rolling Mill. Our factory has been producing disaster relief supplies, so we really don't have much profit. The good food in the canteen relies entirely on the produce from our own Farm. As for the urban maintenance and construction fee you mentioned, we are still studying it; we never said we wouldn't pay."

Deputy Bureau Chief Meng laughed: "Little He, your parochialism is still too heavy. Think about it: if you don't pay, how will the surrounding roads be repaired? If the roads aren't repaired well, won't it end up affecting your factory anyway?"

He Yuzhu laughed: "Our Accountant has already asked; the amount set for us by the Finance Bureau is too high and not very fair. Although our factory is large, most of our products don't have much profit. To put it bluntly, our profit isn't even as good as the clothing factory over at Chen Xueru's."

Deputy Bureau Chief Meng smiled: "I also heard that you intend to produce automobiles? How can you build automobiles without money? To be honest with you, that automobile project of yours will never be approved. It would be better to take that money out and support the city's road construction."

He Yuzhu felt a sudden shock in his heart. His report had only been submitted half a day ago; how did he already know it couldn't be approved?

Was this person just too shallow, or was he trying to convey something? If he was relying on this kind of thing to show off, then how could Tian Dan have taken a liking to such a person?

"Deputy Bureau Chief Meng, how do you know my project won't pass? I only submitted it half a day ago."

Deputy Bureau Chief Meng smiled without saying a word.

Tian Dan glared at Deputy Bureau Chief Meng: "Zhuzi, don't listen to his nonsense; this person just loves to show off."

Deputy Bureau Chief Meng still didn't open his mouth.

He Yuzhu smiled: "It seems Deputy Bureau Chief Meng's family background is quite extraordinary."

Upon hearing this, Deputy Bureau Chief Meng not only didn't hide it, but became even more smug.

He Yuzhu completely lost the interest to keep chatting.

For the second half of the time, the two only exchanged bland pleasantries. After eating a little something in a rush, they went their separate ways.

He Yuzhu didn't return to the Siheyuan and stayed at Qianmen instead.

After washing up, Chen Xueru leaned against the head of the bed, complaining while combing her hair: "Zhuzi, why are you picking a fight with Dan's partner? Didn't you see? That person has a deep background; whether or not your unit's project can be approved, he can know in advance."

He Yuzhu rested his hands behind his head: "He doesn't have a shred of depth; he and Dan are simply not on the same path. The two of them definitely won't last long."

Chen Xueru pinched his waist: "I think you just haven't given up. Dan is already at this age; it's not bad that she can find someone like this. Are you still trying to ruin her marriage?"

He Yuzhu immediately got anxious: "How could I not want Dan to be happy? I just think this person loves to show off too much. He was only a step away from saying explicitly, 'That report of yours has to be approved by my family.' Isn't that too ostentatious?"

Chen Xueru glared: "You're just jealous. I think Deputy Bureau Chief Meng is quite good—a man of talent and appearance, and his career is stable too."

He Yuzhu sighed: "Dan was deceived in her first relationship. If she misjudges again this time, it will be truly difficult for her for the rest of her life."

"How do you know she will definitely be deceived? Do you think she's stupid?" Chen Xueru glared at him.

"Women tend to get stupid once they fall in love."

"You absolutely must not interfere! Otherwise, I'm not done with you!" Chen Xueru was anxious.

"Got it. I feel like you're becoming more and more suspicious!" He Yuzhu replied.

Three days later, the factory held an office meeting.

The conference room was filled with smoke, and the long table was packed with people.

Party Secretary Wang picked up a document and shook it at everyone: "Little Factory Director He, the Ministry's intention is still to hope that we continue to dig deep into farm implements. The project for you to jointly produce Heavy Trucks with the Military Factory has not been approved."

He Yuzhu nodded, his face showing no ripples: "That's fine. Then the money in the factory can be handed over to the city."

Upon hearing this, Party Secretary Wang's expression changed instantly.

Clearly, he hadn't expected this matter to end with a result so unfavorable to the factory.

Party Secretary Wang hurriedly said: "Factory Director He, that's not what I meant."

He Yuzhu shook his head: "Party Secretary Wang, this matter has nothing to do with you. I had my own ideas about wanting to cooperate with the Military Factory, but it's not convenient to say them now. Since the result is decided, we have to accept it."

At this moment, Li Huaide suddenly stood up and cleared his throat: "I believe the Ministry's decision is very correct. Many of us don't understand the Ministry's policy because our own level is not high enough. In doing any work, one must link theory with practice and cannot just talk on paper. I suggest that the production department of the factory establish several investigation teams to understand the actual usage of agricultural vehicles and farm tools on the ground. Only in this way can we make progress."

He Yuzhu's eyelids twitched slightly. He felt that Li Huaide was becoming increasingly adept at elevating issues to the level of principles, starting to manage the factory using the methods of launching campaigns.

His eyes rolled, and he spoke up: "Deputy Factory Director Li's proposal is excellent. My opinion is that we factory leaders should lead by example; each person will take a team and go down to the villages personally to investigate, obtain first-hand information, and truly grasp the intentions of the superiors."

The smile on Li Huaide's face stiffened for a moment, and he hurriedly explained: "Factory Director He, I don't understand agricultural machinery... I don't need to go on this investigation, right?"

He Yuzhu praised: "An investigation is just listening to the opinions of the users. I suggest that, except for Party Secretary Wang staying behind to preside over the overall work and Deputy Factory Director He continuing to hold the fort at the factory, all other deputy factory directors should go down for a trip."

Seeing Li Huaide being handled by He Yuzhu the moment he stuck his head out, He Daqing felt extremely satisfied and immediately chimed in: "I agree with Factory Director He's opinion! I am also willing to take people down!"

Deputy Factory Director Zhao also nodded: "I agree."

Deputy Factory Director Sun originally didn't want to respond and quietly glanced at Party Secretary Wang. Party Secretary Wang sat in the main seat and nodded calmly.

Only then did Deputy Factory Director Sun speak: "Fine, I agree too."

The reason He Yuzhu wanted the Cadres to go down and investigate was that recently, more and more people who didn't understand technology insisted on interfering with production, giving chaotic commands and making a mess, which made him very annoyed. Rather than having them bicker in the factory, it was better for them all to go to the countryside and see for themselves.

He Daqing immediately understood his meaning and said on the spot: "Why don't we decide right now who goes where?"

He Yuzhu nodded and assigned them directly: "Deputy Factory Director Li will take people to the Central-South Region, Deputy Factory Director Sun will run to the Southwest, Deputy Factory Director Zhao will go to the Northwest, Deputy Factory Director He will stay near Beijing, and I will go to the Northeast."

Li Huaide's complexion became increasingly ugly.