Chapter 668: He Yuzhu Takes Charge of the Rolling Mill

That evening, this list was placed before another student leader.

That person was named Liu Yahui, who possessed a solid theoretical foundation, was capable of writing articles, and was skilled at giving speeches; not long ago, he had just received public praise from Municipal Revolutionary Committee Member Zhou Hao.

He flipped the list over and over, reading it twice, the corners of his mouth slowly curling upward.

"Tractor Factory... Fine, we have a target this time; let's take action tomorrow!"

The next morning, just as He Yuzhu arrived at the factory, he ran into this scene.

Students were blocking the factory entrance, and the main gate was being held tightly shut by people from the Security Department.

Workers wanted to enter the factory but could not; they gathered in twos and threes to the side, some smoking, some whispering to each other, their moods very negative.

He Yuzhu did not take the main entrance; he went around to the side, climbed over the wall, and went straight to find Security Division Chief Zhang Wei.

"During work hours, you keep the main gate closed—what kind of behavior is this?" He Yuzhu asked with a dark face.

Zhang Wei spread his hands, his face full of helplessness: "Factory Director He, they want to go to the Tractor Factory to seize people. If I let them in and they happen to smash things in the factory, I cannot bear the responsibility."

"But you won't even let the workers who are here for their normal shifts inside? What kind of sense does that make?" He Yuzhu frowned, "Hurry and send people out to bring the workers in through the east side gate."

Zhang Wei shook his head instead: "Factory Director He, I'm not that stupid; they have also arranged for people to block the side gate. Actually, they just want to take away those few people on the list. How about... we just let them take those people away? I know those few people too; they are usually very arrogant and love to put on airs. Keeping them in the factory is just a disaster..."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu's eyes immediately widened: "What is this? The factory pays your salary, and instead of thinking for the factory, you've stood on the side of outsiders?"

Zhang Wei shrank back subconsciously when glared at, but he still refused to soften his tone: "I, I was just saying that casually..."

"Casually saying that?" He Yuzhu sneered, "I think your stance is unclear and you cannot distinguish between primary and secondary matters. Since you cannot hold your ground, then you don't need to be this Security Division Chief anymore; let Wang Qiang take over for you."

Zhang Wei's expression changed abruptly, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes, and he stiffened his neck: "Factory Director He, my appointment and removal should at least go through the factory's discussion, right? You alone have the final say?"

Hearing this, He Yuzhu did not get angry but laughed instead, looking him up and down: "How you got into this position—don't you have any idea yourself? An Executive Deputy Factory Director could promote you, and I, as the Factory Director, cannot dismiss you?"

After speaking, he said no more and directly called Wang Qiang over, announcing the handover of work on the spot.

Upon hearing that he had been restored to his former position, Wang Qiang smiled and replied: "Thank you, Zhuzi!"

He Yuzhu waved his hand, pulled him to the side, and lowered his voice: "Uncle Wang, I'll teach you a method to stabilize these students for me."

He leaned into Wang Qiang's ear and muttered a few words in a low voice.

After listening, Wang Qiang's eyes lit up; he gave a chuckle, turned around, and ran out.

Only then did He Yuzhu open the main gate and press his hands down firmly toward the students shouting slogans: "Students, I can understand your feelings, but please listen to me for a moment. The factory cannot stop production; you are blocking the workers from entering the factory now, and the impact is not small."

Just at this moment, several cars drove over from the distance. He Yuzhu's gaze was sharp; he recognized the license plates at a glance and hurriedly trotted up to meet them.

Those who got off the cars were Cadres from the Ministry's Personnel Department, as well as several leaders from the city.

He knew clearly in his heart that this was to announce the new personnel appointments.

He Yuzhu turned his head to look at the group of students still making a scene, his mind spinning rapidly, and he walked a few steps to the person in the lead.

It was precisely Liu Yahui, wearing a pair of glasses, looking refined and scholarly, yet hiding deep craftiness in the depths of his eyes.

"This comrade, I know you all have good intentions and want to help the factory ferret out bad elements. But look, the leaders from the Ministry are all in the cars and surely have important matters to announce; we can't block the leaders outside, can we?"

Liu Yahui squinted as he sized up He Yuzhu, not speaking immediately.

He Yuzhu continued: "How about this: you all clear the way first and let the leaders go in. At noon, I will treat the students to a meal, and we can talk while we eat. Whatever demands you have, you can state them together in front of the Ministry leaders. How about that?"

Liu Yahui's eyes darted, his gaze falling on those two Shanghai-brand sedans.

People who could ride in such cars definitely had significant backgrounds.

He pondered for a moment and nodded: "Fine, the meal doesn't matter, but we must see the leaders who came from above."

He Yuzhu immediately patted his chest to guarantee: "I keep my word; I will definitely let you see the leaders. The students have worked hard today, so whether you eat or not, the Rolling Mill's work meal will be prepared for you."

Liu Yahui turned around and discussed in a low voice with several student representatives, then organized the students to disperse to both sides.

The factory gate slowly opened, and the two sedans drove steadily into the factory area.

He Yuzhu could not spare the time to say more and trotted all the way behind the cars.

He had a vague premonition that today's appointment was mostly aimed at him.

Inside the Rolling Mill conference room.

A dozen people sat on the podium; in the very center was Department Director Tong from the Ministry of Heavy Industry's Personnel Department, with several leaders from the Municipal Personnel Bureau sitting beside him.

The meeting began, presided over by Secretary Wang, who briefly introduced the various leaders and the purpose of this visit.

Subsequently, Department Director Tong stood up and read the personnel appointment document in public.

Secretary Wang was transferred to the Ministry and had other appointments;

He Yuzhu was appointed as the Factory Revolutionary Committee Director and Factory Director.

Li Huaide sat off the stage, his face turning deathly pale in an instant.

Even though He Yuzhu held his leverage in his hands, he still harbored thoughts of toppling the other party in his heart. But with this piece of paper appointing him, he understood completely—it was over.

In his mind, he could not help but recall what his father-in-law said yesterday: "That kid has someone above him; don't mess around blindly."

At the time he was still unconvinced, but now looking at it, everything matched up.

He Yuzhu stood up and walked to the front of the stage.

He did not take a script, his gaze slowly sweeping across the entire room, and when he spoke, his voice was not loud, yet every word was sonorous and powerful:

"Comrades, the organization handing this burden to me is trust, and even more so, responsibility. Our Tractor Factory is the nation's foundation and the root of the worker-peasant alliance. Production cannot stop, morale cannot scatter, and the direction cannot deviate. From now on, I still say the same thing: whoever truly contributes to the factory, I, He Yuzhu, will remember him; whoever wants to stir up trouble, I will absolutely not tolerate him."

After he finished speaking, the venue was quiet for a moment, and then a burst of enthusiastic applause erupted.

After the meeting adjourned, Department Director Tong and the city leaders called He Yuzhu to the side.

"Director He," the city leader began, "how do you plan to handle those students at the gate? Their reasonable demands should still be taken seriously; problems that need to be solved should be solved."

He Yuzhu nodded: "Leaders, rest assured; I have already arranged this matter."

Department Director Tong leaned close to his ear and lowered his voice: "Be cautious when handling such matters; don't leave people with leverage. This group of people came exactly when we were announcing the appointment; there is someone behind the scenes instigating them."

He Yuzhu understood as soon as he heard it; Department Director Tong was on his side.

He smiled and nodded, then raised his voice: "Department Director Tong, since it is mealtime, why not do us the honor and stay for a simple meal?"

Seeing that he handled matters appropriately, Department Director Tong also smiled: "Very well, I have long heard that your Rolling Mill cafeteria is even more decent than the Ministry's cafeteria."

He Yuzhu said modestly, "It's just average; the leaders will know once they've finished eating."

When the leaders walked into the canteen, the scene before their eyes left them all stunned.

The students who had been causing trouble at the factory gate just a moment ago were now standing neatly inside the canteen, each holding a large enamel bowl filled to the brim with white rice, their faces no longer serious as before, but instead beaming with smiles.

Department Director Tong looked at He Yuzhu with a faint, ambiguous smile: "Factory Director He, is this your solution?"

He Yuzhu gave a wry smile: "Leaders, this group of children has been shouting slogans at the gate since early this morning, and their throats are all hoarse. I figured that, no matter what, I couldn't let them go hungry."

A leader standing nearby had sharp eyes and saw a student flip the vegetables from the bottom of the rice to the top, and was immediately startled—the bowls were filled with large chunks of Braised Pork.

Department Director Tong shook his head helplessly.

He Yuzhu seized the opportunity to say: "Leaders, there are a few student representatives who would like to report their thoughts to you in person. May I have them sit down and eat with you?"

Department Director Tong's eyes lit up, and his smile deepened: "Good! I was just wanting to meet them; have them come over, and we can chat while we eat."

Before long, Wang Jianjun, Liu Guangfu, and Liu Yahui walked in.

He Yuzhu glanced at Liu Guangfu and teased: "Guangfu has even become a leader now."

Liu Guangfu was both a bit nervous and deliberately putting on airs: "We are not leaders; we are servants of the people."

Department Director Tong was very polite: "Student representatives, please sit. Whatever thoughts you have today, feel free to speak openly."

Liu Yahui pushed up his glasses and began: "We also received a notice, hearing that there are many 'so-called Experts' at the Tractor Factory who were brought up by the Soviet revisionists. We feel they have very serious problems, so we have come to conduct a supervisory review."

Department Director Tong's tone was amiable: "Students, the issues you have raised are very good. Director He indeed needs to give you students an explanation."