Chapter 1362: New Arrival

Red Star Rolling Mill

In the conference room, the newly arrived Deputy Director Xue, his face ashen, pointed at several workshop directors, berating them for negligence and failing to complete the production tasks assigned by higher authorities on time.

The several workshop directors looked bitter, heads bowed, cursing inwardly: Why couldn't the production tasks be completed? The factory was launching movements left and right, holding big meetings every few days, leaving workers either on strike or too distracted to work; how could the tasks possibly be completed under such conditions!

After venting his anger, Deputy Director Xue drank water in large gulps. He understood the situation before him and would not be overly harsh on the workshop directors below, since those directors were backed by Director Li; he did not wish to create discord that might undermine the unity of the leadership team.

Once Deputy Director Xue stopped scolding, Director Guo of the First Workshop took the lead in speaking up, patting his chest and promising that the First Workshop would correct its attitude, rally its spirits, and focus on production, no longer dragging the factory down.

"Easier said than sung."

Director Liu of the Fifth Workshop snorted coldly: "Old Guo, be careful not to twist your tongue in the wind."

Deputy Director Xue pointed at Director Liu: "What are you muttering about down there? Don't you understand the meeting discipline?"

As the old saying goes: Cold iron is hard to forge; old bamboo is hard to bend.

Deputy Director Xue, a new official kindling his first three fires, sought to plant his banner and establish his authority.

Yet most of these workshop directors were veterans of the factory, each forming cliques within the plant, with Director Li's backing behind them; indeed, hardly anyone took the newly arrived Deputy Director Xue seriously.

"Understood."

Director Liu forced a smile: "Forgive me, Leader! I will reflect on my mistake! I will certainly be more careful in the future!"

Director Li smiled and said: "Very well, go down and study the meeting discipline properly. If you offend again, don't blame me for sending you to sweep the toilets."

Upon hearing this, everyone laughed, and the tense, oppressive atmosphere eased considerably.

Deputy Director Xue, his face stern, said: "After the meeting, some may say I put on airs, act arrogant, speak without regard for feelings, and leave people with no face to save. Yet I will still say these words: Discipline is discipline. Discipline safeguards collective interests; it is the system of rules members must necessarily observe to ensure work proceeds. It is a code of conduct for people, and also an attitude. If you do not respect others, how can you expect to receive respect from them? To speak honestly, many of you comrades are far older than I; some are even older than my parents. By all rights, I should maintain ceremonial respect toward you. But work is work, discipline is discipline; there is no room for personal sentiment, and seniority must not dictate order."

Sitting at Deputy Director Xue's right hand, Cao Cao Weiguo chimed in: "Director Xue is right. Such incidents will certainly not happen again. After the meeting, I will distribute the factory rules and regulations to every cadre so that everyone can strengthen their study."

Director Xue nodded, setting down his fountain pen: "Speaking frankly behind closed doors, I know everyone is currently engaged in movements. Yet carrying out revolution and pursuing production are not contradictory. Henceforth, we will reduce unnecessary meetings, devote more energy to study and production, firm up revolutionary thought on one hand, and carry forward the spirit of hard struggle on the other, shedding sweat for the nation's construction, striving to add bricks and tiles to the prosperity and strength of our motherland..."

"Director Xue speaks well! Everyone must remember Director Xue's words!"

Director Li, holding his water cup, said solemnly: "Everything we have today was hard-won, forged in blood and sweat by countless revolutionary predecessors and the toiling masses. As a production unit, we shoulder the heavy responsibility of building the motherland and the great mission of revitalizing it. Therefore, everyone must unite, rally, bind together as one rope, roll up our sleeves, and work hard!"

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

After this speech, the attendees applauded vigorously.

Director Deng said: "Director Li and Director Xue are quite right. However, some workers and cadres' mindsets cannot keep pace. Therefore, I propose that while pursuing production, ideological study must by no means be slackened."

Director Guo of the First Workshop raised his hand and said: "Please rest assured, Leaders. I will take the lead in study, guarantee that our thinking will not slip, and guarantee that production will not

fall behind! Moreover, we will strive to be advanced! I promise that this quarter, whether in study tasks or production tasks, our workshop will complete one hundred percent. Whoever dares to drag the factory down or bring shame to the factory, I will throw him into the toilet to swim."

Director Li nodded approvingly: "Excellent! Director Guo's attitude and determination deserve praise. But pay attention to methods and approaches. We are all revolutionary comrades; if there are problems, educate and correct them. Show care and civility; do not resort to violence."

Director Guo said earnestly: "I understand. I will follow the Leaders' guidance."

Director Lu of the Third Workshop said: "Our Third Workshop absolutely supports Director Xue's work and guarantees to complete the tasks on time and to the required quantity!"

Director Qin of the Seventh Workshop said: "I guarantee to set an example and lead the charge at the front..."

Cao Cao Weiguo lowered his head, suppressing a smile. This bunch was purely acting. Deputy Director Xue, newly arrived and carrying tasks from higher authorities, wanted to make a big splash at the Rolling Mill. But were Director Li and these directors so easy to manipulate?

This meeting was nothing but brandishing spears in play. After all that talk, there were hardly any substantial words; it was like performing a grand opera—speak brilliantly, sing beautifully... Once the meeting ended, things would proceed exactly as before.

As lunchtime approached, the meeting concluded successfully. Deputy Director Xue strode out of the conference room with head held high. Zhao Meihong, who had just been reinstated as Director of the Canteen, caught up with him from behind: "Leader, everyone has prepared a welcome banquet for you. We hope you can join us for a meal tonight."

Deputy Director Xue: "Oh, everyone? Which comrades are included?"

Zhao Meihong replied with a smile: "There are Director Cao of Logistics, Section Chief Zhao of Security, the Procurement Section... We won't go out; it will be at our factory's guesthouse. Just a simple home-style meal."

Deputy Director Xue nodded: "This was organized by Director Cao, wasn't it?"

Zhao Meihong: "Leader, you are astute."

Deputy Director Xue: "Please convey my thanks to Director Cao. I will certainly arrive on time tonight."

In the office beside the conference room, Cao Cao Weiguo sat on the sofa, sipping tea.

Director Li stood by the window, smoking: "Cao Weiguo, do you know anything about this Xue Gang? Do you know who is behind him?"

Xue Gang's arrival was so sudden that Director Li knew nothing about it.

At this moment, Director Li's unease was obvious.

Guilt-ridden as a thief, Director Li Huaide had been taking quite a lot during this period.

He feared that Xue Gang had not come to pursue production but to target him.

Cao Cao Weiguo blew gently on his tea leaves and said reassuringly with a smile: "Leader, do not worry. I have spoken with Secretary Han. This Deputy Director Xue is a retired military officer with no background; he was simply sent by higher authorities to supervise production. We only need to cooperate with his work and get production up and running."