Chapter 1410

It was true that Xu Damao had made the arrest, but whether or not to release the person required the final say of Li Huaide, the Director of the Revolutionary Committee.

Yet, according to what Xiao Yuan said, Xu Damao had first released the man on the grounds of "lack of evidence" before reporting it to Li Huaide.

Cao Weiguo shook his head secretly: "Xu Damao, oh Xu Damao, they say Liu Haizhong doesn't have two taels of oil in his belly, but you aren't much better."

There are no airtight walls in this world, and with the many eyes and ears in the Workers' Inspection Team, Cao Weiguo had received news long ago that Xu Damao was jumping around, trying to replace him as the head of the team.

Cao Weiguo was not at all surprised that Xu Damao wanted to climb the ladder.

It was just that Xu Damao wanting to replace him was a bit underhanded.

Not to mention the friendship between buddies, just look at Xu Damao becoming a deputy section chief, joining the committee, and becoming the team leader of the Workers' Inspection Team—was there any of that which didn't involve his own word? Although he hadn't put in much effort, he hadn't tripped him up either, and had even acted as a bridge in between.

If you aren't grateful, that's one thing, but how could you think of replacing me?

They say Banggeng is an ungrateful wretch, but this Xu Damao is no different.

Sometimes Cao Weiguo even wondered if Banggeng was Xu Damao's own seed.

The same ingratitude, the same biting the hand that feeds.

Cao Weiguo stuffed a stack of money and coupons into Xiao Yuan's pocket: "I heard your father is hospitalized. Don't refuse this small token. You've worked hard during this time, so I'm giving you three days off. Take good care of your father, and I hope he recovers soon."

Xiao Yuan said with emotion: "Thank you for your concern, Leader. But if I'm resting, what about the matters in the Workers' Inspection Team?"

Cao Weiguo smiled: "The Workers' Inspection Team has Team Leader Xu. He is a famous activist now, and with him leading the Third Group, you can rest assured and take care of your father."

Xiao Yuan said: "Leader, it's Xu Damao I'm worried about. If I'm not in the group, then he might..."

Cao Weiguo interrupted Xiao Yuan: "When Heaven wants someone to perish, it first makes them mad. You take care of your father with peace of mind; as for Xu Damao, I have it under control."

Xiao Yuan suddenly realized, his face full of admiration: "The Leader is wise, I will listen to you."

Cao Weiguo smiled and patted Xiao Yuan's shoulder: "Alright, get off work and go home."

The two walked out of the office together and parted ways at the main gate of the office building.

At the bike shed, Cao Weiguo ran into Xu Damao and greeted him with a friendly smile: "Brother Damao, what a coincidence. I was just looking for you. Xiao Yuan's father is sick and hospitalized, so I took the liberty of giving him three days off to take care of his father. You'll have to shoulder more of the burden for the Third Group from now on."

Xiao Yuan, that obstructive guy, was on leave? That was just great!

Double happiness!

Xu Damao was overjoyed: "Being filial to elders is only right. Come to think of it, with Xiao Yuan's father sick, I, as the team leader, kept assigning work to Xiao Yuan—that was my dereliction of duty. Weiguo, you are still the thoughtful one. No wonder the fellow workers all say that being able to work under a leader like you is a blessing cultivated from a past life."

Cao Weiguo laughed: "What are you saying? We are all one family of worker brothers. Not caring about fellow workers would be the real dereliction of duty. Brother Damao, I have to say a couple of things to you here: you can't be too reckless with work. You must pay attention to the health and lives of the fellow workers, and even more so, take care of your own health. The Great Leader once said that health is the capital of revolution. You can't just focus on work and ruin your health. If you ruin your health, not only will you suffer, but it will be a loss for our entire factory."

These words made Xu Damao laugh heartily: "Hahaha... Weiguo, your words make me feel warm inside. You are very right, but how should I put it? The organization trusts me so much and entrusts me with such heavy responsibilities, so I must work wholeheartedly, give my all for the cause, and not let down the organization's trust in me. If I can't achieve more results, that would be my dereliction of duty, and I wouldn't be able to eat or sleep."

Cao Weiguo gave Xu Damao a thumbs up: "Brother Damao! You are a good comrade! You are a model for me to learn from! I am not as good as you! I must learn from you."

Xu Damao waved his hand with a laugh: "Hahaha, Brother Weiguo, you flatter me. What am I? I am far behind Comrade Lei Feng. If we are talking about learning, we should all learn from Comrade Lei Feng together, serve the people wholeheartedly, love whatever job we do, devote our limited lives to the infinite service of the people, and contribute our strength to the cause of communism."

Director Deng, who was passing by, heard this and applauded with excitement: "Good! Good! Good! That was said truly well! Comrade Xu Damao! Your ideological awareness is simply beyond words. I am truly moved. Enough said, let's go. I'm hosting today. Let's go have a few drinks together and discuss how to learn from the spirit of Lei Feng properly. Comrade Weiguo, come along too."

Cao Weiguo smiled: "Thank you, Director Deng, but I'm really sorry, I have an appointment today. Next time, next time I will host. I will invite Director Deng and Brother Damao to drink, and we will learn and progress together, learn the spirit of Lei Feng together, and serve the people wholeheartedly together. Sigh, Brother Damao's words have made my blood boil. If I didn't have a prior appointment, I would definitely drink until we drop with Brother Damao."

Xu Damao said with a glowing face: "There will be plenty of time in the future. Brother Weiguo, go to your appointment first, and we will drink to our heart's content another day."

Cao Weiguo: "Alright, we will drink until we drop another day. Director Deng, Brother Damao, you two chat, I have things to do so I'll be going first."

After Cao Weiguo pedaled his bike away, Director Deng said with a warm smile: "Today, thanks to Team Leader Xu's keen insight, my good-for-nothing nephew's innocence was restored. My cousin just called and asked me to insist that you attend a banquet to thank you in person."

Xu Damao said proudly: "Isn't that too grand?"

Director Deng said: "Not grand at all, not grand at all. This is only right. If it weren't for Team Leader Xu's impartial handling of the matter, I don't know how much my good-for-nothing nephew would have suffered or how many grievances he would have endured. Hosting a banquet to thank you is really nothing. Besides, my cousin also wants to get to know you, Team Leader Xu, a young talent."

Xu Damao couldn't stop smiling and waved his hands repeatedly: "You flatter me, you flatter me. How can I be considered a talent? Leader, you hold me in too high regard. I am just an ordinary person willing to be an ox or a horse for the masses."

Director Deng laughed: "Team Leader Xu's awareness is truly high. Why didn't I notice you had such awareness before? You, you were just too low-key in the past. Otherwise, I would have promoted you long ago. But it's not too late now. With your awareness and ability, I believe you will surely achieve great things. I won't say much more here; we will talk in detail at the dinner table."

Xu Damao said with satisfaction: "I will follow your arrangements, Leader!"

The two rode their bikes together to the Qingxin Residence at Donghua Gate in Wang Fujing. This was an old, time-honored restaurant.

Through Director Deng's introduction, Xu Damao learned that before the public-private partnership, Qingxin Residence was the property of Zhou Chongwen's family. When the fixed interest period expired in 1966, although Qingxin Residence changed to state ownership, the manager of Qingxin Residence was still a member of the Zhou family. It was precisely because of this connection that Zhou Chongwen was able to resell grain under the cover of Qingxin Residence.

At the dinner table, Xu Damao was treated with great hospitality by the Zhou family and was flattered by them until he didn't know north from south. When he left, his briefcase contained another bulging envelope, and the handlebars of his bicycle held a large rooster tied up with ropes. ===== CHAPTER 1412 =====