Chapter 1020: Pouring Cold Water

The handling of Zhang Guoqi's death due to illness was very swift; it was Ao Yuhua who was responsible for managing it.

Representing the Administrative Office, she made a qualitative assessment of his performance during his time at the factory, noting both his contributions and his faults.

On the Discipline and Inspection side, Li Xuewu signed off to conclude the investigation into him, which served as the final verdict.

Zhang Guoqi's son was still in school, so the factory provided a quota, and the family arranged for him to take over his father's position early.

Li Huai De and a group of other leaders all privately offered their condolences, and Li Xuewu also contributed a share—neither too much nor too little.

That is simply how "personnel matters" are in a work unit; once a person leaves, the tea goes cold. Being able to secure a factory entry quota for Zhang Guoqi's family could already be considered showing some human kindness.

Old Zhang's family was also very cooperative; they accepted the condolences offered by the leaders, declined the consolation money provided by the factory, and simultaneously expressed their gratitude for the arrangements made for their children.

The stone in Li Huai De's heart could finally be considered completely dropped; he no longer had to worry about Zhang Guoqi's family coming to cause a scene or bringing something else to light.

Li Xuewu and Ao Yuhua handled matters decisively and acted quickly; they spoke very well with the family, and the funeral arrangements were also handled appropriately.

Just in the single day of Monday, everything was settled, and the past could be considered turned over.

Actually, when specifically handling this matter, Ao Yuhua felt a bit of emotion.

Zhang Guoqi was also an old-timer in the factory, having weathered the storms in the administrative offices for over twenty years; what hadn't he experienced?

When people reach middle age, they all have a sense of crisis, feeling that if they don't strive for progress, there will be no more opportunities.

Therefore, when Li Huai De was recruiting troops and buying horses, preparing to have a big showdown with Yang Fengshan, he consciously became a vanguard, a pathfinder.

Looking back, was all of this worth it? And how could the effort and the harvest ever be equal?

She reached a conclusion: Li Huai De is not a benevolent and sentimental person.

At the very least, when she reported the news of Zhang Guoqi's death, the first thing he asked wasn't the cause, but rather the impact.

While chatting idly with Li Xuewu, although she didn't speak too clearly, she still carried a faint sense of "grieving for one's own kind."

Li Xuewu, of course, wouldn't try to persuade her; they were both old cadres who had been riding the winds and waves in the administrative offices for many years—it was just a momentary thought.

Do you really think she was feeling indignant for Zhang Guoqi?

Of course not; she was hinting to Li Xuewu, trying to stir up waves even when there was no wind.

So don't think of everyone as too good or too kind, otherwise, you'll be a fool in the administrative offices.

Li Xuewu only signed one word in this matter; with the person dead, the grievances were dissolved, and the Discipline and Inspection case was naturally withdrawn.

At noon, while eating, he specifically chatted with Bu Qingfang, asking about the publicity timing and deployment for several of the factory's current activities.

Temporarily, there were: cooperating with the Beijing Second Machinery Factory to develop assembly line production equipment.

Cooperating with the Beijing Automobile Second Factory on automotive parts supply chain procurement business.

Merging and reorganizing with the Beijing Motorcycle Sixteenth and Seventh Factories to establish the Red Star Motorcycle Factory business.

Cooperating with the Dongcheng Credit Union to develop savings, investment, and capital management business.

This does not include external operation and cooperation projects, such as the shipyard, electronics factory, etc.

Li Huai De bragging outside is his own business, but the Rolling Steel Factory absolutely would not take such matters as a publicity model to flaunt.

The higher-ups value practical benefits more, and external production and operations do not involve internal publicity impact, so there is no need to make a big fanfare.

Especially the international trade travel group staying at the International Hotel; led by Jing Yunong, a negotiation team was formed together with Gu Weijie, and they are currently in contact.

If this kind of thing were placed in later generations, how could one not publicize it extensively while sitting on a gold mine? Even if no contract was signed, it would still count as an achievement.

But now it won't do; only the rank of Jing Yunong and Gu Weijie is suitable for formal contact with the other party.

Li Huai De is not suitable—there is no room for maneuver; Li Xuewu is also not suitable—the risk to him is too high.

"Deputy Director Li, do you have a moment?"

Just after eating at the small canteen and coming out, passing through the main office building lobby, he was called by Gu Weijie.

"Deputy Director Gu."

Li Xuewu walked over with his lunch box in hand and asked, "Do you have something for me?"

"You spoke with Comrade Wei Zai yesterday, right?"

She waved her hand; Wei Zai was also standing beside her. What she was mentioning was clearly the conversation from last night.

"A deputy factory director from the Third Factory is coming over for research in a while; you accompany them and talk about your thoughts."

"I'll pass, shall I?"

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Isn't that a bit suspicious of overstepping my authority?"

"You are the Deputy Director of the Administrative Office."

Gu Weijie also smiled when she heard him say this, patted his arm, and said, "And you are in charge of coordination work; this counts as your official duty, don't try to shirk it."

"Exactly!"

Wei Zai stood to the side and chimed in: "Comrade Li Xuewu's ideological awareness needs improvement; come to our Organization Section to study and learn later."

"Studying is fine, and exchanging ideas is also fine."

Gu Weijie smiled as she looked at him and said, "Please, Deputy Director Li, give us a lecture on the vanguard and leading role of young cadres."

"Good heavens, I've fallen into your hands."

Li Xuewu smiled and gestured to the two of them, saying: "Organization leaders even bullying people."

"Hey! That's not it!"

Gu Weijie laughed: "This must be made clear; the project cooperating with the Textile Third Factory was negotiated by you, Deputy Director Li!"

"Right, Section Chief Wei?"

"That's right, Deputy Director Li should be responsible to the end."

Wei Zai followed the leader's words, grabbed Li Xuewu's arm, and persuaded him: "You only have obedience and effort now!"

"You're really sticking to me like glue!"

Li Xuewu waved to Ding Zigui, who was passing by, and said: "Come save me, Section Chief Wei is framing people!"

"Is that so!"

Ding Zigui said he was surprised, but his actions were not loyal; he took a detour and dodged away.

Wei Zai smiled and pushed Li Xuewu to walk outside, nodding to Gu Weijie to indicate that he had caught a strong hand.

"Let's go, let's go, let's go have a cup of tea at your place first."

He walked out of the main office building gate with Li Xuewu and said: "There are rumors that you have good tea leaves there; is that true?"

"Of course, I'm just afraid you won't have the fortune to enjoy it."

Li Xuewu smirked and blinked his eyes, saying: "I'll let you taste it in a while."

"Uh... never mind then."

Wei Zai wouldn't fall for such a malicious trap; he had no confidence in Li Xuewu's bottom line for playing tricks.

"How was it? The talk last night."

After descending the steps, with no outsiders around, he finally asked this question.

Li Xuewu first shared a cigarette with him, and after they lit them, he said: "Old Wei, do you think our factory is considered united right now?"

"Why are you asking me?!"

Wei Zai looked at him amusedly and said: "Haven't you heard what people say? Whether the Rolling Steel Factory is chaotic or not, Division Chief Li has the final say."

"Damn!"

Li Xuewu laughed out loud, puffed out a cloud of smoke, looked at Wei Zai, and asked: "You believe that too?"

"Whether I believe it or not is useless; it only matters if the people who are useful believe it, or don't believe it."

He pointed to the sky, as if someone were flying above.

Li Xuewu glanced at him and curled his lips: "You only have a high school education, how come you're getting into philosophy?"

"Stop mocking me!"

Wei Zai took a drag of his cigarette, stood in the courtyard under the sun, and said seriously: "It's for your own good, don't be ungrateful."

"Mm, grateful, grateful."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "I'm paying close attention to unity right now; don't you lead me into a ditch."

"Me lead you? Stop joking!"

Wei Zai widened his eyes and said: "Who's leading whom into a ditch!"

"Tell me the truth!"

He squinted his left eye at Li Xuewu and asked: "Didn't you fight last night?"

"Can't you wish me well?"

Li Xuewu knew he was trying to fish for information, but he deliberately wouldn't tell him; keeping him in suspense was the interesting part.

"What kind of person is Deputy Director Cheng? He's a cultured person, a high-level intellectual, and has rich grassroots management experience. Fighting?"

"Oh my! Look at you!"

Wei Zai grinned and said: "It has to be you; you can even make flowers bloom when you curse people!"

He smirked and gestured with his eyes toward the main office building, saying: "Guess how many people were watching you eat this meal?"

"I don't care about them!"

Li Xuewu exhaled a cloud of smoke, turned his back to the office building, and said softly: "Believe it or not, if I turn around right now, I'll give them a fright!"

"Hahaha."

Wei Zai was amused by Li Xuewu, but this matter was truly possible.

Not to mention that Li Xuewu going out to eat with Cheng Kaiyuan would attract attention, even if the two of them were just standing downstairs chatting, how many people would be watching?

Of course, they wouldn't all necessarily be leaders, but those with ulterior motives would definitely report this matter to the leaders.

Perhaps the person stabbing you in the back is the very one who was just smiling and speaking words of concern to you.

"People are all guessing whether you set a Hongmen Banquet, or if Deputy Director Cheng set a 'releasing military power with a cup of wine' trap."

Wei Zai stood in the sun, which was a bit dazzling; he squinted, lowered his head, and said: "Once you move, many people will have to move along with you!"

"It was already moving to begin with; is that my fault?"

Li Xuewu looked at the side office building, pointed it out to Wei Zai, and asked: "When this building was built, who could have imagined that the Party Committee would only use it for less than half a year?"

"Was it me who moved the people away, or was it me who disbanded the organization department?"

He turned back to look at Wei Zai and said: "Today's situation is one way, tomorrow's situation is another; neither is something you or I can decide."

"The overall work and situation are like the wind blowing; everyone is pushing forward together with the wind."

"Among those pushing the boat, there are those who work, those who slack off, and damn it, there are those pushing in the opposite direction, or pulling to one side. Who can influence whom?"

Li Xuewu took a drag of his cigarette and said: "If I could really intervene in the situation and rectify the atmosphere, I wouldn't be this tired right now, would I?"

"Everyone is tired~"

Wei Zai's attitude was no longer like the joking from just before; he sighed and said: "You asked just now if our factory is considered united. In my view, it is united."

He looked at Li Xuewu and said: "At the very least, there is extremely strong combat effectiveness. Division Chief Li and you both have a certain cohesive force. As long as the flag doesn't fall, the hearts of the people won't scatter."

"Stop putting me on a pedestal."

Li Xuewu flicked away the cigarette butt in his hand, pointed to the office building opposite to signal they should walk together, and replied: "I'm walking on thin ice right now. Do you really not know, or are you pretending not to know?"

Whether he knew or not didn't prevent people from speculating about his intentions and motives.

The meal with Cheng Kaiyuan last night was a pressure for the other party, and it was also a pressure for Li Xuewu.

But the contradiction lay between the foundation of cooperation among factory leaders; if no one coordinates, it will exist forever, and if someone coordinates, it's a thankless task.

Only Li Xuewu has more influence in this position and is suitable for taking corresponding measures.

Wei Zai had already warned him once last night, telling him not to "meddle in other people's business" and to stop while he was ahead.

Actually, a portion of the middle-level management cadres in the factory do not hope for the leaders above to be too "united."

Harmony means they lose the significance of taking sides and comparison.

If Li Huai De carries the flag, and other factory leaders perform their own duties and coordinate in an orderly manner, do you think they would still urgently need the support of the people below?

Of course not; instead, they would pour the pressure from above down completely. Who would suffer then?

They would rather the factory administration's efficiency be sluggish, and rather the development be slow, than sacrifice their own personal development demands.

Only in the cracks of the struggle can one seize the opportunity for rapid progress; this is everyone's consensus.

Including Li Xuewu's rapid progress—which time wasn't about pulling chestnuts from the fire?

But now, for the sake of the Rolling Steel Factory's rapid development this year, Li Xuewu has strung all the leaders together, wanting them to be harmonious and hardworking. What do you think their attitude is?

Of course, you can say these people are selfish, or you can say they are the vermin of the factory; you can despise them or spit on them.

But they exist within every administrative department, and even exist in the shadows.

You can't discover their existence just by intuition and sight, because these methods and thoughts are applied behind dark ideas.

What do you learn in organizational study?

Being open and aboveboard, being frank and honest, mutual criticism and self-criticism—that means blushing face-to-face, not behind the back as it is now.

Of course, now that organizational study is organized and implemented by the Management Committee, and individual will is higher than organizational procedures, do you think everyone will still speak the truth or speak harsh words?

From the moment Li Xuewu was carried by Li Huai De to the position of successor, he already had a trend of being isolated by middle-level management cadres.

If he wants to turn the situation around, he can only burn his boats and walk forward without looking back.

When you persist, you will find that those who were passively distancing themselves from you have never left; they are standing behind you, waving flags and shouting, calling you leader.

You should always have your back to them; don't let them see your smiling face and your thoughts—that is a dangerous behavior.

Secondly, run hard; don't let the people behind catch up, otherwise, you are the one under their feet.

Some say this is forcing a duck onto a perch, with no way down!

The rules of the workplace game are just like this: only see the top, don't see the bottom.

Everyone can only accept progress and cannot forgive their own backwardness.

The people in front are running, you are chasing, and the people behind are also chasing you.

If you can lead them to the correct path, you are correct; conversely, you can only pay for your own mistakes.

Therefore, even though Li Xuewu heard Wei Zai's warning, he still chose to actively intervene in the contradiction between Li Huai De and Cheng Kaiyuan.

This is not a kind of mud-slinging, or a kind of thorough understanding.

Others don't see this and all think Li Xuewu is mediating the differences between the two; it is exactly the opposite.

Li Xuewu is not a fool; of course, he knows the contradiction between Li Huai De and Cheng Kaiyuan is irreconcilable and cannot be dissolved.

He is not pulling the relationship between Li Huai De and Cheng Kaiyuan closer, but rather straightening out their relationship to form a force that checks and balances each other.

Checks and balances are also a kind of balance, and the Rolling Steel Factory needs balance right now.

Li Huai De wants to play a game of chess that reaches the heavens; Cheng Kaiyuan and the people behind him want to play a "returning horse gun" move; Gu Weijie wants to play a "sleeping on brushwood and tasting gall" move; Jing Yunong...

Everyone is manipulating the chess layout, and everyone is fighting and competing on the chessboard.

Li Xuewu inevitably became a chess piece on the board, and at the same time, he also obtained the qualification to play chess.

Now, the attitude of the middle-level management cadres cannot influence the overall situation of the factory leaders' layout for enterprise development, because they are all looking forward.

As for those complaining and resisting behind the scenes, whether they want to follow and run forward concerns whether they can stand their ground in the upcoming personnel changes.

When the tide comes, they have to fight for life in the waves; don't they know that when the tide recedes, they also have to follow closely, otherwise they will be left on the beach?

In the administrative offices, game theory and compromise are twins; they often appear simultaneously in work and contradictions.

Li Xuewu does not doubt that when he fails, these people will pounce on him to bite and kick him while he is down.

But if he chooses to protect himself out of fear, does he still have the opportunity to stand in front and welcome the wind and rain?

Just like what he said to Wei Zai, the situation changes every day; yesterday you needed to work hard with your head down, today you need to publicize widely, and maybe the day after tomorrow you will soar into the clouds or fall into the mortal dust.

Man proposes, God disposes.

Based on Li Xuewu's personality, he is the type to look ten steps ahead for every one step; all the decisions he makes are basically considering the possible consequences and impacts.

If even such a personality has to face uncertainty and failure, then it can only be said that it is destined by heaven.

In the afternoon, Li Xuewu, together with Wei Zai, accompanied Gu Weijie to meet the visiting leaders of the Textile Third Factory.

"Factory Director Lu, this is our Management Committee Office Deputy Director, Comrade Li Xuewu."

Wei Zai smiled and introduced him to Lu Yuming, and at the same time, he also introduced Li Xuewu to the other party.

"Factory Director Lu, welcome to the Rolling Steel Factory."

Li Xuewu took the initiative to shake hands with the other party and smiled while exchanging pleasantries.

The other party should have heard of him, and they also politely exchanged a few words with him.

Li Xuewu and Wei Zai greeted them into the lobby and went all the way to the third floor.

On the way, Wei Zai introduced the situation in the factory, as well as the tertiary industry project the other party came to research.

Just now, while chatting in the Security Building, he had already said that this Deputy Factory Director surnamed Lu was present when he went to eat last night.

Actually, it is said that the Rolling Steel Factory took the initiative to contact the other party, but in reality, the other party also had the willingness to deepen cooperation.

The reason is very simple; Cheng Kaiyuan also mentioned it to him on the road last night—relying on the wool and cotton cloth procurement introduced from the frontier by United Trade, they had already made a fortune.

Just this year, they had already launched seven more workshops; it was completely a look of wanting to have a big showdown.

This is still under the condition that the joint industrial project between the Third Factory and the Rolling Steel Factory is still ongoing, and the production of cloth and automotive industry-required knitwear is still continuing.

Li Xuewu hadn't specifically looked at the trade volume, but it was absolutely not low; you can tell just by seeing them take the initiative to visit after the New Year.

The reception hall was arranged in the form of a semi-symposium and semi-reception; the reception sofas in the middle were arranged in a U-shape, while tables and seats for those attending were circled opposite and around them.

The only leader attending was Gu Weijie, but other departments involved in tertiary industry management were also called over.

Including finance, personnel, sales, trade management division, and tertiary industry production management division; even the labor union had people participating.

Gu Weijie waited at the stairs with her secretary and others; after the two sides met, there was another round of pleasantries and introductions.

Li Xuewu consciously followed behind as a background board; when big shots meet, he is naturally not the protagonist.

But it was different once they entered the reception room; the order of the seats could very well show the status.

Li Xuewu's seat was arranged at the lower hand of Gu Weijie; this was decided by her.

That is to say, in external reception, Li Xuewu's status is higher than Wei Zai, who has the status of a team leader.

Specially, Wei Zai did not express any meaning or emotion about this.

This also allowed Lu Yuming and others who were visiting to see the clues, and they knew even more about Li Xuewu's status and influence.

This kind of thing doesn't need to be widely announced, nor does it need to be publicized everywhere; as long as it's an old administrative hand, they can see it at a glance.

You can also perceive it by watching the news every day; a young person suddenly appears in the team, and it's in a key position—the kind that is neither prominent nor lagging behind. What status do you say he has?

The Administrative Office is to execute the tasks assigned by the Management Committee leaders and coordinate the work of the administrative departments.

The position of Deputy Director of the Administrative Office just happened to be on the edge of contacting core work, and it also fit the identity of a young cadre.

Wei Zai had to sit at his lower hand; how could Lu Yuming not know that this is the next core manager of the Rolling Steel Factory?

"Team Leader Wei and we were together yesterday and mentioned the research visit today."

After the opening remarks, he took the initiative to speak: "Last year, the cooperation between the Textile Third Factory and the Rolling Steel Factory was very good; working hand in hand, we created a brilliant miracle."

"This year, I came to the Rolling Steel Factory with prospects and hope, willing to deepen cooperation with brother enterprises and make progress together."

Clapping~~~

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted inside the reception room; his tone was set very well.

"Of course."

He smiled and continued: "This requires the joint efforts of both our sides; I believe that win-win cooperation is a norm."

"I am willing to listen to the demands of brother units, and I am also willing to listen to the feedback from managers working on the front line."

Lu Yuming gestured to the attending seats and asked: "Are there cadres from the joint production management post of the Textile Third Factory participating today?"

"Hello, Deputy Factory Director Lu."

He Yu Shui and two other cadres stood up and greeted Lu Yuming.

"Good, good, sit down and talk."

Lu Yuming was very happy and said: "You are the cornerstone of the cooperation between the Textile Third Factory and the Red Star Rolling Steel Factory; you are the guides and creators who witnessed the brilliant achievements of the past year. I feel proud and honored for you."

"Joint production and self-reliance were the meanings set at the beginning of the creation of joint production."

After the other party finished speaking, Gu Weijie took over the topic and said: "The Red Star Rolling Steel Factory insists on scientific development as the foundation, market-oriented exploration to enrich planned production as the guide, insists on technological innovation, and insists on win-win cooperation."

She gestured in Li Xuewu's direction and said: "The Rolling Steel Factory established the Economic and Trade Management Leadership Group Office for this purpose, and Deputy Director Li presides over daily management work."

"In the process of preparing for joint production and tertiary industry enterprises, we encountered difficulties and obstacles together; this is unavoidable."

"But it is precisely this kind of difficulty that tempered the joint production team, tested the friendship of cooperation, and witnessed the joy of success in economic market exploration."

She stated: "The Red Star Rolling Steel Factory always maintains an open attitude and welcomes brother units to participate in production and construction with an attitude of equality, mutual assistance, and win-win cooperation."

"I believe that last year's achievements are just the beginning, and there will be more and better goals in the future that we need to realize together."

Clapping~

Enthusiastic applause erupted again inside the reception room.

Gu Weijie, who was hosting the reception work, smiled and communicated with Lu Yuming for a few sentences, then gestured in Li Xuewu's direction and said: "Knowing that Deputy Factory Director Lu wants to hear the attitude and plans of our Rolling Steel Factory, I invited Deputy Director Li over."

"Welcome, Deputy Factory Director Lu, welcome, comrades from the Textile Third Factory."

Seeing that the speaking order had reached his hands, Li Xuewu didn't feel stage fright; he first welcomed the guests before starting his own speech.

"From the project approval of joint production in March last year to the project development and operation, I have participated throughout the whole process."

"Now, rather than talking about witnessing production miracles and tertiary industry achievements, I hope more that both sides will witness the hardships and efforts in the process of creating these achievements together."

He said: "We started building from one brick and one tile, one workshop and one warehouse; from the first worker walking into the site to the first product coming off the line, we need to remember this history."

Clapping~

Inside the reception room, hearing Li Xuewu talk about the hardships at the grassroots level and the difficulty of cooperation, everyone spontaneously applauded.

Even Lu Yuming was lost in thought while clapping, and his gaze toward Li Xuewu was gradually becoming profound.

"Remembering the past and cherishing the present—this is what we need to think about and summarize as experience."

Li Xuewu looked at Lu Yuming and said: "Our Deputy Director Gu has already spoken about the Rolling Steel Factory's cooperative attitude being open, the policy being supportive, and the market being urgently in need of development."

"But I want to sing a different tune and pour some cold water!"

"Hahaha~"

Laughter first erupted at the scene, followed by another burst of applause.

Everyone knows that listening to nice words is comfortable and listening to the truth is difficult, but business work cannot tolerate false words; only the truth can move people's hearts.

Li Xuewu is a leader of the Rolling Steel Factory; he wants to talk about business and the truth, which effectively represents the Rolling Steel Factory's most real and straightforward attitude.

Gu Weijie introduced Li Xuewu to Lu Yuming and reminded the other party twice to pay attention, just to pave the way for Li Xuewu, so that his expression of the Rolling Steel Factory's cooperative willingness and demands would be more earnest.

"There are many unstable factors in cooperation."

Li Xuewu scanned the crowd at the scene and said: "First of all, we must talk about how to resist the planned risks brought about by policy changes during the cooperation process."

"Plans cannot keep up with changes; plans are always changing along with policies, and thoughts are the same."

He spread his hands and said to Lu Yuming: "Deep project cooperation development will inevitably bring about deeper mutual influence; this is an unavoidable problem."

"In the process of policy interpretation execution and ideological construction management, the Red Star Rolling Steel Factory follows scientific development and respects the principles of development."

Li Xuewu said candidly: "Reaching a consensus on the ideological dimension and maintaining a high degree of unity in thought during the project execution process is a challenge for both of us."

This point was recognized by everyone at the scene; even those who didn't understand it were nodding along thoughtfully.

Lu Yuming changed from his previous relaxation; his body was already sitting straight, listening seriously and thinking seriously.

Li Xuewu continued his speech: "Secondly, I want to talk about the policy implementation and execution coordination problems that must be faced during the deep cooperation process."

"It's not just that cooperation between brother units will have situations where ideas are good but hands and feet can't move."

"Cooperation itself is a test and challenge for both sides; during the deepening of cooperation, there will inevitably be running-in problems, as well as problems such as different intensities of policy execution during project management."

"In the process of participating in the preparation and design of the joint production project, we thought about and discussed this problem."

Li Xuewu looked at the other party and introduced: "The conclusion is that situations of conflicting policies are resolutely not allowed to happen."

He pointed in the direction of the Joint Production Project Management Office and said: "This is the significance of the existence and execution of management by the Management Office."

"But we can also see that the Management Office is not omnipotent; we cannot pile all problems and contradictions onto the Management Office and ignore them."

Li Xuewu smiled at the attending cadres of the Management Office and asked: "It's very hard, right?"

"Hahaha~"

A section chief of the Management Office gave a wry smile; although he didn't say anything, his attitude was already very clear.

Lu Yuming also looked at the other party and smiled, asking: "Are the cadres of the Textile Third Factory fierce when they argue?"

"Hahaha~"

Because of the active jokes of the two leaders, the atmosphere in the reception room instantly became cheerful.

Everyone looked at the Management Office and then at the cadres sent by the Textile Third Factory, all laughing very happily.

Li Xuewu eased the atmosphere of the conversation and summarized: "In the process of deepening cooperation, we need more discussion and communication to find an excellent problem-solving plan that suits both sides."

"This is a key problem; I think it is very necessary to strengthen contact."

Lu Yuming gave Li Xuewu an apologetic look for interrupting Li Xuewu's speech.

Then he looked at Gu Weijie and also said to everyone present: "I will first make requirements for the cadres sent by the Textile Third Factory present; if there are problems, communicate them; don't hide them or gossip behind people's backs."

"And then it's the factory's side."

He turned his head and instructed the Deputy Director of the Office who came to the Rolling Steel Factory with him: "After going back, also establish a communication mechanism based on joint production, and strengthen this kind of contact regarding deep cooperation."

After giving the instructions, he gestured to Li Xuewu, returning the speaking order.

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Arguing and quarreling is not terrible; what's terrible is harboring resentment and parting ways."

"The last point is strengthening cooperation and what kind of impact and significance it can bring to both sides in the upcoming planned production and market-oriented exploration process."

He said: "The Rolling Steel Factory will continue to layout market-oriented exploration tasks this year, including continuing to invest in and arrange more city-based resident agencies and contacting factories with rich resources in various places."

"In this process, production and interaction, as well as market-oriented sales, will inevitably bring greater impact to cooperation; deeper is how both sides define the upcoming cooperation."

Li Xuewu also talked about money without hurting feelings; at the end, he placed the benefit distribution on the reception table, reminding the other party who holds the initiative and dominance.

"The above are the worries and thoughts I want to express today."

He smiled and looked at Lu Yuming, saying: "I hope you won't have doubts about the cooperation between us, and I hope my speech didn't bring you trouble and misunderstanding."

"Of course not."

Lu Yuming smiled and gestured to Li Xuewu, saying: "I came today because I wanted to see the leaders of our factory, and I also wanted to hear the attitude of our cooperation."

"Very real, and also very practical."

He crossed his hands, nodded slowly, and affirmed: "This is a thinking process that both our sides must experience at the beginning of cooperation; it is unavoidable."

"The cold water is a bit cold."

Gu Weijie smiled and smoothed things over, looked at everyone at the scene, and asked: "Were you all stunned by Deputy Director Li's basin of cold water?"

"Hahaha~"

Everyone let out a good-natured smile, and subsequently, they were a bit more spirited; they had more or less gained some cognition regarding the confusion in their hearts and the difficulties of cooperation between the two sides.

Just because cooperation is good now doesn't mean it will be pleasant in the future; Li Xuewu took the initiative to invite Wei Zai to test the other party's attitude, which doesn't mean they are going to actively form cooperation.

In the early stage of cooperation, both sides will definitely experience a period of complex game theory, finally reaching conditions that both sides can accept—that is, so-called compromise.

Just like the cooperation project the Rolling Steel Factory is currently discussing with the Dongcheng Credit Union—contact started before the New Year, and they are still talking after the New Year; and they will have to keep talking.

This is not as simple as two friends making an appointment to go out for a drink.

Even if you go out for a drink together, don't you have to ask each other where to go, where the wine is good, and where the landlady is pretty?

The cooperation with the Textile Third Factory now is also like this; it will take a lot of grinding.

Fortunately, neither side is in a hurry; bit by bit, testing each other, even if the cooperation is a bit slow, it's not to be feared.

Under Gu Weijie's request, Li Xuewu took the initiative to participate in the subsequent problem discussion.

In the middle, representatives from various departments attending the meeting spoke about the existing cooperation between the two sides and their opinions and suggestions for future cooperation.

The leaders of both sides were listening carefully, thinking, and even directly answering their doubts and questions.

For good opinions, the offices of both sides also made records to facilitate subsequent work docking.

Finally, the two sides reached a preliminary consensus in the field of personnel work cooperation.

In the communication, Li Xuewu further put forward demands and hopes for cooperation.

In addition to making a steady emphasis on the coordination and arrangement of worker interaction, he also expounded and communicated on issues such as employment for children of staff, vocational education for children, and matchmaking and marriage for suitable men and women in the factory.

At the same time, he also exchanged views with the Textile Third Factory on the worker new village project implemented by the Rolling Steel Factory starting this year, which includes humanistic living, medical care and recuperation, and the economic settlement field currently under negotiation.

Lu Yuming could obviously feel the vigorous development momentum bursting out of the Rolling Steel Factory, and he was even more interested in the projects planned and rapidly promoted by the Rolling Steel Factory.

He wanted to understand and learn this kind of project management, as well as the means and thinking of situation judgment, and he also expressed the greatest hope for the upcoming cooperation.

Subsequently, Wei Zai hosted and accompanied the other party to visit the tertiary industry production workshop, and then went to see the project R&D workshop in the same factory area.

It was obviously a fishing arrangement, but the other party still watched with great interest.

The Textile Third Factory doesn't lack textile talent, and it doesn't lack textile orders; they lack this kind of comprehensive strength, and they know more clearly that compared to the Rolling Steel Factory, they lack the ability to resist market-oriented influence.

You can say that now is the world of planned production, or you can say that marketization is still far away.

But in fact, last year's opening policy was already very obvious; it opened the tight spell of commodity exchange between units, which is to activate the public-to-public economy.

Some people are cautious and have an inadequate understanding of economic policies, which will lead to opposite thinking.

Treating the market economy as a flood or a beast and avoiding it—but they don't know that if it really comes like a flood or a beast, and they want to defend against it, it will be too late.

Actually, many enterprises in the industrial field have investigations and thoughts aimed at the market.

This work is currently used as a supplement to planned production and bill services.

Taking the Textile Third Factory as an example, they need to know how much cotton cloth and how much patterned cloth are needed in the Beijing area this year.

Of course, everything is needed; now as long as there is any, there is no shortage of sales.

But the market will feed back a side of fatigue; from last summer, it could actually be seen that the market had already shown an active side.

Eggs were hard to see before, but now they are not rare items; although they are still in high demand, the degree of satisfaction has greatly increased.

Agricultural production has improved year after year; even in this time period, it is still a bumper harvest.

In the process of the overall market increasing production value and organizational individuals serving production, is it necessary to make judgments and investigations on the situation?

Every enterprise or factory leader has a calendar on their desk.

Their work is recorded on it, and the work plan for next month is also on it.

Where does the plan come from?

Part of it is allocated from above, part of it is fed back from below, and the rest is actively investigated.

What comes down from above is actually the planned production part, and what is fed back from below is the adjusted production part.

The remaining part is the commodity that exists in every factory and is classified into the market after exceeding the task.

The market's acceptance of these commodities directly reflects the quality and acceptability of the products.

Thermos bottles were produced before, and no one cared about their style—iron, bulky—as long as they were sturdy and durable, that was fine.

But is that the case when pushed to the market?

Of course not; there have always been rattan or bamboo thermos covers, and even plastic covers that appeared later, which are a shock and challenge to the original steel style.

Of course, if these things are part of planned production, the supply and marketing cooperative only sells them; you can take it or leave it.

Or they are distributed to units and given to individuals; who would care if it's free?

So you will see that these factory leaders don't panic when looking at planned production orders, but they scratch their heads when looking at market feedback for extra-planned production.

The Rolling Steel Factory consumed tons of cotton cloth from the Textile Third Factory last year, but this year it still hasn't adjusted this procurement plan, and even wants to reduce it.

You say why?

Very simple; the joint production factory is also producing this kind of cloth, and even updated the technology in the R&D process, making the quality of the cloth more excellent.

Even internal needs competition, not to mention external pressure.

The Textile Third Factory came for research not only to talk about cooperation but also to probe the reality.

Li Xuewu gave the other party a "downward strike" directly, and then went to the workshop to see production and supply and demand, so that they could look at the problem fairly with a mindset of need.

He doesn't oppose cooperation, but he hates hypocritical communication; this made Gu Weijie, who brought him here, very helpless and wryly smiling.

After sending off the leaders of the Third Factory, she even teased Li Xuewu about whether he was doing it on purpose to tear down the stage.

Li Xuewu smiled and replied that tearing down the stage is better than the stage collapsing by itself! ===== CHAPTER 1021 =====