Chapter 1042: The Steel Mill's Comrades Have Arrived

"Why wasn't there any news at all before this?"

Li Huai, feeling lingering fear, frowned, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the sofa armrest.

Li Xuewu sat opposite, watched Li Haiyang making a phone call, and reminded him softly, "We must plan early; delay leads to change."

"Hmm—you mean...?"

Li Huai's gaze fixed on Li Xuewu, his head tilted slightly, dark clouds gathering on his face.

Li Xuewu, however, remained calm and composed. "You are the Director of the Red Star Steel Mill Management Committee; any investigation must provide you with an explanation."

"Unless..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Li Huai's panicked heart hadn't completely lost its reason and thinking.

Unless this investigation was aimed at him, aimed at everyone in the steel mill.

No prior communication, no prior notice—it was a lack of trust, a sign of precaution.

Cheng Kaiyuan was supposed to go to the city for a meeting today; the fact that even his secretary and driver couldn't be reached meant there must be a major operation.

Li Huai's hand on the sofa armrest gripped tightly, as if trying to grab something.

"Call Director Liu Xiangqian at the city!"

He instructed Li Haiyang, who had just hung up the phone, "If he's not in the office, contact the duty room to find his home number."

"Yes!"

Li Haiyang first responded, then reported, "I just contacted the city disciplinary commission; he's not there."

After speaking, he picked up the phone and followed the leader's instructions to call the city.

Li Huai's face grew even gloomier, as if it could sink into water. His fists loosened and tightened, loosened and tightened.

"Since he's not at the city disciplinary commission, then he must be at the ministry's disciplinary commission."

Li Xuewu said softly, "Deputy Director Xue has already gone to contact them, but I don't know what the result is yet."

"No need to look for the higher-ups; the person went missing in the city, so I'll look for Liu Xiangqian."

Li Huai said, "At this time, targeting Comrade Kaiyuan, I don't know what they want to do!"

"Leader, I can't get through."

Li Haiyang reported, sweating profusely, "I couldn't find him in the city, and the duty room said the Director wasn't home, so they hung up."

"Should I... contact Deputy Director Zhang again?"

"No need. They are deliberately hiding from you."

Li Huai took a cigarette from the box on the coffee table and put it in his mouth.

He didn't reach for a match, just pondered, "If even Liu Xiangqian is hiding, then I really want to see what kind of maze they've set up."

Thump—

The door to the meeting room was pushed open from the outside, and Xue Zhifu and Jing Yunong walked in.

"It should be at the ministry; it was a temporary operation organized this afternoon, and no one was notified."

Xue Zhifu also had a gloomy face and said to Li Huai, "It's not clear where he's being held, but it should be in the city."

"I've asked; the plant hasn't received any investigation coordination letters recently, nor have any materials been taken away."

Jing Yunong stood by Li Xuewu's sofa and said decisively, "It shouldn't be a problem originating from the plant."

"Have you contacted Comrade Kaiyuan's home?"

Li Huai asked Li Xuewu, "Is there any movement there?"

"No, I arranged for Zhou Yao from the security section to go. Deputy Director Cheng's wife and children are all at home."

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly. "They haven't been subjected to any investigation or questioning."

"Deputy Director Gu has already gone over."

Jing Yunong reminded, "She's afraid that Deputy Director Cheng's family might have... something inconvenient."

"What could be inconvenient?"

Li Huai's gloomy gaze swept over everyone. "Comrade Kaiyuan is an excellent cadre selected by the organization from the machinery factory!"

He took the cigarette out of his mouth and emphasized, "During his time at the steel mill, his work performance was excellent, and his personal character is obvious to all. What problems could he possibly have?"

This was asking everyone, and also asking himself. Emphasizing so much was nothing more than to add to his own confidence.

Li Xuewu clasped his hands together, thought for a moment, and reminded, "Could it be that he's been implicated, or that it's a certain case..."

The room fell silent instantly. Everyone's gaze gathered on him, and for a moment, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The atmosphere became oppressive.

"I can still trust Comrade Kaiyuan."

After a long while, Li Huai let out a long sigh, gripped the cigarette in his hand, and said seriously, "Evaluating a comrade must be cautious and fair. I believe he has no problems."

"Yes, I feel the same way."

Jing Yunong's gaze swept over Li Xuewu and looked at Li Huai, also saying seriously, "Regarding the investigation of Deputy Director Cheng, I believe the relevant departments need to provide sufficient reasons; otherwise, it cannot be recognized by all the staff in the plant."

"Especially an investigation without prior notice—it makes no sense at all!"

Although Xue Zhifu was no longer in charge of disciplinary inspection and supervision work, his words became increasingly serious.

"I oppose unreasonable investigations against the steel mill, and I even more oppose this disregard for the Red Star Steel Mill's opinions."

"Then let's show some attitude."

Li Huai crushed the cigarette in his hand and instructed Li Haiyang, who was standing to the side, pale with nervousness, "Call and ask where Leader Du is; I'm going to 'carry a thorn and ask for punishment'."

"Okay... okay, leader."

Li Haiyang shivered, then walked quickly to the phone, his hands trembling as he picked it up and dialed the duty room of the Ministry of Industry.

"Work hard tonight; the situation is special."

Li Huai looked at Xue Zhifu and Jing Yunong and said, "I'm not at ease if there's no one in the plant."

"We'll return to the plant now."

Xue Zhifu and Jing Yunong looked at each other, nodded, and said solemnly, "Don't worry."

"Hmm, that's best."

Li Huai nodded and instructed, "If I have no news tonight, don't call."

Having said that, he looked at Xue Zhifu and instructed, "Tell Comrade Weijie not to waste time and to do a good job with the work in the plant; the overall situation of development cannot be affected."

"Also, regarding Comrade Kaiyuan's matter," he looked at Jing Yunong and instructed, "Strictly enforce propaganda work discipline, strictly control internal public opinion, and do not allow any events that affect normal work order to occur."

"I understand."

Jing Yunong responded seriously, "Tonight, I will arrange this work with Deputy Director Gu."

"You can contact Security Section Chief Zhou Yao directly."

Li Xuewu added from the side, "She can be trusted and can also mobilize the special forces of the security department."

What important work could skip him and be arranged directly for Security Section Chief Zhou Yao to execute the security force jurisdiction at this time?

Of course, it was maintaining stability and management.

In other words, Deputy Team Leader Yu Decai could not have any problems. At least until this matter became clear, while Li Xuewu was away, he could not have any problems.

Li Xuewu's trust in Yu Decai was the same as his trust in Zhou Yao.

The security team didn't need nepotism, and it didn't need private favors. No one could challenge Li Xuewu's authority, and no one could challenge the rules he set.

Jing Yunong heard him instruct to contact Zhou Yao directly, so she thought of this point.

Li Xuewu couldn't go back with her.

Yes, at this time, Li Huai had made arrangements and instructions for her and Xue Zhifu, but didn't mention Li Xuewu.

But Li Xuewu was sitting in this rest room, participating in handling this crisis.

So, there was no need to think deeply; wherever Li Huai was, Li Xuewu was.

It could be seen that Li Huai trusted and needed him, and it could be seen how important his existence was in the upcoming game.

In particular, Jing Yunong had already thought of Li Huai's meaning—that was Li Xuewu's influence.

Regarding Li Xuewu's background, as well as his performance and degree of participation in that case a while ago.

More importantly, Li Xuewu understood this case and was clear about the impact and fluctuations caused behind this case.

He was qualified enough to help Li Huai reference and advise, but he was not qualified to take the initiative to draw a knife in the subsequent game and divide Li Huai's cake.

Of course, after this incident, Li Huai would definitely trust Li Xuewu more, but this kind of utilization and precaution—isn't it also a kind of harm?

In Jing Yunong's view, Li Huai was not only guarding against the intrusion of external situations but also guarding against more infighting within.

To put it bluntly, Li Huai didn't trust Li Xuewu and the Dong Wenxue faction behind him.

Because Dong Wenxue was deeply involved with Gu Weijie and was in control of one side in Steel City.

What made Li Huai even more wary was that Xu Sinian in Yingcheng had a good personal friendship with Li Xuewu and had become increasingly tacit in his cooperation with Dong Wenxue at work.

Once something happened in the plant, to put it extremely, Cheng Kaiyuan was just the beginning. If the fire burned to him, then the Dong Wenxue faction would inevitably play a decisive role in the subsequent game.

At least it could be determined that Gu Weijie would inevitably stand out, and Xue Zhifu and Jing Yunong, forced by the situation, would very likely unite on their side.

When that time really came, would he, Li Huai, come back or not?

I'm afraid it would be awkward if he didn't come back, and even more awkward if he did.

Therefore, Xue Zhifu and Jing Yunong must sit in the steel mill tonight.

Gu Weijie was guarding Cheng Kaiyuan's house, and Li Huai was going to break into the tiger's den with Li Xuewu to save Cheng Kaiyuan back.

Don't talk about Cheng Kaiyuan having two hearts with Li Huai at this time, and don't talk about the internal game of the steel mill.

The current situation is that Li Huai must cut the Gordian knot. If there is no action tonight, Cheng Kaiyuan might not be able to hold on.

By then, if he spits out something, it's hard to say who he will bite.

In this period, there is nothing that cannot be dragged out and made big.

Even if there is no clear evidence that you have a problem, three people make a tiger, and public opinion is a metal-melting force. If a key person with a special status really stands up and bites you, you can't hide.

Li Huai was afraid that Cheng Kaiyuan would be seduced there, and even more afraid that he wouldn't be able to hold on and would flip the steel mill's table.

Not only was he afraid, but other leaders of the steel mill were also afraid. Hearing the news that Deputy Director Cheng was being investigated, the union's Xiong Bencheng directly had high blood pressure and was hospitalized.

Don't ask; asking means he was anxious and worried about the overall stability, but due to physical health problems, he could only go to the ward to recuperate.

His presence or absence wouldn't have much impact on the matter, and Li Huai also recognized his self-awareness.

Whether it's self-mutilation to ensure purity or being a bird of prey and surrendering voluntarily, he participated in Cheng Kaiyuan's actions last time, which made Li Huai clean him up quite a bit.

Now that Cheng Kaiyuan was in trouble, the first one to panic was Xiong Bencheng.

The second reason Li Huai held onto Li Xuewu was that he was afraid that after tonight, the steel mill would have more waves, and interested people would incite the staff's discussion and emotions, causing unstable factors.

Especially now that the external situation is tense, many factories are undergoing deepening reforms, which is very noisy.

He couldn't guarantee whether the steel mill's existing advanced system could withstand the impact of the storm. If another reform came, let alone Old Li, even the other leaders wouldn't be able to bear it.

Therefore, to settle the outside, one must first settle the inside. With Li Xuewu by his side, he could ensure the most direct command foundation for the steel mill's security.

Finally, Li Huai's worry had to do with the several deputy directors in the plant.

After confirming that Cheng Kaiyuan was taken away by the ministry and had nothing to do with his performance during his time at the steel mill, everyone's heart let out a sigh of relief, but also felt a stone pressing down.

They cast their gaze at Li Huai. If he didn't act or save Cheng Kaiyuan when he was in trouble, who would work with him and plan for the big picture out of sympathy?

Now it was Cheng Kaiyuan being investigated. The one anxious might be him, or his family, but the one most anxious was actually Li Huai.

"Leader, the call is through."

Just after finishing his instructions, Li Haiyang walked over and reported, "Leader Du is waiting for you in the office."

"I know."

Li Huai nodded, braced himself on the armrest, stood up, and shook hands with Xue Zhifu and Jing Yunong in turn, without saying anything more.

Everything that needed to be explained had been explained clearly. Today he was charging into the tiger's den. If he happened to fold inside, he believed the steel mill's crowd would definitely save him.

Just as he went to save Cheng Kaiyuan without hesitation—this is the rule, and also the morality.

The Volga M24 drove into the pitch-black night. The city was already asleep, and stars twinkled in the night sky.

The weather in early spring was already exceptionally warm. Even in the middle of the night, the wind blowing through the cracks in the car window didn't feel very cold.

It was just a bit damp, as if it had rained lightly, and it was cleaner and crisper than a rainy night in midsummer.

"Have you stopped smoking?"

Li Huai withdrew his gaze from the window, turned his head to look at Li Xuewu beside him, and only then remembered that Li Xuewu hadn't been smoking at all.

He forgot when it started; he only saw Li Xuewu with cigarettes in his hand, but he never put them in his mouth.

"I quit. Learning from you, striving to work healthily for the organization for fifty years."

Li Xuewu smiled and took out an exquisite metal cigarette case from his pocket, but it wasn't cigarettes inside when he opened it.

"What is this? Candy?"

Li Huai looked at it carefully under the dim light in the car; he smelled a sweet scent.

On the wax paper outer packaging inside the metal cigarette case was printed a little girl with slightly curly hair and a butterfly knot, blowing a bubble larger than her face.

Li Xuewu picked up a piece and handed it to Li Huai, signaling him to look closer.

Li Huai really took it curiously and leaned close to the reading light to look carefully.

"Shanghai Tianshan Hui Food Factory?"

These small characters were printed at the bottom of the candy wrapper, indicating the origin of the candy.

On the big bubble blown by the little girl were the Chinese pinyin characters for "bubble gum."

"What kind of candy is bubble gum?"

Li Huai laughed and looked at Li Xuewu. "How come you always have these fashionable little things? Is it to tease children?"

"A friend's suggestion. This was also sent to me specifically after knowing I wanted to quit smoking."

Li Xuewu helped him unwrap the outer packaging and handed it to him, signaling him to taste it.

"Don't swallow it; just chew it in your mouth. It can freshen your breath and provide action memory for quitting smoking."

"Really?"

Li Huai glanced at Li Xuewu, then took the candy and put it in his mouth.

The white soft candy entered his mouth, and there was a sweetness that was greasy to the nose.

And after being chewed and bitten by his teeth, a little bit of sourness appeared, but the chewiness in his mouth came up, and it was really quite interesting.

He patted Li Xuewu's knee amusedly. "Not to mention whether it's useful or not, just relying on such an inelegant behavior—it's okay at home, but do you rely on it to relieve your nicotine cravings at work?"

"If chewing gum could really quit smoking, I don't think tobacco would be produced by manufacturers."

Li Xuewu shook his head bitterly. "It's just that I don't want to let down a friend's concern. This kind of concern is the persistence that guarantees my quitting smoking."

"Hmm, friendship is precious."

Li Huai looked at the candy wrapper in his hand and asked, "It's not cheap, right? I've never seen this thing."

"It is indeed for children to chew for fun."

Li Xuewu laughed, "But there is a certain danger; if it gets stuck in the throat, it's over."

"It's really expensive; it's not cheap at all."

Li Xuewu shook the exquisite cigarette case in his hand. "The paper box pack of 100 pieces is 3 yuan, which is 3 cents per piece."

"If you really take it as a meal to chew, a dozen yuan a month isn't enough."

Li Xuewu saw Li Haiyang looking back curiously, smiled, and handed him two pieces, signaling him to let the driver taste one too.

"Thank you, Deputy Director Li, I was just curious."

Li Haiyang smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed, took the candy, and first unwrapped a piece and put it in the driver's mouth.

The driver originally wanted to refuse—how could he eat the leader's candy while driving?

But Li Haiyang didn't care about his opposition and handed it to his mouth, which made him feel a bit embarrassed.

"Thank you, Deputy Director Li, it's really sweet."

"Hahaha—!"

Li Xuewu and Li Huai both laughed out loud, and the depression that had been pressing on their hearts since leaving the International Hotel was lightened.

Li Haiyang looked at the packaging paper carefully and deliberately teased, "I'm afraid Deputy Director Li's reasoning is right; if this thing could really quit smoking, the tobacco industry would be anxious!"

"Look at your lack of ambition."

Li Huai scolded him with a smile, only seeing him eat carefully, and couldn't help but smile.

Then he turned to look at Li Xuewu and asked, "Where did you buy it? Tell him to buy more later to eat enough."

"Not sure, maybe at the Friendship Store. I'll ask later."

Li Xuewu patted Li Haiyang on the shoulder from behind and smiled, "I'll give this box to you."

"Absolutely not, Deputy Director Li, I was just eating it for freshness."

Li Haiyang hurriedly refused, "This is your friend's good intention; how can I accept it?"

He turned around and smiled, "You don't need to bother asking where to buy it; things that can't be seen in ordinary shops, I can't buy either."

"Besides, three yuan a box!"

Li Haiyang said exaggeratedly, "My monthly salary is only thirty-something yuan; I don't dare to buy it, I really don't dare to buy it."

"Is it that Zhou Xiaobai?"

Li Huai looked at Li Xuewu and guessed, "It seems only young people can think of such a mind."

"Yes, she went to Tianjin with us a few days ago. Hearing that I wanted to quit smoking, she sent me this after she came back."

Li Xuewu said helplessly and amusedly, "If I really chewed it at work, people would spread rumors that Deputy Director Li is secretly scolding people! Hahaha!"

"Hahaha—!"

Laughter came from the carriage again, as if they wanted to use wanton laughter to embolden themselves and eliminate the urgency and fear of the crisis.

Since the matter had already happened, they would just try to find a way to solve it. Being panicked, uneasy, and jumping up and down would only mess up their own position.

"It's good to quit smoking; the mental state is actually much better than when smoking."

Li Huai held his hands in front of his abdomen and sighed, "Eating feels fragrant; I didn't have an appetite without heavy flavors before, but now I feel that oil and salt have flavor."

"Sigh—the stomach is ruined, and the body is ruined. I quit smoking too late."

He turned his head to look at Li Xuewu and said, "You are still young, your willpower is strong, your mental state is good, and your physical condition is good; it is just right to maintain good living habits."

"Don't wait until you are my age to think about health and maintenance."

"Yes, you are right."

Li Xuewu nodded and explained, "I didn't feel anything when I brought Li Shu back. She was raised by my parents, and I was carefree."

"I only knew that the smell of smoke was bad for the child's development, so I only hid from her to smoke."

He shook his head slightly. "Now that I have a family and children, I have gradually realized that as long as this smell of smoke is on me, it is a kind of harm and influence to them."

"Hmm, you think a lot, you have depth."

Li Huai nodded and said, "Parents don't smoke, and children don't have the environment to learn. This is a good thing."

He pointed at Li Xuewu and said seriously, "Do you know what I appreciate most about you?"

When Li Xuewu looked over, without waiting for him to ask, Li Huai nodded slightly and said, "It's the importance and responsibility you place on your family!"

"A person who pays attention to family and loves family is mature and responsible."

Li Huai patted his knee. "How could a person who can take good care of their family have problems at work?"

That's right, as long as there are no problems at home, how could there be problems at work?

The problem must have occurred in other aspects.

No. 16 Fuxingmen Outer Street, Xicheng District—this is the office address of the First Ministry of Machine-Building Industry.

To the east is the General Trade Union office building and the General Trade Union staff dormitory; to the west is the Beijing Public Security Hospital and the Public Security Ministry staff dormitory. There are primary and middle schools nearby, and transportation is extremely convenient.

The First Ministry of Machine-Building Industry (referred to as the First Ministry of Machine-Building) was built here more than ten years ago, in the 1950s, including office buildings, family dormitories, and single dormitories.

Li Xuewu had been here before, but he wasn't very familiar with it. After all, this was the world of the "Big Courtyard."

Those who are familiar with it probably all know that after entering the city, many government departments were located in Xicheng.

Especially departments related to the military and industrial work, which were lined up from Xicheng all the way to the north, were all their office locations.

The vehicle slid across the street, and he could see more than a dozen three-story family dormitories. The street lights were very bright, and it could be seen that the main body was purplish-red.

Actually, Li Xuewu knew what color it was without looking. It had become a unique and charming landscape in Xicheng after it was built.

Not to mention those three rows of small single-person buildings.

The Volga M24 stopped at the gate to accept inspection and questioning, and then drove inside.

This courtyard occupied a vast area. According to Li Huai's introduction, the courtyard built along the water from the Anding River diversion canal in the south was divided into "He-Nan" (South of the River) and "He-Bei" (North of the River).

Several family dormitories and basketball courts of the First Ministry of Machine-Building were built in "He-Nan," and many flowers, plants, and trees were planted in the park, which was pleasing to the eye.

The scenery of "He-Bei" was even more beautiful.

Every year between April and May, rows of hibiscus trees on both sides of the road in "He-Bei" were blooming, and the courtyard was filled with a refreshing and faint fragrance.

It was pitch black, and only some early spring plants blooming green could be seen under the street lights. He couldn't see any of the scenery Li Huai described.

But from his description, it was known that the landscape here must be very beautiful, which also showed that he was very familiar with this place.

What was Li Huai's purpose in introducing these to him? It was unknown. He couldn't be telling him how to run out when he was detained later.

Thinking about it, it felt ridiculous. This courtyard was heavily guarded. Even if his skills were better and he could run faster, could he really be faster than a bullet?

After passing a large auditorium with seven large flower beds, they saw the destination this time—the office building of the First Ministry of Machine-Building.

Of course, such a large courtyard couldn't hold all the government units of the First Ministry of Machine-Building; some units were also working outside.

If you want to know which specific location has which units working, it's actually very simple—take the bus.

Listen, as soon as it reaches a certain station, the conductor will shout loudly: "Those going to such-and-such unit, get off here!"

When he really arrived here, Li Xuewu estimated that the conductor would shout: "The next station is the General Trade Union; comrades going to the Third, Sixth, and Eighth Bureaus of the First Ministry of Machine-Building, please move forward!"

Yes, the First Ministry of Machine-Building was divided into 8 professional management bureaus according to the direction of mechanical management, such as general machinery, machine tool tools, heavy machinery, power machinery, automobiles, ships, and locomotive vehicles.

The steel mill had a steel plant, so why wasn't it managed by the Ministry of Metallurgy?

Because the steel mill itself was in the category of civilian machinery, it must be under the jurisdiction of the First Ministry of Machine-Building.

Especially the new projects set up by the steel mill in the process of executing industrial reform to solve the problem of production capacity overflow.

Including automobiles, ships, etc., were actually all applied for from the First Ministry of Machine-Building itself, which was far more convenient than dealing with foreign trade.

Even the electronic industry currently managed by the Fifth Ministry of Machine-Building was separated from the First Ministry of Machine-Building.

The several leaders in charge of industry who came to the steel mill for research a few days ago were actually managing the machinery bureau of the First Ministry of Machine-Building at the city level.

"We're here."

When the vehicle drove toward the office building, Li Huai's face straightened again, and he muttered a sentence.

Perhaps he didn't want to come, didn't want to come at this time, but he had to come.

That phone call he made to Leader Du was actually a kind of probing, and the result was very certain—the other party was waiting for him.

Screech—

The vehicle stopped steadily. Li Xuewu paused, waited for Li Haiyang to get out of the car, and then helped Li Huai open the car door before opening his own door and getting out.

Two people were waiting under the steps in front of the office building, both in Zhongshan suits.

In contrast, Li Huai and Li Xuewu, and even Li Haiyang, were all wearing the administrative jackets characteristic of the steel mill.

The white shirts inside looked even younger and more spirited in the dark night, having a unique meaning compared to the traditional Zhongshan suit.

Especially under the foil of Li Xuewu's tall and straight posture, Li Huai's pace toward the other party appeared even more calm.

"Director Li, you've worked hard."

"Director Han, I haven't worked as hard as you."

Li Huai shook hands with the other party. His words had a special meaning, and his tone appeared a bit intense.

Director Han's secretary obviously didn't expect Li Huai to speak so sharply when he came late at night, and frowned with dissatisfaction.

But then his gaze was attracted by the tall and strong figure behind Li Huai.

Even Director Han had to take the initiative to look at this young cadre with a "fierce" face.

Generally speaking, people with damaged faces cannot hold important positions, and it is even impossible for them to enter the organization.

But being able to stand here proved that the injury on the young cadre's face was received after joining the organization.

Especially looking at the fierce aura on the other party, he knew he was from the military.

"This is Director Han of the Office of Administration."

Li Huai first introduced him to Li Xuewu, and then introduced him to Director Han: "Our plant's security team person-in-charge Li Xuewu, also Deputy Director of the Management Committee Office."

"Hello, Director Han."

Li Xuewu cooperated with Li Huai's aura of "questioning the crime," and naturally wouldn't smile.

Especially in this kind of occasion, just maintaining enough politeness and rules was enough.

"Good, hello."

Director Han didn't care about the attitude of the two, took the initiative to shake hands with Li Xuewu, looked at Li Huai, and asked: "What is the rank of your plant's management committee deputy director? Deputy Division?"

"Yes, it's Deputy Division."

Li Huai nodded, and then his tone was slightly proud, but his words were very casual: "He is also the Deputy Regiment Commander of the Third Regiment of the Garrison District."

"Is that so~ Good~"

Director Han was very reserved, looked at Li Xuewu, and didn't praise him as a young talent or anything, just said "good."

He was already a deputy division head; no matter how young he was, he wasn't qualified to use such vocabulary to evaluate Li Xuewu.

Even if he defined it that way in his heart, he couldn't say it out loud.

Who could be brought by Li Huai's side and be a small character?

Look at Li Huai's secretary—did he follow him after opening the car door?

Listen to Li Huai's introduction again—it was clearly pointing at something, specifically pointing out Li Xuewu's identity in the Garrison District.

Why?

Think about the "Three Supports" notice issued on the 19th of this month. The military was to draw one-third to two-thirds of its forces to intervene in the activities of the "Three Supports."

That is to say, all departments must achieve full coverage, including the First Ministry of Machine-Building.

Li Huai brought Li Xuewu to the door. It looked like he was carrying a thorn and asking for punishment, but it looked like he was questioning the crime, and it was possible that he was hiding a knife behind his back.

This time, Old Li didn't have the determination to fight to the death. If someone really wanted to burn the fire to his head, then a fish-dying-and-net-breaking situation was inevitable.

Director Han maintained a steady smile and nodded at the two, but gave a gesture to the secretary behind him without moving a muscle.

Li Xuewu saw it, but didn't understand it.

He was only led by Director Han to the steps and headed straight for the hall. At the stairs, the secretary's figure disappeared.

He wouldn't be going to summon the executioners, would he?

Li Xuewu was very afraid of death, and his mind was full of such unreasonable thoughts.

Even if he died, he couldn't be a cushion for Li Huai!

Besides, he was young and had just started quitting smoking—why should he die?

Rarely, there was an elevator in the office building.

The elevator in the International Hotel was left over from the beginning of the century and was completely an antique.

But this one was different; this elevator was the latest application at the time.

Did you think there were no elevators in the country at this time?

You are ignorant. At this time, the country's elevator development was not slow and was very famous.

The elevator of the Lisboa Hotel in Macau was purchased and installed from the Shanghai Elevator Factory.

Director Han accompanied the two and stood in the elevator without speaking. It was late at night, and it was really not suitable for climbing and talking.

Especially since Li Huai came aggressively and with bad intentions, he naturally wouldn't receive such polite hospitality from the other party.

Being greeted by a deputy director was enough to show that Li Huai's face was big enough.

The elevator went straight to the 9th floor, and a "ding-dong" sound indicated arrival at the designated floor.

Director Han raised his hand to invite Li Huai to go first, and Li Huai didn't stand on ceremony and walked out.

Old Li could show his attitude, but Li Xuewu wasn't here to be arrogant, and he wasn't here to smash the field.

If he really made any impolite behavior, it would be their own face that was lost.

So, when Director Han was polite, Li Xuewu insisted on inviting the other party to go first.

Director Han smiled and nodded at him, followed Li Huai out of the elevator, and walked toward the end of the corridor.

Only a few offices in the corridor were lit, and the others were closed.

All government units are the same; as long as someone is there, the door must be open.

The three stopped in front of a large office door. Li Huai let Director Han walk in first, and then beckoned to Li Xuewu to enter the office together.

"Leader, Comrade Li Huai is here."

"Hmm, hmm, Li Huai, come."

Leader Du was reading a document and only raised his head after hearing Director Han's report.

After seeing the two people who entered the door, he smiled and said: "Why did you bring a soldier here? Are you afraid you can't beat me?"

"Lian Po also brought a witness when he carried a thorn to ask for punishment."

Li Huai didn't have the intense tone he had downstairs, but when he greeted the leader, he still brought emotion into his words.

Director Han looked at Li Huai with some dissatisfaction at this time, thinking he had no sense of proportion.

And Li Huai didn't care about him at all, not looking at him at all.

Leader Du waved his hand broadly, signaling Director Han not to mind.

At the same time, he stood up, stretched, looked at the watch on the desk, and said: "It's this late?"

"Reminded you three times, you haven't rested."

Director Han reminded softly, took the teacup on the table to the coffee table to add hot water, and said: "You don't sleep, and I don't dare to sleep. Look, Director Li isn't daring to sleep either."

"Hehe—Li Huai."

Leader Du walked out from behind the desk, took off the Zhongshan suit draped over his shoulders, beckoned to them, and signaled them to sit on the sofa.

"It's very difficult to see you on weekdays. You're tinkering in your steel mill, and you've really tinkered with a name for yourself without making a sound."

"Thank you, Director Han."

Li Xuewu thanked Director Han, who was serving him tea, to ease the unpleasantness between Li Huai and the other party.

Director Han didn't mind, smiled and said to Leader Du: "Not only that, you just said Director Li brought a soldier to see you, isn't that right? Guessed right."

Leader Du's gaze looked toward Li Xuewu, gentle yet somewhat tired, his words very kind: "Looks a bit fierce, oh. Transferred cadre?"

"Yes, leader."

Li Xuewu had maintained an upright posture since entering the door, even sitting on the sofa.

Hearing the leader ask, he straightened his back but didn't introduce himself. This kind of occasion didn't need to mention the past.

But Director Han still remembered Li Huai's show of force downstairs, so he introduced: "Li Xuewu is also the Deputy Regiment Commander of the Third Regiment of the Garrison District, right?"

Seeing Li Xuewu nod, Leader Du raised his eyebrows slightly, looked at him with some surprise, nodded slowly, and then looked at Li Huai, asking with a smile: "Are you really here to fight?"

"You're joking. I'm really here to carry a thorn and ask for punishment."

Li Huai's words were very sincere, but the grievance and the straight back were too obvious.

He sat beside Leader Du, his face helpless, and said: "It's my fault for not leading the team well, my fault for not uniting the comrades, and not caring about the comrades' ideological dynamics..."

"Alright, stop talking nonsense with me."

Leader Du glanced at him, his face became serious, and he said: "It's because of your plant's Cheng Kaiyuan, right?"

"Why? Are the cadres of the Red Star Steel Mill tiger's butts that can't be touched?"

He criticized with a severe tone: "Do you think that investigations into your plant's cadres must be approved by you?"

"Li Huai, you are also an old industrialist."

Leader Du frowned deeply, looked at Li Huai, and lectured: "You don't need me to teach you this point. This is not the time to protect your own."

"Leader, coming to you in the middle of the night, I have a few words to say."

Li Huai straightened his body, his attitude very serious: "As the head of the Red Star Steel Mill, if a child is lost, one has to look for them, right?"

"If someone stole our child and I don't ask, how can I sit in this position, and how can I have the face to sit in this position?"

"No matter what mistakes the steel mill's child made, if there is a problem, it should be handled. I won't protect the shortcomings, and I won't make unreasonable trouble."

He looked at Leader Du and said: "I'll just say one thing. You have to give me an explanation to the 32,000 staff in the plant, right?"

"Li Huai, you want to find the child, but I have to manage the child."

Leader Du looked at him and nodded. His tone was no longer as serious as before, and his voice carried some fatigue: "Believe in the organization; it won't wrong a good person."

"I believe in the organization, and the Red Star Steel Mill is a part of the organization. We fully support this."

Li Huai said with a firm face: "But please also believe in me, believe in the steel mill, and give me a chance to understand the situation."

"Comrade Cheng Kaiyuan is a cadre selected and dispatched to the steel mill by the organization. I didn't know about his situation before, but I must say that his performance during his time at the steel mill is qualified."

He looked at Leader Du and said: "No one came to the steel mill to do an investigation, and no one went to Cheng Kaiyuan's home to visit. They took the person away in just one night."

"Hmm—I understand your request."

Leader Du looked at Li Huai, then nodded at Director Han, who was sitting on the other side, and said: "If Comrade Weide hasn't rested yet, please ask him to come over."

"Just say the steel mill's comrades have arrived."

"Mm—I understand your request."

Leader Du looked at Li Huai De, then nodded to Director Han sitting on the other side, and said: "If Comrade Weide hasn't rested yet, please ask him to come over."

"Just say that the comrades from the steel mill have arrived."