Chapter 1087: Happy Events

Happy events are like spring, one after another, leaving one breathless.

On April 22nd, led by Li Huai De and accompanied by Cheng Kai Yuan and Jing Yu Nong, a group from the Red Star Factory visited the Beijing No. 2 Auto Manufacturing Plant.

On April 23rd, the tireless group visited the Beijing Railway Station.

At Beijing No. 2 Auto, the Red Star Factory group received a warm welcome; they first toured the vehicle production workshop, followed by a working discussion.

In the production workshop, Gu Li Tong, the Vice Factory Director in charge of industrial production, gave the group an introduction.

"Currently, the assembly line production process has not yet been fully transformed, and we are still maintaining the old process flow," Cheng Kai Yuan remarked with a sigh. "Without comparison, there is no gap—"

"Are you talking about us?" Li Xuewu replied with a light laugh. "Our factory's vehicle production line hasn't finished its transformation either; we aren't any earlier than you."

"But your production equipment is all original imported goods; we are so envious!"

Gu Li Tong shook his head and said, "I am talking about the gap in vehicle production capacity compared to foreign countries."

He had seen the introduction to foreign vehicle production technology in the Rolling Mill's vehicle production database; it wasn't the generic kind, but rather top-secret information.

"Whether it's original or a replica, the point is to be able to produce good cars!"

Li Huai De stood with his hands behind his back, observing the production workshop, which was indeed relatively backward, though that was a relative assessment.

He had seen the hypothetical assembly line diagrams for the Steel City Vehicle Manufacturing Plant that Li Xuewu had provided him, so he could afford to speak lightly.

But wasn't this No. 2 Auto production workshop just like the existing rolling workshop at the Rolling Mill?

Both had begun to welcome opportunities for technological innovation and development starting in the fifties; no one had fared much better than the other, especially in the production workshops.

Jokes aside, you really shouldn't make fun of No. 2 Auto; they are currently producing vehicles—it's a real, solid automotive industry.

They were working on assembly lines, similar to the Rolling Mill's efforts in parts assembly supply chains, but they hadn't immediately discarded their current production capacity.

With new workshops and new processes, they had also brought in a batch of new workers, completely following the Rolling Mill's lead, and they weren't afraid of wearing themselves out in the process.

"Currently, chassis technology is the core key and also the difficult point for our technological breakthrough."

Gu Li Tong said quite frankly, "If you're talking about importing cars to dismantle, measure, and study, it's not that we haven't done it, but the results weren't very good."

"We are the same; we are still in the research and testing stage, slowly groping our way forward."

Li Xuewu kept his cards close to his chest; until it was in black and white and signed, he absolutely would not say anything concrete.

That wouldn't be honesty; that would be stupidity.

Gu Li Tong taking them to tour the workshop and talking about No. 2 Auto's current difficulties wasn't exactly being candid either.

Listen to his bluster—if they were really having trouble with chassis technology, could they have rushed to launch an assembly line and high-profile production of the BJ130 light truck?

What is currently being produced in the workshop isn't the 130, but the 120, a replica version of the 130.

Speaking of the development trajectory of the domestic automotive industry, it's a complete mess: you give me technology, I give you workers, and then we exchange management tips.

You can't say they are just copying each other's homework; production technology at this time was relatively backward, and any innovation or breakthrough had to be shared with everyone.

Just like the Rolling Mill, which built an automotive parts production supply chain system and wanted to share it, but most vehicle manufacturing plants didn't dare to take it.

Gu Li Tong stood with the group in front of a BJ130 prototype and introduced it: "Before development, the main engineering and technical personnel involved in the design went to Tianjin, Shanghai, and other places to study for half a year."

"We also obtained the full set of product drawings, design calculations, and information regarding vehicle standards for the 1.5-ton SH120 vehicle from the Jicheng Automotive Research Institute."

He pointed to a truck parked next to the BJ130 that looked very similar to the 130 and said, "This is the reference sample vehicle we imported, the Toyota Dyna 1900 model, with a load capacity of 1.5 tons."

Li Huai De listened to his introduction; the BJ130's load capacity was only 2 tons, and he couldn't help but look at Li Xuewu, thinking of the load-bearing tricycles at the factory.

Li Xuewu gave him a confident look, while also reminding him to keep a low profile; they were guests at someone else's place, so they should criticize less and praise more.

Gu Li Tong, however, had sharp eyes and noticed their small interaction; he smiled bitterly and said, "I've heard of your factory's load-bearing tricycles; I'm very envious."

"Not at all, not at all." Li Huai De had just finished being polite when he couldn't help but look at Li Xuewu—how was he supposed to praise this? He didn't understand cars!

Li Xuewu quickly took over: "The gap is still very large. Although tricycles are lighter and more convenient, their driving stability and safety are not as good as light trucks."

"In addition, the fuel economy is incomparable; there is no basis for comparison. I am more optimistic about the 130."

Hearing him finish, Old Li nodded very seriously and made a few "hmm" sounds, indicating that this was exactly what he wanted to say.

Look! How polite our Red Star Factory is!

Gu Li Tong, however, knew his own situation; he smiled and patted the light truck body, saying, "Speaking of fuel economy, our factory still wants to learn from yours!"

"Our factory's engine production technology isn't up to par, and the fuel consumption far exceeds this Dyna, which makes us feel very frustrated."

"Don't be too anxious; this is determined by the overall industrial level, and it's not something that can be solved or improved overnight."

Li Xuewu comforted him, "I believe No. 2 Auto is on the right path of technological development."

As he said this, he looked at Li Huai De, signaling for him to take the lead and keep the conversation going.

Li Huai De nodded and said, "No. 2 Auto still has many advanced experiences worth learning from, especially in vehicle assembly technology, which is our weakness."

"..."

Gu Li Tong wanted to curse after hearing Li Huai De's humble-brag; you have a full set of imported production lines for vehicle assembly, what weakness are you talking about!

"Director Li means that our workers' mastery of new equipment and new technology still needs improvement."

Cheng Kai Yuan added, "How long it takes to fully digest imported technology is a challenge for us."

"That's why I say people shouldn't compare themselves!"

Gu Li Tong smiled and nodded, "Our ten years of development can't keep up with the progress Red Star Factory makes in a single day."

"Vice Factory Director Gu, you say that and it makes us feel ashamed; not at all, hahaha!"

Li Xuewu smiled and gestured to the Red Star Factory leaders, saying, "You only see our imported technology and equipment, but you don't see the sacrifices made by our rolling industry and other light and heavy industries."

"It's all the accumulation of over a decade; you are more professional, have a better starting foundation, and will take off faster."

"Birds follow the phoenix to fly far; people accompany the virtuous to improve their character. We must learn more from Red Star Factory!"

Gu Li Tong smiled and invited everyone to walk outside, saying as they walked, "The vehicle manufacturing plant in Steel City is an opportunity for Red Star Factory, and it is also an opportunity for us."

He said very sincerely, "We humbly seek to learn from you, and we will certainly not fail to live up to this kindness."

"Hey—that's taking it too far!"

Li Huai De was an absolute old fox in his field of expertise; he wouldn't be easily put on the spot.

Hearing Gu Li Tong say this, he interjected: "We are brother units; learning from each other and making progress together is the purpose of our visit today."

Don't talk about repaying kindness; we don't want those empty words. If you want to cooperate on technology, then show some sincerity!

At the beginning of the year, the factory's funds were tight, and Old Li was as stingy as an iron rooster. Now that funds were slightly more abundant, he was even more formidable than an iron rooster; he wouldn't suffer a loss at all.

Gu Li Tong didn't mind Old Li's attitude and smilingly invited everyone to walk toward the office building.

The negotiations were conducted in a friendly atmosphere, and based on the principle of mutual benefit, both sides reached cooperation conditions that satisfied each other.

Red Star Factory provides existing vehicle chassis research results and simultaneously guarantees No. 2 Auto the priority right to cooperate on chassis technology.

At the same time, it provides permission to replicate truck production technology and equipment imported from abroad, including but not limited to professional technology such as gearboxes and engines.

No. 2 Auto expands cooperation with Red Star Factory in the form of investment, jointly building a medium-to-large bus manufacturing plant under a joint industrial operation model.

The factory site is located within the Steel City heavy industry base; No. 2 Auto provides professional engineers, technical workers, and professional equipment, while Red Star Factory provides the land and infrastructure.

Regarding equity cooperation, Red Star Factory holds 78% of the shares, and No. 2 Auto holds 22%.

Other cooperation contents include automotive parts supply chains, vehicle sales channels, and the joint construction and sharing of bus and truck research projects.

On the surface, Red Star Factory is providing technology, land, and infrastructure, and also sharing the supply chain, sales channels, and subsequent related research results.

But one must also see that No. 2 Auto is providing all conditions for a medium-to-large bus manufacturing plant other than these, including capital, while holding less than a quarter of the shares.

Supply chain sharing was originally a means for Red Star Factory to expand its influence and occupy the core field of automotive parts supply; No. 2 Auto couldn't refuse even if it wanted to.

Sales channels are the same; mastering the sales terminal represents the right to speak in the market. Red Star Factory isn't blind, so of course, it knows how good the BJ130 is.

Research results and technology sharing are entirely dependent on luck and integrity, and even more on the foundation and situation of future cooperation. If they say they'll give it to you, they will; if they say they won't, they have plenty of excuses to stall you—where would you go to sue?

Now, even if Red Star Factory provided a piece of land and infrastructure, it traded immature bus technology for a bus manufacturing plant.

It broadened another track in the vehicle manufacturing field while also strengthening the scale and influence of the automotive industry; this deal wasn't a loss.

If they really had to wait for the Red Star Factory Vehicle Research Institute to provide mature bus production processes and calculation plans, and then come up with excellent bus products, I'm afraid the factory wouldn't be built in three or five years.

Of course, No. 2 Auto didn't lose out either; they integrated Red Star Factory's advanced technology reserves with their own bus technology accumulation that they weren't using for the time being, and the two sides combined their strengths to form a bus manufacturing plant in a currently relatively niche market.

Cargo transportation vehicles are in short supply, and urban transportation vehicles are also in short supply. Currently, many buses in cities or urban-rural commuter buses are still imported, and the cost-performance ratio is too low.

With the enhancement of social productivity and the development of cognitive awareness of the era, the demand for buses and public transport in cities and urban-rural areas is increasing day by day.

Both sides have a consistent attitude toward handling production capacity overflow, and their understanding of the future development model of the automotive industry is also consistent; they can be said to be like-minded.

At this time, Red Star Factory needs a partner with sufficient strength and experience in the automotive industry to jointly shoulder the heavy responsibility of reforming the automotive industry system.

As a new force in the automotive industry, Red Star Factory constantly tries new technologies, new processes, and new industrial production management models, while the experienced No. 2 Auto provides support and exchange in management and technical experience.

In the reached agreement, both sides clarified the significance and direction of mutual cooperation, and also determined the duration for the mutual exchange of the first batch of production management cadres.

Red Star Factory Vehicle Manufacturing Plant and No. 2 Auto Manufacturing Plant mutually dispatch section chiefs, workshop deputy directors, production deputy directors, technical deputy directors, and deputy factory directors.

Focusing on a young cadre team and prioritizing learning and exchange, they actively absorb each other's excellent experiences.

Li Xuewu, who proposed this suggestion, clearly pointed out at the meeting that the common problem faced by Red Star Factory and No. 2 Auto in their development models is how to innovate.

How to face the problems that constantly arise in the process of innovation, and how to find correct solutions and ideas for continuously improving process quality.

The cadre team is the core driving force of production work, and it is also the pillar of the production management structure that Li Huai De mentioned many times at the meeting.

Young cadres are the future of the enterprise and the future of the national industry; they cannot be ignored.

Especially since both sides are facing the reform of the industrial system, making a leapfrog development from the old manual production model to advanced technology and excellent production techniques.

When seeing the Red Star Factory group off, Gu Li Tong said while shaking hands with Li Xuewu: "We have full confidence in the future of the bus industry and full confidence in the new vehicle industrial production system."

"At the same time, after absorbing and learning Red Star Factory's advanced chassis technology, we will also form improvements and innovations in professional technical fields as soon as possible."

He said seriously: "We will provide results for light and heavy truck chassis as soon as possible, and we will certainly meet the needs of Red Star Factory's special vehicles and engineering machinery."

"This point is also what our Director Li and Deputy Director Cheng are concerned about."

Li Xuewu held his hand and said seriously: "We are currently conducting negotiations on foreign trade cooperation with the French, and the most important content is the export manufacturing of engineering machinery and construction machinery."

"I don't deny that the French can provide better mechanical manufacturing technology and equipment than us, but heavy machinery chassis technology can definitely allow us to stand tall at the negotiating table."

He patted Gu Li Tong's hand seriously and said: "Since we are already brothers in the supply chain system, we are speaking the truth: once the engineering machinery export trade with the French is reached, all enterprises in this supply chain will benefit!"

"Deputy Director Li speaks very realistically; this point is also what we are concerned about and looking forward to."

Hearing the content of their conversation, Fu Zhan Dong, Director of the No. 2 Auto Factory Management Committee, walked over and nodded: "Only with a larger plate can we hold more; we hope that the vehicle manufacturing industry and parts production enterprises within the supply chain system can reach the most favorable balance."

"Director Fu, your hope and expectation are our common goal of progress! Hahaha!"

Li Xuewu was a smooth operator; how could he let the leader's words fall to the ground?

Gu Li Tong let go of his hand, and he shook hands with Fu Zhan Dong again, saying: "Mature production of chassis technology can not only supply export trade but also broaden the domestic automotive industry supply market!"

"Speaking of this, I have to ask you for a favor!" Fu Zhan Dong smiled and looked at the Red Star Factory group: "Director Li just told me that you are going to visit the Beijing Railway Station Transport Brigade tomorrow?"

Before Li Xuewu could answer, he smiled and said: "You must help us promote the 130 more; we are also very greedy for this piece of fat meat that is the railway transport system's light truck procurement!"

"The quality of the BJ130 is beyond doubt."

Li Xuewu smiled and looked at Li Huai De and the others; how could he make the decision to agree to such a thing? The leading cadres were all there; wouldn't that be undermining them?

But in this situation, it was the top leader of No. 2 Auto making a request that was half-serious and half-joking, and he couldn't directly refuse—that would be too embarrassing.

Therefore, he said: "We will praise such an excellent light truck wherever we go; you can rest assured!"

"Good, good, good! Hahaha—!"

Although Li Xuewu's answer was slippery, Fu Zhan Dong was already very satisfied and laughed loudly.

When seeing the Red Star Factory group off to the car, he even took the initiative to ask where Li Xuewu was from.

"Although I have some Northeast accent, that's influenced by my grandmother; I was born in Beijing," Li Xuewu said with a smile: "Native-born."

"I thought so; how come it sounds like a young man from the Northeast, haha—!"

Fu Zhan Dong must have been over fifty, more than ten years older than Li Huai De. He had drunk quite a bit at the dinner table just now; he was a very straightforward person.

Li Xuewu also heard the dialect in his speech and asked with a smile: "Are you from Shandong Province?"

"Yes, from Laoshan, Shandong Province." He patted Li Xuewu's arm and said: "My hometown scenery is very beautiful; if you have the chance, you must go and visit."

"Uh... definitely, definitely, definitely next time!"

Li Xuewu was being polite, but he was thinking: better forget it; I'm afraid of getting beaten!

On Saturday, coming out of the Project Command Center, Li Xuewu was talking to Lang Zhennan.

Lang Zhennan also had a head full of troubles and frowned: "It's a bit difficult. Eight floors, with a permanent underground vault and parking lot, and it's still a polygonal integrated structure; we don't have much design experience!"

"I'll talk to the French about this later, but don't count on them to take the lead."

Li Xuewu pointed at him and reminded him: "I've already greeted the people at Dongfeng Architecture; the old professors from the Architecture Department and the Academy of Fine Arts at Huaqing University are willing to help."

At this time, the Academy of Fine Arts at Huaqing hadn't been too seriously affected by "beauty," and their aesthetics were very normal.

Lang Zhennan also held a skeptical attitude toward this point, but Li Xuewu emphasized that the design of the ecological industrial zone must involve professional personnel.

Including the design of all buildings, parks, and gardens, these were all suggestions and plans given by Dongfeng Architecture. Li Xuewu had reviewed them and only submitted them to Li Huai De after multiple revisions.

The leaders of the Red Star Factory Management Committee nodded and agreed, and the design drawings were considered finalized.

From planning and design last year, it took a full half-year to nearly a year to come out.

The group office building was a twin-tower design; did you think Li Xuewu would just stack tofu blocks?

The ecological industrial zone must inevitably take a certain path of innovation and ideas in its projects.

On the 24th, Li Xuewu presided over the establishment ceremony and signing ceremony of the 【Red Star United Savings Bank】.

All the leaders of the Red Star Factory and all the leaders of the Dongcheng Credit Union arrived at the scene; at the same time, the Credit Union also invited leaders from the banking system and the regulatory system.

Under the witness of leaders from various relevant departments, Li Huai De, on behalf of the Rolling Mill, signed the agreement with the Credit Union to jointly establish the bank.

The location was right in the original security department gun vault of the Red Star Factory; this would serve as the temporary office space for the 【Red Star United Savings Bank】 and also the first savings outlet.

The gun vault was in the current logistics building, while the savings office was on the side of the logistics building; those were three temporary bungalow rooms that connected to the building.

It could ensure external operations while also ensuring the safety needs of funds and office work; half of the corridor on the first floor of the logistics building was given to the United Savings Bank.

Of course, signing the agreement didn't mean the bank was officially operating; the three bungalow rooms for the savings outlet were also temporarily not open for external business, only conducting basic accounting preparations and business planning internally.

But at the scene, Li Huai De mentioned in his speech that the Red Star Rolling Mill would invest in building an 8-story bank building in the ecological industrial zone.

At the same time, construction began on three savings branches in Tianjin, Steel City, and Yingcheng.

When Credit Union Bao Pei Gang spoke, he stated that the Credit Union would transfer professional technical talent to participate in the bank's construction, and cooperate with the Red Star Factory to select excellent financial personnel and personnel with junior high school education or above to begin bank business training.

So now the question arises: office spaces for savings banks in other cities or other parts of Beijing are easy to build, at most three stories, basically two stories with a basement—what about the big building?

During the negotiations, in order to increase its shareholding ratio, Red Star Factory specifically increased the cost of fixed asset investment; this building was worth at least 7% of the shares, which was worth it no matter how you looked at it.

Eight stories with two underground levels—naturally, it's no problem to hand it over to a national-level construction team, but the Red Star Factory's current construction team and engineering team don't have the technological accumulation in this area.

A building isn't just four floors plus four floors equals eight floors; every additional floor raises the technology by one level.

There are many six-story or eight-story-plus buildings in Beijing; how were they built?

What Lang Zhennan emphasized wasn't this point, but the polygonal building plan.

Li Xuewu was just giving him problems; isn't an eight-story building just tofu blocks?

How beautiful is square and upright?

Beautiful my foot; the ecological industrial zone plan that the engineering department designed as the main design was handed to him, and he killed it immediately upon seeing it.

It was completely a matchbox-style layout; all the buildings were the same, square and upright, serious and monotonous.

Later, the professors from the Architecture Department and the Academy of Fine Arts got together, looked at foreign building materials, and gave a new design that passed Li Xuewu's test.

Li Xuewu's requirements were already very low: highlight the core theme of the ecological industrial zone on the basis of fully ensuring practicality, and strengthen the characteristics of the new era's development.

Of course, this low requirement was what Li Xuewu said himself; Lang Zhennan wouldn't admit it!

"Rest assured, the negotiation conditions given by the French are to support engineering construction machinery and technology, including high-rise building technology."

Li Xuewu nodded and encouraged him: "I know that engineering management is very mentally taxing; put more effort into it. Since the leader has entrusted this heavy responsibility to you, it proves that you have this ability."

This pie was drawn really well; he didn't mention any promises of rewards, but every word was about the group-level leadership wanting to reuse him—the painting was comparable to Qi Baishi's shrimp.

What if something goes wrong?

What if you aren't reused when the time comes?

That naturally wouldn't be Li Xuewu's reason; it must be that Lang Zhennan didn't do a good job, or the leader didn't do a good job—it would have nothing to do with him.

"Leader, news came from the French Foreign Affairs Office saying that the Cultural Commissioner wants to meet you at the International Hotel on Sunday regarding the Santa Ya Group."

Peng Xiaoli trotted over and reported in a low voice, but didn't guard against Lang Zhennan.

Although Lang Zhennan was confused, he still grasped the key information, and his eyes lit up.

"Look, speak of the devil!"

Li Xuewu laughed and raised his eyebrows: "The French are in a hurry. Last time they met our Director Li and chatted about a bunch of idle things without getting to the point, I said let's hang them out to dry!"

"Regarding the construction of the ecological industrial zone?"

Lang Zhennan's main work energy was currently focused on the construction of several major projects in the ecological industrial zone and the Steel City industrial zone; he didn't know much about factory affairs, and he rarely took the initiative to ask about trade-related matters.

Li Xuewu laughed lightly: "The French businesswoman who came last time stayed in Beijing for three months!"

"Not only did she mobilize the resources of the Foreign Affairs Office, but she also ran back to her country to ask for support—how could it be just for an ecological industrial zone! A big move!"

He patted Lang Zhennan's arm and said: "Rest assured, building technology and engineering machinery are just the appetizers for this cooperation; they don't even count as the appetizer, let alone the main course!"

"Alright, get the engineering preparation work done, and wait for our good news for the rest!"

Li Xuewu smiled and pointed to the main office building: "I have to discuss with Director Li and the others how to pit... how to negotiate with the French."

He was happy in his heart, and in his hurry, he almost slipped up and said the truth in his heart.

"Hehehe, then I'll just wait for your good news!"

Lang Zhennan smiled and waved his hand: "I'll arrange for people to go to the stone factory and brick factory in Red Star Village this afternoon!"

Li Xuewu also waved his hand and smiled as he walked toward the main office building.

Peng Xiaoli followed behind and heard Lang Zhennan's words; after entering the building door, he muttered in a low voice: "Why did he have to shout about such a small matter."

"Forget it, let him say it; what's there to be afraid of."

Li Xuewu stepped upstairs and said indifferently: "Red Star Village needs to develop and make money; it's only natural to borrow the wind of the Red Star Factory."

"Our training ground is on their territory, and the Third Guard Regiment is also making a living on the mountain; this bit of face must still be given."

"I thought so—!"

Peng Xiaoli said dissatisfiedly: "Whose isn't it? The project needs a large amount of stone and bricks; if we don't take care of our brother units, who do we take care of?"

He curled his lips and muttered: "He said it with such fanfare, isn't it just because he's afraid of offending people and wants to push the matter onto you? Really cunning."

Li Xuewu looked back at him, smiled, shook his head, and said nothing more.

Lang Zhennan managed all the construction projects; Li Xuewu looked at him and saw he hadn't gotten fat, but rather thin, and his mental state was also exhausted—he wasn't a bad person.

As for pushing the pressure of selecting materials back, Li Xuewu didn't care; he was selfless in his heart, and there was nothing wrong with taking care of Red Star Village.

Red Star Factory and Red Star Village had a joint construction relationship; they had been taking care of each other since 1965, and now the meat and vegetables eaten in the canteen were basically supplied by Red Star Village.

Red Star Factory broadened its welfare channels because of Red Star Village, and Red Star Village walked out of the mountains and onto the road of development and prosperity because of Red Star Factory.

Now, creating collective enterprises in the village was really too difficult; Red Star Factory wanted to engage in major construction, and this piece of meat had long been targeted by others—how many people came to plead for favors.

But Li Xuewu also had his eyes on it; what he was eyeing wasn't this piece of meat, but the people who coveted this piece of meat and the people who controlled the distribution of this piece of meat.

The Discipline Inspection people were investigating openly and secretly, but anyone who engaged in malpractice for personal gain in this matter would inevitably become a lamb in the mouth of Discipline Inspection.

After Li Xuewu presided over the Discipline Inspection work, the punishment intensity was different from before.

It was extremely difficult to get back up after being pulled down; it was almost like being sent to the eighteenth level of hell.

Lang Zhennan didn't dare to eat this kind of benefit, and his status and position didn't need to eat these either.

As long as he grasped the engineering construction and laid a century-old foundation for the Red Star Factory, the road ahead for him was already paved, and no one could erase or occupy it.

He was currently a regular division-level cadre, and he would definitely advance when the group-level goal was achieved three years later.

He wouldn't make a joke of his own future, and he wouldn't let others use him as a stepping stone, so Li Xuewu scratched his head when he talked to him about Red Star Village.

Now that it was made clear in public, it was Li Xuewu's instruction, so he wasn't afraid of anything.

Whether you call him cunning or upright, it was all the bitterness and helplessness of doing work; was it not helplessness for Li Xuewu to greet him?

Yin Mancang called to plead for help, wanting to earn a family business for the village; what could he do?

"Deputy Director Li, wait a moment."

After Li Xuewu finished talking in Li Huai De's office and came out, Gu Gu Weijie's secretary chased after him, saying that the leader invited him over to discuss a matter.

When he arrived at the office, Gu Gu Weijie was also busy, but she put down her pen after seeing him enter the room.

"Regarding the mutual dispatch of cadres, Director Li told me to expand the scope. Your suggestion?"

"No, I also just heard it when I was talking to the leader; it seems like they intend to cultivate a young cadre team, after all, it's a good opportunity."

Li Xuewu's answer was standard, thanked the secretary for the tea she brought, and continued: "The suggestion was still aimed at the professional production field."

"That's exactly what I wanted to say."

Gu Gu Weijie moved her fountain pen aside, looked at the materials in her hand, and said: "But now Director Li requires expanding the direction of the cadre exchange team."

"In order to establish educational institutions, a batch will be dispatched to the Steel Academy; in order to establish a savings bank, a batch will be dispatched to the Credit Union; in order to establish tertiary industries, a batch will be dispatched to the textile factory and other factories."

She tapped the document with her finger and said: "If we continue to dispatch like this, I'm afraid our young cadre team will be emptied out."

"It might be for the sake of the group-level goal three years later; after all, after the organizational structure expands, there is an urgent need for a large number of management talents, including now."

Li Xuewu took a sip of hot tea and said: "The average age of cadres is moving upward; young cadres piling up at the grassroots level is really not a good thing."

"It's better to take advantage of the current opportunity to send young people out to study and train, so they can shoulder heavy responsibilities and take over the banner when they return."

"Is that really what you think?" Gu Gu Weijie twitched the corner of her mouth, glanced at Li Xuewu, and said: "With such a large scale, how to adjust? How to arrange?"

Li Xuewu also frowned, sighed, and said: "I don't know either; the leader intends to do so. He might feel that cadres cultivated this way are more loyal."

"I'm just afraid that no one will manage them, and they'll be cultivated crookedly!"

Gu Gu Weijie was dissatisfied with expanding the scope, but Li Huai De didn't intend to compromise on this matter.

He could listen to the suggestions of people below him in technology and business, but in personnel layout, Old Li's moves were one after another.

He didn't have the energy to cultivate the next generation of cadres, but he could use this method to cultivate them in a roundabout way; the cadres who returned would have no ties to anyone.

"Let's combine it fully; there will also be a large number of cadres coming in when the Liangma River Industrial Zone is integrated; we will consider it comprehensively then."

Li Xuewu put down his teacup, shook his head slightly, and said: "Cadre exchange and study are definitely good for cultivating young cadres; there's nothing to say about that."

"As for the restriction and supervision mechanism, I think it can be more flexible; actively promote the concern of supervision and organization, visit more, and talk more."

"You speak lightly; who has so much time to talk? Work doesn't need to be done."

Gu Gu Weijie took out a document from her desk, looked at it, handed it to him, and said: "Applying for a deputy division-level cadre from the Foreign Affairs Department to be seconded to the International Hotel?"

"Yes, it's to facilitate foreign affairs reception work and the management of the International Hotel."

Li Xuewu took the document and looked at it; it was a letter regarding the Foreign Affairs Department appointing Comrade Zhou Gancheng to be seconded as the Deputy General Manager of the Red Star Factory International Hotel.

Actually, just from the perspective of position and rank, Zhou Gancheng was "losing out."

After all, the General Manager of the International Hotel, Han Yating, was only a regular section-level cadre; being a deputy division-level cadre going over to be a deputy general manager—if that's not losing out, what is?

But that's really not the case; this secondment isn't comprehensive, but part-time, and it's also a means to facilitate foreign affairs work.

Downward compatibility of rank isn't anything new; many units have this.

This represents more of the Foreign Affairs Department's concern and help for the International Hotel's foreign affairs reception work.

Li Xuewu thought so too; his explanation to Gu Gu Weijie was: "It's impossible for the Foreign Affairs Department to stare at every foreign affairs activity; it's too impolite, and our work is too passive."

"Many tasks are confidential in nature, both internally and externally."

He said seriously: "Every contact and conversation with foreign businessmen is recorded by them, but there are always people who can't keep their mouths shut and leak the secrets of cooperation projects."

"Zhou Gancheng taking office at the International Hotel can not only stably improve the International Hotel's status in the Foreign Affairs Department's reception hotel screening, but also bring a certain degree of security and stability."

"What about this?" Gu Gu Weijie listened to his long explanation and handed him another document: "People from the Foreign Affairs Department want to be seconded, and people from the Security Department and Investigation Department have also come!"

Li Xuewu took the document and looked at it; it was that both units wanted to appoint the position of Security Section Chief of the International Hotel. It seemed they hadn't coordinated well.

"Tell them, I'll give them the position of Deputy Division Chief of the Security Department."

He put down the document and laughed: "Ask them to come and be the masters of the Security Department."

After getting off work in the evening, Li Xuewu received a call from dispatch; the fertilizer purchased for the Third Guard Regiment had arrived at the port.

He put down the phone and called the Third Guard Regiment station; Wang Xiaoqin answered.

Wang Xiaoqin smiled and thanked him for his efforts, saying that the mountain was waiting for this batch of fertilizer for planting.

Li Xuewu asked about the tractors and the recent situation in the reclamation area; the drainage and flood relief work last weekend was too urgent, and he hadn't been able to attend to these.

The two chatted on the phone for a while, and finally, Wang Xiaoqin reported a situation: the higher-ups had given praise for the Third Guard Regiment's active participation in local flood rescue work, and there might be an award later.

Li Xuewu thought for a moment and told Wang Xiaoqin his thoughts: let the credit lean more toward the soldiers; he didn't need these things.

Wang Xiaoqin criticized him amusingly, saying that no matter how much he didn't cherish these honors, he had to figure out the ins and outs of this matter.

Who was appropriate to take the credit for actively discovering hidden dangers and actively participating in directing drainage and disaster reduction work, and how could it be divided among the soldiers?

The contributions he made were considered and implemented from the perspective of local work; no one in the Third Guard Regiment could take it, and no one was willing to take his credit and eat his merit.

Especially Qi Yaowu—how could a man who had been on the battlefield conceal such a thing? It would be harder than killing him.

So, regarding Wang Xiaoqin's words, the Third Guard Regiment had already communicated; whoever's it was, it was theirs—don't be biased, don't be proud if you get it, and if you don't, strive for it next time and perform actively.

Li Xuewu hung up the phone, feeling helpless and moved; he only felt that although his participation in the Third Guard Regiment collective wasn't high, the comrades were all good comrades.

When he got off work in the evening, he didn't go home first, but turned around the courtyard.

Mother said in the morning that she missed home and wanted to go home to see the children, so Li Xuewu sent her and Li Shu here when he went to work, and picked them up to go home after work in the evening.

Just as he entered the courtyard, he was stopped by the First Uncle, who talked about the renovation of the courtyard wall. This courtyard must have a history of over a hundred years, and there were traces of repairs everywhere, like a broken sock.

Every year there was such an expense, shared equally by every household—no one paid more, no one paid less.

The First Uncle wasn't asking him for the share of the back courtyard; Fei Shanying lived here, so Li Xuewu didn't need to spend these daily expenses—it had long been paid.

He was representing the neighbors in the courtyard to ask about the factory building the building; if the land swap was earlier, they wouldn't have to spend this money.

If the time to move upstairs was late, they would always have a psychological expectation, knowing how to persist.

Li Xuewu smiled and told him that the factory's planning documents were very clear: they would definitely be able to move upstairs within three years, but how to move, and who would move, still required psychological preparation; it was impossible for everyone to move down in a swarm.

When the time comes, every household must have a determination; don't let the mother-in-law say move upstairs, and the daughter-in-law say don't move—how will the house be calculated then?

Repair what needs repairing, tidy up what needs tidying up; you can't skip the New Year just because you hear a dragon roar.

The First Uncle listened to his words and had a plan in his heart; this matter of moving upstairs really needed to be pondered carefully.

The two were standing outside the Chuihua Gate talking when Yu Shui brought a young man in from the gate. Seeing them, Yu Shui only greeted the First Uncle and completely pretended not to see Li Xuewu.

That young man was also very polite and greeted the First Uncle along with Yu Shui; when he looked at Li Xuewu, he was a bit embarrassed, not knowing what to call him.

"Hehehe! Why aren't you talking!"

Sha Zhu came out of the inverted room with a cooking spoon in his hand and scolded Yu Shui.

He turned his head to introduce him to Li Xuewu: "This is Yu Shui's partner, Dai Xiang Yang."