Chapter 1152: Seize the Opportunity, Grasp it Firmly

"I thought you would arrive a little later."

Wu Shuping came down from upstairs holding the child and said to Li Xuewu with a smile, "I even specifically told Lu Jie to wait for you before cooking."

"It's almost time to get off work, so I didn't go to the opposite side; it's too annoying."

Li Xuewu carefully examined the little guy in her arms and asked with a friendly tone, "Is he obedient?"

"He is just at the obedient time—"

Wu Shuping handed the child to Li Xuewu with a face full of maternal love and said with a smile, "When he gets a little bigger, as long as he can crawl, he will be naughty."

"Li Shu was like this when she was young; she would shout if she didn't get what she liked."

Li Xuewu bounced the big fat boy in his arms and said with a smile, "Talking about your sister."

The fat boy is only six months old, tiger-headed and tiger-brained, and he is not afraid of Li Xuewu.

Lu Jie, who was busy in the kitchen, came out to greet him.

She was invited by Li Xuewu's cheap mother-in-law, specifically to take care of Wu Wang Shumin and her son.

Lu Jie used to be a servant of the Lou family, and her craftsmanship in taking care of children and serving people is naturally not bad.

Of course, the wages Li Xuewu gave were sufficient to make her do her best.

Lu Jie works here and rarely goes home, mainly because Wu Shuping has to work during the day, so she has to help take care of the child, and the housework at home depends on her.

Li Xuewu has been here several times when he came to Jinmen, and the two are very familiar with each other.

She naturally has some understanding of Li Xuewu's identity, not just his official identity.

When Madam Lou introduced her to this job, she had already reminded her from the side.

She said it was the son-in-law of the family, but after coming here, the one who gave birth to the child was not Miss Lou.

She naturally wouldn't gossip or ask more. She knew nothing about where Miss Lou had gone.

But this son-in-law has ability; he arranged a mother and son in Jinmen, lived in a foreign-style house, and was even able to ask Madam Lou to arrange for someone to take care of them.

Even if the Lou family is down and out, they wouldn't be so low.

But since she has already come, it shows that this matter is not as simple as it looks on the surface.

Although Li Xuewu has stayed here a few times and was in the same room as Wu Laoshi,

she has been with Wu Laoshi for a long time and feels that she doesn't care about this son-in-law of the Lou family.

The two of them talk more about children or work when they are together, and even the tone of their speech is somewhat deliberately close, or "polite."

Since it's this kind of relationship, and there's even a child, why be so polite?

"Prepare dinner, Lu Jie."

Wu Shuping looked at the time on the wall and reminded, "Xiaobai is almost off work too."

"Understood, Wu Laoshi—"

Lu Jie nodded, smiled at Li Xuewu, and turned back to the kitchen.

And Li Xuewu was equally polite, watching the other party leave before signaling a questioning look to Wu Shuping, who was sitting beside him.

Wu Wang Shumin pursed her lips and nodded, saying softly, "Quite good, she is quite serious about taking care of the child. I don't feel there's any problem."

"Hmm, that's good, but don't be careless. I don't know her."

Li Xuewu said with a smile while teasing the child sitting on his lap, "But don't be deliberately defensive either; it can be considered knowing the roots and the bottom."

"I know, I won't bring important documents home."

Wu Shuping leaned against Li Xuewu like his lover, her arm resting on the back of the sofa, her eyes full of the child.

She had imagined countless times what it would be like for the child to be with his father.

Until Li Xuewu came, and Li Xin giggled when teased by him, and even reached out his little hand to grab his face, the fantasy in her mind became concrete.

A child's eyes won't lie; he understands everything and understands who loves him.

Since Li Xin can laugh and giggle in his arms without crying or making a fuss, it shows that Li Xuewu is a qualified "good father."

"Is everything at home okay?"

Wu Shuping looked at Li Xuewu's profile and said gently, "I received a package mailed by Dr. Gu; it's clothes for the child."

"She told me that my mother packed them together with her, and packed two portions in total."

Li Xuewu let the child grab his finger and poked his little belly.

"One portion was given to Chang'an, my brother-in-law's side, and one portion was given to you, which can be considered a blessing."

He raised his head, looked at Wu Shuping, and said with a smile, "They are Li Shu's clothes from when she was young. Do they fit? I don't know how heavy he is."

"The one he is wearing is just right. I was worried about finding time to make clothes for him."

Wu Shuping sat up straight, stretched the little clothes on Li Xin, and said, "Lu Jie said that you can tell the workmanship is very careful from the stitches of the clothes."

Naturally, it's careful. Yu Li's love for Li Shu is special. Back then, Lou Xiaoe and she both wanted to adopt Li Shu, but how could the Li family agree.

Lou Xiaoe saw Li Shu few times and only bought things for her a few times; Yu Li was the one who loved her dearly and put her whole heart into her.

Clothes for the four seasons go without saying, and even the small handkerchiefs and bibs used daily are there.

When Li Shu saw Yu Li, she was also close to her, calling her "Little Aunt" one by one, with a very sweet mouth.

"They grow fast in the first few months, and you can see them shooting up. Clothes are changed frequently."

Li Xuewu patted his godson's butt and said, "His sister's clothes can't even fit in a cabinet. Li Ning picked some, Li Tang picked some, and the rest were given to you."

"Is the little girl cute—"

Wu Shuping pinched her son's little feet and said, "I also wanted a daughter when I was pregnant. Daughters are more obedient and sensible, and they love people."

"It's all the same. That little devil in our family almost tore down the house."

Li Xuewu said with a face full of doting, "Yesterday, when playing with a ball, she kicked and broke a thermos and insisted that the thermos bumped into the ball itself and had nothing to do with her."

"Hehehe—"

Wu Shuping asked with a smile, "It must be fun when the child can talk."

"Hey, there will be a day when you are annoyed."

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "There are eight hundred questions to ask you every day. What you asked yesterday, you have to ask again today; it's whimsical and full of strange ideas."

"Is that so—"

Wu Shuping didn't feel annoyed at all, looking at the little person in Li Xuewu's arms, and was even a bit expectant.

"I really want him to grow up quickly so he can tell me what's on his mind."

She touched her son's little feet, looking forward to it and worrying, "I don't want him to grow up so fast. I'm afraid that in the blink of an eye, I'll be old and won't have more time to accompany him."

"Human hearts are always greedy, aren't they?"

Li Xuewu picked up Li Xin and said while lifting him high, "Parents are especially so."

"Hehehe—"

Li Xin was experiencing this dangerous and exciting action for the first time. At first, he was a bit scared and widened his eyes, but then he laughed.

The child's laughter was as crisp and pleasant as a silver bell, cleansing the soul.

Wu Shuping sat on the sofa, watching the interaction between father and son, and had a feeling called happiness.

"Oh my, I'm exhausted—" The person didn't enter the room, but the voice entered first.

Seeing Peng Xiaoli smoking in the courtyard, Zhou Xiaobai knew that Li Xuewu had arrived.

She was originally introverted and shy, and hadn't been exposed to society before leaving school.

It wasn't until she went to the club and met Li Xuewu that she slowly became much more open.

Here, she had long been familiar with it and was as relaxed and comfortable as if it were home.

As soon as she entered the door, she deliberately complained about being tired, but her eyes flew to the living room, looking at Li Xuewu.

She wanted to see what Li Xuewu's reaction was. She hadn't returned to Beijing last week, and the two hadn't met.

"Oh my, I'm exhausted—"

Li Xuewu deliberately didn't look at her, holding Li Xin and lying on the sofa, but was imitating her speech.

"Wu Ge! Annoying—"

Zhou Xiaobai pouted, quickly changed into slippers, ran over, and coquettishly said, "You are not allowed to imitate me."

Looking at the child sitting on Li Xuewu's belly, the two of them being intimate, Zhou Xiaobai picked up the child with some jealousy and said, "I'm really tired!"

"Who is fake—"

Li Xuewu lay there, looking at Zhou Xiaobai, who was wearing a white dress, and asked, "If you're tired, why are you holding him."

"I'm willing; is it any of your business?"

Zhou Xiaobai held Li Xin and sat on the side, teasing him, "Call me Little Aunt; Little Aunt will buy you candy."

"Give him to me; I'm just waiting for you to eat—"

Wu Shuping teased him for a while before taking the child over and instructing, "You've been running around all day; take a bath before coming down. We'll wait for you."

"I'll be right there—"

Zhou Xiaobai wrinkled her nose at Li Xuewu and acted coquettishly before going upstairs.

"She is quite serious about her work, and her personality is rarely calm and atmospheric. She also gets along very well with Yang Zhao."

Wu Shuping gave a very good evaluation, and it was while Zhou Xiaobai was upstairs.

"Especially in the last two weeks, she has been full of enthusiasm for learning and exercising, and she is doing things personally."

"As long as it's not just three minutes of enthusiasm, you should put in more effort."

Li Xuewu stood up, took the child from her arms, and said, "You should also rest; you've been tired all day."

"He is quite clingy to you—"

Wu Shuping originally wanted to refuse, but seeing her son reaching out his little hand to Li Xuewu, she smiled and followed his wishes.

Children will always tend to choose relatives who give them a sense of security. If you have scared him, or fallen while holding him, he may reject your embrace next time, or even cry.

"I still have some affinity with children."

Li Xuewu bounced Li Xin and turned around the house under his command.

A child's perspective, curious about everything, furniture and decorations in the house, big and small objects.

As long as he can touch it, he will want to send it to his mouth to taste what it tastes like.

Li Shu even ate the newspaper on the wall when she was young, and the old lady had to watch carefully.

Wu Shuping trusts him very much, especially seeing his posture of holding the child and his patience.

She smiled and pointed upstairs, wanting to wash up before coming down for dinner.

It's just that the weather is already very hot at this time, even when the sun is about to set.

It's stuffy and difficult to bear without opening the windows, and it's difficult to bear the mosquitoes when the windows are opened. It's not easy for children to grow up healthy.

All the windows in Li Xuewu's house are nailed with screens, and many pots of flowers and plants that repel mosquitoes are raised.

Li Shu attracts mosquitoes; every time she goes out at night, she has to be taken care of, and it's very scary if she gets bitten and makes a fuss.

Children are like this; they jump around on weekdays, but they are actually very fragile.

Tiny mosquitoes can also make them unable to sleep all night, crying and making a fuss.

The only profession in this world that doesn't require qualification testing is being a parent.

But this profession is too arduous and difficult. It's not that they spoil their children; it's that this love is not easy.

From the moment they are born, they are protected in the palm of their hands until they grow up, can talk and make trouble, can run and jump, go to school and work...

Twenty years of care and cultivation; if you dare to hurt him, how can parents let you off?

Dinner was much livelier than usual because of the arrival of Li Xuewu and Peng Xiaoli.

Otherwise, they are all women at home. Even if they talk a lot, there are only so many topics they can talk about.

On weekdays, Zhou Xiaobai would go upstairs to read or write something after eating.

And Wu Shuping, after taking care of the child to rest, would also read books or handle work content.

Their lives are relatively quiet, including the nanny Lu Jie, so it's a bit boring.

It wasn't until the master of this house returned that it felt like there was a backbone.

Peng Xiaoli didn't know how to behave; he had to be careful everywhere here, not listening to what shouldn't be heard, not looking at what shouldn't be seen, not asking what shouldn't be asked...

Originally, he wanted to live in the guesthouse opposite, but Li Xuewu asked him to live at home.

There are many rooms on this side, so why would he let him run back and forth.

After dinner, Peng Xiaoli took the initiative to help wash the dishes, but was arranged by Lu Jie to go to the room upstairs to rest.

There is only one room on the first floor, which is where she lives. There are three rooms on the second floor, which is just right for him.

Peng Xiaoli also knew that the leader had private matters to discuss, so he followed Lu Jie's kindness.

He was quite restrained all night and didn't dare to say an extra word. Only after entering the room did he relax and take out his bag to write materials.

When being a secretary, it's not as simple as it looks to outsiders; staying up late is common.

Following Li Xuewu is still considered easy. Li Xuewu doesn't use him for some materials and writes them himself.

Especially Li Xuewu is studying university courses and visits the teacher's home every week.

And while doing homework, he also refers to materials, which can be considered learning and gaining.

Even the smartest brain, the richest experience, and the most superior strategy must maintain the habit of learning.

Even Mao Zedong said, "If you don't study for three days, you can't keep up with the times."

Downstairs, in the living room, Li Xuewu, who had just washed up and changed into short sleeves and shorts, sat on the rattan chair shaking a banana leaf fan, like a big master.

Lu Jie served hot tea. In this scorching summer, nothing is more refreshing than not sweating.

"I called a few classmates in Beijing to help; they can be considered errand runners."

Zhou Xiaobai introduced to Li Xuewu while peeling the lotus seed pod in her hand, "50 yuan per ton; they are doing quite well."

She wasn't afraid of Li Xuewu's dislike and stuffed a lotus seed into his mouth.

"More than seven tons have been sold this month, all arranged by Li Yuanchao."

"How did you get in touch with him? Did Zuo Jie introduce you?"

There were no electric lights in the house, fearing mosquitoes, and Li Xuewu didn't like blowing fans.

So the two fans he sent, one was upstairs, and one was in the living room blowing to the side.

Zhou Xiaobai is young and not afraid of blowing her body, just greedy for a moment of coolness.

Taking advantage of the moonlight, she didn't care about Li Xuewu's white eyes and stuffed another one into his mouth.

"They are all members of the Youth Association. Actually, we knew each other in the courtyard."

Zhou Xiaobai explained, "My father and his father are not in the same unit, but they live in the same courtyard, and we see each other every day when we look down."

"Last time, Zuo Jie gathered me, wanting to win him over, so he gave him such an opportunity."

She leaned over to Li Xuewu and introduced, "He has been shrewd since he was a child, and he is also famous for being naughty."

"I suspect that these seven tons of seafood were not sold by him alone."

Zhou Xiaobai pursed her lips, "I don't care how he sells it; how much is sold, how much commission is given. Anyway, they are idle anyway."

"Be careful—"

Li Xuewu gave her a hint with a double entendre, and the cattail fan in his hand covered her chest.

Little white rabbit, white and white, two ears standing up, trembling and really cute...

"Heehee—"

Zhou Xiaobai was doing it on purpose, the collar of her shirt loosened.

She thought he couldn't see in the moonlight. Just say it, he's not a "Liu Xiahui" (a man who can resist temptation), pretending to be serious.

"I'm careful—"

Zhou Xiaobai pulled the rattan chair and sat beside him, leaning on his armrest, "They are only responsible for contact; our people are responsible for negotiation and discussion."

"Even the payment is through the public-to-public account, circling around the supply and marketing cooperative. Don't worry."

She said with a smile, "Sister Wu had already designed the process; otherwise, I wouldn't let them do it."

"What does this count as?"

Li Xuewu glanced at her and asked, "Expanding operations? Or killing two birds with one stone?"

"Whatever you say it counts as, anyway I did it, and the effect is quite good."

Zhou Xiaobai said seriously, "They are actually not willing to be idle and cause trouble."

"I came out of the courtyard; can I not know them? But as long as there is a way to make a living, they wouldn't be naughty and wandering around."

"You should know the things that happened in Beijing recently, right?"

Li Xuewu sat up, picked up the teacup and drank a mouthful of hot tea, "Don't be careless; be careful of getting burned, especially involving money."

"I'm not stopping you from exercising, let alone suppressing your passion and enthusiasm."

Putting down the teacup, he shook the cattail fan and lay back on the chair, slowly saying, "They lack your channels, but you don't lack their runways."

"Of course, this is your work; think slowly, do it slowly, don't worry."

Li Xuewu tapped her lotus-like arm with the cattail fan and reminded, "If you want to subdue him as your secondary distributor, you must have the means to prevent any negative feedback from him."

"Just business precautions are not enough to handle him; you must have them in all aspects."

He patted away the lotus seeds Zhou Xiaobai handed over again and said, "I don't eat this; you eat more, so you can grow more heart (be more careful). The future is promising."

"Are you saying I'm heartless?" Zhou Xiaobai pouted and complained, "I've only just started learning economics; your standard is too harsh."

"I don't believe you had so many hearts when you were my age," she gestured with the lotus pod in her hand.

"Xiaobai is a bit unhappy—"

When sending Li Xuewu to the car in the morning, Wu Shuping reminded softly, "Was it because you didn't go with her last night..."

"It's not like she's a child anymore—"

Li Xuewu glanced at the courtyard and explained to Wu Shuping, "I am absolutely innocent with her."

"Of course I believe you; it's not like I don't know her identity."

Wu Shuping pursed her lips and smiled, "It's just that she clings to you, so you have to comfort her."

"Don't, I'm also afraid of misfiring."

Li Xuewu said softly, "Sleeping with a big girl in my arms, do you really take me for a stone man?"

"What about with me?"

Wu Shuping asked playfully, "Sleeping in the same bed with me, are you a stone man?"

"Hey—"

Li Xuewu looked at her angrily and laughingly, "You and her can't be the same."

"Even if I had that intention, you wouldn't satisfy my wish; she is different."

"So you aren't a gentleman either."

Wu Shuping smiled and tidied his shirt collar, "Comfort her tonight. Little girl, with your means, isn't it easy to catch her."

"You make it sound like I'm a big bad wolf."

Li Xuewu nodded at her with a smile and turned to get into the car. His work today is quite a lot.

Wu Shuping watched the car leave before returning to the courtyard. Seeing Zhou Xiaobai come out, looking unhappy, she found it funny.

"If you wanted to see him off, why were you hiding from him?"

"Who wanted to see him off—"

Zhou Xiaobai pushed the bicycle and pursed her lips, glancing outside the courtyard, as if looking to see if Li Xuewu was there.

"He's already gone; didn't you hear the car?"

Wu Shuping helped her tidy her clothes again, and said in a very warm tone, "Since you like him, be generous. Anyway, you only live once."

"You are restrained now, restricted, caring about this, caring about that; do you want to wait until you are old and can't walk before you think of regretting it?"

"I didn't..."

Zhou Xiaobai wanted to deny it, but still didn't say it.

In front of others, even her good friend Luo Yun, she could hide the words in her heart.

Even her parents, if she didn't want to say, they wouldn't know and couldn't ask.

Only in front of Wu Shuping, perhaps because of the habit of obedience to the teacher, she would always lose resistance when standing in front of her.

"If I want to persuade you to leave him and hide far away, are you willing?"

Wu Shuping looked at her and said, "Otherwise, don't you know what you are thinking in your heart?"

"Or are you afraid he doesn't want you? Or do you care that he already has a family?"

Seeing Zhou Xiaobai silent, she sighed and said, "You understand what you should do most; you are not a child anymore."

"But just like I said, you are not willing to give up, so you might as well be brave and show your cards to him. If it works, it works; if not, you can be tough."

She reached out and touched the girl's face, "You are young. If you aren't impulsive at this time, you won't have the heart when you reach my age."

After speaking, she patted Zhou Xiaobai's arm and walked into the house.

Zhou Xiaobai looked at her back and pondered the words she just said.

Liking Li Xuewu is naturally true; otherwise, she wouldn't have been clinging to him and chasing him.

It's just that even she knows that Li Xuewu won't fall in love with her; he only treats her as a child.

Seeing Li Xuewu teach her how to do things and take care of her life and career, she also knows what he is thinking.

Just like she complained last night, she has been working very hard to learn.

Learning to be as mature and steady as him, as knowledgeable and talented as him, and making a big career.

It's just that she has only just started, and looking up at the back in front, it is still out of reach.

If she gives up this path in front of her, the only thing she can do by Li Xuewu's side is to play. 【1152-22

Accompanying him to play until she had to come of age, until she had to leave him, and then having no more opportunities to get close to him.

She was called Xiaobai, yet she wasn't truly "little and white" (naive); she had already thought of many things long before she got close to him.

Youth is in its prime; how many absurd things happen.

She just loved the feeling of being in love, wanting to experience it both upwards and downwards.

The "upwards" was naturally Li Xuewu, while the "downwards" was the clumsy Zhong Yuemin.

After experiencing that storm, she could feel that she had grown up, and she also knew what she wanted.

Especially since Li Xuewu had brought her here, seeing a world she hadn't touched before.

It turned out that making money was a kind of joy, and spending money was an even more extreme, enjoyable pleasure.

Yachts, villas, hotels, Western food...

She spent money like water; it would be better to say she was lucky enough to possess the "power of banknotes" at this age.

So, should she take a step forward, as Wu Shuping said, or maintain the status quo, as she worried in her heart, not letting this dream wake up?

"Good day, Deputy Director Li—"

Zhuang Cangshu took the initiative to greet Li Xuewu as soon as his car came to a steady stop.

The car door was opened by the reception staff; after Li Xuewu got out of the car, he shook hands with him.

"Let's disperse; go do what you need to do. Why make such a scene for a family?"

He smiled and waved his hand at the cadres standing at the entrance to welcome him, then pointed at Zhuang Cangshu and said, "Just accompany me for a walk."

"Then I shall follow your arrangements—"

Zhuang Cangshu was very afraid that Li Xuewu would be dissatisfied. Seeing that the leader was easygoing, he nodded to the others and took the initiative to invite Li Xuewu into the lobby.

Seeing Li Xuewu act this way, the other cadres' faces also bloomed with sincere smiles.

They applauded one after another, and only after Li Xuewu entered the lobby did they return to their respective management posts.

Compared to the Red Star Factory's administrative offices, this place was much busier; one could feel it the moment they entered the lobby.

Whether it was business contacts or logistics management, it all required fast information interaction methods and technology; the telephone was an important interconnection tool.

In the offices on the left and right sides of the first-floor lobby, phone calls rang one after another, and the sound of people talking on the phones was as noisy as a vegetable market—a scene of pure busyness.

"Ever since the gateway for foreign trade was opened, the building has become what it is today."

Zhuang Cangshu introduced with both pride and caution: "To date, more than sixty large-scale manufacturing enterprises have moved into the Trade Management Center."

"There are even more than forty production enterprises stationed at the Trade Management Center responsible for order docking business."

He took the initiative to introduce: "Besides this, dozens of units and factories are currently conducting investigations and negotiations, mainly regarding the creation of a supply chain system."

"As of now, the Trade Management Center has already integrated food supply chains, automotive parts supply chains, mechanical manufacturing supply chains, and so on..."

Accompanied by Zhuang Cangshu, Li Xuewu visited core management departments such as the Information Processing Center, Business Management Center, and Logistics Dispatch Center.

During the morning's research, he focused on the work situation regarding the Trade Management Center's organizational structure.

Especially the work status and professional level of the staff, the communication methods with supply chain enterprises, and the attitude toward handling thorny business.

"We won't hold a symposium; I believe that as the person in charge, you are clear about the main contradictions and core problems."

Li Xuewu didn't go to his office; he found a rest area on the third floor, sat down, and started talking directly: "Tell me about any problems you have now."

"You are our supervising leader, so I won't stand on ceremony with you—"

Zhuang Cangshu understood Li Xuewu; he valued efficiency in work and, even more, disliked empty formalities.

He spoke frankly: "The main problems and contradictions are the increasingly tight office space, as well as staff who are familiar with the business and have potential for development."

"Hmm, anything else?" Li Xuewu took a sip of tea and said with a light laugh: "My visit this time counts as solving practical problems for you; you must cherish the opportunity."

"Hahaha—"

With the leader's attitude relaxed, Zhuang Cangshu became much more casual. He requested: "You've seen it too; our demand for information exchange is very high, but the phones are often unreachable or cannot be dialed into."

"If the factory can coordinate, can we see if it can be solved through technical means?"

"This problem is not easy to solve."

Li Xuewu did not avoid the problem but answered directly: "You should know as much as I do about our domestic telephone interconnection technology."

"The telephone system within the unit can be upgraded to facilitate your office needs."

He put down his teacup and explained to Zhuang Cangshu: "Once the lines leave the Management Center building, they have to connect with the city network and follow their scheduling arrangements. I have no way to get more lines."

"Even for the most important units, one cannot just go to the telephone bureau and move several dedicated lines for your use; this is unrealistic."

Li Xuewu shook his head and added: "Since the telephone cannot provide guaranteed supply, then prepare with two hands; don't we have a radio system?"

"I think we can set up a telegraph interconnection system; this is something we can control and realize."

He pointed at Zhuang Cangshu and said: "For long-distance information transmission, telegraphs are faster and more reliable."

"Any enterprise that needs to handle urgent business shouldn't be short of the money to install radios and set up a telecommunications team, right?"

"Leader, this is what I'm thinking," Zhuang Cangshu hesitated and suggested: "Each office has radio contact; can we realize two-stage contact on this basis?"

"Long-distance calls are hard to make, but local calls are still relatively convenient."

He explained: "If there is urgent business contact and Jinmen cannot get through to Yuezhou, we can contact the Yuezhou office via telegraph and ask them to relay the contact. This would facilitate the needs of supply chain enterprises, even if we invest a little more..."

"I understand what you mean; that's fine."

Li Xuewu didn't wait for him to finish before nodding and saying: "Isn't the installation of radio contact in local offices for business needs? New investment is nothing more than 24-hour duty telegraph personnel."

"Submit an application for this matter; after I go back, I will approve it for you. Implement it as soon as possible."

"Also—"

Li Xuewu pointed at him and reminded: "For commercial telecommunications, pay attention to confidentiality and security."

"Understood; the Trade Management Center's Security Section has also established a Confidentiality Unit."

Zhuang Cangshu nodded and guaranteed: "I will definitely stay on top of it; there won't be any leaks."

"Leader, about the space and staff... do you think you can help us implement that?"

He looked forward to it and explained: "At the current rate of development, by this time next year, this building won't be able to hold the new personnel, and for business..."

"This problem is easy to solve; either build it yourself or acquire and expand office space."

Li Xuewu tapped the armrest of his chair and pointed at the office building beneath his feet, saying: "I don't suggest tearing it down and rebuilding; it doesn't save money and delays work."

"Yes, yes, that's what I think too."

Zhuang Cangshu replied: "Even if we tear down the old to build the new, we must have the land."

"The land here is narrow; even if we tear it down, we can't build high-rise buildings, so acquiring a new office address is more appropriate."

"How about this: you check the owners of these few buildings around here, and I will coordinate the acquisition."

Li Xuewu certainly wouldn't hand the power of acquisition to Zhuang Cangshu; his rank wasn't high enough.

Moreover, this kind of investment, which easily involves hundreds of thousands, isn't a matter of one word.

It has to be discussed by the Management Committee leadership and money has to be taken from the annual budget to purchase it.

Because fixed assets don't belong to the tertiary industry, nor do they belong to incremental investment, they can only be handled as acquisitions.

Furthermore, in order to maintain the stability of the Trade Management Center and occupy the convenience of the Jinmen economic center, Li Xuewu preferred to acquire land here.

In the future, whether it is rebuilding or swapping, it is an investment that appreciates and profits.

The Red Star Factory is preparing to build a United Industrial Building in the Liangmahe Ecological Industrial Park in Beijing, used for the entry of the United Industry and the Tertiary Industry Management Office.

In the future, the Jinmen Trade Management Center will also need a landmark building to anchor the Red Star Factory's layout and investment management direction here.

Now is a period of economic stagnation; many businesses are weakening, which is just right for carrying out acquisitions.

He only let Zhuang Cangshu investigate the situation in the surrounding area and didn't say anything more.

Zhuang Cangshu could also hear that Li Xuewu was not prepared to hand this matter over to him to handle.

It involves too much and the benefits are too great; a slight loophole could mean thousands in gains.

Don't think that a few thousand is small; for him, it is basically several years' salary.

People die for wealth, birds die for food; these few thousand could very likely make people take risks.

Li Xuewu wouldn't give his subordinates a chance to make mistakes; this could also be considered a kind of protection.

"Regarding professional staff with potential for development, I thought about this when I was coming here."

Li Xuewu straightened his body, folded his right leg, and looked at the river view outside the window, saying: "One way is to recruit now; I can mention it to Deputy Director Gu and find suitable students for you from the Finance and Economics Institute and the Economics Institute."

"But don't have too high expectations for this; the current university student allocation policy hasn't been implemented yet."

He thought for a moment and said: "I'll talk to Director Ding and transfer a few economics majors to you; you cultivate them carefully."

"The factory will organize another economic training class; you arrange for people to come and give lectures."

Li Xuewu instructed: "The semester is three months long; the foundation is junior high school graduates and above. Bring them over after three months; work while learning, the old leading the new, which can also alleviate your difficulties."

"Leader, give us a few more university students."

Zhuang Cangshu smiled and requested: "We will cultivate them well; they will surely become the pillars of our factory's economic business."

"Hehe, this power isn't with me; you have to plead with Director Ding."

Li Xuewu nodded with a light laugh, considering it an agreement to his request. Economic business was also a key work he cared about; if he could really cultivate a few talents, it would be convenient for dealing with more intense commercial competition in the future.

The Red Star Factory has opened Pandora's box; the advancement of the supply chain system and the advancement of assembly line processing are clear at a glance, and it will inevitably become a direction for change that needs to be solved within the industrial system.

This is also why Li Xuewu took a fancy to the place as soon as he arrived at the Fengcheng First Machinery Factory.

The leaders of the First Machinery Factory are truly hopeless; they hold a treasure bowl in their hands and treat it like a waste bucket.

The next thirty years will absolutely be the golden age of industrial development; as long as you maintain a lead in technology and guarantee power in production, isn't that the same as printing money?

Especially the three development directions Li Xuewu proposed at the Management Committee.

First is numerical control, second is assembly line preparation, and third is machining diversion.

Being "big and all-encompassing" is inappropriate in future enterprise development and competition; it will become a huge burden.

The Fengcheng First Machinery Factory is actually an example; the Red Star Factory cannot follow their old path.

Some say the Red Star Factory is also "big and all-encompassing" now, doing everything and building everything.

Actually, it's not like that; the number of wholly-owned Red Star Factory enterprises hasn't increased much; the vast majority are jointly established and held through methods like joint ventures and joint operations.

That is to say, the Red Star Factory's current industrial situation is like a large ship tied with multiple sets of floating barrels.

United Industry and Tertiary Industry, etc., are all floating barrels; they can reduce buoyancy at any time, letting the enterprise bear weight, or they can drain the water, increase buoyancy, and let the enterprise reduce weight.

As long as the two core industrial groups of metallurgy and steel rolling maintain a leading state in the industry and operate as wholly-owned, then the Red Star Steel Group will never fall.

"The Vocational Technical College will open economic management courses this year; three years from now, you won't have to worry about a lack of talent."

Li Xuewu pinched the bridge of his nose and said: "These three years are definitely not a process of waiting, but a process for you to shape the management system."

He raised his head, looked at Zhuang Cangshu, and instructed: "Without rules, there is no square; every step the Trade Management Center takes is a new opportunity."

"You must seize the good times when risks are low and competition is not intense, lay a good foundation for talent echelon construction, and only then can you rely on them to break through barriers in the future."

"Deputy Director Jing has run across more than half of China on this trip and straightened out the work of the offices."

Li Xuewu tapped him and said: "This is serving you; it is to facilitate your subsequent management and application."

"You must seize the opportunity, firmly grasp the excellent characteristics of the offices, and develop more commercial opportunities."

He emphasized: "This year, our factory is going to set up machining and assembly line business, and also set up aircraft manufacturing business; your task is even heavier."

"Leader, just arrange whatever tasks you have," Zhuang Cangshu guaranteed very seriously: "The Trade Management Center will definitely work hard."

"Let me reveal a piece of news to you; you can ponder whether it's good or bad yourself."

Li Xuewu stood up, walked to the window, and said: "Director Li has already approved it; the Red Star Factory is preparing to report for approval the preparation of the First Automotive Parts Supply Chain Production and Application Conference."

"At that time, automotive manufacturers and parts manufacturers from all over the country will be invited to attend."

He turned around, looked at Zhuang Cangshu, and reminded: "When the time comes, it will be your time to perform."

Zhuang Cangshu was startled and reacted instantly; this wasn't a time to perform—this was asking him to submit a letter of allegiance!