Chapter 1306: Artist

"This month, Hongtu Bus delivered 3 more units, 2 to the city, 1 to the Hebei Provincial Government Office."

Xia Zhongquan accompanied Li Xuewu to look at the Automotive Engineering Laboratory of the Institute of Technology, talking as they walked along the way.

"There are two more pieces of good news," he introduced with a smile: "The French Foreign Affairs Office ordered 1 unit, and the British Foreign Affairs Office also ordered 1 unit."

"It is indeed good news," Li Xuewu nodded, looking at the work situation of the Vehicle Research Institute, and said: "The Foreign Affairs Office has conditions for vehicle entry. Being able to choose our cars proves that we are doing well."

"I haven't understood the specific situation yet, but..."

Xia Zhongquan hesitated for a moment, only then saying: "The international situation is also very complex. It's not just us who are tightening our belts."

"I understand some of the situation in France." Li Xuewu was not surprised or unexpected that Xia Zhongquan understood the international situation; the People's Daily had published it.

Of course, what is published must be broad comments, and the core contradictions still need to be thought about by oneself.

"The transformation of academic thought has a price," he remembered Maggie's introduction and said: "But there is no need to care too much."

"You should know that the French are keen on politicizing problems and forcing managers to solve problems through extensive mass activities."

Li Xuewu said lightly: "Get used to it. They treat it as simply as eating. There are often mass activities on the streets."

"If they don't agree, they all go to hold signs. The way and method of expressing demands are very direct and very blunt."

"Transforming the old district, hehe—"

Xia Zhongquan nodded with a light smile and said: "This cooperation with the Santaia Group won't be the last time, right?"

"We are all worried about whether the signed cooperation agreement can land. After all, those technologies are still within the scope of the blockade."

"I don't believe in contracts either, but I believe in interests." Li Xuewu turned his head to look at him and continued walking forward. "No need to worry. Whether it is the Santaia Group or the French, they will not give up their interests in Southeast Asia."

"The old colonial system no longer conforms to the development of the era and will eventually be eliminated. A new economic exploitation system is being established."

He nodded slowly and said: "Although I don't look favorably on their business layout in Southeast Asia, I have to say the effect is surprisingly good."

"Which aspect are you talking about?" Xia Zhongquan raised his eyebrows and said: "Over the past year, the Santaia Group completed a trade volume of more than 20 million yuan in orders, and the direction of output is Southeast Asia."

"You might not expect that the most popular product is actually it."

Li Xuewu opened the notebook in his hand, took out a photo, and handed it to Xia Zhongquan, saying: "Although I had expected it, I still underestimated the market demand in Southeast Asia."

"Comet motorcycle—"

Xia Zhongquan, who personally participated in the design and planning of the product, how could he not recognize it.

The moment he saw the photo, he knew what Li Xuewu was talking about, especially the background of the photo.

"In about a year and a half, the Santaia Group purchased more than 100,000 Comet motorcycles."

Li Xuewu let out a long breath and said: "They mastered 70% of the export volume, and the market share in Southeast Asia is very high."

The Comet motorcycle is an assembly line product. Under the condition of three shifts, the daily production capacity reached more than 600 units, and the annual production volume exceeded 220,000 units.

Being able to sell more than 100,000 units in a year and a half has already proven the market ability of this Comet very well.

"Indeed, I really ignored the export proportion," Xia Zhongquan carefully sized up the photo in his hand and said: "This was modified?"

"Accessories, enlarged the car basket," Li Xuewu pointed to the photo in his hand and said: "Adapt to local conditions, survival of the fittest."

"There are many narrow road sections in Southeast Asia. This kind of motorcycle can be used as a means of transportation and also as a means of transportation."

Li Xuewu introduced: "In the cooperation agreement just signed, the Santaia Group added Comet motorcycles again, as well as purchase orders after replacement."

"Seeing this point, are you still worried that they won't do trade?"

"It was my negligence," Xia Zhongquan nodded and said: "I only looked at the annual sales volume and didn't pay attention to the sales direction."

He returned the photo to Li Xuewu and asked curiously: "This counts as dumping, right? Won't the local area restrict it?"

"Restrictive policies must exist, but the effect is not great." Li Xuewu put away the photo and explained: "No matter how they restrict it, our production cost plus transportation cost is still lower than theirs."

"This is determined by industrial foundation and integrated production."

"Comet's sales are doing so well, what about Hongxing Lingyang?" Xia Zhongquan looked at Li Xuewu and asked: "Hongxing Lingyang has no reason not to do well."

"It's also okay. You understand the total trade volume of automobiles. Hongxing Lingyang's restrictive condition is still on fuel consumption; it doesn't sell as well as Gemini."

Li Xuewu introduced: "The feedback from the Hong Kong market is to increase scientific research efforts and reduce the fuel consumption of Hongxing Lingyang cars."

"The engine used by Gemini has shown a certain competitive advantage. Price war will not be the main competitive means in the future."

He looked at Xia Zhongquan and reminded: "We are here to make money."

"This aspect also cannot be rushed," Xia Zhongquan raised his hand to signal the Power Research Center and introduced the R&D situation of the engine, "From technology to materials, and even processing precision, we are gradually advancing."

"The engine of Hongxing Lingyang II is a typical example," he explained: "Our goal is to be stronger generation by generation."

"With one year as the deadline, break through a small replacement; with three years as the deadline, break through a technical generation."

Xia Zhongquan took a breath and said: "We have put more effort into the automobile industry, and I also know this is a pillar industry."

"More fuel-efficient, more powerful, lighter—these are the core directions of power development," he emphasized: "With the addition of more high-knowledge, high-tech talents, plus the introduction of foreign technology, I think this goal will definitely be achieved."

"I don't want to put pressure on anyone, hehe—"

Li Xuewu said with a light smile: "The era is developing, society is progressing. We who do business and production work must also keep pace with the times."

"You just mentioned the UK. I'll introduce you to a situation," he pointed to Xia Zhongquan and said: "In your impression, the British should be rigid and conservative, right?"

"But the new generation of young people in the UK advocates anti-trend and individual liberation. Girls wearing miniskirts can be seen everywhere on the streets."

Li Xuewu introduced earnestly: "British boys wearing bell-bottoms and British girls wearing flip-flops live in harmony on the streets."

"You understand everything I said, right?"

"Miniskirt? What kind of skirt is that?"

Xia Zhongquan was still a bit confused, looking at Li Xuewu blankly and asking: "What are bell-bottoms and flip-flops?"

"Open your eyes and look at the world, my comrade!"

Li Xuewu patted Xia Zhongquan's arm with emotion and walked forward with him.

"Now it's 1968. The 1960s have basically passed. Looking back, the world situation is changing, and the waves of the era are surging."

He pointed to the void in front of him and said: "If an enterprise doesn't understand the era, industrial design and development will show confusion. If an individual doesn't keep up with the pace of the era, you are a rogue."

"I—how did I become a rogue?"

Xia Zhongquan glanced at him with amusement and said: "I am a serious person. You, Secretary-General, cannot make such jokes."

"Who is joking with you?" Li Xuewu looked at him and said: "Have some culture, Comrade Xia Zhongquan."

"No occupation is called 'Liu' (rogue), no house is called 'Mang' (scoundrel)."

He pointed to Xia Zhongquan and said: "I mean if we individuals don't keep up with the pace of the era, we will be thrown away and eliminated."

"I seriously suspect you are borrowing the topic to play," Xia Zhongquan was also a cultured person, glanced at Li Xuewu, and said: "But I have no evidence."

"Hehehe—" Li Xuewu didn't care about his sensitivity, said with a light smile: "I am telling you about the 1960s that are about to pass."

"This is an era seemingly attached to madness, an era of transformation and rebellion. Our generation has deep feelings, right?"

Li Xuewu touched his arm and said: "I want to say this is an era of breaking the old and establishing the new, just like the excitement of spring thunder and the revival of everything."

"The most obvious manifestation is the anxiety of young people in the East and West in the waves of the era. They are like eagles spreading their wings, preparing to fight in the sky."

He narrowed his eyes slightly and used a voice that only two people could hear to tell his understanding of the era and his realization of the situation.

"More directly, Western youth overturned traditional aesthetic concepts. Their rebellion is like a violent storm sweeping the whole world."

"I don't need to tell you about aesthetics. Breaking and establishing is an important watershed in the changes of an era. You should be able to understand."

Li Xuewu pointed his finger and continued: "Western traditional elegance has been abandoned, replaced by the rise of 'hippie style'."

"At the same time, on this land under your and my feet, the original diverse clothing culture disappeared overnight. Qipao and Western suits became 'abandoned children'."

His fingers clenched into a fist, and he said seriously: "The whole of China seems to be united by an invisible force, becoming a world of green, blue, and gray."

"Let's not discuss how the culture of the East and West changes, and let's not talk about whether this aesthetic point of view is progress or regression. Let's just talk about this cultural attribute."

Li Xuewu looked into Xia Zhongquan's eyes and asked: "Can you grasp the pulse of the era and master the direction of this cultural trend?"

"You can't. It can be seen from the draft opinions brought out by the design unit of the department you manage. The aesthetic point of view has been corroded and influenced, and it cannot intervene in the trend and direction of era development at all."

He pressed Xia Zhongquan's arm when he was about to speak, and emphasized: "If you make Comet motorcycles according to your first draft, just from the appearance, do you think it can sell so well?"

"I am not boasting about my design ability. Let's stand here and talk honestly. My design ability is not worth mentioning."

"However, in terms of aesthetics, I can crush all of you."

Li Xuewu looked at him seriously and said: "Why? Tell me? Have you ever thought about this problem?"

"You haven't thought about the seriousness of this problem at all. You who master the R&D and design departments still live in the past three or five years," he said earnestly: "Technical progress does not equal product progress, my chief engineer comrade."

"I ask you to think three times about this point."

Li Xuewu pointed to Xia Zhongquan, who was frowning and thinking, and then continued to talk about the cultural development ideas internationally and domestically.

"In the 60s we are in, it is a period of high incidence of social movements, including civil rights, anti-war, environmental protection, etc."

He nodded slowly and said: "The academic cultural transformation in France we just discussed is also a kind of social activity."

"We must see the positive side of these movements. They are like crashing waves, pushing the transformation and development of society."

"Relatively conservative, the cultural activities in the mainland are in a state of chaos and low density, but you cannot deny the occurrence of new buds, right?"

Li Xuewu said earnestly: "The fields of music, film, fashion, art, etc., all over the world have undergone earth-shaking changes."

"You might not know that the rise of music like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and some bands has become a symbol of the era."

"Why? Why is the rise of culture represented by music so influential and far-reaching to the development of the era?"

He pressed Xia Zhongquan and said: "You might not be able to imagine that a song can make a product a bestseller."

"A song?" Xia Zhongquan was even more confused, frowned and asked: "What kind of song?"

"A song that attracts young people's attention and resonates with the era."

Li Xuewu introduced: "When our agents sell Red Star Factory products abroad, they will do some publicity."

"Television advertising is already a widely used publicity means. A product introduction video, attached with a catchy and popular piece of music, can deeply plant the product in the customer's heart."

"A bit blurry, but I can understand what you said," Xia Zhongquan nodded and said: "Publicize it to everyone, you mean advertising, right?"

"That's right, it's advertising. This has already become an industry in developed countries all over the world, a cultural media industry."

Li Xuewu nodded and confirmed: "In Europe, the establishment of the European Economic Community represents an important milestone in the process of European integration."

"The war in Annan triggered opposition and resistance all over the world. This is a manifestation of new thinking, anti-war thinking, peace thinking. This is also what we must feel when doing products and enterprises."

"Every war will be accompanied by the explosion of technological transformation," he narrowed his eyes slightly and said: "The world's technological landscape is evolving rapidly. Do you know that the United States is preparing for the human moon landing plan?"

He looked at Xia Zhongquan, who was already dumbfounded, and said with a light smile: "The advanced computer we just got is being popularized, and the network connecting computers all over the world is being built—ARPANET, you don't understand, right."

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand. I don't understand either. This is precisely the reason we need to learn," Li Xuewu walked with his hands behind his back on the road to the office area and said: "Don't look far, let's look at Hong Kong."

"Materials are shipped over every month. The Institute of Science must organize researchers to read and learn, and master advanced scientific and technological information of the era."

"Why look at Hong Kong? That is not only a window for us to pass to the world and look at the world, but also a signal tower."

Li Xuewu explained to him: "Hong Kong and the UK can basically achieve synchronous communication. This is the most critical."

"In this era, the simplest way for you to see the world clearly is to look at the UK," he emphasized: "The social transformation of the UK can be said to be a microcosm of the world's social transformation."

"I just mentioned it too. This era is full of rebellious and innovative spirit. This period saw the emergence of many new cultural, musical, and artistic forms, such as rock music, psychedelic culture, and fashion revolution."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "In this series of transformations, the UK has become the center of many cultural and anti-establishment activities."

"This has also led to some important political and social changes, such as the UK banning racial discrimination in 1965."

He glanced at Xia Zhongquan and continued: "The UK can also be said to be the fashion center of this decade."

"I dare not agree with the British automobile design style and taste, but this does not affect your ability to see the boldness in British automobile design."

"In general, the 1960s that are about to pass is an era full of vitality, innovation, and transformation."

Li Xuewu said with emotion: "And during this period, the era transformation has had a huge impact on culture and society all over the world, including the UK."

"You must admit that transformation is like a wonderful historical scroll. Whether it is beautiful or painful, it makes people remember."

"This is the first time I've heard such a wonderful era commentary," Xia Zhongquan calmed down for a long time before saying admiringly: "Listening to your words is better than reading books for ten years."

"I thought you were going to say 'listening to your words is like listening to your words', hehehe—"

Li Xuewu made a small joke, turned his head to look at the research institute not far away, and said: "I hope you don't stick to traditional customs, don't be conservative with existing concepts, and strive for personality and innovation."

"You can boldly introduce and learn design concepts and cultures rich in aesthetics, and create design languages that belong to Red Star Steel Group."

He pointed to Xia Zhongquan and said: "Whether it is automobiles or electronic appliances, what customers see at first glance is always the appearance."

"If you can't even leave a sense of beauty for customers at the first impression, how many people do you think will pay for our technical strength?"

"Doing business, doing products, the most taboo is self-moving," he said sharply to Xia Zhongquan: "Don't feel good about yourself. Word of mouth and market feedback are the standards for judging products, and they are also the truth."

"I'll give you a suggestion. Think about it yourself."

Li Xuewu turned around and continued to walk forward, saying: "You must establish an appearance design department, introduce the concept and position of product designers."

"Especially for export products, including domestic products, do brand culture, do product design that conforms to scientific laws and humanization, and never appear the phenomenon of taking off pants to fart again."

In mid-June, the Santaia Group continued to exert force, bringing high-temperature and high-pressure technology for blast furnaces introduced from the United States and the Soviet Union to Red Star Factory.

This is the cooperation content of the previous framework agreement, which is a step-by-step plan implemented to complete the metallurgical technology transformation of Red Star Factory.

Under the leadership of Dong Wenxue, the Steel Mill overcame a series of difficulties and shut down the existing blast furnaces one after another.

Closing the original blast furnaces is not the goal, because the production plan cannot be affected, and the development of Red Star Factory's many heavy and light industries cannot be affected, but it still has to complete technical transformation and innovation.

Therefore, the old blast furnaces are closing, and blast furnaces and production workshops with new technology are being established.

Compared with the complete new construction of the Rolling Steel Factory, the Steelmaking Factory is more in line with economic needs, completing iterative updates step by step.

According to the original plan, all metallurgical equipment and outfits will complete technical iteration by the end of next year.

Going to the Steelmaking Factory next year, you will see a brand-new metallurgical factory. New equipment and new factory areas have been moved and expanded to the side.

It is not easy to achieve this goal on the basis of ensuring planned production steel and self-owned industrial steel.

Dong Wenxue insisted on staying in Steel City precisely to ensure that this development plan and goal would not be affected by personnel changes.

Li Huai De valued him and pushed him to the top step by step, also valuing his contribution to Steel City.

Li Xuewu's work is still busy, but after completely handing over the security group work, he has relaxed a lot.

It is obvious that the pressure on his shoulders has lightened. The safety and security work is too important, and the responsibility is too heavy.

After Wang Xiaoqin took over, she rarely returned to the Third Guard Regiment. She maintained the minimum meeting and office needs every month, and was busy at Red Star Factory on weekdays.

Part is the three-branch work, and part is the safety and security work.

The group system transformation work has begun. Monitoring, security, fire protection, and other work must be re-divided and adjusted.

Monitoring work alone has to be divided into multiple departments such as safety monitoring, discipline monitoring, engineering monitoring, etc.

The security system also needs to be rebuilt and adjusted. The training and education parts should be classified under the Medical and Education Administration.

The fire monitoring work originally in the monitoring system should be integrated into the fire protection system to form a large fire protection system.

After 3 years, Red Star Factory's organizational structure adapted to the development of the era and ushered in a transformation again.

Three years ago, the office was integrated into a working group. Now the group has been reorganized into large departments and small offices.

The structure of the Management Committee will also usher in new changes in response to the development of the group. Professional business management institutions will still be established slowly.

In various branch factories and branch companies, this regulation has been determined.

Branch factories and branch companies no longer have separate Management Committees, but are uniformly managed and led by the Group Management Committee.

Branch factories establish a factory director responsibility system, and branch companies establish a general manager responsibility system. Everything seems to have returned to the past, but it is also a bit different.

Li Xuewu and Li Huai De and others discussed and studied that the Party organization will definitely be restored, because organizational life has been restored.

Perhaps in a year or two, the group organizational structure will be adjusted again. Where the Party organization will go and how to determine the management relationship is a practical problem that Li Huai De must consider now.

Li Huai De cannot stay in Red Star Steel Group forever, and he cannot serve as general manager and director (secretary) forever.

Of course, this is a problem that Li Huai De needs to consider carefully, and it is also a practical problem that all members of the Management Committee team will face.

Once the Management Committee transitions to an operating institution and an organizational institution, everyone will face directional choices.

Simply put, it is the problem of being a deputy general manager or a deputy secretary. The difference here is too big.

Some people are confident that they can hold both positions, but they must also consider the phenomenon of increased personnel in the changes of operating institutions and organizational institutions.

The leadership team of a group enterprise will definitely not have only 11 people. In the future, there will be more personnel due to work needs.

More personnel equals division of power. How should they choose?

"Really left you in the Security Office?"

Li Xuewu shook the newspaper in his hand, looked at Ji Yuxiu who had just sat down opposite him, and said with a smile: "Director Gao and Director Zheng really have courage."

"Second brother, should I be happy or lost?" Ji Yuxiu said somewhat helplessly: "Your words make me so sad."

"Hehehe—praising you."

Li Xuewu put away the newspaper with a light smile, looked at her and said: "Congratulations, Li Kezhang Ji. Wish you smooth work and success in your career."

"Thank you—" Ji Yuxiu pursed her lips and smiled, saying: "It doesn't count as progress, still section level."

"Don't sell cheap and act well."

Li Xuewu pointed to her with a smile and said: "Li Kezhang of the Security Section of the Security Office. I wouldn't trade it for two station directors."

"Director Duan also said such words. Your opinions are consistent." Ji Yuxiu introduced with a smile: "He went to Jiaodaokou."

"Oh? So that's the arrangement."

Li Xuewu nodded somewhat clearly and asked: "Where did Xing Yichun go? Entered the branch bureau?"

"Yes, Security Brigade, Brigade Captain."

Ji Yuxiu nodded and introduced: "Recommended by Director Zheng. There have been changes in personnel in all stations in Dongcheng, and many people have gone down to the office."

"I just said they have great courage—" Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Daring to act like this in this period, they have courage."

"I think it's more out of helplessness."

Ji Yuxiu turned her head to look at the entrance hall. Seeing Gu Ning walk in, she greeted with a smile: "Sister-in-law, you are working overtime again."

"Meeting in the section, you got off work early."

Gu Ning nodded with a faint smile, hung the bag on her shoulder, changed into slippers, walked over and asked: "Why didn't Xuecai come with you."

"He has to work the night shift tonight, learning from Director Zhang."

Ji Yuxiu pointed to Li Shu and Li Ning running and playing in the room with a smile and asked: "Will it be annoying? So noisy."

"A little, but I'm used to it."

Gu Ning took the teacup handed over by Li Xuewu, looked at her and asked: "Why are you free today? Not busy with work?"

"The case has basically come to an end. The special case group is gradually withdrawing, and we have to rearrange positions."

Ji Yuxiu held the teacup and said: "It's just that I have time today. I have to start getting busy again for a while."

"Rare, should gather together."

Gu Ning looked at Li Xuewu and asked: "Do you have time? Going back to the courtyard on the weekend?"

"I have time, but I don't want to go back," Li Xuewu rubbed his temples with a wry smile and explained: "Every time I hear the neighbors call me Secretary-General or leader, my brain hurts."

"Hehe—" Ji Yuxiu chuckled: "You are afraid they will ask you to handle things, right? Housing matters?"

"You've heard about it?" Li Xuewu glanced at her, nodded and said: "The sound of discussion in the factory has been very loud recently, and I'm also scared."

"Didn't find your office?"

Ji Yuxiu said with amusement: "If there really were such people, I wouldn't find it strange at all."

"Not yet, but there are people blocking my car," Li Xuewu shook his head slightly: "There are ready-made documents explaining, but they don't listen or look, and insist on finding relationships to inquire and ask. This is also a kind of problem."

"Don't raise it to the level of principle. Maybe there really is a problem."

Ji Yuxiu reminded: "If you are afraid of trouble, really don't go back. I know many neighbors are waiting for you to go back."

"Did the factory allocate housing?" Gu Ning asked curiously: "Our unit is also calculating this matter, saying it's going to allocate housing."

"Your unit can still allocate housing?"

Li Xuewu looked at Gu Ning in surprise and asked: "How many years has it been? Where is there still housing to allocate."

"Said there is, I didn't ask," Gu Ning drank a mouthful of tea and said lightly: "Our family doesn't lack housing, why bother to be annoying."

"That's the principle. Housing is for living," Li Xuewu nodded, looked at Ji Yuxiu and asked: "Does the branch bureau have a housing allocation plan?"

"I don't even have to think about it. I haven't even gotten married, and many who have gotten married haven't been allocated housing yet. The branch bureau is not like your factory."

Ji Yuxiu said enviously: "I heard in the office today that Red Star Factory has good economic benefits and built so many residential buildings."

"Benefits are one aspect. Welfare treatment should progress together with enterprise development; that is the original intention of the construction of the Workers' New Village."

Li Xuewu explained: "Red Star Factory's Riverside New Village residential area is not all housing allocation policies, but also commercial housing and apartment housing."

"This is also the problem that factory employees have reacted to the most. They still have inherent thinking, feeling that the factory should guarantee housing allocation."

"Are there no allocated housing indicators?"

Ji Yuxiu asked curiously: "Which factory doesn't care about employee housing now? Your factory doing this will definitely cause discussion."

"Which factory dares to say full employee housing welfare coverage?"

Li Xuewu looked at her and said: "They are all waiting for housing allocation according to seniority and other restrictive conditions, such as restricting marriage, etc."

"Some factory areas also restrict double-employee families to allocate housing. None of them can reach full housing welfare coverage. Our factory doing this is also a kind of attempt, at least giving a certain welfare housing indicator."

He introduced: "First, we must guarantee the construction of apartment dormitories for single employees, and the construction of high-density, high-concentration living residential systems."

"Secondly, we must guarantee the housing welfare of advanced technical talents, and then it is the allocation and replacement policy of guaranteed housing for difficult employee families."

Li Xuewu drank a mouthful of hot tea and said: "In order to meet the needs of engineering construction, and also to enrich the source of funds for residential area construction, high-quality residential areas have been specially built for replacement and limited commercial housing."

"Factory employees can complete the replacement and improvement of existing housing by virtue of their identity, as well as loan or full payment to purchase residential housing of suitable area."

He explained: "This part of commercial housing includes property rights and usage rights. The factory will coordinate to provide property rights certificates for rights protection."

"As long as you are a Red Star Factory employee, you can buy it?"

Ji Yuxiu looked at Li Xuewu and asked: "Then can you buy it?"

"Identity is enough, conditions are not enough."

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said: "First of all, cadres above the deputy section level are not allowed to participate in the replacement and purchase of the Riverside New Village residential area."

"Secondly, residential housing is prioritized for employees with housing difficulties, that is, employees with many family members, poor housing conditions, and poor living environments."

He introduced: "Like me, who owns three houses, I have to wait in line for commercial housing replacement, but I don't know which year or month I will wait until."

"Either change the house owner and wait for the factory's unified cadre residential area housing allocation. That doesn't need to wait in line, but there are no property rights."

Li Xuewu said with a light smile: "The office in our factory is discussing this matter, saying that cadres above the deputy section level are not as popular as workers."

"What is this policy for?"

Ji Yuxiu asked curiously: "Cadres have more funds to buy houses, and they should also have the right to buy houses."

"No, the factory does not restrict them from buying houses, just restricts them from buying houses during this period."

Li Xuewu said earnestly: "The first phase of the Riverside New Village will be completed and delivered by the end of this year, but it cannot meet the needs at all."

"The necessary means to digest contradictions is to restrict some people from entering, prioritizing the guarantee that employees who truly need housing can either buy or be allocated housing."

He nodded and said: "At least from the current general situation, the housing situation of factory

"Will you also open up a commodity housing policy?"

Ji Yuxiu raised her eyebrows, and as if she had realized something, she said, "This is a targeted refinement of supply and demand requirements for certain groups of people, right?"

The more she thought about it, the clearer it became, and with bright eyes, she said, "Once the housing in your factory's workers' new village is distributed and sold out, it will be time to build new houses, right?"

"Hahaha—" Li Xuewu chuckled. He didn't answer her question, but instead asked Qin Jingru, "Is dinner ready?"

Ji Yuxiu stayed at the house for dinner. Li Shu was very fond of her Third Aunt and chattered non-stop at the dining table.

She even moved her own dining chair to her Third Aunt's side, acting very close to her.

"I like Third Aunt, I don't like Little Aunt."

She was very bold at home; she wouldn't dare say such things over at the courtyard, as she was very afraid of her Little Aunt disciplining her.

Li Xue didn't indulge her; she was a psychological shadow akin to a Great Demon King.

"Crack—" Seeing her older sister talking happily, Li Ning joined in the fun. He grabbed an egg pancake in his hand and handed it to his Third Aunt, acting very generous.

"Aren't you afraid that I'll go back and tell your Little Aunt that you're bad-mouthing her?"

Ji Yuxiu teased Li Shu, saying, "Next time I see her, let's see if she doesn't pinch your butt."

"Third Aunt is the best—"

Li Shu had learned how to act spoiled, saying sweetly, "I like Third Aunt."

"Hahaha—" Ji Yuxiu was helpless against her teasing and raised her hands in surrender, "Then why don't you call Third Aunt 'Mom' and be my daughter?"

"That won't do—" Li Shu looked at her mother and said with a smile, "I also like my mom, and my mom likes me too—"

"Look at how clever you are, who do you take after!"

Ji Yuxiu tapped her forehead, then pinched Li Ning's chubby face, and said, "I don't want you as a daughter; I can't stand the noise."

"Hee hee—" Li Shu knew her Third Aunt was talking about her, so she giggled and shook her head, saying, "I'm very well-behaved—"

"Heh, I really believe you."

Ji Yuxiu raised her head to look at Li Xuewu and Gu Ning and asked, "Sending her to kindergarten in the second half of the year, wouldn't that be too early?"

"Colleagues' children are basically this age when they start kindergarten," Gu Ning explained, "Jingru can't handle her alone anymore."

"In the second half of the year, we have to send Li Ning to his grandmother's house. The old lady and Mom won't be able to take care of everyone, so it's better to send her to kindergarten."

"A few days ago, cadres from our factory's affiliated industrial school even came to ask me if I wanted to send Li Shu to the factory kindergarten."

Li Xuewu brought this up, saying, "They are basically all Li Shu's age; the children get together to play and grow up at the same time."

"Your factory is too far away; it would only work if she lived over there."

Ji Yuxiu suggested, "I still think it's better to play at home for a few more years. The old lady didn't say she couldn't handle looking after her."

"Li Shu is too lively and needs a suitable environment to grow," Li Xuewu looked at his daughter and said gently, "She should also start interacting with other children as soon as possible, which is beneficial for her growth."

Ji Yuxiu glanced at her eldest niece, and only then did she understand her Second Brother's words.

Li Shu was, after all, special; her appearance was different from ordinary children. Living together at such a young age wouldn't have any psychological impact.

Growing up together, they would get used to Li Shu, and Li Shu would get used to her classmates, reducing some of the rejection and barriers.

"I wasn't thinking of sending Li Shu to the factory kindergarten, but she gave me a suggestion," Li Xuewu looked at his daughter and said, "At three years old, she can start learning some musical instruments or arts and cultural talents."

"Learning the piano?" Ji Yuxiu knew there was a piano in her Second Brother's house, and her Second Sister-in-law was also multi-talented, "Are you going to let Second Sister-in-law teach her?"

"Ning probably doesn't have the time," Li Xuewu glanced at Gu Ning and smiled slightly, "I'll look for a suitable teacher to come to the house to teach her. Later on, she can learn other instruments as well."

"Learning instruments is fine, but calligraphy is too hard, and painting is the same," Ji Yuxiu looked at Li Shu with envy and said, "When I was little, I studied calligraphy and painting; I don't even want to think about how hard it was now."

"I like to draw—" Li Shu didn't know what was happening yet, but hearing her Little Aunt speak, she hurriedly emphasized, "I can draw foxes, and I can also draw chicks and flowers."

"Is that so! That's amazing!"

Ji Yuxiu praised her with a smile, then looked at Li Xuewu and said, "Cultivate her well; perhaps in the future, your family will produce an artist."

Don't be overly sensitive. Even in this era, art and culture still exist, even if they are deformed, there are still artists.

Do you think there were no songs at this time? No movies, no operas, no plays?

Actually, they still existed, but they were limited to a certain scope.

"If she can really grow up to be an artist, I would be willing," Li Xuewu looked at his daughter confidently and said, "I am willing for her to become anyone she wants to be and pursue the career she likes."

"The Lebanese poet Gibran has a prose poem called 'On Children' that I particularly like."

He looked at his children, his wife, his younger brother and sister, and the curious Qin Jingru, and said, "He said, your children are not your children, they are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself."

"They come through you but not from you, and though they are with you yet they belong not to you."

"You may give them your love but not your thoughts, for they have their own thoughts."

(End of chapter)