Chapter 1309: Ships should run in the water

"Running a business club? Good thing—" Zhang Changming flicked his cigarette ash and looked at Li Xuewu with a smile, "I told you long ago."

"Last time I went to the Red Star Factory, I mentioned to you that without a cultural position, how can it work, right."

What is called a cultural position?

Some are called clubs, some are called cultural palaces, some are called theaters, and some are called halls.

Translating this way, my dear readers might not understand; translated, it means KTV, nightclubs, dance halls, foot massage parlors.

Of course, what was played before was healthy and elegant, and what was played later was health-preserving and elegant.

In short, no matter what it's called, in this era, if a factory or mine doesn't have a decent cultural place, one is too embarrassed to greet people when going out.

"Our factory actually has a club, but it was left idle and abandoned later; now it's allocated to the art propaganda team."

Li Xuewu glanced at Li Huai De and introduced: "Listening to you say this, we just remembered that we have been walking with a lame leg all along."

"Production construction and cultural construction are equally important; one cannot just value labor and material pursuits, but also value spiritual civilization needs."

"Hahahaha—"

In the reception room, everyone was amused by Li Xuewu's "raising to the level of principle" and laughed out loud; sometimes language really pays attention to art.

What kind of occasion matches what kind of tone; the same sentence might say a different meaning.

"Then does this count as the finishing touch, a divine stroke—hahahaha—"

Zhang Changming didn't believe Li Xuewu's words at all; the Red Star Steel Group's spiritual civilization construction took a path different from this era.

He once suggested that the Red Star Factory should engage in mass cultural construction, but after thinking about it, there was something to it.

Clubs or cultural palaces, this thing wasn't a fresh thing passed down from the Russians; could the Red Star Factory not know?

Knowing it, why didn't they restore the construction of corresponding cultural organizations?

One must know that although this period broke the original cultural propaganda direction and policies, the factory workers' needs for cultural entertainment still existed.

If Li Xuewu had said this last year, he might have believed it, just thinking the Red Star Factory was timid and didn't dare to advance rashly.

But now, after deep thinking, there was probably only one reason.

In the process of organizing the university study activities in the past few years, the Red Star Factory must have discovered the drawbacks and risks of the masses organizing activities spontaneously.

Therefore, they delayed carrying out the construction work of cultural positions such as clubs and cultural palaces, but instead vigorously developed and built art propaganda positions, strengthening spiritual civilization construction work led by propaganda.

It both enriched the factory workers' cultural entertainment needs and satisfied the current political ideological propaganda goals; to say it was high, it was truly high.

Of course, activities lacking mass active participation wouldn't last long, and the Red Star Factory transferred the factory workers' enthusiasm for amateur activities to the Supply and Marketing Service Department and sports venues, grabbing both material and culture.

Zhang Changming's credit-claiming just now could also be seen as a test, and the result was just as he expected; the person in charge of propaganda work in the Red Star Factory was a high-level person.

Balancing propaganda work and cultural entertainment is a daunting challenge for the person in charge of the propaganda department.

But in his view, the Red Star Factory had already solved this problem from the system and supply and demand, which should be called a divine stroke.

Playing not only with human nature, but also with people's hearts.

"Jinmen is by the sea, eating by the sea." Li Huai De folded his legs and said with a smile: "If business and recuperation can be linked, then why can't food and culture be linked?"

"Business, recuperation, food, culture." Zhang Changming recited these four words, pondered, and nodded slowly: "It can indeed work."

"We have already started laying out; in Steel City," Li Huai De said, "Employee sanatorium, hot springs, skiing, recuperation, leisure."

"But that side is relying on the mountains to eat the mountains," he said with a smile: "Now we want to rely on the sea to eat the sea; the Secretary-General told me that the water in Jinmen is deep, and without a guide, it's easy to have problems, so we thought of you."

"Hahahaha—" Zhang Changming understood the meaning in Li Huai De's words and pointed at Li Xuewu with a smile: "Him, I am convinced; this mouth can say things from the sky to the ground, and dead people to life."

How could one not be convinced? Li Xuewu does things without a leak, and Li Huai De is even more calculating; the Red Star Factory is not willing to suffer any loss in Jinmen.

Pulling them into this business club not only solved the problem of "deep water," but also solved the problem of heat.

Since the words have reached this point, Zhang Changming has figured out the purpose and significance of the four leaders of the Red Star Factory coming to Jinmen.

The influence and benefits of a club are not worth Li Huai De coming out in person; at most, this is a brick to knock on the door.

Throwing a brick to attract jade, the big one is behind.

Cooperating on a business club, Zhang Changming, this local snake, can fully play the role of contacting the Jinmen Municipal Government; what is the purpose, need to say?

Now the Jinmen Municipal Government and the Red Star Steel Group are like a man with money and a woman with art; it's just missing a matchmaker to poke through this layer of window paper.

The Red Star Factory set up a trade commercial center here; before, it could still avoid the changes in the situation and pretend not to see it.

But now the Red Star Factory has done business to the doorstep, and even created a trade myth of more than 80 million; can they still continue to pretend to be deaf and dumb?

Either face the needs of economic development and actively promote the comprehensive landing of the Red Star Steel Group Sales General Corporation, or stop the further development and extension of market economy and foreign export economy.

Zhang Changming could see that the Jinmen Municipal Government was also in a dilemma.

On one side is the economy, on the other side is policy; no one can grasp the pulse of the era's development.

But one thing that can be determined is that the Red Star Steel Group has grown up, and foreign trade and annual export volume are increasing year by year.

That's right, not increasing, but skyrocketing, especially the goods going out from the Jinmen Port pier.

But there is news confirming that the Red Star Steel Group organized and invested in the construction of Yingcheng Port; products produced by Liaodong industrial production in the future will be directly from Yingcheng. The competition between Yingcheng and Jinmen is not weak at all; the Red Star Steel Group can do trade so big, which proves the attitude above.

In the past two years, although the domestic economic aggregate showed a rising trend, overall, it was a situation of slowing economic development.

The reason doesn't need to be said; for economic work, everyone knows that nothing can be done without money; enterprises that can produce, make money, and earn foreign exchange, how can they not become objects of attention above?

A Red Star Factory can toss into such a huge Red Star Steel Group; the country is least lacking in enterprises like the Red Star Factory.

Not to mention more, relying on the Red Star Factory's development experience, hatching 100 such enterprises, the domestic economy will definitely go up a level, and even erupt with an unprecedented upward momentum.

Zhang Changming is naturally willing to be this "guide," but how to choose still depends on Jinmen; the risks and opportunities here are equally great.

"Guess what she told me?"

Li Xuewu stood on the pier, looked at Old Li with a smile and said: "She said she wanted to contact the New Bianhe project and get new projects as soon as possible."

"Hehe—" Li Huai De shook his head slightly, "Haven't learned to walk yet and thinking about running; truly a big enterprise."

Xu Sinian stood by the pier, directing workers to fix the speedboat, then turned around and greeted with a smile: "Director Li, let's take a ride on the boat; let's go for a ride."

"Is this little thing safe?"

Li Huai De looked at the speedboats on the pier with a smile and asked: "Called Pipi Shrimp, surely it won't really drill into the water, right?"

"Very light, it won't have problems easily." Xu Sinian saw it; Old Li was timid and didn't dare to get on the boat, "Drilling into the water is unlikely, but flying on the water can be fully realized."

He pointed to the engine hanging at the stern of the boat and said: "This is still a patrol boat; if it were a cargo speedboat, it could add a few more engines."

"Once it runs, the whole boat is in a suspended state at sea, just like a flying fish."

"That is truly—fast."

Old Li didn't want to sit on this thing at all, and after hearing the introduction, he wanted to sit even less.

Take a ride, my ass; go for a ride, my ass.

He finally walked to this step today; if he fell into the sea by accident, who would it count for? Wouldn't the country he worked hard to fight for be cheaply given to others?

Xu Sinian was also mean to the bone; the more Old Li was afraid of something, the more he introduced it, as if he was very afraid that Old Li would ask him for a yacht.

Li Xuewu suggested that he build a yacht and park it here for Old Li to enjoy, but Old Li had no interest at all.

I believe he wouldn't like to sit on the official aircraft in the framework agreement with the Santa Ya Group either; he wouldn't touch dangerous things at all.

Of course, Li Xuewu also cherished his life, just not as seriously as Old Li; the speedboat was on the pier, what danger could there be?

This thing is not an aircraft carrier built by the Indians, which could capsize even when parked in its own port; there are few such weird things in the world.

"Take me for a ride and see how the stability is."

Li Xuewu took the initiative to jump onto the speedboat, put on a life jacket, signaled the captain, and said: "Not far, just take a trip nearby."

"Can the Santa Ya Group's bulk cargo ships be delivered on time?"

On the pier, Old Li looked at the speedboat that was slowly turning and then speeding away, and asked Xu Sinian: "How many can be built this year?"

This question was quite layman; Xu Sinian's mouth couldn't help but twitch, "There is no problem with delivery on time."

"The construction cycle for cargo ships of ten thousand tons and above in Yingcheng Shipyard is about 90 to 120 days; it won't be too long," he introduced: "After all, there are modern operating conditions; as long as the parts supply is sufficient, it will work."

Considering that Old Li was dog-shit ignorant about business work, Xu Sinian still patiently explained to him.

As for the dog-shit question of how many can be built this year, he had no interest in answering directly at all.

Shipyard, build as many as there are orders; you want us to build them and carry them on our backs like turtle shells without orders?

Of course, Old Li is the number one leader; even if he stands here and says ships should run in the water, he has to applaud and shout that it's well said; loyalty, after all.

"The group established branch organizations; your rights are bigger, and your responsibilities are also bigger; you must do a good job in coordination and communication."

Old Li still had a level; as long as he didn't talk about business, he could say this kind of fart talk with his mouth open.

Xu Sinian listened to the sound of the words; Li Xuewu giving them space to "chat privately" wasn't just to hear this.

"Director Li, will the Liaodong Industrial Leading Group become a permanent organization of the group?"

His eyes were fixed on Li Huai De's face, testing and asking: "Now we belong to a first-level branch organization, or a second-level branch organization?"

"Professional factory, not a subsidiary."

Li Huai De said lightly: "The Industrial Leading Group will become a permanent organization, but it is only an organizational management agency, not a business organ."

He looked at the villa area opposite and said: "You are still a first-level branch organization; the group will give you sufficient management authority."

"But there is one point you must remember."

"The group delegating power is to loosen your hands and feet, letting you show your skills," Li Huai De turned around, looked into Xu Sinian's eyes and said: "It is absolutely not to let you mess around and act recklessly; in terms of policy, you must listen to the opinions and suggestions of the Liaodong Industrial Leading Group."

"Literature comrade has a good hand in economic and industrial management, and your work in Yingcheng has also received his support and affirmation."

"I understand what you mean, Director Li," Xu Sinian nodded seriously: "Yingcheng Shipyard will always follow the group's banner."

"Hmm, I am very at ease with you."

Li Huai De glanced at him, nodded, and looked at Li Xuewu who was testing the boat on the river, and said: "Operate well; there will definitely be good development in Yingcheng in the future."

Hearing this, Xu Sinian's heart skipped a beat; he knew the leader heard the meaning in his words, and this was giving an answer.

Yingcheng's future will indeed have good development; Yingcheng Shipyard plus Yingcheng Port area, leaning against the industrial belt of the group's industrial construction in Liaodong, overlooking the Bohai Bay, holding endless orders, the future is of course very bright.

It's just that his future is not bright.

The two stood on the pier for a while in silence; Xu Sinian could clearly feel that Old Li didn't like him, or rather, didn't think highly of him.

Where did the problem arise?

Although he was one of the first batch of cadres to come down to take over the merged enterprises, his qualifications were very sufficient.

Although he lacked grassroots work experience, he had suffered quite a bit of hardship in Yingcheng Shipyard for these two years.

He of course knew that the group's personnel agency had undergone major changes and adjustments; Li Xuewu soared into the sky, driving a batch of young cadres to the top.

This is Old Li's planning, borrowing young people and cadres from merged enterprises to reconcile the old foundation of the Red Star Factory.

He heard the news and predicted that it wouldn't be the end of this year, it would be the beginning of next year, Dong Wenxue would definitely return to Beijing.

Having reached the post of deputy director, Steel City he had operated for four years, Li Huai De couldn't possibly continue to let him stay in Liaodong.

Everyone understands the principle of being too big to fail.

Dong Wenxue returns to Beijing, Li Xuewu will definitely go to Liaodong as Secretary-General to preside over the work of the group's Industrial Leading Group.

This is also the reason why he tested whether Old Li would support the Industrial Leading Group becoming a permanent organization.

Li Xuewu's working style is very different from Dong Wenxue's; it can be called resourceful and decisive; he must prepare in advance.

Once Li Xuewu takes office in Steel City, it will lead to adjustments in the group's personnel structure again; where should he go?

By the beginning of next year, he will have operated in Yingcheng for three years; is it to put down the good situation and return to Beijing to enter the group's agency work, or continue to stay in Yingcheng, which has become his heart disease.

Both choices have advantages and disadvantages; returning to the group's agency work, he will inevitably have the opportunity to make more progress and realize deputy-bureau-level treatment in the group.

If he stays in Yingcheng, although he will also progress to deputy-bureau-level with the development of Yingcheng Shipyard, the meaning is too different.

His worry after testing made him feel a bit gain-and-loss.

Li Huai De's words were very clear; there is no position for him in the group's agency in the future; he needs to stay in Yingcheng to continue operating and working.

Looking at it this way, it saves him from being tangled, but losing the opportunity to develop in the group, there is finally a sense of loss in his heart.

Li Xuewu might hang the post of Secretary-General for the first year in Steel City, but it is impossible to hang it forever; he must go further within three years.

He dares not compare Li Xuewu's position and importance in the group, but he dares to think about the post of Secretary-General.

In his view, being sent down to Yingcheng from the position of the Commission is a kind of screening and training; how could he not make it out in three years.

No one is more suitable for the post of Secretary-General than him, but now it seems his efforts and dedication have not won Li Huai De's attention and favor.

A Secretary-General without the support of the number one leader, is that still called a Secretary-General?

Look at Ding Zigui's current situation and you will know; even the Director of the Commission is so difficult, let alone entering the team.

One step is a chasm, difficult to leap over the moat.

Looking ahead, it's like flowers in a mirror and the moon in the water, looking at flowers in the fog; in fact, the hope is ethereal and unknown.

Staying in Yingcheng, deeply cultivating Yingcheng Shipyard, and striving for the management and right to speak of the port area, perhaps this is the road to heaven left by Li Huai De for him.

Some words Li Xuewu finds inconvenient to say, and it's not easy to tell him directly; it's better to leave space for the two to talk.

As for the result, Xu Sinian doesn't need to doubt that he is secretly provoking and calculating; people's hearts are hard to measure.

Whether he can go further to deputy-bureau-level depends entirely on Xu Sinian's actions in Yingcheng Shipyard, and whether he can win Li Huai De's recognition within three years and enter the management of the port area and shipyard.

The management structure of the Steel City Industrial Zone has basically been finalized; Dong Wenxue returned to Beijing several times to discuss this matter with Li Huai De, Gu Weijie, and others.

With the Liaodong (Red Star) Industrial Leading Group as the management agency, an economic entity was established with the branch structure in Liaodong as the main body.

Under the economic management structure, whether Fengcheng, Steel City, and Yingcheng will form a separate coordination structure or unified management has not been concluded.

Using Li Xuewu's words to explain, one rounds one's own dream.

Being able to manage one enterprise is a general manager; being able to manage three enterprises is a deputy leader of the Industrial Leading Group; being able to manage ten enterprises is bragging; go wherever you want.

As for laying out in advance and influencing Xu Sinian's thinking, he didn't feel it was necessary; everyone is an adult, who can influence whom.

Politics is the art of compromise; he is not the final word in the group's agency, even Old Li wouldn't dare to say so, let alone after going to Steel City.

Coordination and operation are the main themes of management.

Also, leaving time and space for Xu Sinian to communicate with Old Li, I believe he also knows how to make a choice.

No matter how Xu Sinian tests, before he goes to Steel City, Old Li will not take the initiative to touch Dong Wenxue's bottom line and nerves.

If there is really an adjustment of personnel and structure, it will be after he goes to Steel City; he is the knife Old Li identified.

"I was calculating the time you guys would come; I didn't expect it to be so fast."

Wu Shuping, in a clean and neat administrative suit, stepped out of the building in flat-heeled high heels.

She greeted Li Huai De with a smile, "Director Li, tonight Sister Lu stewed mixed sea fish; I heard you like to eat pancakes, so I specially prepared them in an iron pot."

"Too much trouble, just for a bite to eat."

Li Huai De of course knew Wu Shuping; she was his God of Wealth.

"Is work going smoothly here?"

"With your care, of course it's smooth," she smiled and looked at Li Xuewu, asking: "Do you need to prepare more food? Sister Lu is going out to buy groceries this afternoon."

"Let's just eat by ourselves; don't call them." Li Huai De saw Li Xuewu look at himself and nodded slightly: "They all have social engagements tonight."

Gao Yaqin and Zhang Jingsong have many years of work relationships, and quite a few friends and old acquaintances in Jinmen; after all, it is very close to Beijing.

"Then call Zhang Changming over to play cards?" Li Xuewu said with a smile: "I'm just afraid they won't have time."

"We'll see; Deputy General Manager Zhang is probably very busy today—"

Li Huai De looked meaningfully in the direction of the Haihe River; the driver had already opened the car door.

Wu Shuping sat in the passenger seat at Li Xuewu's signal, and Li Xuewu accompanied Old Li in the back seat.

The car was the Trade Management Center's car, the Volga M24 used earlier; the driver was Li Huai De's driver.

As long as he comes to Jinmen, he will definitely use his own driver.

Li Xuewu didn't have such a big air; unless there was a security need, he wouldn't bring a driver out, and now he even saved the secretary.

The car went around the Haihe Bridge, circled around, and returned to the villa area opposite; this could be considered the two's camp.

It's just that Teacher Wu is still there, the person is far away, and coming back again will have to wait for half a year.

Zhou Miaomiao, this woman, has many thoughts; from Li Xuewu, she learned that Old Li guarded against her, and the money earned from business in Jinmen was not given to her, so she immediately changed her mindset.

Why else say that a prostitute has no feelings and an actor has no righteousness.

From the beginning, she was aiming for Old Li's money and power; now Old Li is very cautious, very afraid of following in Cheng Kaiyuan's footsteps, and controls the relationship very strictly.

Even Li Haiyang wouldn't dare to use Old Li's relationship and reputation to do anything.

Power is not given, and money is not given.

Zhou Miaomiao really has a mind; she didn't make a scene with Old Li, and didn't get annoyed, but instead contacted Dou Zhaozu and found a meal ticket for herself.

Anyway, Old Dou doesn't covet her body; he gives money if she wants money, so why not do it.

With Old Dou's support, she also actively learned and made progress in her career; Li Xuewu gave her a hemp rope, and she treated it like an iron chain to climb up.

It is just so decisive, fearless.

Some people are born to do big things; Zhou Miaomiao is such a person.

The relationship that was originally close to Old Li now pulls back a little, giving herself dignity and giving Old Li space.

The result?

Han Lu, who just stuck to Old Li, discovered that her level was not as good as Zhou Miaomiao's, who had 7 attributes.

She wanted to scold Old Li for being cheap; people don't pay attention to you, but you take the initiative to stick to them.

Not only took care of Zhou Miaomiao's work, but even Zhou Tan's work was taken care of; the couple got a dry father for nothing.

She also wanted to make progress, used all her skills, but couldn't make Old Li open his mouth.

Now Zhou Miaomiao is soaring into the sky, taking the fast boat of foreign trade, and going to Hong Kong for training.

Before leaving, Old Li solved the deputy-section-level treatment; after coming back for a year or two, wouldn't she be a section chief?

Catch up?

Zhou Miaomiao had long since made up her mind; if she didn't throw that little bitch several streets away, she would absolutely not have children.

When two women fight, there must be one injury.

Zhou Miaomiao made progress, so it was Old Li who suffered.

At night, Sister Lu made steamed seafood; hearing that oysters are great for health, Old Li finished seven or eight in one breath, making Sister Lu stare.

How ruined must this body be!

"Quite delicious; Sister Lu can be a professional chef." Li Huai De had his fill of the taste, and only then put down his bowl and chopsticks, "Come to our factory to work in the future."

"Mr. Li, you are too flattering; just a bit of home-cooked craft, how can it be on the table; as long as you like it."

Li Xuewu wasn't sure who was older between Sister Lu and Old Li, but calling her Sister Lu here wasn't entirely an honorific, just a gentle and kind language habit.

Not calling her Sister Lu, could he call her a nanny? How embarrassing.

Sister Lu was a maid raised by the Lou family since she was a child; earlier she was called a family-born servant, meaning that before Sister Lu was born, her parents were servants in the family.

Liberated, the Lou family enjoyed less than ten years of happiness before they safely and properly settled these servants in fear.

But these people had no other skills; they couldn't starve to death, right?

The neighborhood committee turned a blind eye; on weekdays, these people were still helping the Lou family do things.

Why is Sister Lu surnamed Lu?

Very simple, homophonic; she used to be surnamed Lou; servants in the family didn't have particular surnames; following the master's family for generations, after a long time, loyalty was commendable, so she was given the surname.

Just mentioning this here, just know it.

Liberated for less than 20 years, Sister Lu was over forty; the duty carried in her bones reminded her to be sober at all times.

These people who are cadres don't have a single word of truth; if she really believed Li Huai De's words and waited for them to recruit her into the factory, wouldn't that be the year of the monkey.

However, Sister Lu's scene words were beautiful; she coaxed Old Li into a smile and got quite a few good things.

Zhou Miaomiao left, and the daily necessities she left in the next room had to be packed up, including some clothes; Old Li waved his hand, and they were all given to Sister Lu.

Do you think Old Li is kind, or generous and doesn't care about this junk?

Of course, he of course doesn't care about these things left by Zhou Miaomiao; the valuable ones she had long since scraped away, could they still be left here?

Li Xuewu saw it; this is the old person leaving and the new person coming; Zhou Miaomiao just left, and Old Li asked Sister Lu to clean up and sweep, clearing away all traces related to Zhou Miaomiao.

It has to be said, if you want to talk about being scum and disgusting, it has to be Old Li; he can only bow down in this aspect.

Don't always say Li Xuewu is scum; he was just young once and wanted to give all women a home; among the scum readers here, who isn't like this?

"I really like Sister Lu's home-cooked food." Li Xuewu smiled, glanced at Sister Lu, teased Li Xin, who didn't recognize strangers at all, and said: "Son, is it delicious?"

"Hee hee—" Li Xin didn't know if he understood the meaning of his words, giggled, grabbed the steamed bun crumbs in front of him, and stuffed them into his mouth.

"Good appetite; must grow tall, just like your father."

Li Huai De also quite liked this fat boy Li Xin, especially here, where he showed particular closeness.

This can also be considered a secret between him and Li Xuewu; he was quite generous on weekdays.

Not to mention often arranging for people to send things here, every time he came, whether Li Xuewu was there or not, shopping meant buying two portions, must bring Li Xin's portion.

Wu Shuping mentioned to Li Xuewu that Li Xin is gradually growing up; when he learns to speak, he will become Li Huai De's eyes and ears monitoring them.

It's not that Li Xin will be bought by Li Huai De, but that the child is young and doesn't know how to hide and perform; whoever asks what, there will always be a time when he leaks the truth.

This is also why Li Xuewu agreed with Wu Shuping from the beginning: sleeping in the same bed but dreaming different dreams.

Old Li is not good at other things, but he has a set for figuring people out.

Just think, this kid survived in that period, selling his life on the mountain and under the mountain; could he not have the level to figure people out?

"Who do you think my son looks like?"

He teased Li Xin, looked at Old Li and said: "My sister-in-law said he is carved from the same mold as me, exactly the same as the photos of me when I was young."

"I think he looks like him too." Old Li really looked carefully, the more he looked, the more he looked like him, nodding in his heart, and agreeing with his mouth: "Especially the eyes, really the same mold."

He was really blind; Li Xuewu has double eyelids, and Li Xin also has double eyelids; is there anything unlike about this?

Besides, Old Li doesn't know what Li Xuewu looked like when he was young, but he can see a fart from Li Xuewu's current scarred thug face.

As long as it's not a very obvious hereditary feature, children placed beside anyone have similar places, especially under the interference of environment and psychology.

Zhou Miaomiao said that Li Xuewu lived with Wu Shuping, and Li Xuewu's sister-in-law also came personally; could this child be wrong?

Therefore, Old Li doesn't doubt the relationship between Li Xuewu and Wu Shuping now; what he guards against is Wu Shuping leaving without saying goodbye, or being suddenly transferred away by Li Xuewu.

When he heard that Wu Shuping was

As for his appearance, Old Li wouldn't know what Li Xuewu looked like as a child, but looking at Li Xuewu's scarred, fierce bandit face now, he couldn't tell a damn thing.

As long as there aren't any very obvious hereditary traits, a child will always have some similarities when compared to whoever they are placed next to, especially under the influence of environment and psychology.

Zhou Miaomiao did say that Li Xuewu lives with Wu Shuping, and Li Xuewu's sister-in-law even came in person; could there be any mistake about this child?

Therefore, Old Li does not doubt the relationship between Li Xuewu and Wu Shuping now; what he is guarding against is Wu Shuping leaving without saying goodbye, or being suddenly moved away by Li Xuewu.

When he heard that Wu Shuping had taken charge of the supply chain work, he didn't have a single word of opposition.

The more ties Wu Shuping has in society, and the more people she is involved with, the tighter the threat and binding on Li Xuewu will be.

Li Xuewu actually arranged for her to be in charge of this kind of business; Old Li's trust in him has also risen by more than one level.

This is what they call "if you don't risk the child, you won't catch the wolf; if you don't risk the wife, you won't catch the lecher."

After the meal, Old Li actually showed some restraint and didn't call anyone over to play mahjong; it was inconvenient with those who came to Jinmen, and he only knew a few locals in Jinmen.

Simply put, after Lu Jie finished washing up and coaxed the child upstairs, the three of them started drinking tea in the living room—it was the top-grade tea Old Li had brought.

Quit smoking but don't quit drinking, otherwise you'll have no friends.

Old Li quit smoking, and he drinks less alcohol now, having switched to tea.

This is just like those big fools in the North in later generations who hear people say that Southerners do business well because they don't drink alcohol, only tea.

They even say that drinking alcohol hurts the body, while drinking tea gathers wealth.

And the result? Bullshit—

In the whole country, Northerners buy the most tea ceremony equipment and the most tea leaves; all that cleverness of the Southerners is used on the Northerners.

Just look at where the tea sets and tea leaves are shipped from.

However, Old Li didn't start drinking tea because he was fooled by Southerners, but to affect an air of refinement, just to show off.

He went to the international hotel many times and saw that foreigners don't really binge drink; instead, they slowly savor it, putting all their energy at the dinner table into communication.

And when they aren't drinking alcohol?

They drink coffee.

Old Li didn't want to be outdone, so he started fiddling with tea leaves; every time a foreign businessman came to visit, he would tell them about Chinese tea culture.

His level of culture might not be enough to fool the Japanese with tea ceremony, but it's still fine for fooling those Europeans—just playing with fools.

"You went to the food factory?"

Li Huai pondered a sip of tea but still couldn't taste the elegance; he glanced at Li Xuewu with some suspicion, suspecting that this vulgar person had influenced his own taste.

Li Xuewu didn't know this bastard was slandering his innocence, so he nodded and said, "I had some ideas, so I discussed them with them."

"Doing what? A new project?" Old Li put down his teacup, looked at him, and reminded him, "We aren't starting any big projects this year; it's still better to focus on compressing shares."

"Yes, I understand what you mean."

Li Xuewu moved the teacup on the coffee table and asked him, "What do you think of this tea?"

"What do you mean 'what do I think'? What could be wrong with tea?" Li Huai frowned slightly, and hearing him say this, he picked up the teacup and took a careful sip, "Are you saying there's a problem with this water?"

"No, that's not what I mean." Li Xuewu shook his head slightly, "The water we drink in Beijing is from the Miyun Reservoir; you should know what kind of water the Emperor used to drink."

He straightened the teacup and continued, "This water, it has its nuances."

"People used to talk about heavy water and light water; now, from a scientific perspective, we judge water quality by its pH level, acidity and alkalinity, or the minerals and microorganisms it contains, and so on."

"You mean—" Old Li was a bit confused, looking at him as he asked, "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm thinking, can we turn good water into a commodity and sell it..."

"Cough—" Before he could finish his sentence, the tea in Li Huai's mouth choked him, and tears even welled up, "What did you say? Say it again."

"Haha, it's not that mysterious."

Li Xuewu handed him a tissue and explained with a smile, "I'm not the first one to think of selling water; were there few people selling water in the old city of Beijing?"

"Besides, Laoshan exports mineral water and makes hundreds of thousands, even hundreds of thousands in net profit every year; you can't have not heard of that."

This isn't Li Xuewu spouting nonsense; as early as 1930, Laoshan was already producing mineral water for export trade, and it grew larger and larger later on.

Otherwise, where do you think Laoshan Cola came from? It's all part of a series of development groups.

"I still don't quite understand." Li Huai cleaned himself up and looked at him, asking, "You mean, ordinary people won't drink tap water, but will buy our water to drink?"

"I didn't say I wanted to sell it to ordinary people." Li Xuewu emphasized, "Since Laoshan can export mineral water, why can't we make mineral water?"

He raised his eyebrows, "We have our own food factory, our own trade channels, and export channels; this is a business with almost no capital cost."

"Plastic bottles, I'm afraid, are the biggest cost for bottled water."

"Exporting—" Li Huai hesitated for a moment, then shook his head slightly, "With tariffs plus shipping costs, I don't see where there's room for profit."

"You still don't understand what I mean." Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow, picked up the teacup in his hand, and asked Old Li, "If I said this cup of tea is water from the Jinmen Tap Water Company, you would be dismissive, scoff at it, and take it for granted."

"But what if I said this is water from Yuquan Mountain in Beijing? The choice of royalty, the aristocrat among waters, relied upon for over five hundred years, containing a variety of trace elements beneficial to health, capable of delaying aging."

He stared into Li Huai's eyes and asked, "How do you feel about this cup of tea now?"

"Let me add one more thing: only Longjing tea brewed with this water is top-grade; Emperor Qianlong liked this taste the most. What do you think now?"

"Hiss—" Li Huai seemed to have caught a hint of the flavor, "You mean—I know about the water from Yuquan Mountain, but I don't know much about mineral water, trace elements, and all that."

"And what about delaying aging, and Emperor Qianlong liking to brew tea with this water?" He looked at Li Xuewu, "Did you really check historical records? Or did you conduct scientific research?"

"No, I didn't do anything; I made it up." Li Xuewu curled his lips and said, "But as long as we promote it this way, who's going to prove we made it up?"

"The water from Yuquan Mountain is mineral water; as long as it's mineral water, it contains minerals and trace elements," he shook his head and said, "As for whether Emperor Qianlong liked to brew tea like this, I don't know. Whoever can drag Qianlong in front of me and prove he didn't drink it this way, only then will I believe it."

"Haha—you're talking nonsense again."

Wu Shuping glanced at him amusedly and said, "If you want to sell water, just sell water; why bring up mineral water, and even dig up Emperor Qianlong to be your advertising model?"

"Haven't you heard that history is just a silly young girl, left for later generations to decorate and manipulate at will?"

Li Xuewu gave a wicked smile and said, "If you knew how much I planned to sell a bottle of water for, you wouldn't be questioning me like this."

Li Huai and Wu Shuping both became serious, looking at Li Xuewu, waiting for his answer.

"Ten cents? No, that's not enough to cover costs. Is it one yuan?"

Wu Shuping looked at Li Xuewu suspiciously; who did he learn this habit of holding up one finger to answer a question from, and making people guess?

"No, it's ten yuan." Li Xuewu curled his lip and said, "If you said Emperor Qianlong drank one-yuan mineral water, wouldn't people laugh their heads off?"

"Ten yuan? Is it inlaid with gold!"

Wu Shuping said in surprise, "What are you thinking? Selling this water for ten yuan, who would buy it?"

"Mercedes-Benz cars sell for over a hundred thousand, who bought them?" Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, "Our factory makes cars; do you think we don't know the profit margins in this?"

"Ten yuan is for mineral water in ordinary glass bottles; I'm thinking about what kind of plan to come up with to sell this water for 100 yuan."

"You're crazy—" Wu Shuping shook her head slightly, "Even if there are many wealthy people in Hong Kong, they wouldn't drink 100-yuan mineral water."

"You're wrong; whether they drink it or not depends on the occasion." Li Xuewu pressed down on the sofa, sat up straight, and explained, "With a hundred people watching him drink it, he certainly wouldn't care about 10-yuan water."

"If a thousand people know on a daily basis that he drinks 100-yuan water, do you believe he would dare to move this water home by the crate?"

"I understand, you aren't selling water at all!"

Wu Shuping wasn't easy to fool; her family also does business, and she realized it instantly, "You're selling status, you're selling differentiation!"

?? Came to Beijing to play, don't know if I can keep up the updates without breaking the streak, I'll try my best. Spent the whole afternoon playing at Tiananmen Square today, my feet are about to break from exhaustion.

? (End of chapter)