Chapter 1469: Guaranteed No Bedwetting!

"How did Mom reply to you?"

Li Li Xuewu put down the book in his hand, looked with amusement at Gu Ning, whose little face was tense, and asked, "Did you cry?"

"Are you curious?" Gu Ning glanced at him, lifted her leg onto the bed, and said, "Next time, you make the call."

"Which month do I not make a call?"

Li Li Xuewu really couldn't hold back his laughter; he raised an eyebrow, looked at his wife, and asked, "Are you angry? Or feeling wronged?"

Gu Ning couldn't be bothered to respond to him; this man was so improper at home, especially when the two of them were alone.

He could analyze a single matter from beginning to end until flowers bloomed from it, yet she still had to believe him and admire him.

It was just that Gu Ning also had her own little pride; she would never easily show an expression of admiration.

Fishing—who doesn't know how to do that—

"I was saying Mom couldn't be like that."

Seeing her calm gaze, Li Li Xuewu flipped over onto the bed, changed his tune, and began defending his mother-in-law, flattering her from thousands of miles away.

"If she can be tolerant and loving toward me, her son-in-law, wouldn't she treat her own precious daughter even more specially?"

Gu Ning was truly defeated by him; he had said everything there was to say, and this reversal of the wind direction was far too fast.

"Mom wants you to take the child to Yangcheng."

Gu Ning pressed her lips together, deliberately drooping her eyelids as she said, "She said it doesn't matter who goes, as long as the child goes."

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

Li Li Xuewu turned his head to glance at her, slightly narrowed his right eye, pointed at her, and said, "Gu Ning, you've learned bad habits!"

"That's because I learned them from you—"

Gu Ning had never expected to last more than two rounds against him, because this man had more schemes than there were holes in a window screen.

With her meager skills, she didn't even qualify to exchange moves with him, but who made her a novice unafraid of being clumsy?

"Learning from me could result in this?"

Li Li Xuewu propped himself up, squinting his eyes as he said, "Do you have some misunderstanding about me?"

"No misunderstanding; you are just a big bad egg."

Gu Ning reached out and slapped his mischievous hand, reminding him, "I've already bathed; no fooling around—"

"I think you seem to have gained weight, haven't you?"

Li Li Xuewu kept talking just to find an excuse to continue his mischief, his hand rubbing against her belly, with a gradual trend of moving upward.

"Tsk—" Gu Ning turned her head back and glared at him dissatisfiedly, saying, "Are you doing this on purpose?"

"I'm returning to Steel City tomorrow."

Li Li Xuewu tilted his head, reminding her, "If you want to see me again, you'll have to wait until next month."

"Tomorrow morning will already be next month."

How could Gu Ning not understand his wicked intentions? She tapped his forehead with her finger and emphasized, "Forget about having a child for now; I don't have time."

"If you don't have time, and I don't have time either, when will Li Shu's dream of having a little sister come true?"

Li Li Xuewu patted his wife's buttocks and said, "I've even already thought of Xiao Xiao Laosan's name."

"I knew you were thinking like this!"

Gu Ning rolled over, reached out to grab his large hand, and said, "The way you look at Li Ai Yue is just like a child trafficker ready to steal a baby at any moment."

"Really?" Li Li Xuewu looked at her in surprise; seeing Gu Ning nod, he then spoke thoughtfully, "No wonder Sister-in-Law always had such a vigilant expression; she was guarding against me!"

"You don't mind the hardship when there are many children."

Gu Ning looked at him seriously and said, "Have you ever thought about what will happen when the children grow up?"

"Are you talking about Li Shu?" Seeing her expression carry a hint of hesitation, Li Li Xuewu also became serious and said, "Didn't we already agree? As long as we have a clear conscience, that's enough."

"You know she is precocious—"

Gu Ning spoke with no lack of worry, "She must have understood those words."

"Mm, I know." Li Li Xuewu embraced Gu Ning and said softly, "No matter how clever she is, she is ultimately still a child; how could I not see that?"

In fact, upon returning this time, Li Li Xuewu had discovered obvious changes in Li Shu's personality; several times she had secretly watched his expression, something that had never occurred before.

Previously, Li Shu only felt that her parents were her true parents; no matter how mischievous she was, someone would love her, and she wouldn't be chased out of the house.

The Li Shu of now seemed much more sensible, but this sensibility was the result of self-suppression.

Wang Laoshi had unintentionally been dug into a pit by someone; a casual remark had confirmed the rumors spread by the parents.

These rumors would inevitably be spoken to Li Shu through the mouths of other children; what would Li Shu think?

Those were her dear classmates and respected teachers; their words were already capable of swaying her mood and thoughts.

Even if her parents protected her even more and loved her as consistently as before, it would still be difficult to conceal the differences in her appearance.

It was because Gu Ning had discovered Li Shu secretly looking in the mirror that she brought this up with Li Li Xuewu.

What was she doing looking in the mirror?

Li Shu also loved beauty, but she wouldn't be so troubled; the doll in the mirror was different from Father, Mother, her younger brother, and even the entire family.

Let alone the whole family; she was different from every child in the entire school, and from everyone she had ever seen.

Her name was Li Shu, and she was also special.

Before, she had merely relied on her parents' love to suppress those unconventional glances with pride.

Now she felt as though she had fallen from heaven to the mortal world, needing to re-examine herself; how could she not feel lost?

Today at school, Li Shu was happy that Father could stand up for her and protect her in such a way.

When visiting Eldest Aunt at the hospital and feeling the warmth of family, she had acted too eagerly and cherished it too much.

This eagerness and caution made Li Li Xuewu's heart ache; he had only sat in the hospital for a while before taking them back, personally coaxing Li Shu and Li Ning to rest.

"Some facts cannot be changed."

Li Li Xuewu sighed and said, "Whether today or tomorrow, this hurdle ultimately must be borne by herself; all we can do is remain constant."

"This day has come a bit too early."

Gu Ning, lying in his arms, murmured, "She is still so small; how can she possibly bear it?"

"Mm, we must believe in her."

Li Li Xuewu patted her arm and said, "The more care we shower upon her, the more it will stir her self-doubt; she is very sensitive right now."

"Mm, I know—"

Gu Ning shifted her position, finding a more comfortable posture, and said, "It's just that she is being so cautious, and I am being so cautious too; it simply feels so heartbreaking."

"Do not harbor resentment toward Wang Laoshi."

Li Li Xuewu gently patted her, coaxing her as he spoke: "Faults born of intent cannot be forgiven, but faults born of unintentional error cannot be contested; to contest it to the end will only result in Li Shu being the one hurt."

"If only we had known better than to send her to their kindergarten."

Gu Ning threw a small tantrum, saying, "Or we could just arrange for Li Shu to transfer schools."

"Don't; it would be the same anywhere."

Li Li Xuewu comforted her, saying, "Even adults need time to adapt when changing to a new environment, let alone a child."

"With this lesson learned, I believe they will not dare a second time; let us also give Li Shu a chance."

He explained softly, "If you truly arrange for Li Shu to transfer schools, aside from what Wang Laoshi might say, Director Liu would certainly be unable to continue in her post, and her spouse would also be filled with dread."

"By then, the hospital would be abuzz with gossip; who knows what rumors might spread, affecting Mom and Dad as well. There is no need to dig up every detail over such a minor matter."

"Truly, I do not know what they were thinking."

As if having nowhere to vent her anger, Gu Ning let out a long sigh and said, "We still have to mind them—"

"When surviving in this society, who can one afford to ignore? This is no longer the old society."

Li Li Xuewu smiled, tapped Gu Ning's forehead, and emphasized, "Comrade, your thinking is becoming a bit dangerous."

"Only you have so many ideas—"

Gu Ning brushed his hand away, pouted, and huffed, "If there is a next time, we transfer schools to the Waishi Force Kindergarten; one side must eventually be let go."

The 'letting go' she referred to was the love that she and Li Li Xuewu held for Li Shu, which they were reluctant to share with others.

Every month, letters arrived from the Northern Mao Waishi Force, containing Li Shu's upbringing allowance; although Li Li Xuewu and Gu Ning had never spent a penny of this money, keeping it all stored in a box.

Perhaps knowing that Li Li Xuewu and Gu Ning disliked their interference in Li Shu's life, as far as Li Li Xuewu was aware, no outsiders had ever appeared around Li Shu.

However, the other party knew Li Shu's schooling and family life with extreme clarity, a fact one could detect merely from reading the letters.

Li Li Xuewu was greatly angered by this, even going so far as to call the Investigation Department and the Waishi Force to emphasize the matter.

Both the Investigation Department and the Waishi Force investigated several times, but ultimately nothing came of it.

In truth, Li Li Xuewu also understood that no department had it easy these days; everyone was trembling with fear, walking on thin ice.

His phone call was merely to express an attitude; the fact that the other party could act with such secrecy was also an expression of their attitude.

Li Li Xuewu could not be bothered to struggle against them; after warning them not to cross the line, he stopped pressing the issue.

Regarding Li Shu's parentage, the authorities above should know the details far more clearly, yet he had never been curious about it.

That diary and those few books were stored in a locked box, as were the bundle Li Shu had arrived with and the glass baby bottle gifted by the Women's Federation cadre.

When Li Shu started school, the Northern Mao Waishi Force sent a letter hoping Li Shu could attend the Waishi Force Dependents Kindergarten.

Li Li Xuewu rejected the idea without a second thought, not even sending a reply; this was his right as a father.

It was just that today, with Gu Ning bringing it up, one side ultimately had to be considered; but which side should it be?

The Waishi Force Dependents Kindergarten gathered children from all corners of the globe; black, white, and yellow alike were present.

If Li Shu attended school there, she would absolutely not stand out as special; coupled with the unique teaching environment, no one would be curious about her background, and she would surely be able to grow up more freely.

Yet the moment Gu Ning finished speaking that sentence, she regretted it, as did the silent Li Li Xuewu.

Both of them were afraid, fearing that if Li Shu came into contact with those people there too much or too early, over time she would gradually drift away from this family; the two of them, along with the entire Li family, had long since regarded Li Shu as the family's first child.

If such a day truly came, the ones most heartbroken would not be just him and Gu Ning, but the entire family.

"Sigh—" Li Li Xuewu sighed lightly. "Have we come to experience the debts of children too early?"

Gu Ning said nothing, merely turning over and burrowing into his arms; she did not dare to think about the future.

Creak—

The door to the master suite was gently pushed open, and Li Shu, barefoot, walked in cautiously.

She first glanced toward the master bedroom, hesitating whether to continue walking inward, when she heard her father's voice.

"Li Shu? Come here—"

"Papa—" Li Shu cried out softly, her voice carrying a mix of grievance and a hint of joy, as she trotted into the master bedroom like a little swallow returning to its nest.

"Papa, today I want to sleep with you and Mama."

"Want to flood the seven armies again? Or do you want to draw a map?"

Li Li Xuewu pretended to be relaxed as he teased his daughter, reaching out to lift the tiny figure standing by the bedside and placing her between himself and Gu Ning.

Gu Ning, rarely taking the initiative, extended her arms and pulled the child into her embrace.

Li Shu's eyes shone brightly in the darkness, like stars in the sky, full of happiness and delight.

"Papa, I promise I won't wet the bed!"

"Second Brother, new clothes—"

Seeing Pei Pei jumped cleanly down from the jeep and lifted a bag from the back seat.

Li Li Xuewu glanced at her, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Where is your brother Shen Guodong? Why did you come instead?"

"Brother Shen is busy now; he said to report the work to him the next time you return, hee-hee—"

Seeing Pei Pei made this joke, but even she could not hold back her laughter, ending up laughing before she even finished speaking.

Li Li Xuewu looked at her with an amused glare and said, "Thanks for the trouble, General Manager Pei; next time, just send your secretary."

"Second Brother, you only know how to mock people!"

Seeing Pei Pei dissatisfied, she swung the bag in her hand and bumped his leg, the force not even as great as when Li Shu pounded his back.

"This general manager title of mine is empty; I'm not even as good as the secretary you mentioned, how miserable—"

Originally, the sisters all called him Li Ge, but later Li Xue went to the club, found their ages similar, and with Yu Li's introduction, they all changed to calling him Second Brother.

It was just that besides her and Ou Xin, only Su Yu could call him that; the other sisters were scattered far and wide.

Even Su Yu, who stayed within this system, went to the borderlands, seduced away by Xiao Xiao Jianjun.

"An empty title is still a general manager."

Li Li Xuewu lifted his chin, took the package from her hand, and said, "When are you going to Gangcheng? Take care of our business operations too."

"You really dare to say that; me taking care of you?"

Seeing Pei Pei hooked his arm, swaying it as she said, "I actually want to invite you to take more care of me."

"With just your word, Brother Shen and Sister Yu will also cultivate me more; I'll strive to have a secretary of my own soon."

"The sky is still bright—"

Li Li Xuewu pointed at the broad daylight, smiling as he told her, "Why are you starting to dream already?"

【133】 "Hmph—knew it—angry—leaving—"

"Hmph—I knew it—you got angry and left—"

Seeing Pei Pei's personality was much more cheerful than before, with less gloom and more brightness.

Even Li Li Xuewu couldn't clarify the matter between her and Huang Gan, but Huang Gan had guaranteed to him that he had never committed any lifestyle misconduct, emphasizing his innocence.

Li Li Xuewu believed none of his nonsense—

Seeing Pei Pei had come to deliver his seasonal work uniforms; nowadays, most of the Jingcheng operations were her responsibility.

Li Li Xuewu couldn't wear through his clothes; in less than a year in Gangcheng, the wardrobe there was already full.

Every quarter, Shen Shen Guodong remembered to procure clothes for him, still crafted by Tailor Li.

Li Lao was still robust; last time he returned, he even caught the old man coming to his home to measure him, personally retaking his measurements.

Li Li Xuewu asked him how his health was, and he said it was the same as always.

Whatever state they were in when they met three years ago, they were still in that state now, even with a bit more spirit.

Years ago, this old man had placed a coffin in the courtyard, casually took out his treasured dragon robe to air it, and even thought of burning it, adopting the philosophy of bringing nothing at birth and taking nothing at death.

Li Lao had been preparing for his posthumous affairs for seven or eight years; by this year, it was nearly ten, and judging by his appearance, he could keep preparing for another twenty or thirty years, enduring quite a while yet.

Before, he was enduring those last few hopes; now, he was enduring for the inheritance of his craft.

Li Lao had said he accepted an apprentice; this time, the high-end custom-made items Seeing Pei Pei delivered might have involved his apprentice's participation.

The ancients emphasized tailoring clothes to the body; this was a completely different matter from clothes bought on the market, making one look spirited and energetic in a different way.

No wonder people in the agency said his dressing made him look more spirited than others.

Clearly the same style, even the same fabric, yet the difference in craftsmanship was enormous.

Li Li Xuewu hadn't planned to bring clothes back this time, but Shen Shen Guodong called early this morning, telling him to wait at the factory zone, saying temperatures would drop this week.

One autumn rain brings one chill; ten autumn rains require padded clothing.

Seeing Pei Pei wasn't truly angry; she just didn't dare joke too deeply with him, so she could only act spoiled.

"Second Brother—" Just as Li Li Xuewu was about to get in the car, she, already standing by the jeep door, turned back and called out, "Ou Xin also brought clothes for you."

Without waiting for Li Li Xuewu to react, she finished speaking, jumped into the car, drove off with a mischievous smile.

Li Li Xuewu watched the departing Hongxing Hongxing Lingyang with amusement, tossed the package in his hand onto the back seat, and got into the sedan.

During the National Day holiday, everyone within the industrial system, except for special posts, enjoyed a one-day leave.

Li Li Xuewu's day, however, was to be spent on the road.

He attended an ideological mobilization meeting at the group in the morning; he wouldn't even make it for lunch before having to rush to catch his flight.

Where was the time pressure?

Starting in September, the relocation work of Hongxing Steel Rolling Plant hit the fast forward button; the Jingcheng factory zone successively shut down production workshops and relocated departments related to the steel rolling plant.

Meanwhile, the Gangcheng factory zone was methodically activating new equipment and new workshops, launching new production plans.

When Li Li Xuewu left the factory zone, he even heard workers saying the noise levels here had weakened considerably.

The situation was indeed so; with machines successively shut down, dismantled, and transported away, what was left to generate noise?

Perhaps it was the temporary bustle generated during the relocation process, and the mess left behind after the bustle faded.

The workshops halted, the machines were removed, and even the production tasks were transferred; left for the workers was nothing but the helplessness of bidding farewell to old comrades, without a shred of sentiment remaining.

All the workers could do was carefully wipe the machines they had used in the past, treating them like old partners and old brothers.

What they wiped, organized, and packed were not cold machines, but their youth and struggle.

Bidding farewell to today was also a hesitation and helplessness toward tomorrow.

Some had already received transfer notices, either moved to secondary factory workshops, such as the hardware factory, tertiary industry factories, and so on.

Others were transferred away from production posts to logistical service posts, their technical ranks permanently frozen at today's level.

Being transferred was considered lucky; leaving the post wasn't the most difficult; successfully selecting a post was the hardest.

The new factory zone had a quota of only eight thousand people; with new equipment and new crafts, successfully selecting a post didn't mean successfully landing ashore; they still had difficult barriers to cross.

They had to compete not only with colleagues but also with top graduates soon to emerge from schools.

Hongxing Vocational and Technical College had not wasted time these past three years, genuinely implementing targeted training for secondary specialized and junior college students, with all technical courses related to the group's development.

As a steel enterprise, the majors related to steel were the most numerous and largest; they could already feel the pressure arriving next year.

Gangcheng Steel Rolling Plant gave them only half a year; by June next year, they would have to compete with the graduates who had once interned at the plant and were still their little apprentices.

It was unclear when it started, but post competition had become the main theme of survival for Hongxing Steel Group, as if the days of following routines were gone forever.

Some were nostalgic for the past and had raised objections regarding the current competitive pressure.

But in the face of production bonuses beyond wages and welfare guarantees far exceeding the general environment, the workers silently chose to accept and adapt.

With pay sufficient and living standards and welfare benefits fully secured, they seemed unable to find any concrete reason to question the group's leadership.

What could they say?

Say they missed the tight-fisted days of the past? Say they didn't want the group to develop well, that everyone should tighten their belts together?

Such words might have been acceptable three years ago, but saying them today would easily earn a beating; it is easy to go from frugality to luxury, but hard to go from luxury back to frugality.

Workers with children could most keenly feel the advantages brought by the group's welfare, evident in every aspect of life.

When a son sought a wife, knowing the family had an employee of the Red Star Iron and Steel Group, girls were all willing to marry in.

When a daughter married out, having such welfare benefits in her natal family meant she could speak with confidence even before her in-laws.

If one valued education, was willing to spend money, and restrained their children well so their studies were not neglected, and in recent years they gradually entered the United Schools to possess a brilliant future, then neither daughters nor sons would worry about finding partners.

At this time, worker treatment was far better than that of civil servants; with the group's welfare benefits being so good, workers spoke with backbone.

As an iron and steel group, it was already a landmark enterprise of this industrial age, so naturally, its voice carried weight.

"My father said he wouldn't consider anyone below the deputy section chief level, unless they were a university graduate."

Zhou Zhou Xiaoling, who had brought tea to Li Li Xuewu, smiled and said, "His expectations for me are extremely high."

"Mm, those words do indeed carry backbone."

Li Li Xuewu smiled, looking at the newspaper in his hand, and said, "It's clear you are your father's pride."

"My mother says he is just arrogant."

Zhou Zhou Xiaoling was willing to talk more with him, even going so far as to undermine her own position by speaking ill of her father.

"Doesn't our group have no shortage of university graduates?"

Li Li Xuewu lifted his gaze from the newspaper, looked at Zhou Zhou Xiaoling standing nearby, and asked, "Is it that you have no time for blind dates, or that you have too many suitors and are spoiled for choice?"

"I dare not go on blind dates anymore."

Zhou Zhou Xiaoling pouted her lips and said, "Wang Lu has invited me several times, but I haven't gone; I really can't stand it."

"Hehe, she is certainly warm-hearted."

Whenever Li Li Xuewu heard her mention Wang Lu, he found it amusing; that girl had become addicted to playing matchmaker.

Indeed, for every couple matched within the agency, there was none who did not feel grateful to her.

She also knew how to conduct herself, never accepting thank-you gifts from anyone, and even contributing a gift when they got married.

Tell me, what is she after?

At first, Zhao Zhao Yajun also questioned her, asking why she bothered with these matters, expending effort, energy, and money.

But over time, he figured it out; Wang Lu was a typical representative of great wisdom appearing as stupidity.

It was also because Zhao Zhao Yajun realized this that she began to chatter, saying that since Second Brother Li Li Xuewu was no longer working in Jingcheng, who cared about their background or connections.

Even if Second Brother was still a group leader, if the immediate supervisor didn't care, you would never finish wearing the small shoes they could give you.

Wang Lu had also said that she lacked scheming minds, possessed no talent for aggressive advancement, and furthermore did not want to force Zhao Zhao Yajun to trade his life for promotion, so she could only take the path of building relationships.

She had made up her mind: match one couple at a time; if she extended favors and even one out of ten remembered her kindness, then her efforts would not have been in vain.

Moreover, people in this era remembered favors, especially when they owed them, becoming even more proactive.

To put it this way, even without Li Li Xuewu looking after this couple within the group, ordinary people would not dare to bully them.

Wang Lu's circle of friends spanned almost the entire group; even the trade union had to borrow her to help host events when organizing activities—do you think she is foolish?

Offend Wang Lu?

Countless people were waiting for an opportunity to repay her favors, and the size of this group was growing larger by the day.

With conditions as good as Zhou Zhou Xiaoling's, how could Wang Lu let her go; whenever she raised requirements, as long as they were met, Wang Lu would definitely arrange a meeting.

Being a flight attendant in this era was still considered a high-profile profession; scarcity makes things precious, after all.

This position rarely recruited from society; putting aside wages and welfare benefits for a moment, just the fact of flying in airplanes every day made people look up to you.

Therefore, Zhou Zhou Xiaoling had almost become the biggest headache in Wang Lu's hands, yet the number of people interested in her could still form rows.

"Blind dating is nothing more than a unique form of mutual tug-of-war, everyone harboring the mindset of looking for gold in a trash heap, you pick faults in me, I despise you—"

Zhou Zhou Xiaoling looked at him and said, "I have given up; let fate decide."

"Which 'fate'? The 'fate' of destiny, or the 'yuan' of one yuan or two yuan?"

Li Li Xuewu smiled, lifted his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Haven't you heard that saying? Happiness is something you strive for yourself, not something that falls from the sky."

"Then what about your happiness?" Zhou Zhou Xiaoling also summoned her courage to joke with him; it was only because he was in a good mood today and had proactively asked about her recent situation that she dared to do so.

Just hearing her ask this, colleagues from the same shift looked at her in surprise, thinking the chief flight attendant was truly bold.

Some were already silently criticizing in their hearts: is this really the relationship of a Secretary-General, so blatant?

"My happiness? That is different."

Li Li Xuewu smiled and said, "My happiness indeed fell from the sky."

"Daddy—"

On the phone, Li Shu shouted the loudest; even Li Ning couldn't shout louder than her.

"Ai, I heard, I heard."

Li Li Xuewu responded with a smile; there were cadres in the office who had just finished reporting their work and were about to leave, and hearing the childish voice on the phone, they also revealed knowing smiles.

The Secretary-General was only at his most gentle during moments like this.

"Daddy, Wang Laoshi apologized to me."

Li Shu chattered eagerly, grabbing the phone to say, "She also said not to let other children speak badly of me, and that we should be good children—"

"Hehehe, did you forgive her?"

Li Li Xuewu chuckled lightly and praised, "My daughter is remarkable; in the future, you must also be like Wang Laoshi, able to recognize mistakes and correct them, okay?"

"Okay—" Li Shu agreed excitedly, babbling on about matters in the kindergarten for quite a while before handing the phone to her mother.

Gu Ning had no matter to discuss with him; it was just that as soon as Li Shu came home from school, she wanted to talk to her father.

Just as Li Li Xuewu had guessed, Wang Laoshi would certainly take action; even if she did not, Director Liu would, serving as an explanation to Li Shu.

Li Li Xuewu needed not only to teach his daughter to think independently but also to teach her to let go and to forgive.

Some matters are not worth troubling oneself over; simply let them go lightly, for forgiving others' mistakes is not punishing oneself but rather sparing oneself.

Gu Ning asked him only two questions about his work and schedule before hanging up the phone, as she still had study tasks that evening.

Both husband and wife were busy, though no one knew exactly what they were busy with.

On the fourth day since Li Li Xuewu's return, October 4th, following the news from the Railway Locomotive Factory on the 3rd that China's first 5,000-horsepower hydraulic transmission diesel locomotive had been born, China's first rotating oxygen converter went into production.

He did not understand metallurgical technology; although he was currently learning, he ultimately could not compare to professional technical personnel.

The converter technology originated from the Santa Ya Group's introduction plan, and Li Li Xuewu had only come to understand the importance of this technology at the negotiating table.

Actually speaking, these technologies already belonged to the lower tiers of the echelon, but since the domestic industry lacked them, backwardness had to be chased down; even starting from a lower position was better than starting from zero.

In early October, there were many days worthy of commemoration, such as the completion of the longest double-curvature arch highway bridge of the time, the Shuyang New Yi River Bridge; the birth of the country's first fully automatic long-distance telephone equipment; the successful trial production of the domestically designed and manufactured first advanced-level Wang Hongqi brand self-propelled grain combine harvester; the creation of China's first automated railway maintenance tamping vehicle; the successful domestic trial production of the first set of large-scale block coal loading and unloading machinery; and the successful manufacture of the first batch of ultra-thin paper for high-grade special industrial use...

Behind the frequent good news of scientific and technological achievements lay the reality of an overall lag in industrial technology and the awakening of collective scientific awareness following the market-oriented pilot programs.

The Hongxing Steel Group was like a bull burning with fierce fire, charging straight through a patch of mist, allowing everyone to see the future that was emerging vaguely through the fog.

With a commanding view from a high house and actions as natural as a Hongxing Hongxing Lingyang hanging its horns, the leadership above took a longer-term view of the future and affirmed the role and significance of the Hongxing Factory in the market-oriented pilot work, which was why the Hongxing Steel Group came into existence.

On October 9th, to strengthen the construction of the industrial experimental base and improve the comprehensive scientific research capability and level of the Technology Research Institute, the large-scale experimental center built by the Hongxing Steel Group in Gangcheng was officially established.

On October 10th, Li Li Xuewu delivered a speech at the office meeting of the Group's Liaodong Industrial Leadership Group, themed: "Without independence, freedom, democracy, and unity, it is impossible to build truly large-scale industry; without industry, there can be no consolidated national defense, no welfare for the people, and no prosperity for the nation; we must accelerate the group's industrial transformation, accelerate the group's industrial personnel and technological reforms, and comprehensively advance the group's industrialization reform to adapt to the development requirements of the new era, new period, high technology, and modernization."

In September, Li Li Xuewu, representing the Group's Management Committee, summarized the group's development over the past three years.

As for himself, his first year of working in Liaodong was nearing its end; what had he accomplished during this year?

One could see that he had actively sorted out the chronic problems within the group's industrial system in Liaodong, rectified work discipline, corrected work style, and adjusted the direction of industrial development.

On the surface, it seemed he had done a great deal of work, but in reality, he had another core objective in coming to Liaodong: to conduct deep-level reform experiments in industrial enterprises.

First was economic reform.

Before his position adjustment, he had spoken with relevant leaders at the First Ministry of Machine Building, and this was precisely what they discussed.

The Hongxing Steel Group's scale was growing increasingly massive, giving it even more conditions and the capacity to support market-oriented experiments.

The experiment aimed to observe the regional economic effects and market influence scope generated by fluctuations in fixed asset investment by collective units.

From the data mastered by Li Li Xuewu, fixed capital investment by collectives had continued to climb since 1968.

The most significant interface was that the total investment amount of the collective economy in the soon-to-be-passing year of 1969 had already far exceeded the level of 1960.

In less than ten years, from the primitive accumulation of collective fixed capital to market-oriented investment adapted to the times, every step taken by the organization was as if walking on thin ice, cautious and careful.

At this time, a leader was needed to test the waters first, to see whether the current market could withstand the test of such massive living and industrial demands.

To put it bluntly, the organization was also afraid of problems arising.

Anyone who grasps the basics of economics knows that capital is crucial for the economic development of backward countries.

Without capital, there can be no investment; without investment, there can be no expansion of production; without expanded production, the economy will find it difficult to develop.

Where did early capitalist countries get the capital that allowed them to develop?

Here, one must quote a passage from Marx's "Das Kapital," stating that the primitive capital accumulation of Western capitalist countries was "based on the most cruel acts of violence," meaning it came at the cost of the slave trade, slavery, colonialism, and the ruthless oppression and expropriation of their own citizens.

As a new China where the people are the masters, capital accumulation could not rely on external expansion and also had to remain constantly vigilant against imperialist invasion.

Under such circumstances, capital accumulation could only rely on oneself; what was rather cruel was that in the 35 years before liberation, the total volume of industrial capital grew by less than four times.

By contrast, in the 20 years after liberation, from 1949 to 1969, the original value of national industrial fixed assets increased by 37.25 times.

Where did this money come from? Almost entirely from domestic capital!

Where did domestic capital come from? Mainly from national financial strength!

Where did national financial strength come from? Mainly from enterprise accumulation!

Another aspect attracting attention was the proportion of collective fixed asset investment to total social fixed asset investment.

From 1952 to 1969, the statistical scope of the fixed asset investment sector was limited solely to units under ownership by the whole people.

Therefore, existing statistical data showed that one hundred percent of total social fixed asset investment was constituted by collective fixed asset investment.

Li Li Xuewu naturally knew that it was not until after 1981 that fixed asset investments by the collective economy, individual economy, and other economies appeared in the statistical data.

But at this time, did fixed asset investments by the collective economy, individual economy, and other economies exist or not?

The answer was affirmative; the organization also knew that beneath the magnificent waves of collective fixed asset investment lay countless seedlings awaiting germination and growth.

No one could say clearly whether these seedlings were weeds or crops; only when they grew up would it be known.

Perhaps someone would ask, where does the money for national financial strength come from?

It is believed this question has troubled many people: individuals have money in their hands, so how does the state mobilize the money in individuals' hands to develop the economy?

To answer this question, one must first clarify the sources of national finance.

Classified by economic type, the sources of national fiscal revenue fall into four major categories: ownership by the whole people, collective ownership, individual ownership, and others.

Just after liberation, the vast majority of fiscal revenue came from the private economy, namely the "individual" and "other" sectors.

But very soon, by 1952, 60% of fiscal revenue came from ownership by the whole people.

After the completion of the socialist transformation of industry and commerce, more than 80% of fiscal revenue came from ownership by the whole people.

Li Li Xuewu naturally knew that this situation continued until 1984; in other words, the money for national financial strength came from state-owned enterprises, and after the state obtained this money, the vast majority was reinvested into fixed asset investment in the state-owned economy, forming a virtuous large-scale cycle.

Usually, people merge the various industries within industry into two major categories: "light industry" and "heavy industry," the former referring to industries providing consumer goods and making hand tools, and the latter referring to industries providing means of production for various sectors of the national economy.

If viewed from this perspective, just after liberation, approximately three-quarters of China's total industrial output value was constituted by light industry.

Thereafter, the composition of total industrial output value changed rapidly; the proportion of heavy industry exceeded 30% in 1951, surpassed 40% in 1955, exceeded 50% in 1958, and reached its peak of 66.7% in 1960.

Heavy industry is the material basis for realizing expanded social reproduction, and its importance goes without saying.

Considering the historical conditions prevailing domestically during this period, there were at least four important reasons for prioritizing the development of heavy industry.

The extremely severe external situation necessitated the development of the defense industry.

Promoting the development of railways, highways, inland waterway shipping, ocean-going maritime transport, and aviation must rely on heavy industry.

Developing light industry cannot rely on manual labor; it must rely on machinery, and the machinery used by light industry itself must be produced by heavy industry.

Developing agriculture cannot rely on traditional human or animal power; it requires chemical fertilizers, pesticides, electricity, agricultural machinery, and water conservancy facilities, all of which depend on heavy industry.

This is what industrial transformation is, and this is what technological innovation and industrial upgrading and transformation for a group enterprise entail.

Li Li Xuewu did not come down from the group to pad his résumé, nor did he come to serve as the major steward of the Metallurgical Plant; rather, he is the Physician coming to take the pulse and prescribe medicine, the helmsman leading the Red Star Steel Group forward with the organization's expectations and hopes.

Those above may have seen through the illusions and know what will happen in the future; just as the concept of AI was proposed back in the 80s, Li Li Xuewu also knows that time is pressing.

There is not much time left in this world for the Red Star Steel Group, and not many opportunities left for this nation.

Of course, football is the exception; for them, there is plenty of time, and just as much room for growth and progress.

"Settle them where they should be settled, and follow the rules of previous years," Li Li Xuewu emphasized after listening to Secretary Li Li Haiyang's report on the placement of retired and transferred personnel. "If industrial enterprises do not accept them, are we supposed to arrange for them to go to service departments? Adaptation is also an issue."

"The Collective Personnel Department's opinion is to pursue balanced development and avoid placing too much pressure on the lower levels."

"It seems they mean to keep the water level in the bowl even," Secretary Li Li Haiyang explained.

"It would be good if they could keep it even, but do they have the capability?"

Li Li Xuewu glanced at him and said, "Don't wait for them to realize their mistakes and reform; let's get moving first."

October is not only the season of harvest but also the season for retirement and transfer.

Four years ago, Li Li Xuewu returned to Jingcheng at almost this same time; time truly flies, and in a flash, it has passed.

"Call Director Xu and ask him whether he wants them, and how many people he needs."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and instructed his secretary, Zhang Enyuan, "The requirements over at Steel Aviation might be high, so the Hardware Plant and the Arms Manufacturing Plant can retain more people."

Just as they were studying how to absorb these personnel, Zhang Jing walked in holding a document.

"Leader, this just came over from the Group."

Li Li Xuewu took it and looked; it was a call from above to "strengthen war preparedness" and "dig deep caves."

The Group required the Liaodong Industrial Leadership Group Office to establish a separate War Preparedness Office, coordinate with local authorities to set up a cement plant, and prepare to fight a hard battle in engineering construction.

The era of "Seven hundred million people, seven hundred million soldiers; ten thousand li of Jiangshan, ten thousand li of camps" has arrived.