Chapter 1475: Copper Wall and Iron Bastion

Ding Zhichen felt like he had been played.

The first time he came to see Li Xuewu, he said the Hongxing Lingyang car could be discussed freely, but the Aries and Hongyun could not.

Naturally, he was curious. The Hongyun was a van, which was not within the scope of consideration for Capital Auto, but why couldn't the Aries be discussed?

As it turned out, he was told that the Red Star Steel Group was preparing to run its own taxi operations, and the Aries was reserved for the group's taxi company.

Bullshit. Could he believe that?

He hadn't seen many Aries cars in the country, and not to mention how many they could produce in a month, even if they were produced, wouldn't they just sit in the warehouse gathering dust?

And the result?

Factory Director Lv of Steel Auto personally took him to the workshop for a tour. The scale of two hundred cars produced per day slapped him right in the face, leaving him completely stunned.

It turned out they really weren't bragging; the Aries was indeed selling very well. Of course, not in the domestic market, but overseas.

According to Factory Director Lv's unsubstantiated statement, this car sold out as soon as it hit the shelves abroad; it was almost a case of being snapped up.

Why call it an unsubstantiated statement? Because these words didn't come from him, but from Factory Director Lv himself.

Since last year, the Red Star Steel Group had implemented an organizational structure reform and established a separate General Sales Company.

All sales work for the group was consolidated under the corresponding sales company. Although the production units still had the right to business contacts, they only handled large orders.

They no longer did retail or channel work, so he only had a rough idea of the domestic and international channel market situation.

This rough data was still judged from the outbound volume; he only knew that the sales volume of this car was excellent.

Also excellent in sales data alongside this car was the Gemini car; there was simply no stock in the warehouse.

Although rare on the streets of the capital, they weren't non-existent; some young women liked this car.

Of course, just think about it: in this era, how many people could afford a car? Moreover, a female driver—that was even more scarce.

Ding Zhichen didn't think much of the Gemini; the two-seater model wasn't suitable for Capital Auto. However, the feedback on both types of cars in the overseas market increasingly attracted his attention.

Li Xuewu didn't entertain him with much enthusiasm, only arranging for Factory Director Lv of Steel Auto to take him out to have fun.

He had ridden in the Red Star Hongxing Lingyang, Gemini, and Aries, and had also personally test-driven them on the road.

He had even test-driven Steel Auto's experimental models, namely the Pathfinder and the urban version of the Pathfinder, the Land Cruiser. He had to admit, Steel Auto was truly fucking awesome.

In just three short years, the number of models they had mastered had far exceeded the largest auto manufacturer, the No. 17 Factory.

And that wasn't even mentioning the series of models like motorcycles, vans, buses, and special vehicles.

He hadn't come with his eyes closed; he had long done his homework, especially on the Red Star Hongxing Lingyang.

Capital Auto had conducted an investigation into the several models Steel Auto sold domestically, and the second-generation Red Star Hongxing Lingyang already had the ability to go head-to-head with Capital Auto's ace product, the 212.

Judging from the procurement data of government agencies and enterprises this year, urban applications preferred the Red Star Hongxing Lingyang.

If Ding Zhichen had to say, he felt that Steel Auto's greatest success wasn't how excellent the cars they built were, but that their automotive R&D capabilities, parts industry layout, production capacity, and marketing channels were even more excellent.

This was a systematic project. Nowadays, no one dared to underestimate Steel Auto, and even fewer dared to deny the Red Star Steel Group's say in the automotive field.

Why did Capital Auto choose the Red Star Steel Group first in the new round of vehicle updates?

Saying Steel Auto had many models and good service was secondary; Capital Auto valued the Red Star Steel Group's growing influence in automotive manufacturing, sales, and the domestic and international markets.

Capital Auto could be called a business card for the capital's foreign services. After all, in this day and age, how many people could afford a taxi?

The factors mentioned earlier were all seen at first glance when choosing a car. A deeper consideration was after-sales service, which was first proposed by the Red Star Steel Group.

Previously, there had never been such service in the domestic auto sales market; if a car broke, you fixed it yourself.

Which unit didn't have a repair shop? Even if the unit was small and lacked the capability, it was still affiliated with a large unit's repair shop.

But from the day the Red Star Hongxing Lingyang hit the market, in the brand flagship stores under the Beijing Auto Sales Company, Beijingers saw the term "after-sales service" for the first time.

Thereafter, nationwide, wherever there was a Red Star Steel Group office, there was bound to be a car dealership, and wherever there was a car dealership, there was bound to be after-sales service.

After-sales service included car repair, maintenance, and parts replacement, as well as soft trim repair and modification, etc.

Small units no longer had to spend money to find connections to affiliate with large unit repair shops, and large units didn't have to operate their own repair shops.

Just think about it: the 212 being able to persist in the urban car market for three years was already due to a solid foundation in the early stages.

But starting last year, Beijing Auto panicked and threw itself into the involution of the automotive industry.

Steel Auto had already realized a parts supply chain supporting an assembly system, but Beijing Auto was still trying to do everything itself.

The first card Beijing Auto played was experimentally shedding its burden, contacting the supply chain system, and seeking parts supply and guarantee services.

After all, they were an automaker shouldering important responsibilities and couldn't be compared to a tertiary industry like Steel Auto.

But in reality, if things continued like this, Beijing Auto's 212 would really have to exit the urban vehicle market.

Do you think the 212 could survive just by exiting the urban vehicle market?

Having not test-driven the Pathfinder, Ding Zhichen still thought the Red Star Hongxing Lingyang engineering version and mountain version still had room for improvement, and the 212 was still the most capable.

But when he drove the Pathfinder over mountains and through rivers in the Steel City mountains, he deeply experienced the sense of crisis Beijing Auto had shown this year.

This wasn't a competitive relationship; it was clearly a revolutionary design that overturned the Jeep.

Automotive functions were redefined, the diesel engine had stronger environmental adaptability, and the power was more robust.

The key was modular assembly. R&D engineers arranged for technical workers to quickly change four types of terrain-adaptive equipment for this car right before his eyes.

Including tires, camouflage, weapon mounts, and vehicle body protection devices.

The whole process wasn't complicated; two soldiers could complete the functional change. If it were four soldiers, then this car would be a mobile firepower point.

A tank had strong armor capability, but a tank couldn't outrun it, nor could it adapt to the terrain it could go to.

If you look at it this way, do you think it's very light and has poor loading capacity?

Wrong, completely wrong. Ding Zhichen saw with his own eyes that the full set of equipment required by eight soldiers was put on, and then the corresponding number of people sat in, and this car walked smoothly on mountain roads without a hint of stuttering.

No wonder everyone in the car-making circle was saying the wolf was coming. Beijing Auto was even more silent, sweating profusely as it increased scientific research funding and adjusted its production layout.

Having seen Steel Auto's foundation, looking back at the Aries, he wasn't curious at all about how Steel Auto managed to make the price of a high-end sedan affordable to the common people.

Gemini, domestic price 3,000 yuan; Aries, domestic price 8,600 yuan.

Before coming to Steel City, the company held a work meeting to study the new round of taxi procurement plans. Some team members mentioned the price of Steel Auto's products.

How to put it? At that time, they were studying the Red Star Hongxing Lingyang. Capital Auto decided to purchase the urban version, and according to the base quote, it was only 7,980 yuan, and that was without a discount.

Even with full configuration, it was only 9,980 yuan. Compared with the 212, which sold for 35,000 yuan, the cost-performance ratio was a complete victory.

The key was that the internal soft trim conditions the Hongxing Lingyang had, the 212 couldn't achieve unless you modified it yourself.

Then this price couldn't be solved by 35,000, so the result of the meeting was one-sided.

Then why did Ding Zhichen change his mind?

He transmitted the production situation of the Aries and the sales data information obtained in Steel City back to the capital, and Capital Auto discussed and studied it once again.

It wasn't that the capital couldn't find an Aries; there was a Steel Auto brand store in Dongcheng. Just buy one and you'd know.

The Red Star Hongxing Lingyang urban version fully equipped was less than 10,000, the base version less than 8,000, while the Aries was 8,600.

The person who priced Steel Auto's products was truly a genius; they didn't give you any room for price comparison at all.

Although Capital Auto didn't make cars, they knew quite a bit about cars and knew that sedans were easier to produce.

However, the Aries' configuration was more excellent.

Currently, there was only one version of the Aries produced by Steel Auto. Radio, heating and cooling, leather seats, plastic interior—all were provided. It was truly full of sincerity.

Moreover, the Aries was a three-box sedan, the comfort was better, and the streamlined design was more in line with public aesthetics.

So Capital Auto had nothing to struggle with. There was no room for comparison in price, so compare quality.

It was a taxi, after all; a sedan was more suitable. So the discussion result Ding Zhichen received was to change to the Aries.

But this time, Li Xuewu played a new trick, not following his routine at all, proposing to make a civilian taxi, starting from vehicle costs to operating expenses, and then to fuel supply, etc., wanting to smash the existing urban taxi foundation and completely change the status quo of urban vehicle use.

The scale he spoke of was so large that Capital Auto was completely unprepared, and Ding Zhichen couldn't figure out whether he was bragging or really wanted to do it.

If Li Xuewu was bluffing him, the Red Star Steel Group really had a need in this regard and also had the basic conditions and ability to operate taxis.

They needed to resettle transferred workers to work as drivers, had their own vehicle production capacity, and possessed energy supply capacity. You tell me if Capital Auto dared to gamble.

If they really missed this time, given the Red Star Steel Group's past flashy operations of crossing boundaries, it was really possible for Capital Auto to become the next Beijing Auto.

As long as Capital Auto didn't want to become a background wall in the industry and didn't want to be used as a stepping stone by the other party, it had to carefully consider the threats and opportunities brought by the Red Star Steel Group.

Fuck, it was clearly agreed to cooperate. No wonder Li Huai De sent him to Steel City; it turned out he had set an ambush and was embarrassed to talk to him.

What to do now? A steel industrial enterprise not only snatched the job of car making, but now also wanted to snatch the taxi business. There was no profit in this line! Was it worth it!

Capital Auto currently relied on appropriations to survive; taxi profits weren't enough to cover corporate operating costs at all.

Could you make money by popularizing the taxi market?

"The two just now were Deputy General Manager Ding of Capital Auto and Deputy Factory Director Gu of Beijing No. 2 Auto, right?"

Liu Hongmei finally sat on the sofa opposite Li Xuewu. This was a very subtle position.

Generally, the sofas in a leader's office were arranged in an L-shape, and the short end was usually a single sofa.

And leaders liked to sit in this position to talk to comrades visiting from the side, which was psychologically more comfortable.

When Li Xuewu served as Secretary-General in the capital, the sofa in his office was arranged this way.

But his office in Steel City was larger. At that time, there were no clear regulations on office area, and what was arranged for him was naturally the best.

With a larger area, there was correspondingly more reception work. Besides daily conversations, there were also visitors to deal with.

So the sofa in Li Xuewu's office was arranged in a U-shape. He would generally sit on the three-person sofa. When there was one visitor, he would let the other party sit on the single sofa. When there were two visitors, he would sit in the middle, letting the other party sit on two single seats.

How to arrange seats was also a science; you couldn't easily sit opposite each other, as that was too confrontational.

Originally, according to Li Xuewu's habits and thoughts, since a female comrade had come, he would invite the other party to sit on the single sofa and sit on the long sofa near her, which was better for communication and exchange.

Unexpectedly, this reporter Liu didn't play by the rules, taking the chair she had just sat on and placing it opposite Li Xuewu, with a coffee table between them.

Because the leather sofa was softer, after Li Xuewu sat down, his body tilted backward, making him lower than the other party for no reason. Even though he was tall and large, the line of sight between the two was leveled.

Now Liu Hongmei was sitting on the chair with her legs crossed, quite having the meaning of looking down on him.

If an outsider saw this, they would think he was a poor host, letting her sit on the "cold bench."

Of course, Liu Hongmei choosing not to sit on the sofa but on this armchair also had the meaning of venting her frustration at being ignored just now.

After all, she was a reporter; her competitiveness in consciousness was more intense and aggressive than the average person.

Li Xuewu didn't care about this, just slightly narrowed his eyes and sized her up.

Liu Hongmei was fearless, looked at him, and asked indifferently: "Can I ask what specific business the two leaders of the capital enterprises came to Steel City to discuss with you just now?"

"Sorry, this is a commercial secret."

Li Xuewu answered very crisply, even though the other party had already heard quite a bit of content in the office.

Zhang Enyuan brought tea and placed it on the coffee table. He could feel the tension, so he didn't dare to speak randomly, even gesturing when placing the tea.

"If it's a secret, then I won't ask. Let's talk about the Red Star Steel Group's industrial enterprises in Liaodong, and by the way, let's talk about your work."

Dong dong—

Just as her voice fell, there was a knock at the door.

"Secretary-General, you were looking for me."

"Station Master Wang, come, let me introduce you."

Li Xuewu waved very naturally and gestured to the reporter Liu Hongmei sitting opposite him, introducing: "This is Reporter Liu Hongmei from the Northern Industry News."

After speaking, he introduced to Liu Hongmei: "This is Comrade Wang Yajuan, Station Master of our group's Liaodong Branch of the Radio Station."

Wang Yajuan walked into the office and met the eyes of Liu Hongmei, who had turned to look at her. Both frowned at the same time.

"Hello, Reporter Liu, welcome."

"Hello, thank you."

The two's dialogue was insincere; they were vigilant of each other but still politely greeted each other.

What was called "not hitting it off"? The two just greeted each other simply, and then both looked at Li Xuewu at the same time.

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and introduced: "Reporter Liu wants to interview me. Since you aren't busy, take this opportunity to learn from Reporter Liu."

This was speaking with hidden meaning. The implication in the words couldn't be more obvious.

But this sentence was deliberately said by Li Xuewu for her to hear, while also reminding Wang Yajuan.

Wang Yajuan cooperated with him naturally and tacitly, turned to look at Liu Hongmei, nodded slightly, and said: "We are just a unit under the group; we should indeed learn more from excellent peers."

Were these two doing this on purpose?

What the fuck "unit under the group"? In terms of scale and influence, the Red Star Literature and Art Publishing House wasn't smaller than the Northern Industry News. Why were they still envious of themselves?

This was speaking in reverse to mock themselves!

Liu Hongmei swept a glance at the two, speaking hypocritical polite words, but in her heart, she was thinking: are they acting in concert to guard against themselves as villains?

Fine, that also saves her from going in circles.

"I was just curious about the operation of your group's industrial enterprises in Liaodong. I didn't expect you to be so vigilant and guarded."

She smiled confidently and proudly, slightly raised her chin, looked at Li Xuewu, and said: "If it's inconvenient for you, then we can cancel this interview work."

"I think you've misunderstood."

Li Xuewu smiled indifferently, looked straight into her eyes very frankly, and asked: "What do you think an enterprise with nearly 100,000 employees means?"

Without waiting for Liu Hongmei, whose expression was slightly stunned, to answer, Li Xuewu had already said: "It means that the group must execute strict work procedures internally. Everyone is the same, including me."

He raised his eyebrows and emphasized: "Otherwise, how can we lead these nearly 100,000 employees to not forget their original intention and forge ahead on the road of transformation into a modern industrial enterprise?"

Liu Hongmei slightly narrowed her eyes, looked at him, and didn't speak, because she didn't expect Li Xuewu to be so shameless.

"The group has regulations: anyone who accepts an interview from the outside must obtain the consent of the group's management committee."

He spread his right hand and emphasized: "You came too suddenly. I didn't even have time to report to the group, so I could only ask Station Master Wang to accompany you."

"I hope you don't misunderstand."

There was no misunderstanding. Liu Hongmei turned to look at the calm Wang Yajuan; she was sure Li Xuewu had been prepared long ago.

Yes, she didn't deny that the Red Star Steel Group might have such strict management regulations, but it depended on who it was for.

If it were the Secretary-General responsible for coordinating the group's industrial enterprises and the management committee, would this still need to be reported to the management committee? Then how busy must the Red Star Steel Group's management committee be? They wouldn't need to do anything else all day, just hold meetings.

However, since Li Xuewu said so, she had to acknowledge it, because she couldn't determine whether the Red Star Steel Group really had this rule, or determine whether Li Xuewu had to abide by this rule.

Who to verify with?

Stop joking. Li Xuewu's reaction was fast enough; she had been countered by the other party.

"So that's how it is. I thought the dignified Secretary-General Li would actually be afraid of a little woman like me."

She smiled and teased in a tone of extreme mockery: "Then shall we start today's interview?"

Li Xuewu didn't say he agreed to her interview, but she had already finalized this work, having a posture of being aggressive.

"Reporter Liu is not a little woman."

Li Xuewu didn't rush to take her point, but smiled and said: "Reporters are the uncrowned kings, the front-line workers executing media supervision."

He raised his hand to gesture in Wang Yajuan's direction and said: "Especially reporters from independently operated newspapers; they are much more powerful than the newspapers under our group."

"I don't think you need me to use flowery words to vaguely flatter your work in Liaodong."

Liu Hongmei was already impatient to go in circles with him and began to look him in the eyes, using a threatening tone.

Li Xuewu slightly raised his head, looked at her, and said: "The Red Star Steel Group has always had one attitude toward propaganda work: the pen is in your hand, but the fairness of the law and the rules of the industry are in your heart and mine."

This was the first enterprise cadre Liu Hongmei had encountered since entering the industry who dared to go head-to-head with her.

"You seem to have a natural guard against reporters. Are you guarding against and fearing something?"

"How can you call it guarding and fearing? You are, after all, my comrade."

Li Xuewu said indifferently: "I'm just not good with words and slightly clumsy. You won't laugh at me, will you?"

"You really know how to joke—"

Liu Hongmei knew she had met her match, straightened her attitude, and said: "You are the wisest and sharpest young cadre I have ever met."

"I like the label you gave me."

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "I am just a young cadre of the Red Star Steel Group. If you feel there is a need to interview me, then I express my welcome at any time."

"This definition isn't novel, is it?"

Liu Hongmei found an entry point and asked without letting go: "In past work and life, has no one ever labeled you as a young cadre?"

"Young is young, cadre is cadre."

Li Xuewu looked at her and said: "I think until now, no one has questioned that I am very young as a cadre, nor has anyone doubted that I am a cadre because I am young."

And he said he wasn't good with words and was slightly clumsy. Bullshit—

"Then how do you evaluate the Red Star Steel Group's decision to lay out Liaodong industry?"

Liu Hongmei chose to pull the topic and expand the scope so that Li Xuewu would relax his vigilance and also expand his thinking.

It was just that Li Xuewu's answer made her angry again.

"The Red Star Steel Group's layout of Liaodong industry doesn't need anyone's evaluation. Every Red Star person is an executor, founder, and participant of this decision."

Li Xuewu said very seriously: "Red Star people only do, don't say, and even more won't brag."

"..." Liu Hongmei endured her emotions and still asked in a steady tone: "Then how do you evaluate yourself, just the time and energy you've spent working in Steel City for nearly a year? This can be said, right?"

"Hmm, not forgetting the original intention and forging ahead."

Li Xuewu nodded slightly and said: "To summarize, it's like this. I also hope that my work in Liaodong can blossom and bear fruit, and have a bumper harvest."

"Are you very satisfied with your appointment in Liaodong?"

Liu Hongmei chose to ignore his obstacles and hit directly: "I heard that a blast furnace production accident occurred at the Steel City Metallurgical Plant, and the investigation results showed that there was a problem with the construction."

She slightly raised her chin and asked: "How did you handle this problem? It seems there's been no follow-up?"

"The Red Star Steel Group holds a zero-tolerance, non-condoning attitude toward safety production accidents. This is a principle."

Li Xuewu looked at her and continued: "I don't know where your news came from, nor do I know who told you your so-called investigation results. I can only say that the investigation team currently stationed in Liaodong is still investigating this matter, and no report has been submitted to me personally."

He raised his eyebrows, looked at her, and said: "Perhaps you have special channels to know this matter before me. Why don't you also please tell me this result?"

"If you aren't willing to accept her interview, just don't see her. Why bother."

After sending Liu Hongmei away, Wang Yajuan returned to Li Xuewu's office, looked at his complexion, and persuaded him.

Li Xuewu raised his head, looked at her, and emphasized: "If I could not see her, why would I have called you here?"

"Reporter Liu broke in."

Zhang Enyuan explained silently, which could be considered an explanation in front of Li Xuewu.

In the end, he failed to stop the other party, letting that arrogant Reporter Liu find a loophole.

The Secretary-General was discussing work, but he let someone leak in. If this were to be investigated...

"If she wants to see me, guarding won't stop her." Li Xuewu didn't mean to blame him, just said indifferently: "She has an opinion about the group."

"I heard the Northern Industry News has some conflicts with our group?" Wang Yajuan frowned and asked: "The version I heard has already been passed through several hands. Do you know the specific situation?"

"What else could it be—"

Li Xuewu snorted coldly and said: "Seeking but not getting, love turning into hate."

"Seeking? Love? What did they seek? What did they love?" Wang Yajuan didn't quite understand, looked at him, and asked: "Is there an emotional entanglement here?"

"Hehe—" Li Xuewu raised his head amusingly, looked at her, and said: "What they seek is wealth, what they love is money. What emotional entanglement? What are you thinking about?"

"You were the one who led me astray."

Wang Yajuan only then understood his meaning, frowned, and said: "Is it the Northern Industry News that wants money, or is it their reporter who has a black heart?"

"Where would they have the guts?"

Li Xuewu looked at the document in his hand and said: "Independently operated newspapers can generally get partial appropriations from above, and the rest is begged from various enterprises."

"Our Director Li didn't pay attention to them, feeling that beggars shouldn't be too arrogant, so it angered the other party."

"Can it be like this?" Wang Yajuan was also hearing about this kind of thing for the first time, frowned, and said: "Can no one manage them?"

"Manage what?" Li Xuewu looked at her and said: "Their competent departments can't even issue money. Where would they have the confidence to manage them?"

Now, as long as they don't violate taboos, they have found a way to make money and have started begging actively.

"How should we respond?"

Wang Yajuan frowned and asked: "Will she write randomly after she goes back? It's you again. A tall tree catches the wind."

"Tall tree, if it were to catch the wind, it would have caught it long ago. Could it wait until now?"

Li Xuewu said indifferently: "Just organize today's dialogue and publish it in the United Industry News. When the time comes, if she dares to write randomly, report her to the competent department."

"I just want to see what kind of sacred being this Northern Industry News is, daring to take any job."

"I'm not sure which direction she will start from. This feeling of being passively beaten is too uncomfortable."

Wang Yajuan looked at him and asked: "Can we take the initiative and write about them according to the content you said?"

"If a dog bites you, do you still have to bite the dog back?" Li Xuewu tilted his head, looked at her, and said: "They can use low-down tricks because they have already rotted at the roots. At this time, you use the same tricks to deal with them, and you aren't afraid of dirtying your own hands."

"Then what to do? Can only she write about us, but we can't write about them? How unreasonable—"

Wang Yajuan was quite interesting when angry; all that anger was on her face, her cheeks round and bulging.

"Alright, calling you over is to guard against her writing randomly. Believe she won't dare to write about me directly."

Li Xuewu raised his chin and arranged: "You first organize today's conversation and publish it. Even if you can't preempt others, you can still knock the mountain and shake the tiger."

"Is she still not gone?"

Wang Yajuan was quite bold, looked at Li Xuewu, and asked softly: "Should we arrange for someone to..."

"I already said, we can't do that."

Li Xuewu said in the same gentle tone, but with a firm attitude: "Be careful of giving others a handle."

"You mean—" Wang Yajuan suddenly widened her eyes and asked: "Is she deliberately waiting for us?"

"What if?" Li Xuewu looked at her and asked: "Do you believe it? She is just waiting for us to arrange for someone to deal with her, and is currently waiting for us at the guest house."

"Too insidious—"

Wang Yajuan said annoyedly: "A reporter doing it to this extent is really the end of the line."

"Don't talk about others. You also need to improve your understanding, strengthen your learning, and don't get up to crooked ideas at every turn."

Li Xuewu pointed his finger at her and reminded: "Think three times before acting. Whatever it is, think about it three times with a calm heart, and it will be transparent."

"I don't believe you aren't angry at all."

Wang Yajuan listened to him talk about big principles, curled her lips, and said: "You must have other means."

"What kind of person do you take me for?"

Li Xuewu frowned and emphasized: "I have always acted openly and aboveboard. When have I ever done villainous deeds?"

"Is that so?" Wang Yajuan looked at him, didn't say anything more, turned, and went out.

Li Xuewu frowned and began to think. What handle did he have that Wang Yajuan knew about?

The only one he could think of was Zhou Xiaoling. These two were former colleagues. Several times when Zhou Xiaoling came to Steel City, she mentioned her, and she also asked about Zhou Xiaoling's emotional status several times.

Even a blind person or a fool could see that Zhou Xiaoling, who was close to Li Xue, was interested in him.

Wang Yajuan had been watching him for a long time and also hadn't found that Zhou Xiaoling, who came to Steel City, had a chance to contact him, so she didn't pay too much attention.

It was just that in the last half year, the number of times Zhou Xiaoling came to Steel City was a bit too many. Even if she were a flight attendant, she couldn't reach such a frequent number of times.

Steel City had no food, no scenery. What was it that attracted Zhou Xiaoling to stay here?

Although she and Li Xuewu didn't go any further, she still retained the purest memories.

She also didn't want Li Xuewu to stumble in Steel City, so her vigilance always existed.

This time Liu Hongmei came, and she suspected that this was another fly, coming to watch Li Xuewu, the egg with a crack.

As it turned out, she guessed wrong. This wasn't coming to look for a man, but coming to look for trouble.

While relaxing her vigilance, she was also very worried about Li Xuewu. She thought for a while, but finally blamed Li Xuewu for attracting bees and butterflies, a tall tree catching the wind.

Li Xuewu also felt aggrieved. Who said flies only watch eggs with cracks? They watch eggs without cracks too.

Besides, whether the place the fly lands is good or not, what does it have to do with the egg?

"I can't wait for you in Steel City."

Gu Litong shook hands with Li Xuewu and said sincerely: "You hurry up and find time to return to the capital. We'll talk then."

"I still suggest you invite the group's professional team to do a full-process diagnosis for you."

Li Xuewu said seriously: "Even if I go, it's just a cursory look. What can I see?"

"You have to believe in science—"

The reason he said this was because when he invited Gu Litong to drink together last night, the other party said at the wine table that any project Li Xuewu paid attention to and participated in was a success.

Doesn't this just amount to treating him as a mascot? Not believing in scientific diagnosis but believing in his attention.

"I believe in science."

Gu Litong raised his eyebrows, looked at him, and said softly: "But you told me that the end of science is metaphysics. Am I wrong to say that?"

"Why don't you remember the good things I said?"

Li Xuewu also found it amusing. The jokes he blurted out were all remembered by them as fun.

Gu Litong stood on the platform of parting but was rarely serious: "Now the only one who can save No. 2 Auto is you."

"Our team members have already discussed it. The industrial development plans and programs currently made have fatal problems. You can't see the problems in twenty or thirty years, but after three years, even if you see them, it will be too late to change."

"Our leader said that in today's increasingly perfect parts supply chain, every year is a new historical era of technology and innovation. If you really fall behind, there will be no chance to catch up."

He looked at Li Xuewu firmly and said: "We aren't like Beijing Auto. We are stepchildren; everything has to rely on ourselves. Just take it that I'm begging you to take care of us."

"You say it like this, and I feel a lot of pressure."

Li Xuewu shook his head helplessly and said: "I can only say I will do my best. I will definitely put forward the opinions that should be put forward, but the ones who can save you will always be yourselves."

Gu Litong naturally knew this point and emphasized before getting on the train: "Even if we are willing to work hard for the No. 2 Auto of tomorrow, we have to find the right direction, right?"

Li Xuewu sent Gu Litong away and stood on the platform, watching the departing train for a long time.

In this era, there is no lack of excellent cadres like Gu Litong who are sincerely thinking for the enterprise and treating work as their own career.

Although there are some problems in this era, there are still more people with innocent hearts than in later generations.

It is precisely because of their existence that the glorious era of later generations could be realized.

On the way back to the unit, Zhang Enyuan reported to him the interview news published in the United Industry News and also mentioned the silence of the Northern Industry News.

Yesterday's unhappy parting didn't bring about a sharp attack from Reporter Liu. He didn't know what the other party was thinking.

"Is she still not gone?"

"No, I heard she is still gathering news."

Zhang Enyuan reported: "The people watching her reported that she is visiting factory workers. I don't know what they talked about specifically. According to your instructions, I couldn't follow too closely."

"Forget it, withdraw the people."

Li Xuewu thought for a while and said: "Let her be. No wind, no waves. You can't stop it even if you want to."

Zhang Enyuan looked at his tired expression and suggested softly: "Should we send a message to the group and ask the propaganda department to arrange for someone to handle this matter?"

"Do you think I'm exhausted from dealing with it?"

Li Xuewu opened his eyes, looked at him, and said: "Driving her away is very simple. Diverting the disaster, framing—all are possible, but we can't do that."

"They can have no conscience, but we can't not follow the rules."

He said indifferently: "Losing your conscience might make you earn more, but breaking the rules is fatal."

Zhang Enyuan still didn't quite understand this sentence of his, even though he was much older than Li Xuewu and felt he had experienced more, he just wasn't as wise as Li Xuewu.

He was hearing the statement that losing your conscience could make you earn more for the first time, and he also hadn't heard the saying that breaking the rules was fatal. What rules were broken that were fatal?

"Why can the Steel City Renewable Energy Joint Venture Company be responsible for all recycling business in the Red Star Industrial Zone?"

Liu Hongmei found a familiar name, confirmed which worker it was, and then carried things to visit.

Work was over, and everyone was thinking about going home early to tidy up and eat, but a reporter came to interview.

"How would we know this."

The interviewee shook his head gently and said: "These are all decided by the leaders. I can't answer this if you ask."

He waved his hand, refused Liu Hongmei's gift, and emphasized: "The group has regulations: all interview work needs to be reported and filed with the company. Only after obtaining authorization can we accept your interview."

"We're just chatting casually."

Liu Hongmei smiled kindly and said: "You don't need to be nervous and guard against me."

"I'm not nervous; I'm just stating a fact." The worker said seriously: "And I don't need to guard against you. You can appear in the factory area, which shows you have the conditions to enter and exit."

"Then can you talk about your life now?"

Liu Hongmei tentatively asked: "Is there any inconvenience in life after coming to Steel City to work, or have the group's promises not been realized?"

"There was a lot of pressure before coming, but after coming, I think Steel City is quite good."

The worker introduced: "The commercial and accommodation conditions here are very superior, especially for those who moved their whole family over, who can enjoy spacious staff housing."

"The content the group promised us at the beginning has also been realized. Even if there are things not yet done, we have all seen it. After all, work coordination also requires a certain amount of time."

Liu Hongmei's heart skipped a beat. This wasn't the first time she had encountered this cautious attitude from workers.

If it weren't for looking at his living conditions and work status, she would have felt that the other party was arranged by Li Xuewu.

At first, she felt someone was watching her, but in less than half a day, this feeling disappeared.

Could it be that the person watching her was afraid she would discover them and stayed far away? Or were they withdrawn directly?

Was it trusting herself, or trusting the workers of the Red Star Steel Group?

If the Red Star Steel Group was really as good as these workers said, then how should she write this article?

She couldn't have come from thousands of miles away, only to surrender first, right?

Some information asymmetry made her hit walls everywhere here, appearing a bit impatient.

After ending the day's itinerary, she took a bus back to the Metallurgical Plant Guest House.

Here she enjoyed a service standard that was almost rarely seen. Through chatting with the waiter, she learned that the service standard here came from the group's unified standardization.

Returning to the room, Liu Hongmei pondered for a good while before picking up the phone and dialing out.

The phone at night was particularly hard to make. It took half an hour to get through to the capital.

"How did you tell me?"

She frowned at the phone and said: "The management here is full of holes and loopholes?"

"The problem with the No. 4 furnace is slow to come out. I have instead witnessed the copper wall and iron bastion of your group's propaganda work and worker management!" ===== CHAPTER 1476 =====