Chapter 1608: A Bit Interesting

"Phew—" Li Haiyang blew the cigarette ash that fell on his trousers, raised his head to look at Li Xuewu behind the desk, and asked, "Do you really support him in taking charge of Steel Auto?"

"Hmm? Why? Do you have thoughts?"

Li Xuewu raised his head from the documents to look at the opposite side, raised his eyebrows, and asked, "You also want to go to Steel Auto to try your hand?"

"I still have self-knowledge."

Li Haiyang laughed, reached out and flicked the ash into the ashtray on his desk, and said, "I'm just quite surprised that you would choose to support him."

"You still want to go to Steel Auto." Li Xuewu put down the fountain pen in his hand, looked at him playfully, and picked up his teacup, saying, "But you have to give me a sufficient reason."

"I already said—" Li Haiyang flipped his palms, smiled, and said, "I'm not qualified enough."

Seeing Li Xuewu staring at him with a smile but not speaking, he had to raise his right hand to signal surrender, reached out, and crushed the cigarette butt he hadn't finished smoking into the ashtray.

He looked a bit nervous, crossed his hands together, tapped his heels, made full preparations, and then opened his mouth to explain, "I do have some thoughts about Steel Auto."

"Hmm, tell me, it doesn't matter."

Li Xuewu nodded slightly, put down the teacup in his hand, and listened very seriously to his explanation.

Li Haiyang picked up his teacup and took a big gulp. Only then, under his gaze, did he continue to speak, "I know your development plan for Steel Auto for the next ten years, or even the next twenty years. I'm stronger than him in this point."

"Of course, my qualifications are shallower, I haven't been a standing member, and I lack the necessary production management experience."

He raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "But I know what you want to do, and I also know what I want to do."

"Steel Auto, ha—"

Li Haiyang pinched his fingers and gestured, "At least the group's positioning for it is far from the highest value it can contribute."

"In other words, it's undervalued."

"Hmm, continue." Li Xuewu nodded slowly, his eyes thoughtful as he looked at him.

"Looking at the whole country, Steel Auto has the most excellent and most perfect parts supply chain system, and has the ability to influence other automobile manufacturing enterprises."

Under Li Xuewu's gaze, he couldn't help but sit up straight, and reported seriously, "And, Steel Auto possesses the most modern production lines, which can support the production of multi-model and multi-category automobile products."

"In terms of automobile exports, Steel Auto isn't the first enterprise, but it's the brand that maintains year-on-year sales growth the best. In this point, we do better than the 17th Factory."

Li Haiyang slowed down his tone slightly and continued, "Returning to the group, Steel Auto possesses the most perfect management system and the most excellent management and production team."

"And, in terms of realizing industrial value and technical accumulation, Steel Auto has always been a model for other industrial enterprises in the group. No one can doubt this point."

He said a paragraph in one breath, sorted out his emotions and thinking slightly, paused, and then continued, "In my opinion, Steel Auto should play a more important role."

"For example?" Li Xuewu looked to the side slightly and asked, "Which aspects are worth playing?"

"First, it must be determined, and the status of Steel Auto within the group must be improved."

Li Haiyang emphasized very seriously, "Only on this basis can we get higher management authority, further break away from the shackles of the group, and realize autonomous operation."

"I believe your goal in promoting the landing and rooting of the group's light and heavy industrial industries in Liaodong is also this, right?"

He smiled confidently, picked up his teacup, took a sip, looked at him, and said, "Otherwise, there wouldn't be rumors of a Northeast branch."

Li Xuewu spread his hands noncommittally, didn't answer his question, but gestured for him to continue.

"Secondly, it is to practice the muscles and bones on the outside, and practice the breath on the inside."

Li Haiyang put down the teacup in his hand and said, "The core of the automobile industry is replacement. The export direction must conform to the world's aesthetics, and the domestic sales direction must conform to the essence of practicality and durability. This point is very important."

"Externally, we must actively expand channels and also actively collect feedback, take out better products to compete in the international market, and at the same time gain experience."

He sat up straight, looked at Li Xuewu, and said, "I believe there must be better automobile production management systems and quality R&D standards abroad."

"I am not a person with a closed-door car-making and conservative thinking. I like to learn and think, and am willing to accept new things and challenge the limit."

Expressing his attitude, he restrained the excitement just now, explained a bit embarrassedly, "Of course, these are just my own opinions, but I have a heart to learn and progress actively, and also have the confidence to challenge myself."

"Hmm, you really brought me a surprise today."

Li Xuewu nodded slowly and looked at him, "I didn't even know you had so many thoughts before."

"Did I say something wrong?" Li Haiyang looked at him nervously, sat up straight, and said, "Maybe I thought too much."

"No, no, no—" Li Xuewu said several "no"s in a row, waved his hand, turned his body slightly to look at Li Haiyang opposite, and said, "You should be confident."

"We are all young people. In Director Li's eyes, we are the future of Red Steel Group."

Li Xuewu said very bluntly, "You must think so. Red Steel Group will be mastered by us in the future. You and I are both successors of the group."

"If you aren't this confident, muddle along, plan to wait for seniority, and want to retire steadily before making any contributions, then our group is finished."

"Heh heh heh—" Li Haiyang didn't expect Li Xuewu to say these words, and couldn't help laughing.

"New decade, a new generation replaces the old, and ideological concepts must also keep pace with the times."

Li Xuewu turned his fingers around his eye sockets and emphasized, "If there is no heart to forge ahead, wouldn't that be eating the old capital and sitting and eating until the mountain is empty? Don't you think so?"

"It's the logic you said." Li Haiyang nodded with a smile and said, "You are the banner of our generation."

"Heh—" Li Xuewu chuckled, shook his head slightly, didn't humble himself, but picked up his teacup and took a sip, then said, "Lv Yuanshen left in a hurry. Steel Auto urgently needs a helmsman. I think you should be able to understand my decision."

"Hmm—" The smile on Li Haiyang's face disappeared, and it was hard to hide his disappointment.

"If there is no candidate pushed up in Liaodong, the group will have to make a decision."

Li Xuewu looked at him frankly and said bluntly, "I think you, standing from the position of the Liaodong Industrial Leading Group, also cannot accept the group parachuting a factory director, right?"

"I can understand your decision." Li Haiyang quickly sorted out his emotions, nodded slowly, and said, "You did the right thing."

"But I must admit, this decision was a bit sloppy."

Li Xuewu just looked at him like this, hesitated for a good while, then sat up straight and opened his mouth to say, "At least pushing him up, those people in the group won't say much."

"My qualifications are still too shallow."

Li Haiyang could naturally understand his words, his eyebrows and eyes drooped, and he said, "This is my weakness."

Snap—

Li Xuewu patted the table lightly, startling him into raising his head. Only then did he say, "So you need to do something to make up for your shortcomings."

Seeing Li Haiyang looking at him in confusion, he reached out and pointed at the desktop, saying, "Within the next two years, you will have at least three opportunities."

"I won't fool you, saying some encouraging words to let you wait a bit."

He looked at Li Haiyang opposite very bluntly and said, "If the group adopts my suggestion and appoints Yang Zongfang as the head of Steel Auto, then the standing deputy factory director of the Metallurgical Plant will be vacant."

"Next year, I will promote the project establishment and formation of the Northeast Company. The Metallurgical Plant will sooner or later be handed over."

Li Haiyang frowned, digesting his words. It wasn't hard to understand, but the timing was very critical, and Li Xuewu's step-by-step rhythm was also very critical.

"Finally, I will return to the capital sooner or later."

Li Xuewu said frankly about his future arrangements. This goal couldn't be hidden from anyone, and he had never thought about hiding it.

"Just like I said, we are the future of Red Steel Group, and the future of Red Steel Group will also be controlled by our generation."

He spread his hands and emphasized very seriously, "I hope you can follow closely and grow up quickly, so that you can be in charge of one side and control the future of the group."

"Thank you, Secretary-General." Li Haiyang felt like he had been enlightened, his mind suddenly opened, and he stood up excitedly, took the initiative to hold his hand, and said, "I understand."

Follow closely, follow whose footsteps?

He had served by Li Huai De's side for more than three years and had long seen through the essence of those leaders in the group, but Li Xuewu was the only special one.

It couldn't be said that other leaders had lost their original intention and only lived for the hats on their heads, but their original intention of doing things wasn't as pure as Li Xuewu's.

Like today's words, Li Huai De would never speak to him so bluntly, let alone talk openly about future arrangements.

Even if he guessed it, or heard someone say it, Li Huai De would never admit this point.

Director Li was the kind of person who would always be squeezed, liked to use distance to enhance his prestige, and even deliberately created a sense of mystery.

But Li Xuewu wasn't. This Secretary-General, who had fought his way to today with real knives and guns, had absolute confidence and goals for his work.

Before, some people said he always secretly took Li Xuewu as a model to learn from, and even recorded the words Li Xuewu had said, mocking him for flattery and bootlicking.

Just kidding, he was Li Huai De's secretary, did he need to flatter Li Xuewu?

He genuinely admired this advanced young cadre who was the same age as him. No one in the group had been able to achieve these results until now.

It wasn't that he was sycophantic and admired the strong, but that he wanted to progress too much.

On the 9th, Li Xuewu received a call from Shangguan Qi, reporting that Peter had returned to the Research Institute, and the specific situation was unknown.

But he had channels to understand this situation, which was the call from Wang Lu that came subsequently.

On the phone, Wang Lu reported the detailed situation of this matter to him, including Director Li exerting force and asking for the person back through Director Du.

Xia Zhongquan personally picked the person up and sent him back to the Research Institute.

But this matter wasn't over. Wang Lu said her uncle had already submitted a resignation application to the Management Committee, conducted a self-examination regarding this matter, and assumed the main responsibility.

Li Xuewu didn't say anything on the phone, and didn't even let Xia Zhongquan return his call.

And Xia Zhongquan didn't seem to have any intention of making this call, just simply submitted an application to resign from the main management position of the Research Institute.

From beginning to end, Li Xuewu hadn't treated Steel City as the main battlefield of this storm. In the capital, he had always emphasized that the vortex was in the capital.

The current result wasn't unexpected. On the contrary, Xia Zhongquan was a bit excited, inexplicably adding drama to himself. Was he possessed by a drama queen?

"Secretary-General, Deputy Director Cheng called, wanting to communicate with you about the candidate for the person in charge of Steel Auto." Zhang Enyuan pushed open the office door and reported.

Li Xuewu picked up the phone and nodded, "Connect it."

"Good." Zhang Enyuan responded and turned to go to the opposite office.

Very quickly, Cheng Kaiyuan's voice appeared in the receiver.

"Steel Auto cannot be without a factory director. This matter should be implemented as soon as possible."

Cheng Kaiyuan knew his work style and asked bluntly, "Do you have any recommended candidates on your side?"

"Hmm, I've also been considering this problem recently."

Li Xuewu didn't seem to have any intention of hiding it, and said frankly, "Deputy Director Jing has called, and Deputy Director Gu has also entrusted the Deputy Secretary-General to convey similar opinions to me."

Cheng Kaiyuan asked faintly, "What's your opinion?" The contest between the two sides had already begun.

"Does the group have any good candidates?"

Li Xuewu was like a slippery fish, turned the topic in a direction, and actually asked for the other party's opinion.

Cheng Kaiyuan didn't want to go in circles, pondered for a moment, and replied, "I communicated with General Manager Xue on my side, and felt it was appropriate to arrange someone from the production system to go down."

"Oh, are there any specific candidates?"

Li Xuewu asked bluntly, "Is it choosing someone from the Production Management Department, or choosing someone from the Dispatch and Transportation Department?"

"Deputy Manager Yao Huiying of the Production Management Department, what do you think of her?"

The two had long had a tacit understanding. There was no cover-up on such personnel issues. After several contests, Cheng Kaiyuan chose to be frank.

He introduced, "You are also familiar with Comrade Yao Huiying. She is an old person from the Red Star Factory, with a tough style and outstanding achievements. She is a rare female general in the group."

"In terms of production management, she took the lead in organizing the compilation and publication of the industrial technology management system specifications last year, and also has many thoughts on safety production work."

This was really wanting to push Yao Huiying to the top, because it wasn't hard to find from his introduction that these were all key points that Li Xuewu valued quite a bit on weekdays.

Li Xuewu, however, didn't give a positive feedback, but said hesitantly, "I naturally understand Comrade Yao Huiying, but someone recommended the standing deputy factory director of the Metallurgical Plant, Yang Zongfang."

The other end of the phone was silent for a moment, as if there was some opinion.

"Hmm, even Li Haiyang recommended himself."

Li Xuewu seemed not to notice the other party's silence, and said very embarrassedly, "This is also the main reason why I haven't submitted a candidate."

"This is just adding chaos—" Cheng Kaiyuan's tone was very blunt, "If it goes on like this, wouldn't it be possible to gather one hundred and eight generals?"

"Hmm?" Li Xuewu asked with feigned confusion, "Does the Management Committee have other candidates?"

"You don't know?" Cheng Kaiyuan paused and explained, "Deputy Director Zhang recommended Deputy Manager Gou Zirong of the Sales Department. General Manager Gao naturally wouldn't oppose it."

This had to be listened to carefully. Not opposing was actually supporting, because Gao Yaqin was the supervising leader of the Sales Department, and she wouldn't stop the people under her from making progress.

"Don't know what other people's opinions are right now, but I know that the names Chen Shouzhi and Yu Decai were on the original list."

"Are you sure?" Li Xuewu's voice suddenly became serious, and he asked, "Is the news accurate?"

"How can this be determined?" Cheng Kaiyuan said helplessly, "I can only say that someone mentioned it during the meeting discussion. Who knows who is on the specific list."

It was also normal for people to speculate about candidates after the news of Steel Auto changing generals came out. After all, it was the group's organs.

"Now it's good, you came back and killed two candidates." Cheng Kaiyuan's tone now was quite gloating, "Now it's completely a pot of porridge."

The importance of Steel Auto wasn't something the group's leaders couldn't see. The positioning of deputy bureau had long been given. It was normal for whoever took the position to enjoy the relevant treatment and resources, and fight until their heads were broken and blood flowed.

Regarding the two candidates Li Xuewu "unintentionally" killed, Chen Shouzhi was sent down by the ministry, and it was natural to have old Li's support.

And Li Huai De had always wanted to consolidate and strengthen his influence in the industrial business field. Cheng Kaiyuan mentioning his name was naturally gloating.

No matter how you say it, Li Xuewu was also a "person of his own" in the industrial management system in Liaodong. What kind of relative was Chen Shouzhi?

In Cheng Kaiyuan's eyes, Li Xuewu could never be counted as a good kind that could be trusted, or even cooperate for a long time, but he knew that Li Xuewu was also definitely not Li Huai De's "person of his own."

To put it more bluntly, Li Xuewu had long been sitting on the edge of the chessboard, and had long been a chess player, not a chess piece on the chessboard.

But he would rather cooperate with someone like Li Xuewu who dared to do real things than be friends with a hypocritical fox like old Li.

Therefore, he could call Li Xuewu, but he wouldn't walk to Li Huai De's office.

Li Xuewu landed in the capital with remaining prestige, first beheaded Chen Shouzhi who listened to the announcement but not the transfer, which could be considered as disrupting Li Huai De's layout.

Subsequently, he "punished" the ungrateful Yu Decai in front of Dong Wenxue, which could be considered as holding a bowl of water level, and old Li had nothing to say.

It was far from just that. Once Yu Decai moved, Lv Yuanshen, who had long been arranged, also had to move. Pulling one hair moved the whole body, and it was all messed up.

The arrangements made by those people in the group earlier were completely disrupted by Li Xuewu's return to the capital, taking advantage of the chaos in Steel Flight, and a fire burned the rhythm.

In Cheng Kaiyuan's phone call, it was even revealed that Su Weide was standing behind Yu Decai.

Very surprised?

Of course not. Where in politics are there surprises.

Li Xuewu's knife didn't behead the unjust ghost. Since he wanted to move Yu Decai, he must have sufficient reasons. Otherwise, how to explain it to Dong Wenxue.

Of course, Su Weide supporting Yu Decai didn't mean that the two had reached some sordid things.

Since Su Weide took charge of the Quality and Safety Department's work, he hadn't been able to truly reach his hand into the Quality and Safety Department, from Wang Xiaoqin to Su Weide.

Even if he replaced the deputy manager with Tai Juncai, he was still firmly suppressed by Li Xuewu's old subordinates and couldn't move at all.

He had long had enough of this powerlessness. If he couldn't suppress Yu Decai, then he would lift him up and send him away. This was his secret support.

Why was it secret?

Because Su Weide lost credibility with Lv Yuanshen here. Things he once promised weren't done. The two couldn't say they were enemies, but it was almost there.

Sometimes the working relationship is like this. Success is success, failure is failure.

One breach of contract, lifetime distrust.

He couldn't accept the Quality and Safety Department manager being held by someone he couldn't control, so he had to exert pressure to prevent Lv Yuanshen's arrival.

The result of looking forward and backward was being sneak-attacked by Li Xuewu, who kicked him on the butt.

Tai Juncai not only failed to make progress, but Lv Yuanshen actually returned to the capital smoothly and served as the manager of the Quality and Safety Department. You say how disgusting he is.

That's why Cheng Kaiyuan dared to say that Li Xuewu's return to the capital was a chain kick, and that's why there was this phone call today, wanting to ask what he was thinking.

If you ask him whether Li Xuewu's actions and arrangements in the capital were unintentional, you might as well tell him old Li had quit lust, perhaps he could still close his eyes and say he believed it.

Believe Li Xuewu was unintentional? Ha!

If Li Xuewu was unintentional, wouldn't the loss in Steel City be in vain!

You say, in the group, who dares to believe this sentence? Is Li Xuewu a master who eats losses?

Chen Shouzhi rolled away, Yu Decai failed the list, there was no one who could fight now. He mentioned one person, it couldn't be considered inconsistent, right?

Cheng Kaiyuan saw it clearly. It was nothing more than Li Xuewu pushing out to attract firepower, and also disturbing the sight of Li Huai De and others coveting Liaodong industry.

Even if it was him, he couldn't say bluntly in the meeting which Yang Zongfang wasn't good, and could only mention that Yao Huiying was more suitable.

This is the tacit understanding that must be adhered to when competing for positions in the same industrial management system.

Yang Zongfang represented the grassroots management of Liaodong industry and was the core focused on by the middle-level cadres in the existing Liaodong industrial management system.

Once he took charge of Steel Auto, it meant that in the industrial system, middle-level management cadres had the opportunity to break through the ceiling and further obtain the promotion of their career.

Instead of all the main persons in charge of production units being sent down by the group and parachuted from the organs.

The game of chess Li Xuewu played was called borrowing strength to hit strength, which would inevitably make these people in the group difficult. He put a different coat on the weak Yang Zongfang.

Whether this coat is useful or not depends on the actual operation. The next Management Committee personnel office meeting will be very difficult to open.

Yao Huiying, Gou Zirong, Yang Zongfang, these three candidates each represented the will of certain collectives in the group, and would inevitably affect the changes in the group's management next.

Do you still dare to say that Li Xuewu put a dumb cannon, with loud thunder and small rain?

Political thinking is always listening to thunder in the silent place.

"Why did you boil skin jelly?"

Li Xuewu walked into the restaurant and saw a dish of pig skin jelly sprinkled with soy sauce on the dining table. He looked at Yu Li with a smile and asked, "You wanted to eat it?"

"Ate it twice in Yingcheng, it was quite delicious, so I thought about trying it."

Yu Li served a plate of stir-fried eggs with chili, pointed to the direction of the study, and asked, "Is Banggeng still reading?"

"Went to the courtyard, I asked him to wash a few water radishes."

Li Xuewu sat in the chair, moved his chopsticks to pick up a piece and tasted it, nodded and said, "Not bad, really chewy."

"I used tweezers to clean the pig hair bit by bit, it's very clean." Yu Li smiled and introduced, "Wen San did it this way."

"Heh—" He chuckled, "To please his wife?"

"Can also say so." Yu Li saw Banggeng running in, pointed to the water pool for him to go wash vegetables, and said with a smile, "He's afraid of Fei Shanying."

"Why? Still want to give birth?" Li Xuewu asked jokingly, "Is he afraid of this?"

"You're telling me—" Yu Li served the sauce bowl and joked, "Fei Shanying said, since he is unrestrained, then give birth to a few more sons to let him learn to take responsibility."

"Hahaha—" Li Xuewu laughed out loud again. Every time he thought of Wen San'er's sad face, he wanted to laugh.

Last month Wen San'er gave birth to a daughter. He didn't go, Yu Li went. She also wanted to see the situation in Yingcheng.

"The little girl looks like her mother, double eyelids are very good-looking." Yu Li introduced Wen San's daughter, who had already been named Wen Hao. Two sons and one daughter, of course, could be called a good word.

"Actually, Wen San doesn't look ugly either."

Li Xuewu took a water radish brought by Banggeng and dipped it in sauce to eat. It was refreshing and crisp. Blowing the cool night breeze, dinner couldn't be without this bite.

"Everyone says the nephew resembles the uncle, why don't I see where the nephew and his uncle resemble each other?"

Yu Li sat next to him and asked with a smile, "Is it a biological uncle?"

"If you ask me like that, I don't dare to answer you." Li Xuewu shook his head amusedly, "There are really too many things involved here."

"Hahahaha—" Yu Li also felt it was funny. The looks of this uncle and nephew were completely two extremes, completely different in height, fat, and thin.

"Oh, right, a call came from the capital this afternoon." She remembered and reported to Li Xuewu, "Zhou Ya Mei said Mr. Lou came to the club."

"Hmm, what's wrong?" Li Xuewu raised his head and glanced at her.

It wasn't strange that he had a flat reaction to this matter. The Lou Yu couple lived in the Workers' New Village. Not many people knew about it. It could be considered hiding in the city.

Mainly to facilitate Lou Ting's schooling. Lou Yu had now handed over all the things on the mountain and didn't go up the mountain even once in a few months.

Actually, his health wasn't good either, plus Lou Xiaoe was doing better and better in Hong Kong, and other families were convinced. He had nothing to worry about anymore.

Giving up fantasies and accepting reality.

Giving up the power in his hands in advance could give other families some room for trust.

Similarly, his actions also gave Lou Xiaoe in Hong Kong more space to deal with other families.

It could be said to be the old father's final compensation, because he owed Lou Xiaoe.

"Said some department contacted him, notifying him to receive the confiscated property from before, including real estate and cars, etc. He couldn't make up his mind."

Yu Li reported, "Some real estate was requisitioned, and now there are units working there. The cars were really returned, but they were also misappropriated."

"What are his thoughts." Li Xuewu ate a piece of egg and asked faintly, "Want to take back these properties?"

"He said everything listens to your arrangement."

Yu Li curled her lips and said, "I think he is unwilling, after all, this is indeed his property."

"Unwilling, so what." Li Xuewu put down his rice bowl and said helplessly, "I know where the root of this matter is."

He explained to Yu Li the instructions about Mr. Z published in the newspaper at the beginning of the month. The property confiscated in the early stage of the Great Learning Activity had to be registered, and handling opinions were put forward.

"Speaking of which, it's a good thing, and it can be considered correcting mistakes."

"That means it can be collected back?" Yu Li asked curiously, "Won't there be any influence?"

"Since there is a document coming down, there won't be any influence." Li Xuewu thought for a while and said, "Regarding those cars, I'd say just donate them all."

"Even if they are all received back, who will drive them?"

He looked at Yu Li and said, "Does he want to use a driver now, or does he want to use a nanny?"

"The car has been used for so many years, donating it won't hurt. What about the real estate?"

Yu Li explained, "He might care about this point. People of his age will have this kind of stubbornness."

"Hi—" Li Xuewu shook his head amusedly and said, "How many real estates in the Four Nine City are passed down?"

He tilted his chin and said, "Is the Forbidden City grand? You ask the Aisin Gioro family if they dare to jump in and go wild?"

"Thousands of houses, but when you leave, you only have a place as big as a coffin. When you reach that age, what else can't you let go of."

"That's what you say—" Yu Li frowned and said, "But when it really falls on yourself, who can be as open as you."

"Then let him go and collect." Li Xuewu said indifferently, "Anyway, those units won't vacate the houses for a while. At most, they will give him a few cents of rent."

He also shook his head amusedly and said, "I don't even believe he dares to collect rent. When he bumps into a full head of bags, he will know the difficulty and retreat."

"Why don't you persuade him—"

Yu Li reminded him, "You don't know that his health isn't good. Lou Xiaoe is thousands of miles away. If something really happens, can you get over it?"

"Humph—" Li Xuewu exhaled from his nostrils, nodded helplessly, and said, "Fine, I'll write a letter to him."

"Talk more about the past, don't just write about this one thing." Yu Li reminded him with a smile, "Actually, he cares about you quite a bit, it's just that you haven't discovered it."

"He cares about me because he is afraid of me." Li Xuewu curled his lips and said, "He is afraid I will make him have no descendants."

"That's not it—" Yu Li glanced at him and said amusedly, "I have been in contact with him for a long time, and I can see what kind of person he is."

"Regarding Lou Xiaoe, he is actually quite guilty, it's just that he can't say it."

She explained, "The words he taught Lou Ting, I heard them, and I also feel he isn't a bad person, at least not entirely malicious."

"You listen to him—" Li Xuewu put down his bowl and chopsticks and said indifferently, "He was able to operate the family business to continue after liberation in that era. Do you think he would be so simple?"

"A tiger father has no dog son." He stood up and said faintly, "Today's Lou Xiaoe has at least more than half of her father's shadow on her." 【1608-2

Yu Li explained, "He might be concerned about this point; people of his age are bound to have some stubbornness in this regard."

"Heh—" Li Xuewu shook his head with amusement and said, "How many properties in this city of Beijing are actually passed down through generations?"

He tilted his chin and said, "Is the Forbidden City not grand? You ask the Aisin Gioro family if they dare to jump the queue and go in there to run wild."

"Even with a thousand houses, when you leave, you only need a place the size of a coffin; once you reach that age, what else is there to be hung up on?"

"That's easy to say—" Yu Li frowned and said, "But when it really happens to you, who can be as open-minded as you think?"

"Then let him go collect it." Li Xuewu said indifferently, "Anyway, those units won't vacate the properties anytime soon; at most, they'll give him a few cents in rent."

He also shook his head with amusement and said, "I don't even believe he dares to go collect rent; once he gets his head bumped and bruised, he'll know when to retreat."

"Aren't you going to persuade him?" Yu Li raised her eyebrows and looked at him strangely, saying, "After all, Lou Xiaoe is still involved here."

"Where is she?" Li Xuewu found it amusing, looked at her, and said, "Believe it or not, even if Lou Xiaoe came back to handle this matter, she would say exactly the same thing as I did."

"I'm just asking you to persuade him—"

Yu Li reminded him, "It's not like you don't know his health is poor, and Lou Xiaoe is thousands of miles away; if something really goes wrong, could you live with your conscience?"

"Hmph—" Li Xuewu exhaled through his nostrils, nodded helplessly, and said, "Fine, I'll write him a letter."

"Talk more about old times, don't just write about this one thing." Yu Li smiled and reminded him, "Actually, he cares quite a bit about you; it's just that you haven't noticed."

"He cares about me because he's afraid of me." Li Xuewu curled his lips and said, "He's afraid I'll leave him without descendants."

"That's not it—" Yu Li glanced at him and said with amusement, "I haven't spent a short time interacting with him; I can tell what kind of person he is."

"Regarding Lou Xiaoe, he's actually quite guilty, he just hasn't been able to say it out loud."

She explained, "I heard the words he used to teach Lou Ting, and I also felt he isn't a bad person, at least not entirely malicious."

"He told Lou Ting to remember his aunt's kindness, explained that the family's misfortune had nothing to do with his aunt, and also said that the family's survival to this day was all thanks to his aunt's efforts."

"You listen to him talk—" Li Xuewu put down his bowl and chopsticks and said without much concern, "Do you think he would be so simple, being able to manage and continue the family business through that era until after the Liberation?"

"Like father, like daughter." He stood up and said calmly, "The Lou Xiaoe of today carries at least more than half of her father's shadow."

"Do it again." In the early morning, Li Xuewu stood in the courtyard watching Banggeng practice martial arts; he had taught him to box a long time ago, and today he felt a whim to see how the kid was doing.

But the more he watched, the more wrong it felt; not only had the moves become "rounded," but the momentum was gone, as if a large macaque was just making a fuss there.

"Uncle Wu, am I doing okay now?"

Banggeng was completely unaware of his own strength, even feeling a bit proud as he did a backflip on the spot and gestured a few moves on the wall.

"Hmm—" Li Xuewu looked at his amateur skills and evaluated hesitantly, "Your level is okay, I suppose, because an average person can't do a backflip on the spot."

"But if you're asking if you're actually any good, I don't see it."

"Then what level am I exactly?"

Banggeng was also confused, looking at him and asking, "Am I good, or not?"

"Well—" Li Xuewu curled his lips and said, "Then let's call it half-good."

"What does half-good mean?" The big-faced cat complained with a mournful face, "Doesn't that mean my half-hour every morning is wasted?"

"It doesn't count as wasted." Li Xuewu nodded very seriously and said, "Your level of skill fills the gap between a master and an ordinary person."

"Then should I keep practicing?" Banggeng asked blankly, "Should I go back to practicing wrestling?"

"That's an idea." Li Xuewu looked him up and down and said, "Eat as much as you can; once you're fat as a ball, no one will be able to throw you."

Banggeng wasn't as hopeless as he made him out to be; at least this set of skills had some form to it—it wouldn't scare anyone, but it might still make people laugh.

The times have changed; even those who can vault over walls will be shot down, and a "Golden Bell Shield" can't stop a 7.62mm bullet. It doesn't matter if the training is off-track, as long as it strengthens the body.

Banggeng learned to drive and is now Yu Li's driver and bodyguard, except this driver doesn't have a license, and as for the bodyguard... well, you've all seen the technique.

Still the same saying: it's not that he's no good, but it's hard to say he's truly good—let's call it half-good.

The winds of July were intensifying; even small figures could feel the terrifying pressure under the dark clouds. When the storm arrives, no one can escape this kind of pressure.

Banggeng helped him mail the letter to Lou Yu and retrieved the mail from home.

It was sent by his third brother, Xuecai. In the letter, besides relaying their father's decision regarding the date of the third uncle's burial, he also mentioned the situation of the family and asked him not to worry.

At the end of the letter, he also mentioned with some hidden pride the good news that he had become an attending physician, which counted as reporting his growth to his second brother.

Li Xuewu was indeed very proud of his younger brother. In fact, saying that the third brother was the one who should inherit the family's medical skills and carry on their father's mantle was absolutely sincere.

The eldest brother didn't like medicine, nor did he like dealing with people; when he was young, he preferred using force to solve problems—he never had the gentle temperament required to study traditional Chinese medicine.

Only the third brother, who was neither the eldest son nor the pampered youngest, bore more pressure than the second brother who had lost his parents' attention early on.

He had to compete with his younger sister for the family's attention while also embodying the generosity of an older brother; he was meticulous and gentle in emotion, making him the most suitable for studying traditional Chinese medicine.

Especially since his talent in traditional Chinese medicine was better than both his own and the eldest brother's; having achieved this today, he naturally had to be proud of his younger brother.

Smiling, he folded the letter paper and stuffed it back into the envelope. Walking back to the living room, Yu Li had finished packing his luggage for the business trip and urged him to pay attention to rest.

It was agreed that he would go to Fengcheng on Friday to meet Hu Ke and discuss the fertilizer plant matter.

What was originally a relaxed and pleasant matchmaking effort in his eyes had hit a snag due to the shift in Beijing Chemical's management policy.

Influenced by the Red Steel Group, Beijing Chemical also wanted to taste the bitterness of being a group company, which in Li Xuewu's view was completely unnecessary, as he really didn't want to put in the effort.

Unfortunately, since the path had already been walked this far, he couldn't break his promise to others; overdrawing his political credit was no different from professional suicide.

So this time, he had to probe the bottom line of Liaodong industry, then call over Beijing industry, and have all three parties sit together to discuss the subsequent cooperative relationship.

He was unwilling to simply pave the way for Beijing Chemical.

He was equally unwilling to simply repay the favor to Liaodong industry.

Therefore, since both sides felt that only with the participation of the Red Steel Group could a balance be achieved and better cooperative conditions created, he had to play his role well.

The cooperative relationship with Shenfei that was canceled because of him, although they couldn't vent their anger on him, ultimately started because of him and ended because of him.

Li Xuewu felt an obligation to give all the staff of the group an explanation, and in compensating for the severance of the transaction with Shenfei, create a new cooperative system.

Of course, the entanglement with Shenfei was far from over; everything had only just begun.