Chapter 337: The Steel Mill Cannot Be Chaotic!

Gu Ning was momentarily stunned by Li Xuewu's words; she wasn't sure which "Mom" Li Xuewu was referring to.

"Hehehe."

Seeing Gu Ning pursing her lips and not speaking, Li Xuewu smiled and said: "Your Mom, my Mom."

"I'm going upstairs to rest."

Gu Ning's face didn't know if it was roasted by the flames in the fireplace or what, but it was a bit red and hot.

She wanted to dodge this person's words, but her hand was held.

Li Xuewu squeezed the soft hand in his, smiled and said: "Sit for a while. You came out to play with me, but I've been missing all day."

Gu Ning was pulled back to the sofa by Li Xuewu's strength.

"There's a dance party at the Workers' Club here tonight. Do you want to go play?"

Li Xuewu leaned on the sofa, looking at Gu Ning, who was sitting beside him somewhat nervously.

The more nervous Gu Ning was, the more wickedly Li Xuewu smiled.

"I don't know how to dance."

Gu Ning pulled her hand again; this time Li Xuewu didn't insist and withdrew his hand, placing it on his stomach.

Zhou Wang Yamei walked out and said: "The hot water is ready."

Seeing Li Xuewu holding his stomach, she asked again: "I forgot to ask you just now, have you eaten? We left food for you."

Li Xuewu sat up straight, waved his hand, and said: "I ate in the evening."

"Should I bring the hairtail fish over? There's still wine at home."

"No need."

Li Xuewu smiled, stood up, and said: "I don't eat after dinner; there's no time to digest, and the stomach will have a burden."

"You are really particular."

Zhou Wang Yamei got a bath towel for Li Xuewu and watched with a smile as Li Xuewu entered the bathroom.

"He really knows a lot."

Seeing Li Xuewu off, Zhou Wang Yamei turned around and said to Gu Ning with a smile.

Gu Ning nodded and replied: "His father is a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner; his family is a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners."

"No wonder."

Zhou Wang Yamei sighed again at Li Xuewu's attentiveness.

She had met Li Xuewu several times and chatted quite a bit, even touching upon things from his childhood.

But Li Xuewu just didn't mention that his family was in traditional Chinese medicine.

Zhou Wang Yamei guessed this might have something to do with her profession.

Li Xuewu finished his bath, changed his clothes, and walked out. Seeing that both were still sitting on the sofa, he walked over and sat in the single seat.

"What are you chatting about?"

Zhou Wang Yamei looked at Li Xuewu, raised her eyebrows, and said: "Chatting about your family being a family of traditional Chinese medicine practitioners."

"Hahahaha."

Li Xuewu smiled, completely without the embarrassment of being caught.

He drank the tea on the table and then said: "I don't like taking medicine; I don't like Western medicine, and I don't like Chinese medicine either."

"Why?"

Zhou Wang Yamei asked the question Gu Ning had asked earlier.

Li Xuewu smiled at Gu Ning, then explained his professional requirements and thoughts to Zhou Wang Yamei.

Zhou Wang Yamei looked at Li Xuewu and said: "Then are you planning to accept psychological intervention treatment? Do you have time? This back and forth..."

"It's okay."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Our factory and the Steel Mill have freight trains every month, and workers from both factories also have commuting needs; freight trains will carry passenger vehicles."

Zhou Wang Yamei nodded and said: "Once a month, that's still doable."

Then she asked again: "Are we doing it today?"

"Good."

Li Xuewu signaled to Gu Ning and followed Zhou Wang Yamei toward the study.

Zhou Wang Yamei and Gu Ning both sat behind Li Xuewu, in a position where Li Xuewu couldn't see them.

And Li Xuewu felt even more comfortable after taking a bath and lying down.

"Did you have any interesting things happen when you joined the army?"

Seeing Li Xuewu was ready, Zhou Wang Yamei started the first question.

Li Xuewu followed Zhou Wang Yamei's request to empty himself, listening to the sounds coming from all directions, and replied: "Once, while guarding prisoners, a comrade-in-arms slacked off and the person ran away. At that time, I was helping in the kitchen squad. As soon as I heard someone ran away, I insisted on chasing them, hehehe."

Li Xuewu touched his nose and continued: "The squad leader wouldn't let me go, but I had already run, so he chased me from behind."

"I was always writing things at that time, so I had a good relationship with the clerk. When I got to the clerk and said it was an emergency to get a gun, he gave it to me."

"By the time the squad leader caught up with me, I was already running out with the gun. He had no choice, so he told me to follow him, saying he would take me to perform a meritorious service."

"At that time, I hadn't been in the company long and had only touched a semi-automatic, but I was in such a hurry that I took the wrong submachine gun and didn't know how to use it at all. While running, I was fumbling with it clatteringly, muttering: 'How do you use this thing?'"

"At that time, our squad leader had already run in front of me, but he was scared to death, fearing that the prisoners in the forest ahead would suddenly appear, and fearing that I would backstab him from behind, he kept looking back and saying: 'I beg you, stop fumbling, don't hit me'."

"Pfft~"

Zhou Wang Yamei couldn't help laughing, then covered her mouth with her hand.

Gu Ning was also full of smiles.

"Did you catch them later?"

"Hmm, that was the first time I received a personal third-class merit."

Li Xuewu's expression fell into memories, and he said: "That was a big guy, very important..."

Gu Ning sat quietly behind Li Xuewu, listening to him talk about the past, talking about his years of war.

Time seemed to have solidified, stopped; in the dimness, only Li Xuewu's voice echoed in the room.

As the frequency of Li Xuewu's speech became slower and slower, and the frequency of his expression changes became slower and slower, until the voice stopped and the snoring sounded.

Gu Ning, at Zhou Wang Yamei's signal, walked to the front of Li Xuewu to take a look.

Looking at Li Xuewu, who was somewhat frowning, Gu Ning was very curious about what was in his mind.

When Li Xuewu woke up, there was no one in the study anymore; everything was pitch black, with only a strip of light from the door crack reflecting on the walls and floor.

Li Xuewu touched the blanket covering him, picked up the watch placed on the small table, and looked at it by the light reflecting in; it was already past one o'clock in the morning.

Perhaps because he had slept in the afternoon and had psychological counseling, his body felt very comfortable after deep sleep, and he twisted on the recliner.

After lying for another five or six minutes, Li Xuewu sat up, folded the blanket, and placed it on the chair.

Perhaps hearing the sound in the study, the door was gently pushed open.

"You're awake?"

Li Xuewu glanced at the silhouette at the door; from the voice, he could tell it was Zhou Wang Yamei.

"You're not asleep yet?"

"We came back in the afternoon and had a sleep, so we're not very sleepy."

Zhou Wang Yamei opened the door and walked in, turning on the desk lamp on the small table.

The light was dim yellow, not stinging to the eyes.

Li Xuewu put the watch on his wrist and asked: "Gu Ning went to sleep?"

"Hmm, she went to sleep after you fell asleep."

Zhou Wang Yamei walked to the side of the recliner, bent down to pick up the blanket, and walked to the bookshelf, squatting down to put the blanket into the cabinet.

"How come I don't see you smoking anymore?"

Li Xuewu stretched his arms and asked Zhou Wang Yamei, who was walking over.

Zhou Wang Yamei walked to the desk and sat down, saying: "The worries have been resolved, so I don't smoke anymore."

As she spoke, she signaled for Li Xuewu to sit over.

"That's a good thing. I'm also reducing the frequency and quantity of my smoking."

Li Xuewu walked to the opposite side of the desk, sat down, and asked: "How is it?"

"Quite good."

Zhou Wang Yamei looked at her records and said: "I can see that your mood has been good lately, hehe."

Seeing Zhou Wang Yamei joking with him, Li Xuewu knew she was ready to perform treatment on him; not telling him about his condition was to reduce his anxiety.

"It's okay, at least my mood was good yesterday."

Zhou Wang Yamei looked at her watch, smiled, and said: "It is indeed yesterday's matter."

"If you don't take medicine, then you have to come here on time for psychological intervention treatment."

"How long will it take?"

Li Xuewu asked, and added: "I mean, how many times do I need to do this for my situation?"

Zhou Wang Yamei shook her head and said: "I don't know. People are living; I cannot limit your thinking and emotions. I can only say that I will continuously intervene in the emotional and psychological changes you have already produced."

"Hmm."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "I will try my best to come once a month."

Then he pointed to the notebook in Zhou Wang Yamei's hand and said: "This cannot be kept. Not just mine; Gu Ning's cannot be kept either."

Zhou Wang Yamei frowned and explained: "This is just an assessment of your psychological situation; it's nothing."

"That won't do either."

Li Xuewu stared into Zhou Wang Yamei's eyes and said: "So far, you are the first person I have opened my heart to and told the truth, but I can tolerate you alone at most. Do you understand what I mean?"

Zhou Wang Yamei looked into Li Xuewu's eyes, thought of Li Xuewu's cautious personality and special profession, and chose to comply with the request of this special patient.

"If I don't take notes or keep data, I cannot remember your emotional fluctuations. After all, you are not my only patient."

"Then let your patients end with me alone."

"I have to live and raise children."

Li Xuewu said decisively: "I will be responsible for your living, at least until Gu Ning and I recover."

As he spoke, he took a stack of money from his pocket, placed it on the table, and pushed it over.

Zhou Wang Yamei looked at Li Xuewu with a serious expression and asked: "What do you mean by this?"

"Supporting you!"

Li Xuewu smiled, then explained: "It is not suitable for you to work now, whether from the perspective of the children or the environment."

Seeing Zhou Wang Yamei about to push the money back, Li Xuewu pressed down on her hand.

"I promised Fu Haibo, and besides, this includes our treatment fees and room and board."

"But it won't cost that much..."

"I am in Beijing."

Seeing Zhou Wang Yamei wasn't pushing anymore, Li Xuewu withdrew his hand and continued: "I come once a month, and there are always times when I can't take care of things, so just treat this money as being deposited with you."

After speaking, he stood up and said with a smile: "Bring your parents over to live; you always need money to support a family."

Seeing Li Xuewu about to leave, Zhou Wang Yamei looked at the money under her hand and said to Li Xuewu's back: "I can support myself..."

"I believe you, but it's better to be safe. Listen to my arrangements."

Li Xuewu looked back and smiled, then opened the door and walked out.

Zhou Wang Yamei stood by the desk, picked up the stack of money, and looked at it; it was about two hundred yuan.

Previously, she wanted to go out to work, but Fu Haibo wouldn't let her, telling her to focus on raising the children at home.

Now she had lost her source of income and had thought about going out to work.

But this plan had gone bankrupt again, but this time Zhou Wang Yamei's mood was more complex than the last time.

Especially Li Xuewu's sentence: "I'll support you."

The early morning in Steel City was gray; the sky was gray, the branches were gray, and the snow on the ground had also turned gray.

Li Xuewu exhaled a puff of white air, picked up a shovel, and started clearing the snow in the courtyard.

The courtyards of other families were all clean; only this courtyard and the courtyard next door had snow.

While cleaning, Li Xuewu felt someone watching him. His body stiffened, he bent down slightly, and observed his surroundings from under his armpit.

No need to look carefully; with Li Xuewu's observation skills, he had already found the target in the window next door.

But the moment he made eye contact, the curtain on that side was drawn.

Li Xuewu straightened up and looked next door. Zhou Wang Yamei had introduced that family last time he came; the father was the vice president of the Steel City Hospital, and the son had autism.

Li Xuewu leaned on the shovel and watched for a while before continuing to clear the snow.

After clearing the snow on the stone-paved road, Li Xuewu also cleaned up the snow at the entrance.

When he entered the house, Zhou Wang Yamei had already prepared the meal. Gu Ning and Fu Zhidong were sitting on the sofa, staring blankly at the hashima in the canned bottle.

"There's still one not cooked?"

Li Xuewu stomped his feet at the entrance, walked into the foyer, changed his shoes, and saw this interesting scene as soon as he entered.

"Said last night they wanted to raise it, said they wouldn't let me cook it no matter what."

Zhou Wang Yamei glanced at the sofa side with a smile, then greeted everyone to eat.

Li Xuewu looked at the sauce-braised hashima, red-braised hairtail, stir-fried potato slices, and a dish of cooked sauce on the dining table.

"This, dip this in sauce to eat."

Zhou Wang Yamei brought out a plate of dark gray dried vegetables from the kitchen.

"Do you recognize this?"

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu didn't answer Zhou Wang Yamei's question, but turned to look at Gu Ning and asked: "Do you recognize it?"

Gu Ning looked at the plant on the plate that could no longer be seen in its original state, raised her head, and asked: "Is it gray vegetable?"

"Hehehe, you really know it?"

Li Xuewu picked up a small piece, dipped it in the cooked sauce, and tasted it; it was indeed that taste.

"It's quite delicious, you try it."

Zhou Wang Yamei put chili in the fried sauce, so it was a bit spicy, but it went well with rice.

Gu Ning also tasted a piece and said: "When I was little, we also went to dig this and dry it to eat."

"My Mom went to the fields to dig it, dried quite a lot, and gave us some."

Zhou Wang Yamei explained with a smile: "Go dig it every year, dry it every year, and there are some mushrooms and such. I'll soak some tonight, and let's have a taste."

Li Xuewu picked up a piece of hashima and placed it in Fu Zhidong's bowl, saying: "Eat in small bites; there are bones in the meat that will prick your mouth."

"Thank you, Uncle."

"Hehe, know how to call me now?"

Fu Zhidong looked at Li Xuewu, then nodded very clearly and said: "My Mom said, those who go to school are called brothers, those who go to work can only be called uncles."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu picked up a small piece of gray vegetable, dipped it in sauce, and placed it in Fu Zhidong's bowl.

"Uncle will take you out to play tonight."

"Play what?"

Hearing they were going out to play, Fu Zhidong raised his head, his eyes wide open.

"Hehehe, a place with many pretty sisters and aunts."

"Wow!!!"

"Zhidong!"

Zhou Wang Yamei glanced at Li Xuewu with dissatisfaction, then said to her son: "Eat your meal properly."

Fu Zhidong looked at the grinning Uncle Li opposite, picked up his bowl, and started eating, but his eyes were still fixed on Li Xuewu.

When Li Xuewu went out, he told Zhou Wang Yamei that he would come to pick them up to go to the Workers' Club to play in the evening.

Zhou Wang Yamei smoothed the hair by her ear and said to Li Xuewu: "Aren't you tired from work?"

"It's okay, hehe."

After replying with a smile, he went out the door.

Zhou Wang Yamei returned to the room and said to Gu Ning, who was cleaning up the bowls and chopsticks: "He said he wanted to go to the Workers' Club to play."

Gu Ning was also helpless with Li Xuewu; that person did whatever he said.

"He said it last night, and I said I didn't know how."

"I'll wash them."

Zhou Wang Yamei walked over, took the remaining dishes from the table, walked into the kitchen, and said: "It's not difficult; I'll teach you when the time comes."

As they spoke, the two started talking about the Steel City Club with one sentence after another.

Monday morning was busy; the workers of the Steel Mill walked along the main gate toward the workshops in the courtyard.

And the cadres of the organs branched off from the queue and walked toward the office building.

Since the incident in the auditorium last Saturday, even those cleaning the Steel Mill knew that something big had happened in the Steel Mill.

Unlike the clamor in the workshops and office buildings, the guesthouse located in a corner of the Steel Mill was still calm.

Even the staff changing shifts were silent, very afraid of disturbing the guards at the building entrance and the guests from the headquarters on the third floor.

And the guesthouse was only calm on the surface; in reality, it was already on the verge of a breakdown.

"Morning!"

Li Xuewu went up to the third floor, greeted the discipline inspection cadres coming out of the conference room, and then followed Yang Zongfang into Yang Shuji's bedroom.

Just like yesterday morning, the three of them met today to have a morning meeting.

"Morning, Yang Shuji."

"Morning."

Yang Yuansong had also just returned from eating and was tidying up the documents and notebooks on his desk.

Li Xuewu distributed cigarettes to the two, and after lighting them, asked: "How was last night?"

Yang Zongfang glanced at Li Xuewu and said with a strange expression: "Cursed you all night."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu brought the cigarette to his mouth and took a drag, then said: "That means he's very energetic."

Yang Shuji glanced at the two and said: "Today, we will have interviews with Feng Xingke, Dou Changfang, and Lai Junmin of the Steel Mill."

Li Xuewu hugged his arms and looked at Yang Shuji, waiting for arrangements.

"Since the scope can already be determined, then close the net."

Yang Shuji took a drag of his cigarette and continued: "I communicated with Comrade Fengshan yesterday to resolve the matter here as soon as possible and stabilize the Steel Mill."

This meant that the scope of these fixed people was determined, and the investigation would not be expanded.

The three people to be interviewed today were the leaders currently presiding over the work of the Steel Mill; the purpose of the interview was also to examine whether the three had the conditions to continue in office.

Yang Zongfang frowned and looked at Yang Shuji, asking: "Secretary, did something happen?"

"Hmm."

Yang Yuansong nodded and said: "Fu Bin has confessed, and the higher-level discipline inspection has intervened. Comrade Fengshan's opinion is to dig out the tumor as soon as possible, and leave the rest to the new Steel Mill team to handle slowly."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Treating an illness cannot kill the person; I also agree with this opinion."

"Hmm."

Yang Yuansong said: "In the morning, Xuewu will go with me for interviews, in the name of the working group, to conduct assessment interviews."

After giving instructions to Li Xuewu, Yang Yuansong turned to Yang Zongfang and said: "You go and check those mentioned by Luo Cheng, fix the numbers, hand over those involving discipline inspection to the comrades of the Steel Mill to handle, and hand the others directly to the Security Division of the Steel Mill."

After giving instructions, Yang Shuji turned to Li Xuewu and said: "Your Security Division should send a cadre to preside over the work of the Security Division here. They must be steady and have skills. Xiao Changqing is ruined and cannot be used anymore."

Li Xuewu looked at Yang Shuji's firm attitude, thought for a while, and said: "To be able to suppress this side, I only have one person in my hand, but his situation is special."

"How special can it be? No matter how special, he must be transferred over!"

Yang Shuji looked at Li Xuewu and said: "Now restoring the order of the Steel Mill is the most important thing; the work task of this position is very important."

"Not only to deal with the loose ends left after we leave, but also to rebuild the system of the Steel Mill Security Division and cooperate with the general factory to carry out actions to crack down on illegal and criminal activities, so you must be cautious in choosing people!"

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Xu Ning of the guesthouse has courage and is steady. He made contributions when handling the case of Hu Zhengquan."

After talking about Xu Ning's situation, Li Xuewu hesitated and said: "But he was transferred to the guesthouse last year and was just promoted to deputy section chief."

"It doesn't matter, act according to the urgency of the situation."

Yang Shuji waved his hand and said: "I know this Xu Ning you mentioned; he has done very well in the guesthouse and has already achieved results."

As he spoke, he pointed at Li Xuewu and said: "Don't be reluctant. I know your valuation and arrangements for him. External transfer is a challenge for a cadre and also a channel for rapid growth."

Li Xuewu said: "The cadres of the Security Division will always follow the Party; whatever the organization arranges, we will do."

"I appreciate this work attitude and spirit of your Security Division."

Yang Shuji nodded and said: "I will communicate with Comrade Fengshan later about this matter, and let Comrade Xu Ning come over as soon as possible to stabilize this side first and help the new team get started."

Hearing this, Li Xuewu knew the attitude of Yang Yuansong and Yang Fengshan toward the adjustment of Steel Mill cadres.

The three finished the morning meeting, and Yang Shuji took Li Xuewu to the interview room, while Yang Zongfang took people out for field work to check the problems confessed by Luo Cheng and Lu Yazhen.

As soon as Li Xuewu followed Yang Shuji into the interview room, he saw someone already waiting there.

"Yang Shuji, Li Ke."

The person sitting on the chair saw the two enter the room and immediately stood up to greet them.

"Sit, sit."

Yang Shuji waved his hand at the person and said: "Comrade Xingke, sorry to keep you waiting. Let's have a brief meeting."

"No, no, no, I arrived early."

Li Xuewu followed Yang Shuji and sat behind the desk, facing the Steel Mill Deputy Factory Director Feng Xingke.

Feng Xingke obviously knew the purpose of today's interview and also knew what the "brief meeting" mentioned by Yang Shuji was, so he appeared very humble at this moment.

Yang Shuji was a deputy department level, and Feng Xingke was a deputy section level, so Yang Yuansong's pressure on Feng Xingke was quite great.

And the reason Feng Xingke was so polite to Li Xuewu was Li Xuewu's identity and the rumors flying all over the sky.

Now, although Li Xuewu was a regular section chief, his identity was a member of the working group, which was transcendent to the level of Steel Mill cadres.

Furthermore, the phones in Steel City and Beijing had been ringing constantly.

What were they calling for? To probe for news.

Old Luo was in, Old Yang was in; of the five members of the team, only three were left outside.

These three were all looking for connections to ask about their future, and those below were also asking how the two vacant positions would be arranged.

That's how government units are; clearly, there wasn't even a stroke of the character yet, but the news was already flying all over the sky, and some were even presented as absolute facts.

It was hard to say about others and positions, but the news about Li Xuewu was consistent: the 20-year-old Li Xuewu would be appointed as the Deputy Director of the Security Division of the Red Star Rolling Mill.

This news shocked those who heard it, but after the shock, it was understanding.

What shocked them was the age; what they understood was Li Xuewu's work performance.

And what the Steel Mill side felt more about Li Xuewu was Li Xuewu's ruthlessness.

Fu Haibo's arrest, Ma San's arrest, the arrest of several security guards in the Steel Mill Security Division.

After the New Year, Luo Jiaping, Yang Mingsu, Xiao Changqing, Yu Decai... Li Xuewu's shadow was in all of this series.

Today, Li Xuewu appeared in the interview room as a member of the working group, which was a signal.

Feng Xingke knew that Li Xuewu would soon be at the same level as him.

"Comrade Feng Xingke, you should know our identities. Today, we represent the working group to have an interview with you. We want to hear your views on Luo Jiaping and others, and also want to hear your views on your own work."

Indeed, he guessed right.

Feng Xingke knew that now was the time for political positioning; this wasn't a difficult choice for him.

But what made him cautious was the view and attitude of the two opposite him toward him, which might directly determine his future.

"I need to make a self-criticism. Regarding Luo Jiaping in work..."

Li Xuewu listened to Feng Xingke's report, holding a pen and constantly writing his assessment opinions on Feng Xingke in his notebook.

Yang Yuansong was also recording something in his notebook from time to time.

This made Feng Xingke even more nervous. It was Li Xuewu who saw him wipe his glasses twice, so he stood up and poured him a glass of water.

"Thank you."

Feng Xingke took the hot water and thanked him politely, then continued: "Regarding the Steel Mill's..."

Feng Xingke was the deputy factory director in charge of production tasks, so he spoke fluently and logically about the Steel Mill's production, much more smoothly than when he spoke about Luo Jiaping.

After an interview of about an hour, Yang Shuji stood up and shook hands with Feng Xingke, letting Li Xuewu send Feng Xingke out the door.

"Thank you, thank you, Li Ke."

Feng Xingke shook hands with Li Xuewu again, thanking him incessantly and talking about communicating more in the future.

Actually, he also knew that Li Xuewu's opinion didn't occupy the main part, but he didn't want to ignore Li Xuewu's opinion.

Li Xuewu, however, saw a Buddha and lit three sticks of incense, respecting ghosts and gods while keeping them at a distance.

He was a member of the working group, but this working group was temporary, not for a lifetime; why offend people?

Besides, even if he wanted to give a bad review, Li Xuewu wouldn't show it on his face; he still had to respond to Feng Xingke with an approving expression.

After sending Feng Xingke away, he gave instructions to the Steel Mill comrades guarding the door and turned to enter the room.

"How is it?"

Yang Yuansong drank some water and asked Li Xuewu for his opinion on Feng Xingke.

"Quite good."

"Are you playing dumb?"

Yang Yuansong turned his head and pointed at Li Xuewu, then turned back to continue pouring water, saying: "Since you are a member of the working group, you must be responsible for your own work."

Li Xuewu took his teacup from the table and walked to Yang Yuansong's side, taking the thermos to pour himself a cup too.

"Indeed, he has his own understanding of production work and his own insights into enterprise management."

Hearing Li Xuewu only talk about production and not mention Feng Xingke's opinions on ideology and the political ecology of the Steel Mill, Yang Yuansong nodded knowingly.

"I know. Both virtue and talent."

Li Xuewu didn't respond to Yang Shuji's words, but placed the teacup on the table and stood by the window, stretching his hands and feet while looking toward the Steel Mill.

After waiting for a short while, Li Xuewu received the person in charge of the Steel Mill Union, Lai Junmin, at the door.

Lai Junmin was nearly sixty. Unlike Feng Xingke, Lai Junmin was in a relaxed state.

When greeting and shaking hands with Li Xuewu, he appeared very composed.

After entering the room with Li Xuewu, he even chatted with Yang Yuansong about some idle topics.

After sitting down, Yang Shuji's attitude toward Lai Junmin wasn't as serious, mainly asking for his views on Luo Jiaping and others, and his opinions on the upcoming cadre adjustments in the Steel Mill.

Perhaps because he was about to retire, Lai Junmin was very daring to speak.

He was very firm and thorough in criticizing Luo Jiaping and others, but appeared very cautious when talking about cadre adjustments.

Both Yang Yuansong and Li Xuewu saw Lai Junmin's attitude; this was an old fox ready to retire after success.

The environment of the Steel Mill was so complex, and he had been in the Union position for five years; it could be said that there was nothing he didn't know.

Although they knew he had responsibility, Yang Shuji was no longer prepared to pursue it, and the interview ended in less than half an hour.

When Li Xuewu returned after sending Lai Junmin away, Yang Shuji didn't ask for Li Xuewu's opinion again, because there was no need to ask.

The last one to come up was Dou Changfang, the current Factory Secretary presiding over the work of the Steel Mill.

Li Xuewu had seen him in the auditorium last time; at fifty-four years old, he was at the age of being experienced and in his prime.

Li Xuewu could see Dou Changfang's intentions at a glance, which was coveting the position of Factory Director.

This was shown in Dou Changfang's attitude toward Li Xuewu—enthusiastic but not close, polite but with distance.

Because a regular department-level cadre still had a gap with Li Xuewu.

Dou Changfang was clearly already the Steel Mill Secretary, so why did he still seek the position of Factory Director?

This had to be discussed in the context of the "Seventy Articles of Industry," the general meaning of which was to limit excessive interference by the enterprise's Party organization in production and administrative work.

The Party Committee in the enterprise exercises comprehensive and unified leadership over the enterprise's administrative management work, ideological and political work, trade union work, Communist Youth League work, and mass activities in production, politics, and culture within the enterprise. All major issues within the enterprise must be discussed and decided by the Party Committee.

After limiting the scope of the Party Committee's work, clear requirements were made for production work.

That is: stipulating that the main management power of the enterprise is concentrated in the factory department.

This was why Yang Fengshan could manage all cadres of the Rolling Mill.

And in terms of discipline inspection and cadre appointment, Yang Fengshan would seek Yang Yuansong's opinion.

The most critical point of the "Seventy Articles," and also the most core point, is:

Stipulating that the enterprise must implement comprehensive economic accounting and strengthen technical management, economic accounting, and financial management.

Among them, the most core and important is the issue of the enterprise leadership system, that is, emphasizing the establishment of a unified production and administrative command system responsible to the Factory Director under the leadership of the Party Committee.

It meant that major issues are heard by the Party, and other matters are heard by the Factory Director.

As the Steel Mill Secretary, Dou Changfang very much wanted to hold both the Secretary and Factory Director positions, which was not uncommon in factories.

And now the Steel Mill met this situation, and it was even more necessary to concentrate power to accelerate the rectification and adjustment of the Steel Mill.

Dou Changfang had already guessed that the general factory would make a major adjustment to the Steel Mill's personnel; if he didn't seize the position of Factory Director, he would definitely be adjusted.

This was the general trend, which anyone could guess.

Dou Changfang entered the interview room one step ahead of Li Xuewu, laughing "haha" as he went to shake hands and exchange pleasantries with Yang Yuansong.

Li Xuewu looked at Dou Changfang's back and revealed a smile that even Yang Yuansong noticed.

But Dou Changfang was in the room, so Yang Yuansong didn't ask Li Xuewu what had happened, but let Dou Changfang sit.

Before Yang Shuji could ask, Dou Changfang started to make a self-criticism, criticizing himself for not fulfilling the responsibilities and roles of leadership and supervision as the squad leader, failing this, failing that.

Li Xuewu listened to this self-criticism, which was better than Feng Xingke's; he was indeed a cadre who worked in organization, speaking in a very organized manner.

He spoke of his own negligence and his own difficulties.

Anyway, it was helplessness.

"Yang Shuji, you know me. I am a person who unites comrades and treats people with sincerity. In terms of supervision and inspection, I have argued with Luo Jiaping many times."

"But for the sake of the Steel Mill's production tasks and stability, I have retreated again and again, endured again and again, but I didn't expect him to be so insatiable..."

Li Xuewu lit a cigarette for himself, sat behind the table, and watched the two sitting on the sofa acting slowly.

"Hmm, hmm, well said."

When the two spoke of empathy, Li Xuewu nodded from time to time, expressing agreement.

Yang Shuji looked at his watch; this Dou Changfang had already reported on ideology and management for over an hour.

Li Xuewu saw Yang Shuji's actions and his third look at him, so he had to stand up and refill Dou Changfang's water.

This action interrupted Dou Changfang's rhythm, giving Yang Shuji an opening to cut into the topic.

"Comrade Changfang, I want to hear your opinions on the upcoming cadre adjustments in the Steel Mill."

Knowing the main event was coming, Dou Changfang tidied up the draft in his heart, took a sip of hot water, and then started to express his thoughts.

"The Steel Mill is an important material supply factory for the Red Star Rolling Mill, and also provides support for material research and development and experiments for many factories in the north. It can be said that its position is high and its tasks are heavy."

"In this turmoil, not only did the Rolling Mill suffer major losses, but the Steel Mill also encountered an unprecedented management crisis, welcoming the biggest challenge since the factory was built."

Dou Changfang looked at Li Xuewu, who was nodding incessantly, and Yang Yuansong, who was lost in thought, and said decisively: "So I suggest implementing a management method of concentrating power to do big things in the Steel Mill to reverse the situation of the Steel Mill as soon as possible."

"Hmm, hmm, I agree with what Comrade Changfang said."

Yang Shuji nodded and said: "Strict discipline and rectifying the style of work is a long-term task, but production tasks cannot be delayed."

As he spoke, he stubbed the cigarette butt in his hand in the ashtray and said: "The Steel Mill cannot be chaotic!"

This was said to Dou Changfang, and also to Li Xuewu.

Having received an affirmative answer from Yang Shuji, Dou Changfang's smile became more confident.

He believed that if the Red Star General Factory were considering the top leader of the Steel Mill, they would definitely think of him and couldn't bypass him.

After sending away the head-held-high Dou Changfang, Li Xuewu stood at the stairwell on the third floor and finished smoking his cigarette before returning to the interview room.

In the interview room, Yang Shuji no longer had the affability he had when talking to Dou Changfang; his brows were knitted into a knot.

Li Xuewu had just pushed open the door and saw this appearance; it was too late to dodge out.

"Come in, let's chat."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "I'm not a cadre of the Steel Mill, so there's no need for an interview with me, right?"

"Why not?"

Yang Shuji looked at Li Xuewu and said: "Let's talk about your ideological problems. I see your ideology has regressed lately! You need to strengthen your study."

"Hahahaha."

Li Xuewu walked into the room, closed his notebook, and sat on the sofa next to Yang Shuji, which was the position Dou Changfang had just sat in.

Yang Yuansong held a cigarette in his hand without smoking, looking Li Xuewu up and down, then asked with a smile: "Do you want to try working in Steel City?"

"Forget it!"

Li Xuewu held his teacup and said: "It's not eye-catching in the Rolling Mill, but a 20-year-old deputy factory director wouldn't turn the world upside down."

"Hahahaha."

Yang Yuansong's mood was better at this moment, then he shook his head and said: "The Steel Mill really needs a powerful figure to sit here."

After sighing, he said to Li Xuewu: "If you were thirty, I would dare to nominate you as this top leader."

"Hehehe."

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "I'll take this seriously. When I'm thirty, I'll come find you!"

"Hahahaha."

Yang Yuansong laughed again, then looked at Li Xuewu and said: "It seems you don't think highly of this Dou Changfang either."

"It's okay, quite good."

"Where did you learn these words?"

Yang Yuansong looked at Li Xuewu with dissatisfaction and said: "Disloyalty to the organization is a matter of principle."

"An official one level higher crushes people to death!"

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "Dou Changfang is okay at organizational work, but grasping the overall situation, hehe, he couldn't even manage Luo Jiaping, yet he wants to manage the overall situation?"

"Indeed."

Yang Yuansong sighed, then said: "Having great power is not necessarily a good thing; it's a double-edged sword. I really don't feel at ease handing it over to him."

Li Xuewu reached out and flicked the ash in the ashtray, then said: "I actually think that cadre exchanges between two places or even multiple places should become the norm, to eliminate the risk of long-term local tenure and reduce the risk of power gathering."

"Hmm, Xu Ning will be the first batch of cadres exchanged by the Rolling Mill, but definitely not the last."

Li Xuewu smiled and said: "Since you mentioned not feeling at ease, I would like to recommend a cadre to you."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Yang Shuji looked at Li Xuewu, wanting to hear who the always-cautious Li Xuewu wanted to recommend.

"Li Kezhang of the First Section of Supervision."

"Zongfang?"

Hearing Li Xuewu's words, Yang Yuansong was stunned, then his brows furrowed, and he said: "Discipline Inspection..."

"No."

Li Xuewu shook his head and said: "I suggest Comrade Yang Zongfang serve as the Deputy Factory Director of the Steel Mill in charge of discipline supervision and security work." ===== CHAPTER 338 =====