Chapter 432: A New Line of Thought

Sha Zhu was still puzzled; how could there be a phone call for him?

It turned out the Factory Director had a mission to assign, a special mission.

Well, today's chance to leave work early was ruined; he wouldn't be able to go home soon.

With short hair on his head and gauze wrapped around his skull, looking like a hooligan, he swayed unsteadily to wait at the main gate.

The Factory Director hadn't called for anything else; he wanted to take him to a leader's home to cook a meal.

He had often done this kind of errand before, though not for leaders, but for himself.

Whenever someone's family held a wedding or similar event, they would ask through acquaintances, and he would cook for them too.

Actually, the guesthouse's Xiaoshitang had chefs skilled in imperial cuisine with even better techniques, but Yang Yang Fengshan simply didn't use them.

One reason was that Li Li Xuewu's influence at the guesthouse was now relatively large, and indirectly, he didn't want Li Li Huai De to know about his affairs.

Another reason was that the leader they were meeting today liked Sichuan cuisine, so he had brought He He Yuzhu, this Sichuan chef, along.

Since there was to be a gathering at the leader's home today, Yang Yang Fengshan also wanted to seize this opportunity to report the Rolling Steel Factory's recent work to the leader.

Another point was to seek the leader's advice regarding the support for the border regions and the joint enterprise matters handled over the past few days.

Current policies were truly unpredictable; even though he was the Factory Director, he, as the Factory Director, couldn't predict them either.

It was spring, with many winds, yet no one knew which direction the wind would blow.

When it was time to get off work, after Yang Yang Fengshan finished the tasks at hand and saw that most people in the administrative offices had left, he finally went downstairs.

The GAZ-69 jeep picked up He He Yuzhu, who had been waiting for a long time at the entrance, and drove southward.

Yang Yang Fengshan had spotted He He Yuzhu's appearance from afar at the main gate, and once they were in the car, he asked about the injury.

Here, Sha Zhu dared not boast recklessly and directly told the truth.

The Factory Director expressed concern with a few words, then instructed Sha Zhu to be polite, noting that his current appearance was somewhat eyesore-inducing over there and he shouldn't cause trouble.

Sha Zhu naturally agreed readily, smiling as he patted his bag, saying he had brought his chef's hat.

At this time, chef hats were very similar to the caps worn by doctors and nurses in hospitals, and clerks in non-staple food stores also wore them.

He also knew right from wrong; how could he blatantly be an eyesore when going out with a leader?

Especially seeing the vehicle enter the courtyard guarded by security, he understood this principle even more clearly.

When the jeep arrived at the entrance of a villa, as soon as Sha Zhu got out of the car, he saw that the factory's projectionist was also there.

This wasn't Xu Xu Damao, but their character was much the same.

Sha Zhu didn't pay it much mind and, following the secretary's guidance, went to the rear kitchen.

Yang Yang Fengshan, meanwhile, went to the living room to meet with Secretary Yang Yang Yuansong, who had arrived earlier, and together they went to see the leader.

"The wind fills the tower as the storm approaches."

A middle-aged cadre dressed in a dark blue Zhongshan suit pointed at Yang Yang Fengshan and the others, saying, "Today I didn't call you here to eat; I called you to give you a warning."

Upon first meeting the leader, they exchanged only a few pleasantries before the leader led them to watch an internal documentary film.

When they came out, the leader held a small meeting with the few of them, essentially conveying the current spirit.

Yang Yang Fengshan and Yang Yang Yuansong exchanged a glance, both hesitating over whether to report the factory's situation now.

The leader naturally noticed their little maneuver, waved his hand, and gave the two a wink just as the secretary entered to ask about dinner.

Both Yang Yang Fengshan and Yang Yang Yuansong saw it, so during dinner they spoke only of daily life and did not discuss work.

After leaders from other units had left, the two followed the leader to his study and reported on the factory's work.

"You both know the current situation; you must consider this matter with great caution."

The leader took off his glasses and casually placed them on the desk.

"It is better to remain quiet than to act."

"Yes."

Yang Yang Fengshan exchanged a glance with the Secretary, then said to the leader, "Once we return, we will convene a meeting to reconsider this matter."

"You haven't understood my meaning."

The leader waved his hand and said to Yang Yang Fengshan, "When I tell you to consider cautiously, I do not mean to stop you from working, nor to tie your hands and feet so you cannot pursue development."

"The Rolling Steel Factory is a key enterprise under the Ministry's close attention; you must bear an even more severe responsibility."

"Leader, do you mean...?"

"Quietness; how to be quiet depends entirely on your degree of control."

The leader extended his hand, clenched it into a fist, and said, "At any time, the Rolling Steel Factory must, under your leadership, be quiet when you say be quiet, and move when you say move."

"How to be quiet is for you to decide, and how to move must also be for you to decide."

"Thank you for the leader's criticism."

Yang Yang Fengshan now understood the leader's meaning; this was criticism that his control over the Rolling Steel Factory was not strong enough.

Last year, the Rolling Steel Factory had experienced successive accidents, and its subordinate Steel Smelting Plant had suffered a collapse-style problem regarding cadre discipline.

This had caused the higher-ups to consider his leadership abilities and his level of control over the situation.

The fact that the leader could speak these words to him at home today was already transmitting a very urgent signal, something well worth noting.

"Of course, the work approach you proposed is correct."

The leader nodded and said, "Comrades currently in charge of the economy are also trying to find ways to revitalize the market; they are also crossing the river by feeling the stones."

"The idea of multiple enterprises utilizing surplus resources to jointly establish factories and businesses, planning development for the greater good, is still very worthy of consideration and reference."

Leaning back in his chair, the leader thought for a moment and said, "As I said before, if it can be controlled, then test the depth of the river step by step; if you cannot stand firm, then do not enter the river!"

This is how administrative units operate, something Li Li Xuewu had long grown accustomed to.

Before the matter was even accomplished, the benefits had already been distributed.

It wasn't really about how much money or how many benefits one could get from it; wages were fixed, and no matter how much one worked, the pay remained the same.

So why were there still leaders arranging for their trusted aides and promoting subordinates to important positions?

Because of the struggle, the struggle for the right to speak, the struggle for the right to execute.

Although the final result of a matter is always the same, who leads it and who carries it out is what matters most.

Even a canteen director knows how to read the situation; does Factory Director Yang Yang Fengshan not know?

If Li Li Huai De wants to stir up wind, does Yang Yang Fengshan have no intention of stirring up rain?

He does, everyone is striving in competition.

It is merely a matter of whether the east wind can overpower the west wind or vice versa.

At this time, those with ability have already started placing their bets; bet right and you live, bet wrong and you die.

Wu City, guesthouse.

This joint enterprise is still just an idea on paper, yet Li Li Huai De is already discussing the framework of management authority with him.

Li Li Xuewu did not feel that Li Li Huai De thinking about this so early was wrong; perhaps things had already started moving over in Jingcheng.

He never assumed malice in people's hearts, yet sometimes human nature is just like this.

The two agreed to temporarily assign Jin Jin Yaohui to stay here and oversee operations for the Rolling Steel Factory's Wu City Office.

Jin Jin Yaohui was Li Li Huai De's secretary.

Subsequent staff could either be transferred over or recruited locally.

The office's sign would hang under the Logistics Department, and during the preparatory phase, work would be directly led by Li Li Huai De.

Later, it might directly become a dispatched agency of the joint enterprise.

Its business scope includes liaising and communicating with relevant units for cooperation, promoting the trade development of the joint enterprise, providing reciprocal mutual-aid trade exchanges, and carrying out work related to the joint enterprise's operations.

The relevant organizational structure would be configured according to actual needs later, but Li Li Huai De still required Li Li Xuewu to equip the security structure first.

The security environment here still caused Li Li Huai De concern; according to his suggestion, part of the Guard Team should remain here.

Li Li Xuewu thought it over and agreed to this arrangement.

The rank of the office was temporarily set at the section level, so the person in charge of security and defense would be a squad-level cadre.

Until now, the Guard Team's rank was still only at the squad level, so this counted as progress.

After returning to his room, Li Li Xuewu did not ask who was willing to stay; instead, he directly called the freight station and summoned He Yuan for a talk.

Organizational work is not child's play; whoever is willing goes, and whoever is unwilling does not.

Li Li Xuewu never negotiated conditions with his superiors when doing work, nor did he allow his subordinates to plead difficulties to him.

This fellow He Yuan was clever and had ideas; in this kind of environment, he could play an even greater role in adapting to changing circumstances.

Hearing Li Li Xuewu's arrangement, He Yuan also knew this was an opportunity.

In the Jingcheng factory, there were plenty of people in the Guard Team competing; if one wanted to stand out, one still had to go outward, and Xu Ning was an example.

From a clerk to a section chief, Xu Ning was luckier than too many others.

Seeing He Yuan nod in agreement, Li Li Xuewu waved his hand, telling him to go back and find people to discuss it.

Li Li Xuewu did not intend to leave more Guard Team members in the borderlands; having brought fifteen people this time, he could only leave five for He Yuan.

Even these five people were only temporary; upon returning to the Rolling Steel Factory, five security personnel would be arranged to replace them.

Taking Guard Team members out individually could not solve many problems; only by forming squads and contingents was their power manifested.

Li Li Xuewu's shrewdness was always like this; having arranged the work, he made another phone call back to Jingcheng.

Zhou Wang Yamei was staying quite comfortably at the guesthouse.

The environment and facilities here were the very best among all the guesthouses she had ever seen.

Most important was the service; the service here was far superior to that of other places.

At the very least, she had never seen a guesthouse director personally help serve meals.

Actually, no one else had seen it either; Qin Qin Huairu was helping her.

Today, Qin Qin Huairu had deliberately glanced at that room several times; apart from normal daily activities, that woman basically did not come out.

It was only in the afternoon that she took the child out for a stroll again.

Master Dou had withdrawn all the personnel, so infrastructure work at Tuanjie Lake Park was temporarily halted, making this place seem very quiet.

Qin Qin Huairu had thought this woman truly did not know how long she would be staying here, just as she had claimed.

But she did not expect that a car would come to pick them up when work ended in the afternoon.

The car and the person who came to pick them up also surprised Qin Qin Huairu a little.

"Auntie Gu!"

Fu Fu Zhidong was throwing stones at the lake to hit fish when his mother reminded him; seeing Gu Ning standing by the car, he suddenly shouted happily.

Gu Ning smiled and waved at Fu Fu Zhidong.

Fu Fu Zhidong had been somewhat unhappy since leaving home; seeing his mother packing luggage, he knew they were leaving.

After riding the train all the way and arriving in a strange environment, even though he was very sensible, he felt somewhat gloomy.

Now suddenly seeing an acquaintance, and one who had even stayed in his home before, he felt even happier.

Running quickly to the car, Fu Fu Zhidong looked up into the vehicle, then asked Gu Ning, "Auntie Gu, didn't Uncle Li come?"

Gu Ning stroked Fu Fu Zhidong's little face, glanced at Zhou Wang Yamei, then smiled and said, "Your Uncle Li hasn't returned yet; he asked Auntie to come pick you up and take you home."

"Oh~"

Fu Fu Zhidong tilted his little head and asked Gu Ning, "Are we going to your home?"

"Fu Zhidong."

Zhou Wang Yamei reminded her son, telling him to be polite.

Gu Ning smiled and said to Zhou Wang Yamei, "He specifically called back, mentioned your arrival, and asked me to take you home to stay."

"It's too much trouble."

Zhou Wang Yamei tucked the hair behind her ear and said, "Staying here is quite fine; the child is too young and too rowdy."

Gu Ning paid little attention to Zhou Wang Yamei's words, lowering her head to look at Fu Fu Zhidong.

"It's our new house, just tidied up."

Gu Ning raised her head, looked at Zhou Wang Yamei, and said, "I'm busy with work and still have many finishing tasks undone; I was just thinking of fetching you to help."

As she spoke, she reached out and stroked Fu Fu Zhidong's little face again with the back of her hand, saying, "My mother also said a new house is better with a child making some noise in it."

Seeing Gu Ning had spoken to this extent, Zhou Wang Yamei could only agree; she tried to express her thanks, but Gu Ning stopped her.

Just as they had done in Gangcheng, Gu Ning held Fu Fu Zhidong's small hand as they walked together.

This scene nearly made Qin Qin Huairu's jaw drop; she had thought it was...

Upon seeing Qin Qin Huairu, Gu Ning showed no surprise; Li Li Xuewu had already mentioned over the phone the arrangements regarding Zhou Wang Yamei's arrival here.

He had even instructed Gu Ning to take extra care of that mother and son, to bring them home for dinner tonight, and that he would call his mother-in-law then.

She knew Li Li Xuewu did this to prevent misunderstandings between her and his family, proactively having her handle the reception and arrangements.

In truth, the more Li Li Xuewu acted this way, the more Gu Ning trusted him; she felt not a trace of jealousy or annoyance.

After leaving work early to speak with her mother at home, Ding Ding Fengxia also approved.

Otherwise, Gu Ning would not have brought the car.

Ding Ding Fengxia further instructed Gu Ning not to say or ask too much to Li Li Xuewu, instead telling him there was no need to call, that knowing he was safe was enough, and urging him to work well and return soon.

Qin Qin Huairu smiled and greeted Gu Ning, accompanying her upstairs to help pack the luggage, then calling a porter to assist in loading the bags onto the car.

Just before boarding, Zhou Wang Yamei politely thanked Qin Qin Huairu and bade her farewell.

Watching the Red Flag drive away, Zhang Zhang Songying stuck out her tongue, looked toward the gate, and asked Qin Qin Huairu, "I thought it was... you know, that thing; whose leader is this?"

Qin Qin Huairu turned around, pressed her lips together in a smile, and said, "Yours."

"Get away with you, so improper!"

Zhang Zhang Songying gave Qin Qin Huairu a light tap and said, "My family certainly has no leader of this rank; look at that car, it's terrifying."

"I told you it was yours, yet you still don't believe it."

Qin Qin Huairu whispered a sentence into Zhang Zhang Songying's ear, then headed into the building.

Standing at the entrance, Zhang Zhang Songying stood stunned for quite a while before chasing after Qin Qin Huairu into the office.

"Is that really his partner?"

"Doesn't look like it?"

Qin Qin Huairu glanced amusingly at Zhang Zhang Songying, then continued busying herself with her work.

At this moment, Zhang Zhang Songying was somewhat dazed; she still could not fathom how Li Li Xuewu could have such a deeply connected father-in-law.

No wonder he dared to speak tough words and do tough deeds at the Rolling Steel Factory.

Pushed along by Xu Ning's instigation and driven by her own inner desire for advancement, she had followed Qin Qin Huairu's path to approach Li Li Xuewu.

She had not failed to consider getting closer, yet Li Li Xuewu always maintained some barrier toward her.

Furthermore, looking at Qin Qin Huairu, she was no closer to him than Zhang Zhang Songying herself.

Today, seeing his partner, Zhang Zhang Songying finally understood why Qin Qin Huairu could maintain this distance without being proactive.

Being proactive would be futile; even risking one's life would not catch up.

Using this car to pick someone up was actually Ding Ding Fengxia's idea; Gu Ning paid little attention to external things like vehicles.

The car was newly assigned; her father's previous Volga had been reallocated.

This unified allocation covered everyone at the vice-ministerial level and above.

She had ridden with him when Li Li Xuewu rode a bicycle; she had sat in the Willys her father gave her during the harsh winter; she had even ridden in a battle-damaged wreck.

Her character cared more for interaction and exchange of thoughts and feelings, especially regarding how Li Li Xuewu called to arrange this matter, through which she could better perceive Li Li Xuewu's concern.

Arriving at the Haiyuncang villa, Zhou Wang Yamei looked at this small villa and could not help but think of her own home.

The driver helped carry the luggage into the living room, then, upon Gu Ning's instruction, drove away.

"The guest rooms are upstairs."

Gu Ning helped Zhou Wang Yamei carry the suitcases and led them upstairs.

The two-story villa had, on the upper floor, a master bedroom combining a study and living area, plus a guest bedroom; Zhou Wang Yamei and her son were arranged in the guest bedroom.

"He once said he wanted to build a kang bed upstairs."

"That would have been a good idea."

The two exchanged a smile, teasing Li Li Xuewu for his irresponsibility.

Looking at the tidy bedroom, the large solid-wood double bed, and the matching solid-wood cabinets, Zhou Wang Yamei knew Gu Ning's invitation for her to help was merely a pretext.

After helping Zhou Wang Yamei organize her clothes in the cabinet and seeing the books and documents in the suitcase, Gu Ning led her to the study.

"I don't use the desk; if you need to work, just come to the study."

Gu Ning introduced the rooms in the house to Zhou Wang Yamei, then led them downstairs, pointing out the living room and the two bedrooms.

"All the appliances in the house were brought over by him; feel free to use them."

Speaking thus, she walked to the dining room and, pointing to the kitchen, said somewhat embarrassedly, "I'm not very good at cooking; I only lit the heating before you arrived."

"I'll handle it."

Zhou Wang Yamei smiled, surveyed the spacious dining room and the orderly kitchen, which very much reflected Li Li Xuewu's style.

She knew Li Li Xuewu's character; he demanded cleanliness.

"He said he didn't know if the gas pipeline was damaged or not and dared not use it, so he built a stove; after I arrived, I added a gas stove."

Gu Ning opened the lower cabinet to show Zhou Wang Yamei the gas cylinder inside.

"I know how to use it; my home also uses gas."

Zhou Wang Yamei and Gu Ning shared a complementary tacit understanding in character; both preferred quiet over activity, loved reading, and cherished this tranquil indifference.

It was only that Zhou Wang Yamei was a few years older than Gu Ning, possessed experience in independent living, and, as a mother, had become strong.

Gu Ning was an army doctor; her special family background and upbringing had forged an even more unique personality in her.

To care for Zhou Wang Yamei's feelings and to repay Zhou Wang Yamei's hospitality in Gangcheng, Gu Ning had moved here ahead of schedule.

Perhaps because Li Li Xuewu was not at home, or perhaps because Li Li Xuewu had never lived here, Gu Ning did not feel particularly awkward.

She walked with Zhou Wang Yamei around the house and yard, familiarizing herself with the surroundings while discussing the differences between Jingcheng and Gangcheng.

Fu Fu Zhidong, after all, had a child's nature; having stayed alone at home for too long and now having witnessed the joy of kindergarten, he still longed for liveliness.

At this moment, he ran through the courtyard that had originally been a garden, looking here and peering there, as if discovering a new world.

Zhou Wang Yamei glanced at the small yards on either side of the entrance path and asked, "With the weather warming up soon, when are you two planning to hold your ceremony?"

"I don't know yet."

Gu Ning slightly lowered her head to smooth the hair beside her ear.

In her heart, she was not yet prepared for this; living together suddenly with that person felt... felt unreal.

Zhou Wang Yamei glanced at Gu Ning, then smiled and dropped the topic, instead speaking about the garden.

"Are you planning to plant flowers?"

"It hasn't been decided yet."

Gu Ning smiled, offering this as an explanation that she did not intentionally give uncertain answers every time, which might seem like perfunctory evasion.

"He only gave me the keys a while before he left; I've been tidying up bit by bit. I've just finished cleaning the interior and haven't had time to attend to the yard yet."

Gu Ning was not a talkative person, yet when someone asked about this small courtyard, about this home she had meticulously prepared, she always had some lingering words she wished to share.

She had felt too shy to say these things to Li Li Xuewu, but today Zhou Wang Yamei had witnessed something rare.

"Let me help you tidy up the garden."

Zhou Wang Yamei smiled, walked to the edge of the garden, and squatted on the path.

Watching her son standing in the garden looking for ants, she asked, "Fu Zhidong, how about we help Auntie Gu Ning plant a garden?"

"Like the one at home?"

"Yes, just like at home, planting many beautiful flowers."

"Okay."

Fu Fu Zhidong stood up and agreed readily, but then hesitated and said, "But... but I didn't bring my little shovel."

"It doesn't matter."

Gu Ning smiled and said, "Auntie has some at home; I'll take you to find them in a moment."

She had truly grown accustomed to this; whenever something was missing in this home, Gu Ning's first thought was neither to ask Li Li Xuewu for it nor to go out and buy it, but to go back home and fetch it.

What if there wasn't any at home?

With Gu Ning's personality, how could Ding Ding Fengxia allow the home to lack anything Gu Ning needed?

If there wasn't any, just wait; in a little while, our home will have it.

Ding Ding Fengxia would have been more than willing to pay out of her own pocket to hire people to help tidy up this house, but Gu Ning would not allow it.

Even when Mu Mu Hongyan came to help, it had to be discussed and arranged; they could only come when Gu Ning was in a good mood.

It was fortunate that Mu Mu Hongyan had gotten along with her sister-in-law for many years and knew Gu Ning's simple nature; otherwise, they would surely have quarreled and fought.

After walking around the yard once, they discussed planting camellias here, primroses there, and a few plum blossoms in the corner by the wall.

They also discussed how to plant the lawn, how to water it, and how to maintain it.

Gu Ning's own family had never tended a garden with such meticulous care; professional masters always handled it, which was part of the standard treatment for her father.

Zhou Wang Yamei looked at Gu Ning's surprised expression, smiled, and said, "I was just bored and looking for something to occupy myself."

Gu Ning nodded with deep understanding; although she had not learned much in detail about Zhou Wang Yamei's husband, she had heard bits and pieces about him.

One could tell what kind of person Zhou Wang Yamei was just from the tidiness of that villa in Gangcheng.

"Let's sit inside for a while; the car will come to pick us up soon."

Seeing Fu Fu Zhidong heading toward the stone table and stools in the garden to sit, Gu Ning beckoned for him to come inside.

Compared to her last visit with Li Li Xuewu, this villa had taken on a new vitality.

Master Dou had fixed the glass and window frames, and after Gu Ning cleaned up, the place felt much more lived-in.

Master Dou had also re-surfaced the steps at the main entrance, making them look very natural.

Upon entering the living room, Fu Fu Zhidong was pulled by his mother to the bathroom to wash his hands; by the time he came out, Gu Ning had already brewed tea in the living room.

"We won't light the downstairs fireplace just yet; I just checked the heating, and there's still fire in it. We'll light it after we return from our meal."

Gu Ning poured tea for Zhou Wang Yamei and filled Fu Fu Zhidong's teacup with plain boiled water.

Fu Fu Zhidong looked curiously at the piano between the living room and the corridor, an object his own home did not possess.

"It's not cold yet; lighting it later will be fine."

Zhou Wang Yamei sat on the sofa, looked at the photograph on the coffee table, and asked with some surprise, "What happened here?"

Gu Ning turned to look, then said with slight embarrassment, "I brought it from home and forgot to put it away."

How could she have forgotten? Clearly, she felt that only the two of them would be living in this house, so she had deliberately placed it there.

Zhou Wang Yamei also understood Gu Ning's intention and realized it was a misunderstanding, so she smiled and said, "He can be quite intimidating when he's serious."

"He is a little."

Gu Ning smiled as she looked at the photograph of Li Li Xuewu, who was fiercely "pointing" at her.

Not to mention her, even her mother would be intimidated by the fierceness in that photograph.

She did not explain the story behind the photograph to Zhou Wang Yamei; there were some stories she wanted to share solely with that person.

"Do you like the piano?"

Glancing at Fu Fu Zhidong, Gu Ning smiled, took his small hand, led him to the piano, and lifted him onto the bench.

She opened the lid above, revealing the black-and-white keys.

"Want to give it a try?"

"Can I?"

"Of course."

Gu Ning took Fu Fu Zhidong's small hand, pinched his little finger, and pressed it onto the piano key.

"Dong~"

"It's the piano!"

Fu Fu Zhidong said in surprise: "The teacher's accordion has keys like this too; it makes a sound too~"

Gu Ning smiled, extended his finger to rest on the keys, and played the rhythm of "One Cent."

"It's the little trumpet!"

Fu Fu Zhidong said with a laugh: "It's the little trumpet from the radio."

Gu Ning played children's songs one by one, while Fu Fu Zhidong sat beside him, guessing and singing along.

Zhou Wang Yamei sat on the sofa, smiling as she held her teacup and watched.

Time always slips away unnoticed, sometimes flowing through a tranquil afternoon, sometimes hiding within playful notes, sometimes drifting in the red sunset of the fireplace.

"You've finally arrived, hahaha!"

Li Li Xuewu hadn't felt time slipping away these past few days; he only felt there wasn't quite enough of it.

Ever since resolving the meat procurement issue on the first of the month, he had begun receiving guests who came knocking one after another.

These were the merchants from the Aierken Market and the black-market traders who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

Some were people Li Li Xuewu had seen before, while others were the owners behind those tents.

These people were truly resourceful; they might have followed the railway tracks to find their way here, or perhaps their roots were already in Wucheng.

Since they were at the guesthouse, these merchants behaved very casually, without any hiding or skulking, just like friends visiting someone who had traveled from afar.

The big-bearded man who sold meat arrived, the big-bearded man who sold wool arrived, and the big-bearded man who sold raisins and large dates arrived as well.

Don't ask why they were all big-bearded men; it was because Li Li Xuewu thought they all looked the same, especially since every single one of the bastards sported a full beard.

To distinguish them specifically, Li Li Xuewu relied on their ages and the floral caps he had seen them wearing when he first met them.

Except when called away by Li Li Huai De to discuss work, Li Li Xuewu spent all his time interacting with these people.

Ji Wang Weidong and his two clerks were also ordered by Li Li Xuewu to run around until they were dizzy.

Ji Wang Weidong served as secretary and receptionist, while the two clerks acted as errand runners.

The driver summoned that day had never left, staying all along to accompany Li Li Xuewu as he ran about.

Whenever Li Li Xuewu was discussing matters with Li Li Huai De or going out to handle business, Ji Wang Weidong would receive these people on Li Li Xuewu's behalf.

He didn't know how to discuss business, but he was certainly capable of chatting about local customs and conditions.

Through helping out over these past few days, Ji Wang Weidong had roughly guessed what Li Li Xuewu intended to do.

He didn't think anything else of it; with the Rolling Steel Mill and the Recycling Station vouching for Li Li Xuewu, no one could find any fault.

When these people arrived, they all claimed to be visiting good friends, never mentioning business at all.

They were all the type who wouldn't release the hawk until they spotted the hare; everyone was waiting for that special train.

However, they had also heard that in the past two days, major clients from Jingcheng were departing with a carload of meat products, with grain and medicinal herbs serving as the exchanged goods.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for so many people to come visiting over these past two days.

Today's visitor, however, was the big-bearded man who sold medicinal herbs.

"For Kuozi Bay to meet a friend in Wucheng is truly a rare and wonderful occasion."

The big-bearded man shook hands with Li Li Xuewu, after which Li Li Xuewu invited him to sit down.

"Was the journey here alright?"

Li Li Xuewu gave Ji Wang Weidong a glance, signaling him to pour tea.

Then, speaking with concern to Kuozi Bay, he said: "It was only after traveling here that I realized just how severe the snow disaster is in this region."

"It went smoothly enough."

Kuozi Bay exchanged polite words with Ji Wang Weidong, who was pouring tea for him.

"The snow in Hami has completely stopped, and the roads within the city have been cleared."

These words were not spoken casually; they were telling Li Li Xuewu that their goods were ready and waiting in Hami.

As long as Li Li Xuewu's grain and medicinal herbs could arrive, the transaction could proceed at any time.

"What I heard and what I saw have indeed shocked me greatly."

Li Li Xuewu nodded to indicate he understood, verbally recounting the situation he had learned about in Wucheng and the surrounding areas over the past few days, expressing his sympathy.

Kuozi Bay sighed and said: "It may not happen every year, but once every few years is certain; life is bitter."

After arranging the tea, Ji Wang Weidong sat off to the side; hearing their conversation, he curled his lips in a sneer.

If one didn't know better, one would think a cadre from Jingcheng was holding a consolation meeting with local cadres from Wucheng.

But in reality, the meaning behind the words of these two had nothing—absolutely nothing—to do with the snow disaster; it was an entirely different matter.

Over these past few days, Ji Wang Weidong had grown accustomed to it; every visitor spoke in riddles that were worlds apart, with not a single one getting straight to the point.

Today's guest, however, gave him a surprise; right after the two finished exchanging pleasantries, this big-bearded man stated the purpose of his visit.

"Since we last parted, I went back and thought about it for a long time."

Looking at Li Li Xuewu, Kuozi Bay said: "The Aierken Market is too closed-off and backward; if we don't step out, we might end up like camels in a snow disaster, buried somewhere without anyone ever knowing where."

Li Li Xuewu nodded but said nothing.

The Aierken Market was a product of its era, unable to withstand any storm.

Even if no force existed to destroy it, it would gradually perish on its own within the torrent of the times.

"Your appearance has pointed out a new line of thinking for us."

Kuozi Kuozi Bayi looked at Li Li Xuewu and said sincerely, "My friends and I wholeheartedly hope you will visit often, visit our beautiful frontier, and exchange and communicate with us."

"May I ask a presumptuous question?"

Li Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows, looked at Kuozi Kuozi Bayi, and asked, "Before you took up this line of work, what were you?"

"Shameful!"

Kuozi Kuozi Bayi said with a touch of regret, "Before Liberation, I was the Director of Agriculture and Forestry under Sheng Shicai in the frontier."

"Oh!"

Li Li Xuewu was truly startled and said to Kuozi Kuozi Bayi, "Then you are a man of great talent."

"Heh heh, that's old history."

Kuozi Kuozi Bayi waved his hand with a bitter smile; knowing what Li Li Xuewu meant, he explained with a laugh, "Sheng Shicai once sent us wealthy young men to the Soviet Union to study; I was eighteen that year."

"I studied there the longest, for six years."

"Then you count as a professional technical talent."

Li Li Xuewu was still surprised that a big-bearded man possessed such high academic credentials, especially since this big-bearded man was now engaged in black market dealings.

"What talent? Heh heh."

The big-bearded man looked at Li Li Xuewu with a smile and said, "I went in the thirty-second year of the Republic of China."

Hearing Kuozi Kuozi Bayi say this, Ji Wang Weidong could barely suppress a laugh; seeing Li Li Xuewu glare at him, he quickly covered his mouth with his hand and turned his head away.

"Heh heh heh."

Kuozi Kuozi Bayi had also seen Ji Wang Weidong's little maneuver and Li Li Xuewu's expression; he waved his hand with a smile to indicate it didn't matter.

"It's been nearly twenty years; it doesn't matter."

Kuozi Kuozi Bayi said self-mockingly, "The appointment order was sent to the school by telegram, but before I could graduate, he had already 'graduated,' heh heh."

"My apologies."

Li Li Xuewu said with a slightly apologetic smile, "My subordinates lack quality; please don't take offense."

This time it was Ji Wang Weidong's turn to glare at Li Li Xuewu; if Kuozi Kuozi Bayi hadn't been present, Ji Wang Weidong would have pounced.

"No problem, no problem."

Kuozi Kuozi Bayi waved his hand at Ji Wang Weidong and said with a smile, "At a glance, he's a fine young lad; perhaps even one of great ability."

Ji Wang Weidong paid little heed to Kuozi Kuozi Bayi's flattery; the man was merely an old relic buried in history's trash heap.

If Li Li Xuewu hadn't been here, he would have gone after him like beating a rabbit while gathering grass.

Li Li Xuewu didn't even look at Ji Wang Weidong, finding him a hindrance.

"I am willing, together with you and your friends, through communication and exchange, to jointly advance friendly and mutual cooperation between our two regions and build a safer, more stable, and diversified market environment."

"My friends and I are also willing to deepen our cooperation with you, and not limit ourselves to the content of this current collaboration."

Kuozi Kuozi Bayi looked at Li Li Xuewu and said, "We have the sincerity and determination to break the established trade patterns and seek new paths for survival."

These few sentences from the two men made Ji Wang Weidong's teeth ache; he somewhat suspected he wasn't sitting before a black market merchant but was instead, damn it, at a summit meeting between leaders of two nations.

Fortunately, the conversation here only skimmed the surface without going into depth; all follow-up cooperation would depend on the results of this current collaboration before it could be discussed further.

Li Li Xuewu also understood this principle, so he did not speak definitively with Kuozi Kuozi Bayi.

The Steel Rolling Factory's office in the frontier was essentially a settled matter, which meant Li Li Xuewu's opportunities to visit the frontier would not be difficult to arrange.

The vast regional differences created extreme differences in products; the frontier could indeed become an important link in Li Li Xuewu's future development.

After seeing Kuozi Kuozi Bayi off, Ji Wang Weidong sat on the arm of the sofa, stared at Li Li Xuewu, and asked, "Just how big are you planning to make this?"

"Heh heh, just small-time messing around."

"Are you trying to fool an idiot?"

Ji Wang Weidong faced Li Li Xuewu and said, "Damn it, this has reached the level of border trade negotiations; why don't you consider my father's unit?"

"What for? To serve as your father's bodyguard?"

Li Li Xuewu pushed Ji Wang Weidong away with his hand, stood up, and said while walking toward the desk, "It's not as complicated as you think; it really is just small-time messing around."

How could Ji Wang Weidong believe Li Li Xuewu? He chased him to the front of the desk and said, "Does your family's 'small-time messing around' operate on the scale of special trains?"

"Don't talk nonsense!"

Li Li Xuewu pointed at Ji Wang Weidong and said, "That special train doesn't belong to our family; it has nothing to do with me."

Saying this, he sat down in the chair, waved his hand, and said, "That belongs to an affiliated unit; I am just a good young man serving the people."

"Pah!"

Ji Wang Weidong curled his lip and said while walking out, "I have never seen such a shameless person as you; I am ashamed to associate with someone as faceless as you!"

"That's perfect then."

Li Li Xuewu lifted his teacup, blew on the tea leaves, and said, "Consider these past few days your volunteer labor; a shameless person's benefits are something you, the upright Ji Wang Weidong, would never deign to accept."

"You wouldn't dare!"

Ji Wang Weidong opened the door, held the doorknob, raised his eyebrows, and said with a playful smile, "I think remuneration earned through labor does not carry the attribute of shamelessness."

"Get lost, you!"

Li Li Xuewu picked up the cigarette box on the desk and was about to throw it at the doorway, scaring Ji Wang Weidong into quickly pulling the door shut.

"Tsk~ Coward!"

Smiling and curling his lip, Li Li Xuewu put a cigarette in his mouth, lit it with a lighter, and then picked up the telephone to make a call.

"Hello, this is Li Li Xuewu."

"Second Brother."

Zhao Zhao Yajun held the telephone, glanced outside the duty room, and then said, "We're currently changing shifts and eating."

"Mm-hmm."

Li Li Xuewu gave an affirmative response and asked with a smile, "Who cooked the meal?"

"It's Diliya."

Zhao Zhao Yajun detected the tone in Li Li Xuewu's voice and replied with a smile.

Just hearing Li Li Xuewu's voice over the phone made him feel reassured.

The warehouse here was huge and extremely remote; with only the four of them present, they truly felt a bit apprehensive.

Li Li Xuewu could also sense Zhao Zhao Yajun's emotions; he smiled slightly and said, "Be sharp tonight. When they're busy, pay extra attention to your safety; if necessary, you may use forceful measures."

"Yes!"

Zhao Zhao Yajun glanced at the few people entering, then said, "Pazile and the others have returned."

"Mm, let Xilin take the call."

"Yes."

This was Li Li Xuewu's second call; the few people here already knew Li Li Xuewu's plan and were actively preparing.

"It's me, Xilin."

"Mm, the guests should arrive tonight."

Holding the phone casually, Li Li Xuewu said, "Keep in touch by phone at all times; once the matter is handled, go with Pazile and the others to wait for me at the Station Front Hotel."

"Okay."

Xilin knew what she had to do, agreed readily, and then hung up the phone.

Li Li Xuewu took a drag of his cigarette, and after hanging up, called Jingcheng.

"I said he'd be calling these past few days."

Mu Mu Hongyan stood smiling in the living room, holding the phone, and called out to the dining room, "We're eating right now; you're calling at rather an inconvenient time," she then joked to Li Li Xuewu over the line.

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