Chapter 438: Don't Get Too Drunk!

Starting from the development of each factory, from the interests of the workers in each factory, and from serving the overall situation, Li Li Xuewu's speech left everyone in the meeting hall with no room to refute.

Seeking development, seeking a way out, seeking the future; his resonant speech even prompted the leaders and colleagues in the hall to applaud.

Li Li Xuewu had to stand up and bow slightly to express his gratitude.

"Congratulations, Director Li~"

"Congratulations, congratulations~"

"Same to you~"

"Hahaha~"

The secretaries from the Third-Floor Secretariat Section and the clerks from various department offices were all waiting at the conference room entrance.

When the sound of the door opening rang out, everyone saw the Party Secretary and the Factory Director walking out while chatting and laughing.

As the group of leaders followed out, those who encountered Li Li Xuewu, the Deputy Director of the Security Department, all offered a word of congratulations.

Deputy Director Li, being quite witty, replied with a "Same to you."

Watching these leaders, usually so dignified in their offices, chatting and laughing freely, the secretaries dared not speak out of turn.

Those who needed to follow their own leaders did so, while those tasked with cleaning up the conference room waited until the last leader had exited before going in.

No wonder the Secretariat Section is said to be the department closest to the factory leadership's power; barely had the meeting ended when details of the morning's proceedings began to circulate.

At the latest expanded meeting of the leadership team, the initiative to establish a joint enterprise to solve the employment issues for workers' families was basically settled, and a resolution has now been formed and reported upward.

The meeting resolution produced the leadership for the Joint Enterprise Preparatory Group.

Yang Yang Fengshan serves as the Group Leader, with Li Li Huai De, Xiang Xiang Jingyu, and Gu Gu Weijie as Deputy Leaders.

The group members consist of the heads of several relevant departments present today.

For example, Zhang Zhang Guoqi from the Logistics Department, Lv Yuanshen from the Finance Department, Ding Yan Zigui from the Personnel Department, and others.

Although the Security Department's duties had little connection to the Preparatory Group, Li Li Xuewu was selected for the group, and his position within the group ranks above all other members.

"From now on, I'll be serving under you, brother."

Xu Sinian had waited to exit with Li Li Xuewu; the relationship between the two was becoming increasingly well-known within the agency.

"If you put it that way, Old Brother, I really won't dare to speak anymore, haha."

The two enjoyed bantering, and laughing, they went downstairs together.

It was already mealtime; Li Li Xuewu hadn't expected the meeting to last so long.

He had originally planned to meet Master Dou and Staff Officer Zhang at the construction site, but now he wouldn't make it.

He had no choice but to go with everyone else to eat at the Xiaoshitang in the guesthouse.

However, Sha Sha Qizhi, showing great perceptiveness, had already quietly reported to Li Li Xuewu that they had eaten quickly and were waiting for him at the cafeteria entrance.

The meeting lasted so long because the distribution of benefits was ultimately a problem.

Anyone could see that the newly established joint enterprise would represent a development opportunity.

Pooling the strengths of everyone to develop an enterprise involves many complications.

Although Li Li Xuewu had already pointed out this issue during the meeting, none of those sitting at the card table were willing to relinquish the power within their grasp.

The leadership group is a transitional organization, having no established staffing quota and no subsidies.

However, it holds significant speaking rights within the joint enterprise about to be established; this is what these people are fighting over.

Li Li Xuewu is the Director of the Preparatory Leadership Group Office, and Xu Sinian is the Deputy Director.

They bear responsibility for the office's comprehensive work, drafting important documents, collecting information, and organizing and guiding propaganda and reporting.

As well as clerical work, administration, meeting organization, and other tasks, they must also handle liaison with the member units of the leadership group.

In reality, the work is still done by Xu Sinian, or by those clerks from the Secretariat Section.

The reason Li Li Xuewu holds the position of Office Director, in his understanding, is because he is the originator of this line of thinking and the proponent of the joint enterprise.

His speech at today's meeting presented a complete set of ideas and a clear work approach; after all, someone has to get things done.

As for whether Yang Yang Fengshan knows about Li Li Xuewu's connection with Li Li Huai De?

Does he know that Li Li Xuewu is not as selfless as he claims, and that he will also place trusted aides in positions during his work?

Yang Yang Fengshan knows, Yang Yang Yuansong knows, but things simply must be handled this way.

This is politics; this is the charm of political life, and it is also the artistry of a theory of compromise.

Li Li Xuewu entered the leadership group, and Xu Sinian entered as well.

Li Li Huai De is a Deputy Leader, but there are several other Deputy Leaders too, and the main Leader is still Yang Yang Fengshan himself.

It comes down to the same saying: control the situation, control the overall picture.

No matter how many connections exist between Li Li Huai De and Li Li Xuewu, their starting point is aimed at establishing the joint enterprise.

No one will drag their feet at this juncture, and no one can withstand the consequences of doing so.

As for the issue of leadership rights within the joint enterprise, this was discussed for a long time during the meeting and consumed the most time.

First, it was determined that the rank of the joint enterprise would be vice-factory level.

This means the factory director of the joint enterprise would be at the same level as a vice-director of the Steel Rolling Factory, which corresponds to the vice-bureau level.

This immediately filtered out a large batch of competitors.

Only current vice-directors, vice-secretaries, or department directors who have served in bureau-level posts for many years with outstanding achievements are eligible to hold this rank.

Li Li Xuewu wouldn't even dare to dream of it.

He isn't even sure how he managed to become a deputy department director, so how would he dare to contemplate becoming a vice-factory director?

However, looking at Li Li Huai De, Xiang Xiang Jingyu, and Gu Gu Weijie, they all seemed to have some such intention.

Li Li Huai De and Xiang Xiang Jingyu are both vice-directors with real power, while Gu Gu Weijie is the Executive Vice-Secretary in charge of party affairs.

Transferring them laterally is impossible; what they hope for even more is to hold the position concurrently.

For instance, Gu Gu Weijie, concurrently serving as the director of the United Enterprise, would arrange for a standing deputy director and several deputy directors to form the leadership team.

Li Huai-de thought the same way; Gu Gu Weijie wanted to do practical work and seize real power, while Li Huai-de wanted to use this position to secure his role as standing deputy director.

Of course, these were just their thoughts; it was also possible that a full-time director would be directly assigned.

Someone had already raised this possibility at today's meeting, and it seemed Yang Yang Yuansong and Yang Yang Fengshan were also supportive.

Li Li Xuewu could see the dark clouds on the conference table; clearly, both at the factory director's office meeting and the factory party secretary's office meeting, they had let someone come forward to propose this suggestion.

However, Li Huai-de and the other leaders hoping to seize power would not let this opportunity slip; after a fierce struggle, the agenda item was shelved.

Nevertheless, it allowed certain people to see an opportunity to seek advancement.

For instance, Deng Deng Zhiwang and Nie Nie Chenglin; if they could be transferred out, it would be better to be a chicken's head than a phoenix's tail.

Li Li Xuewu viewed this matter more realistically; his consistent attitude toward leaders was that leaders were useless, and the actual work had to be done by the people below.

Therefore, in the early preparation stage, Li Li Xuewu focused more on the business the United Enterprise was to undertake and the personnel in charge of that business.

The United Enterprise, to put it bluntly, was a miscellaneous ragtag army formed by everyone throwing their surplus tertiary industries together.

Anyone who has studied junior high school politics knows that the primary industry refers to agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, and fisheries.

The secondary industry refers to mining, manufacturing, the production and supply of electricity, heat, gas, and water, and construction.

The tertiary industry, or service industry, refers to all other industries excluding the primary and secondary industries.

This includes transportation, warehousing, wholesale and retail, accommodation, catering, and so on.

The Rolling Mill obviously belongs to the secondary industry; the current situation of large state-owned enterprises is that they ask for nothing from others and make everything themselves.

Taking the Rolling Mill as an example, it has its own transportation department, warehousing department, accommodation, catering, construction, sales, dormitories, schools, hospitals, and so on.

Supporting production also includes hardware tool factories, labor protection garment factories, cold drink factories, cinemas, clubs, and so on.

The Rolling Mill is actually quite good; some enterprises are so "insane" that they have planned everything for a worker's children from birth until they turn to ash after death.

Now, a trip to the border revealed surplus transportation resources at the Rolling Mill, including their own rail cars, tracks, assembly workshops, and so on.

It was also discovered that the border has resources such as cotton, salt, sheep, and cattle.

Add to that the trade industry chain designed by Li Li Xuewu, using Steel City as a springboard to radiate across the entire Northeast.

Just the linkage of these three places was enough to make leaders like Li Huai-de and even Yang Yang Fengshan unable to sit still.

The border has wool; the Rolling Mill provides transportation to bring it back, transport it to the textile factory, and produce cotton cloth.

Part is sold to the Supply and Marketing Cooperative, part satisfies the United Enterprise, and the rest can be sent to the Northeast to exchange for grain.

And the grain from the Northeast can be transported back, delivered for use by the United Enterprise, or sent to the border for sale.

This is the simplest trade chain.

And the border does not only have wool, Jingcheng does not only have textile factories, and the Northeast does not only have grain.

Commercial trade based on state-owned enterprises is quite simple; especially with a giant like the Rolling Mill, with tens of thousands of people, the big fish attracted should all be of the great white shark level.

Li Li Xuewu knew that future high-efficiency industries would inevitably take the tertiary sector as the main development goal; by laying the groundwork early, the future of the Rolling Mill was promising.

If the tertiary enterprises of the Rolling Mill could truly forge a special path, it would also improve the economy of the current stage.

This is how a deputy division chief leverages regional economic development.

"Deputy Director Li, the leaders have added a dish for you."

Zhang Zhang Songying placed a large bowl of braised beef with potatoes on their table.

The division chiefs at the table did not look at Zhang Zhang Songying's figure, nor at the beef in the bowl; instead, they all stared at Li Li Xuewu.

"Is this only for our table?"

Li Li Xuewu frowned as he looked at the bowl of beef.

Zhang Zhang Songying smiled and said, "There's more; the leaders specifically instructed to serve your table first~"

"The leaders are too kind."

Li Li Xuewu smiled, stood up, and bowed to the division chiefs and deputy division chiefs in the cafeteria, laughing, "Haha, since everyone has yielded to us, then our table will be the first to taste Master Master Qian's skills! Haha!"

Wang Wang Jingzhang, the Service Division Chief sitting at another table, smiled and teased, "In this room, you are the only one tasting it late; we all tasted it a few days ago."

This was his way of helping Li Li Xuewu out of the awkward situation, knowing that Li Li Xuewu was cursing the leader who specifically ordered the dish in his heart.

Li Li Xuewu smiled, bowed again, and then sat back down in his seat.

The few people at this table then smiled and waited for Li Li Xuewu to take the first bite; this was to thank Li Li Xuewu for getting this beef.

No one was a fool; they knew how much effort Li Li Xuewu had put into this.

"When you eat someone's food, your mouth is short," so when Li Li Xuewu was appointed as the director of the group office, not a single division chief objected.

If you have the ability, you get the beef too; don't say a whole train car, even one cow would do.

"Director Zhang."

Li Li Xuewu called out to Zhang Zhang Songying, who was about to leave, and asked, "Is the wine I left here still available?"

"Yes, it is."

Zhang Zhang Songying didn't know what Li Li Xuewu wanted to do; seeing him ask, he looked Li Li Xuewu in the eyes and answered.

"Serve a pot to the leaders, and another pot to every table."

Li Li Xuewu turned around and smiled at the colleagues in the Xiaoshitang, "Good meat pairs with good wine; everyone has official duties this afternoon, so do not overindulge!"

"Hahaha~"

Everyone was happy about Li Li Xuewu's generosity, knowing that he, the Security Division Chief, was the most open-handed and generous person.

Even Kuang Kuang Yusheng and Xia Xia Zhongquan, who had had a row with Li Li Xuewu over fire extinguishers, smiled and agreed.

A person can have their own independent personality and style of doing things, such as integrity, such as slickness, such as hypocrisy.

No matter what kind of personality or style, as long as you have the soil for your survival, it does not hinder your progress and development.

But if a person lacks a unique personal charm, then they are destined not to last long or go far.

Li Li Xuewu is the kind of person who makes you jealous of him, resent him, mock him, or even look down on him at work, yet in life you can't bring yourself to hate him and even think about playing with him.

It was not incongruous for a person to possess such character; at the very least, self-discipline and devotion to public duty, along with upright conduct, were vividly embodied in Li Li Xuewu.

These cadres had always eaten from the Steel Rolling Plant and drunk from the Steel Rolling Plant; never before had anyone heard of them bringing things into the Steel Rolling Plant themselves.

Zhang Zhang Songying bowed slightly behind Li Li Xuewu's shoulder and asked softly, "Which kind should I serve?"

"Good wine! The very best wine."

Seeing the group of division directors and deputy directors looking over, Li Li Xuewu smiled and emphasized, "Everyone is in high spirits today; we must serve the very best wine, the finest kind I have stored here."

"Yes."

Zhang Zhang Songying answered with a smile on her face, yet inwardly she muttered to herself: What a scoundrel.

"Director Li is generous!"

"Ah~ This is Director Li the 'Rich'!"

"Hahaha~"

Amidst a burst of laughter and banter from the crowd, Zhang Zhang Songying led the waiters to serve wine to each table; wherever someone nodded, the cup before them was filled to the brim.

Li Li Xuewu smiled and declined Zhang Zhang Songying's offer to pour him wine, put down his chopsticks, and explained to the several division directors at his table, "I have just finished eating..."

"That won't do!"

Old Zhang from Logistics blocked Li Li Xuewu, saying, "You've barely taken a few bites of meat; if you don't drink wine, do you expect us to drink?"

"Exactly~"

Some people around began urging Li Li Xuewu, while others urged Zhang Zhang Songying to pour the wine quickly.

Li Li Xuewu simply smiled, stood up, and blocked Zhang Zhang Songying behind him, saying, "I have an appointment at noon with leaders from the sub-bureau and the military; it would truly be inappropriate to go with the smell of alcohol on me, as it would greatly damage our plant's prestige."

While speaking, he took the wine pot from Zhang Zhang Songying's hand and poured a tiny amount into the wine cup of Zhang Zhang Guoqi, who had stood up to block him.

"We will gather properly another time; everyone knows my capacity for alcohol. Today, please eat and drink well. Li Xuewu must take his leave now, hehe."

Placing the wine pot on the table, Li Li Xuewu cupped his fists in salute to the crowd, then gently placed an arm around Zhang Zhang Songying's waist, signaling her to follow him out.

Feeling Li Li Xuewu's action, Zhang Zhang Songying's face immediately flushed red; seeing attentive leaders glancing their way, she quickly followed Li Li Xuewu out the cafeteria door.

"Director Li is truly busy!"

Zhang Zhang Guoqi smiled regretfully, saying, "He only ate a couple of bites for lunch and didn't even get to drink any wine."

"Understandable, understandable."

Xia Xia Zhongquan nodded, saying, "He has been gone for ten days and just returned; who knows how busy he must be."

Speaking again to everyone at the table, he added, "This counts as greater ability bringing greater responsibility; the Security Section is a huge operation, he has set up a training ground, he is handling public security over at the sub-bureau, and now he has even established ties with the military, tsk tsk tsk~"

"No wonder they say he is highly capable."

Kuang Kuang Yusheng raised his eyebrows, glanced at Zhang Zhang Songying who had just left, and said with a smile, "Just that energy to stir things up is something our old arms and legs could never manage."

"Hahaha~"

Hearing Kuang Kuang Yusheng twist the topic in such an amusing way, everyone burst into laughter.

Zhang Zhang Guoqi, holding his wine cup, narrowed his eyes slightly; he had only taken the opportunity while urging a drink to touch that deputy director's hand, yet she reacted so strongly—who said this fellow was generous?

Everyone else had also noticed Zhang Zhang Guoqi's action and the hidden meaning in his words, which was precisely why the others had spoken up afterward.

They had little interest in what relationship Li Li Xuewu and Zhang Zhang Songying might have; among those in the factory holding a title of 'Director' with decent conditions, the number having such relationships exceeded what could be counted on fingers and toes combined.

Indeed, even among those present, how many did not have some romantic entanglement?

Even Qin Qin Huairu's former workshop supervisor had thought about having an affair with Qin Qin Huairu, let alone these division directors.

Since these people's own backsides were far from clean, how could they criticize Li Li Xuewu?

Rather, they found it far more interesting that Zhang Zhang Guoqi had been subtly 'called out' by Li Li Xuewu in front of everyone yet dared not utter a single protest.

Was this Li Li Xuewu really born from a monkey? His mind turned far too quickly.

"I'm... I'm sorry."

Seeing Li Li Xuewu standing under the porch waiting for her, Zhang Zhang Songying quickly took two small running steps to reach him.

Her mouth even shamefully uttered an apology.

Yet after apologizing, she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

This was no longer the old society, and she was not a concubine serving guests and being molested; why should she apologize to him?

"What are you talking about!"

Li Li Xuewu gently chided her, then said, "Next time you encounter him drinking, slip some laxative into his wine."

"Heh~ Mmph~"

Zhang Zhang Songying wanted to laugh upon hearing Li Li Xuewu's words, but then realized they were at the doorway, where joking with Li Li Xuewu was inappropriate.

Li Li Xuewu merely smiled slightly and asked, "Is there still wine in the warehouse?"

"Yes, there is; one jar from what you brought last time remains unopened, and there is still half a jar of the 'very best' left."

"Hehe."

Hearing the secret code he had agreed upon with Qin Qin Huairu, Li Li Xuewu himself could not help but laugh.

"Hee~"

Seeing Li Li Xuewu laugh, Zhang Zhang Songying also pressed her lips together and smiled.

No wonder she had called Li Li Xuewu a scoundrel earlier; the quality of the wine he stored here was always stated in reverse.

Good wine was simply called wine.

But wine that had been returned, or wine blended with other spirits, or bulk wine he had brought from who-knows-where, was all called "very best" wine.

The wine those leaders were drinking inside right now was precisely that "very best" wine.

Li Li Xuewu checked the time on his wrist and saw that Comrade Sha Sha Qizhi was already standing by the car, holding the door open for him.

"I have a case of red wine in my office; go and get the key from Yu Yu Decai in a moment."

Li Li Xuewu instructed Zhang Zhang Songying, "When Li Li Huai De stays overnight, send a cup up to him."

"Um..."

Seeing Li Li Xuewu about to leave, Zhang Zhang Songying said hesitantly, "Won't it spoil once the cap is opened?"

"It's fine; that stuff is just sour. Just pour it out and quickly seal it again with the cork."

Thinking of something, Li Li Xuewu turned back and whispered, "But don't you two drink that wine; it's top-grade, and drinking it will cause trouble."

Seeing Li Li Xuewu's mischievous grin, Zhang Zhang Songying's face immediately flushed red.

"Who'd want to drink that stuff~"

"It really isn't great!"

Li Li Xuewu nodded, then said as he walked down the steps, "The top of the wine crate is for you two."

Having said this, without waiting for Zhang Zhang Songying to say anything more, he was already in the car.

Watching the jeep exit the guesthouse gate, Zhang Zhang Songying finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.

It felt so good to have a man protecting her.

It wasn't that she hadn't encountered such things before; in the workshop, the workshop director was no good either.

He flirted with anyone good-looking; there were many like Qin Qin Huairu, but few like them who had lovers.

Today, with Li Li Xuewu "declaring sovereignty" over her in front of a crowd of leaders, Zhang Zhang Songying felt her whole body tremble, her heart so excited she wanted to laugh.

"Have you gone mad?"

Qin Qin Huairu came out of the leaders' room; not seeing Zhang Zhang Songying in the Xiaoshitang, she went around the corridor into the main hall, only to find Zhang Zhang Songying looking as if peach blossoms bloomed on her face.

"Go away, you're the one who's gone mad~"

Casting a coquettish, smiling glance at Qin Qin Huairu, Zhang Zhang Songying made Qin Qin Huairu grimace.

"If you haven't gone mad, then you're in heat."

Pouting, Qin Qin Huairu headed to the office; usually at noon, the two of them took their meals back to eat inside the office.

Smiling, Zhang Zhang Songying glanced toward the entrance, then followed Qin Qin Huairu into the office.

"Hey, he asked us to go to his office to move the wine."

"He asked you, right? I didn't hear anything."

Qin Qin Huairu opened the lunchbox on the table, picked up her chopsticks, and began eating.

Every day was like this; at noon, the most leaders came here to eat, so they had to finish serving the leaders before they could return to eat themselves.

This position wasn't easy to hold, after all, it was work serving others.

Zhang Zhang Songying picked up her lunchbox, moved her chair, and sat down next to Qin Qin Huairu.

Opening her lunchbox, she said, "Even if you didn't hear it, it concerns you too."

Qin Qin Huairu just ate, ignoring her; seeing her manner, it was clear she had things to say but nowhere to say them.

Since she was the one who saw Li Li Xuewu off today, she was definitely the chatterbox; without Qin Qin Huairu asking, Zhang Zhang Songying would have to tell her everything.

"Hey, did you hear me~"

Zhang Zhang Songying nudged Qin Qin Huairu, then whispered, "He said he prepared something for us."

"Prepared what?"

Turning to look at Zhang Zhang Songying, Qin Qin Huairu pouted and said, "Even if he prepared handcuffs, would you go?"

"Go! Why wouldn't I go?"

Grinning mischievously, Zhang Zhang Songying whispered to Qin Qin Huairu, "Next time, let him handcuff you."

"You're crazy!"

Annoyed, Qin Qin Huairu pinched Zhang Zhang Songying, who took the opportunity to lean close to Qin Qin Huairu's ear and explain Li Li Xuewu's arrangement regarding that crate of wine.

"That rascal~"

"Oh, terribly sorry!"

Before the car had even come to a complete stop, Li Li Xuewu pushed open the door and jumped out, stepping forward first to shake hands with Counselor Zhang, who was waiting at the entrance.

He kept saying sorry over and over.

Today, he had invited the other party here to inspect the construction site, but he was late because the meeting had run long.

Counselor Zhang merely waved his hand, gesturing for Li Li Xuewu to enter the gate first.

"We are here every day; it doesn't matter if we are a little early or a little late."

How could Li Li Xuewu go first? He insisted the other go ahead, and the two entered the gate together.

"It's much brighter with this wall opened up, huh?"

Li Li Xuewu saw that the partition wall between the outer courtyard and Bai Bai Xiyuan had been breached; standing just inside the gate, one could see the Western-style building across the parade ground.

Standing beside Li Li Xuewu, Counselor Zhang explained, "The leaders said our vehicles would be managed uniformly, so a vehicle gateway was built from our garage over to their side."

"It's fine, that works."

Li Li Xuewu nodded, expressing his approval.

There would be guards at this main gate in the future, and duty personnel inside as well, so there were no security concerns; after all, this was the Public Security Brigade, not a place for external office reception.

Master Dou led Li Li Xuewu and the others to view the large courtyard, which was currently undergoing repair and renovation.

Windows, doors, verandas, floor tiles, roof tiles, and many other locations all needed repair or replacement.

More than ten days had passed, and the general appearance was already becoming visible.

"Can it be completed on schedule?"

After inspecting the buildings, Li Li Xuewu went with them to view the renovation of the parade ground.

"No problem."

Full of confidence, Master Dou said, "We have enough manpower; skilled masters will handle the delicate work, while a few others can lead the rest to do the other tasks."

Speaking, he kicked a stone on the playground and said, "The stone roller has gone over it several times; with no rain these past few days, we'll lay the three-mix soil immediately. Once we tamp it down with stone hammers, it'll be solid enough for aircraft to run on."

Li Li Xuewu squatted on the ground and scraped at the subsoil with his hand; it was acceptable—the mixture of gravel, lime, and sand had been filled in thoroughly.

Once covered with the three-mix soil, it might truly be able to support aircraft.

Even if it couldn't support aircraft, it would still be fine as long as people could run on it.

Without a rubber runway, this three-mix soil playground wouldn't hurt people's feet when they ran.

After standing up, Li Li Xuewu said nothing further and continued walking toward the building cluster assigned to the Support Regiment.

Here stood three Western-style buildings arranged in a triangular formation, products of the Qing Dynasty era, yet they still appeared remarkably sturdy.

Li Li Xuewu did not enter the buildings to inspect; he merely stood below and examined the progress of the water and electricity renovations.

Overall, Master Dou's claim that the renovations would be completed on schedule was indeed no problem.

"Alright, carry on with your work."

Li Li Xuewu shook hands with Staff Officer Zhang, then smiled and pointed at Master Dou, saying, "If you need anything else, just tell the construction team."

"Thank you."

Staff Officer Zhang also understood Li Li Xuewu's purpose in coming today: simply to verify the progress and assess their level of cooperation and attitude.

Both parties were currently in the Mo He Qi, and many conflicts often began with trivial matters.

Li Li Xuewu's proactive visit to inspect the construction site today was both an acknowledgment and attention to their work, as well as laying a foundation for future cooperation.

Standing at the entrance and observing the gate being repainted, Li Li Xuewu nodded; this high-ranking official from the late Qing Dynasty certainly had presence.

Turning his head again, upon seeing the large character "Fu" painted on the shadow wall across the alley, Li Li Xuewu furrowed his brows once more.

"Scrape that off."

Li Li Xuewu pointed at the shadow wall and told Master Dou, "Inlay the five characters 'Serve the People.' You know the font, right?"

"Yes, yes, I know."

Master Dou hurriedly nodded in agreement; Li Li Xuewu's meticulous attitude during the inspection had just made him break out in a cold sweat.

Fortunately, he hadn't tried any shady tricks in the construction; if this man had discovered them on-site, he would have surely executed him on the spot.

Seeing that Li Li Xuewu's expression was still favorable and noticing no one else around, Master Dou whispered, "As soon as your brother's courtyard is finished here, we'll start immediately; I'll have men find time these few days to lay the foundation."

When Li Li Xuewu handed him a cigarette, he quickly accepted it but didn't smoke, merely holding it in his hand.

"The roof beams and other materials are already being prepared at home; ten days is too little, twenty days is plenty—we'll definitely finish the job."

"You handle it as you see fit."

Seeing that Master Dou hadn't put the cigarette in his mouth, Li Li Xuewu didn't light it for him; instead, he turned to look at the construction site inside the courtyard and said, "Pay attention to construction safety; this is public work, so no accidents can happen."

"Understood, understood."

Master Dou nodded and said, "Director Zheng from the Branch Bureau has been here once, and the Director of Logistics comes frequently; there certainly won't be any mistakes."

"Good, with you here, I feel reassured."

As Li Li Xuewu climbed into his vehicle, he said, "When we get busy with your brother's house, I'll treat you to a meal."

"I should be the one treating, I should be the one treating."

Master Dou smiled as he saw Li Li Xuewu off to his car, then waved goodbye while watching Li Li Xuewu's vehicle depart.

If someone respects me by a foot, I respect them by a yard.

In all the matters Li Li Xuewu had handled with him, he had been exceptionally open and bright; how could he possibly cheat Li Li Xuewu?

Even without those people from the Branch Bureau coming to supervise, they wouldn't dare cut corners here.

The people sent by the Branch Bureau had explicitly stated that this place would be this gentleman's future office; daring to act recklessly would be like throwing oneself into the line of fire.

Li Li Xuewu understood how to wield both kindness and authority.

In work, he was meticulous; in friendship, he looked out for others.

Over time, everyone would know what kind of person you were and would interact with you according to that standard.

"Oh, Director Shen is here."

When Li Li Xuewu knocked and entered Zheng Zheng Fuhua's office, he happened to catch Shen Fang reporting on work.

"Heh, Deputy Director Li has returned?"

Shen Fang smiled, glanced at Zheng Zheng Fuhua, then stood up to shake hands with Li Li Xuewu.

"Deputy Director Li has been gone for over ten days; you've worked hard and achieved great merit~"

"You've gotten to eat the beef and mutton, haven't you?"

Li Li Xuewu smiled and poked Shen Fang's belly, then sat down opposite Zheng Zheng Fuhua alongside Shen Fang.

Seeing Li Li Xuewu wearing a constant smile without speaking, Zheng Zheng Fuhua tossed a pack of cigarettes over as soon as Li Li Xuewu sat down.

Li Li Xuewu caught it, took a look, and laughed, "Oh, Little Panda brand~"

While speaking, he glanced at Shen Fang beside him and asked, "What's gotten into our leader today? Being so generous? Hahaha."

Shen Fang wouldn't dare joke with Zheng Zheng Fuhua himself, but seeing Li Li Xuewu take the lead, he joined in the banter, saying, "I was thinking something seemed off today too."

While speaking, he teasingly added to Li Li Xuewu, "But it doesn't concern me much; I don't have the prestige to smoke Little Panda cigarettes."

"Good cigarettes are wasted on both of you."

Zheng Zheng Fuhua made a move to snatch them back, but Li Li Xuewu dodged, taking the opportunity to put a cigarette in his mouth and light it.

"Leader, one pack of Little Panda isn't enough."

Blowing smoke from his nostrils, Li Li Xuewu smiled and insisted, "A carton would be more appropriate."

Zheng Zheng Fuhua smiled, looked at Li Li Xuewu, and asked, "How about I give you a truckload?"

"Then I certainly won't complain about having too much."

Li Li Xuewu smiled, leaned closer to the desk, and looked at Zheng Zheng Fuhua, saying, "I solved all the funding issues for establishing the Public Security Brigade for you and Director Gao, with surplus remaining; this Little Panda is something I dare to ask you for."

"Take it, take it!"

Zheng Zheng Fuhua complained impatiently, yet his hands were not stingy; he pulled two cartons from beneath his desk and tossed them over.

Li Li Xuewu accepted them with a triumphant smile and casually slipped one carton to Shen Fang.

Li Li Xuewu had to take these cigarettes; otherwise, his relationship with Zheng Zheng Fuhua would become awkward.

With these two cartons, the "favor" Zheng Zheng Fuhua "owed" Li Li Xuewu was wiped clean.

However, this wiping clean was merely superficial; both Zheng Zheng Fuhua and Gao Zhen kept Li Li Xuewu's kindness firmly in their hearts.

Especially Zheng Zheng Fuhua, who would value Li Li Xuewu even more for having proactively requested these two cartons.

Shen Fang sat aside, enviously watching Li Li Xuewu interact with the leader, never expecting such a surprise.

He glanced at Zheng Zheng Fuhua somewhat embarrassed, too shy to accept.

Zheng Zheng Fuhua merely glanced at him and said, "Take it; it is for you."

Only after hearing Zheng Zheng Fuhua speak did Shen Fang happily accept.

Li Li Xuewu set the cartons aside, placed a loose cigarette on the ashtray, and then addressed Zheng Zheng Fuhua: "Now that our funding is resolved, should we not put vehicle and equipment procurement on the agenda?"

"For subsequent training, I plan to arrange practical combat drills for them to familiarize themselves with operational weapons and equipment as soon as possible, achieving both mobility and completeness."

"Selling the father's fields without heartache, eh?"

Zheng Zheng Fuhua looked at Li Li Xuewu and said, "You raised the money, but Director Gao still feels the pain when it is spent."

Taking a sip of tea, he continued, "However, I have discussed this with Director Gao; we should equip them as soon as possible, and once subsequent funds arrive, they can be replenished!"

"That is exactly the idea."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "Including the promotion of subsequent safety experience, the construction of public security teams, and fire safety training—all these will generate demands for equipment procurement and professional training grounds, serving as sources of funding."

Zheng Zheng Fuhua knew Li Li Xuewu was full of clever ideas and had numerous methods for raising money.

It was not in vain that he and Gao Zhen had slept poorly for several days; only upon hearing the news that the Rolling Steel Factory had transported the meat back did they finally put their hearts at ease.

"Then let us proceed."

Zheng Zheng Fuhua tapped the table and stated firmly, "For the sake of safety, this money must be spent; we cannot spend less."

"Ah, that is the right attitude!"

Li Li Xuewu smiled, turned to look at Shen Fang, and asked, "What brought you here?"

"Hehe, I just arrived myself."

Shen Fang replied to Li Li Xuewu while signaling with his eyes toward Zheng Zheng Fuhua.

Seeing Li Li Xuewu and Zheng Zheng Fuhua discussing matters concerning the Public Security Brigade, he summoned his courage to interject, "Director Li, Director Zheng, look, our station is not far from the Public Security Brigade; could we perhaps do something?"

Seeing both men look at him, fearing they might overthink it, he smiled and said, "Look, spring is approaching soon; the funding for repairing the roof leaks we reported last year has not yet arrived, and the desks, chairs, and benches in our station are all old relics from the Qing Dynasty—true 'antiques'~; and as for the kitchen..."

Shen Fang's smiling face gradually turned into a bitter smile as he listed these grievances.

"It is not for any other reason; if this house keeps leaking, I feel pain for those 'antiques' inside~"

Seeing Zheng Zheng Fuhua narrow his eyes, Shen Fang felt somewhat embarrassed; finally, to avoid awkwardness, he made a small joke.

Hearing this joke, Li Li Xuewu could only speechlessly purse his lips.

What the hell kind of antiques did the Jiaodaokou Station have? If those pieces of junk furniture counted as antiques, then the cobblestones on the street must be from the Han Dynasty!

"I did not call you here today to listen to your complaints."

Zheng Zheng Fuhua tapped with the matchstick in his hand, glanced at Li Li Xuewu, and asked, "Did you not previously tell me that you wanted a deputy?"

"Him?"

"Me?"

"What? Is that not acceptable?"

Zheng Zheng Fuhua released the matchstick in his hand, leaned back against the chair, and looked at Li Li Xuewu, saying, "Do not underestimate people; back in the day, Shen Fang was..."

"Leader, Leader!"

Li Li Xuewu waved his hand, cutting off Zheng Zheng Fuhua's introduction, turned to look at Shen Fang, and asked, "Comrade Shen Fang, have you thought this through? In the station, you are the number one; in the Public Security Brigade, you would be number three."

"Leader, are you really sending me to the Public Security Brigade?"

Shen Fang ignored Li Li Xuewu and, looking at Zheng Zheng Fuhua in disbelief, asked the question.

"Mm, that is indeed the plan."

Zheng Zheng Fuhua nodded, glanced at Li Li Xuewu, and then said to Shen Fang, "I believe you are capable of assuming the position of Deputy Brigade Commander."

"Thank you, Leader!"

Shen Fang excitedly stood up and saluted Zheng Zheng Fuhua.

"Hehehe."

Watching Shen Fang's excited demeanor, Zheng Zheng Fuhua smiled with a pursed lip and glanced at Li Li Xuewu.

This was the third signal Li Li Xuewu had received from Zheng Zheng Fuhua; he also smiled, stood up, and extended his hand toward Shen Fang.

"Welcome to the Dongcheng Branch Public Security Brigade."

"Yes!"

Shen Fang smiled and shook hands with Li Li Xuewu.

The Public Security Brigade was clearly a ladder for rapid promotion; currently, the leaders' gazes were fixed here, and all attention was focused here.

Furthermore, the Public Security Brigade was an independent unit that did not handle external affairs, saving much trouble.

Otherwise, a man not yet thirty years old would not look as if he were forty.

Zheng Zheng Fuhua waved his hand, signaling both men to sit down, and then said to Li Li Xuewu, "We are already identifying candidates for the Political Commissar; the corresponding leadership team will be fully assembled for you."

"Thank you, Director Zheng."

Li Li Xuewu smiled, knowing why Zheng Zheng Fuhua was going to such lengths and why he was transferring Shen Fang up.

Was it not because his temperament was something most people could not endure?

Li Li Xuewu had matters to attend to today, so he hurriedly discussed the most urgent issues with Zheng Zheng Fuhua.

One item was a report on the organizational development of the Public Security Brigade.

The other was to prepare for coordinating with the training personnel from the local branch bureau and the operational staff officers from the volunteer group to establish a Training Section at the Hongxing Training Ground in cooperation with the Zhagang Steel Factory.

The primary purpose was to cultivate professional training talent, used to scientifically, reasonably, and purposefully train the participants.

Zheng Zheng Fuhua actually agreed with Li Li Xuewu's opinion; Gao Zhen had already approved the Public Security Brigade's training plan.

That plan meant that every three months, a batch of backbone forces would be transferred from the grassroots level and government organs to the Public Security Brigade for training and security patrol duties.

They would strengthen their physiques and improve their skills during training, then practice what they had learned during patrols to remedy their weaknesses.

After the report concluded, Li Li Xuewu brought up the matter of Pazile.

Since Shen Fang happened to be there, Li Li Xuewu raised the request to transfer Pazile into the Special Duty Unit with Zheng Zheng Fuhua.

Seeing Li Li Xuewu openly admit to arranging for his comrade to join the unit, Zheng Zheng Fuhua said nothing.

Who didn't have some relatives or old acquaintances? The most important thing was that the person had ability.