Chapter 444: At Least I Remember

Yang Fengshan wiped his face; he didn't know when his face had become covered in cold tears.

The leaders behind him were also full of heaviness, unable to speak as they looked at the collapsed earthen house.

Whatever power, whatever interests—at this moment, they were all pressed to the bottom of their hearts.

Just then, they suddenly heard the sound of a car on the street, and then they saw a truck stop by the side of the road with a "creak."

"Leaders!"

It was Han Zhan who jumped out of the passenger seat.

Seeing the leaders standing at the door, he trotted over, saluted, and reported: "Following Deputy Section Chief Li's instructions, we have cleared all workers who did not report to work, and are investigating and rescuing according to the list. This household is Lu Zhengzhong."

Yang Fengshan looked at the Security Section personnel jumping out of the back of the truck—some carrying shovels, some carrying picks, and some carrying crowbars—and knew that the support Li Xuewu mentioned had arrived.

"Implement according to the plan!"

"Yes!"

Seeing that the people in the car had already gotten off, Han Zhan waved his hand toward the courtyard and led the people rushing toward the collapsed position.

More than thirty people went into battle together, clearing the collapsed roof and earthen walls, while police dog squad members led police dogs to search in the ruins.

"Woof woof!"

This was very clear; the police dogs smelled the scent of blood.

Gu Weijie gritted her teeth and said: "Factory Director, you continue to the next house; I'll stay here and wait for news."

Yang Fengshan looked at the team clearing the ruins, turned to Xu Sinian, and instructed: "You stay and accompany Deputy Secretary Gu; tell me the news at the first opportunity."

"Yes!"

Xu Sinian promised, turned to give a few instructions to the workers behind him, and then entered the courtyard to participate in the cleaning work with the rescue team.

Yang Fengshan took one last look at the courtyard and continued to visit the next house.

He never expected that this earthquake would bring such large casualties. It was also his first time seeing the disaster consequences produced by an earthquake.

This degree of destruction was more fierce and direct than the flames of war, especially looking at the collapsed walls discovered from time to time on the roadside and the crying sounds in the courtyard.

Preventive measures like the one in Li Xuewu's courtyard were rare; everyone was awakened by the earthquake in their dreams.

Most of the houses here were earthen houses or old, dilapidated half-brick houses.

The meaning of this half-brick house was that the places needing load-bearing and force-bearing used a few bricks, while the rest were still earthen adobe.

The sturdiness of this kind of house was inherently unable to resist an earthquake, not to mention that the shed roof and courtyard walls of the earthen house itself carried dangerous properties.

"Factory Director, the living environment of factory workers is worrying!"

Jing Yunong, who followed behind, said to Yang Fengshan: "The factory dormitory reported the damaged part of the account today, and some dormitories built before liberation have also reached the edge of danger."

"Indeed."

Nie Chenglin looked at the surrounding environment and said: "The number of steel mill workers living here is not small, and the living environment is mostly earthen houses. The damage caused by this earthquake looks quite large."

"Tell me your thoughts."

Yang Fengshan also wanted to solve the current difficulties and environmental problems.

Jing Yunong looked at Yang Fengshan and said: "This joint enterprise is an opportunity. Since we can talk about cooperation and joint factory construction, why can't we talk about joint worker placement?"

There really are thoughtful people. Li Xuewu could think of joint enterprises, so others could think of joint welfare.

Nie Chenglin squinted at Jing Yunong and said: "Unified placement costs, location, and order are all difficult problems."

"Just as Deputy Section Chief Li said, if the Personnel Section of the steel mill can do a job, then if everyone unites, can't they do this job?"

Nie Chenglin felt uncomfortable when he heard this Deputy Section Chief Li.

"Just talking is not enough; we have to do it."

"Mm, discuss this issue when we go back."

Yang Fengshan saw Nie Chenglin's words were a bit biased, so he made a summary and took the lead into a worker's courtyard.

Then came Nie Chenglin. Jing Yunong, who was walking behind, looked at Nie Chenglin's back.

Truly mud that can't support the wall.

She could already feel that the atmosphere at the factory director's office meeting was wrong. Jing Yunong and Li Huai De both had opportunities to fight for the position of executive deputy.

And the deputy factory director of the production management section, Nie Chenglin, who managed the largest department, was naturally the object of Jing Yunong's unity.

Originally, she had already given him a hint to test him, but he said some disuniting words. Those who came from production were all dead-brained.

This was Jing Yunong's impression of Nie Chenglin, and it was quite consistent.

Nie Chenglin was an old colleague and old partner of Yang Fengshan.

Nie Chenglin walked up to the leadership position step by step from the workshop. Because he was proficient in workshop business and had management ability, he was arranged by Yang Fengshan in the position of production deputy factory director.

To say his EQ was low, it wasn't low; otherwise, he couldn't manage.

It could only be said that he was used to mechanical, inherent thinking and couldn't accept some flexible ways of handling things.

However, this kind of person also had advantages, that is, he was serious and responsible for work, and had no intention of fighting for power.

Jing Yunong saw this point and gave him a convenience to test him. Now she saw it; this Deputy Factory Director Nie was just like this.

Everyone had their own way of doing things and handling things. Yang Shuji gave these people a lesson today.

Compared with the factory director Yang Fengshan, the leaders who went to the city to comfort had a relatively good mood.

After all, the leaders didn't come empty-handed. The walls at home collapsed, things fell, and having a consolation gift was a surprise.

Although they spoke to the leaders with grievances and helplessness, they always smiled and thanked them when they saw the mutton.

Housing in the city was generally brick-and-tile houses, supplemented by half-brick houses, and there were few pure earthen houses in the outskirts.

This was also a certain strength in seismic structure, but it didn't mean everything was worry-free.

Brick-and-tile buildings weren't permanent buildings either. The brick-and-tile houses of the early years also suffered damage in this earthquake.

Yang Yuansong led several factory leaders to visit some worker families, and while sending consolation, he was also checking the workers' losses.

Even the courtyard in Li Xuewu's place was defended like that, and there were still ghosts who should die, not to mention others.

A group of leaders were gathered at the main gate by Yang Yuansong this morning, watching the workers enter the factory gate.

Not to mention those with bandages on their heads, how many had injured arms and legs but didn't dare to say, afraid of delaying work.

The workers at this time were too simple and honest. All they thought about was the collective, the production tasks, and the living money for the next month.

Even if an earthquake occurred, they didn't delay going to the factory to work.

Yang Yuansong and his party were gratified that the factory workers could go to the factory to work as usual, and felt sad for the workers' families who were injured and suffered property damage.

But when they walked to a courtyard, they heard words that made everyone frown.

"My fourth aunt's neighbor's relative is a cadre. According to him, they knew there would be an earthquake last night!"

"Ah!"

This person didn't know that leaders were coming to visit, so he was standing in the courtyard with a group of people chatting.

"Then... then why didn't they tell us if they knew!?"

"Who are you!?"

That person looked at them with a look of disdain and said: "You think you're a leader? Hey! Our lives are cheap!"

"How can you say that!"

Those standing here were all old men and old women, usually chatting with two or three people.

But today there were many people; today wasn't there an earthquake.

The young people who didn't go to school today all mixed in here.

"Everyone's life is the same. If King Yama wants you to die at the third watch..."

"Fine, fine, fine!"

That person waved his hand and said: "You confused bugs don't know yet, right? Last night, the factory security was like crazy, reminding people to guard against earthquakes whenever they saw them."

"That's not right."

This person was suspicious again: "Then the security reminded us, why didn't we receive the news?"

"Hey!"

This person had an expression of "I know the inside story" and said: "You think this news is so worthless! Who dares to spread this kind of thing?"

"Tell us!"

"Yes, because of what, you know what, hurry up and say it!"

"Hey!"

This person had enough fun, bent over, and whispered: "I heard it! This is what I heard!"

"Hurry up and say it!"

"Say it, say it, say it!"

This person waved his hand to signal everyone to listen quietly, but his voice wasn't small at all now.

"You didn't see it, human life, it's worthless now. The young cubs with culture are all waiting. The leaders in the factory, they wish more would die, so they can vacate..."

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

The secretary who came with the leaders looked at the leader's iron-blue face and couldn't help it anymore. He walked into the courtyard and wanted to reprimand them.

"Who are you!"

Everyone in the courtyard was old men and old women, shocked by this piece of news, but they didn't expect a young man in a Zhongshan suit to suddenly enter.

The secretary frowned and asked: "Who said those words just now?"

They all saw him wearing a Zhongshan suit; who would admit they said those words.

Even a fool knew those words couldn't be said on the surface. A group of people were all silent, dodging the secretary's gaze.

Seeing no one answered, the secretary pointed at everyone and said seriously: "This is spreading rumors. Do you know what rumors are! It's against the law, and you'll go to jail!"

"Secretary Jiang!"

Yang Yuansong walked into the courtyard with a group of people.

He patted the secretary's shoulder, signaled him not to speak anymore, and introduced himself in a friendly manner.

"I am the Party Group Secretary of the Red Star Steel Mill, my name is Yang Yuansong."

Everyone saw that this person was also wearing a Zhongshan suit and had brought so many people in, so they didn't doubt his identity.

Especially after being intimidated by Secretary Jiang just now, and the words of the young man earlier, they were even more terrified.

"Hehehe."

Yang Yuansong sat down next to an old man, hammered his legs, and said: "I am forty-seven this year, younger than most of you here."

Everyone looked at Yang Yuansong with some dodging, not changing their attitude because of his close actions and words.

The secretary's intimidation was one aspect, and the words of the young man earlier were another.

Everyone in this courtyard had sons and daughters working in the factory; who would want white strips on their doors.

Yang Yuansong looked at the bitter and deep expressions of these people and knew Li Xuewu's reminder was accurate.

"Hehe, to say this age is small, it's also compared to you."

Yang Yuansong hammered his legs and said: "Today, the earthquake came, and it scared me. My knees fell directly to the ground, hehe."

"Hehehe."

Hearing Yang Yuansong's words, everyone finally had a smile.

People, they are all like this. They don't worry about scarcity, but about inequality.

Our family has become like this, our family members have been injured like this, why are you leaders all fine.

Yang Yuansong saw everyone laughing and relaxed his mood, knowing he could open the situation.

"I was also scared to death, really afraid I wouldn't see today's sun."

As he spoke, he looked up at the sky. The sun was rising as usual.

Everyone in the courtyard recalled the darkest moment this morning, wasn't it the mood the leader said.

"But I fell, and it woke me up. After waking up, I didn't think about whether I could live anymore."

Yang Yuansong looked at these people standing or sitting and said: "Because there are more than ten thousand workers in the factory like me, who are also in the fear of the earthquake."

"Yang Shuji..."

"I know."

Yang Yuansong waved his hand to interrupt the person in the courtyard and said: "In the face of an earthquake, everyone is indeed equal. We are all afraid, all terrified, all want to hear the latest news."

As he spoke, he looked at the people around him and said: "But we are all elderly people, old workers, and even old Party members. We should always have some trust in the steel mill."

The people around lowered their heads one after another, dodging Yang Yuansong's gaze, not daring to look directly.

"The steel mill is not one person's; it is the public's, it is the home of all steel mill workers. Who dares to treat the steel mill workers like this?"

"Then... then what's going on with the news last night?"

It was still the young man who was fearless. He dared to ask when the leader was speaking.

Everyone in the courtyard looked at Yang Yuansong, and those who followed him to comfort were also looking at the secretary.

Everyone knew the "inside story" and was sweating for the secretary now, and also blaming the young man who asked the question just now.

"We did receive the early warning news."

Yang Yuansong was an old Party member. How could he not know the truth that blocking is not as good as dredging.

At this time, the secretary or political commissar was not a soft bun. You couldn't pinch them as you wanted. They all had deep mass work capabilities.

Before taking over the steel mill, Yang Yuansong was also a captive instructor, which was even more challenging work.

Dealing with this kind of rumor-style problem was not a problem at all.

Looking at the surprised expressions of the people in the courtyard, and the defiant and provocative gaze of the young man, Yang Yuansong didn't hide it, nor did he get angry.

"Last night, before ten o'clock, we did receive the news of the earthquake. It was a judgment made by Deputy Section Chief Li Xuewu of the Security Section based on the reactions of chickens, horses, and rats."

Hearing Yang Yuansong say the specific person and the basis for judgment, the people in the courtyard couldn't help but start listening to Yang Yuansong.

This was an important step in building a foundation of trust. If you want others to listen to you, you must make them trust you.

"That young man, the news you heard might have been passed from near Section Chief Li's house."

Yang Yuansong didn't care about the young man's changing face, but looked at everyone and continued: "According to the work procedure, Deputy Section Chief Li reported this matter to the leader in charge, Li Huai De, who is the Deputy Factory Director of the steel mill."

"I know."

There were people in the courtyard who knew the names of the factory leaders. Hearing Yang Yuansong say it, they also followed up.

"That Li Xuewu is the Tiger of the Security Section!"

"Hahaha!"

Yang Yuansong didn't expect Li Xuewu's name to be louder than his own.

"Yes, it is the Tiger of the Security Section!"

Yang Yuansong pointed at the young man and affirmed with a smile.

This affirmation made the young man shrink his shoulders in embarrassment and hide a step back.

But his face was full of pride, like an elementary school student who answered the question correctly.

"In the report, Deputy Section Chief Li did intend to notify everyone."

Yang Yuansong looked at everyone very surely and said: "But he was persuaded by Deputy Factory Director Li."

Regardless of the expressions of these people changing too fast, Yang Yuansong continued: "Deputy Factory Director Li's consideration was correct."

Under the puzzled eyes of everyone, Yang Yuansong explained: "Our factory has more than ten thousand people. If you count the family members, it's seventy or eighty thousand, almost one hundred thousand."

Everyone opened their eyes wide when they heard this. They didn't feel it usually, but hearing the number Yang Shuji said, they were all startled.

They didn't expect the steel mill they relied on for survival to have such a large scale.

"Everyone think about it, tens of thousands of people, how can we move you because of a guess from chickens, horses, and rats!"

At this moment, Yang Yuansong stood up, looked at everyone, and said: "Here, on behalf of the steel mill leadership team, I apologize to everyone. It was us who didn't consider it thoroughly and didn't expect that an earthquake would really happen."

After speaking, Yang Yuansong bowed deeply.

This shocked the people in the courtyard. Everyone stood up one after another, and those who were older even helped Yang Yuansong.

"Yang Shuji, this is not your fault!"

This old man waved his hand at the neighbors and said: "Anyone can make excuses after the fact, but if it were us, who could believe such news!"

"Indeed!"

An old man with a thin and tall figure standing on the side sighed: "No one is a god. Thousands and tens of thousands, boundless and endless, where can so many people be placed? Before they were placed, the earthquake was over."

"Hahaha!"

Everyone in the courtyard laughed when they heard this. Thinking about it in their hearts, it was really the case.

Tens of thousands of people, from notification to organization, to placement, damn, it was dawn.

Seeing Yang Yuansong admitting the facts, explaining, and apologizing, the resentment in everyone's hearts came out.

Yang Yuansong looked at these people and said: "After coordinating with our factory leadership team, Deputy Factory Director Li placed the most basic scope of warning and rescue preparation on the Security Section."

As he spoke, he pointed at the young man who asked him the question just now, who was obviously the one who passed the news, and said: "What he said, the security was like crazy, it wasn't crazy, hehe."

"Haha!"

The emotions of the crowd were also mobilized by Yang Yuansong. He laughed, and everyone followed.

"When Deputy Section Chief Li Xuewu was still the Security Section Chief, he had already proposed the emergency plan and emergency plan drill system."

"To put it plainly, it means thinking of all disasters and accidents first, and teaching everyone the best disposal methods."

Yang Yuansong said: "The steel mill has also been promoting such an excellent system."

The old man standing on the side asked: "When can we learn?"

"Hehe, actually, it started letting everyone learn a long time ago."

Yang Yuansong turned to the secretary and asked: "Secretary Jiang, when was the emergency dual-plan system promoted across the factory?"

The secretary who came in to reprimand just now replied: "A month ago, it started after Deputy Section Chief Li returned."

"Look!"

Yang Yuansong looked at the old people and said: "Go back and ask your children if the steel mill has organized everyone to learn this system."

Everyone now heard that the matter was with their family members working in the factory. They had taught the advanced experience to everyone a long time ago, but their family members didn't bring it back.

Oh my, now it was their turn to feel guilty. How could they complain about the leaders like this?

Yang Yuansong wanted to let everyone vent their resentment, rebuild trust, and now with this sense of guilt, he could proceed to the next step.

"Last night, the Security Section had been doing warning and rescue preparations in the name of drills."

Yang Yuansong said very earnestly: "And they carried out rescue work at the first moment the earthquake occurred."

"The steel mill is our big home, but the worker's home is also our small home."

Hearing the secretary's emotional words, everyone fell silent.

"After confirming that the steel mill resumed operation, except for Li Huai De, the deputy factory director who stayed at the steel mill to handle the final problems, all leadership team members came out to visit our factory worker families."

I don't know when, but many neighbors around slowly squeezed into the courtyard.

Hearing that the steel mill secretary was here, they all came to see.

Hearing that the secretary was doing explanation work, more people came.

Yang Yuansong looked at the worker families crowded in the courtyard and said earnestly: "The factory security dispatched hundreds of people to support here, and agencies and relevant departments also participated."

"Please give us some time. We won't forget the old workers of the steel mill, nor will we ignore the lives of the workers. Everyone, please understand, thank you."

"Did you hear that!"

The old man standing in front of the secretary shouted to the neighbors: "Don't spread rumors anymore. Go to work, go to school. The secretary has said it to this point, our courtyard supports it first!"

"Support!"

"Support!"

Yang Yuansong shook hands with the worker families around and sent the mutton handed over by the secretary to the injured personnel.

Although this mutton was only a small piece, it played an immeasurable role at this time.

Who said the steel mill leaders didn't care, who said the steel mill leaders ignored human life? That's nonsense!

Look, they even sent meat to the injured!

Those who got the meat naturally said the steel mill was good, and those who didn't get the meat weren't jealous.

After all, no one wanted to trade their own injury for those two taels of meat.

Furthermore, everyone's hearts were warm now. They all blamed their family members for not bringing back the advanced experience. They were comforted by the leaders after the accident, what else could they want.

In the eyes of these onlookers, Yang Shuji who was speaking was a good leader, and Li Huai De whom he mentioned was also a good leader.

As for Li Xuewu, who first proposed the warning and implemented the rescue, that Tiger of the Security Section couldn't be wrong!

Now everyone didn't feel afraid of this "Tiger" name, but rather admired and respected it.

If the Security Section and the steel mill could have a few more such good tigers, they would have security.

After sending away the leaders who came to comfort, the sound in the courtyard didn't lower.

Those who came later asked those who came earlier, and those who came earlier boasted to those who came later.

But with so many people here, the news spread from here was much more accurate.

Including how Li Xuewu of the steel mill warned of the news, how the factory leaders handled it reasonably, and how they carried out rescue after the event happened.

Everyone saw the real consolation, and there was no need to say how the leaders comforted them.

Deng Zhiwang, who walked out with Yang Yuansong, looked admiringly at the secretary who was walking in front and greeting the masses.

If she were to say it, she could also say something different and achieve the effect of calming rumors, but she couldn't guarantee it would be better than the secretary.

Putting oneself among the masses, listening to everyone's speeches, refuting in explanation, and moving in refutation.

This kind of skill was still worth learning for the leaders following behind.

Everyone has their own way of doing things and handling things. Yang Shuji gave these leaders a lesson today.

Especially Secretary Jiang, who reprimanded rudely when he first walked in, knew where he was wrong.

Yang Yuansong's group walked very widely, because transportation in the city was finally more convenient than in the outskirts.

Even walking in the alley, there were stone roads here.

Guided by Secretary Jiang, everyone walked into an alley.

As soon as they entered this alley, everyone felt different.

It wasn't just the clean and tidy environment in the alley, nor was it just that the houses here were brighter than elsewhere.

It was the people, the spirit of the people.

Those walking out or in from this alley all carried a sense of superiority.

When they walked into the entrance hall of a large courtyard, they knew the reason.

"Damn it! You don't look at who lives in our courtyard!"

At this moment, Jia Zhangshi was sitting on the kang in the gatehouse, sewing shoe uppers.

Her hands didn't stop, and her mouth, spraying saliva, didn't stop either.

"Not to mention our Huairu, just say the Third Master, he is a people's teacher, is his awareness high?"

Jia Zhangshi looked toward the Rear Courtyard and said: "Except for Yan Jiefang who didn't listen and ran back and broke his leg, no one was injured!"

"Indeed!"

Wang Laoqi's wife rolled her eyes and said: "You say how strange it is, the one whose heart is not right is really unlucky!"

"You just know!"

Jia Zhangshi curled her lips and said: "

"Didn't we listen to what was said, too!"

Wang Laoqi's wife felt a bit embarrassed at this moment and retorted, "But didn't your Xiaodang get hurt as well?"

"How can that be the same!"

Jia Zhangshi glared and said, "We listened and stayed in the west courtyard all night; Xiaodang's head getting bumped was purely because the children were running around wildly!"

She was currently boasting, so how could she admit that she hadn't kept an eye on the child?

"And look at the First Uncle; he's an eighth-level worker at the factory and has high awareness. Look at Liu Haizhong in the back courtyard—pfft!"

Beneath Jia Zhangshi's gloating expression was nothing but contempt.

"Last night, he was the one jumping around the most, refusing to come out and hide. And what happened? A roof tile knocked him down, and now he's still lying at home!"

"Hey, isn't that the truth!"

Seeing that they weren't talking about her anymore, Wang Laoqi's wife came alive again.

"The things the Second Aunt said at the entrance were really nasty, but I didn't expect it to all come true for their own family."

"Hahahaha!"

These women and old ladies spent their days passing the time by gossiping about trivial matters in the neighborhood.

At the mention of the Second Uncle, they all burst into laughter.

They had all forgotten how reluctantly they had been relocated and how they had complained at the time.

Standing at the entrance, Yang Yuansong heard these words and also slightly twitched the corners of his mouth.

He hadn't expected to be transferred to this courtyard; he wanted to leave, but he was the leader of the group, and everyone was watching.

But if he went in, the people inside were just women talking nonsense—what was he supposed to say?

Thinking of Deng Zhiwang behind him, he wanted to turn around and ask the Deputy Factory Director to step forward and offer condolences, while he went to the back courtyard to check on Liu Haizhong.

But just then, Li Xuewu was mentioned in the gatehouse, causing the footsteps of the group to stop once again.

"The one who should be talked about most is Deputy Section Chief Li!"

"Right, right, tell us about it."

There were also old ladies from the neighborhood here, and hearing Jia Zhangshi speak so mysteriously, they wanted to hear how this earthquake was predicted.

"Hehe, that man is a genius!"

Jia Zhangshi glanced around and said with a pout, "A whole bunch of rats scurried out of the recycling station in the west courtyard, and the horses in the courtyard wouldn't go into their stalls—that's how he calculated the earthquake was coming. Isn't that genius?!"

"Genius, genius!"

At this, the old ladies from other courtyards widened their eyes, looking at Jia Zhangshi with curiosity, their mouths repeating Jia Zhangshi's question.

The group standing outside the door also wore subtle expressions, and some even confirmed this answer in their hearts.

"Think about it, has Deputy Section Chief Li ever suffered a loss since he was a child in this courtyard? Can we not believe what he says?"

"Hmm, indeed."

Wang Laoqi's wife nodded and said, "I get scared whenever I see him. He's usually smiling, but it's terrifying."

"You can say that again!"

Jia Zhangshi waved her hands as if telling a story: "Ka-ka-ka, three shots, and everyone obediently listened to him. Whatever he told you to do, you did."

"He even fired shots?"

The neighborhood old lady looked at Jia Zhangshi in shock, not knowing how the conversation had turned to gunfire.

"Indeed, he really fired. It was dark last night, and the muzzle flash was so bright."

Seeing that the old lady didn't believe her, Wang Laoqi's wife gestured to show how Li Xuewu had fired the shots.

Jia Zhangshi pouted and said, "At that time, the courtyard was chaotic, it was snowing, and there was a smoky wind blowing. If he hadn't used force to intimidate everyone, who would have listened to him?"

"Sigh, it really was thanks to his blessing."

Someone who understood the situation nodded and said, "It was so chaotic last night, I didn't even know who was trampling on me; I was almost trampled to death."

The woman said with lingering fear, "It really scared me to death. When everyone heard the gunshots, they stopped moving, and that's when I managed to crawl up."

"Sigh, don't even mention it, look at the Deaf Old Lady in the back courtyard."

Jia Zhangshi raised her eyebrows and said, "She was walking with Yushui. If Yushui hadn't been tall and held her steady, she might have been trampled underneath."

"Your courtyard is really good!"

The old lady looked at the people on the kang with envy and said, "Our courtyard was like a bunch of blind people, running around wildly; quite a few are lying in the hospital now."

"Good intentions aren't always appreciated."

Jia Zhangshi pouted and said, "He gave warnings and brought things out of the warehouse, but who ever said he was good? Once something happens, he's the first to come out to rescue and stabilize the situation, but who can remember his kindness for long?"

"At least I remember."

Wang Laoqi's wife said solemnly, "Our wardrobe was right by the bed, and when we went back this morning, it was crushing the exact spot where I had been."

Hearing Wang Laoqi's wife's words, everyone in the room fell silent.

Yang Yuansong took a breath and stepped into the large courtyard.

Seeing someone enter, Jia Zhangshi quickly got off the kang and shouted, "Where are you from? Who are you looking for?"

Yang Yuansong glanced at the gatehouse window, smiled at the people in the room, and walked into the courtyard.

"Hey!..."

Jia Zhangshi wanted to shout again, but seeing that quite a few people had come in, all dressed in cadre uniforms, she stopped.

When the secretary walking behind accompanied Deng Zhiwang into the gatehouse, everyone finally knew who had arrived.

Yang Yuansong led several people into the outer courtyard, glanced at the screen wall leading to the west courtyard, and turned to walk toward the vase-shaped gate.

Upon entering, he saw the traces of last night's chaos.

Toppled broken tables, shattered sauce jars, and broken roof tiles that had fallen down.

The people in the courtyard had been in a rush to go to work in the morning and hadn't had time to clean up yet.

The women at home didn't have the strength for that; just wiping the dust off inside the house was enough to keep them busy.

Jia Zhangshi wasn't at home cleaning because she was in the gatehouse; she was on duty today and had to watch the main gate.

The rest of the people in the courtyard didn't have the leisure time, except for the lazy wife of Wang Laoqi's family.

"You are...?"

"Oh, this is Yang Shuji of the Steel Mill's Party Group."

Secretary Jiang stepped forward first and introduced him to the person who had asked.

"It's Yang Shuji!"

Yan Fugui shook Yang Yuansong's hand and said with a smile, "I am a teacher at our factory's primary school, Yan Fugui. My eldest son is a driving instructor at our factory."

"Hello, Teacher Yan!"

Yang Yuansong looked at Yan Fugui's face; he hadn't reached retirement age yet, had he?

Yan Fugui also saw Yang Shuji's question, awkwardly tapped his own head, and said, "Cerebral hemorrhage, I'm on leave."

"Oh! Are you alright this time?"

Yang Yuansong examined Yan Fugui's condition again; it really didn't look good.

How could it be good? His brain already had problems, he hadn't slept all night, his son was disobedient, and his leg had been broken.

He was only holding on now because he still had a hope; otherwise, he would have collapsed long ago.

"I'm doing alright."

Yan Fugui said with a bitter smile, "The bed in the house collapsed, my son's leg was broken, but other property losses are minor."

"Is that so!"

Actually, Yang Yuansong already knew who he was; he had just heard the women at the entrance talking about him.

Pretending to be ignorant, he comforted him: "As long as you're alive, it's fine. I see your mental state is still okay."

"What else can I do?"

Yan Fugui said helplessly, "I am the manager of this courtyard, just like Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong from our factory."

As he spoke, he looked at the mess in the courtyard and said, "It just so happens that I'm sick at home, so I'll do what I can to help."

"Look forward."

Yang Yuansong still had to go see the injured, so he offered a word of comfort, turned around, took a strip of mutton from the secretary behind him, and handed it to Yan Fugui.

"Thank you for helping more of the masses during this earthquake, and I also express my condolences for your son's injury."

"Thank you, thank you."

Yan Fugui gratefully took the mutton and kept thanking him.

"Good, good."

Yang Yuansong pointed to the back and asked, "Which other families are workers' families from the Steel Mill? We'd like to go see them."

"There are, there are, quite a few."

Yan Fugui turned and handed the meat to his eldest daughter-in-law, pointing to the house opposite, and said, "Not to mention our own family, opposite is Li Xuewu—that is, the home of the father of Deputy Section Chief Li Xuewu of the Security Section."

"Oh!"

Yang Yuansong nodded, turned around to look, but there was no one in the room at the moment.

Yan Fugui pointed to the back and said, "Only the elderly and children are at home; they are all in his house in the back courtyard."

As he walked toward the back with Yang Yuansong, he pointed to the houses in the courtyard and introduced the workers' families from the Steel Mill living there.

Every time they reached a family, Yang Yuansong would take the initiative to offer a few words of comfort; for those with difficulties at home, or those with damaged property or injured personnel, he would send a strip of meat.

This naturally earned him thanks all along the way.

After introducing Qin Huairu's family, He Yuzhu's family, and visiting the First Aunt, the group walked toward the back courtyard.

From right to left, Yan Fugui first spoke of Liu Haizhong's family, and also introduced the situation of Liu Haizhong's injury this morning and the treatment provided by Li Xuewu's father.

Seeing the leaders enter, the Second Aunt had already heard them and was standing at the entrance to welcome them.

When Yang Yuansong entered the room, he saw Liu Haizhong, whose hair had been shaved off and whose head was wrapped in white gauze.

Actually, this Second Uncle was considered a "celebrity" in the factory—a seventh-level worker, which was rare.

At this time, if you said fourth-level wasn't difficult, that was fine, but if you said sixth-level and above, those were the main production force, all skilled hands at training apprentices.

Those who were capable enough to reach the seventh level were truly supporting their entire family alone.

And if you accidentally reached the eighth level, well, you were a legend in this factory.

Why else would the First Uncle have such high prestige? It wasn't because he earned more money, but because his craftsmanship was excellent.

This courtyard was full of workers; look at yourself, you've been third-level your whole life, while others have been eighth-level for half their lives!

Not to mention anything else, the First Uncle's meals at the factory were different from everyone else's.

The meal standard for an eighth-level worker was higher; how high, you can ask for yourself.

"Yang Shuji!"

"Comrade Haizhong, are you alright?"

"Yang Shuji..."

Liu Haizhong was so moved he was about to cry; he was lying on the bed and about to get up, but was pressed down by Yang Yuansong.

"Rest well and recover!"

Yang Yuansong took the stool sent over by the Second Aunt and sat by the bed, while the other leaders either sat or stood.

"The earthquake was a sudden situation that no one expected."

Yang Yuansong patted Liu Haizhong's arm and comforted him: "You are a technical expert among the workers; at this time, you should set a better example for those workers who have been injured."

"Yes, thank you, leader!"

Liu Haizhong nodded movedly and said, "I will definitely recover well and return to my post as soon as possible."

"That's the right way to think!"

Yang Yuansong looked at the furnishings in the room and said, "Think more about the bright side. How many people couldn't stand up in this earthquake, and how many are facing housing problems? You should be content."

"I am content."

Liu Haizhong covered his face and said sadly, "I've caused trouble for the Steel Mill, and I've caused trouble for the leaders."