Chapter 498: One Hundred Million Drifting to One Billion

The expanded meeting of the Steel Mill office ended in a round of applause.

Li Xuewu screwed on his fountain pen in silence, packed up the documents on the table, and walked out with his teacup, following Xu Sian.

Xu Sian originally wanted Li Xuewu to sit in his office, but was politely refused by Li Xuewu.

Now rumors about the meeting were flying everywhere, and he didn't know what was going on, so why join in the fun?

It was no wonder everyone was discussing this; the big meeting today was held too smoothly, smoothly to the point of... not being so smooth.

As a project that the whole factory cared about, the residential area project naturally passed.

And it was implemented with the factory engineering department as the main body, with other departments cooperating.

The two leaders who were most glorious in the factory now were Jing Yunong and Deng Zhiwang.

One mastered the joint enterprise project through the Finance Department, and the other mastered the residential area project through the Engineering Department.

Li Huai De, who proposed the joint enterprise, was arranged in a position of coordination and overall planning.

This was truly "congratulations." Li Huai De had dreamed of being the Executive Deputy Factory Director, wanting to assist the Factory Director and coordinate the work of the entire factory.

Now it was fine; he could do it without being the Executive Deputy.

Li Xuewu didn't think about going to congratulate Li Huai De; he was afraid he would smash the office desk now.

Just back in the office, he saw Sha Qizhi just hanging up the phone.

"Chief, Deputy Factory Director Li said he wants to have dinner with you tonight at the guesthouse."

"Got it."

Li Xuewu frowned and asked: "Did you tell the Security Brigade about the shift arrangement?"

"Not yet."

Sha Qizhi explained: "I didn't know when the meeting would end, so I thought I'd notify them later."

"It seems you have foresight."

Li Xuewu nodded, smiled slightly, and said: "No need to notify them. Tell the guesthouse to prepare a mahjong table and mahjong, and put it in Deputy Factory Director Li's room."

"Understood."

Sha Qizhi nodded and asked: "Should I prepare cigarettes?"

"Hmm."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "Prepare them. Let the guesthouse prepare them together. We'll see tonight; maybe you'll have to sleep at the guesthouse."

"It doesn't matter, Chief."

Sha Qizhi smiled and said: "I haven't done things like serving tea and water for a game yet; it's good to learn more."

"Heh."

Li Xuewu gave a light laugh and said jokingly: "If you serve this game today, it can be considered learning. Today is a life-and-death game."

"Is it that evil!"

Sha Qizhi thought Li Xuewu was joking, so he asked with a smile. Seeing Li Xuewu didn't say anything else, he went to call the guesthouse.

The guesthouse was all the Division Chief's connections, so it was really just a phone call.

He wasn't familiar with Qin Huairu, but he had spoken to her and seen her many times.

Knowing she was the Division Chief's neighbor, he spoke politely.

Qin Huairu on the other side heard Li Xuewu's instruction, responded, and went to make preparations.

At this time, it wasn't rare for leaders to gather to play mahjong, but it was all played during duty or certain gatherings.

It wasn't that they played for how much money; no one thought about winning money on this.

Because whether it was workers or leading cadres, no one was well-off at this time, and there were no big businessmen to pay the bill, so it was just a pretext for talking about things.

Perhaps because the meeting went too smoothly, Li Xuewu took a look at his watch when he put down the documents and teacup.

Eleven-oh-five.

"If only it were this smooth every time!"

Li Xuewu muttered to himself, shaking his head, his voice neither a mocking laugh nor a teasing laugh.

He had to eat lunch at the factory, take a nap, and then go to the branch bureau for a meeting.

Li Xuewu didn't plan to handle any big matters today, mainly just finishing the second-quarter meeting.

This was a very difficult battle, fighting with wits and courage.

Flicking his fountain pen, Li Xuewu began approving documents.

He had been busy for more than twenty minutes when the office door was pushed open. Sha Qizhi looked at Li Xuewu, who was working, hesitated, but still walked over.

"Chief."

Sha Qizhi leaned over and reported in a low voice: "There's a rumor that the leader above has spoken..."

Li Xuewu pricked up his ears to listen, not delaying his work, his expression not moving at all.

After Sha Qizhi finished speaking, a light "hmm" sound came from Li Xuewu's throat, and then there was nothing.

Sha Qizhi was also used to Li Xuewu's way of doing things and requirements. Seeing Li Xuewu had no instructions after reporting, he went to busy himself.

After the door clicked, Li Xuewu looked out the window, his brows slightly furrowed.

Rumors weren't necessarily true, but they couldn't come from nothing.

This Steel Mill really didn't have a moment of peace. He had wanted to stir up some trouble when there was nothing to do before.

Because only when things happened did these basic positions have the possibility of promotion.

But now that he had reached the level, and he wasn't old, this level basically wouldn't grow.

Li Xuewu also knew that running too fast made it easy to fall.

But now the tree wanted to be quiet but the wind wouldn't stop. He didn't provoke trouble, but trouble found him one by one.

"Yo, this Division Chief is truly extraordinary; you can really sit still!"

Li Xuewu was writing when he heard the sound of the door opening, followed by a woman's voice.

"It's Big Sister."

Li Xuewu looked up, and it was Director Xie who walked in with a smile, followed by Sha Qizhi.

"Please sit."

"Don't bother, I'm here to ask for instructions on work."

Seeing Li Xuewu stop his pen and come out to invite her to sit on the sofa, Director Xie waved her hand and said: "The leader has arranged work, saying I should concurrently hold the position of Inspection Li Kezhang."

"Heh, Deputy Secretary Gu arranged it?"

Li Xuewu stood up with a smile, led Director Xie to sit on the sofa, and told Sha Qizhi to brew tea.

"It was you who found this job for me, right!"

Director Xie sat on the sofa with a smile and scolded Li Xuewu.

"I was just saying, how could the leader think of me? It turns out it was you who couldn't bear to see me rest more."

"How could that be?"

Li Xuewu laughed: "How could I have that ability? Maybe Deputy Secretary Gu saw you doing your work well and arranged it specially."

"That's truly strange. Didn't I have work before?"

Director Xie looked at Li Xuewu with a smile. She naturally wouldn't feel that it was because her work was outstanding that she received this errand.

She knew the affairs in this organization very well; she knew with her toes that it was arranged by Li Xuewu's side.

"Hahaha!"

Li Xuewu laughed and signaled Director Xie to drink tea. After Sha Qizhi placed the teacup in front of him, he explained: "I remember now; Deputy Secretary Gu asked me that day, and I just said it casually. I didn't expect it to really happen."

As he spoke, he waved his hand and said: "This is all because you did your work well; otherwise, what use would my words be?"

"Then Big Sister has to thank you."

Director Xie drank a mouthful of tea and said: "This can also be considered solving an organizational problem."

"Don't blame me for talking too much."

Li Xuewu also drank a mouthful of tea, raised his eyebrows, and asked: "What did you say when you entered the room just now? What happened?"

"Are you pretending not to know with me!"

Director Xie tilted her head, looked at Li Xuewu, and said: "I don't believe you were distracted during the meeting."

"How could I dare."

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said: "But there was nothing at the meeting; it was very smooth."

"I won't believe you if you don't say it."

Director Xie suddenly smiled and said: "Otherwise, why would I say this Division Chief is different when I entered the door? You're deep."

"You're criticizing me."

Li Xuewu waved his hand at Sha Qizhi, signaling him to close the door, and then explained: "I'm also a blind man touching an elephant, with a head full of paste. Who knew the meeting that had been rumored for a week would turn out like this?"

"I thought you really didn't care."

Director Xie teased Li Xuewu, then glanced at Sha Qizhi who had left the room, and said in a low voice: "Didn't Deputy Factory Director Li have any arrangements?"

"Don't know."

Li Xuewu shook his head slightly, then looked at Director Xie's disbelieving eyes and said with a bitter smile: "Really, the news of his return was told to me by Old Zhang next door this morning."

"I believe this."

Director Xie nodded and said: "He returned very suddenly; he arrived on Sunday night."

"How do you know?"

Director Xie wasn't surprised that Li Xuewu didn't know, but Li Xuewu was very surprised that Director Xie knew the time point more accurately than he did.

"Because he called Xiao Yu."

Director Xie looked at Li Xuewu and explained: "Last night, after nine o'clock, he called home to inquire about the city's attitude."

"Is that so!"

Li Xuewu frowned slightly, tapped his finger lightly on the sofa armrest, thought for a moment, and asked: "Did Big Brother tell him not to move?"

"No."

Director Xie denied: "His relationship with Xiao Yu isn't that close; it's just a relationship on two sides. Xiao Yu didn't give him an accurate answer either, just saying that the city has been turbulent recently and he should be prepared."

"Oh, oh."

Li Xuewu nodded, indicating he understood the problem.

Nothing else, this Steel Mill was directly under the Steel Ministry, but it was located in Beijing, under territorial management, and the Party and mass cadres were all influenced by the city.

Director Xie's husband, Ren Xiaoyu, worked at the City Party Committee. Li Huai De could call Ren Xiaoyu in the middle of the night, which showed on one hand that their relationship wasn't that bad.

On the other hand, it also showed Li Huai De's hesitation.

Li Huai De wasn't a person who was easy to talk to. He had given up his position without a sound when he was about to reach the goal; there must be some irresistible force.

Another thing was that he had prepared for so long, so it was impossible for him to have no counterattack ability at all.

The current calm might be about to stir up a huge wave; it just depended on whether Factory Director Yang could suppress it.

From the news on Ren Xiaoyu's side, Li Huai De's supporters had support, but it wasn't unlimited; they also had to compromise and balance.

Watching Li Xuewu frowning and thinking, Director Xie asked: "What is your attitude?"

"Me? Heh."

Li Xuewu gave a light laugh when Director Xie asked him, and said: "I've always been cool under the big tree, and I won't fan the flames."

As he spoke, he tapped his thigh and said: "I'm the person who most hopes the Steel Mill will be calm now."

"I think it should be like this."

Director Xie said seriously: "But your current position and attitude make it hard to stay out of it. Li Huai De can't not know about what happened a few days ago, and Yang Fengshan can't not know about Li Huai De's arrangements."

Summarizing the recent events, Director Xie looked at Li Xuewu and said: "Are you betting on both sides? I'm afraid you won't please either side."

"I don't have this capital."

Li Xuewu also said seriously: "Whoever goes up or down, I'm the Deputy Division Chief of the Security Department. This can't be changed. So what does their business have to do with me?"

"Besides, you also know that this evil wind isn't blowing right. Maybe when a slap comes down, a few people will die. I don't have that diamond drill."

"It's good that you know."

Director Xie persuaded: "In extraordinary times, Xiao Yu is also worried that you won't handle it well, so let me remind you: focus on stability for now."

"Hmm, I understand."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "But doing things always has its own ways and methods. You can't just accommodate anyone because of this. I handle things with a public heart."

"You're right; no one can force you."

Director Xie nodded and said: "Pay more attention. Li Huai De is walking an evil path. He has the ability to protect himself. If something happens, I'm afraid he'll use his subordinates as stepping stones."

"Thank Big Brother for me."

Li Xuewu said positively: "Director Dong and I have arrangements and preparations. This matter really has to follow the leader's meaning."

Director Xie looked at Li Xuewu's confident expression and nodded: "Xiao Yu wants to contact Wenxue, but I'm afraid it's not convenient on the phone. If you have time, convey Xiao Yu's concern."

"Of course."

Li Xuewu smiled: "At the end of the quarter, Director Dong might come back to report. We'll gather together then."

"Only you young people have this perseverance, not changing your expression even if Mount Tai collapses before you. I can't do it anymore."

Director Xie knew her worry had been heard by Li Xuewu. At this moment, she smiled: "I'm here to serve him and take care of the children, which is why I found the Personnel Department. I didn't expect you to be unable to see me idle. Now I'll be busy."

"It's fine, the Inspection Section is running well."

Li Xuewu talked to Director Xie about the work of the Inspection Section and explained: "Because I didn't care much about the construction of the organizational structure in the early stage, the personnel in the section are relatively complicated. You know this, but everyone is capable; otherwise, they wouldn't have been arranged to come here."

As he spoke, he said to Director Xie with some embarrassment: "The management authority of this department is quite complicated now. My suggestion is that you should report to Deputy Secretary Gu more, and I will provide you with convenience here."

"Understood."

Director Xie nodded. She had long looked at the personnel files in the Inspection Section. This section had been making the factory jump around recently, so it was hard not to pay attention.

While organizing the standardization of safe production in the workshop, these "enlightened" staff members saw the section changing into a department, and each of them was straining their energy, eager to work hard and get promoted.

Those rectification notices were issued like snowflakes, and no one was seen in the office all day; they all went to the front line, each one looking like they were going to make an achievement.

It was also because the Armed Forces Department and the Inspection Section were merged, so there were many cadres in this section.

There were three at the full section level, and now they were all using it at the stock level. They were all trying to restore their positions, so how could the trouble be small?

Director Xie understood why Li Xuewu didn't care about this section; it was originally a product of the compromise between the Security Department and Gu Weijie in the early stage.

"Fine, I'm your subordinate now, so of course I have to listen to you."

Director Xie responded with a smile, then emphasized: "But this support can't just be talk. If something happens, I'll really have to find you."

"That goes without saying."

Li Xuewu nodded and said: "The Security Department won't be vague about how much effort it can exert. But since you've taken over, the first thing you should do is step on the brakes and lower the temperature."

He gave a guarantee and also set conditions.

Li Xuewu also explained with some difficulty: "There are Deputy Secretary Gu's considerations in this, so I won't say more. But this department really isn't idle. To truly play a role, as I emphasized when I was managing the Inspection Section, we must pay attention to safe production."

"I understand."

Director Xie's current positioning was very accurate. Li Xuewu wasn't the child she led to report anymore; he was a leader now.

No matter how old he was, she had to acknowledge it.

In a few words, the two set the tone for future work.

Li Xuewu held an attitude of respect and cooperation, while Director Xie set her position and mentality right. The two talked about work seriously.

After sending Director Xie away, Sha Qizhi invited Yu Daru into the office.

Li Xuewu said with a smile: "Sorry, I was talking about things and didn't know you were here."

Yu Daru laughed freely and waved his hand: "It's all for work, don't be polite."

As he spoke, he sat on the sofa and said to Sha Qizhi, who was about to brew tea: "Secretary Sha, don't bother. I'm really not thirsty; I drank a bellyful at the unit."

Sha Qizhi looked at Li Xuewu, then stopped his movements, nodded, and turned to go out.

Li Xuewu crossed his legs, looked at Yu Daru, and asked: "Just came back from the unit?"

"You bet! I was lectured for the whole morning."

Yu Daru looked at Li Xuewu and smiled, saying: "If it weren't for the six things you found, I might have really been punished."

"Heh, I'll give them to you."

Li Xuewu said indifferently: "I don't care for that stuff."

"You think I'm thanking you!"

Yu Daru curled his lips and said with a bitter smile: "I was scared to death on the way that night; I wanted to pull it back with a rope."

"It's not that evil."

Li Xuewu laughed: "Didn't I say the safety device was intact?"

"Then why didn't you send it?"

Yu Daru curled his lips and said: "You might not know, but the things made by the Maozi are sometimes really careless; if you're not careful, it's over."

"I don't know the way."

As he spoke, he flicked a cigarette to Yu Daru, who was full of resentment, lit it with a lighter, and also put one in his own mouth.

"What, you're here to complain to me today?"

Li Xuewu smiled and asked: "Let's make it clear first: I have nothing here, so I can't compensate you."

"Look, you're a Division Chief after all."

Yu Daru nodded and said: "You're much better at talking and more capable than a section chief like me."

"Talk is talk, don't curse."

Li Xuewu flicked the ash, raised an eyebrow, and said: "Looking at you, it doesn't look like you were lectured. You didn't get a reward, did you?"

"I wish."

Yu Daru shook his head slightly and said: "I thought about what you said to me that night for a whole night. I went back and told our head, and our head said the opportunity was rare and told me to keep in touch with you, saying it might be useful later."

"Ho! Your unit speaks so directly!"

Li Xuewu saw that Yu Daru wasn't beating around the bush and directly stated his request, so he also satirized him.

Yu Daru was a cultured person and wanted face. At this moment, he laughed dryly: "Let's be clear, this isn't my idea; it's our leader's."

"I don't know who your leader is!"

Li Xuewu asked with a smile: "What, are you going to pay me another salary?"

"Keep dreaming!"

Yu Daru also knew Li Xuewu's temper and joked: "We're not like the Investigation Department; don't mention money, or we'll flip our faces."

"Then what's there to talk about!"

Li Xuewu raised his hand and shouted at the door: "Qizhi, see the guest out; Li Kezhang Yu is going back."

"Hahaha!"

Yu Daru waved his hand at Sha Qizhi, who came over to check, and then said to Li Xuewu with a smile: "I praised your criminal psychology to the skies. Our leader said that as long as it's published, everyone in our unit will have a copy."

As he spoke, he looked at Li Xuewu and raised his eyebrows: "How about it? Is this enough?"

"What's so good about this!"

Li Xuewu said disdainfully: "I didn't write the book to make money; I just wanted to share my experience with everyone. You read my book and learned knowledge, so you should thank me. How can you owe me a favor?"

"You!..."

Yu Daru looked at Li Xuewu in shock. How could there be such a person in this world!

This damn...

Li Xuewu waved his hand and said: "Fine, fine, I'll count it as thanking the readers. Tell me, what's the request?"

"You really... deserve to be a Deputy Division Chief at twenty!"

Yu Daru looked like he had been taught a lesson, nodded, and sighed: "The leader always says I'm not mature. I asked, I'm almost thirty, why am I not mature? Until I saw you."

Li Xuewu rolled his eyes and scolded with a smile: "If you curse again, I'll really see you out."

"I'm serious."

Yu Daru said seriously: "Why am I just a section chief when I'm almost thirty? Now I understand, I just can't let go of my face."

"So you're teaching me to be shameless?"

Li Xuewu wouldn't suffer a loss. Before Yu Daru could reveal the bottom, he directly flipped the table.

Yu Daru didn't care. He leaned on the sofa and said: "Our leader said, if necessary, we must invite you to give a lecture."

"Is that so?"

Li Xuewu drank a mouthful of tea and asked: "Do you pay?"

"I already said our leader flips his face when money is mentioned."

Yu Daru emphasized, then added: "This is an opportunity. Think about it, if our unit promotes it, won't other units learn it too?"

"So this counts as my after-sales service?"

Li Xuewu waved his hand and said: "You see, I'm so busy here, where would I have time to go out and give lectures?"

"You are busy."

Yu Daru looked at the office and said: "Then I think we shouldn't bother you with the frozen carriage matter, to save you from fatigue."

"What frozen carriage?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and asked: "The one being modified now?"

"Yes."

Yu Daru said indifferently: "Because our department is responsible for the entire confidentiality work, the carriages being modified now are managed by us."

"Assigned to you?"

Li Xuewu's eyes widened, and he was surprised.

"Not yet."

Yu Daru waved his hand and smiled: "It's just being considered."

He said just this one sentence, then stood up, pretending to say goodbye.

Li Xuewu's eyeballs turned, and he smiled: "Since Li Kezhang Yu is busy, I won't keep you. Qizhi, see Li Kezhang Yu out."

He also stood up and walked toward the desk.

"Hey!"

Yu Daru stared at Li Xuewu. He was already at the door. Seeing Sha Qizhi coming over, he could only pat Sha Qizhi's arm, signaling him to go out first.

Then he turned back, walked to Li Xuewu's desk, looked at Li Xuewu sitting down, and sat down himself, saying: "Why don't you play by the rules!"

"I don't know what rules you're playing!"

Li Xu

"Stop pulling my leg! Who's leaving! Haven't we talked about the business yet!"

Yu Daru stared at Li Xuewu with wide eyes and said, "I just said I couldn't beat you, hey, I was just about to get you into the trap, and you flew away."

"You're trying to pull a fast one on me here!"

Li Xuewu tapped the tabletop with his lighter and asked, "If you ask me, you should stop with these roundabout ways. Who gave you such a rotten idea? Trying to feed me 'soul-stealing soup'? I'm the ancestor of researching 'soul-stealing soup'."

"I've learned my lesson, I've learned my lesson."

Yu Daru nodded and said, "No wonder they say that among three people, there must be my teacher. Our leader said that inviting you was the right thing to do."

Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes and said, "If you have something to say, say it quickly. I won't be keeping you company when it's time to eat in a while."

"Fine, then I'll speak."

Yu Daru knew that this kid was like a loach, impossible to catch, so he could only tell the truth.

"We really want to get that train."

Yu Daru explained to Li Xuewu, "Do you know what this train is loaded with? Where is it being shipped to?"

"I don't know, don't try to fish for information from me."

Li Xuewu rolled his eyes, crossed his arms, leaned back in his chair, and said, "If you want to talk, talk. If not, forget it."

"Fair enough."

Seeing that he couldn't get anything out of Li Xuewu, Yu Daru had no choice but to continue.

He had also reflected on the gains and losses of his conversation with Li Xuewu that day, constantly learning from Li Xuewu's conversational style, trying to dig a hole every few sentences.

But now he was a bit like "wielding an axe before Lu Ban"; he was using the conversational techniques he learned from Li Xuewu to dig a hole for Li Xuewu—he didn't stop to think if the other person would actually jump in.

"Regardless of what this train is loaded with or where it's being shipped, anyway, because this train was retrofitted with a freezer, it's being sent abroad as a one-off."

Speaking of this, Yu Daru looked at Li Xuewu's calm face and knew that this kid wouldn't release the hawk until he saw the rabbit.

"I heard that your factory has connections in the border regions and can get beef and mutton."

Yu Daru told half the story and then jumped to the topic of beef and mutton.

"I was wondering why you were ordering books and inviting teachers."

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, "So it's a wolf in sheep's clothing paying a New Year's call to a chicken."

"Hey~~~ how can you call us wolves!"

Yu Daru said with a look of dissatisfaction, "It's cooperation, it's all for money. I've even learned from you to cast aside my pride."

"I think you don't have the appetite of a wolf, but you certainly have the heart of one."

Li Xuewu straightened his body, then rested his elbows on the table, looked at Yu Daru opposite him, and asked, "Eating this, aren't you afraid of bursting?"

"That's none of your concern."

Yu Daru chuckled, "If it weren't for seeing you all eating well and drinking well, would our leader be in such a hurry?"

As he spoke, he pointed at Li Xuewu's desk and said, "Last time, those who had a good relationship with the Steel Rolling Mill got to eat meat. Our leader said, we don't accept rewards without merit; if we want to eat meat, we'll cooperate with you proactively."

"Then you have to talk to our leaders about that."

Li Xuewu said with a smile, "It's a coincidence, there was a meeting today."

While speaking, he picked up the document containing the meeting's content and placed it in front of Yu Daru, explaining, "The joint enterprise is now confirmed to be under the management of our factory's Vice Director Jing Yunong; it's appropriate to find her."

Li Xuewu put down the document in his hand, but Yu Daru didn't even look at it; he pointed at it with his hand, gently pushed it aside, stared at Li Xuewu, and said, "I don't know any Vice Director Jing; I only know Vice Division Chief Li. Our leader said that this matter can only be handled by you."

"Oh ha, I'm honored to have this trust from your leader."

Li Xuewu nodded with a smile and said, "But I really don't manage this matter anymore. I stopped managing it as early as the week before last; now I only manage my original pile of work."

"It doesn't matter, we can talk slowly."

Yu Daru seemed to have a one-track mind and only wanted to find Li Xuewu.

At this moment, he also relaxed just like Li Xuewu and said, "Once this train is sent out according to the plan, it won't be brought back."

Li Xuewu understood this clearly; the international environment is very complex, and everything must be done covertly and ambiguously.

Furthermore, there are also human factors involved here, which I won't go into detail about.

But regarding Yu Daru's suggestion to bring this train back and convert it into a cold-fresh meat special train, he was quite interested.

However, this matter still needs long-term deliberation; one issue is whether the train can actually be retrieved.

If retrieved, which unit would it be attached to? It certainly couldn't be attached to the Confidential Department, which has no transport tasks.

Then there's the cooperative relationship—how exactly to cooperate? Not to mention that Li Xuewu nominally doesn't manage this matter now, even if he did, he wouldn't talk to Yu Daru like this himself.

It would be fine for himself, as it's easy to handle if something goes wrong, but what about the person opposite him?

The person behind him doesn't even have a name, yet he wants to talk? Heh, is he trying to fool a simpleton?

Speaking of simpletons, isn't there one right in front of him?

"We are responsible for retrieving it, the vehicle will be attached to the Steel Rolling Mill, and no matter how much is transported, we only want one carriage."

Yu Daru clearly has no negotiation experience; he just says whatever his leader requires.

Of course, people at this time are all like this; they haven't been baptized by the later "tide of going into business," and everyone is "pure" to an absurd degree.

Li Xuewu looked at Yu Daru, who was setting conditions for him, with an expression of earnest listening on the outside, but a very playful heart on the inside.

If he didn't trick him a little, wouldn't he be too honest?

But if he did trick him, his conscience would really be a bit uneasy.

After all, bullying honest people is a sin!

Li Xuewu is the most upright, most serious, and most decent person.

It's really hard to bring himself to do it; this piece of meat is too fat.

"I said, I am no longer responsible for the business of the joint enterprise."

Li Xuewu emphasized this after Yu Daru finished speaking.

Seeing Yu Daru frowning and about to speak, Li Xuewu waved his hand to stop him and said, "How about this, there's a gathering tonight, and our leader will be there too."

"Is it Vice Director Li?"

Yu Daru hadn't stayed here long, but he had figured out the Steel Rolling Mill clearly, knowing who was who.

"Yes, right at our guesthouse."

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "Nothing special, just eating, drinking tea, and playing cards."

After finishing, Li Xuewu looked at Yu Daru and asked, "You know how to play cards, right?"

"Playing cards?"

Yu Daru raised his eyebrows and glanced at Li Xuewu. Seeing the confirmation on Li Xuewu's face, he hesitated for a moment and said, "Of course."

"That's good."

Li Xuewu smiled and stubbed out the cigarette butt in his hand in the ashtray in front of him.

"After work, you go over there. Once you arrive, just say you're looking for me, and someone will arrange for you."

"What are the stakes?"

Yu Daru blinked and looked at Li Xuewu, saying, "I didn't bring much money."

Seeing that this guy really wasn't taking the bait, Li Xuewu laughed and said, "The stakes are 100 million floating to 1 billion, hurry back and raise the money."

"Hahaha, then I understand."

Yu Daru also reacted at this moment, stood up with a smile, and said, "No wonder we have to play at night; it turns out you can't spend it during the day."

"Yes, eating is at the guesthouse, playing cards is at the graveyard!"

Li Xuewu stood up in a huff and sent Yu Daru out.

Sha Qizhi had been standing at the door waiting; the division chief had called him twice.

Although he knew the division chief did it on purpose, because the division chief had never called him to send off a guest like this before.

However, he still cooperated very well with Li Xuewu's performance, making his expression very appropriate.

When he saw Li Xuewu sending Yu Daru out, he smiled and nodded even more.

Li Xuewu only sent him to the door, and then it was Sha Qizhi who sent him downstairs.

After all, he was a section chief from an outside unit; the necessary etiquette and treatment were still there.

For an ordinary division chief, Li Xuewu would at most send him to the door; for a section chief, Li Xuewu would at most stand up.

Sometimes he wouldn't even stand up when a division chief came; no wonder Sha Qizhi and Yu Daru walked out the door laughing.

Although the matter wasn't settled immediately, a connection had been established.

Yu Daru had no negotiation experience or skills, but his leader just sent him here.

Because he was just a pawn, a pathfinder; whether the negotiation succeeded or not didn't matter.

Furthermore, this matter looks like a business deal, but in fact, it has nothing to do with business.

It's just a bunch of idiots who are crazy about meat and crazy about money, watching others eat meat and feeling greedy, trying every possible way to follow along and eat meat.

If the Steel Rolling Mill's foundation weren't solid, there would have been people coming to beg for favors long ago.

Even so, how much did Vice Director Li donate when he came forward?

What kind of honor do you think a trip to Xingcheng is for?

However, these people also have their ways of making money: relying on the mountain to eat from the mountain, relying on the water to eat from the water, relying on beauties to hug thighs, and relying on the King of Hell to eat little ghosts.

And they even wanted a carriage; Li Xuewu almost spat in his face when he heard that.

They were here to collect taxes, and even wanted a 1-in-40 cut.

They were really something, thinking about "recuperating and building up strength," not biting off more than they could chew.

What Yu Daru proposed was one carriage, meaning no matter what you transport, he doesn't pay for shipping, doesn't pay for capital, doesn't pay for labor, and takes it as soon as the train arrives.

This is even more ruthless than robbery; if Li Xuewu had agreed to him, his leader would surely have called Li Xuewu a simpleton.

After sending off the simpleton, Li Xuewu turned around, looked at his watch, and thought he was going to do some real work, but it was already time to eat again.

Day after day, one has to do something, otherwise how could one have the nerve to collect a salary next month?

He twisted his mouth in self-mockery, sorted through the important documents on the table, handled the urgent ones immediately, and set aside the ones that weren't urgent.

There are a bit too many key tasks in the factory now, and it's dizzying; the Security Division is a support department, so everyone comes to the Security Division for everything.

So Li Xuewu has no choice but to be busy, especially with these newly launched projects.

"Division Chief, Li Kezhang Yu has been sent off."

Sha Qizhi went upstairs, entered Li Xuewu's office, and replied, then began to clean up the tea table.

There hadn't been time to clean up the teacup from the conversation with Li Kezhang Xie, so Sha Qizhi was busy cleaning it now.

Li Xuewu has many things to do, and there's no telling where he'll go after eating.

This office is usually only used by him and Director Yu; if he doesn't clean it, Director Yu would have to clean it when he sees it.

After all, he is a director, and helping to clean is mostly done for Li Xuewu to see.

Once or twice is fine, but if it happens too often, wouldn't that really make one seem ignorant?

Li Xuewu is very satisfied with Sha Qizhi. At this moment, he remembered the idle chatter he had with Xu Sinian before the meeting, and while flipping through the documents, he asked, "Did university students come to the Factory Office?"

"Yes."

Sha Qizhi paused his work and replied, "They were assigned here, and it's said they'll intern first and take up their posts directly after graduation."

"Is that so?"

Li Xuewu asked without looking up, "Is it true that the female university students who came are quite pretty?"

Sha Qizhi was stunned when he heard this; he had previously thought Li Xuewu had the intention of transferring university students over.

He had also heard about this, and seeing Li Xuewu ask, it was inevitable for him to think whether Li Xuewu was going to change his secretary.

After all, university students at this time are truly valuable; they all come aiming for technician and cadre positions.

They have culture, status, and cultivation; wearing small glasses and leading the way as a secretary is very prestigious when going out.

He was muttering in his heart, and his movements slowed down, but before he could react, how did the conversation turn to whether the female university students were pretty?

This... this, the division chief isn't that kind of person.

Sha Qizhi's brain spun rapidly, and suddenly, his eyes lit up; he knew what Li Xuewu was asking about.

"You bet."

Sha Qizhi took less than a second to think it through and replied, "Each of them has two big braids, they have fair skin, and one look tells you they are cultured people."

"Heh heh."

Li Xuewu chuckled when he heard this and said casually, "University students are good."

"Heh heh, you say they're good, and Director Wang of the Service Division also says they're good."

Sha Qizhi said with a smile, "Director Wang even said he wanted to improve the overall quality of the Service Division's personnel and requested to transfer a few female university students over, saying..."

He thought for a moment before continuing, "Saying it's to establish a Youth Pioneer Service Team and build a service-oriented team for the Steel Rolling Mill. Heh heh, anyway, there were a bunch of reasons on the report, I didn't remember them all."

"Is that so!"

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "Director Wang is the one who sees deeply and sees far."

"But I heard there are indeed a few who are truly pretty."

Sha Qizhi placed the teacup on the tea table, adjusted its direction, and only after seeing it was neat and aesthetically pleasing did he stand up.

"It seems like there were many assignment quotas this year; I don't know if it's because of the beef and mutton from a while ago, but everyone is crowding into our factory."

As he spoke, he walked to the front of Li Xuewu's desk and reminded him, "Division Chief, it's time to eat; you must eat on time, there's a meeting in the afternoon."