Chapter 843: Taking over Gangcheng starts with collecting debts!

Traveling by starlight, the boat and horse never rested.

That's how business trips are; whenever work needs you, you need to work.

Li Xuewu fell asleep as soon as he got in the car; he was truly exhausted.

He hadn't slept well last night, and he was afraid there might be accidents.

Those people were desperate, and there was no telling what kind of "tiger things" they might do.

So he hadn't let go of the gun in his hand, with a bullet in the chamber, ready to fire at any time.

His eyes had been closed, though. In the dark of night, with high winds, there was no need to look with his eyes; he only needed to stay calm and feel with his heart.

He often used this level of vigilance in the South, but it was also the most mentally draining.

Thoughts in a dream are like the scenery flashing past outside a window—fast and chaotic.

He knew the moment he fell asleep that upon returning to Gangcheng, what awaited him wouldn't just be Zhou Wang Yamei.

The train arrived on time. The Rolling Mill group tidied their clothes, each shouldered their briefcase, and stepped out of the carriage.

The jeep that had been waiting at the station entrance sent everyone back to the Steel Mill.

The cafeteria had left them food. After a simple meal, Li Xuewu stood in the lobby and talked for a while with Dong Wenxue, who was waiting for him, then didn't delay any further and went upstairs to see Li Huai De.

He had been running around for two days, and Li Huai De had been soaking for two days.

Dong Wenxue liked to dabble in literature, but he wasn't a bookworm; he knew how to receive leaders and how to enjoy life.

He naturally wouldn't be stingy with Li Huai De regarding the hot spring he had taken Li Xuewu to last time; he coordinated with the hot spring guesthouse, and they had a good time preserving their health.

When Li Xuewu entered the room, he saw Li Huai De lying on the bed groaning. When he was downstairs just now, Dong Wenxue had said they had just returned from the mountain.

Of course, Li Huai De wasn't there to play, let alone to corrupt himself; he was there to inspect projects.

Li Xuewu had suggested to him that the Rolling Mill could also build a sanatorium in Gangcheng in the future.

First, the land was cheap, and they could coordinate with the local area. Right now, the hot springs on the mountain were the kind no one cared about.

Second was the location; this place belonged to the Steel Mill's sphere of influence, making it easy to manage.

Finally, there was the service—it could be played in all four seasons, and there was something to play in all four seasons, which was convenient for leisure experience.

Of course, don't think of this kind of sanatorium as too high-end or too mysterious; sanatoriums at this time were not the same thing as those in later generations.

Domestic industry at this time was all inherited from the Soviets, including worker management and welfare systems.

And among worker benefits, there weren't just apples and hairtails, but also a sanatorium system.

Regular workers with enough seniority could enjoy this benefit—paid leave from work.

Evaluating whether a factory was good or bad, welfare benefits occupied the most critical link.

When you hear old people talk about how good a certain unit's welfare benefits are, that's what they mean.

The Rolling Mill naturally had this benefit, but in the past, they all went to Beidaihe, and the Rolling Mill workers enjoyed the sanatoriums unified by the Ministry of Steel.

This type of sanatorium receiving Rolling Mill workers had to be settled internally with the Ministry of Steel.

In other words, the money for workers to go to the sanatorium had to be paid by the Rolling Mill itself.

So, since playing anywhere was playing, building their own sanatorium was the ultimate goal of a large enterprise.

Right now, any large domestic unit had its own sanatorium.

Along the coast of Beidaihe, you could just count them—there were a lot.

Li Xuewu looked at Li Huai De's flushed face and asked with a smile: "Is the scenery on the mountain alright?"

Li Huai De had been waiting for him; otherwise, he would have laid down long ago.

"Just got back?"

He said as he got off the bed and greeted Li Xuewu to sit at the desk.

"I've thought a lot about this project of yours today."

Li Huai De nodded and smiled, then asked: "How is it? Is Jicheng going smoothly?"

"It's going quite smoothly. My second uncle pulled strings there, and I met Director Ma, who is in charge of logistics for the forestry department."

Li Xuewu's report was concise and efficient, full of key information: "The trade relationship has been confirmed, and the next step is to wait for them to take the initiative to contact us."

"I handed the maintenance of the relationship to the local distribution unit. When the time comes, they will contact Gangcheng, and all trade will follow one line."

Finally, seeing Li Huai De's satisfied expression, Li Xuewu nodded: "You can rest assured about the procedures; they are compliant and reasonable, and they care about that too."

Li Xuewu explained the situation in Jicheng and the next steps of the plan.

Li Huai De nodded in understanding and affirmed Li Xuewu's work.

"Good, you've worked hard."

Li Huai De smiled and said: "Jicheng is the first step for the Steel Mill to jump out of Gangcheng, and it's also the first step for our Rolling Mill's layout in the Northeast."

"It doesn't matter if we walk slowly; what's important is to walk steadily."

He sat behind the desk, smiling, and said: "I've communicated your opinions on the Steel Mill and Jicheng with Comrade Yunong and the others."

"Their opinions are the same as mine: tell the comrades to let go and do it, don't have any baggage, and don't have any burdens."

"Comrade Yunong has already been working with the factory; support in personnel and finance will be increased."

Li Huai De pointed at Li Xuewu and said: "We must be strong ourselves to forge iron. You must master the trade project; this is the key."

"How to connect the shipyard, the Steel Mill, and other local offices—in the future, this will test your ability."

"The next three years are years of construction, years of development, and even more so, years of harvest."

Li Huai De put forward requirements to Li Xuewu very seriously. He gave Li Xuewu such great support—giving people when asked, giving money when asked—naturally, he wasn't playing Lei Feng doing good deeds.

Li Xuewu knew very well that leaders didn't have much patience. Even though they said they wanted stability and safety, in their hearts, they wished you could hand them a report card immediately.

Naturally, he wouldn't indulge Li Huai De. He didn't talk about difficulties, nor did he talk about the situation; he just talked about what he was doing.

If you make it clear to the leader what you have done, he will know what he can get—this is called tacit understanding.

You shouldn't say what he absolutely doesn't want to hear. You aren't managing your son; if you say things your son doesn't want to hear, it's useless, let alone a leader.

Coming out of Li Huai De's side, Li Xuewu went to find Jing Yunong and Xu Sian to sit for a while.

Of course, you can't go to a female leader's room alone; bringing Xu Sian was very necessary.

Li Xuewu reported the situation of the Jicheng office to Jing Yunong, communicated the financial problems in trade work, and the next step of personnel arrangements.

At the same time, he also chatted with Xu Sian about the dock operations at the Yingcheng Shipyard.

In the future, the Yingcheng Shipyard would not only have to bear the pressure of relieving the Rolling Mill's industrial production capacity overflow, but also serve as a link in trade to supply the task of cargo transfer.

The inland river dock in Gangcheng had tonnage restrictions, while the Yingcheng Shipyard dock didn't.

There was another important reason for finding Xu Sian to talk to Jing Yunong: to form a chain of relationships in fact.

Xu Sian couldn't lean toward Li Huai De, and even less toward others; the most suitable thing was to stand with Jing Yunong.

The political situation Li Xuewu laid out for the Rolling Mill's future should be dominated by Li Huai De, but Li Huai De couldn't be allowed to make all the decisions alone.

Gu Weijie's propaganda and organization system, Dong Wenxue's steelmaking and safety system, Xue Zhifu's discipline inspection system, Jing Yunong's personnel and finance system.

And there was also Cheng Kaiyuan, who had only been here for half a year, definitely couldn't be transferred, but had outstanding ability and great ambition—this was Li Huai De's "healing system."

Multi-party joint cooperation, collaborative work, prominent opinions, and mutual checks and balances—this was the layout Li Xuewu had set for Li Huai De.

At least when he had the ability to participate in the Rolling Mill's decision-making level game, he couldn't let Li Huai De fall, nor could he let him float.

Li Xuewu understood Jing Yunong's little thoughts—it was nothing more than a woman's petty jealousy and the face she had brought down from the organs above.

She would definitely not rely on Li Huai De for long. As long as she was given the opportunity, as long as she was allowed to stand firm, she would definitely give Li Huai De a good look.

But this woman was a bit simple-minded; she didn't know the importance of cadre-mass relations. She played it off in the early stages and was hurt badly in the later stages.

So he had to find her an assistant, so she wouldn't stand up all at once, and wouldn't lose confidence completely and lean toward Li Huai De.

Xu Sian, who was suspended outside, held the shipyard in his hand, possessed absolute regional advantages, and needed support within the Rolling Mill, became Li Xuewu's first choice.

Li Xuewu would naturally support his good brother, but he was currently only a member of the Party Committee. Whether he could enter the Management Committee in the next three to five years was hard to say, so he had to help him connect with a "backer."

Jing Yunong happened to have one, and he happened to need one. Li Xuewu acted as the "matchmaker" to bring the two together and engage in a joint effort.

Xu Sian didn't need to be reminded; he had been mixing in the office for so many years—he was a monkey even without hair.

When Li Xuewu proposed to go see the deputy factory director Jing with him, he knew what was going on.

In the process of acquiring the shipyard, the cooperation between the two was quite tacit, and the work was also very smooth.

Now that Li Xuewu wanted to "play matchmaker," he naturally wouldn't be coy and came happily.

Jing Yunong didn't react at first, but after Li Xuewu finished reporting the work to her, he still lingered and talked to Xu Sian.

Especially when talking about the Yingcheng Shipyard as a sea-connecting dock, connecting Gangcheng, Jincheng, Yuezhou, and the top port city of the China-Poland trade line.

The position in the Rolling Mill's trade map with Jincheng as the center for trade scheduling and management appeared particularly prominent and important.

Li Xuewu talked to her about personnel and finance, and then about trade and shipping, dragging Xu Sian along to chatter away. If she still couldn't understand or hear what was going on, then she was just a blockhead.

So Li Xuewu passed the word, she considered it briefly, and then communicated with Xu Sian.

They were all top-tier people; they wouldn't say things very thoroughly, and they would definitely only talk about work content. Two or three sentences were enough to make their respective attitudes and goals clear.

Xu Sian's situation was the same as Dong Wenxue's: a department-level cadre sent out, and the shipyard's level was deputy factory.

Then, in half a year, he would return to the Rolling Mill's decision-making level team with the status of deputy factory level.

In the next half year, the work he had to do was to stabilize and build the shipyard internally, and also connect with the Rolling Mill to smooth out the leaders who had opinions about him.

Finally, he had to guard against villains, don't let people steal the house, seize power, or usurp the throne.

When Xu Sian first came to the shipyard, he wasn't willing. Later, when it was settled, Zhang Guoqi was finished.

At this time, he thought about it and understood: as long as Li Huai De took power, his position in the office would never be stable.

Jumping out of the Rolling Mill's situation and looking back from the shipyard, he was really grateful to his good brother Li Xuewu.

This move of grafting flowers onto a different tree had saved his old life and also made his political life glow with a second spring.

Li Xuewu was now pointing him to a second path, so he naturally had to get on board.

Licking anyone was licking; since there was someone to lick, there was no need to rack his brains to choose.

Moreover, Jing Yunong had a very deep background; as long as he didn't court death, he could definitely rely on her.

The two cast aside their respective disguises and masks, and under Li Xuewu's matchmaking, completed the first step of communication.

Coming out of Deputy Factory Director Jing's room, Xu Sian had a look of having licked something. Li Xuewu looked at his excitement and couldn't help but twitch the corners of his mouth.

"Stop!"

"What?"

Xu Sian's face was still smiling, but he saw Li Xuewu gesturing to him.

He hadn't understood what was going on yet, but Li Xuewu winked at him and said: "Restrain yourself. This expression of yours will make people think we did something bad in the leader's room."

"If you want to, communicate on your own later; don't implicate me. I'm still young..."

Listening to Li Xuewu's muttering, Xu Sian felt terrible all over.

The expression on his face changed from having picked up a hundred yuan to discovering dog shit on the money.

"I just wanted to thank you, and now I just want to kill you."

Xu Sian couldn't help but look back at Deputy Factory Director Jing's room, feeling that this matter wasn't a loss.

It was true; Deputy Factory Director Jing was even younger than him, but she was highly educated, had a high starting point, and had walked ahead of him.

Li Xuewu watched him finish a sentence and stop speaking, and the expression on his face gradually turned lewd, so he couldn't help but move aside.

"Where are you going?!"

Xu Sian was just thinking about asking Li Xuewu to go to his room to sit, but as soon as he turned his face, the person was downstairs.

"Going to handle some business. You rest first."

Li Xuewu's voice came from the stairs. He wouldn't go back to the room; Biaozi's wife was there, so what would it look like if he went back at this time?

Downstairs, as soon as he reached the lobby, he saw Dong Wenxue sitting in the lounge area, waving at him.

"Have you been waiting for me?"

Li Xuewu said embarrassedly: "I just talked to Deputy Factory Director Jing for a while."

"It's fine, I just came down too."

Dong Wenxue signaled Li Xuewu to sit on the sofa next to him.

Li Xuewu looked at Dong Wenxue's complexion, sat down, and asked: "Did Deputy Factory Director Yang look for you?"

"No."

Dong Wenxue shook his head slightly and sighed: "Let him be."

"It seems he wants to go all the way to the dark."

Li Xuewu's left eye narrowed slightly: "Then give up on him. Do you have any thoughts about the others?"

"Yang Shuxing, perhaps. This person can be talked to."

Dong Wenxue raised his head wearily and looked at Li Xuewu: "His current situation is also very subtle. Director Li intends to open up the situation in the Steel Mill and wants to start with him."

Li Xuewu frowned. The Rolling Mill's Management Committee reform was almost done.

Li Huai De wanted to extend the tentacles of the Management Committee to the Steel Mill, which was naturally understandable.

But having Dong Wenxue execute this matter probably had deeper implications.

Li Huai De had many ideas and was very crafty; this person was a thorough speculator and opportunist.

"The matter has to be looked at from two sides. Yang Fengshan's current situation looks very dangerous, but in fact, he has already passed the most dangerous stage."

"Yang Shuxing should be very clear about this, so he isn't worried about being implicated."

"If you lead the fire to him, he might start fires everywhere and disrupt the situation in the Steel Mill."

Li Xuewu looked at Dong Wenxue with some worry. He wanted Dong Wenxue to be tougher and take the initiative to stand out and bear the role of restraining Li Huai De.

He didn't need to stand on the opposite side; as long as he raised more opinions and reserved his opinion on relevant issues, Li Huai De would naturally have some scruples.

What he feared most was letting Li Huai De feel that he was easy to talk to and willing to do anything, at which point the situation would really deteriorate.

Dong Wenxue and Gu Weijie standing together was definitely a party Li Huai De feared. If he spoke, it would definitely be more effective than him speaking.

Li Xuewu was very tactfully reminding his teacher not to indulge Li Huai De; if he needed to be beaten, he should be beaten.

Being in the game of the Rolling Mill might require caution, but his teacher was in the Steel Mill—a person outside the three realms and not in the five elements, so what was there to be afraid of?

Just do it!

Right now, Yang Zongfang was sticking his neck out and refusing to enter the game, and Li Xuewu didn't have measures for the others, so Dong Wenxue was also having a hard time.

The Steel Mill wasn't stable, so he didn't have the confidence to be tough, and even less dared to speak loudly to Li Huai De.

So it was like a vicious cycle, and he was also very worried.

"Then talk to Yang Shuxing first. If you can't talk it out, then take him as the first target and start with his materials."

Li Xuewu frowned. This matter was really troublesome. He and Li Huai De were going back to Beijing tomorrow, and his teacher hadn't handled this matter well yet.

Li Huai De had come, which was pressure for Dong Wenxue, and even greater pressure for others.

It was just the right momentum to change the ecology and situation of the Steel Mill, so that work could be carried out more smoothly.

Perhaps it was because too many people had come, and Dong Wenxue had spent too much energy on reception, which instead delayed the real business.

Sometimes a top leader is just that helpless, unable to be in two places at once.

And reception work is harder to do than organizational work, directly affecting how those above perceive you.

Li Xuewu understood Dong Wenxue very well. Since he chose Yang Shuxing, he had to accept it.

After all, it was already evening, and he didn't have time to investigate the situation of the other few people.

Yang Zongfang was refusing to give face, and this one was also surnamed Yang, and was of the same ancestor as Yang Fengshan—very hard to deal with.

Dong Wenxue rubbed his distressed face hard, looked at Li Xuewu, and said: "I made an appointment to have tea with him. Let's go, let's sit together."

This was called driving a duck onto the shelf; he had to go.

The tea Dong Wenxue mentioned wasn't at any teahouse, nor was it at any club or association; it was in the gatehouse at the entrance of the Steel Mill.

When the two arrived, Yang Shuxing was already waiting. Seeing Dong Wenxue bring Li Xuewu over, he was very surprised, and in his surprise, there was also realization.

A stove had already been lit in the room; it wasn't very hot, but the tea wasn't cold.

Seeing several leaders from the factory come here, the gatekeepers all went out to stand guard.

The three of them didn't say a word until they were each seated; the scene was a bit silent, and the atmosphere was a bit oppressive.

Perhaps Yang Shuxing thought Dong Wenxue was talking to him alone, and bringing Li Xuewu meant something else.

Li Xuewu directly felt Yang Shuxing's dissatisfaction and questioning, but he didn't give up on talking to him because of this.

Dong Wenxue spoke first, and without beating around the bush, directly explained the purpose of their visit.

At the same time, he could see Yang Shuxing's questioning of Li Xuewu's arrival, and in his words, he also pointed out Li Xuewu's importance to the present and future of the Steel Mill.

Li Xuewu took over Dong Wenxue's words, saying that he wasn't here to claim credit, let alone to sing praises, but to drink tea and meet friends.

He spoke with much more artistry than Dong Wenxue.

First, he talked about the future political situation of the Steel Mill from his personal point of view, as well as the current direction of political ecological changes in the Rolling Mill.

Everyone was in the same bowl; without reaching a certain height, no one could jump out of this pit.

He patiently talked about the huge changes in the Rolling Mill during this stage, the details of which weren't something Yang Shuxing could feel standing in Gangcheng.

But Yang Shuxing didn't open his mouth to speak, and there was no expression of being moved on his face.

Now it seemed as if it were Dong Wenxue begging him to do things.

Li Xuewu knew he was putting on airs and was also struggling with the attitude he had shown at the meeting a few days ago.

But work is work, and the situation is the situation. The work that should be done wouldn't affect Li Xuewu's choice and judgment. Whether this person could be used or not depended on Dong Wenxue.

He sat here saying these things, all to pave the way and provide an endorsement for Dong Wenxue.

Of course, in the conversation, Li Xuewu also affirmed the work achievements Yang Shuxing had made in the Steel Mill, with the purpose of talking about the next Management Committee reform, where he would cooperate with Dong Wenxue to do the work of the production department personnel.

Yang Shuxing and Yang Fengshan were clansmen. Now talking about the Management Committee and the "Great Learning" activity, Yang Fengshan was a topic that couldn't be bypassed.

In the conversation, Li Xuewu specifically mentioned Yang Fengshan's current situation and also talked about the series of layouts Yang Yuansong had made recently.

Especially the fact that Yang Yuansong had used Yang Fengshan's personal influence in his layout, he very straightforwardly expressed his worry about Yang Fengshan's current situation.

Yang Shuxing's attitude toward Li Xuewu changed. He had every reason to suspect Li Xuewu was threatening him.

Now talking about Yang Fengshan and mentioning Yang Yuansong—wasn't this just comparing the situation of the Steel Mill with these two people?

Could it be that these two people in front of him were going to make him end up in the same situation as Yang Fengshan?

He suddenly thought of Li Huai De's purpose for coming here, and the work layout that Dong Wenxue needed to carry out.

He really might have been chosen as a target like "Yang Fengshan."

Li Xuewu saw the change in his emotions and clearly told Yang Shuxing that although Yang Fengshan's current situation wasn't good, as a factory director, his work achievements were obvious to all.

No matter how the situation changed, one day, facts would have to speak for themselves.

Li Xuewu hoped Yang Shuxing could understand the current situation and make the right choice.

At the same time, he also hoped Yang Shuxing could inherit Yang Fengshan's influence and use this to promote the peaceful reform of the Steel Mill's Management Committee.

In terms of work, he naturally hoped the Steel Mill would get better and better, and even more hoped he would work hard with Dong Wenxue to innovate and break through in the new development and new stage.

The words had been spoken very clearly, and the meaning he wanted to reveal to him was also very clear. Now it was up to Yang Shuxing to state his position.

However, Yang Shuxing's attitude wasn't optimistic; he didn't seem to buy it and held a reserved attitude toward Li Xuewu's proposal.

"I don't know what the leaders want to do, and I don't know if the leaders have opinions about me or my work."

Yang Shuxing looked at Li Xuewu, blew a puff of smoke, and said: "If the Rolling Mill feels my ability isn't enough or my level isn't good, then replace me with someone else."

"I am not greedy for power, nor am I keen on fighting. If possible, I don't want to participate in these things."

"You have no choice."

Li Xuewu understood; he didn't want to be tainted by cause and effect, but he also didn't want to give up his position.

Dreaming!

You have the character "Yang" on your forehead, and it's the "Yang" of Yang Fengshan. You're in imminent danger, yet you're still acting aloof with me!

You don't even know how you're going to die!

Regional disparities would infinitely lower a person's political sensitivity; this was natural and objectively existed.

A top leader of a branch factory without connections or support in the general factory was just a piece of bread that anyone could pinch.

But even this piece of material was considered an unavoidable choice in the pond of the Steel Mill.

Yang Zongfang refused to cooperate, so they had to find someone without ties to do the work.

Yin Zhongyao was Li Huai De's man, Mei Housheng was the secretary's man, and Dou Changfang had already been marginalized—these three couldn't be used.

Picking the best from the short ones, Li Xuewu knew deeply that this was a contest of soft and hard tactics.

He had to make Yang Shuxing understand that he sincerely hoped he could play his role in his position, rather than simply being used.

"I don't want to say anything more. You know everything. If you have any thoughts, the leaders are upstairs in the guesthouse; you can go try."

Li Xuewu straightened his body, looked at Yang Shuxing, and said: "The relationship between you and Factory Director Yang is known by everyone who cleans the toilets in the factory. He is currently cleaning the toilets, so there's no difference if you lose your position."

"I dared to come see you today, not because of Factory Director Yang, but because I value your ability and contribution to the work more."

"I hope you can understand that what I'm telling you now isn't just an opportunity, or rather, I'm pointing you in the right direction."

Li Xuewu had lost his patience by now, and his tone became intense: "What I'm telling you now is a platform to realize and display your personal ability."

"Still the same words: I've already told you the situation. If you have thoughts and ability, you can try it yourself."

"Dong Shuji and I don't want the Steel Mill to have waves. Peaceful reform is the only way out for stable development."

Li Xuewu's tone was firm, and his eyes revealed an unquestionable belief.

After hearing this, Yang Shuxing's eyes revealed complex emotions.

He was silent for a moment, then said to Li Xuewu: "Deputy Secretary Li, I understand what you mean. If I don't go up Liangshan, I'll have to go up the mountain of knives, right?"

"How you understand it is your business. I'm not on Liangshan, and Dong Shuji doesn't want you to go up Liangshan either."

"However,"

Li Xuewu looked at Yang Shuxing with narrowed eyes and said: "The situation urges people; the times aren't something you or I can control."

"Someone chose you to be the fuse, and I'm just giving you a way to light the fire without exploding. How you choose is still up to you."

Yang Shuxing's face was solemn. This multiple-choice question wasn't easy to answer; he had to bet his future on it.

The future of the Steel Mill that Li Xuewu talked about, as well as the vast development space, were all ideal states.

To achieve this, or even complete peaceful reform, someone would definitely have to make sacrifices.

Dong Wenxue naturally wouldn't go down to fight; he had an aloof status and advantage. In this pond of the Steel Mill, no matter who died, it wouldn't be his turn to die first.

Li Xuewu's sincerity and affirmation had already shaken his thoughts. Since it had reached this point, he naturally wouldn't harbor any illusions.

Calmness was just his disguise and mask. Did he think he would explode on the spot just because he knew he was going to be pushed out as a fuse?

Yang Shuxing's hand was shaking a bit; the way he couldn't hide the shaking while holding the teacup showed that a battle between heaven and man was raging deep in his heart.

Li Xuewu was satisfied with this. He believed that as long as the other party calmed down and thought about it, it wouldn't be hard to make the right choice.

He knew Yang Shuxing had ability and experience; as long as he was given enough trust and support, he would definitely be able to handle this important role.

Dong Wenxue drank tea unhurriedly, as if he had left all the talking to Li Xuewu and was just listening.

It was indeed the case; it was more convenient and appropriate for Li Xuewu to say some things than for them to come out of his own mouth.

Especially with Li Xuewu's current position and influence, for Yang Shuxing, why wouldn't he need a platform?

"I will consider it seriously."

Yang Shuxing looked at Li Xuewu and said solemnly: "Deputy Secretary Li, thank you for these words today."

Li Xuewu nodded; he knew Yang Shuxing was giving him face.

But at the same time, he also realized that if Yang Shuxing changed his mind halfway or couldn't fulfill his duties as scheduled, he wouldn't be soft-hearted either.

In this era full of competition and change, those who don't know how to accept face have no place to stand.

"No need for polite words. Dong Shuji is here, so the Steel Mill's business is my business."

Li Xuewu's words were subtle and serious: "The majestic pass is like iron, and now we step over it from the beginning."

"Deputy Factory Director Yang, please take the interests of the Steel Mill as the priority, and take the development of the Steel Mill as the priority."

Li Xuewu stood up and said: "I hope you consider it carefully. There is no regret after placing a move."

Yang Shuxing was silent for a few seconds, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

In the end, he nodded, indicating he understood the meaning of Li Xuewu's words.

Li Xuewu knew this was a difficult beginning, but he believed that as long as Yang Shuxing could truly intervene in Dong Wenxue's layout, the future of the Gangcheng Steel Mill wouldn't be chaotic.

Yang Shuxing stood up, shook hands with Li Xuewu, and expressed his thanks again.

Dong Wenxue also stood up, signaled Li Xuewu, and explained to Yang Shuxing: "He still has some private matters to handle and has to go out tonight."

As they spoke, the two sent Li Xuewu out together, and under the gaze of the factory guards, sent Li Xuewu all the way to the jeep.

The car was Dong Wenxue's; he lived in the factory, so it was appropriate for Li Xuewu to borrow it.

The driver knew where Li Xuewu was going and didn't ask much, sending him directly to the villa area.

After getting off the car and sending the jeep away, Li Xuewu entered the courtyard.

From the courtyard entrance, he saw the lights on in the living room. At this time, it seemed they were really waiting for him to return.

The one waiting for him was naturally Sister Zhou, but it wasn't just Sister Zhou; there was also Wen Saner, and Zhang Wanhe, whose eyes were bloodshot.

Zhou Changli was also standing at the door, like a door god, grinning and staring.

Zhou Wang Yamei welcomed Li Xuewu into the house and whispered in the foyer that these three had been waiting here all night.

Li Xuewu patted Sister Zhou, signaling her to take Fu Zhidong upstairs.

Fu Zhidong, who was waiting for his uncle on the stairs, looked at him eagerly, wanting to continue waiting, but was picked up by Zhou Wang Yamei, coaxed, and taken upstairs.

Li Xuewu patted Zhou Changli's shoulder and walked into the living room. Wen Saner stood up, but Zhang Wanhe didn't; he just sat on the sofa, staring at him fixedly.

"Where is Biaozi?"

Li Xuewu ignored him, brewed a cup of tea on his own, and asked Wen Saner.

Wen Saner glanced at Zhang Wanhe and replied: "He's at the dock. There's a lot to do today, and he's still handling it."

"Take your time. Jicheng has already been handled; no need to worry."

Li Xuewu sat on the sofa with his teacup and said so straightforwardly, words that made Zhang Wanhe's eyes split with rage.

Wen Saner didn't know how to take this, so he looked at Li Xuewu and sat down as well.

"Xilin is injured. She took a knife to the stomach and can't get off the kang."

Li Xuewu's voice was cold, and he said with difficulty-concealed exhaustion: "I let Qiangzi support things over there. We'll wait until the situation in Jicheng stabilizes in a while before coming back."

"Oh, right."

In the silent living room, with two silent people and an oppressive atmosphere, Li Xuewu seemed to be talking to himself.

He seemed to suddenly remember something and said to Wen Saner: "Third Uncle, you need to hurry up and handle one thing."

"Regarding Qiangzi's target, see if you have time to trouble Third Aunt and Biaozi's wife to go over there."

As he spoke, he signaled the other party: "As uncles and eldest brothers, we can't not help with this favor; after all, they are our own people."

It was these words that made Zhang Wanhe's face turn white and then green, red and then green.

"Pick a house from the ones we already have, clean it up, and give it to him."

These properties were all given to Li Xuewu by old iron Guandong; there was nothing good about them, just folk houses.

Li Xuewu signaled toward the stairs and said: "I brought a pair of watches from Beijing; they are with Sister Zhou. Call someone to get them later."

After finishing, he waved his hand and said: "When the time comes, give them as an engagement gift. Consider it my heart."

"Marriage is a big deal; don't be stingy, and don't let Qiangzi work hard for nothing..."

"Proprietor!"

Zhang Wanhe couldn't listen anymore. He looked at Li Xuewu with red eyes, his voice bursting from his throat, asking indignantly: "Is it not enough to take my life? If you want my life, just say so!"

"Where is this coming from?!"

Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes at him and asked: "When did I say I wanted your life? My great proprietor Zhang!"

"I'm still counting on you to help me open up territory and shepherd one side. We still have such a big career to do; where does life and death come from!"

Li Xuewu just looked at him, his tone full of sarcasm as he said to Zhang Wanhe: "You say that, and what does that make me! Isn't that putting me in an unrighteous position!"

"Isn't that right, Third Uncle?"

Zhang Wanhe's breathing quickened, and his face turned frighteningly red, like a lion ready to jump up and eat someone at any time.

Li Xuewu, however, wasn't afraid of this; he picked up his teacup and sipped his tea slowly.

Wen Saner was sitting between the two, terrified, fearing that if they really started fighting, he would be splattered with blood.

Biaozi had done something like this when he took people to work last night.

Maybe a kid knew something was going to happen, didn't see Da Qiangzi, and took the money bag and hid.

Biaozi carried the account book and looked for him for half the night, and it wasn't until after eleven o'clock that he dragged him out of an earthen kiln.

The temperature dropped significantly last night, and the wind was strong. They were already freezing, and it was even colder when they returned to the dock.

The boiling water on the stove was left for them to wash their faces and soak their feet; he didn't expect Biaozi to use it to pour on that "friend."

In the middle of the night, the person was roaring, scaring Zhang Xinmin into crying, and he also drew complaints from Fei Shanying.

Biaozi was still working tonight, with less than an elementary school education, yet he was holding an account book and acting as a debt-collecting Yama.

Taking over Gangcheng starts with collecting debts!

He couldn't afford to offend this bastard nephew, and he was afraid of Fei Shanying's complaints, so he could only follow Zhang Wanhe here.

He thought they were both cultured people, people of the scene, so they wouldn't do anything bloody!

But looking at the scene in front of him, it wasn't bloody, but it looked like it was about to go "bang, bang, bang!"

Li Xuewu asked him a question, and he didn't dare to answer a single word, fearing that if he answered wrong, he would be the last force to pull the trigger.

Facing Li Xuewu and Zhang Wanhe, he just wanted to be a quiet background board, like Zhou Changli, preferably without getting blood on him.

Zhang Wanhe gasped for a long time before asking hoarsely: "Why? Is what I, old Zhang, did not enough? Do you have to kill them all to be satisfied?"

"No, it's not that it's not enough, but that it's wrong."

Li Xuewu put down his teacup, shook his finger, and looked at Zhang Wanhe seriously: "The construction of the East Wind fleet is obvious to all; I don't deny your hard work."

"But Gangcheng is Gangcheng, and Jicheng is different."

"People who work in Jicheng don't need to show loyalty to me; I don't need it."

"It doesn't matter who they work for, but you can't play tricks with me, and you even dared to threaten my people!"

"Drawing a knife on me—who gave you the courage!"

Li Xuewu looked at Zhang Wanhe with a gloomy expression and asked: "Is it those nests of old, weak, sick, and disabled on the mountain, or those shrimps and crabs in the city!"

"Killing you is as easy as turning over a hand!"

"I don't even need to do it myself to clear out those bandits on the mountain. Do you believe it?!"

Zhang Wanhe looked at Li Xuewu, his lips trembling. He finally knew how people who stood in the sunlight did things.

Their mouths were the standard: if they say you are a bandit, you deserve to die; if they say you are a citizen, you can live.

Li Xuewu's meaning pointed directly at his heart, telling him that whether they were citizens or bandits was all his fault.

Daring to draw a knife meant those people were bandits, and their families were also guilty.

Born in sin, carrying sin from the start.

Zhang Wanhe knew that the biggest reason Li Xuewu chose to use violence against violence, not hesitating to destroy the stable situation of Gangcheng trade, and not hesitating to smash Jicheng's plate to clear them out, was that knife.

He had no explanation; he couldn't say anything to defend himself. At the time, he said it was to give a lesson, and he didn't expect his subordinates to habitually understand it as this kind of lesson.

But he really didn't think about seeing blood at the time. Setting fire to the house to cause an accident wouldn't work?

Getting hit by a cart when going out would also work!

They didn't even know how to pretend! ===== CHAPTER 844 =====

Getting hit by a flatbed cart on the way out would be fine too!

You can't even pretend properly!