[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji":3,"chapter-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-947":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Siheyuan: Food, Love, and Family in 1960s Beijing",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2314997,4526,"Chapter 947","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-947",947,"\u003Cp>\"You must first solve the problem of survival before talking about ideals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu thoroughly answered questions regarding quality, pricing, and assembly during the meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially during the discussion on automobile selling prices, he clearly pointed out that the market’s primary purchasing power still prioritizes quality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steel is stronger and more durable than iron; plastic is nowhere near as tough or impact-resistant as iron—consumers feel compelled to buy a car and use it for at least a hundred years to justify the cost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to break through the constraints of quality choices, and how to leverage new materials, all depend on sales volume.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A car’s worth isn’t determined by what label is stuck on it, but by its market share.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consumers may not understand the advantages and disadvantages of a 7,000-yuan price versus 31,000 yuan, but the factory and sales staff must know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being the first to widely adopt new materials like plastic, fiberglass, and alloys will inevitably raise consumer concerns regarding suitability and functionality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You can’t have both fish and bear’s paw; to overtake competitors on the automotive manufacturing track using new materials, processes, and technologies, you must sacrifice some profits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So from the start, acknowledge this quality gap in pricing, but use deep price differentials to prevent the 212 from following suit in price cuts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although today’s meeting focused on procurement, Jing Yunong mentioned next year’s budget for the automobile manufacturing project.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu especially emphasized ensuring adequate promotional budgets for automobile manufacturing and other product projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Advertising in this era was bizarre: under normal logic, if the Hongxing Rolling Mill successfully built a car, they’d submit a report and wait for higher-ups to arrange promotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If, like this time, they held a new car launch and sparked a major news story with the Jingcheng Automobile Factory, that would be accidental publicity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Self-initiated promotion could at most mean printing black-and-white flyers and mailing them to industrial departments across provinces and cities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether others promoted you or not was out of your hands—they had their own work schedules too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu obviously wouldn’t wait passively for top-down plans; if he just sat around hoping for handouts, when would the cars ever sell?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The automobile production base is already under construction; production line equipment is already on the way; all necessary processes and procurement have been finalized and locked in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So if not now, when should promotion happen?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the moment of the new car launch, promotional work had already begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including car pre-orders, price discounts with partner and affiliated enterprises, newspaper ads—sales campaigns aren’t just about pricing; they also involve promotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu repeatedly stressed during the meeting that the manufacturing cost of the Hongxing Antelope Jeep was very high, the quality excellent, and selling at this price meant essentially selling at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Though Su Qi also said “selling at a loss,” the Hongxing Antelope was absolutely not a young person’s first car.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially now, with neither production volume nor management outcomes yet clear, it’s impossible to estimate how far costs can be controlled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If pricing can’t be negotiated and it’s losing money, why bother building cars at all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because internally it resolves excess capacity and enables diversified operations; externally, it fulfills the great goal of serving the people!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While the meeting room leaders debated, secretaries sat behind a row of desks against the wall, taking notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they heard Deputy Director Li mention that each Hongxing Antelope Jeep sold meant a loss, the secretaries began whispering among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yuzheng’s secretary frowned and asked: “Hey! After all this effort, how could it be losing money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Yusheng’s secretary sneered back: “Listen to Deputy Director Li—he said if you sell just one, of course you lose money~~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yuzheng’s secretary: “Wait, is this really a loss or just talk? Selling one car for 7,000… I find that suspicious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Yusheng’s secretary: “You’re in finance—you don’t know? I’ve never seen the Security Department short on cash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yuzheng’s secretary: “This is a factory project—how could it be the same? Besides, didn’t Deputy Director Li just say we need to prepare for losses?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Yusheng’s secretary: “Yes, prepare for losses—but he didn’t say we’re actually losing money. He said selling cars loses money, but also admitted the cost hasn’t been controlled yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yuzheng’s secretary: “So… you think Deputy Director Li is lying? Deceiving these leaders?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Yusheng’s secretary: “Pfft, I never said that! Deputy Director Li is a senior leader—he wouldn’t lie!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave the other a sharp glance, then lowered his voice: “You don’t get it—Deputy Director Li’s standards for profit and loss are different.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What standard?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yuzheng’s secretary asked, puzzled: “I’ve never heard of that—shouldn’t it be based on our financial accounting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense. When has Deputy Director Li ever asked you before launching a project?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You think he follows your standards?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh~ Then he’d go bankrupt!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Yusheng’s secretary rolled his eyes: “Deputy Director Li’s profit-loss standard: if he doesn’t make double, it’s a loss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Yuzheng’s secretary was instantly stunned, staring blankly at the leaders at the table, muttering: “How can Deputy Director Li lie to his own people?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What kind of talk is that?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Yusheng’s secretary quickly warned him: “How could Deputy Director Li lie? That’s called a strategic move, understand?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gestured toward the leaders on either side of the desk: “Look around—has any leader reacted like you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No reason—it’s just normal.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuang Yusheng’s secretary craned his neck toward the meeting table, sneering: “Even a little less profit is a loss—on this road, if you don’t see our factory’s cars everywhere, it’s a loss!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned back to the other and said: “Deputy Director Li always says: the revolution isn’t complete yet—comrades must keep striving!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Xiao: “…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xue: “…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The secretaries sat together—they all heard those two bastards slandering Li Xuewu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even though they were furious inside, why didn’t they feel the urge to refute them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Xiao’s lips twitched slightly; he glanced at Li Xue and saw the same expression on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They looked at each other in silence, each lowering their heads to study their documents, pretending they heard nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This viewpoint was impossible to counter…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding pricing, and her brother’s repeated emphasis in every meeting, Li Xue had asked before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t ask her brother—she found a chance to bring it up with Deputy Director Jing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Deputy Director Jing, this was called strategy: the launch event, deliberately provoking conflict with the Jingcheng Automobile Factory, even saying they’re selling at a loss—all strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She understood clearly: her brother was deliberately making the Rolling Mill play the victim, using Jingcheng’s refusal to cooperate to create conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While seizing the moral high ground, he generated widespread attention for the car and defined its brand value.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you sell at a loss, everyone will buy—because buying means profit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even alley kids in the Four-Nine City knew: this was called “collusion fraud.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old trick, common as dirt—but it still worked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Rolling Mill wasn’t a well-funded, state-supported auto manufacturer—it had no technology, no foundation, starting from scratch, and yet it was aggressively reducing weight and replacing materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such an environment, who would even notice the Hongxing Antelope?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So when the Jingcheng Automobile Factory refused to cooperate, Li Xuewu deliberately blew the incident out of proportion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You claim to be the top Jeep, quality number one, sales number one? Fine—I’ll cling to you and create a sensation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned non-cooperation into deliberate suppression, creating an atmosphere that Jingcheng Automobile Factory feared the Hongxing Antelope’s quality would surpass the 212.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now rumors spread that Jingcheng refused to cooperate because they were afraid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jingcheng was now speechless—even higher-ups were asking whether they’d been too stingy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could they say? If they accused him of slander, he’d never made any public comment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, there had been a minor unpleasantness after the procurement meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they were genuinely wronged—they were being framed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who ever said they were afraid of the Hongxing Antelope? Who ever said they restricted procurement out of fear of being surpassed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if they now approved the Rolling Mill’s procurement request, that bastard would claim they’d only done it under public pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang, the deputy factory director in charge of this project at Jingcheng, was a refined man, from a family steeped in culture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even cultured men suffer—facing such a shameless, street-thug tactic, he was furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he also said: ignore it, don’t respond—otherwise the public opinion conflict will only grow larger and more influential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There are only so many Jeeps on the market; a new one will inevitably be compared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this heat is truly created, won’t it just serve as free promotion for the Hongxing Antelope?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why they say cultured people are different—they see further, stand higher, and refuse to respond externally. He even reported the matter upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He explained the reasons for non-cooperation, while also emphasizing unity and development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu wouldn’t let this advantage slip—he told the Economic and Trade Office to have the automobile project team keep provoking Jingcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, he had Li Huai step forward voluntarily to express unity and goodwill, stressing they’d never compared the 212, never claimed the Hongxing Antelope was better, and never intended to create conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai even proactively applied to publish a public statement in major newspapers to clarify the matter—but Deputy Director Wang “politely” refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was this a statement—or free advertising for them? And it was free!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This tactic was too cruel. From what Li Xue heard from Deputy Director Jing, Jingcheng’s internal directive was clear: never mention the Hongxing Antelope again—don’t give them any opening for collusion fraud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Xue listened to her brother still talking about promotion, she knew he had no intention of letting Jingcheng off the hook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes, you can’t avoid being dragged into the spotlight—her brother always had ways to cling to you and act like a thug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did you arrive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu led Peng Xiao up to the third floor; hearing their voices, Xu Ning stepped out of Sun Jian’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Came early this morning, didn’t see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Ning smiled and saluted Li Xuewu—still as crisp and sharp as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu sized him up, patted his arm, and said: “Hard work. Come in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Sun said you were in a meeting, and heard you need to assist the branch on a case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Ning wasn’t complaining about the long wait—he was asking if it was convenient now, and said he could come at another time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu led him inside, pointed to the chair across the desk, and said, “Two meetings: the automobile manufacturing procurement has been finalized.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued, “I just coordinated with HR about the new recruitment quota.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our factory is about to enter a major phase of development!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Ning smiled happily: “I can clearly feel this change and progress in Gangcheng—it’s truly day by day, night by night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s you front-line workers who are putting in the effort.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu smiled, studied Xu Ning again, and nodded: “You’ve become much more composed than before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Leader, for your cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Ning said gratefully: “Without your care and help, I wouldn’t have made the progress I have today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm, you’ve even learned to flatter now~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu laughed it off: “Fine. Learning anything is learning. Learning how to speak is good—what matters is progress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you, Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Ning paid no mind to Li Xuewu’s words, thanked him cheerfully, then added: “I won’t waste your time—I’ll now report on my work, and ask for your guidance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he opened the notebook he’d brought and began reporting on his work in Gangcheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu listened while pulling out a cigarette pack and tossing one to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Xiaoli, who had brought the tea, lit it for Xu Ning, earning a polite thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Xiaoli wasn’t close to Xu Ning; previously, he’d been in the factory office while Xu Ning was in the Security Division—they had no overlap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But both were young: one was the leader’s secretary, the other the leader’s favored officer; their courtesy carried a natural warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he listened to Xu Ning’s report, Peng Xiaoli took notes—not just for the leader, but for his own learning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Director Sha had made it clear during the handover: the leader loved asking about past matters; failing to answer would be unacceptable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Ning’s actions in Gangcheng could be divided into three phases: organization and rectification, system and rules, training and development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went to Gangcheng with Dong Wenhua, carrying a mission and determination; after assisting the leader in purifying the steel plant, he firmly implemented the General Factory Security Department’s management policies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting here to report meant he had already achieved his interim goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The transfer order had been issued early; he’d heard rumors beforehand, so when Li Xuewu asked about the border office’s work plan, he gave specific, practical answers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In summary, there were three goals: first, consolidate the existing foundation and manage effectively by leveraging geographical conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, expand cooperation channels and establish meaningful communication and collaboration with local units.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Third, actively assist superiors in building and operating trade projects to ensure procurement and sales meet their targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t exaggerate or speak empty words—he knew Li Xuewu’s style too well: report work honestly, one thing at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When reporting plans, say only what you can do, not what you can’t; say what’s useful, not empty talk; bluffing here lands you on a blacklist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the old Security Department, now the Security Team, no cadre ever dared to bluff or exaggerate before Li Xuewu; those who set goals were the kind who’d risk everything to achieve them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His honest, concise work style directly influenced all security personnel—even the factory’s newly implemented office system bore this imprint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Peng Xiaoli, the factory saved twenty percent on office paper this quarter—meaning one-fifth of old documents were just empty words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu’s advice to Xu Ning was simple: eight words—work hard, stay safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A good cadre doesn’t need constant supervision or teaching—he learns and grows on his own; just give him a push at critical moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly, show care and concern so he feels the organization’s attention; once his heart is straight, he won’t go astray.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think about it: going off track always starts from the top. Fresh college graduates don’t aspire to be Heshen—they all cry out to emulate Jiao Yulu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blaming bad environments or corrupt people among the masses for bad behavior? Pure nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One level leads the next, one level sets the example. If superiors discipline themselves and treat others generously, subordinates won’t even know how to go astray—why would they try?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who go off track never advance; those who work hard climb higher. You don’t need to punish them—peers at the same level will push them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why disciplinary notices often say, “One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel,” causing negative influence—meaning he spread unhealthy practices downward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These eight simple words both urged him to do his work well and cared for his safety and life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as Li Xuewu did this, Xu Ning would never dare slack off or entertain improper thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why Li Huai De  kept repeatedly transferring people out from Li Xuewu’s team for important posts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew that cadres who had left Li Xuewu were deeply shaped by him, branded into their very bones—but he still used them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, he had no one else to rely on; second, cadres from the Security Department wouldn’t cause trouble—they wouldn’t embarrass him the way Jin Yaohui did, forcing him to clean up the mess.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no mothering tendencies. If a position didn’t involve corrupt intentions, placing Li Xuewu’s people there ensured no one else would dare think of corruption.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just before noon, their conversation ended. Li Xuewu had planned to take him out to eat, but Xu Ning politely declined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During their talk, the branch office called: there’d be a meeting in the afternoon—the case had new leads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Xu Ning wanted to stay and chat with his leader, he couldn’t afford to delay his work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Knowing the leader still trusted and supported him was enough; being too eager would create distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu gave Xu Ning a few days off to stay longer in Jingcheng; returning afterward wouldn’t be as convenient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Ning’s family planned to arrange a blind date for him, hoping he’d marry quickly so his spouse could accompany him to the border.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his leader, Li Xuewu strongly supported this—even offered input on his future spouse’s job placement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was now a Zhengke; finding a partner was easy. Previously, in Gangcheng, his family couldn’t catch him; now, back home, he seemed determined to settle down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked downstairs to escort Xu Ning and head to the cafeteria, they resumed talking about the recruitment quota.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the hottest topic among factory workers: one batch of quotas after another, one group of workers’ children after another entering the factory for internships and training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was welfare? What was treatment? What was development? Workers didn’t care about abstract terms—but they saw real changes happening around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The factory, once home to over ten thousand, now added eight or nine thousand more; surrounding land was being planned into one new workshop after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first batch of recruited workers had completed internships and were now officially on the job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers replaced by them had already been reassigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In establishing standardized production systems, some workers—subjectively or objectively unfit—had to be let go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>New recruits with junior high education or higher were inevitably inexperienced in technique, but had greater growth potential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why were there so few senior workers? Why were they so precious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t because technical standards were too strict—it was because workers’ general cultural literacy was low; their education level couldn’t meet the demands of technical training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing the first round of recruitment training, HR’s data showed the probability of producing senior technical workers had greatly increased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not everyone could become an Eighth-Class Worker; even expecting large numbers of Seventh- or Sixth-Class Workers was unrealistic—but a rapid rise in Third- and Fourth-Class Workers would meet basic production needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Fifth- and Sixth-Class Workers became technical backbone, the technical and personnel iteration would have achieved its foundational goal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers let go either retrained and retested for reassignment, or accepted reassignment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Reassignment directions included lower technical posts, tertiary industries, handicrafts, services, and construction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers couldn’t be dumped onto society—only used to their full potential: do whatever they could, and if nothing else, do manual labor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new steel rolling plant project had many new positions; if they couldn’t do any of those, they could still lay bricks and build houses—infrastructure projects would continue for the next five years, and manpower would always be needed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This technological and personnel update may seem harsh now, but it’s better than losing livelihoods later and being forced onto society.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With new workers entering, those ahead feel pressure—and motivation. Some laid-off workers retire; others are reassigned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone knows manual labor is inferior to technical work; comparison creates direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as products sell well, quality is guaranteed, and management has no gaps, the wealth workers create will surely meet their living needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Positive cycle. Survival of the fittest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later, the great collapse wasn’t the workers’ fault—it had nothing to do with welfare, treatment, or pensions. Their heads were broken, their hearts were corrupted—what good was hard work then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At 1:30 p.m., Li Xuewu’s command vehicle pulled into the branch’s gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several people stood in the courtyard; seeing Li Xuewu’s car, they waved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Jiankun parked, and Li Xuewu opened the door, asking: “Good news?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good news—and bad news.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan took a drag from his cigarette, smiling bitterly: “They just got back from the scene and had lunch—we were just talking about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go upstairs and talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved to the others: “Director Zheng is already waiting. Today’s going to be busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu walked in with him, followed by members of the Public Security and Criminal Investigation teams; everyone chatted casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to confidentiality, they could still discuss the case on the courtyard grounds—but once inside the building, they had to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan tossed his cigarette butt and asked Li Xuewu: “Director Zheng said next year we’ll get new equipment and replace some vehicles. When will your factory’s vehicle roll off the line?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Earliest March for test runs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Xuewu climbed the stairs, he explained: “The infrastructure is nearly complete; machinery is being manufactured and transported.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Add installation, debugging, and spare parts inventory, and actual production won’t start until June.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re really in a hurry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan smiled: “We’ve all seen the materials Director Zheng brought back—cheap, durable, perfect for our environment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know how many vehicles the higher-ups allocated to the branch for next year?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Five!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He held up his hand: “Only five—how can we split them? With today’s security situation, our mobile forces are falling behind; we’ll end up with disasters.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, the cost of one 212 can buy five Red Star Antelopes. With twenty-five vehicles, we’ll immediately ease most problems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You make it sound like—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow: “Our factory’s cars must be priced too cheaply!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cheaper is better!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan grinned, pointing upstairs, whispering: “You haven’t seen how Chief Gao is tearing his hair out over budgets—everyone who asks him for money gets yelled at.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He finished speaking and patted Li Xuewu’s arm as a reminder: “Stay out of sight, or you might get another deal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu chuckled lightly: “Six thousand’s already a loss just to draw customers—nobody else gets this discount; cheaper than this and I’d be selling the frame!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? What’s so exciting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fuhua came down the stairs and happened upon them; he greeted them and gestured for everyone to head to the conference room together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After brief pleasantries, once everyone was seated and the conference room door closed, the case briefing officially began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, let’s go over the scene investigation and findings.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head reported: “First, the bicycle and the two bags—search efforts have lasted three days with no progress.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve issued nationwide alerts for the bicycle and backpacks with matching features, but no leads have come in yet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The forensic team has rechecked and confirmed the weapon was blunt—possibly a hammer or a stone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at the leaders beside the table and continued: “Reinterviewing those who knew about the money and Zhang Shuqin’s exact withdrawal time and route yielded no new information.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about social relationship investigations?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan tapped the table, signaling him to skip the dead ends and get to the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhang Shuqin had wide social ties—we revisited every connection, and over the past two months, nothing unusual emerged.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head’s answer left several leaders dissatisfied, but the next finding seemed to part the clouds and reveal light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“During neighbor interviews, someone reported that Yu Lanfang and Zhang Shuqin frequently quarreled—even to the point of threatening divorce.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’d noticed this before but didn’t investigate it specifically; only upon re-examining the statements did we spot anomalies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He said: “A neighbor’s child heard Zhang Shuqin shout something about a rabbit on the night of the 28th—he climbed over the wall and saw Yu Lanfang slap Zhang Shuqin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why wasn’t this mentioned before?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu tapped the table: “Lin Tingting and Du Xiaoyan’s statements don’t mention Zhang Shuqin being slapped, do they?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head explained: “Our earlier focus was on Zhang Shuqin—we overlooked this detail.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is highly suspicious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan frowned: “We must seriously consider Yu Lanfang’s motive—it might have nothing to do with money.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Pure revenge?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head frowned: “Or perhaps Zhang Shuqin was running a scam, and Yu Lanfang, seeing the money, acted on impulse?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s another possibility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan tapped his finger: “Maybe he killed first for revenge, then discovered the money. His deep concealment suggests we’ve been asking the wrong questions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you think about it, that’s plausible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head nodded: “Yu Lanfang is unemployed and has no alibi for the 29th and 30th—especially since their living conditions are unusually good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unusually good—how good?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fuhua looked at him: “Be specific—money? Or goods?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The house is an old ancestral home, but renovated; all household appliances are present, they own two watches and two bicycles, their grain reserves are plentiful—but there’s no cash.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All the money was in Zhang Shuqin’s hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu glanced at him and reminded him: “Yu Lanfang’s statement records that Zhang Shuqin managed the household finances.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head nodded: “We learned from neighbors that Yu Lanfang rarely handled household affairs—Zhang Shuqin made all decisions alone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Lai Shanchuan and said: “If none of these possibilities hold, then Yu Lanfang must be completely unaware and uninvolved in this case.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible for there to be zero connection.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan frowned: “Move on to the next point.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head reported: “We investigated Zhao Ziliang, Du Xiaoyan’s husband, and found he’s missing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Missing?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the room frowned—just moments ago in the courtyard, he’d reported this exact thing to Lai Shanchuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, missing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head explained: “Coincidentally, Du Xiaoyan said she was on duty the 29th, and her husband took a train on the morning of the 30th, so she never saw him before he left.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How did he go missing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan frowned: “Where was he last seen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhili.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head confirmed: “That was his first stop on the business trip—and the last place he was seen.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s not right—the first letter was also mailed from Zhili.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan tapped the table: “There’s definitely something wrong here. When was the last time Du Xiaoyan contacted her husband?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In Zhili, on October 31st.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head affirmed: “According to Du Xiaoyan, at around 2 p.m. that day, her husband called from Zhili, reminding her to visit the elders because he’d forgotten to leave money for groceries.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Just for that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu looked at him: “And yet, with her husband missing for so long, she’s shown no reaction at all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She says he’s done this before—once he was gone for two and a half months, and neighbors confirmed it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head explained: “According to the head of their joint venture factory, procurement staff typically travel to over a dozen locations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They only communicate once procurement is complete—this is unusual, but not impossible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Has a coordination letter been sent to Zhili?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu asked: “What did Zhili say? Is Zhao Ziliang truly the one who vanished there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There’s a residence record, but we can’t confirm it’s him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head explained: “We brought photos for questioning, but after nearly two months, people’s memories are hazy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about the letters?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fuhua frowned: “Did the first letter’s mailing date overlap with his disappearance? Was that phone call investigated? Where was it made from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The letter was mailed from a location near Zhao Ziliang’s guesthouse; the call came from his room—but we can’t confirm it was him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head added: “We investigated Zhao Ziliang’s relationship with the victim—their contact was closer than Du Xiaoyan claimed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Give details!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan emphasized: “Zhao Ziliang’s disappearance is strange—there’s definitely something wrong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone in Qian’er Hutong saw Zhao Ziliang at Zhang Shuqin’s house—not just once.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head reported: “Neighbors say Zhang Shuqin explained he was a fellow villager who brought her goods from afar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He emphasized: “Neighbors near Zhao Ziliang’s home also saw Zhang Shuqin visiting his house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All investigators in the room drew in a breath, their gazes turning complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This case seems to have veered into an unusual direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do Yu Lanfang’s and Du Xiaoyan’s statements mention this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fuhua tapped the table, refocusing everyone’s attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Also, Du Xiaoyan claimed she introduced Zhang Shuqin to her husband—has she verified that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She probably didn’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan interjected: “The day before, when she came in for questioning, we even discussed whether to bring her husband in.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not in the statements.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Criminal Unit head affirmed: “Du Xiaoyan now isn’t even sure whether her husband had any connection to Zhang Shuqin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave Lai Shanchuan a strange look and reported: “According to Du Xiaoyan, her husband’s job is so irregular that she never knows when he leaves or returns—unless he calls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a mess these two couples have…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan sneered: “Husbands don’t know their wives, wives don’t know their husbands—a tangled knot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Fuhua rubbed his forehead, thought for a moment, and asked: “So now the direction is clearer—several possibilities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Ziliang and Zhang Shuqin were lovers, colluded in fraud, killed her, stole the money, and fled.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Ziliang and Zhang Shuqin were lovers, colluded in fraud, Yu Lanfang killed his wife in revenge, then tracked Zhao Ziliang to Zhili and killed him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Ziliang and Zhang Shuqin were lovers, Yu Lanfang forced his wife into fraud, then killed both and framed it as a robbery.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhao Ziliang and Zhang Shuqin were innocent; Zhao Ziliang vanished in a separate case…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu stared blankly as Zheng Fuhua played matching games—each connection made more possibilities appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we keep investigating like this, we won’t finish until next year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Focus on the most likely scenario.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu spoke: “Yu Lanfang is here—he won’t run. Investigate whether Zhao Ziliang truly appeared in Zhili.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If he did, where did he go after vanishing from Zhili? If he didn’t, who made that call?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you suspect Du Xiaoyan lied?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan frowned slightly at Li Xuewu’s suggestion: “This doesn’t seem connected to her…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not necessarily.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu squinted slightly and said, “The voice on the phone is distorted; pretending to speak less won’t help determine if it’s real or fake.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, he looked at Lai Shanchuan and asked, “Have you never encountered this situation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan first froze, then smiled wryly and shook his head; the others in the conference room also burst into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only someone insane would call the head of the branch’s public security unit with a harassing call.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu also smiled, unconcerned, and said, “To find out whether Zhao Ziliang and Zhang Shuqin have any special relationship, just ask Yu Lanfang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He explained to the group, “Zhang Shuqin’s remark about the rabbit and the slap she received on the 28th are definitely not baseless—Yu Lanfang must give a reason.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Another point!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu suddenly smiled, his tone deep with implication: “Du Xiaoyan doesn’t know if her husband has had an affair, but Yu Lanfang certainly knows whether her wife has done anything to betray him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young investigators in the room blinked in confusion, staring at Li Xuewu; seeing the seniors’ expressions as if they’d grasped something, their own questions multiplied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a man has an affair and doesn’t want his partner to find out, with enough effort, he can always hide it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If a woman has an affair, whether she intends to or not, she can’t hide it—because the words “affair” are written all over her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough, cough~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan glanced at Li Xuewu, thinking to himself: This kid clearly has plenty of experience!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cleared his throat and explained to the young investigators: “Most neighbor statements come from women—they stay home all day and see a lot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And women rarely tell other women that their partner has done something wrong—they’re more likely to tell men that the other person’s partner is problematic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good! That’s a good explanation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu nodded in strong agreement and said, “That’s exactly what I thought!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lai Shanchuan: “…”\u003C\u002Fp>",5297,"2026-06-20T13:47:03.676Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b4dfc5ac49662cd104c9503b17c07143acbb91c7c5758a07dca84f7fb2d89a7a","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-948","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-946",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-cover.jpg"]