Chapter 968: Five Years, Then Five More

What are you staring at?

Who in the entire steel rolling mill doesn’t know I’m kind-hearted, honest, and dependable!

You want me to come up with a dirty trick?!

You’ve got the wrong person!

Li Xuewu noticed Li Huai De ’s gaze sweep over him and his expression subtly froze.

“By year-end, the Weisan Team reclamation area has a batch of fattened pigs ready for slaughter.”

“Mm, mm, go on.”

Li Huai De ’s solemn expression lifted as if a heavy burden had suddenly shattered the moment Li Xuewu spoke.

There’s nothing in the steel rolling mill that Li Huai De can’t solve!

If there is, it’s only because he hasn’t yet asked Li Xuewu.

“Aside from the pigs reserved by Weisan Team for the New Year, I think our canteen can bring back the rest to organize a New Year event.”

Li Xuewu took a sip of tea and explained calmly: “This year’s production targets were met exceptionally well, and the mass study campaign was carried out thoroughly—time to celebrate.”

“And then?”

Gu Weijie grew impatient, hearing Li Xuewu beat around the bush, and pressed: “What does this have to do with personnel management?”

“It has everything to do with it.”

Li Xuewu turned to Gu Weijie and said: “Use the theme of reporting on production and construction achievements to extend condolences and praise to frontline workers.”

“Of course, if you’re going to praise, you need rankings—right? Besides recognizing outstanding enterprise workers and model individuals this year, I suggest holding a technical skills competition.”

“Technical skills competition?”

Gu Weijie frowned slightly, glanced at Li Xuewu, then turned to Li Huai De , silently asking what he meant.

Li Huai De tilted his head slightly and said to Li Xuewu: “How do you rank technical ability?”

“It must be determined by comprehensive evaluation of theoretical knowledge and professional skills!”

Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said: “We can start organizing and promoting the event now—New Year’s is on February 8th, plenty of time for a competition.”

“Set the competition to end on February 6th, and the whole factory eats pork—that’s called ‘eating someone’s meat makes you silent.’”

“Give a month for study and training—that’s called ‘first courtesy, then force.’”

“Hold a six-day theoretical and skills competition one month later—that’s called fair and reasonable.”

“Those who fail must rotate to construction labor for retraining—that’s called ‘with a trench, there’s a path.’”

“Throughout January, the Personnel Office will coordinate senior skilled workers to form a team of professional trainers who will go directly to workshops and departments to conduct training.”

He stood up, pointing at the calendar beneath the glass: “Today is December 29th—two days for preparation is enough; we can announce it on the 31st.”

“Starting January 1st, all labor positions will launch position-specific skill training; the competition begins officially on February 1st, ends on February 6th, and results will be announced during the pork feast.”

“Stretch out the list, establish clear rankings, set passing thresholds based on departmental and positional ratios—fair and reasonable.”

Li Xuewu sat back down and addressed the two: “Main evaluation criteria: safety standardization, position operation procedures, practical skills—strict exam discipline to ensure fairness.”

“Those who perform excellently will be commended and rewarded—possible adjustments to skill levels or labor honor titles.”

“Even high-value material rewards like radios, electric fans, or televisions can be offered to boost workers’ competitive enthusiasm.”

“Those scoring above the passing line retain their positions—or may be reassigned to technical posts based on competition results and actual production needs.”

“Those below the passing line—no excuses, outclassed, accept the loss, and be reassigned to the construction labor team for retraining.”

“Personnel adjustments and eliminations will be completed before and after the New Year, giving workers ample time to react and learn, and ensuring everyone gets to celebrate the holiday.”

“In March, the first batch of second-phase new workers can fill positions, easing production pressure and avoiding disruption to the production plan.”

“In May, another batch of new workers will take over—pressure on eliminated workers to learn and train will intensify, and new workers’ labor enthusiasm will surge.”

Li Xuewu looked at Li Huai De and Gu Weijie: “Now we’ve given them pork, given them time to learn, defined the competition scope, and offered big rewards—so even those sent to labor won’t complain, right?”

“Mm, makes sense!”

Li Huai De ’s eyes lit up; he pointed at Li Xuewu with an expression that said, “You’re really devious,” and said: “We need to create personnel vacuums in workshops and departments to generate competition pressure!”

“First, eliminate workers with lax discipline, lazy habits, and failed skill assessments!”

He pointed at Gu Weijie: “Dump these people into the construction teams—it’ll speed up current project progress!”

Gu Weijie listened, her mind spinning, yet her expression showed full agreement.

But when Li Huai De turned to ask Li Xuewu about labor force shortages, her gaze flicked toward Li Xuewu—not a good look at all.

Li Huai De really doesn’t learn from being caught stealing!

Do you believe Li Xuewu?

You’re a fool—you let Li Xuewu sell you out and still cheer for him!

You only saw him plotting to eliminate workers—you didn’t see he’s also setting you up!

Think hard!

Is this kid the kind who can hold a whole ship in his belly?

You play one trick on him, he doesn’t just return it—he kicks you in the ass for good measure!

A while back you two were so close, then you deliberately brought Jin Yaohui and Shi Ruoweng to annoy and restrain him.

Now look—Shi Ruoweng’s lying in the hospital, too scared to come back; that knife didn’t cut deep enough—he’s going to stab you back hard!

This plan is so damn devious!

Just wait and see who the workers will curse!

“Current construction projects include three food industry plants, an electronics and appliance factory, a shipyard, an automobile manufacturing plant, a hardware manufacturing plant, tertiary and joint production plants, residential zones, worker housing complexes, and steel plant metallurgical facilities.”

Li Xuewu noticed Gu Weijie’s suspicious look, but Li Huai De was still speaking—he had no time to think.

“The automobile factory must be completed by March, the shipyard by June, the food industry by August, the electronics factory by August…”

He didn’t need to check his notebook—just muttering these dates made Li Huai De ’s brow furrow again.

“Altogether, next year’s construction will require roughly 15,000 construction workers.”

Li Xuewu reported seriously: “Besides the 2,000+ workers already allocated by Dongfeng Construction, local construction units have provided some manpower—we still face a gap of 8,000 to 10,000.”

“That many?!”

Li Huai De ’s hand on the desk trembled slightly, then clenched into a fist; after a moment’s hesitation, he declared firmly: “Then these 8,000 will be drawn in batches from existing service offices, logistics departments, and frontline production workshops.”

“Next year, 20,000 workers will finish training and fill positions—perfect timing to rotate them in!”

He made up his mind, nodded at Gu Weijie: “Aim to eliminate 11,000 personnel by year-end!”

Is this old Li going crazy?!

Eight thousand people’s anger would already drown him—now he wants to add more?

Gu Weijie’s heart pounded; she glanced between Li Huai De and Li Xuewu, unsure what scheme they were hatching.

Are they setting her up? Will she end up taking the blame for all this?

No—this must be clarified!

Gu Weijie mentally calculated: the steel rolling mill originally had 15,000 workers; they added 3,000 automobile manufacturing technicians and 2,500 shipbuilding technicians.

Next year, another 3,500 automobile manufacturing workers will be merged in—how many is that?

Add 17,000 new workers and support staff, then eliminate 11,000 laborers—

If calculated against current workforce size, that’s a 40.7% elimination rate.

If calculated against total workforce, it’s still 29.7%.

Even if temporary workers, service teams, and logistics staff are the main pool for reallocation—

By year-end, when all projects are operational, 30% to 40% of the workforce will be shifted into construction.

From a positive view, this proposal greatly eases the factory’s investment pressure and solves her biggest concern: human resource waste.

Especially with the technical competition and position reallocation, existing workers’ motivation to learn and work will surge.

The bloated staffing in production workshops and service departments will be completely resolved.

Especially Li Huai De ’s goal of creating personnel vacuums and generating competition pressure aligns perfectly with the group’s policy of bold, proactive action.

But!

Gu Weijie knew the political risks involved—she was certain Li Xuewu and Li Huai De saw them too.

“Director Li, technical competition is fine, reallocation is fine, reducing service and logistics posts is fine.”

She warned seriously: “But with such large-scale position shifts, you must pay attention to the ideological upheaval among these 8,000 and 11,000 people.”

“Comrade Xuewu raised several suggestions on this issue last week.”

Li Huai De flipped through the documents: “The precondition for mobilizing labor positions must be correct propaganda guidance and political education.”

“First, emphasize dedication—for the grand goal of group integration, for completing tertiary industry construction, for trade and production projects—we must not only form worker construction teams.”

He looked up at Gu Weijie and continued: “We must also form youth shock teams and labor production cultural propaganda teams.”

“We must even draw cadres from factory offices—to establish the advanced mindset of cadres leading, youth leading, and Party members leading…”

As Li Huai De redefined the entire initiative, imbuing this labor force with deeper political mission and labor significance,

Gu Weijie turned her head slightly, glancing at Li Xuewu—her eyes clearly said: You’re so devious!

Eliminating 8,000 workers isn’t enough—now he wants to cut down some office cadres too.

In other words, after solving workforce bloat, he’s now targeting bureaucratic inefficiency in management positions.

Brilliant!

From Li Huai De ’s words, it was clear: this task was arduous, honorable, and historic.

Who among the selected cadres would dare object?

Workers can fight to keep their posts through the technical competition—but office cadres can only obey reassignment!

Li Xuewu understood Gu Weijie’s look; he turned to her with a faint smile and added: “I suggest Comrade Shi Ruoweng, Deputy Director of the Management Committee Office, lead the cadre team to the frontline for labor—to set an example!”

Li Huai saw Gu Weijie’s surprised gaze and nodded, indicating that Li Xuewu had already discussed this matter with him.

He continued: “As long as the production and construction targets are not completed, the cadre-led teams will not be withdrawn, and we will continuously assign and recall cadres to labor for training, determined to accelerate the construction speed of the rolling mill project.”

“…”

Gu Weijie began to understand: this proposal wasn’t just about solving the problem of overstaffing in the rolling mill’s administrative posts; its deeper strategy was Li Huai and Li Xuewu reshaping the cadre corps.

Other factories are currently adjusting cadres under the guise of large-scale learning, sending them down for training and study—the rolling mill is much the same.

But comparatively, it’s gentler: at least it preserves cadres’ basic benefits and opportunities for advancement.

This isn’t about punishing them—it’s assigning them the historic mission of leading labor, sacrificing sweat for the rolling mill’s groupization goal.

They’re sent to lead labor, yet still hold management positions, overseeing the laborers on the front lines.

Li Huai also said: as long as the project isn’t finished, these cadres won’t be recalled.

Good grief—she’d seen Li Xuewu’s project development plans; this plan stretched at least five years ahead.

The administrative posts can’t remain vacant for five years; the high school and college graduates hired this past May and June are precisely who we need.

Young grassroots cadres will continuously rise up, advance into mid-level management roles, gradually replacing the old, rigid minds, achieving youthfulness and renewal in the cadre corps.

As for how to handle those cadres reassigned to labor teams—no one knows what will happen in five years.

If the rolling mill adds more construction projects in these five years, another five-year delay is possible.

Five years, then five more, then five again—by then, they’ll have lost all competitiveness, even if they don’t retire.

Gu Weijie thought of this, and cold sweat trickled down the back of her head—she never imagined this trap had been set right beneath her feet.

But Li Huai and Li Xuewu had invited her to this meeting precisely as another form of compromise and consultation.

She managed cadre personnel; the specific implementation plans and management systems still had to be executed through her.

They’d applied pressure, then offered a solution, and now they were handing her a slice of the cake—what could she possibly say?

“Second, we must emphasize the spirit of learning.”

Li Huai continued: “During labor and construction, we must strengthen collective and self-study!”

“We will regularly organize skill assessments; outstanding workers will be reassigned—either back to their original workshops or transferred to positions where they’re more needed.”

Well then!

Just now, when Li Huai emphasized cadre position changes, the “ten thousand one hundred…” wasn’t referring to people—it was person-times.

That is, being sent to the labor team isn’t permanent; as long as they pass the assessment, they’ll return to production posts.

Gu Weijie’s pressure eased considerably—eight thousand position adjustments would have caused chaos without this release valve.

Li Huai dared say it because he’d prepared—he continued: “Third, we must emphasize welfare and benefits.”

“At any post, there is a matching salary grade; technical rank remains unchanged, and wages remain unchanged.”

His meaning was clear: position adjustments aren’t punishment—they’re merely the rolling mill reallocating labor based on workers’ abilities and skills.

Wages unchanged, benefits unchanged, welfare unchanged—only the location and method of labor change.

“Fourth, we must emphasize the consciousness of being masters and successors, cultivating a sense of the bigger picture and correct technical values.”

Li Huai said: “Most new workers recruited by the rolling mill are children of current workers; the positions being adjusted are meant for their children.”

“We won’t uphold the outdated custom of fathers passing jobs to sons—that’s backward ideology. We’ll use technical evaluations!”

“If you’re reassigned, either improve yourself—compete through technical skill, compete for positions through ability.”

“Otherwise, you must submit to the bigger picture—you must make way for the rolling mill’s future and your own children’s future.”

Gu Weijie glanced at Li Huai, lowered her head, and silently took notes, still calculating in her mind.

“Regarding the future of this construction team, I have several suggestions and plans.”

Li Xuewu spoke up: “By the end of next year, the labor team will reach eleven thousand workers; I estimate three to four thousand will return to production posts.”

“That is, total numbers rise, and the number returning to posts also exists—but there’s a constant stream of those Beitaotai , creating a virtuous cycle.”

“According to next year’s new worker recruitment targets, the labor team’s size will remain dynamically between seven and eight thousand over the next two years.”

“My suggestion is: continuously cultivate new workers into production posts, and continuously eliminate unqualified technical workers into labor posts.”

“By the end of next year, the rolling mill’s total workforce will be around forty thousand; eight thousand represents one-fifth—this proves the rolling mill’s technical training and labor are meaningful.”

“These eight thousand will be continuously invested in construction—not only training their minds and tempering their will, but also supporting the rolling mill’s construction projects for the next five years.”

“Existing projects—including Beijing Worker’s New Village, Steel City Worker’s New Village, Liangma River Industrial Zone, Steel City Health and Resort Area, the new Steel City Rolling Mill Industrial Base, and other research, education, and living facilities—will all be launched within the next five years. Construction is a major issue.”

“With these eight thousand, only Dongfeng Construction needs to handle technical and project management—saving construction funds while training the workforce—a win-win.”

“I support Comrade Li Xuewu’s proposal.”

Li Huai swallowed a quit-smoking pill, busy with his hands, his mouth never still.

“The three production zones—Beijing, Steel City, and Yingcheng—will maintain thirty thousand industrial workers and retain eight thousand construction workers; we must continuously recruit workers over the next five years.”

“Of course, we won’t continue to send down thousands at a time as we do now.”

Li Huai explained to Gu Weijie: “Recruitment will focus on workers trained in our own vocational schools, as well as high school and college graduates from inside and outside the system.”

“Five years!”

He raised his hand, holding up a palm: “In five years, we’ll fully complete existing projects and gain continuous capacity for new ones.”

“New workers will possess highly standardized, compliant technical production capabilities; our finances will achieve a virtuous cycle; the entire factory will fully transition to a groupized production management model…”

Gu Weijie could see that Li Huai strongly supported Li Xuewu’s personnel proposal.

In subsequent discussions, she raised no new issues; regarding the two directions discussed, she agreed to revise next year’s personnel plan and bring it to the meeting next Monday.

Since Li Xuewu would soon meet with the Italian business delegation alongside Li Huai, she left the meeting first.

As she stepped out the door, she glanced back at the two still discussing, a knowing smile forming on her face.

The old fox plans to outwit everyone; the young fox plans to pull the chair, dismantle the old fox’s popular and political base, and chop off one of his legs.

This game is so fun!

“This is called a blueprint?!”

At ten a.m., Li Xuewu, as the commercial representative, met Andrew’s group downstairs at the guesthouse.

Their entourage was large—not because Andrew brought many people, but because higher-ups had assigned him a large commercial support team.

Li Xuewu glanced briefly at them, greeted them, then led Andrew and his team upstairs to the conference room.

The main office’s conference room was primarily for internal meetings; external meetings were mostly held at the guesthouse.

In the future, for external meetings or convenience within the city, we may also consider holding receptions at the International Hotel.

After brief pleasantries, everyone sat down on either side of the conference table at Li Huai’s invitation.

Andrew came with great sincerity and intended to leave with a clear stance.

So at the outset, he submitted a thick stack of shipbuilding blueprints to the rolling mill.

Xia Zhongquan, as chief engineer, attended with the technical office’s ship engineering staff.

Li Xuewu sat beside him, listening to Andrew, and idly pulled out a ship design blueprint to examine.

As he handled the blueprint, he couldn’t help whispering to Xia Zhongquan: “This is called a design blueprint?!”

He sneered: “What kind of junk is this? I could draw better.”

“…”

Xia Zhongquan blinked, looked at the blueprint in Li Xuewu’s hand, then recalled the soulful masterpieces of this “soul designer,” and nearly cried.

He was used to the soulful masterpieces; this “mediocre” design made him feel strangely heartbroken.

“Indeed, not as good as yours—at least, it lacks soul.”

“…”

Huaqing’s shipbuilding expert, Teacher Zhou, sat beside them; hearing their conversation, his lips twitched.

In his gaze toward Xia Zhongquan, there was a hint of pity—and a touch of contempt.

Pity for Xia Zhongquan’s endurance; contempt for how sycophantic Old Xia’s flattery was.

“Yeah, you get me!”

Li Xuewu smiled and nodded, giving Xia Zhongquan a look that said, “We’re on the same side.”

He considered himself a soul harvester, possessing over two hundred souls—how could anyone compete with him in soulful design?

Who dares say otherwise? Step forward and let me see!

I think your soul is perfect for this design—lend it to me!

Xia Zhongquan fully admired Li Xuewu’s design ability, but he couldn’t bring himself to praise Li Xuewu’s actual designs.

Faced with Li Xuewu’s smile, what could he do?

Of course—he returned a look of worship, then turned his head as if listening to the Italian representative.

Andrew had previously inspected the rolling mill’s production capacity and personally toured the shipyard in Jicheng with Li Xuewu.

This visit wasn’t just about continuing negotiations—he brought a complete cooperation and procurement plan.

It detailed production equipment and technology for fiberglass, diesel engines, transmissions, gearboxes, generators, and other power systems previously discussed.

Andrew stated his company could provide only the listed components; the rest must be procured domestically.

Li Xuewu had prepared extensively for today’s talks and had no objections.

As the rolling mill’s commercial negotiator, he proactively explained the cooperation status for core components.

Except for fiberglass, which required cooperation with Beijing Glass Factory, all other equipment would be independently produced by the rolling mill.

Andrew had already received the cooperation plan for this section, so both sides quickly reached an agreement on core components.

“Yacht manufacturing isn’t the work of one person or one factory.”

He spread his hands across the desk: “I don’t doubt your shipbuilding capability, but yachts are special—especially regarding component procurement.”

“Mr. Andrew.”

Li Xuewu spoke in French, then gestured to Andrew’s secretary to translate into Chinese for the others.

"Our factory’s decision to accept your company’s production order is not the result of impulsive talk or an attempt to deceive your time and emotions; our goals are aligned."

He spoke sincerely: "The path of development and construction will never be smooth. We are willing to work hand in hand with your company, united in effort, to overcome every obstacle and challenge along the way."

"We also ask Mr. Andrew to share our confidence in this cooperation—any issues or difficulties can be raised at any time."

"Thank you, Mr. Li Xuewu."

Andrew nodded to his accompanying staff, saw the concerned gazes of everyone in the meeting room, then spoke: "I have several procurement requirements to raise."

Li Xuewu calmly tilted his head slightly, signaling he was ready to listen.

Andrew nodded and said: "First, the auxiliary machinery for the cabin, including air compressors and their Peitao , air conditioning and refrigeration systems, pressure vessels, and other equipment."

"Good, acceptable, no problem."

Li Xuewu carefully reached for a document from the pile beside him and placed it in the center of the table.

"This is a cooperation agreement between our factory and the Jingcheng Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing Plant, primarily concerning the procurement of equipment for retrofitting refrigerated trains."

As the interpreter quietly detailed the document to the other side, Li Xuewu added briefly: "We can procure air compressors, air conditioners, and pressure vessels from the refrigeration equipment plant according to your specified standards."

The interpreter nodded to Andrew at the end of the translation, confirming the document’s authenticity and completeness.

Andrew was surprised—he hadn’t expected the rolling mill factory to possess such a large asset as a refrigerated transport train.

He glanced at the document in the interpreter’s hands, then turned back to Li Xuewu: "We also need to procure deck machinery, including mooring equipment, anchors, anchor chains, and anchor winches."

"And"

Before Li Xuewu could respond, he continued: "Life rings, life rafts, waterproof suits, heat-insulating suits, thermal suits, fire extinguishers, and other fire safety equipment."

"Instruments, electrical and electronic devices, wiring and circuits, communication electronics—marine electrical systems."

"Spray equipment, sandblasting tools, grinding wheels and abrasives, special paints, and other surface treatment equipment."

He rattled off a long list of procurement demands, as if emphasizing the unique complexity of yacht manufacturing.

"Don’t mention paint and spray tools—we’re a professional shipyard."

Li Xuewu’s reply was direct and crisp: "Deck machinery, marine electrical systems, engineering equipment, surface treatment needs—all can be directly procured and assembled from the Yingcheng Shipbuilding Factory."

"We also have instruments and control systems at Yingcheng Shipbuilding Factory. If you have special requirements, we have a dedicated design and research team to handle specialized production guidance."

He flipped through documents and handed the interpreter a cooperation agreement with the Jingcheng Television Factory.

"Our factory is currently collaborating with the Jingcheng Television Factory on tertiary industry construction to meet engineering needs for electrical instruments and other equipment."

He didn’t care whether the interpreter could clearly explain the meaning of “tertiary industry.”

"Life rings, life rafts, waterproof suits, heat-insulating suits, thermal suits, fire extinguishers, and other fire safety equipment—no problem at all."

Li Xuewu turned and smiled at Li Huai, saying: "Our factory has its own fire safety equipment manufacturing plant—our products sell very well."

Li Huai felt Li Xuewu’s confidence and smiled faintly, his gaze toward Andrew brimming with pride.

How could a family-run shipyard possibly compare to a corporation striving to build a trust? It’s a fly trying to shake a tree.

We’re called the Rolling Mill Factory—do you really think we only roll steel?!

Li Huai now increasingly looked forward to forming a conglomerate—soon we’ll be called Hongxing Group, a name that makes people envious.

The people in the meeting room weren’t just from the rolling mill factory, nor merely Italian representatives; officials from the Waishi Force, Industrial Force, and other departments had sensed Andrew’s intent and now wore knowing smiles.

Seeing Li Xuewu answer so effortlessly, Andrew frowned seriously as he examined the documents Li Xuewu had handed over.

The interpreter rapidly explained the contract’s contents and assured him of the reliability of the cooperation.

"Yacht manufacturing is a highly complex and rigorous engineering project."

Andrew seemed to be justifying his nitpicking and concerns; he glanced at the documents again and added: "Beyond industrial infrastructure, you also need abundant living equipment."

"Including offices, living quarters, kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, electrical appliances, decorations, and more."

He explained: "On a yacht, you’ll need welding, cutting, non-destructive testing—requiring special glass, hardware, plastics, rubber, steel, wood, and more."

"Hehehe~"

Li Xuewu wasn’t surprised by Andrew’s emphasis—he even chuckled.

His behavior today was nothing like the man who had stared blankly at the blueprints earlier.

Xia Zhongquan admired this most about him: whether he understood something or not, he’d boldly bluff—and somehow land it right on target!

"Special glass, hardware, plastics, rubber, steel—all can be procured from the United Tertiary Industry Enterprises."

Li Xuewu spread his hands and smiled: "I told you—have confidence in our cooperation. We are a large enterprise."

"The offices, living quarters, kitchens, bathrooms, electrical appliances, wooden furniture, and decorations—you can produce them yourselves."

"If our factory can’t produce it, we have United Enterprises. If United Enterprises can’t produce it, we can procure it from supply chain partners."

Li Xuewu pointed to the wooden furniture item in the proposal and added: "Funny enough, we just received word."

He scanned the faces around the table and smiled: "Our cooperating distributor is about to build a large furniture manufacturing plant in Jinmen."

"Hahaha~"

Everyone in the room chuckled at Li Xuewu’s humorous tone.

Andrew still harbored doubts, but kept a gentlemanly smile on his face.

He had indeed intended to use the complexity of yacht manufacturing to pressure the rolling mill factory during negotiations.

Don’t say foreigners don’t know how to apply pressure—they play it masterfully!

The willingness to cooperate was strong, but that didn’t stop him from deliberately making things difficult for the rolling mill factory.

If the rolling mill factory showed even a hint of hesitation or uncertainty on the negotiation table, they’d be psychologically dominated.

This was about control and Huayuquan in the entire cooperation process.

Andrew hadn’t expected the rolling mill factory to be so thoroughly prepared—every issue had a solution and answer.

It was as if the rolling mill factory already had everything—only his old man’s design and manufacturing plan was missing.

In this negotiation game, the trump card he led with at the start had no effect on Li Xuewu.

Others seeing that pile of blueprints would be stunned, bewildered, awed, and impressed.

But for Li Xuewu, it only earned the comment: "What the hell is this drawing? Mine’s better."

That’s what ignorance breeds fearlessness—scholar meets soldier, reason falls flat.

Andrew knew he couldn’t win this argument, but he still had a trick up his sleeve.

As the negotiation neared its end, Andrew invited the rolling mill factory delegation to visit Jinmen and tour the Yingcheng Shipbuilding Factory for an on-site inspection.

The Italians had already submitted this arrangement in advance; his verbal invitation now was merely a gesture of politeness.

Li Huai, as head of the rolling mill factory, first thanked Andrew for the invitation and reciprocated with an invitation of his own.

He invited Andrew’s company to establish operations at the rolling mill factory’s trade center in Jinmen.

The negotiations ended with mutual courtesy and a harmonious atmosphere.

The guesthouse dining hall had already prepared a grand Chinese banquet to welcome the rolling mill factory’s god of wealth.

Following the negotiation protocol, after lunch, Li Huai and Li Xuewu led personnel from the rolling mill factory’s Foreign Affairs Office, Economic and Trade Office, Technical Office, and Management Committee, accompanied by officials from the Waishi Force, Foreign Economic Relations, and Industrial Force, to the Jingcheng Railway Station and boarded the train to Jinmen.

In the negotiation meeting, Li Huai’s invitation was no different from Andrew’s false courtesy.

Andrew had already communicated with Li Xuewu—he would station his technical and production management teams in Jinmen.

Due to circumstances and political conditions, the trade center in Jinmen had rented several offices for operations.

Why station the office in Jinmen?

The office should have been in Yingcheng, but the technicians and management team were his own—foreigners who needed living and entertainment amenities, which the mainland couldn’t and wouldn’t provide.

Jinmen Port frequently had cargo ships shuttling to Gangcheng; his people all had “homes” in Gangcheng, so placing the office in Jinmen made it convenient for these foreigners to return for holidays.

Foreigners’ lifestyles differed from those of mainland workers—they believed work was work, but life and recreation were essential.

Especially in this era, technical personnel were highly valued—they were Andrew’s precious treasures.

This time, Andrew’s commercial negotiation team would accompany Li Huai to Jinmen and stay overnight at the Jinmen Trade Center.

There would be a simple Ruzhu ceremony at the Jinmen Trade Center, and Andrew would arrange for his team to begin work immediately.

Tomorrow morning, Li Xuewu, as the rolling mill factory’s negotiation representative, would board Andrew’s yacht with the others to inspect and negotiate at the Yingcheng Shipbuilding Factory.

Li Huai would never board the other side’s vessel, especially not on a sea crossing—what if something went wrong?

Andrew’s technical and production management teams were already waiting in Jinmen; they would join the fleet to Yingcheng and provide a supplementary construction plan.

The temporary negotiation process was set. Li Xuewu now saw clearly: Andrew the old man seemed to want to show off.

Because this commercial negotiation team was important and large, they had coordinated with Jingcheng Station for a soft-seat carriage.

The train ride was interesting—Li Huai knew the accompanying officials from the Industrial Force and Foreign Economic Relations.

Liu Shaozong, Deputy Director of the Planning Division, First Bureau, Industrial Force.

Gao Ya, Deputy Director of the European Technical Division, Foreign Economic Relations.

The accompanying Deputy Director from the Waishi Force was an old acquaintance of Li Xuewu: Zhou Gancheng.

The same Waishi Force officer who had handled Li Shu’s case in the Northeast.

The two stood at the train’s connecting passage, each holding an unlit cigarette, staring at each other in silence—quite comical.

Li Xuewu noticed Zhou Gancheng’s odd look—clearly thinking: How the hell did this kid become a Deputy Director?!