Chapter 982: Major Adjustment

I’ll see you off

Oh, how could I possibly accept that?

Xu Si smiled warmly at Li Xuewu and said, “It’s not far at all—I might even return to Beijing for a meeting someday.”

Let’s go, let’s talk

Li Xuewu laughed, patted his arm, ignored his protests, and stepped out the door first.

Xu Si helplessly blinked his eyes and followed him out.

About the promotion—you need to start preparing now, get ahead of the curve

Li Xuewu stepped into the car, chatting with Xu Si about work matters.

Xu Si got in from the other side, closed the door, and signaled the driver to go.

I’ll handle this as soon as I get back—I’ll gather the documents gradually, no delays

Mm, you’re better at this than I am

Li Xuewu nodded firmly: “You know the current situation as well as I do—the leadership has reservations and didn’t explain clearly to you, so they specifically asked me to come see you off.”

Looking at Xu Si, Li Xuewu slightly narrowed his eyes and said, “Opportunities are rare—seize this one.”

I understand!

Xu Si nodded seriously: “Don’t worry—the shipyard is united, we’ll obey leadership and do our work well.”

Mm, call him more often

Li Xuewu patted his knee; though he didn’t name anyone, Xu Si knew he meant Director Li.

“Actually, he prefers hearing your direct reports—keep it simple, clear, straightforward.”

As he spoke, Li Xuewu pinched his knee and added, “The key is to focus on the essentials.”

I’m just worried he’s too busy

Xu Si hesitated, then replied, “I’ll pay attention to this—please help me maintain it.”

You don’t need to tell me that

Li Xuewu leaned back, half-closing his eyes, and said, “Anything I can do for you, I won’t let you lose out—but you must be careful too.”

I know—I’ve been overworking lately

Xu Si shook his head slightly, thinking of Li Xuewu’s warning, realizing where he’d gone wrong.

Li Xuewu dismissed it: “Even if he values performance, he needs to know how you’re doing it—don’t complain about hard work; he doesn’t care.”

Li Xuewu didn’t bother avoiding the driver as he spoke to Xu Si.

Peng Xiao sat in the front passenger seat, his eyes flicking toward the driver—he’d taken Sha Qi’s advice to heart and had been acting carefully lately.

The car left the Trade Management Center, followed the main road, and reached the dock in just a few minutes.

Andrew’s technical and management staff begin on-site work today.

So the yacht must make another trip to Yingcheng to deliver these people and materials.

According to Andrew, he won’t be leaving the mainland for some time.

He’s mainly worried about Yingcheng and won’t feel secure until the shipbuilding machinery ordered from elsewhere arrives and is installed.

Li Xuewu left him to it—after the agreement was signed, this part of the work was handed over to the shipyard to coordinate directly with him.

Unless there’s a major issue or special policy or financial circumstances, the rolling mill won’t directly intervene in this project anymore.

At the dock, Li Xuewu pulled out two cigarettes, handed one to Xu Si, lit one himself, and tossed the rest to Peng Xiao.

Knowing the leadership wanted to talk, Peng Xiao raised his Huazi cigarette, gestured for Xiao Liu to step aside and light up.

Each lit a cigarette; Li Xuewu took a drag and stood facing the Haihe River.

Even in winter, cargo ships still plied the Haihe River—before road and rail transport met freight demands, water transport was a vital supplement.

Li Xuewu pointed to the passing cargo ships and told Xu Si, “Whenever I see this scene, I know the shipyard won’t lack work for the next thirty years.”

“So we need to hire more people~”

Xu Si, cigarette in his mouth, leaned on the iron railing, gazing at the water-side dock below: “I’ve got real drive now—better than sitting in an office.”

You can have people, but you must control them

Li Xuewu turned, facing away from the wind, sniffed, and said, “Maintain internal stability and external security.”

“More people means all kinds of characters—big forest, all kinds of fools—so use iron fists with a compassionate heart.”

“Especially you, an outsider”

Li Xuewu tapped him, then spoke coldly: “If there’s any troublemaker, remove him fast—dump him on the hardest post, work him to exhaustion, and you’ll have peace for a whole year.”

…

Xu Si hesitated, lowered his head, took the cigarette from his lips, and said nothing.

Li Xuewu understood his concerns, but this wasn’t the time for softness—any vagueness could cause disaster.

“You set the limits yourself—but if problems arise, consider whether your small frame can plug a giant hole.”

“Don’t make promises to me—they’re useless”

Rejecting Xu Si’s explanation before he could speak, Li Xuewu waved his hand: “Time’s short—I’ll give you the bare essentials.”

“You can ask the Security Department for support personnel—fine”

Li Xuewu nodded: “But Sha Qi isn’t suitable—he lacks the will to crush resistance; he can’t control the scene.”

“That’s too harsh?”

Xu Si frowned slightly: “The shipyard’s situation is still stable, especially with the benefits…”

“Mm~ It’s not about that~”

Li Xuewu took a drag, flicked his cigarette, and said, “I told you to have a compassionate heart—but act like a wrathful golden deity. Benefits don’t solve real problems.”

“Let me give you a real example”

He leaned close to Xu Si and whispered: “New Year bonus: two yuan. Dragon Boat Festival bonus: two yuan. Labor Day bonus: fifty fen—would you be happy?”

“Remember this”

Li Xuewu tapped his chest: “Never set expectations too high for your subordinates—otherwise, you’ll lose your freedom to manage.”

“The factory won’t always have benefits”

“The factory…”

Xu Si recalled this year’s annual work plan research materials—there had been repeated mentions of financial hardship.

He knew this year was critical, a year to tighten belts—under such conditions, the risk of problems exploding would rise sharply.

“Then… who can Security assign?”

“Wei Tong”

Li Xuewu tapped him: “Last year he spent the whole year in the mountains training—his skills are solid; it’s up to you how you use him.”

“But I’m warning you upfront!”

He reminded Xu Si: “I brought him out—I’m giving him to you, but don’t waste him.”

“They’re all young cadres—don’t teach them fluff; they’re not at the stage to enjoy comforts yet—especially… you know!”

He flicked his cigarette butt away, waved to Peng Xiao, signaling they could return.

“Alright, that’s all”

Ignoring Xu Si’s politeness, he casually waved and got into the car.

After Peng Xiao got in, Li Xuewu rolled down the window and said, “Have a safe trip,” then headed back.

He didn’t want to see him onto the boat—it wasn’t worth wasting time.

He came to see him off only because they were close and had things to clarify.

Back from the dock, without even resting, he and Li Huai joined the entire office team and got into the car.

They had to catch the morning train back to Beijing; on the way, he gave Zhuang Cangshu his opinions and suggestions on managing and developing the Jinmen Trade Management Center.

Li Huai sat beside him, nodding occasionally in agreement.

He never doubted Li Xuewu’s competence in business and management.

This young man had great talent and wisdom—he could handle things alone; if not for his age, he’d already have been sent to a branch factory for training.

Two years in Yingcheng or Gangcheng, and he’d return as a deputy-factory-level leader, a true asset.

When the convoy reached the train station, Li Huai gave Zhuang Cangshu final instructions: study Director Li’s words carefully—they’re useful.

Zhuang Cangshu nodded sincerely, saying he’d remembered everything and would study hard upon returning.

Li Xuewu didn’t care about his attitude—unlike Li Huai, he judged only by ability: if it’s good, fine; if not, replace him.

The Jinmen Trade Management Center holds authority over all regional offices—this position is crucial.

In the future, it will control all market-oriented trade and sales channels for the rolling mill; as more offices open and business grows, it will eventually be promoted to deputy-factory level.

With thirteen regional layouts, the Trade Management Center already ranks among the top—right now, with few offices and limited influence, it hasn’t yet leveraged current policies to apply for promotion.

Because he’d warned them ahead of time and the group was large, nearly half the train car was filled with rolling mill personnel.

Li Xuewu and Li Huai sat together, sipping tea and discussing the morning newspaper.

“Yingcheng work isn’t easy~”

Li Huai watched the white landscape flash by outside, cupping his tea and sighing.

Li Xuewu lifted his eyelids, sipped hot tea, and murmured, “From Director Xu’s demeanor, he seems confident.”

“He’s holding back anger”

Li Huai tilted his head slightly, cheerfully quoting: “A hundred battles in yellow sand wear through golden armor—until Loulan falls, I won’t return.”

“His anger is directed at himself—what does it have to do with others?”

Li Xuewu cupped his tea, sneered: “After years cooped up in an office, his ambition’s worn thin.”

“You two complement each other perfectly!”

Li Huai de averted his gaze, smiled at Li Xuewu, and said, “That’s why everyone says you’re sworn brothers.”

“Nonsense~”

Li Xuewu shook his head with amusement and said, “It’s only because Director Xu has a good temper and never cared about such things—I certainly wouldn’t joke about it.”

He lightly tapped his teacup with his fingers, and under Li Huai de’s gaze, added, “But when it comes to friendship, I truly admire Director Xu’s work ability.”

“Mm, indeed.”

Li Huai de nodded in agreement with Li Xuewu’s view, his eyes shifting to the teacup beside him. “Practicality is always better than empty theorizing—too much theorizing ruins a person.”

“That’s exactly what I said~”

Li Xuewu tapped the newspaper beside him. “Looks like they’re going to crack down on real work—they’re coming for people.”

“Just for this?”

Li Huai de glanced at the newspaper and smirked slightly with disdain.

Li Xuewu sat up straight and explained softly, “He’s still cautious, especially at this time.”

“Too much is as bad as too little~”

Li Huai de picked up the newspaper and read it, saying, “Worry is normal, but you can’t be like the man who fears the sky will fall.”

“So I didn’t give it to Shai Qi—I gave it to Wei Tong.”

Li Xuewu explained, “He’s spent a year grinding on the training ground—it’s time to send him down for real experience.”

“Mainly the shipyard.”

He looked at Li Huai de and raised an eyebrow meaningfully. “Someone needs to keep him in check.”

Li Huai de understood the hidden meaning in his words and nodded slowly, tacitly approving the arrangement.

In fact, many cadres had accompanied Xu Si to take over the shipyard—all of them elite personnel selected at the time.

But even with personnel transfers, it still couldn’t match the shipyard’s pace of development.

For this year’s year-end meeting, Li Huai de had already planned a large-scale reshuffling of the cadre ranks.

The main goal was to dilute the local cadres from the shipyard and steel plant, preventing them from forming absolute power networks.

Li Huai de knew all too well the dangers of local fiefdoms—it had been his ongoing campaign to suppress them since taking control of the rolling mill.

Including Li Xuewu’s faction—Dong Wenhua in Gangcheng, Li Xuewu in Jingcheng—otherwise he wouldn’t be able to sleep a wink.

There was another reason he hadn’t placed special restrictions on Li Xuewu: the man knew how to handle people and affairs well.

Whether in the Security Group or the Office, he never formed rigid superior-subordinate relationships.

He could use Sun Jian, Xiao Zihong, or Chu Yougong—he had the capacity to tolerate others and never formed exclusive cliques.

Even the few who ate together in the canteen—he saw them as clearly as glass, and they meant nothing to him.

What can be exposed to sunlight has no taint of conspiracy.

But the shipyard issue Li Xuewu raised, he actually agreed with.

Don’t underestimate the dark corners—even if overlooked, they’re the most fertile ground for bacteria.

You might think Li Huai de sometimes secretly indulges himself, even tolerating cadres like Xu Siying to play a few tricks.

But! He absolutely didn’t want to see problems among the lower-level cadres.

As Li Xuewu said when parting from Xu Si at the dock: young cadres are still growing—don’t ruin their “Dao heart.”

This vague, elusive thing can’t be explained clearly, nor can it be judged simply by rank—when is it okay to do small wrongs, when not?

Take Li Xuewu—he’s so young. If you forbid him to have fun, can you really control him?

You say indulgence leads to neglect and hinders progress—but what’s really holding him back isn’t these hobbies, it’s his age.

The standard for restraining cadres from mistakes should be based on ideological maturity.

Take Li Xuewu—for instance: even if you lure him with wealth and beauty, he’ll take your money, accept your favors, and still kick you in the teeth with full clarity.

He doesn’t need Li Huai de or other leaders to worry about him—instead, those with ill intentions should worry: don’t get killed by his hands.

Look at how flamboyant Li Huai de is now—has he ever delayed work? Used power for personal gain? Embezzled public funds?

Minor personnel arrangements naturally occur, but they never cause real impact.

Even when Liu Lan wanted to become a section-level manager of the canteen, he hesitated for a long time, then found an excuse to remove him.

Look at Zhou Miaomiao—wasn’t she promoted to deputy team leader only because she was the most outstanding and hardest-working in the unit?

Perhaps without Li Xuewu proposing the groupization goal, without going to Yangcheng for the foreign exhibition, without seeing the big picture, without meeting foreign merchants and understanding the outside world, he’d have become even more corrupt.

But with lofty ambitions, higher pursuits, and those goals within reach—achievable within the next few years—do you think he’d sacrifice the big picture for petty gains?

On the train, Li Xuewu articulated power with exceptional clarity—Li Huai de was one of those who understood it too.

No one can escape the control and constraints of power—it’s only a matter of how high a goal one sets for oneself.

So ideological dynamics were what Li Huai de cared about most—and the most rigorously monitored.

Operations could be handed to Li Xuewu or other deputy directors, because operations are tangible.

Production, personnel, even propaganda and safety—all these could be judged by tangible results.

But ideological work was hard to grasp, elusive, and unpredictable.

Everything else could be delegated and supervised—but ideological work, Li Huai de always kept firmly in his own hands.

Including the vanguard Youth Shock Teams and Propaganda Teams, the former Party Affairs Office, Ideological Education departments—all merged into the Office for easier management.

Today’s newspaper report deeply alarmed him, so he began with Yingcheng, testing Li Xuewu’s attitude.

Li Xuewu’s answer was direct: he pointed to Wei Tong’s assignment and outlined measures for positive incentives and negative examples.

On the surface, he was reporting on tasks assigned by Xu Si—but in truth, he was expressing his own stance, offering opinions and advice to Li Huai de.

Li Huai de knew Li Xuewu’s tactics all too well—they were the same ones he’d used consistently at the rolling mill: simple, direct, and highly effective.

Benevolent heart, thunderous methods.

So the factory folks all said Li Xuewu had a black hand—but was a good man.

The rolling mill had gradually developed a management consensus: use benefits and treatment as incentives, and reassignments or dismissals as negative examples, to establish new values.

Li Huai de’s calm demeanor stemmed from the rolling mill’s head start in reform—he had the advantage of ahead-of-the-curve thinking.

This made him cherish even more the current stability and the ideological landscape he controlled.

On the train, the two didn’t rest—they discussed and studied continuously, eventually forming a consensus.

Combining this year’s key tasks, analyzing current trends, they established guidelines: solve practical production difficulties, fully advance existing projects, strive to break through economic trade barriers, and strengthen ideological construction.

They would make 1967 the Year of Development and Construction for the Rolling Mill, focusing on completing existing projects and production.

Fully implement integrated construction of technology, safety, management, and production; strive to build a welfare and benefit system for the Rolling Mill, laying a solid foundation for achieving groupization.

Li Xuewu gave this report a novel title: “Plant the Parasol Tree, and the Golden Phoenix Will Come.”

Li Huai de commented that the title had the flavor of “In books lie golden houses, in books lie beautiful women.”

Although he teased Li Xuewu on the train, after returning to the Rolling Mill, he used this article as the speech for the expanded meeting.

On January 1st, at 3:30 p.m., the train arrived at Jingcheng Station.

The factory’s vehicle fleet came to meet them; everyone boarded the cars and headed straight for the Rolling Mill.

Zhou Xiaobai and Luo Yun, as before, got into Li Xuewu’s command car, and driver Han Jiankun dropped them off at the Club.

Li Xuewu returned to the Rolling Mill in Li Huai de’s car.

Just half an hour after arriving and resting, he convened the first expanded meeting of the 1967 Hongxing Rolling Mill, as previously arranged by Li Huai de.

At the meeting, Li Xuewu delivered his second speech: “On Upholding Self-Reliance and Hard Work, and Upholding the Concept of Scientific and Technological Development.”

Li Huai de delivered his policy guidance speech: “Plant the Parasol Tree, and the Golden Phoenix Will Come.”

Other leaders also made statements on this year’s work plans and goals.

Especially Cheng Kaiyuan, who gave a summary speech on the Rolling Mill’s heavy industry development and provided a timetable-style plan for this year’s goals.

Li Xuewu glanced at the top of his desk and saw that Old Li’s expression remained unchanged, though his upright posture seemed slightly dissatisfied.

By the time the meeting ended, it was nearly quitting time, so he didn’t bother returning to his office.

He handed his materials and notebook to Peng Xiaoli, then called Sun Jian, Shai Qi, and others to smoke in the hall.

Zhou Yao didn’t smoke, but Deputy Head of Security Wang Yimin did.

Old Wang had known Li Xuewu the longest—he was the one who took Li Xuewu on his first field assignment to Northeast China when he first joined the factory.

Wang Yimin was originally from Dong Wenhua’s circle; after several reorganizations of the Security Department, when Han Yating went to the International Hotel, Li Xuewu appointed him as Zhou Yao’s deputy.

After leaving the meeting, Wang Yimin walked with Zhou Yao, talking all the way—they clearly worked together with great synergy.

Li Xuewu took a drag, squinting from the smoke, and pointed his cigarette toward the two, smiling: “Still going?”

“Talking about this year’s political training.”

Wang Yimin took the cigarette Peng Xiaoli offered, smiled, declined his light, and pulled out his own matchbox.

“Mm, no wonder it smells so good—it’s Zhonghua cigarettes~”

“Hehe~ The leader’s spoils~”

Sun Jian glanced at Li Xuewu and explained, “Director Li just got back and suffered a huge loss—his office was completely ransacked.”

“Hehehe~”

Everyone chuckled, glancing meaningfully at Sun Jian, then at Li Xuewu, waiting for his reaction.

Director Sun was saying Director Li suffered a loss—but of course, that wasn’t the real meaning.

Among those standing, Zhou Yao was the youngest—but she was a college graduate, had trained for over half a year, and had learned her wits long ago.

Now, everyone smoked or chuckled quietly—no one spoke up.

Li Xuewu exhaled smoke and asked Wei Tong, “How’s the training ground going?”

“The three batches of training classes held before the New Year progressed smoothly—the fourth batch is already being prepared for spring.”

Wei Tong flicked ash from his cigarette and said, “The management office has ample financial resources, mainly because training funds are fully allocated, meeting all training outline requirements.”

“Winter logistics are a bit strained, but with support from the Third Garrison’s reclamation area, joint construction with Hongxing Village, and backing from the office, we’ll get through the winter smoothly.”

“In personnel matters, the main issue is still the lack of a director—the Director Wang hasn’t arrived yet~”

“Mm-hmm.”

Li Xuewu nodded and said, “I understand. I’ll address it during the next round of adjustments.”

Just as Wei Tong assumed the leader had asked casually out of concern and had finished the topic, he suddenly heard the leader call out to him: “Get ready. Hand over your current duties.”

“...?”

Wei Tong froze, bewildered—he was doing fine, why was he being reassigned?

Those around him had already sensed the shift; their gazes toward Wei Tong carried envy and congratulations.

Li Xuewu took a drag from his cigarette, studied Wei Tong, then added: “Go to the shipyard. Take over the Security Department.”

“I... Yes, sir!”

Only then did Wei Tong realize—he beamed with joy and gave Li Xuewu a crisp salute.

Zhou Yao clapped first, smiling; others joined in, offering their congratulations to Wei Tong.

Cadres and staff passing through the Security Building tiptoed by, cautious—when they saw the leaders applauding, they inquired and learned it was Wei Tong’s good fortune.

Though the shipyard’s current rank is low, word has spread that this year it will be upgraded to deputy-factory level.

That means the shipyard’s Security Department will also be upgraded to deputy-department level.

Wei Tong had only been promoted to Squad Leader half a year ago; though he endured solitude in the mountains, tempered his character, and delivered results, this opportunity was extraordinarily rare.

Of course, even if the shipyard and its Security Department are upgraded, the department head isn’t automatically deputy-department level.

But with the position’s elevated rank, Wei Tong’s promotion to deputy-department level is now all but certain.

In four or five years, if there’s no major work failure, achieving results means three years; no results means five.

After Li Xuewu, becoming deputy-department level at twenty-eight or twenty-nine, Wei Tong is essentially riding a rocket.

Facing everyone’s congratulations, Wei Tong grinned broadly, politely thanked them all, then turned to Li Xuewu and formally expressed his gratitude.

Privately, Li Xuewu didn’t lecture about organizational discipline—just nodded and said: “The shipyard has many historical issues, complex worker conflicts, and tangled organizational structures.”

He emphasized: “Director Xu specifically requested you—he saw your achievements in the mountains and sent you there to endure hardship. Don’t get too excited yet.”

“I understand. I won’t let you down.”

Wei Tong replied seriously: “I’ll consult with Director Xu on how to carry out the work, strictly follow organizational discipline, and resolutely safeguard factory security.”

“Mm-hmm. I have faith in you.”

Li Xuewu nodded, then turned to Bian Meirui of the Fire Prevention Section—she had been transferred from Discipline and Inspection when the Security Group was formed and had always served as Han Zhan’s deputy.

Xu Ning was reassigned to the Frontier Office; Han Zhan went to Gangcheng to take over as head of the steel plant’s Security Department. Now, the Fire Prevention Section has only one deputy section chief.

Li Xuewu wanted to complete the Security Group’s leadership team by year’s start, so he couldn’t afford delays—he had to make changes across the board.

Bian Meirui came from Discipline and Inspection; though she held the rank of full section chief, she had performed well as deputy head of Fire Prevention.

Especially since Han Zhan had recommended her to succeed him as head of the Fire Prevention Section.

Li Xuewu had risen higher, but his mind hadn’t drifted—he knew exactly what was happening below.

To fill the Fire Prevention Section’s leadership, Bian Meirui couldn’t be promoted directly—she had to be moved outward. That was the unwritten rule of personnel management.

“Section Chief Bian, organize your Fire Prevention Section’s work. Report to Wei Tong for handover next Monday.”

Li Xuewu studied him for several seconds before calling his name.

Before he could react, Li Xuewu turned to Jiang Zhiben, head of the Confidentiality Section.

He was a cadre promoted by Dong Wenhua when Fu Bin fell from power and had remained in the Confidentiality Section ever since.

“Comrade Zhiben, hand over Confidentiality Section duties to Comrade Chuanxuan. Go to the front line and lead the Fire Prevention Section.”

Li Xuewu looked at Lu Chuanxuan, deputy head of the Confidentiality Section and former deputy section chief from Discipline and Inspection, and nodded: “You’ll take over the Confidentiality Section.”

“Yes!”

Bian Meirui, Lu Chuanxuan, and Jiang Zhiben all snapped to attention and saluted. Two were promoted to full positions; one moved from office to frontline—all advanced on the first day of the new year.

All three were over thirty; no special instructions were needed—they knew how to do their jobs.

In just a few words, Li Xuewu reshuffled the entire Security Group’s leadership.

Of course, today’s remarks were only spoken downstairs in the lobby—later, Gu Weijie and Personnel would conduct formal organizational talks with each section chief.

Before taking office, each would also report individually to Li Xuewu—there was plenty of time to brief him.

Ding~ ding~ ding~

As Li Xuewu finished speaking, the end-of-shift bell rang, and the broadcast speaker activated on schedule.

The stirring melody and passionate lyrics of “Sailing the Sea Relies on the Helmsman” infused the workers emerging from the workshops with renewed spirit.

A creaking of desks and chairs echoed through the Security Building, followed by footsteps from the corridor.

Off-duty workers, startled to see the leaders standing in the lobby, quickly smoothed their expressions and greeted them with smiles.

Li Xuewu took his final drag, gestured toward the exit, and said: “Pack up and go home. That’s all.”

He walked out first; a group of section and deputy-section chiefs followed to see him off, making it quite an occasion.

Li Xuewu smiled wryly, waved them off, and stepped into the command vehicle.

Peng Xiaoli jumped into the passenger seat; after Han Jiankun and the other leaders were ready, he pressed the accelerator and drove off.

At the Security Building’s entrance, the crowd watched the command vehicle turn the corner and vanish, then exchanged glances and smiled.

Except for the Comprehensive Section, Security Section, and Inspection Section—all other sections underwent changes.

Sun Jian, head of the Comprehensive Section, had only been transferred in under half a year, so he remained.

Deputy head of the Comprehensive Section, Sha Qi, also served as head of the Foreign Affairs Office and had long assisted Li Xuewu in foreign reception and trade management.

Zhou Yao, head of the Security Section, and Wang Yimin, deputy head, had just been reassigned during Han Yating’s recent reassignment, so they remained unchanged.

Meng Niansheng, head of the Inspection Section, and He Wenfu, deputy head, were both transferred from the Inspection Department—perfectly matched to their roles, so they remained.

In 1967, according to the factory’s development trends, Li Xuewu had completed his layout—this team would remain unchanged for the foreseeable future.

Because those who should rise had risen, those who should fall had fallen, those who should advance had advanced, and those who should be reassigned had been reassigned—the seeds of personnel change had been sown, waiting three to five years to bloom.

The goal was a garden bursting with vibrant flowers; if any withered branches appeared, simply prune them locally.

At the factory gate, a dense crowd either pushed carts or carried bags out; under the lights, it was bustling.

Seeing the crowd ahead, Li Xuewu told Han Jiankun to stop the car and wait until the peak passed.

He had left early today; usually, department leaders emerged half an hour after shift end, avoiding the rush at the gate.

There were dedicated vehicle entrances, but after winter, snow removal continued inside the factory area while the external branch roads were left unattended.

Drivers dared to drive themselves, but with leaders inside, they feared accidents—so everyone used this entrance.

On-duty Ren An sprinted from the guardhouse, saluted, and greeted the vehicle.

Li Xuewu opened the door, stepped out, pointed toward the crowd, and asked: “Are emergency protective measures in place?”

“Yes, sir.”

Ren An gestured for Li Xuewu to step forward, then pointed to the security posts stationed in sections at the gate: “Every day at this time, we deploy anti-crush and crowd-management teams.”

“Later, suggest to the Office that we redesign the gate—separate pedestrian and vehicle traffic.”

Li Xuewu turned to Peng Xiaoli and added: “Point to the gate entrance to clarify my meaning.”

Peng Xiaoli jotted notes, then asked: “Sir, should this be submitted under the Office’s name or the Security Group’s?”

“Security Group.”

Li Xuewu nodded, turned to Ren An: “Submit a proposal through the Security Platoon. The Comprehensive Office will compile it, then forward it to the Office for handling.”

“Yes!”

Ren An snapped to attention, accepted Li Xuewu’s order.

He’d learned wisdom—he didn’t ask if he should clear a path to let the leader’s vehicle pass first.

Now he stood beside Li Xuewu in front of the guardhouse, explaining the Security Platoon’s gate management.

Due to last year’s theft cases, inspections at the steel mill’s main gate remained active.

The old inspection methods were too rigid; now, police dogs assist, and security officers monitor personnel—greatly reducing theft risks.

Especially in the final two months of the year, the Security Group’s workload doubled.

Especially the Security Platoon—this year’s cargo transport frequency doubled, and with expanded joint trade, escort duties became their primary responsibility.

Li Xuewu repeatedly emphasized in office meetings: strengthen inspection and security, guard the final gate.

So the Security Platoon now stands guard with real firearms, 24-hour armed duty.

Li Xuewu never personally inspected posts, but repeatedly ordered Xiao Zihong, then deputy head of the Security Group, to lead inspections.

Especially night shifts, escort posts, and telegraph duty posts—absenteeism or sleeping on duty were major responsibility accidents, punishable by discipline.

As soon as Li Xuewu stepped out, the guards at the gate instantly perked up tenfold—leaders rarely came down; if they performed poorly, their platoon chief would go mad.

Off-duty workers recognized the command vehicle or noticed Li Xuewu directing operations at the gate; most stared and whispered.

A few who knew him smiled and greeted him; Li Xuewu smiled back when he saw them.

Ren An volunteered to inform Li Xuewu that yesterday, the 31st, Personnel issued the first 1967 mobilization order for technical workers’ mass learning.

All technical workers must participate in the “Post Training and Skill Competition” in early February, with notice that all unqualified personnel will be removed from their posts.

This personnel change sparked widespread discussion among factory workers; the Security Platoon participated in promoting the campaign.

Not to do the promoting themselves, but to act as stabilizers—to ensure order during the publicity events.

This had been agreed upon by Li Xuewu, Gu Weijie, and Li Huai before his trip to Jinmen—he was familiar with it.

Li Xuewu asked Ren An about the workers’ reception and response to the campaign.

Since Ren An could mention this to Li Xuewu, he naturally had to report it truthfully.

He said some workers truly resented the activity, feeling the factory was targeting them and abandoning them.

The propaganda department’s cadres made it clear: the Rolling Mill had established multiple production bases in Gangcheng and Yingcheng and needed personnel transferred there for support.

Especially in Gangcheng, where construction of a new rolling mill base began this year, staff reassignments were mandatory.

Especially for new workers, most of whom were children of existing staff, the time for real action had come: those with ability would keep their posts; those without would be sent to support the new factory.

It wasn’t an abrupt start to exams; the factory gave everyone a month before the New Year to study and train.

The Personnel Office organized weekly Sunday theoretical training classes, and the radio station ran theoretical lectures every evening from eight to ten, fully supporting workers’ self-directed learning campaigns.

Ren An also mentioned material and spiritual rewards: the factory allocated ten thousand yuan as a special fund for performance-based rewards across departments and workshops.

It also established the annual titles of “Technical Model Worker” and “Technical Expert” for spiritual recognition.

The results of this comprehensive skills assessment would be counted toward workers’ rank examinations.

Those confident in keeping their posts, capable of winning awards, or certain of promotion and higher wages all enthusiastically supported the factory’s activities.

Truly, the east wind overpowered the west wind—positive incentives and negative supervision were deployed together, ensuring the campaign proceeded smoothly.

Now workers hurried home to finish household chores quickly so they could listen to the radio lessons.

Families without radios had coordinated with coworkers to study and progress together.

Ren An smiled, saying there were also those too lazy to even try, afraid of being outperformed, refusing outright to study with others.

This year, the Rolling Mill had established joint trade, expanding radio purchasing channels through the First Detention Center; radios could now be bought without ration coupons. Taking advantage of this tailwind, many families bought First Detention Center radios as New Year gifts.

The arrival of 1967 came swiftly for all workers at the Rolling Mill, charged with struggle and hope.

Hongxing Rolling Mill was striving for groupization and industrialization; its workers were striving for progress.

Truly, mutual advancement, mutual development.