[{"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-994":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},2315044,4526,"Chapter 994: Are Relationship Issues Serious?","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-994",994,"\u003Cp>“Vice Director Jing, Vice Director Li”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the entrance of the main office building, Jing Yunong and Li Xuewu had just stepped out of the car when Li Haiyang came forward to greet them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Director Li is already waiting upstairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Haiyang offered a greeting and added an explanation, then turned his gaze to Li Xuewu, raising his eyebrows slightly in inquiry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu understood, nodded to indicate the matter had gone smoothly, and turned to Jing Yunong: “Vice Director Jing, I won’t go up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can that be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yunong’s eyes flickered, then she smiled faintly, gesturing toward the lobby: “Director Li is waiting for your report.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Modest in achievement, composed and measured—anyone who saw this would silently praise him as outstanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today’s merger negotiations went very smoothly; anyone else would have been forced upstairs to report their success to leadership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu doesn’t need such empty formalities; Li Huaide’s trust and admiration for him are unquestionable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jing Yunong isn’t a jealous or scheming person—she wouldn’t let Li Huaide overthink this minor achievement or make others suspicious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially with Li Xuewu, the report and the results aren’t what matter—it’s the task they completed together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overcoming certain difficulties and working in unison to accomplish something made her feel Li Xuewu was a reliable man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Vice Director Li, leadership also wants to ask about next year’s land needs and planning—it may be that higher-ups have taken notice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he ushered the two up the steps, Li Haiyang quietly explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu smiled, glanced back at Peng Xiaoli with a nod, then joked to Jing Yunong: “I was just about to go home and catch up on piled-up documents.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It won’t take you long.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yunong teased him lightly, then, as Li Xuewu stepped aside, entered the lobby first and turned back to say: “Let’s go over the merger handover work.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like you’re working harder than me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu smiled, joking: “At least I rarely work overtime.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re teasing me, aren’t you~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they climbed the stairs, Jing Yunong gestured to Li Xue behind her and said to Li Xuewu: “Are you still holding a grudge against Li Xue? Do you think I’m working too late?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xue, thinking her superior was angry, quickly explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she saw her superior’s playful gaze and realized she’d overreacted—perhaps Jing Yunong had noticed something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Jing Yunong paid no mind to her subtle thoughts, smiling: “Fine, I accept your suggestion—I’ll leave earlier from now on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xue blushed slightly but dared not say more, afraid her superior might say something else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu shrugged, indifferent: “Whether she leaves late or not has nothing to do with me—she earns money, but doesn’t spend it on me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Besides,”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Li Xue and said: “When you’re young, you should train hard, learn more—opportunities like this are rare~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This last remark was meant for both Li Xue and Jing Yunong, carrying multiple layers of meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yunong shot him a glance, thinking inwardly: This man’s work ability is undeniable, but his cunning is even sharper than a sieve’s holes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“By the way, when I left this morning, I mentioned to you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yunong asked: “About the labor issue—what’s your opinion?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The project?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu paused, then nodded slowly: “Have you considered temporary workers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Temporary workers?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yunong frowned slightly; she was about to question it—how could temporary workers be used in government offices, engineering management, or construction sites?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Temporary workers were generally defined as children of factory workers hired temporarily, or external staff temporarily assigned to expand production or transportation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Government offices had no temporary workers, let alone in engineering or on-site management units.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But trusting Li Xuewu, she didn’t challenge his suggestion—instead, she began to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they reached the third floor, she raised an eyebrow and turned to Li Xuewu: “Is this about secondment or requisition?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, neither.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu explained seriously: “Just temporary hiring—same benefits.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go on.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yunong was genuinely intrigued by his idea and gestured for him to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If temporary workers could solve problems in government and engineering management, it would be an innovative move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A single yuan could stump a hero—Jing Yunong had no money now; everyone asked her for money, and she had none.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the start of the new year, multiple departmental budget requests had been rejected by her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either reuse old equipment, coordinate with other departments to share resources, or negotiate with the factory—everyone had to find their own way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, anyone who mentioned money to her would make her snap—so her temper had been high lately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Li Xuewu might solve her problem, she didn’t care they were on the third-floor corridor—she asked outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu smiled slightly: “Have you considered having university students participate in internships?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“University students?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yunong’s eyebrows twitched slightly, then she studied him deeply: “Do you have a plan?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tsinghua—close to the water, first to get the moon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu gestured toward the opposite experimental workshop, where many university students were interning for free at the factory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our factory also has intentions to cooperate with the Steel Institute—this is still in progress, but recruiting intern students isn’t difficult.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no objection.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they reached Li Huaide’s office door, Li Haiyang had already gone in to report and now stood at the threshold greeting them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard it went fairly well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide stood up smiling, waved them over, and gestured to Xue Zhifu and Gu Weijie on the sofa to sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Haiyang moved quickly, helping Li Xue arrange chairs for the leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The office had only two sofas—one small, seating one; one large, seating three.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But during meetings, only two would sit on the large sofa—otherwise it would feel cramped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now Li Xuewu and Xue Zhifu showed good manners, yielding the sofa to Jing Yunong and Gu Weijie, while they sat on chairs brought over from the desk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There were some setbacks, but we got it done.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yunong sat down and said: “But we didn’t meet the ministry’s expectations—next time won’t be this easy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She gestured to Li Xuewu to report on today’s inspection and negotiations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu straightened as all eyes turned to him and began: “The main factor was the emergence of Second Auto— I spoke with Deputy Factory Director Gu Litong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, I know this man.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide nodded slightly as Li Haiyang and Li Xue brought tea cups over, then said to Li Xuewu: “Young and capable, outstanding in work—he’s a well-known outstanding young cadre in the ministry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But he’s no match for you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He added a joke, then nodded: “Did you two exchange experiences today?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the room, some chuckled softly over their tea, others looked at Li Xuewu with teasing eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu smiled faintly—neither humble nor arrogant, but confidently said: “Can’t compare now. When I become deputy factory director, we’ll see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahahaha!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time everyone laughed aloud—both amused by his joke and impressed by his confidence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu’s talent was clear—he only lacked experience and seniority, and perhaps connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In work ability and organizational skills, he had no issues; everyone agreed on this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But experience and seniority often tested a person’s overall strength the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, personal connections exerted indirect pressure—clearly, these were the key factors limiting Li Xuewu’s advancement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ability and achievements prove you can do it—but to advance, leadership must believe you can do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Believe” mattered more than ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he’d said this a few years later, he’d have been criticized for being too arrogant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now he was only twenty-one—with infinite potential ahead—who could say he wouldn’t reach deputy factory director?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the room laughed, but didn’t mock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the joke, the atmosphere lightened. Li Xuewu continued: “Second Auto’s new light truck project has been very successful—they’re about to enter a major growth phase.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in the room listened as Li Xuewu reported; Li Haiyang and Li Xue sat in the corner with chairs, taking notes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Peng Xiaoli entered shortly after, glanced at the door, nodded to Li Xuewu, and sat beside Li Haiyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gu Litong talked a lot, but ultimately he was interested in our car production model and parts procurement channels.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu took the cigarette Li Huaide passed him but didn’t light it immediately—he held it in hand as he continued his report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He told me Second Auto didn’t want to be taken advantage of—they didn’t want to miss this rare opportunity for development.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ding~\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Haiyang walked over and lit cigarettes for Xue Zhifu and Li Xuewu with a lighter—Li Huaide didn’t smoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, Old Li had strong willpower—he only smoked unconsciously during crises; otherwise, he held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big plans matter, small plans matter too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide said: “Big plans serve the organization; small plans serve the workers—that’s our dilemma.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Zhifu lit a cigarette, nodded slightly, and said, “Saying it’s a dilemma is just putting it mildly—it’s truly hard to speak of.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“According to the original plan, I secured the land and technical blueprints, along with some skilled workers.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu continued, “Coordinate with the Second Auto Plant to secure parts procurement channels, and compensate both factories with one hundred thousand yuan for worker resettlement.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The leaders may sigh or complain, but in this room, he is the Deputy Director of the Office—he has no right to voice such opinions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The acquisition cost is one hundred thousand yuan per factory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yujun picked up the thread: “Like with the Second Auto Plant, the Ministry’s stance on this matter is the strongest—it clearly hasn’t met their psychological expectations.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, I understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide nodded and gestured toward the desk: “You hadn’t even come back when Director Han from the city called.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About the negotiations?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yujun glanced at Li Xuewu, then said to Li Huaide: “Actually, we…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need to worry about it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide understood her meaning, waved his hand, and smiled slightly: “Don’t even mention one hundred thousand—give him a million and it’d still be too little. Just listen and let it go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had this confidence—he wasn’t afraid of being pressured by superiors, nor of obstruction from local authorities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sending you there is meant to make you blush—not to coddle them endlessly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide crossed his right leg and spoke with a firmer tone: “In any household, no one’s rich. I’m not afraid of offending anyone.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After he spoke, the others’ gazes toward him shifted slightly, making him appear even more composed and confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tell me about the Second Auto Plant—do you have ideas?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu flicked ash from his cigarette, then jammed it into the ashtray, and reported seriously: “After visiting Factory 16 and Factory 7, I’ve mentally prepared myself regarding the establishment of the motorcycle plant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the Second Auto Plant, the main focus is building the parts supply chain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes slightly and said: “I’d actually welcome it if they bit the hook—then we’d recover the entire two hundred thousand yuan spent on land.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like you’ve got it all figured out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide smiled at the group and said: “What’s this called? Isn’t this ‘those who wish to be caught, will be caught’? Hehehe~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Plan for the moment, plan for a lifetime, plan for a region, plan for the whole picture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yujun smiled at Li Xuewu and said to Li Huaide: “Strategizing from behind the scenes ensures preparedness and prevents disaster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly right!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide nodded and said: “Once you plant the parasol tree, the phoenix won’t be far away.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He quoted the title of his speech from a few days ago, then added: “It seems our original choice of automobile plant production model was the right path.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still need to observe, take it step by step.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu showed caution even when achieving outstanding results, earning strong approval from the factory leaders present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Zhifu nodded: “This year’s investment and production workload is heavy—being overly cautious is not excessive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he looked at Li Huaide: “With Comrade Xuewu in charge of this project, I see no risk of failure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm, mainly because Comrade Yujun has handled it well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide glanced at Li Xuewu but praised Jing Yujun: “It seems the M&A Office still needs both of you to shoulder responsibility and guard the gate of entrepreneurship.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yujun and Li Xuewu responded in unison, then signaled for Li Xuewu to report on the motorcycle plant’s strategy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Factory 16’s product positioning is flawed—the sales performance is mediocre; it’s focused on heavy sidecar motorcycles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu reported: “Our factory isn’t suited to produce such motorcycles. First, a 500cc sidecar motorcycle lacks competitiveness—it’s too fuel-intensive.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second, its usage is limited—the road conditions are too poor; urban and rural transportation have better solutions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide nodded: “Our factory is developing lightweight motorcycles, right? That’s facing clear competitive pressure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, there’s some overlap and conflict.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu said: “Lightweight motorcycles fully meet urban road conditions and load requirements. In rural extreme conditions, even 500cc can’t solve many practical problems.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the others: “For this segment, I lean toward recommending the Red Star Antelope—using a Jeep instead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xue Zhifu and the others nodded in agreement. Product sales was a traditional concept, but in the gap between planned and market economies, sales had acquired a fresh definition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu’s strategy for the steel mill’s product layout was sound and gave them new food for thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A 500cc sidecar motorcycle isn’t suitable, but I think a heavy-duty cargo tricycle is viable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu waved Peng Xiaoli over, took a file from him, placed it on the coffee table, and gestured to Li Huaide: “This is the Shanghai 58-I gasoline tricycle—does it look familiar?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mm~ Very familiar.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide and the others leaned forward to look, then sat upright and asked: “Didn’t our factory purchase a batch of these long ago?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s been a long time—now we use them for transporting parts between workshops.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of the leaders in the room, only Li Huaide was a “veteran”; the other three had arrived last year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu himself didn’t know exactly when the factory had purchased the tricycles, but he had studied them closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Load capacity: 1.5 tons. Top speed: 70 km\u002Fh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He explained to Li Huaide: “The original design involved over fifty factories—including Shanghai Auto Refurbishment Plant, Internal Combustion Parts Plant, and Shanghai Auto Chassis Plant—working together. But we don’t need to.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under their gaze, Li Xuewu tapped the file on the table: “All the data is right here—just tweak it and it’s usable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mature technology and products don’t need heavy R&D—just make sure the ‘tape-measure department’ doesn’t mistake centimeters for meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Understanding the implication of his words, everyone’s gaze toward him took on a new spark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plagiarism = tweak it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A 1.5-ton load can indeed meet short-haul cargo needs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huaide was very pleased with Li Xuewu’s thrifty, pragmatic style—he didn’t care whether Shanghai had objections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beijing’s vehicles—what business is that of Shanghai?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, given Li Xuewu’s nature, if they could spot visual similarities in the appearance, then the Willis money was all wasted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, the tricycle’s price can be studied further.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu bent over and pointed to the data on the file: “This tricycle was Shanghai’s first automobile product transitioning from parts manufacturing to full vehicle mass production.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Same approach as Beijing Auto Plant.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yujun said: “A product of hard work and self-reliance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu nodded: “It uses a four-stroke, twin-cylinder, water-cooled V-type gasoline engine; Factory 16 uses a twin-cylinder opposed air-cooled engine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worried they wouldn’t understand, he explained the advantages and disadvantages of air-cooling versus water-cooling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Yujun frowned: “So the engine at Factory 16 needs modification?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s inevitable—but won’t be wasted.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu looked at her: “We can produce two versions of the cargo tricycle—light and heavy. Light uses air-cooling; heavy uses water-cooling—creating sales differentiation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sat up straight and emphasized: “Our factory has its own tertiary industry—we can replace some parts with cheaper, more durable engineering plastics and fiberglass.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Plus, we have processing advantages.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Weijie interjected: “The advantage of special steel can now be demonstrated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu nodded: “We can cut the price by at least half—easily meeting market demands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing the word “profit,” Li Huaide instantly snapped awake—he sat upright and picked up the file on the coffee table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he still didn’t fully understand it, he knew full well what a price halving meant for the market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the steel mill’s motorcycle plant was still in its startup phase, that didn’t stop him from imagining how much profit and success it could bring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mainly because it’s cheap and widely useful—the exact kind of transport capacity the market lacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget other things—just look at Beijing: ox-carts and rickshaws still dominate the roads. This vehicle has a market.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it could be priced at just two or three thousand yuan per unit, it would sell like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Da Jiefang truck costs 35,000 yuan; a Dongfeng costs 39,000 yuan—but their load capacity is only five tons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What does that mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone with basic math skills can calculate: 35,000 yuan buys ten tricycles, totaling fifteen tons of capacity—tripling the load.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Excluding long-haul single-transport needs, this cargo tricycle utterly outperforms the Jiefang truck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conveniently, Director Li’s math skills are decent. Though he didn’t know exactly how much profit this project would bring, he already felt the money spent on past tricycle purchases had been wasted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is the production strategy for light and heavy cargo tricycles. Now, tell me about Factory 7’s motorcycle modification plan…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Li Huaide’s office, the M&A cost thirty thousand yuan, acquiring two plots of land, two batches of workers, and two motorcycle production technologies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu reported the relevant modification plans and future development directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding Factory 7’s 250cc motorcycle, his view was: retain production capacity, but redesign it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the basis of having lightweight motorcycle and heavy cargo tricycle production plans, preserve it as a complementary product.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three product tiers: 60cc, 250cc, 500cc. After absorbing these technical reserves, establish market brand dominance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still the price-cutting strategy: remove unnecessary parts, simplify structure, use engineering plastics, leverage parts procurement channels, and dominate the market through price wars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this era, motorcycles were relatively affordable and practical transportation. Had production structure not required it, the country would have achieved motorcycle freedom long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, industry and engineering production demand heavy machinery—limited resources are entirely devoted to developing these machines.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another issue: civilian motorcycles on the market are too expensive for ordinary people to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one hand, there’s demand; on the other, the price—ordinary people can only stand by helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if the 600-yuan small motorcycle plan is realized, after refined design and aesthetic optimization, could it open the civilian motorcycle market ahead of schedule?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This still requires market and time to test, but several leaders have full confidence in postal procurement and transportation procurement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take the rolling mill plant itself: cadres at the deputy division level and above need assigned vehicles, and some deputy section and section-level cadres also require vehicles for work travel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If all were to be assigned vehicles, that would clearly be impossible—but to some extent, could motorcycles replace assigned vehicles to meet work needs?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cars costing tens of thousands are unaffordable; if even a 600-yuan motorcycle is deemed too stingy, it would be utterly indefensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The 250CC motorcycle production plan gained Li Huai’s approval and support; although civilian market acceptance is low, production can be reduced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Last time on the frontier, he was interested in the Russian motorcycle he saw in the warehouse, and during conversation deliberately chose its exterior design.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Old Li was just momentarily intrigued—if designed exactly like that, could he even ride it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the organization’s cadre commuting regulations, cadres at Old Li’s level are strictly forbidden from touching the steering wheel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for design, Li Xuewu certainly wouldn’t indulge him—he simply pretended not to hear the suggestion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything else is negotiable, but in design, who in this rolling mill plant, from top to bottom, understands design better than Li Xuewu?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Chief Engineer Xia Zhongquan would give a thumbs-up and say he’s impressed!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those in management and leadership shouldn’t stick their noses into our design circle—what are you directing blindly for?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing discussions on the merger and motorcycle factory, Li Xuewu picked up his teacup and drank tea, letting other leaders discuss this year’s and next year’s land planning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this time, Li Huai also asked Li Xuewu about the overall planning concept for the industrial zone along Liangma River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before going upstairs, Li Xuewu had instructed Peng Xiao to retrieve the documents on this section.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his briefing to the group, he highlighted several key areas: production, worker village and supporting facilities, science and technology park, education and medical zone, and the group’s administrative district.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai placed particular emphasis on the functions and design plans of these areas, reviewing and discussing related issues with other leaders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On key issues, Li Xuewu provided interpretations and explanations based on actual conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s still a money problem—everyone wants to build everything at once and then usher in rapid development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in reality, these areas can only be built one by one; some locations on the blueprints haven’t even been included within the rolling mill plant’s construction red line.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu’s proposed solution was to resolve land exchange issues through acquired land plots, urban property exchange plots, and equivalent tertiary industry joint production cooperation plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai is considering applying to higher authorities, including land expansion within the group’s overall development goals application, so that when the groupization goal is achieved, land expansion can proceed smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when Gu Weijie and Xue Zhifu came to report and coordinate the application plan, they presented this year’s land needs and future land planning proposals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did he realize how much land Li Xuewu’s future group development plan required.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If fully built out, nearly all the land along both banks of Liangma River might have to go to the rolling mill plant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You might say reducing land planning would save resources and accelerate construction goals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But looking at the proposed design for the group’s administrative building, he simply couldn’t bear to cut it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seventeen-story dual-tower polygonal design, with its connecting bridges and podiums perfectly positioned, dazzled Old Li’s eyes—he felt this pie was both huge and round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This grand, luxurious, and solemn exterior design, paired with the Liangma River Park plan, where gardens and technology complement each other, was exactly the image he envisioned for the group’s headquarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d never imagined that as the top leader, he could still achieve something extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Xuewu helped him build a ladder of intellectual progress toward groupization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a dream—and one about to be realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d dreamed of a group headquarters building, but had no ideas at all—he couldn’t even imagine what it should look like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Li Xuewu had not only given him a direction to strive for, but had also laid out a design of his dream right before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai held the blueprint tightly in his hand, his face slightly flushed, ecstatic to the point of nearly steaming out his ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water that had once filled his mind had now all evaporated—he was now resolutely determined about his future direction: this is exactly what must be done!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d already planned it: his office would be on the top seventeenth floor, facing the sun, perfectly positioned to overlook the riverside park and production zone, and even watch boats passing along the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seventeenth floor should have an elevator, so he wouldn’t have to climb stairs anymore—he still remembered the feeling of riding an elevator last time: like ascending to the clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this way, he felt a little dizzy, as if the goal were truly within reach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why they must follow Li Xuewu’s design concept—it’s because that little rascal placed the group’s administrative building on the opposite bank of Liangma River!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s brilliant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Isn’t that land on the other side not ours?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Open your eyes and look—those factories are still smoking!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Huai no longer cared—he’d already decided his office would be on the other side, whether through demolition or land exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This side’s land has been fully planned and designed by Li Xuewu; living and office space must choose the upwind side—with a park is better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Jing Yuyu and others exited Li Huai’s office, seeing his continued excited state, they thought Li Xuewu must be strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he possibly be some street conman’s apprentice? Otherwise, how could he be so good at swaying people’s hearts?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Li wasn’t exactly without ambition before, but he certainly hadn’t held lofty ideals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But look—he’s now ready to whip the entire factory workforce into action after finishing land planning discussions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Has someone fed Old Li opium?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“About temporary workers—what do you think of these college students…?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the door of Jing Yuyu’s office, she stopped Li Xuewu and asked this question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The underlying concern, of course, needed no explanation—Li Xuewu would understand perfectly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Gu Weijie and others had passed, Li Xuewu softly said: “Recruit from more schools—engineering majors are fine…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Other qualified majors too—scatter them, then establish a merit-based competition system…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“College students are the most pure-hearted and cheapest, and crucially, they’re highly usable…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t say more—the rest was unnecessary; in personnel management, Jing Yuyu’s ability was no less than his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, she didn’t even enter the room—she waved her hand, signaling Li Xuewu to leave, then headed toward Deputy Director Gu’s office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu shrugged his shoulders—why did it feel like they were getting rid of him after using him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the work plan was finalized, implementation moved quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saturday morning, January 10th.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Wenhua returned from Gangcheng to Jingcheng to attend the founding meeting for the motorcycle manufacturing plant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the meeting, Li Huai presided and emphasized the development strategy for the automotive industry over the coming year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cen Fuyao, director of the Gangcheng Production Base Management Office accompanying Dong Wenhua, was also present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Automotive industry development is defined by the rolling mill plant as the main pillar of its future growth—everyone places great importance on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the meeting, Li Huai coordinated personnel, finance, production, and logistics departments, promoting and discussing specific implementation plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As deputy director of the Management Committee Office, Li Xuewu interpreted the plan and answered questions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calling comrades back from Gangcheng was primarily to begin planning the relocation and site selection for two motorcycle plants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This year’s investment projects are too numerous—if no design or buffer time is provided, the engineering department won’t complete its tasks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to plan, the motorcycle manufacturing plant will be located together with the automobile manufacturing plant to create an industrial cluster effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the meeting, Li Xuewu also emphasized that the establishment of this factory and cadre selection must strictly follow organizational discipline and prohibit any violations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Selected cadres must unconditionally obey organizational assignments, show no personal emotions or opinions, and must complete the construction tasks assigned by the organization with quality and quantity guaranteed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding worker selection, Gu Weijie spoke up, primarily addressing the integration of merged workers and the rolling mill plant’s existing recruitment and elimination plan, demanding the personnel department fully coordinate placement to meet production needs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially in this personnel reform, many service-sector workers expressed objections and refused to be transferred to production positions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Weijie was firm: anyone refusing to cooperate with organizational work would have their position revoked, suspended without pay, and if still uncooperative, would be dismissed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A factory of over ten thousand workers, especially now with workforce expanded to thirty thousand, has seen a sharp rise in personnel management pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Weijie emphasized: don’t fear offending people, don’t fear psychological burdens—enterprise development requires sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had already coordinated with municipal personnel departments and the factory’s trade union, securing full authority over worker management.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The condition: the rolling mill plant will absorb more unemployed youth, prioritizing local Jingcheng residents in recruitment to address actual employment difficulties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, graduates and unemployed youth are Jingcheng’s most pressing and troubling problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a factory like the rolling mill plant recruiting thousands or tens of thousands of unemployed youth, the city naturally grants green lights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since the rolling mill plant’s personnel management needs fall within established rules, targeting only workers who refuse management or personnel reassignment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone faces heavy pressure in the new year; Gu Weijie’s serious speech at the meeting truly cooled down the previously noisy personnel operations at the rolling mill plant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deputy Group Leader Xie Lanzhi reported that the position competition and evaluation activities have been underway for a week with good results.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Workers’ enthusiasm for learning has surged; workshop internal management has improved, especially with safety production concepts fully implemented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For next month’s position competition and evaluation, arrangements for reassigning underperforming personnel are already underway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main redirection directions are new projects, new factories, tertiary industry plants, and labor teams.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One-quarter of administrative cadres and staff will be redirected; two-thirds of service and logistics workers will be redirected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After new workers complete training and evaluation, some positions will be filled by them, while others will be eliminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this personnel reform, those unable to perform their duties or perform labor will be reassigned, offered early retirement, or dismissed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strictly speaking, the rolling mill plant’s industrial transformation has only just begun, but the personnel reform has already ignited, reaching a boiling point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Li Xuewu’s evaluation and training programs, combined with the fact that most newly recruited workers’ children are the primary focus, have provided greater buffer space for the reform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, under current conditions, launching a massive position adjustment and transformation among workers would be like pouring oil on fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even so, Gu Weijie’s work pressure has increased recently—she has repeatedly visited workshops to listen to workers’ feedback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She has also repeatedly required personnel and propaganda department heads to go to the grassroots for practical research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Security and inspection departments have fully cooperated, especially recently, with the Security Section and Inspection Section jointly handling cases with heavy-handed enforcement against violations and disciplinary breaches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only was the deputy director of the scheduling workshop arrested, but several other unlucky souls also ran straight into the gun barrel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for why strict discipline was being enforced at this time, it was to quell worker resentment and firmly establish a fair and impartial atmosphere in personnel reform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Personnel reform was like walking a tightrope—any lapse could lead to irreversible disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Weijie had repeatedly reported to Li Huai de to address these very issues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Propaganda must guide, the personnel department must enforce, and security and oversight must “kill” a few to eliminate opposition to this reform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meeting, Li Xuewu accompanied Dong Wenxue and his group, summoned Chief Engineer Xia Zhongquan, and toured the experimental workshop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several projects currently underway were precisely those of the automobile manufacturing plant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Including lightweight motorcycles, special-purpose vehicles, jeeps, vans, and more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu primarily discussed with Xia Zhongquan the issue of digesting technical blueprints from the two motorcycle factories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the design plans for heavy-duty and lightweight three-wheeled cargo vehicles, which had been discussed and studied at yesterday’s meeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The redesign and lightening of the 250CC motorcycle had also been put on the agenda.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The technical workers from the motorcycle factory weren’t the only ones needing assimilation—there were also a handful of scientific researchers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These individuals had more experience in copying and researching motorcycles than the steel mill workers and could offer valuable insights and experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In front of the management staff of the Gangcheng Automobile Plant, they also discussed the critical importance of separating R&D from production.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the future, the Jingcheng plant site would no longer house heavy industrial factories but instead serve as a vital research base.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the goal of transforming science and technology into actual productive forces, both he and Dong Wenxue had high hopes for the research institute’s development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t be fooled by the fact that many of the research institute’s current projects weren’t needed by the steel mill—or were merely the result of students and faculty acting on a sudden impulse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Xuewu fully supported their experiments and inventions; even if the steel mill couldn’t use them, they could still sell the blueprints to tertiary industry consortiums—or to other units.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one successful project would recoup all the research funding invested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mechanical, chemical, electronic—any Qinghua student or faculty willing to conduct research at the institute without a salary would receive full guarantees for their living conditions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eat well, live well, use well!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These were young people whose eyes radiated pure simplicity, who didn’t care much for material comforts—and whom Li Xuewu particularly liked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he liked anyone who worked hard without pay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the completion of this year’s worker village dormitory construction, these university students would be the first to be assigned rooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Serious problems with romantic relationships?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course they wouldn’t be interfered with—they’d be encouraged. If someone actually died over it, wouldn’t you have to issue a marriage certificate and register their household?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this time, the steel mill must stand on the side of the university students, providing them with convenient conditions—registering their household and hiring them into the steel mill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Won’t these university students regret doing this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t ask. Ask, and the answer is: love is priceless.\u003C\u002Fp>",5567,"2026-06-20T13:47:03.676Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","166cf87e0ad620131692928013f0c69bdbe76c46ca7f4b24a9c734cf8d9dbbf0","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-995","the-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-chapter-993",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-siheyuan-food-love-and-family-in-1960s-beiji-cover.jpg"]