Sail across the sea

Chapter 430 I felt at ease

"Of course, some of the comrades in the department are very capable," Xu Ying began to try to salvage the situation. "It can't be said absolutely that if they were in this position, they would definitely not do as well as you, Lao Gao."

"I was just forced into this role. If any of the other leaders in the department were to take on the general manager position, they would definitely do a better job than me," Gao Yiping said modestly.

Xu Ying did not respond to Gao Yiping's words, but continued, "My opinion and that of some other comrades who share the same view is that since this matter was started by you, Lao Gao, and is progressing very smoothly, it is not advisable to easily replace you."

"In management, stability is the most important requirement. If you've done a good job and haven't made any mistakes, why should you be replaced just to save face for some other people?"

"Hehe, what Director Xu said makes some sense," Gao Yiping replied with a timid smile. "From my heart, I feel that I still have some affection for the work that the fertilizer company is currently carrying out, and I am also worried that if a new group of people were to do it, there would be some issues with the integration."

"However, I would also like to make a statement: if Director Xu were to become the general manager, I would be happy to serve as his deputy without any complaints."

Xu Ying accepted Gao Yiping's compliment with a smile and said, "Alright, I won't beat around the bush with you anymore. The Economic Commission's opinion is basically finalized now. The Chemical Industry Bureau will be restructured into the Chemical Industry Association, responsible for coordinating the chemical industry throughout the province, mainly formulating industry management regulations and organizing technical exchanges within the industry, etc."

"Director Chen has been transferred to the Provincial Political Consultative Conference, and Director Li has been appointed as the president of the Chemical Industry Association. Other colleagues in the department, based on organizational needs and the principle of voluntariness, have been reassigned to other units, with some staying at the Chemical Industry Association and others being transferred elsewhere. Among them, Lao Qiao from the Fertilizer Division voluntarily requested to come to the Fertilizer Company..."

At this point, she deliberately paused, not continuing, waiting to see Gao Yiping's reaction.

The "Old Qiao" she mentioned was named Qiao Jiaxi, the director of the Fertilizer Division of the Chemical Industry Bureau, and a close friend of Gao Yiping. When Gao Yiping was still the director of the Canghai Fertilizer Plant, Qiao Jiaxi was already a division chief, holding a higher rank than Gao Yiping.

Gao Yiping has been promoted two ranks and is now a division-level cadre, while Qiao Jiaxi remains in the same position, bringing their ranks to the same level. So, if Qiao Jiaxi were to go to the fertilizer company, would her position be above or below Gao Yiping's? This is a question worth considering.

Gao Yiping paused for a moment, then asked, "Director Xu, what are your plans? If you were to come to the fertilizer company as general manager, and Lao Qiao and I were to be your deputies, I think that would be quite suitable."

This statement is a strategic retreat, implying that Gao Yiping would not be willing to be subordinate to Qiao Jiaxi if Qiao Jiaxi were to become the general manager instead of Xu Ying.

Xu Ying, of course, understood Gao Yiping's meaning. She laughed and pointed at Gao Yiping, saying, "Old Gao, you really are a man of principle. Don't worry, after the Chemical Industry Bureau is abolished, the Fertilizer Company will be directly placed under the management of the Provincial Economic Commission. The Economic Commission has already decided that your position as general manager will remain unchanged, and Old Qiao will come to serve as the executive deputy general manager to assist you in your work, with his rank remaining the same."

"The department has already communicated with Lao Qiao about this arrangement. He said he was willing to accept it, and that his practical experience in fertilizer industry management is far inferior to yours. He hopes to have the opportunity to learn from you."

"Oh dear, this is too much for me," Gao Yiping said feignedly. "When I first became the factory director, Lao Qiao was the head of the fertilizer department, my old boss. It's really inappropriate for him to be working under me now. Actually, it would be fine if we switched positions."

Such words are merely polite formalities; no one takes them seriously. Ancient China had a tradition of three refusals and three concessions—it's just a matter of ritual. Gao Yiping, relieved that his position was secure, was in high spirits and then inquired again about Xu Ying's whereabouts. Xu Ying had just mentioned that the president of the soon-to-be-established Chemical Industry Association would be Director Li from the department, clearly implying that she had other plans. Director Li's ranking in the department was after Xu Ying's; if he became president, Xu Ying couldn't possibly remain only a vice-president.

Xu Ying took a sip of wine and ate a bite of food, maintaining her composure before saying, "Actually, I'm still doing my old job, overseeing industry at the Provincial Economic Commission. The fertilizer company will also be under the Provincial Economic Commission's management in the future, so I'll need your continued support in my work, Lao Gao."

"So that's how it is!" Gao Yiping was overjoyed. He quickly picked up his wine glass and said to Xu Ying, "So Director Xu has been promoted. You kept the news a secret for so long. That's not very friendly. Come on, let me congratulate Director Xu. I'll drink this, you can drink as you like."

Xu Ying spoke modestly, but what she really meant was that she would be transferred to the Provincial Economic Commission as the deputy director in charge of industry. Both the deputy director of the Provincial Economic Commission and the deputy director of the Provincial Chemical Industry Department are deputy-department-level officials, but their positions are different.

The Economic Commission is the superior authority of all functional departments and bureaus. When you go to the Chemical Industry Department, you are referred to as a superior leader. Therefore, being transferred from the deputy director of the Chemical Industry Department to the deputy director of the Provincial Economic Commission is considered a promotion.

Xu Ying also showed some joy. She raised her glass and clinked it against Gao Yiping's. Gao Yiping tilted his head back and drank his glass dry, while Xu Ying only drank half. This wasn't because Xu Ying wanted to put on airs as a superior, but because she was a woman and didn't need to be forced to agree with men when it came to drinking.

"The thought that I can continue to work under Director Xu in the future makes me feel at ease. I was always worried that with the abolition of the Chemical Industry Bureau, I wouldn't know how the fertilizer company would conduct its business."

Gao Yiping refilled Xu Ying's glass, then poured one for himself, and said cheerfully.

His joy was partly out of courtesy, and partly out of genuine feeling.

The fertilizer company is a state-owned enterprise, and it's impossible for it not to have a superior. Having Xu Ying, a person I know well, as the supervisor is naturally better than replacing her with a leader whose background I don't know.

Gao Yiping was very familiar with Xu Ying's management style and had confidence in it. If another leader were in charge, they might make a few bad decisions on a whim, which would be enough to give Gao Yiping a headache.

"The fertilizer company's business is currently doing very well. After the ammonium to urea conversion of the four companies is completed next year, together with the Canghai plant, there will be an annual urea production capacity of 20 tons, with an output value of nearly 1 million yuan and profits and taxes of at least 2500 million yuan. It can be considered a backbone enterprise in the province."

"Even if you do nothing else in the future, as long as you can maintain this status, Lao Gao, your position in the province will be guaranteed. When you go to the Economic Commission, even our Director will have to welcome you with open arms."

Xu Ying looked at Gao Yiping and spoke slowly and deliberately, but her words clearly revealed some hidden meaning.

(End of this chapter)