Restarting life in Siheyuan

Chapter 446: Close Contact with the Masses
"Brother Feng, you are really awesome. If you hadn't come, my father would definitely not agree to let me go to the south."

"You're overthinking it. Several of your uncles are there, so your father certainly won't stop you from going. Come on, since your father has entrusted you to me, then go live in the compound."

The two left Coach Gao's house and returned to the compound chatting and laughing all the way.

"Tell me, has that Guo been harassing anyone these days?"

Zhu Xuefeng always can't remember Song Tangyun's name because it is too difficult to pronounce.

"It's really strange. I haven't seen him for a while. Does this guy have a new target?"

"Maybe." Zhu Xuefeng didn't know whether Guo Junjie was keeping his promise or for other reasons. Anyway, it was good that he didn't come. Gao Bo was freed up and had no one to use. Now he remembered Yan Zi's kindness.

"As for the trip to the south, wait for me to make the arrangements. There will be quite a few people going this time, so I will arrange for everyone to meet and emphasize that I will rely on you for the entire trip. Is that ok?"

Gao Bo was as happy as a wild horse out of a cage. When he heard this, he patted his chest loudly.

"Brother, I have made a lot of progress this year. You have arranged for me to go out a few times. These things are not difficult for me now. Don't worry, I will definitely handle it properly."

"That's good. Yun, you should say hello. Since no one is harassing us, we can leave. But I heard that you are with her bestie. If we go to the south..."

Gao Bo scratched his head and said, "I was just about to say that, if she is willing, could you please…"

"You kid, let me think about this. Don't tell her yet. She hasn't graduated yet. There's still time. Remember, don't tell her. You understand the importance of this. Just say you're going to stay with relatives in another city for a while and we'll see what happens later."

Originally, I wanted to keep Gao Bo in Beijing, but I don’t know what this kid heard, he always wanted to go to the south to take a look before making a decision. So I left Zhu Xuefeng to him, as Hong Kong was also short of people.

He asked Daya and the others to help clean up the wing room. "Gao Bo, stay here for the time being and practice hard. I will feel out your background before I leave. Be careful and don't go over and embarrass your father. These are your father's exact words."

"You don't need to remind me of this, I will definitely not embarrass my father."

"Then I'll go back first. My sister will have the high school entrance exam in a few days. I'll come over later in the next few days. If you're bored, you can have a fight with Lin Yilan. She's made great progress now, so don't let her outdo you."

Guo Junjie and his group of six, who were being missed by Zhu Xuefeng, were packing their luggage at the military sub-district guesthouse, preparing to leave Fushun and travel back to Beijing, almost perfectly missing Zhu Xuefeng.

The steel rolling mill has been in turmoil these past few days. The results of the handling of the leak incident have come out. The original factory leaders headed by Director Yang have been criticized and have lost their qualifications for awards and honors. As the head of the technical department, Deputy Director Zhao, like Director Yang, has been summoned for talks and given internal disciplinary sanctions.

The steel mill also lost the opportunity for collective evaluation and commendation this year because of the leak. It is now carrying out a comprehensive self-inspection and self-correction campaign in accordance with the instructions of its superiors, led by the new Secretary Liu and coordinated by Deputy Secretary Gu.

Director Yang had his first crisis, and he did not expect to be punished for it. He checked and corrected himself, but was sidelined. It was too unfair. With this incident, the new secretary officially took the stage.

"Old Chen, you left at a really bad time. Old Zhao was also punished and he became depressed. Deputy Director Jiang is a centrist. My life is not easy."

Secretary Chen's voice came from the phone. "Old Yang, I am sorry for what happened to you. I apologize to you, but you still need to think of more ways to change the situation."

"I am alone now. Secretary Liu is really capable. He can answer my questions in a few words. Well, let's not talk about this. How are you doing in your new position?"

Old Chen was also feeling unhappy. He had always been in charge of confidentiality work. With such a big incident happening, he thought the transfer order would be delayed or even not be implemented at all. Unexpectedly, the two of them had just dealt with the Hong Kong matter, but the transfer order still came down. Old Yang was considered to have taken the blame for himself.

"As for me, I'm fine. The comrades here are very caring towards me. Old Yang, we know each other well. Don't try to change the subject with me. I know it's difficult for you now, but don't give up. I can still speak to the steel mill and help you. I remind you that you are also a member of the organization. If you have any difficulties, go to the organization. Don't keep it in your heart. You must report your work and thoughts to the organization in a timely manner."

"Well, thank you for your guidance. I know how to carry out the subsequent work. Thank you, Deputy Minister Chen."

Secretary Chen has taken a big step this time. He is now the seventh deputy minister of the Ministry of Metallurgy, but he is in charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Ministry of Science and Technology is usually managed by the third or fourth in command. Old Chen is also very confused and doesn't understand. Maybe it is because the Materials Research Institute of the steel rolling mill has made remarkable achievements, so it is more appropriate for Old Chen to be in charge.

Old Yang lit a cigarette. In a trance, he still saw the scene of three people smoking in the room. It was really good to have the secretary around. Old Yang now had a deep understanding of it. Why did he think of that little bad guy? Director Yang smiled bitterly.

He understood what Lao Chen said and had to report to his old leader. Of course, he still had to pull Lao Zhao and Lao Jiang together and have more exchanges, and there was also the logistics aspect.

The deputy director of logistics went to Hong Kong, and the job of this stall fell honorably on Director Zhang's shoulders. Now his position has not changed, and he has to cooperate with the new deputy director of administration, Luo, to manage logistics. Deputy Director Luo has just arrived and doesn't like to be in charge of things, so Director Zhang can only take charge of the work on his behalf, and for a while he has a lot more say.

"Old Zhang is also an old comrade from the steel mill. We can have some exchanges. I heard that he has a good relationship with that guy, huh."

Old Yang's mind was instantly opened up. He realized that he had relied too much on Secretary Chen over the years. Secretary Chen had been doing the work behind the scenes for many things. He himself focused mainly on things and rarely paid attention to people. He also rarely took the initiative to deal with cadres. Now he had to change.

Director Zhang was very surprised. Director Yang took the initiative to come to the logistics department to inspect the work for the first time, and brought Xiao Ma with him. This was the first time in history. Everyone knew that Lao Yang was always devoted to production, so why would he take the initiative to come to the logistics department?

"Leader, you didn't even inform us of your visit. It was a surprise attack. It seems that nothing has happened in the logistics department these days."

"What kind of inspection? I'm just taking a look. You don't have to come to see me unless something happens. Let's go to your office and talk."

"That's not possible, please."

Xiao Ma was very smart. When he saw Director Zhang take out tea, he took the initiative to make a pot, poured two cups, and then closed the door and went out.

The two of them sat casually. Director Zhang was nervous, unable to figure out Director Yang's thoughts, so he quickly handed him a cigarette. Old Yang didn't hesitate. The two of them smoked without saying a word, each waiting for the other to speak. It was a bit awkward for a moment, but Director Zhang suddenly had an idea and spoke.

"Leader, please try this tea, it's my collector's edition."

Lao Yang picked up the teacup and sniffed it. "Lao Zhang, you are really good at logistics. This is the new Longjing tea, right? You can get it, too."

"Boss, I don't have this ability. This is a gift from Xiao Zhu. If you like it, bring a bag over later. Xiao Zhu is really capable and can get new tea every year."

Seeing Director Yang lowering his head to taste the tea, Director Zhang knew that Director Yang thought highly of Xiao Zhu, and continued, "I have benefited from his help for three consecutive years. The first year was before May Day, when we were preparing seafood. This guy knew I liked it, so he prepared some Rushan green tea. Last year, he got some Tieguanyin from somewhere, and this year he changed to the new West Lake Longjing tea. This guy is really a character. It would be great if he could come to our logistics department. I can even rest my head and be lazy."

Director Yang couldn't help laughing when he saw Director Zhang acting as if he was resting on his laurels.

"Dream on! This kid is already a famous figure in the department, so how can he come to your logistics department? But this kid is a bit evil. Tea is so difficult to get, how can he get new tea?

Director Yang had collected a lot of new tea, and he could guess that this guy was taking advantage of the Canton Fair. He just couldn't figure out what means he used. Now, the better new teas were either specially supplied or used to earn foreign exchange. Not to mention Longjing new tea, ordinary cadres couldn't even get Rushan green tea.

Speaking of Zhu Xuefeng, the two of them seemed to have found a tacit understanding and became chatting lively. Director Zhang also took the opportunity to report on the logistics work. When talking about the canteen, Director Yang also became interested when he heard Director Zhang praising his chef for his progress.

"Old Zhang, after hearing what you said, I really need to find a chance to try Master He's new cooking skills. Didn't he specialize in Sichuan cuisine before? When did he add so many new specialties?"

"Comrade He Yuzhu has been trying new dishes over the past two years. According to him, one must keep improving. He really keeps his word. He has been promoted twice in two years. His cooking skills have improved a lot. His new dishes are also very popular. Why don't we go to the cafeteria to try them later?"

"No, no, no, it's not good in the middle of the day. Let's wait for another chance. I ate Lao Zhang's dishes at the guesthouse a few months ago, and compared with Chef He's, they were really a little bit inferior."

Thinking of Lao Chen's words, Lao Yang suddenly had an idea. Minister Ding loves Sichuan cuisine, but is a little afraid of spicy food. Master He is just right and can cook it.

"Lao Zhang, please find a time to ask for me when Master He is usually free. It's not appropriate to do anything special in the factory. I'll invite him to my home. Haha, that's it. Please ask for me."

"That's definitely no problem. I'll go ask him in a minute. Master He will definitely be happy to help. But this kid is a bit choking when he talks. Just this flaw, you have to bear with me."

"I know, I know. He's been doing this for many years. Everyone knows his problem. All capable people are like this to some extent..."

After leaving the logistics department, Director Yang felt a lot more relaxed. Old Chen used to say that it is necessary to take the initiative to communicate with middle-level leaders, which is the key to managing a factory. He listened more and did less. Now it seems that he is indeed out of touch with the masses. To maintain close contact with the masses is not just about getting along well with front-line workers, middle-level leaders are also part of the masses.

"Director, it's time for lunch. Should I take it back for you?"

"Let's go to the cafeteria to eat today. Can't we leave the crowd? You're a fast kid, thank you for the trip. I'll wait for you downstairs."

Watching the employees from the factory office building coming down the stairs in groups, talking and laughing, carrying their lunch bowls, Old Yang greeted them warmly. When he saw Lou Xiao'e and Zhou Wenwen coming down together, Director Yang remembered that these two were the assistants arranged for that brat Zhu Xuefeng, and he quickly called them over.

"Xiao Lou, Xiao Zhou, wait for me, let's go to the cafeteria together. I want to ask you two something."

"Boss, it's lunch time now. Thunder god won't strike people who are eating. You are worse than the capitalists, haha."

Zhou Wenwen was not afraid of Director Yang and said with a smile. Lou Xiao'e did not agree but nodded and stood aside.

"Leader, what's the matter?"

"Xiao Zhou, you are so good at talking. It's no big deal. I want to ask what that kid has been busy with these days?"

Just then Xiao Ma came down, and the four of them chatted all the way to the cafeteria.

"You're talking about the team leader. Some time ago, he said he was going to military training. He hasn't been here much these days. He said his sister is going to take the high school entrance exam. It seems that he has changed a lot of motorcycle drawings. What are they called? They are weird, with four wheels. Xiao'e, do you remember them?"

"It looks like a desert motorcycle. Yes, this is it. The team leader said that this thing can be used in grasslands, deserts, and beaches..."

"Director, do you want to go to a private room? There are too many people outside and it's too noisy."

Originally wanting to get closer to the masses, Director Yang pointed to the corner.

"That place is fine, let's go there."

A few people were chatting and came a little slowly. The cafeteria had already formed a queue, but Director Yang was not in a hurry. He kept greeting the workers, walked to the window, looked at the quality of the big pot of food and casually asked the chef who had just served the dishes next to him.

"You must be Chef Sheng from Workshop 3, right? How do you like the big pot dishes in Canteen 1?"

"I think it's OK. The taste is good. There are many more varieties than before. I used to eat those dishes every day, but now the first canteen has new dishes from time to time. Many people come from the second and third canteens to try them. Look, there are so many people waiting in line at the counter."

Seeing that the leader cared about everyone's meals, many people gathered around and talked about it. Generally speaking, the reviews were good, but there were also comments that there were too few meat dishes and not many types of stews. Also, if you come late, you may not be able to get any food.

"I've noted down what you said. I just talked to the logistics department this morning. Director Zhang said that we must continue to improve and provide better service to everyone. Having enough food is a big deal, and we will never treat you unfairly."

Director Yang expressed his opinion despite himself, and received applause from all the workers in the cafeteria.

"Who is making such a fuss outside? It's causing such a commotion."

Sha Zhu had been busy this morning. He hadn't come to serve the food yet, but when he heard the restaurant was bustling, he got up and came over to take a look.

Sha Zhu immediately saw Director Yang in the middle and Lou Xiao'e who was standing in the queue, and hurried out of the kitchen. Director Zhang was just entering the restaurant.

"Who am I talking to, leader? Your incognito visit is not very decent. In order to minimize the impact on the normal dining of the masses, the factory leaders have to eat inside according to the rules. When you came, I thought everyone was dissatisfied with my cooking skills and was making trouble in the restaurant. It really scared me. Please hurry up. If you stay here any longer, the roof of this restaurant will be blown off."

"Leader, Master He is right. You cannot break the rules. You should go to the inner room."

Lao Yang also realized that it was inappropriate to stay in the restaurant at this time, which affected the employees' meals and caused trouble for the canteen staff.

"Master He, how about this, let's go in. If you are free, I have something to ask you. I just collected a lot of suggestions and opinions, and I want to hear your thoughts."

(End of this chapter)