Restarting life in Siheyuan

Chapter 458 Secret Fight
"Secretary, since you are here in person, I can go directly to discuss anything with you."

Lao Yang stood up to make tea for the secretary, but the secretary waved his hand to indicate that it was not necessary.

"Old Yang, I have a few things I'd like to hear your thoughts on. If we can reach a consensus, I'd like to bring them up at the next office meeting so that everyone can discuss them."

Upon hearing this, Lao Yang also became serious and picked up his pen and notebook, "You tell me, I'll write it down..."

"It doesn't have to be so formal. I just want to ask for your opinions. First, Deputy Secretary Gu suggested to me that Section Chief Ma of the Security Department has strong professional ability and has fought on the front line of public security before and has served as a section chief. Now the position of deputy section chief of the Security Department is still vacant, which is not a good thing. She suggested that Section Chief Ma be appointed as the deputy section chief. What do you think?"

Director Yang is the second in command of the steel rolling mill and naturally the first deputy secretary. Generally, personnel appointments and dismissals are discussed by the two first, the secretary makes the final decision, and then discussed at the office meeting, and then the process is followed. After all, the party is in charge of cadres, and this cannot be sloppy. Deputy Secretary Gu is only the second deputy secretary. She is in charge of departments such as auditing, supervision, and trade unions. In principle, the Security Department is under the name of the secretary.

"Secretary, let me share my personal opinion. I suggest that you hold off for now. Secretary Chen has already investigated this comrade before he left. He concluded that he needs to be investigated and will not be appointed for now. I agree with Secretary Chen's opinion on the investigation."

Secretary Liu's brows tightened when Secretary Chen was mentioned. It was definitely not okay to deny the old secretary's opinion, but if he didn't deny it, Old Yang would use the former secretary to speak for him in everything. How would he carry out his work in the future?

His brows slowly relaxed, and he seemed to be very concerned and asked, "I really don't know. Old Yang, you are an old man, so tell me, what is wrong with this Section Chief Ma that needs further investigation?"

"Secretary Chen did tell me that a section chief from the public security system was only a section-level cadre when he was transferred to our factory. He noticed that Section Chief Ma made a mistake at work and was dismissed. After education, he was found unsuitable to stay in the public security line, so he was transferred to our factory. Secretary Chen insisted that a comrade with ideological problems must be employed with caution, and I agree..."

Secretary Liu felt uncomfortable and a little dissatisfied when he heard Director Yang calling him Secretary Chen all the time.

"However, since the public security system has already dealt with the matter, the comrade has also accepted criticism and education, and has returned to his revolutionary post, it shows that his superiors still recognize the effectiveness of his criticism and education. The fact that he can return to his revolutionary post at least shows that the problem is not serious, and it may be that negligence in work has caused some negative effects."

He glanced at Director Yang and continued, "Such a long time has passed. I think we should look at people with a developmental perspective and not simply condemn revolutionary comrades. Didn't the higher-ups also say, 'We should allow our comrades to make mistakes. If they correct their mistakes, they are still good comrades!' This is to encourage them to reform themselves. Now that he has been recognized by Deputy Secretary Zhou, I think Section Chief Ma should have changed."

When Secretary Liu quoted the above words, Director Yang was speechless. He could only take out a cigarette from his pocket and gesture, but Secretary Liu refused, so Director Yang did not light it.

"Secretary, you are in charge of cadres on behalf of the organization. I am just expressing my personal opinion. I personally think that the time is still short. We hope that he can learn from the past lessons, but I personally think it is inappropriate to draw conclusions and promote him in such a short time. I suggest further investigation."

Secretary Liu felt relieved when he saw that Director Yang was still insisting but had a very low attitude and no longer mentioned Secretary Chen all the time. There were some problems with what he said just now. A comrade who has made mistakes, especially in terms of ideology, basically cannot be promoted. Fortunately, Old Yang's policy level was not high enough and he did not discover this loophole.

"Old Yang, what you said makes sense. I accept your suggestion. Let's observe this comrade for a while. After all, the harm caused by an unqualified cadre is immeasurable."

Seeing that Secretary Liu had given in, Old Yang also relaxed. Last time, he was accidentally tricked by Secretary Liu because of a safety accident. Since then, he has been vigilant against this new secretary.

"Secretary, you are absolutely right. Unqualified cadres can cause far-reaching harm. Take our former Director Huang from the Materials Department for example..."

Secretary Liu took the cigarette awkwardly, and the two began to smoke. "Old Yang, speaking of this, what do you think of the matter about Old Li sent by our factory partner?"

Director Yang was stunned for a moment, then he remembered that Secretary Liu had mentioned several things when he came in, but this matter was too sensitive, so he was still very sensible.

"I can't judge this matter. Maybe there is no smoke without fire. We don't have the right to go to Hong Kong to investigate cadres. I think this matter should be reported directly to the ministry and let the higher-ups make the decision."

Based on Lao Yang's understanding of Lao Li, he thought that these things were probably true, but since it involved Li Huaide, he had better be cautious. Lao Yang thought that he handled it correctly, but Secretary Liu shook his head and said earnestly.

"Old Yang, I don't agree with your way of handling this matter. Who sent the message? Whose problem is this reflecting on the Hong Kong capitalists? Our comrades, do you believe such rumors? We are born into two different classes and are enemies at heart. Their actions can only mean one thing: some of Old Li's actions may have touched their interests."

Secretary Liu took a puff of his cigarette and blew out a small smoke ring very skillfully. He seemed to realize that something was wrong, coughed twice, and quickly dispersed the smoke in front of him.

"I still don't smoke much. I'm not used to it. No, no, you can smoke yours, I just don't smoke. You don't know that several old leaders in our department can't live without cigarettes all the time. I'm almost influenced by them, haha."

Secretary Liu put out his cigarette and continued, "Continuing from what I said just now, I think that Lao Li must have taken some measures to make the capitalists feel uncomfortable. You may not know these capitalists, but in their eyes there is only profit and money. Lao Li should be safeguarding the interests of the country. When he has something unpleasant with them, they want to drive Lao Li away. Tell me, does my analysis make sense?"

Old Yang could only nod his head, while Secretary Liu was even more proud, and stood up and waved his hand. "So I said I disagree with your opinion just now, because of this, the great man said, "Without investigation and research, there is no right to speak!" We did not investigate, did not listen to Old Li's explanation, and rashly reported it. This is irresponsible to our comrades."

"You should be able to imagine that if this matter is reported, no matter what the investigation results are, Lao Li's reputation will definitely be ruined. This is called yellow mud falling into the crotch..."

Old Yang was completely speechless and could only lower his head to smoke. Secretary Liu continued.

"In order to protect our comrades, first, we have to notify Lao Li and let him defend himself. Second, I am also very curious about what Lao Li did to make the capitalists in Hong Kong so upset that they actually used such a crude strategy to alienate each other. After investigating, I actually found something."

As he said this, he looked at Director Yang meaningfully. Old Yang was probably going to talk about the production of Xiangjiang motorcycles. He felt very calm in his heart. This matter was decided by him and Secretary Chen. He rejected Li Huaide's suggestion and couldn't help but raise his head, but Secretary Liu inadvertently shifted his gaze.

"Old Yang, I actually found some stories when I looked it up. After careful consideration, this might be the reason why Hong Kong capitalists framed Old Li." "Secretary, I know what you are talking about. We discussed this at the office meeting at that time. We all agreed that Old Li's idea was too immature and not feasible. In order to maintain the good situation of the steel mill earning foreign exchange, we unanimously rejected his suggestion. You can check the office meeting minutes for this."

"I checked... I've read the meeting minutes. The opinions of several former leaders are very pertinent and their starting point is also good. They are for the purpose of stabilizing foreign exchange earnings and supporting national development. I can understand it, I can understand it."

Old Yang held back and didn't say anything, just wanting to hear what the secretary had to say.

"This report proves at least one thing. Comrade Li Huaide only cares about the country. He has indeed offended the capitalists in Hong Kong and affected their interests. This also proves that the cadres trained by our organization can stand the test. Haha, it is my honor to work hand in hand with such cadres who are dedicated to the public."

Old Yang was very unhappy, but he couldn't find a way out for a while, so he had to listen with frustration.

"I have carefully thought about Lao Li's suggestion. It is not impossible. If the capitalists can do it, why can't we, the proletariat, do it? It doesn't make sense. Isn't it just selling motorcycles? Why can they sell the same motorcycles, but we can't? This is very unreasonable. This benefit that should have belonged to the country was cheated away by the capitalists in vain. I am very sad. I feel sorry for the country and even more sorry for the workers who work overtime."

Old Yang couldn't listen any more and was about to speak when Secretary Liu stopped him. "Let me finish my words. Because of our poor decision-making, our workers worked so hard and overtime, but in the end, the workers only benefited the capitalists. I'm very sad. Old Yang, we are committing a crime! A crime!"

Old Yang couldn't hold it in any longer and stood up with a dark face. "Cooperation with Xiangjiang is a decision from above. You may not be clear about it. Our minister is only involved and the final decision is not his. You must be responsible for your words."

Secretary Liu expressed his feelings and was feeling very excited, but was shocked by Lao Yang's sudden words and quickly expressed his opinion.

"Of course, this is my personal opinion. There may be some errors, but it is definitely not wrong for Lao Li to serve the country wholeheartedly. I still need to learn more about what you said, but I always feel that there is still a way to deal with this matter. Everything depends on human efforts. The situation when the leader made the decision has changed a little bit. Things are always developing, and the country is getting stronger, right?"

Watching Secretary Liu leaving in a hurry, Lao Yang felt extremely aggrieved, "Lao Chen, Lao Chen, this burden is too heavy!"

"Secretary, you are back. I have something to report to you."

Secretary Liu, with an unnatural look on his face, returned to the office door and saw Deputy Secretary Gu walking towards him with a smile.

"Deputy Secretary Gu, I just happened to want to see you too. Let's go in and talk."

In Secretary Liu's eyes, Deputy Secretary Gu, who came from a university, was a natural object for unity. He was knowledgeable and, like himself, a newcomer. It was just right for them to unite and overthrow the corrupt management of the steel mill.

A unit that has had both safety accidents and information leaks within half a year must have chaotic management. Under such circumstances, Secretary Chen was still able to be promoted. There must be a problem here, and the original leadership of the factory must have been the source of the problem.

"Deputy Secretary Gu, the Section Chief Ma you mentioned has some issues of his own. Why didn't you investigate before recommending him? I almost lost face in front of Old Yang just now."

"No way. Lao Li recommended him to me, saying that he should have been promoted last time, but was blocked by Deputy Minister Chen. I have also seen him, and his professional ability is indeed very good. I have also read his file, and he has been criticized and educated, but there is no mention of any major problems."

"Let's wait a little longer. Old Yang insists on his idea. If he doesn't agree, it will be difficult for the office meeting to pass it. Let's wait a little longer."

"Secretary, you have also read Lao Li's proposal. What do you think? I think it is very feasible. Why did the last office meeting reject it? There must be a big problem here. Do you want to..."

"Let's take our time on this matter. I just came out from Lao Yang's office. According to him, the instructions for this cooperation came from above, from above in the department. Do you understand..."

Li Huaide, who was far away in Hong Kong, was frightened into a cold sweat. The steel rolling mill sent a document that made Li Huaide feel like he was falling into an ice cellar. His every move was under the eyes of Dongsheng Company, even his sneaking to the nightclub was recorded. The most terrifying thing was that even the amount of his consumption was recorded to the exact amount. Li Huaide felt that the people around him were unreliable for a moment. Fortunately, the back of the document allowed him to defend himself.

This Dongsheng Company is so hateful that it almost ruined his life. Li Huaide wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and fell into deep thought...

Zhu Xuefeng, who had been discussing car design with Professor Xu in the factory for several days, rode his bike back to Yard 95 as usual. He pushed his bike into the front yard and heard Yan Jiedi's laughter in the vegetable garden from afar. After a while, he saw Yan Jiedi coming out with Yu Li. The aunt and sister-in-law got along very well. Yan Jiedi was holding a small basket in her hand, which was full of freshly picked vegetables.

Because they were going on a long journey and would return to their hometown after returning to Beijing, the younger sister entrusted the task of feeding the chickens to Yan Jiedi, her best friend in the courtyard, and promised that they could pick any vegetables from the vegetable garden. The third uncle was still very restrained and would only let his daughter and daughter-in-law pick some when the three brothers and sisters were not at home. He didn't ask for much, just enough that was enough, which was considered a long-term relationship.

"Brother Xuefeng, you're back. I just picked some vegetables. Are you cooking at home? Otherwise, I'll share them with you."

Yan Jiedi smiled and held out the basket. Zhu Xuefeng smiled and said, "I'll go home to get some food and go to my classmate's house for dinner. You can take it home. You've worked hard in the vegetable garden and the hens. Pick the vegetables quickly. It's a pity to let them get old. We haven't been cooking at home these days."

"Oh, so that's it. Raising chickens isn't hard, it's fun. Sister Xiaomei even gave me a gift from Yangcheng. Hehe, I'm going home first. Sister-in-law, let's go."

Yu Li smiled shyly at Zhu Xuefeng and left. This young wife was really pretty. Maybe it was because she was a new wife. Anyway, Zhu Xuefeng liked her very much. Yan Jiecheng was very lucky.

(End of this chapter)