Restarting life in Siheyuan

Zhu Xuefeng was on his way to the steel mill. He just learned from the conversation that the five second-generation members including Xie Junjie were commended for their disaster relief deeds last year and were reported in newspapers. The content and pictures of the newspapers were provided by Yu Haitang from the publicity department of the steel mill.

The brothers were also praised at home and were waiting for Zhu Xuefeng to come back to celebrate. You know, it's very rare to be praised at home. To them, this is even rarer than being in the newspaper. They were all beaten by their parents when they were young, but they didn't expect that they would be praised for their work in disaster relief.

Zhu Xuefeng did not worry about not receiving any praise for his work in disaster relief. He first went to the vehicle factory to meet Professor Xu and learn about the progress of the vehicle project. He then stayed in Lao Xia's office for a while and then hurried to Director Yang's office.

"You're finally here, kid. I heard you've been back for a few days. How are you? Are you getting used to your life abroad?"

"What do you mean several days? I just got home the day before yesterday. I took a day to adjust to the jet lag yesterday, and I'm here today."

Zhu Xuefeng explained with a smile, took out four boxes from his backpack and placed them on the table.

"What is this? A foreign thing?" Old Yang couldn't understand the foreign language on the packaging and looked at Zhu Xuefeng in confusion.

"Bring you some of this for a change."

"What the hell is that? Is it a cigar?" Although Lao Yang had never smoked one, he still had some knowledge about it.

"I don't recognize any of the foreign codes on this box, but I can still understand the picture, haha." Old Yang said happily as he looked at the box in his hand.

"Dannamann cigars have the largest market share in many European countries and are considered one of the best-selling cigar brands in the world. Try it. It's not too spicy and is better than smoking."

"You kid, this is considered worshipping foreigners, which is not good. Besides, who says smoking is bad for the body? He only smokes and doesn't do this kind of stuff, so what's wrong with that?"

Secretary Chen did tell Director Yang about the harmful effects of smoking and advised him to smoke less, but Director Yang didn't believe it at all.

"If you don't want it, I'll take it back and give it to Minister Chen tomorrow." Zhu Xuefeng pretended to take back the cigar, but was held down by Lao Yang with a smile.

"Don't be so stingy. It's not fair to take back all the stuff you have. Tell me, I heard you went to the vehicle factory first before coming here. How is it? Is it okay?"

Old Yang couldn't hide his pride. During last year's National Day, the steel rolling mill's car was a tribute project and it made a big splash. It looked impressive, was easy to operate, and was comfortable to ride in, and it received unanimous praise.

"Well, Chief Engineer Xu and his team now have the help of technicians from the research institute, and their strength has greatly increased. The projects of those engineering vehicles are progressing very quickly. I have seen prototypes of several of them. Chief Engineer Xu said that all indicators are far better than imported vehicles. It seems that you are in charge. The steel rolling mill has made a lot of progress in half a year."

Old Yang was quite proud. As soon as Secretary Liu left, he couldn't wait to transfer all the vehicle researchers in the institute to the vehicle factory. The research and development capabilities of the vehicle factory increased greatly. As for a middle-level leader whom he looked down upon, he had been transferred to the spring steel branch to carry out his research.

Then they contacted Jinan Automobile Factory, and the two sides naturally reached a cooperation. Jinan Automobile Factory was also very grateful to this competitor. Its diesel trucks were indeed not as good as those of the other party, and it had to admit defeat. It had been laying low for a few months, but unexpectedly the steel rolling mill came to it. Naturally, it would not refuse such a good thing. Finally, the superior authorities of the two companies intervened and reached a cooperation agreement.

"I didn't expect this kind of cross-regional assistance. It was Old Sun's suggestion that inspired me to come up with this idea. Hahahaha."

"You have a far-sighted vision. I admire you."

Zhu Xuefeng also expressed his sincere admiration. Lao Yang's stroke of genius directly solved the difficulties of the two factories. The Jinan Automobile Factory suddenly had more tasks than before. With the strong assistance of the Jinan Automobile Factory, the Steel Rolling Mill also completed the orders of the General Logistics Department, the First Ministry of Machine Building and other ministries and commissions. It was a win-win situation.

It can be seen that Lao Yang has been in a good mood over the past six months. Although he is only the acting secretary, he is like a fish in water without checks and balances. Many of his ideas have been drastically improved.

"By the way, I have to go see my master later, and visit Director Sun by the way."

"You won't find Old Sun in the third workshop. We have sent him to Hong Kong again."

Oh, it seems like this happened. Zhu Xuefeng himself had forgotten about it. Zhu Xuefeng was more concerned about Lin Yilan's matter and asked casually.

"Director, it seems that there is a lot of commotion in the factory. I heard that a few days ago, the Security Department..."

Zhu Xuefeng asked about Lin Yilan, but Lao Yang didn't take it seriously and waved his hand.

"Don't worry about it. Deputy Secretary Gu has no other intentions. She doesn't fancy Section Chief Ma. She said it was Deputy Factory Director Li who sent a letter to her asking her to pay more attention to him. That's why she paid more attention to him. She didn't expect that this guy named Ma is such a jerk."

Zhu Xuefeng felt that there was too much information in this passage. The two of them must have another layer of relationship. Since they could ask someone to deliver the letter, they must have been in contact before, or the elders of the two families must have been in contact. Should he remind Lao Yang? But from what he said just now, it seemed that Deputy Secretary Gu should have taken the initiative to express his position to Lao Yang. This should also be a kind of taking sides.

The steel mill is still under construction and the dormitory area is still being expanded. There is no way around it; the steel mill has to expand again. Every project at the vehicle factory has caught the attention of the bigwigs in the ministry, and the city is also strongly supporting it.

Various policies were tilted again. After the Spring Festival, the steel rolling mill recruited more than 300 people at one time. This was only the first step. By the summer graduation season, it is said that more people will be recruited. This is unique in this area and is considered a super employer in Dongcheng District.

The status of the factory leaders has naturally risen, and there seems to be less disagreement among the cadres. Old Yang has been in high spirits in the past few months and is ready to work hard in the coming days.

Special materials, various machinery, automobiles, motorcycles and other projects all need to continue to expand their production capacity. We also need to keep a close eye on some equipment specially made for freshwater projects, as these are also foreign exchange earning projects.

Zhu Xuefeng knew that the better the situation was, the less room for problems to arise. The higher you fly, the harder you will fall.

"Leader, the rapid development of the factory is a good thing, but you have to pay attention to it and pay more attention to some details. Sometimes, this thousand-mile embankment..."

"I understand. I didn't let the good news go to my head. If a young man like you can think of it, how could I not pay attention? Besides, there is Minister Chen here. He comes to care about me every now and then. Haha, I know he is afraid that my kite will lose its string, so he always reminds me..."

Zhu Xuefeng secretly felt relieved. As long as Lao Yang could stay sober and know what was going on, it would be fine. Besides, with Deputy Minister Chen helping to control the situation, Lao Yang shouldn't have any problems.

He was not very clear about the disputes within the leadership of the steel rolling mill, but Lao Xia had said many times that Lao Yang was under a lot of pressure in the factory and not everyone could think the same way as him. It was only because he was now the factory secretary that he was able to temporarily suppress some opposition.

"After all, you have made an indelible contribution to the tremendous changes that the steel mill has undergone today. How are you? You have been away for half a year. Do you have any difficulties at home? Tell me so that I can ask someone to pay more attention to you."

Zhu Xuefeng was very touched by Lao Yang's concern. "Thank you for your concern, my only sister is in high school, so I don't have any difficulties now."

"Oh, by the way, your sister will also take the college entrance examination next year. I heard that her grades are good and it seems that she has the potential to go to college." Old Yang threw over a cigarette.

"It's okay. There shouldn't be any problem given the current situation." Zhu Xuefeng answered with his back to Lao Yang as he stood up to open the rear window for ventilation.

Old Yang looked at the boy's back, feeling very relaxed. He exhaled a long puff of smoke. He had a very happy chat with Zhu Xuefeng today. This joy had never been shared with anyone. If he told others about it, those below him would think he was boasting and those above him would think he was proud and complacent. But he did not feel any psychological burden when he talked to Zhu Xuefeng, the man who wielded the first shovel for the steel mill's take-off.

"Xiao Zhu, I have something to remind you. Your family still has a labor quota. Since your sister is going to college, this quota may not be used. What do you want to do?"

"You mentioned this, I was just about to ask you, my house probably doesn't need it anymore, can I transfer it?"

"It's not impossible, but it's best not to trade privately. If you can transfer it between relatives and friends, basically no one will care. If you sell it secretly, you might be reported. You know the consequences."

"How can that be possible? You are humiliating me. It will be fine if my relatives can use it." This reply satisfied Zhu Xuefeng. Normally, such words should not come out of Lao Yang's mouth, but Lao Yang obviously did not regard Zhu Xuefeng as an outsider. The transfer and succession indicators were still in a semi-underground mode where the people did not report and the officials did not investigate, and it could not be made public.

"I have a cousin who is in junior high school this year. I want to wait until he finishes his freshman year in high school next year..."

Zhu Xuefeng briefly expressed his thoughts and introduced his cousin's situation. Lao Yang thought about it and expressed his opinion directly.

"Well, it's a little difficult, but I can help you. Let me take care of it. Just go to school and I'll definitely help you."

My cousin has a suburban agricultural household registration, and this is the biggest uncertainty here. I didn't expect Old Yang to take on the job with a wave of his hand. This is a big favor. Although the steel rolling mill has a precedent of recruiting workers from suburban rural areas, that was before the staff reduction in 61. Now it has been less than three years, and I don't know if this opportunity is easy to open.

"Thank you, boss. If it doesn't work, don't force it. I'm not sure about the current policy. I don't want you to violate the regulations, otherwise it will not be worth it."

As long as his cousin is willing to go out in the future, Zhu Xuefeng has plenty of ways to arrange for him, but now his own affairs cannot be exposed. It would be good for him to come to the steel rolling mill, at least the room in his house will not be empty.

"By the way, I need to tell you about Lao Shao's matter..."

It turned out that Director Shao was often arranged to give lectures to prisoners in prison, and he was considered an active reformer. After his sentence was reduced, he should be released in more than two months.

"Oh, what does Director Shao think? If he can get out, his family's situation should be improved a lot."

Zhu Xuefeng cares a lot about Director Shao. This is related to whether the steel plant in Hong Kong has someone he can trust to control it. He has not met Director Shao since he went to jail, but has only been to his home a few times to take care of him. He gets along very well with his family.

"Old Shao asked someone to send a letter to the company. It's here. Take a look. It's quite a headache."

Old Yang stood up, walked to the desk, opened the drawer and took out a letter.

The first half of the letter was nothing special, just regret, and then it expressed gratitude for the organization's care and shame for the help of comrades. Zhu Xuefeng nodded. This should be because the family members mentioned during the visit that the child had found a temporary job and the family could barely get by.

But the second half disappointed him. Director Shao had already made clear plans for his future, so it seemed unlikely that he would be able to go to Hong Kong.

Director Shao also understood that he could not return to the steel mill, but he heard on the radio that the country had launched the Third Line Construction. He wanted the factory to take care of him and see if he could be arranged to participate in the Third Line Construction, spend the rest of his life fighting for the country and alleviating his sins.

"Third Line Construction?"

"Well, the country has already made arrangements and has made a lot of calls. It is said that it will be launched in June. Our factory is also one of the key units. According to the requirements, we must also support the construction of the Third Front. This is a headache for me."

"Old Shao, this situation does not meet the requirements?"

Old Yang sighed, "It's a good thing that Lao Shao wants to change places and start over, but in his case, he will be rejected even if he reports it. I specifically asked Lao Chen about this, and he also said that comrades with serious faults like this cannot be assigned to the aid team in principle."

It seems that there is a chance. As long as Lao Shao can't go, we can find a chance to try again. It would be most appropriate to ask in the name of Dongsheng Company. It should not be difficult for Dongsheng Company to ask for a technician who has been released from prison in China.

Having made up his mind, Zhu Xuefeng continued to ask.

"How exactly are the three-line construction arranged? Which areas might our steel rolling mills be targeted at?"

My previous unit supported the Third Front construction, and in the end, eighty to ninety percent of the support personnel settled in the local area, and only a very small number returned to Beijing. However, their children enjoyed the policy of returning to their old factory first.

"You have been abroad for the past six months, so it is normal that you don't know. This policy has actually been planned for a long time. Now that there is great external pressure, the country has decided to start the Third Front construction based on the strategic layout of economic construction and national defense construction."

Lao Yang took out another cigarette, and Zhu Xuefeng waved his hand to indicate that he didn't want it, but Lao Yang threw it to him anyway and glared at Zhu Xuefeng. Only then did Zhu Xuefeng obediently light it up.

"You've made a lot of progress. You don't even want to accept my cigarette offer. Does your cousin still want to work in the steel mill?"

Lao Yang rarely made a joke, and Zhu Xuefeng could only follow his leader's wishes.

"You have to smoke. Haha, leader, please tell me, where will our factory go?"

"Based on geographical divisions, the country is divided into first, second and third tiers, with the coastal areas as first tier, the central region as second tier, and the 13 provinces and autonomous regions in the central and western regions as third tier."

"Our factory is required to support two places. One is the western province of Guizhou, where we are going to build a special steel plant. The other is to go to Shu, where we are also going to build a steel plant. We are still discussing how to implement it in several phases. There are also rumors that the vehicle factory will also set aside a part of it as an aid project, but there is no definite news yet." (End of this chapter)