In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 205, Section Chief Promotion. The Center of Discussion. Zhang Xiuying's Change. Smooth Handover.
In October, the summer heat in Shanghai gradually subsides, and the morning and evening breezes carry a subtle coolness, like a thin veil gently brushing against the faces of passersby, indicating that the most pleasant season in Shanghai is quietly approaching.

The old plane trees in front of the factory building have leaves edged with gold. Occasionally, a few leaves break free from the branches, twirling and fluttering down in the breeze.

Old Zhou, the handyman, took a long bamboo broom and slowly gathered the debris under the thick tree roots, piling it into a quiet, golden mound.

On a peaceful and languid autumn morning, a newly issued official document, its ink still seemingly fresh, was delivered one by one to the heads of the relevant departments by Xiao Chen, the always hurried secretary from the factory's Party Committee office.

The document was titled "Notice Regarding the Adjustment of Positions in the Finance Department of Hongxing State-Owned Cotton Mill," and the bold text in bold stood out prominently.

The content is concise: After deliberation by the factory's Party Committee, it was decided to approve Comrade Liu Jinsheng's application to step down as head of the Finance Department due to health reasons, and to arrange other work for him. Comrade Yang Guangming was appointed as the new head of the Finance Department.

The document was stamped with a bright red and clear round seal of the factory's Party Committee, and dated October 12, 1971.

This thin document, however, was like a pebble thrown into a calm pond. Although it did not create towering waves, it still rippled outwards within a limited area, evoking waves of surprise, speculation, and discussion.

For most of the factory workers, who are focused on their own processes and more concerned with output, quality, and their monthly pay slips, the change of department head might just be a casual topic of conversation over tea: "Oh, Old Liu in the finance department has been replaced by Xiao Yang?"

They heard it and forgot about it, as if it were a gust of wind blowing past their ears, and it had little direct connection with their daily work.

They care more about whether the machines run smoothly, whether the team leader assigns tasks fairly, and whether they can get a few extra cents or dimes in bonus this month.

However, among the well-informed, perceptive, and keenly observant middle-level managers and clerks in various departments, especially in the factory building, the silent impact of this document was real and even caused a buzz in some people's hearts.

Head of Finance Department!
The importance of this position in the Hongxing Factory, a large factory with thousands of employees, is self-evident.

That was a crucial position that managed the entire factory's finances, controlled the flow of funds, and audited all expenditures, affecting the nerves of every department.

Although there are factory leaders above them, their power and influence at the implementation level should not be underestimated.

Liu Jinsheng had held this position for over ten years, deeply entrenched in it with a complex web of connections.

Although he has always prioritized stability in his dealings with others, even appearing somewhat conservative and lacking the boldness to make sweeping changes, he is senior, experienced, knowledgeable, and has solid abilities. No one would have expected that he would suddenly apply to retire at this inconvenient age, citing "health reasons."

The real reason behind this is enough to make those who are good at pondering things ponder for days on end.

What's even more unbelievable, and even a little incomprehensible, is that the successor is Yang Guangming!
That young man, who had been transferred from the position of deputy director of the factory affairs office a little over a year ago, was said to have been completely ignorant of finance at the beginning and could only learn the most basic voucher review!

All told, he only worked in the finance department for a year. How old is he? Just over twenty, I guess? Many young people his age are still apprentices in the workshop!
A twenty-year-old head of the finance department! In charge of the financial lifeline of the huge Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill! This is probably unprecedented and the first of its kind in the history of Hongxing Factory!

Almost everyone who heard the news for the first time was stunned for a moment, wondering if they had misheard or if Xiao Chen had relayed the wrong message. Then, an indescribable sense of astonishment and intense curiosity welled up in their hearts.

This speed of promotion is no longer like flying; to those with a sour grapes mentality, it's like boarding a spaceship launching a satellite, soaring into the sky and leaving no trace of the exhaust!

In the offices of various departments, the atmosphere became somewhat subtle. Taking advantage of the leaders' absence or the occasional trip to get water or go to the toilet, people gathered in twos and threes, whispering and discussing among themselves. This inevitably spread like moss quietly growing in a damp corner.

"Have you heard? The finance department has changed! Section Chief Liu has stepped down, and Yang Guangming has taken over! The official document just came down!" A well-informed source immediately released the news.

"Really? The document has really been issued? My God... This Section Chief Yang... is he too young? He's still young and inexperienced!" This was the common first reaction, filled with traditional skepticism about age and experience.

"Who says otherwise! All told, he's only been in finance for a little over a year, and he's already a section chief? Can he really convince people? Will those old accountants in the finance department listen to him?" Doubtful voices followed closely behind.

"Hey, don't be so unconvinced. Although Section Chief Yang is young, he has managed to manage the finance department very well in the past year or so."

How did Yin Yongliang leave? How were the two seasoned group leaders from Groups 4 and 5 replaced?

"I heard that he was behind it all. Director Zhao supported it, and he carried it out quickly and ruthlessly." Some people started to present the facts and try to analyze its rationale.

"He certainly has the ability, but his backing is even stronger! Anyone with eyes can see that he was promoted by Director Zhao himself and is his staunch confidant."

"Liu Jinsheng this time... I don't think it's really as simple as a physical reason, I'm afraid it's..." The words stopped there, leaving a meaningful silence and a knowing look in their eyes.

"Shh... Keep your voice down! Walls have ears. Just keep these things to yourself. But speaking of which, Yang Guangming, he usually seems quiet and unassuming, but he's definitely got a knack for things. He's calm, experienced, and doesn't seem like a twenty-year-old. He seems at least ten years more mature than his actual age." The assessment was starting to become more objective.

"From now on, when you go to the finance department to get reimbursed, you'll have to be more careful. Make sure the receipts are pasted neatly and the reasons are well written."

This young section chief, a new broom sweeps clean, is probably even harder to talk to and more principled than Section Chief Liu was back then…” Some people have already begun to consider the actual impact and adjust their future behavior patterns.

Various speculations, amazement, envy, scrutiny, and even a hint of subtle sourness and hidden worry flowed, collided, and fermented beneath the seemingly calm office atmosphere.

But regardless, the written agreement and the official red seal signify the organization's decision; the appointment has been made, and the matter is settled. All that remains is to adapt and observe.

In the women's rest room of the weaving workshop, the news elicited a more direct and enthusiastic response, full of the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life.

Zhang Xiuying had just finished carefully checking this month's attendance records and was taking small sips of water from her enamel mug to moisten her dry throat when she heard several familiar old friends chattering away, their eyes occasionally glancing at her with smiles and inquiries.

"Xiuying! Xiuying! Come here! Come here!" Group leader Sister Wang's voice was loud and cheerful as she waved vigorously at her, as if she had discovered some great secret.

Zhang Xiuying put down the jar and walked over with some confusion: "Sister Wang, what's wrong? Did you find some money?"

"Still pretending not to know?" Sister Wang patted her arm affectionately, quite forcefully. "Your third son, Guangming! He's become a section chief! The head of the finance department! The official documents have already been issued to the workshop office! How could you, as his mother, not know? Tell me, did you already have inside information?"

Zhang Xiuying was stunned for a moment when she was patted on the shoulder. Her heart skipped a beat and a warm feeling rushed to her cheeks.

Guangyao, the second son of Guangming, was well-informed in the department about Guangming's promotion to section chief. He had mentioned it vaguely a couple of days ago, saying that the factory might be considering it, but he repeatedly told her not to tell anyone, and he didn't say it would happen so soon, let alone that there would be a follow-up decision today.

A huge wave of surprise washed over her, making her cheeks flush and her lips involuntarily curl into a wide smile.

But she quickly remembered her son's words of advice: now that her status was different, she had to keep a low profile and not announce every happy event to the whole world like before. She had to remain calm and composed.

She tried to suppress her excitement and the urge to loudly proclaim, "Yes, it's my son!" She managed to project just the right amount of surprise and humility onto her face.
"Really? There's been a follow-up so quickly? This kid didn't tell me anything in detail when he came home for dinner yesterday... He just mentioned that there might be a chance. I thought the organization would need to investigate for a while longer."

Her words were quite skillful; they expressed surprise, highlighting her son's modesty and the meticulousness of the organization, while also implying that she was not completely unaware, demonstrating the close relationship between her son and mother.

"Oh my! Such a big happy event, and you kept it from us! You're really good at keeping quiet!" Another female worker laughed and pointed at her with her finger. "The head of the finance department! He's a powerful figure! Our workshop might have to pull some strings with your family for things like expense reimbursement in the future!"

"Yes, yes! How old is Guangming? He's so young and promising! Xiuying, you're so lucky! All three of your sons are successful! The eldest works at Dongfang Machinery Factory, the second works in the Labor and Wages Department, and this third one is even more remarkable, becoming the youngest section-level cadre in the factory!" Envious words poured out.

“Guangming is Sister Zhang’s son, and he’s a big shot who came out of our weaving workshop! We’re so proud of him! If other workshops ask about him, we’ll just say, ‘Guangming, he used to be a son of someone from our weaving workshop!’” A sense of pride shone through his words.

The female workers surrounded her, offering their congratulations in a flurry of voices, their words filled with sincere blessings, their faces showing envy and joy.

Hearing her sisters' heartfelt congratulations, Zhang Xiuying felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey. She could no longer suppress her smile, and the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes crinkled up with laughter.

But she still remembered to keep a low profile, waving her hands repeatedly and trying to appear humble:

"Don't say things like that, you powerful figure or high-ranking official!"

"He was all cultivated by the organization, and the leaders thought highly of him. The kid was just lucky; he followed Director Zhao and learned a few things, and he's just doing his job..."

She paused, then added, "From now on, when you go to the finance department, just do it the same way. If he doesn't follow the rules, come back and tell me, and I'll criticize him!" This remark drew a good-natured laugh from everyone.

Her humility was seen as even more admirable and genuine; she didn't flaunt the benefits she received.

Sister Wang put her arm around her shoulder and said loudly, "Alright, alright, we know your Guangming is capable and modest! But you have to treat us tonight! It's such a big celebration, you have to contribute something! Don't you all agree?"

"Treat us! We have to treat us! We have to buy some high-end fruit candies!" Everyone cheered, and the lounge was filled with a cheerful and lively atmosphere.

Zhang Xiuying smiled and agreed, feeling extremely happy: "Okay, okay, wait until the weekend. I'll buy some candy and melon seeds to treat everyone to some sweets and share in the joy!"

The workshop was warm and cozy. Zhang Xiuying felt the warm and envious gazes around her, and her heart was filled with unprecedented satisfaction and pride. Her back seemed to be straighter than usual.

A son's success is a mother's greatest pride and joy, more so than anything else.

The crisp sound of the end-of-get off work bell rang, echoing throughout the factory area. Workers poured out of the workshops like a floodgate opening, chatting and greeting each other, merging into the flow of people heading towards the factory gate.

Zhang Xiuying walked briskly, almost jogging, and as soon as she arrived at the factory gate with the flow of people, she immediately saw her second son, Yang Guangyao, pushing his old-fashioned bicycle towards her.

She quickly squeezed through the crowd and called out to him, "Guangyao! Guangyao! Come over here!"

Yang Guangyao stopped the car, put up the kickstand, and, wanting to cheer his mother up, deliberately asked, "Mom, what's wrong? You look so rushed, and your face is all red. What's the good news?"

Zhang Xiuying pulled him to a slightly secluded spot near the gate, lowered her voice, but her face couldn't help but light up as she spoke rapidly:
"Your younger brother, Guangming! He's become a section chief! The head of the finance section! The official document came out today! It's all over the workshop! Your labor and personnel section is even more well-informed, you must know, right?" She was eager to share and confirm.

Yang Guangyao's face immediately broke into a smile, and he nodded: "Mom, how could I not know such big news? The copy of the document was delivered to our department this afternoon."

Many people in the office, regardless of whether they were from the same group, came over to congratulate me. One said, "Brother Yao, your brother is really something!" Another said, "Guangyao, your family is truly full of talented people!" As the second brother, I was genuinely happy and proud to hear this!

His tone was filled with pride, clearly indicating that he had received plenty of attention and congratulations from his colleagues throughout the afternoon.

"As long as you know!"

Zhang Xiuying breathed a sigh of relief, then eagerly instructed, "Go to the finance department and find your brother. Tell him not to go back to his dormitory today and to make sure he comes home for dinner!"
Such a joyous occasion! Our family must get together to celebrate!
I'll go to the grocery store in a bit to buy some cooked food, and then I'll ask your sister-in-law to cook a couple more dishes. Oh, and…”

As she said this, her expression involuntarily became more serious, and her voice lowered even further, "This is something our family should be happy about, just keep it to ourselves. Don't tell everyone, especially don't show it off to the neighbors in the alley."

Your brother's position is different now, and he's still young. Countless eyes are watching him. We need to keep a low profile and avoid causing him gossip or letting people say his family is arrogant and conceited, understand?

She tried hard to recall the "political wisdom" her son occasionally revealed, and applied it on the spot.

Yang Guangyao paused for a moment, then looked at his mother carefully, feeling somewhat surprised.

My mom has changed so much. If it were before, she would have announced such a happy event to the whole neighborhood long ago.

It's quite surprising that she would say such humble and cautious things now. It seems that her brother's promotion has also unconsciously raised her awareness.

Yang Guangyao nodded emphatically and said solemnly, "Mom, you're right! I understand! Don't worry, I definitely won't say anything wrong."

My colleagues congratulated me, but I can't help it; I'll absolutely keep it a secret from the neighbors.

He agreed with his mother's concerns. His younger brother was in an important position at such a young age, which was indeed an honor but also a pressure. He could accept that his family wouldn't help, but he absolutely couldn't let them hold him back or cause trouble.

"Okay, go tell Guangming to go straight home after get off work! I'm going to the grocery store to buy some things!"

After arranging everything in a flurry, Zhang Xiuying turned and strode quickly toward the grocery store outside the factory area, her steps light and graceful, as if she had become several years younger.

Yang Guangyao smiled as he watched his mother's hurried departure, feeling incredibly happy and proud of his younger brother.

He hopped on his bicycle, turned around, and skillfully weaved through the crowds of people leaving get off work, pedaling towards the factory building.

Zhang Xiuying walked into the grocery store, which was filled with a complex aroma of various cooked foods, soy sauce, and vinegar mixed together. She was in a good mood, and everything looked pleasing to the eye.

The experienced cook at the deli counter recognized her as a regular customer and greeted her with a smile: "Mr. Zhang, you're off work early today? What would you like to buy? We just got some smoked fish, five-spice flavor, it tastes great, lots of people buy it."

"Okay, master chef, give me a smoked fish, pick a big one." Zhang Xiuying smiled and pointed to the smoked fish in the glass counter, then saw the glistening vegetarian chicken next to it, "and cut me a pound of vegetarian chicken too."

"Hey, Master Zhang, it's not a holiday today, why are you buying so many good dishes? Do you have guests over?" the experienced chef asked casually while weighing the dishes.

Zhang Xiuying felt a surge of excitement; the urge to share her joy resurfaced. She really wanted to shout, "My son has become a section chief!" But remembering her son's instructions and what she had just said to her second son, she forced herself to suppress the urge.

She just smiled and made up a common excuse: "Well, the kids are craving something nice and want to eat something good, so I'm giving them a change of pace." She secretly gave herself a thumbs up for her "acting skills" and "self-control."

She also ordered some fried broad beans, and seeing that the braised meat looked good, she hesitated for a moment, then ordered a small piece of braised meat. Watching the net bag gradually fill up, she finally paid the money and ticket with satisfaction, and carried the heavy net bag home.

On the way, I ran into a familiar neighbor lady carrying a shopping basket back home. Seeing the smoked fish and braised meat in her net bag, she asked curiously, "Xiuying, what's the occasion? Why are you buying so many nice dishes? Did Chef Yang get a bonus?"

Zhang Xiuying's heart tightened, but she tried to act normal, even deliberately sighing, "Oh, what kind of bonus? It's my eldest daughter-in-law. It's the change of seasons these days, and she hasn't had much of an appetite. She said she just wanted some smoked fish to go with her rice. I happened to see some at the grocery store, so I bought some to whet her appetite. I bought the braised meat along with it; it looks fresh."

She cleverly shifted the "reason" to her eldest daughter-in-law, making it sound reasonable.

The neighbor nodded: "Oh, I see. Your daughter-in-law is so lucky to have such a kind mother-in-law."

Zhang Xiuying smiled and brushed it off, feeling relieved, and hurried home.

When she got home, she found that Yang Guangming had already returned and was taking things out of his military green canvas shoulder bag.

He took out a paper package, opened it, and found a large, dark red pork knuckle. The aroma immediately filled the air; it smelled familiar.

Then he took out an aluminum lunchbox, opened the lid, and inside were braised duck gizzards with an enticing color and a rich aroma of spices, just like the ones he had eaten before.

"Mom, this is some cooked food I picked up with a friend, I brought it back for you to try." Yang Guangming smiled as he placed the food on the table. Zhang Xiuying's face lit up with joy when she saw it, and she exclaimed, "Perfect! I bought smoked fish and vegetarian chicken, plus the pork knuckle and duck gizzards you brought back, as well as the salted duck eggs that are already oozing oil, and a couple of stir-fried vegetables, and it's all set! A feast! Such a feast!"

Looking at the food piled on the table, she felt incredibly at ease. Life was truly getting better and better. When things were tight before, she never dared to imagine coming home from get off work to such a sumptuous dinner. It was all thanks to her son's success.

She quickly tied on her apron and began preparing dinner. Yang Guangming also rolled up his sleeves to help wash vegetables and peel garlic.

Soon, the kitchen was filled with the clinking of spatulas and the enticing aroma of stir-fried dishes.

At dinner time, the small room was warmly lit and filled with the enticing aroma of various dishes.

The old wooden table was piled high with food: a large plate of sliced ​​braised pork hock, with alternating layers of fat and lean meat, trembling slightly, and covered in a rich sauce; and braised duck gizzards, thinly sliced, neatly arranged and drizzled with a little sesame oil.
The smoked fish pieces are a deep brown color, looking incredibly flavorful; a small dish of braised pork is fragrant, and vegetarian chicken slices are mixed with cilantro and sesame oil; the green-skinned salted duck eggs are cut in half, with the orange-red yolks glistening with oil; plus a dish of stir-fried bok choy and a dish of golden scallion and egg stir-fry, the colors are rich and appetizing.

Yang Yongkang took out the bottle of supposedly good rice wine that his youngest son had brought back last time and poured a small cup for himself and his two sons. Li Guihua also poured a small half cup for Zhang Xiuying and herself.

Xiao Zhuangzhuang was given a few pieces of tenderly cooked pork knuckle skin. He sat on the stool, not saying a word, and ate it with his head down.

The family sat together in a lively and warm atmosphere, filled with the contentment and happiness of an ordinary family.

"Come on." As the head of the family, Yang Yongkang had a rare, obvious smile on his face, and his wrinkles smoothed out. He raised his glass first, and his words, though simple, were full of power, "Let's drink to the bright future of our family! Work hard and don't let the organization down!"

"Cheers!" Yang Guanghui shouted in agreement, laughing heartily. "Mingming is really something! A section chief at just twenty years old! Who would believe it! I'm so proud of him!" He patted his younger brother's shoulder forcefully.

Li Guihua smiled and put a large piece of pork knuckle into Yang Guangming's bowl, saying, "Mingming, eat more! Being a section chief requires more brainpower and carries more responsibility, so you need to nourish yourself properly! You don't need to worry about things at home anymore, your older brother and I will take care of you."

He smiled as he accepted his family's blessings, his heart filled with warmth. This unreserved, simple, and even rough family affection was something he cherished most deep in his heart, and one of the reasons for his struggles.

"Thank you, Dad. Thank you, elder brother and sister-in-law." He raised his glass in response, his tone sincere. "It's all luck, and also thanks to the leadership's guidance. I will do my best." He took a sip of the warm rice wine, which had a hint of sweetness.

After a few drinks, they started talking more and the atmosphere became more relaxed.

Yang Guangyao picked up a piece of braised duck gizzard with his chopsticks, chewed it, and sighed, "It's just that the current administrative ranks are too rigid. With salaries frozen nationwide, getting promoted by even one level is harder than anything else."

A few years ago, a newly promoted section chief would have had an administrative rank at least equivalent to the top-level deputy section chief, level seventeen, or even possibly level sixteen for a section chief.

Now, things are really messed up. The position has been promoted, but the rank remains the same, and the salary won't increase. Maybe the position allowance will be a few dollars more? That's quite regrettable.

He was in the accounting group of the labor and wages department, and he was very familiar with the regulations on salary levels and cadre treatment, speaking about them in great detail.

Yang Guangming nodded; he took these things in stride and had a very peaceful state of mind.

"Second brother, I also want a raise, but this is the situation all over the country now; salaries have been frozen for several years."

The fact that I was able to be promoted to level 19 so quickly is already thanks to the honors I received for being recognized as an advanced individual and an outstanding Party member; it was a special approval.

Many veteran employees in the factory have risen in rank but remained stagnant for years. Compared to them, I'm already very lucky and have progressed very quickly. Contentment is happiness.

There was no complaint in his tone, only a clear understanding and composure.

Zhang Xiuying was more concerned about actual income and couldn't help but ask, "Then... is there any hope for Mingming to be promoted in the future? Section chief corresponds to level sixteen, right?"

Even if I can't be promoted to level 16, which corresponds to section chief, it would be good to reach level 18, which is the threshold for deputy section chief.

I heard that the salary for a level 18 employee is 87.5 yuan, and with subsidies, it can easily exceed 90 yuan a month! That sounds really good!

She was still secretly thinking about her son's potential partner. A high salary and a high position would give her more face, making matchmakers more enthusiastic and giving her a wider and better pool of potential partners.

Yang Guangming smiled and picked up a piece of smoked fish for his mother: "Mom, this depends on the opportunity and the policies."

The wage freeze is mandated by the government, and no one knows when it will be lifted. Even if it is lifted, so many older employees in the factory are waiting in line for promotions, and they'll have to proceed step by step.

If given the opportunity, the factory will definitely give us priority, but we can't rush it.

Perhaps I'll receive another honor someday, and my rank might rise another level. But reaching level sixteen, which corresponds to section chief, seems hopeless.

If my salary could rise to the level 18 deputy section chief threshold, I would be very satisfied; I dare not hope for anything higher. Even if I received an honor, I am too young, and it would be difficult for the higher-ups to grant me an exception.

Right now, all I want to do is focus on my work in the department and fulfill the tasks assigned by Director Zhao, so as not to let him down. As for the rest, I'll let things take their course.

Zhang Xiuying's thoughts returned to the issue that concerned her most, which had almost become a major concern:
"Work is important, but personal matters shouldn't be neglected! You're already twenty years old (by Chinese reckoning), and in another year or two, you should be looking for a partner."

"Do you have any ideas on your mind? With so many young female workers in the factory, and female colleagues in the office, have you taken a fancy to any girl?"

She looked intently at her youngest son, as if trying to read some clue from his face.

Before Yang Guangming could answer, she said impatiently, "If not, Mom will ask someone to keep an eye out for you."

Aunt Liu from the neighborhood committee, and several of my older colleagues in the workshop, have asked me about it several times.

"If you find a good girl, you should settle down as soon as possible. You can get married later, but you have to keep your sights set! Otherwise, all the good girls will be taken by others!" Her tone was as if she were snapping up a hot commodity.

Yang Guangming smiled bitterly to himself, but could only give a vague reply: "Mom, there's really no rush. I just took over as section chief, and there are so many things to learn and familiarize myself with. I don't have the time to think about this."

"Let's wait until my job is completely stable and things are going smoothly before thinking about it. As for relationships, it's all about fate; you can't force it."

"No matter how busy you are with work, you can't not get married, can you?" Zhang Xiuying said reproachfully, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. "Look at your second brother, how well he and Xinlei are getting along, they're about to get married. You need to hurry up too! After your second brother's wedding, you can take over."

"Okay, okay, I know, Mom. I'll keep an eye out for suitable options, alright?" Yang Guangming quickly put another piece of vegetarian chicken on his mother's plate. "Don't worry, eat more vegetables. This vegetarian chicken is very delicious." He successfully diverted his mother's attention back to the food.

The family chatted and laughed, talking about interesting things at the factory and everyday matters. They enjoyed a pleasant meal together and were full of food and drink.

After dinner, Li Guihua rushed to clear the dishes, while Zhang Xiuying, with a slightly flushed face, looked at the children and at her simple yet warm home, her heart filled with happiness and anticipation.

She started planning which of her old friends she would visit tomorrow to secretly inquire if there were any suitable girls in mind, so she could start looking for someone for Guangming in advance.

The handover of work after Yang Guangming was promoted to head of the finance department went more smoothly and peacefully than anyone expected, even a little too smoothly. This left some people who were waiting to see turmoil in the finance department or to see the young head of the department make a fool of himself.

Although Liu Jinsheng's departure was sudden, he showed great, even extraordinary, cooperation and calmness in the final period before leaving his job.

He meticulously and without reservation explained to Yang Guangming everything in detail, including all the department's work processes, important accounts, relationships, ongoing projects, historical issues, and even some unwritten "customs" and "danger zones" that only the department head knew about.

This cooperation was partly because he had been deeply involved in the system for many years and knew that the tide had turned. Director Zhao Guodong was determined, and Yang Guangming's rise to power was an unstoppable fact. Resistance would be futile and might even damage his own dignity and treatment.
On the other hand, perhaps it was because of the frank yet restrained conversation that Yang Guangming had with him earlier that gave him a relatively dignified way out, preserving his last bit of face and possible future arrangements.

He harbored a complex and indescribable sense of gratitude, or at least a rational compromise.

In addition, over the past year, Yang Guangming has gradually established considerable prestige within the department thanks to his calm and reserved personality, amazing learning and absorption ability, decisive handling of Yin Yongliang's embezzlement case and personnel adjustments in Groups Four and Five, as well as his meticulous skills in calming people down afterwards.

The veteran accountants, such as Lao Xu and Lao Sun, recognized his ability and down-to-earth work style; the younger staff, such as Xiao Li and Xiao Wang, admired his courage and fairness, and also saw the new opportunities that might come from working under him.

Therefore, the transition of power was smooth and rapid, with almost no noticeable resistance or slowdown.

Yang Guangming quickly took over all the work of the finance department. He arranged morning meetings, assigned tasks, reviewed reports, and allocated funds. All processes were carried out in an orderly manner without any chaos or stagnation.

He even had a vague feeling that the instructions he, as a young section chief, issued seemed to be more effective and efficient than those given during Liu Jinsheng's time.

A new, more rigorous, efficient, and rule-oriented work atmosphere is quietly taking shape in the department, replacing the previous somewhat dull and conventional atmosphere.

After establishing himself and gaining a basic understanding of the overall work, Yang Guangming did not delay and immediately began to fully cooperate with Factory Director Zhao Guodong's work plan.

His role transitioned very quickly; he went from being a deputy focused on execution and learning to a key role in taking charge and providing crucial support for the factory leadership's strategy.

Factory Director Zhao Guodong once again submitted the meticulously revised technical improvement plan, supplemented with more details and data, to the factory committee for discussion.

This time, the situation at the factory committee meeting was completely different from the previous stalemate and dullness.

Yang Guangming made thorough preparations in advance.

Before the meeting, he took the initiative to give Zhao Guodong a detailed report on the recent financial situation of the finance department, the monthly cash flow forecast, and the balance of several special funds.

He did not merely report data; he also put forward a bold suggestion that was carefully calculated and had a certain degree of feasibility: on the premise of ensuring the basic operation of the work, try to raise the 50,000 yuan needed for the technical transformation plan by appropriately reducing some of the non-urgent and non-essential annual activity funds and flexible expenditures of the trade union and party committee departments.

Instead of simply and crudely cutting the budget, he submitted a detailed report that was several pages long.

The report details which expenditure items can be postponed, such as some cultural and sports activities and non-urgent training, and which budgets can be further reduced. It also fully demonstrates that prioritizing the use of these saved funds for equipment upgrades in Workshop 1 and Workshop 3 will bring huge benefits to improving overall plant production efficiency, reducing defect rates, and saving long-term maintenance costs.

In the long run, increased production efficiency and profits will actually provide stronger support for trade unions and Party committees to carry out more and better activities in the future.

This report is rich in data, logically clear, and objectively positioned, taking the overall interests of the entire factory into account.

At the factory committee meeting, when the issue of funding was once again raised as the primary obstacle by some committee members, Yang Guangming, as the newly appointed head of the finance department, expressed his support for Factory Director Zhao Guodong's plan with a firm yet humble attitude.

He presented a well-reasoned and logically sound explanation of the feasibility of raising funds and the specific operational path, citing data and analysis from the report.

His tone was calm and his wording precise, and he spoke entirely from the perspective of the overall development of the factory, making it difficult for anyone to refute him.

He emphasized that this was a financial arrangement that was "based on the present and looking to the future," under the premise of "ensuring that the basic work of each department is not affected," "optimizing the expenditure structure," and "precisely investing limited funds in the key links that can improve production efficiency."

The union leaders and the Party committee office leaders naturally expressed their dissatisfaction and opposition, believing that this affected the integrity of their department's annual plan and the normal operation of their work, and complained about the tight budget.

However, Yang Guangming's reasons were very convincing, his preparations were extremely thorough, and his wording was very tactful. He always focused on the two most important tasks at present: "prioritizing efficiency" and "ensuring production," making it difficult for people to directly refute him on the surface.

He even offered to assist the finance department in refining budget management to ensure that core activities would not be affected.

More importantly, he is now the head of the finance department, possessing professional authority and a voice regarding the factory's overall financial situation and allocation.

His support provided a solid guarantee for Zhao Guodong's plan.

With the strong support and final approval from Factory Director Zhao Guodong, and Secretary Tian's tacit approval after weighing the options and considering the overall situation and development of the factory, it was clear that he had given his consent.

The technical upgrade plan was ultimately approved.

Although the union and the party committee inevitably harbored some resentment and gossip in private, their reasons were perfectly legitimate: everything was for the factory's development, and reducing expenses was to spend money on more important things. Moreover, they did come up with detailed plans and data, so the union and the party committee had no choice but to accept the result.

This also demonstrates Yang Guangming's ability to balance and his professional competence in handling difficult issues.

The technological upgrade funds finally arrived smoothly, and the 50,000 yuan was transferred to the special accounts of the Technology Department and the Equipment Department as quickly as possible.

When the news reached the relevant workshops, especially Workshop 3 and Workshop 1, the workers were overjoyed.

Those two old, outdated spinning machines that broke down every few days, affecting output and quality, can finally have their key components replaced. The doffing device in Workshop 1 can also be converted to semi-automatic. This means that the labor intensity can be reduced a lot in the future, production efficiency can be improved, the defect rate can be reduced, and everyone's bonuses may also increase a bit.

The workers praised the factory leaders for doing a great thing, and they also vaguely heard that the newly appointed young head of the finance department had put a lot of effort into this matter.

Factory Director Zhao Guodong stood by the office window, watching the steam rising into the sky above the factory below, listening to the faint roar of the machines, and a long-lost, relieved and expectant smile appeared on his face.

The finance department, this crucial stronghold and purse strings, has finally been taken over and is now in the hands of a reliable and capable young executive.

Yang Guangming did not disappoint him; in fact, he did even better and faster than he had anticipated, demonstrating a maturity and skill beyond his years.

He could finally push forward with greater confidence and determination in the subsequent production reforms, technological innovations, and management improvements. He felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders.

Zhao Guodong turned around and walked to his desk, picked up the black crank phone, and shook it a few times to get through to the technical department.

"Chief Engineer Zhang? It's me, Zhao Guodong. The technological upgrade funding has been approved, yes, the full 50,000 yuan is in place! We can start immediately!"

"Get things ready on your end. Notify Old Li in the equipment department that we'll hold a coordination meeting at 2 PM this afternoon as soon as possible to finalize the plan, expedite the procurement of parts, and get the installation and testing done quickly!"

Zhao Guodong's voice was loud and powerful, full of enthusiasm and a sense of urgency.

At that moment, Yang Guangming was sitting in the office of the head of the finance department.

He was looking down slightly, his expression focused and calm, his hand holding the pen steady and strong, carefully reviewing the application form for the first batch of technical upgrade equipment procurement that the technical department had just sent, checking the model, quantity, amount and budget terms item by item.

His profile looked particularly serious in the autumn light.

(End of this chapter)