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

Chapter 44. Investigation
Han Mingqian met everyone's gazes, his face bearing just the right amount of apology and self-reproach:
“Secretary Tian, ​​I apologize for interrupting you. The breakage rate per thousand spindles that you just read out was a mistake I made when I was copying the final draft. It’s not 82, it’s 32.”

He paused, his gaze calm, his tone utterly certain:

"I have carefully checked the original data and workshop reports, and it is definitely thirty-two."

The responsibility for this mistake lies with me; it was due to my lack of attention to detail. I ask Secretary Tian for his criticism, and I also apologize to all the committee members and comrades.

After speaking, he bowed slightly.

A low murmur arose in the conference room.

Secretary Tian glanced down at the prominent "82" on the manuscript, then looked up at Han Mingqian's calm and composed face. He trusted this experienced and prudent office director.

Han Mingqian took the initiative to take responsibility, as it was just a minor mistake due to a slip of the hand, and there was no need for him to dwell on it.

"Oh? It's thirty-two?"

The sternness on Secretary Tian's face softened slightly, and he picked up his manuscript again, his tone becoming more composed:
"Thirty-two... Hmm, this figure is more in line with reality. Although there is still room for improvement, it shows that the work in the spinning workshop is solid and effective."

"Old Han, from now on, you need to double-check these crucial data. Don't let this happen again."

He brushed it aside lightly and didn't investigate further.

"Yes, Secretary Tian, ​​I will definitely reflect deeply on this and prevent such mistakes from happening again." Han Mingqian solemnly replied, sat down again, but a thin layer of sweat had already seeped out from his back.

The crisis was temporarily averted, but the doubts in his heart grew even deeper. He glanced at the various expressions on the faces of the people in the conference room out of the corner of his eye, and finally a silence fell over them.

After the meeting, Han Mingqian immediately approached Secretary Tian and, under the pretext of needing to "archive" the document, retrieved the original manuscript of the speech bearing the number "82".

Back in his tidy, almost rigid office, Han Mingqian closed the door and laid the manuscript flat on his large desk.

The sunlight streaming in through the window slanted in, clearly illuminating every detail on the paper.

His gaze, like a probe, was precisely focused on the altered number—"82".

The subtle curve in the upper left corner of the "8" stands out starkly against the strokes of the "2".

Although the ink colors were all blue-black, the newly added stroke seemed slightly darker, giving it a forced and awkward feel.

Most importantly, the beginning and end of that stroke carried an extremely subtle and inimitable hesitation and tremor, completely different from the steady and smooth brushstrokes when Yang Guangming copied it!

This is absolutely not a typo by Yang Guangming! And certainly not by Han Mingqian! This is blatant and extremely clumsy alteration!

A chilling anger rose from the depths of Han Mingqian's heart.

In the factory affairs office under his management, someone dared to tamper with important documents from the factory committee. This wasn't just targeting Yang Guangming; it was a serious provocation against the order and discipline of the entire office!

He didn't make a fuss immediately, but instead, with a stern face, dialed the internal phone on his desk: "Xiao Yang, come to my office."

Yang Guangming was organizing the minutes from the afternoon meeting when he heard the summons, and his heart skipped a beat. Director Han's tone sounded more serious than usual. He put down the documents in his hand and quickly went to the director's office.

"Director Han, you wanted to see me."

"Give me the original draft of Secretary Tian's speech, as well as all the drafts you made during the transcription process. If you have photocopies, that would be even better. Give me everything." Han Mingqian didn't look up, his voice was deep and carried an invisible pressure, and his finger pointed to the original manuscript marked "82" on the table.

Yang Guangming immediately realized that there was something wrong with the data! And someone had tampered with it!
His mind went blank for a second, but he remained calm on the surface: “Okay, Director Han. The first draft and the initial draft are on my desk, and the carbon copy is in my drawer. I’ll get them right away.”

He quickly returned to his seat, and under the slightly probing gazes of Zhang Yuqin and Zhou Bingsheng, he silently opened the drawer and took out the slightly blurred copy left over from the photocopying process. He then picked up the initial outline draft and the first draft he had copied from the table.

Back in Director Han's office, Yang Guangming placed the three documents on the table, alongside the altered final draft.

Han Mingqian picked up the carbon copy. It was a copy left by the paper underneath when using carbon paper. Although it was not as clear as the original, the key number "32" was clearly visible, and the handwriting was smooth and continuous, without any trace of modification.

He then compared the initial outline draft with the first copy, and the number on both was a striking "32"!
The proof is like a mountain!

Seeing Director Han's increasingly grim expression and the glaring "82" on the final draft, Yang Guangming already knew what had happened.

A chill mixed with anger welled up in my heart.

He had indeed been on guard against Li Weidong and had sensed the other party's hostility, but he never expected that the other party would be so audacious as to tamper with important documents of the factory committee!

This is no longer simple jealousy, but an extremely malicious frame-up!
“Director Han, I was very careful when I copied it. I checked the workshop report repeatedly to make sure it was correct before I wrote it down. The carbon copy can also prove it.”

Yang Guangming's voice was clear and steady. He didn't rush to defend himself, but simply stated the facts: "When this final draft was handed to you, it should also be correct."

Han Mingqian raised his head, his gaze sharp as a knife, staring directly at Yang Guangming:
"So, in your opinion, where does the problem lie?"

Who had the motive and ability to access this document in such a short time, after I signed it and before Secretary Tian received the draft, and to change only this one key piece of data?

The problem gets straight to the heart of the matter.

Yang Guangming remained silent for a few seconds.

There were only a few people in the office. Old Zhou was detached from worldly affairs, and Sister Zhang was mainly responsible for administrative work. Moreover, she was in the office at the time of the incident and had not been in contact with the final draft alone.

The only person with the motive, the opportunity, and the most likely handwriting to imitate that stiff effect is Li Weidong!

"Director Han."

Yang Guangming did not state it directly, but cautiously said:

"After the final draft of the document was completed, the data section, which was attached to the document, was stored in the archives for a period of time before it was sent to Secretary Tian's office."

During this period, besides you, only Sister Zhang, who is responsible for document delivery and meeting preparation, may briefly handle the matter.

But Sister Zhang probably wouldn't... As for the other colleagues, I don't know if they went into the archives while you were away.

He cleverly threw the question back, pointing out the possible range without making arbitrary accusations.

He knew perfectly well that Director Han was fully aware of the situation.

(End of this chapter)