Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

"Heh...improvement?" Li Huaide murmured softly, then looked at Zhang He with a scrutinizing gaze:

"Old Zhang, I'm just a deputy. Instead of paying respects to Secretary Nie and Factory Director Yang, you're coming to me. Isn't that a bit premature?"

Zhang He shook his head:

"Secretary Li, the leadership of the steel rolling mill is practically playing its cards openly now. Secretary Nie will be retiring soon, and the only ones who can take over are you and Director Yang."

"I'm not trying to slander my superiors, but Director Yang has a lot of questionable dealings, some of them even childish. How can one have a future working under a leader like that?"

"I'm afraid that after things go wrong, they'll just shift the blame onto their subordinates."

"As for Secretary Li, everyone knows that you are a kind and righteous person who is always ready to help others. As long as you follow your subordinates sincerely, they will not suffer any losses."

"Therefore, working for you is the best decision I've ever made, and you're the only one qualified to be the top manager in the factory!"

Li Huaide grinned after hearing this:

"Haha, Lao Zhang, I didn't expect you to analyze the situation so clearly."

"Alright, I'll give you a chance. As long as you get through this safely, you can work for me."

Zhang He was overjoyed upon hearing this:

"Thank you, Secretary Li!"

Soon after, news spread among the higher-ups that the leader of the investigation team was Li Jiuzhou's elder brother and Li Huaide's comrade-in-arms.

Yang Ligong was somewhat disappointed after hearing this, and then his face turned pale:

"Holy crap, is this some kind of attack on me?"

Yang Ligong's thinking was not without basis; the head of the investigation team was Li Huaide's comrade-in-arms, so he could go after him.

The competition between the two for the top position was an open secret. Yang Ligong felt he couldn't just sit idly by and wait for his doom, so he picked up the phone on the table and dialed:

"Hello, is this the Ministry of Metallurgy? This is Yang Ligong, the director of the steel rolling mill. Please transfer me to Director Wang!"

A few seconds later, an old yet deep voice came from the telephone dock:

"Hey, what's up? What's the matter?"

"Dad, I have something to tell you..."

Old Wang listened carefully to his son's story, but his heart was not greatly disturbed. He already knew about it, so he said:

"You've done a good job. The higher-ups know about this. Don't worry, they won't trace it back to you. Just focus on your work."

Yang Ligong was displeased after hearing this:

"Dad, I don't like what you're saying. What do you mean by 'we can't trace it back to me'? It makes it sound like I'm corrupt."

Old Wang was even more displeased upon hearing this:

"How dare you! Stand up straight and speak to me like that! How dare you talk to me like that?"

"You know whether there's a problem or not. With the steel rolling mill expanded to such a large scale, there are bound to be people everywhere who want to take advantage of it."

"If the investigation team goes down and brings down a few people, the two secretaries will be scolded, and you, the factory director, will also be criticized."

"You can't escape punishment just because you didn't do anything!"

After being yelled at by his father-in-law, Yang Ligong realized he had been too hasty and honestly apologized.

"I'm sorry, Dad, I was too anxious. Please calm down."

Old Wang wasn't so forceful after hearing that:

"I'll hang up now if there's nothing else. Cooperate with the investigation team and don't cause any more trouble."

"Don't worry, I will." Yang Ligong breathed a sigh of relief after hanging up the phone.

With the leadership transition approaching at the end of the year, Yang Ligong was unsure if he would be promoted, so he decided to find an opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk with Secretary Nie.

Five days passed in the blink of an eye, and the investigation team apprehended eight people, including six at the level of division chief and two at the level of deputy director-general.

Zhang Hewen, the Organization Minister, was a horse.

The eight people arrested all had serious problems; they were corrupt and embezzled money whenever they could. The evidence was conclusive, so they were taken away immediately.

Secretary Nie was summoned to a meeting by the Ministry of Metallurgy, along with the heads of other factories in the Beijing area.

A group of middle-aged men were being lectured by their boss like grandsons, and they didn't dare to disobey.

Even so, Secretary Nie was praised because his steel rolling mill had the fewest people arrested.

There was a textile factory where, apart from the top two managers, the entire management team was laid off. (These days, most large factories are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry.)

They're all corrupt and greedy, desperately trying to make money.

The head of the textile factory was on the verge of tears. Although he was not in any trouble, what difference was there between this and being in trouble?

All the officials were taken down. Doesn't he bear any responsibility? Is this how you become a leader?

How can you expect to land safely when your subordinates have turned out like this?

This leadership transition is 100% going to happen, so at least I can enjoy my retirement in peace.

The leadership transition is underway; a storm is brewing!

As one person falls from grace, another rises in their place, and the steel rolling mill has resumed its normal daily operations.

In the steel rolling mill's secretary's office, Yang Ligong handed a bag of fine tea to Secretary Nie.

Yang Ligong asked the question very directly:

"Comrade Wuji, do you think I still have a chance?"

As Yang Ligong spoke, he glanced at the spot under Secretary Nie's buttocks.

Secretary Nie naturally noticed this, and Yang Ligong even spoke frankly about it, which made him sneer inwardly.

Yang Ligong, just because of what you said, even if I can't be re-elected, I won't let you take the top position.

"Comrade Wuji," you call me? Do you really think I have no one above me?

Secretary Nie felt he needed to teach Yang Ligong a profound lesson to prevent him from becoming arrogant and disrespectful.

"Comrade Ligong, I don't know if you have a chance; it's all decided by your superiors. Although I have the right to recommend, what makes me think I can recommend you?"

Instead of getting angry, Yang Ligong smiled after hearing this, because he could tell from Secretary Nie's words that things were going well.

Isn't it just a political deal? Every official knows that!

"Comrade Wuji, if you recommend me, you can name any conditions you want, as long as I can do it."

Secretary Nie smiled:

"I have two nephews who just graduated from vocational school two years ago. You promoted them to deputy section chief this time, so as long as you can do a good job, I will recommend you to the higher authorities."

Yang Ligong frowned upon hearing this. He had only been a graduate for two years before being promoted to deputy section chief?

Things can be done, but it takes some effort.

"Is that all?" Yang Ligong asked.

Secretary Nie shook his head and rubbed his right hand together.

Yang Ligong's eyes widened in surprise when he saw it:

"No, Comrade Wuji, you want money back?"

Secretary Nie said irritably:

"Why can't I take the money? You said you'd do your best to do whatever you can. I'm retiring anyway, so what's wrong with making some money to enjoy my retirement?"

"Besides, I didn't take anything from the factory, nor did I ask the organization for anything. I only asked you, Yang Ligong, for it. What am I afraid of?"

"Two deputy section chiefs plus five thousand yuan. If you can get it done, I'll recommend you. If not, forget it."

"This..." Yang Ligong felt a little itchy on his scalp, unable to believe that the old man was about to retire and would still make mistakes.

However, Yang Ligong took to heart his suggestion that he should retire and make some money for his retirement, and thought that this reason seemed plausible.

After careful consideration, Yang Ligong nodded in agreement:

"Okay, deal, it's settled then."

This time it was Secretary Nie's turn to be surprised:

"Comrade Ligong, you didn't even blink an eye at five thousand yuan. Looks like you've really made a fortune."

Yang Ligong was not afraid at all:

"Comrade Wuji, don't I have one? My dad doesn't have one either. It's like I'm some kind of poor person."

"Let's wait for news. I'm going back now."

Secretary Nie nodded, and after Yang Ligong left, he revealed a strange smile. He had made a fortune this time.