Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

The following morning, Li Jiuzhou also received a meeting notice, which stated that cadres at the division level would also participate in the factory's democratic life meeting.

To be honest, Li Jiuzhou had never attended such a meeting before, but he had heard a little about it in his previous life, saying that the meeting was basically a battle of gods.

The main reason is that I had never encountered people or things at this level before.

This time it's different. He's a division-level cadre, and if he's sent down to a local area, he'll at least be a county head or county party secretary.

A 25-year-old division-level cadre, a true gem among men!

Just as Li Jiuzhou was still thinking, there was a knock on the office door.

"Please come in!"

The visitor was none other than my second uncle, Li Huaide, who had a broad smile on his face.

"Haha, Jiuzhou, did you see the meeting notice?"

"Second Uncle, you're here! Please have a seat." Li Jiuzhou quickly got up to invite his second uncle in, and then went to pour some tea for himself.

"Second Uncle, I saw the meeting notice. Why is it involving us section-level cadres? Is it inappropriate for us to get involved in the battles fought by the higher-ups?"

Li Huaide took a sip of tea and then waved his hand:

"It's not a very formal meeting. Democratic life meetings are for resolving some unsavory issues."

"You've never participated before, so this is a good opportunity to broaden your horizons and enrich your experience, which will benefit your future growth."

At this point, Li Huaide revealed a meaningful smile:

"Originally, Comrade Ligong only asked us high-level cadres to participate, but Secretary Nie said that you division-level cadres should also participate, so that everyone can blush and sweat together."

After listening to his second uncle's words, Li Jiuzhou pondered them carefully, and his eyes suddenly lit up:

"So, Director Yang acted unilaterally and issued the meeting notice without consulting the top leader?"

"This is disrespectful to superiors! How can this be allowed?"

Li Huaide laughed loudly upon hearing this:

"Hahaha, you little rascal, you're quick-witted."

"But you're not wrong either, Comrade Li Gong did go a bit too far."

Li Jiuzhou smiled too, but he still had a question in his mind:

"Uncle, Secretary Nie is now a vice-ministerial level leader. Do you think the head of the steel rolling mill will also be a vice-ministerial level leader in the future?"

Li Huaide shook his head silently after hearing this:

"Secretary Nie is an exception, because he is of advanced age and has a distinguished military record."

This exception began with him and ended with him.

Even if a steel rolling mill were to expand tenfold, it would still only be a department-level unit.

Li Jiuzhou nodded, with a slight hint of regret:

"I thought you'd be a high-ranking official, a vice-minister, if you got promoted."

Li Huaide gave a bitter smile:

"It's not that easy in Kyushu. So many meritorious officials since the founding of the nation need to be given positions."

"Deputy ministers, ministers, and even the highest levels are all filled by one person at a time. If I, Second Uncle, hadn't made great contributions and seized great opportunities, I'd probably have wasted many years in this position of Director-General."

"Nowadays, whether it's a government department or a local government, every deputy ministerial-level leader carries a heavy responsibility."

"Your uncle has a very good foundation. Reaching the provincial level is no problem for me, and I already am."

"But at the vice-ministerial level, you need to have something special."

"That's why Yang Ligong and I were both vying for the position of the factory's top leader."

You need experience as a leader to have a chance to climb the ranks.

"Don't be fooled by how fast we, uncle and nephew, rose through the ranks at the steel mill. If we were to be transferred to a local government, we'd only be deputy officials because we lack experience, you know?"

Li Jiuzhou nodded. He naturally understood this; his own shortcomings were more obvious than his second uncle's.

From a clerk to a division-level cadre, he has always worked in the same small area of ​​the steel rolling mill.

Even if you're assigned to a lower-level position, your superiors might not think you're capable; there are too many restrictions.

But my second uncle was different. He had rich experience at the grassroots level, from soldier to regimental commander, and later in the military control commission in Beijing. He had accumulated too much experience.

As long as he doesn't make any mistakes in his career, reaching the level of a department-level official won't be his final destination. Even if his second uncle is satisfied, his father-in-law won't be.

According to the path the old man had planned for Li Huaide, at the very least, he would have to get into the Ministry of Metallurgy and take his place.

If there's still some capacity left, then give him another helping hand; that depends on Li Huaide's own luck.

Another important point is that the capital region is the center of power. If you want to make it here, you don't even have the right to sit at the table unless you're at the vice-ministerial level.

There are many departments in Beijing; you could knock down a whole bunch of section chiefs and department heads with a single brick.

Only by taking that step will your name be taken seriously by various organizations.

Of course, nowadays, Old Li wouldn't send Li Huaide out to another post. Just kidding, who would be willing to leave the Ministry of Metallurgy?

Soon, the democratic life meeting of the senior management of the steel rolling mill officially began.

The first to enter were section-level cadres like Li Jiuzhou, a total of 26 people, who can be considered the backbone of the steel rolling mill.

Then came the senior leadership team members, led by Li Huaide and Yang Ligong, who entered the venue.

Finally, there's Secretary Nie. He used to be unassuming, but now he's a vice-ministerial level leader with an imposing presence.

When he came in, everyone stood up and applauded, which was a sign of respect for their superiors.

Secretary Nie pressed his hands down, then revealed a kind smile:

"Comrades, today's meeting is a democratic life meeting. I want to clarify one point: from now on, there are no leaders, only comrades. Everyone, speak freely and let's all have a frank and honest discussion!"

Li Jiuzhou sat quietly behind Li Huaide. He was just a spectator today because he thought no one would attack him.

Yang Ligong had ulterior motives regarding this democratic life meeting, as did other members of the leadership team.

Things that can't be said normally can now be said.

Yang Ligong was the first to speak:

"Comrades, since this is a democratic life, I'll start by setting an example."

He then changed the subject, his gaze fixed on Li Huaide. His idea was quite good: to start by taking down Li Huaide and making a quick buck.

"Comrade Huai De, aren't you being a bit too domineering? Not only do you control logistics, but you also manage the security department. Isn't that a bit unreasonable?"

"You think you can run the steel rolling mill like a personal fiefdom?"

Li Huaide's face was full of astonishment. "Damn it, they've got me in this mess?"

After regaining his senses, he slammed his hand on the table:

"Comrade Ligong, have you lost your mind? Are you using me as an example to scare others?"

"I've been in charge of logistics and security since I joined the steel rolling mill. Is there a problem?"

"So, you didn't bring us here because you're after the security department, that violent organization?"

"The key question is whether you've served in the military and know how to fire a gun. If you don't know, then don't interfere."

"Just say what you mean, why beat around the bush?"

Li Huaide rattled off a long string of words, showing no mercy to Yang Ligong whatsoever.

Everyone else present, including Li Jiuzhou, was stunned. Could this really be done like this?

If that's the case, we won't be sleepy anymore.

Yang Ligong was not angry about this; instead, he smiled.

"Comrade Huai De, don't get agitated."

"Am I excited?" Li Huaide glared at him.

"Hehe..." Yang Ligong chuckled.

"Look at you, doing it again. But Comrade Huai De, I need to give you a good talking-to."

"Since our factory expanded, Comrade Huai De, how many of your former subordinates have you recruited?"

"Now all that's missing is bringing the village's stray dogs over to eat a share of the government's salary."

"How can you do this to the organization and the people, abusing your power for personal gain?"