I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

"Alright, let's get to it. Lao He, go find those workers in the factory who are dissatisfied with the current leadership and the factory. Make sure to make a comparison, comparing the current situation with the situation when the Revolutionary Committee was in charge. They know what's good and bad; they're not stupid. Do they want to easily earn a few dozen yuan, or do they want to work themselves to the bone to earn that kind of money? Make them think it through. Lao Zhang, go contact the old comrades from the Revolutionary Committee and tell them to be prepared to respond at any time."

"Okay, Director Fei," the two said excitedly.

Director Fei then turned his attention to Xiao Lin: "Xiao Lin, you're quick-witted. If you succeed this time, the Revolutionary Committee will give you a position as a member and you'll be part of the leadership team."

"Ah, Director Fei, I'd go through fire and water for you!" Xiao Lin's face flushed red. Wasn't this exactly why he'd been working so hard? Otherwise, how could an ordinary worker like him become a leader? This was a shortcut! And the previous leaders of the Revolutionary Committee were all his role models; they had all risen through the ranks by starting with worker rebellion. He knew this was the only path he could take. This huge windfall had hit him like a ton of bricks, leaving him completely dazed.

"Xiaolin, I have a new task for you. Go and embellish what you just said to the families of the injured in the accident. Not just today's case, but all the previous injured people. We need to get them moving so we have a reason to start. They are like firewood; we need to gather all the firewood before we can light a fire."

"Yes, don't worry, I know all of these companies well, I guarantee I'll complete the task." Xiao Lin patted his chest excitedly.

"Alright, everyone get ready to go. I also need to get moving and contact the comrades from the Revolutionary Committees of other factories. Let's make our Dengzhou metallurgical system shine again overnight."

-

"Factory manager, this won't do! Look how many accidents we've had this month! Could you submit a report to the higher-ups to add the missing safety equipment?" A workshop foreman rushed into the factory manager's office and shouted.

"Keep your voice down! What do you mean by missing safety equipment?" Upon seeing this, the factory manager quickly stood up from behind his desk, walked to the door, checked that no one was outside, and locked the door shut.

"What's wrong? Can't I even say it? It really is missing something," the workshop director said indignantly.

"Hey, hey, keep your voice down. Didn't I tell you to hold more safety meetings? You have to mention it at every pre-shift meeting and tell them to pay attention, right? How could this still happen? That means you're doing your job wrong." The factory manager turned the tables and started criticizing the workshop foreman.

"Factory manager, you can't do this! We're human, not machines. It's impossible for us to be attentive all the time. Everyone has moments of lapse in concentration," the workshop foreman retorted, even more furious at the factory manager's words.

"Calm down, calm down, I know. But those of us in production have to keep safety in mind, right? No matter how good the safety equipment is, it's not as good as your own attention." The factory manager said, picking up a cigarette from the table and offering it to the workshop director. Seeing that the workshop director didn't seem to want to take it, he wasn't embarrassed at all and just put it in his own mouth and lit it.

"I'm telling you, factory manager, we've already spent so much money on this production line, what's a little bit more? What's a little more safety equipment? These guys are risking their lives right now. You haven't been on the front lines, you haven't been off the production line. They're practically cursing me out. If you don't resolve this, they might just quit. You know these workers have become lazy and complacent over the years. If I hadn't temporarily kept them in check with my old reputation, they would have quit long ago."

Seeing the workshop director's wrinkled face as he poured out his grievances, the factory director quickly turned around and patted the director on the shoulder: "I know you've worked hard, but that's the situation. This batch of safety equipment wasn't ordered when the higher-ups were making the procurement. I also told Deputy Director Hu of the Metallurgical Bureau about this, and he clearly told me that it won't be provided. Because all the money has been spent on what's most important, on developing production equipment, there's no extra money for us to add safety equipment."

Seeing that the workshop foreman was about to raise his hand to say something, the factory manager quickly pressed his hand down and continued, "The country is facing difficulties, and we should be understanding. That's why we need to work overtime to produce better output. When we have foreign exchange, we can make up for it later. You should at least have the awareness to understand the country, right?" The factory manager stared at the workshop foreman's old face and said solemnly.

The workshop foreman opened his mouth as if to speak, then hesitated, letting out a heavy sigh. He'd already brought up the nation's interests; what could he say? The wrinkles on his head deepened further.

"Factory manager, how am I supposed to explain this to my fellow workers when I get back?" the workshop director asked, looking troubled.

"Hey, I know it's not easy for you either. We can't use bonuses as the main incentive right now, the checks are very strict. How about this, I'll have the logistics department talk to the materials bureau and ask them to send us more meat, to make up for it in terms of food. You're a veteran, you must tell your fellow workers about the difficulties our factory faces and the country faces, and you must carry forward the spirit of dedication."

"Hey, let me see. Let me see if my old face is still of any use." After saying that, the workshop director turned around and walked out of the office with a look of utter disappointment.

Looking at the empty entrance, the factory manager sighed, sat back down at his desk, and scratched his head vigorously. He felt a bit like a skilled cook without ingredients. He couldn't buy the equipment himself; he didn't have the authority. He could only hope to ramp up production, earn foreign exchange, and make up for the shortfall in safety equipment.

Just as he was frowning in worry, there was another knock on the door.

"What's wrong?" He looked up and saw it was his secretary.

"Factory manager, the injured person's family has blocked our office building and wants to see you."

After hearing his secretary's words, the factory manager quickly stood up and leaned out the window to look at the situation below. There was a crowd blocking the doorway, but there was no commotion. He frowned and turned to his secretary, saying, "Just tell her I'm away on a business trip and not here. Go and call the deputy factory manager; let him handle it."

Just when the factory manager was at his wit's end, things were already turbulent and undercurrents were surging beneath the surface of the mine.

Xiao Lin appeared in the residential area, glanced at the house in front of him, looked around to make sure no one was watching, and then knocked on the door. Clang, clang.

"Who is it?"

"I'm from our factory. I came to check on Mr. Li today. Is his injury getting better?"

A middle-aged woman opened the door, her face full of worry: "Oh, my husband, Lao Li, has been lying in bed ever since he broke his leg. He's listless and doesn't like to talk."

"Really? Then I'll go and talk to him."