dognovel Chapter 1604 God is a Girl
Chapter 1604 God is a Girl
Chapter 1604 God is a Girl
"How much did the paper-making equipment that the No. 1 prison bought cost back then?"
Yu Li came home late and saw him sitting in the living room reading the newspaper. She quickly walked to the kitchen, asking him a question as she went.
Li Xuewu didn't look up; he had already seen her enter the courtyard through the window.
Hearing her ask about papermaking equipment, he casually replied, "That depends on the type of papermaking equipment and the requirements."
He shook the newspaper in his hand, looked up at the kitchen, and explained, "North Korea just ordered $2600 million worth of papermaking equipment from Finland."
"So expensive?!" This answer surprised Yu Li so much that she couldn't help but come out of the kitchen and ask, "What kind of high-end equipment must it be?!"
"The quality and efficiency of the equipment, the types of raw materials, the purpose and quality of the paper produced, and so on—there are too many and too complex conditions."
Li Xuewu continued reading the newspaper in his hand and said, "Why are you asking this? Did the paper mill contact you?"
“It’s Zhao Laosi.” Yu Li digested his answer and walked back to the kitchen with the scallions in her hand, explaining, “He wants to start a paper mill.”
"What were you thinking?" This time it was Li Xuewu's turn to be surprised. He looked at Yu Li and asked, "Why did you suddenly decide to get into papermaking?"
"It's about recycling waste," Yu Li explained, continuing the previous topic. "The processing plant has a lot of metal scrap and a lot of paper products as well."
She looked at Li Xuewu through the window and said, "Back in Beijing, didn't you also help the prison get a set of paper mill equipment?"
"That's outdated equipment."
Li Xuewu, with his legs crossed, introduced, "The white paper used for making books is just so-so; it's only good enough for making toilet paper and the like."
"Later, the equipment was dismantled and sent to Chadian Farm. A few engineers made some modifications, and it was used directly to produce packaging cardboard boxes."
He picked up his teacup from the coffee table, looked at Yu Li, and asked, "Did you go to the industrial park processing plant today?"
"The fourth brother sent me over just to talk about this," Yu Li reported. "The processing plant made a profit of 78,000 last year, and he wants to use that money to open a new processing line."
Perhaps Zhao Laosi said something, because she hesitated and asked, "He told me to ask for your opinion on whether this paper mill can be set up."
“It can be done, why can’t it be done?” Li Xuewu took a sip of hot tea, put down the teacup and said, “The paper mill is not a problem, but the printing plant is not.”
"I was worried," Yu Li said with a sigh of relief. "When he mentioned this to me, I was wondering if they would refuse."
This wasn't because she was overly suspicious; rather, it was because not everyone in this era could engage in industrial production and utilize a large workforce.
All enterprises and industries, except for a few handicrafts that cannot carry out collective operations, must operate in a collective manner.
For example, recycling stations are small collective economies and do not exist as legal entities.
The paper mill was located inside the waste processing plant. If it employed more than three workers, it was considered a small-scale operation, so it had to be affiliated with another facility.
However, Li Xuewu no longer needs to worry about this; the person in charge of each major operating city is capable of handling these tasks.
Why didn't he care that Zhao Laosi started a paper mill?
Because in those days everything was in short supply, even everyday paper was scarce. You all know about the shortage of exam paper when the college entrance examination was reinstated.
Even with another 20 years of development, the current paper needs of ordinary people for daily life and work may not be met.
Those with life experience, think back to what year you first used toilet paper?
Therefore, producing these industrial products, which have no taboos and are entirely for the people's livelihood, will hardly attract any interference.
Moreover, given Zhao Laosi's intelligence and prudence, he would never directly supply the paper mill's products to individuals.
It's not entirely fair to say he's timid; rather, once industrial production reaches a certain scale, it won't operate sales terminals independently.
Distributing paper to sales outlets is such a time-consuming and labor-intensive task that even employing a hundred people wouldn't be enough.
Besides, the current processing plant cannot afford the labor costs.
Therefore, regardless of the type of paper product produced, the supply chain headquarters will handle the sales or direct procurement.
"The paper produced from recycled newspapers and magazines is probably of average quality, right?" Li Xuewu asked, looking at the newspaper in his hand. "Toilet paper?"
“He said he wanted to give it a try,” Yu Li explained. “He heard that toilet paper has the simplest manufacturing process and doesn’t require much precision, so he wanted to start with toilet paper.”
"Hehehe—" Li Xuewu recalled a TV series he had watched in his previous life, about the Diamond Sand brand toilet paper that made his butt hurt after using it.
In those days, papermaking technology was generally not very advanced. Paper like the napkins or toilet paper he used at home were quite expensive.
You're saying we can't make good paper without good equipment?
Actually, they lack the necessary status and cannot afford it.
Xuan paper is so soft that it won't leak when you write with a brush, so wouldn't it be even softer and more comfortable to wipe your bottom?
Of course, this is just arguing for the sake of arguing. Truly soft and moderately soft toilet paper has existed for a long time now, and city officials don't need to use sticks to scrape it.
Most people probably don't know what "stick scraping" means, but until the 1990s, many rural areas didn't have proper toilets.
In autumn, the corn stalks harvested were bundled together and tied along the corner of the wall to form a square fence. The inside was lined with yellow sand, which served as the toilet.
Whether you're squatting for a big or small bowel movement, it's all inside.
Needless to say, you can just pull up your pants and leave after you've finished peeing. But what if you're done with a big load and there's no toilet paper?
Easy. It's a fence made of corn stalks, so just pick the most suitable section from the bundled corn stalks and break it off.
Anyone with life experience knows that corn stalks have a hard outer layer that is relatively smooth and not very clean.
Typically, while squatting, one would use their teeth to tear open the outer layer of that section of straw, exposing the inner pith, which has a higher coefficient of friction.
After you finish defecating, use a piece of pith about the thickness of your thumb to clean your anus.
You can't just pull up your pants and leave; you have to use the shovel in the corner to scoop up the lump you just produced and throw it into the pit behind the fence.
Every so often, a layer of yellow sand must be added to this kind of toilet, and it must be yellow sand because it doesn't freeze in winter and is easy to shovel up.
Some people say this description is disgusting, but it's really out of necessity. If everyone could afford toilet paper, who would use straw? If everyone could afford a chamber pot, who would use a dry toilet?
Even if Zhao Laosi manages to set up a toilet paper factory, the product won't quickly spread to rural areas; there won't be enough to meet the demand of related units.
***
During dinner, Yu Li noticed that he wasn't very talkative, so she took the initiative to ask him why he was interested in the North Korea's purchase of papermaking equipment.
"I saw it in the newspaper," Li Xuewu explained casually. "To conquer the Northeast Asian market, how can we not pay attention to North Korea?"
Actually, he wanted to take advantage of the last opportunity to make a quick buck. Those who study modern history know that the economy of the Northern Dynasty was about to collapse.
After the New Year, Mr. Z visited and brought a large sum of aid. Honggang Group also participated in the procurement and supply of materials.
The Alto II and Aries models are within the scope of the aid program.
Of course, North Korea is still rich now, and you probably can't imagine how rich it is; it's even comparable to Japan.
Li Xuewu wouldn't mind guiding Honggang Group to get involved at this time, thus boosting the economy of the Northern Dynasty.
Whether it will plunge us into an economic abyss more quickly or be a one-in-ten-thousand chance of a miraculous recovery, that's none of his business.
Anyway, he knew that if South Korea became rich, North Korea would get nervous and would definitely cause friction; if Japan became rich, the Northeast would get nervous and its economy would definitely be squeezed.
Rather than letting Nanhan and Guiza become rich and powerful, it would be better to strike first and cripple their industrial economy. He dared not say that he would destroy their industrial economy, but he could certainly delay their industrial economic development.
If the seafarer works hard, he can ensure that these three neighbors enjoy the cheapest household appliances and supplies produced in Northeast China for the next 20 years.
As long as the goods exported by Honggang Group are cheap enough, he doesn't believe that the other side's national industry can develop.
Unless they resort to underhanded tactics and stop at nothing to destroy the Sea Coachmen.
But in Li Xuewu’s view, this is impossible, because peninsula countries and island nations cannot completely close their coastlines.
If a tiny place like Hong Kong can't stop a big plane, how much less can it in such a complex geographical environment as Northeast Asia?
To put it bluntly, there's no one in this area who's a nice guy, and nobody is a true friend in the strictest sense.
Yu Li understood Li Xuewu's plan immediately after hearing just one sentence, because that was exactly what Wen San'er was up to in Yingcheng.
Well, it doesn't sound complicated, but it's very complicated to do.
They want to achieve their goal without getting involved in the cause and effect.
In any case, those who got rich first have indeed become wealthy, and given the poor job market, many people are taking risks.
What this era has no shortage of is ruthless people, many of whom came from the old society and are born with a bandit-like air about them.
The idea of going from land to sea, earning enough for a lifetime's expenses in a single trip, has made many people envious.
Money can never be fully earned. They could have made their money in one go, so why did they continue to run the ship? Didn't they know it was dangerous?
Of course I know that, but the temptation of money is endless, just like human desires. After building a house and getting married, the money I earned was basically used up, and it was hardly enough to support the whole family.
Besides, once they've earned their first thousand yuan, their standard of living has already reached that level, and it would be difficult for it to fall back down.
So the first voyage leads to a second, and the second voyage ends in death at sea. Then his father or brothers will go out to sea, one after another, without end.
If one person in the village makes money, the whole village will be in an uproar.
Therefore, in the coastal rural areas surrounding Yingcheng, almost everyone who can survive in the sea will gather together to go out to sea to work.
One or two ships might encounter accidents, but when a dozen or twenty ships are operating together, the risk is greatly reduced.
Yingcheng Port District has long made this special economic activity public. After determining the list of exported goods and imported materials, the result is that the supervisory authorities turn a blind eye.
Wen San'er was timid and cautiously adhered to the bottom line drawn by Li Xuewu: not to participate, not to organize, and not to take responsibility.
He only distributed and purchased supplies from these ships, ignoring everything else, leaving ample profit for the seafarers.
In just over two years, the Northeast, especially the coastal areas, has created many wealth myths.
Of course, many people have chosen to keep a low profile and not flaunt their wealth, but the level of economic activity has indeed increased significantly.
Don't ask what kind of situation this is; just look at the rise to power of the bigwigs in the south during the same period, and you'll know.
In the 1990s, when mud-brick houses were the norm in northern China, some villages and towns in the south already had small villas and imported cars for every family.
Wealth cannot be accumulated overnight, and villas and imported cars cannot be earned in a day.
Don't even mention that the land in the south is rich in gold; nobody would believe it. It's more likely that there are wild resources at sea.
He wouldn't dare say that every family in Northeast China could live in a small villa and drive an imported car, but it's possible that he could leave a spark for future economic development.
Economic development cannot be separated from capital, but it also cannot be separated from people who dare to think and act.
The total economic output of Northeast Asia is comparable to that of Southeast Asia, and if managed properly, it can definitely be developed.
Of course, he paid attention to the Northern Dynasty because this sixth brother often acted unpredictably, and this time was no exception.
That evening, he told Yu Li that North Korea had ordered $2600 million worth of papermaking equipment from Finland. He said he would believe God was a girl if Finland could recoup the investment with interest.
Forget about the principal, they won't even get their interest back.
While others might not be able to see through the Northern Dynasty's true nature, Li Xuewu could.
With the help of the European Community system, this country, as an industrialized nation that could obtain cheap oil, raw materials and energy, had an extremely high level of credibility at this time, which was on a completely different level compared to later generations.
Li Xuewu immediately understood from the newspaper how ruthless they were in their shamelessness and overdrawing of credibility.
This is blatant exploitation of the world.
Based on a misjudgment of North Korea's credibility at the time, Volvo of Sweden believed that North Korea was a huge future market.
Therefore, Volvo is already in talks to export 1000 Volvo 144 luxury sedans to North Korea.
The reputation of Nordic luxury cars is well-deserved. In mainland China, they are called Volvo, while in Hong Kong, they are called Fuhao. Li Xuewu knows the price of this car.
The Volvo 144 is priced at around $18000.
What is this concept?
You have to understand that we live in an era where the US dollar is pegged to gold!
According to the inaccurate official exchange rate, US$1.8 is equivalent to RMB 5.76 in mainland China, but its actual value is definitely more than that.
1000 vehicles would be $1800 million. Have you ever seen such a blatant exploitation?
The key point is that Volvo completely trusted North Korea's international credit at that time, and even agreed to ship the goods without a deposit.
If it weren't for concerns about his reputation and future, Li Xuewu would have liked to give the scoundrel Ji Weidong a heads-up and let him also go to the international market to swindle money and women.
Information asymmetry in this era led to rampant fraud, and even in the 1990s, there was still a low-end fraud market.
Of course, there are scammers in every era, and their tricks are constantly evolving.
Could such a small commotion in the Northern Dynasty really attract Li Xuewu's attention?
Of course not, because this isn't the first time.
Li Xuewu learned from the international news section that at this time, some Swedish engineering companies were developing infrastructure and engineering projects for North Korea.
In addition to papermaking equipment, nearly 600 million in other collaborative projects are about to begin in Finland.
Then there's Switzerland, the sucker. North Korea purchased 2.05 million Swiss francs worth of Rolex watches, but they didn't pay for them either.
Do you think these Nordic companies are all idiots, why should they let them buy things on credit without paying them?
Think about it, what makes you think you can get a credit card when you've just entered the workforce?
When you're buying this and that on a whim, have you ever thought about whether you'll be able to pay it back?
Furthermore, the bank didn't expect you to actually not repay the money.
During the post-war economic recovery period, some countries had overcapacity and were eager to seize market share, so they made some risky investment moves.
As a result, the shameless North Korea seized the last opportunity of the impending economic downturn to fleece the country.
What if I can't pay it back?
They can default on their debts, since their economic foundation is in the European Community, and they don't necessarily rely on those old men in Northern Europe for their livelihood.
Then someone might ask, "Does this money become bad debt?"
hehe--
How do you say that?
What goes around comes around.
The sanctions imposed on the Northern Dynasties continued in later generations, but one day they would open up, even though the slogan of opening up had already been chanted from this time onwards.
When their economy aligns with the global economy, countless debts will be slapped on their foreheads; they'll either pay up or get out.
The reason is that their GDP per capita exceeded $1000 this year.
Damn it, just thinking about it makes me angry.
He took everything from his two older brothers, never expecting anything in return, and even harbored ambitions for a time.
So, from the perspective of future geopolitical and political maps, a neighbor who is half-dead or half-alive is a good neighbor, right?
Li Xuewu's next step, besides stabilizing the group's influence within the organization, is to truly develop the Northeast Asian market.
-
"Boss, you're busy."
Zhang Jing walked in with a smile. When he saw Li Xuewu raise his head, he turned around and waved. Ma Baosen and another clerk carried in a large box, which looked quite heavy.
"What treasure is it? You're looking at it so closely."
Li Xuewu flipped through the document, glanced at them with a smile, and said, "It's not a cannonball, is it?"
"You must be joking, how could shells possibly be delivered to you?"
Ma Baosen smiled and winked, saying, "This was sent over by Director Xu of Yingcheng Shipyard. He said it was a gift for you."
"Oh? Factory Director Xu sent a gift?" Upon hearing that it was Xu Sinian who was behind it, Li Xuewu put down his pen, turned to look at the box on the large desk, and asked, "What is it?"
"Hehe, we'll know once we open it up."
Ma Baosen kept everyone in suspense, then urged them to take out pliers and a knife from the toolbox he had brought, and began to disassemble the machine.
Li Xuewu stood up, walked over and took a look. The wooden box was sealed, and it really looked quite presentable.
"I heard it was sent by the Bincheng Hongqi Shipyard. Director Xu didn't keep it and specially had it delivered to you."
Zhang Jing explained with a smile, "I tried it, and it must weigh forty or fifty pounds."
"What the heck?" Li Xuewu glanced at it a few times, then turned to him and asked, "Oh, by the way, where did Deputy Director Su and the others go?"
"I visited the metallurgical plant this morning."
Zhang Jing adopted a serious expression and said softly, "I heard they found a lot of faults in the workshop and had quite a few complaints."
"Isn't this a good thing?" Li Xuewu said, looking at the two of them unpacking the boxes with his hands behind his back. "We usually let them do their own inspections, and they're all so smug. Now, finally, someone can offer some feedback."
Zhang Jing didn't follow his words. Instead, he frowned slightly and reminded him, "I heard from the people in the office that he needs to talk to each person in charge in the upcoming research work, which will take at least an hour."
"Oh, okay, that's normal."
Li Xuewu nodded slowly, but his brows furrowed slightly, as if he couldn't wait any longer, his gaze fixed on the two people unpacking the boxes.
Zhang Jing didn't think that way. He arranged for someone to keep a close eye on Deputy Director Su so that he could convey the situation to the Secretary-General as soon as possible.
Despite what the Secretary-General said, he had to do what he was supposed to do.
"We should go to Steel City Electronics this afternoon."
He hesitated before explaining, "Director Bi has already made preparations. Now we're just waiting for the lunch break to see if they have any further changes."
"Hmm." Li Xuewu glanced back at the wall clock. It was 11:30. The people who were conducting the survey should be back for dinner by now.
"It's a ship!" Ma Baosen pried open the wooden crate, unpacked the straw inside, and revealed a long, sturdy iron ship.
Well, compared to the models produced by Honggang Group, this ship does look very big, but Li Xuewu is certain it can't be launched.
The model was large and the details were handled very well. It was difficult for Ma Baosen and his companion to lift, so Zhang Jing even lent a hand to help.
Only after the ship was completely placed on the attached sleepers could Li Xuewu see its full appearance.
The hull number, painted white on the side of the ship, is 233.
In addition to the wooden sleepers for display and the small red flag on the ship, a wooden board with a description of the ship was also included as a gift.
Li Xuewu took a look and then realized the ship's real name: Type 051 guided-missile destroyer.
"Is this considered a thank-you note?"
After reading the letters in the box, Zhang Jing smiled and handed them to Li Xuewu, saying, "The Hongqi Shipyard has learned our sense of ceremony."
"Isn't this what you call applying what you've learned?" Li Xuewu realized that this wasn't a large model being given away; it was clearly a brochure.
Of course, this isn't advertising for the sake of sales, but rather to promote achievements.
Yingcheng Shipbuilding has business dealings with Bincheng Hongqi Shipyard. Last year, the two parties reached a project cooperation agreement, which led to today's letter of thanks.
Li Xuewu was unaware of where the relevant cooperative projects would be applied; he only knew that Yingcheng Shipbuilding had introduced more advanced shipbuilding technology from abroad, and the two parties reached cooperation agreements on certain projects based on this.
The ship's description was very brief, and Li Xuewu only had a general understanding of it. He knew nothing about maritime equipment and dared not pretend to know.
He didn't even understand the definition of a missile destroyer, only that the ships built for the city had made contributions, which was commendable.
Xu Sinian is a very clever person. He was certain that Li Xuewu wouldn't keep the gift, but he still wanted it to pass through his hands.
Li Xuewu certainly wouldn't keep it. This kind of iron lump held no appeal for him; he couldn't even understand it, so what was there to appreciate?
"Stop fiddling with it, just put it back together."
He waved his hand and instructed Ma Baosen and the other man, "After you've packaged it, send it to the group and give it to Director Li to admire."
Li Xuewu certainly didn't appreciate it, and he had no idea that the ship would be named the Ji N ship in the future, and that the name would even be given a new life after it was decommissioned.
"It would be quite suitable to place it here as well."
Zhang Jing suggested with a smile, "How about I find someone to make a replica for you?"
"Forget it, it's too big. I don't have room for it in my office." Li Xuewu reached out and touched the ship model, then sighed and said, "It would be great if our Yingcheng Shipbuilding could produce this kind of equipment someday."
"You really have a wild idea," Zhang Jing teased him with a smile. A clerk came in to report, and he went to the door to listen.
At Li Xuewu's request, Ma Baosen put the model back into the box, along with the sleepers and the information board.
Zhang Jing dismissed the clerk, hurried over to his side, leaned close to his ear, and whispered, "Deputy Director Su wants to see Yu Tiecheng's family."
He stepped back, and seeing Li Xuewu's furrowed brows, reported, "This morning someone saw a leader from the technical team go to see him."
"Who? Do you know who it is?" Li Xuewu lost interest in looking at the model and turned around to sit down behind his desk.
Zhang Jing then came over and reported in a low voice, "You should have met him before. He was sent by the technical department. His name is Zhang Mingyuan."
“It’s him.” Li Xuewu frowned even more. This person had nothing to do with him; he was the man Wang Yajuan had broken off her engagement with.
What could a cadre from the technical department, during his trip to the steel city leading a team to manage engineers and technical workers supported by East Germany, possibly need to report privately to Deputy Director Su, who was in charge of safety production, quality, and environmental protection?
"Should I arrange for someone to..." Zhang Jing asked tentatively, looking at his expression.
Li Xuewu shook his head, picked up his teacup, and said, "No rush, give him plenty of time and opportunity to perform."
"Then I'll continue to have people keep an eye on it."
Zhang Jing was completely devoted to him, and not just anyone could influence him. Li Xuewu had shown him great kindness and recognition.
Li Xuewu remained noncommittal and ignored Ma Baosen's situation, continuing to read the documents in his hand.
***
Su Weide's arrival in the steel city was shrouded in mystery. He seemed to be there to send off cadres and announce personnel appointments, but what was he really doing?
He did not leave immediately, but wanted to take this opportunity to tour and inspect the group's factories in the steel city.
At his current pace of seeing two a day, he'll probably have to stay in Steel City until next week.
Leaving didn't intend to confront him directly. Apart from the reception arranged on the first day, they didn't even meet in the following days.
He's busy with work, and he can't stop or stop the other person from seeing what they want or talking to whom they want. Why bother getting upset and fawning over them?
Just before leaving get off work that evening, Zhang Jing came in again and reported Su Weide's whereabouts that afternoon with a serious expression.
"What do you mean by 'the conversation is complicated'?" Li Xuewu asked, looking at him. "A conversation is a conversation; how can you describe it as complicated?"
"Because after the conversation, some members of the research team left with Yu Tiecheng's wife."
Zhang Jing glanced back and saw Zhou Peilan standing at the door. He waved for her to come in and explained to Li Xuewu, "I asked Peilan to go to Yu Tiecheng's house to check on the situation."
“They’ve all left,” Zhou Peilan reported somewhat flusteredly. “The house is a mess, as if they left in a hurry.”
"When I arrived, the door wasn't locked, but according to the neighbors, someone escorted the family of three into a car and left."
"Heh—" Li Xuewu sneered, narrowing his eyes slightly as he said disdainfully, "Acting all mysterious, do you really think you're some kind of treasure?"
"It's not that they think they're treasures, but rather that Deputy Director Su thinks they are treasures," Zhang Jing frowned. "Should I send someone to chase after them?"
"Chase? Chase what?" Li Xuewu looked at him amusedly and asked, "You have something to hide, why are you chasing after her?"
"If the benefits are actually implemented, I'll be happy for them."
"I'm sorry, Secretary-General—" Zhou Peilan said in a hoarse voice, terrified, "It's my fault for not supervising them properly, letting them..."
"It's none of your business." Li Xuewu raised his chin and said, "Go do your thing and stop thinking about this."
After Zhou Peilan left, he sighed and said softly, "If it's going to rain, it'll rain; if a mother wants to remarry, she'll remarry. Let them be."
"But—" Zhang Jing said with some concern, "What if they go to the company and spread rumors?"
"People can say whatever they want, what right do you have to tell them what to say?" Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and stared at him, saying, "You have to trust the organization."
"Understood." Zhang Jing nodded, and seeing that he had no further instructions, he turned and left.
The office quieted down, and the sound of Li Xuewu's pen writing could be heard clearly. He seemed confident and unconcerned.
Just one day before Su Weide finished his research and was about to return to Beijing, Li Xuewu finally received a message from the group.
Yu Tiecheng's wife, Liu Yaqin, along with their son Yu Yang and daughter Yu Jia, went to the newly established disciplinary inspection and supervision team of the group to report that he had interfered with the investigation progress of No. 4 furnace and seriously affected the team's investigation and feedback on the facts.
The entire office spent the afternoon discussing this matter, with all sorts of opinions expressed, but on the surface everyone remained silent.
This matter involves not only Li Xuewu, but also another person involved, namely Deputy Director Dong, who had worked in the steel city for three years.
In the past few days, Deputy Director Su has not only had long talks with the heads of various factories in the steel city, but also talked with some deputy heads.
No one knew what they talked about, and for a time, the industrial organization of the group in Liaodong was filled with panic and fear.
However, Li Xuewu maintained a calm expression and even declined Su Weide's invitation to return to Beijing together.
Similarly, he did not arrange a farewell dinner for the other party because he wanted to "avoid suspicion".
Although Yu Tiecheng's wife reported to Deputy Director Zhou, as the person in charge of safety production, quality and environmental protection, he was still the leading official in charge of the investigation of this case.
Since it is still uncertain whether any officials are involved in the accident, the first thing to determine is the nature of the workplace safety accident.
It's been almost a year, and there's still no result. Liu Yaqin went to the company to sue him, but he didn't want to explain or refute a single word.
Some people think the Secretary-General wants to let things play out for a while.
Suweide's invitation to return to Beijing was never well-intentioned; he just wanted to see him make a fool of himself.
If I really go back with him, it will seem like I'm guilty and being escorted back to Beijing by the other party. It's not that I'm going back to Beijing, it's that I'm being investigated. What will the cadres and employees of the group in Liaodong Industrial Park think?
In this era of relatively limited information dissemination, rumors can be deadly; as they spread, their meaning changes.
Some might say he's afraid to return to Beijing because he calmly stayed in the steel city, but as long as he's here, no one dares to make a move.
However, his refusal to return to Beijing at this critical juncture was essentially tantamount to giving up the debate, and even giving up attending the management committee meeting.
He appears open and honest, but he lacks self-defense and his vote. It remains to be seen whether the management committee will launch an investigation and review against him.
Sure enough, while Li Xuewu was actively contacting Jingcheng Chemical, Su Weide, who rushed back just in time, took the initiative to propose the reorganization of the investigation team at the Group Management Committee meeting regarding the safety production accident of Furnace No. 4 at Gangcheng Metallurgical Plant.
This is almost tantamount to slapping himself in the face, because the investigation team currently working in the steel city was assembled by people he arranged.
But he was willing to embarrass himself and insisted on reorganizing the investigation team, taking the initiative to personally supervise it and inviting the newly established discipline inspection team to join.
His willingness to take responsibility, his refusal to cover up wrongdoing, and his prompt action truly demonstrate that he has no selfish motives and is completely selfless.
The disciplinary inspection team, which had been stuck in Li Xuewu's position for some time, finally had the opportunity to join the investigation team and come to Gangcheng to carry out its work.
Is this Zhou Wanquan's method?
Perhaps. Judging from how readily Suweide added the touch, it's not hard to see that the two are in cahoots.
Of course, Su Weide acted like a sycophant, while Zhou Wanquan, like a young unmarried woman, hesitated for a while before agreeing.
What made him reserved was not Li Xuewu, but Li Huaide's attitude towards Li Xuewu, as well as the attitudes of the other members of the management committee.
Contrary to their expectations, although Li Xuewu did not return to attend the meeting, he did not form a united front against them.
Some time ago, because of the steel and automobile manager incident, it seemed like everyone had a problem with Li Xuewu, but when it came to the meeting, very few people spoke up.
Only Jing Yunong seriously criticized the several investigation teams that were formed before and after, saying they were overstaffed and had not produced any results for a long time.
She didn't directly criticize Li Xuewu, but it was clear to everyone that she was dissatisfied with the matter.
The fact that no one spoke up meant that they reserved their opinions.
It was unusual for Dong Wenxue not to speak at the meeting, because everyone knew that he was also involved in this matter.
Su Weide was very proactive, saying that if he and his team still couldn't find the problem this time, they would ask the Ministry and Beijing Industrial Corporation to take action.
This truly put Li Huaide in a difficult position, forcing him to suspend Li Xuewu's work and cooperate with the investigation team.
Faced with pressure from Zhou Wanquan and Su Weide, Li Huaide had no choice but to agree to their suggestion to reorganize the investigation team for the safety production accident at Boiler No. 4.
However, he stood firm against the two men, rejecting their suggestion to suspend Li Xuewu's work in his capacity as director of the management committee and general manager of the group.
His stance was also clear: it is unfair to suspend a member of the management committee based solely on a report without concrete evidence.
Especially given that Li Xuewu's work in Liaodong has proceeded without any problems, he does not approve of any opinions that could affect Li Xuewu's work.
The situation was at a standstill for a while, but eager to achieve results, Su Weide took the initiative to compromise after exchanging glances with Zhou Wanquan.
Everyone voted in favor of reorganizing the investigation team, but no vote was taken on the proposal to suspend Li Xuewu's work.
Su Weide was convinced that he would be able to catch Li Xuewu this time. He did not believe that the master and apprentice had not left any loopholes after operating in the steel city for more than four years.
Especially Dong Wenxue, a typical example of someone with great talent but little ambition, wouldn't bring up his private affairs back then. He would only add fuel to the fire and make it more sensational once the actual facts were found.
In early August, the Honggang Group Management Committee officially decided to form a reorganization investigation team for the No. 4 furnace safety production accident, with Su Weide, who is in charge of quality, safety and environmental protection, leading the team.
This incident had a significant impact, especially on Dong Wenxue and Li Xuewu, who both suffered considerable setbacks.
Most directly, Li Xuewu, who should have successfully completed his promotion in the second half of this year, will likely not appear on the group's nomination list.
Until a clear investigation into the accident is completed, he will continue to hold his current position as Secretary-General of the Group's Management Committee.
Indirectly, Dong Wenxue, who had relinquished management authority over the Liangmahe Industrial Zone at the very beginning of the investigation, also completely lost the opportunity to regain control of the industrial zone.
Just as the group was assembling an investigation team to go to the steel city to conduct an investigation, the group issued personnel appointments.
Dong Wenxue will no longer serve concurrently as the director of the Liangmahe Industrial Zone Management Committee. This position will now be held concurrently by Zhang Jingsong, the deputy director of the Management Committee and the group's vice president.
In fact, Zhang Jingsong had been managing the Liangmahe Industrial Zone for a long time, but it was not officially in charge. Who would have thought that Dong Wenxue would never come back?
Who could have imagined that the investigation into the accident at Furnace No. 4 would drag on for so long, even after two deputy directors of the metallurgical plant had already been dealt with?
Once the situation is confirmed, Li Xuewu will be held accountable for his supervisory responsibilities, and Dong Wenxue will also be held accountable. It will be quite a spectacle.
"You still have the heart to help us with our work?"
Bai Changmin joked with a smile, "Don't let us be in trouble if you, the matchmaker, disappear halfway through the work."
"Then what should we do?" Li Xuewu asked with a smile. "How about we postpone this matter and wait until our group's investigation team gives its results?"
"Hehe—" Bai Changmin chuckled, "Wait for them? By then it'll be too late. I really don't know what your group's leaders are thinking."
He complained on the phone, "If they don't even trust officials like you, who else can they rely on?"
After saying a lot of things, he casually asked, "Say something: are you coming to our Beijing Chemical Industry Company? I can't guarantee anything else, but I'm absolutely certain you'll get a vice president position. Our Director Zhang has already agreed."
"Hehe—" Li Xuewu laughed as he heard Li Xuewu reveal his true intentions, and said, "No problem, but even if I leave, I must leave with a clear conscience."
"Here's what we'll do: you two discuss how to handle this. As soon as I have a result, I'll come to you for help."
He also specifically reminded me, "You must save that vice president position for me."