dognovel Chapter 1579 Posture and Reasons
Chapter 1579 Posture and Reasons
Chapter 1579 Posture and Reasons
"You're really not going?"
Gu Ning looked at him in surprise and asked, "Are you angry? Am I late?"
"Hehe, am I a child?"
Li Xuewu put down his newspaper, waved, and said, "I'm exhausted after a long day. How can I stand staying up all night?"
"Really?" Gu Ning was still concerned about his feelings. She put down her bag and went into the living room to explain, "There was a sudden meeting to study the materials issued from above. I wanted to ask for leave, but the director wasn't here; it was those people from the administrative affairs group..."
She was about to say that she didn't know those people, but Li Xuewu grabbed her hand, and warmth flowed from her palm to her heart.
There's no need for further explanation; he understands her, and she understands him—that's enough.
"My son and I ate lunch in the courtyard. My sister-in-law made noodles with soybean paste. I listened to my dad talk about it all afternoon."
"What's up?" Gu Ning glanced in the direction of the restaurant, but was still pulled to sit next to him.
He wanted to pull Gu Ning onto his lap, but with the noise from the kitchen and the chatter coming from the small bedroom, she couldn't be so intimate.
"The children's good days are over."
Li Xuewu smiled, picked up the teacup and handed it to her, saying, "Dad said it was his fault; he should have thought of giving the children their early education a long time ago."
"Huh?" Gu Ning was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Enlightenment? Is it..."
“Traditional Chinese medicine.” Li Xuewu gestured for her to drink tea, explaining at the same time, “It’s to test the children’s patience and also to provide them with a fun way to learn.”
"Learning can be fun?" Gu Ning, who understood learning all too well, took a sip of hot tea and said, "Is Li Ning willing to learn?"
"I'd be happy to have someone with me." Li Xuewu smiled, took the teacup from her hand, and said, "Li Tang is the same."
"So?" Gu Ning raised an eyebrow and asked, "How do I learn it?"
“Send the kids to the compound on weekends, Dad will take care of them.” Li Xuewu smiled meaningfully, raising his eyebrows, and said, “He has a tendency to be a know-it-all.”
"Can't we send it over at other times?"
It was clear that Gu Ning was so annoyed by the children's antics that she even offered more positive suggestions.
Li Xuewu smiled and pointed to the doorway, where Li Shu was standing by the door frame eavesdropping.
“We should start with her,” Gu Ning said without turning her head. “It’s time to temper her temperament.”
To be fair, Western doctors understand the hardships of traditional Chinese medicine; they all know that studying traditional Chinese medicine can temper one's character.
Have you ever seen a Western doctor arguing or fighting with a patient? But have you ever seen a traditional Chinese medicine doctor shouting and yelling?
Western medicine is learned from university, while traditional Chinese medicine teaches medical ethics and health preservation from a young age, and students understand the principle that anger harms the body.
Li Xuewu turned to look at his daughter, imagining what it would be like to see his eldest daughter sitting behind the consultation table in the traditional Chinese medicine clinic.
Old John's Chinese Medicine Hospital? Haha!
***
What does it feel like to give up the opportunity to see a ballet performance and choose to stay home with your wife and children?
Li Xuewu has no regrets about this; missing out on time with his family is what he regrets.
Li Shu secretly asked her younger brother at the dinner table what they had been doing with their father that day, which startled Li Ning.
Seeing his stammering manner, Li Shu felt there was something wrong and kept asking him questions.
The more she asked, the more flustered Li Ning became. He kept glancing at his father, afraid that his father would tell on him. Wasn't it true that four cookies were missing from the tin box, and that he had taken four more after returning home? Had he been found out?
Could it be that the White Rabbit candy from Auntie gave me away, and my sister found out I was using her name?
"So eager?" Li Xuewu had already noticed the problem and gestured to Gu Ning, who also chose to watch the show.
Only when Li Ning was almost driven to his wits' end did he tease his daughter, saying, "Do you want to learn traditional Chinese medicine from Grandpa?"
"Dad, if I admit my mistake and apologize, can I not study traditional Chinese medicine?" Li Shu looked at him pitifully and said, "I only lied to my brother and peed in the medicinal wine because Grandma told me that it was meant to be given away."
"You mean, if you don't give the medicinal wine to someone, they won't urinate in it?" Li Xuewu asked, amused. "What kind of logic is that?"
"Then I admit I was wrong—"
Li Shu pouted and said, "I don't want to study traditional Chinese medicine. I like singing, dancing, and painting."
“You just like to play around.” Li Xuewu looked at his daughter and nodded, saying, “Learning traditional Chinese medicine is also a lot of fun.”
“Liar—” Li Shu still pouted and said, “If learning traditional Chinese medicine is so fun, why is it only my third uncle who learns it, but you and my eldest uncle don’t?”
"That's a good question." Li Xuewu picked up some meat with his chopsticks and put it in his daughter's bowl, saying, "Eat the meat."
"I'm not a child anymore—"
Li Shu looked at her father with a coquettish expression and said, "You just don't want to answer my question."
"Look, what's the rush? Dad's just about to explain." Despite his failed attempt, Li Xuewu showed no embarrassment, even as Gu Ning looked at him with a smile.
“Dad also studied it when he was a child, but he wasn’t good enough,” Li Xuewu said seriously. “You have no idea how hard Dad worked back then. Grandpa was afraid that Dad would hurt his health by studying too much, so he would whip him to stop him from studying.”
This wasn't just a surprise to Gu Ning; even Er Ya, sitting to the side, couldn't help but twitch her lips, her eyes filled with the meaning of "you're kidding me" as she looked at Li Xuewu.
Zhao Yaping lowered her head, trying hard to suppress her laughter, because if the shrewd Li Shu saw her, she would be exposed.
"Really?" Li Shu, who was no longer a child, widened her eyes and looked at her not-so-bright father with some pity. Her father was so pitiful; he couldn't even learn traditional Chinese medicine.
“Of course it’s true.” Li Xuewu nodded seriously and said to Li Shu and Li Ning, “But don’t ask Grandpa about this, because he also regrets hitting Dad.”
"So my dad never hit me."
Li Ning proudly raised his chin, his eyes filled with pride and happiness as he looked at his father.
Li Xuewu smiled and nodded at his son, saying, "Times have changed. I have the time and better ways to communicate with you, so I won't hit you."
"But I must remind you, Mom's time is limited, so please don't make Mom angry, or the consequences will be severe."
"Huh?" Gu Ning, who was watching the show, was taken aback as he pretended to be a good person in front of the children. She then looked at him with hostility, waiting for an explanation from him to figure out how she was the bad guy.
"I just can't bring myself to do it—"
Li Xuewu leaned closer and whispered, "We only see each other a few times a month, we can't even cherish it enough."
Gu Ning's eyes were still unfriendly. So she could do that? She was just a bad mother.
"Hello, Mom—" Li Ning, the little flatterer, was on the rise. Her big, bright eyes seemed to catch the exchange between her parents, and she said proactively, "Mom doesn't hit me either."
Li Shu looked at her younger brother and gave him a thumbs up. "Wow, little brother, you've learned this trick!"
Gu Ning glanced at the siblings, said nothing, and continued eating. Could she really let her son fool her?
They're so naive!
***
"Don't move—" Li Xuewu was about to act up when Gu Ning reached out and grabbed his arm, glaring at him to make him behave.
"Hmm? Something's up?" Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow, his eyes full of surprise. "When did you find out?"
"What are you thinking about—" Gu Ning glanced at him, then turned her head away and explained, "It's not okay these few days."
"You've worked hard, wife." Although Li Xuewu was a little disappointed, he didn't show it on his face.
He wouldn't do something like becoming an overnight sensation, and he certainly wouldn't let Gu Ning suffer like that; the risk of infection was too high.
He rubbed his palms together to warm them and gently placed them on her lower abdomen, comforting her softly, "It's okay, we'll keep trying when I come back next time. It's not like we have to have it right now."
"You like kids that much?" Gu Ning turned to look at him and asked, "You never have time to spend with them."
“Separation is always temporary. It’s not like I’m never coming back.” Li Xuewu lay down beside her, hugged her, and said, “I’ll be back in Beijing in three to five years at most, or two to three years at the shortest.”
"Hmm—" Gu Ning had long been used to trusting him, and he didn't even need to explain these things; she just missed him.
Before getting married, she had no concept of marriage. Her older brother and sister-in-law lived in different places for a long time, and her father was often away from home. She rarely felt the sense of security that marriage could bring.
Until I met him, he was domineering, humorous, brave and upright, and even his smile couldn't hide his mischievousness.
These were things she had never seen among the boys around her or her classmates.
Choosing him revealed a world full of wonders, and even my personality changed because of him.
Gu Ning could feel the changes in herself. Even if she couldn't feel it herself over time, she could tell from the feedback from her colleagues and relatives that she had indeed changed.
The warm breeze he breathed in her ear, the warmth of his hands, and the tenderness in his words were what she cherished most.
Are you going to work tomorrow?
"I'll go this afternoon; I have class in the morning."
Li Xuewu was almost asleep when she asked him something, so he opened his eyes and asked, "What's wrong? Is something the matter?"
"Then come back early this afternoon?" Gu Ning paused and said, "Let's go to the compound tonight."
"It's okay, it's not like we'll never see each other again." Li Xuewu knew what she was thinking, so he leaned his chin forward and whispered in her ear, "I'll try to come back more often in the future."
"Mmm—" Gu Ning's voice was tinged with shyness, a response of unspoken understanding. Her hand unconsciously rested on his, their fingers intertwined, and she closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Who can define happiness? Career and family—this isn't a multiple-choice question, but a judgment one.
Li Xuewu has never opposed her career, nor has he ever belittled her efforts, so how could she expect anything from Li Xuewu?
A family is a partnership between two people. When they first got married, Li Xuewu was the one who gave more, but now she is the one giving more. Romance is fleeting, but a marriage based on mutual support is what lasts.
Using flowers, candles, diamond rings, or even dowries to test love and marriage is wrong; it's just capital trying to assign a consumable value to priceless love and marriage.
If you love flowers and romance, money and lasting enjoyment, then you need equal support and effort. To live like a princess in a fairy tale, you first have to be a princess.
Of course, if you're a hostess at a karaoke bar, you certainly have the right and the means to demand romance and money, because you've put a price tag on this part of your life and your future, and whoever has the means pays for it.
Clearly marked prices and fair transactions are essential; even the Emperor himself would have to accept them. Just talk about money, not feelings, or it's fraud.
Defining the value of gifts and romance based on love or lack thereof is deceiving consumers. Surely no one keeps falling for it?
-
"What do you mean?" Suved stared at Gukura Heiji with wide eyes. "Are you threatening me?"
"Please don't misunderstand, I absolutely didn't mean that." Taniguchi Heiji bowed slightly and explained, "I was just kindly reminding you, and you don't want to let Ms. Takahashi down, right?"
Suvid just stared at him without saying a word, because he knew that the more he said, the more mistakes he would make, and he had already made a huge mistake.
What is this place? This is the International Hotel.
The person lying in the room was Takahashi Seiko, a sales representative from the Beijing office of Sanhe Co., Ltd., who had just come out of the room.
The man in the suit and tie in front of him was Heiji Tanikura, the head of the mainland office of Sanhe Co., Ltd.
It seems he was set up, or rather, scammed.
"Takahashi has always admired you."
Heiji Taniguchi glanced at the flowers and small gifts on the coffee table, his lips twitched slightly, and he bowed, saying, "I really didn't expect to meet you here, I'm so sorry."
"And then?" Suweide looked at him and said, "Ms. Takahashi and I just talked about some things, had a few too many drinks, and rested together for a while. I think you must have misunderstood."
"It's okay, I won't say anything."
Taniguchi Heiji looked up and smiled, saying, "Ms. Takahashi has absolute freedom; this is all her private matter."
"I've come simply to greet you. Sanhe Co., Ltd. is a partner of Honggang Group, and we are friends."
He raised an eyebrow slightly, nodded at Suweide, spread his hands, turned around, and went to the door.
Suvid just watched him until he gently opened the door and bowed as he left.
That's both incredibly polite and incredibly rude!
“Mr. Su—” Takahashi’s gentle voice came from the bedroom door, like a devil’s temptation, as loud as poison.
Suweid narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a cold voice, "Nothing happened last night, right?"
"Deputy Director Su—" Gaoqiao's call once again made Su Weide's hair stand on end.
He's finished. His conduct isn't the real issue, but when it comes to foreign affairs, even the smallest problem becomes a big one.
What's more, the other party was a business person from a group partner. He was truly blinded by greed; how could he have imagined falling into their trap?
That's right, even now he insists that he was tricked, with luxury cars and beautiful saleswomen involved.
"How much do you want? I'll pay you."
Suweid pulled up his pants, which he had only half-dressed, stood up from the sofa, and said, "Just name your price."
Takahashi stood there pitifully without saying a word, her head down, tears streaming down her face, her shoulders trembling.
Suvid kept staring at her until he had finished dressing, but she still didn't give him a quote.
"Five hundred? How about... eight hundred?"
He looked at her with some pity and said, "Just say the word, and I'll have someone bring the money over in a bit."
These days, who has 500 or 1000 yuan in their wallet? The largest denomination is only 1000 yuan. Wouldn't their wallet burst?
He couldn't bear to admit that he only spent ten or eight dollars. Last night, Takahashi treated him to dinner, which cost over a hundred dollars. Could a whole night's dinner cost less than a single meal? Where would that leave his pride?
He never intended to possess this Japanese flower long-term; at the time, the idea of just trying it out filled his mind.
Now that I've calmed down, I realize this flower is poisonous.
What does it mean to "spend money to avoid disaster"? He's willing to spend several months' salary to eliminate any future trouble, as long as the other party accepts his money.
Unfortunately, Takahashi doesn't seem to have that intention; in fact, she seems to have fallen for him.
"I'm sorry, I've caused you trouble." Takahashi bowed slightly in apology, her voice trembling with suppressed sobs, and said, "Please don't misunderstand, please go ahead."
She stood there, hunched over, letting her tears fall onto the carpet. A ray of sunlight shone through the gap in the curtains, illuminating that spot, and the dust kicked up by her tears was still clearly visible.
Could it be that she truly admires my charisma?
Suweid was confused, looking at the woman in front of him suspiciously. She wouldn't even take money, so what did she want?
He wasn't an indecisive person, but he was afraid that the other party would change their mind and then take advantage of him.
"You really don't have any requests?"
Takahashi didn't speak, but just shook his head, tears streaming down his face. He seemed to see disappointment and regret in his eyes.
What's wrong with me? I'm almost fifty years old. My heart should be as hard as iron by now. How come I can't bear to see her cry? And I can still see disappointment and regret in her?
He had finally calmed down; it wasn't the impulsiveness he felt when he first entered the room. Since the other party had said so, he made a decision accordingly.
However, the door behind him was closed, and standing at the doorway seemed to have touched a nerve, leaving him in a state of utter turmoil.
"Hello, Deputy Director Su!"
The waiters in the lobby greeted him, but he didn't react at all until he left the lobby.
When he saw the luxury car given to him by Sanhe Corporation parked at the bottom of the steps, he became more worried.
"Deputy Director Su." Secretary Gu Cheng opened the car door for him, his greeting as annoying as ever.
After getting into the car, Gu Cheng turned around and asked, "Boss, are we going to the office or...?"
The driver was also waiting for his answer. The car had already started, but it wasn't moving very fast out of the yard.
"Is that even a question? Go to your workplace."
Suweid didn't want to look at that disgusted face anymore, so he turned to look out the car window. The morning rush hour had already begun in Beijing.
However, the morning rush hour in those days had little to do with cars; it was a massive army of bicycles heading to various workplaces, with normal work resuming on the second day after Labor Day.
Gu Cheng sat up straight, glancing at Su Weide in the back seat through the rearview mirror from time to time, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"The Secretary-General has returned from Liaodong?"
After a while, when the car was almost at Liangmahe Bridge, Su Weide's voice suddenly came from behind.
"Yes, I heard he came back the night before last," Gu Cheng reported, turning slightly to the side. "But I didn't see him."
"Didn't he come to the company yesterday?"
Su Weide turned his gaze away from the window and looked at Gu Cheng, asking, "You didn't even attend the Labor Day party?"
That's a question, since you didn't participate either.
However, there was a reason why Su Weide did not participate. He had been in frequent contact with Japanese businessmen recently, seemingly working on some new project.
I've changed cars, and I feel more energetic now.
To be honest, keeping Gu Cheng by his side was the worst and most regrettable move Su Weide made.
If we had just replaced the person back then, it would have been fine, and we would have been in a more passive position. But now it's complicated to make a change.
Don't forget that Honggang Group is under local jurisdiction, but Gu Cheng's father-in-law works in Beijing, which increases his influence.
If he wanted to make things difficult for Gu Cheng, then someone else would make things difficult for him. He truly regretted it, but it was too late.
Gu Cheng felt no psychological pressure in the face of his estrangement and contempt, and even took advantage of this leisure time to coax his wife.
Among the group's leaders' secretaries, who has it as easy as Gu Cheng? Secretaries all have to endure long hours, but he's really hit the jackpot.
Why is the position of a leader's secretary so valuable? Because their work is so demanding that they will definitely receive preferential treatment from their superiors, and if they are reassigned, they will be given a good position and a good opportunity.
Gu Cheng didn't have to work hard at all, and he didn't have to worry about others making things difficult for him. He was just waiting for the right time to be transferred to a lower-level position.
Moreover, Suvid would have to arrange a good position for him like sending off a god, wouldn't you say he was incredibly proud?
The more relaxed and smug he was, the less Suwede looked down on him. But he had to keep his anger inside and tell others that his secretary was good.
He looked down on Gu Cheng, and Gu Cheng wasn't on his side either. An old fox and a young fox began to fight.
Gu Cheng had already keenly sensed the changes in Deputy Director Su, not only regarding the car but also her extravagant spending.
Although Su Weide kept many things from him and almost never took him along to social events after get off work, he could always detect unusual changes in Su Weide from the smallest details.
For example, Deputy Director Su's social circle is expanding, and he's going to more and more restaurants...
Promotion to Secretary-General? What's the purpose of this?
Gu Cheng was cautious and replied, "He probably didn't come. If you're sure you're not going, I didn't try to squeeze to the front."
"Hmph—" It was unclear who Su Weide's hum was directed at, but Gu Cheng sensed a strong sense of mockery.
He didn't care, and he didn't believe that this outsider who had repeatedly failed could make any waves in the group.
Deputy Director Cheng has been taken away for a month, but Director Li and the others haven't shown any signs of panic. There must be something going on here.
Qian Youqiong wanted to try to find out information for him from her family, but Gu Cheng stopped her, saying he didn't need to find out.
Because he knew that the information he could get from his father-in-law was definitely not as comprehensive as what the secretary-general knew.
Why bother with all that effort? He doesn't want his father-in-law to look down on him, as if he has to rely on his father-in-law for everything.
Unlike others, Gu Cheng had an extraordinary relationship with Peng Xiaoli, and Peng Xiaoli, as Li Xuewu's former secretary, had always maintained contact with the secretary-general.
The amount of contact is irrelevant; from the moment Peng Xiaoli became Li Xuewu's secretary, he was already labeled with a certain tag.
His ability to persevere until now, and even his confidence to fight the person behind him, stems from his admiration and trust in Li Xuewu.
Even if Suweide wanted to get rid of him, it would only take a year or two at most. He wouldn't need his father-in-law's help; the secretary-general would bail him out.
So he was extremely bold, even knowing Suvid's movements last night, since the International Hotel was the Secretary-General's territory.
To be honest, Old Su must have had a death wish to spend the night at the International Hotel, where so many eyes were watching, especially with those Japanese women.
If you don't let him laugh, how can he hold it in?
Ever since he learned that Sanhe Co., Ltd. had set up an office in Beijing and assigned some pretty female employees, he and Peng Xiaoli had discussed the matter more than once.
The methods are common and not particularly despicable, but they don't actually work in mainland China. The Secretary-General himself has been tempted countless times.
When Peng Xiaoli was the secretary, she often accompanied Li Xuewu to see them, and she never dared to leave his side for even a moment.
There was only one woman in the office at the beginning, named something like Momotani. These people were brought in after the incident.
What happened, others might not know, but he certainly knew what kind of women they were.
Deputy Director Su has really grown up; he can now enjoy Japanese cuisine without worrying about it spoiling and causing diarrhea.
I personally love eating raw food, but what if it's poisonous?
Who approved the renovation plan for Tadon Airport?
Li Xuewu came out of the general manager's office and asked Zhang Jingsong, who was standing next to him, if they were going to give a report.
"This matter should have been handled by General Manager Xue."
Zhang Jingsong shook the materials and notebook in his hand, and held a cigarette in his other hand, smoking as he walked.
He is a very patient person. He says he won't smoke, and he won't smoke for a long time in a meeting. He only smokes heavily in private.
"Nothing can be perfect, let's take it one step at a time." He blew out a puff of smoke, flicked off the ash, and said, "What if?"
"Hehe—" Li Xuewu chuckled and looked at him, asking, "Do you share the same thought as Director Li? Are you afraid the Ministry of Machinery Industry will change its mind?"
"Is this kind of thing rare?" Zhang Jingsong paused at the door of Cheng Kaiyuan's office, glanced inside, and then continued walking. "Better safe than sorry—"
Li Xuewu lingered a little longer than him, only moving forward after noticing that Cheng Kaiyuan's secretary, He Miao, was also absent.
"Then why don't you agree with General Manager Gao's opinion?"
As he approached his office, he asked Zhang Jingsong, "Wouldn't it be safer to make Tadong Airport a joint-stock company?"
"Would the higher-ups be concerned that you're part of a joint venture?"
Zhang Jingsong glanced at him, raised an eyebrow, and went to his office.
Li Xuewu smiled slightly before entering his office.
I haven't been back for a month, and the house smells different now.
After two long lectures in the morning, his throat was itchy, but he still had to keep going and report on the work situation in Liaodong to Li Huaide.
In April, we weren't just waiting for news; the group was gradually carrying out the rating process for its various branches.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the five entities that were designated as deputy bureau-level units—Hongxing United Savings Bank Headquarters, Hongxing Steel Group Sales Corporation, Hongxing United Construction Engineering Corporation, Hongxing Steel Group Education and Medical Administration Bureau, and Hongxing Science and Technology Research Institute—became the first batch of headquarters-level units to be designated as deputy bureaus.
In addition, the Gangcheng Metallurgical Plant of Hongxing Steel Group was appointed as a deputy bureau chief, but it was a production unit, not a management unit.
In early May, the group also conducted assessments and ratings of United Energy Development Corporation, United Logistics Development Corporation, and the soon-to-be-established United Investment Management Corporation.
Besides the three head office-level units mentioned above, which have the opportunity to apply for deputy bureau-level positions, only production units remain.
There's a bit of trouble at Liaodong Industrial. The group is still discussing whether to establish a formal management structure, which involves the classification process, so the management structure issue needs to be resolved first.
Li Xuewu mentioned this situation when he was reporting to Li Huaide. He was unsure how long the group would discuss it, so he suggested that they first determine the level to stabilize morale.
Of course, it's not the same as the metallurgical plant; it's graded according to the original situation, which is equivalent to a division chief. Li Huaide is also considering this.
He had understood Li Xuewu's considerations and opinions on this matter, and that he supported the establishment of a formal management structure.
This isn't determined by the brain, but by the position.
Otherwise, why wouldn't Li Xuewu have raised this opinion at the meeting? Because no one would have thought he would oppose it.
Rumors had been circulating that the group was going to establish an organizational structure or management company in Liaodong to oversee industry.
Li Xuewu didn't say it, but Li Huaide knew what was going on.
Once the Liaodong Company or the Northeast Company is established, Li Xuewu will undoubtedly be the first person in charge, and his influence will be officially established in the Northeast.
He wasn't concerned about whether Li Xuewu's increased influence would affect him; at least for now, Li Xuewu seemed to be on his side.
Moreover, there is a significant age difference between the two, and Li Xuewu is still a long way from reaching his position in terms of both rank and seniority.
To go from eleventh to first place would take three to five years, or even ten to eight years, so they have no conflict.
Especially now that Dong Wenxue has suffered a major setback, he is even less worried that Li Xuewu has become too powerful to leave him.
His only concern was whether his unwavering favoritism and support for Li Xuewu would provoke opposition from other members of the group.
At this time, there should be no disputes or conflicts within the group. He still insists on maintaining a united atmosphere, and even if there is competition, it should be conducted in a united atmosphere.
Li Xuewu didn't care about these things. The grading only involved resource allocation and the title of the main person in charge. A little more or less wouldn't affect him too much.
On the contrary, Xu Sinian was very nervous. Before returning, he went to Gangcheng to talk to him for a long time, meaning to promote the appointment of Yingcheng Shipbuilding as deputy director, so as to enhance his influence.
Xu Sinian's words were not without reason. Given the current situation of the group, coupled with Li Huaide's opinion of him, there was a very high possibility that he would stay at Yingcheng Shipbuilding.
In other words, he can forget about moving for the next year or two, and he might have to stay for another three years. He doesn't want to lose money.
Even if they can't return to the group, they should still receive the treatment they deserve upon retirement.
This is quite blunt. Li Xuewu can't say this directly to Old Li after he returns to the capital, or he'll be in trouble with Xu Sinian.
"How is it? What's going on?"
Speak of the devil, and he appears. He hadn't been sitting in his office for long when Xu Sinian called.
He spoke on the phone with a hint of nervousness, as if he were meeting with some underground operative.
Li Xuewu laughed and scolded, "Are you bored? If you have nothing to do, go help out in the workshop. Stop bothering me."
"You see, I'm just getting anxious and stressed."
Xu Sinian was truly shameless, fawningly saying, "Who else is left in the group? It's just you."
"Alright, I just asked for you."
Li Xuewu, too lazy to listen to his rambling, explained: "The leader's idea is to wait and see how things are in Yingcheng Port Area next year. It seems he wants to integrate the port area and the shipyard."
"Didn't we say we wouldn't get along?"
Xu Sinian was getting a little anxious. He said on the phone, "I only stopped interfering with the port area because of his assurances, and now he's saying he wants to integrate it? What do you think I'm going to do..."
"What's the rush—" Li Xuewu raised his voice slightly, reminding him, "There's still more than a year left, plans can't keep up with changes."
"Besides, the leader's intention was to integrate resources, not to merge the two units into one for management."
He switched hands to hold the microphone and explained, "I don't think one person will be able to handle both situations, don't worry."
“I would believe you if you said that, but I don’t believe him.”
Xu Sinian said hesitantly, "You wouldn't cheat me, would you?"
"Stop talking nonsense. Yingcheng Port Area has already been assigned to logistics. It's not like there's only one Yingcheng Port."
Li Xuewu said impatiently, "Yingcheng Shipbuilding will always be part of the Liaodong industrial system, and that will never change."
"Don't worry, that puts my mind at ease."
Xu Sinian chuckled and said, "Don't arrange another mother-in-law for me, that would be troublesome."
"That's it, don't think about the rating anymore," Li Xuewu said on the phone. "Broaden your horizons. You're a shipyard, not welded to Yingcheng."
He finished his call and, without waiting for Xu Sinian to say anything more, reached out and hung up the receiver.
Zhang Enyuan glanced outside, took the documents, and walked in, reporting softly, "The bus production equipment has arrived at the port."
"Hmm, has the transportation plan been initiated?"
Li Xuewu took the document, looked at it, and said, "Is this a fleet that came back together?"
"I heard it's safer," Zhang Enyuan asked curiously. "Does maritime transport still carry the same risks of disaster as before?"
“It wasn’t a natural disaster.” Li Xuewu looked up at him, then continued reading the document and explained, “There were pirates.”
"Pirates?" Zhang Enyuan was a complete landlubber and had little experience with ocean shipping, so he was a little surprised. "In this day and age, there are still pirates?"
"Hehe—" Li Xuewu chuckled and retorted, "What's wrong with this era? Can't there be pirates?"
He put down the documents in his hand, looked up at him, and asked, "In your impression, are pirates still wearing tattered clothes, wielding large swords and spears, and shouting orders?"
Zhang Enyuan didn't speak. He only had a partial understanding of the situation; there used to be pirates in Northeast China, but they disappeared afterward.
It's nothing more than that the risks in the Northeast Asian seas are much higher than in Southeast Asia. The people there are all weaklings, while here, any one of them is a force that pirates could never contend with.
"Ocean shipping is still very risky."
Li Xuewu glanced at the documents; they contained not only one ship, but also returning cargo ships loaded with mining equipment, water pumps, and medical equipment from East Germany.
Even with such strict blockades today, the fact that they were still able to sail their ships into the Bohai Bay and enter Yingcheng Port shows that the Santayar Group has some ability, and their ability to sail smoothly and far has certainly opened up new opportunities.
The equipment on this ship doesn't belong to the Santaya Group or the Honggang Group, but to Catherine.
Why wasn't it mentioned that it belongs to Geely Star Shipbuilding?
Because these devices and equipment were all investments by Catherine herself, and she received them as benefits from the Red Steel Group in East Germany.
She helped Honggang Group complete the technology acquisition and also received support and assistance from Honggang Group, gaining access to material procurement and channels to enter the mainland.
Honggang Group Sales Company will undertake the sales of these equipment and materials; the two parties are in a cooperative relationship.
Moreover, Honggang Group itself also has a need for related equipment, such as mining equipment. United Energy Mining Company has been waiting for it for a long time, and it will be shipped as soon as it arrives at the port.
Has a meeting been scheduled?
Li Xuewu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked, "What did they say from the office?"
"It seems they're waiting." Zhang Enyuan hesitated for a moment before reporting, "There's no definite news from over there. I came down to inquire, and some people said that the leaders are waiting for Deputy Director Cheng to return."
He asked softly, "Will Deputy Director Cheng be able to come back?"
"Hehe, what do you think?" Li Xuewu looked at him and asked, "Why do you think he won't come back?"
"I don't know, I'm just asking."
When Zhang Enyuan heard him say that, he understood that the leader would never easily reveal his confidence.
Seeing his attitude, it means that Deputy Director Cheng will definitely return safely, and those people are about to give up.
“They didn’t give any specifics, so I can’t guess the exact time.” Zhang Enyuan raised an eyebrow and said, “I don’t know if you’ll be able to make it back this time, and if you don’t…”
"I have already reported this to Director Li."
Li Xuewu tapped his fingers on the desk and said, "Even if we miss it, we can come back after the meeting is over."
"This year's Guangzhou Trade Fair has undergone significant changes, refusing participation to integrated industrial and trading companies. The group needs to take action."
He took the documents and looked at them as he said, "We need to give an explanation to the United Industries and United Enterprises."
"Why restrict integrated industrial and trading companies from participating in trade fairs?" Zhang Enyuan refilled his teacup with hot water from the thermos, asking at the same time, "Isn't increasing transaction volume a good thing?"
"It's a good thing for the overall economy, but not necessarily for the organizers and the relevant authorities," Li Xuewu said, shaking his head slightly. "They just want to establish their authority and demand unified export channels. What would we be doing there? Trying to cause trouble?"
"I heard that our group was invited to participate?"
Zhang Enyuan also developed his own sources of information within the group, and within just two days of arriving, he had already gathered a considerable amount of information.
He reported softly, "I heard that the group refused. Is it because they don't want to be their stepping stone?"
“There’s no need for all that beating around the bush.” Li Xuewu stated bluntly, “Rules are rules. They won’t give us special treatment, and the group won’t allow exported goods to have two prices, so a refusal is inevitable.”
"Isn't this a calculated move?" Zhang Enyuan said with a smile as he put down the thermos. "It's not that they're stingy; they invited us, but we declined. It has nothing to do with them."
"Hehehe—" Li Xuewu couldn't help but laugh when he thought about this. He felt that this matter had been handled unfairly.
If they really didn't want troublemakers like Honggang Group to participate, they would have saved themselves the trouble of inviting them. Why go through all this unnecessary trouble?
Cheng Kaiyuan was taken away, and Lao Li's demand for the entire group to remain silent in April was for the higher-ups to see. It did not mean that Honggang Group was going downhill, and anyone could kick it while it was down.
Mr. Z's speech at the Guangzhou Trade Fair also proves this point. In May, the group had already given instructions and made adjustments to the relevant work, and all projects have resumed production and operation.
One Honggang Group cannot influence the overall situation, but the power it has demonstrated still serves as a reminder to some people not to bully others too much.
It seems that Cheng Kaiyuan is about to return, but what attitude and reason should he give for returning?