Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

The next morning, Xu Damao got up on time, washed and cooked quickly, and after breakfast he rode his bike to the factory. But when he was about to reach the factory gate, he saw a large group of people gathered at the gate.

Seeing this, Xu Damao couldn't help but be curious, so he parked his bicycle outside and squeezed in. In the middle of the crowd, at the gate of the steel rolling mill, there was a cart with a coffin on it. Jia Zhang was sitting on the ground crying, Qin Huairu, who was wearing white mourning clothes, was holding her belly and crying, and the two children were kneeling in front of the coffin and crying.

"Oh, my poor son, how could he pass away so young? It's left to me, an old man, to send him off."

"Everyone, come and see, the leaders of the steel mill have no conscience and only bully us orphans and widows."

"Our old Jia died in the steel mill, and now my son Dongxu has died in the steel mill too. Both lives were lost in the factory. But the factory only gave us 400 yuan, and my daughter-in-law is still pregnant. How can we survive?"

It's not to mention that Jia Zhang's performance really made many of the workers who were watching sympathize with her. After all, according to what Jia Zhang said, it was indeed tragic that two generations of a family died in the steel mill, and the remaining people were old and young, and the only one in his prime was still pregnant.

"Is this the family of Jia Dongxu who had the accident yesterday?"

"That should be it. I heard that Jia Dongxu was seriously injured and couldn't be saved even with emergency treatment. The doctor had him pushed out in advance so that Jia Dongxu could complete his funeral arrangements."

"This family is really pitiful. It looks like it will take Dongxu's wife half a year to take over. Their living expenses for the next six months will all depend on that little bit of pension!"

"It's important to say that Jia Dongxu's wife is really beautiful, but it's a pity that he doesn't have the good fortune to enjoy her."

"The factory's investigation report said that Jia Dongxu only ate half a steamed bun at noon, and then fainted while operating the machine."

"Alas, it's all because of lack of oil and water and hunger. I remember someone in our factory died in this way last year."

While everyone was discussing the matter, the new deputy chief of the security department, Chen Ze, came back after inspecting the factory. He was on duty last night.

"What type of situation is this?"

The security guard standing guard at the door was at a loss. They certainly could not forcibly arrest the family members in such a situation. Now that his leader had returned, he instantly felt reassured.

Security guard Xiao Liu immediately ran over and told the story. Chen Ze frowned as he listened. He had just retired from the army and had no experience in dealing with such things.

Xu Damao saw his dilemma. Besides, it would not be good for the steel mill if he just blocked the door. As a member of the steel mill, he still had to take care of it.

"Everyone, go away and get back to work. The factory will definitely handle the matter regarding Jia Dongxu, and the results will be announced to the entire factory through the loudspeaker. It's not a good idea for everyone to block the way here."

It has to be said that Xu Damao has a good prestige among the workers. As soon as Xu Damao speaks, many people leave one after another.

"Ms. Jia Zhang, I brought you the factory's decision yesterday. If you are not satisfied, you can come and discuss it with the factory leaders. Are you bringing Jia Dongxu's coffin here to make him restless? Besides, if you make such a fuss and offend the factory leaders, how can your successor still work in the factory?"

Jia Zhang blinked her triangular eyes and felt that what Xu Damao said made some sense. How could she offend the factory leaders before even starting work? They would definitely make things difficult for her daughter-in-law!

Jia Zhang secretly glanced at Yi Zhonghai on the side. Today's move was the idea given by Yi Zhonghai last night. Now that she thought about it, wasn't this just digging a hole for her family? How did the saying go? Now that she was here, she definitely couldn't do it without getting some benefits.

"I don't care about what you said. My Dongxu died tragically. The small amount of compensation is not enough for us to live on. I just want more money."

"How much do you want?"

"Six hundred, no, one thousand!" Jia Zhang asked for a huge amount.

"The factory has its own regulations regarding compensation for work-related deaths. It's impossible to change the rules for you. You see, it's not convenient to talk with so many people coming and going here. Just follow me to the meeting room. The leaders will be here soon. When the time comes, just tell the factory leaders if you have any requests." Xu Damao said.

"I won't go. I just want to let everyone know. I want everyone to make the decision for us. Don't leave!" Jia Zhang shouted loudly.

At this time, Director Yang happened to be driving to work. When he saw this situation, he got out of the car.

"Xu Damao! What happened?"

"These are Jia Dongxu's mother and family. They came to the factory with Jia Dongxu's coffin today to cause trouble. I told them to go to the meeting room first, but they were unwilling to go." Xu Damao briefly explained the situation.

"How do you do things! Didn't I ask you to inform the Jia family of the factory's decision yesterday? Why are you making trouble at the factory again today?" Director Yang frowned and scolded.

"Yesterday, I went to the Jia family with the eldest uncle in our courtyard, Liu Haizhong, who is the leader of our factory's technical exchange group, and the second uncle to inform them. As for why they wanted to make trouble, I don't know, but Yi Zhonghai may know. After we left last night, Yi Zhonghai was still at the Jia family." Seeing so many people around, Xu Damao gave Director Yang some face.

"Where's Yi Zhonghai? Call him over quickly. The Jia family is causing trouble because you didn't do your job well!"

"Director, I'm here." Yi Zhonghai on the side had no choice but to come out.

"I'm just the head of the Propaganda Department, not the factory leader. I still have work to do, so I'll stop accompanying you." Xu Damao turned around and pushed his bicycle into the factory.

Watching Xu Damao's departing back, Director Yang was so angry that he jumped up and down. "It's simply lawless and there's no discipline at all. Yi Zhonghai, can you tell me what's going on? What did Xu Damao say yesterday?"

Yi Zhonghai really wanted to say that Xu Damao did not go, but Xu Damao had already asked Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui to be witnesses, so he had no way of lying and could only tell what happened yesterday again.

Director Yang nodded, what Xu Damao said was indeed the factory's decision.

"Then why did they come to cause trouble? And they brought a coffin with them! Don't they know how bad the impact would be if this matter got out?"

If this matter gets out, not only will it have a bad impact, but if it is not handled properly the workers in the factory will be dissatisfied. What if they also get injured at work and are left with orphans and widows?

"Yi Zhonghai, you are Jia Dongxu's master and you live in the same courtyard with them. Can you persuade them to stop making trouble and at least take the coffin back first. If they are not satisfied with the compensation, they can stay and discuss it. If you handle this matter well, I will find a way to restore your work rank!"

Yi Zhonghai's eyes lit up. He instigated Jia Zhang to cause trouble just to gain some benefits.

"Okay, Director, don't worry. My words still carry some weight in their family. I'll go and persuade them right away."

Yi Zhonghai came to Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu and started muttering to himself.