Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

When the grain transport convoy returned to the steel mill, it was lunch time. Accompanied by the sound of exciting music, workers came out of the workshops one after another and headed towards the canteen in groups of three or five. Many workers looked at the bags full of things on the truck with some curiosity, and guessed what was inside.

"This bag doesn't look like raw material, does it?"

“Is it the sand used for flood control?”

"Eh? Isn't that Director Xu? Isn't he on a business trip?"

"Oh, that's true. Maybe he's back from a business trip."

"Is your director on a business trip to purchase food? It was announced a few days ago that all leading cadres have a quota for purchasing food, and they will be fined if they fail to complete it."

"Now that you put it that way, it's possible. Our director has a lot of connections."

Just as everyone was talking, the broadcast on the loudspeaker sounded.

"Dear workers, please pay attention. Under the leadership of Chief Xu, the Propaganda Department of our factory has significantly improved its business capabilities, achieved remarkable publicity results, successfully organized many large-scale activities, and won unanimous praise from many leaders and workers.

With the upgrading of our steel mill and the increase in the number of people in the Propaganda Department, in order to better complete the heavy propaganda work and meet more severe challenges, the factory leaders have studied and decided and reported to the superior leadership department for approval. It is now decided to upgrade the Propaganda Department to the Propaganda Department and appoint Comrade Xu Damao as the director of the Propaganda Department, enjoying the 14th-level salary.

Director Xu purchased a large amount of food for the factory during his business trip. After research, the factory leaders decided that they would sell food at the square at market prices tomorrow, with a limit of 10 kilograms per person. I hope everyone can buy in an orderly manner tomorrow. In addition, the factory leaders decided to provide 10 kilograms of food to workers in difficult circumstances for free to help them get through the difficult times.

"Dear fellow workers, please note..."

The clear and sweet voice was broadcast three times in a row, but it caused an uproar in the factory.

Xu Damao also heard the broadcast and thought that Li Huaide was really quick. The food had just arrived here, but arrangements had already been made over there. This trick of winning people's hearts was really beautiful!

"Wow, food! Director Xu actually helped the factory get a lot of food."

"Just now I guessed that the car must be loaded with food!"

"Tsk, you're just a hindsight guy."

"Ten kilograms of food! Now the children and the elderly at home can eat more."

"Now I can finally eat more. I fainted from hunger a few days ago. I don't want to end up like Jia Dongxu."

"Wang Erlaizi, your family is well off now. We can have 20 kilograms of food in total." Wang Erlaizi is a well-known poor family in the factory.

"It's our director's ability. No one else can get so much food."

Xu Damao had no time to care about these things. He was busy with Zhou Zhiguo and others weighing and storing the grain. However, he had nothing to do after weighing. The logistics staff gave Xu Damao a list with the official seal and the specific weight of the grain. Xu Damao only needed to take this list to go to the finance department to get the money.

Xu Damao put the list in his pocket first, and followed the crowd to the cafeteria to eat. Along the way, Xu Damao clearly felt that everyone was much more enthusiastic towards him, and no matter whether they knew him or not, they would come over to say hello, even those who were far away.

People in this era are still relatively simple, of course, with the exception of some people in Siheyuan, who will be kind to anyone who treats them well. Xu Damao brought life-saving food to everyone, and they expressed their gratitude in their own way.

After lunch, Xu Damao went straight to the newly built workshop. Looking at the brand new machines and energetic workers, Xu Damao nodded with satisfaction. The welfare benefits of their workshop are unique in the entire steel rolling mill, and there are no workers who are skinny and pale due to hunger.

After walking around several workshops, Xu Damao went back to the workshop office to rest. He wanted to think about what Li Huaide had said to him that day and which path he should take.

With the upgrading of the steel mill, some workshop directors with a large number of people were promoted to department level. As a department director who was also in charge of the bicycle workshop, I was not particularly conspicuous, but my existence hindered the development of Guodong and Xiaoguang. Although the two of them were still inexperienced, the director position could be left vacant after I left. As for who would take over the director position in the future, it would depend on their own skills.

Forget it. I have no intention of pursuing a career in politics anyway, so I'll just give up the workshop. It can be considered as a training for young people. Having made the decision, Xu Damao felt relaxed and fell asleep soon after lying back.

During lunch, Zhao Guodong and Zhou Xiaoguang also heard everyone's discussions and knew that their director had returned, so after discussing it, the two decided to go to the director's office after work in the afternoon.

Xu Damao was awakened by a knock on the door, so he stood up, stretched, and walked over to open the door. When he saw the two of them outside the door, he said, "You two are well-informed. Come in."

The two men walked in with a smile. Zhao Guodong asked, "Boss, when did you come back? I heard that you got a lot of food as soon as you came back?"

"I came back the night before yesterday, and this time I went out to buy food. You two came at the right time, I have something to tell you."

"Boss, just tell us. We both promise to follow your instructions." Zhou Xiaoguang also said with a smile.

"I believe you have heard the factory broadcast. I am now the director of the Propaganda Department. It would be inappropriate for me to serve as the workshop director concurrently." Xu Damao said.

"It's suitable, how can it not be suitable? If anyone says it's not suitable, I'll go find him!"

"Boss, you won't abandon us, will you?"

"What nonsense are you talking about? I'm just not a part-time director anymore, and I'm not no longer in the factory. I'm busy with publicity work now, and I can't take care of it, so I can only choose my main job.

Besides, this is also an opportunity for both of you. After I leave, the position of director will be vacant for a while, and then it will depend on your performance. I want to say hello to you in advance. You can only compete fairly, and you are not allowed to sabotage each other! "

Seeing that Xu Damao was determined to leave and had arranged their future, the two nodded, agreeing with what Xu Damao said. Zhao Guodong was Li Huaide's former secretary, and Zhou Xiaoguang was Zhou Zhiguo's nephew. Xu Damao and Zhou Zhiguo only found out about this when they were chatting in the car. It seems that no matter where you are, if you want to get along well, you need connections!

Xu Damao was quite satisfied with their previous performance, so he didn't want to see them fighting for a position. Xu Damao gave them a few more instructions before leaving the workshop and going to the Finance Department. He wanted to collect the money first.

Although the Finance Department is an important department, it does not have many people, so it has not been upgraded. When Xu Damao arrived at the Finance Department, he was received by the Finance Department Chief himself. He had no choice but to receive him. Not only was the Chief two levels higher than him, but he was also a popular person in the factory, and he could not afford to offend him.

After Xu Damao got the money, he went directly to Li Huaide's office and told Li Huaide that he didn't want to continue to serve as the workshop director. Li Huaide also knew his temper, so he didn't force him and readily agreed to Xu Damao's request.