Siheyuan: Xu Damao's New Life

At this time, Director Yang and Deputy Director Li also came in, panting and pushing their way through the crowd. Director Yang had a bus, but when it wasn't for work, he usually rode a bicycle to and from get off work.

He also rode his bicycle to work today. Just as he was about to reach the gate, he heard three gunshots coming from the factory. He thought something must have happened in the factory, so he pedaled his bicycle hard and arrived at the factory gate in a flash.

Li Huaide arrived earlier than him and was talking to Xiao Zhao who was guarding the door. When he saw Director Yang coming, he grabbed his arm and said, "Old Yang, hurry up. Sha Zhu got into trouble in the cafeteria. Section Chief Zheng has already brought people over. It is estimated that he was the one who fired the gun." Upon hearing this, Director Yang got on his bicycle and headed straight for the cafeteria. Li Huaide hurriedly followed.

The two of them finally caught up with the tail end of the matter and saw that Sha Zhu had fainted again.

"Old Zheng, what's going on? How's Shazhu?" Director Yang asked loudly.

Seeing that Sha Zhu was much cleaner, Zheng Gang turned off the water. "Director, this is what happened. This morning, Sha Zhu's apprentice came to the security department and said that Sha Zhu had an accident in the cafeteria. Then I... let's send Sha Zhu to the hospital as soon as possible to see if there are any other problems, and then investigate the cause of the incident." Zheng Gang briefly recounted the incident.

"Old Zheng, you did a great job. It's a good thing you're here, otherwise it would be easy for something to go wrong with so many people. I'll arrange a car right away to get Shazhu into the room first, and then go to the logistics department to get him a set of work clothes to change into. Don't let him get frozen in this cold weather. Everyone else, just go away and get to work first."

Director Yang still had some prestige, and soon everyone dispersed as he was told. Several key leaders discussed the follow-up measures and then dispersed. At this time, Director Yang was also a little dissatisfied with Sha Zhu. The last fight had just happened a few days ago, and this time it happened again.

Sha Zhu was sent to the hospital by Xu Dabao and Section Chief Zheng. The car they used was temporarily transferred from the Transportation Department. Although Sha Zhu's body was washed, there was still a smell. Director Yang was reluctant to use his own car.

The car soon arrived at the Red Star Hospital. Shazhu was not seriously injured. He just caught a cold after sleeping on the ground all night while drunk, and he also had severe diarrhea. The doctor gave him an IV and arranged for him to be hospitalized.

Zheng Gang and Xu Dabao went back to the factory when they found out that nothing was wrong. There were still a lot of things to deal with in the factory. Zheng Gang had to investigate the whole story, Xu Dabao had to cooperate with the investigation, and they also had to arrange for the workers to eat separately. If the canteen was like this, there would be no way to cook.

The two of them first went to Director Yang's office to report Sha Zhu's situation, and then attended a meeting of the main leaders of the factory. Xu Damao also attended the meeting. He had been hiding in the office and didn't watch the excitement. The main reason was that he had seen enough in the evening and didn't want to listen to that smell again.

Director Yang was the first to speak. "Comrades, this is a terrible thing. The whole cafeteria is filled with smoke and has a very bad impact on the image of the workers and the factory. I suspect that enemy agents may have sneaked into our factory to deliberately poison and sabotage production. This matter must be thoroughly investigated. Whoever is involved must be severely punished."

Deputy Factory Director Li also said: "What our factory director said is right. I propose to immediately select elite soldiers to form an investigation team to handle this matter. Because many of us had lunch in the cafeteria yesterday, this matter involves many leaders in our factory. I would like to express my position here. I personally firmly cooperate with the investigation and tell you everything I know. I must get to the bottom of this matter!"

"Old Yang, who do you think would be the most suitable person to investigate this matter?" asked Deputy Director Guo.

"Well, Old Zheng, you should take the lead and select some people from the Security Department to join the investigation team, but they cannot affect the normal work of the Security Department. Then let Director Xu and the Inspection Department fully cooperate with the investigation. Cancel the Inspection Department's meeting this afternoon. Let's see if we are the real deal. Now is the time to test you! All departments must cooperate well and try to find out the truth as soon as possible!"

"Yes, I will ensure that the task is completed!" Zheng Gang stood up first to express his opinion.

"Yes, we will ensure the completion of the task." Cui Yong, Xu Damao, Xu Dabao and others also stood up to express their opinions.

"Okay, you members of the investigation team stay here to work out a charter, and the rest of you can disperse first. However, those involved must ensure that they are available at any time. Lao Li, you stay here to represent the factory leaders in presiding over the investigation." Director Yang waved his hand and left the meeting room. He couldn't help feeling tired, as there was no peace every day.

Li Huaide did not leave. Since he was asked to host the event and they had dinner yesterday, they were basically the last group to leave the factory. These people were from his department and he still needed to coordinate with them.

"Old Xu, please tell us first what happened yesterday from beginning to end," said Li Huaide.

"Yes, this is what happened. Yesterday I was notified that there would be a reception in the evening, so I went to look for Sha Zhu... In the end, Xu Damao was the only one left still sleeping. Sha Zhu said that they were from the same compound, and Xu Damao's house was being renovated, so he usually stayed overnight in the office or his parents' house. Sha Zhu took the initiative to say that he would cook a bowl of sobering soup for Xu Damao to sober him up, and then he would send Damao back to the office. After hearing what he said, I went straight home." Xu Dabao explained in more detail.

Li Huaide called over the people who had dinner yesterday one by one to ask about the situation, and he also told his own experience. These people drank too much last night, and basically fell asleep after returning home. In addition, the security department also saw them leave the factory, so they could basically be ruled out as suspects.

Now there was only Xu Damao left. Li Huaide knew that he and Sha Zhu had always been at odds. Last time, he had helped him deal with Sha Zhu. Moreover, this time, he was the last person to come into contact with Sha Zhu. He had both motive and suspicion. However, he and Xu Damao had drunk many times before. According to Xu Damao's previous drinking capacity, he would have been unconscious after drinking so much last night. This was indeed the case. Xu Damao fell asleep on the table early. Li Huaide also felt that it was a bit tricky.

At this time, Xu Damao stood up and said seriously: "First of all, I would like to thank all the leaders for their trust in me, which allowed me to join this investigation team. Secondly, I can say with certainty that although Sha Zhu and I don't get along, I have no intention of actively harming Sha Zhu. (It was Sha Zhu who actively wanted to harm me, and I was passively counterattacking, so there is nothing wrong with what I said.) I can swear on my reputation and life to the national flag."

Seeing how serious he was, everyone nodded in agreement.

Xu Damao paused and continued, "Everyone who has drunk with me knows my alcohol tolerance and my drinking rules, which are 'one big, three small, two fives and ten.' So I was drunk and passed out halfway through last night. And I lose memory after I get drunk, so I can't remember what happened in between. When I woke up, I found myself in the office, it was probably a little after eight o'clock, and I still have a headache until now."

Li Huaide, Cui Yong, Xu Dabao and others who often drank with Xu Damao nodded to show that what Xu Damao said was true. Seeing this, Zheng Gang, who had doubts about Xu Damao, also put aside his doubts. Could it be that the hidden enemy agents had poisoned him? The last doubt was ruled out, and the matter seemed to be in a dilemma at this point.

The atmosphere in the conference room was somewhat solemn, and everyone was silent. If this matter could not be investigated, there would be no way to explain it to Director Yang. Moreover, the inspection department had just been established and encountered such an incident. If it really could not be investigated, it would be a fatal blow to the prestige of the inspection department. How could they have the face to investigate and punish the workers' violations of laws and disciplines in the future?

He smoked one cigarette after another, and soon a layer of light blue smoke floated in the conference room. Some people were drinking water, scratching their heads, thinking with their heads down, and spinning on the ground, all thinking hard to find a clue to break the deadlock.

Seeing that the situation was almost ready, Xu Damao said, "Why don't we go to the scene and investigate? Maybe we can find some clues."

Everyone frowned when they heard this. The kitchen in the cafeteria had not been cleaned yet because it was the scene of the crime, and it was still full of disgusting filth.

Finally, Zheng Gang stepped forward and said, "I remember there are several gas masks in our security department's weapons warehouse. I will lead a few people from the security department wearing masks and gloves to check it out." After saying that, he glanced at Xu Dabao, meaning that he wanted Xu Dabao to familiarize himself with the situation in the cafeteria and needed him to lead the way.

Xu Dabao knew he couldn't escape it since the incident happened on his territory, so he readily said that he wanted to participate too.

Xu Damao and Cui Yong also looked at each other. The inspection department had just been established and it was time for them to perform. If Xu Damao didn't go, they might not be able to find anything strange. So the two of them also applied to go to the scene for investigation.

Li Huaide was very satisfied with their performance, and he waved his hand and let them go together, which was quite decisive and refreshing, with a general's demeanor. Li Huaide thought to himself, "Whoever wants to go can go, anyway, I, Li Huaide, will not go."