Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

A stone stirred up a thousand waves.

"How dare you, Xu Damao! You want to restore the private ownership of the proletariat. Who told you to bring up the bonus system in such a serious meeting? Are you planning to rebel?"

Xu Damao calmly looked at Director Yang who was furious and slammed the table, and couldn't help but slander in his heart: He really doesn't have enough imagination and his IQ is worrying.

"Director Yang, deputy directors, isn't this a democratic meeting to discuss how to complete an impossible task? Aren't you letting us middle-level cadres speak freely and find solutions? The old man said that everyone can make mistakes, so if we make mistakes, we should correct them. If we don't, we should learn from them. Besides, I didn't say that we should implement a bonus system. I said that for this task, there should be a targeted reward method, the purpose is to give full play to the subjective initiative of our working class, complete the task assigned by the superiors this time with quality and quantity, and enhance the reputation of our Red Star Steel Rolling Mill. If you think what I said is wrong, you can correct it. This is my suggestion. If you think it can be used, we can use it, and if it can't be used, we can not use it. Since Director Yang objects, then I have nothing to say, so much for my speech. You can continue the discussion."

Xu Damao came down from the podium in a leisurely manner, and sat back in his original seat. He drank tea from the cup he brought with him, and lit a cigarette.

People in the meeting hall had already started whispering about the four people on the podium, and they were embarrassed for a while. "Who else has a more appropriate method?" Director Yang spoke into the microphone to break the awkward situation.

Tian Dayou, the workshop director of the second workshop, stood up. His seat was near the front, next to the first two rows under the rostrum.

"Director Yang, I think Xu Damao's suggestion is indeed an effective method. The specific operation can be discussed. Under normal circumstances, the factory cannot complete such a difficult and arduous task. This is what several of our workshop directors have repeatedly reviewed. The most urgent task is that only when everyone works together can the task be completed within the specified time. Extraordinary measures must be taken in extraordinary situations. Besides, distribution according to work, more work, more pay, this is in line with national policy. If it doesn't matter whether you do more or less, how can we get everyone to complete the task with all their lives? Dong Cunrui is a hero who blew up the bunker, but we can't let everyone learn from Dong Cunrui and sacrifice themselves in the bunker. I think Chairman Xu Fu's method, if used properly, is completely in line with policy. We can't put a hat on people casually. It's already the second half of 77, right? Besides, to put it bluntly, when you took the task, you didn't consider the actual situation of our factory, and you patted your chest to guarantee that the task would be completed. Have you ever thought about not being able to complete it?"

The whole venue was in silence. Everyone wondered if Tian Dayou had a brain problem, as he actually went along with the head of the pole factory and acted against them.

In fact, Tian Dayou really didn't care. He was 58 years old this year, and he had been the workshop director for several times. He could apply for retirement soon. He just felt that Xu Damao's method made sense. He also felt that the current situation of the workshop eating from the same pot, with redundant people and procrastination was unreasonable. If the reward and punishment system could be really put in place, he would have sacrificed his future for a few years, which would have real benefits for his disciples. So what could he do about it? No matter how powerful Director Yang was, he couldn't fire him. He didn't make any big mistakes.

So he stood up and told the truth.

That is, when you, Director Yang, accepted the task, why didn't you discuss it with the factory? You just made the decision on your own accord. You are not the one doing the work, right? How can you expect the horse to run without feeding it fodder?

The discussion below became even noisier.

"Quiet, quiet." Director Yang slapped the microphone with his palm and shouted loudly.

"Today's discussion ends here. The deputy production manager and the five workshop directors will continue the meeting in the small conference room. Dismissed."

Xu Damao was the first to move. He went out from the side door of the theater and returned to his office 119. Unexpectedly, Guan Tao followed him in.

"Xiao Xu, this is all unprovoked trouble for you. Why are you making such a statement? Our union just needs to do its job well. Production is none of our business."

"Lao Guan,"

Xu Damao quickly went to the coffee table and poured Guan Tao a cup of tea. He then handed him a cigarette and lit it with a lighter.

"Lao Guan, it is actually related. When I was having lunch, I consulted several senior technicians in the third workshop. They felt that if we want to complete this task by the end of the year, it is impossible according to the current progress and production capacity. If the factory director insists on letting everyone work overtime and does not give corresponding benefits, it will be a big deal. When the superiors finally hold us accountable, it is very likely that the board will hit our union, saying that we are not doing anything and do not care about the lives of employees. If so, what do you think we should do? At that time, you may not be able to retire peacefully. You still think it has nothing to do with our union. And my idea is absolutely effective. If you want to complete the task, you must implement a decisive system. Otherwise, you will see that no one will have a good result. Maybe our Red Star Steel Rolling Mill will be downgraded, and the department-level unit will regress to a department-level unit. By then, all our efforts for so many years will have gone down the drain. It's terrifying to think about it carefully. Do you think this matter has no personal interest in you now? You, a department-level cadre, have become a section-level cadre overnight. Are you willing to let it go? Are you feeling aggrieved?

Guan Tao drank tea and smoked a cigarette, completely lost in thought, "Da Mao, do you really think that if the mission is not completed, the entire unit will be demoted?"

"It's possible. You should know better than me that the department has already started to merge or build other factories. The Red Star Factory is relatively backward in terms of equipment, technology and management. The equipment is aging, the technology is outdated, the concepts are rigid, and the management is chaotic. To put it bluntly, Director Yang is a good fighter, but he is a complete idiot in management. Otherwise, he would not have casually accepted such a difficult task. He thought he was occupying the high ground and that a charge would be enough. If you charge without considering the casualties of the troops, then it is just a blind charge."

"Da Mao, don't dare to say that. Our union should just focus on our own work."

"Lao Guan, I don't want to cause trouble. I am the deputy chairman. I can read a newspaper and drink a cup of tea every day. I can sit cross-legged and smoke. How comfortable it is. I am really speaking up for some activists in the workshop. They don't get any benefits from doing more, and they are criticized for doing less. They can do 100, but why do they only do 70. In fact, some people in the workshop can't even do 50, but they still get the same salary and the same treatment. Tell me. If this continues, who will be willing to work hard?"

"Da Mao, how come you are so familiar with the workshop?"

"Lao Guan, when I was the deputy director of the Propaganda Department, I conducted follow-up interviews with all the production departments in the factory. Moreover, several of my buddies are now mid- to high-level technicians in the workshop. We often drink together and talk about similar topics."

"Oh, I see. I was transferred from another company, so I don't know much about steel production. What you said really makes sense. Only rewards can motivate people. Well, I support you in this matter."

"Lao Guan, I'm just making a fuss. As for how to deal with it later, it depends on how the factory managers decide. We should just wait and see. At worst, when they have to work overtime, our union can apply for some funds to send hot water to the employees and give them some warmth."