Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

When Xu Damao returned to work in the new year, he was promoted to a higher rank for the first time. After the factory department's decision, Comrade Xu Damao... was appointed as the secretary of the Youth League Committee of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.

This really caught Xu Damao off guard. The vice chairman became the secretary, and although his administrative level was only raised by one level, he was still the head of the department.

The Youth League Committee is the Youth League Committee. It doesn't matter which department you go to, what matters is that you are still in Red Star Factory.

After changing departments, the office had to be moved again, from Room 119 to Office 104 in the same building. I also had five soldiers under me and one deputy secretary. Of course, the Youth League branches of each workshop were not included.

After changing my identity, I visited the factory director's office, the secretary's office, the deputy factory director, the deputy secretary, and all the docks. This was not only a New Year's greeting, but also a clarion call after the Youth League Committee took office.

Director Yang was particularly encouraged and motivated.

"Secretary Xu, your proposal for the bonus system last year was very good and timely, and it effectively ensured that last year's key tasks were completed ahead of schedule. You have been in the factory for many years and have rich experience, but most importantly, you are still young, and young people should have the drive of young people. Therefore, after research by the factory party committee, you will be placed in an important position in the new year. I hope that you will continue to lead the younger generation of the factory with vigor and play a greater leading role."

"I would like to thank the factory party committee and Director Yang for their trust. I will work hard, be positive and do a good job in the work of the Youth League Committee. ..."

Xu Damao talks big, but posing is easy and a piece of cake for him.

What important position? Li Huaide promoted me to deputy factory director two years ago. The labor union and the Youth League Committee are departments that any cadre can work in, and they are important positions. I, Xu Damao, just don't care about the official hat on my head, otherwise I would be transferred to the government department in a minute.

This is not just Xu Damao bragging. Last year, Wu Lingjuan from the Commerce Bureau called him twice, saying that her father wanted to transfer Xu Damao to work in a district committee. Xu Damao just didn't want to go.

After dealing with all the work, it was already noon. The office was moved under the arrangement of several soldiers under my command.

"Lao Guan, today I will personally invite you to the cafeteria to cook some side dishes and have a few drinks. Just consider it as you accompany me to my new position."

"Okay, Xiao Xu, we can invite you to do it."

"Lao Guan, what's the practice? You're in 117 and I'm in 104, we're on the same floor. I just wanted to find an excuse to treat you to a drink. I've already talked to the chef in the cafeteria and asked him to cook a few dishes for us. We can have a drink together. It's the Spring Festival, right? We should relax a bit."

"Hey, okay, Xiao Xu, I won't be polite then."

Xu Damao paid out of his own pocket and asked He Yuzhu to prepare four dishes and two bottles of Fenjiu. He Yuzhu is now the deputy director of the canteen and has the power to increase the dishes and wine for the reception. Even if he paid out of his own pocket, it was definitely much cheaper than outside restaurants. Four dishes and two bottles of wine only cost Xu Damao 13 yuan, half a pound of meat slices, and a tofu ticket. If it were in a restaurant, two bottles of Fenjiu would cost you 17 yuan.

"Lao Guan, I'm leaving. Who will take my place?"

"Old Yang's former secretary, Yue Jun, will be in office next year. He will probably be the head of the union in the future. Haven't you dealt with him?"

"Me? Over the years, have you ever seen me get along so well with anyone? I'm usually close to people in the same department. When I was in the Propaganda Department, I got along so well with the people in that department. Now that I've arrived at the Labor Union, I feel like I haven't even gotten comfortable in the office yet, and I'm already at the Youth League Committee. So where did the Youth League Committee Secretary Ke Lin go?"

"You don't know? Ke Lin went to a certain district government. That's a real promotion. As for us, we can just be hooligans in the enterprise."

"Oh, Ke Lin went to work in the government department. I thought so. They asked me to move to another office as soon as I got back to work during the Spring Festival."

"Originally, Yue Jun was assigned to the Youth League Committee, but I didn't consider my withdrawal, so... Yeah, right?"

"Come on, Lao Guan, let's have a drink, drink alone. Anyway, no matter where we go, we're still on the same floor. We can visit each other often in the future. This is good. Distance creates beauty. We used to play next to each other, but now there is distance, and beauty is created. Let's go!"

The two of them finished two bottles of wine and four dishes, and it was already afternoon.

I went back to the office drunk and took a nap.

Xu Damao had no idea that this transfer would actually bring good things. There were even unusual things waiting for him.

After the Lantern Festival, Xu Damao received a document from the factory headquarters, requiring the secretaries of all Youth League Committees to visit the Shandong Iron and Steel Plant and study in Beidaihe for five days from February 1979 to 2, 24.

Xu Damao wanted to ask Deputy Secretary Yu Yongming to go, but the document required the secretary of the Youth League of the unit to attend. He had no choice but to go to Fang Xiaoru after get off work and ask her to move to Dongsishitiao to accompany Gu Meifang. He caught the No. 24 bus of the three buses arranged by the ministry to Tangshan at the checkpoint on the 3th, and staggered to Tangshan Iron and Steel Company, kilometers away, to visit and learn about the new Tangshan Iron and Steel Plant that was rebuilt after the earthquake.

A group of more than one hundred people arrived at Tangshan Steel on Gangyao Road at noon.

After getting off the bus, Xu Damao noticed a familiar figure from behind: a woman wearing a dark red windbreaker, a scarf, and a knitted cotton hat.

He Lihua also felt someone staring at her at the first moment. She also released her spiritual sense while walking. It didn't matter if she looked at him, but she was shocked: Xu Damao, the man she had been thinking about. Why was he here? Was he also attending this meeting? Wasn't he in the Propaganda Department?

They stopped, looked back, and looked into each other's eyes, with mixed feelings.

Xu Damao was also stunned. It had been seven whole years and they had only exchanged letters once the year before last. He didn't expect that they would meet in this way.

Xu Damao quickly walked over and said, "Lihua, let's talk as we walk. When did you return to Kyoto? Were you transferred back or are you here as a guest?"

"He came back before the New Year. He and I were both transferred back. I am the deputy secretary of the Youth League Committee, and he is the director of the new workshop. Are you tired of the Youth League Committee too?"

"Well, I just took over the work of the Youth League Committee after the new year. It's been more than a week and I still have this job. It's good, otherwise how could I have met you. I thought you were still in Laiwu. Still living on Xishiku Street?"

"Well, the new house does have a three-bedroom apartment, but I haven't had time to tidy it up yet. Are you still living in the old place for now? Are you all okay?"

"Yes, she's fine. Xiaoru is fine too. She said on New Year's Eve that she would take the kids to Mount Tai for fun this summer and visit you. Now, the plan has fallen through. Sigh, plans really can't keep up with changes. But Lihua, you're getting younger and more beautiful."

"Da Mao, you are the same. Time has not left any traces on your face. If you didn't tell me, no one would know that you are already over 27. I think you are around or at most. It seems that the skill you gave me is really not an ordinary one."

"Yes, that is Taoism."

"Da Mao, do you know the specific itinerary this time?"

"I don't know. I almost didn't want to come. Meifang gave birth to a daughter a few years ago, and it's only been two months. I almost missed the bus."

"I'll stay in Tangshan today, and go to Qinhuangdao to visit Beidaihe tomorrow. I'll stay there for two days, and then go to Chengde on the last day, and then return to Beijing. It's actually quite relaxing."

"That's good. It's even better with you here."