Siheyuan: Revenge of the Stupid Pillar

Xiao Zhenggang sat in the main seat with a majestic look and said straight to the point:

"Comrades, today's meeting is for one thing, which is to discuss how to carry out the model worker commendation conference in one month."

“Everyone should speak up and strive to make this conference better.”

As soon as Xiao Zhenggang finished speaking, the people below began to offer suggestions and the discussion became heated.

Li Huaide saw that He Yuzhu seemed to be hesitant to speak, and said with a smile:

"Comrade He Yuzhu, everyone has made suggestions, why don't you make some too!"

He Yuzhu said modestly: "Deputy Director, I am a lowly person with little power, so I will not make any suggestions."

Yang Xinmin said in a deep voice: "Comrade He Yuzhu, I have to criticize you. Our country is a proletarian dictatorship, everyone is equal, and everyone has the right to express their opinions. If you have suggestions, just put them forward boldly, and don't feel psychologically burdened."

He Yuzhu said sincerely: "Director, you are teaching me that my ideological awareness is not high enough and I need to study harder."

Xiao Zhenggang smiled gently and said, "Comrade He Yuzhu, stop talking about those empty words and speak out your suggestions!"

He Yuzhu paused, then said calmly, "I have two suggestions."

"First, I think it's too monotonous for the Propaganda Department to produce all the performances. Our fellow workers are multi-talented, and many talented comrades have no stage to display their talents, so I suggest that they should be given a chance to sign up."

"In addition, since this is a commendation meeting for model workers, it would be best to arrange for two model workers to perform at the art performance, so as to better showcase the demeanor of model workers."

As soon as He Yuzhu finished speaking, Li Huaide quickly agreed:

"Comrade He Yuzhu, your suggestion is very good. The Model Worker Commendation Conference is a conference for all workers. All workers should participate in it. Only in this way can the great unity of the working class be reflected."

Xiao Zhenggang nodded and said, "I also think Director He's suggestion is very good. There is an old saying that the masters are among the people. We should indeed give talented workers a stage to showcase their talents."

Yang Xinmin also echoed: "I also agree with Comrade He Yuzhu's suggestion, especially letting model workers perform, which is simply a stroke of genius."

Since the three bosses all agreed, the others naturally could not jump out to object and they all spoke out in praise.

"Director He, your suggestion is great. It can not only motivate the workers, but also make the cultural performances more colorful."

"To be honest, I have a distant niece who works in a factory. She sings really well."

"I have a junior who is very good at reciting poetry."

"I have a junior who can dance!"

"I have a junior who plays the harmonica really well!"

"I have a junior who is very good at playing the erhu."

Wei Dayong suddenly said loudly: "Leaders, in order to mobilize the enthusiasm of the workers, I suggest setting up prizes."

Ma Guangfu agreed: "That makes sense. I also suggest that the contestants be divided into two teams, one for the Propaganda Department's Art Troupe and one for the rest of the group, to make the competition more intense."

"I object. This is taking the spotlight away. We are not holding a talent show, but a commendation ceremony for model workers. The art performances are just a spice."

The one who raised objections was Song Rentou, Director of the Propaganda Department. His objection was understandable since they were the "regular army" while the others were the "miscellaneous army."

In a competition between regular troops and ragtag troops, winning is a natural thing, but losing would be a huge loss of face. Naturally, he was unwilling to do such a thankless task.

Yang Xinmin said, "This is indeed a bit distracting, and dividing people into two teams is not conducive to unity."

Xiao Zhenggang then said: "Director Yang is right. Don't say anything that is not conducive to unity, and don't do anything that is not conducive to unity."

"However, in order to encourage workers to sign up enthusiastically, it is still possible to prepare some prizes."

Li Huaide continued, "I think we should give prizes to the top three!"

"Since we have to rank the winners, we need judges."

"This is easy. All of us here can be judges!"

The three big guys talked one after another and then settled the matter.

Xiao Zhenggang smiled and said, "Comrade He Yuzhu, don't you have two suggestions? What is the second one?"

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "My second suggestion is that if conditions permit, we can have a group dinner after the conference to make everyone happy, enhance mutual affection, and improve everyone's cohesion."

When He Yuzhu said this, everyone's eyes lit up.

"Director He, this is a good idea, but it will make your cafeteria staff suffer."

"This is our job, so it's not hard work. However, we need the support of the purchasing department. After all, a good cook cannot cook without rice."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone looked at Qian Liexian, the director of the purchasing department.

Qian Liexian spread his hands and said with a wry smile: "It's useless for you to look at me. The materials purchased every month are fixed. Additional purchases require the consent of the three leaders."

After Qian Liexian finished speaking, everyone looked at Yang Xinmin and the other two with anticipation.

Yang Xinmin frowned slightly and pretended to be helpless: "Comrade He Yuzhu, you have given me a big problem..."

Li Huaide said with a smile: "Secretary, Director, our Red Star Steel Rolling Mill has achieved good results this year. The workers have worked hard. You can consider giving them extra meals."

Yang Xinmin only liked to say some empty words and was not willing to use the factory's money to provide extra meals for the workers, but he was not in a position to refuse everyone, so he threw the question to Xiao Zhenggang.

"Secretary Xiao, what do you think?"

Xiao Zhenggang is also an old fox, so he could see through Yang Xinmin's tricks. He smiled and said:

"Workers are the foundation of our factory. Our steel mill can thrive thanks to the hard work and sweat of the workers. Since the factory is profitable, let's take out some money to buy two pigs and give our fellow factory workers a meal!"

"The secretary is wise!"

As soon as Xiao Zhenggang finished speaking, everyone cheered.

Yang Xinmin suddenly felt that he had lost more than he gained. Although he was angry, he had to smile.

Li Huaide smiled and said, "Director Qian, the secretary and the factory director have agreed. Is there any problem with your purchasing department?"

Qian Lie said in a condescending voice: "I guarantee to complete the task."

Xiao Zhenggang looked at He Yuzhu with admiration, and said in a gentle tone: "Director He, the two suggestions you made are very good. Do you have any other suggestions?"

He Yuzhu shook his head and said, "No more!"

Xiao Zhenggang smiled and nodded, and casually praised: "Comrade He Yuzhu, I find that you are a comrade with a lot of ideas. If you have any suggestions in the future, please be bold and don't worry about it. It doesn't matter even if you make a mistake."

He Yuzhu pretended to be excited and said: "Thank you for the compliment, Secretary. I will work hard in the future and contribute to the socialist construction of our motherland."