When Xu Damao arrived at Li Xuewu's office, he saw a lot of documents on his desk and guessed they were from the First Factory. He was trying to figure out how to start the conversation when Li Xuewu spoke first.

"Da Mao, what are your thoughts on starting work at the branch factory? Just say whatever you want, don't hold back." Li Xuewu got straight to the point.

"Director Li, to be honest, I haven't really looked into it. You know our projection team doesn't need to send anyone over, so we haven't paid much attention to it."

Seeing Li Xuewu's directness, Xu Damao had no choice but to think as he spoke. Dealing with a clever person like Li Xuewu, Xu Damao had to answer seriously and couldn't just give a vague answer.

"However, I think that all jobs, if done well, follow a similar process."

First, we need to familiarize ourselves with the situation. We mostly know about the situation at the branch factory through written data; we can only know the actual situation by going there in person and understanding it in detail.

Then, based on what we've learned, we need to identify the main and secondary issues. I imagine there's a lot of anxiety at the branch factory right now, so our priority is to stabilize morale. We need to decide, based on the actual situation, whether to tackle the easier issues first or the more difficult ones, or the main issues first and the less important ones.

Finally, and most importantly, is development. Only when the production and operation of the branch factory improves and becomes better than before can the workers and leaders be satisfied. Of course, how to develop and what kind of development to pursue ultimately comes down to people.

Whether the branch factory should continue along the previous development path, follow the lead of our main factory, or take a unique path based on its own characteristics and referencing the main factory, these are all questions that the leaders need to consider.

···”

Xu Damao answered cautiously. His answer couldn't seem perfunctory, nor could it reveal his eagerness for quick success; it took some brainpower.

In reality, such a factory is like a small society, which is beyond the control of the current Xu Damao. Even if you time-travel, it doesn't mean you possess all the wisdom to handle problems.

"Da Mao, would you be willing to come and help me at the branch factory?" Li Xuewu thought about Xu Da Mao's words for a while and then suddenly asked.

To be honest, Xu Damao's answer was rather conventional, but it suited Li Xuewu's taste. In this situation, facing such a sudden question from a superior, this answer was most appropriate. It also reflected that Xu Damao's ability to handle emergencies was not bad.

Li Xuewu wanted people he could trust, not uncontrollable talents.

"Boss, you know they don't need us to show movies over there, and besides, I recently started dating someone and we're planning to get married next year." Xu Damao refused without even thinking.

At this point, the refusal must be made decisively, otherwise Li Xuewu might think that Xu Damao was planning to make some demands, even if that was what he was thinking.

"Don't rush to refuse. Let me explain, and then go back and think about it," Li Xuewu interrupted Xu Damao.

“You’re a talented person. They don’t need you to show movies over there, but I didn’t expect you to do it either.”

The personnel department over there is short of a deputy section chief, and I'm thinking of having you fill in to help me streamline the personnel process. Think about it, you've just been transferred to a cadre position and just become a section chief. It would take at least 2-3 years to become a deputy section chief here. This is a rare opportunity.

Although it's a bit far, I can actually come back at least once a week. Besides, the actual distance isn't that far; a direct bus route will be opening soon, so I can come back anytime if something happens at home.

You're not married yet, this is the age to build your career, you can't be thinking about staying in your comfort zone and enjoying life.

It turns out that the No. 1 branch factory was a division-level organization. Apart from the secretary who was also the factory director, who was a high-ranking position, the other leaders were at the normal level. Unlike the general manager, the deputy factory director there directly led to various departments, including the office, personnel department, logistics department, etc., as well as various workshops, and affiliated institutions such as the factory's school and hospital.

Before the merger, the original leadership of the branch factory hastily promoted some cadres and placed all the heads of important departments in their positions. Fortunately, because personnel appointments were subsequently frozen, some deputy positions had not yet been filled, which gave the later leadership some room to maneuver.

Li Xuewu invited Xu Damao to the position for this very reason. If you asked someone at the head office who was already a deputy section chief, they certainly wouldn't be willing to take the position, so he had to choose from among the ordinary cadres, and Xu Damao caught his eye.

Xu Damao was also tempted by Li Xuewu's words. As Li Xuewu said, at the steel rolling mill, due to limitations such as his education level, it would take him at least 2-3 years to have a chance of being promoted to deputy section chief, and even then, it was only a possibility. But at the branch factory, he could be promoted immediately, and to the important position of deputy section chief in the personnel department.

Even if the conditions there are harsh, Xu Damao, as the deputy head of the personnel department, doesn't think it will be too difficult.

The key point is that Xu Damao knows Li Xuewu will only be there for a few years before he returns to the general manager's office as deputy factory director or at a higher level. If he can come back with him then, he can make a comeback and take a position directly in the general factory, which would be a way to overtake his predecessor.

However, the biggest problem is whether one must be bound to Li Xuewu's cause. It's important to understand that while Li Xuewu enjoyed a meteoric rise in his official career, he committed many unethical acts during the political climate, and he was eventually purged after the storm subsided. Even if he escaped unscathed, those who followed him might not be able to escape as well.

"This is a major personnel matter for you, and you really need to think about it carefully. So, if you're worried about your partner, I can agree to help Minzhi transfer over. However, I suggest you don't. We're going there to start a business, and she'll definitely suffer a bit when she first arrives, so it's better for her to stay here."

Go back and think about it, and give me an answer in two days. I also need to finalize the personnel.

Li Xuewu did not ask Xu Damao for an immediate reply.

Watching Xu Damao slowly walk out of his office, Li Xuewu smiled, thinking to himself, "Not refusing is actually agreeing."

Indeed, Xu Damao has now basically accepted Li Xuewu's invitation, which may save him more than three years of hard work.

As for a few years later, when Xu Damao has gained considerable influence, it's uncertain whether he'll still be at the steel rolling mill. As long as he doesn't do anything against his conscience, even if he can't stay any longer, when the tide of the times arrives, Xu Damao will still have a way to make a living.

Now, the biggest challenge is explaining things to Wang Minzhi. They're not married yet, but Xu Damao has done everything he could. Wang Minzhi can't leave him, so her agreement and understanding are what Xu Damao wants most.

A stable home base allows Xu Damao to fight without any worries.