Chapter 206

The city only adjusted Lei Wanyuan's job, but has been slow to appoint a new director for Shuguang Factory.

Ye Manzhi vaguely felt that something was wrong.

If the superiors really wanted her to replace Lei Wanyuan, then they should appoint her as the new factory director at the same time as Lei Wanyuan was transferred.

This is a bit like the situation when Niu Enjiu was transferred from the food factory.

If the superiors don't make the appointment directly, they are probably still considering other candidates.

Lei Wanyuan has worked at Shuguang Factory for more than ten years. Even though he is about to report to a new unit, he is still worried about the development of Shuguang Factory.

He went to the city specifically to inquire about the situation, and when he came back, he brought back a piece of news for Ye Manzhi.

"I heard the city wants to send Wang Zaofu to our factory, but they haven't decided yet whether to make him the director or deputy director."

"Who is Wang Zaofu?" Ye Manzhi thought hard for a while, but it seemed that he had no memory of such a person. "I don't think I've heard of him before."

"He's a key member of the Production Headquarters' Propaganda Group," Lei Wanyuan shook his head. "I've never heard of him before. He must have been promoted from the grassroots level. I heard he's only 26."

Ye Manzhi: “…”

When she came to Shuguang Factory as the first deputy director, she was 27 years old, which was considered a very young deputy director by many people.

At that time, Shuguang Factory was in the process of changing its production. With her rich resume, it was reasonable for her to be given the task in such a critical moment.

But what is this Wang Zaofu?

It was like he suddenly popped out from between the rocks. I had never heard of this person before. Why was he made the factory director?

Based on the limited information, Ye Manzhi compared his own conditions with Wang Zaofu's in his mind.

Considering the actual situation of Shuguang Factory, she felt that she was not completely without advantages.

So, when she received a call from the city asking her to go to the Political Department for an organizational talk, Ye Manzhi did not waste any time, hung up the phone and ran to the Municipal Revolutionary Committee.

The person who was talking to her was Fan Guifang, the head of the personnel group. When he saw her dress, he was obviously stunned.

"Director Ye, where did you come from?"

Ye Manzhi brushed the dust off his pants and said embarrassedly, "Shuguang Factory is too far from the Revolutionary Committee. I was afraid of being late, so I got the call in the workshop and ran straight to the city."

"Oh, from the workshop?"

"Yes, our factory has implemented the Anshan Constitution proposed by Comrade Chairman. All cadres must go to the workshop to participate in labor. I usually work in the workshop."

Fan Guifang stared at her blue work clothes for a moment, nodded and said nothing.

The suit was old, stained with oil and dirt, and the blue cuffs were noticeably worn.

What Ye Manzhi said should be true. Even if he didn't work in the workshop all day, he should have gone to the workshop frequently.

"After Comrade Lei Wanyuan was transferred, the position of director of the factory revolutionary committee became vacant. What are your thoughts?"

Ye Manzhi's face was serious, and his tone was sonorous. He said, "I will obey the organization's arrangements. The revolutionary work of Shuguang Factory has achieved a phased victory. The provincial newspaper and the Binjiang Daily have both published articles praising our achievements. If the organization is willing to consider me to succeed Comrade Lei Wanyuan, then I will definitely do a good job in the revolutionary work of Shuguang Factory according to the requirements of the city. If I am not chosen, I hope that the city can send a comrade with high ideological and political awareness to Shuguang Factory, preferably one who comes from the working class like us, to protect the revolutionary achievements of our working class."

Fan Guifang pushed up her glasses and asked, "Anything else?"

Ye Manzhi continued confidently, "I hope this comrade will heed the highest directive and adhere to the principle of 'grasping revolution and promoting production' after arriving at the factory. The Shuguang Machinery Factory has a very heavy production workload, receiving export orders from the central government worth over 150,000 pounds every year. Our products are exported to the Middle East, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Delivering products on time and with guaranteed quality is crucial to our country's international image and reputation. We, the entire factory, are loyal fighters for Comrade Chairman, and we will resolutely not allow anyone to do anything that damages the country's image..."

She chattered on and on, shouting slogans and explaining the special situation of Shuguang Factory.

In the past two years, the factory has insisted on sending people to participate in the Canton Fair twice a year, and brought back a large number of export orders from the fair.

The domestic sales task can be stopped, but the export task must not be delayed.

If a person who knows nothing is transferred to be the factory director, it is likely to affect the Shuguang Factory's ability to complete its export tasks.

She talked with Team Leader Fan for nearly half an hour. Although she didn't say it explicitly, her words and actions conveyed one message: the factory director must be able to both promote revolution and promote production.

Someone like Wang Zaofu, who is mainly responsible for publicity and has no management experience, is not suitable to be a factory manager.

Ye Manzhi's words were not groundless.

Last month, something big or small happened in Binjiang.

The Binjiang Municipal Revolutionary Committee received a briefing forwarded from Beijing titled "Running a factory like this will inevitably result in losses."

The briefing mainly reflects the problems of Binjiang Chemical Plant.

The state invested 30 million yuan, but since it went into production in 1966, the chemical plant has been making losses every year, with a loss of 13 million yuan in four years.

It is said that this briefing was specifically instructed by comrades from the central government to be passed on to Binjiang, and the city must deal with the problem of the chemical plant as soon as possible.

The troubles of the chemical plant have not been solved yet. If the Shuguang factory also suffers losses, it will be adding insult to injury!

…

Perhaps this conversation worked, or perhaps the 26-year-old factory director, who had no management experience, was unable to convince the public.

On the second day after seeing off Lei Wanyuan, the city issued a new personnel appointment and dismissal notice.

Comrade Ye Manzhi was appointed as the Party Secretary, Director of the Factory Revolutionary Committee, and Director of Binjiang Shuguang Machinery Factory.

Comrade Wang Zaofu was appointed as deputy secretary of the Party Committee of Binjiang Shuguang Machinery Factory, deputy director of the factory’s Revolutionary Committee, and deputy director.

Although it was not explicitly stated that he was the first deputy factory director, the deputy secretary of the Party Committee ranked second in the team, only after Ye Manzhi, which was actually equivalent to the first deputy factory director.

This appointment made some happy and some sad.

Kang Jian, Huang He, and Tian Chunshan all come from technical backgrounds, but they are not so pure as to be obsessed with technology without striving for progress.

After Lao Lei left, they actually all had the opportunity to move forward.

No matter who it is, there will always be someone who can serve as deputy secretary.

However, Wang Zaofu, who appeared out of nowhere, suddenly appeared and completely blocked the three of them from getting what they wanted.

When Ye Manzhi saw the appointment document, he felt a sense of relief that everything was finally settled, but also a bit nervous.

As soon as she got off work that day, she hurried back home, closed the doors and windows, and pulled Wu Zhengrong into bed.

"Why are you so nervous?" Wu Zhengrong took off his coat and huddled in bed with her to have a meeting.

His daughter Ye Lai Ya is like this. It seems that the quilt is the safest place. She always hides in it when discussing important matters.

Ye Manzhi hugged his arm and tried to control her tone, but she couldn't help but said with a bit of pride: "I received an appointment notice today. I will be taking over Lao Lei's job!"

"Really?" Wu Zhengrong asked with suspicion. "Didn't they say they were going to parachute in from the Municipal Revolutionary Committee?"

"Really, really!" Ye Manzhi said proudly, "That Wang Zaofu is only 26 years old, even younger than I was when I was deputy director. I guess the higher-ups still don't trust him. What if he runs such a big factory into losses? Anyway, being deputy director won't stop him from doing publicity."

Wu Zhengrong congratulated Comrade Xiao Ye on his progress and said flatteringly, "Then you will be the real Director Ye from now on."

"Hehe." Ye Manzhi grabbed his palm and placed it on her chest, "Feel it."

Wu Zhengrong rubbed it obediently, then glanced at his wrist and said, "Youyan is almost out of school, time is tight, let's talk about it tonight."

"..." Ye Manzhi held down his rubbing hands and said in a desperate tone, "I want you to feel my heartbeat!"

“…”

"I'm so nervous and excited that my heart is pounding!" Ye Manzhi shook his fingers and sighed, "I've only been a deputy before, and there was always someone higher up to hold it up when the sky fell. Now I'm about to become the top leader. It feels like a dream."

She had worked hard to get the position of factory director, but when she was finally promoted to the top leader, she actually felt uneasy and uneasy.

Nowadays, the factory director is the head of the family. He has to take care of the development of the factory and the lives of the workers, no matter whether they are official or private matters.

When she was the deputy factory director, she didn't feel much pressure. Now that she is responsible for the livelihoods of nearly two thousand employees, she only feels that she has a heavy responsibility.

Wu Zhengrong repeated Secretary Ye's words of advice to him earlier, "You said it yourself. At a time like this, if you don't move forward, you'll either regress. Rather than letting someone who knows nothing take the top position and affect the work of the unit, it's better for me to take the position myself."

"Of course I'll do it myself!" Ye Manzhi said excitedly, "If I were the factory director, I'd definitely do a better job than that Wang Zaofu!"

Wu Zhengrong whispered to her, "Wang Zaofu was completely unknown before. He was parachuted into Shuguang Factory at such a young age. He must have someone with a backer. You'd better be careful when you team up with him."

"Well, let's not talk about him for now. If the enemy comes, we will fight him with our generals, and if the water comes, we will block it with earth." Ye Manzhi lifted the quilt and said, "Before Youyan comes back, let's take a bath together."

"..." Wu Zhengrong glanced at the sky outside the window, and after looking at her for two seconds, he said without hesitation, "That's fine."

*

After communicating with Dr. Wu, Ye Manzhi's mood gradually calmed down.

When she went to work again, she began to think about how to carry out her future work.

The first person to face, of course, is the new member of the team, Wang Zaofu.

Before Director Wang took office, Ye Manzhi first convened all members of the factory revolutionary committee and held a mobilization meeting.

In addition to the five factory directors, the factory also selected two people from the workshop workers to serve as deputy directors of the Revolutionary Committee.

Therefore, there were a total of seven people in the Revolutionary Committee of Shuguang Factory.

"Recently, our superiors have made some adjustments to our team. Director Lei has been transferred to another unit, and soon Deputy Director Wang will be transferred to our Shuguang Factory." Ye Manzhi said with a smile, "But no matter how things change, all of us here are veterans of Shuguang Factory. When we left Factory 833, we supported each other all the way through."

She looked at the only female worker present and asked, "Director Miao, I heard that Factory 833 has been doing quite well in the past two years?"

Miao Sufen said, "That's right. We now have over 4,500 employees, almost catching up with the number before the separation."

"Their development is indeed very fast," Ye Manzhi said excitedly. "I remember when I first came to the factory, I promised everyone that we would surpass Factory 833 in 10 or 15 years. Now there is still a big gap between the two factories, so we must keep working hard!"

Tian Chunshan said with a smile, "We now have export missions for air guns and electric fans, and we're earning foreign exchange. Perhaps in two or three years we'll catch up with them."

Kang Jian said cautiously, "That's not necessarily true. The sales volume of air guns at this year's Canton Fair was not ideal. We were only allocated a quota of 3,000 air guns. The domestic market for air guns is limited, and electric fans are seasonal. We can consider adding other businesses, such as bicycles and radios. The three-turn and one-ring product is timeless!"

Several people chatted for an hour in the small conference room of the workshop.

Ye Manzhi concluded, "We at Shuguang Factory must work together and keep moving forward. Everyone should give careful consideration to launching new projects. Once Deputy Director Wang arrives, we'll come to a decision together."

Several deputy factory directors curled their lips in their hearts at the same time.

After the appointment was issued, they had already asked someone to inquire about Wang Zaofu's situation.

Before being transferred to the city, Wang Zaofu was an ordinary worker in the county daily chemical factory.

In the past two years, he has been mainly responsible for publicity work, and he may not have a clear understanding of Shuguang Factory's business.

…

Although he disliked it, Wang Zaofu still took up the post as scheduled.

Ye Manzhi and a group of members of the Revolutionary Committee were waiting at the factory gate.

After shaking hands and greeting the HR team leader Fan Guifang, everyone turned their attention to Wang Zaofu.

What to say?

Everyone was quite surprised.

This Wang Zaofu's appearance was a little unexpected.

With his height, long legs and square face, he has the standard appearance of a handsome guy nowadays.

Wearing a cadre uniform, he really doesn't look like someone from the working class.

He looks more like a factory director than the factory directors of Shuguang Factory who are wearing workshop work clothes.

After Ye Manzhi shook hands with him briefly, she found that there were no calluses on his hands from long-term labor, and they were even cleaner than her hands.

You know, she works in the workshop every day, and her hands inevitably have traces of labor. She wipes her hands with "Wan Zi Qian Hong" every day when she goes home to avoid calluses.

Could it be that Wang Zaofu is not like her, going home and wiping his hands every day?

Fan Guifang had other work to do, so she sent Wang Zaofu to Shuguang Factory. After reading out his appointment, she asked Ye Manzhi to convene a meeting of all employees as soon as possible.

Ye Manzhi also wanted to finish the procedure quickly, but she glanced at her watch and said, "Team Leader Fan, it's only a quarter to eleven. How about we have lunch before the meeting?"

Lunch time is 11:30 every day, and it’s almost time to eat.

"Don't wait, there's an important meeting in the city today, and I have to rush back this afternoon."

Ye Manzhi pretended to be regretful and said, "Then let's have a meeting as soon as possible!"

She asked the radio station to issue a notice and all employees to go to the auditorium for a meeting.

After all the employees arrived, she first stood on the podium and welcomed the leaders of the Municipal Revolutionary Committee to the factory to guide the work, and thanked the city for providing talents to Shuguang Factory.

By the time she finished shouting slogans and talking about some rambling clichés, it was already 11:35.

It was just past lunch time.

Wang Zaofu had just taken office and had not yet noticed the time issue. When it was his turn to speak, he gave a very inspiring introduction to the city’s recent revolutionary achievements, mobilizing everyone to increase their revolutionary enthusiasm.

Shuguang Factory holds study sessions and ideological mobilization meetings almost every week. Lei Wanyuan and Ye Manzhi often make such speeches, but they are just talk and there is no concrete action.

The speeches of the two factory directors were even more contagious than Wang Zaofu's.

Therefore, although Deputy Director Wang spoke passionately, the employees in the audience did not buy it.

Some people who were wearing watches kept looking at their watches while shaking their legs.

The logistics department informed us this morning that we would have four-happiness meatballs for lunch.

Deputy Director Wang talks too much. It’s already 11:45. When can we have dinner?

After working for a whole morning, everyone is hungry!

The discussion in the audience grew louder and louder. Wang Zaofu paid attention to the employees' reactions and got stuck several times while speaking.

Ye Manzhi stepped forward at the opportune moment and shouted, "Everyone, be quiet! Maintain order in this meeting! Deputy Director Wang is a cadre transferred from the city. He spoke brilliantly! Everyone, please listen carefully!"

After putting down the speaker, she whispered, "Director Wang, I'm sorry. We usually have meetings in the afternoon, and today's meeting was arranged too hastily. The workers must be in a hurry to eat lunch. It's okay, please continue."

Wang Zaofu: “…”

The audience is demoralized, what else can he say?

"Haha, I'll stop here for now. There's still a lot of time to go. Let's go have lunch first!"

Upon hearing this, the workers grabbed their lunch boxes and rushed out of the auditorium.

*

Ye Manzhi tried her best to persuade Team Leader Fan to stay at the factory for the welcome banquet at noon.

Fan Guifang did not refuse, but she had to go back to the city to attend a meeting. After eating a few bites, she got up and said goodbye.

She is the city leader, so everyone must stand up to see her off.

Therefore, this welcome banquet had to end hastily.

Ye Manzhi said apologetically, "Director Wang, I didn't expect Team Leader Fan to be in such a hurry. Today is your first day on the job, and we haven't been able to have a good drink with you."

Wang Zaofu also felt a little depressed. It seemed that Ye Manzhi could not be blamed for this matter. People had already suggested that they eat first and then have a meeting, but it was Fan Guifang who disagreed.

"Haha, it's okay. I came to Shuguang Factory to focus on revolutionary work. Let's get to work first!"

"Okay, let's find time to have a drink later." Ye Manzhi asked enthusiastically like a caring older sister, "Director Wang, where do you live now? Does your child need to go to school? The factory can help you arrange housing and schools."

"My son is only one year old and doesn't need to go to school for the time being," Wang Zaofu said. "This place is a bit far from the city. The factory should help me find an apartment."

Ye Manzhi nodded and asked Director Ding of the factory office to help him make the arrangements.

"Director Wang, now that you've arrived at Shuguang Factory, you're one of us. First, settle your family down and get familiar with the factory's work. If you have any questions, come to the toy gun workshop and find me."

Wang Zaofu asked in confusion, "Why do I have to go to the workshop to find you?"

"Haha, I forgot to tell you, our factory has implemented the 'Anshan Constitution' proposed by Comrade Chairman. All cadres must work in the workshops. I'm in the toy gun workshop, and Director Huang and Director Kang have their own assistant workshops. We all usually work in the workshops. You're new here and you're not familiar with the situation yet, so I'll find someone to guide you first."

Ye Manzhi shouted "Director Miao" at the top of his voice and called over another female comrade Miao Sufen in the Revolutionary Committee.

"Director Miao, let Director Wang go to your electric fan workshop to help out. You're a veteran in the workshop, so you should help Director Wang get familiar with the situation."

"Okay," Miao Sufen shook hands with Mr. Wang. "Director Wang, I'll take you to the workshop later."

Wang Zaofu: “…”

Ye Manzhi handed the person over to Miao Sufen, said goodbye to them with a smile, and went to the workshop to work.

She still trusts Miao Sufen very much.

Sister Miao comes from a poor peasant family and is also a martyr's family member. Relying on her good background, she is quite tough in the factory.

At that time, someone in the workshop wanted to incite the workers to stop work and production. Sister Miao went up and slapped the man twice, saying that he was destroying the revolutionary achievements of the working class.

Lei Wanyuan and Ye Manzhi saw her shining points, so they asked her to join the factory revolutionary committee and put her in charge of training the female militia company in the factory.

Wang Zaofu had no idea how powerful the middle-aged woman in front of him was. He just went with her to the workshop to identify his position, and then returned to the factory to check out his new office.

Director Ding from the factory office followed him and introduced: "Director Wang, this used to be Director Lei Wanyuan's office. After he was transferred, Director Ye said he would leave it for you and didn't move in."

Wang Zaofu nodded with satisfaction.

Lei Wanyuan was promoted to the position of director at the municipal level and continued to use his office, which was a good sign.

It was my first day at the factory. Apart from the fact that my speeches and meals were too rushed, everything else went smoothly.

"Director Ding, I'm still a newcomer to the factory. Please help me arrange a secretary who is familiar with the environment."

"Well, Director Wang, the leaders of our factory don't deserve secretaries."

"No secretary?"

"Yes, the leaders all have to work in the workshops, so it's useless to have secretaries sitting around at home. That's why no one has a full-time secretary," Director Ding said. "If you need anything, you can ask the clerks in the factory office to run errands."

In the past two years, the secretaries of several factory directors have been assigned to work in workshops and departments.

For example, Director Ye’s secretary Zhou Ruyi is now the deputy chief of the Propaganda Department.

Director Lei’s secretary was also transferred to the union.

The factory office assigned a secretary to each of the factory directors to handle some daily work, but they did not serve as full-time secretaries in the secretariat.

Wang Zaofu: “…”

What's going on with this Shuguang Factory?

The factory director went to work in the workshop and didn't even have a secretary.

When he worked at the county daily chemical factory, even the section chief had a correspondent!

*

Ye Manzhi had no way of knowing the depression of her new colleague. As soon as she entered the workshop in the afternoon, Kang Jian revealed a piece of gossip to her that the province seemed to be holding a professional television conference to specifically study the development of color televisions.

"I heard that several radio factories have received meeting notices," Kang Jian asked, "If we have also received a notice, or if we haven't received a notice, should we take the initiative to attend the meeting?"

"Didn't you want to get a bicycle and a radio?" Ye Manzhi asked with a smile, "Have you changed your mind again?"

"No, it's a TV after all. Oh, I can't let it go. It would be great if the TV programs could resume normal broadcasting. Otherwise, I wouldn't dare spend money on it!"

"Since the province has taken the initiative to organize a meeting, the industry must have an explanation. Let's wait a little longer. If there is a notice, we will go to the scene to see the situation."

Of course Ye Manzhi also wanted to get a TV. That thing was like a piece of fat meat hanging in front of him, making people envious.

But as Director Guo of Factory 712 said, color televisions cannot be developed by one or two companies; it requires collaboration from the entire industry.

She pondered the matter for the entire afternoon. When it was almost time to get off work, a young clerk from the factory office came to the workshop to inform her that the Provincial Revolutionary Committee had called and asked the factory to send someone to the production headquarters for a meeting.

It was exactly the meeting that Kang Jian mentioned.

Ye Manzhi was feeling restless and was thinking about whether to launch the TV project on the way home from get off work.

What if the province gave Shuguang Factory a task? What if the TV programs were boring and the TVs couldn't be sold?

She was lost in thought all the way, and when she reached the gate of the compound, she saw Wu Zhengrong strolling back and forth outside.

She trotted over and asked, "What are you doing here? Why don't you go home?"

Wu Zhengrong said shockingly, "I went back, but your daughter chased me out again."

"She dared to chase you away? Why?"

"She brought Yi Yi and an ugly male classmate home, saying I was at home. The male classmate didn't dare to say anything and insisted on sending me to visit Chief Zhou's house." Wu Zhengrong said with disgust, "Old Zhou's room reeks of sweaty feet. I don't want to go."

"Hahahaha, why did you say that male classmate is ugly?" Ye Manzhi wanted to put her arm around him, but restrained herself and pulled his sleeve, saying, "Let's go back and see what Youyan is doing!"

Wu Zhengrong looked reluctant, but was still dragged by her.

The couple pushed the door open quietly and entered their own yard.

Hearing the noise, Sunflower opened one of its round eyes and took a look. After confirming who was coming, it closed it lazily and lay on the mat, wagging its tail.

Ye Manzhi looked towards the living room and through the window glass, she could see three children sitting around the dining table doing their homework.

Youyan's clear voice came from the open window, and it sounded like he was explaining math problems to his classmates.

"You go and take a look."

Wu Zhengrong ignored the three little brats and went straight into the study.

Ye Manzhi’s external image has always been that of a “gentle and beautiful classmate’s mother”, and she believes that she will not scare her daughter’s male classmates.

Taking the opportunity to enter the house to deliver soda, she deliberately looked at the boy's face a few times.

After seeing his appearance clearly, she couldn't help but complain in her heart, Wu Zhengrong was talking nonsense, the little boy was very energetic, how could he be ugly?