Upon arriving at the Armed Forces Department, Xu Damao had no intention of vying for power or personal gain. Therefore, when Lei Min complained, he simply nodded repeatedly, expressing his sympathy. As for seeking help from superiors to resolve the issue, that was out of the question; he wouldn't take the blame for his predecessor's actions.
Seeing Xu Damao's somewhat perfunctory expression, Lei Min understood that this new leader was no different from all the others. The new leader ignored past debts, not only ignoring debts owed by his own department to other departments, but also debts owed by other departments to his own department.
After briefly reporting on other matters, Lei Min took her leave. Looking at the empty office, Xu Damao felt a little lost. For so many years, he had been constantly busy, with endless tasks to handle as soon as he arrived at the office. Suddenly having so much free time was really hard to get used to.
After thinking for a moment, he took out the supreme commander's quotes from his bag and began to read and silently memorize them. These were all means to save his life in the future, and he had to remember them firmly.
Throughout the morning, apart from an office staff member coming in briefly, no one else came to report on their work. Of course, Xu Damao didn't humiliate himself by going to other deputy ministers and subordinate departments to provide guidance.
Tong Shuai, the deputy head of the security department, had a get-together with Lu Xiangyang and a few others a few days ago. At that time, Xu Damao told him not to come alone during working hours.
"No, Da Mao, now that you're a cadre leader, I was wondering if you could be promoted directly. How can we advance if we don't report on our work?" Tong Shuai laughed.
"Don't rush. You've been a deputy section chief for so many years, there's no need to rush. Wait a little longer, and I'll take the initiative to contact you when the time is right," Xu Damao comforted him.
Even Tong Shuai, one of their own, didn't come, and it was unlikely that anyone else would. Only when he felt a little hungry did Xu Damao put down the Little Red Book and prepare to go eat.
Picking up his lunchbox, Xu Damao left the office without looking for Wang Minzhi, and instead strolled to the cafeteria. To be honest, Xu Damao hadn't eaten the cafeteria's large-pot dishes in a long time; he wondered if the taste had declined.
Upon entering the cafeteria, there weren't many people eating yet; the few scattered food windows were all empty.
"Hey, isn't this Factory Director Xu? Oh, no, he's Minister Xu now."
No need to ask, that loud voice belongs to that simpleton, Sha Zhu. He recently heard that Xu Damao had been appointed as the Minister of the Armed Forces Department, and then the ministers of the underground organization department said that this was obviously a demotion, which made Sha Zhu very happy.
Having been overshadowed by Xu Damao for years and inferior to him in every way, Sha Zhu felt extremely wronged. Even though this position as the head of the armed forces department was a position he could never reach in his entire life, he was still very happy.
So today, he deliberately waited at the window for Xu Damao to come over for dinner so he could mock him and vent his anger.
"Shazhu, you're the deputy director of the cafeteria, why are you still working at the food window? Did you make another mistake and get punished?"
Xu Damao ignored the other party's mockery and launched a counterattack.
Sha Zhu hasn't been without progress in the past few years. He went from being a head chef in the canteen to a team leader, and last year he was promoted to deputy director of the canteen. He's a full-fledged deputy section-level cadre, and his salary and benefits are among the best in the entire steel rolling mill.
In addition, he has been in charge of the canteen's private kitchen for many years and knows all the factory leaders. This year, he has also accompanied Yang Zhenhua to cook for the senior leaders on several occasions, which has earned him their appreciation.
But this kid insists on comparing himself to Xu Damao, which is really making him feel less happy and just asking for trouble.
"What nonsense are you talking about? I've been doing so well, the boss is even thinking of giving me a promotion. I'm talking to you, I heard you got demoted recently. Do you want me to talk to the big boss and ask him to change your position?"
I'm not bragging, but right now my word carries more weight than most deputy factory directors.
There weren't many people around at this time, so Sha Zhu started exaggerating, since bragging doesn't cost anything. His words stunned the few people around him who didn't quite understand, making them think that Sha Zhu had really struck it rich.
"Really, that brother actually needs your help. Sha Zhu, my office is in a terrible state, with peeling paint in many places, but I can't find anyone to repair it. Do you think you can help me figure something out?" Xu Damao joked on the spur of the moment.
Sha Zhu usually just laughs off his boasting, but this is the first time he's actually taken advantage of the situation, and he doesn't know how to respond.
"What, you can't handle it? Then forget it. Even our office director couldn't handle this, so it's a bit much to ask a cook like you to coordinate. Don't worry, if anyone asks, I won't say you're a fool, Zhu. At most, it'll just mean your connections aren't strong enough." Xu Damao continued to use reverse psychology.
Xu Damao knew Sha Zhu too well; he didn't need any other tricks, just his aggressive approach was always effective.
Sure enough, if even the director of the Armed Forces Department's office couldn't get it done, then if he could, wouldn't he be even more capable than a section-level cadre? Besides, even if he said he couldn't do it, he couldn't just back down from the connections he'd made a big deal out of.
"Sure, why not? Just wait, I'll get it all sorted out this afternoon, and someone will be doing the renovations tomorrow. When you start work in a few days, I guarantee you'll have a brand new office right in front of you," Sha Zhu said shamelessly.
"That would be great. If it's really done well, I'll definitely treat you to dinner," Xu Damao said.
In the short time they were talking, quite a few people came to eat, including his wife Wang Minzhi and people from the publicity department.
"Da Mao, what were you and Sha Zhu talking about just now?" Wang Minzhi asked curiously.
She's currently a propaganda officer and is quite sensitive to personnel changes in the factory. Many people with ulterior motives say her husband's position is a very bad one, meant for retiring officials to get promoted, and that young people who take it will waste their future.
Although Xu Damao had already told her his plans, Wang Minzhi was still a little worried that her husband might be upset, so she decided to spend more time with him. She had just gone to the Armed Forces Department and hadn't seen Xu Damao, so she guessed he had come over for dinner early.
"Oh, Sha Zhu is a nice guy. He heard that my office was a bit run-down, so he offered to find someone to help me fix it," Xu Damao said.
Wang Minzhi wasn't sure if Xu Damao was telling the truth, but seeing that Xu Damao didn't seem to be faking it, she felt much more at ease.
"Da Mao, let me tell you, a few girls from our broadcasting studio are coming over to our house tonight, including Yu Li, Yu Haitang, and Lou Xiao'e. If you have time this afternoon, go home early and help us buy some groceries," Wang Minzhi said.
"Lou Xiao'e? How is she now?" Xu Damao asked.
Speaking of which, it was he who suggested that Lou Xiao'e go to work at the steel rolling mill. Unexpectedly, Xu Damao's wife in the drama and his wife in real life get along well and he can even bring her home for dinner.
"She's alright. She's well-read and has good comprehension skills, but she's a bit of a pretentious intellectual. Also, her family isn't well-off, and I feel she's a bit insecure and doesn't like talking to strangers," Wang Minzhi replied.
Upon hearing that the family's financial situation was poor, Xu Damao nearly spat out his food. In those days, wealthy capitalists often came from poor families and were targeted and looked down upon by many, making it difficult for them to even find a husband.
Those in cities are a little better off, but some children from rural landlord families can only marry disabled or lazy men, and their lives are ruined anyway.
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