Li Xuewu said that Xu Damao was the chicken that was killed to serve as a warning to the monkeys.
Everyone knew and expected that Li Xuewu would be taking a position at the main factory. Li Xuewu had been busy with this matter for some time, and under his guidance, everything was basically settled.
Li Xuewu will soon return to the main factory as deputy secretary and deputy director, effectively becoming the factory's third-in-command. However, he is not the only one eyeing this position; the current deputy director, Qiao Erbao, is also vying for it.
Qiao Erbao was transferred to the steel rolling mill as deputy director a few years ago; he also had connections. People who come to the steel rolling mill as deputy director are determined to climb the ranks step by step. In this reshuffle, he was originally the most likely candidate for deputy secretary and deputy director, and he had mentally prepared himself for it.
Unexpectedly, what wasn't in hand didn't count. In the end, based on his work performance at the First Branch Factory and his connections, Li Xuewu was directly selected by his superiors as a candidate for deputy secretary and deputy factory director.
Qiao Erbao was devastated. Previously, although Li Xuewu was also a leader in the main factory, the head of the first branch factory, and a deputy director-level official, Qiao Erbao had ranked higher than Li Xuewu. Now, Li Xuewu had surpassed him—what was he going to do?
What else can we do? Our grades aren't as good as theirs, and more importantly, our backgrounds aren't as strong. We can only endure it.
He could tolerate Li Xuewu, but recently there have been constant rumors that Li Xuewu from the branch factory went to the main factory and brought all his subordinates with him, and that Xu Damao was going to become the head of the comprehensive department. He hadn't paid much attention to this at first, but since people kept talking about it, he started to take it to heart.
If I can't get rid of you, Li Xuewu, I can at least disgust you to death. The transfer of a section-level cadre doesn't even require a leadership meeting; the general factory's political department can make the transfer directly. Coincidentally, the current head of the political department is in his system, and with a single sentence, he arranged Xu Damao's removal.
He had originally planned to simply assign Xu Damao to any random place. However, the Minister of the Political Department was also acquainted with Xu Damao, having been invited by Xu Damao several times before, so they had some mutual respect.
So he tried to persuade Qiao Erbao, saying that if things went too far, there might be some changes on the other side, and he might be reassigned again, which would be counterproductive. After thinking it over, the position of head of the transportation department was the most suitable.
This position is also at the section-level, with a higher salary than other departments, so no one can say anything about sending Xu Damao here. However, everyone knows that Li Xuewu suffered a setback this time, and Qiao Erbao has achieved his goal. Besides, everyone knows that Xu Damao is one of the few people who can drive, so this can be considered making the best use of his talents.
To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, Meng Jiancai, the head of the cadre section, was ordered to immediately come to the branch factory with the transfer order and to directly transfer Xu Damao's personnel file.
As Li Xuewu recounted his story, Xu Damao understood his current predicament. "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down," and he was truly not wronged this time.
"Da Mao, how about I help you out? They've gone too far this time," Li Xuewu said to Xu Da Mao.
"Thank you for your concern, Factory Director. But let's just forget about it. The transfer order has already been issued, and I've taken my file with me, so it's a done deal. Besides, I'm going to be the head of the Transportation Department, which is actually quite good. The salary and benefits are among the best for a department head, and it also fulfills my wish to return to the main factory. Minzhi will be happy too."
"Factory Director, it's all thanks to your guidance these past few years that I've been able to grow from an ordinary staff member to a section-level cadre. I'm already very satisfied with that. Even when I return to the main factory, I'll still work under your leadership and rely on you." Xu Damao sincerely thanked Li Xuewu.
When Li Xuewu asked Xu Damao if he wanted to find a solution, he had already made his stance clear. If he truly wanted to change the outcome, he wouldn't need to consult Xu Damao at all; he could simply intervene forcefully. Even if the transfer order were issued, or even if the official document were released, it could still change the situation.
However, Li Xuewu knew that this was a crucial moment for him. Before his official appointment, everything was subject to change, and he didn't want any unforeseen complications. He also knew that he had essentially taken someone else's position, so being humiliated and vented his anger was acceptable.
On one side is Xu Damao's future, and on the other is his own future; there's no need to choose between them.
He gave the decision-making power to Xu Damao because he knew Xu Damao was a smart man.
"Da Mao, I've watched you grow from a clever projectionist into a politically astute mid-level manager, and I'm very pleased. Don't worry, I'll make it up to you after I return to the main factory and stabilize the situation this time." Li Xuewu made a promise to Xu Da Mao.
"Factory manager, I'm not aggrieved at all. In fact, I've made a profit," Xu Damao replied with a smile.
Li Xuewu could make a promise to him out of consideration for their past relationship and the connection between Li Tong and Wang Minzhi, but Xu Damao couldn't keep repeating it or bring it up frequently. Moreover, Xu Damao had been thinking about distancing himself from Li Xuewu someday, and now it had happened.
Li Xuewu is a capable man; even during special periods, he managed to avoid being purged. But those who followed Li Xuewu, without his connections, could hardly escape being purged. Previously, everyone knew that Xu Damao was Li Xuewu's close associate and favorite; according to normal procedures, Xu Damao would inevitably be purged later.
But now that Xu Damao has severed ties with Li Xuewu, it's probably the best outcome. In the future, Xu Damao will certainly need Li Xuewu's help, but he will reciprocate in kind, just like everyone else.
After leaving Li Xuewu's office, Xu Damao breathed a sigh of relief. Li Xuewu, on the other hand, relaxed his stern expression and smiled.
He was putting on an expression for Xu Damao, letting others know he was very unhappy. But inside, he was genuinely relieved.
Since the other side has resorted to this trick, it means they have run out of other options, and my position as deputy secretary is secure. As for Xu Damao, sacrificing him to save the king is a worthwhile sacrifice.
That evening, in the canteen of the branch factory, all the factory leaders and middle-level managers gathered to see Xu Damao off. They had been given three days, and Xu Damao planned to leave the next day, since he hadn't packed anything here anyway.
"Today, Comrade Xu Damao has been promoted to the main factory and will be a leader of the main factory, as well as the superior of our branch factory. Let's raise a toast to Comrade Xu Damao together today."
Li Xuewu gave Xu Damao a lot of face, praising him highly. Everyone else responded in kind, raising their glasses together.
Some were reluctant to part, some were happy, and some were indifferent, but no one showed it at this moment. Perhaps because there were no lingering concerns, and something that had been weighing on their minds for a long time had finally come to an end, Xu Damao was in full force tonight, drinking alone with a group of people.
After today, Xu Damao will be returning to the main factory.
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