"Director Li, congratulations on your promotion."
In Li Xuewu's office, Xu Damao congratulated him. This time, Li Xuewu had finally achieved his wish and become the third-in-command of the steel rolling mill, the deputy secretary and deputy factory director, a veritable power holder, in charge of personnel, logistics, and office work. Therefore, it was normal for Xu Damao to report to him now.
This was the first time Xu Damao had met Li Xuewu in person since returning from the No. 1 factory.
"Da Mao, let's not stand on ceremony. Although I haven't been at the factory these past few days, I've been keeping a close eye on you. I originally thought you'd be down for a while after you got to the transportation department, but I didn't expect you to perform so well there, far exceeding my expectations."
"I heard that you brought back a lot of good things from your inspection trip, and Secretary Yang praised you for it," Li Xuewu said.
He was telling the truth. Previously, Xu Damao had been suddenly promoted to the transportation department, a department previously considered a retirement home, because of him. Li Xuewu knew Xu Damao was young and capable, but younger people often become dejected in such situations.
But Xu Damao accomplished several things in succession, not only firmly grasping control of the transportation department, but also achieving remarkable results. He could hear other leaders praising Xu Damao even in the first branch factory.
Some leaders even said it was thanks to Li Xuewu's mentorship that things turned out so well. But in reality, he also knew that he hadn't interfered much because Xu Damao was too clever. Even when Xu Damao was being reassigned, in order to maintain stability, he didn't immediately "seek justice" for the other party, and Xu Damao already had a negative opinion of him.
However, he also knew that Xu Damao was a smart man. Even if they had differing opinions, Xu Damao would still maintain a good relationship with him when it came to matters of interest. In this respect, Li Xuewu and Xu Damao were actually quite similar.
"Da Mao, are you having any difficulties at work?" Li Xuewu, as a former leader, asked with concern.
Having not stood up for Xu Damao before, Li Xuewu now wants to make amends to him, now that the situation has been settled. This is one of Li Xuewu's principles: never let his own people suffer losses, or rather, never let them suffer losses indefinitely.
"Boss, not right now. But our transportation department is planning to adjust the work of the auto repair team and expand the service scope. I was originally thinking it would be difficult to say this to the factory leaders, but now that you're here, Director Li, I feel at ease."
Xu Damao then shared his thoughts on the auto repair group.
“Your idea is excellent and very forward-thinking; I’m the first to support it. My idea is that you take it one step at a time, start by finding a few companies to pilot the project, have them send their cars to us for repairs, and then we’ll see what our capabilities are and what their feedback is.”
When the time is right, we can expand further.
Li Xuewu, as expected of a high-ranking leader, made quick decisions, and his proposed methods were irrefutable and arguably the best under the current circumstances.
"Thank you for your support, former leader." Xu Damao was genuinely grateful. Regardless of Li Xuewu's character, his ability to get things done was quite good.
"Da Mao, do a good job. I just took over the personnel work and it's a mess. But I've found that many positions in the factory are filled by too many people, or that the abilities of many older employees don't match their positions. We urgently need capable and young people like you to fill those positions."
"Oh, by the way, come over to my house for dinner with Minzhi tonight. We'll have a family feast together." Li Xuewu extended an invitation to Xu Damao as he was leaving.
“Okay, old leader, I have some good stuff over there. I’ll bring it to you tonight,” Xu Damao replied.
Leaving the office, Xu Damao was thinking about Li Xuewu's words. It seemed Li Xuewu was preparing to make personnel changes, or rather, to the Political Department. Previously, the Minister of the Political Department and Qiao Erbao were practically in cahoots, something Li Xuewu absolutely could not tolerate.
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That evening, Wang Minzhi went with Li Tong, while Xu Damao went home first. After sitting for a while at home, he packed up the two bottles of wine he had prepared earlier and the half-pound of tea he had brought back from Qing'an, and then went out.
As soon as I arrived at the Intermediate People's Court, I saw Sha Zhu stuff two lunchboxes into Qin Huairu's hands and casually touch her small hand.
"Hey, you silly Zhu, what kind of hooligan are you being? Why are you touching Qin Huairu?" Xu Damao suddenly got a mischievous urge and shouted as he passed by.
Xu Damao's shout alerted all the neighbors. These days, entertainment is scarce, and no one could afford to miss such big news. The shout also startled Sha Zhu, who was about to let go, causing him to forget to release his grip.
Before Sha Zhu and Qin Huairu could react, Jia Zhangshi, who was sitting in the room, had already come to their side.
"Well, you silly Zhu, I knew something was off about you, and sure enough, there's something wrong. You're still clinging to my Huai Ru."
When Jia Zhangshi saw that Sha Zhu was still holding Qin Huairu's hand, she was so angry that her liver and gallbladder trembled. She casually used the Nine Yin White Bone Claw on Sha Zhu.
"No, I didn't. I just delivered two lunchboxes to Sister Qin, and there was meat in them. I just touched them," Sha Zhu explained.
"Xu Damao, you bastard, you've ruined my reputation!" Sha Zhu glared at Xu Damao, seething with anger. It wasn't so much the pain from Jia Zhangshi's scratch, but the fact that he'd been caught touching her hand this time, meaning he wouldn't be able to do it again, or even for a short while.
After Jia Zhangshi finished making a scene, Sha Zhu was about to confront Xu Damao when he could no longer find him.
Li Xuewu and his cadre compound had guards at the entrance. However, Xu Damao had often driven Li Xuewu around when he was at the branch factory, so he was familiar with the guards and was able to enter smoothly after exchanging greetings.
Upon entering Li Xuewu's house, Xu Damao put down the wine and tea he had brought.
"Oh, this is tea? And it's new tea, really nice, quite fragrant. Hmm, it smells like orchids, it's tea from Anhui Province." Li Xuewu immediately picked up the tea Xu Damao had brought and examined it.
He is very particular and knowledgeable about food and drink; he can tell the origin of tea at a glance.
"Boss, you've really done something amazing. I was on a business trip over there this time, and knowing you like tea, I managed to find some new tea there," Xu Damao flattered.
"Haha, you know this little hobby of mine. Come on, since you brought it, brew us a few cups and let us taste the new tea." Li Xuewu was very pleased.
For people like Li Xuewu, tea was a common drink, and many subordinates even brought tea when they visited. However, Xu Damao bringing fresh tea directly from the production area was a unique occurrence. He was very pleased with this gesture alone.
Xu Damao didn't have any particular skill in brewing tea, but any tea made from this new tea would be incredibly fragrant. The Li brothers, Li Xuewu and Li Xuewen, and Xu Damao enjoyed their tea outside, while several women busied themselves inside.
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