Chapter 119
This is not the first time that Director Qin has gone to the Provincial Infrastructure Commission to seek an explanation.
The year before last and last year, he had consulted the leaders of the Provincial Infrastructure Commission regarding issues related to infrastructure materials.
When he came to quarrel for the first time, he was in good health, with a high-pitched voice like a bell. He argued sharply with the deputy director who received him, and finally got back 44 tons of steel and 200 tons of cement from the Chemical and Light Industry Bureau.
When the shortage of infrastructure materials occurred again the following year, he wanted to repeat the same trick and go to the Provincial Infrastructure Commission to collect the debt again, but the Infrastructure Commission would not be tripped by the same stone twice.
In response to Director Qin's hot temper, a comrade with a mild personality was assigned to be in charge of reception.
He nods no matter what you say to him, but when you ask him how to deal with the problem, he always answers that he needs to ask his superiors.
Director Qin didn't get any benefits from him and was very angry.
So, when Lao Qin saw Deputy Director Liu, who had received him last year, again in the reception room, he felt a pang in his heart.
Deputy Director Liu, still cheerful and easygoing, shook his hand and said, "Old Qin, we meet again!"
"If the Infrastructure Construction Committee could just allocate the supplies, there wouldn't be any need for me to bother you all over again!" Old Qin, losing his usual impatience, patted the other man's hand and said, "My health has been failing for the past two years. The doctor told me to rest more and not get angry. If something like this happens again next year, I might have to send someone else to discuss it with you."
"Well, what do you mean..."
Deputy Director Liu was slightly stunned. He didn't expect the other party to play the sympathy card right from the start.
Where is the Deputy Director Qin who slammed the table when he got angry last year?
"You can't refuse to accept your age! You don't dare to make any more trouble," Old Qin introduced the two young comrades beside him. "These are Wang Qin and Ye Manzhi from our Industry Department. They're quite knowledgeable about the data on light industry infrastructure. I'll let Xiao Ye tell you about the serious situation this year..."
Ye Manzhi greeted Deputy Director Liu with a smile, handed him the prepared data, and began to count.
"Director Liu, our Capital Construction Commission's quarterly plan for light industrial units is 115 tons of steel, 768 cubic meters of lumber, and 320 tons of cement. However, according to reports from various regions, only 62 tons of steel, 362 cubic meters of lumber, and 170 tons of cement have been received. The plan for the second half of the year has already been drawn up, but the materials for the first half haven't been gathered yet. This is seriously impacting our province's capital construction plan!"
Deputy Director Liu looked at the form and asked, "Is this all they received? That's impossible. I remember at least 150 tons of steel was allocated to the Industry Department in the second quarter of this year. The remaining dozens of tons should have arrived this month. How could it be only 62 tons?"
"The Provincial Infrastructure Construction Commission did allocate 150 tons to the Department of Industry, but 90 tons went to heavy industry units and 62 tons to our light industry units. Furthermore, according to the plan, the heavy industry units only had a planned usage of 120 tons in the second quarter. Why is our Provincial Infrastructure Construction Commission playing favorites? They allocate 75% to heavy industry units and 50% to our light industry units! Light industry needs to develop, too. It's a matter of vital importance to the national economy and people's livelihoods. How can the people's food, clothing, housing, and transportation be separated from light industry? The Provincial Infrastructure Construction Commission is a provincial agency after all, so why is it so discriminating?"
Deputy Director Liu said "Hey!", rubbed his shiny forehead and said, "Party cadres shouldn't talk like that. We have to allocate funds according to the plan, and we have to prioritize them. The development of heavy industry urgently needs steel..."
Ye Manzhi listened quietly to his lecture, then smiled and said, "If the Provincial Infrastructure Construction Committee believes that infrastructure construction should be prioritized and all resources should be tilted towards heavy industry, then our light industry units can carry forward their tradition and give all infrastructure materials to the heavy industry units. However, the prerequisite is that the Provincial Infrastructure Construction Committee no longer makes construction plans for us."
"Without a construction plan, we wouldn't have to wait anxiously for materials to arrive. And if light industry doesn't develop, we'd have an explanation to give to provincial leaders. Now, with 100% planning and 50% funding, the factory, which was supposed to be completed in three months, won't be ready for over six months. How are we going to explain this to our superiors? How are we going to explain this to the people?"
Deputy Director Qin originally agreed to let Ye Manyi give full play to her abilities, but after hearing this, the anger in his heart was still aroused.
He slammed the teacup on the table. "That's right. If you think our light industry is unimportant, then when we submit our construction report, you shouldn't even approve it, and you shouldn't even make any plans for us! It's disgusting to give us half and half!
The other three people present: "..."
Putting aside the question of whether the behavior of the Infrastructure Commission is disgusting or not, the way you describe it is indeed a bit disgusting.
Wang Qin advised Director Qin not to get angry and to take care of his health.
Ye Manzhi also picked up the thermos and added some water to his teacup. Seeing that the teacup of Deputy Director Liu opposite was almost empty, she added some water to his cup as well.
"Calm down first. We're here at the Infrastructure Committee today to solve a problem. Let's have a good discussion with Director Liu and avoid any arguments!"
"Yes, yes, yes, we can discuss this," Deputy Director Liu said in a good-natured manner. "The allocation of construction materials is quite complicated. The Zhongjiang Special District is building a new steel plant branch, and it's urgent. The Provincial People's Committee has personally issued instructions, so we must give priority to supplying the steel plant."
Ye Manzhi nodded and said, "I've heard about this from the comrades at the Zhongjiang District Industrial Bureau before. They really do need steel materials to start production, and we understand that situation. However, their branch factory is almost completed. This quarter, can they give priority to our light industry units in terms of construction materials instead of heavy industry units?"
"I'm afraid that won't work. The province requires that materials be used for their intended purpose. Whoever owns it gets it. There's no such thing as bias."
Ye Manzhi and Lao Qin looked at each other, then took out another piece of paper from his bag and handed it to Deputy Director Liu.
"This is the situation reported to the Industry Department by local comrades. The light industrial steel allocated by the Provincial Infrastructure Commission to the Zhongjiang Special District was instead allocated to the gear factory as raw material."
"The Dehua District also used 120 cubic meters of wood to offset the match factory's production materials for the first half of the year."
"Binjiang City also used some of its infrastructure steel for technical and organizational measures, euphemistically calling it innovating production technology. However, the cost of these technical and organizational measures should have been covered by the production materials."
"There are also some unclear reasons. I don't know why, after the infrastructure materials are allocated to the local areas, the materials management departments refuse to allocate them further."
Ye Manzhi smiled and said, "Director Liu, the implementation of the principle of special materials for special purposes by our Provincial Infrastructure Commission is not ideal, isn't it?"
According to common sense, they should hold accountable whoever misappropriated the infrastructure materials.
But most of the light industry's resources were diverted to heavy industry and local material management departments.
If the Chemical and Light Industry Department wants to settle accounts with someone, it will have to argue with the Heavy Industry Department, and it is likely that the matter will eventually be brought to the attention of the department leaders.
Then the leader tried to smooth things over.
Light industry is the party that suffers losses. If the leaders are wishful thinking and do not speak for the light industry, it is equivalent to the light industry losing.
Instead of fighting in circles within our unit, it is better to go to another unit to seek an explanation.
Deputy Director Liu showed a perfectly measured look of surprise: "Is there anyone in the local area misappropriating infrastructure materials?"
He actually knew about this situation.
The practice of misappropriation continues despite repeated bans.
After the local authorities moved the materials, the relevant leaders played dumb and it was of no avail even if they reported the matter to the Provincial People's Committee.
They just said that the materials had been used up and they were unable to repay. The provincial leaders could only make a few verbal criticisms. After all, it was not for their personal pockets, but for production and construction.
The misappropriation of infrastructure materials by local governments has always been a headache for the Provincial Infrastructure Commission.
Ye Manzhi observed his expression, sighed, and said, "If the funds were diverted to infrastructure construction by heavy industry, or used by local leaders for urban construction, then at least the money would be wasted. The key problem is that the infrastructure materials are not used for infrastructure construction, but are instead used for production!"
This should have been the achievement of infrastructure work, but it was just handed over to others. She didn't believe that the leaders of the Infrastructure Committee were really that magnanimous!
Ye Manzhi said sincerely, "Our Provincial Infrastructure Construction Committee and our Provincial Industry Department have both suffered in this regard. We have all suffered losses..."
“…”
Wang Qin thought speechlessly, this Xiao Ye is quite into the role.
What kind of victim is the Department of Industry?
Whether building materials are used for infrastructure or production, they are all about developing industry.
For the Ministry of Industry, this was a real disaster, so even if the leaders of the Ministry of Industry knew about the situation, few of them were really worried.
If the construction projects of several light industrial units had not been suspended recently and Deputy Director Qin had not come to the Chemical and Light Industry Bureau to report the situation every few days, he would not have personally made the trip to the Provincial Infrastructure Commission.
Ye Manzhi ignored other people's thoughts and continued, "The practice of misappropriating building materials must be stopped, otherwise everyone will follow suit and how can we talk about province-wide unity? Aren't there still dozens of tons of steel that haven't been allocated last quarter? Director Liu, why don't you just allocate it all to our light industry units! Let's do a pilot program this time and use materials specifically for specific projects! Materials will be allocated directly to the project they are meant for, to avoid having other departments handle them..."
"How could it be possible that the supplies have not been handled by other departments when they arrived at the local area?" Deputy Director Liu shook his head.
"Why not?" Ye Manzhi said, "Our Director Qin is right here. Even if my promise doesn't work, Director Qin's words always work, right? As long as the Provincial Infrastructure Construction Committee is willing to allocate all the infrastructure materials that were not allocated last quarter to light industrial units, we guarantee that not a single ton of steel will be diverted for other purposes. If even a ton of steel is not used for infrastructure construction, we will never come to the Infrastructure Construction Committee to ask for an explanation again."
No matter what Deputy Director Liu thinks, Lao Qin is still very satisfied.
He felt that the new comrade Xiao Ye spoke more rigorously.
It did not say "The Chemical and Light Industry Department will not come to the Capital Construction Committee in the future", but instead used "we" instead of "Chemical and Light Industry Department".
This leaves them room to maneuver; if there is a need to argue again in the future, other comrades can step in.
Lao Qin said with a sullen face, "Lao Liu, this isn't the first time we've dealt with each other. I know you're going to ask your superiors for instructions and discuss this with them, right?"
"Haha, I really can't make the decision on such a big matter. I need to discuss it with my boss!"
"Then go and discuss it! What Xiao Ye just said is what our Industry Department is suggesting. This is an idea that will benefit both parties. All you have to do is allocate the construction materials, and we in the light industry system have our own internal methods to deliver the materials to the various units." Old Qin shook the paper in his hand. "I've already written a report to the Provincial People's Committee. The Capital Construction Committee's arrears of construction materials are a common occurrence, and it's seriously slowing down the project progress. If there's no solution, I'll have to submit the report to the higher-ups. I think your special materials for special purposes is just a sham. It's useless in practice!"
Ye Manzhi was sweating in his heart.
This old director who is about to retire is really bold in speaking. If he still has some aspirations in his career, he would not speak so loudly.
*
Deputy Director Liu still has to report and discuss with his superiors.
After leaving the Infrastructure Committee, Deputy Director Qin praised Ye Manzhi's performance and commended her for basically executing the plan that had been discussed previously.
But I am still a little restrained when it comes to reasoning, and I need more practice.
Ye Manzhi smiled and agreed, telling him to call her whenever he needed to lead a quarrel in the future.
It was already time to get off work, so after saying goodbye to the two of them at the bus station, she took a bus directly back to the military industrial compound.
When Wu Yuzhuo saw his mother at the door of the kindergarten, he asked disappointedly, "Why hasn't Dad come yet?"
"Dad is on a business trip."
"When will he be back?"
Ye Manzhi didn't know the exact date either. Wu Zhengrong's business trip this time was rather special. He didn't specify a specific return date before leaving, only saying that he would be back as soon as possible.
Like the previous times, she said vaguely, "It's almost there."
Little Wu Yuzhuo was carrying a huge military water bottle on his chest. He sighed like a little adult when he heard this.
Three-year-old children have shallow memories. If it were other children, they might have forgotten their biological father after being separated for more than half a month.
But there are photos everywhere on the walls and tables of their house, so they can see their father's appearance at a glance, so there is basically no possibility of forgetting him.
Ye Manzhi stroked her daughter's pigtails and teased her, "Why do you miss your daddy? When he comes back, you can't sleep with me anymore. You have to go back to your room and sleep by yourself. Don't you love sleeping with me the most?"
"The three of us can sleep together, and I can even ride on your neck."
Ye Manzhi thought to himself, your father doesn't want to sleep with you. It was your father's idea to move you out of the big house!
However, little Wu Yuzhuo seemed to really miss her father and even cried before going to bed that night.
Ye Manzhi really didn't expect that the military representative would be so charming!
You never see how affectionate this father and daughter are. Wu Zhengrong often switches between being a strict father and a kind father, and often teaches Xiao Piaoliang a lesson!
If he knew that his daughter was crying because she missed him, wouldn’t his peacock tail be lifted up to the sky?
She thought sourly that she must not let Wu Zhengrong know, so she took the photo of the man in military uniform and asked her daughter to kiss her father on the face.
Ye Manzhi actually misses men a little.
Oh, forget it, let her take a sip too.
The next day was the weekend, and to prevent her daughter from missing her father looking at the room full of photos, Ye Manzhi decided to take her out to see the world.
Recently, the city's children's theater is performing the children's play "Malanhua", which has been promoted in newspapers for a long time. It is said that when it was first performed in Beijing, it attracted tens of thousands of people.
Ye Manzhi wanted her daughter to experience the happiness of the children in the capital, so she bought two tickets and went with her to watch a children's play.
Normally, this child only hears children's stories on the radio, but today, she saw a children's play for the first time, and her eyes widened. When the villain, Old Cat, scurried around the audience, she joined the other children in yelling, "Catch the old cat!" After two hours of watching the play, her voice was hoarse.
Ye Manzhi decided to open the eyes of this little bumpkin. After leaving the theater, she took her to China Street to visit department stores and had lunch at the western restaurant where Wu Zhengrong proposed to her.
After spending more than ten dollars lavishly, she finally returned to her courtyard on Xincheng Street with her sleepy little baby, feeling satisfied and wanting to rest.
The gate of the yard was half-open. When Ye Manyzhi pushed it open and went in, her grandparents were picking beans in the vegetable garden.
She took the child into the house to sleep, then returned to the yard and said, "Grandma, you've taken good care of the vegetable garden!"
"Haha, the rain is good this year, and the vegetables are growing well."
Ye Manzhi brought a chair for her to sit on and asked, "Why are you two the only ones working here? Why don't my brothers come to help?"
"They're building a house at home! The house is a mess, so your grandpa and I came out to get some peace and quiet."
"Why are you building a house again? Didn't you build one a few years ago?"
My grandfather's house is actually quite big. He bought the yard when he first came to Binjiang. It can accommodate all five of his children.
Later, Chang Yue'e and her four sisters got married one after another, and the house became even more spacious.
When my eldest uncle gave birth to four sons, my grandfather was very happy and claimed that the Chang family would only marry daughters in the future and would not have to worry about marrying off daughters.
However, after the granddaughter-in-law came into the family, she began to give birth to great-grandsons.
Each of Ye Manzhi's cousins has at least two children.
The Chang family, including adults and children, numbered over twenty, with the oldest child already sixteen. Even though my second cousin had moved into the company's welfare housing, the yard still didn't seem spacious.
We even had to build two more rooms on the open space in the yard.
Ye Manzhi picked a cucumber, washed it in a bucket, and advised, "I think you two should stop squeezing in at home and just move in with me. It's not far from here anyway, so even if you move in, it won't prevent my uncle from being filial to you."
"No, that won't work. I have my own home. How can I live in my granddaughter's house?" Grandpa disagreed with his hands behind his back.
"Hey, isn't your house too crowded and uncomfortable? Mine has been empty all this time." Ye Manzhi pointed to the yard, "If you move in, you can help me look after the house, tend to the vegetable garden nearby, and live more comfortably. What's wrong with that?"
In the past two years, the supply of materials in the city has been tight, so her grandfather and uncle have opened two vegetable plots in her yard, so she basically doesn't have to buy vegetables in summer and autumn.
Grandpa still disagrees.
He doesn't even live in his daughter's house, let alone his granddaughter's house.
Ye Manzhi whispered, "I didn't participate in the private housing renovation back then, saying I might want to live there myself after graduation. But now I've got a job, so I don't have any excuses to keep putting it off. Housing is so tight in the city right now, and I'm a cadre, so it's not good for me not to register my vacant housing with the Housing Authority."
"Really?" asked grandma.
"Why would I lie to you?" Ye Manzhi said firmly, "Just move in with me and help me look after the house. You gave me a hundred yuan when I bought the house. Otherwise, how could I have raised enough money to buy a house?"
Grandpa still disagreed, "No, although this house is your dowry, you have to consider your uncle's opinion..."
"Wu Zhengrong has no objection. I discussed this with him two years ago when you two came to plant vegetables, but it was you two who were stubborn and refused to come live here." Ye Manzhi took a bite of a cucumber and said with a smile, "We only have two rooms in this yard. You can live in the big one, and leave the small one for me. I can occasionally bring the children back to stay with my grandma for a few days. With you helping me look after the yard, I don't have to worry about those two fruit trees in the yard."
She felt sorry for her grandmother, who had lived in a big house for decades, but as she got older, her living environment became increasingly cramped.
There are so many children at home, and they are noisy all day long.
Grandma was moved by her words and said frankly, "If the old man doesn't come, I'll live here by myself. Let me get some peace and quiet first. I'll live in the room next door, and you can lock your room to keep those rascals out of there."
"Okay, if my grandpa doesn't come, I'll let my aunt stay with you."
*
After Ye Manzhi returned home, she explained what had happened to her mother, thus resolving the hidden dangers left by not participating in the private house renovation.
After understanding the situation, Chang Yue'e told her to work hard in the government office, and then she made a special trip to her parents' home and told them that the house was given by Ye Lai Ya for the old couple to live in during their retirement, and no one else was allowed to covet it.
After the two elders passed away, the house had to be returned to her family.
Ye Manzhi was very convinced of her mother's fighting ability. After handing over the follow-up matters to Chang Yue'e, she returned to the yamen and worked hard.
Director Xia Zhuyun organized a departmental work meeting in the new week, and all cadres of the Chemical and Light Industry Department had to attend.
After summarizing and arranging recent work, Director Xia said to everyone, "In 1953, our province established the Light Industry Administration. Later, through reorganization and mergers, it gradually evolved into the current Light Industry Division of the Provincial Department of Industry. Next year will be the tenth anniversary of the establishment of our provincial light industry system. For a special anniversary like this, we must organize some meaningful commemorative activities."
For the fifth and tenth anniversary celebrations, various activities are usually arranged from the beginning of the year to the end of the year.
In other words, corresponding celebrations can be held starting from New Year's Day next year.
"There are still more than four months left this year. Each department should prepare several gift plans. We will then summarize them and discuss them together."
Zhao Guilin chimed in enthusiastically, "Such a meaningful anniversary is happening to us, so we have to make it a grand occasion! Everyone in the Third Comprehensive Department should come up with two proposals to support our work!"
The four people from the Comprehensive Three Departments immediately applauded as if they had received some unified command, shouting "Support, support!"
Ye Manzhi shouted the loudest.
Cadres from other departments: “…”
The comprehensive three subjects are really a magical thing.
They are all flatterers from top to bottom!
Director Xia nodded with satisfaction and went on to arrange the next task. "The department leaders have asked the cadres to improve their physical fitness. From now on, they will all do the third set of radio gymnastics during their morning breaks. We are currently recruiting leaders for the exercises throughout the department. We need about six people, each leader will be responsible for a day. Are there any comrades in the Light Industry Department who are willing to be leaders?"
This time no one responded.
Ye Manzhi didn't want to go either.
She felt that being a leader had no benefits and she would be watched by all her colleagues in the unit.
Seeing that no one raised their hand, Deputy Director Qin called Ye Manzhi's name. He felt that this female comrade was brave and young, and was just right to be the leader.
Under everyone's gaze, Ye Manzhi shook her head and politely declined, "Leader, I heard that the leaders in other units are looking for unmarried men. If you perform well, you can even be introduced to a date by the enthusiastic women. My daughter is already three years old, so please don't take up this precious spot, okay?"
"Haha, that's right. Are there any unmarried gays in our department? This is a good opportunity to show yourself!" asked Deputy Director Qin.
Hearing that leading the exercises would give one a chance to find a partner, a 27-year-old unmarried young man who took the comprehensive four subjects silently raised his hand.
Amidst everyone's laughter and jokes, Director Xia spoke again with a smile.
"One last thing. The Provincial Party Committee is holding a National Day gala this year. All provincial-level units, even government agencies and kindergartens, will have to contribute. Our Industry Department is planning to organize a large chorus this year..."
"Why another chorus? Have you organized a chorus before?"
"Well, those who don't want to join the chorus can join the dance performance!"
The gay man who complained out loud immediately shut up.
"Everyone must be present at the chorus. Unless someone is seriously off-tune, they can go to Director Luo and sing a song. If he thinks it's not good enough and will affect the chorus, then they don't have to participate."
Everyone: “…”
"Also, Deputy Director Guo is planning to organize a dance troupe to perform at the gala. Are there any female comrades in our department who would like to join?"
There are only six female comrades in the Chemical and Light Industry Department, including Director Xia.
Moreover, half of the people are over 35 years old. If they participate in singing activities, everyone is very enthusiastic, but dancing is another matter.
Ye Manzhi is not very good at dancing, but she thinks that even if she doesn't know how to dance, she can learn. It's rare for the company to organize group activities, and she can communicate and learn with female colleagues, and have some extracurricular activities. Isn't that similar to ballroom dancing?
After thinking about it for a while, she resolutely raised her hand under the expectant gaze of Director Xia and the encouraging gaze of Deputy Director Qin.
"Director, please sign me up!"
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