In the fiery red era of the heavens, refrigerators are refreshed daily.

Chapter 174, Section 173: Lateral Transfer to the Finance Department, Actual Deputy Section Chief: A New Challenge
In July, the heatwave in Shanghai was as intense as ever, as if the entire city was encased in a giant steamer.

Yang Guangming sat in the secretary's seat in the outer room of the factory director's office, fine beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

His desk was piled high with all kinds of documents.

On the left are the requests and reports to be submitted, on the right are the production reports that have just been delivered, and in the middle are the meeting minutes that need to be organized today.

All the documents were neatly arranged and categorized, yet they still appeared cumbersome and complicated.

Since becoming the factory director Zhao Guodong's full-time secretary and being promoted to deputy director of the factory affairs office, Yang Guangming's workload has visibly increased.

He was no longer just responsible for handling the factory director's schedule and documents; he also took on some coordination work in the factory affairs office and communication between various departments.

Every morning at eight o'clock, he would appear in the office on time, first organizing the day's documents and newspapers for the factory manager, and then begin to handle various affairs.

A thick, kraft paper notebook lay open on the table, its pages densely filled with notes on the key points and progress of various tasks. Yang Guangming's handwriting was neat, clear, and well-organized.

The phone rang, and he picked it up, answering calmly, "Hello, factory office. Okay, is that the technical department's report on the progress of the new doffing device's debugging? You can send it over before work this afternoon."

He had just hung up the phone when he picked up a document, glanced at it for a moment, and said to the young clerk who had brought the document:
"I've already reviewed the meeting minutes from the purchasing department. There are a few data points that need to be verified again, yes, the raw material inventory section."

He pointed to a spot on the document, his tone gentle but firm.

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an air of composure that commanded respect. Occasionally, when he needed to go into the inner room to report to or consult with Zhao Guodong, he would always prepare the key points in advance, speaking concisely and never wasting his leader's time.

When entering or leaving the factory director's office, he would always close the door gently, without making too much noise or closing it too tightly.

Zhao Guodong relied on him more and more. For many things, as long as he was given a general direction, Yang Guangming could always handle them properly and thoughtfully.

Sometimes, even when the factory manager is away at a meeting, he can still handle some of the factory's daily affairs properly and report every detail to the factory manager afterwards.

In the midst of busyness, the days fly by like a wound-up toy.

Before we knew it, the calendar had turned to September.

The calendar on the sunny desk has been torn to September 3rd, Thursday's page.

The weather is still hot, but a slight coolness can be felt in the mornings and evenings.

That morning, the atmosphere in the factory building seemed more somber than usual.

The factory committee meeting had just ended, and Yang Guangming noticed that the factory leaders had different expressions as they left the meeting room.

Secretary Tian walked at the front, his face bearing his usual serious expression, a black notebook in his hand. The deputy factory director in charge of production followed behind him, his brows slightly furrowed, seemingly deep in thought. The other committee members also looked serious; no one spoke, they simply walked down the stairs in silence.

Yang Guangming stood at the door of the secretary's office, politely making way for the leaders.

He noticed that Liu Jinsheng, the head of the finance department, seemed to glance at him intentionally or unintentionally as he passed by, his gaze somewhat complicated and carrying a hint of inquiry.

Zhao Guodong was one of the last few to come out.

His face was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger, but Yang Guangming, who had followed him for so long, could still sense something unusual from his slightly pursed lips and his more sluggish gait than usual.

Zhao Guodong walked straight back to his office, a small patch of his dark gray Zhongshan suit damp with sweat.

He didn't sit down immediately, but stood by the window, gazing at the endless rooftops of the factory buildings below, lit a Daqianmen cigarette, and smoked it silently. The swirling smoke obscured his sharply defined profile.

Yang Guangming didn't go over to disturb him; he simply picked up the thermos and refilled the factory manager's teacup with hot water.

He noticed that the tea in the factory manager's teacup had been brewed very weakly, so he took out a small paper packet from the drawer. Inside was the factory manager's favorite Longjing tea, and he gently sprinkled some into the cup.

Then he gently placed the freshly brewed tea on the factory manager's desk, quietly withdrew, and continued with his work. He knew that at this moment, the factory manager needed some time alone.

About ten minutes later, the door to the inner room was pushed open. Zhao Guodong stood in the doorway and waved to Yang Guangming: "Guangming, come here for a moment."

His voice sounded as steady as usual, but Yang Guangming still noticed something different. It was a resolute determination that came from having made a certain resolution, carrying an undeniable firmness.

"Okay, Factory Manager." Yang Guangming put down his pen, got up and followed Zhao Guodong into the inner office, closing the door behind him.

He noticed that the factory manager had tidied his clothes again; the collar of his Zhongshan suit was buttoned up meticulously, and his hair had been combed by hand, returning to its usual neatness.

Zhao Guodong sat back in his large wicker chair, which groaned familiarly. He gestured to the chair opposite him: "Sit."

Yang Guangming sat down as instructed, his back naturally straight, and calmly looked at Zhao Guodong, awaiting instructions. He noticed a document on the factory director's desk, a draft of the minutes from the factory committee meeting, with several points marked in red pen.

Zhao Guodong didn't speak immediately. He simply picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and took a sip of tea, seemingly considering how to begin.

A brief silence fell over the office.

"The factory committee just now discussed the production plan and fund allocation for the next quarter."

Zhao Guodong finally spoke, his voice low, as if in casual conversation, "Some issues, in the end, did not yield ideal results."

He put down his teacup and tapped his fingers unconsciously on the clean tabletop.

"Secretary Tian has his reasons. The situation in the factory is complicated, and all aspects need to be balanced."

He seemed to be explaining, or perhaps stating a fact: "Secretary Tian and I are comrades-in-arms. Our relationship is excellent in private, and we are also aligned in our work and overall direction."

He paused, his gaze becoming somewhat profound as he looked out the window at the endless rows of factory buildings.

"We all want what's best for this factory and hope it can develop better. We all share the same goal."

"However, in the course of work, when it comes to specific matters, some disagreements and conflicts are inevitable. This is normal." His tone was very calm, as if he were stating something very natural.

Yang Guangming listened quietly without interrupting. He understood that what Factory Director Zhao Guodong needed at that moment was not a subordinate offering opinions, but a reliable listener.

"I have never thought about fighting for any power or seizing any benefits."

Zhao Guodong spoke frankly, leaning forward and placing his hands crossed on the table. “Secretary Tian is in charge of personnel and ideology, which is the core. I respect his authority.”

I never interfere with the personnel department or any of the Party committee's departments, no matter how big or small the matter is.

I only have one thing on my mind: to improve production and increase the factory's efficiency.

His eyes sharpened, like a hawk fixing its gaze on its target. "This factory has over six thousand employees; they all depend on it for their livelihood. If production doesn't go well, everything else is just empty talk."

His fingers slammed harder on the table. "To ensure smooth production, there are two departments we must firmly control: the technical department and the finance department."

"I've been dealing with the technical department ever since I transferred here."

Zhao Guodong's tone softened slightly. "Chief Engineer Zhang is an honest man who only knows how to bury himself in technology. In the past year or so, they have been doing all the work on the front lines, from equipment upgrades to technological innovations. I wouldn't say it's a monolithic entity now, but I can basically keep it under control."

His eyes sharpened again, and his fingers tapped lightly on the table.

"But the finance department..."

Zhao Guodong shook his head, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. "Liu Jinsheng, the head of the finance department, has been in this position for over ten years. He's a seasoned veteran. As for his abilities, he certainly has them; he's managed to keep such a large set of accounts in the factory without any major errors."

“But I’m not satisfied with his work attitude.” Zhao Guodong’s tone was cold and hard. “He’s too cautious, a little too cautious. He’ll procrastinate and postpone everything if he can, not wanting to offend anyone or take any risks.”

"What time is it now? The country requires us to seize opportunities and boost production. Our factory has the conditions and the ability to do more within the scope of policy and do some things even better."

Zhao Guodong raised his voice a little, with a hint of excitement, "But when it comes to the finance department, when you need financial support or flexibility, they bring out all sorts of rules and regulations, or they say they'll study it and discuss it."

A hint of annoyance appeared on Zhao Guodong's face. He picked up the teacup and put it down again, making a slight clinking sound.

"Last time I said I wanted to drastically overhaul two spinning machines, I'd been chanting that slogan for three months, and the finance department was still 'studying' it. Those two old machines in the workshop break down every day, affecting production and posing safety hazards."

“Without strong financial support, many ideas simply cannot be implemented and can only remain on paper. This cannot continue.” His tone was heavy, and each word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

His gaze refocused on Yang Guangming's face, becoming unusually resolute.

"I've thought about this for a long time. We absolutely have to take action on the finance department. Liu Jinsheng is too slick and has deep roots; it'll be difficult to completely change him."

"The finance department also has a deputy head, Yin Yongliang."

Zhao Guodong hesitated for a moment, then lowered his voice, "This person doesn't have a good reputation. I've heard he's a bit greedy and his hands might not be clean. Although I have no evidence, I dare not, and cannot, use this kind of person."

Zhao Guodong's eyes showed obvious disgust.

Yang Guangming's heart beat slightly faster; he seemed to have a premonition of what Zhao Guodong was about to say.

"After much thought," Zhao Guodong leaned forward slightly, looking directly at Yang Guangming with unprecedented seriousness, "Guangming, I think you are the most suitable candidate."

“You’re currently at the deputy section chief level. If you’re transferred there, you can directly serve as the deputy section chief of the finance department.” Zhao Guodong’s tone was very calm, as if he were stating something perfectly natural.

“I know you haven’t studied finance, so that’s a weakness in your field. In the short term, I don’t have high expectations for you. I don’t need you to start managing accounts and preparing reports right away.” Zhao Guodong waved his hand, seemingly trying to dispel any possible concerns he might have.

“I just need you to go there and act as a ‘supervisor’ and a ‘stubborn presence’. Find out the real situation there, especially the flow of funds, the approval process, and the actual working status of Liu Jinsheng and Yin Yongliang, and then give me timely feedback.”

He was confident in Yang Guangming's abilities, and his tone softened: "I can see that you're quick-witted and have a strong learning ability. You can work while also making the most of your time to learn accounting and finance."

I believe that with my support and your own hard work, you will be fully capable of replacing Liu Jinsheng in three to five years, truly taking charge of the finance department, and becoming a trusted ally.

He spoke frankly and directly, laying out his plans and expectations. Yang Guangming noticed the expectation and rare trust in Zhao Guodong's eyes.

“Of course, this is just my opinion.” Zhao Guodong’s tone softened, and he leaned back, the rattan chair groaning slightly. “Finance work is tedious and highly specialized, completely different from your current secretarial work. Whether you want to go or not, you should think it through yourself. I respect your personal wishes.”

The office fell silent again.

Yang Guangming lowered his eyelids, looking at the wood grain on the table, quickly processing the massive amount of information in Zhao Guodong's words. His fingers unconsciously tapped lightly on his knees, a habitual gesture when he was thinking.

Being transferred from the factory office, leaving behind the core yet sensitive position of secretary, and going to a completely unfamiliar field to learn from scratch presents a tremendous challenge.

The finance department is a murky place, having been run by Liu Jinsheng for many years, and Yin Yongliang is no pushover either. As an outsider parachuted in, I'm bound to attract suspicion and resistance.

Moreover, professional barriers do exist. He wasn't even familiar with the most basic accounting subjects, let alone complex financial statements and fund allocation.

But this is also a huge opportunity. A substantive deputy section chief position!
Although it was a lateral transfer, the finance department was a powerful department, and the deputy head of the finance department carried far more weight than the deputy director of the factory affairs office.

More importantly, this reflects Zhao Guodong's trust and high expectations.

Taking control of the finance department was a crucial step for Zhao Guodong in implementing his management philosophy and production plan. Being able to be the executor of this crucial step was of great significance to him.

He never considered his secretarial work as the end goal and always hoped to have the opportunity to work in the business department and take charge of things independently.

I just didn't expect this opportunity to come so quickly and suddenly, and that it would be aimed directly at a core department like finance.

This is both a challenge and an opportunity to prove my abilities.

Yang Guangming recalled his early days at the factory. Back then, he was just an ordinary clerk, doing basic paperwork every day. It was Zhao Guodong who discovered his potential, nurtured him step by step, and gave him opportunities. Now, another new opportunity was presented to him.

Without much hesitation, Yang Guangming raised his head and looked at Zhao Guodong with clear and firm eyes.

"Factory manager, I've made up my mind. I'd like to work in the finance department."

His voice wasn't loud, but he enunciated each word clearly. He noticed a hint of relief flash in Zhao Guodong's eyes when he heard those words.

"Although I can learn a lot from working as a secretary, I would prefer to work in a specific business department to hone my skills and do more practical work for the factory." He frankly expressed his thoughts, his tone very sincere.

“Work in the finance department is indeed challenging, and I don’t understand the professional aspects, so I need to learn from scratch. In the short term, it may be difficult for me to help you with key matters, and I might even cause you trouble.” His tone was very honest, without exaggeration or excessive modesty.

He changed the subject, his tone becoming calm and firm: "But please rest assured, I will definitely do a good job in fulfilling my most basic supervisory duties!"

I will familiarize myself with the situation as soon as possible, study professional knowledge diligently, and strive to be competent in the job as soon as possible, so as not to let you down.

A relieved smile appeared on Zhao Guodong's face, and his furrowed brows completely relaxed.

He picked up the cigarette pack on the table, took out a Daqianmen cigarette, lit it, took a deep drag, and seemed much more relaxed.

"Great! Great!" Zhao Guodong couldn't help but praise twice. "I knew I hadn't misjudged him! He's enterprising and responsible!" The smoke drifted away gently with his words, forming a faint blue-gray hue in the sunlight.

"Since you've agreed, then it's settled. However, transferring him isn't something I can decide with just a few words." He exhaled a smoke ring, his tone becoming more pragmatic.

"Don't tell anyone yet. In the meantime, find some professional books on accounting and finance to read and build up your knowledge in advance. The factory library should have some, or you can check Xinhua Bookstore." He arranged the next steps with a clear mind.

"At the next Party Committee meeting, I will propose adding a deputy head to the finance department. Now that we are advocating for younger cadres, adding a deputy position is reasonable. Once this proposal is approved, I will transfer you there laterally, which will be a natural progression."

"I understand, Factory Director. I will make the most of my time to study," Yang Guangming solemnly stated.

He has already started planning his study schedule in his mind, thinking about where to begin.

"Okay, that's settled then. Go ahead, focus on your work, and wait for news." Zhao Guodong waved his hand, then added, "If you need any help, just let me know."

Yang Guangming stood up, quietly left the office, and carefully closed the door behind him.

Back in his seat, he was still unable to calm down.

Outside the window, the sun blazed fiercely, and the noise of the factory seemed distant. At that moment, he could almost hear his own heartbeat, strong and rapid.

He took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, picked up his pen again, and focused his gaze on the documents to be processed.

But my thoughts had already drifted to that new field full of challenges and opportunities.

The finance department was on the second floor, east side. He would occasionally pass by there when he went to deliver documents, and he would always hear the constant clattering of abacuses in the office and see the staff buried in ledgers and reports.

That will be his new battlefield.

In the days that followed, Yang Guangming began consciously seeking out books on accounting and finance in his spare time.

He first went to the factory's library, a small room on the fourth floor of the factory building. The librarian was a middle-aged woman who wore reading glasses; everyone called her Master Chen.

"Master Chen, I'd like to find some books on accounting and finance," Yang Guangming said across the counter.

Master Chen peered at him over his reading glasses for a moment, then slowly stood up. "Accounting and finance stuff? It's all on that innermost shelf. No one's borrowed it in ages; it's probably covered in dust."

In a dusty corner of the bookshelf, Yang Guangming found several accounting basics textbooks with yellowed pages and a musty smell, all published in the 1950s or 60s.

There are books such as "Industrial Accounting", "Financial Management of State-Owned Enterprises", and a thin book called "Basic Accounting Knowledge".

He carefully brushed the dust off the book, turned the pages, and saw some notes left by predecessors inside.

“These books are quite old.” Master Chen walked over and looked at him curiously. “You want to study accounting?”

"I just want to learn more, not necessarily to be an expert, just to understand the basics," Yang Guangming replied vaguely, without elaborating.

He neatly wrote his name and the date he borrowed the book in the library register. Mr. Chen glanced at it, asked nothing more, and slowly recorded the borrowing information.

During his weekend break, he took some time to visit the Xinhua Bookstore on Nanjing East Road.

The bookstore was quite crowded, but the selection of books on the shelves was relatively limited.

On the bookshelf near the corner, he found the newly published "Basic Knowledge of Industrial Accounting" and "Practice of Commercial Accounting," two thin volumes with simple red lettering and gear and wheat ear patterns on the cover.

He bought it without hesitation, even though books were a bit expensive in those days, it was a necessary expense.

Every night, after returning to his stuffy dormitory in the tenement building and finishing his necessary work notes, he would open these dry textbooks under the lamp.

He started by studying accounting subjects and double-entry bookkeeping, bit by bit. Sweat often soaked the manuscript paper, and he had to put a handkerchief under his wrist.

Those unfamiliar terms and rules may seem a bit dry at first glance.

But Yang Guangming discovered that the modern financial concepts and basic knowledge he had encountered as a life secretary in his previous life, though scattered, formed a strange resonance at this moment.

The accounting system of that era was relatively simple, and many of the principles were the same. It didn't seem as difficult to understand as one might imagine.

He even dug out some old copies of the factory's financial statements and tried to understand and analyze them by comparing them with the theories in the book.

Sometimes when he encounters something he doesn't understand, he writes it down in his notebook, planning to ask a professional for help later.

As for the abacus, he definitely needs to practice.

He found an old wooden abacus, the beads of which were a bit loose, and his fingers awkwardly moved the beads.

He discovered that his mental arithmetic skills came in handy here. The formulas were consistent, but his hand movements were a beat slower. Once he got used to it, he should be able to use the abacus very well.

Zhou Dayong, who lived across the hall, saw him practicing abacus and reading finance books every night and asked curiously, "Guangming, you're the factory director's chief secretary, why do you still need to learn to use an abacus? Are you setting such high standards?"

Yang Guangming just smiled and said, "Since I'm free anyway, it's never a bad thing to learn more."

Time slipped away quietly amidst busy studies and work. Inside the factory building, everything remained as usual.

But Yang Ming could sense that a subtle change was brewing.

Zhao Guodong seemed busier than before, holding more conference calls and speaking with individual Party committee members more frequently. Sometimes he would suddenly ask about the daily work of the finance department, and Yang Guangming would answer truthfully without offering much comment.

As always, Yang Guangming remained calm and low-key, handling his secretarial work efficiently, seemingly unaware of the impending changes.

However, he had already begun to pay attention to the personnel composition and work processes of the finance department. Occasionally, when he took the opportunity to deliver documents, he would intentionally or unintentionally linger there for a while to observe the working atmosphere.

He found that the finance department was indeed very busy, just as the factory manager had said, but the atmosphere was rather dull.

Section Chief Liu Jinsheng always sat in his private office at the very back and rarely came out. Deputy Section Chief Yin Yongliang was often not at his seat, and it was unclear what he was busy with. The senior accountants in the section were all engrossed in their work, while the younger staff seemed somewhat undisciplined.

About two weeks later, an official document from the factory's Party Committee Office was distributed to all relevant departments.

The document is titled "Notice Regarding the Establishment of a Deputy Section Chief Position and Personnel Appointments in the Finance Department of Hongxing State-Owned Cotton Mill."

After discussion and research by the factory's Party Committee, it was decided to add one deputy section chief position in order to strengthen the leadership of the finance department and adapt to the needs of production management in the new era.

At the same time, Comrade Yang Guangming was relieved of his post as deputy director of the factory affairs office and transferred to the position of deputy head of the finance department.

The news naturally caused a small ripple in the factory building.

The deputy director of the factory affairs office was transferred to the position of deputy head of the finance department. It seemed like a lateral move, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that something was amiss, since the finance department was a truly core department.

Yang Guangming is so young, yet he has taken on such an important position, especially since it's a transfer from a different field. It's inevitable that this will attract all sorts of speculation and discussion.

Some were envious, some were surprised, and some privately murmured that "having connections in high places makes it easier to get ahead." But considering Yang Guangming's performance over the past year and the factory director Zhao Guodong standing behind him, most of these discussions remained private.

Factory office director Han Mingqian patted Yang Guangming on the shoulder: "Guangming, you have a bright future. Director Zhao really values ​​you. Do a good job in the finance department. With your abilities, you'll definitely succeed."

The blessings were sincere, but Yang Guangming could clearly see the complex emotions in his eyes.

Yang Guangming himself only showed appropriate "surprise" and "seriousness" after the document was officially issued.

He carefully handed over the work of the factory affairs office, organized all kinds of documents in an orderly manner, and even wrote a detailed work handover checklist.

He left his accumulated work notes and insights to his successor, taking only a few finance books and personal belongings with him.

On a sunny morning, accompanied by Wen Yongze, the head of the personnel department, the two walked side by side toward the finance department.

Sunshine knew that from this moment on, everything would be different.

He not only has to face an unfamiliar work field, but also deal with new and complex interpersonal relationships, and he must grow up as quickly as possible to live up to the factory director's expectations.

He needs to adapt to the new environment of the finance department as soon as possible and find his place in this department filled with the sound of abacuses and the smell of ink from ledgers.

The road ahead was destined to be bumpy, but he was prepared.

New challenges have begun.

(End of this chapter)