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

Chapter 176, Section 175: Taking the Initiative: Breaking the Deadlock, Breakthrough Point and Entry Point

Yang Guangming followed Liu Jinsheng back to the large office in the finance department, which was filled with the sounds of abacuses and rustling papers.

Most of the staff members who had just come down from the third-floor conference room had returned to their seats and buried themselves in the ledgers and reports again. However, there was an unusual sense of stagnation in the air, like the low pressure before a storm, so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

The previously relaxed work atmosphere seemed to have been completely shattered, replaced by a cautious quiet, a deliberately maintained normalcy.

The clicking of the abacus beads sounded somewhat sparse and scattered, far less continuous and dense than before, occasionally pausing abruptly, as if the operator had suddenly lost focus. The sound of the paper turning over was also much quieter, as if afraid of making too much noise.

Occasionally, someone would look up and steal a glance at the two leaders who walked in. Their gaze would meet briefly, then quickly look down again, as if burned, and they would quickly refocus their attention on the numbers in the table in front of them. Their focused expression, however, revealed a hint of unnaturalness.

Yang Guangming could clearly feel countless gazes, some direct and some indirect, clinging to his back, accompanied by silent scrutiny and assessment.

In those gazes, there was curiosity, scrutiny, speculation, envy, jealousy, and perhaps even a hint of barely perceptible resistance.

Liu Jinsheng seemed completely oblivious to all of this, his face still bearing his usual warm smile, as gentle as the afternoon sun.

He didn't linger in the middle of the large office, nor did he chat casually with an accountant about the weather or everyday matters as usual. Instead, he walked straight with Yang Guangming to the innermost part of the office, to the three dark brown wooden doors in a row.

Two of the doors were tightly closed, each bearing a small wooden plaque reading "Section Chief" and "Deputy Section Chief," with white background and black lettering, exuding an unquestionable authority.

The third door, located to the right of the "deputy section chief's" office, was open at the moment, revealing a somewhat empty space inside, with traces of fresh paint still visible on the edge of the door frame.

"Come, Guangming, take a look at your new office."

Liu Jinsheng's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for several people nearby who were listening intently to hear him. He warmly led Yang Guangming to the open door and went in first.

Yang Guangming followed closely behind and stepped into his own private office.

The room wasn't large, about eight or nine square meters, and it was right next to Yin Yongliang's deputy section chief office, but it was noticeably smaller.

The walls had just been painted, and you could still smell a faint smell of lime water. The snow-white walls made the room exceptionally bright.

The ground was old cement, but it was very clean, and you could see some signs of wear and tear over time in the corners.

A slightly worn dark wood desk sits by the window. On the desk is a brand-new bottle of blue ink, a black dip pen rests diagonally on blotting paper, and a green tin pen holder containing several sharpened pencils and a red and blue pencil.

Next to the table was a wooden chair, the paint of which was somewhat mottled, revealing the original wood color.

A green metal filing cabinet stood in the corner, its door locked with an old-fashioned brass pin tumbler lock that looked quite old.

On the other side of the wall opposite the door, there were two wooden chairs for guests, their surfaces worn smooth.

Apart from that, there is nothing else.

The room was extremely simple, even somewhat rudimentary, but compared to the crowded and noisy large office outside, it was a quiet and independent space.

"The conditions are a bit basic, but we'll have to make do for now," Liu Jinsheng explained with a smile, rubbing his hands together.

His gaze swept around the room, as if he were doing a final inspection. "This room used to be the department's archives, where old ledgers and vouchers were stored."

This was just a quick clean-up a few days ago to make room for you.

He pointed to the filing cabinet: "I've put some commonly used financial policy documents and copies of recent reports in here for your convenience. The key is here."

He took out two brass keys tied with thin ropes from the open drawer of his desk and placed them on the table.

Sunlight streamed across every corner of the room quickly and carefully, from the snow-white walls to the gleaming tabletop, from the cold metal cabinet to the bright windows, and a perfectly satisfied expression appeared on his face.

“It’s already very good, Section Chief Liu. Having a private space is convenient for thinking and studying. Thank you for the thoughtful arrangements.” His tone was sincere, without the slightest hint of criticism or disappointment, as if this small room was exactly what he needed.

Liu Jinsheng laughed heartily, appearing very pleased, as if Yang Guangming's satisfaction was the greatest affirmation of his work.
"I'm glad you don't mind! If you need anything, just submit an application to the administration department, or you can tell me."

He walked to the window, pushed open the old-fashioned wooden-framed window, and the hinges creaked slightly.

A September breeze, carrying a hint of coolness and a faint smell of coal smoke, blew in, dispelling some of the stuffiness in the room.

Outside the window is a corner of the factory area. You can see the gray-brown roofs of the factory buildings and a few wisps of white steam in the distance. Further away is a row of tall poplar trees, the tips of which have begun to turn slightly yellow.

"The view is decent, and the ventilation is good too. When I'm feeling down, I can look at the scenery outside the window."

"From now on, this will be your base."

Liu Jinsheng turned around, his back to the window, facing the bright sunlight. His smile faded, and he became slightly more formal, his tone softening as well.

"Guangming, now that you're in the finance department, we're all family," he said, his voice a few decibels lower than before. "Don't have any worries about your work, just be bold. The factory sending you here shows how much they value us and trust your abilities."

He spoke in a very sincere tone, as if he were truly speaking from the heart.

"Corey's situation is complicated in some ways, but simple in others." He sighed slightly, as if somewhat helpless. "Old Yin is just a man with a bad temper, a cold face, and a blunt way of speaking, but he's not a bad person at heart and is very good at his job. He's dealt with ledgers and numbers his whole life, so it's inevitable that he'll be a bit stubborn. You'll understand after a while."

He casually attributed Yin Yongliang's previous rejection and indifference to issues of personality and business habits.

"The other colleagues in the department are all veteran accountants, experienced and each has their own strengths. Since you're new here, listen, observe, and learn more, and you'll get the hang of it quickly."

He walked to his desk, seemed to be thinking, and paused for a moment.

“For now, you don’t need to be in charge of any specific group,” Liu Jinsheng said, getting back to the main point. “Your immediate priority is to familiarize yourself with all the department’s operations and understand the personnel situation. Once you have a clear understanding, you can carry out your work more effectively.”

He pointed to the small stack of documents on the table and the filing cabinet in the corner, "These rules and regulations, past reports, and recent funding plans are all worth looking at. Get a general understanding of the division of responsibilities and work processes for each group."

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, feel free to ask me anytime, or…” He paused subtly, as if choosing his words carefully, “You can also ask Lao Yin. He knows the department’s operations inside and out. Of course, you can also ask the team leaders or the senior accountant. Everyone will be cooperative.”

These words sounded balanced and reasonable, expressing both support and advice.

Yang Guangming listened attentively, nodding occasionally, his gaze always fixed on Liu Jinsheng's face, showing full respect and focus.

He knew that Liu Jinsheng's words were seven parts routine and three parts a test and observation, to see if his new deputy was an eager greenhorn or someone who could remain calm and listen to advice.

“I understand, Section Chief Liu. I will familiarize myself with the situation and get into the role as soon as possible.” Yang Guangming’s voice was steady and clear. “In the future, I will ask for your guidance and criticism.”

His response was humble and steady, showing no eagerness or sharpness, perfectly befitting the demeanor of a young cadre who has just arrived.

Liu Jinsheng seemed quite satisfied with his attitude, his smile becoming even more genuine as he patted Yang Guangming's arm:
"Good, good! Young man, you're hardworking and eager to learn, that's right! You go ahead and take a look at the documents. I have some things to take care of."

He pointed to his office next door.

"Okay, you're busy," Yang Guangming replied with a smile.

Liu Jinsheng nodded, said no more, turned and walked out of the office, gently closing the door behind him.

With a slight knocking sound from the wooden door, the office fell silent.

Yang Guangming did not sit down immediately, but instead slowly paced around the small space, his gaze carefully scanning every detail of the room once again.

There were still some uneven spots on the snow-white walls, and a small water stain left a pale yellow mark near the ceiling.

On the spotless table, the ink bottle and pen holder were arranged meticulously, clearly having been specially organized by someone.

There was a noticeable dent on the side of the cold metal filing cabinet, and some of the green paint had peeled off.

The familiar factory area outside the window appeared somewhat hazy in the afternoon light.

This is the starting point of his new journey, a small stage that seems calm but is actually rife with undercurrents.

He walked behind the desk and sat down in the old wooden chair. The chair creaked slightly, but it was sturdy enough.

He reached for the bottle of blue ink, unscrewed the cap to look at it, then picked up the dip pen, tested the nib's elasticity, and left a blue mark as the nib grazed the blotting paper.

Everything was brand new, with a sense of awkwardness from just being put into use, yet it also exuded the formulaic, step-by-step feel unique to government agencies.

He took out a thick folder from the filing cabinet. The cover was written in neat Song typeface: “Compilation of Rules and Regulations of the Finance Department of Hongxing State-owned Cotton Mill (Revised in July 1968)”.

The paper was rough and thick, the writing was mimeographed, with a faint smell of ink, and the ink was uneven in some places.

He turned to the first page and began to read it word by word, his eyes sweeping over the rigorous and sometimes somewhat rigid rules and regulations.

However, his mind was not entirely absorbed in these articles.

He kept an eye on the sounds outside the door.

The sounds of abacuses, whispers, footsteps, and coughs from the large office could be faintly heard through the door.

He could imagine that the staff outside were probably whispering and exchanging glances, wondering what kind of person this excessively young deputy section chief was, and what changes and impacts he would bring to the finance department.

Time slips away quietly while reading and thinking.

After reviewing the compilation of rules and regulations, Yang Guangming also found the department's personnel roster and job descriptions.

The finance department has a total of twenty-seven people. Among them, twenty-three are permanent staff members, and there are four temporary workers who are responsible for some auxiliary chores and cleaning work. Their names are listed last and written in a different color of ink.

The department staff are divided into five functional groups.

Group 1, Cost Accounting Group.

Responsible for the cost calculation and analysis of raw materials, semi-finished products and finished products for the whole factory, verifying the time quota and material consumption quota, and preparing cost reports.

This is one of the core business groups in the finance department. The group leader is Qian Hanmin, an accountant in his fifties. He is listed as a "non-Party member" on the roster. He is said to be cautious, hardworking, and a workhorse in the department.

The deputy team leader's surname was Zhang, a taciturn middle-aged man.

Group Two, Funds Management Group.

Responsible for preparing and implementing fund revenue and expenditure plans, managing cash and bank deposits, handling settlement business, and supervising the use of funds.

The team leader, Sun Zhengye, was in his early forties and was listed as a Party member on the roster. In Yang Guangming's impression, this man appeared shrewd and capable, and spoke very quickly.

The deputy leader of the second group was a woman surnamed Chen, and Yang Guangming didn't have a deep impression of her.

Group 3, General Accounting Group.

Responsible for general ledger management, preparation and submission of accounting statements, management of accounting archives, and general affairs within the department.

The team leader's surname is Wang, Wang Jianye. He is also a veteran in the department and is listed as a "mass" on the roster. He seems to be a bit introverted and doesn't talk much, always burying himself in the ledgers.

The deputy team leader was a young man who had only recently been promoted.

Group 4, Settlement and Reimbursement Group.

This team is responsible for the payroll settlement of all factory employees, as well as the review and reimbursement of various expenses. This group directly deals with all factory employees, and the tasks are numerous and the workload is heavy.

The team leader, Li Sujuan, is a woman in her forties, a Party member on the roster, and looks capable and efficient.

The deputy team leader, Wu Aihua, is in her thirties and is also a woman.

Group 5, Special Fund Management Group.

Responsible for the management and accounting of various special funds, such as renovation and upgrading funds, major repair funds, and employee welfare funds, and supervising the expenditure of special projects.

The group leader, Zhao Weiguo, is thirty-five or thirty-six years old, relatively young, and a member of the Youth League on the roster. He is said to be quite energetic.

The deputy team leader, Zhou Weimin, was around thirty years old, wore glasses, and looked rather refined.

Each group has one group leader, one deputy group leader, and two to three group members.

Yang Guangming already knew this information through previous observations and inquiries, but now, looking at the official record in black and white, he felt it more concretely.

Who are the key members, who might have doubts, and who might be worth winning over—these thoughts began to flash through his mind.

But he understands that theoretical knowledge is ultimately superficial; true interpersonal relationships and alignments need to be gradually clarified through specific work and interactions. It cannot be rushed or forced.

He closed the roster and put it back in the filing cabinet. Then he picked up a recent daily cash flow report, trying to match the data with the responsibilities of each group. His fingers tapped unconsciously on the table as he pondered the business logic behind the cash flow and potential problems.

Just then, light footsteps came from outside the door and stopped at the door of his office.

The footsteps were hesitant, as if pausing for a second or two outside the door, as if making a final decision. Then came two restrained but clear knocks.

"Boom, boom."

Yang Guangming raised his eyes to look at the dark brown wooden door, his expression returning to calm, and replied in a neither loud nor soft voice, "Please come in."

The door was pushed open gently.

A man in his thirties stood in the doorway. He was of medium build, wearing a gray polyester shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, black-rimmed glasses, and a somewhat reserved and tentative expression on his face. He was also holding a black-covered notebook in his hand.

"Section Chief Yang," he addressed him respectfully, though slightly nervous, leaning forward slightly. "I apologize for disturbing you. I am Zhou Weimin, the deputy head of the Fifth Special Fund Management Group." He spoke with a slight Jiangnan accent, but his pronunciation was clear.

Yang Guangming immediately remembered: Zhou Weimin, the deputy leader of Group Five. The information on the roster was instantly activated—Zhou Weimin, thirty years old, vocational school graduate, majoring in finance.

A gentle smile appeared on his face as he stood up from his seat and walked around the corner of the table. "Comrade Zhou Weimin, hello. Please come in, please sit down." He gestured to the wooden chair in front of the table, his attitude warm and natural.

Zhou Weimin walked in somewhat awkwardly, not sitting down immediately, but bowing slightly, holding his notebook in both hands:
"Section Chief Yang, you've just arrived, so I shouldn't have bothered you so soon. I just wanted to give you a brief report on the current main work of our Group Five, so you can get an understanding as soon as possible."

He was careful with his words, adopted a humble posture, and quickly glanced at Yang Guangming's expression through his glasses.

Yang Guangming gestured for a chair again: "Sit down and let's talk. I'm new here and need to learn more about various aspects. You've come at the right time; I really need to hear from our frontline colleagues."

His friendly and natural attitude, along with his sincere tone, effectively eased Zhou Weimin's slight tension.

Zhou Weimin then sat down sideways, only occupying half of the chair, his back ramrod straight, his hands resting on his knees, and turned to a certain page.

Yang Guangming returned to his seat and sat down, looking at him calmly, adopting a listening posture.

"Section Chief Yang, our group five is mainly responsible for the management of various special funds..."

Zhou Weimin began his report, speaking at a steady pace and with clear logic, clearly having prepared beforehand, as he had an outline in his notebook.

He provided a detailed overview of the special fund accounts currently managed by the five groups, including the source of funds, scale, recent major expenditure items, and related approval processes.

He mentioned the funding allocation and progress of the ongoing major overhaul project for spinning machines, as well as the preliminary plan for the employee welfare fund to be used for the replacement of canteen cooking equipment in the next quarter. He even briefly explained the approval basis and voucher filing status for several large expenditures.

The report was practical and specific, with accurate data, demonstrating his familiarity with his job responsibilities and his responsible attitude.

Throughout the process, he made no overstepping statements, did not deliberately belittle anyone, and did not openly express his loyalty. He simply focused on the work itself, completing a standardized preliminary work report from a subordinate to a new leader, without any flaws.

But Yang Guangming knew very well that at this delicate moment, with Section Chief Liu Jinsheng having just left, countless eyes in the large office were secretly observing him. Choosing to be the first to enter his office was itself a clear signal.

This demonstrates Zhou Weimin's attitude—he is willing to take the initiative to get closer to the new leader;
This further suggests that there may be significant conflicts or disagreements between the group leader Zhao Weiguo and the deputy group leader Zhou Weimin within the fifth group.

Otherwise, logically and emotionally, the first person to arrive should be the team leader Zhao Weiguo himself, not the deputy team leader Zhou Weimin.

Zhou Weimin's preemptive action could be a statement, a test, or a signal seeking external support in the group's competition. Zhou Weimin reported for about ten minutes, then paused, lowering his gaze slightly to his notebook: "Section Chief Yang, that's the basic situation. Is there anything else you need to know? I will report truthfully." His tone remained respectful.

Yang Guangming nodded, a look of approval on his face, and tapped the table lightly with his finger: "The report was very clear and detailed. Thank you, Deputy Team Leader Zhou. It gave me a quick and intuitive understanding of the work of Group Five."

He paused for a moment, as if casually raising a question, but his gaze fell on Zhou Weimin's face: "I noticed that, according to your introduction, the balances of the various special funds seem to differ quite a bit."

Funds for major repairs are relatively tight, while funds for renovation and upgrading have more reserves.

In this regard, has the team considered making some appropriate and more efficient plans within the scope of the system?

Of course, this is just a preliminary understanding.

This question, seemingly ordinary and a natural extension of the report, actually delves into a deeper aspect of the business, carrying a hint of probing. It aims to see whether Zhou Weimin will mechanically reiterate the rules, or whether he will have his own thoughts, or even reveal some biases.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Weimin's eyes lit up slightly behind his glasses, as if he had encountered a problem worth exploring, but he quickly and cautiously concealed his gaze, reverting to the normal behavior of a subordinate reporting on work.

He adjusted his glasses, thought for a moment before answering, and spoke more slowly than before: "You've considered this very carefully; this is indeed a problem."

This issue has been discussed internally within the team.

However, this involves the principle of dedicated use of funds for different purposes, which is a matter of fiscal discipline. Changing the use of these funds requires a very strict approval process, and may even require special approval from factory leaders. Currently…

He paused briefly, seemingly weighing his words, "We are mainly following the established annual plan and monthly procedures to ensure that the funds are used for their intended purpose and that there are no mistakes."

His answer was prudent, without overstepping the boundaries or violating the rules, but it didn't completely close off any possibilities either. The final phrase, "without any mishaps," seemed to carry a slightly different meaning.

Yang Guangming sensed the caution and unspoken meaning in his words, smiled, and didn't press further, gracefully stepping down the aisle.

"Yes, following the rules is the top priority; financial discipline cannot be taken lightly. I'm just getting a basic understanding now, just getting a general idea. I'll study and learn more about it in my future work."

He cleverly attributed his question to "learning," thus defusing any potential sensitivities.

Zhou Weimin visibly relaxed, his shoulders shrugged slightly, and he nodded quickly: "Yes, yes. The rules are clearly defined."

"Alright, that's all for today. Thank you again for taking the initiative to share your situation." Yang Guangming ended the conversation with a smile and a gentle tone.

Zhou Weimin immediately stood up and closed his notebook: "Then I won't disturb your work any longer. Section Chief Yang, please call me anytime if you need any instructions." His attitude was more natural than when he came in.

Yang Guangming also stood up, and this time, he deliberately accompanied Zhou Weimin to the door.

This small gesture went beyond mere polite farewell; it carried a hint of intimacy. Zhou Weimin was somewhat flattered and repeatedly said, "Please wait, please wait."

Yang Guangming still insisted on escorting him to the office door, and, despite the possible stares from the large office outside, said in a low but clear voice:
"We will need to rely more on you veteran comrades in our future work."

This statement sounds ordinary, but in this time and place, it carries a different meaning for those who are paying attention.

Zhou Weimin repeatedly said he dared not, his attitude becoming even more humble, before turning around and quickly leaving. His figure seemed more relaxed than when he arrived, and his steps were lighter.

Yang Guangming stood at the door, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping across the large office.

He noticed that at least four or five pairs of eyes quickly shifted away the moment he opened the door to see the guests off. Some people pretended to be doing arithmetic, some grabbed a document and flipped through it, and others got up to pour water, all of their movements appearing somewhat hurried.

He remained calm, as if he hadn't seen anything, and retreated to his office, gently closing the door behind him.

Sitting down, Yang Guangming felt a little more at ease.

His biggest fear was that no one would pay attention, that everyone would adopt a wait-and-see attitude, or even be collectively indifferent.

In that case, he would truly be isolated, making it extremely difficult to carry out his work.

Now, Zhou Weimin has arrived.

Although he was just a deputy group leader with limited influence, he was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, inevitably causing ripples and breaking the tacit silence.

The next step is to see what others choose: whether to continue observing or to follow suit.

Sure enough, not long after, perhaps only about fifteen minutes, when the sound of the abacus outside seemed to intensify, the knocking sounded again. This time, the knocking was more steady and forceful than Zhou Weimin's.

"Please come in," Yang Guangming replied.

The door was pushed open.

The person who came this time was Qian Hanmin, the team leader.

He was a veteran, his hair mostly gray, neatly combed, wearing a faded blue Zhongshan suit, his top button fastened meticulously, his face deeply wrinkled, his expression serious, even somewhat old-fashioned, and he held a thick kraft paper folder in his hand.

"Deputy Section Chief Yang." Qian Hanmin's voice was not loud, but carried the steady tone characteristic of an old-school accountant. "I'm here to report to you on the current work situation of the cost accounting team." He didn't exchange many pleasantries and went straight to the point, his tone respectful but maintaining a distance, adopting a businesslike attitude.

Yang Guangming also stood up and asked him to sit down: "Team Leader Qian, please sit down. I've been wanting to learn more about cost accounting, which is the core work of our factory's finance department."

Qian Hanmin nodded, sat down sideways with his back straight, opened the folder, and began his report.

His reports strictly followed the procedures, step by step, never uttering a single word that went off-topic.

The main tasks of the cost accounting team were introduced, along with issues discovered in recent cost analysis, such as a slight increase in raw material loss rate and the impact of fluctuations in auxiliary material prices.

It also introduced matters that require coordination from department leaders, such as the timeliness of data exchange with the production planning department.

He spoke clearly and cited data accurately, demonstrating profound professional skills and a rigorous work style. He remained professional throughout, respectful but distant, without showing any personal emotions or expressing any opinions on the current state of the department.

Yang Guangming listened attentively, occasionally asking questions that only revolved around business details, such as the allocation method for a certain cost item or the basis for setting quotas.

Qian Hanmin gave accurate and concise answers to each question.

Yang Guangming affirmed his rigorous attitude and professional skills: "Team Leader Qian has solid professional skills and rich experience. I will need to learn more from you in the future."

Qian Hanmin's expression didn't change much; he simply nodded slightly and said, "Deputy Section Chief Yang, you're too kind. It's just part of my job."

He closed the folder after less than ten minutes, got up and said goodbye: "That's basically the situation. You can continue with your work."

This time, Yang Guangming didn't see him to the door. He simply stood up from his seat, nodded, and watched him leave, saying, "Okay, let's keep in touch if there are any problems."

Qian Hanmin's arrival was different from Zhou Weimin's.

As the head of the core business group and a recognized senior figure in the department, his attitude greatly influences the attitudes of a group of veteran accountants in the department.

His decision to come, even if it's just a formality based on professional respect, sends an important signal:

At least on the surface, he acknowledged and accepted Yang Guangming's leadership position as the newly appointed deputy section chief, and was willing to communicate and cooperate within the scope of their work.

This is crucial!
To a certain extent, it stabilized the core market and also provided a direction for others who were waiting to see what would happen.

Shortly after Qian Hanmin left, about half an hour later, Sun Zhengye, the leader of the second group, also arrived.

Sun Zhengye was around forty years old, with slicked-back hair, wearing gray polyester trousers and a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up. He looked more lively than Qian Hanmin, with a slight smile on his face.

"Section Chief Yang, am I disturbing you?" Sun Zhengye said with a smile as he entered the room. "I'm here to report to you on the situation in the funding group."

His report was equally professional, with fluent data, but his tone was slightly relaxed, and he would occasionally make a not-too-outrageous joke, such as describing the difficulty of collecting debts as "like begging grandpa and grandma."

When reporting on fund allocation, he mentioned seemingly casually, his brows furrowing slightly: "The production side has been pressing hard lately, and the purchasing department has submitted another report requesting advance payments for raw materials, and the amount is not small."

Section Chief Liu hasn't approved it yet; he said he'll take another look.

The financial pressure is indeed considerable; even a skilled cook can't cook without rice.

This statement sounds like a complaint about the heavy workload, but it also subtly reveals that the funding approval process might be stalled or facing some kind of difficulty with Liu Jinsheng.

Yang Guangming simply hummed in response without replying, as if it were just a routine work complaint. Instead, he inquired about the management process and reconciliation details of bank deposit accounts, steer the conversation back to purely business matters.

Sun Zhengye smiled, knowingly returned to the main topic, and provided a detailed explanation, his tone still relaxed.

His report was also brief, and his attitude was slightly closer than Qian Hanmin's, but he still maintained a good sense of propriety, keeping the jokes within the bounds of work and not involving any interpersonal relationships.

Yang Guangming clearly understood that the arrival of these two powerful team leaders did not mean they had sided with him.

It is more of a cautious choice made after careful consideration of the situation.

They might not want to openly offend the person the factory director promoted, or they might just want to observe the situation and see how capable the new deputy section chief really is. Or perhaps they themselves are not a united front with Liu Jinsheng and have their own considerations.

But in any case, their arrival opened up possibilities for future communication and further changed the atmosphere in the office.

In the afternoon, shortly after the work bell rang, Yang Guangming was flipping through a year-end financial report from last year when the knocking on the door sounded again.

This time the voice was softer, with a hint of hesitation.

"Please come in."

The door was pushed open.

The deputy leader of Group Four, a woman named Wu Aihua, walked in.

She was in her thirties, with short, ear-length hair clipped behind her ears with black hairpins, and wearing a blue shirt with white polka dots, looking clean and neat.

She was holding a work manual in her hand.

“Deputy Section Chief Yang.” Wu Aihua’s voice was clear and her speech was fast. “I am Wu Aihua, the deputy head of the settlement and reimbursement group. I would like to report to you on our group’s recent work.”

Her report mainly focused on recent payroll calculations, especially on specific issues and disputes encountered in night shift allowance calculations and expense reimbursements, such as the definition of travel expense standards and the scope of distribution of labor protection supplies.

Her tone was crisp and clear, demonstrating her familiarity with and ability to handle complex matters.

But at the end of her report, she hesitated slightly, her gaze quickly sweeping over Yang Guangming's face, and added, her voice a little lower than before:
"Deputy Section Chief Yang, if there are any uncertainties regarding reimbursement approvals in the future, I may... I may need to consult you more often."

The implications in this sentence are slightly more obvious than the previous ones.

This suggests that in Group Four, the group leader, Li Sujuan, may be autocratic or difficult to communicate with in handling certain issues. As the deputy group leader, she hopes to find support or backing from the new leader.

Yang Guangming responded in a similarly gentle manner, showing neither excessive enthusiasm nor rejection:
"If there are any problems, we can discuss them together. In principle, we should still follow the rules and regulations. If we are unsure about something, we can study the rules and regulations together."

After seeing Wu Aihua off, Yang Guangming sat back in his chair, leaned back, and let out a soft sigh. The situation was better than he had expected, much better indeed.

On his first day in office, the two group leaders of Group 1 and Group 2, and the two deputy group leaders of Group 4 and Group 5, took the initiative to come and report on their work.

This has exceeded his initial expectations.

The leaders of Group 1 and Group 2 are key personnel in the department, and their attitude of handling matters officially and cooperatively is sufficient to ensure that he can carry out his work normally.

The deputy leaders of Groups Four and Five showed a clearer willingness to align themselves or seek support, and the two provided potential breakthroughs and entry points.

Although their team leader never showed up, which in itself speaks volumes, that was enough.

The only group that remained completely silent was Group Three, the General Accounting Group.

The team leader, Wang Jianye, and his deputy, who were in charge of the general ledger and reports, were absent from the entire process.

This undoubtedly indicates their attitude; they are likely following closely behind Yin Yongliang or Section Chief Liu Jinsheng, or at least have chosen to temporarily distance themselves and observe.

This is a point that needs to be noted.

Outside the window, the sun gradually slanted westward, and the light became softer.

The sounds of abacuses and conversations in the large office seemed to have become coherent and frequent again, restoring a normal, busy rhythm.

However, under this rhythm, a delicate balance has been broken, and a new pattern is being tested and formed.

Yang Guangming picked up his pen and wrote down the names of the visitors on a new sheet of paper: Zhou Weimin, Qian Hanmin, Sun Zhengye, and Wu Aihua.

Next to each name, I made simple notes of my observations and initial impressions, using concise words that only I could fully understand.

The pen tip grazed the rough manuscript paper, making a soft, rustling sound that was particularly clear in the quiet twilight.

The start went fairly smoothly.

At least, he was no longer alone in the face of the silence of the entire department.

He gained a preliminary understanding of the department's structure, as well as a vague outline and a direction he could take.

The next step is to patiently and step by step gain a foothold in this complex situation, accumulate strength, and ultimately break through the impasse.

Yang Guangming put away his pen and paper, tucked the manuscript into a thick compilation of regulations, and then locked it in the drawer.

For the rest of the time, he continued to peruse documents and familiarize himself with various business processes, as if the series of visits had never happened and he was just a newcomer focused on getting to know the business.

When the get off work bell rang, Yang Guangming walked out of the office with the flow of people.

Liu Jinsheng happened to come out of the office as well. When he saw him, he walked over with his usual smile and said, "How is it, Guangming? How did you get used to the first day? You've been looking at the documents for a long time. Are you feeling dizzy?" His tone was both concerned and casual.

"It's very good, Section Chief Liu. I've read a lot of materials and benefited greatly," Yang Guangming replied politely, his tone calm. "It does take time to digest."

"That's good, take your time, no rush." ​​Liu Jinsheng said, walking down the stairs alongside him, and casually asked, "Anything planned for this afternoon?"

"Nothing much, just looking at some documents," Yang Guangming replied naturally and appropriately.

Yin Yongliang's office door remained tightly closed. It was unclear when he had left, and the door seemed to have remained closed throughout the entire afternoon.

Stepping out of the factory building, the evening air carried a hint of coolness, dispelling the stuffiness in the office building.

Yang Guangming took a deep breath, savoring the brief moment of relaxation.

He guessed that everyone in the finance department was probably still reflecting on and processing what had happened that day, and might even be discussing it privately with close colleagues.

The proactive reporting by the two team leaders and two deputy team leaders sent a clear signal, enough to make many people reconsider the situation.

At this moment, Liu Jinsheng and Yin Yongliang are probably also feeling surprised and somewhat pressured in their respective places, especially Yin Yongliang, whose mood is probably even heavier and more urgent.

Yang Guangming walked out of the factory gate at a leisurely pace, following the flow of people leaving get off work.

His figure blended into the bustling crowd, appearing calm and ordinary, no different from any other ordinary young cadre.

But only he himself knew that the road beneath his feet had become wider and wider.

　Let me tell you something funny to make you laugh.

　　It's been blocked!
　　Chapter 174 was blocked. In order not to keep everyone waiting, I wrote a postscript titled "Blocked" and posted it. It was only a little over a hundred words long, but it was also blocked after I posted it.

　　The reason is that it mentioned several words that don't seem sensitive, but the reviewers considered them sensitive.

　　
　　
　
(End of this chapter)