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

Chapter 179, Section 178: Conversation to Focus the Mind, Secret Investigation
Yang Guangming turned around and went back to his desk, picking up the phone receiver.

He needs to speak with Zhou Weimin and Wu Aihua as soon as possible to consolidate today's achievements, provide guidance for their future work, and offer necessary support and warnings.

He picked up the phone and dialed the internal number for Group Five. The phone was answered after two rings, and Zhou Weimin's slightly cautious voice came from the other end: "Hello, Group Five."

"Deputy Team Leader Zhou, this is Yang Guangming. If it's convenient for you, please come to my office now." Yang Guangming's tone was calm and normal, revealing no emotion.

"Okay, Section Chief Yang, I'll be right there," Zhou Weimin replied, a hint of tension in his voice.

Not long after I hung up the phone, there was a restrained but clear knock on the door.

"Please come in."

Zhou Weimin pushed open the door and came in. He was still wearing his black-rimmed glasses, his gray polyester shirt sleeves rolled up, and he was holding a notebook and a pen. He seemed more cautious than he had been during the meeting that afternoon, even a little uneasy.

"Section Chief Yang, you wanted to see me?" He gently closed the door behind him.

"Sit down, Deputy Team Leader Zhou." Yang Guangming pointed to the chair in front of the desk and sat down behind the desk himself.

Zhou Weimin sat down as instructed, keeping his back straight and only sitting on half of the chair, with his hands on his knees, looking like he was listening attentively.

Yang Guangming didn't speak immediately, but picked up the teacup on the table and slowly took a sip of tea.

He needed to put a little pressure on the other person and also to make the atmosphere of the conversation more calm. The tea was lukewarm, with a faint jasmine fragrance.

He observed Zhou Weimin's slightly tense expression and had roughly sketched out the other man's current mental state in his mind—

It was a mix of anticipation and unease, a feeling of excitement at being suddenly entrusted with a great responsibility, yet also of pressure and anxiety at being caught in the middle of it all.

"You saw what happened at the meeting this afternoon." Yang Guangming put down his teacup and looked calmly at Zhou Weimin.

Zhou Weimin pushed up his glasses and nodded, saying, "Yes, Section Chief Yang. We never expected something like this to happen. Everyone is...very shocked."

He carefully chose his words, seemingly still assessing the true intentions behind the new section chief's words.

"Comrades Zhao Weiguo and Li Sujuan will no longer serve as group leaders. The department has decided that you and Comrade Wu Aihua will respectively preside over the work of Group 5 and Group 4. This is a trust from the organization, and also a heavy responsibility."

Yang Guangming's tone was very formal, carrying the authority of a leader. He deliberately slowed down his speech, making each word clear and distinct, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter while also giving the other party enough time to react.

Zhou Weimin immediately stated, "Thank you for the organization's trust and for Section Chief Yang's support. I will do my best to fulfill my duties and live up to the leaders' expectations."

His tone was sincere, even somewhat excited, and his fingers unconsciously gripped the edge of the notebook on his knee.

Yang Guangming nodded slightly, but then changed the subject: "Presiding over the work is different from being the deputy group leader before. It requires more comprehensive consideration, and the responsibility is also greater. Especially given the current situation of Group Five..."

He paused at the opportune moment, observing Zhou Weimin's reaction. He saw the other man's Adam's apple move slightly, and he swallowed softly, clearly understanding what the words meant.

Zhou Weimin's expression turned serious. He took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind: "Section Chief Yang, there are some things I've always wanted to report to you, but in the past... it wasn't very convenient."

Yang Guangming leaned forward slightly, adopting a listening posture: "Oh? What's going on? You're in charge of Group Five now, so please speak freely."

Zhou Weimin lowered his voice, carrying a hint of suppressed emotion: "Section Chief Yang, I... I was the first to walk into your office to report on my work, but it was out of necessity. I was trying to find a way out for myself."

He looked up, his gaze through his glasses at Yang Guangming, his expression complex: "Team Leader Zhao... he did some things that weren't quite up to standard. The management of special funds, the approval process, even the reimbursement of some invoices... there were some twists and turns involved."

"I am of low status and only hold a deputy position, so there are many things I cannot say, nor dare to say."

His tone became somewhat urgent: "But I can assure you, Section Chief Yang, that I have absolutely not been involved in anything improper! I'm timid, and I would never dare to make such a mistake."

Because of this, I wasn't actually very popular in the team, and some of my work was intentionally or unintentionally excluded.

Yang Guangming listened quietly, his face expressionless, but he gradually understood.

It turned out to be the case.

Zhou Weimin's initial initiative to align himself with the government was not only a strategic move based on his assessment of the situation, but also carried a sense of self-preservation.

He refused to compromise his principles and was ostracized. The arrival of Yang Guangming gave him hope of escaping his predicament.

This experience of being "isolated," while putting him in a difficult situation, also proved his strong sense of principle and his reluctance to cross the line—which, for Yang Guangming, became a useful advantage.

"You did the right thing," Yang Guangming said slowly, his tone affirmative. "Adhering to principles and following the rules are the most basic professional ethics for finance personnel. They must never be abandoned."

He looked sharply at Zhou Weimin: "I can also tell you clearly that I, Yang Guangming, will not take a single needle or thread from public funds. Similarly, I will absolutely not tolerate my subordinates using their power or position to take advantage of public resources. This is the bottom line, a matter of principle. Once discovered, there will be no leniency!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable resolve that made it exceptionally clear in the quiet office.

These words were both an affirmation of Zhou Weimin and a warning for his future—the trust we have now is built on the foundation of continued integrity and self-discipline.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Weimin seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxed slightly, and he quickly nodded emphatically: "Section Chief Yang, don't worry! I'll keep those words in mind. I will definitely adhere to the principles, manage myself well, and do my best to manage the team well."

Yang Guangming's expression softened, and his tone became encouraging: "I admire your ability to stick to your principles under those circumstances. I hope you can continue to do so. After taking charge of Group Five, your first priority is to quickly familiarize yourself with all aspects of the business and thoroughly streamline all tasks within the group."

He paused briefly, then his tone became more serious: "Especially during the period when the previous team leader was in charge, you need to find out as soon as possible about any questionable, non-compliant, or even illegal operational procedures, accounting practices, and fund flows, so that you have a clear understanding of them."

The purpose of doing this is not to dwell on the past, but to completely sever ties, eliminate hidden dangers, and prevent future risks.

After you've investigated the matter thoroughly, please prepare a detailed report for me.

Zhou Weimin's expression hardened, and he immediately understood the importance of the matter: "I understand, Section Chief Yang. I will take immediate action and report back to you as soon as possible."

He knew in his heart that this was both a pledge of loyalty and a touchstone—whether he could truly gain the section chief's trust depended on how deep and substantial the report was.

"If you encounter any difficulties or obstacles at work, you can report them directly to me," Yang Guangming added at the end, giving a clear signal of support.

He knew very well that Zhou Weimin was a soft-hearted person, and if he wanted him to really touch on his old grievances, he had to give him enough confidence.

"Okay, thank you, Section Chief Yang! I'll go back to work now?" Zhou Weimin stood up, his attitude becoming even more respectful.

Yang Guangming nodded: "Go ahead. Work hard and communicate promptly if anything happens."

After seeing Zhou Weimin off, Yang Guangming picked up the phone again and dialed the internal line for Group Four. Wu Aihua answered the phone, her voice crisp and clear: "Hello, Group Four."

"Deputy Team Leader Wu, this is Yang Guangming. If you have a moment, come to my office."

"Okay, Section Chief Yang, I'll be right there." Wu Aihua's reply was crisp and decisive, without any unnecessary words.

A moment later, a knock sounded on the door, lighter than Zhou Weimin's knock.

"Please come in."

Wu Aihua pushed open the door and came in. She was still wearing that blue shirt with white polka dots, her short hair was neatly combed, and she had a capable expression on her face. She was also holding a work manual in her hand.

"Section Chief Yang, you wanted to see me?" She stood in front of the table, her figure upright.

"Sit down, Comrade Wu Aihua." Yang Guangming gestured for her to sit down as well.

Wu Aihua sat down, her posture more natural than Zhou Weimin's, and looked at Yang Guangming with an honest gaze, awaiting instructions.

There wasn't much apprehension in her eyes; instead, there was a sharp, eager look that made Yang Guangming nod in approval—she was indeed someone who could handle things.

"The decision made at this afternoon's meeting is that you will be in charge of the fourth group's work. Are you confident?" Yang Guangming got straight to the point.

"I'm confident, but I still need your support." Wu Aihua nodded, her tone calm, but her eyes shone with suppressed excitement and anticipation for the challenge.

"It's good that you have confidence. I will fully support your work. Group Four is responsible for the settlement and reimbursement of the entire factory. They deal directly with the employees, and the work is complicated, sensitive, and carries great responsibility."

Yang Guangming looked at her and continued, "With Comrade Li Sujuan no longer serving as the group leader, there will inevitably be some fluctuations in the group. You need to stabilize the situation as soon as possible and ensure that daily work is not affected, especially salary settlement and expense reimbursement, which cannot be compromised."

“I understand, Section Chief Yang. I will take over as soon as possible and ensure a smooth transition in the team’s work,” Wu Aihua replied quickly and confidently.

Yang Guangming looked at her and softened his tone: "You mentioned to me before that you sometimes encounter some uncertain situations during the reimbursement review process."

Now that you're in charge, you need to be even more accurate in handling these kinds of issues. The principle remains the same: everything must be done according to the established procedures.

Where there are ambiguities or controversies, we can study the regulations together or consult with higher authorities. There must be no ambiguity, and certainly no deviations.

Wu Aihua nodded seriously: "You're right. Some... some routine practices in the past may not have fully conformed to the spirit of the system. I will review all the procedures and strictly follow the regulations."

Her words also subtly revealed her differing views on the previous team leader's working methods.

Yang Guangming keenly noticed this and asked, "After taking charge, you must encounter many challenges, right? How are the other members of the team reacting? Have you encountered any difficulties?"

Wu Aihua hesitated slightly, as if weighing her options.

She took a deep breath and said, "There will definitely be difficulties. The older colleagues in the team are more senior than me and are used to the old ways of working. It might take some time for them to adapt to the sudden change. However..."

Her tone shifted, becoming firm: "As long as we adhere to principles and follow the rules, things will always be clear. I will also communicate more with everyone and explain that strict oversight is also to protect everyone and avoid problems in the future. I believe most comrades will understand."

Her response was very measured, acknowledging the difficulties while expressing confidence, without complaining about specific individuals, but rather emphasizing the system and communication.

Yang Guangming nodded to himself. Wu Aihua's performance was more mature and experienced than Zhou Weimin's, and she seemed to have a stronger ability to withstand pressure.

"It's good that you think that way."

Yang Guangming expressed his approval, saying, "Stability is paramount, but stability is not about being all smiles and harmony, but about smooth operation based on adherence to principles."

You should promptly review and investigate any historical issues or non-compliant operating practices that may exist from your past work, thoroughly clarify them, and report back to me.

The purpose of this is to correct and prevent such incidents, and to ensure proper severance, not to hold individuals accountable.

He reiterated this point to avoid causing unnecessary panic.

“I understand what you mean, Section Chief Yang.” Wu Aihua immediately grasped the point. “There were indeed some irregularities in the Fourth Group, especially in the procurement of labor protection supplies and the reimbursement of travel expenses. I will sort things out as soon as possible and give you a detailed report.”

"Okay." Yang Guangming nodded in satisfaction. "From now on, you'll need to put more effort into the work of Group Four. Manage boldly and strictly enforce the business processes. If there's anything you can't handle, or if someone is uncooperative, feel free to come to me anytime."

This was clear authorization and support, and Wu Aihua showed a grateful expression: "Thank you for your support, Section Chief Yang! I will definitely do my best to do my job well!"

After the conversation ended, Wu Aihua stood up to take her leave, her steps seemingly lighter and more energetic than when she arrived.

Yang Ming sat alone in his office, the midday sun streaming in through the glass window, the most intense light of the day.

His conversations with Zhou Weimin and Wu Aihua basically achieved the desired results.

Both expressed their determination to move closer to each other and frankly discussed the difficulties they faced and some past issues. They both recognized the importance of strictly adhering to the rules and regulations and were willing to address historical problems.

In particular, addressing historical issues is what Yang Guangming is truly concerned about.

He needs to know just how serious the historical problems are, and whether he should be the one to lift the lid. Only after an assessment can he decide what to do next.

He needs to rely on these two newly promoted middle managers to break through the barriers of the department and truly grasp the specific operations of Groups Four and Five.

But he also knew that this was just the beginning.

Zhou Weimin's caution, even bordering on timidity, and Wu Aihua's competence, though perhaps lacking sufficient foundation, are both potential weaknesses.

Whether they can withstand the pressure, truly take control of the team, and uphold their principles in a complex environment remains to be seen.

Liu Jinsheng and Yin Yongliang will not let this go easily. Today's setback will only make them more vigilant, and their counterattack may become more covert and ruthless. Zhou Weimin and Wu Aihua, as people promoted by Yang Guangming, will inevitably become their primary targets for suppression.

The internal struggles to come will likely be even more complex and difficult.

Yang Guangming leaned back slightly, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the table.

Now that he has personally shattered the surface calm, every step from now on must be taken with greater steadiness, caution, and determination.

(End of this chapter)