I painted an aircraft carrier on the courtyard house for Dongda University.

Guo Da Piezi glanced behind him again before whispering, "I knew it. Ever since Deputy Factory Director Li was suspended, his men have been constantly running to Factory Director Liu's office. And I feel that Factory Director Liu doesn't care about production at all. All the workshop directors are transferred from the old factory office. I've never seen anything like this before."

Zhou Weiguo sneered inwardly. The enemy agents didn't care about the factory's production; they were there to steal secrets, so naturally they hoped the steel rolling mill would be in chaos.

Zhou Weiguo thanked Guo Dapizi and then turned to look at Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai surprisingly nodded to him very politely, an unusual gesture that filled Zhou Weiguo with suspicion.

In the past, Yi Zhonghai would act like a fighting cock whenever he saw him, but this time when he came back, he was so quiet, which left Zhou Weiguo unable to find a reason to lash out.

Zhou Weiguo, no longer bothering with Director Guo and Yi Zhonghai, turned to his coworkers in the workshop and loudly proclaimed, "Listen up, everyone! If any of you were previously seconded from workshops 1-4, regardless of your previous job, you can return to your original workshop before lunchtime. I guarantee all benefits will remain unchanged, and the previously mentioned subsidies will continue as before. Don't worry, I, Zhou Weiguo, will take full responsibility for any problems that arise!"

These words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion in the workshop.

Director Guo got anxious as soon as he heard this and was about to step forward to argue, but Guo Da Piezi grabbed him and whispered a few words in his ear. Only then did Director Guo stand there angrily, looking aggrieved.

Zhou Weiguo knew that many experienced workers had previously supported his workshop and helped him a lot. If these people were willing to return to his workshop before Lao Liu revealed his true colors, they were definitely trustworthy comrades. Of course, even if they weren't, he wouldn't care too much. This time, his main purpose was to check the situation in each workshop and get a feel for the management personnel.

Just then, two people stepped out from the crowd.

Zhou Weiguo recognized them at a glance: one was Master Li, a level 6 worker, and the other was Master Zhang, a level 7 worker.

Master Zhang walked up to Zhou Weiguo with a smile and said, "I'm willing to work for Director Zhou! Working in Workshop No. 3 gives me motivation, which is much better than slacking off here!"

Master Li laughed and said, "Me too!"

Immediately afterwards, seven or eight more people stepped forward and shouted, "We'll work with Director Zhou too! Working over there is much more interesting!"

One of them shook his head and sighed, "I want to go back too. Working half a day and attending half a day of meetings here is easy, but last month they said production doubled. Isn't that just fooling people? We're not blind. We know how much work we've done. Isn't this just deceiving ourselves and others, and even deceiving the country? I don't want to do this kind of thing. I'd rather go back to Workshop 3 and help with odd jobs."

At this moment, Master Zhang walked up to Zhou Weiguo and whispered, "Director Zhou, there's something I need to report to you. After we were transferred back to the workshop, people from the factory office kept asking what we were doing in Workshop 3. When we left, Colonel Zhang made us sign a confidentiality agreement, and I also reminded my apprentices, so no one said anything. But I'm still worried; I can't guarantee that everyone will keep their mouths shut. Moreover, the new factory director has taken people to Workshops 1 and 2 several times, but Colonel Zhang and his men turned them away each time. I always feel there's something wrong here. You'd better report this to your superiors as soon as possible."

Zhou Weiguo smiled and patted Master Zhang on the shoulder, comforting him, "Alright, this matter should be resolved in the next day or two. You can focus on your work and don't worry."

Master Zhang finally breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and left with his men.

Director Guo stood to the side, his face flushed with anger. He stammered "You, you, you, you" for a long time before finally saying, "I'm going to report to the factory manager right now," and stormed off.

Next, Zhou Weiguo went to several other workshops and briefly recounted what he had just said.

Some people were willing to return to his workshop, while others chose to stay. He didn't force anyone to stay; his main purpose was to understand the situation in each workshop and the capabilities of the managers.

Just as he finished speaking in the last workshop, he suddenly heard a furious roar: "Zhou Weiguo, are you crazy? What are you doing?"

Zhou Weiguo turned around and saw Factory Director Liu standing not far away with several of his followers, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

Zhou Weiguo calmly said, "Oh dear, isn't this Factory Director Liu? Why are you swearing in broad daylight? You're acting like a factory director at all!"

Factory Director Liu's face grew increasingly grim as he glared fiercely at Zhou Weiguo: "What exactly are you trying to do? Zhou Weiguo, do you have any sense of responsibility as a cadre? Did you even have the factory meeting to discuss arbitrarily transferring personnel back to your workshop? Did you get my approval? Do you know this will seriously affect the factory's production?"

Zhou Weiguo burst into laughter: "Liu Bentian, you must be kidding me! I'm affecting the factory's production? Then you can arrange for the workshop to work half a day and hold half a day of meetings, and that won't affect production? Ever since you came, the steel rolling mill has been in chaos, and you still have the nerve to tell the ministry that last month's output doubled? You really dare to say that!"

Before Factory Director Liu could retort, a voice came from behind: "Zhou Weiguo, what do you think you're doing? You're just a lowly technical department head, how dare you speak to the factory director like that? Don't you have any respect for superiors or rules? This is blatant insubordination!"

Zhou Weiguo turned his head and saw that it was indeed Liu Haizhong, that good-for-nothing.

After finishing his sentence, Liu Haizhong jogged over to Director Liu and said obsequiously, "Director Liu, please don't be angry! Zhou Weiguo is a resident of our courtyard. He's always been incredibly arrogant in the courtyard, never taking us in charge seriously. We used to be lenient and didn't bother with him. But this time he went too far, daring to disrespect you in public! You should teach him a lesson! When he gets back to the courtyard, I'll organize everyone to criticize him. He's committed a serious offense!"

Factory Director Liu listened and a satisfied smile appeared on his face: "You're very well said, Team Leader Liu. I think your awareness has improved a lot. Keep up the good work. We're family, so as long as you work hard, I'll give you more opportunities in the future."

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong's face lit up with joy, and he bowed and scraped, saying, "Thank you, Director Liu! I believe that under your leadership, our steel rolling mill will surely prosper!"

Liu Haizhong and Factory Director Liu were having a good time, but the others behind Factory Director Liu were not happy about it.

Finally, a factory manager who loves flattery arrived. As long as you flatter him well, you can get promoted, and you won't be severely criticized if problems arise.

Moreover, Director Liu never cared about seniority; if he thought you were good enough, you were good enough.

With such a great opportunity, how could we let Liu Haizhong steal the spotlight all by himself?

P.S.: Please urge me to update more and give me good reviews. Thank you!