Siheyuan (courtyard house): My father, Li Yunlong!

the other side.

Before the Volga sedan even reached the gate of the steel rolling mill, the guard in the gatehouse seemed to recognize the car, which was not a frequent visitor. Upon closer inspection, he saw Wang Xiangqian getting out of the passenger seat and immediately felt a chill run down his spine.

He immediately grabbed the phone and dialed the number.

Wang Xiangqian and Li Zhenhua had just stepped off the train and hadn't even had a chance to look around the factory area when they heard a series of hurried footsteps approaching from afar.

Inside the factory gate, a tall, middle-aged man in a gray Zhongshan suit led a group of seven or eight people who looked like cadres, who jogged out to greet them. Their faces were full of enthusiasm, but also had a hint of apprehension in their smiles.

"Director Wang! Welcome, welcome! Why didn't you let us know in advance that you were coming? We could have prepared to welcome you!"

The tall, middle-aged man at the head of the group stepped forward, grasped Wang Xiangqian's outstretched hand tightly, and shook it vigorously, his tone filled with utmost respect.

Wang Xiangqian was clearly used to this situation, with a reserved and gentle smile on his face.

"Old Yang, there's no need to make such a fuss. I'm just passing by, dropping off a new comrade to report for duty."

The man referred to as "Old Yang" is none other than Director Yang of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

While repeatedly saying, "It is an honor for our entire factory to have Director Wang grace us with his presence and to guide our work," he quickly glanced at Li Zhenhua standing next to Wang Xiangqian.

Seeing the young man's composed demeanor, and knowing that Director Wang had personally brought him there in his car, he immediately grasped the significance of the young man and his smile grew even warmer.

"This comrade is...?"

Factory Director Yang asked tentatively.

Wang Xiangqian gently pulled Li Zhenhua forward and introduced him.

"This is Comrade Li Zhenhua, who is now a member of your Hongxing Factory. Zhenhua, this is Director Yang."

"Hello, Factory Director Yang!"

Li Zhenhua bowed slightly in a humble yet respectful manner to greet him.

"Hello, hello! Welcome Comrade Li Zhenhua to our Hongxing Factory family!"

Factory Director Yang warmly shook Li Zhenhua's hand again, while looking at Wang Xiangqian with a questioning gaze.

Other factory leaders also gathered around, their faces filled with curiosity and flattery.

Thus, Wang Xiangqian and Li Zhenhua, surrounded by Director Yang and others, entered the factory's office building.

Although the building looks simple on the outside, and some of the walls are even peeling, Director Yang's office is spotless and clean, with a thermos, filing cabinet, and large desk, showing the owner's status.

After everyone took their seats, Factory Director Yang personally brewed hot tea for Wang Xiangqian and Li Zhenhua, exchanged a few pleasantries, and thanked the higher-ups for their concern, reporting that the factory's production situation was excellent.

Once the other accompanying officials tactfully withdrew, leaving only Wang, Li, and Yang in the office, the atmosphere shifted from superficial enthusiasm to a subtle seriousness.

Wang Xiangqian blew away the foam in his teacup, took a small sip, and then spoke as if casually, but his tone carried weight.

"Old Yang, there are no outsiders here, so I'll be frank with you. Comrade Zhenhua is the only son of my old commander, Li Yunlong."

"Li Yunlong... Commander Li?"

Director Yang first repeated it subconsciously, then seemed to be burned by the name, his eyes widened instantly, and the hand holding the teacup trembled, splashing a few drops of hot water.

"It's...it's that person!!"

"Otherwise, which Li Yunlong could there be?"

Wang Xiangqian smiled, not at all surprised by Director Yang's reaction.

"You don't know the old commander's temper. His family even had a big fuss over Zhenhua coming to our steel mill. The old commander originally wanted him to go to the army, but Zhenhua was determined to devote himself to industrial construction. Sister Xiuqin, oh, that's our Women's Federation Director Xiuqin, made the decision, and that's how he ended up here with you."

The smile on Director Yang's face had turned into utter shock and solemnity.

When he looked at Li Zhenhua again, his gaze was no longer just polite to "the person sent from above," but also contained awe for "the son of a general" and a hint of barely perceptible tension.

He never expected that this young man who arrived in the director's car would have such a powerful background.

A highly decorated army commander and a women's federation leader in the headquarters—this combination of power was enough to make him virtually untouchable throughout the entire industrial system.

"Oh dear! This...this is really! Comrade Zhenhua, no, Comrade Li...Comrade Li..."

Factory Director Yang was momentarily at a loss for words and stammered a little.

"It's such a great honor for our Hongxing Factory that you've come to visit!"

Li Zhenhua quickly bowed.

"Director Yang, you're too kind. My name is Li Zhenhua, and I'll be working for you from now on. You can just call me by my name, or Zhenhua."

"Good, good, Comrade Zhenhua, you have high awareness and a good attitude!"

Factory Director Yang nodded repeatedly, but his mind was racing with calculations.

What would be a suitable location for such a large Buddha statue?

We absolutely cannot compromise, but we can't set our expectations too high at the beginning either, lest we attract criticism...

He glanced tentatively at Wang Xiangqian, his tone becoming more cautious.

"Director Wang, has the Ministry given any instructions regarding Comrade Zhenhua's rank and position? Our factory will definitely carry it out."

Wang Xiangqian put down his teacup and said seriously.

"Zhenhua is a proper high school graduate. His educational level is absolutely outstanding in our system, especially in grassroots factories and mines. He's a young man with ideas, drive, and isn't afraid of hardship. He's proactively asked to work on the production line to hone his skills. Lao Yang, my opinion is that we should fully consider his abilities and aspirations and give him a position where he can play a significant role and has more responsibility. As for his rank, it should comply with policy, but we can't wrong a talented person."

"High school graduate! This is a valuable asset!"

Factory Director Yang immediately understood the message.

"Heavy responsibility", "in accordance with policy", "cannot be wronged" - these keywords quickly combined in his mind.

He quickly went through all the middle-level positions in the factory.

The Security Section is a highly independent department with significant responsibilities, and the position of section chief happens to be vacant.

According to regulations, for a large factory of their size with tens of thousands of employees, the head of the security department corresponds to administrative level 17, which is an important position among section-level cadres, with sufficient benefits and authority.

This level, as a starting point for a young cadre with a special background and a high school diploma, is both a sign of being given important responsibilities and not particularly abrupt.

He slapped his thigh, a look of sudden enlightenment spreading across his face.

"Director Wang, now that you mention it, I have an excellent idea! Our factory's security department is desperately short of a capable head! The previous head was too old and in poor health, and recently retired due to illness. The security department bears a heavy responsibility, concerning the entire factory's production safety and security stability, so it absolutely needs a comrade with魄力 (poise and decisiveness), principles, and trustworthiness. Comrade Zhenhua is young and promising, a rare high achiever, and more importantly... like father, like son! He's the perfect candidate to lead the security department! In terms of rank, let's set him at level 17, with the treatment of a section-level cadre. What do you think?"