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

He immediately seized the opportunity, his tone carrying just the right amount of enthusiasm.

"Factory Director, you are wise! Logistics work is related to the livelihoods of tens of thousands of employees in the factory. I feel that the responsibility is great and very challenging. If I have the opportunity to contribute to the logistics work, I would be more than happy! Especially... if I can participate in the procurement of unplanned materials and solve practical difficulties for the factory, that would be even better."

He carefully revealed his true purpose.

A glint of light flashed in Director Yang's eyes; he was not surprised at all by Li Zhenhua's reaction.

He pondered for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"Yes, it's good that you have this idea. To be honest, the Logistics Department did undergo a major reshuffle after the shock of the Sun Xiangqian incident. Many cadres were implicated or reassigned. Now is the time to use people and we urgently need to replenish fresh blood, especially reliable and capable cadres."

He paused, his tone becoming somewhat subtle.

"Moreover, a new head of the logistics department has just been transferred here from the ministry; he's not a veteran from our factory. The factory also hopes that the logistics department can have a smooth transition and better serve production. Therefore, it's very necessary to send a capable cadre in."

Li Zhenhua immediately understood Director Yang's subtext.

The new director is not one of their own, so Director Yang needs to place his cronies in the logistics department to balance and control the department, especially the lucrative and powerful procurement department.

As for himself, thanks to his "rescue" and "reliable" background, he became the ideal candidate in Director Yang's mind.

This is exactly what he wanted!

"Factory manager, I understand what you mean. I will do my best to live up to your trust!"

Li Zhenhua immediately expressed his opinion, his tone firm.

"Great! I'm relieved to hear that!"

Factory Director Yang slapped his thigh, clearly very satisfied with Li Zhenhua's "sensible" behavior.

"Therefore, the factory has decided to appoint you as the deputy director of the logistics department, mainly responsible for... the third and fourth purchasing sections."

Procurement for Departments Three and Four!

Li Zhenhua was overjoyed!

This is the department responsible for procuring supplies outside of the planned schedule!

It possesses a great deal of autonomy and flexibility!

This means that the supplies in his system warehouse have finally found a seemingly legitimate "sales channel"!

"These two departments have a very heavy workload."

Factory Director Yang looked at Li Zhenhua meaningfully.

"Unplanned supplies are related to improving the staff canteen, subsidizing special positions, and even solving some of the factory's urgent needs. We need to have a wide range of channels, be resourceful, and be bold. Zhenhua, I believe in your abilities; you will definitely be able to turn things around and make new contributions to the factory!"

"Yes, Factory Manager! I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"

Then, with an even more friendly smile on his face, Director Yang leaned forward slightly and lowered his voice as he spoke to Li Zhenhua.

"Zhenhua, don't make any other plans for tonight. I'll set up a table in the small canteen. First, I'll introduce you to some of your colleagues from the factory so you can get to know each other better and work together more easily in the future. Second, it's also a celebration to mark your promotion to deputy director! We're all family, let's get together and have a chat."

Li Zhenhua immediately understood.

This banquet in the small canteen was no ordinary working meal; it was Director Yang's way of formally introducing him to the inner circle and his trusted subordinates.

This is a form of recognition, but also a form of binding.

He immediately showed his gratitude and agreed without hesitation.

"Thank you for your guidance, Factory Director! I will definitely arrive on time! I hope you and my fellow senior colleagues will continue to provide guidance in my future work!"

"Okay! It's settled then. See you at the cafeteria at 6:30 tonight."

Factory Director Yang patted Li Zhenhua on the shoulder with satisfaction.

Evening arrived quickly. Li Zhenhua straightened his clothes and strolled towards the quiet, secluded canteen behind the factory's office building, a place usually inaccessible to ordinary workers.

As soon as the thick cotton curtain was lifted, a wave of sounds, a mixture of the aroma of food, the smell of tobacco and alcohol, and a lively atmosphere, rushed towards us.

Unlike the quiet and deserted area outside the noodle factory, this small canteen was brightly lit and bustling with activity.

The two large round tables, joined together, were already full of people, clinking glasses and chatting happily.

Although it was a year of great disaster and shortage of supplies outside, the scene on the dining table here was quite different.

Braised pork knuckle, steamed fish, braised sea cucumber with scallions, glistening whole chicken... a dazzling array of dishes.

Although it couldn't compare to a grand banquet, it was still considered luxurious for that era, fully demonstrating Director Yang's absolute power within the factory and the resources he could mobilize.

This was also the first time Li Zhenhua had directly experienced the full strength of Director Yang.

Those sitting at this table include almost all the top leaders and powerful figures from all the key departments of the steel rolling mill. At a glance, it seems that 80 percent of the senior cadres in the entire mill are here.

Li Zhenhua's gaze swept across the room and he quickly noticed two particularly eye-catching women.

A woman in her early thirties, dressed in a well-tailored Lenin suit, with a beautiful face and a capable demeanor, sat to the left of the deputy director of production. Her eyes were bright and lively, and she looked radiant when she talked to people.

The other one was younger, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, wearing a fashionable polyester shirt, with curly hair, charming eyes, and a clear laugh. He was toasting someone next to him.

The appearance and demeanor of these two women were completely different from most of the serious cadres at the table, and their positions were quite close to the head of the table. Li Zhenhua realized that these two were probably the people rumored to have a close relationship with Director Yang.

He also knew that there were two nominal deputy factory directors in the factory, but at this moment, compared to the lively presence of the two women, the real deputy factory directors seemed to be taciturn and had no presence at all. It was clear that under the absolute authority of Director Yang, they had long been sidelined.

"Oh dear! Zhenhua's here! Come quick, come quick!"

Factory Director Yang, with his sharp eyes, spotted Li Zhenhua standing at the door. He immediately waved enthusiastically, got up, and personally pulled him to an empty seat next to himself at the main table.

This arrangement undoubtedly demonstrates Li Zhenhua's importance in Director Yang's eyes at this moment.

"Come on, everyone, quiet down!"

Factory Director Yang picked up his wine glass and, with a flushed face, tapped it on the table.

"Let me introduce you all! This is our factory's newly appointed Deputy Director of the Logistics Department, Comrade Li Zhenhua! Zhenhua is young and promising, with outstanding abilities, and he has made a great contribution to the factory this time! From now on, the responsibility of logistics, especially the heavy task of unplanned procurement, will depend on Zhenhua! Please welcome him!"

Immediately, a round of enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted from the table.

"Welcome, Director Li!"

"Director Li is young and promising; I hope you'll take good care of him in the future!"

"Director Li is clearly a capable person; Factory Director Yang has a keen eye for talent!"

The cadres stood up to offer toasts, their faces beaming with enthusiastic, even slightly ingratiating, smiles.

The two beautiful women also raised their glasses with smiles, their eyes lingering on Li Zhenhua with a hint of curiosity.