Siheyuan: I will never tolerate gambling and drugs!

The office of the steel rolling mill director.

The air was filled with a mixture of cheap tea and obsequious smells.

Li Huaide hunched over, holding a thin stack of documents in his hands as if they were some priceless imperial edict. Every wrinkle on his face was filled with a fawning smile, and his voice rose eight octaves, sounding both slick and excited.

"Minister Gao and District Chief Fang, it is truly an immense honor for our steel rolling mill to have you both here to provide guidance!"

He spoke with great enthusiasm and passion, his words flowing freely.

"The fact that this heating project was able to be implemented so quickly and smoothly is primarily thanks to our factory's Party Committee! It's all thanks to Director Yang's wise decisions and foresight!"

Yang Anguo stood in front of the large desk, his back straight, his chin slightly raised, trying to create an air of composure and strategic planning.

Upon hearing Li Huaide's praise, the corners of his mouth involuntarily twitched upwards, but he quickly suppressed it, transforming it into a reserved smile.

Li Huaide caught a glimpse of the factory director's expression out of the corner of his eye and spoke even more enthusiastically.

"Director Yang personally oversaw the project, withstanding immense pressure! He didn't sleep for days and nights on this project; it broke our hearts to see him like that..."

As he spoke, he glanced at the two high-ranking leaders out of the corner of his eye, hoping to see their approval and recognition.

However, all he saw was a face that grew darker and darker.

The Minister of Industry's bright face gradually darkened. His hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air, his knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure. The temperature in the office seemed to drop a few degrees with his expression.

Sitting next to him was Fang Mingyuan, the district head of Dongcheng District, who presented a completely different picture.

He slowly blew away the foam in the teacup, a faint smile playing on his lips.

His smile held a mischievous glint of amusement, mixed with a hint of sympathy for his old comrade. He even glanced at Gao Liang's profile with interest, clearly seeing the vein on the other man's temple throbbing rhythmically.

This is a warning sign that a person with high blood pressure is about to experience a spike.

Li Huaide's voice still echoed in the office, each word like a ladle of boiling oil poured on the fire in Gao Liang's heart.

"...Our actual work involves running errands and relaying messages; the real direction is determined by experienced helmsmen like Director Yang!"

"stop."

One word.

The voice wasn't loud, and was even a little hoarse, but it carried an undeniable air of command.

Gao Liang finally spoke.

Li Huaide's eloquent eulogy came to an abrupt halt, his mouth still agape, his expression frozen on his face, making him look ridiculously comical.

The office fell into a deathly silence.

The ticking sound of the old wall clock was amplified at that moment, striking a chord in everyone's heart.

Yang Anguo's heart skipped a beat.

A chill ran up his spine and up to the back of his head. His hands, which were placed on either side of him, clenched tightly without him realizing it, and his palms were covered with a sticky layer of cold sweat.

He forced a smile, trying to break the suffocating silence.

"Minister Gao, is it... that we did something wrong?"

His voice was somewhat hoarse.

Gao Liang slowly lowered the teacup, the enamel hitting the table with a crisp "click".

He stood up.

"It's nothing."

Two words: cold, devoid of any emotion.

"We have other things to do, so we won't stay any longer."

Fang Mingyuan put down his teacup, stood up, and the meaningful smile on his face finally faded, replaced by a businesslike expression.

"Leaving already? No way!"

Yang Anguo immediately moved closer, his face filled with astonishment and panic.

"I...I've already asked the cafeteria to prepare a simple meal. The leaders have come all this way; they should at least have something to eat before they leave!"

He quickly walked around from behind the desk, adopting an extremely humble posture.

"Need not."

Gao Liang waved his hand, his movements clean and efficient, without the slightest hesitation.

He turned and walked towards the door, his tall figure giving Yang Anguo a heavy sense of oppression.

Just as his hand was about to touch the doorknob, he paused.

Gao Liang didn't turn his head completely, but only slightly turned his face. A cold gaze was cast from above his shoulder and accurately fixed on Yang Anguo.

"Director Yang."

His voice was light and airy, yet every word carried immense weight.

"Take care of yourself."

These four words, like four icicles, instantly pierced Yang Anguo's last shred of hope. Cold sweat poured down his back, soaking his shirt.

Gao Liang seemed to have just thought of something.

He paused for a moment, then explained his plan.

"besides."

"Comrade Xu Lin has other tasks assigned by the organization recently and will be transferred away for a period of time."

As soon as he finished speaking, the office door was opened.

Gao Liang and Fang Mingyuan walked out one after the other without looking back, leaving behind only a deathly silence in the room and two people, Yang Anguo and Li Huaide, standing there dumbfounded with mixed expressions.

The door was closed.

"Click".

A soft sound shut out everything from the outside world.

An eerie silence fell over the office.

Yang Anguo remained in the posture of bowing in farewell, his body frozen in place, motionless.

Gao Liang's last words, "Take care of yourself," and that cold gaze echoed repeatedly in his mind, disturbing his peace of mind. Sweat had soaked through the back of his shirt, sticking stickily to his skin, and even a gust of wind could send shivers down his spine.

His mind was a complete mess.

Just then, a voice broke the silence.

"Factory Manager!"

Li Huaide's voice carried an irrepressible excitement, and the fawning stiffness on his face instantly melted away, transforming into ecstasy.

"This is great news! Absolutely fantastic news!"

He leaned closer to Yang Anguo and lowered his voice, but he couldn't hide his excitement.

"Xu Lin is being transferred!"

These words, like a thunderclap, shattered the chaos in Yang Anguo's mind.

His stiff body trembled violently, and he slowly straightened up, his eyes bursting with an astonishing light.

He was transferred?

Is Xu Lin leaving?

That troublesome young man who kept him up at night and made him feel like he had a thorn in his side is finally going to disappear from the steel mill!

An overwhelming sense of ecstasy washed over him, dispelling all the fear and unease he had felt moments before.

"Okay! Okay!"

Yang Anguo slammed his hand on the desk, the heavy solid wood surface making a dull thud. He relaxed completely, as if a huge burden had been lifted, and even his breathing became much easier.

"I knew it! Young people think they can fly just because they've grown wings; they're too reckless and will inevitably stumble sooner or later!"

"Factory manager, you have such good judgment! You saw right through him long ago!"

Seeing that Yang Anguo had recovered his spirits, Li Huaide immediately went up to him, his flattery almost overflowing.

"If you hadn't acted decisively and dealt with the production accident with swift and decisive action, suppressing him, who knows how much more trouble he might have caused! That kid is a menace!"

"That's right."

Yang Anguo sat back down in his factory director's seat, picked up the teacup on the table, and gulped down a large mouthful of tea, ignoring the fact that the tea was already cold.

The bitter tea slid down his throat, but he tasted a hint of sweetness in it.

He wiped his mouth, leaned back in his chair, and said in a tone of someone who had been there all along, "How many years have I been in this position? What kind of people haven't I seen? I've seen through Xu Lin's cunning schemes long ago. Young man, you get a little talent and then you become arrogant and naive. You're still too green."

"The factory manager is brilliant!"

Li Huaide immediately gave a thumbs up, his smile utterly sincere.

"Your move to cut off his lifeline is brilliant! By removing him from the production position, you've severed his foundation. Now that he's been transferred, the enormous credit for the heating project will fall squarely on our factory's shoulders, right? Once Xu Lin is gone, in less than three months, who will even remember who he is?"

Yang Anguo felt completely at ease, his face crinkling into a wide smile, his mouth stretching to his ears, but he forced himself to suppress it, feigning seriousness.

"The credit belongs to everyone; it's thanks to the effective leadership of the factory's Party Committee."

Although he said that, he was secretly overjoyed.

Li Huaide's words struck a chord with him. With Xu Lin gone, the credit would be his, the power would be his, and the entire steel rolling mill would once again be under Yang Anguo's absolute control.

"but……"

Li Huaide's eyes darted around, and his tone shifted accordingly as he tentatively asked, "Factory Director, Minister Gao's parting words, 'Take care of yourself,' sounded... like they had a different meaning?"

The smile that had just been spreading across Yang Anguo's face froze for a moment.

That cold tone resurfaced.

But he quickly found the perfect explanation, both for Li Huaide and to convince himself.

You're overthinking it.

He waved his hand, regaining his composure.

"When leaders speak, they like to leave some room for maneuver and give their subordinates a heads-up. What he meant was that I shouldn't be arrogant and complacent because of my achievements, but should continue to do my job well and not let down the organization's trust and training."

"Yes, yes, that's definitely what it means!"

Li Huaide slapped his thigh, suddenly realizing the truth.

"I knew it! Factory Director, you withstood the pressure and solved such a huge project for the country's livelihood. This is a tremendous achievement! Minister Gao must be very satisfied. You might even be promoted soon!"

"A promotion is out of the question."

Yang Anguo spoke modestly, but inside he was bubbling with delight. He could almost see himself being praised by name at a Ministry of Industry meeting in the near future for his achievements on the heating project, and even being transferred to a more important position.

"However, if this heating project can be approved and publicized, our steel rolling mill will have a unique reputation with the Ministry of Industry."

"That's it, that's it!"

In the office, the two chatted back and forth, and the atmosphere became lively again.

The suffocating sense of oppression vanished, replaced by a joyful atmosphere of victors sharing their spoils.

Yang Anguo had even begun to make plans.

Once Xu Lin is completely gone, he will carry out a major purge of the factory's personnel.

"Oh, right," Yang Anguo said, as if remembering something, "Minister Gao and District Chief Fang, have they left? Where did they go?"

"He probably went to see Xu Lin," Li Huaide replied. "Didn't Minister Gao just say that he was going to transfer Xu Lin? I guess he went to explain the job transfer to Xu Lin in person, just going through the motions."

"Um."

Yang Anguo nodded dismissively.

They're just losers; it's only right to notify them.

"Go and find out later, but keep it a secret, and find out exactly which remote corner Xu Lin is going to be transferred to. That way I can finally have peace of mind."

"Okay, I'll go right away."

Li Huaide bowed and scraped, and was just about to turn around and leave when there was a knock on the office door.

It's Secretary Xiao Wang.

He pushed the door open and came in, his expression somewhat strange.

"Factory manager, just now Minister Gao and District Chief Fang... went directly to Xu Lin's office."

"understood."

Yang Anguo was immersed in the joy of victory and waved his hand impatiently when he heard this.

"It's normal. It's just that the boss is assigning tasks. What's the big deal?"

Xiao Wang opened his mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, but seeing Yang Anguo's smug look, he swallowed his words and silently retreated.

Yang Anguo leaned back in his wide chair and let out a long sigh of relief.

The pent-up frustration that had been building up inside me for so long has finally been released.

So what if Xu Lin is capable? So what if he has great skills? He still can't beat the factory manager.

Young people are ultimately too inexperienced; they don't understand the ways of the world or the rules of officialdom.

He picked up the teacup with satisfaction, slowly sipping the now-cold tea, his mind already starting to formulate the next report to be submitted to the Ministry of Industry.

He'd already thought of a title.

Under the wise leadership of the factory's Party Committee, the steel rolling mill overcame difficulties and successfully achieved a double harvest of technological innovation and improvement of people's livelihood.

The report must vividly describe how you had foresight, how you overcame all opposition, and how you personally directed the project, ultimately leading to its success.

As for Xu Lin?

He's just a young man who was disciplined for a work mistake. Once he's gone, his record will be tarnished, and who will remember him? Who will care about him?

Yang Anguo became more and more pleased with himself, and even the bitter tea tasted sweet and refreshing.

Li Huaide stood aside, watching Yang Anguo's almost floating appearance, but felt a little uneasy.

The look in Minister Gao's eyes before he left, and his meaningful words, "Take care of yourself," were like a tiny thorn stuck in his heart.

No matter how I think about it, something just doesn't feel right.

But he didn't dare say another word.

Yang Anguo is in high spirits right now, and if I were to pour cold water on him, I would only be asking for trouble and might even anger the factory director who has just tasted the fruits of victory.

Forget it, let's take a step by step.

Regardless of the circumstances, Xu Lin's departure is a foregone conclusion and a good thing.

In the office, the two men each had their own thoughts, yet they were both immersed in the illusion that they had already won.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting bright, shimmering patches of light on the floor.

But how long will this brightness last...?

Meanwhile, in Xu Lin's office.

Unlike Yang Anguo's spacious and bright factory director's office, which exuded bureaucratic air, this place appeared rather shabby.

A slightly worn desk, two wooden chairs with peeling paint, several rolls of blueprints piled in the corner, and a faint smell of ink and old paper in the air.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, cutting a bright patch of light across the ground, with tiny dust particles floating slowly within the beam of light.

Gao Liang and Fang Mingyuan walked in one after the other.

Gao Liang's tall stature made the already small office seem even more cramped.

He remained silent, his sharp gaze sweeping across the entire room before finally settling on the young man by the window.

Xu Lin was standing by the window, holding a document in his hand and looking at it intently.

Hearing the door open, he turned around, his face showing no surprise, but rather a knowing smile.

"Minister Gao, District Chief Fang, please have a seat."

His voice was calm, with a composure beyond his years.

Xu Lin put down the documents, deftly picked up the thermos, and refilled the enamel mugs in front of the two leaders with hot water.

Steam rose in wisps, blurring their expressions.

Gao Liang took the teacup, and could feel the warmth emanating from the cup's walls on his fingertips.

He didn't drink it; he simply held the teacup in his palm and got straight to the point.

"Tell me, what exactly happened?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable pressure, echoing in the small space.

Fang Mingyuan seemed more relaxed. He picked up his teacup, blew on the steam, and looked Xu Lin and Gao Liang up and down with interest, as if he was ready to listen to a story.

Xu Lin pulled up a chair and sat down opposite the two of them, leaning forward slightly to establish an equal posture for conversation.

He didn't speak immediately, as if he was organizing his thoughts.

A few seconds later, he slowly spoke.

"Actually, it's not that complicated."

His tone was so calm that it didn't sound like a young man who had just experienced a major setback; it sounded more like he was recounting an old story that had nothing to do with him.

"Previously, I submitted a blast furnace renovation plan to the factory."

"The goal is to improve the smelting efficiency of existing blast furnaces, while also tackling the development of several high-strength special steels urgently needed by the military industry."

Fang Mingyuan tapped his fingers lightly on the teacup and pressed for an answer.

"and then?"

"Then Director Yang said that the factory was short of funds and that the renovation would affect normal production tasks, so he rejected it."

As Xu Lin spoke, a smile curved his lips, the expression of which was unreadable—whether it was self-deprecation or something else.

"I can understand. After all, the plan is risky and the investment is not small. From Director Yang's point of view, stability is the top priority."

His bright eyebrows instantly furrowed into a knot.

Special steel!

The military industry urgently needs it!

Yang Anguo and Li Huaide didn't mention either of these two pieces of information in their report just now! They only talked about heating!

"It's that simple?"

The loud voice faded, and the temperature in the office seemed to drop a few degrees.

"Of course not."

Xu Lin picked up his teacup and took a sip. The warm tea slid down his throat, dispelling the last chill of the morning.

He put down his teacup, the bottom of which collided with the table, making a soft "click" sound.

"I accepted that Director Yang rejected the plan. But what happened next was truly unexpected."

"How so?"

Fang Mingyuan took over the conversation; his intuition told him that the real show was about to begin.

"The blast furnace renovation requires funds, but the factory won't approve it, so I'm thinking of finding the money myself."

Xu Lin said frankly.

"My coworkers were worried about storing coal for winter, so I thought of using the waste heat from the blast furnace to provide centralized heating and raise the first batch of funds for the renovation by collecting heating fees in advance."

"This heating plan was piloted in the machine repair workshop, and the results were very good. The workers were very supportive, and the response was very enthusiastic."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Gao Liang.

"Perhaps it was this enthusiastic response that made Director Yang feel that my prestige in the factory... was a little too high."

The words were spoken very frankly, without any concealment.

Gao Liang's face grew increasingly grim.

He could almost picture the scene: a capable and popular young executive, and a mediocre and complacent old factory director.

With this kind of power structure, it would be strange if nothing went wrong!

"I'm not afraid of anyone having a problem with me, nor am I afraid of being treated unfairly."

Xu Lin's voice remained calm, but it carried a hint of strength.

"But I'm afraid that some people's personal grudges might affect the real big picture."

"So," he changed the subject, "just before that production accident happened, I submitted the complete heating plan to Director Wang of the neighborhood office in advance."

"I was thinking that if something happened to me, the project could still be continued under the leadership of the subdistrict office. Firstly, the funds raised could be used to support the steel rolling mill and complete the blast furnace renovation. Secondly, it would allow the workers who had worked hard all year to have a warm winter."

"You're so generous, giving it to me just like that!"

Gao Liang finally couldn't hold back and slammed his hand on the armrest of the chair, causing the wooden man to let out a groan of unbearable strain.

These words carried a mix of anger at their lack of ambition and disappointment at their perceived inadequacy.

This is a huge achievement that could change one's destiny, so why did this kid just give it away so easily?

Fang Mingyuan quickly smoothed things over, a knowing smile on his face.

"Hey, Lao Gao, what are you saying? Comrade Xu Lin was forced into this situation by circumstances, wasn't he?"

He glanced at Xu Lin, then at his old comrade-in-arms, whose face was almost black with anger.

"Besides, if it weren't for Comrade Xu Lin's clever 'escape' that got the project out of the quagmire of the steel rolling mill, would we be sitting here today, knowing the whole story?"

Gao Liang fell silent.

Yes.

If Xu Lin hadn't made prior arrangements, Yang Anguo and Li Huaide would have already taken all the credit for this great achievement, while Xu Lin himself would have been punished for "causing a major accident due to reckless work," and would have been stuck in his position in the infirmary forever.

Having navigated the complexities of officialdom for so many years, he understood the ins and outs of it all too well.

Once someone like Yang Anguo decides to get rid of someone, he will stop at nothing to stop him.

Especially for an orphan without a strong background or parents to rely on.

The more talented you are, the more ruthless he will be. Because your very existence is the greatest irony to his incompetence.

"So you just accepted the punishment like that? Without a single complaint?"

Fang Mingyuan asked thoughtfully.

Looking at the young man in front of him, he felt that he was not simple at all.

"right."

Xu Lin nodded decisively.

"Anyway, I don't care about the position of deputy factory director. As long as I can do my job peacefully, that's fine."

These words made Gao Liang and Fang Mingyuan's hearts skip a beat at the same time.

A young man not yet twenty years old, faced with such blatant suppression and power struggles, actually said something like "I don't care about my position."

What a powerful heart and what pure ideals that must be!

As Gao Liang looked at Xu Lin's calm face, which remained composed throughout, and his clear yet deep eyes, a bold idea, so daring it startled even himself, suddenly popped into his mind.

He stared intently at Xu Lin, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

"This...couldn't all of this have been part of your plan?"

The words fell.

The ticking of the old wall clock in the office suddenly became clearly audible.

Xu Lin was stunned for a moment.

Then he smiled.

He didn't speak, but slowly and solemnly nodded to Gao Liang.

The office fell silent.

A deathly silence.

Gao Liang's hand, holding the teacup, hung motionless in mid-air. He could no longer feel the warmth emanating from the enamel cup.

Sitting opposite him, Fang Mingyuan's amusement, the smile on his lips, seemed to be forcibly suppressed and frozen by an invisible hand. His Adam's apple bobbed forcefully, as if he wanted to say something, but he couldn't utter a single word.

Both men, who had spent half their lives struggling in their respective fields, had their minds completely blank at that moment.

They looked at the young man in front of them.

Looking at his calm expression and clear eyes.

A terrifying thought, one that overturned all their understanding, exploded in their hearts at the same time.

From beginning to end, was all of this... within his calculations?

Fang Mingyuan's voice broke the silence, carrying a dryness he himself was unaware of.

"When...did you start planning this?"

Xu Lin's answer was completely calm and without any ripples.

"From the day Director Yang rejected my blast furnace renovation plan."

He met the probing gazes of the two leaders with composure, his tone as if stating a physical law—cold and unquestionable.

"From that moment on, I knew he wouldn't let me accomplish anything in peace."

Xu Lin leaned forward slightly and placed his hands crossed on the table.

"In the steel rolling mill, if you want to get anything done, you can't get around him. Since he refuses to cooperate, I have to find another way."

His voice was soft, yet every word was clear.

"Instead of waiting for him to block my path piece by piece, I'd rather forge my own way first."

His bright pupils suddenly contracted.

He recalled Li Huaide's smug face in Yang Anguo's office earlier, and Yang Anguo's self-righteous "undermining" of him.

Looking back now, how ridiculous it seems.

They thought they were the players, but little did they know that they were just pieces on the board from beginning to end.

"So, the heating project was bait you deliberately threw out?"

The loud voice lowered, each word carrying weight.

Xu Lin smiled and shook his head.

"Minister Gao, you're half right."

"I'm genuinely interested in providing heating. The workers suffer terribly in the winter, and the waste heat from the blast furnace is being wasted. Most importantly, I need start-up capital to bypass the factory's finance department and begin preliminary research on the blast furnace renovation."

His gaze swept over the two leaders, his honesty leaving no room for doubt.

"But I know very well that, given Director Yang's personality, he won't let me raise this money so easily. He will see me as a challenge to his authority and will use all sorts of reasons to obstruct me."

"So, I contacted Director Wang of the subdistrict office in advance and gave him the complete plan."

This move is the real killer move.

Gao Liang and Fang Mingyuan exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes.

"There are two purposes to doing this," Xu Lin said, holding up one finger.

"First, I guarantee that even if anything goes wrong on my end, this project, which benefits all the factory workers, can still be led by the neighborhood committee and continued. I don't care about the credit, but the project must be completed."

He then extended a second finger.

"Secondly, we need to elevate this matter from an internal conflict within the steel rolling mill to a level of coordinated action across the entire plant. This way, Director Yang will have to think twice before trying to take any further action; he won't be facing just me anymore."

Fang Mingyuan's hands, resting on his knees, were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

He finally understood why Director Wang from the neighborhood committee had rushed to him with that plan.

That was no ordinary project report.

That was a fuse that Xu Lin had planted long ago!

"and then?"

Fang Mingyuan pressed on, his voice already tinged with urgency.

"And then you just wait."

When Xu Lin said those two words, he even had a slight smile on his face.

"Let Director Yang make his own choice."

His gaze was calm as still water, yet unfathomable.

"After he saw the heating project succeed, he couldn't suppress his greed. When he saw my growing prestige among my coworkers, he couldn't help but feel a deep-seated fear."

"Let him choose the path he believes is the right one."

A chill ran up Gao Liang's spine. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

This kid...

Is he manipulating people's hearts, or is he directing a drama?

Every reaction, every act of suppression from Yang Anguo, even that so-called production accident—could it be…?

"Aren't you afraid of overdoing it? Maybe you'll end up getting yourself involved?"

Gao Liang's voice was deep as he stared intently at Xu Lin, trying to find even the slightest hint of relief or lingering fear on his face.

But he found nothing.

Only by being open-minded.

"I'm not afraid."

Xu Lin answered decisively.

He leaned back in his chair, relaxing completely, even appearing somewhat nonchalant and nonchalant.

"At worst, I'll just take off this uniform and go back to Peking Union Medical College Hospital. With my medical skills, I can be a doctor anywhere and live a stable life."

"Pfft—"

Fang Mingyuan couldn't help but burst out laughing.

This shameless, roguish charm completely dispelled the suffocating tension in the office.

"You little rascal, you've taken a big gamble this time." Fang Mingyuan pointed at him, shook his head and laughed, "Yang Anguo worked so hard to get the factory director position, and you managed to scheme against him like this."

"He chose this path himself."

Xu Lin shrugged, casually glossing over the chilling scheme.

"I gave him more than one chance. From the blast furnace renovation plan to the heating project, I always put the report on his desk first. It was he who blocked the way again and again and then chose another path."

Gao Liang fell silent.

He picked up the now-cold teacup and took a big gulp. The bitter tea cleared his muddled mind considerably.

He re-examined the young man before him once again.

He possesses superb medical skills and outstanding industrial talent.

This was all he knew about Xu Lin before.

But now he truly realized that what was most terrifying about this young man was not the skills written on paper at all.

It is his mind.

It is a mature, calm, and even frighteningly cold mind.

At less than twenty years old, he was able to orchestrate such a meticulously planned scheme. He could manipulate a seasoned veteran who had held the factory manager's position for decades. He could calculate everyone's reactions and every possible change.

What if we wait a few more years...

Gao Liang dared not think any further.

Fang Mingyuan, however, seemed to have discovered a peerless gem, and became excited, his eyes shining.

"Comrade Xu Lin! It's such a waste that you don't use your brain for politics!"

"I'm not interested in those."

Xu Lin shook his head, his expression serious.

"I just want to do some real work in a peaceful and stable way."

"To get things done, you also need the protection of power," Fang Mingyuan immediately retorted. "Without power, you wouldn't have been able to set up this scheme today. Your blast furnace renovation plan would forever remain just a piece of waste paper."

That's why I need to leverage external resources.

Xu Lin smiled, a hint of slyness in his smile.

He looked openly at the two leaders.

"I am only one person, and my energy is limited. I really can't fight against Director Yang's intricate network of relationships."

"But haven't I gained some support? With Minister Gao and District Chief Fang, this force is much greater than that of Yang Anguo."

That's too blunt.

It was so blunt that Gao Liang almost choked on his tea.

He pointed at Xu Lin, wanting to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

This kid has schemed against both him and Fang Mingyuan, and he still talks about it so confidently!

"Just telling the truth."

Xu Lin showed no embarrassment whatsoever; on the contrary, his face was full of sincerity.

"I know that Minister Gao and District Chief Fang are leaders who truly want to do things for the country and the people. You would never stand by and watch a valuable project be stifled, nor would you let a talented person who genuinely wants to do things be buried."

"You're flattering us first, then putting us on a pedestal."

Fang Mingyuan smiled and shook his head, but his admiration for Fang Mingyuan grew stronger.

"This isn't flattery, it's the truth, and it's the basis of my confidence."

Xu Lin's expression turned serious.

"If I hadn't trusted the vision and responsibility of the two leaders, I would never have taken this risky step. Nor would I have handed over that crucial plan to Director Wang."

Upon hearing this, Gao Liang's last trace of doubt dissipated.

He understood instantly.

"Did you know from the beginning that District Chief Fang would come to me with the project proposal?"

"I guessed part of it."

Xu Lin nodded.

"The heating project involves the entire factory area and is too large to be decided by Director Wang, who is just a street office director. District Chief Fang, you are his superior, so he will definitely report to you. Moreover, this project is closely related to the steel rolling mill's technology and production, and falls under the industrial category. If you want to promote it, you will inevitably have to coordinate with the Ministry of Industry."

He paused, then added the most crucial element.

"Moreover, my appointment as deputy factory director was personally arranged by Minister Gao. With such a big incident, it's impossible for you to ignore it."

The logical chain is now completely closed.

"So, you set up this whole thing, waiting for us to come and rescue you?"

When Gao Liang asked this question, his tone was no longer accusatory, but rather carried a complex sense of emotion.

"It's not about saving."

Xu Lin corrected him, his expression more serious than ever before.

"It's cooperation."

"I have the technology and the solutions, but I lack the authority and resources to implement them. The two leaders have the authority and resources, but they need concrete solutions that can produce results and solve problems, as well as executors."

"We are simply taking what we need."

Gao Liang was completely speechless.

This kid... made it all too clear.

He understood so well that he didn't know whether to praise him for his honesty or scold him for being cunning.

Fang Mingyuan, however, greatly appreciated this clear line of thinking, and he nodded emphatically.

"Comrade Xu Lin, your assessment is very accurate."

"There's no other way. When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head." Xu Lin shrugged, a hint of self-deprecation in his voice. "If I had power and influence, why would I need to go through all this trouble?"

"Don't you already have it now?"

Fang Mingyuan laughed heartily.

"With me and Lao Gao backing you up, would Yang Anguo dare to lay a finger on you?"

Xu Lin shook his head, adopting a very humble posture.

"Director Yang's problem is an organizational one, and it's up to the two leaders to decide. I'm just a young technical person, so I can't say much."

That was a perfectly watertight statement.

They both stated their position and smoothly returned the ball to its owner.

Gao Liang looked at Xu Lin, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

This kid is so young, yet he's so good at talking and doing things. What will he be like in the future?

But at the same time, a strong sense of relief welled up from the bottom of my heart.

Such talent, possessing both extraordinary abilities and decisive methods, is exactly what this country, in dire need of rebuilding, needs most.

"Alright," Gao Liang waved his hand, "We know what's going on with Yang Anguo. Now let's get down to business."

Xu Lin sat up straight and listened attentively.

"How exactly will you implement your biogas project?" Gao Liang asked.

"That's a long story..."

Xu Lin began to explain in detail the technical details and implementation plan of the biogas project.

In the office, the three people became more and more engrossed in their conversation.

The sunlight outside the window gradually slanted westward, casting long shadows on the floor.

Meanwhile, in another office, Yang Anguo was still indulging in his daydreams.

He didn't know that his fate was a trivial matter in this small office.

As time went on, Xu Lin became increasingly detailed in his explanation.

From the selection of the biogas digester site to the ratio of fermentation raw materials and the calculation of gas production efficiency, every step is explained clearly.

Gao Liang and Fang Mingyuan listened attentively, and occasionally asked a few questions.

"You said that the biogas digester's gas production efficiency will decrease in winter?" Fang Mingyuan asked.

"Yes." Xu Lin nodded. "The ideal fermentation temperature is 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. In winter, when the temperature is low, the amount of gas produced will be greatly reduced."

"What should we do then?"

"In the absence of gas storage facilities, there are two options," Xu Lin said, holding up two fingers. "First, insulate the biogas digester by wrapping it with materials like straw or slag. Second, similar to centralized heating, use the factory's waste heat to heat the biogas digester."

"Waste heat?" Gao Liang's eyes lit up. "You mean the waste heat from the blast furnace can be used like this?"

"Yes." Xu Lin smiled. "I can design a pipeline system to guide the waste heat from the blast furnace to the area around the biogas digester, just like centralized heating. This will ensure gas production in winter while saving energy."

Fang Mingyuan slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Great idea! This way, the biogas project and the heating project can be combined to form a complete cycle system."

"That's right," Xu Lin said. "Moreover, the residue left after biogas digester fermentation can be used as organic fertilizer to support the surrounding communities. In this way, the industrial, energy, and agricultural sectors can all benefit."

Gao Liang nodded repeatedly as he listened.

This kid's brain is really sharp.

He turned a simple waste disposal problem into a comprehensive systems engineering project.

"However," Xu Lin changed the subject, "this project has a prerequisite."

"What are the conditions?"

"We need the factory's full cooperation," Xu Lin said bluntly. "The construction of the biogas digester requires manpower and resources, and the laying of the pipeline system requires technical support. All of these are inseparable from the factory's resources."

Gao Liang understood.

Xu Lin was implying that if Yang Anguo didn't cooperate, the project wouldn't be able to proceed.

"Don't worry," Gao Liang said, "I'll handle things at the factory."

"That's good." Xu Lin breathed a sigh of relief. "Actually, I have another idea."

"explain."

"If the biogas project is successful in the steel rolling mill pilot, it can be extended to other factories, then to streets, and finally to rural areas," Xu Lin said. "Rural areas produce more manure and straw, so the biogas digesters will be more efficient. Moreover, with biogas, farmers won't need to cut firewood for cooking, which is also beneficial to environmental protection."

Fang Mingyuan's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

He works in local government and knows the realities at the grassroots level best.

Rural energy issues have always been a major problem. If biogas projects could be widely implemented, it would be a tremendous boon. He had wanted to bring this up for a while, but had always had reservations. Hearing Xu Lin take the initiative to speak, Fang Mingyuan picked up the conversation.

"Comrade Xu Lin," Fang Mingyuan said earnestly, "your idea is excellent, but it won't be easy to promote. Rural conditions are poor, and farmers have low levels of education; it will take time to get them to accept new things."

"I know," Xu Lin said. "That's why I suggest we first pilot the program in urban factories to accumulate experience and talent, and then gradually expand it to rural areas. This will not only solve the employment problem but also alleviate the economic pressure on rural areas."

"Yes, that's the right approach," Gao Liang agreed. "Start with the easy stuff and move on to the difficult stuff, take it one step at a time."

The three of them chatted for a while longer and finalized the details of the biogas project.

Gao Liang glanced at his watch; it was almost noon.

"Alright," he stood up, "that's enough for today. Comrade Xu Lin, please write down the detailed plan for the biogas project. I'll have my secretary give you an address later. Once the plan is finished, just bring it to me..."

"Okay," Xu Lin readily agreed.

Fang Mingyuan also stood up, patted Xu Lin on the shoulder, and said, "Comrade Xu, do a good job. We'll put this biogas digester aside for now. Your minister has transferred you to our Dongcheng District Urban Construction Department, specifically to be in charge of the upcoming centralized heating project. But it's not just near the steel mill; you'll be responsible for the implementation of centralized heating throughout the entire city. How about it, Comrade Xu, are you confident...?"

Gao Liang, standing nearby, immediately added, "Temporarily, just temporarily!"

Xu Lin didn't answer immediately after hearing this. Only after seeing Gao Liang nod did he salute Fang Mingyuan and promise, "No problem, District Chief Fang, I guarantee I'll complete the mission!" Fang Mingyuan nodded with great satisfaction.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two leaders left. Xu Lin saw them off at the door. After watching Gao Liang and Fang Mingyuan leave, Xu Lin returned to his desk, picked up his pen, and began writing the proposal.

He had already thought through the technical details of the biogas project; now he was simply putting them into writing. The pen scratched across the paper, and neat lines of handwriting appeared.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a bright glow on the table. Xu Lin was writing intently, completely absorbed in his own world.

Meanwhile, in Yang Anguo's office, the atmosphere was heavy. After all, the person who wronged you knows best how wronged you are. This worry had been tormenting Yang Anguo until Xu Lin's transfer notice was placed on his desk. Only then did he realize that he had lost, and lost utterly...