Starting from 1950

"Young comrade, what's your name? What exactly do you do in the security department?" Zhou Zheng's voice came from behind, breaking the silence.

"Su Yang." Su Yang said succinctly, his pedaling rhythm unchanged, "An unofficial pest control officer for the security department, specializing in catching rats."

"Pest control officers? Killing rats?" Zhou Zheng's voice betrayed clear interest and surprise. "With what?"

"Yeah, a slingshot," Su Yang replied without further explanation.

His mind wasn't on idle chatter; he just wanted to get this soaking wet "suspected factory manager" back to the factory as quickly as possible to report back.

Zhou Zheng clearly sensed Su Yang's indifference, but he didn't care. Instead, he became more interested in the composure of this teenager and the work of the pest control worker.

His gaze swept over the somewhat desolate scenery on both sides of the road and the outlines of factories in the distance, his eyes beginning to wander, as if he were reminiscing.

The journey of more than 20 miles was completed much faster than expected thanks to Su Yang's vigorous pedaling.

When the familiar red brick wall of Limin Flour Factory came into view, it was already four or five o'clock in the afternoon.

At the factory gate, Yu Feng was chatting with two team members.

"Captain Yu!" Su Yang braked the car at the door and tapped the ground with one foot.

"Hey, Xiao Su, it's rare to see you this afternoon. What brings you here...?"

Yu Feng first made a joke at Su Yang, then looked at Zhou Zheng, who was soaked to the bone.

There was a familiar quality about the other person.

"This is Comrade Zhou Zheng. He said he's our factory's new director. His car fell into the Hun River, and I brought him back." Su Yang spoke quickly, pointing to Zhou Zheng. "Team Leader Yu, please take care of the director first. I have to hurry back; we haven't even prepared tomorrow's ammunition yet."

After saying that, without waiting for the two to react, he turned the car around, leaving Zhou Zheng behind, and sped off towards the family compound, disappearing like a gust of wind at the factory gate.

Yu Feng stood there, stunned. He looked at Zhou Zheng, then at Su Yang's departing figure, and was momentarily bewildered.

"This young comrade is quite interesting." Zhou Zheng didn't think much of it, but instead felt that the young man was decisive and efficient, which suited his temperament quite well.

"Captain Yu, please inform the factory office that Zhou Zheng has arrived. Also, if it's convenient, could I borrow your clothes to dry? These clothes are really..."

"Hey! Hey! Please come in, come in quickly!" Yu Feng suddenly realized what was happening and hurriedly ushered Zhou Zheng into the reception room. He then instructed people to search for clean, old work clothes that the security department had spared.

Although the security department is not under the factory's jurisdiction, the new factory director is clearly a former military officer. Given the flour factory's structure, he was most likely a regimental-level officer in the military.

You should know that even their section chief, Zhang Zhenguo, despite his title of security section chief, is only a deputy section chief in rank.

Most of the section chiefs at the flour mill were at the same level as Zhang Zhenguo.

As for Yu Feng, he was just a squad leader. When he saw Zhou Zheng, this big shot, he couldn't help but think of the feeling of meeting his superior in the army.

......

The news of Zhou Zheng's arrival was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples throughout the flour mill.

In particular, Liu Mancang, the head of the personnel department, practically ran to the gatehouse after receiving Yu Feng's message.

While the various departments in the factory were busy preparing to welcome the new factory director, Su Yang had already returned to the family compound.

He has always been afraid of trouble. Now that the person has been delivered, whether the factory manager is real or not is none of his business. The security department will handle it.

He spent more than ten minutes kneading 30 mud balls and then laid them out in the hallway to dry.

After washing her hands, Wu Xinxue was just getting off work.

"Su Yang!" Wu Xinxue ran over as soon as she entered the house, her face showing a hint of worry and curiosity. "I heard you brought the new factory director back? And he fell into the river? Are you alright?" She circled around Su Yang.

"I didn't fall into the river, the factory manager did," Su Yang said with a smile, briefly recounting the thrilling scene from that afternoon.

Hearing his description of Zhou Zheng's soaking wet appearance, Wu Xinxue couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh. Then she lowered her voice, a little excited, and said, "I heard that the new factory director came from the main force and is very capable! Is our factory going to change? This afternoon, everyone in the office building was talking about it, saying that the new factory director is particularly emphasizing discipline and efficiency."

"I don't know if the weather will change, but I do know you promised to cook for me tonight. Have you decided what to cook?" Su Yang chuckled.

"What do you want to eat? How about I make you some noodles?" Wu Xinxue rolled up her sleeves and began to wash her hands.

"......OK."

......

The next day, Su Yang slept until late morning before going to work at the flour factory.

No one in the factory dared to say anything about his careless attitude, at least not on the surface.

After all, everyone had seen what the rat infestation in the factory looked like before Su Yang became a pest control worker.

In just a few months, the factory is no longer teeming with rats. Many employees living in dormitories no longer have to worry about their bedding and clothes being chewed up, and workshop workers no longer have to clean up rat droppings and urine every day.

These were all brought to them by Su Yang.

Su Yang made an appearance at the security office and was preparing to start a new day of "patrol" when he was stopped by Li Yan, the guy who had been with Zhou Zheng yesterday.

"Comrade Su Yang! Director Zhou requests your presence in his office now!" Li Yan looked at Su Yang with curiosity in his eyes.

Su Yang nodded and followed Li Yan toward the factory office building.

Along the way, he could clearly sense that the atmosphere in the factory area was different from usual.

The workers walked faster, chatted less, and the roar of the machines in the workshop seemed to have a more rhythmic quality.

The office building was quiet and exuded a serious atmosphere.

The factory manager's office was on the second floor, and the door was open.

Zhou Zheng had changed into a brand new navy blue Zhongshan suit, and his hair was neatly combed, showing no trace of yesterday's disheveled state.

He was hunched over his desk, looking at a thick document, his brows slightly furrowed.

Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Su Yang. A smile immediately appeared on his serious face.

"Comrade Su Yang is here? Please come in!" Zhou Zheng stood up, walked around the desk, and warmly invited Su Yang to sit down. He even poured him a cup of hot water himself. "I really owe you a lot for yesterday! You left so quickly, I haven't had a chance to thank you properly yet."

"Factory manager, you're too kind. This is what I should do." Su Yang accepted the water glass, neither humble nor arrogant.

"It's nothing to do for you, but it's a huge favor to me." Zhou Zheng waved his hand, sat back in his chair, and looked intently at Su Yang. "Section Chief Zhang told me all about you. An unofficial pest control officer, you almost wiped out a rat infestation that had plagued the flour mill for over a decade in just a few months with a slingshot, saving the country a huge loss of grain! Amazing! Truly a young hero!"

Yesterday, he assumed Su Yang was a family member of Lihua Flour Factory and casually asked someone at the factory.

To his surprise, the information he received took him by surprise.

What kind of unerring marksman is this?

Thousands of rats were eradicated in just a few months!

One person can reduce the loss of at least 5000 catties of grain per month in flour mills!

He heard it more like gibberish.

If the factory office hadn't produced detailed data and commendation documents from higher authorities, he would have thought the flour mill staff were conspiring to cheat him.