The entire courtyard is full of villains

"I don't deny it."

Can you tell me why?

“My father-in-law was a gambler when he was young, and he gambled away everything in the family, almost losing our house. I stopped him. But before the new year, he started gambling again. I was a bit harsh, but it was to get him to quit gambling!”

Secretary Su nodded: "Comrade Zhang Erhe, your starting point was good, but your behavior was indeed excessive."

"I don't care. Say whatever you want. Like Director Yang said, you can fire me too. Just remember to send the dismissal notice to my house when the time comes."

After saying that, Zhang Erhe waved his hand and walked away without looking back.

"Secretary Su, look at his attitude!" Yang Liming's anger flared up again. "Is this the attitude of admitting wrongdoing? I suggest we first remove him from his position as deputy workshop director, and then report to the Ministry of Metallurgy for his dismissal!"

“I don’t think it’s necessary,” Li Huaide, who had been silent, finally spoke up. “This is a private matter after all. If he were an ordinary worker, it would just be a talk and some education; since he is a cadre, it’s understandable that Director Yang would feel it had a bad influence and remove him from his position as deputy director. But to fire him directly is going too far.”

He turned to Secretary Su and said sincerely, "We always believe in learning from past mistakes to avoid future ones and curing the disease to save the patient. We can't condemn someone outright. If we really fire Zhang Erhe, what will happen to his family's livelihood? We have to consider all of these things."

Secretary Su nodded slowly: "Huai De is right. Director Yang, if you really think Zhang Erhe's behavior is affecting the factory's reputation, you can apply to remove him from his position as deputy director and send him to work in the workshop. There's no need to report it to the Ministry of Metallurgy."

Yang Liming looked at Secretary Su and Li Huaide, and his heart sank—when did these two stand on the side?

"Alright, comrades." Secretary Su looked around the room. "Now we will vote on the proposal to remove Comrade Zhang Erhe from his position as deputy workshop director. Those who agree, please raise your hands."

Yang Liming was the first to raise his hand. The production manager, the factory office director, and the union chairman followed suit, and several other workshop directors also raised their hands one after another.

"Those who disagree with removing Comrade Zhang Erhe from his position as deputy workshop director, please raise your hands."

As soon as Secretary Su finished speaking, Wu Liqun raised his arm high. However, when he looked around, his heart turned cold—in the entire conference room, only his lone hand was raised. He hadn't expected that even Old Huang from the maintenance department, whom he usually got along well with, was now standing motionless with his eyes lowered.

"Alright, the voting results are clear." Secretary Su's voice was calm and even. "It's officially passed. Comrade Zhang Erhe is relieved of his post as deputy workshop director. Director of the factory office, please draft the document after the meeting and submit it to the propaganda department's broadcasting station for announcement."

He paused, then looked around the room: "If there's nothing else, then..."

"Wait a minute." Li Huaide stood up. "Secretary, I also have something to discuss at the meeting."

“Huai De, you speak.”

“That’s how it is,” Li Huaide said to everyone, “Before the New Year, there was a shortage of supplies. Until two or three days before the holiday, our factory still had a large shortage of New Year’s goods. At that critical moment, a comrade in our factory stepped forward and helped the factory get enough supplies, which solved the immediate problem.”

Upon hearing this, Yang Liming's heart sank, and an ominous premonition instantly gripped him.

Before he could react, Li Huaide continued, "This comrade is Zhang Erhe. I believe that given the abilities and resources Comrade Zhang Erhe has demonstrated, sending him down to the workshop would be a waste of his talents. Secretary Su, I formally propose that Comrade Zhang Erhe be transferred to the Procurement Section of the Logistics Department to serve as the deputy head of the Procurement Section. I believe that under his leadership, we will definitely be able to reverse the current passive situation in procurement work!"

"I disagree!" Before Li Huaide could finish speaking, Yang Liming stood up abruptly, his face flushed red. He felt his face burning—Li Huaide had just dismissed Zhang Erhe from his post, and now he was immediately giving him a more lucrative position. This blatant slap in the face was just too obvious!

"Director Yang," Li Huaide said calmly, "personnel appointments are not something you and I can decide on our own, and we can't have a one-man show. Let's follow the rules and vote by show of hands. Secretary Su, what do you think?"

Secretary Su nodded: "Okay. Those who agree to appoint Comrade Zhang Erhe as the deputy head of the procurement section, please raise your hands."

Chapter 107: Fired

"Those who agree with Zhang Erhe serving as the deputy head of the procurement section, please raise your hands."

As soon as Secretary Su finished speaking, Li Huaide was the first to raise his hand steadily. Immediately afterward, Wu Liqun, grinning widely, followed suit—this was truly a stroke of good luck! Zhang Erhe had just been dismissed as deputy workshop director, but now he was promoted to deputy head of the purchasing department; even a fool could see which position held more power.

Following Li Huaide's lead, the heads of logistics, personnel, and finance departments raised their hands one after another. Secretary Su hesitated for a moment, then slowly raised his arm as well. The head of security followed suit. Old Huang from the maintenance department hesitated for a moment, but finally, meeting Wu Liqun's burning gaze, gritted his teeth and raised his hand. The remaining few "fence-sitters" also raised their hands in succession.

"Very good." Secretary Su looked around. "Then, those who disagree, please raise your hands."

Yang Liming was the first to raise his hand fiercely, followed closely by the production director. However, after he raised his hand, an awkward silence fell over the room. Yang Liming's sharp gaze swept over the room; the union chairman was looking up at the ceiling, as if studying some pattern, while Director Zhao of the factory office was hunched over his desk, writing furiously, as if trying to record everything!

"Two old foxes..." Yang Liming cursed inwardly.

“In that case, Director Zhao of the factory office,” Secretary Su calmly instructed, “this appointment document should also be written as a formal notification and sent to the broadcasting station. Alright, comrades, let’s adjourn today’s meeting.”

After Secretary Su finished speaking, Yang Liming was the first to rush out of the meeting room with a livid face.

"Huai De," after most of the people had left, Secretary Su stood up and called to Li Huaide, who was about to leave, "Do you have time? Come sit in my office."

"That is indeed my wish, but I dare not ask."

Inside Secretary Su's office in the office building, he looked around the room where he had spent so many years with a touch of nostalgia.

"Huai De, your move today was somewhat unwise!" Secretary Su said.

Li Huaide took out a cigarette from his pocket, but Secretary Su waved his hand and said, "I'm not smoking anymore, or my wife at home will scold me again." Seeing that the secretary wasn't smoking, Li Huaide also put the cigarette away.

“Secretary Su, it’s not that I want to go against Director Yang today, it’s just that Comrade Zhang Erhe is truly capable. If it weren’t for his efforts in turning the tide before the New Year, our factory wouldn’t have been able to procure all the necessary supplies. That was the first job I took over when I joined the factory. If I had messed it up, what do you think my father-in-law would think of me?”

Secretary Su tapped the table with his fingertips: "Since you've chosen to step forward, I have to remind you that Yang Liming is not someone to be trifled with. An old acquaintance in the ministry once told me that he's capable but too tough. The ministry put him in the steel rolling mill with the idea that after I retire, he could take on both the roles of secretary and factory director."

"Secretary Su, please rest assured. I, Li Huaide, came to the steel rolling mill with the intention of making a difference, not just to coast along. The shortage of supplies is the top priority right now. If we can't get the supplies and it affects production, who will ultimately bear the responsibility? As the deputy director in charge of logistics, my primary task is to ensure supply. For this, I will even have to go through with Director Yang."

“Alright, Huaide, I appreciate your attitude.” Secretary Su extended his hand. “I will officially retire this July. After I retire, my wife’s nephew will be transferred to our factory as deputy director. His surname is Nie. At that time, you young people should work together well.”

Li Huaide instantly understood—Secretary Su was choosing to form an alliance with him. With this relationship, even if Yang Liming gained power in the future, the alliance between the two deputy factory directors would ensure his invincibility.

"Thank you for your support, Secretary Su."

"It's alright, Huaide." Secretary Su smiled. "Actually, I also don't quite like Yang Liming's behavior."

After saying that, the two looked at each other and smiled.

boom!

A dull thud echoed from the corridor as something fell to the ground. Secretary Su and Li Huaide exchanged a glance, and Li Huaide chuckled, "Looks like the things in Old Yang's office are going to suffer."

In Yang Liming's office, his face was ashen as he slammed the enamel mug in his hand to the ground.

"A humiliating disgrace...a truly humiliating disgrace!"

As the director of the steel rolling mill, and the future party secretary and director in a sure thing, he suffered such a setback at the Standing Committee meeting today. Zhang Erhe, Li Huaide... he will never forget these two people.

What chilled him even more was Secretary Su's attitude. When he first took office, Secretary Su had clearly stated that he was in poor health and frequently needed to be hospitalized, so he would handle most of the factory's affairs. Over the past year, he had become accustomed to this arrangement. But today, Secretary Su was showing a completely different stance.

He couldn't help but worry—although the leader who had promoted him before he came to the factory had hinted that he would be given both positions in the future, the position of Party Secretary was still in Secretary Su's hands. If Secretary Su explicitly opposed it, even with the support of higher-level leaders, this matter might not be able to proceed smoothly.

He began to regret it. He shouldn't have agreed to Old Lady Long's request; in order to repay a favor, he had put himself in such a passive position.

Today's vote also shows that his base of operations in the steel rolling mill is not solid. The only true staunch supporters are the head of the production department and a few workshop directors—and that excludes Lao Huang from the maintenance department and Wu Liqun from the manufacturing workshop.

If you calculate it this way, the resources he has are indeed limited.

"It seems... we'll have to rethink our plans and proceed with caution from now on." He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. "At the very least, we need to win over those two old foxes, the union and the factory office. Only in this way can we keep Li Huaide in check after Secretary Su retires."

Thinking of this, he slowly calmed his breathing.

"I admit defeat today." He stared at the shattered teacup on the ground, his eyes growing cold. "Zhang Erhe, we'll see. As long as you're still in this steel mill, I refuse to believe I can't find something on you!"

Meanwhile, Zhang Erhe left the meeting room and, without even returning to his office, rode his bicycle straight home.

He strolled in, humming a little tune, and entered the house. Guan Xue was tidying up inside when she saw Zhang Erhe return. She paused for a moment, then asked, "Erhe, did you leave something at home? Are you back to get it?"

"I lost everything. Yang Liming said he was going to fire me, so I came back."

In an instant, tears welled up in Guan Xue's eyes: "Erhe, come on, come home with me! I'm going to find my dad and make a scene at your factory gate! Why should you be dismissed as workshop director and fired just because of our family matters?"

Seeing Guan Xue crying her eyes out, Zhang Erhe grabbed her and kissed her on the cheek: "Guan Xue, it's okay. That guy surnamed Yang can't fire me. At most, he'll just take my position as deputy workshop director."

"That won't do!" Guan Xue sobbed. "It wasn't easy for you to become this deputy director! This Yang guy is just using you and then discarding you!"

"You, Guan Xue, dare to indirectly call me a donkey?"

Guan Xue then realized what was happening and quickly waved her hand, "No, no, no, Erhe, I didn't insult you. I was saying that the guy surnamed Yang is dishonest! Your master didn't even say anything to stand up for you?"

“I told you! He even slammed his fist on the table for me and Yang Liming.” Zhang Erhe said casually. “Let’s go, we’re free today. Go call Jiaojiao back, I’ll go for a walk with you.”

"Erhe, are you sure my dad doesn't need to go?"

"No need, don't worry. Who knows... there might be something good coming."

"Good news?" Guan Xue was skeptical.

"Alright," Zhang Erhe turned and went out to find his daughter, Zhang Jiao.

"Dad, don't you have to go to work today?"

"Dad got fired. From now on, we'll have to rely on your mom—and you too."

“Don’t worry, Dad!” Zhang Jiao said earnestly. “Jiaojiao saved three yuan, which Grandma secretly gave me. I’ll give it to you later. Three yuan can buy a lot of candy. We can just eat one candy a day.”

Zhang Erhe felt a warmth in his heart, not expecting his daughter to know how to comfort people at such a young age. "That's great, you really have to give it to me later."

The father and daughter were chatting and laughing, unaware that Yang Ruihua, hiding behind the courtyard gate, had overheard their conversation clearly.

"Zhang Erhe got fired? That's great news!"

She rushed home in a hurry, shouting as soon as she entered, "Old Yan! Old Yan! I have some fantastic news—Zhang Erhe has been fired from the steel rolling mill!"

Chapter 108 They're all good neighbors

Yan Bugui was heartbroken at home, his brow furrowed with worry because he had lost all his savings during the Spring Festival. Just then, Yang Ruihua burst in, shouting before he even stood still, "Great news! Fantastic good news!"

Before Yan Bugui could even ask a question, Yang Ruihua couldn't wait to announce: "Old Yan, Zhang Erhe has been fired from the factory!"

"Really?" Yan Bugui stood up excitedly.

“How could it be false? I overheard Zhang Erhe telling his little good-for-nothing daughter at the gate that he got fired and would have to rely on Guan Xue to support the family from now on!” Yang Ruihua said, spitting as she spoke. “No matter what, Zhang Erhe wouldn’t lie to his own daughter, would he? It must be true!”

Yan Bugui was immediately filled with excitement, almost wanting to cry out to the heavens, "Heavens above! Earth below! Which deity has appeared to help me vent this anger!" His mind immediately started working: Zhang Erhe had lost his job at the steel mill, and to support his family, he might have to resort to the black market again. If he could just find the right opportunity and secretly submit a report... Hmph, Zhang Erhe, let's see how you turn things around this time!

He was completely absorbed in his revenge fantasy and didn't even hear Yang Ruihua calling him twice. Seeing that he didn't respond, Yang Ruihua didn't care about him anymore and hurriedly went out again—she had to "share" such good news with all her good friends in the courtyard.

She carried the stool to the central courtyard, where, sure enough, a group of women were sitting and chatting. Seeing her approach, they immediately surrounded her, bombarding her with questions:

"Ruihua, I heard that all your family's money was stolen? Is that true?"

"Yeah, I also heard that even your family's pickle jars were taken away?"

"It's the Lunar New Year, surely you can't even afford pickled vegetables?"

Yang Ruihua's face turned pale and then red as he was questioned, but he quickly regained his composure and waved his hand, "Hey, hey, those are all minor matters! I have some bigger news to tell you, but you mustn't spread it around."

"What news? Is it bigger than your house being robbed?" Liu Haizhong's wife's words almost hit Yang Ruihua's sore spot again.

Yang Ruihua glared at her, thinking she had more important things to do today and didn't want to argue with her. She lowered her voice and said mysteriously, "I'm telling you, Zhang Erhe from the front yard has been fired by the steel mill!"

"What?!" The group of women were indeed attracted by the news and immediately became excited.

Liu Haizhong's wife was the first to come over: "Ruihua, are you telling the truth?"

"Of course it's true!" Yang Ruihua said smugly, seeing that he had achieved his goal. "Today is a working day at the factory, right? But Zhang Erhe just came back from the factory! I overheard him telling his daughter that he was fired and that he will have to rely on Guan Xue to support the family from now on!"

"Oh dear! This...this..." Liu Haizhong's wife looked shocked. "What will happen to his family in the future?" She sounded worried, but she couldn't hide the schadenfreude in her eyes. She even leaned forward slightly, afraid of missing a single word.