Chapter 92

After being kept in suspense by Ye Xiaoning, Ye's father wanted to know who the other person was even more.

"Xiao Ning, you are deliberately making me anxious. Tell me who this person is."

Ye Xiaoning smiled strangely: "Dad, don't be surprised after hearing this, the person who helped me treat my illness is Li Jiandong."

"Li Jiandong? The Li Jiandong who was arguing with Huaide for the position of Director of the Political Office? Xiaoning, were you deceived by him?"

When he heard that it was Li Jiandong, Ye’s father’s first reaction was that his daughter had been cheated.

For a cadre who came from a working-class background, the only way he could access medical care in his life was to see a doctor. Such a person might not even be able to cure a cold or fever, so how could he possibly cure his daughter's terminal illness?

Moreover, Li Jiandong is now Li Huaide's competitor, and he has every reason to deceive Ye Xiaoning, because as long as he can coax Ye Xiaoning, it is equivalent to cutting off Li Huaide's backstage, so that he can smoothly become the director of the Political Affairs Department.

Ye's father was right, and all his analysis was correct. Ye Xiaoning was the child most like him. Of course, he had doubts before, but his own true feelings told him that Li Jiandong was definitely a man of real talent.

"Dad, don't you know me yet? I've also suspected what you suspected, but my body won't lie to me. Look at my condition after returning home this time. Isn't it very different from before?"

"And Dad, that Li Jiandong is really amazing. He started out as an ordinary fitter and was promoted to an eighth-level worker. He then researched solar power generation and later designed and built a hydroelectric power station. Even the normal independent steel rolling equipment research and development was developed quickly after he participated. Any of these things taken alone is a miracle, so I believe his medical skills can definitely cure me."

Father Ye frowned and pondered.

He has lived for so many years and knows very well that the more gorgeous the lies are, the more gorgeous their packaging will be. He would rather believe that Li Jiandong's achievements were all stolen from others than believe that an ordinary person can cure a terminal illness.

This kind of thinking is very normal. Unless you are a fool or a madman, you probably have the same idea as him.

But Ye's father also knew very well that his daughter's condition today was indeed much better than before. Perhaps his daughter's body was still the same as before and she had not received any effective treatment, but as long as she could be happy and have hope for the future, that was enough.

"Xiao Ning, Dad believes in you, so what you mean by telling Dad this is that you want Dad to let him go and let Wilder give way to him?"

Ye Xiaoning nodded vigorously:
"Dad, he saved your daughter's life, so it's fine if we don't help him, but it's a bit unreasonable to suppress him. As for Huaide, why don't you transfer him back to your side and promote him slowly."

Father Ye sighed:
"Silly girl, it's not as easy as you say to transfer cadres, especially since his current rank is already quite high. Each position requires coordination from multiple parties before it can be transferred. Let's not even talk about whether he can be transferred back to the Ministry of Industry. Even if he is transferred here, he still needs to see if others agree to his advancement. After all, I'm just a deputy."

Ye's father was a big leader, and Li Huaide was just a small cadre at the section level.

Ye Xiaoning thought that if he wanted to transfer Li Huaide, it would just be a matter of saying a word, but he didn't expect it to be that simple.

In fact, if it were simple, Li Huaide would not have encountered so much resistance if he wanted the position of director of the political value department of the steel rolling mill. Even Director Yang and the people behind him would not have chosen Li Jiandong to compete with him.

The reason why Director Yang promoted Li Jiandong so quickly is that it shows that these inconspicuous "small leaders" are actually quite important.

It's probably like a pawn in chess. Although it can't compensate for the chariot, horse, and cannon, it can still put some pressure on the opponent after crossing the river.

"If it really doesn't work, just tell Wilder that we haven't robbed anyone before. Anyway, this kind of thing is not always 100% successful."

After hesitating, Ye Xiaoning decided to let Li Huaide down.

After all, Li Jiandong was saving her life, and she was not an ungrateful person. How could she do such a thing as repaying kindness with enmity?

Although Father Ye valued Li Huaide, he cared more about his daughter, so after thinking about it, he nodded and said, "Okay, in this case, let's let Huaide suffer for a while."

…………

Time always goes by quickly when playing mahjong and visiting relatives, and the New Year holiday is over in the blink of an eye.

On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the steel rolling mill started operation.

Director Yang was standing on the podium giving a speech. Halfway through his speech, he suddenly announced that the factory would be adding an additional deputy director this year. This news immediately caused a lot of discussion.

Team members like Li Jiandong had known about this for a long time, but the workers, including many workshop directors, were unaware of it.

For a moment, everyone was whispering to each other, asking who would be the next deputy factory director?

"Old Li, it looks like the deputy director is really coming, and you, the director of the political value department, will also be taking office soon."

He Daqing is now the canteen director and is under the supervision of Li Jiandong, the logistics director. He also stands next to Li Jiandong when the general meeting is held.

Because of the previous incident of the deaf old lady framing him, Li Jiandong told them that he and Li Huaide were competing for the director of the political department, and also mentioned that the factory wanted to add a deputy director. So He Daqing was one of the few people besides the team members who was not surprised to hear the news.

"It's not certain yet. Some were taken down during the public notice period, not to mention that voting hasn't started yet."

It would be a lie for Li Jiandong to say that he was not nervous at all, but he was not particularly nervous either. In fact, he was not obsessed with becoming an official. It was just that Director Yang had taken a fancy to him, and He Daqing and others were also looking forward to him. If he did not take the position of director of the Political Value Department, he would inevitably disappoint those who supported him.

Li Jiandong is a responsible person. Since Director Yang and everyone around him want him to succeed, he certainly doesn't want to let him down.

After the general meeting, the next step is the departmental meeting between the various departments.

As the director of the logistics department, Li Jiandong gathered all the canteen, purchasing, and department leaders and held a brief meeting with them in the lobby of the guesthouse. As soon as he walked out of the meeting, he saw Secretary Cui waiting for him outside the door.

"Secretary Cui, are you looking for me?"

Li Jiandong stepped forward and asked.

Secretary Cui saw that he had finished the meeting, so he quickly stepped forward and said, "Director Li, Director Yang asked you to go to his office."

"Okay, let's go together?"

Li Jiandong gestured with his hand, and he and Secretary Cui walked side by side towards the office building.

When passing by the first floor, a clerk from Li Jiandong's own department waved his hand: "Xiao Wu, help me take this back and put it in the drawer of the desk."

"Okay, Director Li."

Xiao Wu took the things and walked towards the logistics office.

Li Jiandong and Secretary Cui continued to go to the second floor.

Director Yang was talking to someone in the office. Secretary Cui pushed open the door, announced something, and let Li Jiandong in directly.

In the room were Director Yang, Deputy Director Zhou, and Director Dai.

The fact that Director Dai is here means that there is no change in the candidate for deputy factory director this time. Director Dai will definitely be elected. This is something everyone knows. Unless there is a particularly serious change, the deputy factory director will be promoted from the director of the political duty department.

"Director Yang, Director Zhou, Director Dai."

After Li Jiandong entered the room, he greeted the three leaders one after another.

Director Yang called out, "Jiandong, come and sit down. How are your preparations going? Have you forgotten your work during the New Year holidays?"

Everyone present was our own people, including Deputy Director Zhou. Although Deputy Director Zhou and Director Yang were not subordinates of the same senior leader, he and Director Yang had a good personal relationship, as both of them had worked in the steel rolling mill for half their lives.

Moreover, Deputy Director Zhou is old and will have to step down or retire soon. At this time, he just wants to live a stable life. Taking sides is just asking for trouble for him.

Seeing that Director Yang did not mince words, Li Jiandong told the truth: "The preparations are OK, there should be no problem."

Director Yang laughed when he heard this.

Director Dai next to him also said: "I said Jiandong is reliable. To be honest, if Jiandong was not so inexperienced, I would have given him the position of deputy director. Talents like Jiandong are more likely to perform better when they have greater responsibilities."

Director Dai is just talking. Which cadre doesn't want to make progress?
Moreover, his reaching this position no longer represents just himself. His progress is actually the result of bargaining among the leaders above. How could he just say he doesn't want to do it anymore?

The older Deputy Director Zhou also smiled and nodded, and said to Director Yang:
"Since Jiandong is ready, why don't we hold a team meeting tomorrow to vote, so as not to delay it any further."

Director Yang also thought so. Everyone knew that Li Huaide had a powerful background. While everything was going well, selecting the director of the Political Affairs Office as soon as possible could avoid a lot of trouble.

"Okay, then we will call a team meeting after we get to work tomorrow morning. I'll have Xiao Cui send out the meeting notice later."

Deputy Director Zhou and Director Dai both nodded. If Li Jiandong was elected as the director of the Political Affairs Office, then unless there were any major changes, the steel mill would still be under their control. After Li Jiandong returned, Director Yang asked Secretary Cui to write a meeting notice and decided to hold a meeting of all members of the steel mill team at 8:15 the next morning.

Li Huaide's face did not look very good after receiving this notice.

Because he hasn't received a reply from Ye Xiaoning's father yet, he has no confidence to convene a team meeting now. Could it be that Ye's father failed in this game?

"Damn, what a waste. I should have known better than to transfer here."

Li Huaide was furious.

At that time, I just felt that the competition in the Ministry of Industry was too fierce and it was not easy to make progress. I didn’t expect that a small steel rolling mill would be so difficult. It’s already so difficult for me at the section level now. How can I work hard to move up to the department and ministry in the future?

The most important thing is that this position of deputy factory director was originally fought for him, because the independent research and development was successful too quickly, and if his achievements were not enough, he would be able to be the director of the political value department.

As a result, now I can’t even get the position of Director of the Political Affairs Office. Isn’t this just working for someone else in vain?

"No, I have to go back and ask clearly."

Li Huaide didn't go to class and rode his bike straight back home.

Ye Xiaoning has to take medicine once in the morning and once in the afternoon every day. Li Jiandong had previously advised her not to boil the medicine at home. She listened to Li Jiandong and went outside to boil the medicine every day and then went home after drinking it. However, today, when she walked to her door, she saw that it was open.

Li Huaide stood in the yard waiting for her, and asked with an unpleasant expression: "Where have you been?"

Ye Xiaoning was caught in the act and said awkwardly: "I went out for a walk. I feel much better recently. I was bored at home and wanted to go out for a walk."

Li Huaide did not doubt that she was going to find Li Jiandong. After all, Ye Xiaoning always listened to him. He was already angry last time, and there was no way she would not listen to his stern warning not to find Li Jiandong.

So he said in a slightly better tone: "Don't go out again in the future. You are weak. What if you faint outside?"

"I see. Why did you come back so early today?"

Ye Xiaoning turned around and asked as he closed the door.

Li Huaide sighed and asked instead of answering: "Has your father contacted you recently? How is he handling my matter? There will be a team meeting tomorrow. If I can't handle it, my position as the director of the Political Affairs Office will be in vain."

Ye Xiaoning felt a little guilty.

He stammered, "There's nothing we can do about it. There are four leaders in the department, and my dad is just one of them, and he's the deputy. Li Jiandong is also very famous among the leaders, so it's not that easy to get rid of him."

"Then what should I do? Just let it go?"

Li Huaide said unconvinced.

He was the son-in-law of a big boss, but it was so hard for him to be the director of the political department of a small steel mill? Who would believe him if he told others about it?

The night passed.

The next day, Li Jiandong dressed neatly and went to the steel rolling mill early in the morning.

In the large conference room, most members of the leadership team have arrived.

Director Wang of the Production Department, Director Sun of the Finance Department, Engineer Qi of the Engineering Technology Department, Director Jiang of the Safety Department, Director Wang of the Equipment Department, as well as Cao Dazhuang of the Raw Materials Procurement Department, Ma Qiang of the Transportation Team, and Hu Haodang of the Security Department.

As well as the Railway Transport Team, Discipline Department, Women's Office, Construction Office and Trade Union.

Together with Li Jiandong from the Logistics Department and Li Huaide from the Propaganda Department, the heads of 16 departments were all present, except Director Dai who was about to announce the appointment of deputy factory director today.

"Old Li, congratulations in advance."

Hu Haodang sat opposite Li Jiandong. He was mentioned at the last team meeting, so both of them sat relatively far back.

However, after today, Li Jiandong's ranking will rise sharply, and he will sit in the position closest to the factory director and the deputy factory director. After all, there is still a difference between the director of the political value department and other directors.

"I hope so."

Li Jiandong said in a calm voice.

Until the last moment, anything can happen. Li Jiandong has seen too many people being slapped in the face, and he doesn't want to be the one to be slapped in the face.

The door of the conference room was opened again. Secretary Cui walked in first. He stood by the door holding the door handle. Soon, Director Yang, Deputy Director Zhou, and Director Dai walked into the conference room one after another.

"stand up."

Everyone stood up and waited for Director Yang, Deputy Director Zhou, and Director Dai to sit down on the podium. Director Yang said, "Sit down."

Then he continued, "Today we are holding this team meeting for two things. The first thing is that from today on, Director Dai of our Political Affairs Department has been promoted to Deputy Director Dai. Everyone welcomes him."

Amidst applause, Deputy Director Dai stood up and bowed.

"Thank you, everyone. We are old acquaintances. Although I have changed my position, I still serve our steel mill and the cadres and workers in the factory. I hope you can continue to support my work. Thank you."

After Deputy Director Dai finished speaking, he sat down. Everyone applauded again. Director Yang continued:
"Now that we have two deputy factory directors, Deputy Factory Director Zhou can unload some of his burden. From now on, Old Dai will be in charge of the Engineering Technology Department, Safety Department, Equipment Department, Logistics Department, Discipline Department, and Labor Union. The rest will continue to report to Deputy Factory Director Zhou and me."

"Let's move on to the second topic. Old Dai is now the deputy director. Who should take over the position of director of the political value department? This is also the main purpose of holding this team meeting today. Everyone is the backbone of the steel mill. If you have any opinions, please stand up and speak."

After Director Yang finished speaking, he looked at everyone present.

Although everyone already knows the result, the necessary procedures still need to be followed.

Director Wang raised his hand and said:
"I think Li Jiandong is more suitable for this position. He is young and energetic, and his abilities are outstanding. He has a strong ideology and quality, and has won many honors for our factory."

Engineer Qi from the Engineering Technology Department also said: "I personally agree that Li Jiandong should be the director of the duty office. His ability is obvious to all. I support him."

Xu Kai from the Discipline Department also raised his hand:
"I recommend Li Huaide to take over the Political Affairs Office. This department is quite special. It does not require high work ability but extremely high ideological level. Li Huaide came from a higher-level department and should be the most suitable person in terms of ideological issues."

The other two department heads also raised their hands:
"I also agree that Li Huaide should serve as the director of the Political Affairs Office."

"I also recommend Li Huaide."

The team members expressed their opinions and generally voted between Li Jiandong and Li Huaide.

When Director Yang saw that the discussion had almost ended, he announced that everyone should vote by raising their hands. Including the three directors and the deputy directors, 12 people voted for Li Jiandong, and only 7 voted for Li Huaide.

The results are obvious.

Director Yang announced publicly that Li Jiandong would take over the position of director of the Political Duty Office, while Li Huaide remained in his position.

"I hereby announce that from now on, Li Jiandong will serve as the director of the Political Affairs Office and will be relieved of his original position as the director of logistics. After the meeting, the Propaganda Department will issue a notice to the whole audience. Jiandong, please say a few words to everyone."

Li Jiandong stood up and everyone else looked at him.

There was a hint of unwillingness in Li Huaide's eyes, but at this point he had indeed lost.

"Thank you, leaders, colleagues, and everyone for trusting me and entrusting me with such an important responsibility. I would like to express my position to the leaders and everyone here. I will work hard in the future and work with everyone to do my best for our steel mill."

Applause broke out in the conference room. After the applause died down, Director Yang said, "Today's meeting is over. Everyone should go back and get back to work. After get off work tonight, let's go to the guesthouse for a drink and congratulate Deputy Director He Li on his promotion."

"Let's adjourn."

After Director Yang finished speaking, he stood up first, and then the three directors left, while the rest came forward to congratulate Li Jiandong.

Although the director of the political office and the director of logistics are both at the section level, the power of the two directors is very different. Now Li Jiandong is the fourth in command of the steel rolling mill. Apart from the three factory directors, he is the one with the most power.

The news spread throughout the steel mill through the loudspeakers, and the workers were all excited.

(End of this chapter)