MMB Chapter 1542 A Piece of Heart
Chapter 1542 A Piece of Heart
Chapter 1542 A Heartfelt Wishes
"These flowers are blooming so beautifully."
Li Xuewu walked into the flower hall and looked at the spring scenery all around, and couldn't help but exclaim, "Spring is nothing more than this."
"With water and warmth provided, it naturally blooms beautifully and vibrantly."
Yu Li, who came in with him, said in a resentful tone, "Without these, even a person would wither away."
"Hehe—" It was too straightforward; Li Xuewu had already discerned the implied meaning in those words.
He glanced back at Manager Yu, took off his coat, and asked, "Isn't it too quiet?"
"You know how cold it is."
Yu Li naturally took his coat and said calmly, "Besides, that's the general situation."
Everyone's learned the term "macro-environment" now; it seems everyone's making progress as time goes by.
"The members don't come often anymore, are you having any financial difficulties?" Li Xuewu sat by the window, leaning against the radiator, which made him feel even hotter, although the flower hall was quite humid.
This flower hall is the eye and core of the entire courtyard. From here, you can see the three main gates and get a direct view of the three-story guesthouse located at the very back.
This place nurtures all the greenery in the courtyard. Every winter, outdoor plants are moved in to be cared for until the weather warms up the following year.
When Li Xuewu first came to this compound, it wasn't this active. Ding Wanqiu lived in the front yard and almost turned it into a wild plant garden.
Now that Yu Li is serving and managing things, the family has regained the grandeur and poise of its former wealthy status.
"Have this, it tastes even better."
Yu Li took out a tin box of tea from the locked cabinet and handed it to him. When he looked over, she pouted and said, "The door is often left unlocked here. With people coming and going, what can you possibly taste?"
"I thought you left this specifically for me."
Li Xuewu smiled and took the tea leaves, replacing the ones he had just put in the teacup with the ones he had just put in it, saying, "Let me know if you have any difficulties."
"What difficulties could there be? In the past two years, there has been a shortage of funds and activities. Those with money can contribute money, and those with strength can contribute strength."
Yu Li picked up a spray bottle, filled it with cool water from the tap, tested the water temperature with her hand, and then began watering the flowers.
Li Xuewu is quite skilled at brewing tea; the thermos contains freshly boiled water from the morning, just the right amount for brewing tea.
There was no good water in the city of Beijing; the few sweet water wells were all located in the courtyards of former princes and nobles.
Of course, those courtyards aren't for ordinary people to live in now. Have you ever heard of a place with over a hundred rooms and six people living there? Of course you haven't.
The courtyard where the Dongfeng Club is located also has more than a hundred rooms, but it is a non-profit public structure.
If it weren't for the plaque Li Xuewu brought back from the Sports Commission, and the training institution plaques hung by several powerful departments, this place would have changed hands too.
Here we call it a change, but people call it coordination.
"The funds we kept are enough to pay salaries, but we haven't recruited any new employees in a long time."
As Yu Li watered the flowers, she explained, "The people working in the facility are all former elderly people."
"Oh, right, some left too."
Seemingly feeling that her previous statement was unclear, she added another sentence, which made Li Xuewu shake his head with a wry smile.
"Those who want to leave need not be kept; those who stay will not leave."
Li Xuewu brewed two cups of tea, one for her and one for himself. The warm aroma of the tea wafted through the air, contrasting beautifully with the vibrant flowers and plants in the room, creating a lively and spring-like atmosphere.
"If there is insufficient funding, we can coordinate with Guodong to transfer the funds under the guise of a loan."
He picked up the teacup and took a sip. The aroma of the tea filled the air, leaving a lingering fragrance in his mouth. It was indeed a fine tea.
Yu Li poured a watering can, turned around and asked him, "Is there any point in keeping this club going?"
"Huh? Why do you say that?"
Li Xuewu put down his teacup, glanced at her with surprise, and asked, "Is there something you're worried about?"
“I just feel…” She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Li Xuewu and said, “It’s lost its former vitality, as if people’s hearts have scattered.”
"When the roots are gone, people's hearts will scatter."
Li Xuewu glanced out the window without paying much attention. Because of the high indoor temperature and humidity, the windowpane was covered with condensation, making the view outside appear hazy.
Without the glass film of later generations, it has a natural sense of haziness; at this moment, one should really write a poem.
It's a pity he didn't have that talent.
"The more extraordinary the times, the more we need something to look forward to. For those who are scattered all over the country, this place may be their home."
He lowered his head, touched the tea with his finger, and swirled it around the teacup; the tea was warm and smooth as jade.
"Perhaps, you do have ideals."
Yu Li filled the kettle with water again and continued watering her flowers. Her heart was withering, and she couldn't bear to see these flowers and plants wither. People are always more sentimental than flowers and plants.
Time is immersed in the tea, the fragrance of flowers, and the cool water that nourishes life.
In the time it takes to brew a pot of tea, the club's flower hall gradually became lively. Shen Guodong and Pei Pei arrived together in the same car, chatting and laughing in perfect harmony.
Ou Xin, upon hearing the news, rushed over from the backyard, her eyes filled with joy and heartfelt gratitude.
Li Xuewu made her a cup of tea, but instead of thanking him, she replied, "Brother, I've missed you so much."
Zuo Jie brought two bags of various kinds of fruit, which were obviously bought from the Honggang Group service department.
At this time of year, where can you find a fruit market with such a wide variety of fruits, or even a service center?
With Wu Shuping's guidance, Zuo Jie grew rapidly, taking charge of personnel work at Dongfeng Sany Construction Cooperative and also working at United Construction Corporation.
Wu Shuping had a high opinion of his work ability and believed that he had potential for development, especially in terms of comprehensive abilities.
What is comprehensive ability?
This term is less frequently heard in later generations, but it was considered an important indicator of talent in the 1980s and 90s.
In fact, starting in the 1970s, the nature of social work appointments began to change, transitioning from a need for single-skilled personnel to a need for multi-skilled personnel.
This change is not one-sided, but a cyclical process, just like fashion trends, which always come full circle.
Why do we rarely hear the term "comprehensive ability" in later generations? Because society no longer needs it; everywhere we look are all-rounders, trained over decades.
Think about it, what does it mean to be all-around?
That's right, it's not absolute, but being an all-rounder largely means being good at a few things but not good at any one.
Some people complain that college graduates have no jobs, while others mock graduate students for delivering food.
This is just the surface; it doesn't reveal the underlying cause.
Have these unemployed college graduates and graduate students eager to capitalize on their youth truly acquired the ability to monetize their knowledge from their studies?
Is it possible for them to earn money as soon as they graduate from school, enough to support their lives?
In the 1990s, college students looked down on car mechanics; thirty years later, car mechanics look down on college students.
In the 1990s, college graduates didn't have to worry about finding jobs; they could easily earn two or three hundred yuan a month.
The hard work of repairing cars only earns a few dozen yuan.
Time is the best at playing tricks on those who follow the crowd. Thirty years from now, car mechanics will generally earn 10,000 to 20,000 yuan a month, while college graduates will be stuck with a monthly salary of 2,000 yuan and still have to work overtime.
Any surplus of resources will produce a cheap effect. Where should young people like Zuo Jie look?
The factory trained a large number of workers, but the industrial and economic development lagged behind, lacking a leader.
Therefore, cultivating talents with comprehensive abilities is a necessary condition for ushering in a new era.
These days, it's incredibly difficult to find a student on a university campus who can boast, make a ruckus, and act silly.
Who would have thought that in later generations, universities would be full of monkeys?
Of course, there are monkeys these days, but not on school campuses, but in the alleyways.
"I knew it would snow today."
Shen Guodong saw that Yu Li's flowers were beautiful and reached out to pick one, but before he could even touch it, he was slapped.
"If you dare to pull my flowers again, I'll break three of your legs!" Yu Li's words were really harsh. Nobody has three legs, really.
"I'm just taking a look, that's all."
Shen Guodong, cracking sunflower seeds in his mouth, straightened up with a smile and gestured, "Please sit down."
"Try it if you don't believe me." Yu Li shook her chin, glared at him, and sat back down in her chair.
"The flowers he gave Sister Yan'er last time were probably from you—" Pei Pei laughed heartily, glanced at Shen Guodong, and said, "I told you, he's learned to be romantic in the dead of winter. Where did he find the flowers?"
"If I hadn't seen it after get off work, I still wouldn't have been able to find out who did it."
At this point, Yu Li glared at Shen Guodong, who still had ulterior motives, and reminded him, "If Xiaoyan likes them, take two pots home. Don't waste them. Don't you feel bad looking at those cut surfaces?"
"I told you to read less books."
Shen Guodong muttered as he walked back to his chair and said, "Only Lin Daiyu would do this."
"You've read Dream of the Red Chamber? That's great!"
Li Xuewu smiled and praised, "Don't try to imitate the Korean joke. The other day he quoted Lin Daiyu uprooting the willow tree and Wang Xifeng's blood staining the Mandarin Duck Tower."
"Pfft—" Ou Xin couldn't help but let the tea she had just drunk spurt out of her nostrils.
"There's this episode in *Dream of the Red Chamber*?" Shen Guodong turned to look at him and asked, "How come I haven't seen it?"
"Cough cough—" This time it was Pei Pei. She dodged Li Xuewu's punch just now, but she didn't expect there must be a phoenix chick near the sleeping dragon. She couldn't dodge Shen Guodong's kick.
The two girls choked on their tea, their faces turning red, but they still couldn't hide their smiles, even though their chests ached from holding it in.
“That’s because you didn’t read it correctly.” Yu Li glared at Shen Guodong and said, “I’ve also read Jia Baoyu’s ‘Wind and Snow Mountain Temple’.”
"Don't try to fool me. I haven't read Water Margin, but I've heard the storytelling." Shen Guodong emphasized to himself, "Only Lin Chong is mentioned in the story of the Mountain God Temple in the Snowstorm."
"You only listened to Lin Chong this time, but not Lin Daiyu, right?"
Yu Li stood up, grabbed a thermos, and refilled the teapot, teasing him as she asked, "Where's Wang Xifeng?"
“I’m not going to listen to Dream of the Red Chamber.” Shen Guodong shook his head honestly and said, “Second Master said that apart from Granny Liu, there is not a single good person in the whole Dream of the Red Chamber. They are all heartless, arrogant, extravagant, and thieving people.”
He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Actually, there's nothing much to see in Water Margin. It was already criticized by the Communist Party a long time ago. It's just a bunch of rabble."
"So what do you like? Journey to the West?"
Pei Pei wiped his nose, smiled, and asked him, "You look more like Sun Wukong to me."
"Thanks, I've been thinking about it."
Shen Guodong sighed and turned to look at her, saying, "When watching Journey to the West, everyone thinks they are the Monkey King Sun Wukong, but in reality, they are just a little monster waving flags and shouting in eight hundred caves, just trying to make a living."
"Wow! I didn't realize that—"
Zhou Yamei came in from outside the door and, upon hearing his words, raised her eyebrows in praise: "Our Manager Shen has such experience and vision."
"Hey, Sister Zhou, you didn't go back to Steel City?"
Upon seeing her arrive, Shen Guodong and the others stood up to greet her, as it had been a long time since they had seen each other.
Aside from Li Xuewu, he made Zhou Yamei a cup of tea, since he was sitting in the main seat.
Yu Li was the host, so there was no reason for her not to get up and greet them, especially since the two of them had a lot of overlap in their work and worked together quite well.
"Look at what you're saying. With Second Brother here, why would Sister Zhou need to go back to Steel City to report on her work?"
Pei Pei glanced at Shen Guodong and teased him with a smile, which prompted Zhou Yamei to pinch her cheek.
"You look so smug. Do you have a boyfriend now?"
Having seen it all, Zhou Yamei could tell at a glance that Pei Pei's face had changed, unlike Ou Xin's.
Everyone in this room knows that Ou Xin longs for the man in the main seat, and she would never be willing to degrade herself.
Pei Pei is different. She had someone she liked before she came to the club, and now it seems that their relationship has blossomed.
After hearing Zhou Yamei's words, Pei Pei regretted offending someone he shouldn't have, and was almost begging for mercy.
"Hot tea, freshly brewed, please have a cup."
Li Xuewu couldn't bear to see the girls in trouble, so he took the initiative to block a blow for her, which earned him a glare from Zhou Yamei.
"You'll have to prove yourself!"
She muttered to herself as she picked up her teacup from the tea table, turned around and went back to her seat, no longer trying to provoke Pei Pei.
Ou Xin nudged Pei Pei with her shoulder, covering her mouth and chuckling, clearly knowing something.
"Is everyone here?" Li Xuewu took a sip of tea, put down his teacup, and glanced at the people in the room.
Shen Guodong raised his teacup and explained, "Teacher Wu has returned to Tianjin; there's business related to the two-child policy."
"Good news, it's been a long time since you've opened for business."
Li Xuewu smiled and nodded, saying, "Tianjin guards the capital and has convenient maritime transport, so it should do even better."
"It's all because of that incident two years ago."
Shen Guodong was also trying to help his brother expand the area, but he also complained, "The losses in Tianjin are really significant. It pains me to hear his report."
"There's no such thing as a business that's always smooth sailing." Li Xuewu smiled nonchalantly and said, "Just because you call yourself Shunfeng Trading doesn't mean it'll always be smooth sailing, does it?"
"Hehehe—" The people in the flower hall chuckled softly. As long as Li Xuewu didn't care, they could breathe a sigh of relief.
Such policy-related losses were unavoidable. Even he, who worked in the group, couldn't control the situation, let alone those of them who were actually doing the work.
Shen Guodong was just saying that casually, not wanting Li Xuewu to put all the pressure on the second child.
However, he also knew that because of his experience working in Hong Kong, Brother Wu was more attentive to raising his second child.
Of these sworn brothers, Dazhuang died young, and they had Lao Biaozi's uncle, so they relied on each other for survival.
Judging from their ages, none of them are very old. The oldest, Wen San, is only twenty-six or twenty-seven. He and Lao Biaozi are even younger than Li Xuewu, not to mention the two children.
However, that's about all the abilities he and Lao Biaozi have. They can't even concentrate on reading books. They don't understand Dream of the Red Chamber, so how could they possibly understand building a tower?
Only the business near his home can sustain him; Old Biaozi, who lives far away in the port city, is a ruthless thug.
The only ones who can outsmart each other are Wen San and the second child who has the advantage of age.
He knew that Brother Wu didn't really trust Wen San. It wasn't that he didn't trust Wen San's character; given Brother Wu's current status and abilities, how could Wen San dare to have any improper thoughts?
Brother Wu didn't trust his brain. There was still room for maneuver in the Hong Kong situation, but he was too flamboyant.
According to the news that Lao Biaozi brought back, Lai Jiasheng was secretly plotting, but others were also involved in pushing things along. Otherwise, how could a scholar have gotten a murderous sword?
Brother Wu told him to recuperate in the capital, but in reality, he left him there for half a year. He had only been in the steel city for a short time.
Wen San came from Gangcheng, where he was in charge of all the affairs, big and small. Now he is only in charge of Dongfeng Shipping's business. Doesn't that tell you the story?
He was self-aware. With the help of his maternal grandmother and second uncle, and with the influence of Brother Wu in Beijing, he was doing alright in keeping the business that Brother Wu had built up. But if he went out into the world, he wouldn't even be as successful as the second child.
In Beijing, he's the deputy director of the street office, but outside of Beijing, he's nothing; he still needs to cultivate himself.
So even though Ou Xin and Pei Pei were newcomers, and Yu Li and Zhou Yamei were women, he didn't show them any contempt or disrespect on this occasion.
Not to mention Zuo Jie, who is skilled in both fighting and killing.
Li Xuewu hasn't forgotten his old buddies; they're all in key positions. But for a business to grow, it needs fresh blood, and that includes Yu Li, Zhou Yamei, Ou Xin and Pei Pei, as well as potential stars like Zuo Jie.
Of course, there are also many who didn't come today, such as Ms. Wu Shuping, a highly educated teacher who is a formidable figure who can take on major responsibilities right away. She single-handedly manages Dongfeng Sany Construction and can even take care of her work in Tianjin.
Sometimes Shen Guodong thought that if he weren't so incompetent, Brother Wu would definitely have handed over the business in Beijing to Teacher Wu.
"Shall we start by talking about the business in Beijing?"
Li Xuewu moved his teacup closer and looked at Yu Li and Shen Guodong, asking, "Which of you two will speak first?"
“Let me go first. The club’s work is simple,” Yu Li said without hesitation. “As everyone can see, the situation and environment have had a certain impact on the club’s operations.”
"The club's main members this year are those who joined last year, while the older members, after being transferred out of Beijing, rarely have time to come to the club to participate in activities."
She flipped through her notebook and reported, "Due to internal operational constraints, expenses have declined compared to last year and the year before, resulting in an operating deficit."
"The main benefits are in employee wages and material consumption; only the restaurant and service department are profitable."
When Yu Li finished speaking, she looked up at Li Xuewu and emphasized, "The guesthouse is also operating at a loss, after all, the expenses are not low."
"Yes, no need to change the pricing."
Li Xuewu nodded and said calmly, "If the club's guesthouse is the same as the ones outside, then what competitive value do we have?"
"Ouxin is in charge of the guesthouse now, right?"
He turned to Ou Xin and said, "Don't rush. You can use this time to hone your service skills and rules, and provide higher standards of service."
"Second brother, I don't quite understand what you mean."
Ou Xin boldly asked, "With the service conditions of our guesthouse, it seems that we don't meet the requirements for higher service standards?"
She also had a notebook spread out on her lap, so it seemed she had come prepared and wanted to get answers from him.
"I'm talking about high-standard service, not high-standard service facilities."
Li Xuewu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said, "Who says that services with mediocre conditions have no value?"
He pointed in the direction of Yuyuantan Park, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "Are the fishing facilities there very good? Can you say that living there is tasteless and worthless?"
"I don't deny that it has its own unique characteristics; it is the mystery that gives it emotional value, but we also have our own advantages."
Li Xuewu tilted his head at her and said, "Not just anyone can walk into the club, right?"
He then looked at Yu Li and said, "How to promote and manage the business depends on whether you can use your brains."
"Why don't you give us some pointers?"
Yu Li was naturally not afraid of him. This was not a serious meeting like the one at Honggang Group, but more like the gathering hall of Liangshan, where opinions and questions could be raised.
Li Xuewu chuckled and looked at her, saying, "Have you paid any attention to those signs by the door?"
He tapped his finger on the table and said, "The club is located in the heart of the city, boasting beautiful gardens, upscale historical residential architecture, and integrated facilities for sports, shooting, restaurants, and car services. The living environment is secondary, isn't it? If the living environment isn't important, then what is?"
"Service?" Ou Xin seemed to have figured it out, looking at Li Xuewu with burning eyes full of admiration.
"We don't receive foreign guests here, but we can communicate with related organizations and invite relevant VIPs."
Li Xuewu picked up the teapot, filled his own teacup with tea, and then placed it on the table for them to serve themselves.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't accept guests who aren't members?" Yu Li frowned slightly and asked, "Are you going to change the rules?"
"Are you confused? When did I ever say that?" Li Xuewu looked at her amusedly and said, "Haven't you studied the club's management rules carefully?"
He turned to look at Ou Xin, pointed at her with his finger, and asked, "Ou Xin, what do you say?"
“Um…” Ou Xin hesitated for a moment, first looking at Yu Li, then at Li Xuewu, before tentatively asking, “Do you mean that members of affiliated units should step forward to invite and coordinate the reception tasks?”
"Hehe—" Li Xuewu picked up his teacup and glanced at Yu Li, the answer already self-evident.
Yu Li also understood that this was what Li Xuewu meant: the club does not accept guests other than members, but formal members have the right to invite important friends or family members, which is also a way to generate revenue.
"Next, we can mobilize the members and ask them to hold their social activities at the club."
Shen Guodong understood and looked at Yu Li, suggesting, "The club's members have never developed this habit; they just bring their families here for leisure and entertainment."
“Hold more events, such as special offer trade fairs,” Li Xuewu said, leaning back in his chair and looking at Yu Li. “We’ll ask Guodong for help with electrical appliance resources.”
"No problem, the distribution company has ready-made products, guaranteeing high quality and low price."
The "electrical appliance" that Li Xuewu mentioned was not actually an "electrical appliance," and Shen Guodong certainly knew that it wasn't an electrical appliance either.
what is that?
He already said it's a product of the distribution company, not a product of Honggang Group. Distribution companies don't have production units; they're practically independent.
That's right, it's normal to find some foreign products on the high seas, isn't it? What if someone lost them?
If the Titanic could capsize, what else is impossible in the ocean?
These things can't be sold openly, but internal communication is still possible.
Now is the time when people have money but nowhere to spend it. Everyone says that this era is still poor, but only those who are truly poor know the truth. Those who are entitled to receive wages are still receiving wages.
You say it's impossible?
Who's eating barbecue at that restaurant?
Being poor as a whole does not mean being poor individually.
As long as you use your brain, there's no money you can't make; you can live a life of luxury while begging for food.
Yu Li had everyone's opinions written down in her hand, her face slightly flushed. Her attitude just now was indeed wrong.
Li Xuewu did not blame her, but his words cleared her mind considerably.
Even if the situation is bad, the wind hasn't blown in yet, so some things can still be done.
Besides, with the economy improving day by day, she has more and more resources at her disposal. This place should be a place that attracts members and those outside the membership, not as deserted as it is now.
"We can't blame everything on the general environment."
Li Xuewu glanced at her, said nothing more, and then looked at Shen Guodong, asking, "And you?"
"I have a lot of business here."
Shen Guodong could sense the atmosphere and main theme of today's meeting from Yu Li's perspective.
Listening to reports, asking questions, identifying shortcomings, and brainstorming solutions are all good things; they're better than working in isolation.
"The supply chain has been handed over to Pei Peilai. Please have her report on the relevant work."
He first introduced Pei Pei, who received an encouraging smile from Li Xuewu.
She unconsciously straightened her posture, waiting for Shen Guodong to finish his report so she could make her first official appearance in the recycling station system.
"Let me start by talking about the work of the neighborhood committee."
Shen Guodong glanced at the notebook in his hand, then looked up and reported, "The sewing cooperative, the transportation team, and other small industries are developing well. I am integrating relevant resources and using the policies available to the street office to help these small industries transform into small factories."
"I am no longer personally responsible for the relevant management work; that work is now handled by a dedicated factory manager."
He smiled and explained, "Currently, the large warehouse and the recycling station are still operating independently, which was affirmed by Director Wang and others at the street meeting."
"Director Wang means that the higher authorities also support the excellent situation of diversified operations, the development of the individual economy, and the common development of the non-public and collective economies..."
Li Xuewu had a clear understanding of the diversified business activities mentioned by Shen Guodong, as this was also the policy foundation for Honggang Group's development of tertiary industries.
Of course, the diversified businesses supported by the street are not the same as the tertiary industries operated by enterprises.
Enterprises and factories all have the right to sell their products. Developing tertiary industries is a form of collective economic development, which is different from individual economic development.
Shen Guodong first took the lead in organizing small-scale industries, which solved the employment and industrial development problems of Jiaodaokou Street, and naturally gained the trust and support of the street.
He now talks about the coexistence and common development of individual and collective economies because the small economy in Jiaodaokou has developed, which is a special phenomenon.
However, its outstanding achievements have also made Jiaodaokou a typical example of economic and industrial development in this era.
"The small car team is more dynamic and has more development potential than the sewing cooperative."
Shen Guodong explained, "It not only solves the employment problem for a large number of unemployed youths, but also alleviates social transportation pressure, especially the transportation capacity formed by large-scale mobilization. The street has also received praise from higher authorities."
"The transport team is connected to the freight station, right?"
Li Xuewu nodded and looked at him, asking, "Does the distribution company also have business here?"
"That's exactly what I was going to say," Shen Guodong explained. "We made some changes to our distribution activities in Beijing in the early stages due to the changing circumstances."
He explained, "Many of the staff who participated in the distribution went to the countryside at that time, and although the rest were still working, most of them lost their transportation capabilities."
“We have adjusted our distribution operations and separated the transportation work, handing it over to the transportation team.”
"Hmm, no wonder you said the transport team has more potential than the sewing club."
Li Xuewu understood what he meant and looked at him, emphasizing, "You handle this matter yourself. You know the relevant policies and the situation. Don't go overboard."
"I understand, I won't form cliques."
Shen Guodong knew what he was thinking when he heard Brother Wu's request. He knew that Brother Wu understood, and so did he.
A transport team, with its many people and vehicles, is no ordinary force. They might seem unremarkable at first glance, but the key is…
Li Xuewu created the opportunity for him to work in the street office so that he could have a matching status to access these resources; he couldn't let someone else benefit from his efforts.
Today, the small car fleet is hidden among small industrial areas; it belongs to the streets. But what about the future?
Shen Guodong couldn't foresee the future situation, nor did he know whether the policies would change in the future. He only listened to Li Xuewu's requests because Li Xuewu was never wrong.
"The distribution company is still connected with Honggang Group and the logistics management system of the company, and is carrying out close logistics support and supply cooperation with related units."
He spoke rather generally here because this is the earliest business that recycling stations started, it's very mature and stable, and they just need to keep it going.
Beijing looks big, but it's not actually that big. Some organizations are worth contacting, while others are unnecessary.
As long as they can manage to keep up with the units they have, it will be enough for the recycling center to survive this harsh winter.
So he only gave a brief overview, mentioning the logistics system of the department, which was under Huang Gan's responsibility.
After Li Xuewu went to Gangcheng, he met with Huang Gan less often. It was the last time Huang Gan went to Gangcheng to see him to discuss building a factory.
Li Xuewu entrusted this matter to Shen Guodong, because Honggang Group no longer took on small projects.
Huang Gan and Shen Guodong also pondered for a long time before they came up with the small factory system that connected with the distribution company.
The city's prison production resources will be integrated, product output will be planned in a coordinated manner, sales and distribution will be unified, and the environment, facilities and welfare benefits of staff in each prison will be gradually improved.
No one objected to his appointment as logistics manager; in fact, they applauded and welcomed him.
Who wouldn't want to live the life of a prison? Who wouldn't envy the high-standard prison built by Huang Gan when they visit it?
Huang Gan's pilot project in Chadian became a core driving force that helped him gain control of the logistics department.
Chadian originally had small-scale industries, but after his transformation, it now has the potential to become a large enterprise.
If labor costs are disregarded and the efficiency of "workers" can be mobilized, most companies cannot compete with them.
Everyone says that Honggang has a superior management system and its employees are highly enthusiastic, but come and see for yourself at Chadian Farm.
The sewing machines from the prison were moved here, and they still spin incredibly fast—the kind of machines that require fire extinguishers in the sewing workshop.
It sounds a bit mystical, but the enthusiasm is genuine.
Back then, if you could get something to eat while squatting by the fence, you were lucky; you couldn't even dream of being able to eat your fill.
But when Liu Guangfu and other "graduates" who came out of prison said they were paid, many people didn't believe it, even when they saw real money.
Until the second batch, the third batch...
I can't believe that spending a year or two in a prison in Beijing would actually teach me life skills and even allow me to save money?
These people couldn't save money or learn anything good in society, but now they've become both literate and skilled in martial arts.
Not only did they learn to read books and newspapers, but they also learned to sew clothes, cook, and repair appliances...
Is this like squatting in a fence or going to college?
It was precisely because of the publicity surrounding batches of "graduates" who emerged from the prison that Huang Gan's name was repeatedly mentioned at judicial and judicial work conferences, which led to his widespread fame.
He also benefited from the favorable policies for economic development, which provided him with the impetus for reform.
Before they reached a certain scale, Honggang Group could cooperate with Tianjin Trade.
However, if Huanggan wants to grow bigger and stronger, and if Honggang Group wants to compete in international trade, it cannot have this kind of background.
Therefore, a layer was needed, and Jinmen Shunfeng Trading became a partner of the logistics system of the Ministry of Justice.
Huang Gan's industrial system can produce goods, but they can't do sales. It's not only unprofessional, but also doesn't reflect reality.
With Shen Guodong helping them secure raw materials and connecting them with distribution channels, all they had to do was wait to collect their money.
It's not impossible to build your own distribution channels, but there are too many rules in the supply chain, so it's better to cooperate with SF Express.
Shen Guodong's report focused more on this newly launched work and less on other aspects.
Li Xuewu was quite satisfied with his work. This young man didn't have much ability, but he was reliable and dependable, making him the best candidate to safeguard the country.
Pei Pei belongs to the new generation and joined the recycling station relatively late, but her position is not low.
She herself said she didn't have much power, but her numerous exchanges with partners on behalf of Tianjin Shunfeng Commerce and Trade gave her the demeanor of a female cadre.
Jinmen Shunfeng Trading was originally just a distribution company of Honggang Group Jinmen Trading. After that incident, it did not stop operating during the period when it was suspended from distribution activities, but instead cooperated with other companies to expand its business activities.
When we returned to the Tianjin Trade Hall, we already had a certain trade foundation, and compared to the previous meager business, we had much stronger trade momentum.
Of course, the cooperation with Tianjin Aquatic Products continues, otherwise there wouldn't be a seaside club.
The current head of the seaside club is someone on loan from Tianjin Fisheries, whom Li Xuewu met during his training at Binhai.
Thanks to the cooperation with Tianjin aquatic products, the seafood supply chain has maintained its trade vitality, which is why Pei Pei has to visit them every month to personally deliver his salary.
Originally there were only two or three families, but now there are more. This line is a big gift that Li Xuewu prepared for Li Huaide, but it's not time to open the gift box yet.
As Lao Li progresses and his influence expands, this gift must also increase; otherwise, it will not be befit Lao Li's status, and how will we get him to step down in the future?
"I'm fine here."
Zhou Yamei glanced at her notebook and said, "Things are going very well in Gangcheng. Manager Wen asked me to ask when you're going back."
“He won’t come to see me when I go back.”
Li Xuewu chuckled, picked up his teacup, looked at Shen Guodong, and asked, "How is Auntie's situation?"
"It's great, I went to see it a few days ago."
Shen Guodong said with a smile, "My third uncle said he was under a lot of pressure, and that he had no choice but to do it when he reached middle age."
"He's only in his twenties, what middle-aged man?"
Li Xuewu curled his lips and said, "Dongfeng Shipping is actually developing quite well, even more stable than when Biaozi was there."
He looked at the teacup in his hand and said, "When Biaozi was working on this project, I was also very worried. He's not a reliable person."
“I was worried too,” Shen Guodong said with a smile. “I was really afraid he would go too far.”
“Okay, with Third Uncle here, there shouldn’t be any problems with this project. All that’s left is to buy the boat.”
Li Xuewu looked up at Zhou Yamei and said, "You organize things, and when we get back to Gangcheng, we'll talk about it and see if there's anything else we can do."
"There definitely is, it's Yingcheng Port—"
Zhou Yamei gave him a meaningful reminder.
Yingcheng Port has only been under construction for a year, but countless people are already eyeing it. People flock to Li Xuewu's place to pay their respects, as if they all want to make a fortune from here.
Yingcheng Port Area has its own unique characteristics; it is not a port area planned by the local government or higher authorities.
The commercial port jointly built by Honggang Group and other enterprises has boosted the trade economy in Liaodong.
Everyone knows that trade ports can revitalize the economy, but people are still taking a cautious approach.
Unlike the local government's attitude, the relevant enterprises and industrial units took the lead in launching public relations campaigns.
Li Xuewu knew very well what they wanted, but he couldn't make that decision, even though he had a plan.
"He's really got nothing better to do," Shen Guodong said with a smile. "Does Brother Wu not have any plans? He's just worrying about things that don't concern him."
What are your plans for lunch?
Li Xuewu glanced at the time on his hand, smiled, and asked Yu Li, "Manager Yu, are you treating us?"
"Since you've said that, how could there be no arrangements?" Yu Li rolled her eyes at him, then smiled and called out to everyone, "We're having hot pot for lunch today."
"Ha—" Li Xuewu suddenly lost his appetite when he heard about eating hot pot, even though he had eaten quite a bit last night.
"What? You don't like it?"
Yu Li turned around and saw that he seemed uninterested, so she raised an eyebrow and asked, "On a snowy day, hot pot is so much warmer."
"I like it, but even if I don't, I still have to consider your feelings."
Seeing that they had all left and Yu Li was waiting for him, Li Xuewu stood up and put on his coat.
As Yu Li helped him straighten his clothes, she asked, "What are your plans?"
She looked up into Li Xuewu's eyes and asked, "Didn't you say you were going to make adjustments? Why are you asking me to change my work direction? Shouldn't this be handed over to someone else?"
"If you hand it over, you're no longer one of us?"
Li Xuewu reached out and touched her pretty face, saying, "Stand firm at your last post. Yu Zhe said he's waiting for you to deal with him in Steel City."