Siheyuan: I just came across and wanted to chase me away

His kneeling startled the people behind him. Yes, Director Zhu hadn't shown up yet; could it be… he'd sold them out? A bunch of useless trash, just an eyesore. A few quick-witted ones followed suit, kneeling down with thuds, filling the room with the sounds of kowtowing and cries of "I admit my mistake!" and "Spare my life!"

Gu Nan ignored their cries and pulled out a list he had prepared beforehand. Names were circled in red pen on the list, clearly indicating who had participated in yesterday's warehouse blockade, who had spread rumors in the workshop that "Deputy Factory Director Gu is going to lay off people," and who had shoved the older workers. He called out each name one by one, his voice as calm as if he were reciting a diary, yet every word struck a chord in everyone's heart.

“Zhang Lei, you have led the spread of rumors in the cafeteria three times, saying that I was withholding food. Get out of here.”

“Zhao Hu, yesterday you beat up Master Li from the old workshop just because he refused to bring you cigarettes. He was fired.”

"..."

He swept his finger across the list, marking all those with irrefutable evidence and the most serious offenses with red crosses. When it came to the young workers who were just there to make up the numbers and hadn't actually done anything, he paused and said, "You few, write a 3,000-word self-criticism and hand it in to my office first thing tomorrow morning. If you do it again, you'll be fired."

Those men, as if granted a pardon, hurriedly kowtowed and thanked him, their foreheads soaked with cold sweat that soaked the dust on the ground. Those who had been specifically named and expelled collapsed to the ground, their faces ashen—they finally understood that Gu Nan was not someone to be trifled with, and Zhu Tao was even less reliable.

Gu Nan tossed the list to Wang Qiang, who was guarding the door: "Do it this way. Make them pack up their things within half an hour. Don't let them stay in the factory for even a second longer."

Wang Qiang readily agreed, taking the list with both hands. Looking at the familiar names on it, he was secretly astonished—Gu Nan was incredibly decisive; this was going to shake the entire steel rolling mill. Who didn't know these people were favored by Director Zhu? He acted immediately, without any hesitation.

Gu Nan didn't look back, walking straight out of the security office. Sunlight streamed through the corridor windows, casting long shadows on the floor like unsheathed knives. He knew this was just the beginning. To gain a foothold in the steel mill, he needed the ruthlessness to undergo painful self-examination, to uproot all the entrenched corruption. As for Zhu Tao… he would settle accounts face-to-face sooner or later.

Gu Nan returned to his office, closing the heavy wooden door behind him with a click, completely shutting out the roar of machines and the clamor of the crowd from the workshop outside. He leaned back in his large wooden chair, his fingertips rhythmically tapping lightly on the desk, producing a soft "tap-tap" sound—his dealing with those most boisterous workers in Zhu Tao's office earlier was merely a show of force, meant to intimidate Zhu Tao. He wanted to make it clear to Zhu Tao that he was no longer the pushover he once was; the current Gu Nan possessed enough strength to withstand any underhanded tactics from him.

What he needed to do was peel away the thorns from Zhu Tao, layer by layer, like peeling an onion. First, he would target Zhu Tao's henchmen, eliminating his cronies planted in purchasing, the warehouse, and the workshop, cutting off his right and left arms, leaving him isolated. Then, he would gradually tighten the noose, releasing seemingly insignificant evidence to force Zhu Tao to reveal his final trump card. At that point, he would unleash his prepared killing blow—ironclad evidence enough to ruin Zhu Tao's reputation—a single, decisive strike to see if Zhu Tao could possibly recover.

Gu Nan picked up the enamel mug on the table, which bore the words "Model Worker," and took a sip of the cold tea. The bitter taste slid down his throat, but it made his thoughts even clearer. He planned to go to the higher authorities again that afternoon to submit the compiled evidence, first labeling Zhu Tao as "incompetent in management and condoning subordinates," thus arousing suspicion from above. Now, he needed to rest and recharge for the tough battle ahead.

At this moment, Yi Zhonghai was restless in the workshop. He had just squeezed out from in front of the bulletin board, his face pale—he had just heard that the workers who had followed Zhu Tao in stirring up trouble and falsely accused Gu Nan in the office had all been taken away by the security department, and then the factory posted a dismissal notice, stating in black and white that they had "falsely accused a leader, embezzled public property, and the circumstances were serious." He was so frightened that cold sweat broke out on his back, and his palms were also sweaty—he hadn't expected Gu Nan to be so ruthless, dealing with anyone who had offended him without hesitation, showing no mercy whatsoever.

The more he thought about it, the more frightened he became, his heart feeling like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand. A while ago, Zhu Tao had asked him for help, secretly checking the old accounts of the canteen to find any "mistakes" by Gu Nan. Although he hadn't directly accused him, what if Gu Nan followed the trail and found out? Would he also end up being fired? His wife was on medication year-round, and his son was still in school; they all depended on his salary. If he lost his secure job at the steel mill, the whole family would starve.

After much thought, Yi Zhonghai realized that only Zhu Tao could save him right now. He hurriedly ran towards the office building, not even having time to take off his work jacket. The oil-stained cuffs made his cheeks itch. As he ran, sweat streamed down his face, forming droplets on his chin and dripping onto his shirt.

The atmosphere in Zhu Tao's office was as oppressive as a suffocating, airtight pot. He slammed his pen down on the table with a loud "crack," the cap popping off and splattering blue-black ink across the surface, creating ugly, blotchy spots. His original plan had been perfect—to have Liu Li and his associates falsely accuse Gu Nan, ruining his reputation, while he himself would play the role of a fair mediator, reaping the benefits and effortlessly crushing Gu Nan. But he never expected Gu Nan to possess so much evidence. Not only had Gu Nan not been brought down, but he had also managed to eliminate all of Gu Nan's men. This was a classic case of shooting himself in the foot!

Just as he was pacing back and forth angrily, his leather shoes scraping against the floor with a "scratching" sound, there was a sudden knock on the office door. The "thump, thump, thump" sound was urgent and loud, as if hitting his taut nerves, startling him so much that he almost bumped into the corner of the table.

"Who is it?" Zhu Tao's voice carried a hint of suppressed impatience, along with a barely perceptible panic. His heart skipped a beat, thinking it was Gu Nan coming to confront him—although the workers were the executors, Gu Nan, with his shrewdness, couldn't possibly be unaware of who was behind it all, and might already be here with evidence to interrogate him.

Yi Zhonghai, startled by the angry shout outside the door, quickly lowered his voice and said in a humble, ingratiating tone, "Director Zhu, it's me, Yi Zhonghai."