Era: A college student came to the courtyard house

Upon hearing this, Huang Xiang, the steel rolling mill manager, immediately wanted to retort: ​​"Apologize? That's impossible..."

Nowadays, industrial development is "steel as the key link", and Hongxing Steel Plant is a state-owned enterprise. Against this backdrop, most of the cadres of Hongxing Steel Plant always feel superior to other brother units when they go to meetings.

Therefore, Huang Xiang immediately objected when he heard that he had to apologize. In his opinion, it was acceptable for him to write a self-criticism internally, but it was absolutely unacceptable for him to apologize to others outside.

Once word gets out, how will he ever be able to hold his head high in front of his fellow units again?

"Cough cough cough."

Deputy Director Liu of the Publicity Department coughed a few times, interrupting Huang Xiang while giving him a wink.

Sitting in the superior seat, Lin Xianghua ignored their little antics and instead smiled and said, "I think Xiao Fang is right. He's grasped the main issue. The newspaper leaders are angry, aren't they? I think we should go and appease them. As the saying goes, you can't hit a smiling face. What do you all think?"

Jiang, the deputy director of the personnel department who had been standing aside and looking down at his notebook, immediately agreed when he heard Lin Xianghua's question-like decision: "I think it's feasible. Fang Yuan is right."

Not to be outdone, Deputy Director Liu of the Publicity Department chimed in, "I also think it's feasible."

Finally, Huang Xiang, the steel rolling mill director, subconsciously touched his face and said awkwardly, "I hope so."

Seeing that Fang Yuan's opinion was agreed upon by everyone, Li Jianye immediately said, "The problem is that their leaders won't see us. Our comrades have already contacted them by phone, but they are completely ignoring us now."

Hearing this, Deputy Director Liu of the Publicity Department nodded in agreement, saying, "I've heard about their newspaper's editor-in-chief before. He's known for being fiercely protective of his own and sentimental, with a tough style. When he gets angry, he's like a rock in a latrine—stinky and hard. I think this matter is very troublesome."

The group, already feeling wronged, burst into laughter upon hearing this analogy, instantly lightening the atmosphere in the room.

Seeing that no one wanted to tackle this tough challenge, Lin Xianghua knew that he had to take matters into his own hands.

He coughed and began assigning tasks: "I'm the highest-ranking person here, so I'll be the one to tackle this problem. Director Huang, Director Li, take the comrades from the publicity department and the security department to visit them. If the hospital doesn't work, go to their homes. Whether you want to apologize or use threats and inducements, the point is to get the two reporters' forgiveness. As long as they don't pursue the matter, all demands are negotiable."

"I'll say it again: let's not discuss whose responsibility it is for now. The most important task at present is to calm the storm and eliminate the negative impact. If anyone continues to lag behind, then don't blame me for not warning you."

As the meeting ended, Lin Xianghua was the first to stand up from his seat.

"Xiao Fang, come with me for a moment."

Lin Xianghua, who had reached the door, suddenly turned around and called out.

Fang Yuan originally wanted to tidy up the meeting room, but upon hearing Lin Xianghua's voice, he quickly followed her out amidst the sidelong glances of everyone.

Looking at Lin Xianghua's back.

Fang Yuan recalled some related information in his mind.

He joined the army at the age of 21, was wounded during the Liberation War and transferred to civilian work. He first went to the Political Affairs Office of the Iron and Steel Institute, and then was transferred to the Iron and Steel Bureau of the Ministry of Light Industry. Half a month ago, with the recommendation of Secretary Su, the head of Hongxing Steel Plant, and with the help of his father-in-law, he was promoted to the position of Third Secretary and Deputy Director of Hongxing Steel Plant.

At the age of 43, he had already reached the deputy director-general level, and in a key unit like Hongxing Steel Plant.

Follow Lin Xianghua to the office.

Fang Yuan quickly surveyed the layout of the room, and the most striking thing was the two telephones, one red and one black, on the desk.

Black telephones are very common; they are dedicated internal telephones of the Hongxing Steel Plant, with one installed in each department and even in the workshops of the branch plants.

The red ones are different; they are special telephones for Party and government use, also known as "red phones." Only those who reach a certain level can install them, and the personnel responsible for transferring calls on these phones undergo strict screening before being allowed to take up their posts.

In addition, Fang Yuan discovered that there was a copy of "Cai Gen Tan" next to the phone.

As soon as Lin Xianghua entered the office, he pointed to the old sofa, indicating that Fang Yuan should sit down for a while.

Fang Yuan nodded upon hearing this, but first cleaned the ashtray on Lin Xianghua's desk, then added some water to the teacup. After doing all this, he walked over to the sofa and sat down.

Not long after, Lin Xianghua gently put down his pen, walked around from behind the desk, and sat down in the chair next to the sofa.

Upon seeing this, Fang Yuan immediately stood up and introduced himself again: "Good morning, Director Lin. I am Fang Yuan, a 58 graduate of the Iron and Steel Institute, reporting for duty."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xianghua looked up and scrutinized him for a few seconds before saying, "A handsome and quick-witted man, no wonder Old Cao recommended him so highly."

The "Old Cao" that Lin Xianghua mentioned was Fang Yuan's brother-in-law, Cao Zhengyan.

"So, do you feel that having college graduates work in our factory office is a waste of their talents? Are you finding it difficult to adapt?"

"Please rest assured, leader. Although I have never done similar work before and it may take some time to get familiar with it, it is my honor to be able to contribute to Hongxing Steel Plant. I will definitely do my best."

Lin Xianghua waved his hand and said, "I'm not worried about that. I'm mainly afraid you'll feel disappointed. To be honest, I've been through something similar before."

Fang Yuan couldn't help but ask curiously, "Did Secretary Lin also pass by?"

Lin Xianghua, composed and unhurried, paused before replying, "Yes, when I first returned from military service, my first job was writing documents for the leaders at the Iron and Steel Institute. At first, I was quite proud of myself, but after two days, it was all just trivial tasks, and I immediately felt a sense of loss."

Without a second thought, Fang Yuan instinctively replied, "So I'm fighting along the same path you fought before."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xianghua laughed and said, "That's not wrong. If you think about it, your first year at the Steel Institute was exactly the year I was transferred."

Thanks to the Iron and Steel Academy as a link, the relationship between the two instantly became much closer.

Next, Lin Xianghua asked many questions about the recent situation of the Iron and Steel Institute.

Fang Yuan remained calm and answered all questions with neither arrogance nor servility.

Seeing that the atmosphere had become much more harmonious, Lin Xianghua took a sip of tea, gently put down the cup, and smiled, "Xiao Fang, working in the General Affairs Section is a great way to train people. However, since you are the one I specifically requested, I have other requirements for you. Let's make a pact beforehand today."

"First, you can't use my name to lobby for others or do favors."

"Secondly, you are not allowed to accept bribes. You can't do one thing in public and another in private. If you urgently need money or vouchers, you can tell me. I will definitely help if I can."

"Third, you must adhere to confidentiality rules. Keep your ears outward and your mouth inward, understand?"

Fang Yuan naturally understood, breathed a sigh of relief, and said with a smile, "Factory Director, I've remembered it all. Be loyal, upright, and honest."

Lin Xianghua laughed heartily, inwardly very satisfied with the order of the three words "Fang Yuan" (方圆), and praised, "As expected of a college student, a good summary."

"In the General Affairs Department, I hope you won't waste your energy on trivial things like serving tea and water to the leaders, or carrying their bags and opening doors. Your only task right now is to integrate into our Hongxing Steel Plant as quickly as possible."

"We should learn to respect our older colleagues, but while learning from them, we should also carry forward the spirit of young people: being energetic, studious, and unafraid of hardship."

Fang Yuan understood that the key point in the sentence was what came after the word "but".

He had already vaguely sensed the unrest within the General Affairs Department, having noticed many clues from Li Jianye and Li Zhe. Beneath the calm surface, there might be turbulent undercurrents.

"Alright, I should have talked to you about these things on your first day here, but I haven't been at Hongxing Steel Plant for long and I've been too busy lately, so I haven't had a chance."

Fang Yuan noticed the weariness in Lin Xianghua's voice and immediately opened his mouth to explain, but Lin Xianghua waved his hand: "Let's get back to the main topic. Do you know why you were asked to attend today's meeting?"

Fang Yuan did not answer immediately. After a moment of contemplation, he replied confidently, "My brother-in-law, Cao Zhengyan."