Siheyuan: A warm home with wife and children

Although the protests outside the region are escalating, they have not yet affected the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.

Or rather, it hasn't affected most factories in the capital yet.

Everyone continues to work quietly and enthusiastically, dedicating themselves to their jobs and earning their wages through their own hands and labor, just as they always have.

However, on my way home every day, I always see a noisy crowd on the raised platform, with all sorts of rotten vegetable leaves being thrown onto it.

All institutions of higher learning suspended classes, and those with questionable backgrounds and origins were denounced as "stinking intellectuals."

They were sent to the countryside, put to live in cowsheds, and reformed through education.

Those whose situations were not serious were assigned to sweep the streets, clean toilets, or do other manual labor in the city.

This was supposed to be Ran Qiuye's fate, but now she's happily teaching and nurturing students at a school.

But he lived in constant fear, hiding far away from crowds, afraid that he would be arrested as well.

Sha Zhu also picks him up and drops him off every day, never daring to let his guard down for a moment.

After all, her family also came from outside.

Some of the people I knew have already been taken away.

No matter how hard they tried to avoid it, the wind inevitably reached the three schools under the jurisdiction of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

"Factory Director, this is the current situation. What do you think we should do?" The head of the factory was scratching his head in worry.

The Red Guards went to the school twice to check the records and find out those who were capitalist roaders.

The principal appeased them and managed to smooth things over.

But this can't go on forever; those people won't give up easily.

Factory Director Yang was also troubled; why was this trend getting more and more intense?

Seeing Yang Jianguo sitting silently beside him, Factory Director Yang asked, "Jianguo, what's your opinion?"

Yang Jianguo is now the pillar of the factory and the leader of the workers.

His prestige was unmatched in the factory.

It's no exaggeration to say that his words were far more effective than orders from the leaders, and the workers trusted him completely.

So even though he's not a leading cadre, you have to consult him on everything.

“My opinion is to let him investigate,” Yang Jianguo said calmly. “Divide the files into two copies, one for external hires and one for direct hires.”

"Those hired externally are put on file at the factory, while those hired directly remain at the school."

Seeing the two deep in thought, Yang Jianguo continued, "We also need to change our image; our clothes will need to be patched from now on."

"Clothes and shoes without patches are not allowed. No more than two sets of clothes may be worn at a time, just change them."

"Regarding wages, they will be halved and replaced with in-kind subsidies such as food and grain. We'll see about the rest later."

Yang Jianguo's meaning was clear: to put the danger in the factory.

Who would dare to come to the factory for inspection? How dare they?

You must be joking about a genuine "Red Five Category" employee.

"But Lao Yang, these days, unless you're going on a business trip, it's better for you to ride your bike."

Upon hearing his suggestion, Director Yang nodded and said, "That's right. We absolutely won't use it unless it's for official business. I understand that principle."

We've agreed on a solution, so let's proceed accordingly.

At the same time, Director Yang asked him to tell the security department, "Send a few security guards to the school to prevent any accidents."

"Isn't it your turn to say that?" Yang Jianguo was completely numb.

You, as the factory manager, don't give orders, but make me, a worker, give orders to people? Is this what you call this river?

"But you and Section Chief He are like brothers!" Old Yang said helplessly, "How could I possibly order someone to do something like this?"

The security department is responsible for the factory. If there's anything going on at the school, you can just go there.

There's no such thing as sending people to be stationed at the school.

Factory Director Yang couldn't issue that order; they could only discuss it.

But his reputation as the factory director might not be enough to impress Section Chief He.

It was Yang Jianguo who had to step in and have a proper talk with him.

Holding two ounces of tea leaves, Yang Jianguo stood at the office door as if he had seen a ghost.

He had never seen such a shameless leader who shoved the tea leaves into his hand and pushed them away.

Seeing his expression, the head of the department couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder with a smile: "Jianguo, the capable should do more work, you've worked hard!"

"I..." Yang Jianguo had a lot of complaints, but he didn't know whether he should say them.

Does this mean "the capable should do more"?

Carrying the tea, I turned towards the security department and saw Section Chief He talking to someone as soon as I entered.

"No, I can't do this." Seeing Yang Jianguo, Old He stood up and said, "I have other things to do, please go back!"

The man didn't say anything more, glanced back at Yang Jianguo, and left.

At the same time, Yang Jianguo also saw the other person's face clearly. It was none other than Director Tian of the Revolutionary Committee!

"Jianguo, come, sit down." He warmly invited him to sit down, and Old He returned to his seat, took out a cigarette and handed it to him.

After lighting the match, Old He smacked his lips and asked curiously, "What brings you here?"

Yang Jianguo put the tea leaves on the table and said with a smile, "I've brought you some new tea, it's good stuff!"

After glancing at it, Old He chuckled and said, "Alright, I won't stand on ceremony, I'll take it."

Yang Jianguo's face hardened, and he said, "Why are we being so polite?"

With a slight tap of his finger, Old He asked directly, "What is it?"

Yang Jianguo didn't stand on ceremony and told him the whole story directly.

“The school is full of children of our factory workers. If something goes wrong, it will be a huge problem.”

"I've discussed it with the factory manager and the chief director. We'd like to ask Brother He to send a few people over, mainly to guard against any unexpected events."

"As long as no one gets hurt, everything else can be easily resolved, right?"

Old He nodded in agreement, but he still hesitated about sending someone to the school.

It wasn't meant to be difficult or manipulative.

His situation is a bit complicated and needs to be considered from all angles.

"You know the situation lately. Factory safety is the top priority, and I'm a bit short-handed!"

Old He shrugged awkwardly. He couldn't very well abandon the factory and send the people to school.

If something happens at the factory, who will take responsibility?

"Brother He, nothing will go wrong at the factory. We're the workers. Who would dare to cause trouble here?"

"Besides, Zhang Yu is here too!" Yang Jianguo said with a smile. "If you really need someone, she's right there."

They're all in the factory. If there's anything that needs manpower, can Zhang Yu's security team just stand by and watch without doing anything?

These words resonated with Lao He; Zhang Yu's security department was a ready-made armed force.

However, it's still not as convenient as using it with our own people.

Since Jian Guo had come to him, he couldn't refuse.

After much deliberation, Lao He decided to send a few people over: "Six people, two at each location, no family members allowed."

"Definitely not, it would scare the child again," Yang Jianguo said cheerfully.

"Okay, it's settled then." Old He was a straightforward person.

Since they agreed, they immediately got things done.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Yang Jianguo went out and headed towards the workshop. Halfway there, he heard someone arguing behind him.

Looking back, his expression immediately changed.

"Expose the capitalist roaders, overthrow the old...rightists." The raised banner made it clear what was happening.

Meanwhile, people kept rushing out of the factory to stop the group of young people who were trying to rush in.

"What's going on? What's going on? Where did this old...rightist come from in our factory? You must have come to the wrong place."

An experienced worker stepped forward to speak with him, wanting to know what was going on.

"Whether it's there or not isn't up to you to decide; we'll have to check to find out. Everyone, move aside."

The student in the lead rebuked them sternly and righteously.

This infuriated the old master craftsman, who laughed and scolded, "You little brat, how dare you talk to me like that?"

"What kind of place is this? Do you think you can just barge in like this?"

Hearing him say that, the carpenters who gathered around shouted, "That's right, do you think this is your home?"

"Get out, get out, just kick them all out."

"What's all this commotion about? You've abandoned production and construction to cause trouble here?"

"Hey, hurry back, the person you're looking for isn't in this factory."

Seeing that the people across the street were being blocked, the leader became unhappy.

They were shouting that they were acting on the instructions of their advisor to rebel against the capitalists.

They are defying the will of the masses; they are stubbornly resisting.

College students are different; when they put their hats on, they look so serious.

But there were also some eloquent people in the factory who came up with a line like, "I think you're here to sabotage production and build. Everyone knows what's going on at Hongxing Factory. You're just here to cause trouble."

For a time, the two sides went back and forth, and ended up arguing in the middle of the road.

A short while later, Director Tian ran out.

Then Director Yang and the chief director arrived, while Yang Jianguo remained hidden in the crowd.

"Everyone, please calm down. We can communicate and resolve any issues. Please don't argue or get agitated."

The head of the department was trying to reassure people, and so was Director Tian.

Nobody wants to see a conflict between students and workers; if either side makes a mistake, they will bear an unbearable responsibility.

Moreover, Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill is no longer an ordinary unit.

It involves confidentiality regulations!

Even without confidentiality regulations, you can't just walk into a factory.

To be honest, let alone these students, even people from other factories wouldn't be able to get through the factory gates.

But we can't just kick them out... Director Tian didn't intend to do that either.

This situation presents him with an opportunity.

Having been unable to make a breakthrough at the factory, this was precisely the time for him to seize an opportunity.

The hundreds of students in front of him, and the people who kept coming from behind, were his best bargaining chips to break the deadlock.

"Quiet down, everyone please be quiet. I am Director Tian from our factory's Revolutionary Committee. Please listen to me."

Although the Revolutionary Committee's power was restricted, it was still on the same line.

Now, with the guidance of the counselor, it has become a service for them.

Since it's one of our own who has something to say, let's listen to it first.

"Our Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill is the pride of the capital, and has made valuable contributions to its development and construction."

"The workers in the factory are all from impeccable backgrounds; they have all been vetted, so there are definitely no problems."

Upon hearing that Director Tian hadn't done anything reckless, Factory Director Yang and the Chief Director breathed a sigh of relief.

But Yang Jianguo, who was in the crowd, already guessed what he was going to do.

"Even if they really exist, they can only be hidden among the leading cadres, in this small group."