Chapter 40: Framed and Backed by Factory Director Yang

With the bearings successfully installed, the precision gear production line at the Hongling Factory began to roar once again.

Old Zhou grasped He Yuzhu’s hands, expressing his gratitude profusely and insisting they stay for two days to rest. He Yuzhu politely declined; the mission was complete, and they had to return immediately.

The return journey was relatively smooth. By the evening of the third day, the jeep and the truck, covered in dust and scars from the road, finally rolled back through the gates of the Sijiucheng Steel Rolling Mill.

He Yuzhu jumped out of the vehicle and said to Zhao Tiezhu and Wang Meng, "Master Zhao, Master Wang, thank you for your hard work! Take the vehicles directly to the mechanical repair workshop for maintenance. I need to report the mission to Section Chief Sun and finish the handover procedures tomorrow."

"You got it! Chief He, running this trip with you was worth it!" Zhao Tiezhu grinned, revealing teeth yellowed by cigarette smoke.

Wang Meng nodded emphatically. Throughout the journey, he had developed a deep respect for this young procurement team leader.

He Yuzhu headed straight for the Procurement Section with Ma Hua and Xiao Wang. Just as they reached the bottom of the office building, Zhang Biao, the Deputy Chief of the Security Section, blocked their path with two officers, his face stern.

"Comrade He Yuzhu," Zhang Biao said, his voice devoid of warmth, "please come with us to the Security Section to assist with an investigation."

Ma Hua and Xiao Wang’s expressions changed, and they instinctively stepped in front of He Yuzhu. He Yuzhu reached out to push them aside, his face calm. "Section Chief Zhang, what is this about?"

"You'll find out when you get there," Zhang Biao replied rigidly.

He Yuzhu nodded. "Fine. Ma Hua, Xiao Wang, you go report the mission completion to Section Chief Sun. I’ll be back shortly."

He Yuzhu gave them a reassuring look before following Zhang Biao toward the grey building that housed the Security Section.

In the Security Section’s interrogation room, there was only one table and three chairs. Zhang Biao sat behind the table, and an officer unfolded a ledger, ready to record.

"Comrade He Yuzhu," Zhang Biao went straight to the point, "we have received a formal complaint alleging that during your procurement duties—specifically regarding the import of foreign equipment and this recent transport mission—you have been involved in serious economic and moral misconduct."

He Yuzhu sat on the hard wooden chair, his back straight. "Section Chief Zhang, please elaborate."

"First," Zhang Biao stared at him, "the report claims that you used the opportunity of going to Shanghai to procure German second-hand rolling equipment to accept massive kickbacks from foreign personnel!"

"Second, it is alleged that you live a corrupt lifestyle, far exceeding your legitimate income! Specifically, you were able to produce nearly two hundred yuan as a dowry for your sister’s upcoming wedding! The origin of this money is unknown!"

He Yuzhu’s expression remained entirely unmoved. "And the evidence?"

"We are currently gathering it! Right now, you need to explain the situation truthfully!" Zhang Biao knocked on the table. "Where did those two hundred yuan for the dowry come from?"

He Yuzhu reached into the inner pocket of his old military tunic and pulled out a small notebook carefully wrapped in oil paper, spreading it out on the table.

It was an account book, densely packed with records of dates, item names, quantities, and amounts.

"These are the details of my personal idle items that I have sold over the past three years during my time off at legal and compliant pigeon markets and trust stores," He Yuzhu said, pointing to the ledger. "It includes an old military overcoat left by my father, an antique pocket watch, and some old books."

"There are also scarce goods I obtained by trading my own industrial coupons and grain coupons... Every transaction’s date, location, and amount can be verified. It took me three full years to save those two hundred yuan."

Zhang Biao took the ledger and flipped through it carefully. The entries were clear, and he frowned slightly.

"As for the kickbacks on the German equipment..." He Yuzhu’s tone turned cold. "Section Chief Zhang, the entire equipment procurement process involved Engineer Chen from the Technical Section and the translator Xiao Lin, and the contract was personally reviewed and signed by Factory Director Yang."

"All negotiations regarding technical parameters and confirmation of commercial terms have meeting minutes and signed documents from both parties on file."

"Mr. Hans, the German representative, left an official letter before his departure expressing his appreciation for the integrity and efficiency of the Steel Rolling Mill’s team. A copy of this letter should be in the Technical Section’s archives."

Zhang Biao’s face began to look sour. He Yuzhu’s answers were clear, logical, and well-supported; he had even proactively provided leads for verification.

"Then, what about this transport mission? Was there any unauthorized cargo? Did you skim off any supplies?" Zhang Biao changed tactics, his tone still severe.

He Yuzhu looked him straight in the eye. "The transport mission was accompanied by my two team members, Ma Hua and Xiao Wang, as well as two retired army drivers, Zhao Tiezhu and Wang Meng."

"All supplies were signed out by Old Zhang at the warehouse and signed in by Section Chief Zhou of the Hongling Factory Technical Section. The mission was urgent, and there were constant dangers on the road; we didn't even have time to eat or sleep. Section Chief Zhang, what could I have possibly smuggled? What could I have skimmed?"

"Bang!" The door to the interrogation room was slammed open. Factory Director Yang stood in the doorway with a dark expression, followed by an anxious-looking Sun Jianguo and Technician Chen.

"Deputy Section Chief Zhang!" Director Yang’s voice carried suppressed fury. "Who gave you the authority to detain a cadre who has just completed a major, urgent mission and performed a great service for the factory, without any substantive evidence?!"

Zhang Biao stood up immediately. "Director Yang, it was an anonymous report, and procedurally..."

"Procedurally?" Director Yang interrupted him, his gaze sweeping over the account book on the table. "I think the evidence provided by Comrade He Yuzhu himself is quite compelling! You want to investigate? Fine! Section Chief Sun!"

"Here!"

"Immediately take men to the Technical Section to retrieve the full meeting minutes, contract copies, and that letter from the German side regarding the equipment import!"

"Then go to the Finance Section and pull the records of Comrade He Yuzhu’s salary and bonus payments for the last three years! Coordinate with the Security Section to verify every single entry in this ledger!"

"Yes!" Sun Jianguo replied loudly.

"Engineer Chen!"

"Yes, Director!"

"You go personally to the mechanical repair workshop and reconcile every tool and spare supply list from this transport mission against the warehouse exit slips and the Hongling Factory’s receipt slips! If even one screw is missing, you will answer to me!"

"Understood!" Technician Chen turned and left immediately.

Director Yang then looked at He Yuzhu, his tone softening with a hint of imperceptible approval. "Comrade He Yuzhu, you have been wronged. You performed the mission beautifully!"

"The Hongling Factory just sent an urgent telegram expressing their gratitude! Go back and get some rest! Until the results of the investigation are out, the Procurement Section’s work will continue as normal!"

"Yes! Thank you, Director!" He Yuzhu stood up and saluted, his eyes calm and undisturbed.

He Yuzhu didn't even glance at the ashen-faced Zhang Biao as he strode out of the interrogation room.

The news that He Yuzhu had been taken in and then released by the Security Section spread throughout the factory within half a day. As the end-of-shift bell rang, workers flooded out of the factory gates.

"Did you hear? Chief He got stabbed in the back!"

"Who did it? That’s so low! He just did the factory a huge favor!"

"Who else could it be? Jealousy! They can't stand to see others doing well!"

"That Zhang Biao in the Security Section usually looks so upright, but this time..."

"Shh! Keep your voice down! Didn't you see how angry Director Yang was? Just wait, the truth will definitely come out!"

Xu Damao was mixed into the crowd of departing workers. Hearing the surrounding discussion, he felt a chill run from the soles of his feet straight to his scalp.

The report... it had actually happened! But looking at how things were going, He Yuzhu was completely fine? Even Director Yang had personally stepped in to protect him?!

The more he thought, the more terrified he became. The draft of the report letter hidden under his bed mat now felt like a burning hot iron, making him restless.

No! He had to go back and burn it immediately! He couldn't leave a single trace of evidence!

Xu Damao kept his head down and walked quickly, wanting only to escape this place of trouble as fast as possible.

Just as he reached the corner of the factory gate, a man in a grey Zhongshan suit, looking like a cadre, brushed past him. The man had no expression on his face, but as his eyes swept over Xu Damao, there was a trace of an imperceptible coldness.

Xu Damao shuddered; he felt that the man looked familiar, as if... he were one of Deputy Factory Director Li’s people?

He didn't dare to look closer and quickened his pace, fleeing the steel rolling mill.

The door to Li Huaide’s office was tightly closed. Section Chief Zhang of Logistics stood by the desk with his hands hanging down, not daring to breathe loudly.

Li Huaide stood with his back to him, looking out the window, his fingers unconsciously tapping on the windowsill.

"Trash!" Li Huaide’s voice was low, yet bone-chilling. "Anonymous report? Who told you to send an anonymous report?! And you chose to do it right when he came back after performing a major service?! You idiots!"

Section Chief Zhang broke out in a cold sweat. "Director... I... I just thought..."

"You thought what?!" Li Huaide turned suddenly, his eyes like knives. "You alerted the enemy! Do you understand?! Now it’s a mess! Yang Weimin has personally stepped in! Let him check! Let him investigate! I want to see how many times you can withstand an investigation!"

Section Chief Zhang’s face turned deathly pale, his knees trembling.

Li Huaide took a deep breath, suppressing his rage, his expression once again becoming dark and unfathomable. "Clean up the loose ends. That idiot who sent the anonymous report needs to be silenced. Don't let anyone trace it back to us!"

"Yes... yes! Director! I’ll handle it immediately!" Section Chief Zhang felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly backed out.

Only Li Huaide remained in the office.

He looked back out the window, picked up the enamel mug on the table, and took a sip of tea that had long since gone cold. A sinister arc pulled at the corners of his mouth.

"He Yuzhu... let’s see... how this plays out."