Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

"Xiao Li, we meet again. Have a seat." He gestured to the chair opposite him.

"Leader Jiang," Li Feng greeted respectfully, then sat down as instructed.

"How was your rest?" Jiang Dashan asked like a kind elder.

"It's fine, thank you for your concern, boss."

Jiang Dashan nodded, leaned forward slightly, and his expression became serious.

He pushed the report that Li Feng had submitted that morning to the center of the table and said in a deep voice, "I met with several responsible comrades from the main departments this afternoon and we have all reviewed your report."

Li Feng's heart jumped; he knew the crucial moment had arrived.

Jiang Dashan continued, "Everyone agrees that your report is insightful, well-structured, data-rich, and strongly argued."

"In particular, your strategic concept of 'using key points to drive overall development, radiating technology, and establishing industry standards' is very forward-looking and hits the nail on the head regarding the current development of our industrial system."

Hearing this, Li Feng felt half relieved.

“However!” Jiang Dashan changed the subject, “While the idea is good, putting it into practice is not an easy task. It involves departmental coordination, resource allocation, personnel arrangements, and many other aspects, all of which present challenges. There are also some dissenting voices within the ministry, mainly because they are worried that taking too big a step will make it difficult to control the risks.”

Li Feng listened quietly without interrupting.

He knew that Leader Jiang was giving him a heads-up and also offering him guidance.

Sure enough, Jiang Dashan looked at him with deep and sharp eyes: "I have decided that the Ministry will hold an expanded Party Group meeting tomorrow morning to discuss and make a decision on the feasibility of your report and the specific implementation plan for the subsequent projects."

"Tomorrow?" Li Feng was slightly taken aback, not expecting it to be so soon.

"Yes, it's tomorrow." Jiang Dashan said firmly, "Time waits for no one, Xiao Li! Our country is in dire need of rebuilding, and the external environment is complex and volatile. We don't have time to procrastinate. Once we've identified the right thing to do, we have to act decisively!"

His words were powerful and resounding, making Li Feng's blood boil.

"At that time, all members of the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry, as well as the main responsible comrades of relevant departments and bureaus, will attend. I hope that you, as the proposer of this report and the person in charge of the project, can also attend the meeting and give a detailed report and explanation to everyone in person."

As Jiang Dashan finished speaking, he gave Li Feng a deep look, his eyes filled with expectation and encouragement.

"Xiao Li, this is a report, a test, and an opportunity. Do you understand what I mean?"

Li Feng understood instantly.

Leader Jiang is not only asking him to explain the report, but also giving him a stage to showcase his talents in front of all the senior leaders in the department!

For a project leader to be able to attend an expanded meeting of the Party Group of the Ministry is itself a tremendous honor and recognition.

If he can perform well at the meeting and persuade those leaders with reservations with his professional knowledge and foresight, he will not only win the greatest support for the project, but also leave a deep impression on the entire light industry system and even higher-level leaders.

He felt that Li Feng's future stage would not be limited to a small five-star ceramics factory, or even the Ministry of Light Industry. His future would be a much broader world!

A warm current instantly flowed through Li Feng's body. He stood up from his seat and bowed deeply to Jiang Dashan.

"Thank you, leader! I understand. I will definitely prepare well and live up to your expectations!" His voice wasn't loud, but every word was full of strength and determination.

Jiang Dashan nodded with satisfaction, a pleased smile on his face.

What he wanted was Li Feng's enterprising spirit and unwavering determination. Young people should act like young people!
……

When I came out of Leader Jiang's office, it was already completely dark outside.

As dusk settles, the ancient city is enveloped in a warm glow.

Li Feng and Wu Na met downstairs at the office building, where Sun Qiang was already waiting in his familiar car.

The cool night breeze brushed against his face, clearing Li Feng's head, which had been feverish from excitement.

Once in the car, Wu Na sat next to him. The car wasn't very spacious, and he could smell a faint, sweet fragrance emanating from her.

The car was quiet throughout the journey. Sun Qiang focused intently on driving, while Li Feng repeatedly conceived his speech for tomorrow's meeting.

Wu Na turned to look at him several times, her lips moved as if she wanted to ask something, but she ultimately held back.

She felt like a kitten was tickling her heart, she was incredibly curious.

Why did Leader Jiang call Li Feng aside for such a long talk? What earth-shattering things did they discuss?

But she also knew that there were some questions that should never be asked in certain situations.

Especially with Sun Qiang, the driver, still around.

This is the most basic discipline and sense of propriety.

The car drove smoothly along Chang'an Avenue, and the streetlights outside the window swept past one by one, casting long shadows.

Looking at Li Feng's focused profile, which appeared exceptionally resolute and captivating in the flickering light, Wu Na suddenly felt incredibly fortunate to be involved in such a magnificent project and to be able to fight alongside such a person.

As for those secrets she doesn't yet know, let them remain secrets for now.

She believes that one day, when this project truly shocks the world, all the answers will become clear.

Around nine o'clock at night, Sun Qiang parked the car steadily at the gate of the Five Star Ceramics Factory.

The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, making the large, gold-plated characters on the factory sign shine brightly.

"Director Li, Section Chief Wu, we've arrived." Sun Qiang turned off the engine and said, turning around.

"Thank you for your hard work, Master Sun." Li Feng was the first to open the car door, and a cool breeze carrying the smell of earth and kiln fire rushed in, which invigorated him.

Wu Na also got out of the car. She glanced at Li Feng and then said to Sun Qiang, "Master Sun, thank you for your trouble. Please drive carefully on the road."

"Don't worry, Section Chief Wu." Sun Qiang smiled.

Li Feng turned to Wu Na and said, "It's getting late, you should go back and rest. You've had a long day."

Wu Na looked at Li Feng, the streetlights casting deep contours on his face, his eyes still seeming to burn with the passion of the day.

She had a thousand questions in her mind, such as what Leader Jiang finally said, and how important tomorrow's meeting was, but since he didn't say, she didn't ask.

This is a tacit understanding, and also a form of trust. (End of Chapter)