Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

In the propaganda department of the steel rolling mill, Yang Guangming was smoking in a corner to relieve his boredom.

The script that was just broadcast on the radio station was written by Yang Guangming.

He was still a bit bewildered that a lowly cook could be suddenly promoted to a cadre position.

What? You, a cook, became a cadre?

I studied hard for ten years to get where I am now, and you, you just cook a few meals and you're a cadre, at the same level as him.

However, this was a decision made by his superiors. Yang Guangming was nothing at the moment and could only obediently write articles.

The leader repeatedly asked that the article be well-written and down-to-earth, but Yang Guangming had no other thoughts in mind; all he felt was jealousy.

The atmosphere in the steel rolling mill's canteens was excellent, and they greatly admired Sha Zhu, the head of the first canteen.

While admiring them, we also felt awe. When Sha Zhu taught them cooking skills, he would also scold them. Even the 40-year-old master chef was scolded so much that he didn't dare to lift his head.

For the older, more experienced workers, being scolded by Sha Zhu was nothing; they all hoped Sha Zhu would slap them a few times.

If giving them a few slaps would teach them something, then it would be worth it.

It's quite difficult for chefs to improve their skills after reaching a certain age, but it was different after Sha Zhu taught him; his skills improved rapidly.

They are very skilled at cooking large pot dishes.

As for the idea that a disciple starves his master?

Stop talking nonsense. With those two brothers' skills, they could fool even the Russians. If you want to outdo them, you'll have to wait until the next life, or the life after that.

I'm content to work honestly under those two brothers; the pay is good, and I can occasionally learn a few tricks of the trade—it's a lifesaver.

Furthermore, once you join Qinhang, you should know the reputation of the two brothers in Beiping. It's too difficult to shake their reputation, let alone their small territory in the steel rolling mill.

Li Jiuzhou is the canteen director, in charge of all five canteens. He determines the technical assessments and wages of the canteen workers.

The factory leaders didn't care at all, because they felt very secure with Li Jiuzhou in charge.

Even if Li Jiuzhou is temporarily away from the factory, there's still Sha Zhu, the chief foreman, providing double insurance.

Qin Huairu was incredibly excited after listening to the broadcast. Her man was truly amazing; her eyes were practically sparkling as she looked at Sha Zhu. She felt so honored.

This is a factory-wide commendation, and he even received a formal position within the factory—not a worker's position, but a cadre position.

To put it another way, this meant she was now receiving a government salary, bringing glory to her ancestors. How could Qin Huairu not be excited?

I've made up my mind to reward Sha Zhu properly when I get back, and if all else fails, I'll go all out and give him eight sons!

If Sha Zhu knew Qin Huairu was thinking this way, he would just give her a big slap and say:

"Fuck you, thank you so much..."

How do you raise eight sons?

There's a high chance my house will be torn down by these eight brats, and when I'm old, I'll probably get beaten up...

Who can guarantee that all eight sons will be filial? There might be a traitor among them who will seek revenge!

After listening to the broadcast, Liu Haizhong was numb, overwhelmed with endless envy, jealousy, and hatred.

How long has it been since his eldest son, Liu Guangqi, received his vocational school admission notice?

It's not that Liu Haizhong is bragging, but his eldest son is destined to be a cadre and a future leader after his death.

He was incredibly successful in Courtyard No. 95, and even in the steel rolling mill, he could hold his head high.

But now, Sha Zhu has been promoted from an ordinary worker to a cadre, which Liu Haizhong finds hard to believe.

When did it become so easy to be a cadre?

His son still needs to continue his studies; only after graduating from vocational high school can he become a cadre.

Sha Zhu, on the other hand, just went straight to the point. The announcement from the broadcasting station made Liu Haizhong dizzy and unwilling to accept reality.

He even suspected something was fishy going on and considered reporting Sha Zhu. (Just his old habit kicking in.)

Fortunately, Liu Hai still had a sliver of reason left. The factory's broadcasting station wouldn't scare people with propaganda, and he would only suffer if he reported Sha Zhu without any evidence.

In the end, only he himself will suffer. I remember the last time I reported people gambling in the compound, my whole family was ostracized by the neighbors, and no one even voted for him in the liaison officer election.

Of course, he cast one vote himself.

If he does this again, Liu Haizhong estimates that the people in the compound will jointly kick his family out.

So he cursed the factory leaders and Sha Zhu in his heart. He thought, "I, Liu Haizhong, have worked diligently in the factory and mentored apprentices. Why can't I be a small leader? Are they blind? Damn it!"

So, people are all different. Some hope you live well, some hope you are as poor as them, and some even hope you are unlucky, ideally worse off than them for the rest of your life—that would be perfect.

Xu Damao was horrified; his face turned green when he heard the news in the warehouse, but there was nothing he could do.

What good is envy and jealousy? I really can't beat Sha Zhu right now, but luckily I'm doing pretty well myself.

A projectionist at the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill was a prestigious position, ranking among the eight key personnel alongside cooks. However, projectionists were considered more respectable, or so most people thought.

Sha Zhu is a sentimental person, and he gradually loses himself amidst the flattery of his canteen colleagues.

Some people even suggested becoming his apprentices when Sha Zhu was happy. Fortunately, Qin Huairu was by his side, otherwise Sha Zhu would have really gotten carried away.

Qin Huairu had long understood the ways of the trade. With her husband's excellent cooking skills, she couldn't just take on apprentices casually; she had to think it over carefully.

Besides, if Senior Brother Li Jiuzhou and Master Li Tielong knew that Sha Zhu was taking on disciples indiscriminately, they would beat him to death!

Sha Zhu also came to his senses in time, cupped his hands in thanks to everyone, and said, "Thank you all. We all work in the cafeteria, let's all work together."

"As for taking on apprentices, let's not talk about it anymore. I can't take on apprentices without my master's and senior brothers' permission. It would be pointless if I did, they wouldn't recognize it."

The apprentices were somewhat disappointed upon hearing this. Everyone present knew how skilled Sha Zhu was in cooking; he was more than capable of taking on apprentices.

Didn't you see that You Fulai is usually coached by Sha Zhu? He's improving very quickly.

They usually have You Fulai by their side when entertaining guests, and they would like to receive the same treatment, but it is impossible for them.

As soon as Sha Zhu returned to the courtyard, he received blessings from his neighbors, who were very well-informed.

Yan Bugui offered cigarettes to Sha Zhu today, saying it was to curry favor with the future leader, which made the neighbors laugh.

Sha Zhu was a little embarrassed at first, but he gradually accepted it.

Just like my senior said, he deserves it, but don't be arrogant or cocky, or he'll beat you up.

Sha Zhu should listen to his senior brother's words, because he knows in his heart that without his senior brother, he would have many more detours to take.

My senior brother is definitely my benefactor. If I don't seize this opportunity, then I, Sha Zhu, will truly be an idiot.

As for the higher-ups, they only appreciated his cooking skills, not that he had any extraordinary talent.

He should have self-awareness; Sha Zhu felt that he could simply take over his senior's job in the future.

My senior will become the logistics director in the future, and it would be good if he, Shazhu, could also become a section chief.

If the official rank is too high, the He family's ancestral graves might not be able to withstand it.