Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Yi Zhonghai knew that Li Jiuzhou had been promoted, but he didn't go around telling everyone, because with his intelligence, he could easily figure it out.

Normal personnel appointments and adjustments are announced via the factory's public address system. This is to facilitate the newly promoted leaders in handling their work and to let the workers know exactly what the leader's job is.

The factory hasn't said what it means yet.

The representative was also a little guilty, after all, Li Jiuzhou had only been promoted to section chief last month, and he had moved too fast.

As soon as Li Jiuzhou returned to the courtyard, Yi Zhonghai handed him a cigarette and quietly congratulated him:

"Jiuzhou, congratulations on your promotion!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jiuzhou looked around and, seeing that no one was coming, smiled.

"Congratulations, Uncle Yi! An eighth-level fitter is something else, even smoking Zhonghua cigarettes! That's impressive!"

Yi Zhonghai gave a modest smile: "Hey, it's all from the leaders, hahaha..."

It's clear that Yi Zhonghai is extremely satisfied; one could say that he has reached the pinnacle of his life in this era!

Technically speaking, Li Jiuzhou also admired Yi Zhonghai.

Anyone can do the job of a fitter; even someone with little talent can eventually reach level two or three by persevering their whole life.

A level 5 or 6 talent is perfectly fine for someone with average talent.

A level 7 fitter with exceptional talent is the ceiling!

The highest level of talent is an eighth-grade fitter, or even an engineer.

It's obvious that Yi Zhonghai has this talent, but he'll only ever reach the level of an eighth-grade fitter.

Culture is his Achilles' heel. Reaching the engineer level is not just about practical skills; there is too much theoretical knowledge for Yi Zhonghai to learn, even if he wanted to, he was powerless to do so.

Of course, an eighth-level fitter is just as amazing; he's practically a living blueprint, and he's no joke when it comes to hand-crafting nuclear bombs.

As for Yi Zhonghai's character, Li Jiuzhou had lived in the same courtyard house with him for so long and hadn't found any major problems with him.

On the contrary, he has an excellent reputation, and it's really not that Li Jiuzhou has any prejudice against him.

Yi Zhonghai now has no elders above him and many disciples and grand-disciples below him; his life couldn't be more prosperous.

If anything were to happen, it would be a little scheming between Liu Haizhong, Yan Bugui, and the other two.

They didn't scheme against the other residents in the courtyard, so it's nothing.

After exchanging a few compliments, the two went home separately.

Sha Zhu hasn't had an easy time lately. Qin Huairu's temper has gotten worse since she got pregnant, which has made him quite upset.

My once gentle and considerate wife is gone; if I do anything wrong, I'm sure I'll get a scolding.

Sha Zhu couldn't possibly hit his wife, especially since she was pregnant.

Sure enough, he got scolded again that night for stuffing his smelly socks into the corner of the wall—five, six, seven, or eight pairs in total. Qin Huairu was furious and gave Sha Zhu a severe dressing down.

He's a repeat offender, no wonder Qin Huairu is angry.

Feeling depressed, Sha Zhu took a bottle of wine to his senior brother's house and poured out his troubles to him.

Li Jiuzhou had been through it all; he knew that it was best not to upset a woman after she became pregnant, as it was normal for her temper to be unstable. He had been through it all himself, so how could he not know this?

Then Li Jiuzhou spoke:

"Zhu Zi, when a woman can control your emotions, don't hesitate, kill her—that's what Dong Tianbao said!"

Sha Zhu was completely dumbfounded and waved his hands repeatedly: "Senior brother, don't joke around, this is unacceptable."

"Also, who is Dong Tianbao?"

Li Jiuzhou smiled:

"Hehe, nobody. You don't know them anyway. Maybe you'll meet them if you live long enough."

Sha Zhu was a little drunk and didn't care what his senior brother was saying. He took a swig of wine by himself.

When it was almost time, Qin Huairu arrived, heavily pregnant. Sha Zhu sobered up immediately and fawned over her, helping her home to rest.

In a villa in Beijing, Li Huaide and his father-in-law were discussing work in the study.

Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill was a subordinate unit of the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry. The old man was the second-in-command of the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, and it was common for Li Huaide to report his work to him when he returned home.

As Li Huaide spoke, the old man nodded occasionally, listening attentively with a composed expression.

After a long while, Li Huaide finished his report and waited for the old man's guidance.

"Huai De, it seems your factory is doing quite well so far."

"The factory has been expanded and more people have been recruited. We are very satisfied with the results achieved by the steel rolling mill in the past six months."

"Your factory leadership team all receive rewards, though the chances of promotion are slim, but there are still commendations."

"Dad, I understand." Li Huaide nodded.

Promotion is definitely out of the question; the steel mill is only at the bureau level, and the highest leader, Secretary Nie, is only at the department level.

Moreover, it's impossible for Li Huaide and others to be promoted so quickly; a steel plant wouldn't have several officials at the ministerial level.

Previously, the top two leaders were both at the ministerial level, but Yang Ligong was demoted because he made a mistake.

The old man glanced at Li Huaide and said in a calm tone:

"You should be prepared, Yang Ligong is going to be reinstated."

Li Huaide opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end it was no use.

The old man smiled and said, "What, you're not satisfied?"

Li Huaide's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. What was the old man trying to do? Was he giving him a warning? So he quickly waved his hand.

"Dad, how could I be dissatisfied? This is a decision made by the organization, and I unconditionally support and obey it!"

The old man snorted coldly:

"Hmph, you're smart to know what's good for you. We've all heard about the argument and cursing between you and Yang Ligong at the Party Committee meeting."

Li Huaide broke out in a cold sweat. The higher-ups knew all about it; they really were incredibly powerful. He quickly began to explain:

"Dad, please let me explain. I had no choice. Yang Ligong came to our door to bully us. I can't just stand there and take the scolding. No way, absolutely not."

The old man smiled upon hearing this:

"You only won because you won the argument, otherwise I would have taught you a lesson too."

Upon hearing this, Li Huaide sensed there was more to the story, so he asked, "Dad, what happened?"

Here's what happened: when the news of the steel rolling mill's Party Committee meeting reached the Ministry of Metallurgy that day, a group of leaders were overjoyed.

It's perfectly normal to have arguments during meetings and discussions.

However, the arguments among the younger generation can also affect the power struggles among the upper management.

Take, for example, the old man and Yang Ligong's father-in-law.

At that time, Yang Ligong's father-in-law, Old Wang, pointed at Old Li's nose and cursed him, saying that his son-in-law, Li Huaide, was too much of a bully.

"Old Li, we're all sons-in-law, who's really related to whom? Why bring it up to attack each other? Isn't that just hurting the enemy a thousand while hurting yourself eight hundred?"

Old Li felt offended. He wasn't made of clay; if someone pointed a finger at him and insulted him, he would definitely fight back.

"Old Wang, you can't say that. What do you mean by 'all sons-in-law'? I'm marrying off my daughter, not taking in a son-in-law."

"Huai De is different from your son-in-law Yang Ligong. My grandson's surname is Li."

"I have my own son, why would I need a son-in-law who comes to live with me? Who's like you, having seven or eight daughters?"

"I heard you're getting a new wife. Remember to invite me to your wedding banquet!"

"I wonder if you old man are still up to the task. You're already this age, and your crotch is bulging. Have you been peeing?"

"Ha ha ha ha……"

The group of old men in the conference room almost died laughing.

Old Wang was furious. He pointed at Li Huaide, speechless. Li Huaide was a civil servant, unlike Old Li, who was a stinking soldier from the army.

"Oh, I see." Li Huaide smiled as well.

The old man nodded: "Although I had a fight with Old Wang, the matter of Yang Ligong being reinstated has been confirmed. We should go to the steel mill tomorrow to formally notify him."