Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Once the thought took hold, it was impossible to shake off; Yi Zhonghai waited for Yang Ligong's summons every day.

Three days later, Yang Ligong decided to talk to Yi Zhonghai again, hoping to take him on as a member of the group.

Yang Ligong had a vague feeling that Yi Zhonghai would be of great use in the future. It was an intuition, and he couldn't explain how he got it, but he just had a feeling.

Of course, he still didn't want to give anything in return.

Inside Yang Ligong's office, the two men were chatting idly while drinking tea and smoking:

"Master Yi, actually, I wanted to talk to you alone today because I wanted to tell you something from the bottom of my heart."

"After observing you for a while, I approve of your abilities, attitude, and sense of proportion in doing things."

"I trust you with many things, and I also believe you have great potential."

"I've always wanted to cultivate a few truly reliable and capable people within my own ranks."

"From now on, I plan to take you under my wing and mentor you."

"I will prioritize you when it comes to core matters and key opportunities, and I will pave the way for you and support you in every way possible."

"But there are some things I need to make clear to you: "

"To join my team, you must first be reliable and accountable for everything; second, you must understand the rules and distinguish between insiders and outsiders; and third, you must be loyal and able to step up when it matters. I will be stricter with you than with others; I will scold you when necessary, and I will never be stingy with what is due."

"Do a good job, and I won't treat my own people unfairly."

"If you have any ideas, difficulties, or uncertainties in the future, just come to me directly. There's no need to beat around the bush."

"Let's take it one step at a time, do things well, and broaden our path."

Yang Ligong watched as Yi Zhonghai finished speaking with a smile. He felt that no one could refuse what he had said, and no one would dare to refuse it.

I've told many people this before, and it's always worked.

Several people even adopted a "I'd gladly die for you" expression after hearing Yang Ligong say this.

They were practically ready to kowtow and worship their godfather, even at the cost of their lives.

Yi Zhonghai was completely bewildered; he could understand every single word Yang Ligong said.

But why don't I hear any benefit from it?

Yi Zhonghai didn't need empty promises, so he needed to show his bargaining chips. Therefore, he feigned fear and began:

"Factory manager, thank you for your high regard. I will definitely follow your instructions in the future."

Upon hearing this, Yang Ligong smiled.

"But..." Yi Zhonghai stopped there, looking at Yang Ligong without saying anything more.

Yang Ligong frowned: "Master Yi, don't hold back, just say what you have to say."

"Here's the factory manager. I live in the No. 95 compound in Nanluoguxiang. I have a neighbor named He Yuzhu, who is the foreman of the No. 1 canteen. I heard that he is no longer in a worker's position but in an administrative position."

"So, do you think I, a level eight fitter, can be transferred to an administrative position? I heard there's a recent policy about 'converting workers into cadres,' do you think there's still room for advancement for me, factory manager?"

After Yi Zhonghai finished speaking, he stared intently at Yang Ligong, his ambition clearly revealed in his eyes.

At the same time, it was also a way of telling Yang Ligong that he could accept the offer, but he had to pay for it; there was no way he could get something for nothing.

Yang Ligong was stunned for several seconds before he smiled, a smile that seemed somewhat dangerous.

Deep down, he was extremely annoyed. How could this old man ask him for something in return?

Is there no law anymore? Is there no justice?

However, he didn't show it, but deliberately showed a smile to appear calm and composed in the face of trouble.

Yi Zhonghai secretly curled his lip, thinking, "I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice, and you're trying to talk big to me?"

The official airs you, Yang Ligong, exude are nothing compared to a single glance from Brother Huaide. You're just trying to scare the foreign devils here.

However, Yi Zhonghai gave Yang Ligong plenty of face, pretending to be extremely apprehensive.

Yang Ligong thought it was enough and said:

"Master Yi, your appetite is a bit too big. How can you ask for an official position right after joining? That's not in accordance with the rules."

"Is it really against the rules?" Yi Zhonghai asked rhetorically.

"Of course," Yang Ligong said with a smile, shrugging.

Yi Zhonghai's eyes widened:

"Then why are you rambling on like this? You want me to do things for you without offering any benefits?"

"That's ridiculous. Even if you're a factory leader, it doesn't matter. I'm leaving now, and don't bother me unless it's absolutely necessary. I'm very busy."

After finishing his sentence, Yi Zhonghai turned around, opened the door, and left.

"Bang!"

Yang Ligong sat there, staring blankly at the closed office door, his mouth slightly agape.

At this moment, I can't help but doubt myself:

"Who am I? Where am I?"

After a long while, Yang Ligong finally realized what was happening and roared in fury:

"This is outrageous! This is outrageous!"

"Ah...ah...!"

A fit of impotent rage echoed in the office, but Yang Ligong had to bear it all by himself.

Because he couldn't do anything about Yi Zhonghai!

Go after him?

The key question is how to do it?

Yi Zhonghai was just a skilled worker, a master of the eighth-level fitter, and I usually had to give him some face.

Could it be that I'm wrong?

No, I did nothing wrong. Why should an elderly worker ask me for favors, even if he is an eighth-grade fitter?

I can give it to you voluntarily, but you can't ask me for it voluntarily!

Only what I give you truly belongs to you. As the factory director, I, Yang Ligong, am infallible. It's that old bastard Yi Zhonghai who doesn't know what's good for him!

Yi Zhonghai, however, showed no sign of panic as he walked out of Yang Ligong's office.

Who is he?

There are only a handful of level eight fitters at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, and each one is a treasure of the factory. He didn't believe Yang Li could do anything to him.

Who would want to work hard without offering any tangible benefits?

It would be better to seek refuge with Li Huaide. At least when you go to Brother Huaide's office for a chat, you can always take a pack of cigarettes or some tea with you.

Li Huaide forced these things on me; I couldn't refuse them.

As for Yang Ligong, he went to his office several times and even smoked his cigarettes. Yi Zhonghai had never seen such a stingy leader in his life. Of course, he had never seen many leaders either.

Thinking of these things, Yi Zhonghai shook his head helplessly, muttering to himself as he walked:

"How can the difference between people be so huge? What kind of idiot is Yang Ligong? Ugh, what a fool!"

Little did he know that Yang Guangming, who was walking towards him, overheard Yi Zhonghai's mutterings and immediately became furious.

"No, who are you insulting here?"

Yi Zhonghai looked up and saw that it was Yang Ligong's nephew, Yang Guangming, so he smiled.

"What did you hear?"

Yang Guangming was also a little angry that Yi Zhonghai didn't take him seriously at all.

"You just insulted Factory Director Yang Ligong, didn't you?"

Yi Zhonghai shook his head: "I didn't, you misheard."

"I heard it with my own ears and you're still trying to deny it!" Yang Guangming's voice suddenly rose several decibels.

Yi Zhonghai shrugs:

"So what can you do to me? I'll just curse at you, won't I?"

"Get out of here, you son of a bitch!"

After saying this, Yi Zhonghai continued walking forward, completely ignoring the angry Yang Guangming.

In Yi Zhonghai's mind, since he had already offended Yang Ligong, he didn't care about offending Yang Guangming as well.

Having too much debt doesn't bother you, having too many lice doesn't make you itch, what's there to be afraid of?