Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

Yi Zhonghai's trip was worthwhile; besides helping his apprentice Jia Dongxu advance his career, he also managed to demonstrate his loyalty to Yang Ligong, achieving two goals at once.

Yi Zhonghai's smile never stopped as he left the factory manager's office, and he walked smugly toward the workshop with his hands behind his back.

On the road, Yi Zhonghai muttered to himself:

"So be it, Xiao Yi. In terms of administrative rank, even that bastard Xu Damao can call me Xiao Yi. A higher rank can crush a lower one."

As soon as Yi Zhonghai returned to the workshop, Jia Dongxu rushed over, offering him tea and cigarettes, his eyes practically overflowing with anticipation.

The workers who were resting nearby immediately showed disdain when they saw Jia Dongxu's sycophantic behavior.

But for those who want to learn the skills and improve, their hearts are filled with envy, jealousy and hatred.

They want to curry favor with Yi Zhonghai too!

He used to be an eighth-level fitter, and he still is, plus he's been promoted to deputy workshop director.

In the workshop, everyone except the director has the final say!

The No. 1 Fitter Workshop is the largest workshop in Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, with more than 1500 fitters.

In other words, Yi Zhonghai is the direct superior of these 1500 people.

Isn't that awesome?

Since Yi Zhonghai became the deputy director of the workshop, the status of his apprentices in the workshop has risen accordingly.

The workshop is also a small society, with its own factions.

Yi Zhonghai favored Jia Dongxu, and none of his other apprentices had any objections.

Jia Dongxu will be responsible for taking care of his master and mistress in their old age and collecting their remains. When the funeral hall is set up, Jia Dongxu and his wife, along with their children, will all be filial sons and grandsons, and they will be required to wear mourning clothes.

What's wrong with being nicer to him?

If you're willing, then I, Yi Zhonghai, can treat you better, even open my heart to you.

So, are you willing?

His apprentices could only say one thing in unison:

"Give me a damn rest, nobody's willing to do that..."

Similarly, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst; his other disciples lived too far away, and even if they were willing, Yi Zhonghai was not.

So don't be surprised that Jia Dongxu received his master's favor; he was being raised like a son.

Yi Zhonghai's apprentices also knew how good their master was to Jia Dongxu.

The wedding groom paid for the sewing machine, but he barely rode his own bicycle, letting Jia Dongxu ride it all.

These two things Yi Zhonghai did were enough to make his other apprentices insanely jealous, since they didn't own a single big item at home.

Not to mention the watch, radio, and other related issues that followed.

Although the master's food is delicious, it makes them unable to make it when they are in mourning. There's nothing else to it but that makes them feel uneasy.

So no matter how much favoritism the master showed, they accepted it, and now they can get by in the factory as an eighth-level fitter apprentice.

Now that my mentor is also the deputy director of the workshop, life is even better for him.

Yi Zhonghai would also lend money to his apprentices who were in trouble. He wouldn't take the initiative to help, but as long as you asked, the master would help if he could.

Of course, if you borrow and repay, it's not difficult to borrow again.

No apprentice dared to owe their master Yi Zhonghai money, lest he make things difficult for them.

Therefore, Yi Zhonghai's apprentices had no complaints about him, and they got along very well.

Smoking a cigarette, Jia Dongxu couldn't wait to ask:

"Master, how's my progress...?"

Yi Zhonghai glared at him:

"What's the rush? We'll talk about it when we get home tonight. Go in and get to work!"

"Oh..." Jia Dongxu hung his head and obediently listened.

…………

After dinner, several adults gathered in the Jia family house to listen to Yi Zhonghai's next instructions to Jia Dongxu.

Yi Zhonghai looked into Jia Dongxu's eyes:

"Dongxu, that's what the factory manager said. You just need to do as he says."

Hearing this, Jia Dongxu was somewhat disappointed:

"Master, can't I just be promoted directly?"

"I'm only a level three fitter. You want me to advance to level two in a year? Is that even possible? Even a genius couldn't advance two levels in a year, could they?"

At this moment, Jia Dongxu's mother, Jia Zhangshi, suddenly said:

"Dongxu, let's talk about chickens, not eights; let's all be civilized!"

"Well…"

Jia Zhangshi's sudden remark nearly made Yi Zhonghai and the others' heads spin.

"Pfft... Hahahaha..." Tong Jie couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but laugh, pointing at Jia Zhangshi with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, shaking his head repeatedly.

Jia Dongxu could only manage a wry smile; his mother was truly a genius!

The family was discussing a very serious topic concerning his progress, and then his mother pulled this stunt, which is absolutely hilarious.

Yi Zhonghai stepped in to smooth things over:

"Alright, alright, stop laughing, Dongxu. Don't be too ambitious. This is the best way. Your master won't lie to you."

"As long as you do as I say, in a month or two the master will promote you to team leader, which means managing over 150 people, almost as much as that big squad leader Sha Zhu. What more do you want?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu's eyes lit up. "Okay, let's start slowly. I was just a little unwilling to accept it earlier because I felt my progress was too slow."

Jia Dongxu thought that since his mentor was able to establish a relationship with Director Yang, it would be easy for him to make progress, but the result left him somewhat disappointed.

However, what the master said makes sense. You can't get fat in one bite. Take it slow. It's not bad to become a group leader first.

As Jia Dongxu thought about it, his mood began to brighten.

Having a goal means you won't be completely lost all day. To put it bluntly, it's about limited understanding and not knowing how to cultivate good interpersonal relationships.

In this era, there are two ways to make progress: first, to achieve merit, and second, to understand interpersonal relationships.

Earning merit is the fastest and most effective way; it can get you promoted to the deputy section chief level, like Xu Damao.

Secondly, you need to be good at interpersonal relationships and know how to maintain good relationships with your superiors.

Take, for example, Guo Da Piezi, the director of the first fitter workshop, a proper deputy section chief.

He was just a level 5 fitter, but in his early 30s he became a workshop director at the deputy section chief level. Besides his ability to curry favor with his superiors, it was also related to his interpersonal skills.

That's real skill, incredible skill!

Do you know how much benefit Guo Da Piezi gave to Yang Ligong?

It cost over 2000 yuan, but the return was at least three times that amount.

So Guo Da Piezi was also one of Yang Ligong's men, and he was quite good at getting things done. He would really give things away without any hesitation.

Yang Ligong wanted to give his subordinate more responsibilities.

Unlike Yi Zhonghai, who, although his personality had changed somewhat, was still stingy and always had to ask for favors, Yang Ligong even gave him a pack of cigarettes before he left.

If Yang Licheng can't promote Jia Dongxu, then he definitely can, but why should he do it?

Just because you think you're so great, Yi Zhonghai?

As the factory director, Yang Ligong had many ways to get Jia Dongxu promoted and given a raise; whether he could do it depended on whether there were any benefits involved.

Clearly, Yi Zhonghai's actions did not satisfy Yang Ligong.