Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

By mid-October, the expansion of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill was nearing completion; that's speed.

Don't expect anything unexpected; it's not like it's a multi-story building, just a factory.

It was just a one-story factory building; the bricklaying and plastering were done incredibly quickly.

Of course, comparisons can be painful. The reason why Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill was able to move so quickly was because it had solved the land issue early on.

The factory buildings are now all completed, while other factories in Beijing are still pouring foundations.

Even a slow dog would shake its head at this, let alone the leaders of the Ministry of Metallurgy.

Regarding the equipment, the leadership didn't specify who would get it first, but the meaning was clear: whoever finishes building the factory first will get to use it.

Otherwise, it'll just sit there collecting dust.

On the first day of work, Secretary Nie asked Li Jiuzhou to go with him to the Ministry of Metallurgy to ask the leaders for equipment.

Li Jiuzhou didn't know why Secretary Nie insisted on calling him along, but he had to listen to his superior's orders.

After going downstairs, Secretary Nie's car was already waiting with the engine running.

Before the driver could get out of the car, Li Jiuzhou moved, walked to the back seat, and opened the door:

"Sir, please!"

Secretary Nie smiled and accepted Li Jiuzhou's offer:

"Jiuzhou, sit in the back with me, I have something to tell you."

"Yes, leader." Li Jiuzhou got into the back seat with Secretary Nie.

At this moment, Secretary Nie asked the driver:

"Komatsu, have you prepared everything I asked you to?"

"Secretary, everything is ready," the driver, Xiaosong, replied respectfully.

"Hehe, that's good." Secretary Nie smiled, then said to Li Jiuzhou:

"Jiuzhou, we might need your help at noon. We're going to ask the leaders for equipment this time, and it would be impolite to go empty-handed."

"Don't worry, I won't let you work for nothing. I guarantee you, even if the leaders don't agree to give you the equipment, your deputy director must get it done today. I said it, and nobody can stop me."

Upon hearing this, Li Jiuzhou rolled his eyes at Secretary Nie:

"Secretary, isn't my position as deputy director-general already a done deal? It'll be finalized this year anyway, so I'm not in a hurry."

"Isn't it a bit impolite of you to take my gift and return it to me?"

"Uh, hahaha." Upon hearing this, Secretary Nie could only cover his embarrassment with a smile. He didn't expect Li Jiuzhou to be in such a hurry. Anyone else would have been red-faced with excitement.

That guy was a deputy director-general level official. When Yang Ligong was twenty-six, he was still yelling and shouting on the blackboard at Tsinghua University.

Comparing yourself to others will only make you miserable.

At this moment, Secretary Nie revealed a meaningful smile and patted Li Jiuzhou on the shoulder:

"Jiuzhou, don't be so absolute. What do you mean by 'it's a sure thing' that you'll be promoted to deputy director this year?"

"If I don't agree to you going to university, I won't be going too far. Stopping you for a year will only make things easier for you..."

Li Jiuzhou feigned anger upon hearing this:

"That's a bit unreasonable of you~"

Secretary Nie gave a disdainful snort:

"What the hell are you talking about, I'm over 60 years old?"

"Besides, who can reason with a leader? Isn't that right, Xiao Song?" Secretary Nie asked the driver.

Xiao Song shook his head like a rattle drum:

"Secretary, I heard and saw nothing."

Secretary Nie glared at Xiao Song, clearly annoyed.

"Fine, you're a fucking idiot, I can't be bothered talking to you."

Then he immediately changed to a smiling face towards Li Jiuzhou:

"Jiuzhou, we're counting on you today. The leader has been working so hard, so I had someone bring back some ingredients from Tianjin Port to help him recover."

What could Li Jiuzhou say? The people were already on the bus; he had no choice but to do it.

"Alright, I don't have anything to do today anyway, so I'll go to the Ministry of Metallurgy to broaden my horizons."

The car arrived at the Ministry of Metallurgy in about ten minutes, where there were armed guards at the entrance.

Upon arriving at the entrance, Li Jiuzhou and Secretary Nie got out of the car for a routine inspection, after which someone led the way on foot.

The staff quickly went to report it, and a group of leaders from the Ministry of Metallurgy came out to speak.

Don't get me wrong, they're not here to welcome Secretary Nie. Who does he think he is? He's nothing!

The main reason is that Li Jiuzhou came, and I heard that Secretary Nie also brought some ingredients.

These shrewd old people were well aware of the trickery involved.

No need to say anything more, we're having an extra meal today, a really good lunch with lots of delicious food and drinks, some leaders even told their drivers to go home and get some good wine.

Some people say it's corruption?

Corruption my ass!

Secretary Nie paid for the food himself to treat the leaders to dinner.

What kind of corruption is this? I've been working hard and making contributions, so what's wrong with having a nice meal?

Does Lao Tzu eat this every day?

When Secretary Nie saw Minister Wang and his group walk out with their hands behind their backs, he immediately smiled and went up to greet them.

"Dear leaders, I've come to see you..."

Minister Wang, who was in charge, waved his hand impatiently:

"Get lost, get lost! We want to see this, you old man, who are you insulting? Go play somewhere else."

Then, his gaze fell upon Li Jiuzhou, who was standing slightly behind and to the side of Secretary Nie, and he revealed a bright smile:

"Hey Kyushu, how busy have you been lately? What brings you to the Ministry of Metallurgy...?"

Minister Wang was incredibly enthusiastic, a stark contrast to his attitude towards Secretary Nie just moments before.

When the leader took the initiative to greet him, Li Jiuzhou quickly stepped forward to respond:

"Minister, hello leaders. The factory work is manageable for now. Today, Secretary Nie brought me to the Ministry of Metallurgy to learn a bit."

Minister Wang smiled.

"Studying is good. Here's what you can do: you can look at whatever you want to learn later."

Li Jiuzhou took the opportunity to back down:

"Then I'll go to the cafeteria to learn. Secretary Nie brought some ingredients, and I'm free anyway, so I'll help prepare them. At noon, all the leaders can try my cooking."

Minister Wang feigned hesitation:

"This isn't appropriate. You're here to learn, and you're a guest. How can we let you cook in the cafeteria? No way!"

Li Jiuzhou waved his hand:

"It's alright, Minister. I'm just itching to cook. I've come all this way, so please grant my wish."

Since Li Jiuzhou had put it so clearly, Minister Wang naturally had to agree. That was the case, but it just needed to appear reasonable and justifiable on the surface.

"Well... since it was Comrade Jiuzhou who requested it, and I would be the bad guy if I disagreed, then I won't ask for the comrades' opinions. Go ahead."

"Okay, Minister, I'll go check out the cafeteria right away." As soon as Li Jiuzhou finished speaking, someone immediately led the way for him.

The driver, Xiaosong, had already arrived at the cafeteria with the ingredients.

When Li Jiuzhou arrived, the ingredients were already laid out, and someone was conducting a routine inspection, which was the rule.

The inspectors also spoke to Li Jiuzhou to make sure he didn't misunderstand.

Li Jiuzhou could naturally understand this, and there was nothing wrong with it.

Even if Minister Wang and others trust Secretary Nie and Li Jiuzhou, those below them still have to consider the safety of their leaders.

If anything goes wrong, everyone in the security department will be finished. Since it concerns their lives and property, no one can let their guard down.

Li Jiuzhou did the same when he was preparing to cook, not allowing anyone to get close.

He was also afraid that someone would shift the blame onto him.

However, it was the head of the security department who personally helped Li Jiuzhou wash the vegetables.

Li Jiuzhou also helped with the washing, and while watching the person washing vegetables, he asked:

"Brother Lin, can I ask what level you are?"

"Don't get me wrong, bro, I just want to know the level of your special department."

I've already introduced myself. The head of the security department is surnamed Lin, a man in his thirties.

Brother Lin smiled:

"My rank is definitely higher than yours. Do you think just anyone can do this job?"

Li Jiuzhou showed a suspicious expression:

"I don't believe it. I'm a junior officer, and you're even higher than me?"

After hearing this, Brother Lin's smile grew even brighter, and the corners of his mouth even twisted a little:

"Oh, my friend, what a coincidence. I was a section chief yesterday noon, the same rank as you, and by the afternoon I was a deputy director."

"There's no way around it, he's just too outstanding!"

Li Jiuzhou: "..."

"Believe it or not, I'll be at your level after today?"

"I believe you..." Brother Lin showed no doubt whatsoever.

Li Jiuzhou was even more confused after hearing this:

"Brother, I still want to hear you say you don't believe it."

Brother Lin: "I believe you!"

"Don't believe it!"

"I believe you!"

"Alpaca!"

"If you're going to be so tough, then don't resort to insults!"

"Fuck your mother!"