Courtyard House: The Chef's Intelligence System

The next day, at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, they received a commendation from the comrades who had been dispatched and from Comrade Xu Damao for his act of bravery.

Although the loss suffered by the eldest son of the Wu family could not be recovered, Comrade Xu Damao's spirit deserves recognition.

Secretary Nie convened a special meeting of the Standing Committee to discuss how the factory should commend Xu Damao for his courageous act.

The leaders present had all seen the case materials brought by the police, and they knew what had happened.

Although Xu Damao did not fight the criminals bravely, he was seriously injured as a result.

But this spirit of self-sacrifice is truly admirable.

We are all people who lived through the war years; half of the leaders present have fought in wars.

I genuinely admire this kind of person.

Secretary Nie also admired Xu Damao quite a bit. Judging from Xu Damao's behavior, he was suited to be a speculator.

But they did nothing wrong. What's wrong with being more proactive in order to earn merit?

Who the hell doesn't want to bring honor to their ancestors?

At least Xu Damao managed to balance public and private interests.

This wasn't a robbery he planned; it just happened on his way home.

Since they've encountered this situation, those skilled at gambling will naturally take a gamble; what's wrong with that?

If you succeed, it will benefit your descendants; if you fail, you can always be a hero again in eighteen years.

Secretary Nie coughed lightly:

"Everyone, let's discuss how to reward merit. The Public Security Bureau will commend Comrade Xu Damao for his act of bravery and award him 50 yuan. The Street Office will present him with a plaque with drums and gongs."

"And what about us? We can't let our heroes feel disheartened."

Li Jiuzhou smiled upon hearing this, leaning forward. As Xu Damao's neighbor, he wanted to be the first to speak.

"Secretary, factory director, and all leaders and colleagues, I am Xu Damao's neighbor."

"As the saying goes, one should not avoid recommending virtuous people even if they are relatives. Comrade Xu Damao has already received two commendations for his acts of bravery."

"Last time he was promoted for meritorious service and was promoted to deputy head of the propaganda section. So this time I think he is qualified to be promoted one level again."

"Moreover, as everyone has witnessed, he is intelligent, responsible, and more than capable of serving as the head of the publicity department."

Yang Ligong nodded upon hearing this. He agreed with Xu Damao's words, after all, he had two distant relatives who had also been apprentices under Xu Damao and had now completed their apprenticeships.

He didn't object to Xu Damao's advancement; after all, it was just a section chief position. However, he had other concerns:

"I agree with what Deputy Secretary Jiuzhou said, but if Comrade Xu Damao is promoted to section chief, what about Comrade Zhang Wansheng?"

"They were doing just fine as section chiefs, and you just fired them before they even got comfortable in their positions. Isn't that a bit unfair?"

Li Jiuzhou felt uneasy after hearing this. "You, Yang Ligong, are the only kind person out there? Pah!"

However, since he dared to say that, he must have a way to deal with Zhang Wansheng:

"Factory Director, Comrade Zhang Wansheng is both literate and skilled in martial arts. He is of age and it's time for him to be promoted. My logistics department happens to be short of a deputy director, so I recommend Comrade Zhang Wansheng for this position."

"Agreed!" Li Huaide agreed immediately.

Zhang Wansheng was his soldier, and his nephew wanted to promote him. How could Li Huaide refuse? He was overjoyed.

Yang Ligong rolled his eyes at Li Jiuzhou, annoyed. "You're the head of the logistics department, and you personally recommended him. How could I possibly refuse?"

Secretary Nie smiled:

"Alright, since Comrade Jiuzhou has proposed it, let's vote by raising hands!"

"Those who agree with the promotion of Comrade Xu Damao to head of the Publicity Section, please raise your hands!"

"Swish, swish, swish..." Without exception, all nine standing committee members raised their hands.

Secretary Nie nodded and said again:

"Those who agree with Zhang Wansheng's promotion to Deputy Director of the Logistics Department, please raise your hands!"

"Swish, swish, swish..." It still passed unanimously.

"Okay, after the decision of the Standing Committee of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, Comrade Xu Damao is promoted to head of the Publicity Section."

"Zhang Wansheng is promoted to Deputy Director of the Logistics Department!"

"We will notify you of the next scheduled date after the document is approved. Meeting adjourned!"

It was perfectly reasonable for Li Jiuzhou to speak up for Xu Damao; it was simply a matter of going with the flow, adding icing on the cake.

Xu Damao and Zhang Wansheng's promotions were also conveniently passed on to the Ministry of Metallurgy.

According to regulations, the promotion of a section chief or deputy director can be handled by the steel rolling mill itself, without needing to go through the Ministry of Metallurgy.

However, Xu Damao's act of bravery needed to be reported, and the promotion proposal was just a side effect, really just a side effect.

The leaders of the Ministry of Metallurgy wouldn't even care about your promotion from a lowly section chief to a deputy division chief.

Their focus is on Xu Damao's act of bravery.

This can be used as a model and promoted extensively; that's the key point.

Secretary Nie submitted the document to the Ministry of Metallurgy to ask for the leaders' opinions, since they were in a higher position and had a different perspective.

Minister Wang convened a brief meeting to discuss how to amplify the impact of Comrade Xu Damao's act of bravery.

The leaders held differing opinions, all driven by a desire for propaganda.

Sending a reporter to visit Xu Damao at the hospital must be published in the newspaper to amplify the impact.

Minister Wang offered his opinion:

"Comrades, I think this Comrade Xu Damao is quite good. He has acted bravely twice, which is enough to show that this young man is full of enthusiasm."

"Such a good comrade should be cherished. My opinion is to award Comrade Xu Damao the Third-Class Merit Medal for his two acts of bravery and to approve his promotion to Deputy Chief of the Propaganda Section!"

"We didn't give them a third-class merit last time, but giving them a third-class merit for both of these years isn't too much to ask, is it? Trading half a life for a third-class merit isn't a bad deal."

"agree."

"agree."

The leaders all raised their hands in agreement.

The Ministry of Metallurgy quickly issued the document to the factory.

Li Jiuzhou personally went to the hospital with his third-class merit medal and appointment letter, and gave these things to Xu Damao.

"Da Mao, congratulations!" Li Jiuzhou congratulated him.

Holding the medals and appointment letter in his hands, tears and snot streamed down Xu Damao's face. In his heart, he screamed:

"It's done, it's done! My blood wasn't shed in vain..."

Xu Fugui looked at his son with heartache in his eyes.

The father's feelings were naturally complicated as his son almost risked his life for progress.

There was worry, but also relief.

Fortunately, his son only suffered a concussion and minor injuries. If something had really happened to him, Xu Fugui would have no reason to live.

My son is gone, what's the point of living?

Xu Fugui felt he still had to say a few words:

"Da Mao, you've already achieved the rank of section chief by a large margin. Dad doesn't want you to do that again, otherwise, how will your mother and I live?"

Li Jiuzhou echoed his sentiments after hearing this:

"Da Mao, Uncle Xu is right. Sometimes you can't just do things with enthusiasm; you have to think things through."

"You were lucky this time, but what about next time? People won't always be lucky or unlucky. Taking things one step at a time isn't necessarily a bad thing. You're still young, and you have a lot of room for improvement. Don't rush things."

Xu Damao had already calmed down, and when he was sober, he was covered in cold sweat and felt a lingering fear.

He nodded solemnly:

"Dad, Zhou-ge, I understand. I won't act impulsively again."

"That's good, that's good!" Xu Fugui breathed a sigh of relief.

Li Jiuzhou nodded as well:

"Then take good care of yourself and get well soon. I'm going back to the factory now. When you're discharged from the hospital, our neighborhood committee will celebrate with drums and gongs."

Xu Damao grinned upon hearing this:

"OK……"