Courtyard House: A Major Power's Heavy Industry, Hand-Crafted Nuclear Fusion

The workshop fell silent the moment Zhao Ming bowed.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched the scene with mixed feelings.

To become an apprentice.

In the factory, this is an extremely solemn ceremony.

In the past, when people sought to become apprentices, they had to beg and plead, give gifts, host banquets, and even work as a laborer for their master for several years in order to learn some real skills.

Moreover, most people want to pay homage to veterans like Yi Zhonghai or Liu Haizhong.

But today, Zhao Ming publicly bowed to Su Zheng, the young "newly promoted level eight worker".

This is not just about becoming an apprentice; it's also about "choosing sides."

This is a challenge to Yi Zhonghai's authority!

Yi Zhonghai stood not far away, his hand crushing the teacup in his hand.

He never expected that the methods he used to suppress Su Zheng would become Su Zheng's stepping stone to win people's hearts!

"Nonsense!"

Before Yi Zhonghai could speak, Ma Hua jumped out, "Zhao Ming, don't you know the rules? Becoming an apprentice requires the workshop and factory's approval! Besides, although Su Zheng is an eighth-grade worker, is he qualified to take on apprentices? He's never even been a master!"

"Exactly!" Several of Yi Zhonghai's disciples and followers chimed in, "Don't think that just because you have a little cleverness you can be a master! Teaching disciples is a profound art!"

Zhao Ming straightened up, still somewhat afraid, but his eyes were unusually firm.

"I don't care about qualifications. All I know is that when I was almost in despair, it was Master Su who helped me! And who among you could pull off something like that? I want to learn real skills, not how to mess with people!"

Those words really hit home.

This directly ripped off the fig leaf covering up Yi Zhonghai's faction.

Yi Zhonghai's face was ashen. He knew he had to step in, or the people's hearts would be scattered.

He walked over slowly, putting on a pained expression:

"Zhao Ming, you're young and easily misled by appearances. Good skills are one thing, but character is even more important. Some young people are arrogant and disrespectful to their elders. Can you really learn anything from them?"

This is a veiled attack on his character, implying that Su Zheng is "morally deficient."

Su Zheng looked at Yi Zhonghai's hypocritical face and suddenly laughed.

"Uncle, you used the word 'virtue' very well."

Su Zheng took a step forward, looking directly at Yi Zhonghai. "Since you've brought up apprenticeships, let's discuss this. Of all the apprentices you've trained, only Ma Hua can barely do any work. How many years has Jia Dongxu been working in the factory? He's still only a first-level worker, right? Is it because he's stupid? Or are you 'well-trained' and deliberately holding him back from completing his apprenticeship, so he'll depend on you for life?"

"You...you're spouting nonsense!"

Yi Zhonghai was struck on a sore spot and trembled with anger. This was indeed one of his methods for controlling his apprentices—teaching them to starve themselves, so he always kept a trick up his sleeve.

"Whether it's slander or not, let the facts speak for themselves."

Su Zheng ignored him and turned to look at Zhao Ming, as well as the young workers watching around him.

"Want to become my disciple? Sure."

"But when I, Su Zheng, accept apprentices, I don't look at gifts or relationships. I only look at two things: first, good character; second, willingness to endure hardship."

"Zhao Ming, since you want to learn, I'll teach you a move first. Watch carefully."

Su Zheng walked up to an unused vise.

Pick up a piece of scrap steel and clamp it tightly.

"Many young workers find filing tiring and can't get a smooth surface. That's because your posture and the point of force are incorrect."

Su Zheng picked up the file and demonstrated a movement.

"Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Shift your weight onto your left foot and move forward with the push. Grip the handle with your right hand and press down lightly with your left. Don't use brute force; use your waist to drive your upper arms."

"Look at my hands."

Su Zheng slowed down his movements and demonstrated three times.

This wasn't just for Zhao Ming to see, but also for all the young workers around him.

This is a completely different teaching method from the old masters' "it can only be understood intuitively, not explained in words" approach. Su Zheng breaks down each movement and transforms it into a standardized process!

This is the "SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)" mindset brought about by the "Eye of Truth"!

"Zhao Ming, you give it a try."

Zhao Ming stepped forward and, following Su Zheng's instructions, assumed the correct posture.

"Lower your center of gravity... Yes, use your waist strength... Push!"

Nourishes—

A long thud.

The file was pushed out steadily without the slightest wobbling.

Zhao Ming felt that pushing the knife out was half as easy as before, and the surface of the file was exceptionally smooth!

"Do you understand?" Su Zheng asked.

"Got it! Got it!"

Zhao Ming nodded excitedly, "So that's how it is! No one has ever taught me like this before!"

The young workers around them watched in disbelief, their hearts filled with turmoil.

When they usually learn from their master, they are either scolded or treated as hard laborers. How can they be taught this way, step by step, broken down and explained in detail?

Moreover, this trick looks simple, but the effect is immediate!

"Master Su... I want to learn too..."

Among the crowd, another bold young worker raised his hand.

"I want to too!"

"And me!"

In an instant, four or five young workers stepped forward. They were all marginalized people who were usually ostracized and unable to learn skills.

As Yi Zhonghai watched this scene, he felt his vision go black.

Inverted!

It’s all the other way around!

His "one-man show" in the workshop, which he had maintained for many years, was suddenly torn open by Su Zheng's few words of guidance!

"Great! Excellent!"

Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth, a venomous glint in his eyes. "Su Zheng, you're disrupting workshop order! You're forming an illegal clique! I'm going to report you to the factory!"

"casual."

Su Zheng patted the iron filings off his hands, his expression calm.

"But sir, you'd better think it over before you file a complaint. If the factory leaders knew that I could teach these 'slow' apprentices the techniques and increase production in just a few minutes... do you think they would punish me, or ask me to be their instructor?"

These words completely shattered Yi Zhonghai's psychological defenses.

Yes.

In this era where output is king, whoever can increase productivity is the boss!

Yi Zhonghai knew that tonight, he had to find Old Zhang, the workshop director, or even someone with higher-level connections.

If Su Zheng's momentum isn't curbed, this "old man" might really become a thing of the past.

Looking at the eager eyes around him, Su Zheng already had a new plan in mind.

A booklet titled "Fitter's Quick Learning Notes" had already taken shape in his mind.

Since we're going to fight, let's make this fire burn even brighter.