I feel right at home in the world of the courtyard house.

"Come on, Director Li, have another drink."

A middle-aged man in his forties chuckled as he filled Li Jing'an's glass with wine and continued:

"It's such a pleasant surprise that Director Li came to our mine to talk about your exemplary deeds! It's something we, the workers, never even dared to dream of. For a role model like you, who came down from the newspapers, to come to our small place in person, and for the workers to hear you give a report in person, the feeling is... indescribable."

"Hey, Mine Manager, please don't say that." Li Jing'an waved his hand. "I'm just an ordinary Party member and cadre, doing my duty. I didn't expect it to attract so much attention. I'm quite surprised myself. I was supposed to go to Ansteel after finishing my report at Benxi Steel Plant, but the roads were blocked, so I was delayed and had to abandon the task. It's all fate. It's my honor to meet everyone here and get to know you all. Come on, let's have another drink. I'd like to toast all the mine leaders."

Li Jing'an raised his wine glass and said with a smile.

Because it was close to the Chinese New Year, the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry only designated two places for this trip—Benxi and Anshan. The rest of the reports would have to wait until after the New Year. Li Jing'an had originally completed his task at the Benxi Steel Plant and was preparing to go to Anshan Iron and Steel to give his report before returning to Beijing. However, an unexpected accident occurred on the way, and he could not go to Anshan Iron and Steel. He had no choice but to change his itinerary and come to a large open-pit mine under Benxi to give his report.

Li Jing'an was actually quite satisfied with this change.

Although he was a model worker from Beijing, of a high rank and with some connections, he was no match for behemoths like Benxi Steel Plant and Ansteel. They respected him, but didn't try to curry favor with him.

But things are different now—here, he is the true honored guest.

Seeing the mine manager's constant flattery, Li Jing'an's smile finally became genuine, revealing a long-lost joy.

Following Li Jing'an's words, everyone drank the wine in their cups in one gulp.

The mine manager leaned closer and whispered, "Director Li, you see, you still have a few days left, and you don't have anywhere else on your itinerary. How about... you give a couple more lectures at our factory?"

"Sigh, you can't just force-feed this kind of educational content into people's heads," Li Jing'an shook his head. "They have to figure it out for themselves, right? Rote memorization is something I'm forcing on you, what's the use? Once you understand it yourself, it's truly yours. Let the employees figure it out on their own."

"Director Li spoke very well!" the head of the publicity department chimed in. "Our publicity department is also preparing to assign tasks to all factory workers based on the spirit of your speech and the content of your report. Each person is to write a reflection and submit it to see if everyone has truly implemented and internalized your spirit."

Li Jing'an was very pleased to hear this and burst into laughter.

"I don't think it's necessary. I'm afraid it will increase the burden on the employees."

"Oh, what are you saying?" The head of the publicity department quickly waved his hand. "How can this be a burden? This is genuine spiritual nourishment! Raising the awareness and ideological level of employees is such a rare thing!"

"Alright, alright." Li Jing'an nodded, then suddenly changed the subject, "By the way, mine manager, there's something you don't know yet. I've been thinking about this for the past few days, and there's a problem I'm facing."

"Oh? Comrade Li, Director Li, please tell us what difficulties or requests you have! We will do our best to help you with anything we can!" The mine manager said, patting his chest and making a grand promise.

"Well, I'll tell you then—sigh, before I came here, my wife insisted that I bring back some Northeastern specialties, like furs and such. You tell me... what am I here for? I'm here to give a report! But I can't help it, mainly because of my wife, she's always had a bad temper, how am I going to explain this to her when I get back?" Li Jing'an said with a righteous expression, but his tone also revealed a hint of helplessness.

"Understood, understood!" the mine manager chuckled. "Director Li, don't worry, our mine is located in the Changbai Mountains. What kind of hides don't we have? Whatever you want, our security team is here. I'll have them take you straight into the mountains to hunt!"

As he spoke, the mine manager pointed to another comrade on the table, who was in his thirties and looked very capable.

The head of the security section patted his chest and assured him, "Yes, Chief Li, what kind of hides do you want? I'll gather men right away these next few days; we have all kinds of weapons. I'll personally lead the security team into the mountains with you. You tell us where to shoot, and we'll go!"

"This...this isn't a good idea, is it?" Li Jing'an looked troubled. "You guys would have to come with me. I think it's fine to just buy some things locally, why make it so complicated?"

After much persuasion from everyone, Li Jing'an reluctantly agreed.

"Alright, then. I've long heard that Northeast China is a vast and resource-rich land, with everything imaginable—'you can catch roe deer with a stick and scoop up fish with a ladle, resources are everywhere,' it's truly better to see it for yourself. Okay, I'll broaden my horizons and go hunting with you. We won't hunt too much—just as my wife said, we'll get a few sable pelts to make an overcoat, and a silver fox pelt to make a scarf. If we can hunt more, I'll bring more. I don't need anything else, just get my parents a fur coat. I don't ask for much."

After a pause, Li Jing'an added, "I don't need the coat myself. I was just thinking that as long as I can catch a tiger, that would be good—I'll keep the skin as a souvenir at home, and the tiger bones can be used to make medicine and wine."

Li Jing'an started talking non-stop, and everyone at the mine was dumbfounded.

Sable fur for a coat is one thing—but how rare is silver fox fur? It's extremely rare these days, where are you going to get it? And tigers? Hunting them has been banned for years!

Everyone looked at each other, and all eyes were focused on the mine manager who had just been patting his chest and boasting.

The mine manager gave an awkward smile at the gaze directed at him, feeling a chill run down his spine. He cursed inwardly: "This Li Jing'an from Beijing, you might as well just skin me alive!"

The mine manager felt a pang of helplessness. They couldn't compare to the Benxi Steel Plant—its director was a vice-ministerial level official. And how could he, with his meager resources, dare to offend Li Jing'an?

After all, given Li Jing'an's background, the Benxi Steel Plant had already coordinated with the mine since his arrival: he had the vice minister of the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry directly in charge of them as his backer, and a high-ranking official from the Beijing Municipal Committee as his father-in-law. No one could afford to offend someone like that.

The mine manager's mind raced, racking his brains to figure out how to deal with the situation in a way that would satisfy Li Jing'an.