Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

Zhou Min: "This is a sure thing! I just heard it from Secretary He—just focusing on production isn't enough; we have to deliver the goods to their doorsteps. I've already picked out the manpower, and we're just waiting to set off!"

Lou Xiao'e: "Then it's settled—I'll have the team come over this afternoon to meet up with you."

Zhou Min: "Okay, I've prepared the car and water. We'll set off as soon as you arrive."

As soon as they finished speaking, Lou Xiao'e turned and went back to the factory. She had already planned it out in her mind: she would have Su Qiao come along. If a child is always under her watchful eye, no matter how hard she tries, she won't grow wings; she needs to let her flutter her wings and hit a few walls before she learns what the world is like and what it means to know one's place.

Su Qiao received her salary and immediately asked her mother to accompany her father to the county hospital for a follow-up examination. The results came back: the illness needed treatment, and the medication couldn't be stopped for at least six months. In the past, a month's worth of medication could have drained the family's savings; now, with a stable monthly income, the family was much more relaxed. Her mother also took care of her two younger brothers, working odd jobs at a brick factory—carrying bricks, stacking them, loading them onto trucks. The work wasn't strenuous; they worked when there was work and rested when there wasn't, earning a dozen yuan a month.

As soon as Lou Xiao'e entered the factory gate, Su Qiao had already brewed a cup of warm jasmine tea, neither too hot nor too cold. She held it steadily and presented it to Director Lou with both hands, her eyes shining as she waited for instructions.

Lou Xiao'e took the cup and blew on it lightly: "Su Qiao, this time the factory is forming a sales team to go to the countryside to explore the market, and I'm asking you to go with them. It's not just doing odd jobs, it's real business dealings. Your words represent the face of the entire brick factory, so you need to stand tall and keep your eyes bright."

Su Qiao nodded, her voice clear and crisp: "Understood, Factory Director! I will definitely handle things properly and make sure my words are accepted."

Lou Xiao'e nodded: "Hurry up and pack. We'll meet in the county town in two hours. The factory will cover the expenses, but it will be tight, so don't be extravagant with food and lodging. Get the letters of introduction from the Civil Affairs Bureau. Make sure you don't get separated—none of you can be missing."

In fact, long before Su Qiao set off, Lou Xiao'e had broken down and taught her He Yuzhu's sales method of "three sentences to start, five steps to break the ice, and seven parts observation of words." How much she learned depended entirely on her own comprehension.

As they were talking, Gu Ting strode in.

Gu Ting: "Factory manager, County Chief Yu just called—the bricks will be shipped to the city the day after tomorrow, and the advance payment has already been received."

Lou Xiao'e: "Understood. Find the production manager immediately. If there aren't enough people, hire another batch of temporary workers to fill in. Make sure the project is completed on schedule."

Gu Ting: "Okay!"

Su Qiao followed the group to the clothing factory in the county town to assemble, and then they went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get stamps and introduction letters. Afterwards, they squeezed onto a green train and headed straight for L County. While others went straight to the supply and marketing cooperative and the department store as soon as they landed, she took a detour and went to the largest and busiest factory in the county town—the food factory.

At the factory gate, an old man leaning on a broom stopped her: "Young lady, what are you doing here?"

Su Qiao took out a letter of introduction, her smile clean and crisp: "Hello sir, I am Su Qiao, a clerk at the Dongli County Brick Factory. I have urgent business to attend to and would like to see Director Ye. I would appreciate it if you could make an exception for me."

The old man squinted as he read the letter, nodded, and personally led her through the yard where the soy sauce vats were drying, all the way to the factory director's office.

Knock on the door and enter. Su Qiao stood straight and got straight to the point: "Director Ye, hello! I am Su Qiao from Dongli County Brick Factory. Our bricks are resistant to pressure, moisture, and have a uniform color. I'm here today because I genuinely want to help your factory renovate its old factory building—not to sell bricks, but to improve the appearance and reputation of your food factory."

Ye Aihua paused for a second: A food factory? Selling bricks? Is it now fashionable to pickle vegetables with bricks?

He frowned: "Young man, we make canned goods and pastries, which have absolutely nothing to do with bricks."

Su Qiao remained calm, taking half a step forward and speaking steadily: "Director Ye, I walked around your factory three times yesterday—the workshop ceilings leak light, the floors are damp, even visiting groups have to tiptoe around puddles. If you built a few new workshops, the workers would have bright and spacious workspaces, customers would feel at ease, and superiors would give you a thumbs up when they come to inspect. Besides…"

Ye Aihua blinked repeatedly as she listened: Why did these words sound like they were coming from a provincial broadcast? Is L County really that backward?

Actually, Lou Xiao'e taught Su Qiao all of this on the spot at the counter of the county department store—even the most magnificent building in Dongli County would be considered an "old relic" in Kyoto. She pointed to the enamel mugs and glass sugar jars on the shelves while explaining how to use everyday language to talk about professional matters.

Ye Aihua hesitated and said, "You mean... let the workers raise money to build dormitories? Would everyone be willing to pay?"

Su Qiao countered bluntly, "Director Ye, if you were a senior workshop worker, and you could get an extra five yuan a month in exchange for a bright new house, would you do it?"

Ye Aihua paused for a moment, then smiled: "This matter needs to be discussed at the company meeting! Also, I'd like to go to Dongli County to see how the garment factory is doing? And how your brick factory is equipped?"

Su Qiao immediately replied, "Director Ye, you are welcome to visit anytime! Our brick factory has prepared a reception plan to ensure you understand everything and have a pleasant conversation."

After Su Qiao left, the food factory held a meeting that very evening for its middle and upper management. The conclusion was pragmatic: send someone to Dongli County to see for themselves—if they actually did it that way, and we continued to observe, we'd truly be falling behind. After all, in their over 30-year-old dormitory, a family of four was crammed into ten square meters; even the children had to crouch on the edge of the bed to do their homework…

Su Qiao wasn't idle either; she visited several companies that were "rich, had land, and had infrastructure needs," including a machinery factory, an agricultural machinery repair shop, and a fertilizer plant. The companies listened attentively but didn't make a decision on the spot, only saying "we'll study it further," "we'll wait for the blueprints," and "we'll report to our superiors."

On the other hand, the garment factory's sales team was reporting good news one after another—the department store signed orders on the spot, and the supply and marketing cooperative directly prepaid 30% of the deposit, without even keeping any trial samples.

After discussing it, the group decided to return to Dongli County first: they would have to get new letters of introduction for the next stop, and they couldn't afford to waste time.

At this time, He Yuzhu was already at the steel plant in the provincial capital, sitting with Director Li around a tin table next to the rolling mill, with the ashtray piled high with cigarette butts.

He Yuzhu: "Director Li, our Dongli County is just starting out, so we can't place too many orders yet. But once we establish connections, they'll definitely prioritize our steel mill for steel and spare parts!"

Factory Director Li rubbed his chin: "The model number doesn't match—you want thin sheet coils, but we mainly produce thick sheets. Opening a production line just for you? We'd probably lose money just to make a name for ourselves."

He Yuzhu smiled and said, "At the beginning, there are few people and small orders. Who hasn't gone through that? Once the tractor factory starts mass production, orders will snowball, believe it or not?"

Factory Director Li stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table: "Fine! I won't send anyone—but our factory's veteran technicians who 'relinquished their jobs but didn't retire' are more skilled than blueprints! I'll make the connections for you; you can go and poach them directly. Hundreds of people, take your pick. Not satisfied? Return them; I'll even cover their travel expenses!"

He Yuzhu: "I really have to thank Director Li! I must have a good drink with you tonight!"

Factory Director Li: "Come sit down at my place. I have two bottles of aged Moutai lying around, waiting for someone to come and open them."

He Yuzhu: "What a coincidence, I also have a pair of flying apsaras in my bag—today we'll see whose liquor is stronger!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, He Yuzhu took his leave of the steel plant. He dozed off in his car for a while to recharge his energy so he could visit Director Li's house that evening to express his gratitude.

……

He Yuzhu took out two bottles of Moutai from his spatial storage, the bottles still gleaming with a warm glaze—this meal was a genuine expression of gratitude. Director Li's help these past few times had truly solved his urgent problems. The toughest challenge right now was the skilled workers: recruiting was easy, but the veteran craftsmen had been doing this for half their lives, and their skills couldn't be mastered in just a few lessons or two months of practice.

He figured he'd have to make two more trips tomorrow: Xiao Hongsheng and Shao Wuju had both run themselves ragged and talked themselves hoarse for him, and he couldn't let their kindness go to waste.

Liu Qiang had just brought back several generous gifts from the supply and marketing cooperative and shoved them into He Yuzhu's hands: "Secretary He, everything is here."

He Yuzhu waved his hand: "Xiao Liu, Xiao Zhang, you two go back to the guesthouse and rest first. Go straight back to the county town tomorrow morning. I still have to go to Shanghai. While I'm gone, you work with Qin Feng. He'll cover for you if anything happens."

The reason Liu Qiang was left in the county was not because he didn't trust others, but because he was afraid that if he left, when he returned to dealing with the county's affairs, he wouldn't even have anyone to question.

He stood waiting outside the steel mill gate. The wind wasn't strong, but the sunset was ablaze. Factory Director Li came out in the company car, saw him in the distance, immediately told the driver to pull over, rolled down the window, and greeted him with a smile, "Hey, Comrade He, what are you doing here? On guard duty?"

"How could I trouble you to come all this way to pick me up?" He Yuzhu stepped forward quickly. "It's already a huge favor that you've allowed me to come to your door."

Factory Manager Li feigned a stern face: "Bringing things on your first visit? That's too much! If you do this again, I might really have to close the gate!"

He Yuzhu smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: "I dare not break the rules—if I enter empty-handed, people will think I'm the kind of person who borrows rice and doesn't repay it, so how could they dare to let you take a second look at me?"

Upon entering the courtyard, there stood a two-story building with gray walls and blue tiles. The woman who opened the door was a woman with gray hair and bright eyes, probably in her early sixties. Her clothes were faded from washing but were meticulously ironed.

Factory Director Li introduced loudly: "My wife is Hu Jiao, and this is Comrade He Yuzhu from Dongli County."

No title was given, no status was mentioned; it was all very ordinary, which made it seem quite genuine.

He Yuzhu handed over the gift box with both hands: "Aunt Hu, this is just a small token of my appreciation, please don't refuse."

Hu Jiao took the box, her fingertips touching the corner, and smiled, "His arrival is more important than anything else. Old Li, quickly take Xiao He inside, the food is all on the table!"

The furnishings inside were so simple they bordered on austere: a cement floor, an old wooden table, a faded painting of workers and peasants hanging on the wall, and even a radio placed on top of a cabinet covered with a cloth—the home of a deputy ministerial-level official was devoid of even a television.

Factory Director Li slapped his thigh: "Stop looking! This place isn't about extravagance, it's just about being spacious and bright. Come on, let's have a drink to relax!"

He Yuzhu raised his glass: "You're not just being frugal, you've poured your heart and soul into the factory."

Factory Director Li tilted his head back and took a big gulp, laughing so hard he almost fell over: "Hey! I've already sent every penny of my meager savings to my four kids—not that I'm being frugal, I'm just being extravagantly poor! Don't flatter me!"