Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

The next morning, a car from the ministry stopped in front of the office building of the Five Star Ceramics Factory.

A cadre in a Zhongshan suit got off the car, walked straight into the factory office, and solemnly handed a kraft paper document bag with a bright red seal to Director Zhu.

Factory Director Zhu closed the door and carefully opened the file bag. When he saw the contents of the document, even though he was prepared, his pupils still couldn't help but shrink suddenly.

The appointment document has been issued.

Decision regarding the appointment of Comrade Li Feng.

The document's content wasn't complicated, but every word was like a bombshell, creating a huge wave in the small pond of the Five Star Ceramics Factory.

"Comrade Li Feng is hereby appointed to enjoy the treatment of a division-level cadre..."

"..."

The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the factory in less than half an hour.

From the offices to the production workshops, from the technical department to the logistics department, almost everyone was talking about it.

"Have you heard? Our factory's Deputy Director Li has been promoted to section chief!"

"My God! Really? How old is he? Twenty-one, right? A division-level official? This... this is too fast!"

"Absolutely! Even a rocket couldn't go that fast! When I was twenty-one, I was still playing with mud in a factory!"

"I heard that the appointment document came directly from the ministry, and it was a direct appointment! What does that mean? It means that Deputy Factory Director Li is a key candidate that the ministry has designated for development!"

Immediately, the factory was abuzz with discussion, a mix of shock, envy, jealousy, and感慨 (feelings of deep emotion).

Although everyone had long anticipated that Li Feng had a bright future and would eventually reach a height that was beyond their reach, no one expected that this day would come so quickly and so rapidly.

It should be noted that Li Feng was promoted to deputy factory director and enjoyed the treatment of a deputy division chief only a few months ago.

In the past few months, the first phase of the technological upgrading project he led has been a great success, and the second phase project is also progressing smoothly. His achievements are obvious to all.

Even so, for the vast majority of cadres, it is simply impossible to cross the hurdle from deputy director to director without three to five years, or even seven or eight years of tempering.

Li Feng, on the other hand, only took a few months.

What puzzled some shrewd individuals even more was that the appointment document only mentioned the promotion in rank, without mentioning the position at all.

In other words, he retains his position as deputy director of the Five Star Ceramics Factory.

This means that Li Feng is now a deputy factory director at the level of a division chief.

In the factory's administrative hierarchy, he was now on par with the senior factory director, Mr. Wu.

Above them was only Director Zhu, who enjoyed deputy director-level treatment and also served as the factory party secretary.

The image of a 21-year-old young man being on the same level as a veteran leader who has worked in the factory his entire life is incredibly powerful.

The appointment document concluded with the sentence: "Comrade Li Feng is requested to report to the Personnel Department of the Ministry of Light Industry the following day."

This statement further shrouded Li Feng's promotion in mystery.

……

The atmosphere in Director Zhu's office was both lively and subtly tense.

Factory Director Zhu, Factory Director Wu, Deputy Factory Director Xiang, and several other members of the factory leadership team gathered here, ostensibly to congratulate Li Feng.

"Director Li, congratulations! You're truly a golden phoenix that has flown out of our Five Star Ceramics Factory!" Director Zhu beamed, unable to stop smiling. He knew the inside story better than anyone else; the more Li Feng was valued, the more important the "Morning Star" project was, and the more reassured he felt.

"Yes, Xiao Li, your promotion speed is truly putting us old guys to shame!" Factory Director Wu said with a smile, though his smile carried a somewhat complicated meaning. He looked at the young man in front of him, who was even younger than his own son, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions.

Back when Li Feng first joined the organization, he was just a greenhorn who needed his help in many ways. At that time, he was the director of the factory office, while Li Feng was the deputy director. In such a short time, Li Feng had already reached the same level as him.

At this moment, the deputy factory director and others also offered their congratulations, their words filled with praise and politeness.

Li Feng stood in the middle of the crowd, a humble smile on his face, his posture very modest: "Director Zhu, Director Wu, leaders, please don't say that. This is all thanks to the trust of the department leaders, and also to the help and support that all the leaders and comrades have given me on a daily basis. I am young and inexperienced, and I will need everyone's criticism and guidance in the future."

His words were impeccable, expressing both gratitude and demonstrating his humble attitude towards learning, which earned him nods of approval from the senior leaders present.

After exchanging pleasantries, Director Wu finally couldn't resist asking tentatively, "Little Li, the document says you need to report to the ministry tomorrow. Is this... a new and important task the ministry has assigned to you?"

The question immediately silenced the office, and all eyes turned to Li Feng.

This is what they are most curious about: such an extraordinary promotion must correspond to an extraordinary mission.

Li Feng knew exactly what was going on, but he remained outwardly calm, only revealing a perfectly appropriate look of bewilderment: "Director Wu, to be honest, I'm not quite sure what the specific task is. I only know that I need to report to the Personnel Department. Everything will have to wait until I get to the ministry tomorrow to follow the leader's arrangements."

His words were half true and half false; he neither revealed any secrets nor failed to maintain the proper demeanor of a subordinate.

Seeing that they couldn't get any more information, the others stopped asking. After all, it involved the department's arrangements, and they didn't want to pry. After the congratulatory crowd left one after another, only Li Feng and Factory Director Zhu remained in the office.

Factory Director Zhu personally refilled Li Feng's teacup, his smile becoming much more genuine: "Little Li, I know you went to the ministry this time for that automation project. It's a heavy responsibility!"

Li Feng nodded, his expression turning serious: "Yes, Director Zhu, this project is of great importance, and I feel a lot of pressure."

"It's good to feel pressure; it shows you value it." Director Zhu looked at him with satisfaction, then a hint of worry appeared on his face. "But... with you going to the ministry, what about our factory's second-phase project..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already quite clear.

The second phase of the project was spearheaded by Li Feng. From equipment selection to factory planning and construction, he was indispensable in every aspect.

If he devotes himself entirely to the ministry's new project, and something goes wrong with the second phase of the project, the consequences would be unimaginable.

This not only concerns the future of the factory, but also directly relates to whether Director Zhu can advance half a rank before retiring and retire peacefully.

Li Feng seemed to read his mind and spoke up before he could finish, saying, "Director Zhu, I have also considered the issue you are worried about. I reported it to Director Zheng before I went to the ministry."

"Oh?" Director Zhu perked up.

"I assured Director Zheng that I would dedicate myself fully to the ministry's projects, but at the same time, I will continue to monitor the construction progress of our factory's second-phase project," Li Feng said sincerely. "I've already told Director Zheng that if there's any emergency regarding the second-phase project that requires my attention, I'll rush back immediately. After all, this is where my roots are."

These words were like a reassuring pill, instantly dispelling all of Director Zhu's concerns.

He looked at Li Feng, his eyes filled with admiration and gratitude. This young man was not only exceptionally capable, but also mature and experienced in his dealings with others, considering every aspect so thoroughly.

"Good, good, good!" Director Zhu slapped his thigh excitedly. "Little Li, with your words, I'm completely relieved! Go ahead and make your mark at the ministry. As for the factory, we old guys will keep a close eye on things. We'll make sure there are no problems with the second phase project!"

Li Feng's words completely put Director Zhu's mind at ease.

He knew that as long as Li Feng still held the title of person in charge of the second phase of the project, and as long as he still cared about the factory, the project would be secure.

After all, Li Feng was the one who spearheaded this project from the beginning, and both Li Feng and Director Zheng kept a close eye on it. So when Director Zhu heard Li Feng say that, he felt much more at ease.

……

Li Feng had just returned to his own office after leaving Director Zhu's office, and before he could even sit down properly, there was a light knock on the door.

"Please come in."

The door was pushed open, and a beautiful figure flashed in; her voice preceded her arrival.

"Director Li, congratulations on your promotion!"

Wu Na stood prettily at the door, smiling at Li Feng, her bright eyes sparkling with a mischievous glint.

When Li Feng saw that it was her, he couldn't help but laugh. Then he stood up from his chair and said, "Your information network is really good. I just came from Director Zhu's place."

"Of course!" Wu Na proudly raised her chin. She walked briskly to Li Feng's desk, pulled out a chair and sat down without any ceremony. "Now the whole factory is talking about it. It's hard not to know. Li Feng, a 21-year-old division chief, you're going to make history in our light industry system."

Although she was joking, the pride and joy in her tone were impossible to hide.

"Don't joke with me." Li Feng poured her a glass of water and shook his head helplessly.

Wu Na took the water glass, took a sip, then tilted her head and looked at Li Feng curiously: "Seriously, you're going to report to the ministry tomorrow? So suddenly? I asked Uncle Jiang, but he's very tight-lipped and won't reveal a single word. He's so secretive. What kind of huge project is it that they have to urgently transfer you, their great contributor, over there?"

The "Uncle Jiang" she mentioned was naturally Minister Jiang of the Ministry of Light Industry.

Upon hearing this, Li Feng's heart stirred. He knew that Wu Na had an extraordinary background, and he also knew from the last time that Wu Na's family had a good relationship with Minister Jiang. Wu Na knew things that he didn't know before him. Li Feng didn't expect that she could ask Minister Jiang about him so quickly.

However, the confidentiality regulations are an ironclad rule. Not to mention Wu Na, even if it were Director Zheng in person, he wouldn't say a word that shouldn't be said.

He spread his hands, making a helpless expression, and said with a wry smile, "Don't ask me. Even Minister Jiang won't tell me. How would I know? I just received a notice to go over and listen to the instructions. I still have no idea what to do."

"Tch, fine, don't tell me then." Wu Na pouted, clearly not believing his story, but she knew her limits and didn't press him further.

She changed the subject, leaned forward slightly, and lowered her voice, saying, "But don't worry, after you leave, I'll definitely get the financial preparations for the second phase of the project done as soon as possible, and I'll ensure that the department's funding arrives on time."

As the head of the finance department for the second phase of the project, Wu Na's words undoubtedly provided Li Feng with another layer of insurance.

Li Feng felt a warmth in his heart and nodded solemnly: "Then thank you very much, Wu Na."

"Why are you being so polite with me?" Wu Na rolled her eyes at him, then quickly regained her playful demeanor, stood up, walked half a circle around the desk, and finally stopped next to Li Feng, patting his shoulder in a very professional manner.

"Director Li, oh... now it should be Section Chief Li." Then she deliberately drew out the words, "The revolution is not yet successful, comrades still need to work hard. Do a good job in the ministry, and don't bring shame to our Five Star Ceramics Factory!"

After she finished speaking, she couldn't help but burst out laughing, and the office was instantly filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

Upon hearing Wu Na's words, Li Feng couldn't help but think to himself, "You're the one from the ministry, aren't you? This makes you seem like the one from the ceramics factory." However, looking at her bright smile, Li Feng's tense nerves relaxed considerably.

He knew the road ahead was fraught with challenges, but with so many people supporting and expecting his support, he felt immensely empowered. (End of Chapter)