Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

When I returned from the construction site, it was already pitch black.

Factory Director Zhu waved his hand and led Li Feng directly to a small private room in the factory canteen.

"Director Li, with you back, our factory finally has a pillar of support!" Director Zhu said cheerfully as they walked. "I'll treat you to dinner tonight, let's have a good drink and welcome you back!"

Factory Director Wu and Deputy Factory Director Xiang echoed each other, their faces beaming with genuine smiles.

After all, if this second phase of the project can be completed as soon as possible, it will definitely be beneficial to them.

Upon hearing their words, Li Feng immediately nodded and responded with a smile.

"Director Zhu, you're too kind."

At this moment, Li Feng understood in his heart that this meal was not just a simple welcome dinner.

This reflects the high hopes the factory leaders placed on him and their earnest expectations for the smooth progress of the second phase of the project.

In fact, Li Feng himself knew that this second phase of the project would benefit both himself and the factory leaders.

As long as it can be successfully operated and profitable, that's a great achievement.

In the guesthouse's restaurant, a round table was full of people.

Besides Director Zhu and the other two, Wu Na was also prominently listed.

Today she was wearing a dark blue cotton-padded jacket with a bit of white shirt trim peeking out from the collar. Her hair was neatly combed, making her look both capable and somewhat scholarly.

When she saw Li Feng, she simply smiled slightly, but a subtle ripple flickered in her eyes.

"Come, come, Xiao Li, sit here!" Director Zhu greeted him warmly, arranging for Li Feng to sit next to him.

The table was laden with a sumptuous feast: braised pork, stewed ribs, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, and a plate of fragrant braised beef—all signature dishes of the factory's small canteen.

A bottle of Moutai liquor was solemnly placed in the center of the table, shimmering with an amber luster under the light.

"Director Li, you must have suffered a lot at the research institute these past few months, right?" Director Zhu raised his glass and spoke first. "Although our factory's conditions can't compare to those of a grand hotel in Beijing, you must accept this token of our appreciation!"

"Director Zhu, you flatter me. It's my honor to be able to contribute to the country through the research institute." Li Feng also raised his glass, his tone sincere. "Besides, the food at the research institute isn't bad, it just can't compare to the culinary skills of the chefs in our factory!"

His humorous remark drew laughter from everyone, instantly lightening the atmosphere.

Wu Na also raised her glass and said softly, "Director Li, congratulations on successfully completing the department's task and returning safely. I will definitely cooperate fully with the financial work of the second phase project and will not hold you back."

"Section Chief Wu, you're too kind. With you here, I feel at ease," Li Feng replied. When Li Feng saw Wu Na again, he felt that Wu Na had changed a bit, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what exactly had changed.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Director Zhu steered the conversation to the second phase of the project.

"Factory Director Li, while you were away for the past few months, our factory has been working non-stop." Director Zhu patted Li Feng on the shoulder. "We've recruited over three hundred more workers, and we've also transferred several technicians from the ministry. Everyone is working hard, just waiting for you to come back and build our modern ceramics factory!"

Li Feng nodded solemnly, sensing the heavy trust and expectation placed upon him. "Director Zhu, esteemed leaders, please rest assured," Li Feng said, setting down his glass with a determined gaze. "I will do my utmost to live up to everyone's expectations and ensure the second phase of the project is completed successfully!"

The welcome dinner lasted until very late. When Li Feng returned to his single-room apartment at the branch factory, the city lights were already twinkling outside his window, but he was wide awake.

The bustling scene at the construction site and the expectant eyes of Director Zhu and his team kept replaying in my mind.

The next morning, Li Feng appeared in the factory office looking refreshed and energetic.

He convened a brief meeting with all members of the Equipment Management Department, as well as several key technical personnel.

"Comrades, starting today, our Phase II project will enter the equipment acceptance and installation phase." Li Feng stood at the conference table, his tone steady and powerful. "The first batch of automated production line equipment parts shipped from Northeast China has all arrived at the factory warehouse."

"Our task is to conduct a thorough inspection of every part with the most rigorous attitude and the most professional standards."

The head of the Equipment Management Department is Zhou Miaomiao. Li Feng had previously given them a pep talk, but Zhou Miaomiao stood out from the crowd, and Li Feng recommended her for the position. Now, she asked Li Feng with some concern, "Director Li, this equipment is all new stuff. Some of the blueprints seem complicated to me. With our current manpower and experience..."

Li Feng smiled, indicating that he didn't need to worry.

"Zhou Miaomiao, I understand everyone's concerns."

“However, I will participate in the entire acceptance process and personally guide the work,” Li Feng said, pointing to a thick stack of blueprints on the table. “Although these devices are automated production lines, their core principles remain the same.”

"As long as we carefully compare the drawings and strictly follow the technical specifications, we will definitely be able to ensure quality."

Afterwards, Li Feng, along with Zhou Miaomiao and more than a dozen technicians from the Equipment Management Department, drove in a large group to the warehouse on the east side of the factory area.

The huge warehouse was filled with wooden and metal crates of all sizes, all marked with the words "Northeast Machinery Factory" and "Northern Machinery Factory".

The air was filled with the smell of industrial oil.

Workers are using forklifts and cranes to carefully unload boxes from trucks and stack them neatly.

Li Feng didn't rush to open the boxes. Instead, he first had everyone familiarize themselves with the blueprints and understand the overall structure of the equipment and the function of each component. He personally picked up the blueprints, explaining them while pointing out key points using the boxes on site as examples.

"As you can see, this batch of equipment is the core of our automated production line, including precision components from multiple stages such as molding machines, drying ovens, glazing lines, and firing kilns."

Li Feng pointed to a complex structural diagram on the blueprint, "Especially the control system of this molding machine, which has extremely high precision requirements. Any deviation of any part may affect the quality of the final product."

After the explanation, the acceptance process officially began. Li Feng directed the workers to carefully open each wooden crate.

As the lid was lifted, brand-new equipment parts were revealed. Some gleamed with a metallic sheen, while others were coated with rust-proof paint, exuding a rugged yet precise quality characteristic of northern heavy industry.

Li Feng didn't overlook any detail. He picked up a vernier caliper to measure the dimensions of key components; he used a magnifying glass to carefully examine the ball bearings and gear meshing; he even touched the surface of the parts to feel their machining precision and smoothness.

Zhou Miaomiao and the technicians followed Li Feng's pace, meticulously carrying out the inspection. They discovered that Li Feng's inspection methods were quite different from their previous experience.

He not only focused on visible damage, but also paid close attention to the key parameters hidden internally that affected performance, since these could impact production. (End of Chapter)