Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

The night was deep, and the road ahead was brightly lit.

Zheng Guowei had seen this road countless times in newspapers and photographs, but it was only when he actually set foot on this land that he felt its unparalleled solemnity and reverence.

The air seemed heavier than elsewhere, and every breath carried the echoes of history.

They did not use any transportation, but walked forward, led by a middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit with a calm face. Along the way, they passed several checkpoints, each of which was meticulous and rigorous.

Zheng Guowei's heart pounded faster with each salute and each document check.

He followed closely behind Minister Jiang, trying to make his steps appear steady, but the sweat on his palms betrayed his inner nervousness.

Finally, they stopped in front of a simple two-story building.

The small building is nestled among lush pine and cypress trees, with only warm light shining from its windows, creating an exceptionally tranquil atmosphere.

The secretary who was leading the way pushed open a heavy wooden door, made a "please" gesture, but did not go in herself. Instead, she stood quietly outside the door.

Minister Jiang stepped inside first, and Zheng Guowei took a deep breath and followed him in.

The office was furnished very simply, even somewhat austere.

A large desk, several sofas for guests, and a floor-to-ceiling bookcase against the wall, filled with all kinds of books and documents.

A faint scent of ink and tobacco filled the air.

A tall, elderly man in a gray Zhongshan suit with graying hair was standing in front of the bookshelf, flipping through an atlas.

Hearing the noise at the door, he turned around with a warm smile on his face.

"Comrade Dashan, you are a rare guest! What brings you here today?"

"I heard from the younger comrades that you're in a hurry."

His voice was loud and powerful, with a strong local accent, instantly dispelling the serious atmosphere in the room and making everyone feel as if they were bathed in a spring breeze.

"Sir!" Minister Jiang stepped forward quickly and greeted him respectfully, his face full of a sincere smile. "I have something to ask you for advice on."

"Oh?" Mr. Li smiled and waved his hand, gesturing for them to sit down. "For someone like you, Jiang Dashan, to make this trip in person, it must be no small matter."

His gaze fell on Zheng Guowei, who was following behind Minister Jiang, and he looked him over with interest.

"This young comrade is very energetic; he has a resemblance to Lao Zheng in his eyes and brows."

"You're Zheng Yi's son, right?"

Zheng Guowei was flattered to be noticed and immediately straightened his back, replying loudly, "Reporting, sir! I am Zheng Guowei, and my father is Zheng Yi!"

"Hehe, good, good!" Mr. Li nodded in satisfaction and pointed to the sofa next to him. "Sit down, everyone. Don't be so reserved here."

Minister Jiang and Zheng Guowei sat down as instructed, but their bodies remained upright.

“Sir, you have a good eye.” Minister Jiang replied with a smile, “This is Zheng Guowei, the deputy director of our Planning Department. The matter I’m reporting on today was handled entirely by him, and he also wrote the report.”

"Oh? Heroes emerge from among the young!" Mr. Li's eyes showed more approval. "The development of our country depends on knowledgeable and energetic young people like you."

Minister Jiang then said, "Sir, the reason I'm here today is to give you a detailed report on the industrial upgrading of the Five Star Ceramics Factory. Guowei is most familiar with the ins and outs of this matter."

"I think it's better for him to tell you directly than for me to relay it."

Upon hearing this, Mr. Li turned his gaze back to Zheng Guowei, a smile of encouragement on his face.

"Alright! Let the young comrade speak then."

"Young man, don't be nervous. If you have any thoughts, just speak them out and let us old folks hear them."

"It's okay if I said something wrong, we don't operate on a one-man rule."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Guowei's heart skipped a beat. He looked up, meeting those deep, all-seeing eyes, and miraculously, the last trace of unease in his heart subsided. He knew this was not just a report, but a test, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Zheng Guowei took out the report, which had been worn and crumpled from being handled in the car, from his briefcase and handed it over with both hands.

A staff member quietly walked over, took the report, and gently placed it on Mr. Li's desk.

But he didn't look at the report; instead, he watched Zheng Guowei with great interest, waiting for him to begin.

Zheng Guowei cleared his slightly dry throat and sorted out the thoughts that he had already rehearsed countless times in his mind.

"Sir, Minister Jiang, the topic of my report is 'Feasibility Report on Creating a Model Project for Automated Production in my country's Light Industry, Using Wuxing Ceramics Factory as a Pilot Project.'"

His opening remarks were somewhat abrupt, carrying the tone typical of those working in government offices.

But soon, as he began to recount the achievements of the first phase of technological upgrading at the Five Star Ceramics Factory, and how a young man named Li Feng used incredible technology and courage to transform an old traditional handicraft factory into a modern factory producing tens of thousands of pieces a day, his voice began to flow smoothly and his emotions gradually became fuller.

"...The success of the first phase of technological upgrading and the modernization of the second phase of the project have shown us the enormous potential of combining traditional industries with new technologies."

"However, Comrade Li Feng believed that this was only the beginning."

"He proposed a bolder and more forward-looking idea, which is an overall plan for the second, and even the third and fourth phases!"

Zheng Guowei's eyes lit up. It was as if he wasn't reporting on work, but sharing a great discovery that could change the world.

"The core of Comrade Li Feng's vision is 'full-chain automation' and 'intelligent control'!"

"He plans to drastically change the production line of the first phase in the second phase of the project, introducing a fully automated production line designed by him and uniformly scheduled by a computer central control system! From the proportioning of clay, kneading clay, throwing, glazing, to firing, quality inspection, decal application, and packaging, everything will be done by machines!"

Even now, he finds it hard to believe, but he is convinced of every word in the report and every scene Li Feng described.

"What...what does this mean?" Zheng Guowei's voice rose slightly, trembling a little. "It means our production efficiency will increase exponentially! More importantly, the product qualification rate will be almost 100%! This will completely solve the chronic problem of unstable quality in our light industrial products!"

"Not only that!" He became more and more excited as he spoke, and simply stood up, walked to the middle of the office, and gestured with his hands, "Comrade Li Feng's plan."

"It's not just about one factory! His goal is to use the ceramics factory as the core, extending upstream to establish an automated raw material mining and processing base, and extending downstream to establish our own design, packaging, logistics, and sales channels! Ultimately, it will form a complete ceramics industry system that is not constrained by anyone and has strong international competitiveness!"

"His ultimate goal is to use our own high-quality, technologically advanced daily-use and functional ceramic products to open the door to the international market, compete with companies in capitalist countries, and earn valuable foreign exchange for our country!"

The office was silent, except for the echoing of Zheng Guowei's impassioned voice.

Minister Jiang sat on the sofa, looking at the spirited Zheng Guowei, a gratified smile on his face.

He knew he hadn't misjudged the young man; he was not only capable, but also passionate and responsible.

Mr. Li maintained that posture throughout, leaning slightly forward, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of the sofa. His gaze was deep and unfathomable, revealing neither joy nor anger, but that focus inspired Zheng Guowei like never before.

Zheng Guowei poured out the core content, technical difficulties, expected benefits, and necessary policy support of the entire plan in one go.

When he finished speaking, he realized that his back was completely soaked with sweat and his legs were a little weak.

The entire presentation took nearly half an hour.

He straightened up and bowed deeply.

"Sir, Minister Jiang, my report is finished."

The room fell silent again.

This silence made Zheng Guowei more nervous than ever before. He could even hear his own heart pounding.

After a long silence, Mr. Li finally spoke, breaking the silence.

"How old is this young man named Li Feng?" (End of Chapter)