Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

Time quickly came to the next day.

1961 11 Month 12 Day.

In late autumn in Beijing, the sky is high and the clouds are light, with a hint of crisp chill in the air.

Most of the sycamore leaves in the Wuxing Ceramics Factory area have fallen, and the golden leaves cover both sides of the cement road. As vehicles drive by, they create a rustling sound.

Just after nine o'clock in the morning, a black sedan slowly drove into the gate of the Five Star Ceramics Factory.

The license plate on this car is quite a rare sight in the factory area. The car body is polished to a shine, reflecting a calm luster in the autumn sun. It is clearly a car belonging to a leader in the ministry.

In front of the factory office building, Zhu Hongjie and a group of factory leaders were already waiting.

Today, he specially wore a nearly new dark blue Zhongshan suit, his hair was neatly combed, he looked radiant, and his face was adorned with a genuine, relaxed, and enthusiastic smile.

Standing beside him were Li Feng, Wu Qing, the branch factory director, and several other deputy factory directors and important leaders.

Actually, the news had already spread throughout the entire factory area long before today.

Just yesterday afternoon, after Zhu Hongjie made a phone call to Director Zheng, some well-informed people learned some details through their own channels.

When the news broke this morning that Li Feng was about to take over as factory director, it was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing a huge uproar among the thousands of employees throughout the factory.

"Have you heard? Our factory is getting a new factory manager!"

"Who is it? Isn't Director Zhu doing a good job?"

"Who else could it be? Deputy Factory Director Li! No, from now on we should call him Factory Director Li!"

"What?! Li Feng? He... how old is he?"

"That's right! Twenty-one years old! My goodness, when I was twenty-one, I was still playing with mud in the workshop! And he's about to become the head of our factory with thousands of employees!"

"This promotion speed is terrifying! Even a rocket couldn't move this fast, right? How long has it been since he was promoted to the full division chief? He was only at the same level as Director Wu of the branch factory, and in the blink of an eye, he's going to be Director Wu's superior?"

In the workshop, in the canteen, and even in the toilets, whispers and hushed conversations could be heard everywhere.

Shock, disbelief, envy, jealousy... a variety of complex emotions permeated the crowd.

For most ordinary workers, the name Li Feng represents a legend. From a ceramic painter to a technician, then to a cadre, then to a deputy factory director, and now to the acting factory director, he accomplished in just over two years what others cannot achieve in a lifetime.

Everyone was surprised, but upon closer reflection, they realized that it made perfect sense.

The miracle of the second phase of the project, the awe-inspiring computer automation system, and the continuous stream of new technologies and products that generate huge profits for the factory—any one of these is a great achievement worthy of being recorded in the history of Wuxing Ceramics Factory.

With such abilities and such a powerful background, it seems only natural that he would be promoted exceptionally.

Amidst the murmurs that filled the entire factory, the black sedan finally came to a steady stop in front of the office building.

The driver jogged out of the car and opened the back door.

A middle-aged man, dressed in a gray cadre uniform and wearing black-rimmed glasses, who looked to be around fifty years old, stepped out of the car. He had a refined appearance, calm eyes, and an air of composure that came from someone who had long held a high position. He was none other than Director Qiu of the Personnel Department of the Ministry of Light Industry.

"Director Qiu, welcome to our Wuxing Ceramics Factory!" Zhu Hongjie greeted him warmly, shaking his hands tightly.

"Director Zhu, you've worked hard." Director Qiu smiled and patted Zhu Hongjie's hand gently.

Zhu Hongjie stepped aside, making way for Li Feng behind him, and introduced him: "Director Qiu, this is Comrade Li Feng from our factory."

Director Qiu's gaze immediately fell on Li Feng, and his gentle eyes instantly showed obvious appreciation and a smile.

He looked the young man up and down. He was handsome, composed, and had clear, bright eyes. He was completely free of the impetuousness of his peers. His calm and unhurried demeanor made it clear at a glance that he was no ordinary person.

"Comrade Li Feng, hello!" Director Qiu's smile was much more sincere and warmer than when he was with Zhu Hongjie. "We have long admired your reputation in the ministry. Meeting you today, we can see that you are indeed young, promising, and handsome!"

As he spoke, he took the initiative to extend his hand and shake hands tightly with Li Feng.

This subtle movement made the hearts of the deputy factory directors standing behind them skip a beat.

They were all seasoned veterans who had worked their way up in government offices for years; how could they not see the difference? Director Qiu was polite to Zhu Hongjie and courteous to them, but to Li Feng, it was a heartfelt appreciation and expectation from a superior for a promising junior they were grooming.

"Director Qiu, welcome to our factory for guidance." Li Feng's attitude was neither humble nor arrogant, his face showing just the right amount of respect, and his voice was steady and powerful.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Director Qiu shook hands with Wu Qing and other factory leaders one by one.

Throughout the process, his gaze would inadvertently sweep over Li Feng, his satisfaction evident.

He knew that the young man in front of him was a talent highly valued by both Minister Jiang and Director Zheng, and that his future prospects were limitless.

Today's appointment is merely another new starting point in his illustrious career.

"Director Qiu, it's windy outside, please come inside." Zhu Hongjie warmly gestured for them to come in.

The group escorted Director Qiu into the office building and onto the small conference room on the second floor.

The conference room was bright and clean. A row of brand-new enamel teacups had been set out on the long conference table, and the hot water in the thermos was still steaming.

The guests took their seats according to their status as hosts and guests, and Director Qiu naturally took the seat of honor.

Zhu Hongjie and Li Feng sat on his left and right sides, a seating arrangement that silently signaled the transfer of power.

Other factory leaders sat down on either side of the long table according to their rank, creating an atmosphere in the conference room that was both serious and expectant.

After the staff poured hot tea for the leaders, they quietly withdrew and closed the door behind them.

Director Qiu picked up his teacup, gently blew on the steam, took a sip, and then placed the cup steadily on the table with a soft thud. He looked around at everyone present, a warm smile on his face, and said, "Comrades, I am here today on behalf of the organization, entrusted by the Ministry, to announce an important personnel appointment regarding the leadership of our Five Star Ceramics Factory."

His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

The conference room fell silent instantly. All eyes were fixed on him, especially the deputy factory managers, whose eyes gleamed with complex emotions as they held their breath, awaiting the official document that would change the factory's future. (End of Chapter)