Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

Just as her thoughts were racing, the handover ceremony on the stage had reached a crucial stage.

The enthusiastic applause gradually subsided, but a lingering, exhilarating atmosphere seemed to remain in the air.

All eyes were focused on the center of the stage.

The outgoing factory director, Zhu Hongjie, stood up. He was wearing a brand-new Zhongshan suit today, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a satisfied smile on his face as he retired successfully.

He first cleared his throat, then spoke into the microphone in his usual deep and smooth voice.

"Comrades, friends, brothers and sisters of the Five Star Ceramics Factory."

His voice carried throughout the hall through the loudspeaker, and the previously noisy venue instantly fell silent.

"Today is the last day that I, Old Zhu, will stand here."

Factory Director Zhu looked around the room, his eyes filled with a mix of emotions—a touch of sadness and reluctance—but mostly a sense of relief and ease.

"Since I arrived at Wuxing Ceramics Factory, so many years have passed in the blink of an eye. I've watched our factory grow from an ordinary small factory to the scale it is today, and I feel both gratified and proud!"

A round of kind and respectful applause erupted from the audience.

Regardless of how people privately evaluate this factory director, the factory did indeed develop steadily during his tenure, and everyone's lives improved day by day.

Director Zhu waved his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and continued, "The Yangtze River's back waves push the front waves, and new people replace the old people in the world."

“I’m getting old and my energy isn’t what it used to be. It’s time for me to make way for the younger generation. The department leaders are very understanding and have arranged a relaxed position for me as an inspector in the department so that I can continue to contribute my remaining energy.”

Upon hearing this, the cadres in the front row immediately showed expressions of understanding and envy.

A department-level inspector!
This is a really good position. It has a rank and benefits, and there aren't any heavy specific tasks. Although it's called retiring to the second line, it's actually the best place to enjoy one's retirement.

It should be noted that Director Zheng Guowei, who promoted Li Feng, is currently only at the level of a department director.

Director Zhu is absolutely satisfied to retire at this level; it could even be said that he has exceeded expectations and made the final leap of his career.

Li Feng and Director Zheng are clearly behind this.

Everyone knew perfectly well that this was Li Feng repaying Director Zhu for his care and support over the years, and also demonstrating to the entire factory that following Li Feng would definitely not be a loss.

"I'm leaving, but my heart will remain at the Five Star Ceramics Factory." Director Zhu's voice became impassioned. "Because our factory has welcomed a young, capable, decisive, and responsible leader! He is Comrade Li Feng!"

He suddenly turned around, stretched out his hand, and pointed at Li Feng beside him.

In an instant, thunderous applause erupted again, more enthusiastic and longer than ever before.

The sound wave seemed to lift the roof off the entire conference hall.

Under everyone's gaze, Li Feng calmly stood up, first bowing deeply to Director Zhu, and then walked to the center of the stage.

Today, he wore a well-fitting blue cadre uniform, unlike other leaders who wore Zhongshan suits, making him look exceptionally energetic and instantly bridging the gap between him and the workers below the stage. His young face showed no nervousness or stage fright, only a composure and determination beyond his years.

He didn't speak immediately, but instead slowly swept his deep gaze across the entire room. From the factory leaders and department cadres sitting upright in the front row to the ordinary employees sitting in the back row, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation, he took in every expression.

Only after the applause gradually subsided did he speak into the microphone in a clear and powerful voice, uttering his first words since taking office.

"Thank you everyone, thank you Director Zhu."

There were no unnecessary formalities; we got straight to the point.

"Standing here today, I feel very uneasy," Li Feng said sincerely.

"I am only 21 years old, and many of the people sitting here are my mentors and elders."

"In terms of seniority, I am the least qualified, and in terms of experience, I still have a lot to learn. I feel a great responsibility to have gained the trust of the organization and my comrades to serve as the acting factory director."

The workers in the audience laughed good-naturedly when they heard this.

Li Feng's humility made them feel very comfortable and at ease.

"but"

Li Feng abruptly changed the subject, his voice rising sharply and filled with power: "I also have confidence! My confidence doesn't come from me personally, but from every single person in our Five Star Ceramics Factory! It comes from our glorious tradition, from our superb skills, and even more from the drive of all of us to build a better factory and make our lives more prosperous!"

His words were incredibly infectious, igniting the atmosphere in just a few sentences.

"Director Wei, Director Zheng, and Director Zhu laid a solid foundation for us. Now, the baton has been passed to me."

"I don't want to say anything empty or cliché. I just want to talk to everyone about what we're going to do next, and where our factory is headed."

Everyone held their breath and pricked up their ears. This was the question that concerned them most.

"First of all, the current foundation of ceramic industrialization is daily-use ceramics."

Li Feng held up one finger: "Our current production line is already the most advanced in the country, but it's not enough! I want to make it faster and better! The technical department and engineering department must continue to tackle key challenges." "Further improve the level of automation, shorten the production cycle, and increase the yield rate."

"Our goal is to make it so that people all over the country can be proud to use our Five Star Factory's products in their bowls, plates, and cups!"

"Good!" The workers on the production line below the stage shouted first, these words resonated with them.

“Secondly, there’s our signature product: handmade porcelain.” Li Feng held up a second finger, his gaze sharpening.

“In the past, we pursued quantity; in the future, we will pursue quality and artistic value! We want to elevate handmade porcelain from ordinary products to ‘fine porcelain’.”

"Every piece must be an artwork worthy of being displayed in a shop window and presented as a national gift." "We want to make the words 'Five-Star Manufacturing' synonymous with high-end and exquisite products!"

The master craftsmen in the painting workshop and the hand-throwing workshop lit up with their eyes when they heard this. For these artisans, this honor and recognition were the most precious things.

Li Feng paused, looked at the emotions he had completely stirred up in the audience, took a deep breath, and dropped the biggest bombshell of the night.

"I know that what everyone cares about most is their own wallet. No matter how well the factory develops, if everyone's treatment doesn't improve, it's all just empty talk."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples. Everyone stared at him, wide-eyed, as if their breath had stopped.

Li Feng smiled slightly, a smile full of confidence.

"Here, I assure you all!" he emphasized, enunciating each word clearly, "Starting next quarter, after we achieve our production targets and realize initial profitability in our fine porcelain production, the wages of all factory employees will be increased again on top of the current level! And this will definitely not be the last time! As long as our factory's profits continue to improve, everyone's pockets will definitely become fuller and fuller!"

"boom!"

As soon as Li Feng finished speaking, the entire conference hall erupted in chaos!
"What? You want a raise too?"

"Did I hear that right? Our factory now pays the highest wages of any factory in the city!"

"Long live Director Li!"

I don't know who shouted first, but then a tidal wave of cheers and applause completely drowned out everything.

The workers stood up excitedly, clapping and stomping their feet, expressing their joy and support in the simplest and most direct way.

Zhou Miaomiao and Wang Ping were so excited that they hugged each other, laughing and jumping.

"Did you hear that, Pingping? We're getting another raise! Following Director Li—no, following our Director Li—is such a blessing!"

Wu Na was also infected by the enthusiastic atmosphere; her cheeks flushed and her heart raced.

Looking at the radiant man on the stage, watching how he so skillfully controlled the emotions of the entire factory with just a few words, the sense of loss she felt was replaced by a more complex emotion.

It was a mixture of worship, admiration, and a hint of... resentment.

He was so outstanding that she felt she could never catch up with him, no matter how hard she tried.

On the dais, the deputy factory directors sitting next to Li Feng were also filled with excitement.

They exchanged a glance, and in each other's eyes they saw conviction and a hint of genuine admiration.

When Li Feng announced the salary increase, they showed no surprise or doubt whatsoever.

Because they knew better than anyone else that Li Feng wasn't just making empty promises; every word he uttered was the result of meticulous calculation and careful consideration.

Since Li Feng took the lead in the industrialization project of the ceramics factory, the factory's profits have skyrocketed.

The wages and benefits of all factory employees have increased several times over.

Not only ordinary employees, but even the salaries and bonuses of these cadres are much higher than before.

They are the real beneficiaries, witnessing firsthand how Li Feng turned decay into magic, leading a traditional old factory step by step to glory.

So when Li Feng said that salaries would increase in the future, they believed him! They believed him one hundred percent!
This young man possesses vision and courage beyond his years, as well as the powerful execution ability to turn his vision into reality.

Wu Qing sat in the first row below the stage, looking at the tall figure on the stage and feeling the thunderous cheers around him. His eyes unconsciously became slightly moist.

When Li Feng first came to the factory office, he was just an ordinary cadre. Now he has grown into a towering figure that is insurmountable to him.

Wu Qing felt that at this moment, he was not only Director Zheng's pride, but also the pride of the entire Five Star Ceramics Factory.

The last trace of loss in Wu Qing's heart had long been completely replaced by this enormous, overwhelming sense of pride.

He clapped his hands vigorously, his palms turning red, as if he wanted to convey all his excitement and support to the young man on the stage through his applause.

Heroes emerge from among the young.

At this moment, these five words were the only thought in the minds of all the factory leaders on the platform, as well as Wu Qing and others.

At this moment, the Li Feng era at the Five Star Ceramics Factory officially began in the most powerful and inspiring way. (End of Chapter)