Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

Just as Li Feng was secretly sighing, Wu Zhenghua across from him was also observing him silently.

As a leading cadre who has seen countless people, Wu Zhenghua has an extremely sharp eye for judging people.

He clearly remembered his first impression of Li Feng: a talented and sharp young man, but with a touch of naivety and bookishness in his eyes.

Like a newly drawn sword, its sharpness is stunning, yet it also makes one worry whether it is too fragile.

But Li Feng, who appeared before him again today, made him feel distinctly different.

That sharpness did not disappear; instead, it was enveloped by a more composed and dignified demeanor.

His eyes were calm and still, the sharpness of the past gone, but they appeared even more profound.

His posture was upright yet relaxed, and his movements lacked the impatience of youth, instead displaying a calm and composed demeanor as if he were in control of the situation.

If Li Feng was a sharp dagger last time, then he is now more like a heavy sword hidden in its sheath, seemingly simple and unadorned, but actually containing immense power.

Wu Zhenghua nodded to himself.

Indeed, a job is the best way to train a person.

The pressure and responsibility of a 21-year-old factory director at a large factory, at the level of a division chief, are enough to completely erode any impetuousness in a young person.

If Li Feng comes today and is the same as last time—talented but with a frivolous air about him—Wu Zhenghua will doubt whether he can truly hold onto that position and whether he can keep the various seasoned veterans and troublemakers in the factory in check.

But now it seems that my worries were unnecessary.

Li Feng's growth rate far exceeded his expectations.

This composure and restraint beyond his years is precisely the quality that a leader of a large state-owned enterprise must possess.

This kid has potential.

It was much better than I had imagined.

Thinking of this, Wu Zhenghua's gaze towards Li Feng changed from initial scrutiny to pure appreciation and satisfaction.

My daughter's judgment was really accurate this time.

Although the process was a bit tortuous, this rough gem was indeed worth her effort.

"Little Li," Wu Zhenghua spoke first, breaking the brief silence. His tone was now completely that of an elder to a younger person. "You must be very busy at the factory lately?"

This was an extremely ordinary opening, but it also marked the beginning of Wu Zhenghua's acceptance of Li Feng into his life.

Li Feng put down his teacup and sat up straighter, but his posture remained relaxed: "It is quite busy, Uncle Wu! The second phase of the project has been fully launched, and the planning and technical preparation for the third phase of the project have also been put on the agenda. There are so many things to do, and we really dare not slack off in the slightest."

"Hmm." Wu Zhenghua nodded, his expression becoming serious. "I heard Xiao Zheng... Comrade Zheng Guowei from the Planning Department mention you."

"He speaks very highly of you, saying that you are a once-in-a-century talent on our country's industrial front."

These words carry immense weight; anyone else would likely be filled with trepidation.

Li Feng simply smiled calmly: "Director Zheng, you flatter me. I was just doing what I was supposed to do. Besides, the Five Star Ceramics Factory's current situation is inseparable from the support of the ministry leaders and the joint efforts of tens of thousands of employees."

He was meticulous, neither arrogant nor complacent, and knew how to share credit. Wu Zhenghua's admiration deepened.

Talented, yet not arrogant; meritorious, yet not claiming all the credit.

Such a mindset is truly rare among young people.

“It’s good that you think this way,” Wu Zhenghua praised. “No matter how capable a person is, they cannot do without the organization and the masses.”

"Wuxing Ceramics Factory is an old factory with a solid foundation, but it also has heavy burdens. It is no easy feat to turn it into what it is today and take it to a new level."

He paused, then changed the subject, asking, "I heard that your factory's self-developed fully automated control system has already been applied to the production line? How's the result?"

This is what he really cares about.

As a member of the Central Advisory Commission, he was acutely aware of the importance of technological innovation for a factory or even a country.

When Li Feng talks about his field of expertise, his eyes instantly light up with a bright light, a light that comes from his heart and from his confidence.

"Yes, Uncle Wu, it's our independently developed 'Five-Star' fully automated computer control system."

"Simulations have already begun at the first branch factory and on the newly built production lines of the second phase project."

"From raw material proportioning, ball milling, molding to kiln temperature control, we have achieved automated monitoring of the entire process. According to the data from the past two months, the yield of high-quality finished products has increased by about 12%, the unit energy consumption has decreased by 8%, and the production efficiency has more than doubled."

Li Feng didn't make any empty promises; he simply used precise data to clearly demonstrate the enormous changes brought about by this technology.

"hiss……"

Even Wu Zhenghua, a man of great experience, couldn't help but gasp upon hearing this series of astonishing figures.

A 12% increase in efficiency? An 8% decrease in energy consumption? Doubling of efficiency?

Any one of these three data points would mean an astronomical profit and benefit for a large ceramics factory. And now, all three achievements have been simultaneously realized by Li Feng!

He originally thought that the so-called automated control system was more of a gimmick or a long-term technological reserve, but he never expected that it could produce such immediate and huge benefits.

Wu Na, standing to the side, didn't know much about the data, but she could clearly feel that Li Feng radiated light when he talked about his work and technology. That focus, confidence, and passion for his career created an unparalleled charm that captivated her.

"Great! Great!" Wu Zhenghua slapped his thigh, his stern expression completely vanishing, replaced by heartfelt excitement and joy. "Xiao Li, you've made a great contribution to our country's ceramics industry, and even the entire light industry!"

Just as Wu Zhenghua was getting excited, his wife Zhang Ying brought out two cooked dishes from the kitchen.

One is stir-fried liver, and the other is vegetables.

At this time of year, it's already quite a luxury to be able to eat vegetables, especially since it's winter now.

At this moment, Zhang Ying saw her husband's excited expression. She believed that her husband was very satisfied with Li Feng. The only regret was that Li Feng had not broken up with his girlfriend. However, Zhang Ying was not worried that her daughter would be inferior to Li Feng's girlfriend.

She knew very well how outstanding her daughter was, and most importantly, if Li Feng chose her daughter, then her family could help Li Feng.

This is the reason for Zhang Ying's confidence.

Zhang Ying believed that someone with Li Feng's ambitions should know how to choose. (End of Chapter)