Courtyard House: Passing through the Silly Pillar, Activating the Blessed Cave Heaven

47

"Alright, I'll see you off then."

After leaving He Yuzhu's house, Cai Quanwu pedaled the tricycle ahead.

Holding the child, Su Xiulian said to Su Shaoan, "Shaoan, the money you used to buy a job at the steel mill is a loan from your brother-in-law. Remember to pay it back when you get your salary."

"

"Okay, sis."

Su Shaoan nodded solemnly.

"We're all family, why be so formal?" Cai Quanwu interjected from the front.

"Nothing, all these years we siblings have been so grateful for your care."

Shaoan is all grown up now, and it's time for him to learn to be independent.

You've already done more than enough by raising him; he has to pay back the money himself.

"Su Xiulian said firmly, "People should be grateful and repay kindness, otherwise they are ingrates."

"

Cai Quanwu remained silent.

Although he and Su Xiulian had been married for many years, there were some things that he, as her brother-in-law, could not say more about.

Blood ties are ultimately closer than in-law ties, he could only shake his head silently.

"Shao'an, once you're in the factory, you must work diligently."

Remember, don't mention your relationship with Zhu Zi to anyone, lest someone try to curry favor with you.

"Su Xiulian continued to give instructions."

"The child hasn't even started working in the factory yet, isn't it too early to talk about these things?" Cai Quanwu interrupted with a smile.

"Now that Zhu Zi has spoken, this matter is sure to succeed."

If he can't even handle this simple matter, then he's a wasted cadre.

"Su Xiulian comforted her younger brother."

"Sis, since Brother Zhu has such connections, why didn't he just arrange for me to get a job at the factory? Why did you have to ask Director Qian for help?" Su Shaoan asked, puzzled.

"Huh? Now that you mention it..." Su Xiulian also realized, "Nothing at all, what's Zhu Zi up to?"

When Su Xiulian asked about this, Cai Quanwu smiled and explained, "It's a simple matter."

Although Zhu Zi was able to arrange for Shao An to work at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, he was only in charge of logistics.

It's easy to make Shao'an a temporary worker and do odd jobs, but if he wants to become a formal skilled worker, he needs to find a leader at the deputy factory director level to help him.

This would leave you owing them a favor.

"

"Xiulian, you know that debts of gratitude are the hardest to repay."

Zhu Zi often said that if something can be solved with money, he would never owe anyone a favor.

Why make Zhu Zi beg for help when we can get Shao An into the factory by spending money? Besides, Zhu Zi is young and promising. When he gets promoted in the future, he won't be able to refuse when others ask him for help.

Therefore, it's best not to owe favors.

"

After listening, Su Xiulian and her brother nodded repeatedly.

Su Xiulian laughed and said, "Quanwu, you know so much. I remember you didn't even graduate from junior high school, right?"

"Although I didn't finish my studies, I've been struggling in society for so many years, and after opening a small tavern, I've seen all the ups and downs of human relationships."

The guests speak their minds after drinking, and after hearing this many times, one naturally understands the reasoning behind it.

"Cai Quanwu sighed."

"Are taverns really good for training people? Then let Shao'an go and help out at the tavern."

Su Xiulian became interested.

No, servants' jobs are not suitable for children.

The tavern is full of human relationships and social customs. If Shao'an gets involved in these things too early, he might become disillusioned with the world.

Cai Quanwu quickly waved his hand.

"Is it that serious? Shao'an, you should stay at home. Your sister will teach you how to make tofu."

Su Xiulian was startled.

"Highly accomplished monks all became monks after witnessing all the suffering in the world."

Let's not talk about that—Shao'an, do you have a job you'd like to do?

"Brother-in-law, I don't even know what jobs are available in the factory, so there's no job I'd like to do."

"Su Shaoan said blankly."

"Nothing at all, really. Shao'an has never been to a factory before, how would he know what he wants to do?" Su Xiulian scolded. "Do you know what positions are available at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill? Tell Shao'an."

"

"I do know a little about it, but I can't explain it clearly in a short time. I'll tell you in detail when we get home, since we'll be home soon anyway," Cai Quanwu replied after thinking for a moment.

"Okay, let's talk about it when we get home."

Upon entering the house in Daqianmen, Cai Quanwu first poured himself a glass of water, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. Feeling that he was still not quenching his thirst, he poured himself another glass and gulped it down.

After drinking two glasses of water, I finally quenched my thirst.

He put down his teacup, sat down, and said, "Shao'an, although your brother-in-law knows some things about the factory, it's not comprehensive."

Listen to this first, so you have a general idea. I'll explain the details to you after I've spoken with that comrade surnamed Qian.

"Okay, brother-in-law."

"Stop dawdling and hurry up and say it." Su Xiulian rolled her eyes at Cai Quanwu from the side.

Cai Quanwu chuckled awkwardly and continued, "The Red Star Steel Rolling Mill where Zhu Zi works, as you can tell from the name, deals with steel."

I don't really know what steel rolling is all about, but I do know that besides the steel rolling workshop, there are several other workshops in the factory that specialize in processing parts.

In the courtyard house where Zhu Zi lived, there was a fitter and a blacksmith.

"Fitters do purely manual work, using various tools to clamp workpieces on a fitter's bench for processing; forgers, on the other hand, heat steel to a certain temperature and then forge it with a hammer, somewhat like blacksmiths of the past."

"Which of these two jobs is better?" Su Xiulian asked.

"It's hard to say which is better."

"Fitting is a delicate job that requires dexterity; blacksmithing is a physically demanding job, dealing with hot steel all day long. It's alright in winter, but it's a real ordeal in summer," Cai Quanwu said truthfully. "Uncle Liu Haizhong, the second oldest in Zhuzi's courtyard, is a blacksmith. He's the fat one. Uncle Yi Zhonghai, who lives in the middle courtyard with Zhuzi, is a fitter."

After listening, Su Xiulian pictured Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong in her mind. She pondered for a moment, then asked, "Besides these two jobs, are there any other options?"

"Yes, we have welders, riveters, machinists, and electricians," Cai Quanwu rattled off in one breath. "Welders weld steel together; riveters assemble parts according to blueprints and then hand them over to welders; machinists process parts on a lathe; and electricians repair circuits."

However, I don't recommend that electricians install dry-clean appliances, as accidents can easily occur if one is not careful.

"Then I won't do electrical work." Su Xiulian immediately objected upon hearing about the danger. "But with so many jobs, which one should I choose? Shao'an, after hearing all this, do you have any ideas?"

Su Shaoan looked bewildered by the question and could only shake his head at Su Xiulian.

"Sigh, if only I could have come back later, I could have just asked Zhu Zi and found out everything." Su Xiulian sighed with a hint of regret.

Cai Quanwu comforted him, saying, "After Zhuzi has met with Comrade Qian, I will go and ask him about it."

Since Comrade Qian works in the personnel department, he must be well-informed. Out of consideration for Zhu Zi, he'll probably reveal some information.

"That's all we can do for now." Su Xiulian tidied her hair at her temples. "Hopefully, Zhuzi can find Shaoan a good master."

But it's too early to worry about that now. Let's get lunch ready first.

"Shao'an, would you like to learn a few dishes from your older sister? Although I can't compare to a professional chef's skills, I can still teach you some home-style cooking—Zhu Zi taught me these dishes himself!"

Su Shaoan's eyes lit up, and he said eagerly, "Great, sis! Let's get started!"

The siblings were about to head to the kitchen when the two little ones, thinking it was time to play, stumbled after them, shouting, "Mommy, play with us! Mommy, play with us!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

After the Cai family left, Wu Xiangyun pulled He Yushui out of the inner room and said with a slight frown, "Brother Zhu, what you just said sounded like you were saying that being a cook is a dead-end job?"

He Yuzhu dusted off his cuffs: "That's about the gist of it."

"Didn't my father and brothers all do very well?" Wu Xiangyun said indignantly, counting on her fingers. "With this skill, my father bought a house in Beijing and raised all five of us siblings."

"I'm saying there's no future in learning to cook now, not that ready-made chefs won't have food to eat." He Yuzhu added some hot water to the enamel mug. "By the time you graduate, where will all the newly opened restaurants be? You can't all just crowd into factory canteens, can you?"

Wu Xiangyun retorted, "What's wrong with the factory canteen? Didn't you used to be the cook there?"

"Xiangyun, I went to the factory canteen because the restaurant staff were too busy to take care of Yushui."

Back then, the factory wasn't a joint venture yet, and wages were entirely determined by the boss.

Things are different now. After the public-private partnership, factories are managed by the state, and canteen cooks can only take the exam up to level six; they are not allowed to take the exam for higher levels.

"It's different when you're a worker; if you work harder, you can earn a fourth or fifth grade salary," He Yuzhu explained.

Wu Xiangyun tilted her head and asked, "Didn't you pass the Level 1 Chef exam? Why does the factory restrict cafeteria chefs from taking certification exams?"

"Although I have a Level 1 chef's certificate, I receive a cadre's salary." He Yuzhu waved his hand with a smile. "As for the reasons for restricting the grading, they are quite complicated."

The canteen serves large-batch dishes, focusing on simply filling everyone's stomachs, while the requirements for becoming a senior chef are that the dishes must be visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious.

Unless you have a family recipe passed down through generations, you'll never reach the level of a top chef even if you work in a cafeteria your whole life—do you understand?

Wu Xiangyun blinked: "I think I understand a little better now."

"Besides, now that the workers can take over, which old chef would be willing to teach their best skills to outsiders? Wouldn't it be better to teach their own children?" He Yuzhu patted her head. "You don't need to worry about these things."

"By the way, what do you want for lunch? I'll go buy groceries."

Wu Xiangyun's eyes lit up: "Yushui always says grilled fish smells amazing, can we make grilled fish today?"

"Okay, since you've been behaving well lately, I'll make you some grilled fish." He Yuzhu readily agreed.

"That's great!" Wu Xiangyun jumped up happily, only to be poked on the forehead by He Yuzhu with a smile: "You're so old, yet you still act like a child."

The next morning, after finishing breakfast, He Yuzhu said goodbye to Lou Xiao'e and rode his bicycle to the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

After finishing the documents at hand, he stood up and straightened his collar—it was time to go talk to Qian Dafei about Su Shaoan.

In the personnel department office, He Yuzhu smiled at Qian Dafei and said, "Officer Qian, want to come out and chat for a bit?"

"Deputy Director He, you're too kind. I just happened to be free." Qian Dafei followed He Yuzhu outside the office building and asked, "What brings you here?"

He Yuzhu laughed and said, "Officer Qian is indeed clever. I do have a small matter I'd like to ask you."

"Deputy Director He, please feel free to ask me anything. As long as I know the answer, I will definitely tell you everything," Qian Dafei replied with a smile.

"It's not a big deal, really. It's just that a friend's relative's child has been unemployed at home since graduating from junior high school. They asked me to inquire whether he could get a job at our factory," He Yuzhu asked tactfully.

Qian Dafei thought for a moment and said, "How old is that child? When we recruit workers in our factory, the minimum age is sixteen. After graduating from junior high school, the average age is around fifteen."

The factory currently has no recruitment plans, but Secretary Wang and Factory Director Zhang may have available positions. However, these positions are difficult to obtain and are reserved for special cases.

"He's old enough. That child started school late and is exactly sixteen this year."

Secretary Wang and Factory Director Zhang are extremely busy; how could we dare trouble them with such a small matter?

"Besides open recruitment, are there any other ways?" He Yuzhu continued to ask.

"Of course there are." Qian Dafei smiled. "One type is arranged by higher authorities, mainly for resettling demobilized cadres; the other type is where the children of retired workers can take over their positions."

He Yuzhu was secretly delighted, but remained outwardly calm: "If the children of retired workers have jobs and don't want to come to the factory, how is this quota usually handled?"

Qian Dafei understood his meaning immediately. He looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "Deputy Director He, we're all on the same side, so I'll be frank."

In such cases, workers usually transfer their workstations to relatives. The factory doesn't care who specifically takes their place, as long as they have a retirement certificate.

He Yuzhu immediately understood and nodded, saying, "Then I have to remind my friend to ask his relatives if they know any factory workers who are about to retire."

"We should remind him; many people are unaware of this policy," Qian Dafei continued, echoing his words.

"If we really can't find such relatives, are there any other feasible solutions?" He Yuzhu asked unwillingly, hoping for a change of fortune.

"There is a solution, but it will cost some money to do it." Qian Dafei looked hesitant, as if he was in a dilemma.

"How exactly should it be done? Don't worry, I will absolutely not tell anyone about this, I will keep it a secret." He Yuzhu looked at Qian Dafei with a sincere expression, his eyes full of expectation.