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

51

"After all, Shao'an will be working at your factory for the rest of his life. If someone discovers your kinship one day and finds out that there are problems with his employment procedures, it will have a huge impact on you." Cai Quanwu frowned and thought worriedly.

He Yuzhu quickly waved his hand: "Uncle, there's no need to go to such trouble."

In a few years, once I've established myself firmly in the position of head of the logistics department and my foundation is solid, these things won't seem like a big deal.

When the time comes, there will definitely be many people like Shao'an in the factory who will take over the work of others. The factory will not be able to manage them all, otherwise the workforce will become unstable.

However, it's not feasible right now. The factory hasn't been a joint public-private enterprise for long, and there are many newly recruited young workers. Of the older workers left by my father-in-law, only a few retire each year, so this situation of privately transferring quotas is still quite sensitive.

Cai Quanwu breathed a sigh of relief after hearing He Yuzhu's words: "I feel much more at ease now that you say that, and I don't have to worry about this matter too much anymore."

The two walked out of the alley. He Yuzhu, holding his bicycle, said, "Uncle, don't worry about my affairs. When you get back, just remind Shao'an."

You'd better hurry back to the tavern and get busy. I should go home too; Xiao'e is waiting for me there.

"Be careful on the road, ride slowly," Cai Quanwu nodded and said.

He Yuzhu waved, pedaled his bicycle, and headed home.

Back at the courtyard house, he parked his bicycle, washed his hands by the pond in the yard, shook the water off his hands, and went inside.

Walking up to the crib, he gently pinched the three children's rosy cheeks and said with a smile, "Babies, were you good today? Did you bother Mommy? If you dare to make Mommy unhappy, Daddy will spank you—" As he spoke, he slapped his leg, pretending to hit the children.

Lou Xiao'e laughed out loud at his words: "Brother He, how old are the children? How can you scare them like that? They were very well-behaved today, they didn't make a fuss at all, they were very obedient." She looked at the children with tender eyes, her eyes full of maternal love.

"Hmph, I am the father of the children, and more importantly, your husband! I will never allow anyone to bully my wife, not even our children."

"Xiao'e, you're actually taking the side of outsiders? I'm angry, I'm going to cook, I'm not going to make you anything delicious!" He Yuzhu deliberately raised his chin, pretending to be angry, and strode towards the kitchen.

After He Yuzhu left, Lou Xiao'e finally understood the deeper meaning behind his words. Her face beamed with a happy smile as she softly said to her three children, "Did you hear what your father said? The person he loves most is your mother."

If you dare to upset Mom, see how Dad deals with you.

He Yuzhu was reviewing documents in his office when he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

"Please come in," he said without looking up.

The door was gently pushed open, and Xu Damao peeked in with a fawning smile on his face.

"Director He, are you busy? I hope I haven't bothered you?"

Hearing the familiar voice, He Yuzhu put down the documents in his hand, looked up, and asked with a smile, "Xu Damao, what brings you here? What brings you to my office today?"

"Hehe, I just came to visit Director He's office. Your office is really something else, so spacious and impressive, much better than our cramped office." Xu Damao said sarcastically as he looked around the office.

"So you didn't come to see me, but to see my office? Well, you'd better take a good look and try to get your own private office someday," He Yuzhu joked.

"It's tough! Even the head of our publicity department doesn't have a private office. I'm afraid I'll never get one in my life. I can only envy you." Xu Damao sighed, then leaned closer to He Yuzhu with a fawning smile. "Brother Zhu, considering we grew up together in this courtyard house, now that you're successful, could you give me a promotion? Let me benefit from your success and climb the ladder too?"

"Da Mao, as you know, the Publicity Department is not under the jurisdiction of the Logistics Department, so even if I wanted to help you, I couldn't get involved."

"Why don't you wait a little longer? When I become the factory manager in the future, I'll arrange a good position for you?" He Yuzhu said with a smile, his tone tinged with teasing.

"Brother Zhu, you became a section chief in just over a year. You must have some secret to success."

"Teach me, brother. I want to climb up the ladder too. I don't want to be just a lowly projectionist for the rest of my life." Xu Damao persisted, his eyes filled with longing.

"I don't really have any secrets, but I do have some work-related insights that might be helpful to you," He Yuzhu said earnestly, shaking his head.

"What insights and experiences? Brother Zhu, please tell me quickly, I will definitely write them down and follow them!" Xu Damao's eyes lit up and he said hurriedly.

"Since Brother Da Mao is so sincere, then I'll tell you something," He Yuzhu said with a smile. "It's actually very simple. You can't just bury yourself in your work; you also need to learn to report to your superiors in a timely manner so that they know your efforts and achievements."

Xu Damao nodded thoughtfully and asked, "Brother Zhu, could you be a little more specific? I still don't quite understand how to do it."

"Da Mao, things aren't as complicated as you think."

Take you for example. Your job is to show movies. If you only satisfy the workers, you can only be considered a competent projectionist at best.

"But if you could let the head of the publicity department know that the workers speak highly of you and that you're a responsible and hardworking person, your image in the eyes of the leaders would be completely different. When there's a promotion opportunity in the future, they'd think of you first." He Yuzhu picked up his teacup, took a sip, and continued, "Da Mao, do you think what I'm saying makes sense?"

Xu Damao nodded repeatedly, his eyes shining: "Brother Zhu, what you said really hit the nail on the head! You are simply my guiding light! How come I never thought of this before? I was so focused on working that I forgot to report to the leaders. No wonder I never got promoted."

"Stop with the pleasantries. We grew up in the same compound, so I'll definitely help you if I can." He Yuzhu waved his hand, his tone becoming serious. "But I have to remind you, this method can be used, but it must be used cleverly, and you can't go astray."

You can use a little cleverness to let your superiors know about your work achievements, but you must never have any crooked thoughts or do anything opportunistic or fraudulent.

Otherwise, the faster you climb, the harder you'll fall, just like the old saying goes—"You watch him build a tall building, you watch him entertain guests, and you watch his building collapse."

Xu Damao quickly reassured him: "Brother Zhu, don't worry. Although I'm young, I'm very clear-headed and would never do anything so stupid."

Is there anything else you'd like to tell me? Please feel free to speak; I'll listen carefully.

"Let me think about it some more, is there anything else I need to remind you of?" He Yuzhu said.

"Take your time thinking about it. I'm not in a hurry. I'll wait here for your insightful opinion," Xu Damao quickly said.

He Yuzhu stroked his stubble, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Da Mao, what are your long-term plans for your future work? Have you thought about what goals you want to achieve?"

Xu Damao was taken aback and asked in confusion, "Plans? What plans? I just want to make sure the movies are released properly and get my salary on time every month. I haven't thought that much about it."

He Yuzhu laughed: "That's not what I meant, I meant your career planning."

Simply put, it's about what goals you want to achieve in the next few years.

For example, if you want to become a member of the publicity department within five years, then you need to figure out how to achieve this goal.

Having clear goals allows us to work towards them instead of drifting aimlessly through life.

He paused, then asked, "By the way, did you know that Uncle Liu Haizhong from the backyard became a team leader in the forging workshop?"

"When did this happen? I haven't heard about it." Xu Damao, who always prided himself on being well-informed, was caught off guard this time and hurriedly asked.

"The day I became the head of the logistics department, everyone in the hospital was only talking about me, and no one noticed Liu Haizhong's promotion, so it's normal that you didn't know," He Yuzhu said with a smile.

He Yuzhu put down his teacup and said slowly, "Still thinking about that group leader, Uncle Liu Haizhong? Compared to my current position as section chief, his group leader position is really nothing."

Xu Damao slapped his thigh, suddenly realizing, "I knew it! I ran into Uncle Er this morning, and he was all smiles. I was wondering what good thing had happened to him, and now I know it's because of this." He suddenly frowned, "But what does this have to do with studying?"

He Yuzhu smiled and shook his head: "Do you think Second Uncle's position as group leader fell from the sky? It was his workshop director who promoted him because he's been doing well lately."

"No way?" Xu Damao's eyes widened. "Second Uncle used to stutter when he spoke at large meetings in the courtyard, and he always made a fool of himself. How could the leaders possibly take a liking to him?"

"A scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days' absence." He Yuzhu tapped the table lightly. "You tell me, how long has it been since our department held a general meeting?"

Xu Damao counted on his fingers and exclaimed in surprise, "It's been three months! But why did Second Uncle suddenly become so enlightened and want to study?"

He Yuzhu picked up his water glass and drank slowly without saying a word.

Xu Damao's eyes darted around, and he immediately picked up the thermos to refill his water bottle, complaining, "Brother Zhu, you're so unfair! You gave Second Uncle pointers but didn't tell me, we're half-brothers!"

"Don't give me that crap," He Yuzhu said with a laugh.

Xu Damao shamelessly stepped forward: "In my heart, Brother Zhu is closer than a biological brother."

"Tell me quickly, how did Second Uncle learn this?" He glanced at He Yuzhu's cup, which contained only plain water, and exclaimed exaggeratedly, "You're a leader! How come you don't even put in tea leaves? I'll get you some of the best tomorrow!"

"Don't try to bribe me with that." He Yuzhu pushed him away. "If I want tea, what kind of good tea can't I get? Plain water is refreshing and doesn't affect the taste."

"If you don't believe me, come to my house tonight, and I'll show you what real good tea is."

Xu Damao flattered him with a beaming smile, "Brother Zhu's level one chef certificate is one he earned through real exams. It's really not appropriate for me to come empty-handed and still be thinking of taking something with me."

He Yuzhu scoffed, "Stop with the pleasantries. I'll just give you a small pinch of tea to try. If you want more later, you'll have to buy it yourself."

"Alright!" Xu Damao rubbed his hands together. "We'll talk about the tea later. First, tell me how Second Uncle became a group leader through studying?"

"This story begins with my second uncle passing the seventh-level blacksmith exam." He Yuzhu picked up his teacup. "One night, he suddenly came to see me. I asked him what was wrong—you know, I've never liked to meddle in other people's business in the courtyard."

Guess what he said?

Xu Damao stamped his feet impatiently, "Brother Zhu, stop keeping me in suspense! Just tell me already!"

"Uncle Er got straight to the point, saying he wanted to learn how to be a leader, and he looked exactly like you now." He Yuzhu paused deliberately, watching Xu Damao scratch his head, before continuing, "I pointed out a few of his major flaws, the first being his low level of education—a leader can't promote an illiterate person and make a laughing stock, right? I sent him to the neighborhood literacy class, and to my surprise, the old man actually persisted for a few months, and now he speaks much more fluently."

"Can someone become an official just by recognizing a few characters?" Xu Damao was still skeptical.

"What's the rush?" He Yuzhu slowly refilled the tea. "Later I told him that he wasn't the only level seven worker in the workshop. If he wanted to get ahead, he had to do something outstanding."

"How exactly does it work..." he suddenly lowered his voice, "This matter needs to be discussed in detail."

"Da Mao, you're right. There are indeed more than just him as a level seven forging worker in the Second Uncle's workshop, but workers don't just have to work in the workshop."

I suggest that Uncle Er take on more apprentices. As long as he has more apprentices than other level seven blacksmiths, and the apprentices he teaches are more skilled, the leaders will definitely pay more attention to him.

If most of the workers in the workshop are connected to him, how could his influence be light?

"I get it! Even if you do the same job, as long as you are better than others in other aspects, you can still stand out." Xu Damao reacted quickly and immediately understood the trick.

Talking to smart people is so easy. He Yuzhu thought Xu Damao understood things immediately and was indeed clever.

"Da Mao, I've said everything I needed to say. Is there anything else you want to ask?" He Yuzhu asked with a smile.