Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

After being jilted, Xu Damao was completely distraught, his mind filled with the diagnosis of "infertility".

Xu's mother was so anxious that her mouth was covered in blisters. She inquired everywhere for folk remedies and finally heard that there was an "old Chinese medicine doctor" in the suburbs who specialized in treating difficult and complicated diseases. She immediately took Xu Damao and packed their savings and rushed over there.

The old Chinese medicine doctor's courtyard was crowded with people seeking treatment, but they were all shills.

He stroked his goatee and pretended to take Xu Damao's pulse, then squinted and pondered, "Young man, you have a combination of congenital deficiency and acquired strain, causing stagnation in your meridians. You need my secret 'Rejuvenating Pill' to regulate your body. Three courses of treatment will definitely show results!"

Xu Damao grasped at a straw and hurriedly asked the price.

The old Chinese medicine doctor held up three fingers: "One dose of the pill costs three hundred yuan, three courses of treatment cost nine hundred yuan. Pay a deposit of five hundred yuan first, and I will let you know when the pill is ready."

Three hundred yuan could buy a cow back then. Xu's mother was heartbroken and kept grimacing, but she couldn't resist Xu Damao's pleas and finally took out five hundred yuan as a deposit.

After waiting for half a month, not only was there no medicine, but the old Chinese medicine doctor's courtyard was also deserted, and the two realized they had been deceived.

Xu's mother sat on the ground, wailing, "My hard-earned money!"

Xu Damao trembled with rage, venting all his anger on Sha Zhu: "It's all Sha Zhu's fault! If he hadn't kicked me, I wouldn't have been scammed when I went to the doctor! I'll make sure he's completely ruined!"

Blinded by hatred, Xu Damao remembered that he knew Lao Zhou, the purchasing agent of the steel mill canteen, and immediately went to his door with the few dozen yuan he had left.

"Brother Zhou, do me a favor and add some ingredients to Sha Zhu's food. I'll give you fifty yuan as a reward if you do it!" Xu Damao lowered his voice and revealed his plan to add laxatives.

Old Zhou's eyes lit up when he heard there was money to be made, and he immediately patted his chest and agreed, "No problem! I'll deliver the vegetables to the cafeteria the day after tomorrow, I guarantee no one will know!"

Two days later, trouble broke out as soon as the winter melon and pork rib soup was served at the steel mill canteen.

Dozens of workers suffered from diarrhea after drinking the soup, causing panic in the workshop. The factory manager immediately ordered a thorough investigation.

As the canteen supervisor, Sha Zhu was the first to be held accountable. Although he repeatedly argued that there was nothing wrong with the ingredients, no evidence could be found. In the end, he was suspended for a week, fined fifty yuan, and his salary as a sixth-level cook was temporarily reduced by one level.

"I give up!" Sha Zhu returned to the courtyard and sat dejectedly on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

While wiping away her tears, Qin Huairu comforted him, "It's alright, Zhuzi. Money can be earned back. Don't get upset and ruin your health. We'll just be more careful in the future."

On the third night of his suspension, Sha Zhu wanted to go to the supply and marketing cooperative at the factory gate to buy some fabric for Qin Huairu. As soon as he walked into the alley near the factory, he heard arguing coming from inside.

"Xu Damao! What about the fifty yuan you promised me? The factory's cracking down hard right now. If I get arrested, you'll be the first one they'll betray!"

Sha Zhu's heart skipped a beat, and he quietly hid in the corner to eavesdrop.

Xu Damao's voice was filled with impatience: "What's the rush? Things haven't calmed down yet. You can have it when things have calmed down!"

"No way! I need the money right now! If you don't give me fifty yuan as hush money today, I'll go to the factory manager's office tomorrow and confess!" Old Zhou's voice grew increasingly agitated.

Xu Damao cursed, "Insatiable greed!"

He then added, "Stop arguing! Be here again tomorrow night, and I'll give you the money!"

Sha Zhu was furious. It turned out that Xu Damao was really behind this! He suppressed his anger, turned around and ran to the factory. He went straight to the head of the security department in charge of investigating the matter and told him everything he had heard.

The security department acted immediately and arrested Lao Zhou overnight.

At first, Lao Zhou tried to argue, but under the section chief's interrogation, and because he was already afraid that Xu Damao would turn his back on him, his psychological defenses collapsed instantly.

In the end, although Lao Zhou identified Xu Damao, there was no substantial evidence—neither a note written by Xu Damao nor any eyewitness testimony to the transaction between the two. Lao Zhou's testimony could only be considered a one-sided statement.

The security department searched all night but couldn't find any conclusive evidence to convict Xu Damao. In the end, they could only detain him for one night and then release him, giving him only a verbal warning. As for Lao Zhou, he was sent to a farm in Northwest China for "deliberate sabotage of production" for reform through labor.

Xu Damao walked out of the security office, not severely punished, but still quite frightened. The thought of escaping punishment fueled a sinister glint in his eyes: "Shazhu, you want to mess with me? No way! This isn't over!"

When the news reached the courtyard, Sha Zhu was so angry he stomped his feet: "That bastard wasn't punished! He got off too easy!"

Although Xu Damao was not severely punished, Sha Zhu's grievances were finally cleared, and the factory director rescinded his suspension and fine.

His salary as a sixth-grade cook was restored, and the facts were clarified for him at a factory-wide meeting. Sha Zhu finally felt relieved.

Meanwhile, Yi Zhonghai remembered that Jia Dongxu was not young and still had no girlfriend, so he asked someone to introduce him to Zhang Guilan in the suburbs. Her family were farmers, she was honest and capable, but her family was of ordinary means.

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhangshi was overjoyed and grasped Yi Zhonghai's hand, thanking him profusely: "Uncle Yi, you are truly a great benefactor to our family! If Dongxu can get married, I will be at peace for the rest of my life!"

Yi Zhonghai smiled and said, "Dongxu is my apprentice, so it's only right for me, as his master, to help him. I've met Zhang Guilan; she's a nice person. Let them meet next week, and if it's a good match, we'll finalize the deal."

Jia Dongxu was also very excited. He had wanted to get married for a long time, but his family's financial situation was not good, so he had not been able to find a suitable wife.

With Yi Zhonghai's help, they were filled with anticipation. Seeing the gratitude on the faces of the Jia mother and son, Yi Zhonghai couldn't help but feel smug; the more grateful Jia Dongxu was, the more diligently he would work to support him in his old age.

The next day, Jia Zhangshi started showing off in the courtyard. When Lin Weidong heard the news, he sneered inwardly.

He knew Yi Zhonghai's intentions; he just wanted Jia Dongxu to support him in his old age. However, he had heard a little about Zhang Guilan's character. She seemed honest but was actually greedy for small gains. If she got together with Jia Zhangshi, who knew what kind of trouble she might cause.

Moreover, the family has two older brothers, both slaughterhouse workers, who are both fat and big-eared. The Jia family is likely to be quite lively in the future.

On Sunday, Jia Dongxu, led by Yi Zhonghai, arrived at Zhang Guilan's home.

Upon seeing the two people enter, Zhang Guilan's mother quickly smiled and said, "Oh, Master Yi, this must be Dongxu. I didn't expect him to be so good-looking."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongxu simply nodded shyly.

The two Zhang brothers looked at Jia Dongxu's skinny frame with obvious disdain.

He thought to himself, "This is supposed to be a worker? My sister would probably break his back in no time."

Upon entering the room, Jia Dongxu saw Zhang Guilan. She wasn't ugly, but her physique truly surprised Jia Dongxu.

"Master, is this Zhang Guilan?"

"I'm starting to regret leaving. Is it okay if I go now?"

Jia Dongxu whispered to Yi Zhonghai.

Ignoring Jia Dongxu, Yi Zhonghai pulled him to sit down opposite Zhang Guilan.