Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

The news that Red Star United Industrial Corporation was about to conduct a large-scale open recruitment of apprentices spread like wildfire throughout the streets and alleys of Beijing, and naturally it also shook the courtyard at No. 95 Nanluoguxiang.

Recruitment notices were posted at the factory gate and on the bulletin board of the street office: 500 apprentices needed for over ten trades including machining, fitting, sheet metal work, electrical work, and auto assembly! Requirements: Age 16-25, good family background (workers and children of poor and lower-middle peasants preferred), primary school education or above (junior high or high school preferred), good health, and able to endure hardship. Compensation: One-year apprenticeship with a monthly salary of 18 yuan and one lunch provided; after probation, the apprentice will be a Level 1 worker with a monthly salary of 33 yuan and enjoy labor protection benefits!

18 yuan a month! Meals included! 33 yuan after probation!

In 1955, this treatment was like a windfall for countless ordinary families and unemployed youth! Many families with several members couldn't even afford 18 yuan a month! More importantly, getting a job at Hongxing Factory meant securing a stable, secure job! And it was now the most prosperous and promising ministerial-level factory in Beijing, and even the whole country!

The entire courtyard instantly erupted in excitement!

The Yan family's house in the front yard was like a pot of dumplings boiling over.

"Dad! Mom! Hongxing Factory is hiring! They're hiring 500 people!" Yan Jiecheng rushed into the house, his face flushed with excitement, clutching the job postings he'd copied from somewhere.

"Really? Let me see!" The third aunt snatched the note and held it up to the light. Yan Bugui also quickly took off his reading glasses and came over.

"Ages 16 to 25... primary school education... 18 yuan a month, meals included! 33 yuan after probation!" Yan Bugui read the list, his eyes gleaming as he quickly calculated on his mental abacus. "Incredible! Incredible! He meets the requirements! Liberation (Yan Jiefang) will be here soon! If both my sons can get in, that'll be... that'll be 66 yuan a month! With my salary, our family will be rich!"

He suddenly looked up at Yan Jiecheng and said, "Jiecheng! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! You must pass the exam! From today onwards, don't go anywhere! Stay home and study hard! Especially arithmetic! You can't be a worker if you can't do math!" He then looked at his youngest son, Yan Jiefang: "Jiefang! Don't be idle either! Study with your brother! You can take the exam next year too!"

The three women hurriedly chimed in, "Yes, yes, yes! I'll go buy half a pound of meat tomorrow—no, a whole pound! To nourish the children's brains!"

Yan Bugui thought for a moment, then lowered his voice and said to his wife, "Mom, stir-fry cabbage for dinner, and as for the pickled vegetables... chop them even finer today, take them by the piece, one per person... each person can eat half a piece first, save some money to buy reference books for the kids!"

The atmosphere at the Jia family residence in the middle courtyard was more complex. Qin Huairu looked at the job posting with envy, but knew her family had no chance. Jia Dongxu was disabled and still young. Jia Dongxu himself locked himself in his inner room, diligently studying the high school textbooks given to him by Wang Huanbo, seemingly oblivious to the outside commotion. Jia Zhangshi muttered sourly, "What's so great about it! Being a worker is still hard work!"

In the backyard of Liu Haizhong's house, the second uncle found another piece of material to teach his sons a lesson. "Look! Look! Red Star Factory! Director Wang's men! That's a place for humans! You two good-for-nothings, if you could pass the exam and get in, I'd be proud! From today onwards, study two extra hours every night! If you don't pass, I'll beat you to death!" The Liu brothers, Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu, looked worried.

Upon hearing the news, Xu Damao's eyes lit up. He ran to the west gate of Wang Huanbo's courtyard, hoping to find out some "insider information" or pull some strings. However, he was politely stopped by the driver, Xiao Zhao: "Projectionist Xu, Director Wang said that this recruitment will be based entirely on examinations, a fair competition." Xu Damao returned home embarrassed, wondering whether he should let his distant nephew give it a try as well.

Sha Zhu was honest and said to He Yushui, "Girl, you should study hard and go to university! Being a worker is good, but that's not your path!" He Yushui nodded vigorously. She longed to be like Huanbo and pursue technical and academic studies.

Even other residents in the courtyard, those with school-age children, took action, asking around for recruitment details and finding study materials. The entire No. 95 courtyard and even the entire Nanluoguxiang were filled with a sense of tension and anticipation, like "carp leaping over the dragon gate."

The recruitment registration point was set up at the entrance of the Hongxing factory, and a long queue formed on the very first day! The dense crowd consisted of hopeful young people and their eager families. The recruitment office was extremely busy. Wang Huanbo specifically instructed that the screening process be rigorous, fair, and impartial, truly selecting young people with potential and a willingness to work hard.

The first round of written exams was held a few days later. The exam venue was the staff auditorium of the Hongxing Factory. Yan Jiecheng, Liu Guangtian, and other young people from the factory all went, their palms sweating with nervousness. The exam questions included simple Chinese, arithmetic, and general knowledge. For Yan Jiecheng, a high school dropout, it was relatively easy; but for Liu Guangtian, who wasn't a good student, it was a bit of a struggle.

After the exam, there was only anxious waiting. Every day after get off work, the first thing Yan Bugui would do was ask Yan Jiecheng, "Has the notification arrived yet?" Even the pickled vegetables were reduced to a "luxury" of one per person, as they were waiting for good news.

Finally, the list of successful applicants was posted! Yan Jiecheng's name was prominently displayed! The Yan family cheered with joy, and Yan Bugui was so excited he almost smashed his abacus! Liu Guangtian, on the other hand, failed to make the cut and received a sound beating from his second uncle when he got home. Some families rejoiced while others grieved; the small courtyard seemed to be a microcosm of society.

The newly recruited young people are about to enter the technical school affiliated with the Hongxing Factory for a three-month intensive training program. A new journey in their lives is about to begin. Wang Huanbo knows that this is just the first batch of seeds sown for the future of the Hongxing Factory and for Chinese industry.