Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

Jia Dongxu's workplace injury was like a sharp thorn in the hearts of the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill and even its higher-level leaders. Safety in production, a term repeatedly emphasized in later generations, was often overlooked in this era of rebuilding and pursuing production capacity. Factory Director Yang and Li Huaide faced immense pressure; how to effectively prevent similar tragedies from recurring became the most pressing problem at hand.

Just as Director Yang was frowning and shaking his head in dismay at the vague and clichéd rectification report from the safety department, Wang Huanbo knocked on his office door.

"Factory Director, this is a preliminary plan for on-site management and safe production that I have drafted based on my observations abroad and the actual situation of our factory. Please take a look." Wang Huanbo placed a neatly bound document (printed by a printer) on Factory Director Yang's desk. The cover had several eye-catching words written on it: "Implementation Plan for '6S' On-site Management and Safe Production of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill (Draft)".

"6S?" Factory Director Yang took the document with a puzzled look; the term was completely unfamiliar to him. He casually flipped through it, initially just wanting to see what new ideas this "overseas-returned PhD" had, but the more he read, the more serious his expression became, his back straightened involuntarily, and his eyes went from puzzlement to surprise, finally turning into deep shock!

"Seiri (整理), Seiton (整頓), Seiso (清掃), Seiketsu (毸頓), Shitsuke (躾), Safety (安全)..." Factory Manager Yang murmured these six words that all began with the letter "S," followed by an outrageously detailed explanation, implementation rules, inspection standards, and reward and punishment regulations...

The plan thoroughly and "revolutionarily" addresses commonplace "minor issues" in the workshop, such as haphazardly placed tools, piled-up materials, oil stains everywhere, and blocked passageways. It includes regulations on things like the "three fixed principles" (fixed location, fixed capacity, fixed quantity), "visual management," and "red card operations"—each method accompanied by simple diagrams and explanations, making it highly practical. More importantly, it prioritizes "safety" as the ultimate goal throughout, clearly stating that a clean, orderly, and disciplined work environment is the most fundamental guarantee for safe production!

"This...this is practically tailor-made for our factory!" Factory Director Yang slammed his hand on the table excitedly. "Comrade Huanbo! Your plan is so timely! So insightful! These six 'S's' are such a brilliant summary!"

He immediately picked up the phone: "Deputy Factory Director Li? And Secretary Wang, Director Liu... Come to the small conference room immediately! We have important matters to discuss!"

At a meeting of the steel rolling mill's leadership team, Wang Huanbo explained his 6S plan in detail. Initially, workshop directors like Liu Haizhong thought it was just a "showy facade" or "formalism." However, as Wang Huanbo used the Jia Dongxu accident case to analyze in simple terms the seemingly accidental but actually inevitable connections between "tools not placed in designated locations causing tripping," "oil stains on the ground causing slipping," and "blocked passages hindering rescue," everyone fell silent and then fell into deep thought.

Li Huaide keenly sensed the political value and potential for promotion within this approach and immediately expressed his full support. The factory party secretary also believed it was a good way to strengthen worker discipline and improve the factory's appearance. Ultimately, the meeting decided to select the first and second workshops as pilot projects, with Wang Huanbo leading a 6S implementation team to conduct a two-week trial run.

The pilot program was not without its challenges. Workers accustomed to a more relaxed management style complained bitterly, finding it "troublesome" and "full of work." In particular, veteran workers like Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong felt that they had worked for decades without incident and now had to be disciplined by a young man, which made them lose face.

But Wang Huanbo was exceptionally skilled. He not only talked the talk, but also led by example. Every day, he arrived at the workshop early to work with the young members of the implementation team, marking lines, setting up equipment, and cleaning up dead corners. He didn't know how to use long-winded explanations; he used the most straightforward language to reason with them: "If the tools are readily available, how quickly will it be to find you? How quickly will you get to work? If the floor is clean, how many people will slip and fall? If the passageways are clear, how quickly will it be to rescue you if an accident happens?"

At the same time, rewards and punishments were clearly defined. Teams that performed well received a bonus increase for the month; those that performed poorly were publicly criticized and given a deadline to rectify the issues. He also implemented a "red card campaign," affixing red cards to unqualified areas, which could only be removed after rectification was completed. If the cards remained on for too long, the workshop director would also be criticized.

Two weeks later, the results were astonishing! The pilot workshops had a completely transformed look! Tools were neatly arranged, the floors were clean and free of oil stains, materials were stacked in an orderly fashion, and safety passages were unobstructed. More importantly, during these two weeks, the minor injury rate in both pilot workshops was zero! Production efficiency actually increased by 5% due to reduced time spent searching for tools and smoother processes!

Data speaks louder than words! Even the previously complaining workers have fallen silent. This 6S is truly amazing!

Factory Director Yang and Li Huaide were overjoyed and immediately drafted a detailed report, jointly submitting the 6S plan and pilot results to the Ministry of Industry. The report highlighted Wang Huanbo's contributions.

This report caused a huge stir within the Ministry of Industry! At the time, industrial accidents were frequent across the country, and there was no effective solution. The 6S management system implemented at the steel rolling mill was like a beacon of light! The leaders of the Ministry of Industry held an emergency meeting overnight to discuss the issue and quickly dispatched a working group to the Hongxing Plant for on-site inspection. After confirming its remarkable effectiveness, the Ministry of Industry decisively convened a national teleconference for the industrial and transportation systems to fully promote the "6S On-site Management Method," summarizing its core as "safety first, prevention foremost," and sending supervisory teams to various regions to inspect its implementation.

In no time, "6S" swept through factories across the country, and the rate of workplace accidents dropped dramatically, with production efficiency generally improving. The name Wang Huanbo once again resounded throughout the industrial front, and even reached the ears of the leader in Haizi who was concerned about economic development.

The time has come to reward those who have made contributions. After careful consideration, the Ministry of Industry and the Organization Department, taking into account Wang Huanbo's enormous contributions after returning to China (donations, technological innovation, 6S management) and his academic background as a PhD from a world-renowned university, decided to promote him exceptionally!

An appointment document was issued to Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill: Comrade Wang Huanbo was appointed as the Chief Engineer and Head of the Technical Department of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, with the technical level set at Level 1 Engineer! He will enjoy the highest level of salary and allowances, with a monthly salary plus various subsidies reaching 650 yuan! At the same time, in recognition of his special contribution to the development of the 6S management method, a bonus of 1000 yuan is awarded!

When the news spread, the entire factory was in an uproar! Immediately, there was a burst of heartfelt admiration and cheers!

A first-class engineer! A chief engineer! A monthly salary of 650! This level and salary are much higher than those of the factory's Party Secretary and Director Yang! But no one is jealous! Why?

Because everyone knows that this excessively young chief engineer gave up a professorship at MIT (with an annual salary of $50,000, equivalent to more than five times the annual income of a middle-class American family at the time!) and his family's vast fortune (Carrefour, McDonald's, SF Express, Golden Dragon Fish...aren't they all renowned giants?), returning to serve his country with cutting-edge technology and boundless enthusiasm! He donated $50 million! Now, he casually pulls out a 6S management method, benefiting factories across the country and saving countless workers' lives and health. This treatment is well-deserved! Some even say the country hasn't given him enough!

Wang Huanbo's appointment ceremony turned into a celebration. Factory Director Yang personally pinned a big red flower on him, and Li Huaide grinned from ear to ear. Below the stage, Yi Zhonghai looked at the young, handsome, and spirited Wang Huanbo under the spotlight, then thought about his own twenty years of hard work to reach the rank of Grade Eight (a little over a hundred yuan a month), and felt a mix of emotions—bitterness, jealousy, and an indescribable sense of powerlessness. Liu Haizhong was so jealous his teeth almost fell out; he could only vent his anger by beating his son at home. Xu Damao secretly resolved that he must cling even tighter to this golden thigh!

Wang Huanbo calmly accepted the appointment and applause. He knew this was not only an honor, but also a heavy responsibility. Standing on the stage, his gaze swept across the entire audience, seeing both hope and challenges. His stage was far more than just a steel rolling mill.