Courtyard House: The Long-Lost Eldest Son Returns with Military Merit

As Liu Haizhong was pondering this, he saw Xu Damao return alone, but Jia Dongming was nowhere to be seen, which puzzled him.

Just then, he peeked through the window and saw Jia Dongming carrying a sausage toward Xu Damao's house.

Upon seeing this, Liu Haizhong's face immediately lit up with joy. He quickly turned to his second aunt and said, "Quick, fry some eggs. I'll take them to Xu Damao's house to have a few drinks with Section Chief Jia."

"Section Chief Jia! You've come all this way, why did you bring anything?"

When Xu Damao saw Jia Dongming enter carrying things, he immediately went up to him warmly and said with a fawning expression.

Jia Dongming replied with a smile, "Da Mao, I have a comrade-in-arms who is the deputy director of Changping Commune. He asked someone to deliver these sausages to me today."

I'm offering this as a token of my appreciation; I'll give some to you and your siblings to try.

This sausage weighs about half a pound, which is considered a generous gift in these days.

However, Xu Damao married Lou Xiao'e, and with the help of the Lou family, the family never lacked food or clothing.

The sausages weren't anything special to them, but the two large apples caught Lou Xiao'e's eye, and she blurted out, "Section Chief Jia, these apples are huge! Where did you buy them?"

Jia Dongming handed the items to Lou Xiao'e and replied with a smile, "These were also given to me by my comrade-in-arms. I'm not quite sure where they came from."

Lou Xiao'e took the apple from Jia Dongming, and a sweet aroma wafted up to her nose. She couldn't help but exclaim, "The aroma of this apple is really special, much better than the ones I usually eat."

Upon hearing this, Jia Dongming smiled slightly: "It's just that it's more juicy and not astringent, nothing as amazing as you make it out to be."

"E'zi, go to the inner room and get that bottle of good wine that I brought back from Dad last time. I need to have a couple of drinks with Section Chief Jia tonight."

Xu Damao carried the dishes into the house and gave instructions to Lou Xiao'e, who was holding an apple and examining it.

Lou Xiao'e nodded in response: "Section Chief Jia, please have a seat. I'll go get the wine right away."

Seeing Lou Xiao'e turn and go into the house, Xu Damao quickly invited Jia Dongming to sit down.

Jia Dongming waved his hand and said in a friendly tone, "Da Mao, let's not use official titles here in the courtyard, it makes us seem distant."

You can call me Brother Jia or Brother Dongming, it's fine.

Xu Damao, who already harbored a desire for closeness, immediately replied, "Brother Dongming, then I'll call you that from now on."

Lou Xiao'e came out carrying a bottle of Moutai and said to Jia Dongming with a smile, "Section Chief Jia, this liquor is from my dad. Da Mao has been wanting it, but I couldn't bear to let him drink it."

"Since you're here today, we can try some together."

Xu Damao glanced at the bottle of Moutai, his eyes twitched slightly, and he was secretly annoyed: "That silly girl, I clearly told her to get Xifeng, how did she bring out this treasure instead?"

Jia Dongming laughed and said, "I was just telling Da Mao that there's no need to be so polite between neighbors, just call me Brother Dongming."

Lou Xiao'e smiled and changed her address, "Okay, Brother Dongming, let's call each other that from now on."

Before she could finish speaking, the Xu family's door was suddenly pushed open, and Liu Haizhong walked in carrying a plate of scrambled eggs and a bottle of Xifeng liquor: "Section Chief Jia, Da Mao, are you eating? I asked my husband to fry some eggs for you, so you can join in the fun and have a drink."

Liu Haizhong's sudden appearance made Xu Damao's face stiffen, and he cursed inwardly, "That Liu Haizhong really knows how to pick his timing."

He could only force a smile: "Second Uncle, you've come at the perfect time. We were just about to begin. Please have a seat."

Liu Haizhong plopped down next to Jia Dongming, and his eyes lit up when he saw the Moutai in Lou Xiao'e's hand: "Wow, Da Mao really went all out today, even bringing Moutai. I'm getting a taste of his generosity too."

These words were particularly grating to Xu Damao's ears. He suppressed his anger and forced a smile, saying, "Brother Dongming is an honored guest, so naturally we should treat him to the best wine."

Liu Haizhong, however, did not understand the implication in the words. He reached out and took the Moutai, first filling Jia Dongming's glass, then pouring one for himself. He completely ignored Xu Damao beside him, raised his glass to Jia Dongming, and said, "Section Chief Jia, I'd like to toast you."

"If anything happens in the factory or yard in the future, just come to me."

Seeing Liu Haizhong take the initiative like this, and looking at Xu Damao's frustrated expression, Jia Dongming found it somewhat amusing.

He raised his glass and turned to Xu Damao and his wife: "Damao, Lou Xiao'e, this first glass is for you. Thank you for your hospitality tonight."

Seeing that Jia Dongming took the initiative to smooth things over, Xu Damao felt a little better and quickly replied, "Brother Dongming, you're too kind. Your presence is an honor for us. We should be toasting you."

Xu Damao's words were meant to remind Liu Haizhong who the master was, but Liu Haizhong was so focused on pleasing Jia Dongming that he didn't pay any attention.

He kept raising his glass to toast Jia Dongming, leaving Xu Damao standing there, which made Xu Damao furious.

Liu Haizhong had always longed to become a leader; this idea was deeply ingrained in his mind.

In order to achieve his goal, he tried to please his superiors at the factory and also made sure to listen to the radio and read newspapers when he got home.

Despite Liu Haizhong's many efforts, the factory leaders seemed to have never noticed him.

Last year, when the workshop was selecting team leaders, Liu Haizhong volunteered to recommend himself to the factory leaders, but he lost to a colleague who was of a lower rank than him.

This matter still puzzles him to this day.

On that day, Xu Damao hosted a banquet for Jia Dongming. Liu Haizhong wanted to take this opportunity to ask Jia Dongming why he had failed to be selected, and he hoped that Jia Dongming could arrange a position for him in the steel rolling mill.

In order to please Jia Dongming, Liu Haizhong almost ignored Xu Damao, who was the host.

He kept toasting Jia Dongming and saying flattering things until he was a little drunk, then he said to Jia Dongming: "Dongming, you are a leader in the factory. There is something I have never understood."

I asked others, but they wouldn't tell me, so I had no choice but to ask you. What exactly happened?

Jia Dongming immediately knew that Liu Haizhong would most likely ask about matters related to becoming an official.

Seeing Liu Haizhong's eager expression, he put down his wine glass and said with a smile, "Second Uncle, please feel free to ask me any questions. As long as I know the answer, I will tell you the truth."

Liu Haizhong didn't quite understand "telling the truth".

He didn't know exactly what it meant, but he felt that Jia Dongming seemed willing to help, so he poured out his grievances: "Section Chief Jia, I've never understood this."

I am a level six forger in the forging workshop. Over the years, I have mentored more than a dozen apprentices and have made considerable contributions to the factory.

"Last year, when the workshop was selecting group leaders, I not only volunteered but also recommended myself to the factory leaders."

But in the end, it was Lao Guo, who was of a lower rank than me, who was chosen.

I still can't understand how I could have lost to him.

"Later I asked others, but they just smiled and wouldn't tell me the reason."

I happened to run into you today, and I'd like to ask you for your guidance on what exactly happened.

Xu Damao, who had been holding back his anger, almost burst out laughing when he heard this.

Looking at Liu Haizhong's serious expression, he interrupted before Jia Dongming could answer, saying, "Second Uncle, I know the reason."

Liu Haizhong was taken aback, then quickly pressed, "Xu Damao, you say you know? Tell me quickly, why can't I compete with Lao Guo?"

Xu Damao said calmly, "Second Uncle, I only heard about this by chance when I was having dinner with the factory leaders."

"Da Mao, then tell me quickly!"

Liu Haizhong became even more anxious.

Xu Damao did not answer directly, but instead asked, "Second Uncle, do you know what qualifications one must have to become a cadre?"

"If I had known, I wouldn't have lost to Lao Guo this time."

Liu Haizhong shook his head.

In fact, Xu Damao himself was not very clear about it. The reason he asked the question was simply to show off.

He then asked, "Uncle, when you see factory leaders, have you ever seen them put on airs in front of the workers, or even beat and verbally abuse them?"

Liu Haizhong thought for a moment and replied, "No, the leaders were all very kind, just like family."

Xu Damao then asked, "I heard that you have trained several apprentices in the workshop and you are very serious about teaching them the techniques."

But what is your attitude towards your apprentices? And within the factory, besides treating Guangqi, who was away on construction assistance, how did you treat Guangtian and Guangfu? Are you aware of the impression these actions left on the factory leaders?

"What impression? Damao, tell me quickly!"

Liu Haizhong pressed for an answer.

Xu Damao reached for the empty wine glass in front of him, but Liu Haizhong quickly refilled it, saying, "Damao, just tell Second Uncle in detail. Second Uncle will definitely remember your kindness."

Xu Damao then replied seriously, "Second Uncle, the factory leaders think you have a short temper and often beat and scold your apprentices and children."

They were worried that if you became a team leader and treated your colleagues in the workshop the same way, it would damage the image of the factory leaders.

Influenced by old-fashioned ideas, Liu Haizhong always felt that the master and apprentice were like father and son. When he was teaching his apprentice the blacksmithing skills, he would often beat and scold him if he saw that his apprentice was not serious.

He never expected that his failure to get promoted would be related to Guan Di's methods.

Jia Dongming listened quietly as Xu Damao explained the situation to Liu Haizhong.

With his omniscient perspective, he knew that seven parts of Xu Damao's words were true, and three parts were false.

The truth is that Liu Haizhong does have a quick temper, and leaders generally wouldn't promote someone with that kind of personality; however, Jia Dongming believes the other three-tenths are misleading because Liu Haizhong's knowledge is limited, which is also a reason why he wasn't promoted.

Seeing Liu Haizhong's frustrated expression, Jia Dongming wanted to try and offer some advice, so he said, "Second Uncle! It's alright if you didn't get elected last year. Failure is the mother of success! As long as you change your temper and improve your education, I think your idea still has a chance to come true."

Upon hearing this, Liu Haizhong, who was filled with regret, immediately turned to Jia Dongming and hurriedly asked, "Dongming! What kind of failure did you just mention? Can it really help me become a workshop team leader?"

"Pfft!"

Lou Xiao'e, who was standing next to her, couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Seeing that all three were looking at her, Lou Xiao'e quickly explained to Liu Haizhong, "Second Uncle, failure is the mother of success! It means that failure is often the precursor to success. As long as you learn from your failures, accumulate experience, and correct your shortcomings, you will eventually achieve your goals."

Upon hearing Lou Xiao'e's words, Liu Haizhong was not embarrassed because he did not understand what she meant. Instead, he raised his glass and said to Jia Dongming, Xu Damao, and Lou Xiao'e, "Dongming! Damao! Lou Xiao'e! This glass is for you."

If I really become the team leader, I'll definitely treat you all to a feast to thank you!

Jia Dongming did not take Liu Haizhong's promise seriously.

He knew that Liu Haizhong was selfish and would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Later, in order to get a position, he even joined forces with Xu Damao to ransack Lou Xiao'e's house and keep the spoils for himself.

Jia Dongming also raised his glass, smiling as he said to Liu Haizhong, "Second Uncle! Then I'll borrow Da Mao's wine to wish you all your dreams come true in advance!"

Slightly drunk, Liu Haizhong chuckled and replied, "Dongming! Don't worry, if Second Uncle really gets elected, he'll definitely remember your kindness."

Seeing Jia Dongming finish his drink, Xu Damao immediately picked up the bottle and refilled his glass, saying with a smile, "Brother Dongming! This is a toast to you. If you need anything at the factory in the future, just let me know!"

Seeing Liu Haizhong putting on airs again, Jia Dongming felt somewhat helpless. At the same time, he thought that someone who always wanted to show off like this probably wouldn't be a good thing if he really became a leader.

He simply pretended not to see Liu Haizhong, raised his glass to Xu Damao and said with a smile, "Damao! Come on, let's have a drink."

Xu Damao clinked glasses with Jia Dongming and said, "Brother Dongming! I have a drinking rule: 'One big, three small, two fives, ten!'"

Jia Dongming knew that Xu Damao loved to show off when he was entertaining leaders at the factory, and as a result, he would get drunk shortly after each dinner party started.

He feigned curiosity and asked, "Da Mao! What does 'one big, three small, two fives, ten' mean? Is there any significance to it?"

Xu Damao immediately explained, "Brother Dongming! 'Big One' means that the leader is the most powerful."

When drinking with the boss, I have to drink three cups; that's what they call "three small drinks."