Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

The opening of the "Red Star Vehicle Repair and Sales Service Center" caused a stir, like a stone thrown into a lake, creating ripples far exceeding expectations on the seemingly calm (at least superficially) economic surface of Beijing. The price tag of 120 million old dollars did not deter genuine buyers; instead, it acted like a magnet, quickly attracting those with substantial funds and an urgent need for transportation—the city's capitalists, especially those industrialists who ran factories and businesses. In the first two weeks after opening, the dozens of brand-new American trucks and jeeps in the showroom dwindled at an alarming rate. A constant stream of people came to see the vehicles, mostly arriving in private cars or rickshaws, well-dressed, their conversation revealing shrewd calculation and a keen understanding of current affairs. They surrounded each truck, carefully inspecting its condition, tapping on the steel plates, listening to the engine idling, and asking the young salespeople in uniforms, who had undergone brief training, about details such as load capacity, fuel consumption, and maintenance. Although the staggering price was painful, the investment seemed inevitable compared to the increased production efficiency and the solution to the transportation problems the vehicles would provide. These capitalists privately complained that the war in the north had diverted too much public transport capacity, causing their factories to be unable to get raw materials in, unable to ship products, resulting in warehouse stockpiles and cash flow problems. "Red Star," on the other hand, had plenty of vehicles in stock, of excellent quality (at least it appeared so), and although the paperwork required some "special handling" (He Damin used his connections with District Chief Yang and others to smooth things over), it could still be completed. Thus, one staggering transaction after another was quietly concluded in the showroom's negotiation area. Cash (or equivalent gold or foreign currency) flowed into the service center's account, while olive-green trucks and jeeps were driven away, heading to various factories and warehouses on the outskirts of the city, becoming the steel mules of resuming production.

That midday, several impressive black sedans filed into the service center courtyard, led by a brand-new Ford. The doors opened, and several distinguished middle-aged men in silk robes and mandarin jackets stepped out, exchanging pleasantries; they were clearly familiar business associates. The last to emerge from the Ford was none other than Lou Zhenhua, known as "Lou the Half-City." Lou Zhenhua was still dressed in a dark Zhongshan suit, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, his refined demeanor revealing a composure honed by years of business experience. After getting out of the car, he didn't rush into the showroom, but instead paused to survey the scale and layout of the entire service center, a hint of surprise and admiration flashing in his eyes. He had long heard that He Damin had put on a grand show, but seeing it with his own eyes, the modern buildings, the orderly layout, and the vibrant, well-organized atmosphere still exceeded his expectations. This He Damin was indeed no ordinary man.

"Director Lou, you're here too!" A familiar textile factory owner greeted him. "Also looking at the trucks? This batch of American goods is indeed very robust!" Lou Zhenhua smiled slightly: "Yes, the factory's few old, worn-out trucks break down every few days, causing delays. I heard the trucks here are good, so I came to take a look." His gaze swept over the few remaining vehicles at the entrance of the showroom. "Looks like those who arrived a little late won't have many choices."

The group chatted and laughed as they entered the exhibition hall. He Damin, having heard the commotion, came out from his office to greet them. Upon seeing Lou Zhenhua, he quickly stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Chairman Lou, it's an honor to have you here!" "Mr. He, you're too kind," Lou Zhenhua returned the greeting with a smile. His gaze lingered on He Damin for a moment, and he felt even more strongly that this man possessed a reserved demeanor and a hidden brilliance, far beyond that of an ordinary businessman. "Congratulations on your grand opening! It would have been impolite of me not to offer my congratulations sooner. I've come today to make up for it, and also to take a look at Mr. He's 'fine horses'." "Please, Mr. Lou," He Damin said, leading the group into the exhibition hall. At this time, only seven or eight trucks and four or five jeeps remained in the hall, but it was still clean and bright. Several salespeople immediately stepped forward, skillfully introducing the vehicles to the guests.

Lou Zhenhua paid little attention to the Jeep and went straight to the remaining GMC 10-wheel trucks. He carefully inspected the chassis, tires, and engine compartment, then went into the cab to get a feel for it, even having the accompanying driver start the engine to listen to the sound. Finally, he patted the heavy door and asked He Damin, "Boss He, what's the load capacity of this truck? What's the top speed? What's the fuel consumption?" He Damin had already memorized the relevant data and answered smoothly, "The standard load capacity is five tons, and it can slightly exceed that in good road conditions. The top speed on highways is about 70 kilometers per hour, and the economical speed when fully loaded is about 50 kilometers per hour. The fuel consumption is about 25 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. The engine and chassis are mature models, sturdy and durable, and we have all the necessary repair parts here."

Lou Zhenhua pondered. His steel rolling mill was currently in a critical period of expanding production, with a huge volume of ore, coal, and finished steel being transported. The existing few old trucks were simply unable to handle the load, and frequent breakdowns caused production chain interruptions. Although these American-made trucks were expensive, judging from their condition and specifications, they were indeed the best choice to solve the immediate problem.

"Mr. He, to be honest, my factory urgently needs reliable transportation." Lou Zhenhua said bluntly, "How many of these trucks do you have in stock right now? The quantity I need... might be quite large."

The other business owners nearby all perked up their ears. Lou Bancheng's move was indeed extraordinary.

He Damin remained composed: "What you see in the showroom is the stock that can be picked up immediately. However, we have stable connections with our supply channels, and more vehicles will arrive at the port in the future. How much does Director Lou need?"

Lou Zhenhua extended his right hand, fingers spread, and flipped it over: "Ten vehicles to start. If they perform well, we may order more." Fifteen vehicles! A soft gasp rippled through the crowd. According to the price tag, this was a massive transaction of 1.8 billion old dollars! In this era, it was an absolutely astonishing deal.

He Damin smiled appropriately: "Director Lou is very generous! Ten vehicles might not be enough currently, and we'll need to allocate them from subsequent batches. As for the price, we can offer a certain discount for such a large purchase. We can discuss the specific details in the office. In addition, our service center can provide one-stop assistance with vehicle license plates, operating permits, and driver training."

"Alright! Then I'll trouble Mr. He to make the arrangements." Lou Zhenhua was equally straightforward. What he valued wasn't just the car, but also He Damin as a person and the subtle power he exuded. Establishing a deep partnership with such a person could greatly benefit the Lou family's future business.

Shortly after He Damin and Lou Zhenhua went into the office to discuss the details, there was another commotion outside the service center. This time, the convoy was larger and more solemn. Several cars with municipal government license plates and a Jeep, led by a police officer on a sidecar motorcycle, slowly drove into the compound.

The gatekeeper had already been notified and immediately opened the gate, standing at attention and saluting.

The convoy stopped, and the first person to step out of the middle car was a man in his fifties, wearing a gray Zhongshan suit, with meticulously combed hair and a refined yet dignified appearance—it was Mayor Li of Beijing. Accompanying him were several vice mayors in charge of industry and transportation, as well as district-level leaders such as District Head Yang Chengdong, a large group of more than a dozen people. It turned out that the commotion since the opening of the "Red Star Vehicle Service Center," especially its astonishing transaction volume and the group of capitalists it attracted, had already attracted the attention of the city's leaders. In this special period of rebuilding and facing external pressures, any bright spot in the private economy that could effectively promote production, alleviate transportation bottlenecks, or even create considerable tax revenue and employment was worthy of personal investigation and inspection by the top leadership.

He Damin received a call in advance from Yang Chengdong's secretary. Having just seen Lou Zhenhua and his delegation off (a preliminary purchase agreement had been reached), he immediately led Chen Xueru and several key managers from the service center to the entrance to greet them. "Welcome Mayor Li and all the leaders for your guidance!" He Damin stepped forward, his attitude respectful yet not arrogant.

Mayor Li sized up the unusually young boss before him, then glanced at the massive complex of buildings behind him. A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but it quickly transformed into a warm smile: "Comrade He Damin, hello there. I've long heard about the remarkable 'Automobile City' that has sprung up in the northwestern suburbs of Beijing. I've come here today specifically to see and learn from your 'modern' business model!"

"Mayor, you flatter us. We are just doing what we can to provide services. Please, leaders!" He Damin stepped aside to lead the way.

At Mayor Li's request, the tour began in the exhibition hall. Although most of the vehicles had been sold, making it somewhat empty, the clean environment, professional layout, clear signage, and the few remaining brand-new trucks still left a deep impression on the city leaders. Mayor Li inquired carefully about the vehicles' origins (He Damin vaguely mentioned "special foreign trade channels," with Yang Chengdong offering clarification), prices, target customers, and their impact on improving local transportation. He Damin answered each question clearly and logically.

Next was the repair workshop. Inside the tall factory building, several newly installed gantry lifts were particularly eye-catching. Various professional tools were neatly arranged in categories. Several young technicians were inspecting an old truck brought in by a customer, under the guidance of a veteran mechanic (whom He Damin had recruited from out of town at a high salary). The floor was clean and free of oil stains, and safety operating procedures and repair flowcharts were posted on the walls. Mayor Li observed very carefully, even inquiring about the principles of the lifts and the training of the repair technicians. He Damin introduced the service center's internal technical training system and the intention to cooperate with the soon-to-be-established automotive industry school, which made Mayor Li nod frequently.

Afterwards, they visited the staff canteen and dormitory. The canteen was bright and clean, with neat tables and chairs, and weekly menus and hygiene regulations displayed on the walls. The dormitory was a standard eight-person room, but spacious, with each person having their own locker, and the bedding neatly folded. The communal washroom and toilets were also clean and odorless. Mayor Li specifically inquired about the employees' salaries, benefits, and meal standards. Upon learning that ordinary apprentices earned as much as eight million, and received free meals, accommodation subsidies, and performance bonuses, he exclaimed, "Boss He, you treat your workers like treasures! This treatment is better than many state-owned factories! No wonder the line to apply is so long when I heard you're recruiting here."

He Damin said solemnly, "Mayor, workers are the foundation of an enterprise. Only when they have a secure livelihood and a promising future will they consider this place their home and be willing to learn skills and provide excellent service. The long-term development of our service center depends on these young people."

"Well said! Insightful!" Mayor Li praised. "Not only focusing on infrastructure development, but also on talent cultivation and cohesion—that's the right way to run a business!"

Finally, the group arrived at the newly opened three-story office building. The building was divided into functional departments such as the General Manager's Office, Sales Department, Maintenance Department, Finance Department, Logistics Department, and Administration Department. Although not all staff were yet in place, department signs were clear, and desks, chairs, filing cabinets, and even a few old-fashioned typewriters (which He Damin found in the space) were all provided. He Damin introduced the functions and collaborative workflows of each department, emphasizing the importance of standardized management and efficiency improvement.

In the reception area of ​​the general manager's office, Mayor Li and others took their seats, and staff served them tea. "Comrade He Damin," Mayor Li picked up his teacup, his expression becoming more formal, "Through today's visit, I have gained a deeper understanding of your 'service center.' It's large in scale, innovative in concept, and well-managed. In particular, your grasp of technical training and market demand is very forward-thinking. This is not just a simple car sales and repair shop, but more like the prototype of a modern comprehensive enterprise."

He paused, then looked around at the leaders present: "Currently, the country's development focus is on heavy industry and national defense, while the civilian automobile industry is almost non-existent, and there is a severe shortage of transportation capacity, which restricts economic development. Your work here, to some extent, fills the market's urgent needs and explores a new path to attract private capital investment, train skilled workers, and serve production and construction. The city affirms and supports this."

He Damin bowed slightly: "Thank you for the mayor's recognition. We will definitely operate legally and strive to contribute to the development of Beijing."

"However," Mayor Li changed the subject, "the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow. Your vehicle inventory, the flow of funds, and your frequent transactions with capitalists will inevitably attract some attention and even criticism. You need to pay attention to your business practices and ensure that all procedures are legal and compliant, especially those involving foreign exchange and important materials, which must be strictly in accordance with national policies. District Chief Yang," he looked at Yang Chengdong, "your district should strengthen its services and guidance for 'Red Star' to help them develop healthily, while also doing a good job of supervision."

"Yes, Mayor, we will definitely implement it." Yang Chengdong replied quickly.

"Furthermore," Mayor Li looked at He Damin, his eyes filled with encouragement and expectation, "I heard you're also interested in getting involved in more in-depth automotive repair technology training, even collaborating with industrial schools? That's an excellent idea! Talent is the cornerstone of industrial development. The city is planning to establish more vocational and technical schools. If you're interested, we can discuss the possibility of cooperation in detail. Using your place as a practical training base, inviting your experienced instructors to give lectures, and bringing your advanced management experience into the classroom—this would be a great thing for the country and its people!"

He Damin's mind raced; this was undoubtedly a golden opportunity to forge a deeper connection between his career and the government, gaining greater policy support and legitimacy! He immediately declared, "Thank you for the mayor's high regard; we will fully cooperate! Cultivating our own automotive technology talent for the new China is our inescapable responsibility!"

The talks concluded in a cordial atmosphere. As Mayor Li and his delegation departed, the sun was already beginning to set.

Standing in front of the office building, watching the convoy of cars drive away and raise a wisp of dust, Chen Xueru breathed a sigh of relief and took He Damin's arm. "Brother He, today... even the mayor came." "Yes," He Damin nodded, his gaze distant. The mayor's presence was both recognition and an invisible spur and constraint. This meant that "Red Star," this small boat that had just set sail, had officially entered a broader and more turbulent waterway.

Orders from capitalists, inspections by the mayor, future collaborations between universities and enterprises… countless threads intertwine. He needs to more carefully balance the relationships between all parties, and more skillfully utilize the resources at his disposal and his advanced knowledge to truly build “Red Star” into a solid foundation, a platform capable of carrying more of his ideas and plans, on this land full of opportunities and limitations.

A summer evening breeze carried the faint clanging of metal from the distant repair workshop and the aroma of food wafting from the staff dormitory. He Damin turned to look at his wife, whose eyes were bright, and then at the young figures busily working in the afterglow of the setting sun.