Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

In the summer of 1954, the mornings came exceptionally early.

When He Damin pushed open the door to the east courtyard, the sky was just beginning to lighten. Chen Xueru had already changed into her well-tailored gray Lenin suit, her hair neatly tied back, and she held the notebook in her hand that recorded daily affairs—for the past two years, she had long been accustomed to this rhythm, and the role transition from the silk shop owner to the de facto head housekeeper of "Red Star" was already complete.

The jeep drove out of Nanluoguxiang and headed northwest along the gradually awakening city streets. Outside the window, people were seen pedaling tricycles, carrying loads, and rushing to their early shifts; life was beginning to pick up. He Damin gripped the steering wheel, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, his expression calm.

Chen Xueru turned her head to look at him: "Brother Damin, are we really going to handle the transfers of those two people today?"

"Hmm." He Damin nodded, his tone calm. "What we agreed on last night, we'll get done today. Before the joint venture plan is officially announced, we'll bring the people in first, and then we can complete the formalities later. This is called 'pre-emptive positioning.' When the higher-ups come to take over, the people will already be in their positions; it's not good to just kick them out. Even if adjustments are needed, there has to be a transition period."

Chen Xueru understood. This was a strategy of exploiting the time difference and also playing the personal favor card. Yan Bugui and Liu Haizhong, one a shrewd strategist and the other a careerist, each had their own flaws, but also their own "uses." Since He Damin had agreed, he wouldn't drag things out.

"Then... how about the school and the steel mill?" she asked.

"As for the principal, it's a matter of a word. During the public-private partnership, if the investor recommends a talented person to 'support construction,' the reason is legitimate and the procedures are compliant. He has no reason to stop him, nor will he." He Damin slightly curled the corners of his mouth. "As for the steel rolling mill, we won't contact Boss Lou."

Chen Xueru was taken aback: "Not going to see Director Lou?"

"His current situation is inconvenient," He Damin said succinctly, without elaborating. "There's a director in the logistics department named Li Huaide. This person... is quite 'pragmatic.' As long as things are handled well and the necessary favors are taken care of, he'll be more agreeable than anyone else."

What he didn't say was that this Li Huaide was a very famous figure in the oral tradition of the "Siheyuan" series in later generations—of course, in this timeline, he was just a middle-aged cadre who had only been the director of the logistics department of the steel rolling mill for less than two years, and was in the stage of "not much power, but a big appetite, and eager to pave the way." This kind of person is the best to use.

As the car entered the "Red Star" gate, the gatekeeper, Old Zhou, stood at attention and gave a somewhat awkward salute. He Damin nodded, turned the steering wheel, and stopped directly in front of the office building.

It's exactly eight o'clock.

He Damin walked into his office and picked up the black rotary dial telephone on his desk. He didn't dial immediately, but sat quietly for a moment, organizing his "script" for today's conversation. Yan Bugui's call was simple. Liu Haizhong's would require a slightly more roundabout approach.

He first dialed the phone number of Hongxing Primary School.

The person who answered the phone was a woman, presumably from the Academic Affairs Office. He Damin introduced himself as the General Manager of "Red Star Vehicle Service Center." The woman clearly recognized the name, and her tone immediately became more polite before quickly transferring him to the Principal's Office.

"Hello, who is this?" A middle-aged male voice came from the receiver, with a slow and deliberate manner typical of intellectuals.

"Hello, Principal Han. I am He Damin from the 'Red Star Service Center' in the northwest suburbs."

There was a noticeable pause on the other end of the phone, followed by a warmer tone: "Oh, Mr. He! I've heard so much about you! I've heard about your big business for a long time! What brings you here today to call me?"

Without much pleasantries, He Damin cut to the chase: "Principal Han, I apologize for bothering you, but I'd like to discuss something with you. Mr. Yan Bugui, a teacher at your esteemed school, is an old neighbor of mine. He's a very reliable person with a solid academic foundation, especially skilled in accounting. My 'Red Star' school is about to undergo a public-private partnership, and our workload will increase exponentially. The finance department urgently needs a seasoned, meticulous, and reliable senior colleague to oversee things. I'd like to recommend Mr. Yan to my school as the deputy head of the finance department. I wonder if you could spare him?"

There was a full five seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

Principal Han was clearly processing this sudden information. Yan Bugui? That bespectacled, thin, usually quiet, and unassuming elementary school teacher? Boss He of "Red Star" personally requested his services? And he was the deputy head of the finance department?

"Well... Mr. He," Principal Han's voice held a hint of hesitation and probing, "Teacher Yan is indeed a veteran of our school, dedicated to teaching and a very honest person. It's just... he's always been on the front lines of teaching, and his involvement in corporate finance..."

"Principal Han," He Damin said calmly, but with an undeniable certainty, "the deputy head of the finance department doesn't necessarily need profound professional knowledge, but more importantly, a sense of responsibility, meticulousness, and principles. As your neighbor for many years, I trust Teacher Yan to have these qualities. Moreover, this area is about to undergo a merger, and a new leadership team will be sent from above. I'm taking advantage of the handover period to arrange suitable people in place in advance, also to cooperate with the country to ensure a smooth transition as quickly as possible. District Chief Yang is also aware of this matter."

He pronounced "District Chief Yang" with just the right amount of emphasis.

Principal Han immediately understood.

The phrase "public-private partnership" carries a special allure this summer. Sensitive individuals understand that this is an inevitable trend, a reshuffling of the game. Whoever secures a position before the partnership will have more say afterward. He Damin is paving the way for his "own people," and Yan Bugui, for reasons unknown, has somehow managed to cultivate this connection.

Does it matter whether Yan Bugui actually has the ability to be a deputy section chief? No, it doesn't matter. What matters is that He Damin personally made the call, and his attitude was clear. Principal Han wouldn't risk offending this big boss, who even the district head had to personally visit, for the sake of an ordinary teacher.

"Mr. He's very thoughtful!" Principal Han's tone instantly warmed up. "You're showing your high regard for Hongxing Primary School and giving Teacher Yan a bigger platform for development! Our school will definitely support you! As for Teacher Yan, I'll talk to him right away and have him hand over his current work as soon as possible. Supporting national development is an honorable thing!"

"Thank you very much, Principal Han. I will send someone to handle the transfer procedures and won't cause any trouble for the school," He Damin said politely.

"Not at all, Mr. He, you're too kind! We hope you'll take good care of our school in the future..."

After hanging up the phone, He Damin glanced at Chen Xueru, who was taking notes in her notebook. The two looked at each other and nodded in tacit agreement.

The first phone call lasted three minutes. In those three minutes, Yan Bugui's future was decided, as he went from the elementary school classroom to the finance department office.

Next up is the steel rolling mill.

Instead of dialing Lou Zhenhua's number, He Damin took out a brown paper envelope from the drawer. Inside was a "gift" he had prepared the night before—not cash, of course, but a memorandum of understanding for future auto parts cooperation between "Hongxing" and the steel mill, as well as a small but sincere voucher that could be used to enjoy three free full-car maintenance services at the "Hongxing" repair shop.

He dialed the phone number of the logistics department of the steel rolling mill.

"Hello, Logistics Department, who is this?" A slightly slick, middle-aged male voice came through the receiver, speaking quickly and with an air of "I'm very busy."

"Director Li, hello. I am He Damin from the Red Star Service Center."

The tone on the other end of the phone almost immediately changed, becoming enthusiastic yet tactful: "Oh, Mr. He! I've heard so much about you! I've wanted to meet you for ages, but never had the chance! What brings you here today?"

He Damin raised an eyebrow slightly. This Director Li Huaide was indeed as rumored, possessing an extremely keen sense for valuable connections. Before he introduced himself, the other party was purely businesslike; but as soon as he mentioned his name, he immediately switched to "I've long admired you" mode. This indicated that Li Huaide not only knew of "Red Star," but was also very clear about the power behind "Red Star"—whether it was Lou Zhenhua's network, Yang Chengdong's network, or even the whispers from higher levels, he had heard about them all.

"Director Li, you're too kind. I wouldn't dare presume to give instructions. There's something I'd like to trouble you with," He Damin said bluntly. "My 'Red Star' factory is about to undergo a public-private partnership, and with the expansion of our business, we urgently need a workshop manager who is technically skilled and has management experience. Master Liu Haizhong, a level seven forging worker at your factory, is a long-time neighbor of mine. He's highly skilled and knows how to train apprentices. I'd like to transfer him to my factory to serve as the deputy director of the maintenance workshop. I wonder if Director Li could help coordinate this?"

Li Huaide did not answer immediately. A very faint tapping sound of fingers on the table could be heard on the phone, as if he was weighing his options.

"Master Liu..." Li Huai drew out his words, "a fifth-level forging craftsman, indeed a veteran. But Boss He, as you know, it's not easy to let go of such technical backbone personnel in our factory..."

He Damin didn't respond, he just listened. He knew this was the opening line for negotiating terms.

"Of course," Li Huaide's tone changed again, "Boss He, since you've spoken up, that's a different story! What kind of place is your 'Red Star'? It's the benchmark for private enterprises in Beijing! For Master Liu to become the deputy director there is a promotion, it's supporting national construction, and our factory should support him!"

"Director Li is very righteous," He Damin said calmly. "However, the factory has its rules and regulations, and I can't let my personal matters put Director Li in a difficult position. So, I've prepared a small token of my gratitude, nothing more. Also, if your factory needs vehicle maintenance and repairs at 'Red Star' in the future, I can give you priority and the most favorable internal price."

He spoke subtly, but Li Huaide understood.

"Boss He, you're too kind! I can't accept this..." Li Huaide's voice was filled with barely suppressed joy. "But since you're so kind, it would be awkward for me to refuse. Leave Master Liu's matter to me! Just wait for my news, and it'll be taken care of this morning!"

"Then I'll leave it to Director Li." He Damin paused, "By the way, Director Li, there's no need to bother Director Lou about this transfer. He's... quite busy right now. We can handle these small matters ourselves."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, then Li Huaide's tone held a subtle hint of understanding: "Understood, understood, Boss He has considered everything thoroughly. Rest assured, this matter will be handled perfectly, without a single flaw!"

After hanging up the phone, He Damin let out a soft sigh of relief.

Chen Xueru looked at him, her eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of emotion. Two phone calls, two people, two completely different "tactics." With Principal Han, it was leveraging his influence—using District Chief Yang's name and the overall situation of public-private partnership to pressure him into going along with the flow. With Li Huaide, it was a transaction—paving the way with benefits and personal connections to get him to willingly contribute.

Both methods lead to the same goal. And He Damin didn't even have to personally intervene in mobilizing these two connections; it only took a few minutes of phone calls.

"Brother Damin," Chen Xueru asked softly, "Have you dealt with Director Li before?"

"No," He Damin shook his head. "This is the first time we've spoken today."

"How did you know...?"

"These kinds of people," He Damin said with a slight smile, "you don't need to deal with them, you just need to 'get things done.' People who actually do things for money are the easiest to recognize and the easiest to use."

Chen Xueru nodded thoughtfully. She didn't ask what was in the brown paper envelope, nor did she inquire about the specific amount of "money." After more than two years together, she had long been accustomed to her husband's effortless and insightful way of doing things. He never did anything unprepared, nor did he speak without a plan, but once he opened his mouth, he was always fully prepared.