Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

September 17, 1954, the 9st day of the eighth lunar month.

Suitable for offering sacrifices, meeting friends, and trading.

When He Damin woke up in the morning, a thin layer of dew clung to the branches of the pomegranate tree outside his window. He got up, put on his coat, and pushed open the window. The autumn air seeped in through the window frame, carrying the damp scent of the earth after last night's rain.

Chen Xueru was already dressing in front of the mirror. Today, instead of her usual Lenin suit, she wore a navy blue cheongsam, with only a white magnolia brooch at the collar, her attire simple yet almost solemn. Seeing He Damin's gaze in the mirror, she explained softly, "Today is a day for serious business; dressing too brightly is inappropriate."

He Damin didn't say anything, but walked behind her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

The mirror reflected two figures. Three years had passed. From the sharp-tongued proprietress he first met at the Zhengyangmen Silk Shop, to his wife now sitting quietly beside him, ready to face this negotiation together, the former fierceness in her eyes had faded, replaced by a calm and reserved demeanor. The white magnolia brooch was a gift from him on their wedding day, and she had worn it for three years without ever changing it.

"Xue Ru," he whispered.

"Um?"

"When District Chief Yang and his team arrive later, you'll sit next to me. You know all the accounts, assets, and personnel better than I do. You can answer any specific questions they ask about."

Chen Xueru looked at him in the mirror, but didn't ask "why," she just nodded gently.

Three years have passed, and she has long been accustomed to this kind of entrustment. It's not a condescending order, but a tacit understanding of fighting side by side.

8:30 a.m.

Three jeeps filed into the "Red Star" gate, stirring up the thin dust of early autumn. The lead one was Yang Chengdong's official car, followed by several official vehicles from the District Administration for Industry and Commerce, the District Bureau of Industry, and the District Bureau of Finance. He Damin stood under the porch of the office building, with Chen Xueru and several heads of key departments behind him. He didn't make a show of lining up to greet them, nor did he lay out a red carpet; he simply stood quietly on the steps, like any ordinary workday morning.

When Yang Chengdong got out of the car, the first thing he saw wasn't He Damin, but the complex of buildings behind him, completely different from what it had been three years ago. In the morning light, the roller shutter door of the repair workshop was slowly rising, revealing neatly arranged lifts and busy mechanics inside. On the training base's playground, dozens of trainees were lined up for morning exercises, their slogans faintly audible. In the distance, on the balconies of the staff dormitory building, someone was drying their dark blue work clothes, which swayed gently in the autumn breeze.

He suddenly felt a pang of emotion. Three years ago, when he first came here, it was just a barren wasteland, with only He Damin pointing and gesturing at blueprints. Back then, he thought this young man was crazy—building a car city in this godforsaken place? Could it really work?

Three years later, he brought a whole team of cadres to discuss a "joint venture".

"District Chief Yang, distinguished leaders, please." He Damin's voice pulled him back to reality.

Yang Chengdong composed himself and stepped forward.

The negotiations were held in a conference room on the second floor of the office building.

This meeting room was personally arranged by He Damin: a long table was covered with dark green velvet, the walls were adorned with a development plan map of "Red Star" and a map of the city's transportation hubs, and a standing water dispenser, a rarity in this era, stood in the corner by the window. There was no luxurious decoration, but every detail exuded the professionalism and restraint of a modern enterprise.

Yang Chengdong took his seat at the head of the table, flanked by Lao Li from the Industry and Commerce Bureau, Section Chief Zhou from the Industrial Bureau, and Director Wu from the Finance Bureau. He Damin sat opposite them, with Chen Xueru to his right and the head of the Administrative Section and Lao Li, the accountant from the Finance Section, to his left. Yan Bugui was also present today, attending the meeting as the deputy head of the Finance Section. He sat at the recorder's table against the wall, a brand-new ledger spread out in front of him, and a new abacus neatly placed to his right.

Yan Bugui sat upright more than ever before, his eyes behind his glasses carefully observing each leader who spoke, his fingers lightly resting on the abacus beads, like a soldier ready to go into battle at any moment.

Yang Chengdong cleared his throat.

"Comrade He Damin, Comrade Chen Xueru, and everyone present here today are key personnel in charge of the industrial and commercial transformation work in the district. Mayor Li from the city has repeatedly explained to me the purpose of our visit today—we are not here to negotiate, but to discuss."

He pronounced the word "negotiation" very clearly.

"Public-private partnership is not confiscation or robbery. It is the trust and entrustment of the Party and the State to private industrialists and businessmen, and also a historic opportunity for private enterprises to move towards a broader path of development. 'Red Star' is a benchmark for private enterprises in Beijing. If the partnership is done well, it can play an important exemplary role. Therefore, the city and district attach great importance to it."

He paused, his gaze falling on He Damin's face.

"Let's get straight to the point today. Mr. He, what are your thoughts on the specific details of the joint venture?"

The meeting room fell silent. Old Li from the Industry and Commerce Bureau opened his notebook, and Section Chief Zhou from the Industrial Bureau adjusted his posture. Yan Bugui's fingers rested on the abacus beads, not moving them, but simply pressing them lightly.

He Damin remained silent for a few seconds.

"District Chief Yang, distinguished leaders," he began, his voice steady, "Since the city has clearly rejected the leasing plan, I am willing to cooperate with the government in accordance with the policy path of public-private partnership."

He paused for a moment, as if weighing some ideas he had been pondering for a long time, and then selecting the most appropriate amount.

Regarding the shareholding ratio, my opinion is to retain 30%.

Yang Chengdong was slightly taken aback. He had anticipated that He Damin might demand 49%, or even maintain relative control. The 30% figure was much lower than he had expected.

"30%?" Old Li from the Industry and Commerce Bureau couldn't help but confirm.

"30%." He Damin repeated, "This is the bottom line I can accept, and it is also a reasonable percentage for the country and for 'Red Star'."

He looked at Chen Xueru, who understood and opened the folder in front of her.

"The total assets of 'Red Star' currently, including land, factory buildings, equipment, inventory spare parts, and cash reserves, are estimated by our internal assessment to be approximately RMB 1.2 million in new currency—this is calculated according to the new currency standard after the 1954 currency reform." Her voice was clear and steady. "Based on this valuation, 30% of the equity corresponds to RMB 360,000."

She paused, then added, "This is a preliminary self-assessment; the specific amount will be based on the results of a joint asset verification by both parties."

Yang Chengdong exchanged glances with several cadres. One million two hundred thousand Singapore dollars—this figure was slightly higher than they had anticipated, but considering the scale and profitability of "Red Star," it was within a reasonable range.

"Regarding operation and management," He Damin continued, "after the joint venture, my family and I will withdraw from day-to-day operations. The general manager and heads of various departments will be appointed by the government. I will only retain my shareholder status and will not participate in specific management matters."

There was a moment of silence in the conference room.

Section Chief Zhou of the Industrial Development Bureau couldn't help but ask, "Does Boss He mean... a complete withdrawal?"

"Complete withdrawal." He Damin nodded. "'Red Star' is something I created from scratch, like my own child. But now that the child has grown up, it should go its own way. I believe the country will manage it better than I have."

His tone was flat, without any sentimentality. But Yan Bugui, sitting in the recorder's seat, suddenly felt that He Damin's expression when he said this was like that of a farmer who buries a seed in the soil and then turns away—he believes the seed will sprout, but he won't wait for the harvest.

Yang Chengdong remained silent for a moment.

"Mr. He, this stance... is too high." He carefully chose his words. "After the joint venture, you will still be a shareholder and a founder. Even if you don't take on an administrative position, you can still retain roles such as technical advisor and development advisor. Mayor Li also said that he is willing to continue serving the company, and we welcome that."

He Damin shook his head.

"The title of advisor is unnecessary. I'm not bargaining with the country; I genuinely want to retire." He paused. "If a nominal position is necessary, I can accept an honorary title like 'honorary advisor,' without receiving a salary or participating in decision-making. This would also benefit the establishment of the new leadership's authority."

Yang Chengdong did not try to persuade him further.

He gradually realized that He Damin wasn't bargaining; he was drawing a clear boundary for himself. He wanted to completely separate the "past" from the "future," turning "He Damin's industry" into "the nation's industry." This involved both shrewdness in assessing the situation and a certain unspeakable decisiveness.

"Okay." Yang Chengdong made a note in his notebook, "30% equity stake, Mr. He and his family withdrawing from day-to-day operations. On behalf of the district, I agree in principle to these two points. Specific details will be determined after the asset verification."

He paused.

"There's another question—how will dividends and bonuses be arranged?"

He Damin seemed to have been waiting for this question.

"According to the national regulations on joint public-private ownership, the annual dividend for private shares is 5%, which is paid out of the company's profits first. My 30% shareholding will be subject to this standard for dividends." He said calmly, "All dividends and bonuses will not be withdrawn in cash or transferred out of the country, but will be deposited into my designated account at the People's Bank of China."

He paused, then added, "This account is currently frozen; deposits are only allowed, no withdrawals are permitted."

The meeting room fell silent again.

Old Li from the Industry and Commerce Bureau looked up, his gaze complex. He had handled joint venture negotiations with more than a dozen private enterprises, witnessing haggling, further haggling after haggling, and the quiet transfer of assets after signing the agreement. He had never seen a private business owner voluntarily propose "dividends that only come in and never go out."

This isn't shrewdness, this is...

He couldn't find the right words.

Yang Chengdong remained silent for a long time.

"Boss He," he finally spoke, his voice lower than before, "have you discussed these conditions with your family?"

He Damin did not answer, but turned his head slightly and glanced at Chen Xueru.

Chen Xueru met his gaze and nodded gently.

"This is a decision we made together," she answered for He Damin, her voice low but steady.

Yang Chengdong stopped asking.

He looked down, wrote a few lines in his notebook, and then looked up.

"Does Mr. He have any suggestions regarding the specific operations after the joint venture?"