Courtyard House: I Rely on Time-Space Trade to Build a Nation

Zhao Ping'an arrived at the sea half an hour early.

He was standing at the door waiting when, after a short while, Secretary Li came out from inside, holding a folder in her hand. She paused for a moment when she saw him.

"Comrade Ping An? So early?"

Zhao Ping'an smiled and said, "I came early because I was afraid the leaders would be waiting."

Secretary Li nodded, but didn't leave immediately.

He looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "Comrade Ping An, there's something I'd like to ask you for help with."

Judging from his expression, Zhao Ping'an knew it wasn't official business.

"you say."

Secretary Li sighed, tucked the folder under her arm, and began to complain.

Do you know the food standards for the leaders?

Zhao Pingan shook his head: "I haven't noticed."

"One meat dish and one vegetable dish, or one meat dish and two vegetable dishes," Secretary Li said. "When a family eats together, there are at most four dishes and a soup. And that's with the children. Tell me, these days when I inspect factories, the workers' canteens have buffets that are better than this."

Needless to say, the troops are even better off—the soldiers risk their lives, they eat better than factory workers, that's only fair. But the leaders…”

He paused.

"I've read the 'Dietary Guidelines for Nutrition' that you gave me."

By that standard, this way of eating can't go on in the long run.

I mentioned it once before, but my supervisor scolded me, so I never dared to speak up again. But I always worry about their health…”

Zhao Ping'an understood; he hadn't noticed this problem before.

When discussing improving medical standards, it was suggested that the leaders have a physical examination every quarter. Later, the leaders changed it to every six months, citing their busy work schedules. Zhao Ping'an assumed that having a doctor overseeing things would be fine.

It now seems that the leaders have always been accustomed to hardship and frugality, which is quite different from Zhao Ping'an's ideas about the material abundance of the 21st century.

"Secretary Li, shall I give it a try?"

Secretary Li nodded: "Comrade Ping An, you have the leader's deep trust, you are young, and you speak frankly, so the leader won't blame you."

"Besides, I know you have a good appetite and often get extra food at the cafeteria. The boss knows this habit and even says it's a blessing that you can eat so much. You'd be a better fit than me."

He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "If it doesn't meet the military's standards, it should at least meet factory standards, right?"

Zhao Ping'an nodded in agreement after hearing this, and naturally agreed in his heart.

He allowed a portion of the nation to eat meat freely, so what's wrong with the leaders eating a little better? And this "a little better" standard was set according to the standards of manual laborers; if this were in later generations…

The key is that this group of people—the purest and most valuable group—work so hard. If they could eat better and take care of themselves, they could work for even two more years.

"Okay." Zhao Pingan thought for a moment and offered a plan: "After I finish reporting on my work, I'll mention it to the boss."

Secretary Li's eyes lit up, and he thanked her repeatedly.

When reporting on his work, Zhao Ping'an first got to the point.

The large-scale autumn harvest is about to begin, and grain storage preparations are in full swing.

Livestock farming is progressing smoothly, and the specific data is encouraging;

The railway, highway, and village road projects were all completed ahead of schedule, but with high quality and quantity maintained...

Progress in all eight industrial sectors has far exceeded the five-year plan.

After reporting the major events, Zhao Ping'an continued his report.

The French press corps will be coming next month, led by Anna, just in time for the autumn harvest.

The TV station is making good progress and will be able to start broadcasting after National Day.

The leader listened to all the other routine matters and nodded in approval.

After saying this, Zhao Ping'an didn't rush to leave.

"Boss, there's something else I'd like to discuss with you."

The leader glanced at him, signaling him to speak.

Zhao Ping'an immediately started by talking about his idea of ​​holding a chef competition.

"After the TV station starts broadcasting, I want to prepare a program."

It's not a matter of one or two years; it's a plan to do it gradually over several years. One aspect is to showcase the changes in China over the past few years, letting ordinary people see how their hometowns have developed. This complements Anna's "Anna's China Tour" series perfectly.

I plan to showcase our work from the perspectives of clothing, food, housing, and transportation. Here, I'd like to hold a chef competition. Currently, the situation within the Republic is generally stable.

We've had a saying since ancient times that food is the most important thing for people. First, eat your fill, then eat well. Through television, we can showcase more recipes to the public, giving those who want to learn the skills the opportunity to cook better and eat better.

Moreover, just like ballet in the Red Empire, we can use this competition to bring some ordinary dishes from past imperial banquets into the homes of ordinary people. Good food should never be the exclusive domain of the privileged class, but should belong to the vast majority of the people.

"Comrade Ping An, I agree with this statement." The leader nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

"Yes, sir," Zhao Ping'an continued his report. "The other one, I plan to start with food and culture—that's also a selling point. Food is the most important thing for people, and the public loves watching that. Let's call it 'A Bite of China.'"

We can use food as a starting point to discuss the customs, traditions, and cultural identities of various ethnic groups in our country, thus promoting ethnic harmony domestically.

We can promote our history and culture, our diligence and wisdom, and our national characteristics of loving peace and enjoying farming to the outside world.

My older brother, Zhao Dongliang, recently came to Beiping to receive his rank, and he mentioned something to me.

I found what he said quite interesting. My older brother said...

The people of Yunnan Province are particularly endearing; they categorize things into only two types: edible and inedible.

Even things that are inedible, we must try various methods to make them edible.

The climate there is suitable for the growth of various fungi, so people often try them and get poisoned and sent to the hospital. After being rescued by medical staff, these people's first reaction is not that they have been given a second chance at life, but rather, "I must have eaten them wrong..."

I told my older brother that I believed Shennong, who tasted hundreds of herbs in ancient times, must have been from Yunnan Province…

"Haha..." The leader couldn't help but laugh out loud. "Comrade Ping An, you have such a big mouth..."

Zhao Pingan continued, "To be honest, I tried French food when I went to France last time."

Aside from the fact that some ingredients are a bit rare, the cooking skills are far inferior to our frying, stir-frying, and deep-frying techniques.

We made a simple version of boiled cabbage in clear broth, which amazed the Frenchmen.

If it were truly done well, wouldn't that be amazing?

The leader smiled upon hearing this.

Zhao Pingan seized the opportunity: "So I want to use food to promote our culture."

It enriches people's lives domestically and serves as a good window to the outside world—showing them what true culinary civilization is all about.

It also serves as a way to show our love of peace, our pursuit of a better life, and our stance of "we will not attack unless attacked..."

The leader nodded: "This is a good idea. It's suitable both internally and externally. Okay, I approve. Go and do a good job. Show it to me when you're done."

Zhao Ping'an immediately stated, "Don't worry, leaders, I will definitely make sure they do a good job and report to all leaders as soon as possible."

After discussing the chef competition and "A Bite of China," Zhao Ping'an changed the subject.

"Boss, speaking of which, I just remembered something."

The leader looked at Zhao Ping'an.

"That day I ate in the sea. The standard of our canteen is not even as good as that of the factories outside."

I even went out of my way to find out your standards—and guess what? One meat dish and one vegetable dish, not even as good as a manual laborer's.

The leader didn't speak, but his expression changed slightly.

Zhao Ping'an continued, "Leader, I know you're used to living a simple and frugal life."

But let's not talk about abstract concepts today; let's just discuss the simplest issue of fairness.

Zhao Pingan moved forward and sat down.

"We all know how demanding your workload is, so there's no need to publicize it."

But your food allowance is worse than that of a manual laborer—is that fair?

"Besides, if you do this, it won't be easy for us to promote it down here."

When I was setting meal standards for the collective canteens for workers and farmers, the principle I followed was that the heavier the workload, the higher the standard. Physical labor and mental labor were equally important. I even specifically worked with colleagues in the medical system to develop a scientific evaluation standard. If you lead by example and violate this principle, my job will be in trouble.”

The leader glanced at Zhao Ping'an but didn't say anything. However, the fact that he didn't stop him meant that the leader had some agreement with what Zhao Ping'an said.

Zhao Pingan gave another example.

"Boss, I have something else to report to you."

Our newly established submarine force and naval force are currently setting their food standards.

Submarine sailors spend anywhere from two weeks to several months in cramped, confined spaces, which is extremely taxing on their bodies.

Meanwhile, medical personnel also offered their opinions, stating that such living conditions were both physically and mentally oppressive and torturous for the soldiers.

The naval commander meant that the food standard should be set at the highest level.

"But your standards are even lower than those of the workers. How am I supposed to discuss this with the Navy Commander and the others?"

If a submariner were to ask, "What does the leader eat?", I wouldn't know how to answer.

The leader was silent for a few seconds before finally speaking.

"Alright, stop talking. I know. It's just a small matter like eating, and you've made a big deal out of it. If you keep talking, it'll seem like I'm getting in your way."

Zhao Ping'an knew the time was right and said with a smile:

"Boss, I'll talk to Secretary Li and ask him to raise our food allowance. Just make sure it matches the factory's; I know it won't exceed the military's standards."

The leader didn't speak, but nodded slightly.

As Zhao Ping'an emerged from the conference room, he immediately spotted Secretary Li waiting at the corner of the corridor.

When Secretary Li saw him come out, she quickly went to greet him, her face full of anticipation.

"Comrade Ping An, how's it going?"

Zhao Ping'an nodded: "The leader has agreed."

Secretary Li was taken aback for a moment, then her face lit up with a smile: "You really agreed? What did the boss say?"

Zhao Pingan briefly recounted what had happened, and then offered his suggestions:

"Comrade Li, let me share some personal thoughts for your reference. I think the work of our subordinate military factories, research institutes, and scientific research institutes involves high-intensity mental labor, which is somewhat similar to the work of leaders, but the intensity is definitely not as high."

The military's food standards are the highest we currently have, but there are still differences between different branches of the armed forces.

The Navy is currently discussing changes to the food standards for submariners due to environmental and psychological issues.

I'll bring you a copy after it's finalized; you can take a look and see if it's of any use.

Secretary Li nodded repeatedly: "Understood, understood. Thank you, Comrade Ping An, I'll get on it right away."

Watching Secretary Li jog away, Zhao Ping'an smiled, then turned and left.

Miss Anna will be coming in two weeks, and I happen to have some free time during that time.

With so many delicious foods and beautiful scenery in our motherland, shouldn't we make sure to show them off properly?

I won't have time to be with you then.

But could Ye Juan, Liu Ying, and Zhu Hui still assign one of them to accompany the entire filming process?

Let's also show off the heroic spirit of the Chinese people—Her Majesty the Queen's beauty is still very striking!