Chapter 203: Zhou Yimin Is a Good Comrade

Although the people under Factory Director Hu were anxious, none of them disturbed Zhou Yimin.

“Tell Master He to prepare a table, according to the standard for hosting leadership,” instructed Factory Director Hu.

Master He was the top chef at the steel factory. Originally trained at one of the Eight Great Residences, he later transferred to the steel factory and became responsible for all meals served to guests of the factory.

People in the capital seemed to have a fondness for the number “eight.”

In the food and beverage industry, there were the “Eight Great Buildings” mentioned earlier. In addition, there were the Eight Great Residences, Eight Great Halls, Eight Great Springs, Eight Great Workshops, and Eight Great Auspicious Houses.

The so-called “Eight Great Residences” were eight famous specialty restaurants in old Beijing during the Qing Dynasty. “Residence” typically referred to smaller-scale restaurants that specialized in banquets, often frequented by officials or scholars coming to the capital for examinations.

These eight residences were: Shaguoju, Tianxingju, Dingheju, Guangheju, Yishengju, Tongheju, Tianranju, and Huixianju.

Of these, only Shaguoju and Tianxingju still remained.

It was said that Shaguoju’s clay pot pork belly had a clearly defined balance of lean and fatty meat, melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, perfectly textured glass noodles, and a rich yet non-greasy broth.

Tianxingju, on the other hand, was famous for its stir-fried liver and buns. Their stir-fried liver was a vibrant red, with a glossy, translucent sauce that gleamed like a jewel—perfectly fitting the poetic phrase “brimming bowl, glistening brilliance.”

“Got it. I’ll go tell Master He right away,” someone replied and quickly left.

Factory Director Hu and the other factory leaders all stood at the door of Zhou Yimin’s “R&D room,” waiting for results.

Over half an hour later, Zhou Yimin opened the door and handed two more sets of threshing machine designs to Director Ding.

“Director, this is about it. Threshing machines aren’t precision equipment, so manufacturing them shouldn’t be too difficult,” Zhou Yimin said.

Only then did he greet Factory Director Hu and the other leaders.

This made Director Ding all the more pleased. Among the leaders present, there were several with more authority than him—like Factory Director Hu—but Zhou Yimin still handed the designs to him first.

That showed a certain attitude.

“Good, very good! Yimin, you’ve worked hard.”

Director Ding responded with a couple of compliments, then turned and passed the designs to Factory Director Hu.

The other factory leaders couldn’t help but feel a little envious of Old Ding. Having such a capable and considerate subordinate was pure dumb luck. Most of their own subordinates were practically useless!

Factory Director Hu just smiled and didn’t mind. As long as Zhou Yimin was part of the steel factory, he was one of theirs. That was all that mattered.

He gave Zhou Yimin a few words of praise and told him to head over to the guest dining hall later for a meal.

“Come on, I’ll take you,” said Director Ding, not caring about the others.

Eating came first. The rest could be left to the higher-ups.

As Director Ding led Zhou Yimin away, Director Liao of the production workshop still couldn’t let it go. “Director, if you ask me, we should still…”

How could Factory Director Hu not know what he was thinking?

The moment someone raised their tail, he could tell whether they were about to take a dump or a piss.

He cut him off, “If Comrade Zhou Yimin is happy working in logistics, then let him stay in logistics! Don’t bring this up again.”

To Factory Director Hu, it didn’t matter what department Zhou Yimin was in, as long as he remained at the steel factory. He’d come to see clearly that Zhou Yimin truly enjoyed working in logistics and didn’t like being tied down within the factory grounds.

There was no need to upset Zhou Yimin by forcibly transferring him to the production workshop.

Yesterday, he had gone with the factory party secretary to meet with a senior leader. The higher-up’s message was clear: the steel factory must treat Zhou Yimin well and not shortchange him.

It was even said that an even higher-ranking leader had made a comment: “Zhou Yimin is a good comrade!”

With those words circulating, who would dare force Zhou Yimin to do anything that made him unhappy?

At the factory’s special guest dining hall, the setting was private-room style and quite decent. The private room was spacious, with a dining table and a separate tea area furnished with a coffee table and sofas.

There was even an electric fan spinning away!

Director Ding called for the food to be served.

“Director, shouldn’t we wait for the Factory Director and the others?” Zhou Yimin asked.

“No need. Now that they’ve got your designs, they’ll probably head straight to the workshop to discuss production,” Ding Shengtai said. He knew Factory Director Hu and the others very well.

Soon, dish after dish was brought in.

“Here, let me introduce you. This is Master He Daxin, our factory’s top chef. You haven’t had a chance to try his cooking yet, have you?” said Director Ding.

Then, he turned to the chef with the broad face and added, “Master He, this is…”

“Director Ding, no need to introduce him. Who in our factory doesn’t know Comrade Zhou Yimin?” Master He said with a smile.

Zhou Yimin stood up and shook his hand. “I’ve heard about your cooking for a long time, Master He, but never had the chance to taste it until today. I’m lucky.”

He had a way with words, always praising others from start to finish.

And his praise hit exactly where it mattered.

For a chef, their best asset was undeniably the food they cooked. It was like complimenting someone’s child as bright and filial in front of a parent—it hit just right.

“I only know how to cook. I can’t compare to you, Comrade Zhou Yimin, you—”

Director Ding interrupted their mutual flattery. “Alright, we’re all in logistics. We’re all on the same team—no need to be so formal. Yimin, if you ever need someone to cook, just come to Master He.”

He was right. Both Zhou Yimin and Master He were under his supervision.

In his view, they really were all on the same team.

Zhou Yimin nodded and picked up a bottle of liquor, pouring three glasses. “Come on, Director, Master He—let me toast you both.”

One glass of liquor later, their relationship took another step forward.

Master He also said that while he didn’t have many other talents, when it came to cooking, he would never shirk.

“Old He, get off work early this afternoon and whip up a feast at my father-in-law’s place,” Director Ding added casually.

“No problem, Director!”

Who said chefs didn’t understand social cues? Just look at Master He.

Far better than that “Silly Pillar” character from some TV show.

A chef who didn’t respect leadership, constantly clashing with them—that was just asking for trouble. Why make life difficult for yourself?

Sure, in this era, even factory directors couldn’t fire people at will, but if they wanted to make your life harder, they could do it in a heartbeat.

“Director, five dishes and a soup, just for the two of us? Isn’t that a bit much…” Zhou Yimin asked.

Director Ding shook his head. “Eat. This was arranged by the Factory Director. Don’t worry. After all the surprises you brought to the factory, what’s wrong with having a good meal?”

Besides, they were part of the logistics department. Who would dare complain?

Even the factory’s security department didn’t mess with logistics, since it involved everyone’s meals—who’d want to mess with their own food?

And let’s not forget how powerful the security department was! In a massive factory with tens of thousands of people, it wasn’t just guns and ammo—they even had cannons.

Many in the security department were veterans.

Since Director Ding had spoken, Zhou Yimin didn’t hold back.

(End of chapter)