Chapter 43 Ambition
Li Jiandong also rolled his eyes and wished he could kick him twice.

He said this as if he was incompetent. Usually, his eldest disciple was quite smart, so why did he become so confused today when he was so happy?

After the wedding banquet, each family packed up their belongings.

Jia Dongxu took Liang Ladi's hand and came to Li Jiandong's house, closed the door and said

"Master, there is something I may need your help with. I don't think anyone else can help except you."

Li Jiandong was happy today and drank a lot of wine. He said drunkenly, "What's the matter?"

Jia Dongxu glanced at Liang Ladi next to him and said:
"Master, although Ladi is married, she still works in the machine repair shop. She will have to go back to work after her leave ends the day after tomorrow. She may only be able to come back on Sundays."

"Master, can you use your connections to arrange for Ladi to work in our factory? If that's not possible, any unit in North City will do."

Hearing this, Li Jiandong sobered up a little.

Indeed, these past few days, he was so busy thinking about who to accept as a new apprentice that he forgot about such an obvious question.

Although, there are many workers who are in long-distance relationships now.

However, if connections can be used, it is better for the couple to work together.

"I'll go to the factory tomorrow and ask the leader. Our factory has a good relationship with the machine repair shop, so this shouldn't be difficult to handle."

After all, Li Jiandong is an eighth-level worker, so it is easy for him to handle this small task.

Jia Dongxu and Liang Ladi felt relieved. They thanked Li Jiandong again and went home to spend their days loving each other.

As soon as he got to work the next day, Li Jiandong came to the office building.

On the second floor, outside Director Yang’s office.

"Master Li, are you here to see Director Yang? What a coincidence, Director Yang has something to do at home today and will not be here until later. Why don't you tell me what's the matter first?" Secretary Cui explained to Li Jiandong.

Li Jiandong casually took out the prepared wedding candy and said, "Secretary Cui, this is the wedding candy for my apprentice Jia Dongxu. I took one for you and Director Yang."

"Oh, thank you, thank you. Congratulations, Master Li."

Before he could ask, Li Jiandong continued, "Secretary Cui, I have another reason to come this time. I would like to ask our factory to issue a letter of introduction to second two people from other factories."

"One of them was the wife of my apprentice Dongxu. She was a female maintenance worker at the Dongjiao Machine Repair Factory. At that time, the two met several times and fell in love with each other.

Now we are married, but our workplaces are too far apart, so we only see each other once a week. How can we bear it? "

Secretary Cui smiled and said, "Yes, yes, yes, if it were me, I wouldn't be able to stand it either."

Li Jiandong also smiled and said, "The other one is also from the Dongjiao Machine Repair Factory. He is the factory doctor there and also my apprentice. I was embarrassed to bother the leader to ask for someone every few days."

"I'm thinking about this. Our factory's medical office is already short of staff. There are only three doctors in a factory with 10,000 people. Usually, you have to wait in line for a long time to get a cold medicine."

"Although my disciple is young, she has a medical license after all. I will consider it as recommending a virtuous person regardless of her relationship with him. If it is convenient, you can bring her along as well."

Ding Qiunan's medical learning is a long process. Having her by his side can not only speed up Li Jiandong's teaching skills, but also speed up Ding Qiunan's medical skills progress.

For Li Jiandong, it is a good thing that kills two birds with one stone.

"Master Li is indeed an excellent worker in our factory. He always considers the development of our factory.

Don't worry, I will pass on your request to Director Yang when he arrives, and I will have someone notify you as soon as I have any news."

After hearing what Secretary Cui said, Li Jiandong bowed and said, "Then I'll trouble Secretary Cui."

"It's not a big deal. As secretaries, this is our job. Master Li, do you have anything else to say?"

"That's all. Secretary Cui, you are busy. I won't bother you anymore."

Li Jiandong waved his hand, turned and left the office building.

That afternoon, Secretary Cui sent someone to bring Director Yang's reply.

Not surprisingly, Director Yang agreed to Li Jiandong's request, and asked the Political Affairs Office to write a letter of introduction that day and sent someone to deliver it to the main factory of the machine repair factory.

The Dongjiao Machine Repair Factory is just a branch of the Machine Repair General Factory. The general factory directly issued the order, and they had no choice but to execute it.

Although there was an extra layer of relationship in between, the execution was very fast. Before the end of a week, Ding Qiunan and Liang Ladi were transferred to the steel rolling mill.

After completing the employment formalities, the two immediately went to the workshop to find Li Jiandong.

Ding Qiunan just called out weakly, "Master."

Liang Ladi said excitedly: "Thank you, Master. You are so impressive. I thought I would have to wait a long time before I could be transferred here."

"Work hard when you come here, otherwise, no matter how prestigious I am, I won't be able to keep you here."

Jia Dongxu also ran over and spoke for Liang Ladi,

"Master, don't worry. When Ladi was in the machine repair factory, she was an advanced worker every year. She will definitely not embarrass you."

Li Jiandong nodded and said to Ding Qiunan.

"Qiu Nan, I transferred you here this time without asking for your opinion."

"But, Master, this is also for your own good! You are in a small unit like the machine repair factory. If you want to go to university in the future, you may not be able to get a letter of recommendation. There are too few talented people there, and they won't let you go easily. It will be different if you come to our factory."

Ding Qiunan nodded and said, "Master, I know you are doing this for my own good."

Although it is my first time to become a disciple.

However, Ding Qiunan has been working for a while, and he has never seen a master who cares about his apprentice as much as Li Jiandong.

So, no matter what Li Jiandong asked her to do, she believed that it was for her own good.

What's more, when she was working in the machine repair shop, she was already far away from home. She couldn't go home anyway, so it didn't matter if she was a little farther away.

Maybe if I work here for a long time, I can transfer the relationship over.

That would mean you have a household registration at the steel rolling mill and would be considered a city dweller.
-
Xu Fugui had just finished showing a movie and came out of the auditorium.

When passing by a workshop, he saw Li Jiandong and Ding Qiunan talking to others, so he quickly stopped and found a place to hide.

It has been almost two weeks since Li Jiandong last talked to him.

Xu Fugui never looked for Li Jiandong again, which actually meant he had already given up.

But the scene before him made his thoughts waver a little.

"Li Jiandong is really capable. He arranged for the Jia family's new daughter-in-law and the young doctor to come in. Including Yan Jiecheng, that's three people in total."

"If Damao becomes his disciple, even if he can't get into the grain station, he can just get a job in a town and be easily transferred back in the future."

Xu Fugui was calculating quickly in his mind.

As long as Xu Damao can find a job in the township, Li Jiandong will transfer him back to the steel rolling mill and find an opportunity to become a regular employee.

Although it took a bit of time, at least I got a job for free.

After thinking about it, Xu Fugui felt that this deal was still a good deal. His son would just have to suffer a little, but it was better than having his son doing nothing all day.

After thinking it through, Xu Fugui stopped going to work, asked for leave from the Propaganda Department, and returned to the courtyard.

Xu Fugui returned home, took off his bag, picked up the cup and took a big sip of water, then sat in front of Xu Damao and said:

"Da Mao, Dad thinks it's better for you to take Li Jiandong as your master."

Xu Damao cried out, "But, Dad, Li Jiandong asked me to go to the countryside! I don't know if I can get into the grain station. If I can't go, won't I have to suffer in the countryside in vain?"

Xu Fugui told his son what he had just seen at the steel mill.

Xu Damao was also very smart and immediately understood the reason.

"Dad, do you mean to let me go to the countryside and find a random job first, then transfer back to the steel mill, and then find a way to get a permanent job?"

Xu Fugui praised: "As expected of my son, Xu Fugui, this little guy is really smart."

"That's right. You can't just get into the grain station if you want to. It would be great if you can spend a year or two to get a permanent job in the steel mill."

"By then, you will be only 18 years old and have a job. Dad will ask someone to find you a good partner, and you will still be able to live a prosperous life in the future."

Sun Xifeng also said: "Our Damao is a handsome man. If he can get into the steel mill, I don't know how many girls will be dazzled by him and marry a worker to form a dual-income family. Then your father and I can enjoy happiness with you for the rest of our lives."

When Xu Damao heard this, he felt a little hot inside.

"Dad, Mom, how about I give it a try?"

Xu Fugui said seriously: "It's not enough to just try, you have to have the determination."

Sun Xifeng also advised her son.

"Da Mao, you have never suffered hardship in your life. You will definitely not be able to bear it during this period of time when you first go to the countryside. But think about it, you can get a job for free after a few years of perseverance, so you have to hold on."

Xu Damao gritted his teeth and said, "Mom and Dad, I understand. I will definitely stick to it within a year."

"Good son, Dad will take you to see Li Jiandong tonight and ask him to accept you as his apprentice."

It's time to get off work.

Li Jiandong asked Jia Dongxu and the other two young men to return to the courtyard first.
He took He Daqing to Dongdan Vegetable Market.

He Daqing finally got on the carriage and had a wonderful time along the way.

"Old Li, this thing is more comfortable to sit on. I usually buy vegetables on the canteen tricycle, which is far inferior to this thing." "Of course, you get what you pay for. Can pork be the same as cabbage?"

He Daqing scratched his head and thought, isn't that the truth?

After parking the car, the two went in to buy groceries. Today, Liang Ladi officially lived in the courtyard.

Li Jiandong planned to celebrate her in the hospital and introduce Ding Qiunan to everyone.
After buying groceries, I returned home.

Yan Bugui and his wife and Liu Haizhong and his wife were already waiting in the Intermediate Courtyard.

Liu Haizhong and Yan Bugui stepped forward to help carry the vegetables, and then placed them under the tap for their wives to wash.

He Daqing put on an apron and prepared to light a fire, while Sha Zhu helped him.

I come back too late from get off work to buy groceries, so we all have to work together, otherwise we may not be able to eat before dark.

Qin Huairu also wanted to help, but was stopped by Liang Ladi and Wang Chunmei.

Liang Ladi said, "Master's wife, you take a rest, we can do this job."

Wang Chunmei also said: "Huai Ru, don't bother, this is enough for the two of us."

Qin Huairu thought for a moment and said, "Okay, I'll go clean the table."

Everyone had their own division of labor, except for three old men who sat on stools, drinking tea and chatting.

It's not that I'm deliberately showing off, it's mainly because nowadays, with this kind of trend, cooking is usually done by women except for the chef.

The three were drinking tea and chatting when Xu Fugui and Xu Damao came over.

"Lao Li, Lao Liu, Lao Yan, what day is today? Are you planning to set up two tables?"

When Xu Fugui saw He Daqing busying around and the three uncles gathered there waiting for dinner, he knew that something must be going on today.

Liu Haizhong lived in the backyard with Xu Fugui, and snorted,

"Yes, the daughter-in-law of the Jia family and the female apprentice of Lao Li have both been seconded to our steel mill. Lao Li invited us to dinner and introduced us to his apprentice."

Li Jiandong also politely invited: "Lao Xu, you just happened to come over, would you like to have a drink together later?"

Xu Fugui knew that Li Jiandong was just being polite. There were so many people in the yard, and he wasn't the only one who was left out.

Why would an ordinary resident like him get involved in a gathering of three old men?
Xu Fugui smiled and said, "No need, I came back early and I have already eaten."

After that, he waved to Li Jiandong and said, "Old Li, come here for a moment. I have something to tell you."

Yan Bugui asked curiously, "Old Xu, what's inconvenient? Why don't you tell me in front of us two masters?"

Xu Fugui said unhappily, "It's just a private matter, don't ask about it."

When Li Jiandong saw that he brought Xu Damao with him, he immediately guessed what he was going to do.

But so many days have passed. If Xu Fugui wanted to make a decision, he should have done it long ago. Why did he take so long to make it?
Could it be related to Ding Qiunan and Liang Ladi being seconded here?

Li Jiandong thought quickly in his mind and followed Xu Fugui to the backyard.

Xu Fugui and Xu Damao stopped at the same time in tacit understanding, turned around and said to Li Jiandong,
"Lao Li, Damao and I went back and carefully studied the matter you mentioned last time. You are one of us, and we trust you. Even if we have to send Damao to the countryside, we will accept it. Do you think we should let Damao worship you as his master now?"

Li Jiandong did not rush to answer, but asked:
"Lao Xu, becoming a disciple is no joke. You should think it through before you act. Don't waste each other's time by becoming a disciple and then failing to do the job."

"No, I have already talked to Damao. Damao is confident that he can complete the task you assigned him."

Xu Damao also said: "Uncle, I am ready. Even if I have to go to the countryside to farm, I can do it."

"Okay, since you, Damao, have this awareness, I will accept you as my apprentice."

Li Jiandong had just finished speaking.

Xu Damao knelt down on the ground and kowtowed three times.

"Master, your disciple Xu Damao will always obey your command from now on."

A very contemporary declaration of apprenticeship.

Li Jiandong nodded and said, "Okay, from today on you are my apprentice. Let's go over and have a meal together later, meet your senior sister, and call her senior brother."

"And Lao Xu, don't be polite. Damao is now my apprentice, so our relationship has been further improved. In the future, we have to help each other in the courtyard."

Xu Fugui grinned and said, "Of course, I will have to rely on your care in the future, Old Li. I will leave Damao to you as well."

The three of them walked back to the middle courtyard.

Without waiting for Yan Bugui and others to ask questions.

Li Jiandong said, "Lao Liu, Lao Yan, I accepted a new apprentice today. From now on, Damao will be my fifth apprentice."

"Oh! So that's the thing. Old Xu, you're still hiding it. Look at what you've accomplished."

Yan Bugui laughed at Xu Fugui.

Liu Haizhong was more polite and bowed.

"Old Li, congratulations, Xu Damao, you have a bright future now that you have Old Li as your master."

He Daqing, who was preparing to cook, said in a somewhat unhappy tone: “Old Li, you are too casual in accepting disciples. As the saying goes, like dragons give birth to dragons, like phoenixes give birth to phoenixes, and mice’s children will dig holes.

"With Xu Fugui's character, you dare to accept his son as your apprentice? Aren't you afraid that he will sell you out in the future?"

Li Jiandong thought to himself that this was really possible.

However, when he accepted a disciple, he did not require the disciple to be loyal for life. What was important was the experience that would be returned a hundredfold.

Xu Damao is a man with a lot of bad intentions.

But he is quite clever and shrewd.

If he were left alone in the countryside, he believed he would be able to thrive. But if it were someone else, Li Jiandong would be worried.

Moreover, Xu Damao is not that bad now. Environment shapes people. Maybe under his leadership, Xu Damao will change his temper in the future.

"Daqing, you're going a bit too far. We shouldn't pass on the kindness we have shown our generation to our children. I believe Damao will have a promising future."

Li Jiandong patted Xu Damao on the shoulder to encourage him.

At this time, Jia Dongxu, who had been serving beside him, also congratulated him, "Master, congratulations on accepting another junior brother for us. Damao, we are a family from now on. If you encounter any problems, don't be polite, just come and find your senior brother directly."

Xu Damao quickly bowed and said, "Hello, Senior Brother."

Li Jiandong pointed at Ding Qiunan and Yan Jiecheng and said, "There are two more. Jiecheng, you know her. This is your junior sister Ding Qiunan."

"Second Senior Brother, Little Senior Sister."

Xu Damao bowed twice in succession.

"And me, Xu Damao, I'm your third senior brother."

Sha Zhu said with a smirk beside him.

He and Xu Damao have not gotten along since childhood, and they always compete with each other in everything they do.

Now that he has become the senior brother and Xu Damao has become the junior brother, Sha Zhu would of course feel secretly happy.

Xu Damao felt a little resistant when he saw Sha Zhu, but Li Jiandong was still watching from the side.

He lowered his head and said, "Hello, Third Senior Brother."

"Hey, that's right, good for you too, little junior brother, haha."

Sha Zhu smiled smugly, but was slapped on the back of the head by He Daqing and scolded.

"Look at you, you're so cocky. Hurry up and cut the meat. I'm still waiting to cook."

"Oh."

Sha Zhu looked aggrieved, causing the elders around him to laugh.

It's the weekend in a blink of an eye.

Li Jiandong returned home from get off work on Saturday and took out a stack of money from the closet and began to count it.

Beside him, Qin Huairu asked, "Brother Jiandong, what are you counting the money for?"

Li Jiandong said, "I will use it in the countryside tomorrow."

Qin Huairu was surprised and asked, "Haven't Xiao Ding and Xiao Liang been transferred to the steel mill? Why do they have to go to the countryside?"

Li Jiandong said: "This time we are not going to look for them, but to take Damao to the countryside to learn how to grow food.

I plan to let him develop in the field of agriculture. If he can go to a grain station or the Agricultural Bureau in the future, it will be helpful for our food supply.”

In fact, with Li Jiandong's ability and financial resources, he doesn't need to worry about food at all.

He simply didn't want to waste his disciple-recruiting system.

With such a good system, we should do something big, and the biggest thing at the moment should be to fill the stomachs of the people.

(End of this chapter)