Chapter 53 Asking for help
"Old Yi's wife, do you have something to ask me?"

Li Huilan didn't want to come to see Li Jian either.

Yi Zhonghai and Li Jiandong were having such a bad time that he, as his wife, was too embarrassed to ask for help.

For the sake of her man's future, she came here anyway.

She said cautiously, "Li Jiandong, oh, no, uncle, I came here to ask you for a favor, can you let me in first?"

Li Jiandong hesitated for a moment, but still let her into the house.

Qin Huairu also politely offered a glass of water: "Auntie, please drink some water."

"Thank you."

Li Huilan took the cup of water and held it in her hand.

"Uncle, I came here this time because of my husband, Lao Yi. You have seen that my husband, Lao Yi, has been getting up early and working late every day for this exam."

"You all went to bed, and he hasn't come back yet."

"I know Lao Yi doesn't get along with you, but I still want to ask you to let him go. Can you let him pass this worker-level exam?"

Li Jiandong frowned and said, "Mrs. Yi, you may be mistaken. I have never targeted your old Yi, including the last work-level assessment, which was his own fault. I did not retaliate against him afterwards. You are really wronging me by letting him go."

Li Huilan suddenly put down the water cup and knelt on the ground.

She cried and said, "Uncle, I know you are angry. If you can't get enough of it, take it out on me. Lao Yi works so hard for a sick kid like me. I really can't bear to see him lose again and again."

In Li Huilan's view, Yi Zhonghai always goes against Li Jiandong.

How could Li Jiandong not target him?
Don't be fooled by what he says, he just doesn't want to let his man go.

She judged others by her own mean character and thought that Li Jiandong and Yi Zhonghai were of the same character.

Little did he know that in Li Jiandong's eyes.

Yi Zhonghai has always been just a clown, and no one has ever taken Yi Zhonghai seriously.

"Li Huilan, let me say it again, I have never targeted Yi Zhonghai, and I will not be the invigilator for this exam."

Li Jiandong's voice already sounded a little impatient.

Qin Huairu also quickly advised:

"Aunt, please get up quickly. I know Brother Jiandong best. He is not a stingy person and will not target Master Yi."

Li Huilan did not get the reply she wanted, but she did not dare to continue kneeling and make Li Jiandong angry.

Over the past six months, Li Jiandong has done a lot of things, and everyone in the hospital knows that he is a man of his word.

If he continued to kneel, he might really try to make things difficult for Yi Zhonghai.

So she stood up with Qin Huairu's help.

He begged Qin Huairu, "Huairu, Lao Yi and I brought you into the city. Actually, we are the matchmakers between you and Li Jiandong."

"Although we have had some unpleasantness recently, as the saying goes, even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected. You and Lao Yi are neighbors in the same village. Can you help me persuade Li Jiandong?"

Qin Huairu looked at Li Jiandong and said with some embarrassment: "Aunt, I promise you, but you have to believe in Brother Jiandong. He is really not the kind of petty person."

"Yeah, I understand. I believe it."

Li Huilan said she believed it, but in reality she didn't.

But what can I do if I don’t believe it?

Li Jiandong is so hard-hearted that he sent an old lady to jail even though she made a mistake at such an old age. How could Li Huilan deserve such kindness and ability to make him change his mind?

Now she could only hope that Qin Huairu’s words would be effective and that she could persuade Li Jiandong on her behalf.

After seeing Li Huilan off, Qin Huairu came over.

Li Jiandong said unhappily, "I said I won't make things difficult for him, but I won't help him either. You don't have to persuade me."

Qin Huairu burst out laughing.

"Brother Jiandong, do you think I am someone who can't tell the difference between near and far? To be honest, if I didn't feel sorry for her, I would have advised you to make things difficult for Yi Zhonghai."

Li Jiandong didn't expect Qin Huairu to say such words. His mood, which had been ruined by Li Huilan, gradually improved.

Days pass by.

Seeing that the first month of the year was almost over, Xu Damao could no longer sit still.

"Master, Uncle Jianjun wrote me a letter asking me if I will be back this year. How do you think I should respond to him?"

Xu Damao is quite smart and his words are pleasant to listen to.

He actually wanted to ask Li Jiandong what arrangements were made for him.

Li Jiandong has been thinking about his affairs these days, and said,

"Da Mao, I want you to join the Agricultural Research Institute and learn some knowledge related to farming. What do you think?"

Xu Damao was silent for a while, then asked tentatively: "Master, I want to go to the food station, is that ok?"

Li Jiandong was officially promoted last week and became the workshop director of the Fitter Workshop 7.

After becoming a cadre, the circle around him was completely different from before. With Li Jiandong's deliberate interactions, he also got to know some useful people.
If you really want to help Xu Damao get into the grain station, you can always find the right relationship by spending a little more money.

Li Jiandong doesn't lack this little money.

The key point is that the grain station is a management and service unit, and the professional experience that can be returned to Li Jiandong is relatively useless.

The Agricultural Research Institute is a scientific research unit. Research on seeds, fertilizers, and other various planting-related research all come from the Agricultural Research Institute.

Including the famous hybrid rice.

Li Jiandong knew nothing about agriculture, so he tricked Xu Damao into going to the grain station.

Now that he knows the main work content of the grain station, he doesn't want to waste his time there anymore.

"Da Mao, although the grain station is comfortable, there is not much room for advancement. The Agricultural Research Institute is different. It is more suitable for your growth."

Li Jiandong patiently and kindly advised.

"But Master, when Second Master and Uncle Jianjun collect grain every year, they are always harassed by the people at the grain station. I want to become an official at the grain station and help them."

Xu Damao spoke his true feelings.

Li Jiandong was very pleased that he thought this way. This showed that Xu Damao wanted to go to the grain station not for comfort, but to help people around him, which showed that he knew how to be loyal.

But as I said, going to the grain station is a waste of time and it is completely incomparable to going to the Agricultural Research Institute.

"Da Mao, if you really want to help Xujiatuan, you should go to the grain station."

"why?"

Xu Damao didn't understand.

Li Jiandong said: "Because the research of the Agricultural Research Institute can help farmers increase their harvests. For the same acre of land that produces 500 kilograms of grain, each kilogram of the best quality grain only costs a little over yuan."

"But if one mu of land can produce 1000 kilograms of grain, even if it is sold for a few cents, it will earn more than 500 kilograms."

"If you want to help my second uncle and his people, you must at least become the leader of the grain station, or be assigned to the East Suburbs Grain Station. Rather than going through so much trouble, I might as well find some connections at the steel mill."

"Let the people from the purchasing department go directly to their village to collect all the grain. At most, it's the portion that is paid as public grain. Even if some is deducted, it's not worth much, what do you think?"

The grain station collects grain just like buying insurance for a car. The part that is paid as public grain is compulsory insurance, and anyone who has a car must purchase this insurance.

The part other than the public grain payment is equivalent to commercial insurance. You can sell it to this family or to another family, and you can give it to whoever pays more.

Transportation is inconvenient now, and except for grain stations, almost no one drives to the countryside to collect grain in large quantities.

The grain of many villages is eventually sold to grain stations, which is also the most fundamental reason why the grain stations dare to bully farmers.

After listening to what Li Jiandong said, Xu Damao finally felt relieved.

He smiled and said, "Master, you are very thoughtful. If we can let the steel mill collect the grain, then Erye's village won't have to worry about the grain station, and it won't matter if I go to the Agricultural Research Institute and the grain station."

Li Jiandong smiled and said, "It doesn't matter. You have to go to the Agricultural Research Institute so that you can better help Second Uncle and the others."

After convincing Xu Damao, the next step is to find connections.

Not everyone can enter the Agricultural Research Institute.

Most of them were recruited from schools, and a small number were planting experts recruited from all over the country.

Li Jiandong had previously sent Xu Damao to the countryside in order to make it easier for him to get a job at the grain station. Unexpectedly, he was lucky culprit and could use this experience to find someone to join the Agricultural Research Institute.

As long as you enter the Agricultural Research Institute,

Under the influence of the apprenticeship system.

Xu Damao's learning speed is definitely far beyond that of others. I believe he will be able to gain a foothold in the Agricultural Research Institute soon.

Li Jiandong tried several connections but was unable to get in touch with anyone at the Agricultural Research Institute.

That day, I was about to go to the street to find Director Zheng to try my luck. Just as I reached the entrance of the alley, I ran into Jia Dongxu walking towards me.

"Master, are you going out?"

Jia Dongxu saw Li Jiandong, trotted forward and asked.

"Well, let's go to the street. Are you going to the compound?"

Li Jiandong asked.

Jia Dongxu shook his head.

"Master, I came to see you. Director Cao just came to me and asked me if I wanted to take an apprentice. I think my locksmith skills are good enough now, but I still want to ask you and get your advice first."

Li Jiandong was a little surprised after hearing what Jia Dongxu said.

I didn't expect that in the blink of an eye, my own apprentice would also accept an apprentice.

But come to think of it, Jia Dongxu is now a level 6 fitter.

After reaching level 4 as an ordinary fitter, one can start accepting apprentices.

It would be a waste if a Level 6 fitter only did the work.
"Of course there is no problem with that. If you don't accept apprentices, people will think you are hiding your skills. While teaching apprentices, you will also consolidate your own skills. I support you in accepting apprentices." Li Jiandong patted Jia Dongxu on the shoulder.

Jia Dongxu chuckled and said, "Okay, Master, I'll go and reply to Director Cao first."

"Well, let's go."

Li Jiandong waved his hand and let Jia Dongxu leave.

Then continue walking towards the street.

I bought two bottles of wine at the supply and marketing cooperative, and when I passed by a snack shop, I bought a box of fruit.

The fruit box does not contain fruit, but various small cakes. This name was not used before the Ming Dynasty. It was a name that was passed down from the northeast after the Qing army entered the pass. There are red bean cakes, mung bean paste, hawthorn cakes, jujube flower cakes, taro paste cakes, ox tongue biscuits, egg yolk cakes, etc.

Li Jiandong didn’t know what flavor Director Zheng liked, but he just tried a little of everything.

Then, each group of eight was wrapped in a piece of kraft paper, and four square packages were stacked together, as if they were going to set up a stall.

When we arrived at Director Zheng's house, the door was open.

Li Jiandong knocked on the door.

Director Zheng came out of the room and smiled when he saw Li Jiandong.

"Jiandong, why are you here? Come in quickly."

"Just come if you want to, and bring gifts every time."

Li Jiandong smiled and handed over the two bottles of Fenjiu in his left hand and the fruit box in his right hand.

"Director Zheng, I have something to ask of you today, so I can't do it without a gift."

Director Zheng laughed and said, "You, I don't believe you will let me make a mistake."

A person's reputation is like a tree's shadow. Li Jiandong is considered a celebrity in the street. Based on Director Zheng's understanding of him, he would never do anything illegal or disorderly.

As for some normal interpersonal relationships, Director Zheng did not refuse.

In a society where human relationships are important, emotional intelligence is sometimes also a reflection of ability.

The two men entered the house. Director Zheng asked Li Jiandong to sit down first, and he went to the side to make tea for Li Jiandong.

Li Jiandong took the opportunity to look around Director Zheng's house. Although it was quite large, it was very deserted, with no decorations and no other people.

This is Li Jiandong's third visit, and he has never seen his wife and children.

It is said that he joined the army because his wife was killed by the Japanese and he had a son who died before he grew up.

Director Zheng is already 50 years old this year, so it’s not impossible to find another one at this age.

But he is too busy with work to have the time, and plans to consider personal matters after retirement.

"Come, Jiandong, try this pot of tea. This is the fine tea that my comrade from the Agricultural Research Institute personally picked and brought back when he went to the south for research. Most people can't enjoy it."

Director Zheng came over with two teacups, one for himself and the other for Li Jiandong.

When Li Jiandong heard this, he knew he had found the right person this time.

Director Zheng also took the initiative to bring it up, which made it easier for him to open the topic.

After blowing on the teacup, Li Jiandong took a sip and savored the taste carefully.

"Director Zheng, your tea tastes really good. It has a dense texture and is not astringent. It also has a very fresh fragrance. I don't usually drink a lot of tea, but I can tell that this is good tea."

Director Zheng smiled and said, "Jiandong, you are still young and not old enough to enjoy tea tasting. However, judging from your taste, you have a talent for tea drinking."

Li Jiandong took a few more sips of tea, chatted with Director Zheng for a few more words, and finally got down to business: "Director Zheng, I came to see you today because I happened to be related to the Agricultural Research Institute."

Director Zheng was a little surprised: "Oh? You are an eighth-level worker. Oh no, you are now the workshop director. What can a worker leader like you do to the Agricultural Research Institute?"

"Is such that……"

Li Jiandong told Xu Damao in detail about how he would arrange for him to go to the Agricultural Research Institute.

It was emphasized that Xu Damao was a person with great talent in agriculture.

Director Zheng still trusts what Li Jiandong says.

The Agricultural Research Institute already has a rule of recruiting talents from local areas, so asking him to help with the recommendation is not considered a violation of the regulations.

"Jiandong, I know what you mean, but my comrade is not in Beicheng for the time being. When he comes back next time, I will take him to see you and meet your apprentice at the same time?"

Since Director Zheng said so, he is definitely not refusing.

Li Jiandong thanked him and said, "Then I'll trouble Director Zheng. When the time comes, just let me know. I'll bring my apprentice to see him. I can't ask for help and put on airs."

Director Zheng laughed and said, "Okay, it's settled then."

After drinking another pot of tea, Li Jiandong said goodbye and left.

As soon as I walked out of Director Zheng’s house, I heard a prompt sound in my mind.

[Ding~ Your disciple Jia Dongxu accepts Ge Dazhuang as his disciple, and the promotion of his disciple's grandson will be returned to you 100 times. ]

[Attention! Your locksmith skill has reached the maximum level, so you will not be able to get experience feedback, which will be automatically converted into a hundred times money and goods return.]

Li Jiandong paused. He didn't expect that the disciple his apprentice took in could also return experience to him.

However, because his locksmith skills have reached the maximum level, the 100-fold experience return has been converted into 100-fold reward money and goods.

Li Jiandong had no need for money or material things, so Jia Dongxu's apprentice was of little help to him.

But this system rule made him very excited.

If Xu Damao, Liu Guangqi and other disciples also accepted apprentices, wouldn't the professional experience they returned to themselves be doubled?
Then the experience will be directly returned 200 times, and the speed of career advancement will be twice as fast as before.

I don’t know if the apprentice is the same as him, and can only accept one apprentice, or if only the first apprentice’s progress can be returned experience.

Li Jiandong planned to go back and talk to Jia Dongxu, asking him to try to accept another apprentice, or wait until Jia Dongxu's apprentice became a master and then accept another apprentice.

In short, this is very important to him and must be taken seriously.

Over the following period of time, Li Jiandong gradually adapted to the job of workshop director.

Compared with an eighth-level fitter, the work of a workshop manager requires much more worries.

Especially those level 6 and level 7 fitters, in order to get Li Jiandong's guidance, took the initiative to apply to come to Workshop 7 and work under Li Jiandong.

After work every day, I would ask Li Jiandong for advice on operational issues.

If Li Jiandong's fitter has not reached the maximum level, he can teach them how to operate and obtain a 10-fold experience reward through group teaching rules.

Another month passed in the blink of an eye.

There was no news from Director Zheng yet, but the spring exam date for the steel rolling mill was approaching.

I benefited a lot from Li Jiandong's guidance.

This year, there are many more fitters who applied for level 6 and level 7 exams than in previous exams. There are even two level 7 fitters who applied for level 8 exams.

This made the factory leaders excited and also recognized Li Jiandong's work.

"Old Yi, just listen to me for a while. Let's take the Level 6 exam first to stabilize ourselves, and then take the Level 7 exam in the second half of the year. Otherwise, if we fail, we will have to get the Level salary for another half a year."

At Yi Zhonghai's home, Li Huilan tried to persuade Yi Zhonghai earnestly.

Li Huilan was very clear about Yi Zhonghai's strength. If he really had confidence, he wouldn't have been so anxious these days.

"What do you know."

Yi Zhonghai said unhappily, "Li Jiandong has decided not to invigilate this assessment. If I don't take this opportunity to pass the Level 7 exam, and he invigilates again in the autumn assessment, wouldn't that make it more difficult for me?"

"Women have long hair but little knowledge."

Yi Zhonghai looked at Li Huilan with some disgust.

This old hen can’t lay eggs, doesn’t look good, and is a sickly woman.

If it weren't for his reputation, he would have kicked her out long ago.

Now she is still holding him back, and Yi Zhonghai really wants to divorce her with a piece of paper.

Li Jiandong came to the steel rolling mill.

He is not the invigilator today, but he is the workshop director and needs to maintain order.

"Master."

Jia Dongxu came over with two young men and greeted Li Jiandong from a distance.

"Dongxu, have you signed up for this exam?"

Jia Dongxu smiled and said, "Master, I'm already level 6 now. It's not easy to pass level 7. But Dazhuang and Shitou should have the opportunity to become regular employees. I've signed them up."

Dazhuang is Ge Dazhuang, Jia Dongxu’s first apprentice.

Shitou's full name is Shi Migen. He is a short and fat boy, and a new fitter hired after the New Year.

In order to experiment with multiple disciples and see if they could combine to increase experience, Li Jiandong asked Jia Dongxu to accept another disciple.

Facts have proved that among multiple apprentices, only the one who has made the most progress counts.

I just don't know if after one of them succeeds, the other one can still get the reward.

"Master."

"Hello, Master."

Da Zhuang and Shi Tou greeted Li Jiandong respectfully. Isn’t their master’s master the master’s master?

Li Jiandong nodded to them: "Yes, Dongxu is talented in locksmithing. If you two take him as your master, your exam speed will not be slow in the future. Come on."

At this time, the steel mill's loudspeaker had already started calling for all the people waiting for the exam in the workshop to gather.

Li Jiandong and Jia Dongxu separated and went to their own workshop 7 to organize the team.

(End of this chapter)