Siheyuan: Mastery started in the 50s

He was no longer satisfied with just repairing these daily iron tools, and always felt that there were more things waiting for him to explore and master. He began to realize that his understanding of benchwork was far from enough, and there were too many new skills, methods and tools in the outside world that he had never come into contact with.

One evening, Wang Qiang was busy in Master Liu's yard, holding a piece of iron in his hand, preparing to punch a hole in it. Master Liu sat beside him, watching him quietly. Wang Qiang's movements became more and more skillful, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere. He paused for a moment, then continued. This tiny change did not escape Master Liu's eyes.

Master Liu put down his teacup and slowly asked, "Qiangzi, have you been worried about anything recently?"

Wang Qiang was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "No, Master. I just thought that I haven't learned anything new recently, and I have almost learned everything from you."

Master Liu stroked his beard and nodded slightly: "You, it's time to go out and see the world. There really aren't many difficult jobs in our area. If you really want to go far on this road, you have to go out and see more."

Wang Qiang was moved when he heard this. He had this idea in mind for a long time, but he had always had some concerns in his heart and didn't know how to bring it up. At this time, Master Liu's words gave him motivation, but also brought new troubles. He suddenly felt an invisible pressure, as if the world of benchwork in front of him had become more complicated than before.

"But Master, if I go out to study, I don't know where to go, and I don't know if I can learn real skills. I always feel like something is missing when I leave this courtyard." Wang Qiang said in a low voice.

Master Liu laughed and said, "This courtyard is our root, but only when the roots are deep can the tree grow tall. You have to know that only when you go out and see the world can you know what you lack and come back better. As for where to go, don't be afraid. As long as you are willing to learn, you can find a good master wherever you go."

Wang Qiang was excited, but also a little uneasy. He recalled the days when he played with his friends in the courtyard when he was a child, and the time when he learned the craft from Master Liu. These memories made him reluctant to leave. This courtyard, these familiar streets, these neighbors who greeted each other every day, seemed to have become a part of his life. He was worried that once he left this small world, he would never be able to find the feeling he had back then.

However, Wang Qiang was not someone who was easily troubled. Master Liu's words gave him a lot of inspiration, and he decided to go out and see what the outside world was like. In the following days, he began to ask around, looking for opportunities that could allow him to further improve his skills.

One day, Wang Qiang met an old friend on the street. This old friend was also an apprentice of Master Liu and now worked in a large factory. The old friend told Wang Qiang that the factory had a lot of advanced equipment and technology, and there were also excellent craftsmen from all over the country, all of whom he could learn from. This made Wang Qiang's heart beat faster, and he felt that he had found a clear direction.

"If you really want to come, I can introduce you. There are many old masters there, and they all have real skills." The old friend patted Wang Qiang on the shoulder and said.

Wang Qiang nodded gratefully, but he was also a little nervous. A big factory is a completely different world, with much more complicated rules and requirements than a courtyard house. And can he adapt to such an environment? These questions circled in his mind, bringing an indescribable pressure.

Back at the courtyard that night, Wang Qiang tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. Various possible scenarios emerged in his mind, including the joy of success and the loss of failure. He knew that he was now standing at a crossroads in his life, and the road ahead was full of unknowns, but he also understood that if he did not take this step, he would be trapped in his current circle forever and would not be able to make any progress.

The next morning, Wang Qiang made a decision. He walked up to Master Liu and said solemnly, "Master, I have decided. I want to go to a big factory to learn and see more things."

Master Liu didn't show any surprise after hearing this. He seemed to have expected Wang Qiang to make such a choice. He patted Wang Qiang on the shoulder and said, "Go, Qiangzi. Remember, no matter how far you go, this courtyard will always be your home. As long as you are willing to learn, there is nothing you can't learn."

Wang Qiang nodded, feeling a little excited and heavy in his heart. He knew that this trip might change many things, but he also knew that only change could make him truly grow. So he began to prepare to leave the courtyard and meet the challenges of his new life.

A few days later, Wang Qiang arrived at the big factory. His old friend helped him with the entry formalities and took him around. The roar of the machines in the factory was deafening, and the dazzling array of equipment dazzled Wang Qiang. He stood in the workshop, witnessing the operation of various complex machines, and felt excited and nervous. These machines were completely different from the tools he had touched in the courtyard. They looked so huge and sophisticated, as if every steel bar and every screw hid endless mysteries.

"This is my new world." Wang Qiang thought silently. He knew that he had to adapt to the pace here and quickly master these new tools and technologies in order to gain a firm foothold here.

In the following days, Wang Qiang began a new learning journey. The masters in the factory were not as gentle as Master Liu. Most of them were serious and busy, with a hint of indifference to professionalism. Wang Qiang often felt the pressure doubled, but he never backed down. He knew that he had no way out and could only bite the bullet and go on.

Every morning, Wang Qiang is the first to arrive at the workshop to familiarize himself with the working principles of various machines. He often stays in the workshop after work to study the complex mechanical drawings by himself, trying to figure out the function of each part. Sometimes, he will ponder over a detail until late at night.

However, the initial learning was not smooth. Wang Qiang found that many of the skills he learned in the courtyard were not fully applicable here, and sometimes even became obstacles. His mood often fell into a trough, and he felt as if he had become at a loss in an instant. Wang Qiang felt deeply frustrated at some point. He tried hard to integrate into this new environment, but found that he often couldn't keep up with the pace.