Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

The new week begins again.

Early in the morning, there was a knock on the open wooden door of the Propaganda Department's information room.

"Xiao Xu, are you in there?"

Xu Damao had just finished making tea and was smoking a cigarette when he looked up.

"Section Chief Li, come and inspect my work. Leader, please give me instructions." He pulled a chair for Li Huaimin to sit down, handed him a cigarette, and lit it. There was no other way, he had to be a bootlicker when he was needed.

"Xiao Xu, last week the factory screened movies for employees and their families, and it was a great success. I didn't expect it to get such a big response in the past two days. So, I'm going to add another burden to you. Here comes the task."

"Chief, I think it's not bad. The most important thing is that the movie is well chosen. It's okay. Just assign any tasks you want."

"Well, several of our factory's material-related units called us early this morning, such as the meat processing plant, and asked us to show a movie for their employees. Why don't you go and contact them to discuss the details. You can also take a look at their venues and see how they can cooperate. If you have any requests, just let them know."

As he spoke, he took out a piece of paper from his jacket pocket, on which were written several units and specific addresses, as well as contact names and phone numbers.

Xu Damao took the paper, took a look at it, and put it away.

"Okay, Chief, leave this to me. I'll go around to each unit and confirm it, then make a schedule for you."

"Okay, Xiao Xu, I trust you to do the work. Then you have to work hard. Work hard, and your achievements will be visible to the organization."

Li Huaimin stood up, patted Xu Damao on the shoulder, and then left.

As soon as Li Huaimin left, Xu Damao was about to close the door when he found that Wu Lingjuan, the secretary of the Propaganda Department, came over and lowered her voice, "Xu Fangping, Xu Fangping, wait a minute to close the door." Then she quickly entered the information room and helped Xu Damao close it.

"Hey, Wu Lingjuan, please don't close the door. We are alone, a man and a woman, in such a crowded place. If people see us, they will gossip."

Wu Lingjuan then laughed heartily, "Xu Fangying, people say you are extremely bold, but today when I saw you, you are so timid. I am not afraid, so why are you afraid?"

"How dare I compete with you? You are real office workers, and I am a hard worker. I have nothing. Climbing is not good for you. You should know that rumors are more ferocious than tigers."

"Let's get down to business. Xu Fangying, I need your help with something."

"If you can help, I will definitely help. If you can't help, I can only say I can't help."

"Is there anything you can't help with?"

"Wu Lingjuan, for example, if you want to have a baby, I really can't help you."

"Xu Fangzhu, you are really talkative. But I'm sure you can help me with this matter. Section Chief Li asked me to write a promotional article about the movie that was shown in the factory last week, and send it to the main factory. I know you have a good writing style, so why don't you help me write it for a little money. You must have a much deeper understanding of this movie than we do. How about it? It will be good for you to not work in vain."

"What's the benefit?"

"I haven't thought of it yet, but I'm sure there is one, okay? You can write it down."

Xu Damao suddenly remembered that Wu Lingjuan might really have some backing, so he readily agreed.

"Okay, when do you want it? I have to go to the meat processing plant and wait for a few other units today. Section Chief Li just gave me the task."

"Of course the sooner the better."

"Well, I'll write it to you tonight, and you can just come pick it up tomorrow morning. No special requirements, right?"

"Just write as you see fit. I believe you can write a brilliant article, and maybe I can even get some royalties from you. But don't worry, if there is any royalties, they will all belong to you, but you can only use my name on it. Is that okay with you?"

"I'm not a writer. Fine, forget about the benefit. You owe me a favor."

"Okay, I'll let you know. I'll come pick it up tomorrow morning. By the way."

Wu Lingjuan quickly opened the door, looked around, and went out.

Only then did Xu Damao calm down and start his studies. At noon, he went to the cafeteria to have lunch, then packed his briefcase, got on his bike and went to the meat processing plant.

In one afternoon, I visited three units and confirmed the movie screenings within two weeks.

There were some benefits. The meat processing plant sent a basket of large intestines, the non-staple food plant sent ten pieces of Western-style bread, and the grain bureau sold 20 kilograms of noodles to Xu Damao at a fair price.

He returned with a full load and passed by Zhuanta Hutong. He saw that the gate of Hu Tianhua's courtyard was open. He went in and saw that Mrs. Hu was at home. She had left two kilograms of noodles and three loaves of bread for him.

Passing by No. 88 Courtyard, I left three pounds of noodles and three loaves of bread for my master Zhang Taihe. When I returned to the courtyard, I gave two loaves of bread and five pounds of noodles to Yu Li. I also left a piece of large intestine with Yu Li, and asked He Yuzhu to braise it in the evening.

He kept two loaves of bread and ten kilograms of noodles for himself and went back to the backyard.

"Huo Huo, come and eat some bread."

"Da Mao, where did you buy this? This bread is quite delicious. There's even butter in it."

"The factory has assigned me a new task, to show movies for free to business units. I contacted them this afternoon, and the benefits given by the unit were divided among my master's family and Yu Li's family. There are only two left, one for each of you two.

There is also a bunch of large intestines, given by the meat processing factory. Give it to Yu Li. You can eat braised large intestines tomorrow."

Lou Xiao'e looked at Xu Damao's face, which showed that he had gotten an advantage, and said, "Virtue, are you so lost after receiving such a small favor?"

"Ezi, even without these, you still have to do it. You are a bastard who doesn't take advantage of the opportunity. And you don't allow me to be proud. Ah, I smile proudly, smile proudly, and watch the world of mortals never grow old; I smile proudly, smile proudly, and ask for a happy life..."

Xu Damao hummed the song "Smile of Delight" which he had heard in later generations, and watched his wife and children chewing bread.

"Well, after eating this big piece of bread, I don't need to eat dinner. Forget it, I won't fight with the silly autumn wind today. I'll just make some porridge, heat up some steamed buns, and eat some pickles."

"It's up to you. I'll cook you some millet porridge. Huo Huo and I will have a bowl too."

"That's it. I'll fry some peanuts for myself and have a couple of sips in the evening."

That night, He Yuzhu poisoned the dreams of the whole hospital again. In the middle of the night, the aroma of braised large intestines floated in the air, making it difficult for people to sleep. However, Xu Damao and Lou Xiao'e slept soundly. The whole night was immersed in the matter of having a daughter. Xu Damao obviously felt that Lou Xiao'e treated the matter of having a daughter as the top priority at the moment.

Fortunately, he is in good health. The day before yesterday, he fought with Qin Huairu for 900 rounds. Yesterday and today, he and Lou Xiaoe were busy preparing for the birth of a daughter.

Tired but happy. Lou Xiao'e's persistence also ignited Xu Damao's determination to have a daughter. When the enemy comes, the general will stop it and when the flood comes, the earth will cover it. The disaster next year is still uncertain, so what is there to be afraid of?

Now is a good season. You can plant seeds now and harvest next spring, which is a perfect way to avoid the severe cold.

Early in the morning, Xu Damao got up early to exercise. After buying breakfast for Lou Xiao'e and her son, he went to He Yuzhu's house in the main courtyard to pack a lunch box of braised large intestines. He put the article "Absorbing Spiritual Food and Maintaining Motivation for Progress" that he had written yesterday into his briefcase, rode his bike, and took He Yuzhu to work together.

"Section Chief, this is the large intestine that the meat processing factory sent me when I went to contact business yesterday. I asked He Yuzhu from the third canteen to braise it. I brought you a box. Try it. If it tastes good, I will ask He Yuzhu to make it again."

Li Huaimin opened the lunch box, and a unique fragrance filled the office. He couldn't help but drool.

"Xiao Xu, you are thoughtful. Have you contacted several units?"

"Well, everything has been arranged. The task will be completed within two weeks. Section Chief, you are busy. I will go back to the data room."

As soon as Xu Damao arrived at the information room, he saw Wu Lingjuan coming over. She had come with Xu Damao from the section chief's office.

"Wu Lingjuan, you have sharp eyes. Did you see me just now?"

"That's right, Chief Xu Fangying, you are quite capable. Have you finished writing it?"

Xu Damao entered the reference room, took out the article from his briefcase and handed it to Wu Lingjuan. "Take a quick look at it. The handwriting is a little sloppy. I'll point out the parts that you can't see clearly. Then you can go back and copy it yourself and it should be fine."

Wu Lingjuan looked at the running script handwriting that was written in a flamboyant and not sloppy manner. Although there were a few corrections, it was basically completed in one go, the sentences were clear and the meaning was profound. She was extremely satisfied.

She smiled brightly and said, "Xu will screen it. No no, Secretary Xu, thank you. I will report back later. I will never go back on my word." She walked out of the information room in a flash.