Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

The seven-day rest passed quickly, and it was time to go back to work. The last day of work in 54 years was a Friday.

The factory had one day off for New Year's Day this year, making it an unprecedented move to have two consecutive days off.

Xu Damao arrived at the unit and went to the section chief's office again.

"Chief Li, I'm here to cancel my leave."

"Da Mao, are you feeling better now?"

"Well, there is a scar on my forehead. I'll just treat it as a commemorative medal. I hope it can motivate me to pay attention to safety and serve people better."

"Hahaha, well said. Damao, you have a high level of awareness. Not bad, not bad. The labor and financial departments have already completed the formalities for your formalization. The New Year is coming soon, and the New Year brings new beginnings. You should keep up the good work. Probably before the New Year, a few key communes will go down to show a few movies, and this year's screening and publicity mission will be over. Wait for notification on the specific time."

"Okay, Chief, I'll go over first. I'll check the movie camera again. I didn't have time to check it carefully last time I came back."

"Okay, go ahead. If you have any questions, come find me."

Xu Damao left the office and went directly to the data room which basically belonged to him. Although there was no simple bed for him to lie down and rest, it was quiet and comfortable. Almost no one came to disturb him.

Xu Damao checked the projector carefully to make sure it was fine, then rewound the film that had been shown last time, put it back into the metal flat box, and fastened the buckle. In fact, today's work was basically over.

With nothing to do, Xu Damao tidied up the data room of less than ten square meters, cleared out a large space, put up a table for shaking films, took a look, and applied for a stool in the data room, in case a leader came to inspect, it would be a problem if there was no stool to sit on.

I went to the third canteen which was closer to get some boiled water, and then used the warm water to clean the house and mop the floor. A busy morning passed.

The third canteen is mainly for the second-line employees in the factory office, including several private rooms and small kitchens. It is also the canteen where Sha Zhu works.

There are five canteens in the entire steel rolling mill. Canteens 1, 2 and 4 are mainly for front-line workers, while canteens 3 and 5 are mainly for second-line workers. In fact, they are designed to make it convenient for leaders, office cadres and others to eat without being too crowded.

Xu Damao took his lunch box and went to the third canteen to get his meal.

"He Yuzhu, give me two steamed buns and one serving of Chinese cabbage."

"Xu Damao, the conditions are good. There are two big white flour buns. How about a steamed corn bread?"

"Two bowls of white flour are enough, He Yuzhu, give me some more Chinese cabbage. We are neighbors after all."

Sha Zhu is still a kitchen helper, and has only been qualified to serve food for a short time. He has not even got the right to take leftovers from the canteen. Listen to what Xu Damao said and serve more. Just serve more. A full spoonful, and a few thousand fat meat.

"Thanks, Zhuzi. I'll treat you to a drink when you have time." Xu Damao took the lunch box with satisfaction. He put two big steamed buns on the lid of the lunch box, found a seat, and started eating.

The white flour buns are not actually that white, but a little yellowish. They are really fragrant. The flour is made from pure wheat and is well fermented, making them fluffy, fragrant and soft. The fatty cabbage is also fragrant. I enjoyed this meal with relish.

Xu Damao then remembered that He Yuzhu seemed to have had the opportunity to show his cooking skills a few days ago, that is, before the Lunar New Year, because the head chef of the small canteen, Chef Yang, was ill. The then Director Wang praised the taste of the food. Only then did he pass the first assessment and be assigned a position as an eighth-level chef. After that, he became the head cook in the third canteen. Gradually, he began to become arrogant and was qualified to serve dishes. This was the beginning of the Jia family and Yi Zhonghai's mutual calculations.

Well, it seems that the story of Courtyard No. 95 is gradually about to begin.

Xu Damao ate everything up, and then rinsed the aluminum rectangular lunch box with hot water from the cafeteria and tap water. There wasn't much oil in it to begin with. Soaking it in hot water and rinsing it with tap water didn't even require a rag.

I went to the data room I cleaned, had tea and cigarettes, put two stools together, put one to rest my feet, and lay down on the other, covered with the blood-stained military coat that the third aunt had washed for me, and took a nap. It was so comfortable.

I slept until three o'clock, and when I got up, I wiped my face with cold water from the faucet, and I immediately felt refreshed.

I wanted to check my watch out of habit, but when I stroked my wrist, it was empty.

It seems that before asking for a ticket, I should first solve the watch problem.

I have a public bicycle, so I'll ride it first. I don't need the sewing machine now, and it seems I won't need it when I get married to Lou Xiao'e next year. Three turns and one ring, I have to solve the first turn on my wrist.

Yes, tighten up a little in the next few months, then collect a little from the old man and buy one.

This finalizes the plan for the recent major purchase.

We started preparing to get off work at 4:30, and as soon as 5 o'clock came, the radio started to broadcast: We workers have power... This loud and inspiring song marked the end of get off work for the day.

Today, Xu Damao finally rode the bicycle he was assigned to the market and quickly bought some vegetables and noodles before returning to the courtyard.

Cooking is a hassle. Xu Damao knows how to cook, but he is not an expert at it. It is easy to stir-fry cabbage and eggs and cook some noodles.

I was eating the Chinese cabbage and egg noodles that I made on my own, and drinking a little wine, when the fifteen-year-old Liu Guangfu from across the street knocked on the door. "Brother Damao, an old man said there will be a meeting at 6:30, and he needs to convey the documents from the street office."

"Okay, Guangfu, always on time."

After Xu Damao had eaten and drunk his fill, he washed the pots and pans, put a kettle filled with water on the stove, sealed the coal stove, put on his cotton coat, went out and closed the door to prevent the heat in the house from escaping.

He lit a cigarette, went to the central courtyard, and stood in a place sheltered from the wind.

Almost every household in the courtyard sent a representative to participate, totaling more than 20 people.

The three uncles who are in charge of the courtyards are appointed by the subdistrict office. Their main task is to resolve neighborhood disputes and manage reports of migrant population and suspicious persons.

A square table, three chairs, and three teacups. It felt like an extended meeting was about to begin.

"Is everyone here now? The weather is cold. To make a long story short, the New Year is coming soon, and New Year's Eve is not far away. The Street Office has notified that tomorrow, Saturday, each courtyard will mobilize everyone to take care of their own hygiene, including the hygiene of the surrounding alleys, for the sake of their own home environment and the hygiene of the entire capital. This is a big deal. I think our No. 95 courtyard cannot drag the Street Office down. Tomorrow, every household will contribute at least one person. Of course, those who can take the initiative to participate in voluntary labor will definitely be welcomed and encouraged. Especially the living force in our courtyard, I think Jia Dongxu, He Yuzhu, Xu Damao, Yan Jiecheng, Liu Guangqi and other young people should contribute more.

Two: The Chinese New Year is not far away, the weather is getting colder, and every household is using coal stoves for heating. The street office once again emphasized the need to pay attention to fire prevention, prevent gas poisoning, and pay attention to safety.

The last point, pay attention to the people behind. This is very important, that is, the end of the year is approaching, and everyone must be vigilant. Class struggle has always been a concern of the street. We must have a big picture view of the new country, the new situation, and the new development, and we must resolutely crack down on bad elements who attempt to undermine socialist construction. So everyone must be vigilant, especially those who stay in the courtyard. Don’t think that you are female comrades. The old people have said that women can hold up half the sky. It is because of your existence that our 95 good courtyards can be as solid as a rock, safe and healthy. It is also time to contribute to the street’s evaluation of excellent courtyards at the end of the year. Here I want to specifically praise our three aunts, Comrade Yang Ruihua. The three uncles and the three aunts are the gateway to our courtyard and have guarded the first line of security for all our residents. Everyone applauds and expresses their gratitude."