Siheyuan: Starting from the driver

Chapter 767 Night School Becomes a Hot Potato?!
the other side.

When Director Yang learned that Li Kailang had repaired two machines on his first visit, he was overjoyed.

He couldn't help but feel smug: "Hiring Xiao Li into the technical department was truly my smartest decision."

The thought that he had been prescient enough to send Li Kailang to night school and to make plans two years in advance made him feel even more capable of strategizing.

They overlooked the fact that his action was unintentional.

"By the way, the night school is about to start, and we should register for the enrollment. This time, the factory has been given three spots, so we need to think about it carefully and not waste them."

Because Li Kailang graduated smoothly, ranking first in both categories, the night naturally gave the steel rolling mill preferential treatment.

Factory Director Yang's gaze was intense as he found his secretary, Wan Shen: "Wan, is the list ready? Give it to me when it's done."

"Huh? What list?" Wan Shen was taken aback.

"Didn't I tell you a while ago to find a few young people in the factory who could go to night school? Have you forgotten about that?"

Wan Shen immediately realized: "No, I haven't forgotten, it's just this matter..." He hesitated before continuing.

"Just what is it? Stop beating around the bush, just say what you want to say." Director Yang narrowed his eyes slightly.

Wan Shen opened the drawer and took out a crumpled piece of paper that recorded the preliminary investigation results, which contained the names of many people.

Factory Director Yang took a look and smiled with delight: "Wow, so many people! It seems our factory is full of talented people."

But the next moment, Wan Shen poured cold water on the situation.

"Factory manager, these people are all unqualified."

"Huh? What!" Factory Director Yang was taken aback.

"Factory manager, most of these people do not meet the requirements, and those who do meet the requirements have no intention of enrolling in night school."

"What's going on?" Factory Director Yang frowned, staring directly at Wan Shen, demanding an explanation.

Wan Shen swallowed hard before explaining, "Factory manager, these people don't meet the initial requirements."

The initial requirements set by Director Yang were "ability and ambition."

However, these two points were too general, so Wan Shen transformed them into more pragmatic requirements.

First, the admission process is based on merit, with priority given to those with high school diplomas!
This first rule was like a huge chasm, ruthlessly keeping the vast majority of eligible young people out of the factory.

The factory hasn't hired anyone for three years, which means that most of the young people in the factory have been there for at least three years.

Most of the young people who enter the factory are fifteen or sixteen years old after graduating from junior high school, which does not meet the educational requirements.

Those who graduated from high school now have at least a first or second-level technical skill certificate. Just thinking about working themselves to the bone during the day and then having to study at night school makes most people instinctively shake their heads.

Secondly, they prioritize the workshop or aspire to work in a workshop in the future.

This sounds like it's paving the way for developing technical talent.

The reality is that people outside the workshop, such as those in the transportation team, may not have the same working conditions as technicians, but they are no worse off than workshop workers. Their work is respectable and flexible, and their wages and benefits are no worse than those in the workshop.

Why make trouble for yourself? Why study for three years and then go to a technical department? Why work so hard?

As for the office jobs in the logistics department and the publicity department, they are sheltered from the wind and sun. Asking them to give up their easy jobs and go to the workshop to get covered in oil and mud is ridiculous.

Third, the age should be as young as possible, preferably around twenty years old, and no more than twenty-five.

They are young, energetic, and have great potential for development.

This is just making matters worse.

Having plenty of energy doesn't mean you're willing to spend it on "making things difficult for yourself."

This age is a crucial juncture for getting married, having children, and pursuing personal enjoyment.

After get off work, I just want to watch a movie, stroll around, date, or have a few drinks with friends and chat.

Spending three years doing all-nighters? Many people feel there's no end in sight, and are even more afraid that in the end they'll have gained nothing.

Applicants must be under 25 years old, have a high school diploma, and should be given priority for factory work or have a strong interest in it.
These three conditions are not a big deal on their own, but when put together, they become incredibly difficult.

"It's difficult!"

Wan Shen counted on his fingers, mentally going through the people in the steel rolling mill who met these three conditions again and again.

To his dismay, he discovered that the number of them might not even be as many as the fingers on his palm!
To this end, Wan Shen made a special trip to the site and personally visited various departments to inquire about their situations.

First and foremost is Li Kailang's transportation team. With Li Kailang as such a role model, many young people will likely join.

But as soon as they heard that they were there to select people, they scattered and fled.

The logistics department also made inquiries, but naturally returned empty-handed.

Finally, there's the workshop, which involves a lot of work, but as soon as I heard I was going...
The reactions were almost identical: frowning, shaking their heads, and making various excuses to avoid it.

"Secretary Wan, I'm really sorry, my body just can't take it."

"I have family burdens."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to learn it."

"I'm afraid it will interfere with my work."

A confluence of factors led to an unbelievable yet undeniably true outcome:

Not a single person from a large factory with nearly 10,000 employees was willing to go!
Li Kailang's imitation case may have a good reputation, but ultimately he is the only one.

"What?" Factory Director Yang was shocked. He hadn't expected that, with such a living example right in front of him, no one would be willing.

"Absurd! Utterly absurd! Comrade Li Kailang was able to rise from the transport team and change his destiny through knowledge. What does this prove? It proves that this path is viable!"

"If he can succeed, why can't others? Our factory has nearly 10,000 employees; can't we find three ambitious and promising young people?"

Hearing Director Yang's furious voice, Wan Shen took a slight step back.

In Director Yang's eyes, if Li Kailang could succeed, others might be able to as well.

Success can be replicated!

He was also thinking that with Li Kailang here, even if they couldn't understand the lessons at night school, they could go back to the factory to get tutoring from Li Kailang. How could no one be willing to do that?

After completing his investigation, Wan Shen realized just how difficult it was to replicate Li Kailang's success.

Factory Director Yang only saw the halo of Li Kailang's success, but selectively ignored the accidental and special nature behind this success.

An exceptional case who was of decent ability, young and strong, had relatively flexible work in the transportation team, and possessed extraordinary perseverance and luck.

Copying? Easier said than done!
Wan Shen said cautiously, "Factory manager, the situation is more complicated than we imagined. The workers expend a lot of physical energy during the day and have to study at night, so their burden is indeed heavy."

"Young people have their own thoughts and concerns. I think perhaps we should relax the standards we set a little?"

The implication is that the educational requirements could be lowered and the age limit could be relaxed, with those under 30 being acceptable.

Director Yang thought for a moment. He had already mentioned the hardships mentioned earlier, but even if the restrictions were relaxed, they would still be useful.

He couldn't help but doubt himself, not expecting it to be so troublesome. Could it be that Li Kailang's success was not replicable?

But how could he be willing to give up like this?
"Sigh, then let's be a little more lenient. But remember, we're training technical backbones, not office workers! Practical skills are absolutely essential!"

"Comrade Li Kailang's successful experience proves that this direction is correct! Difficulties are temporary; the key is to find ways to solve and overcome them!"

"Besides these, is there anything else I haven't asked?"

"There's still something I haven't asked about the technical department," Wan Shen immediately replied.

He first ruled out the technical majors, since they were all vocational school graduates with skills, and there was no need to waste their spots by sending them to night school.

After all, Director Yang's original intention was to train more technical personnel, not to help people advance further.

"The Technical Department?" Upon hearing this, Factory Director Yang hesitated. Sending someone from the Technical Department would definitely increase the success rate; at least they wouldn't make excuses like others, and it would ensure that the quota wouldn't be wasted.

But this is far from his vision of "blooming everywhere".

"Let's ask the technical department too. If it really doesn't work out, let someone from the technical department go up. Don't waste the opportunity."

"Yes."

Factory Director Yang waved his hand, and Wan Shen, not daring to delay, went straight to the technical department and found Director Wang.

Director Wang was hunched over a complex equipment drawing, his brow furrowed.

Seeing Wan Shen knock and enter, he looked up, adjusted his glasses, and asked expressionlessly, "Secretary Wan? Is something the matter?"

Wan Shen forced a smile and carefully closed the door.

"Director Wang, I need to discuss something with you. As you know, Comrade Li Kailang recently graduated from night school, and these days happen to be the registration period for night school. Do you know if anyone in your department is willing to go?"

“Your technical department is full of talented people, the worst of whom are all vocational school graduates. They have a good foundation. Do you have any young, promising, and ambitious comrades who would like to volunteer to study at night school? This is a key area that the factory is focusing on developing.”

Upon hearing this, Director Wang remained silent for a few seconds.

He trusted Li Kailang's abilities and was surprised to find such a talented person among them.

But he wasn't very confident about sending Corey's young players.

"Secretary Wan, I can ask about this, but you need to be prepared."

"You know the situation in our department: process improvement, drawing review, machine repair. The workload during the day is already quite heavy, and if we go to teach classes at night, I'm afraid the young men won't want to go."

There will definitely be a promotion, but whether or not one is willing to leave work is another matter.

After all, it will take at least three years, and we need to persevere.

"I understand, I understand. Director Wang, please ask around and make sure to pay special attention to those young men in their early twenties who are quick-witted, ambitious, and have a strong drive for success. Emphasize to them that this is a key opportunity for the organization to cultivate them! Director Yang is paying close attention!"

"As long as you return after completing your studies, you will definitely be given preferential treatment. Your job rank and benefits will definitely be better than before."

"Even if you level up during this period, you may still be able to level up again after completing your studies."

To get Director Wang to do his best, Wan Shen couldn't help but make empty promises.

"Okay, Secretary Wan, I'll pass on the message and see who volunteers. But let me be clear, don't get your hopes up too high."

"It's alright, I think this is a good thing, no one will refuse, then I'll trouble Director Wang."

After saying that, Wan Shen left the office, but instead of going back, he went to find Li Kailang.

Since the transport team is Li Kailang's "home base," perhaps if he, as a "role model," personally goes to give a firsthand account, the effect will be different?
"Master Li."

Li Kailang was busy looking at documents when he heard the voice and looked up: "Secretary Wan."

"I wonder if it's convenient for us to chat."

"Ok."

The two went to a secluded place.

Wan Shen got straight to the point, explaining the matter clearly in just a few words.

"Technician Li, you came from the transportation team and are the only night school graduate in the factory. Could you please go to the transportation team and persuade the others?"

"The factory's three spots are all thanks to you. Director Yang has spoken, and one of these spots is destined for the transportation team. Someone must be selected. Please go and talk to him about this personally."

In order to get rid of this hot potato as soon as possible, Wan Shen lied to his face without batting an eye.

After listening, Li Kailang fell silent.

He knew his brothers in the transport team all too well, and he knew all too well how he had survived back then.

"Secretary Wan, I understand what you mean. I'll go talk to the transport team later, but you've seen the situation before, so please don't have too much hope for me."

"Ultimately, they have to choose their own path. You can't force someone to do something they don't want to do. If you push them to go, they'll just be going through the motions and it will only waste their spots and leave a bad impression."

Li Kailang first gave a heads-up.

Needless to say, Wan Shen understood what it meant.

"Whether it works out or not, just try your best. I'd appreciate it if Mr. Li could make the trip."

Li Kailang nodded. "Without further ado, I'll go and talk to them first."

With a little time left before he got off work, Li Kailang headed straight for the transportation team.

Wan Shen didn't leave; he stood at the entrance of the technical department, listening to Director Wang speak.

"Everyone, come here for a moment."

All the technicians gathered together, and he briefly explained Wan Shenlai's situation.

"What? They want us to go to night school?"

"I'm already tired enough during the day, and I still have to go to class at night. If I don't go, I'll only be able to attend classes two days a week. What can I learn at night school?"

"Exactly, exactly. I think it's just a bit more advanced than what we've learned, but even if we study in the department for three years, we might not know less than those in school."

"A promotion and a raise? That sounds great. But it's three years! Who knows what things will be like in three years? Besides, performance reviews have all been suspended now."

The young technicians gathered together, discussing amongst themselves, and their expressions generally revealed resistance and exhaustion.

Theoretical degrees are attractive to them, but the time, energy, and course content of evening classes are not so appealing.

They would be willing to go to a university, but a night school is out of the question.

If it weren't for Li Kailang, that freak, no one would have paid any attention to him.

Hearing everyone say this, Director Wang knew it wouldn't work, but since Factory Director Yang had spoken, he had to support him.

He immediately shouted, "Shut up!"

"Night school is night school, it's a legitimate university! It's not for you to interfere! Although night school only lasts two days a week, the knowledge you gain is no less than that of a university student!"

"Look at Li Kailang today, he fixed two machines in one day. Which of you can do that? He just arrived and he can fix them. Among those who have been here for two or three years, who can handle it on their own!"

A few words of reprimand immediately left the group of young technicians speechless.

It's infuriating to compare yourself to others! How come Li Kailang's practical skills are so strong?!
Although Engineer Ling was there to back him up, even with that backing, no one dared to take the plunge. But he was the only one who dared and actually succeeded!

Where is the logic in this?

Director Wang continued, "Director Yang had high hopes for our technical department, and this is how you disappointed him?"

"A spot at night school that countless people outside would kill for, is it a hot potato for you?"

Seeing that the situation was under control, Director Wang made a firm decision: "Since no one is taking the initiative, then the department will make overall arrangements!"

"Zhao Guoqiang, Huang Jin, and He Yu, you three are the youngest and have a solid foundation, so this opportunity is for you. Fill out the application forms and submit them tomorrow!"

The three people who were named immediately looked miserable, but dared not utter a word intimidation of the director's authority. They could only secretly lament the "dark and dreary" overtime work and study life that would last for the next three years.

The three of them graduated from vocational school this year, but unexpectedly, they were the ones who suffered the most.

Having just graduated from the sea of ​​consciousness, they are about to plunge into another abyss.

"As for the others, if they want to participate, they can come to me. Those who want to participate will have priority."

After saying that, Director Wang turned and went back to his office.

Everyone else should be glad they weren't chosen; who would bother to cause trouble for themselves?

"Keep it up, you three! When you return after your studies, you might just be the next Engineer Li!"

(End of this chapter)