Siheyuan: Reborn Silly Pillar, Taking Control of the Entire Courtyard

He Yuzhu's guess turned out to be correct.

As soon as Mihajlovic stepped into the steel mill, he went straight to the management office.

As soon as he met the deputy director of the steel plant and the heads of various departments, he kept praising He Yuzhu's cooking skills.

The admiration in his tone made He Yuzhu sound like a rare culinary genius.

He praised He Yuzhu's cooking to the skies, saying that the taste was the most delicious he had ever tasted in his life.

This lavish praise had an immediate and remarkable effect.

Originally, the plan was simply to arrange a simple meal to entertain everyone.

But now, let alone one table of food, even if you set up five tables, you might not be able to seat everyone who wants to try it.

Keep in mind that this is a large steel plant with tens of thousands of workers.

The number of factory leaders, department heads, and technical backbone personnel was extraordinary.

From the deputy factory director and the heads of various departments to the workshop director and section chief, everyone with a bit of status had heard of a Chinese chef with unparalleled culinary skills.

Everyone was eager to try it out for themselves and see just how amazing this legendary culinary skill really was.

Not long after, Mihajlovic excitedly ran back to the small courtyard where He Yuzhu was temporarily staying.

As soon as he entered the door, his face was filled with a smug and excited smile.

Before Mihajlovic could speak, He Yuzhu immediately saw through the situation.

He looked up at Mihajlovic and asked in a calm tone.

"Are you sure you only told the deputy factory manager about this?"

Upon hearing this, Mihajlovic's smile froze instantly, and his eyes became somewhat evasive.

He scratched the back of his head, a somewhat embarrassed look on his face, and his tone became hesitant.

"Well... I couldn't help myself at the time. I thought your cooking skills were so good, so I helped promote your business."

"You can rest assured, this will only benefit you, and there will be absolutely no harm in it."

As Mihajlovic spoke, he repeatedly assured He Yuzhu, his eyes full of flattery.

Looking at him like this, He Yuzhu sighed helplessly, but did not blame him too much.

He knew Mikhailovich meant well, but he was just too impulsive.

After a moment's thought, He Yuzhu looked at Mihajlovic and earnestly stated his request.

"Since we're making so many meals, do you have any helpers? I can't handle all this work by myself."

Upon hearing this, Mihajlovic immediately patted his chest in assurance and hurriedly asked further questions.

"What kind of kitchen helper do you need? Just tell me, and I can find one for you."

He Yuzhu spoke with certainty and clearly stated his needs.

"I need people specifically for washing and chopping vegetables, as well as people to serve the food and carry plates."

"One must be quick and efficient, and do things cleanly and meticulously; one cannot be careless or negligent."

Mihajlovic agreed without hesitation after hearing the answer.

"Yes, of course! Our big factory may not have much else, but we certainly don't lack manpower."

"But you have to make your requirements clear, so that those clumsy people don't ruin your cooking and affect the taste of the food."

He Yuzhu nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction on his face.

"Once I arrive at the site, I will personally explain the specific requirements to them, and I will absolutely not keep anyone who does not meet the requirements."

Then, He Yuzhu remembered the crucial cooking tools and asked.

"Is the stove ready for cooking? I don't want it to break down."

Mihajlovic nodded quickly, his face full of pride.

"It's all prepared. I even found you a clean and spacious little kitchen."

"The kitchen is fully equipped, allowing you to showcase your culinary skills to the fullest."

Hearing this, He Yuzhu felt relieved and then asked about the time.

"When exactly should we start cooking? I'd like to prepare in advance."

Mihajlovic thought about it for a moment and quickly set a date.

"Let's set it for the day after tomorrow. The evening of the day after tomorrow is the most suitable. I'll go to the logistics department then and ask them to prepare plenty of all kinds of ingredients and seasonings."

"Let's fight for this meal, and directly win over the palates of all the factory leaders, making them completely convinced of your worth."

Seeing his impatient look, He Yuzhu couldn't help but tease him.

"I think you're just being greedy and can't wait to eat another meal I cook, right?"

Mihajlovic, having his thoughts exposed, didn't feel embarrassed at all; instead, he burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, you saw right through me! I can't help it, your cooking is just too delicious. Once I eat it, I want to eat it again. I just can't stop."

He Yuzhu shook his head helplessly and gave one last piece of advice.

"Okay, you'll have to come pick me up yourself then, otherwise, as an outsider, I won't be able to get into your steel mill."

The steel plant is heavily guarded; without an insider to guide them, outsiders cannot even set foot inside the plant.

Mihajlovic patted his chest and said with great confidence.

"Don't worry, after you've had this meal, you can come and go from this steel mill whenever you want."

"I've also invited the head of the security department, so no one will dare to stop you then."

Remembering the differences in everyone's tastes, He Yuzhu asked again to confirm.

"Can all the factory leaders eat spicy food? I'll cook dishes specifically for them."

Mihajlovic carefully recalled the scene of their last meal and quickly spoke up.

"You should make a little bit of different flavors, after all, it's impossible to please everyone."

"The meat strips you made last time were especially good. They were made with pork and had a bit of spice. Everyone loved them."

"However, some leaders can't handle spicy food, so it's best to accommodate them as well."

He Yuzhu nodded slightly and replied calmly.

"Okay, I understand. I will make a reasonable combination of dishes."

Before we knew it, it was the morning of the third day.

Just as dawn was breaking, Mihajlovic personally drove to the gate of the courtyard to pick up He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu packed his things quickly and then followed him to the steel plant.

Wei and Zheng, who were traveling with them, did not go along.

Since neither of them knows anything about cooking, they wouldn't be of any help and would only make things worse.

He Yuzhu didn't want them to go through all that trouble, so he let the two of them stay in the courtyard to rest.

The car drove smoothly all the way and soon arrived at the massive steel plant.

With Mihajlovic personally accompanying him, the gatekeeper did not stop him at all and let him through directly.

After entering the steel plant, Mihajlovic led He Yuzhu directly to the staff canteen.

By this time, the canteen had already been filled with many local cooks from the steel plant.

Mihajlovic stepped aside to make way and spoke to He Yuzhu.

"He, you can pick whichever you like. These chefs are all under your control. Choose whoever you fancy to be your kitchen helper."

He Yuzhu looked up at the group of Russian chefs in front of him.

These cooks were all large-bellied, thick-necked, and had an arrogant and disdainful look on their faces.

They all looked at He Yuzhu with scrutinizing, questioning, and even somewhat disdainful eyes.

In their hearts, they have always believed that the cuisine of their own country is the most authentic.

They were extremely unwilling to work as assistants or kitchen helpers for a young Chinese man, and even felt it was a humiliation.

The atmosphere at the scene suddenly became somewhat heavy, filled with a strong sense of resentment.

He Yuzhu saw everyone's expressions but didn't care at all.

He knew that the best way to deal with these arrogant chefs was to let his skills speak for themselves.

He Yuzhu didn't say a word of nonsense and went straight to the cutting board.

He casually picked up a piece of fresh pork and a sharp kitchen knife.

Immediately afterwards, he gave a brief demonstration of his basic chopping skills.

He held a kitchen knife, his wrist flicking so fast that the knife moved so quickly that it left only a blur.

The cleaver landed on the cutting board, making a crisp and even "clattering" sound.

In just a short while, the original whole piece of pork was cut into evenly sized strips of uniform thickness, with not a single piece sticking together.

The sliced ​​meat was arranged neatly, looking exceptionally tidy.

The Russian chefs, who had been looking disdainful and whispering amongst themselves, suddenly widened their eyes, and their contempt vanished instantly.

They all crowded around, looking at the shredded meat cut on the cutting board, and couldn't help but start whispering among themselves.

"My goodness, this Chinese kid's knife skills are amazing!"

"This knife skill is amazing! It's even better than the best cook in our factory!"

"Should we get closer and see what he does next? Maybe we can secretly learn something!"

"Are you guys going or not? If you're not going, I'll just go myself!"

In an instant, the chefs who were initially unconvinced all showed admiration and curiosity in their eyes.

No one dared to underestimate this young Chinese chef anymore.

He Yuzhu put away the kitchen knife and spoke calmly.

"Try using the knife skills I just demonstrated. Only those who pass can stay and work as kitchen helpers."

Upon hearing this, all the Russian chefs stepped forward to test their knife skills according to He Yuzhu's requirements.

He Yuzhu stood aside, carefully examining each item one by one.

He has extremely high standards, and any knife skills that are slightly flawed or any ingredients that are not cut neatly are all rejected by him.

After much deliberation and selection, He Yuzhu finally managed to choose three people.

After the candidates were decided, He Yuzhu casually asked and learned that two of the three were actually head chefs from the steel mill's canteen.

These two head chefs are among the best in the steel mill canteen, and they are usually quite proud and arrogant.

But faced with He Yuzhu's knife skills, they were completely convinced and had no complaints whatsoever.

He Yuzhu looked at Mihajlovic and asked to confirm.

"Is it alright to have my two head chefs put aside their work and come work as my kitchen helpers?"

Mihajlovic grinned and said with great certainty.

"Don't worry at all. I've already spoken with the cafeteria manager, and they will definitely follow your instructions."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu stopped asking questions and led the three kitchen helpers he had selected directly to their private kitchen.

Mihajlovic kept the small kitchen clean and tidy, with good lighting and all kinds of kitchen utensils and seasonings neatly arranged.

The stove, cutting board, pots and pans are all complete and brand new, making them very convenient to use.

He Yuzhu stood in front of the cutting board and first demonstrated it himself.

He explained in great detail every step of the day's cooking process, from how to cut and prepare the ingredients to how to handle each dish.

After the demonstration, he addressed the three kitchen helpers.

"Go and practice the method I just taught you. Make sure you can do it exactly like I demonstrated."

The three kitchen helpers didn't dare to slack off and quickly picked up the ingredients, starting to prepare them carefully.

They already had a good foundation, and with their diligent study and hard work, the ingredients they cut were finally barely acceptable.

He Yuzhu seemed satisfied and nodded.

"Following this standard, let's cut and prepare all the ingredients needed for lunch."

The group spent the entire morning busy in the small kitchen.

Around noon, all the prepared ingredients were transformed into tables of fragrant dishes by He Yuzhu's own cooking.

Mihajlovic stayed by the door of the small kitchen from morning until noon, never leaving its side.

He smelled the aroma of food wafting from the kitchen, and his mouth watered.

Once the food was ready, he didn't say a word and shamelessly ate it for free.

During the meal, Mikhailovic wolfed down his food, constantly praising how delicious it was.

The Russian chefs watching from the sidelines were completely dumbfounded.

They watched as He Yuzhu skillfully tossed and stirred the food in the wok, his movements fluid, elegant, and efficient.

The ingredients in the pot are perfectly heated by the fire and the pot, and the aroma is instantly released.

They had never seen such exquisite wok-flipping skills in their lives, and their admiration for her grew even stronger.

After tasting He Yuzhu's cooking, they were completely won over.

The food was fresh, fragrant, and rich in flavor, with distinct layers of taste, a hundred times tastier than the food they usually made.

One of the most senior chefs immediately put down his chopsticks and bowed deeply to He Yuzhu.

He spoke earnestly and urgently.

"Master He, your cooking skills are amazing! I want to become your apprentice, please teach me!"

The other chefs echoed this sentiment, all revealing expressions of wanting to become apprentices.

He Yuzhu looked at the crowd in front of him, gently shook his head, and politely declined.

"I'm so sorry, I can't take you as my apprentices."

"I'm only staying here temporarily; I can't stay at the steel mill forever to teach you cooking."

Upon hearing this, the chefs' faces instantly showed extreme disappointment, their eyes filled with dejection.

Seeing their dejected expressions, He Yuzhu felt a pang of pity and spoke up.

"Although I cannot take you as my apprentices, I can teach you some simple and common dishes during my time here."

"At the same time, I would also like to learn about your local specialties so we can exchange ideas and learn from each other."

Upon hearing this, the chefs' previously disappointed faces instantly brightened with smiles again.

They nodded in agreement quickly, their faces beaming with joy, and thanked He Yuzhu repeatedly.

The small kitchen was bustling with food preparation for the rest of the afternoon.

He Yuzhu personally drew up a detailed menu based on the needs of the five banquet tables.

Each table is set with a standard of ten dishes and one soup, with a mix of meat and vegetables, and both spicy and non-spicy options.

He specifically instructed the kitchen helper to prepare extra ingredients for each dish.

Because he knew that these Russians had a much larger appetite than people in China.

It would be very impolite if we didn't prepare enough ingredients and there wasn't enough food to eat.

Moreover, the dishes he selected also took into account multiple different cuisines.

After all, it's impossible to please everyone, so preparing several different styles of dishes is the only way to satisfy everyone's taste preferences.

Following He Yuzhu's instructions, the kitchen helpers methodically washed, cut, and marinated the ingredients, creating a bustling scene in the small kitchen.

He Yuzhu provided guidance from the sidelines, overseeing the processing standards for each ingredient.

Time passed by little by little, and before we knew it, it was evening.

The banquet officially began, and the food in the small kitchen was gradually being cooked.

He Yuzhu stir-fried and plated the dishes methodically, making each dish look, smell, and taste delicious.

After the last dish, a brightly colored tomato and egg soup, was served.

Someone rushed into the small kitchen, shouting He Yuzhu's name.

The person who arrived was none other than Mihajlovic, who had been busy running around doing everything.

He ran excitedly to He Yuzhu and said in a hurried tone.

"Hey, quick! All the leaders up ahead want to meet you, this amazing Chinese chef!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu stopped what he was doing and nodded.

He casually took off his clean chef's uniform, removed his chef's hat, and tidied his clothes.

Then, with a calm and composed expression, he followed Mihajlovic to the main table of the banquet.

Along the way, many factory cadres turned their heads and curiously looked at He Yuzhu.

Their eyes were full of curiosity and admiration, and the murmurs of discussion were endless.

Soon, the two arrived at the main table of the banquet.

Mihajlovic quickly stepped forward and warmly introduced He Yuzhu to the leaders present.

Those present were all high-ranking officials from the steel plant, including three deputy plant directors and several department heads and deputy department heads, each with an extraordinary background.

Upon seeing He Yuzhu, everyone showered him with praise.

They praised him for his superb culinary skills at such a young age, saying he was truly a promising young man.

After the praise, the leaders raised their glasses and took the initiative to toast He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu did not refuse, picked up his glass, and generously drank a glass of wine with the leaders.

After taking a sip of wine, the deputy factory director, who held the highest rank and the most authority, smiled, waved his hand, and spoke.

"Everyone, don't be shy, relax, eat and drink as you please, and enjoy the food!"

As soon as the leader finished speaking, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became enthusiastic.

The toasting ceremony then officially began.

More than fifty factory cadres attended the banquet.

Among these people were those who had heard before that He Yuzhu had an amazing alcohol tolerance and could drink a lot without getting drunk, and they specifically wanted to come and have a drinking contest with him.

Some had heard that He Yuzhu was a skilled marksman and had exceptional physical abilities, and wanted to get to know him.

Others were simply drawn in by the exquisitely delicious food and were only interested in indulging in the feast.

He Yuzhu accepted every toast offered to him.

No matter who offered him a toast, he would pick up the glass and drink it all in one gulp without refusing at all.

Despite downing glass after glass of baijiu, He Yuzhu's expression remained unchanged, showing no signs of drunkenness.

His eyes remained clear, and his steps were as steady as a mountain, showing no signs of drunkenness whatsoever.

On the contrary, the officials who came to offer toasts were all flushed and their words were slurred.

By the end, even the deputy directors of the steel mill dared not let He Yuzhu drink any more.

Looking at He Yuzhu's incredible drinking capacity, they were both surprised and worried, fearing that he might drink himself into a stupor or cause problems.

If this exceptionally skilled Chinese chef were to have an accident at the factory, the consequences would be unimaginable.

After the deputy factory directors spoke, everyone stopped taking turns toasting He Yuzhu.

However, they themselves did not stop drinking, and the atmosphere at the scene remained lively.

The delicious food on the table was visibly disappearing as everyone devoured it.

Every dish was very popular, and they were almost all snatched up as soon as they were served.

Several deputy factory directors, emboldened by the alcohol, pulled He Yuzhu aside for a few casual words.

However, they only talked about trivial and meaningless pleasantries.

The deputy factory director said he had been to China before and still fondly remembered its food and scenery.

The section chief said he had worked as a low-level smuggler on the border and had made many contributions.

Anyway, they rambled on and on, without saying a single serious word, and no one asked He Yuzhu why he had come to the steel mill.

He Yuzhu knew exactly what was going on, but he remained calm and patiently dealt with the situation throughout.

He never expected to secure the steel order by relying on this meal.

He knew that such cooperation involving large sums of money would inevitably involve layers of communication and a series of procedures, and could not be accomplished overnight.

All the factory's cadres thoroughly enjoyed the banquet and drank heartily.

Everyone praised He Yuzhu's cooking skills and admired his drinking capacity even more.

As the banquet was drawing to a close, He Yuzhu thought of the kitchen helpers who were busy in the small kitchen.

He looked at Mihajlovic and asked.

"The kitchen helpers have been busy all afternoon, what should we do for dinner?"

Mihajlovic patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder and said with a smile.

"Don't worry, they definitely won't go hungry. I've already made arrangements and left them plenty of food."

He Yuzhu was relieved to hear this.

After the banquet was completely over, He Yuzhu and Mihajlovic saw off all the factory leaders one by one.

As the leaders' cars drove away one after another, He Yuzhu turned to look at Mihajlovic.

He asked in a serious tone.

"Mikhail, what's next? This meal is clearly not enough."

Upon hearing this, Mihajlovic couldn't help but laugh and patted He Yuzhu's arm.

"Hey, you don't really think you can secure the steel order with just this one meal, do you?"

He Yuzhu shrugged and said in a calm tone.

"I know it's not that simple, so what do you suggest we do next?"

Mihajlovic leaned close to He Yuzhu, lowered his voice, and revealed his plan.

"There are too many people here this time, and the occasion is too public, so there are many things that are not convenient to discuss."

"I will invite Deputy Factory Director Petrov to the small courtyard where we are temporarily staying."

"Then you can show off your skills and cook a table of exquisite private dishes just to entertain him alone."

"It's much easier to discuss things in private than at a public banquet like this."

After this incident, Mihajlovic has completely come to regard He Yuzhu as one of his own.

When they spoke, they unconsciously used the term "we," which made them seem especially close.

To be honest, He Yuzhu did Mihajlovic a huge favor by having this meal today.

Normally, as an ordinary cadre, he would never have the opportunity to come into contact with so many high-level leaders in the factory.

Not to mention having dinner with so many leaders at once and getting to know them.

However, by taking advantage of He Yuzhu's culinary skills, he not only met with all the leaders today, but also left a good impression.

From now on, things will undoubtedly go much more smoothly and conveniently for him when he gets things done at the factory.

After listening to Mihajlovic's plan, He Yuzhu nodded in agreement without the slightest hesitation.

"No problem, you can arrange it, I'll cooperate fully."

"However, there's one thing: this matter can't be delayed for too long; we can't just stay here and waste our time."

"There are still many things waiting for us to deal with back home, and time is of the essence."

Mikhailovic looked at He Yuzhu with a reluctant expression on his face and said sincerely.

"Oh, if only you could stay here forever!"

"Why don't you just stay in the steel mill and become the head chef instead of going back to China? I guarantee you'll eat well and drink well here, and live a very comfortable life."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu quickly waved his hand and firmly refused.

"No, I can't stay here. My family and friends are all in China. I can't leave them."

Upon hearing this, Mihajlovic's eyes lit up, and he quickly replied.

"What's so difficult about that? Just bring your whole family over, isn't that enough?"

He Yuzhu looked at him and couldn't help but laugh, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"You think you can decide that? It's not as simple as you think."

Moving family members across borders involves countless complicated procedures and approvals, and it is by no means an easy task.

Upon hearing this, Mihajlovic was speechless, and an embarrassed expression appeared on his face.

He opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a word for a long time before realizing that he had boasted.

The steel mill might be able to find a way to retain a culinary talent like He Yuzhu.

However, it is practically impossible to bring his entire family over from China.

Seeing his embarrassed state, He Yuzhu didn't tease him too much, but spoke up.

"Alright, stop thinking about these useless things. Let's focus on the important matters at hand."

"Quickly arrange the dinner for Deputy Plant Manager Petrov and finalize the steel order."

Mihajlovic quickly snapped out of his daze and nodded emphatically.

"Okay! I'll do as you say. I'll get on with the arrangements in the next couple of days and make sure it doesn't cause any delays."

After discussing business, He Yuzhu started talking about his personal matters.

He took advantage of his free time these past few days to stroll around the streets near the steel mill several times.

I saw many products that are rarely seen in China, and I thought about bringing some back for my family and friends.

But when it came time to pay, he found himself penniless, without a single local coin.

He also had no suitable items on him to barter with the locals.

Left with no other choice, he could only suppress the thought for the time being.

He Yuzhu looked at Mihajlovic and said in a somewhat embarrassed tone.

"By the way, I'm really short on your Russian currency, it's making it inconvenient to buy things. Could you help me figure out a solution?"

Upon hearing this, Mikhailovich assumed that He Yuzhu wanted to borrow money from him, and immediately agreed readily.

"Borrow money? No problem. How much do you need? Just ask, I'll help if I can."

He Yuzhu quickly waved his hand and explained with a smile.

"No, no, no, you misunderstood me. I don't want to borrow money from you."

"I had some items on me that I had captured on the battlefield, such as watches and pens."

"Could you help me dispose of them privately and exchange them for some Russian dollars?"

Upon hearing this, Mihajlovic looked surprised and asked a question.

"You carry around these battlefield spoils with you when you're out and about?"

He Yuzhu sighed helplessly and spoke frankly.

"I didn't want to either, but I really had no choice. The travel allowance from above was too little; it wasn't enough at all."

"If I don't get rid of these things, I won't even be able to buy basic necessities."

Mihajlovic nodded upon hearing this and spoke.

"May I see what you brought?"

"If the products are suitable, I can definitely help you find a market."

He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"No problem, please wait a moment."

After saying that, He Yuzhu got up and walked straight to his luggage.

He crouched down and rummaged around at the bottom of the suitcase for quite a while.

Then, he carefully took out a small package that was wrapped tightly in cloth.

He took the small package back to the table and gently placed it on it.

Mihajlovic stared intently at the package on the table, his face full of curiosity.

He Yuzhu slowly unwrapped the layers of cloth, revealing the contents one by one.

Mihajlovic leaned closer to take a look, his eyes widened instantly, and his face showed an expression of utter shock.

He couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Rolex? Vacheron Constantin? And Parker gold pens?!"

"These are all top-tier luxury goods. How many high-ranking American officers did you rob?"

These items are extremely rare treasures in the area; even money can't guarantee you can buy them.

Seeing his shocked expression, He Yuzhu didn't offer much explanation, but simply asked in a calm tone.

"Never mind how I got them, just tell me, can you help me get rid of these things?"

Mikhailovich quickly snapped out of his daze, nodding vigorously as he spoke excitedly.

"That's incredible! These are rare and highly sought-after items!"

"However, such valuable items can only be disposed of privately and must not be publicized, otherwise it will cause trouble."

He Yuzhu nodded and said earnestly.

"I know, as long as it won't cause you any trouble, just ask about the price for me first."

"If the price is right, you can help me sell some of it and exchange it for Bearcoin."

Mihajlovic patted his chest and assured him.

"You can rest assured, I have reliable connections, there will absolutely be no problems, and I won't cause any trouble for myself."

"By the way, can I take two samples first and ask the buyer for the price?"

Without a second thought, He Yuzhu readily agreed.

"No problem, pick whichever you like."

Mihajlovic was somewhat surprised to see how much He Yuzhu trusted him, and couldn't help but ask.

"You trust me that much? Aren't you afraid I'll run off with your things?"

He Yuzhu looked up at him, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said with certainty.

"You can't run away, and we still have a business relationship. You can't ruin your future for something like this."

"Besides, these things were obtained from the battlefield. Even if something goes wrong, it won't involve anything serious."

Upon hearing this, Mihajlovic quickly waved his hands and said earnestly.

"No, no, no, I'm not the kind of ungrateful person who would be greedy for petty gains."

"You trust me so much, I would never do anything to betray you."

After the two agreed on the terms, Mikhailovich carefully selected two watches and a Parker gold pen, and put them away with great care.

He then hurriedly left the courtyard to contact the buyer to deal with the items.

The next morning, Mihajlovic arrived at the courtyard with great excitement.

As soon as he entered, he placed a thick wad of Russian currency directly in front of He Yuzhu.

Mihajlovic's face was full of pride as he spoke excitedly.

"Hey, it's done! All the samples we got yesterday sold smoothly, and the prices were pretty good!"

He Yuzhu looked at the thick stack of coins on the table and felt quite satisfied.

Mihajlovic went on to explain.

"Most of the industrial products here are now produced and sold locally, and everyone values ​​simplicity and practicality."

"Luxury goods are extremely rare; most of what circulates on the market are small items captured during World War II."

"The leaders who were promoted later simply didn't have the means to obtain these top-tier luxury goods."

"These items of yours are in excellent condition, all brand new, everyone's eager to buy them."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu immediately took out several more items from the package and handed them to Mihajlovic.

"Thank you for your hard work. Please take these and get rid of them as well."

"By the way, while you're dealing with these things, don't forget to urge Deputy Director Petrov on his matter and try to get it arranged as quickly as possible."

Mikhailovich carefully took the item and nodded in response.

"Don't worry, don't worry, I've got it all in mind. I'll give you a definite answer in the next couple of days."

After saying that, Mihajlovic grabbed his things and hurriedly left again.

At this moment, Mihajlovic felt more and more that He Yuzhu was his lucky star.

These luxury goods can not only be exchanged for real money, but also used to give gifts to leaders and cultivate relationships.

Moreover, since it was taken from He Yuzhu's side, even if it were given away, it wouldn't leave any hidden dangers for him.

The brand-new luxury goods were kept privately by the leaders, who felt particularly at ease.

After receiving the Bear Coins, He Yuzhu went straight to the local bookstore.

He knew that there was a severe shortage of professional books on various industrial and metallurgical fields in China.

Many advanced technical materials and professional textbooks are simply unavailable in the country.

Even if you buy it abroad, it's very difficult to bring it back to China through normal channels.

But these problems are no problem at all for He Yuzhu, who has his own personal space.

Let alone a few books, he could easily take away any amount of stuff.

However, he didn't want to do anything underhanded, like stealing chickens or dogs, just for a few books; that would be beneath his dignity.

The local bookstores are filled with a wide variety of professional books.

As soon as He Yuzhu entered the bookstore, he began a shopping spree.

Metallurgical technology, steelmaking processes, mechanical manufacturing, industrial design... he collected all the professional books that were scarce in China.

The bookstore staff were incredibly puzzled to see He Yuzhu, a foreigner, buying so many professional books at once.

They had never seen anyone buy so many professional books at once, so they couldn't help but ask a few more questions.

He Yuzhu smiled gently and explained in a natural tone.

"I am a technician who came to the steel plant from China to learn and observe. I don't understand a lot of professional knowledge, so I need to buy some books to study back home."

He had a decent appearance and clear eyes, and he certainly looked like a diligent and inquisitive young technician.

Upon hearing this, the staff member smiled and said...

"Since it's for studying, you can get a library card and borrow books here. There's no need to spend money to buy them."

After he finished speaking, the staff member realized what he had said and gave an awkward laugh.

They suddenly remembered that He Yuzhu was a foreigner and had no way of getting a proper library card here.

Seeing the staff's embarrassed expressions, He Yuzhu didn't point it out, but just smiled faintly.

However, the staff still followed regulations and requested to see He Yuzhu's relevant documents.

He Yuzhu cooperated by taking out his letter of introduction and handing it to the staff for inspection.

After the staff carefully checked and confirmed that everything was correct, they proceeded without any further obstruction and successfully packed all the books that He Yuzhu had selected.

After paying, He Yuzhu carried a thick stack of books and left the bookstore.

He deliberately took a detour and walked into a secluded, deserted alley.

After confirming that no one was around, he had a thought, and the thick stack of professional books on the table was instantly stored in his personal space.

He had bought up all the rare and specialized books available in the bookstore.

He Yuzhu was thinking that on his way back, he would visit bookstores in major cities like Kyiv and Moscow.

After all, this is just an ordinary steel city with a limited variety of books. Bookstores in big cities certainly have more scarce professional materials.

Two days later, Mihajlovic excitedly came to the courtyard and brought He Yuzhu good news.

He said excitedly as soon as he entered the door.

"Hey, it's done! Everything's arranged!"

"I've already made an appointment with Deputy Factory Director Petrov for dinner at our courtyard the day after tomorrow."

"Not only Deputy Factory Director Petrov, but also my direct deputy factory director will come together."

"These two are people who keep their word in the steel mill. As long as we treat them well, the order will definitely be fine."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu nodded and spoke.

"Great, tell me the two leaders' taste preferences, and I'll make another ingredient list."

"Please prepare all the necessary ingredients for me in advance, and make sure they are fresh and of high quality."

Mihajlovic quickly replied.

"No problem, just give me the list, and I promise to prepare the best ingredients for you perfectly."

Time flew by, and the appointed day arrived.

He Yuzhu got up early and started tidying up the kitchen in the courtyard, ready to show off his skills.

Mihajlovic also delivered fresh ingredients on time, with a wide variety and excellent quality.

In the evening, Deputy Factory Director Petrov and another directly supervised deputy factory director arrived at the courtyard on time.

The moment He Yuzhu saw Deputy Factory Director Petrov, he instantly understood why things had gone so smoothly.

On the breast pocket of Deputy Factory Director Petrov was a brand new Parker gold pen.

On his wrist, he also wore a Rolex watch that was understated in style but quite valuable.

The deputy factory director next to him was wearing a watch on his wrist, the same model that He Yuzhu had previously given to Mihajlovic to handle.

He Yuzhu instantly understood. He walked over to Mihajlovic without making a sound and asked quietly in a low voice.

"Did you keep the things I gave you and give them to the two factory managers?"

Upon hearing this, Mihajlovic gave He Yuzhu a sly smile and said in a cryptic tone.

"He, you don't need to worry about the details of this matter."

"Anyway, I won't let myself suffer a loss, and I certainly won't let you suffer a loss. We're both trying to secure the order smoothly."

He Yuzhu glanced at him and reminded him earnestly.

"You know what's going on, those things are all very valuable, don't waste them."

Mihajlovic said with a smile.

"That's why it needs to be used in the right place and on the right people to be most effective."

The old man had a meaningful look on his face, and He Yuzhu instantly understood what was going on.

The two exchanged a knowing smile and said nothing more.

He Yuzhu turned and walked into the kitchen in the courtyard, focusing on cooking.

Mikhailovich stayed in the courtyard and warmly received the two deputy directors of the steel plant.

Of course, Mihajlovic wasn't the only one present.

Several other high-ranking officials from the steel plant were specially invited by Mihajlovic to drink with him and keep him in line.

Inside the kitchen, He Yuzhu was completely absorbed in cooking.

He inquired about the two deputy factory directors' taste preferences beforehand and, based on his previous experience, meticulously prepared each dish.

This meal was a semi-customized banquet specially tailored for the two leaders.

Before all the dishes had been served, the two deputy factory directors in the courtyard were already completely captivated by the aroma of the food.

Deputy Factory Director Petrov couldn't resist and quickly sent someone to the kitchen to invite He Yuzhu over for drinks and a chat.

He Yuzhu stir-fried the last dish in the pot until it was evenly mixed, then plated it and served it.

He carried the steaming, fragrant dishes and walked straight into the courtyard.

Upon seeing He Yuzhu, Deputy Factory Director Petrov immediately gave him a thumbs-up and praised him generously.

"Wow, your cooking is absolutely amazing! This is it!"

"When I went to China before, I ate a lot of local food, but none of it was as good as yours!"

He Yuzhu spoke with a humble smile and a respectful tone.

"You flatter me too much. It's just some simple home cooking, nothing to brag about."

Deputy Director Petrov waved his hand and said in a warm tone.

"Young comrade, you're too modest. Come on, sit down and eat and drink with us."

"I must have a good drink with you today, to thank you for all the delicious food you've prepared."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu quickly declined.

"Director Petrov, I'm so sorry, there are still a few dishes that haven't been finished in the kitchen, I have to hurry up and get back to work."

Deputy Factory Director Petrov waved his hand with a smile and said in a hearty tone.

"No need, no need, there's already more than enough food, we can't possibly finish it all."

"If there's really not enough food later, we can make more. Sit down!"

Seeing that the leader had repeatedly invited him, He Yuzhu stopped refusing and said respectfully.

"Then I shall respectfully accept your invitation and have a few drinks with you leaders."

Upon seeing this, Deputy Factory Director Petrov burst into laughter and said with great satisfaction.

"Haha, that's more like it! Young people should be more carefree!"

In these private settings, where there are no outsiders, it's convenient to speak freely.

At Mihajlovic's tacit instruction, the group toasted each other and drank several rounds of wine.

The atmosphere became exceptionally harmonious, and everyone became slightly tipsy.

He Yuzhu seized the opportunity, raised his wine glass, and looked at Deputy Factory Director Petrov.

He asked in a calm and composed tone.

"Foreman Petrov, regarding our order to purchase steel from the steel mill, do you have any thoughts on that?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room paused slightly.

Deputy Factory Director Petrov held his wine glass, pondered for a moment, and then spoke in a cheerful tone.

"No problem, I'll take care of it!"

After saying that, he turned to the deputy factory director next to him and asked a question.

"Old buddy, what do you think about this?"

The deputy factory director in charge immediately smiled and nodded, speaking with certainty.

"I completely agree. Chef He's cooking skills are so good, and he's such a straightforward person. We must support this collaboration."

With both leaders agreeing, the matter was essentially settled.

However, they also took the opportunity to put forward their own small conditions.

"I'm talking to Deputy Factory Director Petrov with a smile," he said.

"The only condition is that before you leave, Master He, you must cook us a few more delicious meals."

"We are completely won over by your cooking skills, and we really can't bear to part with this taste."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu smiled broadly and readily agreed.

"These are minor matters. If any of you leaders wish to eat something, please feel free to ask, and I will personally cook it for you."

However, when He Yuzhu saw the smile on Mihajlovic's lips, he understood completely.

These two deputy factory directors must have the same idea as Mikhailovich.

They all wanted to use He Yuzhu's culinary skills as a stepping stone to build relationships and entertain important guests.

He Yuzhu didn't care about this matter at all.

His primary goal was to secure the steel order and get his business done.

As for helping them cook and smooth things over, it was just a small favor.

Moreover, maintaining a good relationship with the steel mill's leaders will be beneficial for my future.

Perhaps next time we need to collaborate, all it takes is a telegram or a phone call to easily resolve the issue.

No need to take such a long train ride and travel thousands of miles like this time, which is both troublesome and a waste of time.

The following week, things went exceptionally well.

The steel mill's production schedule and steel delivery orders were all successfully handed over to He Yuzhu.

The moment He Yuzhu received the receipt, the weight that had been hanging over him finally lifted.

However, the pickup location was not in the steel mill's local area.

As agreed, the steel mill will ship all the steel to the border crossing between China and Russia.

He Yuzhu and his group only needed to go to the border port to complete the cargo pick-up procedures.

He Yuzhu was also busy during this week.

He hosted four more banquets for the steel mill.

On two occasions, the event took place in the steel mill's canteen, where important guests from the factory were entertained.

On two other occasions, important figures were privately entertained in a small courtyard arranged by Mikhailovich.

As for who exactly he was entertaining, He Yuzhu had no interest in asking.

Those people never introduced him, the temporary cook, to the banquet, and he was happy to have a quiet life.

It was precisely through Mihajlovic's invitation to the banquet that he was able to establish relationships with leaders at all levels within the factory.

He Yuzhu was fortunate enough to receive permission to visit the steel plant in a slightly more in-depth manner.

I saw many of the core production areas and technology workshops that I wasn't able to visit last time.

After a thorough tour of the steel plant, He Yuzhu had a new idea in mind.

However, to realize this idea, he still needs to make some careful preparations and cannot act rashly.

In his spare time, He Yuzhu began to quietly prepare for his new plan.

He first went to several different stores and bought a large quantity of film and camera batteries.

To avoid attracting attention, he deliberately wore simple makeup.

He covered his face with a thick beard and put on a pair of non-prescription glasses.

The person's appearance changed drastically in an instant, and even acquaintances would have difficulty recognizing them without careful observation.

Moreover, he deliberately did not buy the film and batteries from the same store.

At each store, I only bought a small number of items, thus completely avoiding arousing suspicion from others.

After completing all the preparations, He Yuzhu quietly waited for the right opportunity.

Finally, on a dark and windy night, when all was quiet...

It was pitch black outside, with only a few streetlights casting a dim glow.

The guards patrolling the steel mill also became much more lax because it was so dark.

He Yuzhu changed into dark clothes and, under the cover of night, quietly sneaked into the steel plant.

He had prepared a bicycle in advance and rode it on the small road in the steel plant.

With the help of the route I had noted during my previous visit and my keen observation skills.

He skillfully avoided the patrolling security personnel and made his way through without any obstacles.

His first target was the research and technology department of the steel plant.

After sneaking into the research department's office building, He Yuzhu easily found the data storage room.

He quietly opened the door and went straight to the corner where old files were piled up.

This place contains many long-abandoned and dusty scientific research archives from the steel plant.

This includes early renovation plans for the Azov steel plant, as well as supporting building and material information.

These documents are outdated and have no value to the steel mill, which is why they are simply piled up in a corner.

However, for the construction of steel plants in China, this information is an invaluable reference, saving countless hours of trial and error.

Without the slightest hesitation, He Yuzhu put all the thick stacks of files into his personal space.

In addition to these old archives, he also found the complete set of blueprints for the steel plant's core 250-ton tilting smelting furnace.

This blueprint is highly technical and plays a vital role in upgrading domestic steelmaking equipment.

After putting away the paper files and drawings, He Yuzhu took out the camera he had prepared in advance.

In the research lab, they quickly took photos to save the latest steelmaking technology data, smelting formulas for various types of steel, and design drawings for new smelting furnaces.

His movements were clean, efficient, and extremely fast, without making a sound at all.

After taking photos of the research department's materials, He Yuzhu quietly sneaked into the steel plant's batching workshop.

He carefully took some of the steelmaking raw materials that had already been mixed in the workshop.

They also collected various samples of basic raw materials used in steelmaking, intending to bring them back to China for research and analysis.

After carefully collecting all the important documents and samples, He Yuzhu checked the time and found that there was still time left.

He decided to follow the route he had noted down and went to the steel plant's underground area to visit the nuclear explosion protection facilities.

The only way to enter the facility is via the stairs.

He Yuzhu walked down the stairs step by step, and the deeper he went, the more shocked he felt.

The entire nuclear explosion protection facility was built to be extremely robust, with a complex structure and extremely comprehensive protective measures.

The interior is fully equipped with ventilation, storage, and emergency systems, exuding a sense of rigor and sophistication.

Even the well-informed He Yuzhu couldn't help but marvel at such a project.

After the visit, He Yuzhu left without lingering and quickly followed the original route.

As for the finished steel products in the steel mill, he didn't touch them at all.

Because steel is huge and incredibly heavy, a single steel ingot can weigh several tons.

Not only do they take up space, but even if they are brought back to China, there are no suitable channels to sell them.

In the current environment, no one would dare to acquire such a large quantity of steel on their own.

After successfully evacuating the steel plant and returning to his courtyard, He Yuzhu finally felt a huge weight lifted from his shoulders.

This late-night operation was thrilling yet safe, and yielded fruitful results.

With these technical data and samples, China's steelmaking technology will undoubtedly see a significant improvement.

After completing this important task, He Yuzhu finally relaxed completely.

He disguised himself again and went to the local market, where he bought a lot of things.

They bought a lot of live chickens, ducks and other poultry, as well as some live cattle and sheep.

However, after searching the entire market, I didn't see any vendors selling live pigs.

After purchasing these items, it was time for He Yuzhu and his group to set off for home.

Before leaving, He Yuzhu was once again conscripted by Mihajlovic.

The steel mill prepared a farewell banquet, and the chef in charge was still He Yuzhu.

He Yuzhu did not refuse and readily agreed, preparing a sumptuous meal to conclude this trip abroad.

After the farewell banquet, Mihajlovic personally drove He Yuzhu and the other two to the train station.

Before getting into the car, Mihajlovic specially took out several fine leather hats and gave them to the three of them.

The hat given to He Yuzhu was made of superior materials and exquisitely crafted, clearly worth a fortune.

He Yuzhu accepted the gift without hesitation.

Mihajlovic was very reluctant to leave the train station.

He stepped forward and gave He Yuzhu a big hug.

Mihajlovic's eyes reddened slightly as he spoke sincerely.

"He, my friend, you must remember me. You must come here again next time you have the chance!"

"I'll keep thinking about you. If you don't come, I'll come to China to find you myself!"

He Yuzhu gently patted his back, a calm smile on his face.

He knew in his heart that going abroad to carry out missions was not easy, and each trip required layers of approval.

Who knows when I'll be able to come back again?

But seeing Mihajlovic's reluctant expression, he didn't say anything to spoil the mood, and just nodded slightly.

After the hug, Mihajlovic secretly leaned close to He Yuzhu's ear and whispered some good news.

"Hey, I'm telling you, I might get a promotion!"

"The factory has tentatively decided to promote me to deputy director!"

"From now on, when you come to the steel mill to purchase steel or ask me for favors, it will be much simpler than this time. Leave everything to me!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu smiled sincerely and said to him.

"Congratulations, you deserve it."

Finally, Mihajlovic once again expressed his sincere gratitude to He Yuzhu.

I am grateful for his hard work during this period, and for the luxury goods he provided, which helped me make connections.

He Yuzhu simply smiled faintly and said calmly.

"There's nothing to thank me for. We each got what we needed, and I'm very satisfied with the outcome."

During this trip abroad, he not only successfully secured a steel order but also completed his mission.

They also acquired a large number of rare professional books and steelmaking technology materials, and their money was still intact.

As for Mihajlovic's promotion thanks to his connections, it was a good thing for him.

Having acquaintances here will make things much easier, and future collaborations will proceed much more smoothly.

The train whistles; it's about to depart.

He Yuzhu and his two companions waved goodbye to Mihajlovic and boarded the train back to China.

The train traveled along the route, and when it passed through Kyiv, the three of them made a point of staying there for a few days.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, He Yuzhu went out on a shopping spree to choose gifts for his family back home.

Stylish dresses, sharp Lenin suits, supple leather shoes, exquisite silk scarves, warm woolen scarves, thick woolen coats...

He bought everything he thought his family would like.

At the same time, he did not forget to visit the major bookstores in Kyiv.

Each bookstore purchased only a small amount, buying from various sources, which resulted in the collection of a large number of professional books that are scarce in China.

After leaving Kyiv, the train arrived in Moscow.

With their mission abroad now fully accomplished, the three of them felt extremely relaxed and decided to take the opportunity to travel around.

He Yuzhu and his two companions strolled around Moscow's famous Red Square, visited local architectural landmarks, and experienced the unique culture and customs of this foreign land.

During his trip, He Yuzhu once again went on a solo shopping spree.

In addition to the various items he had previously purchased, he also bought a number of electronic products that are rare in China, such as radios and phonographs.

They also bought exquisite dolls, electric toy trains, and other toys for the children in the family.

These toys are quite expensive, costing as much as several months' wages for an average local worker.

He also specially selected fur knee pads and a warm fur vest for the elderly lady in his family, which were both warm and comfortable.

Fortunately, he had sold a lot of luxury goods captured on the battlefield while working at the steel mill, and made a large sum of money.

Mihajlovic did not treat him unfairly, offering a very fair price.

Otherwise, even if he wanted to buy so many things, he wouldn't have enough money.

The train traveled eastward and eventually arrived at the border city of Manzhouli.

Upon arriving in Manzhouli, He Yuzhu and his two companions received a notification.

They needed to leave people stationed in Manzhouli to wait for the steel from the steel mill and to complete the border clearance procedures.

This trip was exhausting, and Wei and Zheng were already feeling the pinch, missing their families.

He Yuzhu made a direct decision to send Wei and Zheng back to China first.

He told the two to send a message home as soon as they got back to let their families know they were safe.

He himself voluntarily stayed behind to guard Manzhouli and wait to receive the steel that was about to arrive.

He had his own selfish reasons for choosing to stay.

The reason was that after he was maliciously reported missing, a series of upsetting things happened at home that completely disgusted him.

He worried that if he returned to China this time, some ignorant people would come looking for trouble again.

These people are shameless and engage in petty tricks; you can't completely deal with them, much less kill them.

Even if someone is sent to the relevant department, they will only receive a few days of simple education before being released.

The back-and-forth is really annoying.

Rather than facing these unpleasant issues upon returning home, it's better to stay at the border and handle the aftermath in peace and quiet.

Once the steel is successfully delivered and everything is completely settled, it won't be too late to return to China.