Xu Damao's Thirty-Six Stratagems in Siheyuan

Xu Damao suddenly thought of Yan Yikuan.

I don't know what this guy is like now, and I haven't seen him take action against me. It seems that he doesn't like the painting too much. After all, there are many paintings of Shen Zhou handed down from generation to generation, but there are fewer large-scale ones.

Xu Damao would not fight a battle he was not sure of. He thought that he should find out more about Yan Yikuan's current situation. He would ask Guo Jiawei for information. Yes, he would ask Guo Jiawei to find out tomorrow. Now that he had thought of this matter, he still had to prepare. Only by knowing the enemy and knowing yourself can you be invincible.

Xu Damao slept soundly all night. When he woke up in the morning, Gu Meifang had already prepared breakfast, towels and toothbrushes.

"Meifang, you don't need to do this. You can cook, but you don't need to do this for washing your face and brushing your teeth. I come from a poor family, and I can't stand you treating me like a landlord. Besides, you're pregnant now, so you need to rest more. No, let's move back to my old compound and let Shazhu, the cook, cook for us."

"Da Mao, I'm not tired. I'm used to working. I feel uncomfortable all over when I suddenly stop working."

"Okay, you can learn standing meditation with Xiaoyong someday. Also, you can learn some culture and literacy. I will teach you when I have time, but if I don't, you can look up the dictionary. Who knows, you may be the boss of a big company or a wealthy person in charge of a large business in the future."

"Da Mao, can I learn it? I have never learned to read before. I learned a few characters from Xiao Yu and can write my own name."

"Everything is difficult at the beginning, but you will learn it as you go along."

"Okay, I'll listen to you. I have nothing to do during the day anyway."

While Xu Damao was having breakfast, he explained some basic knowledge about standing meditation to Gu Meifang and gave her two copies of the basic ones before riding his bicycle to the factory to work.

Unexpectedly, Li Huaide asked his secretary to come and ask Xu Damao to go to his office early in the morning.

"Luckily I wasn't late, otherwise I would have been caught."

"Director Li, you're looking for me?"

"Xiao Xu, I reported to the department leaders yesterday. The department attaches great importance to the rehearsal of our troupe's model operas. Maybe some leaders will come to visit this week. You should say hello to the troupe first and rehearse Sha Jia Bang. Maybe it will be the time for our Red Star Troupe to show up."

"Really? That's great. Director, this will motivate the actors and staff of the troupe even more. Oh, by the way, Director, I have something to report to you. I'll give the five yuan per person in the funds you approved yesterday as overtime allowance to the actors and staff. Is that okay? I've kept the records."

"Xiao Xu, it's okay, you did a good job. Revolutionaries need to eat. You can't do your job well if you're hungry. In the past, the emperor didn't lack hungry soldiers. If you want the horse to run fast, you can't do it without night grass. This is how I specially approved the funds to be used."

"Hehe, the director is still far-sighted. I have learned from him. Director, don't worry, I will notify the troupe now and ask them to intensify their training and complete the performance task assigned by their superiors."

"Okay, I believe you will do a good job. The publicity window in the factory area must also be well done."

"Don't worry. There are photos of the troupe's performances on the blackboards in the factory. I am also planning to have the troupe perform for the factory employees during the National Day holiday."

"That's a good idea, but it might be too late for the National Day. Let's put it off until New Year's Day. It's better to report the performance to the leader first. Maybe we will have to go out and perform right away."

"Okay, Director, I understand. I'll make the arrangements first."

Xu Damao told everyone that the department was going to send leaders to care for the Red Star Little Theater. Everyone was very excited.

Being able to show up in front of the leaders and possibly participate in performances outside is not only an honor, but also economically beneficial. This is especially true for actors and staff who have been transferred from the front line. The troupe is so comfortable, the salary is not low, and there are subsidies. Now you can show up, and maybe you can be noticed by the art troupe outside and become an actor directly. Everyone has dreams. Even if you stay in the factory troupe, it is better than being in the front line.

Xu Damao and Wu Lingjuan discussed that they should rehearse well in the next few days to make it a hit. The premiere is very important. In order to better stimulate the enthusiasm of the troupe, three yuan was taken out of the special funds every day to buy meat and give the actors and staff a braised pork meal at noon.

This made He Yuzhu feel a little jealous.

"Brother Zhuzi, I'm counting on you to provide the braised pork for our troupe members during this period. But let me be frank, four pounds of meat a day is a must, and you can't withhold any. At most, I'll allow you to try one or two pieces."

"Xu Damao, who do you think I, He Yuzhu, am? By the way, does your troupe need anyone else?"

"I don't know. This matter requires the approval of the leader. But Brother Zhuzi, you can't act, and you don't have any talent, so it won't be your turn anyway."

"Sister-in-law, you can. Consider it."

"Hey, your sister-in-law is very busy now. If she goes to the troupe and goes out to rehearse, who will take care of your two children? You. And as far as I know, sister-in-law Yu Li doesn't have any talent in this area. You, just rest assured. The braised pork can't be discounted. The leaders take this matter very seriously. Brother Zhuzi, you can't dance on the cusp of the storm, or something bad will happen."

"Okay, don't worry."

He Yuzhu is still craving for braised pork with you. But he has also heard that the leaders above will see the results this time. Withholding is definitely not an option.

Xu Damao took advantage of the braised pork at noon and had lunch with the troupe members, then rode his bicycle to the department store to find Guo Jiawei.

After asking, I found out that Guo Jiawei was still on the night shift and went home to sleep. Hey, this department store is really quite impressive. Xu Damao hadn't noticed the scale of the department store at first. Now it seems that this unit is really a good unit. Guo Xiaosan still has connections and can buy a formal job here with money.

"Xiao San, are you home?" The gate to the courtyard was not locked.

Xu Damao entered Xiao San's yard with familiarity.

"Comrade, who are you looking for? My mistress?"

"Auntie, are you Jiawei's mother? Oh my, I've known Xiao San for so many years, but this is the first time I call you that. I'm so sorry. I'm Xu Damao, from the steel mill. I do have something to do with Xiao San."

"Xiao San is lying in her room. There's no one to take care of Xiao San's child, so I'll come over during the day to help take care of the child. I'll ask him to go for you."

"Okay, Auntie. Actually, I just want to say a few words."

"Then just go directly into his room."

"That's fine." Xu Damao didn't act pretentiously, he just lifted the door curtain and walked into the house. Straight into the bedroom.

Guo Xiaosan is sleeping soundly.

"Hey, San'er, what time did you go to bed? You're even snoring." Xu Damao pushed Guo Jiawei.

"Who is it? Let me sleep a little longer. I'm very sleepy."

"San'er, I'm Xu Damao. Wake up. Just a few words."

"Ah? Brother Mao, how come you have time to look for me today? What a coincidence! I said I would look for you this weekend."

Guo Xiaosan sat up from the bed and put on a coat.

"Brother Mao? Something? Just say it."

"San'er, do you still remember Yan Yikuan? I asked you to ask about that person."

"Remember, that second-generation rich guy, the one with a strong backing? He's a powerful guy. What's going on? Is he causing trouble for you? Or is it about that painting?"

"No, I just suddenly thought of it these past few days, and I want you to find out more about his current situation. I feel uneasy without knowing his current situation."

"Okay, I'll find out for you in the next few days. I'll figure it out for you in a week at most."

"By the way, Brother Mao? Have you been collecting toys lately?"

"San'er, do you have any interesting things? If you have any, take them, but they must come from legitimate sources. Otherwise, we can't touch them."

"There must be no problem with where they came from. We are destroying the Four Olds now. Some people are afraid of having their homes confiscated. Do you think someone will save some money?"

"What kind of goods?"

"Paintings and calligraphy, old books, and porcelain and other things."

"San'er, yes. But the price is very low now. It will never be as high as it was back then. You know all this, right?"

"That's right. How can it be compared with previous years? The price is very cheap now. It's good enough if I can pay back some money. If I keep it at home, it may be a disaster at any time. I just thought that Brother Mao might be interested."

"Okay, you keep in touch. Call me directly if you have any news. Or you can find me at East 40th Street. If you can really see it, just help me get it. I won't forget your share."

"Okay, let's put it this way. I'll hurry up and find out everything about Yan Shi's situation for you."