Chapter 165: Brotherly Bond—May It Last Forever

Jin Peng bought a sihe academy near Beijing's Liupukang as staff accommodation, assigning several employees with housing difficulties to live there.

Today, a small blackboard was erected in the courtyard, bearing the words "Case Analysis Lecture on Sales Promotion Order Chaos, 11. 6."

"As a manager, you must thoroughly understand business processes and resolve all potential safety hazards before they occur."

"Everyone knows what happened last week—customers, after enduring prolonged crowding and waiting, were on the verge of exploding with resentment."

"But the management of both malls failed to recognize the imminent danger and instead resorted to their usual suppression tactics."

"Our Pengcheng Seventh Factory has always prepared extensively before every promotion, allowing us to reach today's success—but now we must set higher standards for ourselves."

The "instructor" standing before the blackboard was unmistakably Ma Qianshan.

Ma Qianshan wore a crisp suit today, his shoes and hair gleaming, his elegant teaching rod gesturing sharply, exuding the aura of a successful-life lecturer.

The audience for the case analysis session numbered seven or eight, mostly young employees under Pengcheng Seventh Factory, such as Fang Hongmei, now a core staff member at the Xiushuijie store.

The only older person was Fang Dajie, the leader of the short-term workers, Fang Zhifang.

But whether young or old, all held pens and notebooks, listening intently and taking meticulous notes.

What happened last week was utterly unexpected.

Since launching promotions, Pengcheng Seventh Factory had always proceeded smoothly; no one imagined danger lurked beneath.

After hearing just a summary, they were all startled and shaken—so now, with Ma Qianshan willing to "share experience," everyone eagerly accepted and learned.

"We won't discuss Dongcheng's situation—let's analyze Xicheng Department Store."

Ma Qianshan carefully checked his notes, then wrote three large characters on the board: "Convenience for Customers."

He turned and said: "Most customers at Xicheng Department Store stay over two hours; lingering two hours in a crowded environment will make even the calmest person irritable."

"During our promotions, customers now stay an average of forty minutes—but do you know what it used to be?"

Ma Qianshan said seriously: "Seventy minutes. Customers needed seventy minutes to select their desired product combinations and proceed to the cash register."

"Reducing it from seventy minutes to forty minutes—was this the result of multiple outstanding employees brainstorming and working together?"

Ma Qianshan pointed down at Fang Hongmei: "Fang Hongmei analyzed all customer purchase data, identified the most common product pairings, 【22】 then collaborated with Sales Team Leader Qi Ruyun to repeatedly adjust product placements, achieving today's results. 【23】 We've made things convenient for customers—now they can easily buy all needed items at nearby counters in one go. Will they still linger in the crowd?"

Then, in coordination with Sales Team Leader Qi Ruyun, we repeatedly adjusted the placement of goods until we achieved the current effect,

We have made things convenient for customers, allowing them to purchase all the items they need in one go at nearby counters—so would they still linger in a crowded environment?

"Therefore, Fang Hongmei and Qi Ruyun deserve immense credit—the company has decided to award each of them a 100-yuan innovation bonus."

"."

Fang Hongmei, feeling the stares of her colleagues, nervously said: "I—I didn't come up with any innovation; I just did my job."

"Cough, cough, Fang Hongmei, don't be modest—our innovation bonus is meant to encourage effective new methods."

"If your method works, you deserve the reward—so don't refuse."

Fang Hongmei felt embarrassed, because that so-called "innovation" was originally a plan Ma Qianshan gave her, instructing her to follow step by step.

As for work, she admitted she did contribute a little—but true innovation? That was never hers.

"Aren't you going to thank the company for their kindness?"

Fang Dajie, Fang Hongmei's aunt, pushed her gently, urging her to accept the 100-yuan bonus.

Fang Dajie had spent her whole career in the workplace—she could see clearly this was Ma Qianshan setting up a model, using Fang Hongmei as an example to motivate other young employees who joined Pengcheng Seventh Factory at the same time.

This was an opportunity—a chance for rapid promotion.

In her old workplace, such opportunities were impossible to grasp without some soft or hard power—but here at Pengcheng Seventh Factory, if you worked hard, you'd surely reap rewards.

Though this sales team at Pengcheng Seventh Factory was still green, the atmosphere within thrilled Fang Dajie.

Being around these young people every day felt like returning to thirty years ago, when she too had chased ideals, willing to give everything.

But after repeated setbacks, Fang Dajie had quietly abandoned her dreams, sinking into ordinariness.

Now, it seemed she saw that glimmer of hope again.

Fang Dajie subtly turned her head toward the side room of the sihe academy, and through its glass window, she seemed to glimpse the source of that light.

Three people were in the side room of the sihe academy.

One was Wang Qiang, who, like the students outside, was taking notes on Ma Qianshan's lecture points.

Another was Li Ye, also writing furiously—but he was writing in spare moments.

The lecture materials Ma Qianshan held were written by Li Ye himself, so why would he need to listen to Ma Qianshan's rambling?

The most interesting person was Jin Peng.

Jin Peng ate peanuts and drank beer while watching Ma Qianshan lecture outside, occasionally chuckling or shaking his head.

Li Ye looked up and said: "Peng Ge, look how eager Qiangzi is to learn. If you don't want to learn, fine—but why mock him?"

"No, no, no—I'm not mocking him," Jin Peng laughed. "I've just discovered my own talent, so I'm laughing with delight."

"Talent? Delight?"

Li Ye grew curious, pulled his chair closer to Jin Peng, and asked: "Peng Ge, tell me—what's this delightful talent of yours?"

Jin Peng pointed out the window and asked: "Do you remember what Ma Qianshan was like a year ago?"

Li Ye shook his head: "I don't remember. I only got to know him half a year ago, when he came south with us to Yangcheng."

Jin Peng chuckled: "Half a year ago, Ma Qianshan was wandering aimlessly around Qingshui County—picking up bottles to trade for liquor, doing odd jobs for food, fighting."

"But look at him now—he's giving lectures, standing straight, speaking clearly. If I didn't know his background, I'd swear he was a university professor!"

Li Ye watched Jin Peng silently, waiting for more. Jin Peng wasn't the type to boast without reason—he said "delight" for a purpose.

Sure enough, Jin Peng grinned: "I brought Ma Qianshan from Qinghe to Yangcheng, then to Beijing."

"My talent? I saw his potential among a crowd, nurtured him into a top general."

"If I can find more generals like Ma Qianshan, manage them well—won't I be the marshal of the stories?"

Li Ye was startled—Jin Peng's words were crude but sharp. A great corporate leader, beyond professional skill, must know how to select and use people.

In his past life, when he first entered the workplace, Li Ye had often wondered: why did the company boss pick such a terrible guy as middle management, letting him abuse power over everyone?

Later, Li Ye realized: the boss didn't want to avoid a perfect middle manager—he just couldn't find one.

Today you pick someone unsuitable—would you replace him tomorrow? What would happen to the boss's authority?

"Functional" and "effective" differ by only one character—but their gap is vast.

A boss who selects and uses people well is truly formidable.

Jin Peng was skilled at managing people, so his ability to appoint and utilize talent was decent.

If he also possessed extraordinary talent in selecting people, Li Ye would have far less to worry about.

"Peng Ge, you're right—if you can select and manage people well, you're unquestionably a marshal."

"Hehe, Xiao Ye, you say that, and I feel a bit shy."

Jin Peng scratched his head and grinned.

Li Ye saw his expression—there was no shyness at all, only full-blown pride.

At that moment, Wang Qiang looked up and said: "Peng Ge, you're just a general. Xiao Ye Ge is the marshal—he picked you and me out of Qingshui County. We used to pick up bottles, do odd jobs, too."

"."

Jin Peng stared, then after several seconds, began slapping Wang Qiang's head repeatedly.

"You think you're so smart? Don't you know there's a king above the marshal?"

Wang Qiang dodged, threatening: "Peng Ge, don't go too far! Xiao Ye Ge is here—I'm giving you face!"

"Oh? You're giving me face? Come on, we haven't sparred in ages—I've made some new friends in Beijing, learned a bit of Beijing wrestling."

"You think you're the only one with Beijing friends? I know Beijing wrestling too!"

Watching Jin Peng and Wang Qiang leap and wrestle playfully inside the room, Li Ye couldn't help but smile warmly.

Their wrestling skills were both learned from Huang Gang, but Wang Qiang, perhaps more diligent or truly gifted, was clearly a bit sharper than Jin Peng.

Yet Wang Qiang always held back, letting Jin Peng, who never yielded, take the upper hand.

Their temperaments were utterly different, yet they became best friends—this bond should last forever.

Li Ye returned to his dormitory; Sun Xianjin told him his homeroom teacher, Mu Yunning, had come looking for him and asked him to visit her at the library.

Li Ye checked the time; he guessed Mu Yunning hadn't left yet, so he rode his bicycle over.

Inside the library, Mu Yunning was indeed reading in the most visible spot.

"Teacher Mu, you wanted to see me?"

Li Ye sat down opposite her, greeting her calmly.

Mu Yunning made a "hush" gesture, finished reading her book, then looked at Li Ye.

Li Ye stayed silent, watching her. After several seconds of eye contact, Mu Yunning suddenly stood up, gathered her bag, and said: "Let's take a walk—I have something to ask you."

Mu Yunning led Li Ye to Weiminghu, walking silently around the lake. They occasionally passed couples whispering sweet nothings, making Li Ye awkward.

Because Li Ye and Wen Leyu regularly strolled here; several familiar pairs recognized them.

Now, seeing Li Ye suddenly with a different woman, they all whispered and pointed, extremely impolite.

Finally, Li Ye couldn't help asking: "Teacher Mu, what do you want to ask me?"

Mu Yunning glanced at Li Ye and said casually: "Li Ye, have you read 'The Lonely Garrison of the Homeland'?"

Li Ye nodded: "Yes. I know Li Huai and Yang Yu—they published 'The Lonely Garrison of the Homeland' in 'Xinfeng' Monthly; I read nearly every issue."

Mu Yunning asked: "Do you know Li Huai and his group used the publication of 'The Lonely Garrison of the Homeland' to launch a series of cultural-historical events, gaining support from many professors?"

Li Ye nodded: "I know. They always invited me, but I always had something else to do."

Mu Yunning stopped walking, smiled faintly, and asked: "Do you know that attending these events would greatly benefit your future?"

Li Ye scratched his head and laughed: "I'm just a freshman—how could I understand future development?"

Mu Yunning stepped forward, closing the distance to Li Ye.

"No, you don't not understand—you just don't care."

Mu Yunning smiled and said: "Because you know no matter how Li Huai and the others stir things up, they'll always end up circling back to one name—Seven-Inch Blade."

Li Ye smiled but said nothing; the next moment, Mu Yunning pulled out a copy of New Wind monthly, flipping to a specific chapter.

Then, Mu Yunning took out a fountain pen.

"Should I ask you to sign my copy? Great writer Seven-Inch Blade!"

Li Ye remained silent, uneasy; he watched Mu Yunning's elusive, flickering gaze and wondered if signing it for her might somehow land him an unexpected reprimand.

Thank you to the reader "Night Notes" for the reward.

(End of chapter)