Chapter 983 Striving for Progress
The next morning, the Chang'an Automobile Factory held a grand assembly for the entire plant.
In an immense, open square, tens of thousands of workers stood in neat formations, silently facing the main rostrum.
On the stage, Bin Sheng wore a large red rosette on his chest, a peculiar smile playing on his lips.
Gao Yiyi, the director of the Chang'an Automobile Factory and one of Gao Family Village's Forty-Two Elders, whom all workers looked up to, personally presented Bin Sheng with an award certificate.
He even shook Bin Sheng's hand, saying, "Bin Sheng, you truly have a boundless future, young man. I have high hopes for you."
To receive such a commendation of "boundless future" from one of the Forty-Two Elders was an immense honor, and the eyes of the thousands of workers glowed red with envy.
Gao Yiyi then produced a large silver ingot, worth at least half a year's wages for a common worker, and placed it into Bin Sheng's hand. "This is your bonus."
The onlookers' eyes turned red once more.
Finally, Gao Yiyi clapped Bin Sheng on the shoulder. "We have decided to promote you to group leader of the steam engine assembly workshop. You must work hard, keep up the excellent work, and strive for further progress."
A large group of female cafeteria workers cast flirtatious glances his way.
In that instant, Bin Sheng entered their list of potential husbands.
Bin Sheng looked left, then right, seeing cheering crowds everywhere, eyes filled with envy and admiration. Suddenly, he felt that this sensation was truly wonderful!
That afternoon, after completing half a day of diligent work, Bin Sheng headed towards the cafeteria with his lunchbox.
Along the way, he indeed saw his portrait everywhere.
In the factory corridors, passageways, and on the walls outside workshop entrances, there were portraits of "Production Pacesetter Bin Sheng," with small text beneath describing his dedication, effort, and rapid advancement.
Most workers were illiterate, but Bin Sheng could read. Seeing these, he couldn't help but swell with pride.
People greeted him continuously along the way. Those of similar age and status would call out, "Brother Bin! Congratulations on becoming a group leader!"
Older individuals or those of higher status would call him, "Bin, you're quite impressive now!"
Those younger or of lower status would exclaim, "Group Leader Bin, please look out for us juniors in the future!"
A girl with a ponytail even ran quickly to him, her face flushed, and slipped him a note before scurrying away.
Bin Sheng opened the note to find a few crookedly written words: "Want to get to know you, Yanzi."
Bin Sheng felt as if he was floating on air.
He entered the cafeteria, got his food, and sat down.
Soon, a member of his support team approached, but this time, it wasn't ten people surrounding him. Only one came, sitting beside him and quietly eating while whispering, "Captain, the other brothers won't come today. Too many eyes are on you now, and if we all gather, our connection might be exposed."
Bin Sheng nodded, whispering back, "Yes, safety first. Don't approach me unnecessarily. What do you need to report?"
The spy murmured, "I'm here to report, Captain. I also received a commendation in the workshop today. Not factory-wide, of course, just in my section."
Bin Sheng said, "Oh, you're doing well too."
The spy whispered, "Compared to the Captain, this subordinate's capabilities are far inferior. However, after receiving the commendation, I became the group leader's deputy. Today, I've already had the opportunity to access first-hand production blueprints."
Bin Sheng was overjoyed. "Excellent. Try to find opportunities to copy the blueprints. Do not, under any circumstances, steal the originals; that would be too easily discovered."
The spy whispered, "Understood!"
After reporting, the spy discreetly withdrew. Not long after, another spy approached, sitting opposite Bin Sheng. "Captain," he whispered, "I've also been promoted. The head of the bearing workshop spoke with me today, saying I've made rapid progress lately and encouraged me to push harder, suggesting I might also become a Production Pacesetter. He even used you as an example, telling me to learn from you. I was thrilled."
Bin Sheng was delighted. "Does that mean you also have a chance to become a group leader?"
The spy replied, "Yes, this subordinate will soon have access to the bearing blueprints."
"Excellent! Keep working hard, and get another promotion."
"Understood."
Bin Sheng and his ten subordinates were working their hardest, studying diligently, and striving for progress...
"Boom!"
A cannonball landed on the flagship of the Zhoushan pirates.
It was deliberately solid shot, because explosive shells were too lethal; one shot could send dozens to their graves. Gao Family Village didn't need that many dead souls right now. What they needed was a massive workforce to develop Zhoushan Island. Labor reform prisoners! Labor reform prisoners were the true productive force!
So, a solid shot to scare them was enough.
This single cannonball terrified the pirates on board, leaving them motionless like quails. Then, a large fleet of warships completely surrounded the Zhoushan pirate stronghold.
Dao Ke, the leader of the Zhoushan pirates, shouted furiously, "You flying the five-colored banner, where are you pirates from? You're too overbearing!"
But from the ships flying the five-colored banner, no one responded to him.
Four junks, leading a ragged fleet of pirate ships, emerged from behind the larger vessels. Bai Yang and the Shengsi pirates took the lead.
Bai Yang loudly proclaimed, "Dao Ke of Zhoushan, what the hell are you yelling about? Hurry and pay homage to the Heavenly Lord! This one here is called Dao Xuan Tian Zun, and these giant ships belong to him. If you obediently comply, you will be spared, and you can carry his shoes just like us. But if you defy him in the slightest, your dog's head will be chopped off immediately and hung from the flagpole in Quanzhou Port."
Dao Ke was stunned when he saw Bai Yang. "Bai Yang, what the hell are you doing? You were one of Boss Liu Xiang's men, just like me. What 'Heavenly Lord' have you sworn allegiance to now? Be careful, if Boss Liu Xiang finds out, he'll have you chopped into pieces and thrown into the sea for the fish."
Bai Yang retorted, "Dao Ke, times have changed! This sea now belongs to the Heavenly Lord. Boss Liu Xiang's time has come to retire."
Dao Ke exclaimed, "!!!"
Damn it all.
Dao Ke truly wanted to chop off Bai Yang's head, but looking up, he saw forty-one massive ships, with countless gleaming silver cannons aimed directly at him. If he dared to utter a single word of defiance now, he'd be blown to smithereens by cannon fire for a full ten minutes.
He knew that under such overwhelming power, one had no choice but to yield.
Dao Ke reluctantly raised his hands. "Alright, I surrender, I surrender."
No sooner had he spoken than a handsome and dashing knight appeared on the giant ship opposite him. Dressed in knight's attire, fluttering in the sea breeze, the knight said, "You're probably thinking of surrendering for now, then turning around, seizing an opportunity to flee, and informing Liu Xiang to come and kill me, aren't you?"
Dao Ke shuddered. He'd been read like an open book.
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