Early the next morning, the Chang'an Automobile Factory convened a grand assembly.
The open square was vast enough to swallow sound. Tens of thousands of workers stood in disciplined rows, shoulder to shoulder, silent as iron, all eyes fixed on the main rostrum ahead.
On the stage, Bin Sheng stood stiffly with a huge red rosette pinned to his chest. The cloth flower looked almost comically large on him, and yet the smile tugging at the corners of his mouth refused to fade, no matter how hard he tried to suppress it.
Gao Yiyi, director of the Chang'an Automobile Factory and one of the Forty-Two Elders of Gao Family Village, stepped forward personally. Among the workers, he was a figure of unquestioned authority, someone spoken of with reverence.
He handed Bin Sheng a neatly stamped commendation certificate and even extended his hand, gripping Bin Sheng's firmly.
"Bin Sheng," Gao Yiyi said with a nod, "you have a boundless future ahead of you. I have high hopes for you."
Those simple words landed like thunder.
To be praised in public was already an honor. To be told one had a "boundless future" by a Forty-Two Elder was something else entirely. In an instant, thousands of eyes below turned red with envy.
Then Gao Yiyi produced a solid silver ingot and placed it directly into Bin Sheng's hands.
"This is your bonus."
The square erupted in murmurs. The weight alone told the story. That ingot was worth at least half a year's wages for an ordinary worker. The envy in the crowd deepened, almost tangible.
Finally, Gao Yiyi patted Bin Sheng on the shoulder.
"We have decided to promote you to group leader of the steam engine assembly workshop. Work hard. Maintain this standard. And continue striving for progress."
Bin Sheng immediately put on a display of overwhelming gratitude. His eyes reddened, his voice choked, and tears streamed down his face as he bowed.
"Thank you for the leaders' guidance and trust. I will absolutely give everything I have."
Below the stage, a group of cafeteria women exchanged glances and whispered among themselves, their eyes lingering on him a moment too long.
Just like that, Bin Sheng was silently added to several imaginary lists of future husbands.
As applause and cheers washed over him, Bin Sheng looked left and right. Everywhere he looked were faces full of admiration, envy, and awe.
For the first time, a thought surfaced clearly in his mind.
So this is what it feels like.
That afternoon, after finishing half a day of work, Bin Sheng carried his lunchbox toward the cafeteria.
Along the way, he noticed something strange.
His face was everywhere.
On corridor walls, along passageways, outside workshop entrances, posters had been pasted up one after another. Each bore a large portrait labeled "Production Pacesetter Bin Sheng," with small explanatory text beneath praising his diligence, dedication, and astonishing rate of improvement.
Most workers could not read, but Bin Sheng could.
And reading it himself made his chest swell despite his best efforts to remain calm.
People greeted him nonstop as he walked.
Workers of similar age laughed and called out, "Brother Bin! Congratulations on becoming a group leader!"
Older workers smiled and nodded. "Bin, you're impressive now."
Younger workers straightened their backs and greeted him respectfully. "Group Leader Bin, please take care of us in the future!"
At one point, a girl with a ponytail hurried over, her face flushed red. Without a word, she slipped something into his hand and ran off.
Bin Sheng unfolded the note.
The handwriting was crooked and uneven.
"Want to get to know you. Yanzi."
He felt lightheaded, as if his feet were no longer touching the ground.
Inside the cafeteria, he got his food and sat down.
Not long after, one man approached and sat beside him. Unlike before, there was no group gathering. Just one person, eating quietly.
In a low voice, the man said, "Captain, the others won't come today. There are too many eyes on you now. If we gather again, it might expose our connections."
Bin Sheng nodded slightly. "Correct. Safety first. Do not approach unless necessary. What do you have to report?"
The man kept his head down as he spoke. "Captain, I also received a commendation today. Only within my workshop, not factory-wide."
"Oh?" Bin Sheng said softly. "You're doing well."
"This subordinate is far behind the Captain," the man replied. "But after the commendation, I was made deputy group leader. Today, I already gained access to first-hand production blueprints."
Bin Sheng's eyes lit up. "Excellent. Look for opportunities to copy them. Absolutely do not steal the originals. That would be too obvious."
"Understood."
The man finished eating and quietly left.
Soon after, another man sat across from Bin Sheng.
"Captain," he whispered, "I was promoted as well. The head of the bearing workshop spoke to me today. He said I've been progressing quickly and told me to work harder. He even said I could become a Production Pacesetter like you. He used you as the example."
Bin Sheng smiled. "That means you might become a group leader too?"
"Yes," the man replied. "Soon, I'll have access to the bearing blueprints."
"Very good," Bin Sheng said. "Keep pushing. Aim for another promotion."
"Understood."
Bin Sheng and his ten subordinates continued working relentlessly, studying day and night, each striving for progress.
Then, far away at sea.
Boom!
A cannonball slammed into the flagship of the Zhoushan pirates.
It was a solid shot.
Explosive shells were too deadly. One blast could kill dozens. Gao Family Village did not need piles of corpses. What it needed was manpower.
Labor reform prisoners were the true productive force.
This single shot was enough.
The pirates froze in terror, huddling like quails. Before they could react, a massive fleet of warships closed in, completely surrounding the Zhoushan stronghold.
Dao Ke, leader of the Zhoushan pirates, roared furiously, "You flying the five-colored banner, where did you come from? You're going too far!"
No answer came from the warships.
Instead, four battered junks emerged from behind the formation. Bai Yang led the Shengsi pirates at the front.
Bai Yang shouted loudly, "Dao Ke of Zhoushan, what are you yelling for? Hurry and pay homage to Dao Xuan Tianzun. These giant ships belong to him. Obey, and you will live. You can even carry his shoes like we do. Defy him, and your head will be chopped off and hung at Quanzhou Port."
Dao Ke stared in disbelief. "Bai Yang, what are you doing? You were Liu Xiang's man, same as me. What Dao Xuan Tianzun are you talking about? If Boss Liu Xiang hears this, he'll cut you to pieces and feed you to the fish."
Bai Yang sneered. "Dao Ke, times have changed. This sea belongs to Dao Xuan Tianzun now. Liu Xiang's era is over."
Dao Ke's mind went blank.
He wanted nothing more than to kill Bai Yang on the spot. But when he raised his head, he saw forty-one enormous warships, row after row of gleaming silver cannons aimed directly at him.
One word of defiance, and he would be erased for ten straight minutes.
Under such power, resistance was meaningless.
Dao Ke slowly raised his hands. "Alright. I surrender."
At that moment, a tall and striking knight appeared on the opposing flagship. His cloak fluttered in the sea breeze as he spoke calmly.
"You're thinking of surrendering for now, then escaping later to inform Liu Xiang and have him come kill me, aren't you?"
Dao Ke's heart clenched.
He had been seen through completely.