The Steam Assembly Workshop at the Chang'an Automobile Factory in Xi'an was filled with the heavy scent of oil and hot metal.
Bin Sheng had spent an exhausting day studying technical skills. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, leaving a dark smear on his sleeve, and bent back over his notes without complaint.
The workshop director happened to walk past. Seeing Bin Sheng still engrossed in his studies, he paused and nodded with quiet approval.
Among all the young workers he had seen over the years, this one stood out the most. Bin Sheng threw himself into learning like a man possessed, grinding through manuals and blueprints with desperate focus. He worked with a ferocity that reminded the director not of an apprentice, but of a soldier on campaign.
Only people who had endured military discipline carried themselves like that.
Unable to resist, the director stepped closer and gave Bin Sheng a light pat on the shoulder.
"Bin, still studying your skills?"
Bin Sheng straightened at once and offered a respectful smile. "Good evening, Director. I want to learn as much as possible. One day, I hope I can build a complete steam engine with my own hands."
The director laughed softly. "Young man, you truly impress me. If I had been even half as diligent when I was your age, I would not still be a small workshop director today."
"You praise me too highly, sir," Bin Sheng replied modestly.
The director lowered his voice. "Since you are so hardworking, I will tell you a little secret."
Bin Sheng's eyes brightened at once.
A secret. That was exactly the kind of thing a spy loved. The more, the better.
"I will soon be transferred to the Zhoushan Shipyard," the director continued. "I will be responsible for steamship assembly there. Once I leave, this workshop director position will be vacant."
"Oh?" Bin Sheng said.
For a moment, he had thought it might be some classified technical matter. Instead, it was only a personnel change. He felt a flicker of disappointment.
The director smiled faintly. "You do not yet understand how important this is. A vacant director position is a rare opportunity. You should seize it."
"Oh?" Bin Sheng asked again, more cautiously this time.
"You are willing to work, willing to learn, and willing to endure hardship," the director said patiently. "You were recently named a Labor Model as well. Among all the young workers here, you are the strongest candidate. Put in a bit more effort these days. Show everyone what you can do. When I transfer, you will naturally step up."
Bin Sheng hesitated, then asked quietly, "If I become workshop director, will I be able to learn all the secrets of building a steam engine?"
The director burst into laughter. "So that is what you care about. You really love steam engines, don't you? Do not worry. As long as you keep learning, you will master them sooner or later."
Bin Sheng's face lit up. "I will work even harder."
A few days later, the director packed his belongings and left for Zhoushan Shipyard, taking up the position of steam engine assembly director there. Several technical experts from other workshops, including armor and bearing specialists, transferred with him to assist.
With so many experienced people leaving at once, vacancies naturally appeared at the Chang'an Automobile Factory.
Bin Sheng was formally promoted to workshop director.
The ten members of his support team, all of whom had worked diligently, studied hard, and made clear progress, were also promoted in varying degrees.
From the time they entered the factory to the moment they received promotions and pay raises, only a short period had passed.
As a result, these eleven young people became living examples for the new generation of workers at the factory. Their drive and determination became a topic of constant discussion among the workers.
Evening came, and a gentle breeze swept through the yard.
Bin Sheng stepped out of the workshop and saw Yanzi, a young woman from the cafeteria, waiting beneath a tree near the entrance.
The moment she saw him, her face bloomed into a bright smile. "Brother Bin Sheng."
Bin Sheng smiled back. "Little Sister Yanzi, have you been waiting long? I worked overtime without realizing it. If I had known, I would have finished earlier."
"It was not long," Yanzi said shyly, her cheeks turning red. "Brother Bin Sheng is a Labor Model. Everyone knows you work overtime often. I was prepared. Besides, I like men who are diligent and hardworking like you. I was standing outside the window earlier. When you were working so seriously, you looked very handsome."
Bin Sheng felt his heart swell.
Yanzi took out two movie tickets. "Brother Bin Sheng, the Workers' Cinema is showing an old film tonight. 'A Soldier from the Daling River Garrison.' Would you like to go with me? I already have tickets. The auntie in charge of the cafeteria gave them to me. She said young people need to see things like this."
"There is a film like that?" Bin Sheng asked in surprise.
"Yes," Yanzi replied. "It is about the Manchus besieging Daling River City."
That immediately caught his interest. There was no reason to refuse.
They walked side by side to the cinema. Just as they reached the entrance, Bin Sheng spotted one of his subordinates in the crowd.
Then he noticed another.
Nearly all ten members of his support team were there.
The film was about the Jin army. Naturally, it drew their attention.
It was an old film rerun. Most of the audience had already watched it many times. Only Bin Sheng and his team were seeing it for the first time.
Once the film started, Bin Sheng forgot everything else, even Yanzi beside him.
Like "The Xuan-Da Defense Battle," this film was restrained and realistic. It did not preach, nor did it glorify sacrifice with hollow slogans. It simply told a bleak and tragic story.
The Eight Banners soldiers were shown as terrifyingly effective. In the end, Daling River City fell. The people were slaughtered. Zu Dashou surrendered. The protagonist changed his name and vanished into exile.
A deep heaviness settled over Bin Sheng's chest.
"The Manchus are truly hateful," Yanzi said softly. "But the Han traitors are even worse."
Bin Sheng's body stiffened.
He swallowed and whispered, "Many Han people originally lived in the Manchu lands. They grew up under the Jin, under the Manchus. They never had any real attachment to the Great Ming."
He hesitated, then continued, "And some Liaodong soldiers only knew Zu Dashou. They did not truly know the Great Ming. Asking them to die for something they never felt connected to might not be reasonable. When they surrendered with people like Kong Youde or Zu Dashou, they simply followed their former lord. Calling them traitors may be too simple."
Yanzi thought for a moment. "That makes some sense. But fallen leaves still wish to return to their roots. Do you think they do not dream of returning to the Great Ming?"
Bin Sheng trembled slightly.
"Even if they wanted to return," he said quietly, "who would accept them? They are already considered Manchus."
Yanzi smiled. "You are wrong about that. Our people are very open-minded. A prodigal son who returns is worth more than gold."
Bin Sheng said nothing.
He sat there in silence for a long time.