Siheyuan 1955: From Unemployed to Factory Director

Chen Jianguo opens his eyes and finds himself lying in a rundown shack in southern Beijing in 1955.

No household registration, no job, no referral letter, and less than a yuan in his pocket.

He owes rent, and has only half a jin of grain coupons left.

Luckily, he has a jade shard containing an acre of rich black soil and a spring with miraculous water.

He grows vegetables, raises chickens, and trades at the pigeon market, working his way from an unemployed youth into a steel mill.

Purchasing agent, head of purchasing, factory director: his position keeps rising, and so does the number of women in his life.

Cao Guifen from the courtyard, neighbor Xu Guixiang, a women’s director from the countryside, Li Guifen from work...

There’s genuine affection, transactions, gratitude repaid, and scheming.

By day, he signs off on forms at the factory. By night, he charms women in the alleyways.

He helps the country produce steel, while also moving goods through the black market.

Director Luo says, “You’re not an honest man.”

Cao Guifen says, “You’d better not betray me, or you’ll answer to me.”

Chen Jianguo doesn’t offend anyone, and doesn’t abandon anyone.

He says, “Life goes on, and people have to live. If you stay with me, I’ll take care of you for the rest of your lives.”

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real people or events is purely coincidental. Please do not imitate anything in the story.