"Let's go, Xiao Yi, I'll take you around the factory's circuits and teach you knowledge beyond books."
After driving away his second apprentice, Mǎ Shènglì picked up a toolbox, handed it to Tài Yì, and said something before walking out with his hands behind his back.
"Okay, Master. I really need to speed up my practical learning right now."
Tài Yì followed him, carrying the toolbox, and readily agreed.
As the saying goes, what is learned from books is ultimately superficial; book knowledge is different from practical hands-on operation.
In his previous life, Tài Yì had never studied electrical engineering. This life is his first time, so of course, he needs to pay attention to everything.
Electricity is not a simple matter even in modern times, let alone in this era.
The tools in this era are very backward, and the high danger of being an electrician is due to the backward tools.
These tools are not only for testing the voltage of wires, but the materials of various wires are not high quality, easily causing leakage and posing safety risks. Transformers are also included.
"Very good. You can see your own weaknesses and face your shortcomings. Keep this up."
Mǎ Shènglì looked back at Tài Yì, a look of admiration on his face, then sternly instructed him a couple of times:
"We electricians must be humble and cautious, not arrogant, and not blindly self-important.
Otherwise, one moment of arrogance could cost you your life and bring severe devastation to a family."
"Yes, Master. I will keep your teachings firmly in mind."
Tài Yì responded with equal seriousness.
He had just passed the assessment and been accepted as an apprentice. Their relationship was still new, so he needed to be cautious in his words and actions first, lest Mǎ Shènglì's impression of him turn negative.
"Over the years, I've seen too many electricians electrocuted due to carelessness. Almost all of them were physically burnt to a crisp."
Mǎ Shènglì led Tài Yì out of the house. When they were alone, he continued to teach:
"So, whether I'm teaching apprentices or the members of the electrician team, my first requirement is... you must be cautious every time you need to operate.
If you have drunk alcohol, or if you are feeling unwell, you absolutely must not start operating under these circumstances."
Finally, Mǎ Shènglì stopped and placed his hand on Tài Yì's shoulder, saying word by word with utmost seriousness:
"I'm telling you this too, remember, you are not alone. You represent your entire family."
In this era, a family generally had only one working member, and one person supporting the whole family was the main theme of the times.
Well, this refers to working-class families; other situations like rural areas are not included.
If the working person in a family has an accident, it truly crushes the entire household.
Although there was the concept of succession, a "rice bowl" that families could inherit, an accident involving the actual laborer brought immense hardship to a family.
"Don't worry, Master. My father has just passed away, and there are three siblings left at home. I'm the eldest. My second brother is thirteen, and my third sister is only four."
Tài Yì felt the strong hand on his shoulder and said quietly:
"I have to support a family. How can I be careless? I will firmly remember Master's teachings."
He still had a great future ahead of him; the myriad worlds awaited. Tài Yì knew very well what he needed to pay attention to.
"Good. With these words, Master is much relieved."
Looking at Tài Yì's expression, Mǎ Shènglì understood.
This was a child who valued his family. This child clearly understood his responsibilities, so he would naturally pay attention to safety.
"Old Ma, Old Ma..."
"How is it? How did Xiao Yi perform?"
At this moment, Yì Zhōnghǎi's voice could be heard.
"Heh... this old crow..."
Mǎ Shènglì recognized who it was without turning around. He asked Tài Yì in a low voice:
"What's your relationship with Old Yi?"
"He's not usually like this. Is he being overly concerned about you?"
Mǎ Shènglì was facing away from Yì Zhōnghǎi, while Tài Yì could see Yì Zhōnghǎi striding over.
Hearing his master's words, he pondered for a microsecond and then replied in a low voice:
"Master, after my father passed away, I couldn't cook, and my younger siblings are still small and need care.
And Master Yì is the First Uncle of our Siheyuan. He and First Aunt... have no children.
I'm currently sharing meals with their family."
Mǎ Shènglì showed a look of sudden understanding, which flashed and disappeared. He nodded silently before turning around.
"Old Yi, why aren't you working properly in the workshop? What are you wandering around for?"
A childless household, Old Ma understood; life in a childless household wasn't easy.
However, for his newly accepted apprentice's family, this was a good thing.
Old Ma strongly approved of his apprentice's decision.
Considering Yì Zhōnghǎi, a renowned Grade 8 fitter at the factory, he earned a good amount of money and held a certain status. This would be beneficial for the apprentice's future development at the factory.
"Alright, Old Ma, I'll treat you to drinks another day. How did Xiao Yi perform?"
Yì Zhōnghǎi walked up, waved his hand, not wanting to banter with Old Ma. It wasn't the time for that, and he wasn't in the mood. He got straight to the point.
"Heh heh... very good, Old Yi. It's I who should be treating you to drinks."
Mǎ Shènglì said with a smile, glancing at Tài Yì:
"Thank you for bringing me such a good apprentice. I must properly treat you to a meal."
Yì Zhōnghǎi's worried heart finally settled. He didn't need to say more about what these words meant. A happy smile spread across his face:
"You treat me, I treat you, it's all the same. Why don't we each treat once, and we old buddies can have a good drink."
"Good idea, then we'll each treat once."
"Old Ma, you've already taken Xiao Yi as your apprentice. Then, when can I formally bring Xiao Yi to your home to kowtow and become your disciple?"
After the pleasantries, Yì Zhōnghǎi remembered Old Ma's words. Since he had already called his apprentice, he quickly followed up.
In this era, taking on an apprentice was a significant and serious matter.
It was different from taking on apprentices in a workshop.
Each trade in the workshop had apprentices assigned masters by the factory.
But the relationship between such a master and apprentice wasn't that formal.
Before completing their apprenticeship, one would offer gifts during holidays. After completion, it didn't matter much.
Like Yì Zhōnghǎi, he had many apprentices, but only Jiǎ Dōngxù was a true disciple he had brought up from childhood.
Even when Qín Huáirú, Jiǎ Dōngxù's wife, came to the factory to take over his job and became Yì Zhōnghǎi's apprentice, it was only a normal factory master-apprentice relationship, not a formal one with kowtowing.
The master-apprentice relationship arranged by the factory was vastly different from a true master-disciple relationship.
In the factory, there was a "shīfu" (master), but when one kowtowed to become a disciple, it was also called "shīfu" (teacher/father).Though the pronunciation was the same, the characters were different: one uses "master" (fù), the "fu" part of "lao shifu" (old master), and the other uses "father" (fù), the "fu" part of "yì shī yì fù" (as much a teacher as a father).
"This Sunday. My second apprentice will also come. It's a shame my eldest apprentice is at the Da Sānxiàn project in the Southwest."
Mǎ Shènglì named a time without any hesitation.This was a necessary etiquette; omitting it would imply that this master-apprentice relationship was not very close.
"Okay, Sunday is good. I'll bring Xiao Yi then."
Yì Zhōnghǎi nodded with a smile.
Being taken as an apprentice by Mǎ Shènglì, the leader of the electrician team and the number one electrician at the factory, a Grade 7 electrician, was extremely beneficial for Tài Yì's future development.
Coupled with Yì Zhōnghǎi, a Grade 8 fitter.
Even before Tài Yì entered the factory, the network of connections within the factory was already apparent.
"Are you reassured now? Hurry up and go. I still need to take Xiao Yi to get familiar with the practical operations."
"I need to lay a good foundation for Xiao Yi before the city assessment next month."
After discussing the important matters, Mǎ Shènglì's tone reverted to his usual gruff manner as he tried to usher Yì Zhōnghǎi away again.
"Alright, I'm leaving."
Yì Zhōnghǎi didn't mind Old Ma's harsh words and said with a chuckle:
"Xiao Yi, wait for me at the entrance of the second canteen at noon. We'll have lunch together, and I'll introduce you to the kitchen staff so you won't get shorted on food."
"Understood, First Uncle. I'll definitely wait for you."
This was kindness, and Tài Yì couldn't refuse. He replied with a smile.