Beijing (Si Jiu Cheng)
四九城
The capital city, the destination for the characters seeking work and new opportunities.
Changping Bus Station
昌平汽车站
A bustling transit hub where the protagonist and his companion depart for the capital.
West Courtyard
西院
The specific residential area where Zhao Xiyan and his associates gather and reside.
Rear Courtyard
后院
A section of the residential complex where various communal activities and confrontations take place.
South Courtyard
南院
A section of the residential complex where supplies and goods are often stored.
The Courtyard
大院
The primary residential complex and central hub for the neighborhood, where communal living, disputes, and social hierarchies are strictly governed.
The Septic Tank
化粪池
A communal utility area near the rear courtyard that serves as the backdrop for various neighborhood disasters and pranks.
Rolling Steel Mill
轧钢厂
The main industrial facility where Zhao Xiyan works and holds a management position.
Textile Factory
纺织厂
An industrial facility in the area where goods are delivered.
Supermarket
超市
A surreal, dimension-like space accessible to Zhao Xiyan that functions as a supernatural inventory and resource farm.
Wangfujing
王府井
The famous shopping district where the characters plan to visit.
Moscow Restaurant
老莫
A well-known dining establishment popular among intellectuals and the elite during the era.
Dongxing Lou
东兴楼
A well-regarded traditional restaurant chosen for the group's outing.
Nanluoguxiang
南锣鼓巷
The historical alleyway and district where the characters reside.
Beijing Normal University
北京师范大学
The academic institution where Ran Xingduan works as a professor.
Central Courtyard
中院
A section of the residential complex where some residents, including potentially陈红, reside.
Courtyard Compound
四合院
The residential housing area where Zhao Xiyan and his friends reside.
Beichizi Street
北池子大街
A location where members of the group intend to relocate temporarily.
Red Star Breeding Farm
红星养殖场
A facility managed or utilized by the Rolling Steel Mill to provide welfare and food resources.
East Courtyard
东院
The newly designated name for the property at Number 85, repurposed into high-quality living quarters for the group.
Number 85
八十五号
A property unit recently purchased and renovated by the group, featuring three floors and ten rooms per floor.
Ministry of Industry
工业部
The governmental body responsible for industrial oversight, where inter-departmental meetings and administrative decisions regarding the factories are held.
Houhai
后海
A scenic lake area in Beijing often used by the elite and officials for leisure, fishing, and clandestine meetings.
Factory Canteen
食堂
The eating facility within the state-owned enterprise, often a site of bureaucratic appointments and power shifts.
Nanluoguxiang Neighborhood Office
南锣鼓巷街道办
A local government administrative office responsible for neighborhood affairs.
Ministry of Culture
文化部
A high-level government department which Zhao Xiyan tries to avoid being assigned to due to the difficult leadership there.
Revolutionary Committee
革委会
A volatile and high-stakes political body targeted as a potential arena for the return of controversial political figures.
United Front Work Department
统战部
A department involved in political outreach and alliance building, where personnel appointments are highly sensitive.
First Canteen
一食堂
The primary dining facility at the factory, managed by Director Liu Lan.
Second Canteen
二食堂
A secondary dining facility where He Daqing and other cooks are employed.
Third Canteen
三食堂
A specific dining facility frequently mentioned as a potential site for personnel transfers.
Zhang Village
张庄
The rural village of Zhao Xiyan, known for having over four hundred households, all of whom share the surname Zhang despite their varied origins.
Qin Village
秦家村
The home village of Qin Huairu.