Courtyard House: Starting in a Ceramics Factory

The next morning, after dealing with a few urgent factory matters, Li Feng picked up the phone on his desk and called Professor Fei Wei of the Computer Research Institute.

The call was answered by the institute's office. Li Feng gave his name and affiliation, saying he was looking for Professor Fei Wei. The operator didn't ask any questions and quickly transferred the call.

"Hello, who is this?" A slightly hoarse but strong voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Hello Professor Fei, I'm Li Feng from Wuxing Ceramics Factory. I previously borrowed a computer from your company for a machine tool control system project and had some exchanges with you." Li Feng's tone was very polite.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone, as if someone was recalling something.

"Oh, Li Feng, I remember now, that young man from Tsinghua University, Professor Xiang's top student, right?" Fei Wei's voice carried a hint of amusement. "What? You've switched from CNC machine tools to computers?"

“No, Professor Fei,” Li Feng quickly explained. “It’s like this, our factory! No! To be precise, our light industry department is planning to launch a new project recently, a fully automated computer control system for a ceramic production line. It’s technically quite challenging, involving the collaborative work of a lot of computer hardware and software. The first person I thought of was you, and I would like to ask you to come out of retirement and serve as our chief technical consultant.”

Li Feng didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point.

He knew that the most effective way to communicate with a tech guru like Fei Wei was to get straight to the point.

Fei Wei on the other end of the phone was clearly stunned by the news. He remained silent for a good ten seconds before asking in disbelief, "A fully automated control system? You...you're serious?"

“Absolutely true,” Li Feng replied confidently. “The plan has received personal approval from Leader Jiang of the Ministry and is currently in the preparation stage.”

"Hiss..." Fei Wei gasped, his voice filled with excitement and anticipation. "Wow, your Ministry of Light Industry is really showing some guts this time! I'm interested in this project, very interested!"

As a scholar who has dedicated his life to computer research, Fei Wei was acutely aware of what this project meant.

This is not just a transformation of a production line; it represents a milestone leap forward in the field of industrial automation in China.

Although he wasn't a mechanical engineer, he was very clear about the practical value of this computer programming project.

“That’s great, Professor Fei. When is it convenient for you? We…” Li Feng was interrupted by Fei Wei before he could finish speaking.

"Xiao Li, don't rush." ​​Fei Wei's voice regained its calmness and seriousness. "I am personally willing to participate in the project you mentioned, but you should understand that I am, after all, a member of the Computer Research Institute. My position is here. Such an important project cannot be participated in by my personal approval. There must be a formal transfer letter issued by the Ministry. Our institute has to go through the procedures before I can go over and help legitimately."

Fei Wei's words were very practical, and this is the norm in this era.

Everything must be organized and follow procedures.

“I understand, Professor Fei, you’ve thought this through very well.” Li Feng was not surprised at all. He immediately said, “Don’t worry, I’ll report to the ministry right away and get the transfer request settled as soon as possible.”

"Okay, then I'll wait for your good news." Fei Wei's tone was full of anticipation. "Xiao Li, if this project can really be completed, it will be a great thing that benefits the present and future generations!"

"We will definitely do our best," Li Feng solemnly promised.

After hanging up the phone, Li Feng felt a huge weight lifted off his shoulders.

Fei Wei's attitude was even more positive than he had expected.

This is undoubtedly an excellent start.

Without delay, he picked up the work plan on the table, locked the office door, and had Sun Qiang drive the factory's car to the Ministry of Light Industry once again.

Planning Department, Office of Deputy Director Zheng.

"So, Fei Wei has already agreed, and all that's missing is a formal transfer order?" After listening to Li Feng's report, Deputy Director Zheng tapped his fingers lightly on the table, a knowing look on his face.

“Yes, Director Zheng! Professor Fei is very supportive of this project, but he needs to go through the proper procedures,” Li Feng nodded.

“This is the right thing to do, and it is necessary.” Deputy Director Zheng nodded, then took out a document from his drawer and handed it to Li Feng. “I knew you would go to him. We prepared this letter in advance. Just fill in Fei Wei’s name, and I’ll have someone stamp it right away. It will be sent to the Computer Research Institute today. I know that Professor Xiang and Professor Fei are good friends.”

Li Feng took the document, and his admiration for Deputy Director Zheng's decisiveness and foresight grew even stronger.

His old boss always seemed to anticipate his needs and pave the way for him.

"Thank you, Director Zheng."

"No need to thank me, it's all for work." Deputy Director Zheng waved his hand, then pulled out a list from another folder and handed it to Li Feng: "Take a look at this."

Li Feng took the list with a puzzled look. He saw that there were more than a dozen names on the list, and each name was followed by a brief introduction, such as the school he graduated from, his employer, and his technical expertise.

"This is……"

"This is a list compiled by our Planning Department through various channels. The people on the list are all promising young technical personnel in computer programming and system architecture in China," Deputy Director Zheng explained. "Fei Wei, whom you recommended, is a top expert and our chief consultant, but to actually do the work, we need a group of soldiers who can take the lead. These are the soldiers I have prepared for you."

Li Feng looked at the list as if he had found a treasure.

This is like a pillow being delivered to someone who's just fallen asleep.

He was worried about where to find core technical team members besides Fei Wei, but he didn't expect that Deputy Director Zheng had even thought of this for him.

He didn't recognize most of the people on the list; he had only heard of one or two of them, all of whom were promising young talents who had published articles in academic journals.

"Deputy Director Zheng, this list is extremely important; it has been a great help to me," Li Feng said sincerely.

"Don't thank me yet. I've found the people for you, but you'll have to decide for yourself who is suitable and who is capable of great things." Deputy Director Zheng looked at Li Feng with expectation in his eyes. "You are in charge of this project, so I'm entrusting you with the power to select and appoint people. I only have one requirement: speed! The project waits for no one, and we must assemble the most elite team in the shortest possible time."

“I understand. I’ll study the list as soon as I get back.” Li Feng nodded emphatically.

After leaving the Ministry of Light Industry, Li Feng did not go straight back to the factory. Instead, carrying that valuable list, he rushed to the Computer Research Institute located in the city.

For professional matters, it's best to consult the most professional people.

He had no idea who these people were, but Professor Fei Wei certainly knew them inside and out.

After waiting for about ten minutes in the institute's reception room, a young researcher wearing glasses came out and led him inside.

Fei Wei's office was small, but it was crammed with all sorts of books and documents, and the air was filled with the mixed smell of old paper and ink.

Fei Wei seemed very happy to see Li Feng come in and personally poured him a cup of hot tea.

"Xiao Li, you're really quick on the uptake. I barely hung up the phone and you've already come to my door," Fei Wei said with a smile. "The situation is urgent, so I had to make an exception," Li Feng smiled and respectfully handed over the list that Deputy Director Zheng had given him. "Professor Fei, this is a talent list compiled by the ministry. You're a leading authority in this field, so I'd like to ask you to take a look and see which comrades on this list are most suitable for our project."

"Oh?" Fei Wei took the list, adjusted his glasses, and began to read it carefully, line by line.

The office fell silent for a moment, with only the rustling of papers turning.

Li Feng held his teacup and waited patiently. He could sense that Professor Fei Wei was watching very intently, sometimes nodding and sometimes frowning slightly.

A full quarter of an hour passed before Fei Wei raised his head and pulled a red pen from the pen holder.

"This list is of very high quality. It seems your department has put in a lot of effort," Fei Wei remarked, then tapped the list with the tip of his pen. "I know most of the people on this list, and some of them are even students I taught."

As he spoke, he began to mark up the list.

"Wang Jianguo has a very solid foundation and strong logical thinking ability. Letting him be in charge of the underlying algorithm module should be no problem."

"And then there's Liu Siqi, a woman, but she's more meticulous than any man. She's especially good at debugging and error correction, so we can let her take charge of software testing and optimization."

"This Sun Libo has a lot of clever ideas and is unconventional; he's suitable for doing some exploratory development work..."

As Fei Wei spoke, he circled each name on the list and made simple annotations next to them.

His comments are concise yet always manage to pinpoint each person's technical strengths and personality traits.

Li Feng listened from the side, secretly admiring him.

This is the vision and network of a top expert. In just over ten minutes, the prototype of a capable technical team was established in his mind.

In the end, Fei Wei narrowed it down to six people.

"Xiao Li, these six people will do." Fei Wei handed the list back to Li Feng. "They are the most talented and promising young people in our institute, and even in the whole country, in the field of programming. With these few as the core backbone, plus this old man like me overseeing things, the framework for software development is set up."

"Thank you so much, Professor Fei! You've really solved a huge problem for me!" Li Feng stood up excitedly and bowed deeply to Fei Wei.

"Hey, don't give me that platitude." Fei Wei waved his hand and helped him sit down. "Helping you is also helping our country. Being able to participate in such a great project is the greatest honor of my life."

Li Feng felt incredibly happy as he left the computer research institute.

Talent is the key to project success.

Now, with top expert Fei Wei in charge and six core technical personnel personally selected by him, the toughest part of the project has finally found a starting point.

The next morning, Li Feng went to Deputy Director Zheng's office again and handed over the list he had selected.

Deputy Director Zheng took the list and glanced at it. Seeing Professor Fei Wei's handwritten notes on it, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Good, very efficient! Just these six people. I'll have the Personnel Department send letters immediately to initiate the formal secondment process." Deputy Director Zheng carefully put away the list, his tone full of approval. "I guarantee they'll all be in place within a week!"

After finishing this task, Deputy Director Zheng's expression turned serious.

He took out a red-headed document marked "Top Secret" from a locked drawer and solemnly handed it to Li Feng.

"Xiao Li, take a look at this."

Li Feng's heart skipped a beat. He took the document with both hands and saw a line of eye-catching words at the top of the document: "Decision on the Establishment of the 'Morning Star - Computer Fully Automated Control System' Project Team of the Ministry of Light Industry".

He opened the document, and its contents made him gasp for breath.

The document clearly states that, in order to promote the process of industrial automation in my country, the Party Group of the Ministry decided, after research and approval from higher authorities, to officially launch a major scientific research project codenamed "Fully Automated Control System".

The document concludes with the appointment of the project leader.

"Li Feng is hereby appointed as the chief person in charge of the 'Morning Star - Fully Automated Control System' project, with a provisional administrative rank of division chief, and will be fully responsible for all matters related to the project team's establishment, technology research and development, team management, etc..."

Overall person in charge!

At the level of a full-fledged department head!
Li Feng's hand holding the document trembled slightly.

He is only twenty-one years old this year, and the weight of this appointment made him feel an unprecedented pressure.

"How about it? Are you confident?" Deputy Director Zheng looked at him intently.

Li Feng took a deep breath, slowly closed the file, raised his head, and his eyes showed no hesitation or retreat, only unwavering determination.

"Please rest assured, sir, I guarantee the task will be completed!"

"Good!" Deputy Director Zheng slammed his hand on the table, stood up, walked to Li Feng's side, and patted him on the shoulder. "Little Li, from today onwards, the responsibility on your shoulders is different. Minister Jiang is personally overseeing this project, and the entire industrial sector across the country is watching. Remember, you are not fighting alone. The entire Ministry of Light Industry is your support! What resources or policies do you need? Just ask, and I will do everything I can to get them for you!"

Deputy Director Zheng's words were like a warm current flowing into Li Feng's heart.

He knew that this was both a sign of trust and a mandate.

“I understand, Director Zheng.” Li Feng nodded solemnly. “I will certainly live up to your and Minister Jiang’s expectations.”

"Go ahead." Deputy Director Zheng waved to Li Feng. "The appointment document will be issued to the ceramics factory soon. It will be your time to show your skills."

Stepping out of the Ministry of Light Industry building, the September sun shone warmly on my skin.

Li Feng looked up at the azure sky, his heart filled with boundless pride.

Morning Star, what a wonderful name.

It heralds the dawn before sunrise and represents a brand new beginning.

And I will personally light this guiding star that will illuminate the future of Chinese industry. (End of Chapter)