Love in the Courtyard: Starting with Engineers

The chimneys of the Longxing Plant's smelting workshop roared, and the red-hot nuclear power special steel billets had just been taken out of the molds and cooled down. Li Yu was measuring the dimensions with calipers.

Li Huaide stood to the side, clutching the delivery receipt he had just received from the Beijing Bicycle Factory.

"The uniformity of this batch of steel billets has improved by another 0.3 percentage points. Once the parameters are more stable, we can report it to the Ministry of Industry."

Li Huaide nodded, and just as he was about to speak, the factory office's communications officer rode in on a 28-inch bicycle.

The bicycle bell rang urgently, and he was clutching an urgent document stamped with the red seal of the Ministry of Industry, the corners of which were curled up by the wind.

"Factory Director Li! General Manager Li! Urgent document from the Ministry of Industry!"

"It was just delivered from the bureau; it's related to things in Hong Kong!"

Li Huaide's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly huddled together with Li Yu, examining the contents by the light of the stove fire.

The China-UK consultations on the transition period for the Hong Kong issue have made phased progress, with the UK formally acknowledging in writing China's complete sovereignty over Hong Kong.

Subsequent negotiations will focus on details such as livelihood security, economic cooperation, and defense handover during the three-year transition period.

As a key enterprise supporting military industry, Longxing Factory's achievements in special steel and light alloy technologies have provided solid industrial support for national sovereignty negotiations. It is hoped that the factory will continue its efforts to ensure production and contribute to the advancement of subsequent research and development of defense equipment materials.

After reading it, Li Huaide excitedly exclaimed, "Great! Great! The British have finally admitted it! The steel from our Longxing Factory really wasn't forged in vain!"

"With sovereignty established, the subsequent handover will proceed smoothly."

Li Yu neatly folded the official documents and handed them to the correspondent.

"Quickly post this on the bulletin board in the staff quarters so all the factory workers can see it!"

The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the Longxing factory in less than half an hour.

In the welding workshop, Lao Wang was leading his apprentice in welding the sidewalls of a new boat for the Miyun fishing team.

Upon hearing the news, the welding torch in his hand trembled slightly, and blue sparks splattered onto his cuffs, but he was completely unaware.

Shouting at the top of his lungs, "Did you hear that! Hong Kong is ours now! The steel we forge supports the nation!"

Zhao Gang pounded the hammer even louder, sending sparks flying: "Master, when the defense is handed over, let's weld the decks onto the warships! Let the British see the skills of the workers from Beijing!"

In the small arms workshop, upon hearing this, he immediately shut down the machines, clapped the alloy parts in his hands, and laughed loudly: "Our alloy can be used to make bicycles for ordinary people to ride, and it can also be used to build equipment to protect Hong Kong! It's worth it!"

The cafeteria was busier than usual at lunchtime.

The master chef's stewed bighead carp soup was bubbling away, sprinkled with chopped green onions and ginger slices, filling the whole house with its aroma.

The workers, carrying enamel lunchboxes, huddled together, eating cornbread and fish, and discussing Hong Kong affairs.

"I heard the transition period will last three years. Will Hong Kong fishing boats be able to use the ship plates we welded by then?"

"Of course! Our anti-corrosion technology is guaranteed to be superior to the British's!"

"Once Hong Kong returns to China, let's go to the beach there and try the fish!"

Nannan and Xiaopang squeezed into a corner of the cafeteria, holding their cornbread pancakes. Listening to the adults' conversation, Nannan tilted her head and tugged at Bai Ling's sleeve: "Mommy, is Hong Kong by the sea? Are there lots and lots of big ships?"

Bai Ling patted her daughter's head: "Yes, Hong Kong is far away by the sea. There are many fishing boats there, and many Chinese people like us. When you grow up, Mom will take you to see it."

The little girl nodded, seemingly understanding, broke off a piece of cornbread, stuffed it into her mouth, and exclaimed in a clear voice, "When I grow up, I'm going to build the biggest ship ever and sail it to Hong Kong!"

These words drew laughter from the surrounding workers, laughter filled with satisfaction and anticipation.

The afternoon sun was shining brightly when a military green jeep bearing the words "General Logistics Department" slowly drove into the gate of Longxing Factory.

The military representative who got out of the car went straight into Li Yu's office, carrying a thick technical list in his hand.

"Chief Engineer Li, Factory Director Li." (Jun)

The representative gave a standard military salute, handed over the list, and said, "Instructions from higher command, given Longxing Factory's technological advantages in the field of special materials, are that you participate in the research and development project for defense equipment materials during the transition period of Hong Kong's return to China. These are the parameter requirements for special steel for ship decks and light weapon accessories. Please come up with a solution as soon as possible."

Li Yu took the list and looked at the densely packed parameters on it.

He looked up at the military representative and said, "Rest assured, Longxing Factory guarantees to complete the mission!"

Li Huaide immediately chimed in, "The factory will adjust its production plan immediately. Nuclear power steel R&D and bicycle frame production will be postponed to prioritize defense material R&D and production! I'll apply for raw material quotas from the Municipal Industry Bureau right away!"

The military representative nodded in satisfaction: "The workers of Longxing Factory truly live up to their reputation. Hong Kong's return to China is inseparable from the steel you forge, and even more so from your dedication."

After the military representative left, Li Yu had people organize a meeting in the conference room.

The conference room at Longxing Factory was packed with people.

A kraft paper notebook lay open on the table, the nib of a fountain pen scratching across the paper. Each attendee pressed their red handprint on the sign-in book—an old custom at the factory meetings.

Li Huaide spoke into the microphone: "Furnace No. 1 in the smelting workshop and workstation No. 3 in the welding workshop are designated for national defense research and development, operating 24/7! The staff canteen will open a night shift snack window, with plenty of cornbread and some cabbage and tofu soup! In addition, I will go to the Municipal Bureau of Industry to apply for additional labor protection supplies, welding masks and heat-resistant gloves, prioritizing the R&D team members!"

Li Yu then added, "The technical solution has been finalized; now it's time for everyone to focus on getting to work."

......

After the meeting, the machines in the workshop were running a bit more rapidly than usual.

The technicians were so busy that they barely had time to breathe, adding materials, measuring temperatures, and taking samples. Sweat streamed down their faces, quickly soaking their work clothes.

Sparks flew everywhere in the welding workshop. Old Wang squatted beside a thick steel plate, his brow furrowed. The first two test plates had developed fine cracks due to stress concentration in the welds, and they gleamed coldly in the scrap pile to the side.

"Master, is the current too high?" Zhao Gang asked, his forehead covered in sweat as he held the welding torch.

Old Wang took a drag on his cigarette, threw the butt on the ground, and stomped it out: "The current needs to be reduced, and we need to switch to a multi-layer, multi-pass welding method. We need to weld layer by layer, and after each layer, we have to knock off the weld slag to release the stress!"

As he spoke, he picked up the welding torch to demonstrate, and a blue arc lit up as his wrist remained as steady as if it were cast in iron.

Following his master's example, Zhao Gang held his breath and slowly moved the welding torch. Halfway through welding the third test plate, a small crack appeared, and he slammed his fist into his thigh in frustration.

Old Wang patted him on the shoulder. "Don't rush! National defense work doesn't happen overnight. Our welder's hands are our rulers. Practice a few more times, and you'll be good!"

Zhao Gang gritted his teeth, picked up a new thick steel plate, and readjusted the current. Sparks danced in front of his eyes, making his gaze particularly firm.

The lights in the light weapons workshop stayed on until late at night.

Zhou Qiming lay on the workbench, holding a sample of the alloy parts in his hand, repeatedly comparing the dimensions. He adjusted the proportions several times, and finally, the newly stamped parts no longer showed any deformation.

Outside the workshop, the family compound presents a warm and cozy scene of daily life.