Love in the Courtyard: Starting with Engineers

Anderson's face flushed and paled in turns, but he still tried to argue: "Mr. Li, have you thought this through? If you miss out on us, you'll lose a huge amount of foreign exchange!"

"Foreign exchange is important, but national sovereignty and security are even more important," Li Yu said firmly.

"Moreover, there are plenty of people who want to buy our machine tools."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the representative from South Asia stepped forward: "We'll buy! We want ten four-axis machine tools! No technical questions, no other concerns, cash payment!"

The experts from Country D nodded in agreement: "We approve of the performance of this machine tool and are willing to sign a long-term purchase contract."

Anderson watched this scene with a burning rage, yet there was nothing he could do.

He knew that Li Yu had made his position clear, and if he continued to argue, he wouldn't even be able to buy a four-axis machine tool.

Ultimately, most of the countries in the delegation signed purchase contracts with Longxing Factory.

Only the United States and a few other countries that joined in the commotion returned empty-handed, disappointed.

That very night after signing the contract, Li Huaide found Li Yu and patted him on the shoulder with a smile:

"You little rascal, you've really put those foreigners in their place today! But those foreigners won't give up, they might even send spies to steal our technology."

Li Yu gazed at the starry sky outside the window, his eyes sharp: "I thought of that long ago. I've already encrypted the core algorithm of the five-axis machine tool. Even if they steal the machine, they won't be able to use it."

"Moreover, the gates of Longxing Factory are not so easy to enter."

He paused, then turned to look in the direction of the workshop, where the lights were on all night.

Orders for four-axis machine tools not only bring the factory a lot of foreign exchange, but also make the name of Longxing Factory resound throughout the world's industrial sector.

But that five-axis machine tool covered by a dust cover is the real trump card. In the near future, it will shine the brightest in the missile workshop.

Foreigners want to buy five-axis axles? Maybe in their next life.

The day after the contract was signed, the telegraph room at Longxing Factory was completely overwhelmed with work.

The South Asian order was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples everywhere.

First, the embassies of several Southeast Asian countries sent urgent telegrams, specifically requesting to order four-axis machine tools.

Next came the oil-rich Middle Eastern countries, which sent a special plane with a negotiation team, demanding fifty units and also requesting to send technical personnel to the Longxing factory for training.

A long line of Hongqi cars stretched out at the factory gate, with foreign trade specialists and foreign merchants from all over the country crowding around, all eager to see the four-axis machine tool that could process precision parts.

Li Yu became extremely busy, spending his days either giving demonstrations to customers in the workshop or finalizing contract details in the conference room, without even having time to drink a sip of water.

That afternoon, he had just seen off a group of guests from Latin America when Li Huaide came over with a thick order report, his face beaming with joy.

"Li Yu, Li Yu, it's only been half a month, and the orders are already booked until the end of next year! The deposits alone are enough for us to build two more new workshops!"

Li Yu took the report and glanced at it, his gaze landing on the last line of notes: "That military-industrial company in Country M has sent another telegram?"

"That's right." Li Huaide's face darkened.

"That old fox Anderson said he'd pay fifteen times more, practically begging us to sell him a five-axis machine tool, and even offered to trade it for their special steel. Humph, does he really think we're fools?"

Li Yu sneered and threw the report on the table: "Tell him, no way. The technology of five-axis machine tools is more precious than gold; I won't sell it for any price."

He paused, then added, "Also, all customers who order four-axis machine tools sign an agreement stating that the machine tools can only be used for civilian production."

"Resale to the US and its allies is strictly prohibited. If discovered, we have the right to recall all equipment and cease cooperation altogether."

Li Huaide slapped his thigh: "Great idea! I'll go arrange it right away!"

Although there were many orders, Li Yu was still quite worried because the more orders there were, the greater the risk.

He knew very well that those foreigners might talk about cooperation, but who knew what shady ideas they were plotting behind the scenes.

Sure enough, a few days later, something went wrong in the workshop.

That day, Li Yu went to inspect the workshop as usual. Just as he arrived at the warehouse where the core components of the four-axis machine tool were stored, he saw the guard Xiao Zhang escorting a suspicious-looking young man over.

The young man was wearing an apprentice's uniform from Longxing Factory, clutching a miniature camera in his hand, his face as pale as paper.

"Engineer Li!" Xiao Zhang saluted, his voice laced with anger. "That kid sneaked into the warehouse while no one was around during the night shift and took pictures of the machine tool control box. I caught him red-handed!"

Li Yu walked over, picked up the miniature camera, and examined it. The body was small and exquisite, with the logo of an American camera brand engraved on it. He then glanced at the young man, who looked completely unfamiliar.

"You're not an apprentice at our factory, are you?" Li Yu's voice was as cold as ice.

The young man trembled, but stubbornly insisted, "I'm just an apprentice, I was just curious..."

"Curious?" Li Yu sneered, pulling a forged work ID from his pocket. "An apprentice's ID from Longxing Factory. The photo and seal are fake. Do you think I'd believe that?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than the guard next to him recognized the camera's origin:

"Engineer Li, this is a miniature camera used by spies! When we arrested Lu Zhun, he had one exactly the same!"

The young man's psychological defenses completely collapsed. He fell to his knees with a thud and confessed everything, trembling.

He was a spy sent by Anderson, who infiltrated the Longxing factory by taking advantage of its expansion of apprenticeships, with the intention of secretly photographing the core structure of the four-axis machine tool so that he could replicate it later.

Li Yu had him taken to the Special Operations Department, his vigilance increasing even further.

Anderson will certainly not let this slip-up go unpunished.

But he didn't expect the other side's counterattack to come so quickly.

A week later, the first batch of four-axis machine tools will be shipped to South Asia.

On the day of loading, colorful flags fluttered in the port, and workers from Longxing Factory came to see them off. Li Yu personally checked the seals on every machine tool to ensure everything was in perfect order.

Just as the crane was about to lift the last machine tool onto the ship, the veteran quality inspector suddenly shouted, "Wait! There's something wrong with the motor on this machine tool!"

Li Yu immediately went over, opened the motor box of the machine tool, and his expression changed instantly.

The core circuit board inside had been replaced with a crudely made counterfeit, while the original circuit board had disappeared.

"Seal off the port!" Li Yu's voice was filled with murderous intent. "No one is allowed to leave!"

The port guards immediately sprang into action, taking all the crew members and stevedores under control. Li Yu, meanwhile, led the technical team to meticulously inspect every step of the process.

Finally, a miniature tracker with the same logo as the one on the spy camera was found on the sole of a worker's shoe.

Clearly, this was Anderson's revenge.

Unable to steal the technology of five-axis machine tools, they tried to ruin the reputation of four-axis machine tools.

Fortunately, it was discovered in time. Li Yu had the spare circuit board replaced and a hidden anti-tamper device installed in each machine tool.