Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

In the center of the military workshop of the steel rolling mill, there was a shiny black machine tool. The workers in the workshop were all gathered around it, their faces filled with anticipation and pride, and they even breathed a little softer.

Today we're going to hold a launch ceremony for this machine tool, but there won't be any extravagant ceremonies, just a simple ribbon-cutting.

Lin Weidong and Su Wanqing stood side by side on the machine tool, holding scissors with Li Huaide. Li Huaide smiled and said, "Today is a big day for our steel rolling mill! This four-axis CNC machine tool is a new milestone in our military industry! I declare it operational!"

As the scissors fell on the red silk, the workers erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Just then, footsteps sounded at the workshop entrance. Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a group of people escorting a middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit with a calm demeanor as he walked in. The man was none other than Liu Jie, the Minister of Industry.

He was followed by several technicians, including a young man with metal-framed glasses and an arrogant expression.

Li Huaide hurriedly went to greet him. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Li Huaide, Liu Jie went straight to the machine tool, reached out and stroked the cold machine body, his eyes full of admiration.

He turned to Lin Weidong beside him: "Comrade Lin Weidong, you're amazing! A four-axis CNC machine tool—this is a precision piece of equipment our country urgently needs. Your steel rolling mill has made a great contribution to the nation!"

Just as Lin Weidong was about to say something modest, the bespectacled young man next to him sneered and said sarcastically, "A four-axis CNC machine tool? I bet it's just some kind of swindler's guise."

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly extinguishing the enthusiastic atmosphere. All eyes turned to the young man.

Lin Weidong frowned slightly, while Su Wanqing frowned even more, her face full of displeasure.

Li Huaide stepped forward and asked in a deep voice, "Comrade, what do you mean by that?"

The young man raised his chin and said arrogantly, "My name is Ji Boxiao, and I'm a technician from the Ministry of Industry. Everyone here should know how technically challenging four-axis CNC machine tools are."

"Its requirements for guide rail precision, feed system, and tool compensation are extremely stringent. Currently, only countries M and D in the world can manufacture qualified products."

"We haven't even fully mastered three-axis machine tools in China yet, and suddenly a four-axis machine tool appears. I find it hard to believe that this isn't just a gimmick."

His words were filled with skepticism, and even hinted at a "foreign worship" attitude, which made the workers present show anger.

Lin Weidong looked at him, his eyes turning cold.

He took two steps forward, looked at the person in front of him, and said, "Technician Ji, right? According to you, our country can only follow in others' footsteps and will never be able to produce advanced equipment? You work as a technician in the Ministry of Industry, relying on the idea that 'the moon is always brighter in foreign countries' to do your research?"

Ji Boxiao blushed, choked by the retort, and was about to retort, "You!"

Su Wanqing stepped forward, a disdainful smile playing on her lips: "Technician Ji, have you only ever seen the parameters of a four-axis machine tool in books? Anyone can talk the talk, walk the walk. If you're so capable, see the performance of this machine tool with your own eyes, instead of just spouting nonsense!"

Ji Boxiao's face turned ashen with anger, and he retorted, "Fine, I'll see! I want to see if this so-called four-axis machine tool can even meet the standards!"

"That's enough!"

Liu Jie abruptly stopped Ji Boxiao, his face so dark it could drip water.

"Bo Xiao, you're being too presumptuous! Comrade Lin Weidong is an expert in the military industry, and the steel rolling mill's military achievements are obvious to all. Who gives you the right to point fingers here?"

Ji Boxiao is Liu Jie's nephew. Relying on his education, he is arrogant and condescending.

He was reprimanded by Liu Jie and felt indignant, but dared not argue back. He just glared at Lin Weidong with a defiant look in his eyes: "I just don't believe it! Unless he can get the machine tool to process a high-precision part on the spot, I will never acknowledge this as a qualified four-axis machine tool!"

Lin Weidong sneered, "Fine, then so be it. We'll use this machine tool to machine a five-pointed star with a diameter of fifty millimeters, requiring that the error of each point not exceed 0.5 micrometers. Is that enough?"

An error of 0.5 micrometers! Upon hearing this, the technicians present all gasped in shock.

You have to understand that the diameter of a single hair is seven or eight strands, so a precision of 0.5 strands is simply incredible!

Ji Boxiao was also taken aback for a moment, then sneered, "Fine! I'll see how you get out of this in an hour!"

Lin Weidong ignored him and turned to work with Su Wanqing, skillfully inputting the program and adjusting the cutting tools. The workers held their breath, their eyes fixed on the machine tool.

The machine tool started, emitting a steady, low hum. Time passed by, and the workshop was so quiet that only the sound of the machine tool could be heard. Liu Jie stood beside Lin Weidong, looking at his focused profile with admiration in his eyes.

An hour passed quickly.

The machine tool's roar abruptly ceased. Lin Weidong pressed a button, the tool holder retracted, and a gleaming five-pointed star was removed from the fixture.

He picked up the five-pointed star, walked up to Ji Boxiao, and handed it to him: "Technician Ji, please inspect the goods."

Ji Boxiao took the five-pointed star, picked up a micrometer, and carefully began to measure it.

Once, twice, three times...

The error at each corner is precisely controlled within 0.3 micrometers! This completely exceeds the requirements!

The five-pointed star has distinct angles and smooth, mirror-like edges, shimmering with a metallic luster in the sunlight, making it flawlessly perfect.

Ji Boxiao's face slowly changed from disdain to shock, and finally turned deathly pale. The micrometer in his hand fell to the ground with a "thud," and he froze.

Thunderous applause erupted in the workshop. The workers cheered and jumped for joy, many with tears of excitement in their eyes.

Liu Jie stepped forward, his face serious, and said to Ji Boxiao, "Boxiao, did you see that clearly? This is a four-axis machine tool made in our country! Now, what do you have to say? Apologize to Comrade Lin Weidong!"

Ji Boxiao's lips trembled, his heart filled with shame and resentment. He gritted his teeth, lowered his head, and whispered, "I'm sorry... I was blind to your greatness."

Lin Weidong simply nodded.

At noon, Liu Jie and his group were invited to the steel rolling mill's small canteen.

Li Huaide had a sumptuous meal prepared, and everyone sat together in a lively atmosphere.

After a few rounds of drinks, Ji Boxiao's resentment resurfaced.

He stood up, holding his wine glass, first toasting Liu Jie, then looking at Lin Weidong with a hint of smugness in his voice: "Comrade Lin, I know you're very capable."

"But Ji Boxiao is no less capable. He's 25 years old this year and is already a formal technician in the Ministry of Industry, having participated in three provincial-level projects. In terms of future prospects, I may not be worse than anyone else."

After saying that, he even raised his chin at Lin Weidong, a gesture that was clearly a provocation.

Everyone looked over, and the atmosphere instantly became a little awkward.

Seeing this, Liu Jie simply put down his wine glass, looked at Ji Boxiao, and said in a loud voice, "Boxiao, haven't I introduced Comrade Lin Weidong's identity to you yet?"

Ji Boxiao was taken aback.

Liu Jie stood up and announced loudly, "Let me tell you all! Comrade Lin Weidong is not even eighteen years old yet!"

"He is not only a senior engineer at the steel rolling mill, but also a core developer of the Type 95 automatic rifle and high-explosive armor-piercing rounds! This four-axis CNC machine tool we see today was designed and manufactured by him and his team!"

boom!

These words were like a thunderclap, exploding in everyone's ears.

Ji Boxiao's wine glass fell to the ground with a "clatter," spilling wine all over the floor.

He stared wide-eyed at Lin Weidong, his face filled with disbelief.

Under 18? Senior engineer? Core researcher in military industry?

His proud status as a 25-year-old technician in the Ministry of Industry was utterly insignificant compared to Lin Weidong's achievements! It was nothing!

The meal ended hastily because of Ji Boda. After finishing their meal, Lin Weidong and Su Wanqing returned to the workshop to train the technicians on machine tool operation.