Courtyard House: The Road to an Industrial Power

Widow Li returned to the deaf old woman's house, and as soon as she entered, the old woman asked, "How did things go?"

"The matter is settled, but Lin Weidong seems to have seen me giving the person the things."

"What!" The deaf old woman suddenly stood up from her chair and looked at Widow Li.

"Did he realize he saw it clearly?"

"No, I just saw it from afar."

The deaf old woman finally breathed a sigh of relief and sat down. "If you didn't see anything, it's fine. Those people can't be seen in the light of day."

After returning to the west courtyard, Lin Weidong focused on organizing engine blueprints, completely ignoring the matter of Widow Li. In his view, Widow Li had simply found a new target.

In the research and development workshop of the steel rolling mill, the roar of machine tools was deafening.

Lin Weidong, dressed in work clothes stained with oil, was bending over and staring at the parts on the test bench, constantly measuring data with calipers.

Since the system rewarded him with eight-cylinder engine technology, he has devoted almost all his time to research and development, revising the blueprints again and again and testing the parts time and time again, all to ensure that every parameter reaches its optimal level.

"Brother Lin, do you think the wear resistance of this crankshaft can be further optimized?" Wang Jianjun, holding a test report, quickly walked to Lin Weidong's side.

During this period, whenever he had free time, he would run to the R&D workshop, pestering Lin Weidong to ask him about mechanical knowledge, from the precision control of small parts processing to the overall design logic of the engine.

Lin Weidong simply decided to transfer the other party to his side.

Lin Weidong took the report, looked at it carefully, and patiently explained: "The key to the wear resistance of the crankshaft lies in the materials and heat treatment process."

He picked up a pen, drew out the adjustment plan on the report, and explained it clearly and logically.

Wang Jianjun nodded repeatedly as he listened, quickly taking notes in his notebook.

After observing Wang Jianjun for the past few days, Lin Weidong found that Wang Jianjun was quite hardworking, especially when Lin Weidong was around.

During this period, Ji Boxiao felt extremely frustrated.

Ever since he was dealt with by Lin Weidong last time, he has become a laughing stock among the children of high-ranking officials.

That day, Ji Boxiao couldn't bear it any longer and went to find Liu Yuanchao again.

"Brother Yuanchao, please help me think of a solution! Everyone's making fun of me now, I'm too ashamed to even go out!"

Liu Yuanchao sat in a chair, slowly sipping his tea.

"It's not hard to save face. Isn't Lin Weidong currently working on some eight-cylinder engine development project?"

"His research and development will definitely require various approvals, as well as special materials and equipment support, all of which have to go through the Ministry of Industry's procedures."

"You can then block his approval process and bring his research and development project to a standstill."

Then, find a way to make him apologize and back down, and you'll save face, right?

Ji Boxiao's eyes lit up, and he nodded quickly, "Yes! You're so smart, Brother Yuanchao! I'll get on it right away, I'll make sure Lin Weidong pays the price!"

Looking at his good-for-nothing younger brother, Liu Yuanchao planned to dig a pit for him to fall into, hoping that he would offend Lin Weidong to the point of no return and let Lin Weidong teach him a lesson.

Then I'll have a reason to take action against Lin Weidong, since my father will definitely protect Lin Weidong now.

At this moment, in the R&D workshop, Lin Weidong was facing a thorny problem.

The core components of an eight-cylinder engine have extremely high material requirements, requiring a special alloy steel with high strength and high wear resistance, and the consumption rate of this steel is far exceeding expectations.

In just half a month, the previously stockpiled steel was almost gone, and the research and development work almost came to a standstill.

Lin Weidong, holding the materials list, approached Li Huaide: "Factory Director Li, the engine development has reached a critical stage, but we don't have enough of this special alloy steel. Could you perhaps coordinate some more?"

Li Huaide frowned and said helplessly, "Weidong, it's not that I don't want to help you, but this kind of special steel is in short supply now, and the whole country is in short supply. Our factory's quota has long been used up."

"I submitted a report to the Ministry of Industry three days ago, requesting an additional batch of supplies, but I haven't received a response yet."

Ji Boxiao's biggest concern at the Ministry of Industry right now is checking for any application materials from steel rolling mills. Just a few days ago, he discovered that a steel rolling mill was applying for special steel, so he told his colleague in charge of the documents and had them taken away.

Lin Weidong's heart sank. He knew that without this kind of steel, engine development would have to be put on hold.

He pondered for a moment: "Director Li, if all else fails, I'll try to formulate this steel myself. I've studied the relevant material formulas before, so perhaps I can succeed."

"You formulated it yourself?" Li Huaide asked, somewhat surprised. "The formula and smelting process for this special steel are very complex. Are you confident in your abilities?"

"We have no choice but to give it a try. We can't let the project stay stalled forever," Lin Weidong said firmly. "I need a specialized smelting furnace and some basic alloy raw materials. Could you please help me coordinate that?"

Li Huaide nodded: "Okay, I fully support you! Just tell me what you need, and I'll arrange it right away."

Li Huaide quickly coordinated the smelting furnace and raw materials.

Lin Weidong plunged into the smelting workshop, combining the material formulas included with the eight-cylinder engine technology awarded by the system with his own metallurgical knowledge, and began repeated experiments.

He meticulously calculated the proportions of various alloys, adjusted the smelting temperature and time, and tried again and again.

During this time, Wang Jianjun also came over to help, assisting Lin Weidong by recording data and adjusting equipment.

Su Wanqing wanted to help, but Lin Weidong felt that the smelting workshop was too dirty and messy, so he didn't let her come. Besides, he now had a clue.

A few days later, Lin Weidong and Wang Jianjun finally managed to configure the special steel.

With the material issue resolved, engine development is back on track.

In the afternoon, Lin Weidong breathed a sigh of relief and walked towards the courtyard house after get off work.

But as soon as he entered the alley, he keenly sensed that there seemed to be a pair of eyes watching him from the shadows.

He walked forward without making a sound, glancing around out of the corner of his eye, and noticed a blurry figure flash by in the corner of the wall not far away.

In the following days, Lin Weidong became increasingly certain that someone was secretly watching him.

Whether on my way to work or at the factory, I could always feel a strange gaze upon me.

Lin Weidong didn't make a fuss, but instead made some preparations. Previously, the factory had given him an approved handgun for his safety, which he kept in his office drawer.

He took out the gun, checked it carefully to make sure it was working properly, and then carried it with him.