I painted an aircraft carrier on the courtyard house for Dongda University.

Before Uncle Song could speak, the person next to him said, "Old Song, give this kid two pieces of the nickel-chromium alloy steel we ordered. Let him use that."

Song's eyes lit up; he knew this batch of nickel-chromium alloy steel was a custom order from Old Zhang. He waved for someone from the technical department to fetch it, then walked up to Zhou Weiguo: "Weiguo, you mean you can operate all these machine tools? There won't be any problems, will there?"

Zhou Weiguo smiled and said, "Uncle Song, it's nothing serious, don't worry about it."

A little while later, Xiao Wang brought over two piles of materials on a cart. Zhou Weiguo was delighted when he saw them; these materials were clearly for the Type 56 assault rifle, which was great and saved him a lot of trouble.

He picked up a piece of gun barrel material, walked to a lathe, checked the lathe, and then turned on the power to start processing.

He operated the machine tool with effortless skill, showing no sign of unfamiliarity. Those around him were stunned; his proficiency was astounding! As time passed, a crowd gradually gathered around Zhou Weiguo's machine tool, with Uncle Song and Uncle Zhang standing to the side, watching and nodding in approval.

Whether it was due to the system's support or inheriting Zhang Wei's level eight fitter skills, Zhou Weiguo was completely focused when he worked. Even at noon, he didn't go to eat; it was Ying Ge who brought him a meal and left it aside.

The news spread throughout the workers' lunch break. Several technicians and other workers in the workshop described Zhou Weiguo as a god, even saying that the best craftsmen in the factory weren't worthy to carry Zhou Weiguo's shoes. Of course, this also reached the ears of Yi Zhonghai and Jia Dongxu. Jia Dongxu fanned the flames for a long time, but Yi Zhonghai actually managed to restrain his emotions and even scolded Jia Dongxu before things calmed down.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Zhou Weiguo finally removed the roughly machined gun barrel from the machine tool.

Ying Ge had been watching Zhou Weiguo all day, and when he saw this, he ran out as fast as he could.

A moment later, Uncle Zhang and Uncle Song rushed over, snatched the gun barrel, and exclaimed, "How could it be so fast? Could it be a half-finished product? Wow! This...this is too exquisite! I've seen gun barrels that even the best craftsmen would take two days to make, and this kid made one in six hours! And the rough blank is so smooth? This craftsmanship is simply unbelievable!"

The surrounding workers and technicians gathered around, eager to find out what was going on. Zhou Weiguo, on the other hand, picked up his lunchbox and began to wolf down his food.

Five or six minutes later, Zhou Weiguo finished his meal and reached out to get his gun barrel back.

Uncle Zhang quickly said, "We know you're skilled, there's no need to push yourself so hard. You're still young, take your time. Rifling and polishing are slow processes, you can't rush them."

Zhou Weiguo glanced sideways and asked, "Uncle Zhang, is there something wrong with the pipe on my truck? Was the workmanship sloppy?"

Uncle Zhang was speechless, and angrily handed him the tube: "You ungrateful wretch!"

Those around him laughed at the sight. Although Uncle Zhang was also a technician, he focused more on design concepts, unlike the workers who understood that once they had a workpiece, they wanted to finish it in one go and then take a break.

Zhou Weiguo didn't stand on ceremony and began grinding the gun barrel with a machine tool in front of everyone. This process was fairly normal and was completed in a little over an hour.

With it almost time to get off work, Uncle Zhang stepped forward again to dissuade him: "Don't push yourself so hard, kid!"

Zhou Weiguo laughed and said, "Uncle Zhang, don't worry, all that's left is to rifling it by hand. It'll only take about ten minutes." After saying that, he started processing it directly.

Others might not understand, but Uncle Zhang, Uncle Song, and Brother Ying all exchanged incredulous glances.

Then he stood aside, looking nervous.

Sure enough, fifteen minutes later, Uncle Zhang excitedly picked up the gun barrel and carefully observed and measured it, almost shouting with excitement.

Immediately afterwards, Engineer Song also grabbed the gun barrel and began to examine it carefully.

With it almost time to get off work, Uncle Zhang stepped forward again to dissuade him: "Don't push yourself so hard, kid!"

Zhou Weiguo laughed and said, "Uncle Zhang, don't worry, all that's left is to rifling it by hand. It'll only take about ten minutes." After saying that, he started processing it directly.

Others might not understand, but Uncle Zhang, Uncle Song, and Brother Ying all found it unbelievable. They exchanged glances and then stood aside watching with tense expressions.

Sure enough, fifteen minutes later, Uncle Zhang excitedly examined and measured the gun barrel, almost shouting with excitement. Immediately afterward, Engineer Song also grabbed the barrel and began to examine it carefully. The two men measured in astonishment for a long time before looking at Zhou Weiguo in horror.

As the technician took the gun barrel for measurement and study, Engineer Song and Professor Zhang exchanged glances and walked aside. Engineer Song asked hopefully, "Is there any hope?"

Professor Zhang seemed to have made a huge decision: "I'll figure something out. With such excellent skills and such a brilliant mind, Beijing University of Technology will not let him slip by. I'll handle the school's arrangements; we'll do everything we can to lure him over. But Lao Song, I doubt you can hold onto someone like him."

Chief Engineer Song shook his head helplessly: "Although I understand in my heart, I'm just unwilling to accept it. This craftsmanship is top-notch!"

Professor Zhang suddenly thought of something: "Old Song, his chances of getting the job are slim. But this kid still has several years left in school, plus his machine tool skills are so superb, and his fitter skills are top-notch. It's reasonable for him to have a consultant title at your factory, right? No need for filing, no complicated applications, just your factory manager's approval. Don't tell me you can't afford a consultant's salary?"

Upon hearing this, Engineer Song was so excited that he was about to go find Zhou Weiguo, but Professor Zhang grabbed him, saying, "Don't panic, wait a bit longer. Once this kid's reputation spreads throughout the factory, it'll be easier for you to operate the equipment, and we can observe him further."

Engineer Song quickly replied, "Yes, yes, you're right. Old Zhang, the ministry and Shougang are coming to organize the grading soon. Should we let this kid give it a try? Maybe he can become an eighth-grade worker."

Professor Zhang's eyes lit up: "Just let me know in advance, and I'll bring my old boss over too. This kid's got such a good brain and such good skills; it's a shame he's not a teacher passing on knowledge. Even if he doesn't want to stay at the university in the end, we must make sure he takes on many apprentices. By the way, he's being handed over to you soon; I need to handle the paperwork, so you'd better keep a close eye on him."

That evening, Zhou Weiguo, Zhuzi, and Yushui sat at home. He Yuzhu excitedly said, "Uncle, do you know what? Li Huaide really gave me a raise! The method you taught me really worked. It seems Li Huaide isn't a bad guy after all; he got a bribe and did things for me. A pack of cigarettes raised my salary to 27 yuan, a whole 5 yuan increase!"

Zhou Weiguo didn't bother to explain, and laughed, "It's only five yuan. Focus on practicing your cooking skills lately; you might have to take a grading exam soon, and try to get a level seven or eight chef certificate."

He Yuzhu was taken aback: "Chefs need to take certification exams?"

Zhou Weiguo laughed and said, "There are plenty of exams to take later, what's the big deal? If you're really good at it, you can get a Level 6 certificate and earn fifty or sixty yuan a month. Then your uncle will find you a wife. That'll be the real winner in life."

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