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

Hearing this, Chief Engineer Song looked at Zhou Weiguo with a mocking smile: "Teasing us? I think you're just trying to scare us! You've really put yourself in a bind. Didn't you see Director Wang and Old Chen run out? Just you wait, you'll get what's coming to you."

Zhou Weiguo's heart tightened, and he asked nervously, "Why? I haven't done anything wrong, why are you tormenting me?"

Chief Engineer Song lowered his voice, a half-smile on his face, and said, "Trying to mess with you? Look at Old Chen, Director Wang, and these engineers from the Ministry of Metallurgy, the First Ministry of Machine Building, the Second Ministry of Machine Building, and the Ministry of Education. You're like Sun Wukong trapped on the Flaming Mountain, either being roasted or tested. Let me explain: the first-level ministry manages civilian machine tools and also Harbin Institute of Technology; the second-level ministry manages military machine tools and also Beijing University of Technology; the Ministry of Education doesn't manage machine tools, but it manages Tsinghua University; the Ministry of Metallurgy doesn't manage machine tools, but it manages me! Think carefully about what you're going to do next."

Zhou Weiguo looked bewildered: "Uncle Song, Harbin Institute of Technology is my alma mater, and Tsinghua University is where I did my associate's degree, but what does that have to do with Beijing University of Technology?"

Chief Engineer Song grinned mischievously: "Kid, did Old Zhang ask you to sign anything?"

These words startled Zhou Weiguo, who suddenly remembered Old Zhang saying that he could receive a subsidy after signing the documents. His face instantly turned ashen: "What?! Uncle Zhang is tricking me! Old Wu's brother-in-law is tricking me!"

Chief Engineer Song quickly reassured them, "It's not that bad, it's not that bad. At most, it just involved having you sign an application. I recently heard that Beijing University of Technology suddenly applied to establish a PhD research group and is also adding a PhD program. Guess who it's for?"

Although Zhou Weiguo was still annoyed at being tricked by Uncle Zhang, after thinking about it, he realized that he didn't really care which school he studied at, as long as he could stay in Beijing.

As they were talking, Chief Engineer Song suddenly lowered his voice, "Oh, right, I forgot to tell you, Old Chen, he..." Before he could finish, Old Chen walked over. Chief Engineer Song immediately smiled apologetically, "Old Chen, you're busy, I'll go make a call."

Upon seeing this, Zhou Weiguo quickly greeted him, "Hello, Elder Chen!"

Old Chen's face was serious, and his tone carried a hint of dissatisfaction: "You're Zhou Weiguo? I've heard you're quite capable, looking down on our Harbin Institute of Technology's associate doctorate and insisting on going to Tsinghua? I've come today to see if the person the president and vice-presidents of Harbin Institute of Technology have tried so hard to retain really has three heads and six arms."

These words made Zhou Weiguo inwardly groan: "So this was a precision strike! All I wanted to do was come to Beijing to activate the system, is this some kind of targeting?"

However, Old Chen suddenly changed the subject, a smile appearing on his face. He patted Zhou Weiguo on the shoulder and said, "Well, from my observation, you're not exactly a superhuman, but you've definitely got some skills. Good lad! You've really got some talent, and you haven't let your alma mater down."

I heard your principal complaining, and then I saw your name on Xiao Song's application form, so I thought I'd come and check it out. I didn't expect you to be so capable. Looks like you've learned a lot from the comrades at Harbin Institute of Technology. Xiao Wu said you not only acted as their translator, but you also drank with them like old friends. I'd like to see your drinking capacity."

Zhou Weiguo smiled bitterly to himself. He was easily intoxicated; if it weren't for trying to squeeze some treasures out of the Daowari clan, why would he use his spatial storage as a wine jug? Aloud, however, he explained, "Professor Chen, it's not that I didn't want to stay at the university. It's mainly because my eldest nephew and niece in Beijing were bullied and almost starved to death. Plus, my unreliable brother-in-law abandoned the children and ran off with a widow. I was really anxious and wanted to come here as soon as possible."

Old Chen, with an "I see" expression, said, "So you used your connections to get orders from above? ...Never mind, I won't ask how you got them. But with your talent for machine tools, isn't going to Tsinghua a bit...?"

Zhou Weiguo had no reply to this, and could only helplessly say, "I didn't have a choice at the time; it was all arranged by the leaders. I just wanted to come and take care of the child as soon as possible."

Old Chen said approvingly, "You're so young, yet you already know how to shoulder family responsibilities. That's good! Would you be interested in developing your career at the First Ministry of Machine Building? I can arrange it."

After careful consideration, Zhou Weiguo said, "Professor Chen, I'd like to start by developing in the defense industry, beginning with firearms manufacturing. I'm very interested in that."

Old Chen's eyes lit up: "Good! The Second Ministry of Machine Building is not bad either. You asked Xiao Song to borrow a machine tool, you wouldn't be doing this, would you? Xiao Zhang's school has all kinds of machine tools, why go to such lengths?"

Zhou Weiguo stammered, not daring to speak carelessly about matters involving Sino-Soviet relations.

Seeing this, Old Chen didn't press further, and said with a smile, "Alright, once you've built it, be sure to call me. I want to see what kind of national treasure our Harbin Institute of Technology graduates can create!"

Zhou Weiguo broke out in a cold sweat. It seemed that his performance today had raised Old Chen's expectations of him to an unprecedented level.

At this moment, Director Wang walked in with a group of people, and Uncle Zhang was among them.

They went straight to the machine tool that Zhou Weiguo had modified and began to conduct various tests and measurements.

During the testing period, the canteen delivered food. Everyone didn't stand on ceremony and squatted on the ground to wolf down their food. After eating, Zhou Weiguo felt sleepy, found a cart in the corner of the workshop, and fell asleep immediately.

Old Chen, Chief Engineer Song, and Uncle Zhang would come over to check on him from time to time, but seeing that he was sleeping soundly, they didn't disturb him.

Two or three hours later, the testers, holding their logbooks, reported to the two leaders: "Director Li, Director Song, after detailed measurements, this Goose 1A62 lathe, compared to other products in the same batch, shows an approximately 12% increase in efficiency, a 20% reduction in noise, a 40% increase in precision, and a 20% extension in lifespan. In terms of current performance, it has reached the level of mainstream international products."

Minister Li of the First Ministry of Machine Building exclaimed happily, "Excellent! Excellent! Where are the young comrades who improved this machine tool?"

Uncle Zhang said with a strange expression, "I was too tired from working for the country, so I fell asleep."

Minister Song of the Second Ministry of Machine Building smiled and said, "Our great hero deserves a rest."

Uncle Zhang wasn't about to let Zhou Weiguo continue sleeping, so he went over and kicked him. Zhou Weiguo rolled off the cart, and was about to get angry, but seeing the scene before him, he quickly got up, dusted himself off, and stood at attention.

Uncle Zhang introduced them: "For the country, this is Minister Song from the Second Ministry of Machine Building, and this is Minister Li from the First Ministry of Machine Building. The technicians have just tested it, and your improved machine tool has reached the world's mainstream level."

Minister Song stepped forward and praised, "Comrade Zhou Weiguo, you did a fantastic job!"

Zhou Weiguo scratched his head sheepishly: "Boss, it was just a sudden idea of ​​mine, I just wanted to give it a try."

Minister Li smiled and said, "This kind of sudden inspiration is exactly what we need! Xiao Zhou, would you be interested in joining our First Ministry of Machine Building?"

At this moment, Old Chen stepped forward and said, "Minister Li, this child is still in school. I suggest we wait until he finishes his studies before letting him make his own decision."

Minister Li chuckled and teased, "Old Chen, you're definitely showing favoritism! But you'd better help us snatch this talent away; Harbin Institute of Technology hasn't even finalized its transfer to the Second Ministry of Machine Building yet!"