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

"What? You mean your Beijing University of Technology is so eager to apply for associate doctoral degrees because of Zhou Weiguo?" Song Bu looked surprised.

Professor Zhang nodded helplessly: "Director Song, you know that Beijing University of Technology is already lagging behind Tsinghua University. We don't even offer associate's degree programs yet, so it's difficult to recruit Zhou Weiguo. I managed to get him to sign the application when he wasn't looking, but without an associate's degree, we can't just send him to do undergraduate studies again. Such a rare talent, are we just going to watch him go to Tsinghua to do theoretical research?"

Song Bu pondered for a moment, then looked troubled: "But he's already enrolled at Tsinghua University. It might not be appropriate for you to intercept him directly. It's fine if the Ministry of Education doesn't know, but if they do, it'll be difficult to explain. Besides, I think the Ministry of Machine Building is also keeping an eye on him. This is a tricky matter."

Seeing that Song was wavering, Professor Zhang said urgently, "Minister Song, you can't let him go! This kid understands firearms better than I do, and he easily solved a machine tool problem that hadn't been solved nationwide. His knowledge likely extends far beyond that. If you let him go, you'll definitely regret it later!"

After a long silence, Song Bu thought about Zhou Weiguo's improvements to the machine tools. He hesitated for a moment, then his tone hardened: "Keep him, he must stay! Just for improving machine tools, he's worth fighting for. As for designing firearms, that's not so simple. It's good for a young man to suffer some setbacks and hone his skills. Once he graduates, we'll send him directly to the Second Ministry of Machine Building to research machine tools."

Professor Zhang opened his mouth, but then said nothing more.

As long as Zhou Weiguo can stay, everything else is negotiable. Now we just hope that the news doesn't get back to Tsinghua University.

"Song Bu, Zhou Weiguo has close ties with the First Ministry of Machine Building, after all, he spent five years at Harbin Institute of Technology. In case..." Professor Zhang didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was already clear.

Song Bu lit a cigarette, pondered for a moment, and then said, "It's not a big problem. We'll see how he develops. If he really has potential, it wouldn't be out of the question for the Second Ministry of Machine Building and the First Ministry of Machine Building to jointly provide him with a platform. The key is whether he's worth it."

In the chief engineer's office of the steel rolling mill's technical department, Chief Engineer Song stood beside Director Wang of the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, anxiously asking, "Director Wang, are we really going to let such a talented technical person as Zhou Weiguo benefit the First and Second Ministries of Machine Building? This kid is absolutely a genius! Just in terms of improving machine tools, not to mention the steel rolling mill, even the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry has few people who can compare!"

Director Wang's face darkened: "I didn't want to either! Neither of the ministers are in Beijing, how can I, a mere director, compete with them for personnel? It's easy to say, but why weren't you saying anything earlier?"

Chief Engineer Song sighed, "Seeing him hovering in front of me for so long, yet unable to stay, is frustrating. Perhaps our steel mill is too small to retain such a big shot."

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Director Wang's eyes: "Hiss! It's not like there's no chance. You're a Level 5 Electromechanical Engineer from the Ministry of Metallurgy, are you really going to give up so easily? It all depends on how you handle it."

Chief Engineer Song said with a wry smile, "Director Wang, don't let my status as a Level 5 engineer fool you. I'm just a section chief in the technical department at the factory; my words don't carry much weight."

Director Wang laughed and scolded, "What's gotten into you, kid? You've got an addiction to officialdom now!"

Chief Engineer Song shook his head and said, "Last year you asked me to go to Shougang to take charge of the project, but I didn't go. Do you think I'm the kind of person who's interested in being an official?"

"I came to this factory to help out. Nobody knew how to use the machine tools that Da'e donated, so I asked Zhou Weiguo to give it a try. I didn't expect him to be so skilled; he used the machine tools perfectly. Moreover, the steel billets he used were custom-made by Beijing University of Technology, which Lao Zhang asked me to give to him. I just wanted him to train the workers, and it would be best if he could take on a few apprentices and build some rapport."

"As time went on, I realized this kid had huge potential. I wanted to ask Director Yang for a consultant position—no need for registration, just some subsidies and receipts. After all, he's still a student and doesn't have much money. But before I could even ask, Director Yang came to my office and started yelling at me, accusing me of obstructing production and even abusing my power to do favors for others. From then on, I didn't dare mention it again. To be honest, I'm even thinking of transferring back to the department."

Director Wang stared in shock, his eyes wide: "Is what you're saying true?"

Chief Engineer Song nodded helplessly.

Director Wang slammed his fist on the table in anger: "Nonsense! Come on, I want to ask Yang Weimin what he's thinking!" With that, he pulled Chief Engineer Song toward Yang Weimin's office.

When the two arrived at the office door, Director Wang kicked the door open.

Poor Yang Weimin was busy all day and didn't even have time to eat.

While the other engineers ate the food prepared in the kitchen, he was busy entertaining guests.

Right now, a cup of strong tea was steaming in front of him, a cigarette was between his left and a small wine glass in his right, and he was eating roasted pork and peanuts that had been cooked in his own kitchen.

Their eyes met. Director Wang, looking at the food and wine on the table, was so angry that his eyes turned red: "Yang Weimin, are you crazy? So many people from the Ministry of Metallurgy, the First Ministry of Machine Building, and the Second Ministry of Machine Building are at the steel rolling mill, and you're drinking here? I've heard that you, Yang Weimin, love to eat and drink, but I never thought you would be so inconsiderate of the occasion just for a meal."

Startled, Yang Weimin threw his wine glass on the table and rushed to Director Wang, looking like a child who had made a mistake: "Old leader, I'm just too tired. I just wanted a drink to perk myself up. I've been busy since morning and haven't had a drop of water. I only came back to eat after I'd finished arranging things for the leaders of the First and Second Ministries of Machine Building."

Normally, Director Wang might have been understanding, but today's situation is special.

Chief Engineer Song had just filed a complaint, and Director Wang was at a crucial stage of his promotion. If Yang Weimin were to embarrass himself in front of other departments, it would definitely affect his reputation.

Director Wang took a few deep breaths, suppressing his anger, and coldly asked, "I don't want to hear your explanation. I only want to ask you, what was the purpose of transferring Chief Engineer Song to the steel rolling mill? Before he came, I said that I would give him full autonomy and cultivate the technical strength of the steel rolling mill."

"But what about you? Chief Engineer Song only let Zhou Weiguo use an idle machine tool, and it was even Zhou's own material. What right did you have to go and yell at him? Do you know how much effort I put into getting Chief Engineer Song transferred to you? Don't you know what level of engineer your department-level steel rolling mill should have? And you dare to give him attitude?"

Yang Weimin almost buried his head in his chest, just about to defend himself.

"Shut up, you bastard!"

Director Wang roared, "Yang Weimin, if it weren't for the fact that you've followed me for so many years, I'd fucking kick you straight back to the army. If I ever hear you putting on airs with Chief Engineer Song again, I'll beat you to a pulp!"

"From now on, you'll focus on production. Chief Engineer Song will handle the technical aspects, and Li Huaide will manage logistics. Don't go looking for trouble all day. If I find you unreliable again, I'll transfer you straight to the Northwest to grow sweet potatoes!"

"By the way, you must immediately and sincerely invite Comrade Zhou Weiguo to become our factory's technical advisor. I don't care if you beg or kneel, you must bring him here, otherwise don't come back to see me."