Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

After the rest day, Wang Huanbo officially took office as the head of the technical department at Lou's Steel Rolling Mill.

His first move didn't target personnel or systems, but went straight to the core technology. After a detailed investigation of the factory's existing equipment and technical level, Wang Huanbo, combining the knowledge from the "Advanced Mechanical Mastery" program with the "Detailed Explanation of Basic Special Metallurgical Processes" provided by the system, proposed a seemingly simple yet revolutionary technical transformation plan—optimizing the regenerator structure and oxygen blowing process of the factory's old open-hearth furnaces.

At a meeting in the technical department, when Wang Huanbo drew the improved schematic diagram on the blackboard with chalk and explained its principles, the technicians below, including the deputy section chief Liu Feng, were all dumbfounded.

"Section Chief Wang... this... will this work? The changes aren't huge, but the principles sound very complicated..." Liu Feng adjusted his glasses and said hesitantly. He wasn't deliberately making things difficult, but the plan was beyond his current knowledge.

"The principle isn't complicated; the core is to improve thermal and oxidation efficiency," Wang Huanbo said calmly, yet with undeniable confidence. "I've already compiled the specific calculation data and process parameters. All we need to do is make a few simple guide vanes and adjust the pressure and angle of the blowers. If successful, we expect the smelting time for each heat of steel to be shortened by 15% to 20%, fuel consumption to be reduced by 10%, and the quality of the molten steel to be more stable."

Shorten the time! Reduce consumption! Improve quality!

These words were like a bombshell, causing an uproar in the technical department. If they could actually be realized, the improvement in the factory's efficiency would be enormous!

"But... Section Chief Wang, isn't there any risk? What if it fails..." a veteran technician worried.

"Any technological upgrade carries risks," Wang Huanbo said, looking at him. "But our calculations are thorough, and we can conduct a small-scale test first in Furnace No. 1. Director Lou has already approved the test plan."

Upon hearing that Lou Zhenhua had agreed, the crowd fell silent, but their eyes held a mixture of suspicion and curiosity. Was this new section chief truly capable, or merely a theorist?

Wang Huanbo acted swiftly and decisively, immediately organizing a team and personally leading them to the workshop. He was no longer the "official" who only talked; instead, he rolled up his sleeves and worked alongside the workers, measuring, marking, and guiding welding and installation. His familiarity with the equipment and his hands-on skills once again impressed the veteran workers.

Yi Zhonghai observed everything from the workshop with a detached eye. He saw Wang Huanbo surrounded by workers, heard their private praise of him, and saw the satisfied smile on Lou Zhenhua's face during his several inspections of the workshop. His heart sank. Wang Huanbo was rapidly establishing himself in the steel rolling mill and winning people's hearts with his solid skills and abilities. His idea of ​​"making it impossible for Wang Huanbo to stay in the factory" became increasingly unrealistic.

"We must get rid of him in the compound before he completely takes root!" Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth. If they can't touch him in the factory, they'll ruin his reputation in the compound! He refused to believe that Wang Huanbo, a "foreign student" who had returned from overseas, could outmaneuver the people he had cultivated in the compound for decades!

A few days later, the technical transformation experiment led by Wang Huanbo officially began at the No. 1 open-hearth furnace.

When the improved open-hearth furnace was ignited, and with the new process parameters implemented, the color of the flames and the sound of combustion inside the furnace indeed changed significantly. The workers operated according to Wang Huanbo's instructions, and everything appeared to be in perfect order.

The moment of tapping had arrived. As the molten steel gushed from the furnace, the experienced master craftsman, after only a glance at its color and fluidity, couldn't help but exclaim, "Excellent steel! This is much better than before!"

Subsequent test results were even more encouraging: smelting time was reduced by 18%! Coal consumption was reduced by 12%! The pass rate of steel billets was significantly improved!

The experiment was a success!

The news spread like wildfire throughout the entire factory. Lou Zhenhua personally visited the workshop, shook Wang Huanbo's hand, and was too excited to speak. This meant enormous profits! This meant that Lou's Steel Rolling Mill's technological level would be far ahead of its competitors!

Wang Huanbo's reputation as a "technical genius" is now fully established. People in the factory now look at him with genuine respect and admiration.

The winds of change at the steel rolling mill had completely shifted. Wang Huanbo's prestige was at its zenith.

In contrast, the undercurrents within courtyard number 95 were even more turbulent.

At the Jia family home, Jia Zhangshi listened to Jia Dongxu, who had just returned from get off work, sourly recounting Wang Huanbo's success at the factory. Her cursing intensified: "Pah! What's so great about him! It's just pure luck! Let's see how long he can be so smug! Dongxu, you have to prove yourself! You can't let him outdo you!"

Jia Dongxu said sullenly, "Mom, he's a PhD, how can I compare?"

The Yan family. Yan Bugui sighed, "It's over. Now he's got a foothold at the factory. Forget about the west wing. What about Jiecheng's wedding room...?"

The Liu family. After venting his frustration on his son, Liu Haizhong said to Liu Guangqi, "Guangqi, do you see? Having skills is a big advantage! You need to learn more skills in the factory! Don't end up like your two younger brothers, good-for-nothings!"

At the Xu family residence, Xu Fugui said to Xu Damao, "See? Stick close to this powerful figure, you can't go wrong! Section Chief Wang is destined for great things!"

Upon learning of Wang Huanbo's resounding success with his technological reforms, Yi Zhonghai locked himself in his room for an entire afternoon. When he emerged, a resolute and ruthless glint flashed in his eyes. He realized that conventional methods were no longer effective against Wang Huanbo. He had to take a risky gamble, even if it meant… using underhanded tactics! His goal was to completely ruin Wang Huanbo's reputation within the institute! For example, by fabricating "rumors" about Wang Huanbo's lifestyle, or by exploiting the deaf old woman…

Wang Huanbo stood by the window of his west courtyard, gazing at the deep night outside. The factory's success was within his expectations. He knew the beasts in the courtyard, especially Yi Zhonghai, wouldn't sit idly by. What followed was the real battle. And he was prepared. The system space contained far more than just technical data. In this grand drama of "Love Fills the Courtyard," he, Wang Huanbo, was going to perform with a different approach!