Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

Inside the extra-large workshop of the Northern Heavy Machinery Plant, a steel giant stands majestically—the 20000-ton hydraulic press, a testament to the hard work and wisdom of countless people. Its four pillars, like towering giants, and its massive worktable and movable beams gleam with a cold, metallic sheen. Today marks its first full-load (20000-ton) pressure test.

The atmosphere in the workshop was heavy and solemn. Leaders from the Ministry of Industry, all members of the joint research team, cadres and workers from the Northern Heavy Machinery Plant, and Soviet expert Ivanov, who had been specially invited to observe, surrounded the site. All eyes were focused on the behemoth and the young chief engineer, Wang Huanbo, standing in front of the main control panel.

Wang Huanbo's expression remained calm, but his clenched palms were slightly sweaty. Despite his confidence in the system's technology, this was the first time turning blueprints into reality, and it was being done under the current conditions of a weak industrial base. Any minor error could lead to catastrophic consequences. He checked all the parameters again to confirm that everything was correct.

"Final confirmation for each unit!"

"Hydraulic system is functioning normally!"

"Lubrication system is functioning normally!"

"Electrical control system is normal!"

"Safety devices are functioning properly!"

Clear reports came from each post over the walkie-talkie.

Wang Huanbo glanced at the department and factory leaders beside him, and after receiving their approving looks, he took a deep breath and ordered in a deep voice: "Start the 20000-ton hydraulic press for its first full-load test!"

Press the button! A deep hum of the motor rises, the hydraulic pump starts working, and the pressure gauge pointer slowly rises! The huge movable beam descends smoothly under the drive of the hydraulic cylinder! On the worktable, a high-strength steel billet, half a meter thick, used for testing, quietly awaits its fate.

5000 tons…10000 tons…15000 tons…the pressure continued to climb! The workshop was deathly silent, save for the roar of the machines and the tense pounding of people's hearts. Soviet expert Ivanov stood with his arms crossed, a hint of amusement on his face. He didn't believe the Chinese could actually build a 10,000-ton hydraulic press that met design specifications.

18000 tons... 19000 tons... 19500 tons...

The pressure is nearing the design limit! The steel billet begins to emit a slight "crunching" sound, a sign that the internal crystal lattice of the metal is deforming under immense pressure!

"20000 tons! Pressure reached!" came the report over the walkie-talkie!

"Keep the pressure on!" Wang Huanbo stared intently at the steel billet and various monitoring instruments.

Time ticked by, and the hydraulic press ran smoothly without any abnormalities! One minute later…

"Relieve pressure!"

The movable crossbeam slowly rose. Once fully raised, staff quickly measured the steel billet—it had been pressed into a standard, uniformly thick disc, with dimensions perfectly meeting requirements! Test successful!

"It's a success!"

"We did it!"

After a brief silence, the workshop erupted in a tsunami of cheers! The workers embraced each other excitedly, tears welling in their eyes! Several veteran engineers were especially moved to tears; they had spent their entire lives hoping that China would have its own powerful national instruments!

The leaders of the Ministry of Industry excitedly grasped Wang Huanbo's hand: "Comrade Huanbo! You've worked hard! You have made immortal contributions to the country!"

Wang Huanbo smiled modestly and said, "This is the result of everyone's joint efforts!"

Ivanov, his face ashen, stepped forward to examine the flattened steel billet and the operating data. He had to admit that the performance and stability of the hydraulic press had exceeded his expectations. He forced a smile and said to Wang Huanbo, "Congratulations, Comrade Wang. This... truly is a miracle." But the shock and a barely perceptible hint of apprehension in his eyes were unmistakable. The speed at which the Chinese had made breakthroughs in the field of heavy equipment far exceeded Moscow's expectations.

The news sent shockwaves through the nation! The successful development of the 20000-ton hydraulic press marks a new milestone for China's heavy machinery manufacturing industry! It will not only completely solve the problem of large-scale stamping production of body panels for Hongxing Automobile, but will also provide crucial equipment support for the processing of large components in many fields such as shipbuilding, aviation, and military industries!

Wang Huanbo's name once again resounded throughout the national science and technology community and industrial front, truly deserving the title of "pillar of the nation."

However, behind the glory, undercurrents grew increasingly turbulent. The success of the hydraulic press was like a resounding slap in the face to those who sought to strangle China through technological blockade. Soon after, Wang Huanbo received notification that his superiors had decided to strengthen security measures for him. Simultaneously, he began to be intentionally or unintentionally excluded from some important international technical exchanges and research activities. Clearly, he had become a "key target" for certain forces.

Meanwhile, the research and development of more advanced engine technologies and new materials was also put on the agenda. Wang Huanbo knew that the real competition had only just begun. Standing at a new starting point, he set his sights on a more distant future. With the hydraulic press and preliminary foreign exchange channels in place, it was time to make "Red Star" truly shine on the world stage and begin preparing for the more severe test that was about to come. In his system space, there were still many more technologies that could change the times, waiting for the right opportunity to emerge.