Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

A red-headed document from Haizi, like a clap of thunder in spring, exploded at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, shaking the entire industrial sector of Beijing! The document officially announced that the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill and its subordinate units were upgraded to ministerial-level units, directly under the management of the central government! The original Party Secretary, Comrade Wang, due to his advanced age, high moral character, and outstanding contributions, was promoted half a rank to a second-line position, enjoying ministerial-level treatment; Comrade Yao Jianghe was appointed as the Party Secretary of the Mill (ministerial level), in charge of Party building, organization, and security; Comrade Yang Weimin was appointed as the Factory Director (vice-ministerial level), in charge of production, finance, and sales; Comrade Li Huaide was appointed as the Deputy Factory Director (vice-ministerial level), concurrently serving as the Factory Director of the Hongxing Automobile Manufacturing Plant, in charge of general affairs and logistics; Comrade Wang Huanbo was appointed as the Deputy Factory Director and Chief Engineer (ministerial-level treatment), in charge of the mill's technological research and development and innovation! To alleviate Comrade Wang Huanbo's administrative burden, Comrade Zheng Yunfeng was appointed as Assistant Deputy Factory Director** (department-level), assisting in handling daily administrative affairs.

The news sent shivers down the spines of everyone at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill! From a bureau-level unit, they had leaped to a ministerial-level factory on par with other ministries! What an honor! This signified the nation's absolute affirmation and highest regard for Hongxing Mill, especially for the technological innovation path led by Wang Huanbo! At the factory gate, the sign "Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill" was carefully removed and replaced with a more solemn and imposing sign bearing the gilded characters "China Hongxing United Industrial Corporation"! Director Yang… no, now he should be called General Manager Yang, was moved to tears, his voice choked with emotion at the general meeting of cadres: "Comrades! This is the glory and dream of generations of people at Hongxing Mill! The burden on our shoulders is even heavier! We must not let down the Central Committee's trust!"

The newly appointed Party Secretary Yao Jianghe, in his fifties, is tall, with a serious face and sharp eyes. He is a pragmatic individual promoted from the local industrial sector, known for his strong principles and tough style. Upon taking office, he acted swiftly and decisively. His first move was to strengthen the security department, upgrading it to a security division and equipping it with better equipment and more rigorously vetted veterans. In particular, the security level for the three-axis CNC machine tool workshop and Deputy Factory Director Wang Huanbo was raised to the highest level, making it virtually impenetrable.

Li Huaide, the deputy factory director, was riding high. With the help of his father-in-law's connections and his own shrewdness, he successfully brought the highly sought-after Hongxing Automobile Manufacturing Plant under his control. Although he was still at the deputy ministerial level, his real power had increased significantly, and he began to ambitiously plan to double the production of Mingjiang Automobile and generate foreign exchange through exports.

The most dazzling figure was undoubtedly Wang Huanbo! At such a young age, to be appointed as the deputy factory director and chief engineer with ministerial-level待遇 (treatment/benefits) was a miracle in the industrial history of New China! Although it was clearly stated that his main focus was on technological research and development, and administrative affairs were handled by his assistant Zheng Yunfeng, this "ministerial-level待遇" itself was an unparalleled affirmation and a transcendent status. People in the factory privately addressed him respectfully as "General Manager Wang," their tone filled with heartfelt admiration.

Faced with the massive organization and complex affairs brought about by the upgrade, Wang Huanbo maintained remarkable composure. He knew that with higher status came greater responsibility, and also more covetousness and risks. He immediately had in-depth discussions with his steady and capable assistant, Zheng Yunfeng, delegating all the trivial administrative tasks such as personnel, meetings, receptions, and document circulation to him, while he firmly grasped the two lifelines of technological research and development and core projects. His office remained in the technology building, rather than the spacious factory director's office in the administration building.

The news of the upgrade spread like wildfire, reaching No. 95 Nanluoguxiang. The courtyard erupted in chaos!

Holding the newspaper, Yan Bugui pointed tremblingly at the words "ministerial level" and gave the whole family a live lesson: "Look! Look! Ministerial level! What does that mean? It's the same level as the mayor! How old is Huanbo? He's a true literary genius! From now on, when you see General Manager Wang, no, when you see Factory Director Wang, show him some respect! Especially you, Jiecheng! Learn more from Factory Director Wang!" He began frantically calculating Wang Huanbo's current salary, benefits, company car, housing standards... The abacus clicked loudly, his eyes filled with envy.

Upon hearing the news, Liu Haizhong was furious, beating his chest and stamping his feet in despair! His eyes were bloodshot with jealousy! Wang Huanbo had become the deputy factory director, enjoying ministerial-level benefits! And him? Still a level seven forging worker! He hadn't even managed to become a deputy workshop director! He vented his anger on his sons: "You two good-for-nothings! Look at Director Wang! And look at you! How could I have given birth to two worthless brats like you!" Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu's screams echoed through the backyard once more. Liu Haizhong secretly vowed to get promoted as soon as possible! Even a group leader would do! He pondered, the newly arrived Secretary Yao seemed very serious; perhaps this was an opportunity?

Xu Damao was overjoyed! He had indeed bet on the right thing! Chief Engineer Wang had become Factory Director Wang! And at the ministerial level! This guy's connections were incredibly powerful! He immediately took action, taking out his two bottles of Moutai and a carton of Zhonghua cigarettes, wrapping them in red paper, and waiting for the right opportunity to sneak into the west courtyard.

"Director Wang! Congratulations on your promotion! You're the one in our institute... no, the one in the entire city of Beijing!" Xu Damao gave a thumbs-up, his face beaming with a fawning smile. "If there's anything you need me for in the future, just let me know! I'll go through fire and water for you, no questions asked!"

Wang Huanbo was already immune to Xu Damao's tactics, and said calmly, "Comrade Damao, I appreciate the sentiment, but please take the things back. Doing your job well is the greatest contribution you can make to the factory."

Xu Damao was rebuffed, but undeterred, he repeatedly agreed and tried to slip away after leaving his belongings. Wang Huanbo had Zheng Yunfeng's assistant return them to him intact. Xu Damao was somewhat disappointed, but this only strengthened his resolve to "make a contribution" and demonstrate his loyalty.

The Jia family's reaction was far more complex. Upon hearing the news, Jia Dongxu remained silent for a long time, then buried himself in his books even more diligently. The higher Director Wang's position, the more he wanted to seize this unique opportunity! Qin Huairu, on the other hand, felt both envious and bewildered, and could only take even better care of her husband and children. Jia Zhangshi, hiding in her room, cursed sourly, "Pah! What's the use of being a high-ranking official? It's a curse to be childless!" But her voice was so soft that only she could hear it; she no longer dared to throw a tantrum like before.

Sha Zhu was beaming from ear to ear, telling everyone he met, "See that? Huanbo! My brother! A factory director at the ministerial level! From now on, if anyone dares to say no to the company's meals, I'll smash them with my big ladle!" He felt incredibly proud. He Yushui, on the other hand, regarded Wang Huanbo as her idol and life goal, and her enthusiasm for learning grew even stronger.

Yi Zhonghai lay in bed, listening to the discussions outside the window. He covered his head with the blanket and wept silently. The former "old man" and "level eight worker" were now just a thing of the past, a world apart from the rising "ministerial-level" factory director Wang.

Wang Huanbo was not basking in the joy of the upgrade; he knew the real challenges were just beginning. The central government had high hopes for the Hongxing Factory, especially regarding its production capacity for three-axis CNC machine tools. The biggest bottleneck, however, remained the vacuum tubes! The expanded, secure workshop was nearing completion, and the new production line urgently needed installation and debugging, which would multiply the demand for vacuum tubes! Relying on family channels for smuggling was ultimately unsustainable and increasingly risky.

"We must accelerate the research and development of domestically produced electron tubes!" Wang Huanbo made up his mind. Through his assistant Zheng, he submitted an "Emergency Recommendation on Accelerating the Localization of Precision Electron Tubes and Building Related Supporting Industries" to the newly appointed Secretary Yao and General Manager Yang. The report detailed the core position of electron tubes in CNC systems and even the future electronics industry, as well as the potential risks of relying on imports. It recommended that the country concentrate its efforts to accelerate the construction of the Beijing Electron Tube Factory (Factory 774) and initiate a project to develop higher-performance electron tubes.

This report, with its forward-looking and urgent nature, attracted the attention of Secretary Yao and General Manager Yang, who quickly submitted it to the central government. A covert battle surrounding the independent control of core components quietly began. Meanwhile, Wang Huanbo's gaze was already fixed on the more distant future—an era dominated by transistors and integrated circuits.