The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

Before long, the entire set of equipment was fully assembled and entered the testing phase.

"Director Yang, let me do it!"

One of the followers stepped forward.

He was worried that something might go wrong during the test and wanted to stand in front of Yang Ping.

"Don't be nervous, I can do it myself, nothing will happen."

Yang Ping answered calmly.

With his current abilities, he can easily avoid danger and even control the situation in time if it does occur.

"But……"

The man was still somewhat hesitant.

The people around him also frowned, clearly unwilling to see Yang Ping put himself in danger.

Yang Ping didn't offer any further explanation and went straight forward to start the equipment for testing.

The operational data showed that stability had improved by at least 30%, and a satisfied smile flashed across his eyes.

He then took an oddly shaped part and placed it on the modified machine to operate it.

The parts were processed in about ten minutes, and the whole process was much smoother than before.

"Everything is normal, there's no need to worry."

Yang Ping turned around and smiled.

Everyone then relaxed, their expressions softening considerably.

"Master, the machine has been modified. Please try it out and see how well it can be done."

Yang Ping shouted towards the distance.

"They're here!"

Xie Quancai responded and walked over, holding a level-seven component in his hand.

Without saying a word, he stepped forward and began polishing, having no doubt about his apprentice's skills and feeling no sense of risk whatsoever.

About ten minutes later, he stopped.

"The machinery is indeed fine, and the efficiency has been improved considerably."

This part... feels like it's reached top-tier quality.

He examined the parts carefully and commented.

Next, he took out the measuring tools to verify them.

"That's right, it's definitely top-tier level!"

After confirming the result, a smile spread across his face.

He had been waiting for this moment for too long. As long as he could reach the threshold of the top-level, the threshold of the eighth-level fitter would be within reach.

"Master Zhao Qiancheng, please come and try it out using materials from non-standard parts."

Yang Ping said loudly.

Upon hearing this, everyone around turned solemn.

Dissimilar parts—in the entire factory, this was practically synonymous with an eighth-grade fitter.

Allowing Zhao Qiancheng to try at this moment undoubtedly foreshadows the birth of another level-eight fitter...

Everyone stopped what they were doing and gathered around to watch.

This commotion also alerted Lü Shuitian.

Since Lin Dahai successfully advanced to level eight last time, such a scene has never occurred in the workshop again.

Could we be witnessing the rise of another master today?

He immediately got up and jogged over here, afraid of missing any crucial details.

"Master, please continue polishing the level 7 parts and double-check whether they have reached the top-grade level."

Yang Ping made the arrangements.

The large machine has six workstations, enough to accommodate six people operating it simultaneously.

It is not contradictory to have Xie Quancai and Zhao Qiancheng work together on the refinement.

"good!"

Xie Quancai responded in a deep voice.

Zhao Qiancheng walked to another machine tool, carefully reviewed the drawings, adjusted the tool spacing, and began to process the dissimilar parts.

The two focused on their tasks, and the machine hummed softly.

After only ten minutes or so, Xie Quancai suddenly looked up, his eyes gleaming: "Yang Ping, my skill level has indeed stabilized at Level Seven Special Grade—can I now polish exotic parts?"

The improved mechanical stability elevated his skills to a whole new level, resulting in every part he produced being of exceptional quality.

Yang Ping shook his head: "Master, you need to consolidate your skills at the seventh level for a while longer."

"It's not too late to work with different parts when the time is right."

He could see clearly that Xie Quancai's skills still needed some refinement, and it was too early for him to attempt to reach the eighth level.

"good!"

Surprisingly, Xie Quan did not object and followed Yang Ping's advice.

"Director Yang, the grinding of the irregularly shaped parts is complete!"

Zhao Qiancheng's voice carried a suppressed excitement.

Yang Ping took the oddly shaped part and began to measure it carefully.

For a moment, the entire workshop fell silent, and everyone's eyes were focused on the vernier caliper in his hand.

Even Lü Shuitian held his breath—the answer to whether the factory could produce a second level-eight fitter in a short period of time was about to be revealed.

After a moment, Yang Ping raised his head and said in a clear and affirmative voice: "The dimensional accuracy is fully up to standard, reaching an above-average level."

"Congratulations, Master Zhao, you've passed the test."

"Very good!"

Lü Shuitian almost jumped up.

Another level 8 fitter! This means that even in the event of an emergency, key positions have double insurance.

A huge weight was lifted off his shoulders.

"Congratulations, Master Zhao!"

"Our factory really has a lot of talented people."

"Thanks to Director Yang, otherwise how could we have produced another level eight worker so quickly?"

"I heard that it's because the equipment's stability has been greatly improved that Master Xie and Master Zhao's skills have reached a new level."

"Ultimately, it's all thanks to Director Yang."

Congratulations and chatter filled the workshop.

Only then did Lü Shuitian suddenly remember the crucial point. He turned to Yang Ping and asked eagerly, "Director Yang, has the renovation... been completed?"

"It's done."

Yang Ping smiled slightly, "You've seen the results."

"Walk!"

Lu Shuitian grabbed Yang Ping's arm. "Let's go find Director Yang right now! This kind of technological upgrade must be implemented throughout the entire factory immediately!"

"Director Lü, don't worry, we can walk there."

Yang Ping steadied himself.

Lu Shuitian then released his grip, apologizing repeatedly, but his face still betrayed his excitement.

Director Yang, I was a bit out of line just now, I'm really sorry!

Yang Ping simply waved his hand gently, indicating with a mild expression that it was alright.

The two then set off for Director Yang's office.

-

Yang Ping and Lü Shuitian entered the factory director's office one after the other.

Lü Shuitian stepped forward, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement:

"Factory Director, Comrade Yang Ping has completed the modification of that machine, and its operational stability has been greatly improved."

After this practical training, both Xie Quancai and Zhao Qiancheng made breakthroughs in their technical skills—one reached the seventh-level special grade, and the other was officially promoted to the eighth-level fitter.

Factory Director Yang, who had been looking down at the documents, suddenly looked up, his eyes lighting up with surprise: "Really?"

"It's absolutely true. I was there the whole time and saw it with my own eyes."

Lü Shuitian answered decisively.

"Great! That's wonderful!"

Factory Director Yang stood up abruptly, placing his hands on the edge of the table, his emotions clearly agitated.

Increased machine stability not only means an overall improvement in worker skills, but will also directly reduce production losses.

For a large steel rolling mill with nearly 20,000 employees, this would mean a huge reduction in wasted resources and funds.

If you can save a few hundred yuan every day, that adds up to tens of thousands a month, and hundreds of thousands a year.

The actual amount that could be saved is probably far more than that—over the years, it would be an astonishing figure.

"It must be promoted immediately."

Factory Director Yang decisively stated, "Modify all similar equipment according to this plan to improve the overall production stability of the factory as soon as possible."

"Factory manager, the annual holiday is just around the corner, and we're afraid we won't have time to arrange large-scale renovations. We'll have to wait until after the Spring Festival."

Lu Shuitian offered a timely reminder, then added, "Furthermore, since Yang Ping overcame this difficult problem, the factory should give him appropriate recognition and rewards."

"Alright, Yang Ping will definitely get the reward he deserves."

"The holiday is almost here, so come to the factory again after the New Year."

Yang Guangchang smiled as he looked at Yang Ping.

"Yang Ping, well done."

"Factory manager, it's mostly luck."

Yang Ping smiled and replied.

"You're still the same as ever, never taking credit for anything."

Yang Guangchang shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of appreciation.

He liked the down-to-earth quality in this young man, his calm and unhurried nature.

"The upcoming renovation tasks will probably require a lot of your attention."

You can tell us how you need the factory to cooperate.

I will mobilize all the resources in the factory to fully support you in modifying all the equipment.

His tone was resolute; this matter had to be accomplished.

"Okay, I'll let you know if I need anything."

Yang Ping nodded, then added, "By the way, Factory Director, Cao Dayu and Song Zixu were also a great help in coming up with the plan so quickly this time."

The credit shouldn't go to me alone.

"Don't worry, I remember their rewards too."

Yang Guangchang waved his hand, "You should rest well for the next few days."

"I'll discuss the specifics of the reward with my superiors right away, and I'll definitely give you a satisfactory answer."

"Okay, sure."

Yang Ping responded and then left the office with Lü Shuitian.

As soon as he stepped out the door, Lü Shuitian moved closer and lowered his voice, saying, "If we're going to make changes, we have to start with Workshop 1 first, and once it's settled, we can expand to the other workshops."

Don't get the order wrong.

"clear."

Yang Ping nodded with a smile.

"If you don't have enough manpower, just let me know and I'll arrange more for you."

Lu Shuitian patted him on the shoulder.

As soon as Lü Shuitian finished speaking...

Yang Ping nodded in agreement.

Even without Lü Shuitian's assistance, he still held the authority to mobilize manpower.

He had two level-eight fitters, seven or eight level-seven fitters, dozens of level-six fitters, and plenty of intermediate-level fitters. These people were enough to carry out his plan.

Upon returning to the workshop, Yang Ping immediately set about forming a modification team.

He appointed Zhao Qiancheng, an eighth-grade fitter, as the team leader, and assigned two seventh-grade fitters and four sixth-grade fitters to assist him, along with several fourth- and fifth-grade fitters, making a total of twelve people in the team.

"Make the modifications according to these blueprints."

Yang Ping handed the blueprints to Zhao Qiancheng and instructed him, "If you encounter different models of machines, call me to come and take a look."

"clear!"

Zhao Qiancheng readily agreed.

The dismantling work quickly and systematically commenced.

It's not difficult for a senior fitter to read the blueprints; even the disassembly steps are clearly marked, making the modification process easy to understand.

Yang Ping stood aside, quietly observing the progress.

This group serves as a pilot project. If the results are satisfactory, he plans to form more groups to fully implement the mechanical transformation of the entire workshop—and even the entire factory.

He didn't intend to do everything himself. After all, there were a lot of machines in the workshop, and one person alone would probably just exhaust himself without any results.

The renovation team made progress quite smoothly and did not encounter any particularly difficult problems.

The modification of a large machine was completed in just over a day.

After various tests, the machine is operating normally and its stability has been significantly improved compared to the past.

Yang Ping was satisfied with the result.

He then organized two more modification teams, this time led by two level-seven fitters, with other level-four, level-five, and level-six fitters assisting, each team maintaining a size of twelve people.

These two groups were a little slower, as they didn't have the highly skilled expertise of an eighth-grade worker. It took them two full days to complete the modification of a large machine.

All tests have been completed, and everything is operating normally.

The last trace of doubt in Yang Ping's heart finally dissipated.

Time flies by, and before we know it, it's time for the factory's annual holiday.

He walked into the office that was specifically for distributing salaries to the leadership.

Those who come here to collect their wages are either directors or factory managers, and the amounts are all over 110 yuan.

Yang Ping's salary was in the middle range, slightly better than some deputy directors and similar to some directors, but naturally not as good as the factory director—the lowest being 198 yuan for Li Chengde, while the monthly salary of another deputy factory director and Factory Director Yang was even higher, both exceeding 200 yuan.

Of course, with his current income level, he already surpasses all the workers in the factory, and even Yi Zhonghai, the eighth-grade fitter, cannot compare to him.