Courtyard House: In this life, I have a new home!

Old Man Li couldn't stand it any longer and shouted at Meng Baoguo, "Third Brother Meng, what do you think you're doing? I'm still here! Have some sense of propriety!"

"Exactly, this guy tries to stuff anything good into his pocket as soon as he sees it."

Factory Director Yang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

A group of people walked to the entrance of workshop number one, talking as they approached. Electric fans were being produced inside, which was the focus of today's inspection. Director Zhou was already waiting at the door.

"You're quite something, kid. You're a doctor, but you've managed to do the work of a level seven engineer so well. You're also proficient in metalworking and electrical work."

Old Li clicked his tongue in admiration, "If our factory had a few more people like you, that would be amazing."

"You flatter me, I just want to try everything."

Li Weidong replied with a smile.

Upon hearing this, several people nearby felt their teeth ache and wished they could punch him.

Manufacturing electric fans isn't exactly a technical job; anyone below level five can do it. The real challenge lies in the engine, which is where experienced workers at levels six, seven, and eight work. The police sent over a bunch of bicycles a while ago, and they're currently parked at the workshop entrance waiting to be assigned to them.

The engine block is cast iron, and right now the senior technicians are polishing it until it shines.

When Yi Zhonghai saw the high-ranking leader enter, his heart pounded wildly. He was planning to show off his skills in front of the leader, to regain his former glory, and to win back his pride once again.

That's how he got his eighth-grade worker title, but unfortunately, the person who appreciated him back then is long gone.

Li Weidong walked and talked with Old Li, while the others followed behind. In the blink of an eye, they arrived in front of Yi Zhonghai.

Yi Zhonghai had just finished working on an engine block, putting all his effort into it, and was about to put it aside. He had timed it perfectly, waiting for the big boss to walk by so that he would be finished just in time, and the boss would definitely pick it up and take a look.

In this way, he can strike up a conversation with the leader and then find a way to let people see his abilities.

Although Li Weidong didn't know what Yi Zhonghai was planning, he was hoping the old man would make a fool of himself. He was only two or three steps away from Yi Zhonghai when he quietly used his mental energy.

He had long been able to condense his spiritual energy into an invisible and intangible needle, and this time he gently poked the numb vein in Yi Zhonghai's elbow.

Yi Zhonghai suddenly felt a numbness in his forearm, and he couldn't hold onto the workpiece at all. "Clang!"

It slammed into my foot with a thud.

He was wearing cloth shoes, and the impact was quite severe. He fell hard to the ground, clutching his foot and wailing. Blood was seeping from the instep of his foot.

Li Weidong leaned over to take a look and casually said, "It's nothing serious. Just take it to the clinic to have the wound cleaned, disinfected, and bandaged."

A large group of people quickly surrounded them. Two guards rushed to protect Old Li, while another stood directly behind Li Weidong.

The moment Yi Zhonghai let out that scream, he snapped back to reality and tried to jump up. But before he could even steady himself, Director Yang's cold gaze swept over him.

"Two people, take him to the infirmary."

Secretary Zhang shouted to the side.

Li Weidong secretly chuckled to himself. He knew perfectly well that Yi Zhonghai was trying to make a name for himself. Little did he know he'd dug a hole for himself, failing to gain any recognition and instead making a fool of himself in public.

"Uncle Li, now that we've seen the excitement, how about we go sit in the office for a while? There are some things at the factory that I'd like to discuss with you."

Li Weidong said with a smile.

"Okay, let's go to the conference room."

Old Li nodded.

Factory Director Yang and Secretary Zhang both breathed a sigh of relief. If they had inspected other workshops and another embarrassing person had appeared, they would have lost all face. Li Huaide, on the other hand, was unhurried. He was in charge of logistics and didn't care about these things at all.

Instead of going into the office, the group headed straight for the conference room.

As they approached the office area, Li Weidong saw Sha Zhu rushing hurriedly towards the infirmary. The infirmary was located in a small courtyard next to the office area.

As soon as Old Man Li and the others entered the meeting room, Li Weidong grabbed Secretary Zhang and Factory Director Yang, and then winked at Li Huaide. The four of them stood outside the door and didn't go in.

"Leaders, I'll get straight to the point—we need to push the electric fan project out later."

Li Weidong lowered his voice, "No matter what, we must keep the engine job."

"We'll convert the newly built workshop to manufacture engines."

Secretary Zhang frowned: "No, the electric fan business has a huge future. That little motor is good, but compared to an electric fan, it's far inferior, isn't it?"

Li Huaide's eyes darted around, and he chimed in, "It's precisely because this project is so good that we can't keep it to ourselves."

"The higher-ups ordered us to build a branch factory at the machine repair shop, but by next year at the latest, the electric fan factory will be no longer of any use to us."

Secretary Zhang also came to his senses: "You're right, electric fans are definitely profitable. We'll expand further in the future, and sooner or later the higher-ups will make it independent, at the same level as us..."

"It's not what you think."

Li Weidong interrupted him, "We'll talk about the specifics later, but the engine absolutely has to be saved."

Do you have other engine models?

Director Yang immediately grasped the key point.

"Yes, I have big plans for the future."

Li Weidong nodded, "Anyway, we can't agree to build any more branch factories. We have plenty of open space in our factory; we can build whatever we want."

Of the more than 3,000 acres of land occupied by the steel rolling mill, only a small portion has been used.

"I'll listen to you, let's go in."

Factory Director Yang made the decision immediately.

Four people walked into the conference room, where the people inside were drinking tea.

Factory Director Yang pushed open the door and came in, saying directly, "Sir, I have something to report to you. The four of us just bumped into each other outside."

He continued, "Let's give the electric fan project to Meng Laosan at the machinery factory. We'll handle the engine ourselves."

"Why? Because many parts inside the engine are cast, and the machine shop can't do that."

The steel rolling mill has its own steelmaking workshop and a group of experienced forging and casting workers.

When Director Yang said that, he was actually trying to save face for himself.

Before Old Man Li could even speak, Meng Baoguo became displeased. He glared at Factory Director Yang and said, "When did you, Old Man Yang, learn to shirk responsibility? No, you're definitely hiding something from me."

Old Man Li slammed his hand on the table: "How old are you two? Do you still think I'm the same person I was when I was leading troops?"

At this, both Director Yang and Meng Baoguo fell silent.

"Okay, it's settled then."

Old Li said, "We misunderstood before."

He glanced around and saw Li Weidong whispering to someone at the door. He knew in his heart that the idea was most likely that kid's.

Meng Baoguo was still uneasy. He couldn't figure out where the pit was, but his intuition told him there definitely was one. Now that his old leader had made the decision, he rolled his eyes and said:

"That's fine. However, that machine repair shop must be brought under the name of our machine factory."

"for you."

Factory Director Yang answered quickly, "I'll go over there this afternoon to talk to Liu Feng and do some work with the people there."

"Wait, wait, you can't touch those people over there."

Meng Baoguo jumped up immediately.

Li Weidong chuckled and replied, "We'll just send ten people over. After all..."

"None of the most skilled ones are allowed to be touched."

Meng Baoguo interrupted loudly.

"Okay, no problem."

Li Weidong made the decision directly for Lao Yang, "However, we need to bring back a few of the managers and the logistics staff."

"Okay then."

Meng Baoguo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon hearing "Red Star Machinery Repair Factory," Li Weidong immediately...

The name sounded familiar, and when he heard that the factory manager was Liu Feng, his mind immediately clicked. He instantly realized—Nan Yi, Ding Qiunan, and Cui Dake must be in that place.

These are all characters from the TV series "Iron Rice is Steel".

He thought to himself, "Damn it, I'll bring Nan Yi over here and see where Sha Zhu will put his face then."

Li Weidong's culinary skills are absolutely top-notch these days, but he's a medical master's graduate and a level-seven engineer; he can't just sit in the kitchen flipping woks all day. Showing off his skills occasionally is fine.

He laughed and said, "Why don't we go over there now? We can have lunch there; it's a treat from our factory anyway."

"Okay, hurry up, don't just sit here waiting."

Old Li stood up.

"By the way, I heard that the branch factory is next to a mountain, and there are supposedly wild animals on the mountain."

Li Weidong chuckled and added, "How about I bring my bow and take a stroll up the mountain after I'm done?"

"Hey kid, hunting is the real business, isn't it?"

Old Li shook his head with a smile, "I'll show you what real skills are later."

Those present looked at Li Weidong with envy as they saw how close he was to the high-ranking leader.

Li Huaide strode out the door: "I'll contact them right away to make preparations."

Li Weidong said he was going back to the infirmary, using the excuse of getting a bow and arrows.

Factory Director Yang waved his hand: "Why bother with that? Just have the security department get a few guns."

Li Weidong smiled and said, "I'm more comfortable using a bow and arrow."

Back in his office, he retrieved the eight-stone ox horn bow from the system's inventory, along with thirty eagle-feather arrows, and casually put on the slingshot he had made himself—perfect for hunting wild rabbits and pheasants.

When he arrived, a group of people had already gathered around the car. Old Li waved to him: "Kid, come ride with me."

The old man glanced at the bow in his hand and scoffed, "Wow, that's a powerful bow. Most people couldn't even draw it. Are you sure you can handle it?"

"Uncle Li, let me show you what I can do."

Li Weidong smiled as he strung up his bow, nocked an arrow, and drew it fully, aiming at a tree about twenty meters away that was as thick as a bowl.

"Whoosh—"

The arrow pierced the air, followed by a sharp "thud".

With a muffled thud, the arrow pierced straight through the tree trunk.

Li Huaide ran over and exclaimed in shock, "Holy crap, it pierced through!"

Old Li and his group also gathered around, their eyes wide with surprise.

The old man clicked his tongue and said, "Tsk, if you were in ancient times, you'd be a fierce general! If you were born thirty years earlier, you'd be invincible on the battlefield!"

Li Huaide took the horn bow and strained with all his might to pull it open a crack. Did he think he could pull it all the way open like Li Weidong? Dream on.

He looks tall and thin, like a scholar, but who knows he's like a wild beast inside.

Old Man Li sighed.

Factory Director Yang urged, "Shall we get in the car and go?"

Someone brought over three rifles and handed them to the guard.

Just as everyone was about to get on the bus, Li Huaide caught sight of Sha Zhu walking over and called out, "Sha Zhu, come here for a second."