Courtyard House: I'm an engineer, and a fairy godmother transferred me to a different position.

"So, come work for our Institute of Computing Technology!"

"No matter how good the research conditions were at the First Ministry of Machine Building, it mainly focused on the mechanical field. How could it compare to the concentrated resources and specialized research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences?"

The old professor's voice carried an undeniable certainty.

"We have 104 machines here as a computing power support, which makes data analysis and model extrapolation very convenient!"

"And Elder Hua—"

"His personally led programming team can provide any technical support or talent cooperation you need."

The entire institute can coordinate everything!

As he spoke, he gently patted Liu Guangqi's shoulder: "With your technical skills, it would be a waste to have you researching machine tools at the Ministry of Machine Building. Come to the Institute of Computing Technology..."

Together, we will build the world's most advanced second-generation transistor computer!

Lu Hai's eyes shone as if they were burning with flames.

Professor Lu's eyes gleamed with the burning desire of someone who had discovered a treasure.

He had dedicated decades to the field of electrical engineering, foreseeing the epoch-making wave that computer technology would soon unleash. And this young man before him, Liu Guangqi, had broken through the technological barriers of 3D transistors at such a young age—undoubtedly, this young man held the key to the future.

In Professor Lu's view, such geniuses should stand at the forefront of national-level scientific research platforms, rather than being confined to research institutions under a certain ministry, where trivial matters distract them from the brilliance of their wisdom that should illuminate the times.

"Old Lu! You're wrong about that!"

Upon hearing this, the department head immediately became anxious and strode over, almost separating Professor Lu from Liu Guangqi.

"We're here today to discuss a collaborative project on CNC machine tools. How did it turn into an opportunity for you to poach our talent?" He pointed to the young man beside him, his tone carrying the protective affection typical of a mentor. "Guangqi is now the officially appointed head of the First Ministry of Machine Building, in charge of the entire research department. The development of CNC machine tools is at a crucial stage. If we transfer him now, who will take over the work?"

Professor Lu frowned, showing no sign of backing down: "Computers are the brain of all future industries! Without the support of advanced computer systems, how can your CNC machine tools achieve a true breakthrough? Developing computer technology is currently the most urgent strategic need of the nation!"

"Stop spouting nonsense!" The department head's neck was slightly red. "Your Institute of Computing Technology is full of senior engineers, and Professor Hua can gather a large number of talents with a single call—do we really need Guangqi?"

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke: "But if Guangqi leaves now, our machine tool project will have to be abandoned halfway! What about Tsinghua University's reputation in this field? Professor Lu, you're also a Tsinghua alumnus, and instead of helping and supporting us, you're undermining our own people?"

"Besides," the department head's voice rose a few decibels, "my graduating students are all counting on Guangqi to provide them with jobs. If he leaves, how am I supposed to explain this to those kids? Are you going to take responsibility for their future?"

These words completely ignited the flames of war.

"Which is more important, student employment or the future of national scientific and technological development? Do you even know how to do this calculation?" Professor Lu raised his voice.

The two elderly scholars, their hair white with age, began arguing back and forth, their faces flushed, their stubbornness reminiscent of children fighting over a toy. The other researchers in the computer lab quietly stopped their work, glancing at this unexpected scene—the usually refined and elegant academic giants were losing their composure over a young man.

Standing in the eye of the storm, Liu Guangqi gazed at the scene before him and felt a strange sense of familiar disorientation.

The two gentlemen, whose combined age exceeded one hundred, were locked in a stalemate over him, as if vying for a priceless treasure. He sighed inwardly; sometimes, such dazzling talent could indeed be a sweet burden. After all, his mind carried a mechanical engineering knowledge system decades ahead of its time. In this era of rapid development, even the slightest spark of innovation could ignite a revolution across the entire industry.

"Teachers, please calm down."

Liu Guangqi smiled helplessly and stepped forward, gently separating the two emotionally agitated elders.

He turned to Professor Lu, his gaze sincere and humble: "Professor Lu, it is a great honor for me to have your appreciation. But I really cannot leave right now."

He listed his responsibilities one by one: "At the Ministry of Metallurgy, the new generation of fighter jets has begun mass production, and the directly affiliated factories are waiting for our machine tools to be upgraded to increase production capacity; at the Ministry of Foreign Trade, I just assisted the Hongxing Factory in merging with the Third Electrical Factory, and we urgently need to generate more foreign exchange income to support development; as for my own job, the research and development of CNC machine tools, it cannot be stopped halfway..."

As he concluded, a gentle warmth appeared in the young man's eyes: "Moreover, I've just started a family, and my wife is pregnant with our first child. At this stage, I simply cannot travel far. Although I love scientific research, I also want to take good care of my family."

These words contain no impassioned vows, but simply narrate the most ordinary life ties, yet they are more moving than any promise.

Professor Lu gazed into those sincere eyes, his Adam's apple bobbing slightly before finally letting out a long sigh: "Young man, your sincerity leaves me at a loss for words."

He could easily discern the unspoken meaning in the other person's words. That research institute, a gathering place for top minds, was ultimately fertile ground for cultivating pure scholars, taking a completely different path from practitioners in the industrial sector. The path to the halls of science was fraught with thorns, and the most brilliant minds often had to erase their names, be on standby at all times, and dedicate their entire lives to an unknown future—a burden far too heavy for a promising young man.

Looking back at Liu Guangqi's current steps, they may not be as dazzling as those in basic science, but they are undeniably injecting vibrant vitality into the nation's industrial landscape. He cannot say that there is anything wrong with such a choice.

The department head's expression immediately relaxed, and he placed his broad hand on the young man's shoulder: "That's right! Let's overcome the difficulty of five-axis linkage first. Once we have a solid foundation in machine tool technology, there will be many more opportunities to work with the Institute of Computing Technology in the future."

Liu Guangqi nodded and smiled, then turned to Professor Lu: "Although I can't stay at the institute to participate in the project, I can share all the technical data related to transistors." He paused, his tone becoming slightly tentative: "The five-axis linkage CNC calibration system will probably still need the strong support of your team—even if we're not working together, we can still be comrades-in-arms from afar."

Professor Lu remained silent for a long time, his gaze pressing down on the young man like a weight. Suddenly, a relieved smile appeared on his lips: "Good! Just for your frankness, I agree to the collaboration." He walked to the wooden table piled with blueprints, his fingertips lightly tapping the surface: "The CNC calibration module you need for your research happens to perfectly align with our current research on the industrial applications of transistor computers. The computing power of the 107-type machine in our institute is sufficient to support your stringent precision requirements."

Two hands clasped tightly across their respective fields. One was a pioneer deeply rooted in mechanical manufacturing, the other an explorer passionate about computing technology; yet, at this moment, they resonated with a strange harmony because of their shared goal. The department head stood to the side, the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothing out like chrysanthemums blooming in late autumn: "It should be this way! We're both contributing to the nation's industrial development; why distinguish between us?"

He turned to Liu Guangqi, his eyes gleaming with warmth: "When the five-axis linkage machine is finally unveiled, the entire Tsinghua University will be proud to have a student like you." Liu Guangqi looked at the two elders smiling at each other, and a sense of emotion swept through his heart—this seemingly talent-grabbing episode was, in its core, nothing more than a piety towards technology and a sense of responsibility towards the country.

As he left the research institute, dusk had already painted the sky. The jeep drove along the tree-lined avenue, and outside the window, research buildings gradually came on with lights. Liu Guangqi leaned against the window, a strange emotion welling up inside him. He knew perfectly well that behind every lit window, there might be someone working tirelessly through the night, turning their youth into the fuel for the nation's future.

This time, though he didn't accept the olive branch from the academic temple, he pioneered a more solid path of collaboration. He protected the warm light behind him and did not fail the mission that crossed time and space to fall on his shoulders. Perhaps he will never become one of those scientific giants hidden behind the curtain of history, but he can use steel and gears to plow a unique path for this era in the fertile soil of mechanical engineering.

That's enough.

Liu Guangqi pulled his wandering thoughts back, a silent smile playing on his lips. The collaboration was complete, the computing resources were in place, and now it was time to fully dedicate himself to the final technical breakthroughs, to bring that long-awaited feast to the table of the times.

Meanwhile, a lingering silence hung in the air in the institute's offices. Professor Lu stood by the window, gazing in the direction the young man had disappeared, his complex emotions rising and falling like the tides. Finally, he turned and walked to his desk, took a deep breath, and grasped the deep red telephone receiver. The receiver felt heavy, as if bearing a thousand pounds—for the other end of the line connected not only to the Institute of Computing Technology's cornerstone, but also to a legend revered by the entire mathematical community.

That genius who, with only a junior high school education, self-taught himself and opened the gates of the world's mathematical temple, that star that all Tsinghua University students are proud of—

Mr. Hua.

Lu Hai paused for a moment, his fingertips hovering above the telephone dial pad. The image of that mathematical legend resurfaced in his mind—at the age of sixteen, a paper on the unsolvability of Abel's quintic equation shook the entire academic world. Professors at Tsinghua University, defying public opinion, specially appointed the boy with only a junior high school education as an assistant researcher.

It only took one year.

He completed four years of advanced mathematics courses at university, far exceeding the syllabus requirements in every subject. From teaching assistant to lecturer, and then to Cambridge, this young man progressed rapidly. Professor Hardy, a leading figure in the world of mathematics at the time, highly appreciated him and promised to award him a doctorate in two years. The young Hua simply smiled and dismissed the offer. Academic titles were not his goal; he traveled across the ocean to study for only one purpose—to learn from others' strengths and improve our own.

Upon arriving in Cambridge, he immediately developed "Wah's Inequality," its ingenuity even surpassing Professor Hardy's circle method. His fame soared. Within two years, he published eighteen groundbreaking papers, each worthy of a doctoral degree. The publication of "Wah's Theorem" propelled him into the ranks of the world's top mathematicians. Princeton Research Institute extended an offer to him; cars, mansions, and a life of luxury were within his grasp. However, he resolutely abandoned everything and embarked on his journey home.

Simply because it was 1949.

Professor Hua's return was like a silent banner, summoning countless overseas students. Their return has sounded the prelude to a new era for this land that desperately needs revitalization.

Thinking of this, Lu Hai's respect deepened even further. He composed himself and finally dialed the number.

"Beep—beep—"

The call was quickly connected, and a deep, aged voice came through the receiver: "Is this Xiao Lu?"

"Mr. Hua, it's me." Lu Hai unconsciously softened his tone. "I'm sorry to disturb your rest."

"I just stopped what I was doing." A smile appeared on the other end. "Let's get straight to the point, is there any progress on the second-generation transistor computer?"

"Yes."

Lu Hai carefully considered his words and repeated Liu Guangqi's words verbatim, including a detailed explanation of his concepts regarding transistors and integrated circuits. Finally, he added with a hint of regret, "That's roughly the situation... He said he wanted to continue his research on CNC machine tools, so he declined our invitation."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

Lu Hai's heart skipped a beat, fearing that this elder, who cherished talent so much, would be displeased.

Unexpectedly, a hearty laugh came through the receiver: "This Tsinghua student, Liu Guangqi, has quite the ideas!"

His voice revealed undisguised admiration:

"I haven't seen this kind of frankness and drive in the young people of Tsinghua University for a long time."

Lu Hai was taken aback. This reaction was unexpected.

The voice continued:

"Alright, once the second-generation transistor computer is successfully developed, we'll include this student's name in the list of contributors..."

"Ranked in the top three."

Lu Hai's hand trembled, and the microphone nearly slipped from his grasp: "This—"

This is an immense honor, a recognition that every researcher dreams of!

"Professor Hua!" he said hurriedly, "This...this is probably not the usual practice? After all, he wasn't directly involved in the project's development..."