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

He slowly sat up straight, shifting his gaze from Liu Guangqi and glancing at Li Huaide almost imperceptibly.

Li Huaide immediately understood the meaning behind that look.

He quickly adjusted his posture, leaning forward, and put on a warm smile: "Comrade Guangqi! So... what are our next steps? Could you give us some pointers?"

"It's not about pointing the way," Liu Guangqi said with a calm smile, as if his previous remarks about international standards were just casual conversation. "No matter how much theory you talk about, it's all empty talk. Whether something is good or not, we'll only know after we build it."

"Practice is the sole criterion for testing truth, right?"

Having said that, he stopped beating around the bush and got straight to the point.

"Director Li, I suggest that a joint research and development application be drafted in the name of the steel rolling mill."

"The main mechanical parts were handed over to the Second Heavy Machinery Plant, while the main electrical equipment was handled by Dongfang Electric Machinery Plant. As for the steel rolling mill itself, it focused its efforts on completing the core process technology integration, equipment assembly, and subsequent commissioning."

He broke down the task into its components.

"By collaborating with multiple parties and leveraging their respective strengths, we will implement this four-high rolling mill with maximum efficiency!"

These words left Li Huaide somewhat bewildered.

He had thought the credit would go to the steel rolling mill, but Liu Guangqi shared the credit with the mill as soon as he opened his mouth.

Li Huaide couldn't help but ask, "Comrade Guangqi, can't our factory manufacture it ourselves? Why do we have to cooperate with others?"

The question was asked with a hint of uncertainty, yet it also revealed a sense of unwillingness to give up.

"It's unlikely," Liu Guangqi stated bluntly. "Director Li, the main business of the steel rolling mill has always been the processing of steel products. The research and development and manufacturing of complete machines is not your forte, and your technological accumulation is still insufficient."

"Besides, your factory's strength doesn't lie there," he added meaningfully. "Leave professional matters to professional organizations; that's the most reasonable arrangement."

Upon meeting Vice Minister Yin, who was present today, Liu Guangqi finally understood why the Third Steel Rolling Mill had become a department-level unit.

Clearly, this factory was just a small factory in the early days when it was owned by a businessman surnamed Lou, and even before the public-private partnership.

Back then, I dabbled in everything, but I wasn't proficient in anything.

Until the public-private partnership...

Instead of taking radical reform measures, the leadership of the metallurgical system continued to expand its workforce and seize opportunities to merge with other factories.

It is foreseeable.

If it weren't for the technological changes previously promoted by Liu Guangqi...

Injecting strong momentum into the entire system, the Third Steel Rolling Mill may remain in the backward echelon of the steel industry for a long time.

This is not hard to understand.

Why are several provincial-level units rising rapidly to become renowned core groups in the future steel industry landscape?

Only the Third Steel Rolling Mill failed to secure a place.

Ultimately, it quietly faded into obscurity amidst the tides of time.

now,

Minister Yin, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke, his voice deep and firm:

Comrade Huai De,

We will proceed according to the plan proposed by Comrade Guangqi.

His gaze fell on Liu Guangqi, and his eyes revealed an unprecedented level of approval and trust:

Comrade Guangqi,

The follow-up work on this four-high rolling mill will require your continued attention. This includes coordinating with which factory and allocating what resources.

"Feel free to make suggestions to the steel rolling mill; I will ask them to fully cooperate."

It turns out that

Li Huaide certainly possessed a sharp mind.

Otherwise, it would have been difficult to get to where we are today.

Although Liu Guangqi's words startled him, he quickly regained his composure.

then,

The development plan for the four-roll mill was thus finalized.

It has officially entered the manufacturing stage.

Subsequently, Vice Minister Yin, in a formal and official manner, exchanged views with Director Lin on the details of inter-ministerial cooperation.

His speech was devoid of any condescension or disdain befitting a superior.

Instead, Director Lin was placed on an equal footing in the dialogue.

some of,

While there was a background of prior communication by the Minister of the Ministry of Machinery Industry, clearly stating that the General Machinery Division would be fully responsible,

But more importantly,

It was Vice Minister Yin's own sober consideration—

Why should an old comrade nearing retirement put on airs in front of someone about to be promoted to vice minister of the First Ministry of Machine Building?

Although Director Lin is still currently the director,

However, the nomination of its deputy minister has already entered the reporting process.

Given the General Machinery Division's accumulated achievements and contributions in recent years, promotion is only a matter of time.

Establishing a good relationship with the future vice minister of the First Ministry of Machine Building is by no means superfluous.

Director Lin responded calmly, his words were tactful yet friendly.

After a formal yet amicable exchange, the tone for this collaboration was established—

The development of a new type of four-roll rolling mill

The Ministry of Machine Building and the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry will jointly lead the effort.

Outside the compound of the First Ministry of Machine Building,

Li Huaide stood beside the Volga sedan, not in a hurry to get in.

Clutching the technical drawings of the four-roll mill he had brought back, Liu Guangqi's brief words still echoed in his ears:

"The steel rolling mill still lacks technical capabilities."

A few words,

But like a sharp thorn, it silently pierced through the stable territory he had long relied on.

As a deputy factory director with no technical background,

He had always believed that the smooth operation of the steel rolling mill relied on interpersonal networks—

The production targets of ministries are obtained by relying on factory size, number of workers, and social maneuvering at dinner parties.

The workshop's orders depended on the close, brotherly relationship between the staff in the supply and sales system;

Even factory ratings are inseparable from the embellishment of performance in the submitted materials.

As for the technology?

He always felt that having the core members of the technical department in charge was enough; as long as the machines were running normally and the steel plates were produced on schedule, it was not considered backward.

It wasn't until Liu Guangqi casually pointed out his technical shortcomings that he felt a chill run down his spine.

Recalling my previous visit to the brother steel plant,

Although the other party's equipment was not as advanced as ours, the fighting spirit of their technical team far surpassed our own.

Only then did he realize that

The steel rolling mill was able to grow into a large factory with nearly 10,000 employees through public-private partnerships, mergers, and reorganizations.

He relied more on the resources he and Director Yang secured from higher authorities.

Rather than how strong the factory's own foundation is.

Because he always focused on expanding the workforce, he neglected the accumulation of technical strength.

Without the technological innovation spearheaded by Liu Guangqi,

Once other steel mills complete their equipment upgrades, rolling mills may struggle to maintain their orders.

By then,

No amount of socializing or networking will help.

Thinking of this,

Li Huaide couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards Liu Guangqi.

Fortunately, these words came from Liu Guangqi.

If it were someone else, he might not listen.

Thankfully, I heard these words today. If they had come a few years later, the entire steel rolling mill might have been dragged into a quagmire.

"Director Li!"

The technical director leaned close to the car window, his voice low, "Should we go straight back to the factory, or...?"

Li Huaide suddenly came to his senses.

He loosened the edge of the drawing he had been clutching, his palms already damp with a thin layer of sweat. The excitement that had been on his face had faded, replaced by a solemn expression: "You all go back first."

He paused briefly, then emphasized, "You personally take this blueprint with you and the security personnel to the factory's secure cabinet. You must watch the cabinet door lock securely before leaving."

"I'm going to the Ministry of Metallurgy."

The head of the technical department was slightly taken aback.

That's strange. According to Director Li's usual style, upon receiving something so valuable, he would rush back to the factory immediately and present it to everyone in a grand display. Why has he changed his tune today, heading straight to the department first?

He muttered to himself, but dared not show it on his face. He simply gave a curt reply and led everyone away in the carriage.

In another car, Li Huaide leaned alone against the back seat.

The street scene outside the window flowed past like water, but his thoughts went back in time—Liu Guangqi's seemingly casual words when he left echoed in his mind, and with each repetition, his back tensed up.

The wheels rolled over the last stretch of asphalt road and came to a steady stop in front of the gray-white building of the Ministry of Metallurgy.

The corridor was deserted, with only the sound of footsteps.

Vice Minister Yin didn't return to his office but headed straight for the conference room. On the way, he gave Director Tian, ​​who was accompanying him, a few instructions regarding document preparation. Li Huaide naturally followed, and they remained silent until the heavy wooden door closed behind them.

The office is not spacious.

The bookshelves against the wall were crammed full of various metallurgical monographs, many of which had worn their spines white. The most striking thing was the map of the distribution of steel mills across the country on the opposite wall, which almost filled the entire wall. The circles and lines drawn with red and blue pencils intertwined like a spider web, like some kind of silent battle simulation.

Vice Minister Yin sat down, and without even touching the teacup on the table, his gaze fell directly on him.

"What Comrade Guangqi said just now," his voice wasn't loud, but it carried a heavy weight, "was ostensibly addressed to me, but in reality, every word was meant for you. How much of it did you understand?"

Li Huaide felt a tightness in his back and unconsciously straightened his back.

"I've memorized every single word." His Adam's apple bobbed. "Boss, I used to have a narrow vision. I was only concerned with the power struggles in the factory and forgot that our foundation is technology, something tangible."

Vice Minister Yin nodded and tapped his finger lightly on the table.

"It's not a matter of vision; it's that you haven't grasped the essence of the industrial game." He stood up, walked to the huge map, his back looking particularly solemn. "Right now, every front is fighting for technological lifelines. The Soviet Union and the United States have already upgraded their rolling mills to advanced levels, and what about us? We're still clinging to those old three-roll mills like treasures. Comrade Guangqi's work on CNC machine tools was a good start, but if we stop here—"

He turned abruptly, his eyes blazing: "That's just sitting around doing nothing, waiting to be thrown into the scrap heap by the times!"

"Comrade Guangqi's ability to produce the blueprints for the four-roll mill is a lifeline for our entire metallurgical sector; it's like tearing a hole in the middle of a hail of bullets." Vice Minister Yin walked up to Li Huaide, his voice lowered, yet every word struck a chord deep within. "You must hold onto this opportunity tightly, even if it costs you your life!"

He raised his hand and jabbed his index finger heavily at a red-marked spot on the map.

"The first thing to do when we get back is to expand the technical department. Establish a special four-roll mill project team, giving priority to personnel, funding, and equipment."

"Secondly, you personally coordinate with the Second Heavy Machinery Plant and the Dongfang Electric Machinery Plant. Stop pushing things down; you have to shoulder this responsibility yourself."

"If you're still only concerned with cultivating your personal relationships," Vice Minister Yin paused, his eyes suddenly sharpening, "then this factory director position will probably need to be filled by someone else."

The last few words are a chilling warning.

Fine beads of cold sweat appeared on Li Huaide's forehead. He replied repeatedly, "Don't worry, I'll get started on it first thing tomorrow morning and I'll personally oversee it to the end."

He hesitated for a moment, then cautiously probed, "Then... how should I cooperate with Comrade Guangqi?"

Vice Minister Yin raised his hand to stop him from speaking.

"Be proactive and enthusiastic." He sat back down in his chair, his tone softening but still carrying weight. "I know this young man better than you do. If it weren't for his lack of experience and youth... he could have direct access to the higher-ups in the council."

"Even now, he has already crossed that threshold and is not far from being like us old guys."

A buzzing sound came from Li Huaide's mind, as if something had suddenly exploded.

The superior institute committee—

He had thought his assessment of Liu Guangqi was high enough, but now he realized it was nothing more than the limited, narrow-minded speculation of a frog in a well. How long had he been in the First Ministry of Machine Building? And yet, he had already fallen into such a narrow view…

This young man is simply unfathomable.

Vice Minister Yin took in the rapidly changing expressions on his face, softened his tone slightly, but the force in his words grew even stronger:

"The things he researched have been approved by higher-ups. If you follow his direction, you won't go wrong."

"Remember," he concluded, each word like a branding iron, "he's a man of action. Don't play games."

"Maintaining a good relationship with him is not just for the sake of this rolling mill, but also for your own long-term future and that of the steel mill."

"Do you understand?"