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

In the laboratory of the Institute of Computing Technology, the monotonous hum of oscilloscopes, along with the unique smell of rosin and solder, forms the familiar background for researchers. Piles of draft paper are not an exaggeration, but a daily occurrence. Formulas on the paper are written, erased, and revised repeatedly. On the wall, the National Day countdown written in chalk has quietly changed to "7".

The final seven days.

At the Hongxing Factory, where foreign exchange earnings are the primary task, newly debugged machine tools run day and night, and the wheels of transport trucks kick up clouds of dust. Every face bears an unyielding spirit. The Hongxing Factory's goal is equally clear: to deliver a dazzling production report before National Day.

Amidst this bustling scene, Liu Guangqi's figure stood out as exceptionally busy, like a finely wound-up component. At eight o'clock in the morning, he would arrive at the Computing Institute precisely on time, personally overseeing the debugging of logic circuits; around three or four in the afternoon, he would rush back to the department like a whirlwind to handle the backlog of documents and tasks. When things got busy, his assistant would bring him lunch from the cafeteria, and he would hurriedly shovel a few bites next to his computer.

Everyone understood that the decisive moment had arrived. They had to ensure the successful completion of the second-generation transistor computer before the National Day celebrations, as a unique and precious gift to their motherland.

That afternoon, Wang Jianguo, clutching an equipment allocation order from the Hongxing Factory, strode briskly towards Liu Guangqi's office. A smile he couldn't hide grace his face. The Hongxing Factory had now officially completed its merger and reorganization, becoming a department-level unit directly under the jurisdiction of two ministries. This document in his hand would be the last one submitted by the Hongxing Factory as a division-level unit.

For both official and personal reasons, he had to get Liu Guangqi to sign this document.

This can be considered a ritual with a beginning and an end.

Just as I reached the entrance of the research department, I nearly bumped into a technician carrying circuit boards. The technician looked up and recognized me as an old acquaintance, quickly stopping in his tracks: "Director Wang! Are you looking for the department head?"

Wang Jianguo nodded, pointed with his chin to the tightly closed door, and said with a hint of helplessness, "That's right! This is the third time I've come this month. He spent the first two visits at the Institute of Computing Technology. I should be able to catch him today, right?"

The technician chuckled upon hearing this, winked towards the office, and lowered his voice: "He's here, less than ten minutes ago. You'd better hurry, or the Institute of Computing Technology will be calling."

Wang Jianguo was overjoyed and quickened his pace. Before he even reached the door, he could hear the rustling of blueprints turning inside. He skipped the formality of knocking, pushed the door open, and barked in, his voice booming:

"Good lad! I've finally caught you! These days, getting to see you is harder than reporting to the department head!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Guangqi simply smiled and did not respond.

He knew Wang Jianguo was right. The root cause was that the development of the second-generation computer at the Institute of Computing Technology was in its final sprint, and everyone was eager to complete this feat before National Day, ensuring the new machine was launched on schedule as a gift. Therefore, the closer it got to the end of September, the tighter his schedule became. These days, he often spent all his time at the Institute of Computing Technology, and matters at the ministry level had to be postponed again and again.

Then, Liu Guangqi's gaze fell on the document, and a slight smile appeared on his lips: "Old Wang, this should be the last time Hongxing Factory sends a transfer order, right?"

The hint of sarcasm in his words was obvious. Although he had been busy running between two places during this period, he had also heard from Director Lin about the successful promotion of the Red Star Factory.

"Yes, the merger and reorganization are complete," Wang Jianguo handed over the transfer order, then sat down on the chair next to him, his eyes sweeping over the blueprints spread out on the table that he couldn't understand at all. "Finally, we've officially been upgraded to a department-level unit before National Day."

Wang Jianguo scrutinized the young man before him and couldn't help but shake his head and sigh, "You're truly working non-stop these days. The work in the ministries is already heavy enough, and now even a cutting-edge place like the Institute of Computing Technology needs to second you. That's not a place where ordinary people can gain a foothold."

His words carried a genuine sense of emotion. Liu Guangqi's journey had begun with a temporary assignment to a steel rolling mill under the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry, followed by a trip to the far northwest, and now even the Institute of Computing Technology within the Chinese Academy of Sciences had sent him a transfer order. Wang Jianguo's tone was a mixture of envy and an indescribable admiration.

"Your secondment is almost over." Liu Guangqi took the documents, lowered his eyes, and signed his name without pausing. He then calmly said, "I should congratulate you first. Next month, Hongxing Factory will be officially upgraded to a department-level unit, and you, as the deputy factory director, will be promoted to deputy department-level, thus stepping into the threshold of senior cadre.

Liu Guangqi's promotion was based on his accumulated achievements, coupled with the explicit recognition from the higher-level academic committee, which allowed him to cross the administrative threshold ahead of time. His position in the ministry, coupled with solid research output, made his promotion a natural progression. His long-standing achievements, coupled with commendation from higher authorities, made his promotion inevitable.

Wang Jianguo's situation was different. His rank and position could only rise by relying on the overall upgrading of the Red Star Factory.

Upon hearing the congratulations, Wang Jianguo grinned, but his expression remained quite composed: "How can this compare to you? You're an administrative ten-year-old, and your next step is deputy director-general. As for me, a deputy director-general, I'm still stuck in the factory's mindset."

He understood perfectly well. Liu Guangqi's administrative rank, though still at the division-level, was that of a director of the research department—a substantive position within the ministry's core hierarchy. The next step up was bureau-level, making him a potential candidate for ministry leadership. Meanwhile, his own position as deputy director-general belonged to a ministry-affiliated factory; their career ceilings were fundamentally different. The difference was obvious to anyone with discerning eyes.

While both are administrative ranks, their implications can be vastly different. It could be a junior deputy director-general level position in a local government, or a senior division chief level position in a ministry. The difference in prestige is immense. Liu Guangqi belongs to the latter, while Wang Jianguo is about to become the former.

In short, as long as Liu Guangqi remains the director of the research department, he is a division-level cadre. Wang Jianguo, as the newly promoted deputy factory director of a department-level unit, is a deputy department-level cadre. Even within the same administrative rank, the classification differs depending on the specific organizational structure.

This certainly doesn't mean Liu Guangqi's rank is lower than Wang Jianguo's. On the contrary, his path leads to the position of Deputy Director of the General Machinery Department, and even broader horizons. Wang Jianguo's promotion path, however, is mainly confined to state-owned factories directly under ministries. Starting at the same rank, their future potential and opportunities are worlds apart.

"It's just that we took different paths." Given Liu Guangqi's personality, he naturally wouldn't show off at this moment. His tone was calm and unwavering. "Our friendship will remain unchanged no matter which path we take."

Upon hearing this, the faint sigh on Wang Jianguo's face vanished instantly, replaced by a knowing smile: "You know how to use that to shut me up." He then remembered something and changed the subject: "By the way, Liu Guangtian is your younger brother, right? Guangqi, Guangtian—anyone with a discerning eye can easily tell the difference. And you, without even a word, are you afraid I'll give him special treatment?"

At this point, Wang Jianguo laughed, pointing at Liu Guangqi with his finger and shaking his head repeatedly.

"That's one of my considerations," Liu Guangqi readily admitted, leaning back in his chair with his hands casually draped over his shoulders. "This kid is easily impetuous. I don't want him to use my name to show off in the factory. The reason I didn't tell you is that I hope he can settle down, hone his skills in the workshop, get covered in grease and grime, and learn some real skills. Otherwise, even if he becomes a manager in the future, he'll only be a half-baked talent and won't be able to hold his own."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianguo laughed out loud: "I knew you had this in mind. Don't worry, I understand. I've already given instructions to the technical department. Manage them according to the standards for ordinary reserve cadres. They must pass all the required technical parameter tests, and they can't skip any overtime. There will be no special treatment, but we won't let him suffer any injustice for no reason either."

"If anyone makes things difficult for him because he's new, I'll step in; but if he doesn't know his place, I won't be any less lenient with him than I am with you. In short, I won't let him tarnish your reputation, nor will I let him drag everyone down."

These words were perfectly worded, combining firmness and gentleness, striking the perfect balance.

The last bit of hesitation in Liu Guangqi's heart dissipated.

Wang Jianguo is a man I understand.

That's exactly what he wanted: strict rules, but protection for his own people.

"Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease."

Liu Guangqi smiled; they were both sensible people, and they understood the deeper meaning behind his words.

Wang Jianguo's words just now resonated with him: "Old Wang, then I'll trouble you to take care of it."

Institute of Computing, Computer Room.

The air was filled with the faint smell of pine resin and solder, and it was so quiet that you could hear yourself breathing.

Everyone in the room was like a taut string, silently guarding their respective positions, even their movements were very quiet.

The number "3" heavily drawn in chalk on the wall is particularly eye-catching.

The slogan on the side, "A gift to the nation, a full sprint!", conveys an unwavering determination in every stroke.

Only three days remain until National Day.

On the workbench, rows of circuit boards are neatly arranged, with full and shiny transistor solder joints.

Professor Lu, dressed in slightly worn work clothes and holding a multimeter, paced slowly beside the assembled second-generation computer, each step heavy.

The transistor computer in front of us is the culmination of years of hard work by the entire team at the Institute of Computing Technology.

From the very first sketch, I don't know how many long nights I've spent, how many arguments I've had, or how many times I've had to start over.

They were like travelers groping in the dark, stumbling and getting hurt time and time again, but rising from their failures each time.

It wasn't until Liu Guangqi was invited to be seconded and took over the leadership of the research and development that the team finally had a direction.

It was Liu Guangqi who, like a precise carving knife, dissected all the illusions and pointed out every minor error, saving them a great deal of time spent on roundabout trial and error.

Without him, let alone these past six months, even if we had three more years, we probably wouldn't be where we are today.

Now, the final moment has arrived to determine success or failure.

No one dared to relax in the slightest.

"Prepare for the test."

Professor Lu took a deep breath, his voice slightly hoarse, and nodded steadily to Engineer Cheng and Engineer Fu beside him.

"Turn on the power, measure the quiescent current, and then... run the logic operation."

Cheng skillfully inserted the thick power cord into the socket.

With a click, the red indicator light suddenly lit up, and a deep, steady hum of operation came from inside the chassis.

The sound was incredibly soft compared to the booming noise of the first electronic computers.

Fu Gong couldn't help but mutter, "It's really quiet, and much smaller in size, but it looks like a wardrobe."

Back then, that vacuum tube machine was a huge thing that took up the entire room.

As Mr. Fu input the final instruction, the logic operation program began to execute.

The steady green line on the oscilloscope suddenly jumped, transforming into a rapidly spinning and complex waveform.

Professor Lu rushed forward, almost pressing his face against the printer, his eyes fixed on the slowly emerging data paper strip.

At first he just frowned.

When the last line of numbers becomes clearly visible—

Calculation speed: 110000 times/second.

The paper strip in his hand was instantly gripped tightly.

"Clang!"

The multimeter, which was unconsciously held between my fingers, slipped off the table with a soft thud.

"What?"

Professor Lu's voice trembled.

He straightened his glasses, which had slipped down to the bridge of his nose, smoothed out the crumpled paper strip, brought it close to his eyes, and read it out almost word by word:

「1、1、0、0、0、0……每秒十一万次？」

He looked up at Engineer Cheng and Engineer Fu, his eyes filled with disbelief. "Test it again! Is there a problem with the program? Or is there something wrong with the counter?"

Xiao Fu quickly re-entered the program, and the printer started running again. On the output data sheet, the result of "110,000 times per second" was still clear.

Engineer Cheng picked up the multimeter from the ground, handed it back to Professor Lu, and said with a smile:

"Professor, that's right! We just measured it three times. The static current is stable, the logic operations are all correct, and the speed is 110,000 times per second!"

Professor Lu took the multimeter.

My fingertips were still trembling slightly.

But their thoughts suddenly drifted back to several years ago—in this very laboratory, they had poured their hearts and souls into that clumsy and cumbersome first-generation electronic computer.

That behemoth could only perform 10,000 calculations per second, and the heat it emitted during operation was enough to scorch the skin, so it had to be equipped with a complete water-cooling system to cool it down.

And what about now?

This second-generation transistor computer in front of us has pushed the computing speed to 110,000 operations per second!

It increased by a full eleven times.