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

"The inner cavity of an electric oven must be made of food-grade stainless steel, and the outer shell must be made of special steel plate that is resistant to high temperatures. The quality of these materials directly affects the lifespan of the product."

"There can be no ambiguity whatsoever."

Wang Jianguo wholeheartedly agreed: "I think the same way. The rice cooker could handle ordinary ingredients before, but the electric oven couldn't."

"The temperature is too high; ordinary steel plates cannot withstand it, so special steel is necessary."

Factory Director Li added, "Then let's go with the Third Steel Rolling Mill."

"Although it can't compare to the big factories in Northeast China, it's still one of the top factories in Beijing. It often undertakes special tasks and has rich experience in handling special steel."

"They also have a complete set of steel rolling equipment imported from the north, which can fully meet our requirements."

At this point, Factory Director Li paused briefly before continuing:

"I can't speak for other things about steel rolling mills, but they are professionals in the field of metallurgy."

"Otherwise, why would the Ministry of Metallurgy attach so much importance to them? They've almost grown into a large factory with tens of thousands of employees!"

"When the time comes, Chief Engineer Liu, please take a close look and let us know if you need anything."

He rubbed his palms together.

His words carried a hint of peculiar interest.

Clearly, they harbored some intention to "profit from" the steel rolling mill.

That's not hard to understand.

Although both are directly managed by ministries, their foreign exchange earning factory has been established for far too short a time.

Even with a bright future and a steady stream of orders.

Today, the entire factory has six workshops and just over a thousand employees, which is nothing compared to the scale of a steel rolling mill.

If such a "big player" doesn't seize the opportunity to grab some resources, when will he?

His words were spoken with such conviction that they amused Liu Guangqi, who was standing to the side.

Liu Guangqi neither nodded nor shook his head.

Not long after.

The three reached an agreement and decided to conduct an on-site inspection of the Third Steel Rolling Mill the next day.

Early the next morning.

Not long after Liu Guangqi arrived at the factory, he was summoned by Factory Director Li and Wang Jianguo.

soon.

The two then led him to the parking area in the factory area.

It is worth mentioning that.

Because Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory directly connects with foreign trade departments, its transportation team does indeed have significantly more Jiefang brand trucks than that of ordinary factories.

only--

These vehicles are used for hauling goods.

Rows of trucks are neatly parked in the open field, which looks impressive, but when leaders need to go out on business, these "big guys" are of no use.

Pass through the truck parking area.

In the corner, two black sedans, polished to a shine so bright they could almost reflect a person's image, were parked quietly.

These days.

According to the administrative level of the directly affiliated factory, there are only four or five people in the entire factory who are qualified to be equipped with a dedicated car.

The factory director and two deputy factory directors.

In addition, there are the factory's Party Committee Secretary and Deputy Secretary, who rarely appear in public.

Even though Liu Guangqi is already an eighth-level engineer, he is still not entitled to a car according to regulations until his administrative rank reaches the deputy division level.

However, it is obvious.

He was in charge of this research trip, so even though he wasn't at the required rank, he was able to enjoy the privilege of riding in a car for the time being.

If your rank isn't high enough, make up for it with better benefits.

This feeling of being given special treatment is indeed very comforting.

After all, these days...

Even leaders have to "snatch" their cars. There are only two cars in the factory, and if you don't get one, whether you're the factory director or the party secretary, you still have to ride a bicycle to get things done.

"This is... Volga?"

Liu Guangqi recognized the car in front of him at a glance.

Cars were a rarity at that time. Although the domestically produced Hongqi was successfully trial-produced last year, the output was extremely low, making it impossible for it to be distributed to ordinary factories.

The cars currently available in China

Most of them rely on foreign exchange imports, and these imports mainly come from their northern neighbors.

Volga,

It could be considered the "national car" there.

Other than that,

There are also the lower-end Lada and the higher-end Jim.

And top-tier Gis.

Looking at the Volga in front of him,

Liu Guangqi said half-jokingly, "Our family's resources are still a bit meager, why don't we apply for a few more vehicles?"

Upon hearing this,

Factory Director Li, standing next to him, twitched slightly at the corner of his mouth, as if something on his mind had been touched.

"Chief Engineer Liu, it's easy for you to say that when you're not in the situation!"

When the topic of company cars comes up,

A flood of grievances welled up within Factory Director Li:

"Are you applying for a few more? Do you know how this second car came about?"

"I personally went to the foreign trade department, waited outside the leader's office, and pleaded and begged until I got it!"

He shook his head as he spoke.

A hint of helplessness could not be hidden between his brows.

At this time,

Wang Jianguo also came over and grinned at Liu Guangqi:

"Our factory is already considered quite good!"

"Some factories at the same level only have one vehicle, or even none at all. Tell me, which factory doesn't have a lot of work these days?"

"Basically, it's first come, first served; those who don't get one have to ride a bicycle."

"After a day of running, my thighs are covered in blisters!"

This is not an exaggeration.

Back when the factory only had one vehicle, he spent all his time in the workshop overseeing production. By the time he remembered to apply for the vehicle, it had already been taken by someone else.

After riding a bicycle for a month straight, my ankles were swollen.

Later, Factory Director Li managed to "beg" for a second vehicle from the Foreign Trade Department.

The situation has only just begun to improve.

"In other words, our factory is backed by two ministries, while many other factories at the same level have factory directors who travel by bicycle."

"In case of an emergency, we might even have to hitch a ride on a transport truck!"

no way--

There are few cars and many things to do; it has always been this way.

In this day and age, vehicles are far more valuable than people.

If the transport vehicle breaks down halfway, the first question the leader will ask will be, "How's the vehicle?" The people on the vehicle will be relegated to the back of the list.

Liu Guangqi turned his gaze away from the window, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

Noticing his expression, Wang Jianguo casually asked, "Guangqi, are you interested in cars?"

"I wouldn't say I'm obsessed, but I know a little about it."

Liu Guangqi spoke calmly, as naturally as if discussing the weather, "The principle is not complicated. If we really wanted to build it, we might be able to."

"Perhaps in a few decades, every household here will be able to own their own car."

Wang Jianguo shook his head repeatedly:

"Your idea is too advanced. Not to mention our generation, even our sons' and grandsons' generation may not see it."

Although cars can now be produced in China, in the days when bicycles were not even common, ordinary families had to save up for several years to buy a bicycle.

Even a deputy factory director like him has to go through layers of approval to use a vehicle.

Does every family own a car?

It's like a dream.

Liu Guangqi just smiled and didn't reply.

Some things sound like dreams when spoken, but become reality when accomplished. Arguing with others about what things will be like decades from now is really pointless.

"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore."

Wang Jianguo waved his hand and put on a smile.

He proactively opened the back door and gestured "please" to Liu Guangqi, behaving with exceptional politeness.

"Factory manager, Chief Engineer Liu, get in the car!"

After Director Li and Liu Guangqi were seated, he climbed into the car and closed the heavy door behind him.

"To the steel rolling mill!"

"Alright!"

The driver started the car and drove towards the steel rolling mill.

About half an hour later, the black Volga slowly came to a stop in front of the gate of the Third Steel Rolling Mill.

The scenery outside the window was familiar to Liu Guangqi, yet it also felt somewhat unfamiliar.

This wasn't his first time in this place, but it was the first time he'd ever ridden into the factory gate in a car.

Before the car had even come to a complete stop, a group of people waiting at the factory gate quickly came to greet it.

The man at the front, dressed in a crisp Zhongshan suit with his hair slicked back and neatly styled, was none other than Director Yang, the head of the steel rolling mill.

"Director Li, welcome, welcome! We've been waiting for you!"

As soon as the car door opened, Director Yang rushed forward, grasped Director Li's hands tightly, and beamed with joy.

"I've been looking forward to this exchange ever since I received the call from the ministry!"

"We'll have to have a good chat later and learn from each other!"

Director Li was the undisputed leader at the foreign exchange factory, but here he had to bow down.

The steel rolling mill is a proper provincial-level unit, and Director Yang's rank is obviously higher than his, but today Director Yang didn't dare to put on any airs.

He knew perfectly well that if the representative from the brother unit that the Ministry of Metallurgy had personally spoken to dare to act arrogantly, he would be invited for tea tomorrow.

No one who gets off this bus today should be treated with disrespect.

Factory Director Li smiled and stepped aside, solemnly leading Liu Guangqi from behind him to the front:

"Director Yang, let me introduce you—this is our Chief Technical Engineer of the Export Earnings Factory, Comrade Liu Guangqi!"

"Chief Engineer Liu oversaw the electric oven project from start to finish!"

He paused deliberately for a moment before slowly adding:

"Right now, all four of our sister ministries are keeping a close eye on this project."

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the deputy factory directors and directors behind Director Yang immediately changed.

The fact that four ministries are paying attention at the same time—that's a weighty matter that sends a chill down your spine.

Factory Director Yang's gaze suddenly fixed on Liu Guangqi's excessively young face.

He strode forward and grabbed Liu Guangqi's hand tightly:

"Oh, Chief Engineer Liu! I've heard so much about you!"

"I'd heard long ago that the First Ministry of Machine Building had transferred a chief technical engineer to the Hongxing Chuanghui Factory, and seeing him today, he's indeed even younger and more promising than I imagined!"

He had a strong grip, holding it firmly, as if trying to gauge its weight through that grip.

"Too young to shoulder such a heavy responsibility!"

"Chief Engineer Liu has a bright future ahead of him; even we old guys are envious!"

Liu Guangqi smiled slightly:

"Director Yang, you're too kind. I'm just a technician. I've come here to ask for your help with steel supply. I'd appreciate your guidance."

After a few pleasantries, the group walked together into the factory area.

Director Yang personally led the way, his warm attitude causing the deputy directors behind him to exchange glances.

The workshop was sweltering, and the machines roared like thunder.

"Clang—bang!"

The workshop echoed with the clanging sound of metal striking metal.

With his bangs flared, his muscles rippled with each movement, a pneumatic hammer hovering in the air as he bent over to inspect the outline of the newly formed steel billet. Sweat streamed down his back, rising as fine white mist rose from the dark reddish surface of the metal.

A flurry of footsteps and conversations approached from afar.

Suddenly, a voice, mixed in with the others, entered his ears, evoking a vague sense of familiarity. He paused, instinctively turning his head.

The moment his gaze fixed on him, he felt as if struck by lightning, and his hand gripping the hammer suddenly slipped.

"Clang—"

The hammer slammed to the ground, its dull thud drowned out by the continuous roar of machinery.

What did he see?

The crowd surged forward, surrounding that figure. Factory Director Yang, Chief Director Li Huaide, and several other leaders who rarely ventured into the workshop were all gathered around a young man in a crisp white shirt, moving slowly forward. The young man's face was calm, a faint smile playing on his lips.

That's Liu Guangqi.

His son.

"Old Liu, what are you spacing out for?" His coworker nudged him with his elbow, followed his stiff gaze, and then froze as well. "That's... Factory Director Yang? And the one next to him is...?"

"Wait, isn't that Engineer Liu from the First Ministry of Machine Building?"

"That's right. Last time, the factory's skills assessment was conducted by Engineer Liu, who also personally demonstrated several key techniques."

More and more blacksmiths recognized the newcomer, and their eyes turned to Liu Haizhong, a mixture of surprise and curiosity.

"Old Liu, is that your son? Goodness, this is quite a entourage... the factory manager is personally accompanying him?"

"Should we go over and say hello?"

A surge of heat rose in Liu Hai's heart, and a habitual thought urged him to step forward. But just as he was about to lift his foot, it felt as if something was choking him.

He saw his son surrounded by that group of people, completely at ease, while he himself was covered in oil and drenched in sweat. Would it seem too deliberate to just go over there like that? Would it make his superiors think he was trying to curry favor, thus causing trouble for Guangqi?

This thought was like a bucket of ice water, completely extinguishing his impulse.

He stood there, hesitant for once.