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

After a moment of silence, he raised his eyes and spoke solemnly:

"Counselor Yan, thank you very much for your appreciation. However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is full of talented people, and my absence will not make a difference. I would rather stay on the industrial front and do my part for the country's infrastructure development."

He refused.

It wasn't because he suddenly possessed some lofty enlightenment, but rather because he had a clear understanding of himself. The mechanical engineering knowledge he had accumulated in his previous life was deeply ingrained, and it would be somewhat of a stretch to apply it to the complex diplomatic arena in this life.

He knows exactly where he is rooted.

Based on my past life's experience, I could probably live a decent life if I got a job in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

But that is ultimately just personal security.

While our motherland certainly needs outstanding diplomatic talent, it needs its industrial backbone to stand even straight.

He is willing to dedicate all his knowledge to contributing to this land.

Upon hearing this, Counselor Yan's eyes flashed with approval, but he did not give up trying to persuade him. Just as he was about to speak again, Director Lin stepped in front of him—he was not afraid of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Light Industry vying for his personnel, but he couldn't help feeling uneasy when facing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has always been at the forefront of all ministries and commissions, holding a superior position; in the international arena, it is also often placed first.

Consul Yan's recruitment, conducted in the name of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, carried a hint of "using his power to intimidate."

"Old Yan!" Director Lin stepped aside to block Liu Guangqi. "Don't you dare try to do what those people do."

"I haven't even left yet, and you're already trying to snatch me away right in front of me?"

He turned to Counselor Yan, his tone filled with displeasure:

"The Ministry of Foreign Trade wants to fight for it, the Ministry of Light Industry wants to stay, and now even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is getting involved? Let me tell you, absolutely no way!"

"Comrade Guangqi was a core member of our Ministry of Machine Building. He was the architect of electric ovens and rice cookers. If you take him away, who will shoulder the responsibility of generating foreign exchange?"

Faced with Director Lin's stern expression, Counselor Yan simply smiled, his tone calm yet carrying considerable weight:

"Old Lin, you can't say that. Talent belongs to the country, not to any particular ministry."

"If young talents like Comrade Guangqi can showcase their abilities on a diplomatic platform, face a broader international arena, and contribute to the country's diplomatic endeavors, wouldn't that be of even greater value?"

"I disagree!" Director Lin retorted, "What do you mean by 'greater value'? The products Comrade Guangqi developed provide workers with jobs and food; does that diminish their significance?"

"Diplomats are certainly important, but without industrial strength as a backing, where does their confidence come from at the negotiating table?"

The two exchanged words, and the argument gradually escalated. Their spittle almost splashed onto the faces of several ministerial leaders nearby, who, instead of leaving, stood by and watched the argument with great interest.

As for Liu Guangqi himself, the center of this incident, he had already quietly turned around and gone downstairs when no one was paying attention.

To him, these were all his superiors, and none of them could be easily offended.

Rather than waiting for them to throw problems at you, it's better to leave first.

Liu Guangqi had no idea what the outcome of the argument between Director Lin and Counselor Yan was.

But one thing is certain: after this high-level ministerial meeting, his name has left a clear mark on the eyes of his superiors.

Back at the Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory, before Liu Guangqi could even sit down, Director Li and Wang Jianguo rushed to his office.

"How did the meeting at the ministry go? Any developments?"

"There's something important. The order for the electric ovens has been placed, and we've also received a reception assignment that's been arranged at our factory."

Liu Guangqi said calmly.

"This is not a task undertaken by a single ministry; it involves multiple departments, including the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the location is set here."

"Ministry of Foreign Trade...Ministry of Foreign Affairs?" Director Li, being a veteran, felt a chill run down his spine and immediately sensed something unusual.

He tentatively asked, "Are...people from the Russian side coming?"

"Hmm." Liu Guangqi nodded, the smile fading from his face.

Wang Jianguo couldn't help but let out a low groan:

"The thought of having to entertain the Russians makes me uncomfortable. What kind of big brother are they? They're the ones who turn on you the fastest."

"Just bear with it for now," Liu Guangqi patted his shoulder. "After all, it's a task assigned by our superiors. It'll only take a few days anyway, we can get through it."

He was already familiar with the other party's style, and since this was a task assigned by his superiors, he did not show much emotion on his face.

He then briefly recounted to the two what he could reveal at the meeting.

As the sun began to set, Liu Guangqi left the Hongxing Factory as usual and embarked on his journey home.

He didn't use his Volga today, but rode an ordinary bicycle instead.

These days, everything has its limits. If he's constantly coming and going in a car, that's not a privilege, that's just attracting attention. He's worked hard in the ministry and factory, finally building a reputation for being steady, capable, and unassuming. He can't let this little bit of ostentation ruin all his previous efforts.

Before long, the imposing building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs came into view. Liu Guangqi had just parked his car when a graceful figure emerged from the door. Zhao Mengyun spotted him immediately, her eyes lighting up instantly. She jogged over and expertly sat in the back seat, the movements swift and seamless.

"Guangqi!" As soon as she sat down, her voice was filled with barely suppressed excitement. "You're quite the celebrity in the department now. Everyone's talking about you today."

Liu Guangqi pedaled, and the bike glided smoothly onto the street. He turned his head slightly, a smile on his face, and asked, "What are you talking about me for?"

"They say that Counselor Yan almost got into a fight with Director Lin of the First Ministry of Machine Building this morning because of you." Zhao Mengyun spoke quickly, a smile flowing from the corners of her eyes and brows. "It's all over our office, they say the two leaders' voices were so loud you could hear them halfway down the floor, all because they wanted to transfer you from the First Ministry of Machine Building to our office."

As she spoke, she naturally wrapped her arms around his waist and gently pressed her cheek against his back. "Even our department head privately asked me if we were already married."

The bicycle traced a smooth arc in the evening breeze. Zhao Mengyun's voice, muffled by her clothes, carried a hint of pride: "I knew you were outstanding, but I never expected you could get two bureau-level leaders to fight for you to this extent."

The warmth from his back warmed Liu Guangqi's heart. He chuckled softly, "It's not that mysterious. It's just that the leader asked about my views on our northern neighbor, and it probably resonated with Counselor Yan. He felt that I might be more suitable for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is why he had the idea of ​​valuing my talent."

"Comrade Liu Guangqi, your words sound modest, but why do I feel like you're subtly praising yourself?" Zhao Mengyun chuckled.

"Is there?" he drawled.

"Of course I can! I can feel the smugness in those words even through your clothes."

Liu Guangqi then laughed loudly, no longer trying to hide his laughter. As the wheels rolled over the pavement between the tenement buildings in the ministry compound, Zhao Mengyun leaned closer, her voice softening with a hint of inquiry: "Guangqi, so... what are you really thinking?"

"We'll talk about it when we get home," he replied.

Zhao Mengyun blushed, gave him a light reproachful look, but still followed him upstairs.

Pushing open the door, the festive atmosphere of the new house hadn't faded yet, the bright red "double happiness" characters on the wall still dazzling. Just as she was about to turn around, he swept her up in his arms and carried her straight to the inner room. She gasped softly, then smiled and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

At nine o'clock the next morning, dust rose slightly in front of the Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory, and several cars drove up one after another and quietly came to a stop.

Leading the procession was a black sedan with Ministry of Foreign Affairs license plates. Following it were three Volga vehicles, their paint dark and their sheen subdued. At the rear of the procession, a ZIM sedan bearing license plates from the Northern Embassy stood out conspicuously, exuding an unusual aura.

The car doors opened one after another. Counselor Yan from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was the first to get out, straightening his clothes with a proper, official smile. Several tall, imposing representatives from the northern region followed, their gazes sweeping across the factory area with a scrutinizing air.

At the factory gate, Liu Guangqi stood at the front, with Factory Director Li and Wang Jianguo on either side, followed by a group of cadres who had already lined up to welcome them. Upon closer inspection, although everyone had smiles on their faces, the smiles were mostly superficial and did not reach their eyes.

The relationship between the North and the motherland is currently delicate, and the other side is always good at taking advantage of the situation to exert pressure. The undercurrents under the circumstances are well known to both sides.

No one at Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory was enthusiastic about this reception task.

However, this was a task jointly assigned by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and it was also a resolution formally passed at the meeting, so no one could shirk their responsibility.

The ministry leaders were aware of the grievances at Hongxing Factory and privately instructed Counselor Yan to act prudently and exercise discretion.

After all, Director Li had experience in the foreign trade system and knew the ins and outs of the business.

He strode forward, extended his hand, and said with a broad smile:

"Welcome, comrades and experts, to Hongxing Factory for inspection and guidance!"

The Russian representative who reached out first merely touched his fingertips perfunctorily, his attention completely elsewhere than on the pleasantries.

His gaze swept past the welcoming crowd, casually scanning the workshops and equipment in the factory area, his expression like that of a wealthy man surveying a shabby estate.

In his eyes—

The production workshops in these Chinese countries are like dilapidated buildings pieced together from scrap materials discarded by the Russians; they're simply not presentable.

"It's truly baffling," he thought. "How could such rudimentary facilities create that kind of 'Eastern magic'?"

The translator standing nearby looked troubled, unsure whether he should translate the words verbatim.

Fortunately, the Russian representative did not make things difficult for the translator. After scanning the crowd for a moment, he suddenly spoke in his native language, his tone carrying an unquestionable command:

"Which one of you is Chief Engineer Liu? I'd like to see him first."

Just as the translator beside him was about to clear his throat to relay the message, a clear and steady voice rang out, speaking in the same pure and fluent Russian:

"Hello, I am Liu Guangqi."

Liu Guangqi stepped out from the crowd. He hadn't planned to show himself too early, but since the other party had specifically asked for his name, he didn't need to hide it.

As soon as he finished speaking, the scene fell silent.

The Russian representative turned around abruptly, a look of surprise in his eyes: "Chief Engineer Liu, you speak our language?"

"My goodness, your pronunciation is even more accurate than my translation!"

The translator standing to the side looked slightly stiff and somewhat uncomfortable.

Liu Guangqi remained calm, neither arrogant nor humble.

"I took it as an elective in college and also read the entire set of textbooks for mechanical engineering from your country's power engineering college."

These words instantly transformed the surprise in the eyes of the hook-nosed representative into keen interest.

Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, the Russian representative, abandoning his previous casual and arrogant demeanor, fired off a barrage of questions:

"Since you've read our textbook, I have a question: How can we effectively suppress tool deflection and vibration when machining large-diameter long shafts on heavy-duty horizontal lathes?"

"It must be pointed out that the methods mentioned in the textbook are not ideal in practical applications."

The questions came quickly and were highly specialized. The Russian translator got stuck on the term "giving up the knife" and couldn't quite put it into words.

Liu Guangqi, however, smoothly took over the conversation and answered directly in Russian:

"The solution proposed in the textbook is to improve the situation by adjusting the tool geometry and the three elements of cutting, but this is only a temporary fix."

"The real problem lies in the insufficient precision of existing machine tools, the weak rigidity of the tailstock, and the excessive clearance in the spindle box gear transmission."

He paused briefly, looking into the other person's increasingly focused gaze, and continued:

"During high-load cutting, tailstock displacement amplifies the vibration caused by gear backlash, and the combination of the two leads to severe tool deflection."

"I believe the fundamental solution is to develop machine tools with higher precision."

His argument was calm and unhurried, pointing out both the crux of the problem and the core solution.

The Russian representative was completely stunned—this was a question that the Russian expert group had debated for nearly half a year back then, and the final conclusion they reached was exactly the same as what this young man in front of them had said:

The only real way out is to develop higher precision machine tools.

Subsequently, the Russian representative raised a series of questions regarding machine tool design and production line optimization.

Liu Guangqi answered fluently throughout.

He knew that only by displaying solid knowledge could he win the respect of these arrogant visitors.