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

It must be said that these two are now really focused on the "merging of factories" matter, always planning to absorb the surrounding factories, expand the scale of Hongxing Factory, and push it to a higher level of organization.

But what Director Li said was not unfounded.

Although the new workshop is currently empty, once the CNC production line is set up here, it will become a unique technology incubator in China. If CNC machine tools can truly open up foreign trade channels in the future, Hongxing Factory's name will surely be among the top on the list of achievements. The merger of the factories may really just be a matter of time.

The three walked to the new workshop's layout plan, where Wang Jianguo and Factory Director Li enthusiastically explained the layout—

Where to locate the production area, where to set up the inspection section, and where to reserve storage space.

In his conversation, he also mentioned the existing land of the Red Star Factory: although it was initially approved as only 15 mu, it was expanded while production was underway, and now it is close to 20 mu in size.

That vibrant energy and subtle pride almost overflowed.

Looking at their expressions, Liu Guangqi couldn't help but smile: "Judging from your posture, I could hear the sound of your calculations coming from the doorway."

Upon hearing this, Wang Jianguo didn't bother to hide it anymore and grinned, "Of course!"

"As departments at the same level, who wouldn't want to take another step up? Merging and expanding is a rare opportunity."

He leaned closer and lowered his voice:

"Since we have this potential, if we don't plan ahead, won't we be scrambling and panicking when the time comes?"

Factory Director Li nodded with a smile, his tone gentle yet firm:

"Guangqi, let's make this agreement first—you must never forget the Red Star Factory."

"Since the new workshop is being built on our land, shouldn't the first few machines be put in service of our own people? Temporarily transferring two machines over isn't unreasonable, is it?"

The two sang in perfect harmony, their voices perfectly synchronized.

Liu Guangqi had anticipated their request and couldn't help but chuckle:

"What? Are you guys like those leaders in the ministry, eyeing my machine tool quota?"

The blade fell without hesitation, the strike swift and decisive: "How can these be compared?"

"They are from a ministry, but we are all family. You are the chief technical officer of our Hongxing Factory. How can it be reasonable not to give the best to our own people first?"

Factory Director Li then chimed in, adding:

"Our Hongxing factory is also trying to earn foreign exchange for the country! Think about it, if we had CNC machine tools, our output could be increased even further."

"Wouldn't the foreign exchange earnings figures rise accordingly?"

Seeing their anxious expressions, Liu Guangqi finally smiled:

"You can all rest assured, do you think I would forget about you?"

"I had already discussed it with the company leaders. Once the new workshop is officially put into production, two of the first ten machine tools produced will be reserved for Hongxing Factory to take the lead."

"Really? That's wonderful!"

Wang Jianguo patted Liu Guangqi on the shoulder excitedly: "I knew you were a loyal friend!"

"Once the machine tools arrive at the factory, I will personally guide the workers in learning how to use them!"

The anxiety that had been weighing on Director Li finally subsided.

The wrinkles on his face smoothed out, and he laughed heartily: "With your words, we can finally feel completely at ease!"

"Don't worry, with the two of us personally overseeing the expansion project of the new workshop, we guarantee that the construction schedule won't be delayed by even a single day, and it definitely won't hinder our mass production plan after the New Year!"

The three of them huddled together in front of the planning map and discussed the details for quite a while.

From future upgrades to training programs for workers, Liu Guangqi offered his opinions on each point.

It was almost noon.

Wang Jianguo insisted on taking Liu Guangqi to the cafeteria for a meal.

"Let's go, let's go now!"

"Let everyone in the factory see that our chief engineer is back!"

In the cafeteria.

The news of Liu Guangqi's return to the factory spread like wildfire to every corner.

The workers, holding their rice bowls, gathered around to greet him.

Everyone chimed in, eagerly inquiring about the progress of the new workshop.

It is not difficult to see that

Just how popular was Liu Guangqi in the factory?

As for Liu Guangqi's response...

He maintained his usual composed demeanor. Facing these simple and honest workers, he showed no sign of annoyance, always smiling and patiently answering every question.

He told everyone that once the new machine tool arrives, the work will be much easier and the efficiency will be greatly improved.

The meal was exceptionally lively, with a very warm and enthusiastic atmosphere!

After dinner,

Liu Guangqi declined everyone's offers to stay and returned to his department by car.

……

Days passed by, and before we knew it, it was time to get paid at the end of the year.

December 25th

The north wind was blowing harder and harder in Beijing, but the Ministry of Machine Building was bustling with activity.

After finishing work today,

Just hang in there for one more day tomorrow, and then it'll be a relaxing annual leave.

Despite the current difficult times, the First Ministry of Machine Building is more confident than ever before this year.

Not only because of the major breakthroughs in CNC machine tools,

The country also relied on the "magic weapons" of the Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory that earned foreign exchange, as well as the best-selling home appliances that brought in a large number of overseas orders, which alleviated the country's debt pressure.

therefore,

Year-end benefits were not reduced by much.

Liu Guangqi was tidying up his belongings in his office, preparing to leave work, when there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Please come in."

The door was pushed open, and a young staff member from the logistics department entered.

He held several thick manila envelopes in his hands, his face beaming with smiles: "Director Liu, are you busy?"

"I've brought you your year-end salary!"

As soon as the clerk entered, he promptly handed over the thickest envelope.

"Here is your salary for this month!"

"And there's an extra bonus from the department, a hundred yuan! It's all here."

He deliberately lowered his voice and added, "The leader instructed us beforehand not to announce this over the loudspeaker, so as not to attract attention."

That's a good point.

It serves as both a reminder and a hint of flattery.

Liu Guangqi knew in his heart that these days, giving out too many bonuses would indeed easily attract gossip.

"Thanks a lot."

"Director Liu, please check the numbers. If there are no problems, just sign here!"

The logistics officer handed over the receipt and a pen together.

Liu Guangqi took it.

He pulled out his payslip, but after just one glance, his movements paused slightly.

The salary standard for administrative level 15!

Including the position allowance for a Level 7 engineer, the total is 165 yuan.

It has increased by nearly thirty yuan compared to before.

This amount of money, if placed in an ordinary working-class family, could cover their expenses for about half a year.

Of course, this wasn't the most surprising thing for him.

In addition to his salary, the envelope contained a thick stack of special coupons and a separate reward notice with a red title.

[Special Contribution Reward]

—A cash reward of one hundred yuan will be given.

—Ten food vouchers, five catties of meat purchase vouchers, and thirty catties of refined wheat flour.

The afternoon sun of winter streamed through the glass window, casting a slanted glow on the desk. As Liu Guangqi opened the kraft paper envelope, his fingertips touched the paper's crisp texture. Ten crisp, new ten-yuan bills were neatly stacked, the faint scent of ink wafting through the air. Below them were coupons for five jin of pork, thirty jin of wheat flour, and a stack of food coupons, their various colors quietly interspersed.

His gaze lingered on the paper for a moment, his mind already calculating its value. This special reward from the ministry was indeed substantial in these times. Those receipts were more tangible than cash, enough for an ordinary family to prepare a lavish New Year's feast. Liu Guangqi didn't examine them closely; he put the items back in the envelope, picked up his pen, and signed his name on the receipt. The pen nib scratched softly across the paper.

The logistics officer took the form with both hands, his smile revealing familiar respect. "Director Liu, there's something else I need to tell you." He took a half step forward, lowering his voice slightly, "This year, you won't need to handle the ministry's year-end bonuses yourself. We'll arrange for someone to deliver them directly to your residence in the ministry compound."

Liu Guangqi nodded, indicating that he understood. This subtle difference was simply part of the compensation.

"You're too kind, it's just my job." The clerk quickly replied, putting away the documents, taking two steps back, and gently closing the office door. The whole process was smooth and natural, with just the right amount of tact.

The room fell silent again. Liu Guangqi weighed the envelope in his hand; it was heavy. A barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips. Things were different now. Even something as small as receiving welfare benefits was being handled so meticulously. If he were still living in his old courtyard house, this kind of arrangement would have felt out of place. Now, living in the dormitory-style apartment building in the ministry compound, there was an unspoken understanding between the neighbors, a quiet peace and quiet.

He tucked the envelope into the inside pocket of his coat, its thick fabric providing warmth against his chest. He stood up, straightened his coat, and prepared to pick up his wife from get off work.

Before long, the two walked side by side along the tree-lined path in the ministry compound. Zhao Mengyun had just received her salary from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; she was a cultural affairs liaison officer, administrative level 22, earning 56 yuan a month, plus various subsidies, easily exceeding 60 yuan. Standard starting salary for a university graduate after probation.

Back home, Liu Guangqi casually handed over the envelope. Zhao Mengyun paused slightly as she took it—the weight in her hand was noticeably different from usual. She looked up at her husband, then curiously opened the seal.

A stack of brand-new ten-yuan bills slid out.

"So much?" she asked softly, emptying the contents of the envelope onto the table. The banknotes were put in one place, the receipts in another, and two pay slips were laid out side by side.

Zhao Mengyun picked up Liu Guangqi's pay slip and examined it closely, then compared it to her own, her eyes gradually brightening. "Guangqi," she said, her voice tinged with restrained joy, "our combined salaries have already exceeded two hundred." This doesn't even include the one hundred yuan special bonus.

She gathered the money on the table, tapped it lightly with her fingertips, and counted it one bill at a time. "One hundred, two hundred, three hundred... three hundred and twenty-five." After counting the last bill, she looked up, her eyes reflecting the sunlight outside the window.

It wasn't greed; it was simply a woman's innate concern for managing the household finances. Three hundred and twenty-five yuan—this figure even exceeded the monthly salary of her father, a military commander with a star on his shoulder.

On the 26th day of the twelfth lunar month, a Sunday, the sun slanted into the auditorium of the Ministry of Machine Building. A red silk banner hung high, its gilded characters gleaming warmly under the lights, making the faces of everyone in the hall glow. The aisles were packed, and the air was filled with a silent, boiling excitement.

When the minister stepped onto the podium, his gray hair remained perfectly in place. He set aside his manuscript, gripped the edge of the platform with both hands, and scanned the sea of ​​people with his gaze.

"Last year," his voice was deep and resonant, "we presented the country with a great gift."

The auditorium fell into complete silence, with only the sound of breathing rising and falling.

"The General Machinery Division, along with the comrades from the Red Star Factory, earned hard currency from the international market." He paused briefly, each word ringing out, "This money allows us to hold our heads high and settle accounts with our big brother in the north!"

A thunderous applause erupted, like waves crashing on the shore. Several elderly technicians with graying temples in the front row took off their glasses and hurriedly wiped their eyes with their sleeves.

The minister raised his hand in a gesture of restraint, and as the commotion subsided, his voice suddenly rose: "And there's something even more inspiring—we've developed high-precision CNC machine tools ourselves!"

The cheers nearly lifted the roof off.

"From now on," he practically shouted, "our machine tools will be able to walk upright!"

Amidst the roaring applause, the minister's gaze fell upon the first row. Director Lin unconsciously straightened his back, while Liu Guangqi beside him seemed lost in thought—he was calculating how to deposit the three hundred yuan in the bank after the meeting, saving the rest for New Year's expenses. Suddenly, he heard his name called from the stage:

"Director Lin led the team well, and Comrade Liu Guangqi went all out to tackle the problem..."

Liu Guangqi was stunned. The minister on the stage continued speaking, but he recalled the image of his wife, Zhao Mengyun, smiling as she counted out thirty ten-yuan bills the night before. Banks had existed for a long time then, starting in the 1950s with guaranteed principal and value savings accounts, priced according to the value of rice, flour, and cloth, so fluctuations in prices wouldn't affect the principal. There were also flexible deposit options, with interest accruing every seven days. Some places even offered prize-winning savings accounts, using the interest as a reward.

He shook his head inwardly. In those fabricated stories about courtyard houses, the protagonist could always easily steal hundreds or thousands of dollars from his neighbor's savings—the storytellers probably didn't know that money these days isn't so easy to move.