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

The Ministry of Foreign Trade's favor towards Liu Guangqi stemmed not only from the success of his electric kettles and electric blankets. A deeper reason lay in his exceptional Russian language skills. In fact, Director Chen had thoroughly investigated Liu Guangqi's background before his visit, including his past experience translating maintenance manuals for the Second Machinery Plant and the First Heavy Machinery Plant, resolving equipment malfunctions. This demonstrates that Liu Guangqi's Russian proficiency went beyond everyday communication, reaching a professional level of technical expertise, potentially even surpassing many of the ministry's full-time translators.

Possessing technical expertise, fluency in foreign languages, and the ability to precisely target the needs of the ** market—such a versatile talent is practically tailor-made for the Ministry of Foreign Trade. If we could recruit him, future technical negotiations and business collaborations with ** would be seamless, resulting in immeasurable export earnings. It would be illogical for Director Chen not to be interested in such a talent.

Seeing his agitated former colleague, Director Chen smiled and waved his hand: "Old Lin, don't worry, everything can be discussed. But there's always a priority. Tell me, right now, which task in your Ministry of Machine Building is more urgent than the Ministry of Foreign Trade's efforts to generate foreign exchange revenue for the country?"

Director Lin's face immediately darkened. Liu Guangqi stood quietly to the side, eyes downcast, completely disappearing into the background—how could he dare to interrupt when the two directors were clashing face to face?

Director Lin snapped out of his daze and immediately retorted: "Don't try to pressure me with those words! Comrade Guangqi comes from a research background and should stay in a technical position. If he's transferred to your area, who will take over the subsequent development of heating products? Shouldn't we continue with key projects like rice cookers and induction cookers?" He became increasingly agitated, unconsciously taking a step forward and subtly shielding Liu Guangqi behind him. Foreign trade earnings are certainly important, but aren't breakthroughs in our own industrial technology equally important?

"Hey, you old Lin..." Director Chen wasn't going to back down either, and the two started arguing back and forth in front of everyone. Everyone around silently lowered their eyes, no one uttering a sound. Everyone knew that these two directors were classmates and former comrades-in-arms; even if their argument was heated, it was an internal matter. If outsiders didn't know their place and interfered, it would only make things difficult for everyone involved.

Taking advantage of a lull in the argument, Director Chen quickly pulled Liu Guangqi aside and said in a low voice: "Comrade Guangqi, if you are willing to come to the Ministry of Foreign Trade, I guarantee that you will be treated as a section chief as soon as you join the company."

Upon hearing this, Liu Guangqi felt a chorus of bells ringing in his mind. He instinctively looked up at Director Chen, whose gaze was intense. The words "Ministry of Foreign Trade, Section Chief" carried a weight that could send shivers down one's spine. Everyone understood the Ministry of Foreign Trade's immense importance; not only now, but for decades to come, it would be a coveted position for countless people. Many dedicated their entire lives, only to find themselves struggling to secure a deputy section chief position upon retirement. And how old was he? His future seemed incredibly bright.

Moreover, the earnestness and sincerity in Director Chen's eyes were far from insincere. This invitation was truly tempting. However, the surge of emotion in Liu Guangqi's chest lasted only a moment before he quietly suppressed it. He gently shook his head, his voice low but each word clear:

Director, thank you for your kindness.

"I'm good at tinkering with machines, but if I were to sit at the international negotiating table and deal with people, I'm afraid I would embarrass the Ministry of Foreign Trade."

He gestured towards the rumbling equipment in the workshop, a sincere smile playing on his lips:

"I know these things well, I know where they are prone to breaking down and where they need maintenance."

"So, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

"Besides, aren't the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Machine Building going to cooperate in building a new factory? Wherever I work, I'm doing my part for the ministry, so there's no real difference."

These words were well-reasoned and appropriate.

This gave Director Chen a way out while clearly expressing its own stance, thus offending no one.

Especially in front of his direct superior, Director Lin.

After hearing Liu Guangqi's words, Director Lin's smile deepened, and he secretly praised the young man for being sensible and knowing when to advance and retreat.

To be honest, for him, it would be best for someone as talented as Liu Guangqi to stay in the First Ministry of Machine Building.

If there are any further research and development tasks in the future, they will still be the results of General Machinery Division.

Although the Ministry of Foreign Trade is a sister unit, brothers are still brothers, not one family.

Such talented individuals should naturally be retained within our department.

On Director Chen's side, after listening, the smile on his face didn't fade, he just shook his head:

"Comrade Guangqi, now that you've put it that way, I feel embarrassed to try and persuade you any further..."

Before Liu Guangqi could reply, Director Lin had already snorted at Director Chen:

"Did you hear that? Comrade Guangqi himself doesn't want to go! So stop worrying about it!"

Director Chen was amused by his protective attitude, and his expression softened considerably.

"Comrade Guangqi, let me make this clear: the doors of the Ministry of Foreign Trade will always be open for you."

"If you change your mind someday, come find me anytime!"

After saying that, he changed the subject and looked at Director Lin:

"But seriously, Lao Lin, you can't mistreat talented people. Don't try to fool me with the treatment and rewards they deserve!"

Director Lin laughed and scolded, "Do I need you to remind me?"

No one expected that the two directors, who had been in a tense atmosphere just moments before, would shake hands and smile in the blink of an eye, as if their previous argument was just a brief interlude.

Those around them quietly breathed a sigh of relief and exchanged glances.

Well, this isn't poaching people; it's clearly the two leaders paving the way for Liu Guangqi!

Liu Guangqi stood there, watching the two directors chatting and laughing, and felt a little amused.

But what he felt more deeply was the sense of security that came from being valued.

It must be said that this era of new beginnings is indeed good. There are not so many seniorities to weigh people down, and there is no fear of being envied for being too sharp.

If you're truly capable, promotion is like riding the east wind upwards.

Afterwards, the two directors offered a few more words of encouragement before leaving with their secretaries.

Although the person has left, the ripples left in the workshop have just begun to spread.

Sure enough, a few days later, the First Ministry of Machine Building officially issued a document:

"In view of Comrade Liu Guangqi's outstanding contributions to the research and development of 'fast-heating' and electric blankets and the resulting export earnings, the Ministry of Machine Building and the Ministry of Foreign Trade have jointly decided to raise his administrative rank by one level and appoint him with the treatment of a section chief, in charge of technical research and development."

When the official document arrived, the entire office fell silent for a moment.

Liu Guangqi has been promoted again.

Although it wasn't a promotion that broke with convention, the speed of the process was astonishing.

The personnel department officer personally handed the promotion notice to Liu Guangqi, his face beaming with smiles and his tone exceptionally polite.

"Section Chief Liu, congratulations!"

The moment he called out "Section Chief Liu," his colleagues, who were listening intently, felt a mixture of envy and admiration.

Speculating is one thing, but seeing the document actually land is quite another.

Liu Guangqi looked down at the official document in his hand; the black and white text was crystal clear:

[Liu Guangqi has been appointed as... a section-level cadre, administrative level 16.]

The number in the salary column warmed his heart slightly.

110.5 yuan.

This is just the basic salary. With the addition of various grain and oil subsidies and living allowances specific to the ministries, the actual monthly take-home pay can exceed 120 yuan, approaching 130 yuan.

In those days when an ordinary worker's monthly salary was only thirty or forty yuan, this sum of money felt heavy in one's hand.

"Guangqi... sigh, now you should call me Section Chief Liu!"

Wang Jianguo, who was standing next to him, leaned over and lightly punched him, half with envy and half with amusement.

"This isn't just a promotion, it's like you've taken a rocket! You're my equal now, and in a while, you might even be my boss!"

Liu Guangqi smiled but didn't say anything.

After the documents were properly collected, he raised his eyebrows at the team leader half-jokingly: "Boss, don't make fun of me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the gazes from all around him were complex and tangible—some were envious, some were sighing, and most of all, there was a tacit acceptance that they had expected.

Within half a day, the news of Liu Guangqi's re-promotion spread like wildfire throughout the entire First Ministry of Machine Building.

Strangely, no one was surprised by this; on the contrary, everyone seemed genuinely convinced and impressed.

After all, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Machine Building had joined forces for the first time to build a new factory, and the key figure who facilitated all of this was Liu Guangqi, who had just been promoted.

"Have you heard? Comrade Liu Guangqi from the research department actually managed to snatch foreign exchange orders from that bear in the north."

"More than that! Two ministries jointly built the factory. With such skill and merit, even a section chief would be an understatement."

"You'd better be careful when you see him in the future; his future looks very far ahead."

Throughout the ministry compound, whispers about the matter could be heard everywhere.

Although there are many directly affiliated factories, it is rare for two ministries to jointly establish a new factory.

Ultimately, it was the new workshop that Liu Guangqi spearheaded that was so dazzling—foreign exchange, orders, technology—that made the leaders above beam with joy.

Therefore, his promotion was approved without hesitation and decisively.

This is called: things will fall into place naturally.

When good things happen, people are naturally in high spirits. Liu Guangqi had just felt relieved about his new job title when another piece of good news came knocking.

A person from the General Affairs Department arrived. He had a friendly face and was holding a notebook. His eyes lit up when he saw Liu Guangqi, and he quickly went to greet him: "Section Chief Liu, there is something I need to report to you."

Liu Guangqi stood up and shook hands with a smile.

The other party continued, "The apartment in the ministry compound that you were assigned to, according to the design drawings you provided, is fully furnished. You can come and inspect it whenever you have time; you can move in anytime."

This wind, however, could not penetrate the hustle and bustle of the steel rolling mill workshop.

As soon as the bell rang to signal the end of the workday, the workers surged out like a tide, but Liu Haizhong slowly and methodically tidied up the tools on the table, his posture as dignified as an old cadre on inspection.

These days, every wrinkle on his face is relaxed with an unconcealable smile, and he even walks with a straighter posture, subtly revealing a style different from before.

The source of this air of importance was the dark blue-covered certificate in the chest pocket of his work uniform—the words "Ministry of Machinery Industry" in gold foil clearly indicating that this was not his seventh-level forging certificate.

That's right, this is an access pass for the staff quarters of the ministry compound.

In his mind, this certificate was a hundred times more valuable than his newly acquired professional qualification certificate.

He knew he had no chance of a career in government and that after retirement he would at most be a forgotten old blacksmith. But his son was a bright one: at a young age he became the youngest engineer in the Ministry of Machine Building, and now he is a deputy section chief. As a result, he himself was able to benefit from this and became someone who could freely enter and leave the ministry compound.

Now, the first thing he does every day before going out is to keep this document close to his body. He always has a strong sense of purpose, waiting for the right opportunity to subtly reveal his understated confidence.

Unfortunately, the opportunity never came.

"Old Liu, are you coming or not?" An old colleague in the forging workshop patted him on the shoulder. "Why are you dawdling like this today?"

"Coming, coming." Liu Haizhong chuckled, slowly straightening up and deliberately turning his body to the side to make the blue notebook in his breast pocket more conspicuous. He also pretended to rummage between the workbench and his trouser pockets. "Sigh, I'm getting old, I have a lot of odds and ends on me, it's all very messy."

As he spoke, he patted the pocket on his chest.

The old man, however, was a rough fellow and wouldn't have thought about such details. He just joked, "Have you hidden gold bars in your pocket? Why are you holding them so tightly?"

His coworkers urged him on, "Hurry up, or the canteen's stew will be almost gone!"

"If we go too late, there might not even be any soup left..."

These words were like a bucket of cold water, completely extinguishing the smugness in Liu Hai's eyes.

He cursed inwardly, feeling that the other party was being tactless.

Another great opportunity to show off has been missed!

Seeing his fellow workers hurrying towards the canteen, Liu Haizhong could only follow along sullenly, a feeling of frustration welling up inside him.

All my efforts have been in vain. Oh well!

Just then.

A familiar figure strolled over unhurriedly: "Old Liu, are you off work?"

The visitor was none other than Yi Zhonghai.

have to say.

The old man in the courtyard has indeed been much quieter lately.

Ever since that incident during the Level 8 worker assessment, Yi Zhonghai has kept a low profile, almost completely silent, both in the courtyard and the factory.

I wonder if they're waiting for that storm to completely pass!

As it stands now.

The hype has probably died down.