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

Upon hearing this, the other factory managers present could no longer contain themselves. Many gathered around the machine tools, pulling out their notebooks and frantically taking notes, their pens almost tearing through the pages.

"Quickly trace this bearing structure diagram!"

"Also, write down the specifications and dimensions of the scrap metal bin!"

"Old Yang, Comrade Guangqi's secondment period is almost over, right? He's the one who trained your technical section chief. Could you invite him to come to our factory for a while and provide guidance?"

Factory Director Yang smiled and waved his hand: "We can't let the people go, but we can share the technical data. You can send technicians from your factory over to exchange and learn at any time."

Having said that, the group stopped insisting and reluctantly accepted the arrangement. They might have previously thought the steel mill was just lucky, but now they truly understood that this was a real difference brought about by technological innovation.

We must learn it, and we must learn it as soon as possible.

During this collective survey of the metallurgical system, Liu Guangqi intentionally remained behind the scenes, standing on the periphery of the group and keeping almost complete silence. He left all the opportunities for presentation to the technical leaders of the steel rolling mill.

The reason is clear: for him, this temporary assignment is nearing completion. He will be leaving in two days. The subsequent technical integration and transfer work will ultimately be undertaken by Section Chief Zheng and other local technical backbones of the steel rolling mill. Giving them more experience and responsibility at this time is by no means a bad thing.

At this moment, Liu Guangqi was more like a master observing from the sidelines, watching his apprentice take charge and handle various technical inquiries. He would only quietly intervene when a truly difficult problem arose.

In the precision machining workshop, Section Chief Zheng held the blueprints, beads of sweat forming on his forehead—facing the directors of six major provincial-level factories, he was inevitably a little nervous. He had just finished explaining the details of replacing the sliding bearing when the director of Shijingshan Metallurgical Steel Plant frowned and asked a question:

"Section Chief Zheng, what is the precision grade of the ball bearings you use? Our factory has tested them before, and the tolerances of domestically produced bearings have consistently failed to meet the requirements. How did you solve this problem?"

Section Chief Zheng paused for a moment, then subconsciously looked at Liu Guangqi beside him.

Liu Guangqi did not answer directly, but only gave a smiling look, softly reminding him:

"Take the bearing models and test reports we use to Director Wang, and emphasize the tolerance standards jointly developed with Hongxing Factory."

Section Chief Zheng immediately realized what was happening and quickly took the test report out of his briefcase:

"Please take a look. We are using precision bearings that are custom-made in conjunction with Hongxing Factory. The tolerances are controlled extremely strictly... In addition, we have added a wear-resistant coating, which extends the life of the bearings by more than twice as much as ordinary domestic bearings."

The leader of Shijingshan Metallurgy took the report, turned to the data page, and his eyes suddenly lit up.

Several factory managers' eyes lit up at the same time, and they all crowded around.

"Old Zheng, stop hiding it."

"Let us see what kind of treasure it is!"

"The Red Star Factory made it exclusively for you? That's quite a big deal."

Seeing that Section Chief Zheng was about to be surrounded again, Liu Guangqi slowly stepped out from behind the crowd. As soon as he appeared, the surrounding noise naturally subsided. Liu Guangqi wore a calm smile on his face, not in a hurry to speak, nor deliberately trying to control the situation, only speaking steadily when the gavel needed to be placed.

"Hongxing Factory's own CNC machine tool production line also has a significant demand for high-precision bearings. The joint customization by the two companies not only shares the R&D investment but also ensures precision and a stable supply." He paused briefly, his gaze calmly sweeping over the crowd. "It's a win-win situation."

Seeing the astonishment on everyone's faces, Liu Guangqi continued:

"This is not difficult. If any of you factory managers have similar needs in the future, I can help introduce you to talk directly with the Hongxing Factory."

Only then did everyone realize that this young man in front of them was none other than the chief technical officer of the Red Star Factory.

"Comrade Guangqi!"

"You're not just sharing your skills, you're also paving the way for us—that's truly helpful!"

Liu Guangqi smiled and waved his hand.

"It's all for the sake of the metallurgical industry to move forward a little further, so it's only right that we lend a hand to each other."

Following this, Liu Guangqi provided a lengthy explanation from a technical perspective. Compared to the presentation by the head of the steel rolling mill's technical department, his explanation was clearly more thorough and easier to understand. Director Lian Tian, ​​Factory Director Yang, and Li Huaide, among others, listened attentively, nodding occasionally. After he finished a section, they exchanged their thoughts in hushed tones. The workshop was quiet, and their conversation was clearly audible to those around them, while their respective entourages took notes.

Next, the leaders from the other factories raised many questions, which Liu Guangqi answered one by one. As the chief engineer and the person in charge, he accompanied them on the tour while explaining the underlying technical principles. This was also out of necessity—the factory directors of these provincial-level units understood better than anyone that there was a severe shortage of high-precision CNC machine tools in various industrial sectors, and the waiting list was endless. Each unit was vying for resources, and the most urgent task was to complete technological upgrades, modify machine tools, and increase production capacity. Therefore, everyone had a plethora of technical questions.

Around noon, Liu Guangqi showed them the steel rolling mill's shift schedule and actual output data. By this time, the factory directors from all six units were truly convinced. With such output efficiency, how could they possibly catch up? Before coming, many of them were determined to learn from the experience and immediately emulate it, striving to surpass the mill by the end of the year. Now, seeing the gap firsthand, they realized it wouldn't be so easy to catch up.

In an instant, everyone's gaze turned towards Director Tian. Their eyes held a complex mix of emotions—resentment, bitterness, and a hint of unspoken grievance. These were all factories directly under the Ministry of Metallurgy; how come the steel rolling mill got all the good stuff?

Director Tian felt a little uncomfortable under their gaze and coughed twice. Li Huaide walked over with a smile at the opportune moment: "Comrades, you've had a great technical discussion, and you must be hungry, right? The canteen chef has prepared some good food; it'll get cold if you don't go soon."

"Oh, it's already this late?" Director Tian raised his hand to check his watch; it was already 12:30. He was so engrossed in listening that he didn't notice when Li Huaide went out to make the arrangements.

"Let's go, let's eat first."

When everyone left the workshop, the sun was already high in the sky. Each factory manager's notebook was filled with dense handwriting.

On one side, Director Tian and a group of factory directors, accompanied by Li Huaide, walked towards the small canteen, talking as they went. On the other side, in the various workshops of the steel rolling mill, the tense atmosphere that had just been there immediately relaxed, and the atmosphere became lively. The workers gathered in small groups, wiping the oil stains off their hands and excitedly discussing the scene that had just happened.

The workers walked out of the workshop one after another, and the midday sun shone brightly on the factory's main road. Some couldn't help but look back and whisper to their companions, "Did you see that group that just walked by? They had a completely different air about them."

"How can that be the same? Our team leader said they are all bigwigs from other factories, people who are on equal footing with our Factory Director Yang."

"Why are so many factory managers flocking to our area?"

"What else could it be? Most likely, they're here because of Chief Engineer Liu's skills. I heard at the ministry meeting yesterday, our factory was mentioned three times in a row, and they said we're now a model for the entire metallurgical system!"

"Chief Engineer Liu is really something!" The person speaking quietly gave a thumbs up.

"From now on, when people talk about working at the steel rolling mill, they'll feel proud."

The workday bell rang throughout the factory area, and the crowd surged toward the canteen like a tide, their conversations filled with barely concealed excitement and pride.

The small canteen at the steel rolling mill had been set up.

It must be said that Li Huaide was indeed adept at interpersonal relationships. While Director Tian was leading the factory leaders on a tour of the workshops, he had already meticulously arranged lunch. Considering that the leaders present today had different tastes, he specially invited chefs from several factory canteens to come and showcase their culinary skills.

Chef He from the third canteen served several fragrant and spicy Sichuan dishes, appetizing and perfect with rice; the chefs from the first and second canteens worked together to prepare seven or eight home-style dishes suitable for both northern and southern palates. The table was set up, and several dishes commonly found in large canteens were specially arranged, such as stewed cabbage with tofu and braised pork with potatoes... showing both warmth and thoughtfulness, and a down-to-earth charm that didn't try to be special.

A table laden with dishes, a dozen or so people sitting around, the atmosphere lively, the food plentiful, and the portions perfectly balanced.

The meticulous and thoughtful arrangements even made Director Tian take a second look at Li Huaide. The meal was a great success for both host and guests, and no one could find fault with it afterwards.

In the afternoon, the group briefly toured the factory area again. As the sun began to set, the leaders of the six factories finally took their leave, satisfied. They had gained a great deal from this visit; the management systems, shift scheduling methods, and safety regulations in the steel rolling mill workshops alone were enough for them to study and report back on. As for the more in-depth technical details, they would naturally send their own technical experts to come and learn again in the future.

It is worth mentioning that Director Tian did not leave with them, but stayed behind, intending to have a short meeting with Liu Guangqi and the others.

In the factory director's office, Director Tian picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said earnestly, "Comrade Guangqi, to be honest, the results of this secondment to the steel rolling mill have far exceeded my and the ministry leaders' expectations. We all hope you can stay a little longer to provide further guidance. How about... extending the secondment period by another month?"

He put down his teacup and continued, "As long as you agree, I'll personally talk to Minister Lin of the First Ministry of Machine Building and guarantee he'll release him. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Director Yang and Li Huaide's eyes lit up immediately—if Liu Guangqi could stay for another month, the steel rolling mill would have a stronger technical foundation and could solidify its relationships with other factories.

However, Liu Guangqi shook his head, a slightly apologetic but firm smile on his face: "Director Tian, ​​thank you very much for your high regard. But I really can't stay any longer. My research and development projects at the Ministry's Research Department have already fallen behind schedule, and I really can't spare any more energy."

He paused briefly, then added sincerely, "But please rest assured, Section Chief Zheng and his team in the steel rolling mill's technical department are now fully capable of overseeing the machine tool upgrade. If other sister factories encounter technical difficulties, they can come to me at the First Ministry of Machine Building at any time, and I will do my best to assist them."

Looking at the unwavering expression in Liu Guangqi's eyes, Director Tian knew he wasn't making excuses—he understood Liu Guangqi's research capabilities and the weight of his responsibilities better than anyone else. After a moment of silence, Director Tian sighed softly, "Alright, I understand. We can't let important matters of your First Ministry of Machinery Industry be delayed. It's just... I really can't bear to let such an outstanding young man like you go."

Li Huaide and Factory Director Yang exchanged a knowing glance. Director Tian's suggestion to "stay for another month" was perhaps a gentle way of retaining him; as time went on, their sense of belonging might gradually become blurred. Fortunately, the young man before them was clear-headed and immediately saw through the intentions hidden beneath the warm gesture.

A young person with genuine talent and integrity, who is not swayed by immediate conveniences, will have no worries about their future, no matter where they go.

This one incident alone earned the secret applause of the two worldly-wise veterans.

Seeing that the situation was settled, Director Tian stopped pressing the issue and simply laughed loudly: "Comrade Guangqi, it's settled then! If the Ministry of Metallurgy ever needs your help again, you absolutely cannot refuse to see it."

Liu Guangqi smiled and nodded: "Definitely not."

With that settled, Director Tian didn't linger any longer and got into the department's car, leaving immediately.

After seeing the director off, the air in the office immediately felt more relaxed. Li Huaide and Factory Director Yang stood beside Liu Guangqi, their eyes revealing undisguised reluctance to part and their admiration.

"Time flies," Li Huaide sighed. "It's a pity that Comrade Guangqi could have stayed a little longer. I'm afraid everyone will feel empty without you in the factory."

Liu Guangqi calmly smiled and said, "Both factory directors, technological progress has never relied on any one person, but on the collective effort. The steel rolling mill will surely become more and more prosperous in the future."

Time flies, June has quietly passed, and the heatwave of July, carrying with it the energy of hard work, once again enveloped the entire factory area. The afternoon sun was blazing, baking the ground and causing dazzling ripples to rise from it, even the air above the factory area seemed to distort slightly.

The workers in the precision machining workshop had just finished drinking a large vat of cooled boiled water and were about to get to work when they noticed something unusual—the brand-new Volga sedan that always parked in the most conspicuous designated parking space in front of the office building was completely empty.

"Oh, that's strange." An elderly welder, who was wiping down a lathe, gestured with his chin towards the office building. "Chief Engineer Liu isn't here today?"

Chief Engineer Liu, who has been on time for a whole month without ever being late, is nowhere to be seen today? This is the first time this has happened.