The train driver in the courtyard

Hearing this, Li Aiguo was somewhat excited. It seemed that the matter was already a done deal, otherwise Section Chief Xing would not have spoken to him.

"I will obey the organization's arrangements and follow orders!" Li Aiguo nodded emphatically.

"Okay, I'll reply to the higher-ups. It's almost May Day, and they'll approve the arrangements."

Section Chief Xing was also very pleased that Li Aiguo, as an employee of the Qianmen Locomotive Depot, was able to receive the title of National Model Worker, which was also an honor for the depot.

"Take a good rest these next couple of days. There will be a grand awards ceremony, so make sure you look your best," Section Chief Xing reminded him.

"Thank you for your concern, leader." Li Aiguo's attitude was quite appropriate.

"Thank you for your hard work these past few days." Section Chief Xing pointed to the studio.

The studio is currently busy developing a mineral exploration train and manufacturing excavators; the work is indeed arduous.

The department also wanted to ask some experts from higher levels for help, but the technology researched in the studio was much more advanced than that researched in the department.

Especially in terms of design, Li Aiguo has a very broad perspective.

That's how it is with technology; technology is important, but the approach is even more important.

Take the mineral exploration train as an example. Both the train cars and radiation testing instruments can be manufactured, but who would have thought of combining the two?

If those experts come and stick to old rules, they'll easily cause trouble.

"It's not particularly strenuous, just rather tedious and boring." Li Aiguo thought for a moment, then added, "Also, the equipment in the studio needs to be upgraded."

"I heard that batch of equipment is about to arrive at the port." Section Chief Xing knew that Li Aiguo was referring to the batch of equipment that the distributor had brought from abroad.

"Section Chief, if we can get the equipment on this list back, the studio will be able to produce even more great things in the future." Li Aiguo didn't hold back with Section Chief Xing and handed him a list.

The list contains more than a dozen pieces of equipment, the most important of which is the multi-axis lathe.

"Don't worry, I'll go find the department right now." Section Chief Xing took the form and put it in his pocket.

Once this batch of equipment arrives at the port, it will become highly sought-after, with many factories and research institutes across the country waiting for it.

Li Aiguo is acting in his personal capacity, but Section Chief Xing can represent the Qianmen Locomotive Depot, making him the right person to step forward.

"There's one more thing." Section Chief Xing had only taken two steps when he turned back and instructed, "At this model worker award ceremony, it's estimated that the higher-ups won't announce the things you did. This is also to avoid attracting the attention of those with ulterior motives."

"Section Chief, I understand."

Section Chief Xing has left, and as the section chief of the Qianmen Locomotive Depot, his workload is now increasing.

After seeing Section Chief Xing off, Li Aiguo began to think about what he could do once the new equipment was in place.

The weather is getting hotter and hotter, and the temperature in the motorcycle assembly plant workshop has risen. Li Aiguo was sweating profusely after just one walk around inside this morning.

Several industrial fans were installed in the workshop, but the area was too large, and they did not solve the problem at all.

"Why don't we build a turbo fan? It might be a bit noisy, but the airflow will definitely be amazing." Li Aiguo thought about it and became more and more convinced that it was feasible.

Turbo fan technology is a basic technology with no prerequisite skills; it can be purchased for just 100 points.

Now, the number of factories and workshops under the Qianmen Locomotive Depot is increasing, and the number of workers is also increasing. With the arrival of summer, the problem of high temperature must be solved.

Other machines that require heat dissipation, such as the water tank and motor of an excavator, also need turbo fans.

"This thing has a wide range of applications. It's the kind of thing that looks inconspicuous but is actually quite important. It's worth exploring."

Having made up his mind, Li Aiguo decided to first purchase the technology and research the relevant information, because if he was going to build it, he would definitely want to build the best it could be.

As for whether such advanced technology is actually needed, it can be determined during the design phase, depending on the circumstances.

Li Aiguo hasn't reported this project to the department yet; he can tinker with this little gadget himself.

Time flies by, and before we know it, May Day is here.

Li Aiguo got up early that day, and Chen Xueru also excitedly got up and changed into the Zhongshan suit that had been prepared in advance.

The two children also changed into new clothes, and Chen Xueru and the children, as family members, were to enter the auditorium.

The Qianmen Locomotive Depot specially dispatched a large truck to pick up Li Aiguo and his family.

In the auditorium, Li Aiguo, wearing a big red flower and a train driver's uniform, went up to the stage with his colleagues from other departments to receive certificates from the leaders.

Seeing the sea of ​​people below, Li Aiguo was very excited. This certificate was an affirmation of what he had done in this era.

The title of National Model Worker is the highest honor that the working class can receive, and Li Aiguo is determined to win it a few more times in the future.

This time, not only were national model workers selected, but also outstanding individuals and collectives were recognized, with a large number of award recipients.

The Qianmen Locomotive Depot received the title of National Advanced Collective. Section Chief Xing, holding the certificate, was so happy he almost turned into a crooked dragon king.

"Young comrade, keep up the good work!" The superior leader, along with several other leaders, shook hands with each of the award winners.

Although Li Aiguo was awarded the prize for his outstanding performance as a train driver, these leaders were well aware of the real reason behind it.

The ore-carrying ships from Africa are still on their way back, and even foreigners are giving scooter riders a thumbs up; you really can't find many like them in the whole country.

Li Aiguo quickly stood at attention and said thank you.

"Daddy, Daddy won an award!" The two children beside Chen Xueru shouted, raising their hands high.

Chen Xueru blushed with excitement. She knew her husband was a promising man, but she never expected him to receive such praise from his superiors.

After the awards ceremony, a tea party was held where higher-level leaders listened to outstanding workers from various industries share their work experiences.

It didn't end until 3 p.m.

At this point, Li Aiguo finally understood why the section had sent a truck over.

Li Aiguo, Chen Xueru, and the children were put on the truck, and Section Chief Xing also got on. The truck was decorated with big red flowers and began to move slowly along the streets of Beijing.

The truck was equipped with a large loudspeaker, the kind that uses batteries, and it broadcast news of Li Aiguo and the Qianmen Locomotive Depot winning awards as it drove along.

The roadside was crowded with people, who knew what had happened when they saw the truck and started clapping.

When Li Aiguo arrived at the entrance of the Qianmen Locomotive Depot, the depot's employees were already waiting. He also saw Li, the deputy director of the steel rolling mill, along with Liu Haizhong, Xu Damao, and others. Deputy Director Li was a capable man; he had given the steel rolling mill's employees half a day off and personally led a celebration for the Qianmen Locomotive Depot.

This kind of person could get ahead in any era.

Li Aiguo saw Liu Haizhong waving frantically at him, so he waved back.

"See this? This is someone from our compound. He often drinks with me!" Liu Haizhong excitedly introduced to the onlookers.

"He personally received the certificate from his superior."

"My patriotic brother is my best brother, Xu Damao,"

"Qianmen Locomotive Depot is amazing; they actually won the title of National Advanced Collective this time."

"Yes, I've heard that dozens of factories across the country are reaping the benefits from the Qianmen Locomotive Depot. Maybe our factory can get a piece of the action someday."

The workers and residents of the steel rolling mill were all talking about it, and Liu Haizhong and Xu Damao felt particularly proud among the crowd.

Many young female workers began to inquire whether Li Aiguo was married. Xu Damao pointed to the truck and said, "See that? That's his wife and children."

The female worker at the scene: "."

Upon entering the section, the education office had already put up banners. Li Aiguo and Section Chief Xing were taken to the large playground and, in front of all the section leaders and staff, received another round of commendations.

The leaders in the section spoke one by one, loudly expressing their call for the employees to learn from Comrade Li Aiguo and strive to make new contributions.

With such a joyous occasion today, the food at the station is also quite good.

The cafeteria specially brought in a cow and a sheep from the cold storage so that we could eat beef and drink mutton soup.

They also got their hands on a few barrels of baijiu, probably homemade sweet potato liquor from the commune, it was incredibly potent.

If Li Aiguo hadn't been a heavy drinker, he would have been drunk by these guys long ago.

The large off-road vehicle was no longer feasible, so Zhou Ke drove Li Aiguo's family back to their courtyard house. It was already past nine o'clock in the evening.

The residents of the compound were still waiting in the front yard.

"How is the higher-ups' health? Are they alright?" Liu Haizhong asked eagerly as soon as they met.

Li Aiguo nodded: "He is in very good health."

Upon hearing this, men, women, and children in the compound erupted in cheers.

"It's worth it, Aiguo brother, your life has been worthwhile. To receive such praise in person, just thinking about it makes me feel honored." Xu Damao held Li Aiguo's hand tightly, reluctant to let go.

Li Aiguo hadn't paid much attention at first, but upon hearing this, he felt somewhat puzzled.

How did these guys know what happened in the Great Hall of the People?
Upon further inquiry, it was discovered that after learning Li Aiguo had been awarded the title of National Model Worker, the neighborhood office had organized residents to watch the television program at the office in advance.

The TV station was showing a pre-recorded video, but because of the tight schedule, it wasn't exactly a live broadcast, and it was only half an hour late.

At this moment, the residents of the neighborhood heard the commotion and gathered around.

"See this? This is Comrade Li Aiguo from our compound, a train driver and a model worker. Today, in the auditorium, the higher-ups personally presented him with his certificate," Xu Damao started shouting again.

“They’re from our courtyard. They’re top-notch people. They always help anyone in need,” Liu Haizhong quickly added.

"Thank you everyone, thank you everyone. It's so late, everyone should go home and rest early." Seeing that more and more people were gathering and it was pitch black, Li Aiguo was worried that something might go wrong.

"Patriotism, say a few words to everyone." The old man hadn't had a chance until now, and finally managed to squeeze into the crowd.

"Yes, let me say a few words."

“Patriotism, we want to hear it,” the surrounding residents chimed in.

Liu Haizhong, Zhang Gangzhu, Xu Damao, Yan Jiecheng, and the residents of the neighborhood all started clapping.

Although Li Aiguo had won many awards in the past, he had never appeared on television, so most people were unaware of the inside story.

Everyone was incredulous when they saw that scene on TV.

Chen Xueru touched her stomach, and the unease in her heart finally disappeared.

Given the current situation, even if strong winds blow in the future, the Li family will not be affected.

Seeing that he had to say something, and with people crowding around outside, Li Aiguo could only ponder for a moment before speaking: "Actually, I'm also very excited, but I don't know what to say."

My only thought right now is that as workers, as long as we work hard and build a new society with our own hands, we can live a good life.

"Great!" The surrounding residents erupted in cheers.

People are not afraid of hard work or labor; their only worry is putting in the effort but not reaping the rewards.

"Alright, alright, thank you everyone. Get some rest, you all need to get to work early tomorrow." Li Aiguo urged them several more times before the residents of the neighborhood finally dispersed.

The residents of the compound were not so easily appeased; they all crowded around Li Aiguo's house.

Today, Li Aiguo was unusually happy, so he asked Chen Xueru to bring out the melon seeds and candies.

The pitch-black night enveloped the entire capital city, and laughter echoed continuously from the brightly lit room in the courtyard house.

Yi Zhonghai knew about Li Aiguo's award and heard the commotion in the front yard, but he did not leave the house.

If it were anything else, he could show his face once, and relying on his status as an old man, no one could do anything to him.

What happened today was too dangerous.

Of course, Yi Zhonghai wasn't focused on this matter.

The fact that Jia Zhangshi was preparing to get married made him hesitate.

"Once Jia Zhangshi gets married, Jia Dongxu will be all alone, making him easier to win over. Should we keep Jia Dongxu around?"

But when he thought of the resentful look Jia Dongxu gave him, Yi Zhonghai hesitated again.

(End of this chapter)