The train driver in the courtyard

Despite receiving such great news, Deputy Leader Liu remained in high spirits.

Looking at the time, he said to Section Chief Xing, "Old Xing, today is a good day. Everyone has been busy all day and hasn't had a good meal. You make some arrangements. We're going to squeeze some money out of your locomotive section today, so let's have a small celebration banquet."

After he said that, many people's stomachs started rumbling.

"Sir, it's an honor for our section to have you stay for a meal." Section Chief Xing agreed with a smile and arranged for someone to notify the chubby cook in the canteen.

Because the Qianmen Locomotive Depot operates on a three-shift system, meals are always prepared for them.

When the logistics department heard that a celebration banquet was going to be held, they sent over a batch of bulk liquor, saying it was from a factory in Northeast China that was using it to exchange for hand warmers. It was stored in a large iron jug and tasted quite good.

Li Aiguo thought it must be some kind of raw liquor, but he didn't really know much about it.

Although it was a victory celebration, the food was very simple: a few plates of meat dishes, a small chicken stew with mushrooms, and a plate of peanuts specifically for drinking.

Everyone was in high spirits during the meal.

After all, the oil tanker train has already been developed, and mass production is only a matter of time, so we must be overjoyed.

Section Chief Xu and Li Aiguo talked a lot.

He was a leader with a technical background, and he felt a strong affinity for people like Li Aiguo who were technically skilled. Moreover, it was Li Aiguo who researched and developed the oil tanker train.

Li Aiguo was also very interested in the Daqing Oilfield. The commissioning of the Daqing Oilfield fundamentally reversed the situation of "oil-poor country", which is an achievement recognized by later generations.

He certainly didn't know as much about the present of Daqing Oilfield as Section Chief Xu, but he knew far more about its future than Section Chief Xu.

Speaking of oil pumping units, Li Aiguo couldn't help but ask, "Section Chief Xu, do you think it's possible to add another donkey head at the rear end of the pumping unit's traveling beam, so that gravity can be used for energy storage during descent?"

Before Section Chief Xu could answer, Engineer Chen laughed: "Patriotism, wouldn't that increase the weight? Besides, the oil pump we're using is the A1X62 model imported from Russia, which is considered quite advanced, so there's not much room for improvement."

Before Li Aiguo could respond, Section Chief Xu said, "Old Chen, you're in charge of railway transportation, so you don't know anything about oil pumps."

After saying something tactfully, Section Chief Xu turned to Li Aiguo and said, "Aiguo, besides building oil tanks, you also know about oil pumping units? You can't ask someone like that."

Li Aiguo shook his head: "You misunderstood. I just like reading books, and there's a lot of information about oil pumps in them. That's just what I was thinking."

I just think that the oil pump is a balancing device. Now that there is only one pump head, it will inevitably lead to large torque fluctuations, excessive power loss, and reduced efficiency.

So I was thinking about adding a donkey head to balance things out, which would allow for kinetic energy recovery, eliminate negative torque, and thus increase stroke and efficiency.

Upon hearing this, Section Chief Xu's eyes lit up: "Eliminating negative torque, great! Aiguo, you have a very high level of technical sensitivity."

You're right. I once went to the Novokkramatorsk Heavy Machinery Plant to discuss the import of equipment and spoke with the engineers there.

Russian engineers also had this idea, the one you're talking about, but it seems they didn't succeed in developing it, supposedly due to balance issues.

This is a secret on the Russian side, and they don't talk about it much.

After saying that, he turned to look at Engineer Chen and said, "Old Chen, we work in the petroleum industry, and sometimes we are prone to making mistakes. We should listen to the opinions of colleagues from other departments."

Engineer Chen and Section Chief Xu were old friends, so he wasn't angry and just smiled and responded.

Li Aiguo perked up, not because he wanted to see Engineer Chen suffer a setback, but because he had learned an important piece of information: the double-headed oil pump had not yet appeared in those days.

This thing is great; it's energy-efficient, runs more smoothly, and extends the lifespan of the sucker rod and pump.

Most importantly, it has a higher stroke, much higher than ordinary oil pumping units, and the oil deposits in China are generally located at a deeper depth.

Using a double-headed pumping unit not only eliminates the embarrassing situation of exchanging grain for pumping units from the Russians, but also accumulates pumping unit production technology, preparing for future overseas oil extraction.

This is a great thing that we definitely have to develop.

Thinking of this, Li Aiguo pretended not to understand: "Balance? Adding a four-bar linkage will achieve dynamic balance, won't it?"

"This patriotism... well, I don't really understand it either." Section Chief Xu said somewhat awkwardly, "Our agricultural reclamation farm's technical department is currently researching an oil pumping unit that's a copy of the Russian one. We haven't fully grasped the specific technology yet. Is the four-stroke connecting part you mentioned feasible?"

Section Chief Xu was still pondering the four-bar linkage mechanism, but Deputy Leader Liu was already interested. He knew that Li Aiguo often came up with things that others couldn't, and he had been keeping an eye on him.

"Aiguo, do you have any ideas about the oil pumping unit? If so, don't be afraid of making mistakes, just speak your mind." Deputy Leader Liu put down his wine glass and encouraged Li Aiguo.

Li Aiguo scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "Hehe, this is just my opinion, it's just a thought. Whether it will work out is still uncertain, so please don't take it to heart."

"We often use linkage mechanisms on our train wheels. This thing can effectively distribute the load and improve mechanical stability through the triangular distribution formed by the connecting rod and rocker arm. At the same time, it can transmit power and force and withstand external loads."

At this point, Li Aiguo paused, waiting for Section Chief Xu and Engineer Chen to process what he had said before continuing.

"Taking oil pumping units as an example, by using a four-bar linkage and adding a donkey head at the rear, a dynamic balance can be achieved, eliminating the reliance on crank weights in ordinary oil pumping units."

Section Chief Xu, who was most familiar with oil pumping units, figured it out and asked, "What about the suspension point acceleration?"

Li Aiguo answered quickly: "It's only in the conceptual stage right now, but I estimate it can improve by more than 40%."

The acceleration at the suspension point is related to the "force" of the oil pumping unit; the greater the force, the more oil can be pumped in a single operation.

Before we knew it, the scene had quieted down.

Although Zhou Ke couldn't understand it, he could tell from the thoughtful expressions on the faces of the comrades from the State Farms General Headquarters and the frequent nodding of Deputy Leader Liu that this "Brother Milk" was about to pull off something extraordinary.

Section Chief Xu pondered for a long time and increasingly felt that the double-headed donkey oil pump was feasible.

However, this kind of project is not as simple as oil tanker trains. It involves whether to continue importing oil pumping units from Russia, as well as issues such as crude oil extraction planning, and requires the approval of the State Farms General Farm.

Section Chief Xu raised his glass and said with a smile, "Aiguo truly deserves to be the one who invented the oil tanker train. As a train driver, he is able to start from reality and draw inferences from one instance to another. His research approach is also very clear. I've learned a lot. Here, let me toast you."

Li Aiguo modestly said something, picked up his wine glass, and drank it all in one gulp.

Seeing this, Deputy Leader Liu turned to Section Chief Xing: "Old Xing, it might not be long before your locomotive depot has a new assignment."

Before he could finish speaking, Section Chief Xing quickly waved his hand, "Sir, please don't, we're already too busy to handle everything."

Laughter filled the cafeteria, and the guests eventually left in high spirits.

Deputy Leader Liu left first, Section Chief Xu had to rush back to the State Farm, while Engineer Chen stayed behind to assist with the production of the oil tanker train.

After helping to arrange for Engineer Chen to stay at the railway guesthouse, Li Aiguo got on his motorcycle and was about to go home when he turned the corner and suddenly remembered that he had forgotten something.

"Oh no, we left Liu Guangqi at the police station."

Back at the Qianmen Locomotive Depot Police Station, Zhou Ke also returned and handed the interrogation transcript to Li Aiguo.

"The kid is fine. He just can't accept that he's suddenly become a father. He feels ashamed to face people, so he ran away."

He originally planned to go to the far northwest and find a place with no inhabitants to live.

"The Great Northwest?"

"Yes, his exact words were, 'To sit in the sunset in a desolate and remote desert, to quietly enjoy life and find the true meaning of life.'"

"."

Li Aiguo was at a loss for words.

Liu Guangqi is quite the romantic, literary youth.

However, the Northwest region is now mostly covered in yellow sand and donkey dung.

Zhou Ke was also taken aback by Liu Guangqi's thought process. He shook his head with a smile, opened the detention room, and pulled Liu Guangqi out.

"Let's go. Remember, if you want to go to the Northwest in the future, you'll need to get a travel permit first."

"Yes, yes." Liu Guangqi was even more obedient this time. He nodded to Zhou Ke and followed behind Li Aiguo.

Li Aiguo rode his motorcycle with Liu Guangqi on the back towards the courtyard house. Halfway there, he remembered that he hadn't picked up his books from the recycling station in a while, so he turned back.

Dominating the server by grinding through countless games is the only way to succeed.

Da Kui's mother was sitting in the corner sunbathing when she heard the noise and looked up to see Li Aiguo bringing Liu Guangqi over.

"Aiguo, after all these years, you finally helped my Da Kui get his wife back."

Li Aiguo was surprised that Da Kui's mother still remembered this matter, and he was both amused and exasperated: "Auntie, this person is a man."

"A man? That's good too. He's strong and can do the work!" Da Kui's mother was even happier.

"."

Liu Guangqi glanced at Wang Daikui standing not far away, was startled, and hid to the side.

Wang Daikui came out and quickly stopped Daikui's mother: "Mother, I'm already married and have a child. Have you forgotten?"

He coaxed her for a while, like coaxing a child, then stood up and explained to Li Aiguo with a smile, "My mother has been a little confused lately."

Li Aiguo nodded, saying that people are like that when they get old.

Wang Daikui went into the warehouse and took out several books, all of which were rare copies. Li Aiguo put them in a canvas bag before taking Liu Guangqi back to the courtyard house. Second Aunt had already received the news from Yan Jiecheng and was waiting at the gate.

When she saw Liu Guangqi return, the second aunt was initially incredulous. After rubbing her eyes and confirming that she hadn't misread it, she rushed over.

"Son!"

"mother!"

The scene of family members reuniting is always very touching.

However, given that Liu Guangqi's actions were not exactly honorable, the second aunt didn't say much and led Liu Guangqi into the house.

"You brat, you dare to sneak away!" After learning the whole story from Li Aiguo, Liu Haizhong pulled out his brass-buckled belt for the first time.

Aunt Er was startled and quickly stepped in front of Liu Haizhong: "Old man, what are you doing? This is Guang Qi, not Guang Tian and Guang Fu."

Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu exchanged a glance.

Both of them felt that the second aunt was being impolite.

"Get out of my way, old woman! I'm going to teach this brat a lesson today!"

In the past, if the second aunt had said a few words of advice, Liu Haizhong's anger would have subsided and he would have let it go, but this time it was different.

Otherwise, Li Aiguo and Liu Guangqi might have gotten into trouble. If we don't give him a good beating, he definitely won't remember it.

Liu Haizhong pushed the second aunt aside, grabbed a belt, and swung it at Liu Guangqi.

With a "thump," Liu Guangqi took off his shirt, knelt on the ground without flinching, and took several solid blows with a belt. His jaw was clenched tightly, and he didn't even try to dodge.

"You brat, you actually want to run off to the Northwest."

"Snapped!"

"She's just a woman, what's the big deal!"

"Snapped!"

He swung the belt seven or eight times in his bangs, feeling both tired and angry, and soon he was panting heavily.

He felt a pang of heartache when he saw the bloody welts drawn from Liu Guangqi's body.

However, he hadn't yet vented his anger.

At this moment, Liu Haizhong turned his head to look at Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu.

Liu Guangtian: "."

Liu Guangfu: "."

"Come here and kneel down!" Liu Haizhong raised his belt.

Liu Guangtian: "."

Liu Guangfu: "."

That evening, a series of loud banging sounds came from inside the Liu family's house, and the residents of the compound all knew that Liu Haizhong was beating his child again.

In the past, Aunt Liu and the other residents would have tried to stop him, but this time, given how far Liu Guangqi had gone, they simply pretended not to hear him.

Jia Dongxu excitedly added, "Liu Guangqi has become a father! It's hilarious!"

Liu Hai was taking a break during the middle of the game when he went to the restroom and overheard this conversation.

A belt was lifted up from his bangs.

Jia Dongxu: "."

******
A few days later, Liu Haizhong, accompanied by his second aunt, arrived at the Li family's house carrying a bag of wild jujubes and a bag of wild vegetables.

Chen Xueru was preparing things for having a baby when she saw the two of them come in and quickly stood up to greet them.

"Second Uncle, Second Aunt, what brings you here?"

"We owe Guangqi's situation to Aiguo, and we'd like to express our gratitude in person." Liu Haizhong felt a lingering fear when he thought about the mess Liu Guangqi had made.

If Li Aiguo hadn't taken Liu Guangqi in, who knows what might have happened to him.

"Aiguo, your second uncle and aunt are here." Chen Xueru invited the two to sit down and knocked on the study door.

Li Aiguo was drawing blueprints for a double-headed oil pumping unit when he heard the commotion. After putting the blueprints down, he pushed open the door and came out.

After accepting the gift, Chen Xueru poured tea and went inside to busy herself, leaving the others chatting in the main room.

"Aiguo, thank you so much this time," Liu Haizhong said.

“Second Uncle, we’re neighbors in the compound, so of course we should help each other out.” Li Aiguo stopped Liu Haizhong and asked with a smile, “You’ve come here for something else, haven’t you?”

"I can't hide it from you after all. Guangqi can't work in Baoding anymore. Can he go back to the Engineering Bureau?" Liu Haizhong asked cautiously.

Li Aiguo shook his head: "The engineering bureau is already full, and they're basically not hiring anymore."

Liu Haizhong was aware of this situation. The Engineering Bureau was a municipal department with high salaries and good benefits, and many people wanted to join it. Liu Guangqi's resignation was indeed a bad move.

However, there's no going back in life.

Liu Haizhong couldn't just stand by and watch Liu Guangqi do nothing at home.

"Aiguo, are there any other units?"

“Liu Guangqi’s resignation was recorded in his personnel file last time, so it’s difficult for him to find a formal organization to hire him.” Halfway through his sentence, Li Aiguo remembered a place.

He sat up straight and asked, "Second Uncle, the Northwest is now setting up Third Front factories and urgently needs all kinds of talents. Liu Guangqi can sign up and give it a try."

The international situation has changed, and the higher authorities have decided to relocate some military industrial enterprises to the central and western regions. Although this has not been officially announced, the relevant preparatory work has already begun.

This was the first time Liu Haizhong had heard of this, and he immediately perked up.

“I know a few friends who should have connections.”

As Li Aiguo had predicted, the Third Front factory was located in a remote area and life was hard, so the number of people who signed up in the first batch was not large.

Liu Guangqi is a vocational school graduate. He is knowledgeable, cultured, and skilled. Although he made a small mistake, it is understandable and he can be considered a victim.

After review, Liu Guangqi was officially hired by a third-tier factory in Northwest China and will be able to leave for the Northwest next month.

Liu Guangqi has thus achieved his goal of finding the true meaning of life under the setting sun.

"Hai Zhong, where exactly is Guang Qi going to work?" Yi Zhonghai asked while brushing his teeth by the pond in the courtyard.

"I don't know either. As you know, that factory needs to be kept secret." Liu Haizhong was in a good mood.

If Liu Guangqi can work hard, get married and have children over there, he can even hold his own grandson.

"Really?" Yi Zhonghai felt a little depressed. Without even asking, he knew that Liu Haizhong must have gotten in through Li Aiguo's connections.

"How much salary can Guangqi get?" Xu Damao asked curiously.

"The salary over there is one level higher than here, a few yuan more per month," Liu Haizhong replied.

"Tsk, tsk."

"This third-line factory is indeed a good place."

"Yes, we have to work for several years to get an extra level of salary."

The residents in the compound were all somewhat envious.

Jia Dongxu had been waiting to see Liu Guangqi make a fool of himself, but upon hearing the news, he slammed his fist on the table in anger.

"Liu Guangqi made a mistake, yet he still gets a high salary. Why should he?"

Qin Huairu stared wide-eyed and blinked: "Dongxu, why don't you apply to work at a third-tier factory? We can earn high wages too."

Jia Dongxu: "."

He's not stupid. Third-line factories are all located in desolate mountains. Not only are the conditions harsh, but if you don't adapt, you're also prone to getting sick.

I heard that the Third Front factory implemented military-style management, how could Jia Dongxu stand the constraints?

(There will be another chapter tonight, ^_^) (End of this chapter)