The train driver in the courtyard

Qin Huairu had been driven to the brink of despair, but now that she saw the person leave, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, neighbors. You've all helped me a lot today. Thank you so much," Qin Huairu said, her pregnant belly profusely.

There was an indescribable feeling in her eyes as she looked at Li Aiguo.

She originally thought Yi Zhonghai's solution would help her get out of the crisis, but it almost caused a lot of trouble.

In the end, Li Aiguo resolved the problem with just a few words.

"Brother Aiguo, I just made you some fried eggs. Now that you've finished your business, hurry home for dinner." Chen Xueru walked over from the backyard.

She glanced at Qin Huairu intentionally or unintentionally, then walked confidently to Li Aiguo's side, took his arm, and the action was so natural.

Upon seeing Chen Xueru, Qin Huairu's gaze immediately dimmed, and she gently turned her head away, sighing silently in her heart.

This was just a side story.

With all that commotion, the whole morning was almost over.

"Aiguo, come over for a drink when you get back tonight." Xu Damao was having a great time today and called out to Li Aiguo.

"Gangzhu, come on over too," Xu Damao called to the others.

"Brother Da Mao, why didn't you invite me? Are you looking down on me?" Yan Jiecheng said with some dissatisfaction.

"If your dad isn't coming, then you can come over," Xu Damao said with a smile.

"Then forget it." Yan Jiecheng immediately shook his head.

He knew very well that the Third Uncle would not miss any opportunity to collect Imperial Jade Liquor.

"I still have some meat at home, I'll cook some dishes tonight." Nan Yi perked up as well.

In the past, due to his background, he rarely participated in the affairs of the compound. Today, he picked up a spatula and slapped it a couple of times, which he found particularly enjoyable.

The old man blinked his small eyes and looked at Yi Zhonghai: "Old Yi, are you going tonight too?"

"No, no, I have a heart condition. The doctor told me I can't drink alcohol. Oh dear, I forgot to take my medicine. I have to go home right away." Yi Zhonghai was too embarrassed to attend the banquet. He pretended to be sick, clutching his chest, and staggered home.

As soon as I entered the house, the first thing the older woman said was, "Got scolded again?"

Yi Zhonghai glared, his beard bristling: "Who got punished? My goal was to help Qin Huairu resolve those debt issues, and hasn't that been resolved?"

"Do you think I'm not in the Intermediate Court? That was Li Aiguo's problem, what does it have to do with you?" The old woman said irritably. She had advised Yi Zhonghai not to resort to crooked methods, but Yi Zhonghai wouldn't listen.

Yi Zhonghai raised his face: "If I hadn't hidden Qin Huairu's furniture in our house, would those two have made a move? If they hadn't made a move, how would Li Aiguo have had a chance to deal with them?"
So, the real hero is me.

Li Aiguo should thank me!

The older woman was stunned.

She didn't know if Yi Zhonghai had done anything right, but he certainly had a thick skin.

The older woman originally wanted to advise Yi Zhonghai to cause less trouble in the future and live a peaceful life, but seeing the situation, she had no choice but to give up.

"Master, could you help me move my furniture home?" Qin Huairu knocked on the door and asked timidly.

Yi Zhonghai looked at the tables, chairs, and benches and fell silent.

It's so hard to be a good person!
Li Aiguo went home, ate the fried eggs and steamed buns that Miss Chen had prepared, and then carried his canvas bag to the Qianmen Locomotive Depot.

Today, the locomotive depot was just as bustling as yesterday, filled with the noise of trains and a vibrant atmosphere.

Li Aiguo, carrying a canvas bag, came to the station and chatted with Master Cao and a few train drivers for a while.

Seeing that it was almost time, he knocked on the door of Section Chief Xing's office.

"Aiguo, I was just looking for you. The Ministry of Machine Building has inquired again about the mass production of the 'four unlikes' (a type of mechanical device).

“I think the Beijing Machinery Factory should be able to do it,” Li Aiguo told Liang Ladi.

"Is she the female leader of that training group? I vaguely remember her; she's a good girl."

Section Chief Xing admired Liang Ladi, a woman who saw herself as a man; he believed that such a woman was a true woman.

"I think this method is feasible. Let's contact the Ministry of Machine Building now."

Since the four-legged creature was created by the Qianmen Locomotive Depot and its production was handled by the Machinery Factory, Section Chief Xing took it very seriously and personally went to the First Ministry of Machine Building to discuss it with the leaders.

Liu Feng also used his old leader's connections.

In addition, the cancellation of orders by the machinery factory was indeed a mistake, and the Ministry of Machine Building had ideas to make up for it. It was quickly decided that the machinery factory would produce the hybrid.

Regarding the "four-nothing" brand, the Ministry of Machine Building and Factory Director Liu Feng consulted Li Aiguo again.

Li Aiguo thought of the rickshaw from Weizhuang Commune and said, "Let's call it the Workers and Peasants brand."

"Worker-Peasant Brand, meaning workers and peasants help each other, a good name." The leader of the First Ministry of Machine Building immediately nodded.

Considering the urgent need for hybrid vehicles in various regions, the Ministry of Machine Building and the railway authorities assigned the machinery factory the task of completing mass production within one month, with a monthly output of at least 500 vehicles.

This number did not come out of thin air; it was calculated by the Qianmen Locomotive Depot workshop based on the number of equipment and skilled workers in the machinery plant, as well as the man-hours required to manufacture the "four-legged creature".

In front of the leaders, Liu Feng also made a solemn pledge: "Please rest assured, leaders of the Qianmen Locomotive Depot, our machinery factory will live up to your expectations and guarantee to build 500 'four-legged' vehicles. If we fail to do so, I will resign as the factory director."

Li Aiguo reminded him: "We must ensure both quantity and quality."

“Yes, quality is also very important. If the quality is not up to standard, the farmers will have no work to do every day and will just be waiting to repair the machines.” When the issue of quality was mentioned, the leader of the First Ministry of Machine Building looked at Li Aiguo.

"Comrade Aiguo, in your report to the ministries, you also mentioned agricultural machinery stations. The ministry is currently coordinating agricultural machinery stations across the country. What are your specific thoughts on this?" The leader of the First Ministry of Machine Building said, taking out a notebook from his briefcase and looking at Li Aiguo.

This scene surprised Section Chief Xing.

If you think about it carefully, he'll understand.

Just two years ago, in an open letter to cadres at the sixth level, the great man put forward the wise conclusion that "the fundamental way out for agriculture lies in mechanization" and proposed scientific methods for creating new agricultural tools.

Under the unified national plan, agricultural machinery stations have been built in almost all provinces, prefectures, and counties.

However, due to limited resources, most agricultural machinery stations are idle.

Given this situation, the Ministry of Machine Building and the Ministry of Agriculture have been trying to enable agricultural machinery stations to play a role and are looking for ways to change the current situation.

Facing several pairs of eyes, Li Aiguo smiled and said, "Leaders, I am an outsider when it comes to agricultural machinery; these are just some of my own superficial insights."

The leader of the Ministry of Machine Building laughed heartily and said, "We are currently brainstorming ideas. Comrade Aiguo, please feel free to share your thoughts."

Upon hearing this, Li Aiguo no longer declined.

"I suggest that agricultural machinery stations be assigned different functions according to their level."

The First Ministry of Machine Building raised an eyebrow: "How exactly will it be divided?"

“Now we have agricultural machinery stations at the provincial, prefectural, county, and commune levels, and their roles often overlap.”

“I think we can implement a tiered system, with the provincial, prefectural, and county levels serving as agricultural machinery management agencies responsible for supply and management, and the commune agricultural machinery stations serving as the most basic level responsible for training and maintenance.”

Li Aiguo shared all the agricultural machinery experience from later generations.

People eat for food.

In fact, the development of agricultural machinery in China has always been valued.

Before opening up the market, a complete agricultural machinery system with full functions, including scientific research, appraisal, production, supply and sales, management, repair and use and maintenance, had already been established.

It can be said that the agricultural machinery industry was the most complete industrial system at that time.

The rapid development of small agricultural machinery in China after the market opened up is inseparable from the establishment of this industrial system.

One generation plants the trees, another enjoys the shade.

If you don't plant that tree, no matter how capable you are, you won't be able to enjoy its shade.

"This is a good idea. It clearly and explicitly defines the role of agricultural machinery stations at all levels. I think it's feasible." The leader of the First Ministry of Machinery Industry, who was also in charge of agricultural machinery, immediately realized the benefits of the tiered system.

"I will report your opinion when I get back."

"Section Chief Xing, Comrade Aiguo is quite a management talent." The leader of the First Ministry of Machine Building looked at Section Chief Xing.

"Comrade Aiguo likes to learn and has read many books, but he lacks experience, so this can only be considered a suggestion." Section Chief Xing's meaning was clear: if any problems arise, don't even think about holding us accountable later.

“You’re overthinking it. I’m quite sure that this tiered system is indeed feasible.”

The leaders of the First Ministry of Machine Building were in a hurry to report on their work, so they left without wasting any time.

Back at the ministry, the leader wrote a report, which was then presented for discussion at the conference.

The department was struggling with how to effectively plan agricultural machinery operations, but after seeing the report, everyone nodded in agreement.

"This method solves the problem of unclear responsibilities and powers."

"Yes, I suggest that we establish an agricultural machinery corporation and transform the agricultural machinery stations in various provinces, prefectures and counties into agricultural machinery branch companies."

"The agricultural machinery operators at the agricultural machinery station can be selected from the commune members. They are both workers and farmers, which makes it easier for them to understand the specific local conditions."

After discussions among the leaders and experts of the ministry, a reform plan for agricultural machinery was finalized and submitted as a report to the higher-level leaders.

When the superiors finished reading, they saw Li Aiguo's name on the list and exclaimed in surprise, "Comrade Aiguo was also involved in this work?"

"Yes, in fact, the grading system was proposed by Comrade Aiguo." The leader of the First Ministry of Machine Building did not hide anything and explained the situation.

After listening, the superior nodded and said, "Comrade Aiguo has always been very concerned about agricultural production. I heard that he plans to plant the corn seeds he developed in the farmland along the railway. Keep an eye on it, and if it works, promote it nationwide as soon as possible."

This was said to leaders in the agricultural sector.

"We have also received a report from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences. Professor Qi and his team have already set off. In addition, we plan to coordinate a group of technicians to go there and guide the members in planting," the agricultural leader replied.

"Okay, I think this agricultural machinery reform plan is acceptable. Let's proceed accordingly." The superior made the final decision.

Li Aiguo learned three days later that the agricultural machinery reform plan had been approved.

"Patriotism, you don't know yet, do you? Our commune received a notice from above that the agricultural machinery station is going to be renovated."

Those lazy bums at the station have been transferred. From now on, agricultural machinery personnel will be selected from the commune. Erniu and the other drivers will probably be able to get government-supplied food from now on.

Village Chief Wei jumped down from the four-legged creature and handed Li Aiguo a cigarette.

The cigarettes were clearly Daqianmen brand. Although they only cost 22 cents a pack, ordinary people couldn't afford them. Indeed, the purchasing agent business in Weizhuang Commune was booming. Several surrounding communes sent their mountain products to Weizhuang Commune, and then transported them to the Qianmen Locomotive Depot.

Although Weizhuang Commune did not lower prices, it was more like helping out, but those communes remembered it and wouldn't let Weizhuang Commune suffer a loss.

Life in Weizhuang Commune was much better than in other communes.

Looking at the train driver in front of him, Erniu, who was in charge of driving, recalled the time when he braved the rain to rescue the train.

If it weren't for the good karma we built back then, this good thing wouldn't have happened to Weizhuang Commune.

"This is great news!" Li Aiguo was off work and had nothing to do, so he squatted down at the entrance of the workshop and chatted with Lao Wei and the others. "If we train more people who know about agricultural machinery, then harvesters, seeders and the like will come in handy in the future."

"A harvester?" Erniu asked, puzzled.

“It’s one of those big iron machines,” Li Aiguo gestured, explaining simply and directly, “driving it into the field, the wheat ears go in from one end and the wheat grains come out from the other.”

"Wow!" Erniu's eyes widened. "No sickle needed? And no stone roller needed? Is there really such a magical machine?"

His face clearly showed disbelief.

Not to mention the machines that can directly sow seeds.

After that, as a commune member, all you had to do was sit in the field and watch the machines work.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Li Aiguo smiled as he looked at the distant rosy clouds.

"There will be."

****
After the official document from the ministry was delivered to the machinery factory, the mass production of the "four unlikes" was officially put on the agenda.

The machine shop was bustling with activity, everyone's face beaming with excitement.

Liu Feng convened a plenary meeting, emphasizing the importance of this mass production and requiring the technical department and workshop departments to fully cooperate.

After the meeting, the factory leaders returned to their respective work stations to prepare for the upcoming mass production.

The following day, Wild Auto's team of technical experts arrived at the machinery factory.

Liu Feng held a welcome meeting for them and called on all leaders and employees to learn from the railway's veteran employees and complete the production tasks with high quality and quantity.

"The ministry assigned us a task of 500 vehicles, and we must complete it by the end of the month!"

After Liu Feng finished speaking, he looked at Zhao Anan from the production department and said, "Comrade Anan, you make a guarantee here."

The production department is responsible for material scheduling, production planning, and other tasks within the factory. It is the most basic unit that is specifically responsible for production.

Zhao Anan from the production department stood up and declared, "Our production department will definitely give its full support to the mass production of this 'four-not-like' product."

"Alright, alright, it's settled then."

After the meeting, Liu Feng had just returned to his office when Zhao Anan knocked on the door.

He was also holding a stack of receipts in his hand.

"Factory manager, this is the expense report I need to submit for my last business trip to the south. The finance department requires your signature. Please take a look."

Liu Feng took the list and glanced at it, his brows furrowing slightly: "Comrade Annan, according to regulations, your last trip to Guangzhou was to attend a meeting. Why did you book three rooms in the guesthouse, and what about the meal expenses? You spent 63.5 yuan for three days. Isn't that a bit too much?"

Zhao Anan hadn't cared at first, but upon hearing this, his expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

"Factory manager, I admit that I did bring my family to Guangzhou this time, but it was also for the purpose of doing work."

When Representative Zhang was still in office, these kinds of receipts could be reimbursed immediately.

“Comrade Annan, I’m not targeting you personally. You know what the situation was like when Representative Zhang was in the factory. Office expenses accounted for 30 percent of the total expenses in a year, which made it difficult to pay the factory workers’ wages. That’s why we revised the system.”

As Liu Feng spoke, he noticed Zhao Anan's ashen face and softened his tone: "Take these receipts back and pick out the non-compliant ones. I'll reimburse you for them."

Liu Feng meant well, but Zhao Anan was somewhat annoyed. He took the receipt, turned around, and left.

Looking at his retreating figure, Liu Feng regretted that his tone had been too harsh; he should have chosen a more tactful approach.

"Since Liu Feng seized power, he's created a lot of ridiculous rules, and we haven't had a good time since." Zhao Anan returned to his office and slammed his fist on the table.

Several staff members in the production department who had originally planned to report on their work exchanged glances upon seeing this situation and then left.

"Oh dear, who has offended our Section Chief Zhao?" At this moment, a middle-aged man with a large belly strode in and closed the door behind him.

"Oh, it's Lao Cao. Please have a seat." Zhao An'nan, seeing that it was Section Chief Cao, who was in charge of publicity at the machinery factory, didn't even lift his buttocks, but pointed to the chair opposite him.

Section Chief Cao used to have a good relationship with Representative Zhang, but because he was timid, he didn't get involved in Representative Zhang's affairs.

After Representative Zhang was taken away, Section Chief Cao remained the head of the Publicity Section, but he was sidelined due to a mistake, and the main work of the section was taken over by the deputy section chief.

Section Chief Cao seemed unaware that he was being slighted. He handed Zhao Anan a Zhonghua cigarette and said with a smile, "Old Zhao, we're about to start mass production of the 'four-in-one' (a type of cigarette). You're a big shot in the factory now, so please take care of me in the future."

"What a big shot! He's not even as good as toilet paper. People use him and then throw him aside. We haven't even started yet, and he's already ditched me," Zhao Anan said angrily.

Section Chief Cao asked, "What happened?"

Zhao Anan put on a stern face: "It's all about reimbursement, why are you making such a fuss? What are we factory leaders doing, going on business trips to other places for? Isn't it all for the factory?"

Section Chief Cao lit a cigarette: "There's nothing we can do. Liu Feng has all the power now. He even has the support of the workers in the workshop. We're like orphans. If only we could get rid of Liu Feng."

Zhao Anan took a puff of his cigarette: "It's easier said than done. Liu Feng has a good relationship with the Qianmen Locomotive Depot, and the ministries won't agree."

Section Chief Cao sat up straight and smiled: "I do have a way. Even if we can't get rid of Liu Feng, we can still make you look good in front of the ministries."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Anan's expression changed slightly: "Brother Cao, what exactly is the method?"

Section Chief Cao slowly took a puff of his cigarette and tapped his fingers on the table: "Liu Feng used a military order to curry favor with the ministry, but what if we increase the production of the 'four-not-like' (a type of hybrid) from five hundred to one thousand?"

Seeing the doubt on Zhao Anan's face, Section Chief Cao continued, "Now all the factories are making great strides. If you can come out on top and get commendation from above, you will be able to surpass Liu Feng and prove that Liu Feng is incompetent."

Even if you lose, you're still an active participant in responding to the call.

Zhao Anan pondered for a moment, his expression changing rapidly, and finally, his gaze towards Section Chief Cao completely changed: "Brother Cao, I didn't expect you to be such a talented person!"

"Sigh, if Representative Zhang had listened to me back then, we wouldn't have suffered such a crushing defeat."

Section Chief Cao took a breath, looked at Zhao Anan, and lowered his voice: "Old Zhao, this is our only chance, do you understand?"

Zhao Anan naturally understood what Section Chief Cao meant.

Since Liu Feng regained power, in addition to revising the rules and regulations, he also ordered the security department and the finance department to start auditing the accounts from previous years.

People like them can't withstand scrutiny.

I urgently need a talisman.

The rapid increase in the production of the four-legged beast is the best protection.

"Let's do it!" Zhao Anan stood up and slammed his hand on the table.

****
Li Aiguo's work has become much easier recently.

Since the expert on wild cars had the best understanding of the four-legged creature, he was in charge of the technology transfer.

Li Aiguo, while overseeing the assembly of the armed helicopter, continued tinkering with the rice cooker. In the evenings, he could also play affectionate games with Xiao Chen, living a wonderful life.

Yangcheng Light Industry Group, a domestic company, is also developing rice cookers, but it seems that no progress has been made yet.

It wasn't until the 1970s that rice cookers were finally developed in Zhanjiang, China, and people across the country could buy them.

Rice cookers are now available on the international market.

The rice cooker manufactured by Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering Co., Ltd. of Kobenzi uses a magnetic steel temperature limiter that can automatically shut off the power, and it sells very well.

Many people look down on rice cookers, thinking that the profit margin is low, but this idea is completely wrong.

The reason why the companies in the small notebook were able to complete their initial capital accumulation and withstand one financial storm after another was because of these small household appliances.

After all, every household needs a rice cooker.

As someone involved in the railway industry, Li Aiguo believed that if he was going to do something, he should do it the best.

Turn on the system.

He has been working hard to finish the book for the past six months, and has accumulated 3,500 points.

Open the search bar and find the relevant technology.

IH electromagnetic heating technology (100 points), pressure technology (100 points), fuzzy logic algorithm (100 points)

The first two are practical technologies. One is to use an electromagnetic coil to heat the inner liner itself, which increases the thermal efficiency from 60% to 90%, increases the heating speed by 30%, and makes the heating more uniform.

Another method is to pressurize the rice cooker, raising the boiling point to 115℃, which shortens the cooking time and enhances the softness and stickiness of the rice.

It looks very sophisticated, but it's actually not that difficult.

Li Aiguo turned his attention to fuzzy logic algorithms, and after figuring them out, he immediately smiled.

This thing is actually a circuit control board installed inside a rice cooker.

By monitoring temperature changes in real time using dual NTC thermistors at the bottom and top, and dynamically adjusting the heating power based on parameters such as rice quantity and water temperature, multi-stage intelligent control of "water absorption → boiling → rice simmering" is achieved.

The Red Star Computing Institute has now completed the development of small circuit boards, which is equivalent to completing the preliminary technology.

"We can hold on!"

Li Aiguo paid 300 points without hesitation.

With a bright light, a lot of unfamiliar knowledge appeared in my mind, which became simple and easy to understand with the help of the system.

Li Aiguo felt he had become a rice cooker expert.

Indeed, those who succeed entirely through their own efforts can become successful wherever they go.

Li Aiguo picked up the phone and connected with the Red Star Computing Institute.

"Old Xia, I have a new project here. Let's meet this afternoon and talk about it properly."

(End of this chapter)