The train driver in the courtyard

Time passed by in a flurry of activity.

More than half a month later.

Inside the lumber mill workshop, Li Aiguo walked to the discharge port and reached out to catch a piece of plywood that had just been made.

Engineer Liu and a group of engineers stared intently at Li Aiguo: "Old Liu, how's it going?"

"It's too early to say; we need to conduct tests to determine the exact type." Li Aiguo was very cautious. The biggest difference between the new and old plywood is not its appearance, but its high strength, waterproof properties, and low deformation rate.

The testing was carried out by Chen Xingjia and several technicians. They got busy with their tools, and as the progress went on, their faces grew increasingly happy. In the end, everyone was beaming with joy.

"The strength is up to 38.7MPa, which is 90% higher than that of the old plywood."

"Completely waterproof, with a waterproof rate of 100%."

"The deformation rate is less than one percent."

"The formaldehyde release is ≤0.025mg/m³, reaching the E0 level."

There were no formaldehyde content standards at that time.

When Li Aiguo was planning to develop plywood, he took formaldehyde emission into account. Since plywood is to be used as a decorative material, safety must be guaranteed.

In fact, the main source of formaldehyde is not the wood in the plywood, but the adhesive used. Urea-formaldehyde resin glue used in older plywood is the biggest culprit.

Li Aiguo developed two types of adhesives: one is a phenolic resin adhesive, which can release formaldehyde up to the E0 level, while the other, a more expensive formaldehyde-free adhesive, contains no formaldehyde at all.

As several key data points were announced, the surrounding technicians erupted in an uncontrollable cheer.

Just then, the lumber mill manager and several factory leaders hurriedly walked in, and were immediately captivated by the atmosphere in the workshop.

"Yeah!"

The factory manager clenched his fist, strode up to Li Aiguo, and firmly grasped Li Aiguo's hand: "You've done a great service! You've really helped our timber factory turn the tide!"

Li Aiguo said with a smile, "This is the result of everyone's hard work, especially Engineer Liu and Comrade Chen Xingjia, who have been working the hardest lately."

Liu and Chen Xingjia, the master and apprentice, have been practically living in the workshop lately, and both of them have lost a lot of weight.

Li Aiguo wouldn't resort to the "too clear a pond has no fish" mentality.

The factory manager looked at the two men and said, "You've worked hard! Everything you promised will be paid in full! Your salaries will be increased by one level, and I will personally go to the higher authorities to recommend you for commendation. We will also report our technological achievements and apply for awards!"

Engineer Liu is one of those people; as a technical expert, he's experienced this kind of situation many times.

Chen Xingjia wiped away his tears with emotion, choking back sobs as he said, "Thank you, Factory Director! Thank you, Consultant Li!"

Chen Xingjia looked at Li Aiguo. If it weren't for his brother-in-law, he wouldn't have been able to participate in this project.

****
Late at night, in a brightly lit study in the capital.

The superior held a report in his hand, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.

"Comrade Patriot has brought us another surprise."

The leader from the Ministry of Forestry sitting opposite him nodded hurriedly: "Yes! Currently, domestic industrialization, infrastructure construction, and military industries are all scrambling for timber, with a shortage of 30% to 50%."

Traditional lumber processing can only use half of the logs, wasting a large amount of small-diameter timber and branches.

Your previous strategy of 'replacing wood with glue' was stuck on plywood technology. Now, Comrade Li Aiguo's new type of board perfectly solves all the problems!"

The superior picked up the report again and looked at it: "How is the safety? If it's made into furniture, will it affect the health of the public?"

"Rest assured, the formaldehyde standard formulated by Comrade Li Aiguo has been verified by experts from relevant ministries."

The formaldehyde-free glue he used is completely harmless, and he also invented a 'climate chamber method' for detecting formaldehyde, which is ten times more sensitive than the previous perforation extraction method!
We used this method to test imported plywood from Eastern Europe, and all of it exceeded the formaldehyde emission standards, while our new type of board has almost zero formaldehyde emissions!

The superior nodded repeatedly and exclaimed, "This young man is a genius; he always comes up with ideas that others can't."

"Yes, yes," the forestry ministry leader nodded.

The superior continued, "Since it's a good product, we can't keep it to ourselves. We should promote it on a large scale, the sooner the better."

"We have already sent people to liaise with the Qianmen Locomotive Depot, and we plan to build two large-scale new plywood factories in China. The site selection work has also been initially completed."

Furthermore, shouldn't those who performed meritorious service this time be generously rewarded?

The leaders of the Ministry of Forestry consulted them.

Even the higher-ups are having a bit of a headache when it comes to rewards.

Li Aiguo has made so many contributions, what should he be rewarded with?

He knew Li Aiguo too well; this young man was just like himself. After his previous meritorious service, all he thought about was getting equipment and facilities for research and development.

Also, according to Lao Chen, the small airplane that Li Aiguo was working on was quite extraordinary and might change the way wars are fought.

Lei Gongye's side also sent people to discuss the matter. Once the small aircraft's test flight and finalization are completed, it may be mass-produced and equipped for the front-line teams.

This is another great achievement.

Let's just talk about it next time.

"You don't need to consider Li Aiguo's side anymore. As for the rest of the meritorious personnel, you should give them a generous reward."

"Understood!" The forestry department leader stood up and left.

The foreign affairs staff entered, led by their assistants.

"Comrades from the Gallic family have arrived."

"Now that Xiaomei's family has noticed the situation here, this cooperation with the French family..." The comrade from the foreign affairs department did not continue.

"You're afraid to plant crops just because you heard the crickets chirping? Xiao Mei's family is nothing but a paper tiger. Let's invite the comrades from the Gallic family in."

****
The celebration banquet was held in the large workshop of the lumber mill.

The logistics staff at the lumber mill adapted to the situation and found more than a dozen newly baked plywood boards to build a long dining table.

The dishes were plentiful, including braised pork, braised potatoes and eggplant, stewed tofu, and seven or eight other dishes, all served in enamelware, with generous portions on every table.

The celebratory banquet was filled with great enthusiasm, and the engineers, technicians, and workers laughed and cheered throughout.

At this moment.

The factory clerk rushed in, shouting, "The comrades from the ministry are here!"

The voice just fell.

Several ministry leaders strode in, smiling: "Sorry to interrupt your celebration."

The factory manager quickly stepped forward: "Please sit down, sir, let's have a couple of drinks!"

"Don't rush to drink the wine. Today, on behalf of the ministry, I'm announcing your awards!"

The room fell silent the moment those words were spoken.

All eyes were on the leader.

"In recognition of the timber mill's outstanding contributions to the development of new plywood, the higher authorities have decided to award the timber mill's technical department a collective third-class merit! Comrade Liu Quan will be promoted one grade in salary and promoted to a third-level engineer through exceptional promotion!"

Comrade Chen Xingjia has been promoted one grade in salary and has been promoted to Grade 7 worker! The timber mill has been recognized as an outstanding collective by the Ministry of Forestry for this year!

Wow!
As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous cheers erupted in the workshop.

A collective third-class merit! This is already the top honor in a local factory.

Liu was promoted to Level 3 Engineer, and Chen Xingjia was directly promoted to Level 7 Worker. This is not only a wage increase, but also a leap in status and position!
However, everyone saw Liu Gong and Chen Xingjia's performance, and no one was jealous.

In particular, everyone knows that the plywood project was able to be located in the timber factory entirely because of Chen Xingjia's connections, and these people are essentially taking advantage of this.

Chen Xingjia was still dazed and confused, and could only say, "Thank you, leader, thank you, leader."

"You silly girl, you should thank your brother-in-law more." When she got home, her sister-in-law heard that Chen Xingjia had been promoted, and she counted on her fingers how much his salary would increase each month.

"Didn't you complain to Xue Ru about this a while ago?" Chen Xingjia said with a smile.

"I was just worried about his health!" The sister-in-law blushed and pinched Chen Xingjia's waist.

"No, no, the child is watching."

Chen Xingjia quickly took two steps back and chuckled, "I was actually thinking of thanking my brother-in-law. When I came back, I went to his house, but Aiguo wasn't home."

Where is Li Aiguo?

They were still in the studio at the time.

The chassis for the tour bus has now been delivered, large pieces of glass have been brought in from the glass factory, and the seats, engine, and other parts are all in the workshop.

"Let's do it!"

(End of this chapter)