The train driver in the courtyard

The days passed, and in the blink of an eye, Xiao Hongsheng was already two months old.

Chen Xueru's maternity leave is about to end.

Aunt Liu said she could help take care of the children while they were at work.

Taking care of children is not an easy task.

After discussion, Li Aiguo and Chen Xueru sent Xiao Hongsheng to the nursery school of Qianmen Locomotive Depot.

Children are cared for by specialized caregivers, can receive early education, have companions, and can live in a group.

Go up to the school during the day and pick the child up at night. This way it does not affect work and can ensure the child's healthy growth.

Li Aiguo installed a small chair on the back of the bicycle and took on the responsibility of "transporting" Xiao Hongsheng.

Early in the morning, Li Aiguo rode his bicycle to take Xiao Hongsheng to the nursery, handed him over to the childcare teacher, and then rode his bicycle to the station to start a new busy day.

In the following month, Li Aiguo made all the small toys that were remembered by later generations, produced them through the Red Star Umbrella Factory, and sold them through internal stores.

In the mainland, these toys are called Red Star brand toys.

In Hong Kong, Europe and the United States, these toys are branded as Tank Man.

Facts have proved Li Aiguo's point of view that baby products and toys are indeed highly profitable.

Needless to say, the Qianmen Locomotive Depot made a lot of money from domestic sales.

It only took the Trainman Company one month in the foreign market to earn $3 million in foreign exchange for its foreign exchange department.

These precious foreign currencies did not remain in the accounts for long, and were soon converted into food and shipped into the country.

Time unknowingly came to the end of 59. Li Yunlong was officially transferred to the Frontier Corps, and Tian Yu brought Li Kang and Li Jian to the capital.

The higher-ups took into consideration that Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang were currently working in the same military unit and, after consulting Li Yunlong's advice, placed Tian Yu in the General Political Department compound, where he became a neighbor of Feng Nan.

Li Kang also had not forgotten the promise Li Aiguo made to him. As soon as he moved into his new home, he couldn't wait to visit the Li family.

Also coming at the same time were several other children, namely Zhao Shan, Zhao Gao and Zhao Shui.

Li Aiguo gave them a lot of toys, and the boy was so happy that he kept mumbling that he would come back to play next week before leaving.

"Li Kang, if your father knew about this, he would spank you." Tian Yu seemed particularly embarrassed. The toys that Li Aiguo gave him were worth a lot of money in the store.

"Aunt, I made all this myself. It doesn't cost anything."

After seeing Tian Yu and Feng Nan off, Li Aiguo was about to go home to continue fiddling with diapers when the fat aunt from the supply and marketing cooperative called him.

"Aiguo, the person on the other end of your call seems to be a foreigner, and his accent is weird."

When they heard that a foreigner was calling Li Aiguo, the old ladies and young wives at the gate of the courtyard pricked up their ears.

There's nothing we can do about it. People abroad are too sensitive these days.

Li Aiguo asked with a smile: "Is it the Russians?"

"Hey, it's that Russian guy. He claims to be from Moscow." Aunt Fat rarely receives international calls, so she was a little excited this time.

After hearing this, the old ladies and young wives turned around and continued chatting.

Jia Zhang had already thought about reporting it, but now she could only sit back angrily.

When Aunt Pang saw the expressions of the residents, she realized that she almost got Li Aiguo into trouble. Fortunately, Li Aiguo cleverly cleared himself of suspicion.

"Aiguo, answer the phone first. The supply and marketing cooperative sold some candies today. Auntie will save some for you."

Li Aiguo picked up the phone, and as expected, Andre's cheerful voice came from the other end.

Andre didn't know which big liar's advice he listened to, but after returning to the Russians, he called Li Aiguo every now and then.

Every time he had nothing to do, he just chatted about how it snowed heavily in Moscow, how the hot packs were in short supply and that production should be increased.
If you don’t know him, you might think he’s a salesperson.

Li Aiguo didn't mind and echoed a few words.

Suddenly, Andrei seemed to remember something and said, "Driver Li, remember the reward I mentioned to you last time? Now the Moscow Academy of Sciences has raised the price to one million rubles."

Li Aiguo's eyes widened suddenly.

One million dollars!
The Russians are gone?

"What exactly is going on?" "I don't know the details, but it seems that NASA has been stimulated by something and has increased the budget for the space program, and Moscow has also been stimulated by NASA."

Andre explained it vaguely.

Li Aiguo was still confused after hanging up the phone.

For no reason, who provoked NASA?
Whose hands are so cheap!

"Aiguo, here, take these White Rabbit candies for 1.2 yuan." Aunt Pang handed over a bag of White Rabbit candies that looked a little melted.

These clearance items are one-third cheaper than the usual price and no coupons are required, which is considered a benefit.

After paying the money and taking the White Rabbit milk candy, Li Aiguo left the supply and marketing cooperative.

After thinking about it for a long time, he still couldn't figure it out.

but.

What is certain is that as long as the diapers are produced, you can earn one million rubles.

Looks like it should be done soon.

But Li Aiguo is now in trouble.

During the breaks in driving during this period, Li Aiguo has mastered the manufacturing technology of super absorbent resin, wood pulp fiber, and breathable outer material required for the production of diapers.

Wood pulp fiber can be obtained through paper mills.

The breathable outer layer can be replaced by the outer lining of the heating pad.

The only trouble is the super absorbent resin.

The raw materials for making super absorbent resins are starch or synthetic polymers.

There was a food shortage in the country at that time, and it was technically very difficult to use starch.

Then the only option is synthetic polymers.

After research, Li Aiguo has developed a complete production chain.

Petroleum gas, natural gas → propylene → acrylic acid → high-purity acrylic acid → highly absorbent resin.

The only problem now is how to get high-purity acrylic acid.

There is a saying among train people: when you encounter difficulties, go to your mother’s home.

The next day, Li Aiguo rode his bicycle to the office of Section Chief Xing of Qianmen Locomotive Depot.

"High-purity acrylic acid?" Director Xing Duanchang did recognize these words, but he didn't know what they meant when put together.

Li Aiguo explained: "This is a chemical product. In fact, what I need is not high-purity acrylic acid, but a side effect of high-purity acrylic acid in producing downstream products."

Xing Duanzhang understood now: "Chemical products, look for Lao Zhang."

He called Chief Zhang from the Materials Department.

He slapped the material paper in front of Section Chief Zhang and said, "Mr. Zhang, you should immediately purchase a batch of high-purity acrylic acid and give it to Driver Li."

Faced with this unexpected task, Section Chief Zhang immediately turned back to his office and made countless phone calls.

When he returned to the office again, he looked particularly helpless.

"Duanzhang, this matter is a bit troublesome."

His expression now is similar to "I can't do it."

"Huh?!" Xing Duanchang turned into a savage emperor, his eyes widened: "Section Chief Zhang, you are the section chief of the Materials Section, responsible for coordinating materials. If we don't have it in Beijing, don't you know to purchase it through the Railway Materials Supply Bureau?"

"The Material Supply Bureau can't do the job of section chief either. The propylene needed to manufacture high-purity acrylic acid is a controlled material. Currently, only chemical reagent factories can produce it." Section Chief Zhang sighed helplessly.

"Chemical reagent factory?"

Section Chief Zhang said, "It's the Jingcheng Chemical Plant."

(End of this chapter)