The train driver in the courtyard

Yi Zhonghai's interview can only be regarded as a small episode.

After that, with the blessing of two jars of Linggui Zhan Shi wine, Deputy Director Li...he got hard.

The task of assisting in the construction of the Red Star Computing Institute was elevated to an unprecedented level and directly upgraded to a significant remediation task.

What’s the biggest thing these days?
The rectification task is the biggest!
Even without subsidies, everyone is proud to be able to participate in such a mission.

As soon as the news spread, several level 7 workers who usually stayed quietly in the workshop and worked hard strode into the conference room.

These masters are not good at speaking, have simple and honest personalities, and usually focus on studying technology.

But once they started, their superb skills were fully displayed, and each of them could perfectly meet the strict requirements of the Red Star Computing Institute.

After carefully checking the results of these masters, Professor Xia Zhongsu was very pleased, but also a little confused: "Aiguo, which one should we choose from these six masters? This is really a difficult problem."

Only children do multiple-choice questions, adults want everything.

"Take them all back. There is strength in numbers. Our Red Star Computing Institute is big and prosperous, so we will never go broke." Li Aiguo was very arrogant.

After listening to this, Professor Xia Zhongsu thought about it for a while and felt that it made sense.

Today, the Red Star Computer Institute has the support of the towering tree of the Ministry of Railways.

In terms of materials, we have unique advantages and there is really no need to worry.

Therefore, the ten senior fitters selected from the steel rolling mill were brought back to the Red Star Computing Institute in a mighty manner.

Li Aiguo was fully aware of the special nature and confidentiality of this mission.

Before officially handing over the task to them, comrades from the Confidentiality Department were specially invited to give these senior fitters an ideological education lesson.

"Your next work involves important confidential matters.

No matter what you see, hear, or touch, it must be kept strictly confidential.

Even to the closest relatives, friends and family, you must not reveal even a single word."

After hearing this, the ten senior fitters suddenly felt a sense of mission and honor, and their faces turned red with excitement.

But when they actually understood the content of the mission, they were all dumbfounded.

It turns out that the so-called task is to carve lines on the metal plate according to those densely packed and complex drawings that are like hieroglyphics.

There are thousands of lines, seemingly without any pattern or meaning, which makes people confused.

They couldn't help but wonder in their hearts: Even if this thing wanted to leak the secret, they wouldn't know where to start.

Ten senior fitters were locked up in a laboratory. Their meals were delivered by the security officer and they slept on blankets spread directly on the floor.

This seemingly tough but actually not easy working environment not only did not undermine their confidence, but instead ignited their inner fighting spirit.

Thanks to their efforts, the production progress of masks has advanced rapidly.

At this rate, it is estimated that the project can be completed in just half a month.

At this time, Li Aiguo also started the next step of work - completing the construction of the lithography machine.

Late at night, in the office of the Red Star Computing Institute.

The dim lights are like quiet lake water, sprinkling in every corner.

Li Aiguo sat at his desk and listened carefully to the detailed reports from Professor Xia Zhongsu and Professor Gillotti. He then carefully listed all the drawings and necessary equipment related to the construction of the lithography machine one by one.

His eyes were fixed on the data on the blackboard.

Suddenly, he waved his hand heavily and said in a firm tone: "We can start building the lithography machine!"

Professor Xia Zhongsu and Professor Gillotti stood up together.

There was excitement in the eyes of both men and they clenched their fists tightly.

*****
early morning.

As soon as the public-private joint venture Smart Optical Shop opened its doors, it welcomed two uninvited guests.

The man leading the group was wearing a grey Zhongshan suit and a Lenin cap, and the man following behind him was also wearing a grey Zhongshan suit and a Lenin cap.

"Comrade, do you want to get a pair of glasses?" Manager Lao Chen of Gongfang came forward enthusiastically.

"Manager Chen, according to regulations, we need to recruit the best lens grinder in your optician shop. I hope you can cooperate."

Old Chen was shocked: "Recruitment? Comrade, which unit are you from? Are you kidding? If our glasses shop leaves the masters, we will have to close down."

Li Aiguo did not explain much, but silently took out a document from his canvas bag and handed it over.

Old Chen's eyes fell on the bright red seal at the bottom of the document, and his face instantly became serious: "Comrade, don't worry, you can choose any of the experienced workers in our optician shop, and they will guarantee their full cooperation."

"Manager Chen, please rest assured that we will compensate your losses." Li Aiguo selected five of the top lens grinders in the country, and then handed Lao Chen a thousand yuan.

Manager Chen pushed the money back and said, "Comrade, I don't know what you need a lens grinder for, but I can't take the money. It is my honor to contribute to the country, and it is also the wish of all the employees in our optical shop."

Several experienced lens polishers standing by also nodded in agreement.

"Yes, when we were apprentices, we were exploited by our black-hearted boss. We had to get up early and go to bed late every day, and we were so exhausted that we almost lost our lives."

"After liberation, we turned our lives around, became regular workers, and even became owners of an eyewear store. Our lives started to get better day by day."

“When drinking water, one should always remember the person who dug the well. Now the country is in need, and these are things we should do.”

Li Aiguo listened to their simple yet sincere words and felt deeply moved.

This is what the people want. The people's love and support for the country is so pure and firm.

With the addition of these top domestic lens grinding masters.

The high-quality quartz lenses needed for the lithography machine have been sourced, and a key link in the construction of the lithography machine has been smoothly advanced.

*****
After half an hour.

Beijing Dali Precision Machinery Factory, the only factory in Beijing that can produce cameras, also welcomed two mysterious uninvited guests.

One was wearing a gray Zhongshan suit, and the other was also wearing a gray Zhongshan suit.

"Director Chen, we need your help in making two sets of mechanical shutter systems."

As Li Aiguo spoke, he handed a drawing and a document to the bewildered factory director.

"Don't ask why, and don't ask who we are. We need it now. Time is running out."

After hearing this, Director Chen frowned slightly: Who are these two people? They are so arrogant that they actually run to the camera factory to act like big shots?

This is a high-tech photography factory, not a backward steel mill!

But when his eyes fell on the document, his expression immediately became tense.

"Please rest assured, Chief, we at Dali Precision Machinery Factory will ensure that we complete the task!"

Director Chen stood up, saluted solemnly, and then immediately gave an order for the design department to suspend the design work of the new 135 rangefinder camera.

Facing the engineers who were full of confusion and didn't understand, Director Chen said loudly: "Don't ask why, don't ask where these parts should be sent. The country has an urgent task now, and I want them now!"

As one of only three factories in China that can produce cameras, Dali Precision Machinery Factory has a very special status.

Director Chen has a domineering style, but the fact that he takes this task so seriously shows that this task is of great importance.

The engineers immediately perked up, put down their work and got busy.

In the evening, Li Aiguo successfully obtained a shutter with an accuracy of 0.5 seconds and the exposure time could be manually controlled.

He carefully tested various parameters of the mechanical shutter.

Before leaving, he solemnly told Director Chen and the engineers involved in the manufacturing: "Thank you for your help! But there is one thing I need to make clear. This matter needs to be kept strictly confidential and must not be disclosed to anyone."

"Don't worry, we will keep it absolutely confidential!" Director Chen and the engineers said in unison.

*****
At eight o'clock the next morning, two uninvited guests arrived at the director's office of the Beijing Machinery Factory. One was wearing a blue work suit and the other was wearing a gray Zhongshan suit.

What? Where is Li Aiguo's gray Mao suit?

After being watered by the little red rose, it is now hung under the eaves of the courtyard to dry.

"Hello, Director Liu Feng, this is what we need and we need it now!" Li Aiguo said as he handed over the documents and drawings.

The drawing shows a manual X-Y translation stage, which is required to be adjustable by a micrometer with an accuracy of approximately ±5 microns.

This is an indispensable key component in the manufacturing of lithography machines.

The workshop director came to the factory director's office, and the factory director handed the drawings to the workshop director: "I want them now."

Liang Ladi came to the workshop office, and the workshop director handed Liang Ladi the drawing and said, "Yes."

Liang Ladi: “.”

The workshop director handed over two cloth coupons and 15 jin of rice from the small station: "Reward!"

Liang Ladi: “^_^!”

*****
The same scene was played out in more than 30 factories across the country, including the Shanghai High Precision Instrument Factory, Chongqing Optical Instrument Factory, Jichun State-owned Chemical Equipment Factory, and Sichuan Chemical Plant.

Without exception, those uninvited guests were all wearing gray Zhongshan suits and holding a document from a special department and a blueprint.

The equipment on the drawing is strange and complex in design.

Even experienced engineers were confused after reading it and could not figure out its specific purpose.

They were full of doubts and wanted to ask, but were blocked by the word "confidential".

Moreover, the level of this special mission is particularly high, almost equivalent to the level of the rectification mission.

Under such circumstances, local factories naturally did not dare to slack off in the slightest and all tried their best to cooperate.

In this way, within just two weeks, binocular microscopes, rotary coaters, developing tanks, etching tanks, hydrofluoric acid, dichromate gelatin and other equipment and materials were continuously transported to the capital from all over the country.

Li Aiguo stood in a warehouse full of materials, looking at the materials in front of him that embodied the hard work and efforts of countless people, and felt filled with emotion.

He knew very well that he could only rely on the railway department's huge material raising capabilities and the special authority of the meteorological station.

Thanks to the high ideological awareness of the workers and masters, we were able to assemble these advanced equipment that did not belong to this era in such a short time.

The legendary hand-rubbed chips do not exist at all.

The assembly of the lithography machines is done by skilled craftsmen from the Modou Precision Instrument Factory, Jichun Chemical Equipment Factory, and three other precision factories.

There were twelve masters in total, each responsible for only a small part, and it took a total of sixteen days to assemble the lithography machine.

And these old masters still didn't know what kind of mysterious equipment they had assembled with their own hands until they got on the return train.

During the assembly process of the lithography machine, all the researchers who guided the masters were from China, and two checkpoints were added at the entrance of the assembly warehouse.

Some Russian researchers felt that they were not trusted by the Red Star Computing Institute.

Professor Gilotti specifically talked to them about this.

"Just think about it, if we develop such advanced equipment, will we allow outsiders to intervene?" "But, professor, we also have a share of the credit for this lithography machine."

Some researchers feel indignant. Although the Red Star Computing Institute treats them well, it is always wary of them when it comes to confidential technology.

Professor Gilotti sighed: "We came here to realize our dreams. Think about it, if you leave here, will you still have a chance?"

After these words were spoken, the researchers fell silent.

Since these researchers came to the University of Tokyo, they have gradually received news from the Russian country.

The Moscow Academy of Computing Sciences has invested all its research efforts in mainframes and has also proposed developing a ternary computer.

What’s worse, their origins were also exposed.

Most of these researchers were children of Tsarist capitalists, landowners, and aristocrats.

Even if there is no problem with your generation, if you check a few generations ago, you will always find some sensitive background.

The Russians don't have such strict regulations on family background as we do in China.

But people from poor backgrounds will always encounter various troubles in work and life.

Some of their friends on the Russian side hinted in letters that the people investigating them were led by people from the Moscow Academy of Sciences.

Those researchers understood that this was a deliberate move by the Moscow Academy of Sciences in retaliation for their going to the University of Tokyo, but they had no way to stop it.

Although the Moscow Academy of Sciences did despicable things, he was much gentler than Lysenko of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences.

Professor Gilotti slammed the table and said, "If Red Star Computer Institute hadn't taken you in, what do you think would have happened to you in China? Here, at least you have our protection and support. You should cherish this opportunity."

The researchers finally came to their senses and apologized to Professor Gilotti.

A potential storm was thus calmed down.

After receiving Professor Gilotti's report, Li Aiguo handed him a cigarette and said, "Professor Gilotti, I'm sorry for wronging you."

"Dear patriotic comrade, I am also working for our great cause."

Professor Gilotti took the cigarette, lit it, and said, "If I hadn't given you this idea, someone would have pretended to be from the Moscow Academy of Sciences to investigate the backgrounds of those researchers. If they really returned to China, the academic tycoons in the Academy of Sciences would not have let them go."

Professor Gilotti took a deep puff of his cigarette and said, "These children are like a group of lost lambs who need the guidance of a shepherd, even if the shepherd sometimes needs to use a stick."

After hearing this, Li Aiguo had a higher opinion of Professor Gillotti.

The old professor seemed to be completely absorbed in his scientific research and oblivious to what was happening outside.

But when it comes to governance, he is a very insightful person with keen insight and profound views.

Just then, Professor Xia Zhongsu knocked on the door and walked in.

Seeing Professor Gilotti was also there, he was slightly stunned.

"Aiguo, I still have some work to do, let's talk next time." Professor Gillotti is the director of the Red Star Computing Institute, but he is very self-conscious.

Seeing that the two had important things to discuss, he left early.

After closing the door of his office, Professor Xia Zhongsu felt a little guilty: "Patriotic, are we going too far? Professor Gilotti has been working hard since he came to the Red Star Computing Institute. Thanks to his cooperation, we were able to complete the preparations for the lithography machine so quickly.

It's not appropriate for us to be on guard against him like this."

Li Aiguo knocked on the table and said, "Old Xia, the lithography machine is not only related to our personal honor, but also to the interests of the country and the rise of the nation.

In this case, anyone who may threaten the lithography machine needs to be eliminated."

"Even me?" Professor Xia Zhongsu was shocked by Li Aiguo's attitude.

"Not only you, but also myself!" Li Aiguo stood up and looked out the window: "Old Xia, you may still remember that I once told you that this is a war, a real war."

The sunlight fell on Li Aiguo, giving him a layer of golden light.

Although Professor Xia Zhongsu did not fully understand the heaviness and determination in Li Aiguo's heart, he knew that he could not change his attitude.

"That's right. Our lithography machine has been assembled. Researchers are currently conducting testing work and we expect to be able to conduct formal testing tomorrow!" said Professor Xia Zhongsu.

"it is good!"

Li Aiguo clenched his fists tightly.

Over the past six months, we have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in research funds and mobilized thousands of people, and finally we have waited for the day to reap the fruits of victory.

******
As the sun sets, a faint golden light spreads across the capital.

Li Aiguo rode his bicycle leisurely, humming a cheerful tune.

We walked along the streets full of the flavor of the times, staggering towards the courtyard.

As soon as he stepped into the gate of the courtyard, he was stopped by the third uncle.

"Aiguo, wait a minute, hey, wait a minute." The third uncle grabbed the handle of the car and blinked his little eyes.

"Uncle, what's the matter?"

"It's not a big deal, actually. I heard that you've become the manager of a chicken farm. Um... can you help me get some cheap old hens?"

As the uncle spoke, he patted his chest and assured, "Don't worry, I'm not short of money. An old hen in the market sells for two yuan, and I'll give you one yuan."

"Well... I'm really not short of money..." Li Aiguo just finished muttering, then suddenly frowned and asked in confusion: "What chicken farm? How come I don't know anything about this?"

"Hey, Aiguo, this is what Jia Dongxu said, your chicken farm needs to recruit a fitter to help." The third uncle widened his eyes.

Li Aiguo: "."

He was silent for a moment, then pointed at his nose and said, "Uncle, look at me. Do you think I look like a chicken farmer?"

"Is Jia Dongxu lying? No way, this guy speaks with certainty." The third uncle scratched his head.

Li Aiguo ignored him and pushed his bicycle back home.

At this time, Chen Xueru had already prepared dinner.

The food on the table was very rich, a plate of fried potatoes and meat, a plate of peanuts, and a plate of stewed tofu.

The staple food is steaming cornmeal porridge and big, white and plump steamed buns.

"What? You also know that I have a happy event today?" Li Aiguo washed his hands, sat on the chair, picked up the steamed bun and took a big bite.

"Oh, you have good news too?" Chen Xueru asked in surprise.

"So, this is not to celebrate the completion of my project?" Li Aiguo wondered.

"It's a celebration!" Chen Xueru was stunned at first, then she smiled, lowered her voice, and said shyly: "I'm pregnant! Is our project of having a baby over?"

Oops, Miss Chen, you misunderstood the meaning.

But now is not the time to worry about this. When Li Aiguo heard this, he hurriedly grabbed Chen Xueru's arm and gently asked her to sit down.

"Don't get tired. Come on, I'll do the housework from now on."

Chen Xueru was very happy to see the usually rough man being so considerate at this moment, but she pretended to be angry and rolled her eyes cutely: "This is my second child. Doctor Chen from the Railway Hospital said today that as long as I don't do heavy work, there will be no problem.

Besides, I’m not that delicate capitalist lady.”

"Yes, yes, our little Miss Chen is a heroine general!" Li Aiguo felt very happy.

The lithography machine is about to be built, and Chen Xueru is pregnant again. This is called double happiness.

After dinner, although Chen Xueru strongly opposed, Li Aiguo still helped wash the dishes and refused Chen Xueru's reasonable request to help wash her feet.

There are no secrets in the courtyard.

Chen Xueru did not tell anyone about her pregnancy, but the third aunt came to her house and brought half a pound of peanuts.

Her words almost made Chen Xueru fall down on the chair.

"Xue Ru, are you pregnant again?"

"Hi, Auntie, do you have X-ray vision?" Li Aiguo was making the bed for Xiao Hongsheng and came out when he heard the noise.

The third aunt laughed and said, "How could that be possible? Just now when Xueru went to the vegetable garden to pick vegetables, I saw her retching. We are all experienced people, how could we not see it?"

Li Aiguo: "."

He felt it was a pity that the third aunt did not go to work at the Meteorological Bureau.

Li Aiguo continued to ask: "Third Aunt, you also know that Xueru is not a flamboyant person, you didn't tell anyone about this, right?"

"How can I tell you? Your third aunt is very tight-lipped. She will just tell you what I understand." The third aunt said with a smile.

Li Aiguo: "."

Chen Xueru: "."

In the courtyard, although Yan Jiecheng became a coal carrier again, he did not change his big mouth style.

If Yan Jiecheng knew about it, it meant that all the residents in the compound knew about it.

Sure enough, as soon as the third aunt left, Nan Yi and Liang Ladi came to the Li family.

Liang Ladi handed over five kilograms of rice: "Sister, I heard that you are pregnant and there is nothing good at home. It just so happened that a while ago, I helped someone make some small equipment. The thing was very simple, and the other party was stupid and rich, and actually gave me more than ten kilograms of rice. You accept these kilograms."

"Oh, more than ten kilograms of rice!" Chen Xueru turned her head to look at Li Aiguo: "Brother Aiguo, are there still such foolish and rich people these days?"

Li Aiguo looked at the familiar oil paper packaging of the rice and didn't know what to say for a moment.

“Maybe they have good intentions…”

After Liang Ladi and Nan Yi left, Xu Damao and his wife also came and brought five kilograms of pecans and two kilograms of red dates.

Li Aiguo kept the walnuts and returned the red dates.

Later, Aunt Liu came with He Yushui and Huang Sen and brought two kilograms of brown sugar.

Zhang Gangzhu sent two hangs of pig intestines.

Aunt Chen, Aunt Wang and seven or eight other residents in the compound came.

The things he brought were not valuable, just half a pound of flour from the east family and a few pounds of wild vegetables from the west family, but the friendship was deep.

There was constant laughter in the Li family's house.

Qin Huairu held Xiaodang in her arms and stood not far away, listening to the laughter coming from the house, but her heart was very heavy.

When she was pregnant, the residents in the compound were not so enthusiastic and positive.

The night is getting darker.

Because Miss Chen was pregnant, the originally planned cheongsam show had to be cancelled.

Li Aiguo gently embraced the excited little girl Chen, and soon they both fell into a sweet sleep.

(End of this chapter)