The train driver in the courtyard

At this moment, the characteristics of having many people and concentrating resources to accomplish great things are fully demonstrated.

Since the Second Automobile Works was still in the preparatory stage, the First Ministry of Machine Building reassigned the technicians who were originally transferred to the Second Automobile Works to the front locomotive depot workshop.

Domestic automobile factories such as Jiefang Plant and FAW Plant also undertook some of the parts production tasks, and the parts were transported to Qianmen Locomotive Depot one by one.

The workers worked in three shifts, keeping the entire locomotive depot brightly lit.

Considering the lack of a professional production line, Li Aiguo assigned Master Zhang and his apprentice to be responsible for testing the parts in order to ensure quality.

Everything was normal in the studio, and Li Aiguo finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Today, Commissioner Sui delivered a large batch of special ceramics, solving the last major problem.

Seeing that everyone had been working day and night for nearly half a month and was exhausted, Li Aiguo gave them a half-day off.

Li Aiguo also planned to take the opportunity to go home and pay his grain tax.

First, we took a tour of the greenhouse, where the corn was growing very well under the care of Professor Wu and his team.

Professor Wu had also heard about the widespread drought and was planning to suggest to his superiors that the commune members carry water to irrigate their fields to save themselves.

"When will we be able to change the situation where we depend on the weather for our livelihood?" The old agricultural expert squatted on the ground and sighed.

"It might not be long."

Li Aiguo retorted that Professor Wu didn't believe him at all, picked some tomatoes and cucumbers, carried them back to the courtyard house.

Li Aiguo hasn't been eating at home lately.

Chen Xueru was busy with work, so she left the task of picking up and taking care of the children to Chen Fangxuan. They didn't cook at home, and the coal stove had long since gone out.

Considering that tending the stove in the sweltering heat was not a good job, Li Aiguo picked up the fire tongs and went to Nan Yi's house to exchange them for coal briquettes.

"Our factory director, Mr. Yang, is furious today." Xu Damao came over with a cheerful smile as soon as they stepped out the door.

Upon hearing this, Li Aiguo asked, "What's wrong?"

"Our factory received a task from the ministry to forge a large batch of high-quality steel for your Qianmen Locomotive Depot, supposedly for making chassis."

"Is this a good thing?"

"It is indeed a good thing, but the Ministry of Machine Building handed over the work to Deputy Director Li. Director Yang also tried to find some connections, but it was of no use. I heard that he even slammed his fist on the table at the factory committee meeting."

Upon hearing this, Li Aiguo smiled and shook his head. The struggle within the steel rolling mill had intensified to the point of becoming public.

The locomotive depot is the best. Everyone works together as one to accomplish great things. When there's credit, everyone shares it. We eat meat and drink wine to our hearts' content. There aren't so many trivial and unpleasant things to do there.

Xu Damao added, "Your Qianmen Locomotive Depot is getting bigger and bigger. I heard it's already the largest locomotive depot in the country."

"That's because the section chief is a good leader."

The workers had all gone home by then, and when Uncle Er saw Li Aiguo, he quickened his pace.

"Aiguo, your locomotive depot is getting more and more arrogant. Now even our factory has to provide you with supporting equipment."

"Second Uncle, there is no high or low in revolutionary work, only different divisions of labor."

"That's right. Deputy Factory Director Li is very happy. Today, he selected a group of skilled and ideologically conscious master craftsmen from our forging workshop, and I was one of them. I heard that I can get extra points in next year's promotion exam."

"Oh, congratulations, Uncle!"

"Be humble and modest. Don't let outsiders hear about it. This shows how much the leader values ​​me, so I must be even more strict with myself and not be ostentatious."

As Liu Haizhong spoke, his voice grew louder, and the residents nearby could hear him clearly.

Yi Zhonghai naturally heard it too, and his face immediately darkened.

As a level seven fitter, Yi Zhonghai is considered a senior master craftsman in the fitter workshop.

When I encountered such a great opportunity, I naturally signed up, but I was rejected.

"It must be Li Aiguo. I heard that Li Aiguo and Li Huaide are on good terms. Liu Haizhong must have taken advantage of Li Aiguo's influence," Jia Dongxu said angrily.

"Alright, that's enough." Yi Zhonghai interrupted him, changing the subject: "Has Huai Ru returned?"

"Not yet. I also find it strange. It's just borrowing some sweet potatoes, why would it take so long?" Jia Dongxu picked up Banggeng and Xiaodang from the old lady's house and went home.

An older woman watched his retreating figure and said, "Life isn't easy for people in the commune either. Huai Ru must have encountered some difficulties when she came home to borrow sweet potatoes, otherwise she wouldn't have stayed away for so many days."

"This is Jia Dongxu's family matter, it has nothing to do with us." Yi Zhonghai poured himself a cup of tea and sat back down in his chair.

He can't even solve his own problems right now, so how can he care about the Jia family's mess?

When Li Aiguo got home, he first took a shower, then took out a book and leaned against the bed to read it.

I don't know how much time passed, but I actually fell asleep.

He was awakened again by Chen Xueru.

The girl placed a cheongsam and yoga clothes in front of Li Aiguo, blushing and smiling as she said, "Brother Aiguo, which outfit do you want me to wear tonight?"

"Only children make choices; adults want it all." Li Aiguo pulled her onto the bed and began to grope her. While the car experts were busy in their workshops, Li Aiguo wasn't idle either, making changes to some of the designs.

To protect the blast-resistant off-road vehicle, an RPG with three rocket launchers was installed in the trunk, enabling it to employ a "hit-and-run" maneuver tactic when encountering enemy armor.

A machine gun mount was installed on the roof of the vehicle, which could be used to install a Type 53 heavy machine gun. It was mainly used to eliminate and suppress enemy personnel, firing points and thin-walled armored targets within 1000 meters.

After testing, it was decided to adopt a V-shaped structure for the undercarriage, which can direct the shock wave of the explosion to both sides, and combined with the anti-collapse lining, reduce the risk of casualties among the occupants.

"So, this thing can withstand the simultaneous explosion of five landmines?"

Li Yunlong looked at the first explosive-proof off-road vehicle that was being transported out and felt somewhat incredulous.

"Most of the landmines used on the battlefield now are jumping mines, which are mainly designed to cause incapacitating injuries rather than killing the target instantly, and the amount of TNT they contain is mostly no more than 600 grams."

If it's this kind of landmine, it can withstand at least ten landmines exploding simultaneously.

Since it concerned the safety of the battlefield commander, Li Aiguo nodded cautiously.

“good good”

Li Yunlong liked the bulletproof SUV more and more as he looked at it.

The vehicle body is painted in a tan camouflage pattern, which is more suitable for mountain warfare than dark green camouflage.

The tires are special run-flat tires. The most amazing thing is the hidden compartment in the trunk. Lifting the camouflage panel reveals a small ammunition rack, which can fit two light machine guns and five boxes of ammunition side by side.

If this thing were placed on the battlefield, it would be considered a mobile artillery emplacement.

Most importantly, because it uses ceramic bulletproof plates, it can reach a speed of 150 km/h on the battlefield.

It has good looks, firepower, and speed. If this were in ancient times, it would definitely be a legendary Ferghana horse.

"Aiguo, Uncle really has to thank you this time." Li Yunlong pulled Li Aiguo's arm and got into the car. "I've already had your aunt prepare the food and drinks, let's go!"

The bulletproof off-road vehicle roared out of the front gate locomotive depot.

The expert from the Ministry of Machinery Industry in charge of the inspection stroked his chin, looked at the expert next to him, and whispered, "I think this car is quite imposing. If it were modified a bit, it could easily be used as a chauffeur-driven vehicle."

“A private car?” The expert immediately understood what he meant and nodded, saying, “Even the ministry can’t make a decision on this matter; we can only offer a suggestion.”

"Hmm." The expert noted this down in his work log.

The setting sun gilded the yellow-brown camouflage of the bulletproof off-road vehicle with a layer of gold.

When the tire rolled over the bluestone slab in front of Li Yunlong's house, it startled the swallows that had built their nests under the eaves.

Upon hearing the guard's report, Tian Yu and Feng Nan came out of the courtyard to greet them.

"Is this bulletproof?" After learning that the bulletproof off-road vehicle could withstand bullets and landmines, Tian Yu finally felt relieved.

Feng Nan was also very happy. Although Zhao Gang was not as active as Li Yunlong, he was still on the front line. With this kind of bulletproof vehicle, his safety could be guaranteed.

"Aiguo, come on, let's get home quickly. Your aunt is making an exception today and will toast you."

"Auntie, you're too kind. Uncle Li and Uncle Zhao risked their lives for us, so that we could live peacefully here."

Li Aiguo spoke politely, but his hands were anything but; he took the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

After having a few drinks, Li Yunlong picked up a piece of peanuts with his chopsticks and said while eating, "Patriotism, I'm planning to set off tomorrow."

"So fast? Your injuries haven't healed yet?" Li Aiguo was stunned.

"Zhao Gang called yesterday, saying the team needs to continue advancing. I'm worried about those young men." Li Yunlong picked up his glass and drank it all in one gulp.

"Old Li, Zhao Gang is with the team, there won't be any problems. You can stay in Beijing a little longer," Tian Yu said worriedly.

It was obvious that Tian Yu had only just learned of this news.

"What do you know!"

The wine glass slammed heavily onto the elmwood table, causing a few peanuts in the dish to bounce up.

Li Yunlong unbuttoned his uniform collar, revealing a hideous scar on his chest: "See this? This is an injury I sustained at sea a few years ago."

When the topic of naval battles came up, Li Yunlong's expression turned particularly bitter.

That was the most humiliating and devastating defeat of his life.

He suddenly looked up, grinned, and the scars on his bronze face creased into deep furrows. "Once I've dealt with the South Asian subcontinent, I'm going to settle this score with you."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became solemn.

Li Aiguo didn't say anything more, but slowly raised the glass of wine in it, the glass reflecting the dim yellow light bulb and his eyes.

"Uncle, let me toast you."

(End of this chapter)