Courtyard House: A Major Power's Heavy Industry, Hand-Crafted Nuclear Fusion

A corner of a workshop at Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

This is the waste disposal area, which is also Su Zheng's "temporary laboratory".

Compared to the bustling scene on the main production line, this place appears deserted and dilapidated.

Several rusty old machine tools stood forlornly in the corner, like abandoned old people.

Su Zheng, however, seemed to be enjoying it.

He took out a very ordinary flat file from his toolbox.

This is a "common tool" that every apprentice in the workshop has. Because it has been used for a long time, the file teeth are worn and the handle is a bit loose.

"Oh, Master Su, are you sharpening a needle?"

Yi Zhonghai's eldest apprentice, Ma Hua, strolled over, a wrench in his hand, his tone laced with sarcasm.

He had just heard his master say that Su Zheng was now a figurehead, a "commander without troops." If no one paid attention to him, he would have to sheepishly beg his master for help within three days.

Su Zheng didn't even look up; he simply used his thumb to lightly test the sharpness of the file.

"Sharpening needles? No, I'm upgrading my tools."

"upgrade?"

Ma Hua chuckled. "This broken file? What can it be upgraded into? Maybe it can turn into a magic staff?"

Several fellow workers who were watching the commotion joined in the laughter.

In their view, a file is a consumable item; once it becomes dull, you throw it away or find a grinder to fix it. Why would you upgrade it yourself?

Isn't this just because they have nothing better to do?

Su Zheng ignored their mockery.

He activated the Eye of Truth.

From the system's perspective, this ordinary file was instantly deconstructed.

[Item: Worn flat file]

Material: T12 carbon tool steel

[Defects: Clogged tooth grooves, blunted cutting angle (current cutting angle 65 degrees), loose handle causing uneven force distribution.]

[Optimization solution: Re-open the tooth grooves (change to double grooves), adjust the cutting angle to 58 degrees (optimal cutting efficiency), and reinforce the handle's center of gravity.]

"Let's begin."

Su Zheng walked to the old drilling machine that he had just repaired and replaced it with a new grinding wheel.

Nourishes—

The grinding wheel is spinning rapidly.

Su Zheng, holding a file, steadily leaned against it.

There was no violent, spark-splitting sound, only an extremely slight "rustling" sound.

His wrist rotated slightly, the movement as delicate as carving.

Ma Hua watched for a while, then found it boring: "Tch, all that charlatanry. How can you possibly make something of a broken file?"

After saying that, he turned and went back.

However, just as MCA turned around...

The file in Su Zheng's hand has undergone a transformation.

The once dull blade now radiated a chilling light.

The newly developed double-grooved toothed grooves are arranged like a precise geometric pattern, and each tooth is as sharp as a shark's tooth.

Immediately afterwards, Su Zheng picked up a piece of scrap high-manganese steel plate from the waste pile.

This type of steel plate is extremely hard. Even when you use a new file to file it, you can only barely leave a mark, and it is very difficult and slippery.

Su Zheng picked up the "modified" file and gently placed it on the steel plate.

No force was used.

Simply by relying on the weight of the file and the skillful force of the wrist, a gentle push is made.

"Sizzle—"

A very smooth, rhythmic cutting sound rang out.

A deep and smooth groove instantly appeared on the hard high-manganese steel plate!

Moreover, the iron filings that are cut off are not fine powders, but long, curled strips with a metallic sheen!

What does this tell us?

This indicates that the cutting is extremely smooth and the cutting edge is extremely sharp!

"hiss--"

Zhao Ming, who had been quietly observing from the side, couldn't help but gasp.

As a fitter, he knew all too well how difficult it was.

How can you file high-manganese steel to produce such long chips? How much force would that take?

Or rather... just how fast must this file be?

Su Zheng seemed to sense Zhao Ming's gaze.

He stopped what he was doing and glanced at the part that Zhao Ming was still working on.

"Want to come and try it?" Su Zheng handed over the file.

Zhao Ming was taken aback for a moment, then accepted the file with a sense of flattery.

It feels...very heavy.

But he discovered that the file's center of gravity was designed in an extremely ingenious way, giving him a stable feeling of "man and knife as one" when he held it.

Zhao Ming took a deep breath and, imitating Su Zheng, made a cut on his workpiece.

"Sizzle!"

That feeling... how can I describe it?

It's like cutting butter with a hot knife!

The process that used to require all your strength to press and push can now be completed with just a gentle push, and the iron filings fall down in a rush!

Efficiency has at least doubled! And my hands don't get tired at all!

"Amazing! Amazing!"

Zhao Ming's face flushed with excitement, and his voice rose involuntarily, "Master Su! This file... it's amazing! Even better than the new one we got!"

This shout drew the attention of everyone around.

"What? It's even better than a new knife?"

"Is Zhao Ming just trying to curry favor?"

Several coworkers gathered around, half believing and half doubting.

"Try it if you don't believe me!" Zhao Ming handed the file to an old craftsman next to him.

The old craftsman took it suspiciously and tried filing it a few times.

Then, his eyes widened.

"What a great knife! It's truly a great knife! The cut... the feel... it's amazing!"

The master craftsman stroked the blade with obvious delight. "Su Zheng, did you sharpen this yourself?"

Su Zheng nodded calmly: "To do a good job, one must first have the right tools. Our workshop's tools wear out quickly, often not because everyone isn't working hard enough, but because the tools aren't suitable. I just thought about it and slightly modified the cutting angle and texture, which will save a lot of effort."

These words were spoken professionally and humbly, and showed consideration for the workers in every way.

The workers around him felt a warm glow in their hearts when they heard this.

Yes, who wouldn't want an easier job? Who wouldn't want to earn more piecework wages?

If Su Zheng really has this ability...

"Master Su, could you also make some changes for me?"

"And me! My scraper isn't working either!"

Suddenly, the waste disposal area became the liveliest place in the workshop.

Those coworkers who were originally planning to isolate Su Zheng now all surrounded him, their eyes shining.

After all, when it comes to personal interests, Yi Zhonghai's so-called "prestige" is simply not enough.

Not far away, Yi Zhonghai watched this scene, his face so gloomy it could drip water.

His carefully orchestrated "isolation strategy" was actually shattered by a broken file.

"This Su Zheng... cannot be allowed to live."

Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

He turned to Old Zhang, the workshop foreman, and whispered, "Old Zhang, look over there. People are gathering and chatting during work hours, and even altering company tools without permission… That's a violation of discipline. What if there's a safety accident…"

Old Zhang's heart skipped a beat.

Although he also thought Su Zheng's skills were good, Yi Zhonghai's words made sense. If the tools were damaged or if a disturbance broke out, he, as the director, would also have to take responsibility.

"I'll go take a look."

Old Zhang walked over with a dark face.

Su Zheng looked at Lao Zhang and Yi Zhonghai walking over and a cold smile appeared on his lips.

Looking for trouble?

Sure.

Let's see if your rules are stricter, or my skills are stronger.