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

That competition notice was like a drop of water falling into a pot of boiling oil, instantly causing chaos in the entire First Workshop.

The top three get promoted? And there are material rewards too?

In this era of scarcity, this is not a martial arts competition, but a "ladder to heaven" leading to a better life!

Those young workers who were initially hesitant and reserved about Su Zheng's "crash course notes" now completely changed their minds.

Apprentices to Yi Zhonghai have to be mindful of his mood and wait for seniority, but Su Zheng's approach is a genuine "crash course in skills" and "secret to success."

Even a one in ten thousand chance of changing one's fate is enough to drive people crazy.

So, as night deepened and the hustle and bustle of the steel rolling mill had long since subsided, leaving only the occasional roar of the blast furnaces in the distance, an unprecedented scene unfolded in a corner of the first workshop.

Normally, by this time the workers would have already gone home to their wives and children, with only a few unlucky ones left to mend the scraps from the day. But today, there were no fewer than twenty people gathered in this area.

Besides Su Zheng and Zhao Ming, there were seven or eight other young workers who had successfully registered that day, as well as many more young people who were still observing and eager to join in.

The air was filled with the smell of engine oil and cutting fluid, but even stronger was the scent of "ambition".

"Once this announcement was made, everyone's minds started to wander."

Su Zheng sat to the side, a stopwatch in his hand. Looking at the group of young people with red eyes, he smiled faintly and said, "Since you all want to climb up, then let your work speak for itself."

"Sizzle—sizzle—"

The sound of a file rubbing against metal is monotonous and dull, but to these young workers eager to change their fate, it is more pleasing than a grand opera.

Zhao Ming stood in front of his workstation, drenched in sweat, his work clothes soaked through.

He is working on a highly challenging irregular component – ​​the "dovetail groove fit".

This is a skill required for a Level 5 worker, which is like a monster being challenged by a level 1 worker like Zhao Ming.

Not far behind him, Yi Zhonghai's few remaining apprentices gathered together, packing up their tools while muttering loudly and sarcastically.

"Oh dear, some people really don't know their own limitations. They've only studied for two days and they already want to fly?"

Ma Hua deliberately threw the wrench with a loud clang, "That's a dovetail joint! Our master practiced for three years before daring to use it. What makes Zhao Ming think he can? Just because of that tattered notebook?"

"Exactly, I think it's just for show."

Another apprentice chimed in, "Maybe Su Zheng secretly did it for him in the middle of the night, so he could show off during the martial arts competition. That's called... what's that word again? Deception!"

The sound was loud enough to reach Zhao Ming's ears.

Zhao Ming's file trembled slightly.

My mind is in turmoil.

A calm voice rang in my ears.

With a stopwatch in his hand, Su Zheng pointed out the problem accurately without even glancing up at Zhao Ming's workpiece.

"During that last cut, your breathing faltered for a beat, causing you to use more force when pressing down on your wrist. If I'm not mistaken, the tolerance of the left swallowtail corner has exceeded 0.05 millimeters."

Zhao Ming was startled and immediately stopped, picking up the vernier calipers to take a measurement.

Exactly the same!

The left swallowtail corner is indeed off by 0.05 millimeters!

The young workers watching from the sidelines gasped in astonishment. What kind of eyesight did that guy have?

You can tell just by listening to the sound without even looking closely?

"Master, I..."

Zhao Ming's face flushed red, both from shame and from being angered by what Ma Hua and the others had said.

"Close your ears."

Su Zheng walked to Zhao Ming's side, his gaze sweeping over the few people in the distance who were still making sarcastic remarks. His eyes were as cold as ice. Then he turned back to look at Zhao Ming.

Why are they mocking you? Because they're panicking.

Su Zheng's voice wasn't loud, but it had a strange penetrating power that instantly silenced the restless young workers around him.

"They are afraid that you will actually learn it, afraid that you will actually surpass them. Because once you master their proud 'special skill' using this 'clumsy method,' their system, built on 'longevity' and 'seniority,' will collapse like paper."

So, don't retaliate with words. Use your skills.

Su Zheng picked up the book "Fitter's Quick Guide" and turned to page eighteen.

"Now, forget about those so-called 'feel' or 'intuition.' We only talk about data and processes."

"SOP training method, third stage: action breakdown and error pre-compensation".

In those days, the concept of SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) did not exist.

When workers learn a skill, they mostly imitate their master's actions. As for why they do it that way, the master doesn't explain, and the apprentices don't dare to ask.

But Su Zheng's teaching method was completely different.

"I've broken down the processing of the dovetail groove into twelve standard steps for you."

Su Zheng pointed to the diagram in his notes, "Starting angle 30 degrees, feed stroke 15 centimeters, return stroke with stress relief, the cutting amount of each cut is controlled within 0.02 millimeters... Zhao Ming, follow my instructions."

"rise!"

"push!"

"Go back!"

"Test!"

Su was like a strict drill instructor, each instruction short and forceful.

Zhao Ming took a deep breath, forcing himself to clear his mind, and his body began to mechanically execute commands.

Start cutting, lock the angle.

Pushing the file, the upper arm exerts force, as steady as a rock.

On the return trip, my wrist was relaxed, without a single metal shaving.

At first, his movements were a little stiff, but as he repeated them dozens or hundreds of times, a strange sense of rhythm began to emerge.

He no longer thought about "whether he could do it well" or "what the MCA would think." His world consisted only of files, workpieces, and his master's instructions.

Time passed second by second.

When Yi Zhonghai's apprentices saw that no one was paying attention to them, they also felt bored, but they were reluctant to leave and wanted to see Zhao Ming make a fool of himself, so they stayed at the door waiting.

Half an hour later.

"Stop." Su Zheng pressed the stopwatch. "Final cut, finishing touches complete."

Zhao Ming put down the file, feeling his arms ache as if they were filled with lead, but his mind was in a state of extreme excitement.

He looked at the dovetail groove in front of him, which gleamed with a metallic sheen, and could hardly believe that he had made it.

"Go ahead and test it," Su Zheng said calmly.

With trembling hands, Zhao Ming picked up another standard component that would work with it—a pre-processed convex dovetail block.

Everyone held their breath.

The most important aspect of a swallowtail joint is a perfect, seamless fit.

If it's loose, it's scrap.

If it's too tight, it won't fit; forcing it in will only cause it to jam.

Zhao Ming aligned the protrusion with the groove.

A gentle push.

There was no obstruction, no shaking.

The bump seemed to be sucked in, sliding smoothly to the bottom.

Zhao Ming released his grip and stood the workpiece upright.

Under the influence of gravity, the bump slid down slowly and evenly without any hesitation, finally stopping steadily at the bottom with a "thud".

"Air resistance..."

An experienced young worker couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "This is...this is the effect that can only be achieved when the gap is controlled within 0.01 millimeters! This is the skill of an eighth-grade craftsman!"

boom!

The corner instantly erupted into chaos.

"Am I seeing things? Zhao Ming is a top-level worker? How could he cooperate like that?"

"Amazing! Absolutely amazing! I watched him file the pieces precisely according to Master Su's instructions, stroke by stroke, how could he be so accurate?"

"This notebook...this notebook is truly a secret manual!"

Those young workers who were originally hesitant about signing up now had their eyes gleaming with envy.

If people came for Su Zheng's reputation before, now the facts are clear: following Su Zheng can really change your destiny!

Zhao Ming's eyes instantly reddened as he watched the slider slip away.

He turned around abruptly and bowed deeply to Su Zheng.

"Master..."

Su Zheng helped him up, turned around, and faced those pairs of fervent eyes.

"Did you see that?"

Su Zheng's voice was calm yet powerful: "There's no miraculous skill involved, nor is there any divine inspiration. This is science, this is the method."

"Break down complex movements into simple standards, and quantify vague feelings into precise data. As long as you are willing to practice and follow the standards, everyone can do it."

"For me, technology is not the privilege of a few, but a tool that everyone can master."

These words were even more damaging than the technical demonstration just now.

It directly shattered the myth of the old-era artisan system and brought the "sanctification of technology" down from its pedestal.

At the entrance, Ma Hua and the others looked deathly pale, as if they had seen a ghost.

Their pride and the confidence they had gained by relying on their master to bully others were shattered at this moment by Zhao Ming's smooth, dovetail-like approach.

……

In the shade of the workshop.

Yi Zhonghai stood there the whole time, holding a teacup in his hand, his knuckles white from the force.

He witnessed the whole thing.

From Su Zheng's initial command to Zhao Ming's near-perfect swallowtail movement, and then to Su Zheng's "demystifying technology" speech.

An unprecedented chill shot from the soles of my feet straight to the top of my head.

If it were just Su Zheng who was skilled, he would be wary, but not panicked.

After all, one person's power is limited. Yi Zhonghai has disciples and followers, connections in the workshop, and the moral high ground, so he can always find an opportunity to suppress others.

But now, Su Zheng has demonstrated a terrifying ability—the ability to mass-produce experts.

If the level 1 and level 2 workers in the workshop can master level 5 and level 6 skills in a short time using that tattered notebook, then what's the point of having a level 8 worker like him?

What's the point of his "teaching slowly, understanding slowly" master-disciple system?

When technology is no longer scarce, his control over these workers will completely disappear.

Even those who were once suppressed or morally blackmailed by him, once they master the technology and gain confidence, will be the first to retaliate against him!

"We can't let him continue like this..."

Yi Zhonghai muttered to himself, a sinister glint flashing in his eyes.

This is no longer a matter of saving face; it's a battle for survival.

If Su Zheng's momentum isn't interrupted, and if Zhao Ming really does take the top three spots in next week's competition, then this "Su Zheng storm" will sweep across the entire factory.

At that time, Yi Zhonghai's position in the steel rolling mill will be completely lost.

We must stop it!

Yi Zhonghai turned around and, instead of returning to the workshop, took advantage of the darkness to head straight for the office of workshop director Lao Zhang.

……

Workshop director's office.

Old Zhang was checking the schedule for next week's competition when there was a knock on the door.

"Enter."

Yi Zhonghai pushed open the door and entered, his face now bearing an expression of deep concern for the country and its people.

"Hey, Lao Yi, still not home so late?" Lao Zhang put down his pen and handed him a cigarette.

Yi Zhonghai took the cigarette and sighed, "I have something on my mind, so I can't sleep."

"What? Is it about the martial arts competition?"

Yes and no.

Yi Zhonghai sat in his chair, took a drag of his cigarette, and frowned. "Old Zhang, you've seen what's been going on in the workshop these past few days. Su Zheng's crash course is making quite a stir."

Old Zhang smiled and said, "That's a good thing. Young people are willing to learn. I think Zhao Ming is making good progress."

"It's fast, but I'm worried that this is forcing growth."

Yi Zhonghai said earnestly, "Old Zhang, you understand the technology. Fitter work requires basic skills. Zhao Ming and the others have only been using files for a few years. Right now, they can manage to make a few specific parts by using some shortcuts. But if they encounter complex working conditions, they will run into big problems."

He paused, observed Old Zhang's expression, and continued, "Moreover, the atmosphere in the workshop is bad right now. Everyone thinks that as long as you memorize the formulas, you can become a master, and no one is willing to put in the hard work to practice the basics. If this continues, our factory's technical foundation will be hollowed out."

Old Zhang frowned slightly: "So, according to you?"

"I think the questions for this competition need to be carefully selected."

Yi Zhonghai flicked his cigarette ash. "We can't just test people with those dead, conventional questions. That won't show their true abilities, and it will only give those who can only memorize things an advantage. That's unfair to those veteran workers who have worked hard for more than ten years."

"So what's your suggestion?"

A glint of light flashed in Yi Zhonghai's eyes: "Increase the difficulty. Especially the adaptability and comprehensive assembly. The questions cannot be leaked in advance, and we can even... add more challenges on the spot."

He leaned closer and lowered his voice: "For example, mix several parts of different precision together and test their blind assembly skills; or do something with the materials to test their judgment of material properties. Only under extreme conditions can you tell which is real gold and which is gold-plated."

"If Zhao Ming and his men are truly capable, then of course we're not afraid. But if it's just for show..."

Yi Zhonghai sneered, "Then we can take this opportunity to cool down the restless atmosphere in the workshop and let them know that making a living with technology is not so easy."

Old Zhang pondered for a moment.

Although he felt that Yi Zhonghai's words were somewhat self-serving, he also felt that they made some sense.

As the workshop director, he really didn't want to see the workers become restless.

"OK."

Old Zhang nodded. "Old Yi, you're a technical expert, so please put more effort into setting the questions. Since we're going to compete, let's see who's truly capable."

Yi Zhonghai felt much more at ease, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his face.

"Don't worry, Director, I will definitely do my job well."

As long as he has the questions, he has a hundred ways to make Zhao Ming, a "crash course" student, fail in the exam.

You want to rely on standardization? You want to rely on processes?

Okay, then I'll give you a question that can't be standardized, a question that goes beyond conventional understanding!

Let's see how you, Su Zheng, handle this!

……

Early the next morning.

As soon as Su Zheng entered the workshop, he sensed that something was off.

Zhao Ming leaned closer, looking nervous: "Master, I heard the question-setting team has changed. Yi Zhonghai volunteered to join the team and even said that this year's questions are the most difficult in history, and he wants to specifically address the problem of 'taking shortcuts'."

Several other young workers who had also signed up were also a little apprehensive.

"Master, they say Yi Zhonghai will be testing us on some kind of 'extreme working conditions.' Are the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) we've been practicing sufficient?"

Su Zheng was putting on his work clothes when he heard this, and he didn't even pause.

He turned around, looked at the slightly panicked faces, and suddenly smiled.

That smile held three parts disdain and seven parts composure.

"Solving tricks?" Su Zheng straightened his collar and said calmly, "He thought he was making things difficult for you? No."

He patted Zhao Ming on the shoulder and looked in the direction of Yi Zhonghai.

"He is digging his own grave."

"Since he wants to push the limits, let's practice what 'dimensional reduction attack' means these next few days."

Su Zheng walked to the blackboard, erased yesterday's SOP diagram, picked up the chalk, and wrote a new line of large characters—

Advanced SOP: Dynamic Error Correction and Reverse Engineering of Materials.

"Attend class."