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

The air in the workshop seemed to freeze.

All eyes were focused on the three fingers Su Zheng had raised.

Under the dim light, those slender fingers appeared exceptionally firm and powerful, as if they had gripped the throat of the entire Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.

"Xiao Su, just ask. As long as it's for repairing machines and completing military tasks, let alone three, even thirty, the factory will agree!" Factory Director Yang said without hesitation.

Su Zheng didn't rush to speak, but slowly retracted one finger, his gaze sweeping over everyone present like lightning.

"First," Su Zheng's voice was calm and cold, "I need the space. From now on, Warehouse No. 1 in Workshop 3 and its attached small precision workshop will be entirely for my personal use. I want to establish an 'independent laboratory' there. No one except me and my designated assistants is allowed to enter this laboratory. Including the factory director and the secretary, no one is allowed to enter without my approval."

"this……"

These words caused an uproar in the room.

Although everyone was mentally prepared for Su Zheng to make demands, this first condition far exceeded their expectations.

Allocation workshop?

Establish an independent laboratory?

Even factory leaders aren't allowed in?

This isn't setting conditions; it's clearly trying to create a "concession" within the factory!

"Su Zheng, aren't you going a bit too far?"

Deputy Factory Director Li, who had been silent until now, couldn't help but jump out:

"The factory land belongs to the public. What right do you have to fence off a piece of land and not let anyone in? Are you trying to create an 'independent kingdom' within the factory?"

Although Yi Zhonghai was huddled in the corner, looking dejected, a glint of light flashed in his eyes upon hearing this, and he replied sarcastically:

"Yes, factory director. We're a large state-owned factory; we value collective leadership. If everyone could carve out their own plot and make their own decisions, wouldn't things fall apart? Besides, who knows what they're doing in there? What if they're causing trouble?"

These two sentences are extremely malicious.

Factory Director Yang's brows furrowed slightly.

As the top leader, he instinctively rejected this uncontrolled "independent kingdom".

Su Zheng glanced coldly at Yi Zhonghai, a mocking smile curving his lips.

"Trying to cause trouble? Master Yi, it seems that machine from earlier hasn't taught you a lesson."

Su Zheng pointed to the still-smoking grinding machine, "It's precisely because of this so-called 'collective leadership,' precisely because anyone can point fingers, that this piece of equipment worth hundreds of thousands has become scrap metal! If I had had my own space back then, if it weren't for you 'old masters' giving me these orders, it would still be producing for the country right now!"

"You..." Yi Zhonghai choked, his face turning red.

"As for why it needs to be kept secret..."

Su Zheng turned to Factory Director Yang. "Director, the technology I'm going to use is a 'dynamic-static pressure hybrid spindle technology' that doesn't exist internationally yet. This is my personal core secret, and it's our factory's trump card for future success. If too many people are watching and the technology is leaked, who will take responsibility?"

"A mixture of dynamic and static pressure?"

Although Director Yang didn't quite understand, he found it impressive and incomprehensible. "Doesn't this exist internationally?"

"no."

Su Zheng stated firmly, "This is my own creation. If it were leaked, whether to Soviet experts or to enemy agents, the losses would be incalculable."

Upon hearing that "secrecy" and "counter-espionage" were involved, Director Yang's expression immediately turned serious.

"Okay! I approve this one!"

Factory Director Yang immediately approved the plan: "To ensure technological secrecy, setting up an independent laboratory is necessary! We'll have the security department set up a special post there; anyone who dares to force their way in will be prosecuted for espionage!"

Upon hearing this, Deputy Factory Director Li shrank back and dared not utter a sound.

Su Zheng nodded and put away the second finger.

"Secondly, I want authority. I have veto power over the repair plan for this machine and all subsequent technical approaches. In other words, I have the final say on technical matters. Whether it's what materials the purchasing department buys or what people the workshop sends to cooperate, they must unconditionally obey my orders. If anyone (he glanced at Deputy Factory Director Li) tries to cut off the supply of materials, or if anyone (he glanced at Yi Zhonghai again) tries to sabotage things behind the scenes, I have the right to report directly to the ministry."

This one is even harsher than the first one.

Report directly to the ministries?

This is tantamount to having a sword of Damocles hanging over one's head!

Deputy Factory Director Li's expression changed.

The purchasing department was his territory, so it was normal for him to embezzle money or something similar.

This measure against Su Zheng is tantamount to tying his hands and feet.

"Engineer Su, isn't reporting this to the ministries... a bit too serious?"

Deputy Factory Director Li chuckled awkwardly, "Our factory's internal affairs should be resolved internally."

"Internal resolution?"

Su Zheng sneered, "When Yi Zhonghai forcibly repaired the machine just now, you were also trying to resolve it internally, weren't you? And what happened? Did you resolve it?"

Deputy Factory Director Li was speechless.

"It's not that I don't trust the leaders."

Su Zheng's tone softened slightly, but remained firm. "I just don't want to waste my energy arguing with certain people. The military project can't wait; I need absolute efficiency."

"Say yes!"

Factory Director Yang made the final decision again, "Old Li, I'll keep an eye on this. From now on, any document signed by Su Zheng must be given the green light by the purchasing department! Anyone who dares to obstruct it, I'll fire them!"

Deputy Factory Director Li's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly nodded: "Yes, yes, yes, we will definitely cooperate fully."

With the first two conditions met, everyone looked at Su Zheng's only remaining finger.

Everyone is guessing what the last one will be.

Is it a raise? Or housing allocation?

Or some other kind of treatment?

Su Zheng slowly retracted his last finger and clenched his fist.

"Third," his voice became unusually calm, "I need people."

"I will select three assistants to join the laboratory. These three people must be personally appointed by me, and the factory must not interfere."

"That's easy!"

Factory Director Yang breathed a sigh of relief. He'd thought it would be some incredibly difficult condition; it was just picking a few people. "You want to take your apprentices Zhao Ming and the others under your wing, right? No problem! Those young men are quite good; you can assign them to any group you like!"

Not entirely.

Su Zheng shook his head. "Zhao Ming counts. As for the other two, I don't want the skilled ones; I want the obedient ones, and the kind that are 'exceptionally obedient.'"

He looked around and his gaze fell on a few security officers in the corner.

"I want two elite guards from the security department, fully armed, stationed at the lab entrance 24/7. Their mission is singular: obey my orders and stop anyone I want to stop, no matter who they are."

At this point, Su Zheng's gaze drifted intentionally or unintentionally towards Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong.

Yi Zhonghai felt a chill run down his spine.

He realized that Su Zheng wanted to find two armed guards to keep an eye on them, these "beasts"!

"this……"

Section Chief Wang looked at Factory Director Yang with some difficulty, "Factory Director, the security personnel are under the unified command of the factory. It's not in accordance with regulations to have them serve as private soldiers for an individual, is it?"

"Rules are rules, but people are flexible!"

Factory Director Yang was completely absorbed in the machines and didn't care about rules anymore. "Su Zheng is the hope of the entire factory. His safety is the safety of the entire factory! Section Chief Wang, pick two of the best fighters, armed, and under Su Zheng's command! I'll take responsibility if anything happens!"

"Yes, sir!" Section Chief Wang stood at attention and saluted.

All three conditions were met.

Moreover, it was passed in front of all the factory's leaders and key personnel, in a manner that was almost a "treaty of surrender".

This was absolutely unprecedented in the history of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

At this moment, a technical consultant actually possessed privileges that superseded those of the deputy factory director.

Yi Zhonghai slumped to the ground, looking at the triumphant Su Zheng, his heart filled with despair.

He knew that this was the end for him.

Su Zheng not only outpaced him technically, but also completely crushed him in terms of power structure.

With this "independent laboratory," Su Zheng essentially had an impregnable fortress.

From now on, if Yi Zhonghai tries to use "moral blackmail" or "public opinion" to attack Su Zheng, he won't even be able to get through the door!

"Alright, the terms have been agreed upon."

Su Zheng took out a pair of white gloves from his pocket and slowly put them on.

The movements were elegant and composed, like those of a pianist about to perform on stage.

He walked up to the smoking machine, turned around, and faced the crowd still crammed into the workshop.

At that moment, his expression changed.

It was no longer the calm and sharpness of the negotiations just now, but a pure, technologically dominant pressure.

"Now, I'm going to start working."

Su Zheng's voice rang out coldly.

"According to the first article of the three-point agreement, this is now my independent laboratory."

He raised his hand and pointed to the workshop door.

"Besides Factory Director Yang and Section Chief Wang staying behind to assist with the handover, the rest..."

His fingers finally landed on Yi Zhonghai.

"All unauthorized personnel, get out immediately."

"you……"

Yi Zhonghai was trembling with anger. He pointed at Su Zheng, about to curse, but was glared at fiercely by the security officer next to him.

"Didn't you hear me? Consultant Su told you to get out!"

Factory Director Yang waved his hand impatiently, "Disperse! Disperse! Don't get in the way! Take Yi Zhonghai to the security department and let him reflect on his actions!"

"Walk!"

Two security officers dragged Yi Zhonghai away like a dead dog.

Deputy Factory Director Li and the others quickly slunk away, afraid of angering this newly appointed "living ancestor" if they were even a step too late.

As the heavy iron gate slammed shut, the noise was completely shut out.

Only Su Zheng, Factory Director Yang, Section Chief Wang, and the silent machine remained in the workshop.

Su Zheng turned around and stroked the cold casing of the machine tool.

On his retina, the data stream from the Eye of Truth was scrolling wildly.

[Severe damage detected to the target. Initiate "Core Reconstruction"?]

[Solution under development: Hybrid hydrostatic spindle system... High-precision hydraulic servo feedback...]

Su Zheng took a deep breath and murmured to himself:

"And now... that's the main event!"