Courtyard House: I fish in the heavens, a professional bird abuser.

"Please speak, Director Lou."

He Yuanchao picked up his teacup, gently blew on the rising steam, and remained calm.

He knew that the real issue was about to be addressed.

Lou Zhenhua didn't speak immediately. He walked to his desk, pulled out a yellowed, creased drawing from a pile of documents, and slowly unfolded it on the table.

It was a complex mechanical drawing, covered with densely packed parameters and descriptions in Russian.

The blueprints depict a large air compressor. Judging from its design, it is likely a model provided by the Soviet Union in the 1950s. It is old, but it is still one of the core pieces of equipment in the factory's power workshop.

"This 'Ural' type III air compressor," Lou Zhenhua said, pointing to the blueprints, his brow furrowed and his voice deep and serious, "is the 'heart' of our factory's No. 3 blast furnace, providing the necessary compressed air for blast furnace smelting. It has been running continuously for almost ten years since the factory was built."

He raised his head, looking intently at He Yuanchao: "But recently, it's run into problems."

"Oh?" He Yuanchao put down his teacup and leaned over as well.

"Energy consumption remains high, noise levels are increasing, and the gas pressure is extremely unstable, often experiencing sudden pressure drops." Lou Zhenhua pointed to a complex valve structure on the blueprints. "This seriously affects the stable operation of the blast furnace; the coke ratio can't be reduced, and the quality of the molten iron is inconsistent. The experienced workers in the factory, including Yi Zhonghai, have all checked it, disassembling and reassembling it repeatedly, but they can't find the root cause. The Soviet experts have long since returned home, and the instruction manuals they left behind are vague. Now, this old hero has become a 'time bomb' on our factory's production line, ready to explode at any moment!"

Lou Zhenhua's tone was filled with deep worry.

This is no longer just a matter of production efficiency, but also a huge hidden danger to safe production.

He Yuanchao's gaze swept across the blueprints.

With his background in mechanical engineering from before his transmigration, and the knowledge he had crammed in the archives during this time, he immediately spotted the design flaws of this old-fashioned compressor—poor piston ring sealing, outdated valve structure, and an inadequate lubrication system. These were the root causes of high energy consumption and unstable air pressure.

This is a technological limitation of the era, and it cannot be solved by simple repairs and maintenance.

"Director Lou, what do you mean?" He Yuanchao already had a good idea.

"I want you to give it a complete technical overhaul!"

Lou Zhenhua spoke slowly and deliberately, uttering a suggestion that would terrify any ordinary worker.

"Technological upgrade?" He Yuanchao feigned surprise.

"Yes!" Lou Zhenhua's eyes gleamed with shrewdness and anticipation. "This isn't minor repairs; it's a complete overhaul! I want you to design a new solution that addresses its high energy consumption and unstable air pressure issues, without affecting current production! Ideally, you should also improve its efficiency!"

He stared at He Yuanchao, his voice carrying an undeniable determination: "Yuanchao, I know this is difficult, even wishful thinking. But I see this possibility in you! The handwriting you did that day, the skill, the composure—it tells me you're not just an ordinary level-five fitter! You have something in your head!"

He paused, then offered a deal that even He Yuanchao found tempting: "Most people in the factory don't know about this; I suppressed it against all odds. If you succeed, I'll not only guarantee you your engineer title, but also the year-end awards for outstanding producer and city model worker! And more..."

He leaned closer, lowered his voice, and said with a hint of seduction, "There's one of those newly built cadre dormitories in the factory, a south-facing two-bedroom apartment with a separate kitchen and bathroom, that's been vacant... You know what I mean?"

Engineer title! City model worker! A two-bedroom apartment in a cadre building!

Any one of these three things would be enough to drive all the workers in the factory crazy!

Lou Zhenhua actually presented all three of these items to He Yuanchao!

He Yuanchao instantly understood.

This is no longer a simple technical breakthrough; Lou Zhenhua is paving the way for him!

He was also looking for a future husband who was substantial enough and "safe" enough for his daughter, Lou Xiao'e!

This is an open conspiracy.

Use career, status, and a house—the three things that men in this era find most irresistible—to "buy" him and firmly bind him to the Lou family's chariot.

All he needs to do is demonstrate value that matches the investment.

"Director Lou, you flatter me too much." He Yuanchao pondered for a moment, a perfectly measured seriousness appearing on his face, as if weighing the risks and opportunities. "This task is too heavy. I'm just a fitter; design and modification... I'm afraid..."

"Don't be afraid!" Lou Zhenhua waved his hand, interrupting him. "I believe in your abilities! Whatever data, equipment, or manpower you need, just ask! The entire technical department and power workshop are at your disposal! I'm giving you the highest authority! I just want results!"

He looked at He Yuanchao, his eyes filled with a desperate determination: "Yuanchao, this is our factory's chance, and it's your chance too! Seize it!"

Looking at Lou Zhenhua's expectant face and the old compressor on the blueprint, He Yuanchao felt completely confident.

What he needs is precisely such a platform, an opportunity for him to "reasonably" showcase the cutting-edge technologies in his mind.

"Alright!" He Yuanchao suddenly looked up, his eyes bursting with astonishing confidence and light. "Director Lou, since you trust me, I'll take this task! However, I have a few conditions."

"explain!"

"First, during the renovation, the power workshop operates on three shifts. I need to be able to go in at any time to check the equipment and measure data, and no one is allowed to stop me."

"Can!"

"Secondly, I need a separate, quiet studio for drawing and calculations, preferably near the technical department's archives."

"No problem! I'll have Secretary Zhang clear out that small conference room next to the archives room right away, just for your use!"

"Third," He Yuanchao paused, his gaze sharpening, "I need an assistant. An assistant who is absolutely obedient, hardworking, and keeps his mouth shut."

"Who? Tell me! As long as it's someone from the factory, I'll transfer them to you right away!" Lou Zhenhua said without hesitation.

He Yuanchao's gaze seemed to penetrate the wall and land on the figure in the courtyard who spent his days drowning his sorrows in alcohol and was utterly dejected.

A meaningful smile curved his lips as he slowly uttered a name that surprised even Lou Zhenhua:

"He Yuzhu".