Courtyard House: Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor) Traded for an Aircraft Carrier, the Whole Count

After a storm, the power structure of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill was completely rewritten.

That T-34 machine tool, which not only came back to life but also surpassed the original in precision, became the ladder for Jiang Chen to ascend to heaven.

2 PM, Factory Committee Meeting Room.

Smoke filled the air, the smell of cheap tobacco mingling with the aroma of tea, fermenting in the not-so-spacious room. The long conference table was filled with powerful figures from the steel rolling mill. Factory Director Yang sat at the head of the table, his face flushed, still brimming with excitement. Deputy Factory Director Li sat to his left, his signature Maitreya Buddha smile on his face, but his gaze occasionally swept over the young figure opposite him, carrying a deep sense of apprehension and scrutiny.

Jiang Chen sat in the first seat on the right.

This position was usually reserved for visiting leaders or the most senior deputy factory director. But today, with him sitting here, no one dared to object.

"Comrades," Director Yang slammed his hand on the table, his voice booming, "you all probably know what happened in Workshop One this morning. This wasn't just an emergency equipment repair; it was a huge boost to our factory's technical capabilities! It proves that as long as we dare to think and act, there are no difficulties we can't overcome!"

As he spoke, he looked intently at Jiang Chen: "Comrade Jiang Chen not only excels in security work, but he has also demonstrated astonishing talent and ability in the technical field. He's a treasure for our factory!"

"Therefore, I propose," Director Yang stood up, his expression solemn, "that the 'Special Steel Technology Breakthrough Task Force of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill' be formally established, with myself personally serving as the task force leader."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room, "But the specific operations and management will be handled entirely by Comrade Jiang Chen as the executive deputy group leader! The group will have independent authority over personnel transfers and priority approval for materials. In other words, for the sake of tackling technical challenges, Group Leader Jiang can make decisions on all factory resources without prior approval!"

Upon hearing this, a low gasp filled the conference room.

This is real power! Absolutely real power!

This means that Jiang Chen not only controls the security department, but now also holds the reins of production technology. Within the steel rolling mill, his influence will rival that of the two factory directors.

All eyes turned to Deputy Factory Director Li. Everyone knew that Old Li was usually very fond of seizing power; how could he tolerate it this time?

Surprisingly, Deputy Factory Director Li not only didn't object, but was the first to applaud.

"I wholeheartedly agree with Director Yang's proposal!" Deputy Director Li said with a smile, his eyes gleaming with the shrewdness of an old fox. "Comrade Jiang Chen's abilities are evident to all. In our revolutionary work, we must recruit talent without being bound by convention. We must not only give him power, but also provide him with good treatment. I think we should allocate that empty large office on the third floor of the administration building to the task force. In addition, we should assign Team Leader Jiang a full-time communications officer."

Deputy Factory Director Li's mind was racing with calculations. Jiang Chen was a cunning fellow, possessing both technical skills and resourcefulness, and was currently at the height of his power. Going head-on against him was foolish; it was better to go with the flow and elevate him. After all, this technical challenge was a tough nut to crack; if they succeeded, it would be credited to his capable leadership; if they failed… well, Jiang Chen would be the one to take the blame.

"Then it's settled." Factory Director Yang made the final decision.

Next came the list of team members.

Chief Engineer Wang was naturally the technical consultant. But when the name "Yi Zhonghai" was mentioned, Factory Director Yang's tone became noticeably colder.

"As for Comrade Yi Zhonghai," Director Yang glanced at Jiang Chen, seemingly seeking his opinion, "although his performance this time was... somewhat conservative, he is, after all, an eighth-grade worker, and has some experience. Let's include him in the group as... an ordinary group member."

Falling from a core technical role to a regular team member, and serving under Jiang Chen, his "enemy," was worse than death for Yi Zhonghai.

Jiang Chen leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, making a rhythmic "tap-tap" sound.

"I have no objection," he said casually, a playful smile curving his lips. "Master Yi is very experienced and can handle some... basic polishing work. We can't let Chief Engineer Wang do this rough work himself, can we?"

A few suppressed laughs echoed in the conference room. Everyone could tell that this meant a dignified eighth-grade worker was being treated like an apprentice. But in the world of the victors, no one would sympathize with a loser.

After the meeting, Jiang Chen walked into his new office.

This office was twice the size of the security office, with bright, clean floor-to-ceiling windows, genuine leather sofas, mahogany desks, and a large world map hanging on the wall.

He walked to the window and looked down at the entire steel rolling mill. The setting sun gilded the towering chimneys, and the workers leaving get off work poured out of the factory gate like a swarm of gray-blue ants.

This is the taste of power.

But Jiang Chen did not become obsessed with it. He knew very well that the foundation of all this stemmed from that mysterious system, from his ability to continuously produce "miracles" that transcended the times.

He drew the curtains, sat back in the large boss's chair, and with a thought, summoned the system panel.

[Host: Jiang Chen]

[Transaction Points Balance: 450 points (50 points consumed by mental fine-tuning)]

[Current Task: Phase One of the technical whitewashing process has been completed.]

[New Blueprint Unlocked: Wasteland Dimension - Miniature High Compression Internal Combustion Engine (Incomplete Version). Price: 800 Trade Points.]

Jiang Chen frowned slightly as he looked at the internal combustion engine icon.

Upgrading existing machine tools is only the first step. To truly control the narrative and even secure an unshakeable position in the future storm, he must produce something far more substantial. If this internal combustion engine can be manufactured in this era, it will be a defense-grade weapon, making his defenses impregnable.

However, there wasn't enough money.

800 trading points is a huge sum of money for him right now. Although collecting negative emotions from beasts every day can earn him some pocket money, it's too slow.

"We have the technology and the status. But to expand production and absorb the assets that the Lou family will have to give up in the future, this amount of wealth is far from enough."

Jiang Chen's fingers gently caressed the cold desk, his eyes gradually becoming deep and dark.

It must be open source.

His gaze pierced through the void, as if he saw another world beneath the shadows of this city—a place teeming with all sorts of people, yet flowing with countless riches and opportunities.

"It seems I'll have to make a trip to that place."

Jiang Chen muttered to himself, stood up, took the dark coat from the hanger, and covered his crisp uniform.