Courtyard House: Starting with a 28-inch motorcycle

The blueprints were thrown aside; my stomach was already rebelling.

Section Chief Zhou felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his eyes lit up, but he quickly suppressed his emotions and went through the list of candidates in his mind.

This machine tool is no ordinary machine; every part requires millimeter-level precision, and the assembly process is comparable to embroidery.

Skilled workers below level six? Don't even think about it.

He picked up his pen and quickly wrote down a few names. His fingertips paused, and his gaze fell on the three characters "Yi Zhonghai." After hesitating for a moment, he finally drew a black line across them.

A senior technician nearby noticed this, frowned, and asked, "Section Chief, Yi Zhonghai is a veteran at the steel rolling mill, his skills are very reliable, why not let him take the job?"

"His skills are good, but he's old-fashioned." Section Chief Zhou said without looking up, "He strongly opposes new technologies, and he's practically absent from evening training sessions."

He didn't even touch upon the core techniques that Sharif and the others taught him.

At such a crucial moment, I wouldn't dare place my bets on him—our team of fitters is sufficient; there's no need to take the risk.

The technician was taken aback, but upon closer reflection, it was indeed true.

Even though the blacksmithing group didn't offer much practical training, Liu Haizhong eagerly signed up; but what about Yi Zhonghai? Aside from showing his face once, he was never seen again.

"Sigh... So what if you're a veteran? If you can't keep up, you'll fall behind."

He shook his head, said no more, and turned to organize the blueprints.

Section Chief Zhou carefully put away the final list and strode towards the conference room.

Today is an impromptu meeting of the factory leadership team, and all middle-level and above cadres are present without exception.

The meeting room was filled with smoke, and the atmosphere was heavy.

Once everyone had arrived, Factory Director Yang stubbed out his cigarette and said in a deep voice, "Section Chief Zhou, please tell me the situation first."

Section Chief Zhou stood up and said in a clear voice, "Our technical department has thoroughly understood all the blueprints for that imported machine tool and has the capability to manufacture it independently! What we lack now is manpower and resources."

After he finished speaking, the entire room was silent for three seconds, then erupted in barely suppressed excitement.

This is not a simple copy, this is a breakthrough!

Although China already has two self-developed machine tools, they are still one step behind the one in front of us.

Now, once we have fully mastered it, we can not only copy it, but also iterate in reverse—developing our own high-precision equipment!

Even...exporting for foreign exchange!

Factory Director Yang's eyes lit up, and he waved for Section Chief Zhou to sit down, his tone filled with excitement: "Everyone, let's share our thoughts."

"Wang Shushu, Factory Director Yang!"

He Yuzhu suddenly raised his hand and sat up straight.

The two leaders nodded in acknowledgment. He stood up and said in a steady yet sharp tone, "Section Chief Zhou deserves credit for leading the team to secure the blueprints."

But I think this is just the beginning.

If we merely imitate for our own use, hiding our true intentions for fear of being discovered by Big Brother, then we will forever be stuck on the word "copying."

He paused, then scanned the room: "The reason why that machine tool from Northeast China can be exported is because of the four words 'domestic improvement'."

If we want to go further, we can't stop at 'creating,' we must move towards 'originality'!

Everyone held their breath.

"My suggestion is—to use the existing blueprints as a springboard, collaborate with university experts, and seek assistance and guidance from Sharif to develop a new generation of CNC machine tools that truly belongs to the Third Steel Rolling Mill and to China!"

These words were like a spark that instantly ignited the air.

"Note that this is not about revealing the polar bear's technical secrets, but about using their strength to our advantage and getting them to help us complete the final leg of the journey."

If we succeed, we'll have a flagship product that we can legally export and earn foreign exchange!

The meeting room erupted in chaos.

Section Chief Zhou suddenly looked up, a long-lost flame igniting in his eyes.

As a veteran technician, he dreamed of personally building a high-end machine tool bearing the "Made in China" logo.

"I support it!" He stood up abruptly, his voice so loud it made the window frame tremble slightly. "Deputy Director He is right! Deciphering the blueprints is just the beginning. The real goal is to build our own machine tool! Please give the technical department your full support. We'll risk our lives to get this machine up and running!"

Wang Shushu leaned back in his chair, a slow smile spreading across his face.

He has several years left in his term. If he can accomplish this important task before he retires, it will be a shining medal on his resume!

And judging by this trend... perhaps it won't take more than a few years.

He opened his eyes, his gaze sharp: "Section Chief Zhou, what are your technical department's plans?"

"Starting tomorrow, I will assemble a special task force, drawing on our best personnel to work around the clock to push forward the project! At the same time, I will contact the professors at the School of Mechanical Engineering to launch joint research and development as soon as possible!"

"Good!" Factory Director Yang slammed his hand on the table. "Personnel, money, equipment—just name it, and the factory will sell everything it owns to provide them! We must win this battle!"

"Great! Our factory fully supports this!" Factory Director Yang slammed his hand on the table, his brows and eyes beaming with joy. "Section Chief Zhou, feel free to make any requests you may have. As long as it can be handled within the factory, we'll provide it!"

The subordinates immediately understood: this was a truly significant achievement! The technical department had just cracked a tough nut and now wanted to take it a step further. Why should Yang stop them? They couldn't be happier if they made more contributions, so that when they reported it to their superiors, the whole factory would be proud!

Section Chief Zhou smiled slightly and said in a calm tone, "We can contact university professors, and the technical department can also make connections on its own."

"But to keep Sharif and his gang of foreigners in check..." He paused, then turned his gaze to the man in the corner and said with a smile, "It all depends on Deputy Director He's methods."

"Hahaha!"

The meeting room erupted in laughter.

When it comes to Sharif's "glorious deeds" during his time at the steel mill, everyone knows that he was completely subdued by He Yuzhu's delicious and flavorful dishes.

He Yuzhu leaned back in his chair, grinned, and his eyes shone like fire: "Don't worry, I have dozens of delicacies here that even those foreigners have never heard of. They'll eat until they can't walk, and that'll keep them entertained for at least three months."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shushu slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "Hey Director He, that's too harsh! It's making us all hungry! If you don't contribute to the year-end banquet, the entire factory will be furious!"

"Leave it to me." He Yuzhu shrugged. "Making sure everyone has enough to eat and drink is the cafeteria's duty."

The meeting continued, with numerous seemingly trivial yet crucial matters, all boiling down to one sentence: spare no effort to acquire China's own next-generation high-precision machine tools.

The most advanced equipment from the White Bear side is absolutely not for sale.

Exported? They're all secondhand goods that have been phased out.

Even so, it remains a highly sought-after asset for many developing Chinese families.

Although the steel mill secretly deciphered the blueprints and could use them discreetly, it couldn't exchange them for foreign exchange.

Once exposed, it will become an international dispute.

Therefore, we must start from scratch—based on existing technology, independently develop new models with stronger performance and higher precision.

Only by offering what others don't have, and excelling where others do, can we open up international markets and make a fortune in hard currency.

Today, China's various industries are waiting to be developed, and its industrial backbone has not yet been straightened.

Whoever can master this machine tool will be the one to forge swords for the nation.

After the meeting, He Yuzhu and Bai Danyu walked out of the office building side by side.

The autumn wind rustled through the sycamore leaves, casting dappled sunlight on her face.

He suddenly turned his head, smiled, and asked, "Section Chief Bai, why do I feel like you've been avoiding me lately?"

Bai Danyu paused, her heart skipped a beat, and the image of her second sister-in-law's meaningful question from that day flashed through her mind. She quickly shook her head: "No, you're overthinking it."

"Really not?" He smiled, narrowing his eyes, and then said, "Then come to my office after get off work? I made a Western-style baked rice today, and the foreigners who ate it said it was amazing. Take it back for your daughter to try."

"This...isn't that inappropriate, Director He?" She declined verbally, but her throat involuntarily bobbed—she had never tasted that flavor again in her life.

He Yuzhu waved his hand dismissively: "We're like family, don't bother with all this formality."

Sister Bai, just call me Yuzhu or Zhuzi from now on.

"I'll call you Sister Bai, okay?"

She paused for a moment, then smiled slightly and softened her voice: "Okay, then I'll call you Pillar."

"That's more like it!" he laughed heartily. "Remember, come pick up your lunchbox after get off work, it'll be hot, fresh out of the oven."

"Okay, Pillar." She nodded, turned and left with a smile.

This scene was quite unusual for the personnel department staff—the usually icy and aloof Section Chief Bai was actually coming back with a smile on his face today? They looked at each other, wondering: Could it be... something's going on?

On the other side, He Yuzhu returned to the canteen and went straight to push open the warehouse door.

He took out his notebook and wrote down a list of ingredients needed for the next three days: butter, cheese, beef ribs, black truffle powder... all high-quality items.

After finishing writing, he handed it to Li Huaide.

Li Huaide took a look, but didn't even frown.

The situation is different now. The technology department is about to produce results, so what is this little bit of investment?

Moreover, he was the one who personally applied to his superiors to transfer Sharif.

On the surface, it appears to be a production task, but upon closer examination, logistical support is the key element.

And the most eye-catching name among them—He Yuzhu—is one that no one can ignore.

A meal allowance of over a thousand yuan was exchanged for a complete set of high-end machine tool blueprints.

Who wouldn't say "it's worth it" after hearing this?

So now He Yuzhu can just take a lunchbox home and nobody cares?

Let alone taking one, even taking ten wouldn't elicit a sound from anyone.

Director Yang and Li Huaide had already stated that this was a special approval and was perfectly reasonable.

Li Huaide put the list away, gave He Yuzhu a meaningful look, and said in a low voice with a smile, "Zhuzi, you're definitely going to take the credit this time."

It's a pity he's too young and hasn't been in the factory long enough; otherwise, he could have easily been promoted at least one level.

He paused, a calculating glint in his eyes: "Once this is over, I'll transfer you from the cafeteria—not a demotion, but a promotion! Anyway, this lousy place can't keep you here any longer."

"At that time, you will be the official cafeteria manager, with full authority, and no one will be able to find fault with you."

The current director of the steel rolling mill is at least a department-level cadre. The canteen is under the management of the logistics department, so the canteen director is naturally a deputy section chief with the salary of a section chief. Whether he can be promoted to the head of the canteen depends entirely on the word of the leader—if he is important, he is important; if he is not important, he is just a food supervisor.