Courtyard House: I'm an engineer, and a fairy godmother transferred me to a different position.

In the courtyard, Liu Haizhong paced back and forth, his hands behind his back, the soles of his shoes making a soft rustling sound as they scraped against the blue bricks. His gaze kept drifting towards the round moon gate. Finally, two figures appeared side by side in the gate—Liu Guangqi, holding Zhao Mengyun's hand, walked in, bathed in the evening light.

"Guangqi, Mengyun! You've finally arrived!" Liu Haizhong's face immediately broke into a smile, his voice brimming with barely suppressed joy. He quickly went to greet them, "Come in, come in quickly! Your mother's busy in the kitchen; we absolutely have to eat at home tonight!"

"Dad, we just came back for dinner." Liu Guangqi smiled, knowing full well what his father was hoping for. He took out the folded piece of stiff paper from his pocket and handed it to him. "Perfect timing, Meng Yun and I got our marriage certificate today."

"Okay, I'll take it!" Liu Haizhong took the paper, his hand trembling slightly. He carefully unfolded it, his gaze falling on the side-by-side photos and the bright red seal. His lips curled into a wider smile, and a weight was finally lifted from his heart. From this day forward, Zhao Mengyun would be his rightful daughter-in-law. If they were to have a son or daughter... life would truly be bright.

...After having dinner in the courtyard that evening, the father and son chatted for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, Liu Guangqi got up to go home. Liu Haizhong said a few words to keep him, knowing he couldn't, and escorted the young couple to the gate, watching them disappear at the end of the alley before humming a tuneless little tune and turning back to his house. On the way, he encountered a neighbor peeking in, and unusually, he greeted him. The neighbor smiled and responded with a few auspicious words—"Your life is finally complete!"—having just distributed wedding candy during the day, his mouth was naturally full of sweetness.

The next morning, Liu Guangqi carried a carefully rolled-up set of blueprints and headed straight for the Ministry of Machine Building. But as soon as he stepped into the office building, he noticed something was amiss: the corridors were quieter than usual, and an indescribable heaviness hung in the air.

Director Lin's office door was ajar. Liu Guangqi knocked lightly, and a deep "Come in" came from inside. Pushing the door open, he saw Director Lin sitting behind a desk piled high with documents, his brows furrowed, his face unusually somber. Only when he saw Liu Guangqi did he manage a weak smile and point to the chair opposite him.

"Guangqi is here? Have a seat."

Liu Guangqi gently placed the blueprints on the corner of the table, his voice calm: "Director, the design of the electric oven is complete. The blueprints, parameters, and parts list are all included, and we can arrange trial production at any time."

Director Lin raised his eyes, his gaze falling on the roll of blueprints, a sudden glint of light flashing in his tired eyes. He reached out and took it, flipping through the pages one by one, his fingertips lingering repeatedly on the markings of the heating element layout and temperature control circuitry. The more he looked, the more excited he became, finally slamming his hand on the table: "Good! Just in time!"

Liu Guangqi was slightly taken aback: "Director, what happened?"

Director Lin let out a long sigh, his initial excitement quickly giving way to a grim expression. He opened a drawer, took out a document, and handed it to him, his voice low but icy: "Take a look for yourself. That 'big brother' up north is practically throwing his abacus beads right at our faces."

He paused, his fingertip slamming heavily on the document: "One minute they're all smiles welcoming us in other markets, cooperative projects are springing up everywhere; the next minute, seeing our own harvest failing and food shortages looming, they immediately change their tune! Not only did they cut off the previously agreed-upon aid projects, but the worst thing they did was—" Director Lin's voice suddenly turned cold, "force us to pay off old debts ahead of schedule at this critical juncture!"

With a muffled thud, his fist slammed onto the table.

"What are they trying to do? They just want to tie our hands with money! They're preventing us from using our own resources and trying to silence us. This isn't helping us in our time of need; it's clearly taking advantage of our misfortune!"

Liu Guangqi took the document and quickly scanned the lines of cold text, his heart sinking. He knew the outline of this history, knew that these were difficult times, and expected that the northern neighbor would take action. But seeing these clauses with his own eyes still sent a chill down his spine.

The debt was indeed incurred. Since the cross-river battle in the early 1950s, equipment purchases, construction loans, trade deficits... all these things piled up, and the figures on the books were so enormous that they were suffocating.

That's a number big enough to make someone's back bend—

Five billion.7 billion.

In that era, this figure might have been insignificant in later years.

But at this moment, with nothing left and foreign exchange reserves so thin they are almost transparent, this debt has become a massive boulder weighing on one's chest, making even breathing difficult.

To make matters worse, their old neighbor to the north suddenly turned on them and froze a large number of cooperative projects in one fell swoop.

Although the experts have not yet left, this action is undoubtedly rubbing salt into the wound.

Looking at the new gray in Director Lin's temples, Liu Guangqi knew how heavy a burden this man carried on his shoulders.

He took a slow breath, breaking the silence in the room.

"Director."

Lin Si raised his bloodshot eyes and looked at him.

"The complete design drawings for the electric oven have been completed, and all the specifications and tolerances of the parts are clearly marked."

Liu Guangqi's voice wasn't loud, but it sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

"There will be no obstacles to starting production."

"Once mass production is achieved, it will be able to generate foreign exchange much faster than anyone expects."

"Once we have more money, we won't have to force the already impoverished people to save every last grain and agricultural product to pay off their debts."

After he finished speaking, he stood up straight, like a flag planted firmly in the ground.

Director Lin was stunned.

He stared at the young man before him, the cigarette between his fingers burning to the end, only snapping him back to reality when the burning pain shot through him.

He ignored his scalded fingers, but exhaled a long-suppressed breath as if to expel all the pent-up frustration.

He stood up, a smile he hadn't seen in a long time returning to his face:

"That's exactly what I wanted to hear!"

He paused, then his tone turned serious:

"This time, we're not just here to earn foreign exchange."

"More importantly, we must let those people in the north see clearly—"

"Even without their help, we can still create things they don't have using our own minds and hands."

"Let them know they can't control us!"

As he finished speaking, Director Lin's gaze towards Liu Guangqi was filled with appreciation and expectation, but he suddenly changed the subject:

"However, Comrade Guangqi, I must say this upfront."

"You came up with the blueprints, you made the idea, what if the production line goes wrong halfway through and causes a mess..."

"Don't worry about technical achievements when the time comes."

"I'll send you to the workshop to tighten screws first; you'll never be able to return to the ministry!"

Liu Guangqi smiled.

There was no trace of embarrassment in that smile, only a calm confidence that indicated certain victory.

I accept.

He spoke without hesitation, each word ringing with conviction.

"Director, I hereby pledge: as long as the materials and equipment are in place, I guarantee that the production line will be up and running in the shortest possible time."

"If anything goes wrong, you don't need to lift a finger. I, Liu Guangqi, will bring my own head to you."

"Ha! Good lad!"

Upon hearing this, Director Lin finally couldn't help but burst into laughter, thoroughly enjoying himself.

This is precisely what he values ​​most about Liu Guangqi—his youth, ability, and, most importantly, his daring and adventurous spirit.

At the same time, he felt secretly fortunate: such a talent had been placed in the Ministry of Machine Building, rather than in other departments.

As the laughter subsided, Director Lin's expression turned solemn again, and he patted Liu Guangqi's shoulder heavily.

"Go on, get back to what you're doing."

"I'll personally handle the electric oven issue. I'll knock on doors at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the State Planning Commission! I'll fight anyone who dares to stand in my way!"

Director Lin's actions were indeed swift and decisive.

Just one day later, Liu Guangqi was drawing at his desk in his office when the factory director's secretary came looking for him.

When I entered the factory director's office, Wang Jianguo, the deputy factory director in charge of production, was also there.

"Chief Engineer Liu is here, please have a seat."

Upon seeing Liu Guangqi, Factory Director Li immediately stood up, forcing a warm smile on his face, and personally poured him a glass of water and handed it to him.

This attitude even surprised Wang Jianguo, who was standing next to him.

After Liu Guangqi sat down, Factory Director Li cleared his throat:

"Our factory—especially your technical department and production workshop—has become a hot commodity in the eyes of the ministries."

Wang Jianguo frowned upon hearing this.

Is this a good thing or a problem?

Factory Director Li ignored him, his gaze fixed intently on Liu Guangqi, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement.

The air in the office felt as if it had been sucked out.

The phone on my desk hasn't stopped ringing since yesterday evening.

First came the old leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Trade, then the comrades from the Ministry of Machine Building, and you would never guess who came next.

News came from the Ministry of Light Industry and the Ministry of Metallurgy one after another.

As Director Li finished speaking, his breathing became heavy, and each word seemed to be carved into a wooden board:

"The superiors' opinion is very clear: Chief Engineer Liu's proposed electric oven solution has been approved."

"The leadership instructed Comrade Jianguo and me to fully cooperate with your work."

"At the same time, we were asked to organize an inspection team as soon as possible to conduct in-depth research at the factories directly under the relevant ministries."

"As long as Chief Engineer Liu needs the technology, equipment, and raw materials, all units will give the green light and fully support you in establishing a complete supporting production system."

Wang Jianguo felt a sudden, loud bang in his ears.

As the deputy factory director in charge of production, he understood all too well the weight of those words.

This is far from ordinary support.

It's like they laid the railway tracks right at your feet, and even nailed the sleepers in place for you.

Especially... the Ministry of Metallurgy?

His Adam's apple bobbed, and after a long pause, he managed to squeeze out a voice: "Ministry of Metallurgy... Director Li, our electric ovens have even alarmed the Ministry of Metallurgy?"

"It's more than just alarming."

Factory Director Li nodded, his tone revealing a hint of indescribable emotion.

"This is no longer a matter of using a few tons of steel. It's about attitude, the clear attitude from above to Chief Engineer Liu."

Director Li knew exactly what was going on.

Having come from the foreign trade system, he knows best what the power of a ministry means.

But what about now?

Liu Guangqi alone not only persuaded the leaders of the Ministry of Machine Building, but also implicated the Ministry of Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Light Industry, and the Ministry of Metallurgy...

Good heavens, he'd never seen anything like this in all his years in foreign trade.

Frankly speaking, right now, his status as factory director is probably less than that of Liu Guangqi sitting across from him in the eyes of those ministry leaders.

Thinking of this, Director Li felt a complex mix of emotions, and he also wanted to shake his head and laugh.

As the factory director, I felt more like a secretary running errands and making communications for Chief Engineer Liu.

Fortunately, Liu Guangqi was a technical cadre who was seconded to the station.

Otherwise, he might really have to relinquish his position.

"Regarding the research..."

After a moment's thought, Liu Guang asked, "Has the Ministry of Metallurgy agreed to provide stainless steel and special steel plates?"

He wasn't surprised.

These days, those involved in heavy industry are all one family. The Ministry of Metallurgy makes steel, and the Ministry of Machine Building manufactures machines. They've never been separated.

Especially products like electric ovens.

The demand for stainless steel, galvanized steel, and aluminized steel for both the outer shell and the inner liner is considerable, and progress would be impossible without the Ministry of Metallurgy.

He just hadn't expected Director Lin to act so quickly and have such a lot of influence.

The subtle emotions that had been lingering in Director Li's heart had long since dissipated, replaced by a burning passion for work.

With such a true god enshrined in the factory, how could they possibly lack a future?

He almost immediately switched to the same state of complete immersion as Wang Jianguo:

"Chief Engineer Liu!"

"When do you think we should set off?"

"Personnel and vehicles, I'll arrange them right away! As long as you give your approval, we can start the survey tomorrow!"

At this moment, both Director Li and Wang Jianguo were sitting opposite Liu Guangqi, their eyes fixed on him, waiting for his decision.

Liu Guangqi wasn't too concerned about the departure time.

In comparison, it is more worthwhile to carefully consider which ministry's factory to visit first.

After a moment's hesitation, he decided to make the factory under the Ministry of Metallurgy his first stop.

"We've worked with the electronics factories under the Ministry of Light Industry before, so we have a general understanding of their production lines and technical foundations, and we don't need to spend too much time on them."

Liu Guangqi raised his eyes, his tone calm:

"Let's set the first stop of this research trip at a factory directly under the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry."