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

Director Guo from the Ministry of Light Industry pushed through the crowd and punched Director Lin on the shoulder, his words laced with familiar mockery.

His gaze shifted, and he spotted Director Tian of the Ministry of Metallurgy in the crowd, and immediately burst into laughter.

"Hey, Lao Tian, ​​your Ministry of Metallurgy's information network is even more efficient than a hunting hound? You argued with me for ages on the phone yesterday about who was first, and today you're personally coming to my door to confront me?"

"Of course!"

Director Tian, ​​with his impatient nature and louder voice than Director Guo, said, "This precious item is related to the precision processing of our special steel, how can I not be anxious?"

"Besides, Lao Guo, your Ministry of Light Industry is doing very well in foreign exchange, and you have plenty of good machine tools in the ministry. Let us use them first, it won't delay your production of those electrical appliances."

"Hey, you old Tian, ​​trying to play tricks on me?"

Director Guo glared at him: "Aren't all our electrical appliance factories waiting for the new molds to improve quality, increase production, and earn more foreign exchange?"

"Your steel rolling mill's business can wait!"

"What's wrong with our steel rolling mill? It's also a partner of Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory! Without our high-quality steel, how will you earn foreign exchange? By molding mud?"

During the argument, the group had already entered the research and development lab.

When the silver-white CNC machine tool came into view, everyone fell silent.

Some people couldn't help but step forward and gently stroke the machine tool's casing, their eyes filled with admiration.

Someone took out a notebook and began to carefully record the machine tool's dimensions and structure.

People gathered around Liu Guangqi, eager to ask about the specific details of the CNC machine tool.

"Chief Engineer Liu!"

What is the consistent machining accuracy of this machine tool? How efficient is it at processing special steel?

Experts from the Ministry of Metallurgy were the first to raise questions.

What they really want to know is whether CNC equipment can significantly improve the final processing accuracy of steel, thereby expanding production capacity.

Liu Guangqi responded with a smile.

As he answered each question, he slowly walked to the control panel, pressed the start button, and demonstrated the operation process to everyone present.

To tell the truth.

It's a pipe dream to think you can steal the technology just by watching this completed CNC machine tool.

Leaving aside other things.

The technology of 3D transistors, the design of integrated circuit boards, and the high barriers to entry in overall assembly alone make it impossible for these technologies to be easily leaked.

Moreover, today's visitors are all leaders from relevant ministries and commissions within the industrial system.

Therefore, Liu Guangqi had no worries at all.

It was close to noon.

The inspection continued, and Director Lin, gazing at the enthusiastic scene before him, felt a surge of pride.

This is precisely the foundation of their First Ministry of Machine Building!

This will also provide solid support for the machine tool industry to export its technology in the future.

After the inspection.

Liu Guangqi returned to his office in the research department.

As soon as the door was opened, more than a dozen pairs of eyes in the entire office focused on it.

The air seemed to freeze suddenly.

Everyone understands that this investigation, which has involved multiple ministries, is not just a formality, and there will definitely be new arrangements to follow.

really.

Liu Guangqi walked to the front of the office with a smile.

He then placed a document with a red header titled "[Establishment and Mass Production of CNC Machine Tool Workshop]" on the table, instantly capturing everyone's attention.

"Comrades, today's investigation is just the beginning. Next..."

"We have an even more important mission."

Liu Guangqi's tone was calm yet firm:

"The ministry has approved the allocation of a new plot of land next to the Hongxing factory after the Spring Festival to build a dedicated CNC machine tool production workshop."

"All colleagues in the research department must devote themselves to mass production!"

"Production target: Complete ten CNC machine tools within three months!"

The words fell.

There was a moment of silence in the research office, followed by a burst of enthusiastic cheers.

The young researchers stood up excitedly:

"Director, are we really going to build a dedicated CNC machine tool production workshop?"

"We're going to mass-produce CNC machine tools to boost the confidence of the entire industrial sector!"

The veteran researchers also had tears in their eyes.

They are all key members who have worked with Liu Guangqi from the beginning to the present, from drawing the initial parts blueprints to collaborating step by step to overcome challenges.

Until the very end.

I witnessed firsthand how Liu Guangqi led everyone to assemble a complete CNC machine tool.

They were keenly aware of the equipment's exceptional performance, and upon hearing that a dedicated workshop was to be built, they clenched their fists in excitement.

Liu Guangqi looked at his excited colleagues.

She smiled slightly and said:

"These ten machine tools are not just a task, but also our first report card to the ministry."

"When we developed the first one, we were figuring things out as we went along."

"With mature technology and complete equipment, as long as we work together, we will definitely be able to complete the task successfully."

He paused briefly, then added:

"The ministry has made it clear that the contributions of all comrades involved in this research and development process will be recorded in their personnel files."

"If all goes well, the subsequent awards will be announced soon."

no doubt!

This last sentence further boosted everyone's morale.

after all.

In units like the First Ministry of Machine Building, merit was the most valuable form of hard currency.

What does it mean to have the credit for loading the file?

It signifies a promising future, professional qualifications, and the highest affirmation of an individual's abilities and skills!

"Director!"

"Director! Just assign the task directly!"

"Don't even mention three months, even if it's just two months, we'll fight tooth and nail to finish it!"

"Yes! We won't be taking a holiday for the Spring Festival!"

"I'll go back and pack my bags right away, and I'll stay at the ministry!"

A young researcher shouted, eliciting laughter from everyone and filling the office with a cheerful atmosphere.

Everyone knows.

By following their own department head, a technical leader, they can not only learn real skills, but also gain tangible achievements and opportunities.

at this point.

This has long been a common understanding among all members of the research department.

In a short time.

The office was filled with the sounds of discussion and laughter.

Everyone was looking forward to the mass production tasks after the Spring Festival, and even the faint winter sun outside the window seemed to shine with extra warmth.

The next morning.

The loudspeaker of the First Ministry of Machine Building rang out on time.

Unlike the usual tone of voice when broadcasting the news, today's voice was exceptionally loud.

The sound echoed through every corner of the ministry compound:

The broadcast echoed through the hallway, each word like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating ripples.

"In accordance with the decision of higher authorities, all research staff members of the Research Division of the General Machinery Department are hereby promoted one administrative rank, with corresponding adjustments to their benefits. This is to commend them!"

Before the words were even finished, the entire office building seemed to freeze instantly, then erupted in a frenzy. The figures hurrying along the corridor stopped abruptly, their eyes meeting in disbelief.

"Everyone gets promoted? This is unprecedented!"

"Last year's foreign exchange earnings project was so successful, but only Director Liu received the commendation. This time, everyone is getting a share?"

"What exactly did Director Liu and his team accomplish?"

"Haven't you heard? Yesterday, leaders from numerous departments came specifically to inspect that new machine tool, examining it closely—its performance is said to be comparable to top-tier international standards. How could the department not take it seriously?"

In the office next to the research department, several young staff members peered out from the doorway at the room filled with cheering noise.

"If only I had tried to get into the research department back then..." someone sighed softly. "Look, following Director Liu, your career has risen with him."

"That makes sense. With Director Liu leading the team, how could they not take off?"

"Don't say it's just luck. This person has practically lived at work for the past four months. This reward is also the result of their hard work."

The news swept through every department and even the subordinate factories like a whirlwind. Everywhere, in the break room and on the stairwells, there were whispered discussions.

"The ministry is really determined this time."

"You have no idea what a scene it was yesterday—experts from so many units, including light industry, metallurgy, aerospace, and shipbuilding, came and surrounded us, asking about the technical parameters. Such an achievement deserves no reward whatsoever."

Inside the research office, smiles spread across everyone's faces. Some people were repeatedly looking at their transfer orders, while others were patting their colleagues on the shoulder and laughing heartily.

"After all these years, we've finally taken a step forward!"

"The news came at just the right time, just before the Spring Festival."

Liu Guangqi stood by the window, looking at his close companions, a gentle smile appearing in his eyes. Let them be happy; their tireless efforts, working day and night, should surely have some sweet reward.

Naturally, he wasn't on the list of those promoted this time. Or rather, his path had shifted to another track—promotion to engineer level is far more difficult than climbing the administrative ladder. At this position, each advancement requires more substantial accumulation of experience or a longer period of time; he can no longer be promoted based on just one or two projects as he used to.

Time flows silently, and the old calendar has turned to its last page. A brand new year unfolds on the calendar, like a scroll waiting to be painted.

And so, 1960 arrived.

The department was busier than usual on New Year's Day, with each department making a final push. Liu Guangqi's office, however, was unusually quiet—he wasn't idle, but had simply shifted his focus to the laboratory and the Red Star Factory.

Inside the laboratory, the assembly of the second heavy-duty CNC machine tool is progressing steadily. With the experience gained from the first one, the process is much smoother. Huge components are slowly moved by the crane arm, precisely aligning themselves with a deep, solid clanging sound. The air is filled with the scent of metal and machine oil—a unique aroma of creation and construction.

"Director!" A young man wearing glasses leaned out from behind the machine tool, his face still smeared with oil, but his eyes were piercingly bright. He quickly stepped forward, clutching a stack of blueprints in his hand.

As the cold winter wind swept past the window, Liu Guangqi stepped into the research and development room and was greeted by the joyful voices of the technical staff.

"You've come at the right time, could you please take a look at this—"

"The base and gantry frame have been connected, and we have checked them three times."

Liu Guangqi walked towards the nascent machine tool frame, his hand slowly stroking the cold metal surface. His fingertips felt the precise, seamless fit of the components, smooth and solid.

The researchers before us have long since shed their initial awkwardness.

Four months ago, they needed him to guide them through the processing and debugging of each component. Now, the team is able to solve various technical problems in the assembly process independently.

"Well done."

Liu Guangqi nodded slightly, his words concise, but the approval in his eyes was clearly visible.

"How much progress do you expect to make before the Spring Festival?"

"Reporting to the section chief, completing one-third is absolutely no problem!"

Several researchers answered confidently.

The progress wasn't rapid, but it was solid and steady. What Liu Guangqi sought wasn't speed, but rather to use this opportunity to hone the team's CNC technology skills in real-world practice, making them capable of tackling difficult problems.

After leaving the research and development lab, he took the department's car and drove straight to the Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory.

In such frigid weather, cycling is clearly not suitable. He, of course, would not refuse any conveniences required for official business.

As the vehicle approached the factory area, the bustling scene at the new workshop construction site became visible from afar. The foundation work was nearing completion, and the construction efficiency of this era has never been underestimated.

Dozens of steel beams stand majestically in the field of vision. The workers responsible for the expansion work like nimble worker ants, moving between the steel structure's framework.

"Guangqi! You've finally arrived!"

Wang Jianguo, with his sharp eyes, spotted him from afar. The booming voice carried over from a distance, and he and Factory Director Li quickly went to greet him, their faces beaming with undisguised smiles.

Wang Jianguo stepped forward and punched Liu Guangqi squarely on the shoulder.

"Good lad, you managed to get this treasure to the factory without making a sound!"

"This isn't an ordinary workshop; it's a gold mine that can't be dug out!"

Factory Director Li adjusted his glasses, his eyes crinkling with laughter: "Old Wang's words may be blunt, but they make sense."

"Comrade Guangqi, this is an industrial mother machine, a vital national asset. Once this CNC machine tool workshop is officially completed, we will be one step closer to our goal of merging the factories."