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

The atmosphere in the lab was solemn and focused. Without Liu Guangqi needing to say a word, the team members responsible for final assembly were already in their positions. The closer they got to the finish line, the more tense their nerves became. Nearly three months of relentless, day-and-night work had taken its toll; even the strongest bodies would feel weary. However, the looming dawn of victory infused everyone with renewed energy, and their eyes shone with renewed fervor.

Counting from the beginning of the year to today, it has been exactly two months and twenty-seven days. Compared to the initial deadline of "delivering ten units in three months" set by the higher authorities, we have managed to squeeze out three days of leeway.

The final assembly process was completed with extreme care. When the last component was perfectly fitted into place, the lab fell silent for a moment, then erupted into a long-suppressed, joyful clamor.

"Done! The last unit is assembled!"

"Old Wang, don't be in such a hurry to shout, we haven't even tested it with electricity yet."

"Having accumulated experience from ten machines, this one is guaranteed to be fine! Finally... mission accomplished!"

The workshop was filled with relaxed conversations and reflections. The successful assembly of the last machine tool brought a huge weight off everyone's shoulders. Amidst the joy, however, every step of the process had to be followed. Powering on, starting, parameter input, placing the test piece… the familiar low hum echoed once more, and people instinctively gathered around, holding their breath as they watched the crucial final step.

When the finished test piece was taken out and quickly inspected to confirm that it met the standards, a second round of enthusiastic cheers rang out in the workshop, this time filled with complete relaxation and pride.

"No problem! The last one is also perfectly qualified!"

"Good heavens, this job is finally done. My bones are about to fall apart."

That's a very true statement. Without existing assembly lines, dedicated production workshops, or workers, relying solely on their own hands, they managed to assemble and successfully debug these complex pieces of equipment, representing the most advanced level of domestic industry, one by one, from mountains of parts. Only those who experienced it firsthand can truly understand the hardships and difficulties they faced.

But whenever they recall the thick stack of vouchers when the project subsidies were distributed a few days ago, and the repeated broadcasts and commendations of their research department's glory, everyone feels that all the exhaustion was worth it.

"Director Liu, should we proceed as usual and notify the ministry to send a vehicle to pick us up?" a team leader asked, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Yes, follow the procedure." Liu Guangqi nodded, carefully folding the still-wet final test report in his hand. "I've already communicated with the higher-ups, and the comrade who will pick up the vehicle is probably on his way." He patted the other person's arm, gave a few more instructions on the details of the finishing work, and then turned and walked towards the office building.

When I arrived at the director's office, Deputy Factory Director Wang Jianguo was inside reporting on his work. These past few days, Wang Jianguo had been practically living on the construction site, working tirelessly to get the new workshop up and running on schedule, rarely even returning home.

"Guangqi, you've come at the perfect time!" Wang Jianguo's face lit up with a smile as soon as he saw him. Pointing to the blueprints and documents spread out on the table, "Look, the new workshop built specifically for CNC machine tools is all ready! The cement floor has been compacted three times, the load-bearing structure has been specially reinforced, and even the power lines are laid to the highest specifications. Now we're just waiting for your 'precious' equipment to arrive and be installed!"

Director Lin looked at his two former partners and couldn't help but smile: "Comrade Jianguo, it seems that you and Comrade Guangqi are getting along better and better."

Wang Jianguo chuckled, his voice booming, "Of course! Guangqi and I have worked together for so many years, how could we not have this kind of chemistry? The energy he has for research and development breakthroughs is even more efficient than the head chef in our factory canteen making dumplings. If I don't boil the water in my pot beforehand, by the time he's finished making the dumplings and brought them over, I won't even have a flame lit yet—that would be ridiculous!"

In his former superior's office, Wang Jianguo completely let down his guard and said bluntly, "Sir, those machine tools are golden eggs. Every day we delay, the country earns less foreign exchange!"

"You really shouldn't have seen it, but when other departments came to pick up machines the other day, I was so anxious!"

As he spoke, his gaze involuntarily turned to Liu Guangqi beside him, his eyes filled with undisguised anticipation.

Seeing his expression, Liu Guangqi couldn't help but laugh: "What's the rush? Those two CNC machine tools in the lab were originally prepared for you. We can arrange for someone to bring them back to your factory anytime."

"Tomorrow I will coordinate with some senior colleagues from the research department to go and provide support."

"Once the manpower arrives, production can be organized immediately."

"Really?" Wang Jianguo's eyes lit up immediately, and he rubbed his hands together excitedly, but he still said politely, "This...this is so inappropriate."

Before he could finish speaking, a series of arrangements had already come out of his mouth: "I'll go back and get a truck right away!"

"The workers and technicians are already available and have been organized into groups long ago."

"We can definitely start work first thing tomorrow morning!"

After saying that, he turned around and strode quickly toward the door, his steps as swift as the wind, as if he could already see the Hongxing Machinery Factory's export earnings soaring on the report this year.

Watching his hurried departure, Director Lin sighed softly and said to Liu Guangqi, "Looking back now, it was definitely the right move to listen to your advice and transfer Jianguo to the Red Star Factory."

"Look at his enthusiasm, it's even greater than when he was in the research department."

Liu Guangqi nodded with a smile.

Wang Jianguo's eager drive is exactly what he welcomes. Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory embodies his initial vision for industrial development, and he sincerely hopes that the factory can reach new heights.

……

After Wang Jianguo left, Liu Guangqi stayed behind to report the recent progress to Director Lin.

"very good!"

"You have done an outstanding job. The Research Division must give you special recognition at the ministry's year-end summary meeting."

When Director Lin heard that Liu Guangqi had not only completed the assigned task ahead of schedule, but had even begun to prepare for the research and development of a series of general-purpose machine tools such as CNC lathes, milling machines, and grinding machines, the smile on his face never faded, as if frozen in time.

"Go ahead and investigate!"

"If these general-purpose machine tools succeed, even those classified projects in the Northwest will benefit."

In fact, after the First Ministry of Machine Building distributed relevant information on CNC machine tools to several units in the Northwest and Northeast that urgently needed them, it quickly received a reply requesting that actual machines be allocated as soon as possible.

Higher-level authorities have also been instructed that once CNC machine tools are put into mass production, they must be prioritized for allocation to several key regions, such as the Northwest.

It is obvious that those projects in Northwest China, shrouded in secrecy, are crucial links in the country's overall industrial and technological development strategy.

In the process of developing those large-scale projects, highly skilled workers are always in short supply.

Even though many skilled workers of the eighth grade have been transferred from various places to provide support in recent years, there is still a shortage of professional personnel who can process ultra-high precision parts.

If high-precision CNC machine tools could be put into use at this time, it would greatly alleviate that tense pressure.

When Director Lin mentioned the ** project in Northwest China, Liu Guangqi's expression became solemn and moved.

He knew all too well what a remarkable undertaking was taking place in those silent deserts.

"Please rest assured, Director."

"I will definitely not let down the department's trust."

After the report, Liu Guangqi returned to the research department.

Upon entering the office, he immediately gathered all the design drawings for the next stage of general-purpose machine tools such as CNC milling machines and grinding machines.

He had already overcome the technical bottlenecks of these devices one by one.

The first batch of CNC machine tool projects has now been successfully completed, and it's time to officially put these new blueprints into implementation.

Thinking of this, Liu Guangqi turned his gaze to the office door.

In the outer hall, his technical researchers, looking exhausted and listless, slumped over their desks, waiting for the bell to ring to signal the end of the workday.

Over the past three months, in order to rush the production of those ten CNC machine tools, the entire research department has been working around the clock, and everyone has lost a lot of weight.

Now that the major mission has come to an end, it's only natural to want to rest.

But Liu Guangqi knew in his heart that this weary tranquility would soon be broken—the ministry's broadcast announcement could come at any moment.

Sure enough, the thought had just crossed his mind—

"Sizzle—"

A sharp electrical crackling suddenly shattered the tranquility of the ministry building, startling everyone who looked up, their weariness instantly vanishing.

The voice coming from the loudspeaker was full and inspiring, filled with undisguised praise, and resounded through every room and corridor of the building.

"Comrades, I now have an important message to announce—"

"Our research department, under the General Machinery Division, after three months of intensive work, successfully completed the production of ten CNC machine tools three days ahead of schedule!"

"This is a significant achievement for our department in the field of industrial construction! It also sets an excellent example for the progress of the national machinery industry!"

The echo still lingered in the air.

The entire First Ministry of Machine Building compound seemed to freeze for a moment.

Immediately, a wave of enthusiastic discussion arose.

"Three days early? The research department really made a fool of themselves this time!"

"No wonder the technicians there had such generous rations the other day, with more meat and refined grains than us..."

"So you had a big mission on your hands, and you did it so well!"

"Director Liu is indeed capable. From blueprints to finished products, it seems there is nothing he cannot accomplish."

"From now on, if anyone talks about the research department behind their back, I'll be the first to object!"

Inside the office of the Director of the General Machinery Division.

Director Lin was leisurely brushing aside the tea leaves floating on the surface of his enamel teacup when the broadcast started. His wrist paused almost imperceptibly.

When the resounding announcement ended, a smile spread across his face, and the lines around his eyes revealed his satisfaction.

He turned his head and instructed his secretary beside him:

"Broadcast this message repeatedly, so that everyone in the department can feel the research team's fighting spirit!"

"Yes! I'll take care of it right away!"

This is not only a credit to the research department, but also an honor for his General Machinery Division.

Meanwhile, in the corridor where the research office is located.

The technicians, who had previously looked tired, stood up from their seats almost simultaneously.

Needless to say.

The sense of collective honor deeply rooted in people's hearts in this era has now transformed into the most direct and surging force.

That is the most precious nourishment from the depths of the spirit.

"It was worth it!"

"Just for those few words on the radio, all the sleepless nights and sweat we've shed over the past three months were totally worth it!"

"What's this as a start? With our director following us, how could the research department's achievements and benefits be lacking?"

Laughter filled the office, rising and falling in waves.

Everyone's face shone with pride. They not only delivered on time, but also earned the First Ministry of Machine Building a reputation across the national industrial front.

The hard work and struggle of the past ninety-odd days and nights has received the best response at this moment.

Every syllable on the radio was the highest praise for them.

The next day.

The transport trucks from Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill came to a steady stop in front of the research office building.

Wang Jianguo finally saw the CNC machine tool he had been looking forward to.

Two whole units!

He didn't bother with pleasantries with Liu Guangqi, a smile on his face, as the transport team's driver steadily hoisted the machine tool onto the truck.

As the trucks from the Red Star Factory drove away, the research department gradually returned to its usual bustling state. The brief sense of relaxation that had permeated the air after the project ended vanished.

The technicians, all in high spirits, gathered around:

"Director, the machine tools have been delivered. What's our next step?"

"Please just assign the task!"

"I'm bursting with energy right now, just waiting for some work!"

"yes!"

"Everyone is looking forward to working with you to achieve more and bring you more glory!"

Looking at the eager and energetic faces before him, Liu Guangqi couldn't help but smile. It must be said that people of this era truly value collective honor as if it were their lifeblood.

There is no need to make empty promises about the future.

A single, genuine belief is enough to ignite all passion.

"Old Zhang."

The technician who was called upon immediately stood up straight:

"exist!"

"You will take the first group and be temporarily seconded to the Red Star Factory starting today."