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

Seeing this scene again now, he suddenly realized that the young man who once lived in the same hospital had already reached a position that he could never reach.

I really envy Lao Liu.

Jia Dongxu, standing to the side, was also filled with emotion.

That neighbor, a few years younger than him, that peer with whom he used to have casual conversations, had somehow reached a height that he could never reach in his lifetime.

He could only look up in awe.

As for the workers who had previously participated in spreading rumors, they were now completely pale.

They finally came to their senses—

The figure in the distance was no longer someone they could presume to discuss.

The rumors didn't even need to be clarified before they were debunked.

They failed miserably.

This is no ordinary seconded chief engineer; he is clearly a heavyweight figure capable of mobilizing core resources of ministries.

I was so foolish to dare to fabricate false information about him.

An experienced workshop worker smiled and remarked:

"I only knew that Chief Engineer Liu was very capable, but I never imagined he was this capable!"

"Our factory is incredibly lucky to have him!"

Director Tian smiled broadly, his tone full of praise:

"Comrade Guangqi, you've given me one surprise after another. Look, you still have quite a few days left before your secondment expires, and you've already achieved so much. The leaders in the department are all delighted to know this."

The morning passed in a harmonious atmosphere. Li Huaide and others suggested having lunch together, and Director Tian readily agreed. He had always intended to develop a close relationship with Liu Guangqi, and since he might need to rely on him in the future, he was naturally happy to spend more time maintaining the friendship.

In the steel rolling mill's small canteen, after several rounds of drinks, Director Tian looked at Liu Guangqi with great interest:

"Comrade Guangqi, I heard that the three general-purpose machine tools you previously debugged are ready to be handed over to the Hongxing Factory for mass production. Do you have any new plans for the future?"

Liu Guangqi smiled slightly. He made no attempt to hide anything from this leader of the metallurgical system. Since the other party had asked, further pretense would only seem distant.

He then elaborated on his concept of a five-axis linkage heavy-duty machining tool.

In reality, although China's machine tool technology started relatively late, it has caught up rapidly in recent years and is now vastly different from what it used to be. What this era lacks least is top-notch talent and dedication. However, many of these elite forces are currently focused on tackling key projects in the Northwest and other classified projects. Once those tasks are completed, these talents, whether returning to their original fields or moving to new areas, will undoubtedly achieve remarkable success in a short period.

Therefore, even if a gap exists now, it is by no means insurmountable. The real concern lies in potential future turmoil; those decades of stagnation would be a huge drain. Liu Guangqi, however, is different. With his current foundation and background, he is well-positioned to remain at the forefront of future changes. If he can complete key industrial layouts a few years earlier and realize his blueprint, he will have sufficient influence and initiative in cutting-edge industries such as semiconductors.

The current five-axis CNC heavy-duty machine tool is such a strategic move. If a breakthrough can be achieved first, and a technological leap can be made, it may take the lead in the future, pushing the slightly less precise three-axis CNC machine tool overseas and seizing the market that others have not yet entered.

"Good! Comrade Guangqi..." Director Tian's smile deepened after hearing his explanation. "Whatever your plans are, just go ahead and study them. If the Ministry of Machine Building is short of resources, come to the Ministry of Metallurgy and I'll find a solution for you." The intention to recruit him was almost undisguised.

Liu Guangqi simply smiled and remained silent. Factory Director Yang and Li Huaide, standing to the side, smiled ingratiatingly, secretly relieved. Fortunately, those spreading rumors in the factory had been dealt with in time. If Director Tian knew that Liu Guangqi had suffered such injustice at the steel rolling mill, given the importance he was showing now, they would likely find it difficult to explain themselves.

Slightly tipsy, Director Tian looked at the young man beside him, his admiration growing with each glance, and his words became increasingly candid:

"Comrade Guangqi, to be honest, the machine tools you developed have greatly contributed to the country's industrial progress. However, nowadays we have to be very careful with our spending, so the reward I'm giving you is really not generous, which is unfair to you."

In the past two years, various ministries have been living on a tight budget in order to repay foreign debt. The situation has only eased slightly this year, and it will take time for it to fully recover.

Liu Guangqi immediately responded seriously: "Leader, the reward given by the department is already very generous, enough for my family to live on for a long time. I am only grateful and have no grievances whatsoever."

Ultimately—

"Whatever the country needs, we will step up to meet it; that is the duty of our generation."

The occasion was formal, and a few resounding words were used to begin.

The awareness revealed in his words immediately raised the atmosphere to a new level.

"Alright, for that alone, I have to toast you."

Director Tian smiled and raised his teacup—though it was a working inspection, the cup contained only plain tea.

Liu Guangqi then picked up his teacup and smiled, saying, "Director Tian, ​​it is I who should be toasting you."

---

After Director Tian left, the pace of technological transformation at the steel rolling mill accelerated significantly.

In the following days, Liu Guangqi's life returned to its usual rhythm: mornings at the Ministry of Machinery Industry and afternoons back at the factory.

The factory's technological innovation gradually got on track, and under his guidance, the technical staff gradually mastered the key points of upgrading machine tools.

In other words, Liu Guangqi no longer needs to personally oversee the modification of most of the machine tools in the factory.

At this rate, all the machine tools in the factory should be able to complete the upgrade before his secondment expires.

While it cannot completely replace all the equipment, it is sufficient to handle the precision machining of parts for the next generation of fighter jets.

---

In the precision workshop, a young technician was squatting next to a modified machine tool, holding calipers and intently adjusting the gap of the guide rails.

He was one of the college students who had doubts about technological innovation back then, but now he can complete the debugging of key components.

"Technician Zhang,"

A voice came from behind, "The bearing clearance is almost there; any tighter and it will affect the rotation speed."

The technician looked up and saw Liu Guangqi. A simple smile immediately spread across his oil-stained face.

"Chief Engineer Liu, please rest assured!"

He patted his breast pocket. "I wrote down the parameters you instructed me on yesterday in detail in my notebook. I won't forget them!"

Not far away, an old master craftsman with gray hair was holding a newly processed bearing part in his hand, measuring it repeatedly with a micrometer, muttering something under his breath.

This is one of the few remaining level-eight workers in the factory.

Upon seeing Liu Guangqi approach, the old craftsman put down the parts, took off his glasses and wiped them, and spoke in a loud voice:

"Chief Engineer Liu, you're such a good teacher! These young people in our factory are getting the hang of things faster than ever."

Liu Guangqi waved his hand, not taking credit: "It's because they have a solid foundation and are willing to study hard."

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps approached from afar.

Li Huaide practically jogged into the workshop, but didn't disturb anyone. He simply stood quietly by the door, watching the bustling scene inside.

My heart, which had been hanging in suspense for so long, has finally settled down.

He had been worried day and night that once Liu Guangqi left, the factory's technological innovation would be difficult to continue.

It now seems that these young technicians are capable of taking on important responsibilities.

"Comrade Guangqi!"

Li Huaide strode forward, rubbing his hands excitedly, his eyes shining.

"At this rate, can all the machine tools really be upgraded by the end of the month?"

"No problem," Liu Guangqi replied confidently.

"Great! Excellent!" Li Huaide's voice couldn't hide his joy. "With this, we can definitely take on the defense tasks assigned by our superiors, those high-precision parts for the fighter jets!"

Liu Guangqi nodded and took a thick booklet out of his pocket and handed it over.

"Director Li, this is the maintenance manual and troubleshooting methods for common faults. Please have the technical staff take a look at it. If they encounter any problems they can't solve in the future, they can come to the First Ministry of Machine Building to find me at any time."

When Li Huaide took the booklet, he felt as if he were holding not just pages of paper, but the straight spine of the steel mill.

He looked at Liu Guangqi, then suddenly lowered his voice and leaned closer:

"Comrade Guangqi, be honest with me—how are you doing at the First Ministry of Machine Building?"

Liu Guangqi was slightly taken aback: "It went quite smoothly, why does Director Li ask that?"

"Ahem," Li Huaide cleared his throat, a warm smile spreading across his face, "I was thinking... why don't you just stay at our steel mill instead of going back!"

I'm not going to care about losing face anymore. I'll risk going to the ministry to plead with the leaders on your behalf. I'll do everything I can to get you a good position!

"What do you think of me as deputy factory director and chief engineer?"

Li Huaide had clearly figured out what his superiors were thinking. He was well aware of how much Director Tian and the leaders of the Ministry of Metallurgy valued Liu Guangqi. Now, he was openly recruiting people, truly appearing like a good subordinate proactively sharing the burdens of his superiors—it wouldn't be surprising if someone like that rose high in the future.

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, several experienced workers and technicians who had been quietly listening in the workshop stared wide-eyed.

Liu Guangqi just shook his head and smiled when he heard this. Li Huaide was indeed bold, daring to casually promise the position of deputy factory director.

Seeing that Liu Guangqi didn't respond, Li Huaide wasn't embarrassed. He chuckled and changed the subject: "Alright, no more joking." He then leaned closer, lowering his voice even further, revealing barely concealed excitement:

"Comrade Guangqi, your temporary transfer to our factory has been noticed by both the ministry and the factory leaders. I heard that the higher-ups have allocated a large sum of money and honors specifically for that fighter jet project... This time, it's likely your first major achievement!"

Liu Guangqi didn't take Li Huaide's words too seriously. This man was always smooth-talking, his words a mix of truth and falsehood; believing only a portion was best, believing everything would be foolish. He certainly didn't mind the credit, but he wouldn't waste his energy on it. He'd rather draw up a few more blueprints than ponder interpersonal relationships.

Over the next week, he meticulously assigned tasks to the technicians in the steel rolling mill's technical department and also took the time to explain key points related to machine tools. Gradually, the entire technical department started operating like a wound-up machine, running faster and faster.

Liu Guangqi himself spent all his time in his office. He spread out huge blueprints, but what was drawn on them was not the long-planned five-axis heavy-duty machining center, but a simplified version of CNC machine tool design drawings—specifically prepared for export to earn foreign exchange.

It turned out that ever since the first CNC machine tool production line in China successfully went into operation, the Russian side, after handing over the complete set of technical data for MiG fighter jets and T-series aircraft, had begun urging for CNC machine tools. The foreign trade department had already called to inquire, and only then did Liu Guangqi begin designing the machine tools he planned to sell to them.

It's worth mentioning that he hid some subtle intentions in this "simplified" set of drawings.

He made minor adjustments to the machine tool's hydraulic system, using a specially formulated rubber for the seals in key areas. Once disassembled, these seals are prone to deformation when exposed to temperature changes. He also added a hidden buffer node to the circuit design—it works perfectly fine without disassembling the machine, but if it is disassembled and reassembled, the machine tool will occasionally malfunction: either the accuracy will subtly deviate, or the spindle will inexplicably stop rotating. The root cause cannot be found no matter how much you check, which is the most troublesome part.

After finishing the last stroke, Liu Guangqi carefully checked and confirmed that there were no errors in the production process before telling the security guard at the gate that he was going to the Hongxing Factory and then set off.

As the car drove past the Ministry of Machine Building, he looked out the window, silently calculating in his mind: this was not only a retaliation, but also buying time for the development of his own machine tool industry. By the time the Russians figured it out, his five-axis heavy-duty machining center would have already been built.

Inside the Hongxing Chuanghui Machinery Factory, the newly built CNC machine tool workshop was bustling with activity. Several brand-new machine tools were running at full speed, sending gleaming iron filings flying everywhere. A technical researcher sent by the First Ministry of Machine Building was shouting, directing the technicians at the Hongxing factory to debug and assemble the new machines. Everyone's face was covered in oil and sweat, but their eyes shone with a gleam.

Liu Guangqi didn't go in to disturb them; he just stood quietly at the workshop entrance, hands in his pockets, and watched for a while.

The brand-new factory building, which he had personally planned and built, was now bustling with activity, its machines humming. A slight smile unconsciously appeared on his lips as he turned and walked towards the gray-white administration building deep within the factory area—his destination was clear: the office of Deputy Factory Director Wang Jianguo.