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

The young apprentice, who was sweeping up the iron filings with a broom, laughed when he heard this: "Master, your memory isn't very good anymore. Chief Engineer Liu's secondment ended yesterday, and he won't be coming to our factory anymore. He'll be focusing on R&D at the First Ministry of Machinery Industry. But Section Chief Zheng said that we can still ask him for help anytime if we have any problems in the future."

Upon hearing this, the buzzing of the machines in the workshop seemed to subside. The experienced workers, who had been joking just moments before, slowed their movements, their gazes all turning to the empty parking space, a hint of indescribable melancholy flashing in their eyes.

A month is neither long nor short. But this young yet unpretentious chief engineer had already taken root in everyone's hearts. The atmosphere in the workshop suddenly quieted down, as if it too had become somber because of Liu Guangqi's departure.

After a month of working together, everyone had come to like the humble and considerate Chief Engineer Liu from the bottom of their hearts. So much so that when they suddenly heard the news that he would not be coming anymore, everyone felt a heaviness in their hearts.

Just then, a loud voice broke the silence in the workshop:

Why are you all looking so listless? Didn't you eat enough?

Everyone turned around and saw Section Chief Zheng of the Technical Department stride in, carrying a roll of blueprints. He glanced around, a smile on his face:

"I know everyone is reluctant to part with Chief Engineer Liu, and so am I. But he's a highly skilled technical expert, and our small temple can't hold onto such a true talent. Before he left, Chief Engineer Liu said, 'We'll meet again someday.'"

As he spoke, he unfurled the blueprints in his hand, raising his voice even higher:

"Right now we're just upgrading our technology. When the technology evolves in the future, we might even be able to bring Chief Engineer Liu back to take charge!"

The dense red annotations on the drawing still smelled of fresh ink—these were all details that Liu Guangqi had marked for him during his temporary assignment.

"Haha! Section Chief Zheng is absolutely right!"

"When the time comes, we'll get a grand sedan chair carried by eight men and go straight to the entrance of the First Machinery Department to welcome Chief Engineer Liu!"

A joke instantly reignited everyone's spirits. The initial disappointment vanished in an instant, and the workshop was bustling with activity once again.

In the research department of the First Ministry of Machine Building, Liu Guangqi sat back down at his familiar desk. The hustle and bustle of the steel rolling mill seemed to have been left behind, and he couldn't help but smile softly.

Pulling his thoughts away from his work, he calmed down and focused his gaze on the stack of blueprints for the five-axis heavy-duty machining center, which was already half-finished.

This is his true stage.

However, everyone in the research department was captivated by the black Volga sedan downstairs. Logically, once the secondment period ended, the person and the car should be separated—but the car remained quietly parked in its original spot, unmoved, and even continued to carry him in and out daily. Colleagues passing by couldn't help but glance at it a few more times, secretly pondering its contents.

"That's strange!" someone whispered. "Director Liu is back, so why is this car still here?"

"Isn't the Ministry of Metallurgy being a bit too lenient with Director Liu?"

"Who says otherwise? Are we going to drive him around all the time?"

"Don't make wild guesses. That's a vehicle provided by the Ministry of Metallurgy; the regulations are very strict. They probably just haven't finished the paperwork yet. They'll come back and drive it away in a couple of days."

A soft chuckle rippled through the crowd, and someone joked, "Maybe the Ministry of Metallurgy is trying to poach some talent?"

"Aren't there enough organizations trying to poach Director Liu?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a knowing laugh erupted from the surrounding area. Everyone knew that the light industry, foreign trade, and even the diplomatic system had all extended olive branches to this key technical personnel.

Soon, the mystery was solved.

Director Lin strode into the hall with a beaming smile, accompanied by a liaison officer from the Ministry of Metallurgy. The whispers around them instantly ceased, and all eyes turned to him. Director Lin beckoned Liu Guangqi over, pointed to the conspicuous car outside the window, and spoke loudly:

"Everyone, stop guessing—the Ministry of Metallurgy has decided to reserve this car for Comrade Guangqi's use."

"He...he received a car?" Everyone present was stunned, their eyes wide, almost thinking they had misheard. In this day and age, giving gifts of cigarettes, alcohol, and local products was not uncommon, but a car? And a Volga at that?

Director Lin smiled and patted the smooth roof of the car, continuing to explain: "The comrades from the Ministry of Metallurgy said that during Comrade Guangqi's one-month secondment, he not only increased the output of the steel rolling mill eightfold, but also promoted technological innovation in six provincial-level factories. They will not take this car back; they have specifically instructed that it will be responsible for Chief Engineer Liu's daily commute from now on."

For Director Lin, there was no reason to refuse the Ministry of Metallurgy's offer of a car. It was both a gesture of goodwill and perfectly suited to Liu Guangqi's current position—he was already a deputy director at administrative level 15, and would be promoted to level 6 engineer next year. Providing such a highly skilled technical personnel with a car for security was only reasonable. The current situation remained complex, and key technical personnel were often targets of hostile forces. Liu Guangqi's contributions to both the machine tool industry and the development of new fighter jets were crucial.

The liaison officer standing nearby smiled and added, "The minister also specifically instructed that he hopes there will be another opportunity to invite Chief Engineer Liu to visit our sister units to guide their technological upgrades in the future."

His words were well-chosen and eloquent, saving face for Liu Guangqi while also making the First Ministry of Machine Building feel very comfortable. There was not a trace of sour grapes around, only an overwhelming sense of amazement.

"Incredible..."

"This isn't luck, it's real skill! Could you have increased steel production eightfold?"

"He was seconded for a month and drove back a Volga—that's something to brag about for a lifetime."

"I'm convinced, truly convinced."

After Director Lin and the liaison officer explained, all the discussions quietly subsided. Liu Guangqi stood there, momentarily dazed.

Liu Guangqi thought that life would return to normal—riding that old bicycle back and forth between the factory and the family compound, picking up and dropping off his wife every day.

Unexpectedly, the Ministry of Metallurgy presented such a generous gift.

That car was reserved for him once again.

Director Lin approached, pressed his hand firmly on his shoulder, his eyes filled with approval and entrustment:

"Kuji!"

"From now on, the task of maintaining this line in the Ministry of Metallurgy will depend on you."

"Work hard, so as not to let down the Ministry of Metallurgy's sincerity, and also to prevent our First Ministry of Machine Building from losing face."

Liu Guangqi composed himself and nodded solemnly.

A warm feeling slowly rose from the bottom of my heart.

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the glass and fell on the black Volga in the yard. Its paint was calm, yet it reflected a clear, lustrous sheen.

At this moment, it is no longer just a vehicle for transportation.

It was a silent medal.

This is the most solemn recognition and dignity that a technical worker can receive in this era.

The news spread like wildfire.

Before long, the news spread throughout the entire First Ministry of Machine Building office building: Director Liu of the Research Department had earned back a Volga through his own abilities.

***

July arrives quietly amidst the chirping of cicadas.

Days passed by one by one.

In the office, Liu Guangqi answered the ringing phone, and a smile appeared on his lips upon hearing the voice on the other end:

"Professor Li, what brings you to call today?"

He picked up the receiver, his tone relaxed and friendly.

On the other end of the phone, Director Li of the Mechanical Engineering Department spoke in a loud and clear voice:

"Guangqi! You're now a shining star in our Mechanical Engineering Department! If I don't call you soon, I'm afraid you'll really forget about this old man!"

The old professor was in a good mood, and his words were tinged with friendly jokes.

"These past few days, the graduating students in my department have been surrounding me every day, asking if senior Liu Guangqi will be attending the graduation ceremony this year..."

"I'm so tired of hearing this!"

"How about it? Give me some face and say a few words to the younger students when you get back?"

As Liu Guangqi listened, the smile lines at the corners of his eyes deepened: "Professor Li, are you pushing me onto the stage again?"

He paused briefly, his tone gentle yet earnest:

"I told you last year that I really couldn't go to give a speech at the graduation ceremony anymore."

"Things shouldn't happen more than three times. I've already said that twice. If we go every year, it'll look like a signboard that just won't leave."

As he spoke, he changed the subject, his tone becoming calmer:

"We'll see."

"Among this year's outstanding graduates, some are specializing in materials science, and some are focusing on automation. I always talk about machine tools because I'm afraid they'll feel that this is the only path they have..."

"On the contrary, it restricts our vision—"

"Opportunities should be left to the younger generation. The future is being built by our generation, and it is also the next stage they will embark on."

The department head sighed softly on the other end of the phone, but couldn't hide his smile:

"You always think so thoroughly! Okay, I'll listen to you, I won't force you."

"But there's something I really need your help with!"

Hearing this, Liu Guangqi had a general idea of ​​what the department head was going to say.

really.

Unsurprisingly.

The department head at Tsinghua University is still worried about the students' future prospects.

The current year is far from over, and the difficulties are far from over. Although the Red Star Factory is doing very well in its foreign exchange tasks, it is ultimately just an isolated case.

The more common reality is—

In three years, nearly 20 million employees were laid off, the urban population was reduced by more than 20 million, and more than 10 billion catties of grain were saved.

This sweeping wave of employment downturn cannot be thawed by a single factory like Hongxing.

……

Even under such circumstances, graduates of Tsinghua University still have no trouble finding jobs.

The state always arranges a job for every student.

The difficulty lies in finding a job in a heavy industry unit that matches one's expertise.

Of course, college students in this era are still a valuable resource, especially those from prestigious universities like Tsinghua University, where graduation guarantees a secure job.

But the nature of the position is equally important.

In short, it's not difficult to get a technical job after graduation; you'll be assigned one directly.

But if one wants to take an administrative position and become a cadre—

Where do so many vacant positions come from to be filled?

Most people eventually end up in technical positions.

For example, in the technician sequence, college students are classified as level 14 technicians during their internships, and can be classified as level 10 technicians after becoming full-time employees.

In the administrative hierarchy, university student interns belong to the administrative level 20**, which is equivalent to a level 5 clerk. After becoming a full-time employee, they are promoted to administrative level 22, which is equivalent to a level 4 clerk.

Technicians and clerks sound almost identical, and their salaries and benefits are nearly the same.

However, the opportunities to move from a technical position to a management position are much fewer.

Liu Guangqi knew that he could indeed handle this matter.

But in this day and age, while many things can be decided in a single word, one shouldn't agree too readily. There should always be some sense of propriety in interpersonal relationships. Therefore, he paused intentionally for a moment on the other end of the phone.

Sure enough, the silence on the other end of the receiver made Professor Li, the department head, feel increasingly uneasy. He knew this wouldn't be easy—Liu Guangqi had secured many job placements for the department last year, and he remembered that favor. But he really had no other options; he couldn't just watch his own Tsinghua University graduate end up as a regular technician in the light industry sector. He also knew that even if his student had connections, he couldn't magically conjure up a job out of thin air.

After a long while, Liu Guangqi's voice rang out again.

"Professor Li," he said, "how about this, I'll go and communicate with the personnel department and tell them that our research division needs to recruit some technical researchers, and ask them to give priority to graduates from our department. Once they're here, they can participate in actual machine tool debugging work."

Professor Li's eyes suddenly lit up.

Going to the First Ministry of Machine Building—starting with an administrative cadre position, and also getting involved in the machine tool R&D project that Liu Guangqi would be leading. This starting point was even better than the spot I had secured for Liu Guangqi back then.

"As for the other vacancies..." Liu Guangqi pondered for a moment, as if calculating in his mind, "I'll take another look at the machine tool workshop at Hongxing Factory. We should be able to free up a few more positions."

These days, a formal job opening is incredibly valuable. But Liu Guangqi has no interest in it—people with university degrees don't need to buy jobs, and those without the necessary qualifications wouldn't be qualified for these technical positions even if they bought one. Ultimately, it's a matter of everyone getting what they deserve.

These words were perfectly tactful and appropriate. They made it seem as if the difficult task had been accomplished through careful consideration and the use of considerable connections, while also giving the department head ample face.

On the other end of the phone, Professor Li, who had initially given up hope, suddenly became excited, his voice even trembling slightly: "Really? Guangqi, this...this really solves the department's urgent problem! I thank you on behalf of these junior students!"