Chapter 105

"This project represents the culmination of your hard work over the past six months, so it's only right to strengthen security. We can never let our guard down against enemy agents," he said thoughtfully. "I'll have the security department assign you a dedicated patrol team, three shifts during the day and increased frequency at night, to ensure the absolute security of the research lab, both inside and out."

"Core components must be machined using the latest CNC machine tools." Liu Guangqi pointed to the second point: "Precision spindles, bearings, and other critical components must never be outsourced. Only ordinary components can be distributed to other workshops or sister factories for collaboration."

Having made numerous contributions to the Ministry of Machine Building, he now has the confidence to ask his superiors for whatever he needs, and given his standing in the ministry, approvals are usually granted quickly.

Then, Liu Guangqi mentioned the need to transfer external personnel from the Institute of Computing Technology.

"The compensation must be sufficient. I'll oversee the overall direction of the control system, and I'll also take care of their food and lodging." He paused, "Of course, the specific coordination still needs to be communicated with the Institute of Computing Technology."

Director Lin waved his hand after hearing this.

"You're in charge of this. Set the highest standards for food and lodging, and use the ministry's special funds." He said confidently, "Since you're the overall person in charge of the project, you should be given all the necessary authority to allocate resources."

Everything on the list, from confidentiality measures to equipment configuration, from personnel benefits to security arrangements—was rejected.

The weight that had been hanging over Liu Guangqi's heart finally lifted completely.

This is the confidence that comes from having excellent technical skills.

Liu Guangqi stayed in Director Lin's room all afternoon, repeatedly reviewing the preparation plan for the CNC machine tool special task force.

The office was gradually filled with all kinds of drawings and documents, leaving almost no room to stand. The scale of this project far exceeded that of any previous one—a five-axis linkage heavy machining center; the name alone implied several technical hurdles that needed to be overcome.

Unlike the earlier five-axis CNC machine tools developed with the help of coordinate measuring machine data from Tsinghua University, which were designed for mass production, the goal this time is to build a complete technology chain from CNC systems and key functional components to complete machine assembly. This includes various categories such as vertical machining centers, horizontal machining centers, milling and turning combination machines, gantry machine tools, and dedicated impeller machining centers. The core parameters must not only reach the international top level, but also surpass them in most performance aspects.

It is no exaggeration to say that the downstream applications of this technology will extend to multiple fields, including aviation, automobiles, precision molds, general machinery, emerging low-altitude industries, and even medical equipment, thereby achieving large-scale import substitution and paving the way for the future formation of semiconductor, integrated circuit, and other precision manufacturing industry clusters. Therefore, the intricacies involved cannot be fully explained in a few words.

Moreover, the Institute of Computing Technology, under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was also deeply involved in this project. All aspects had to be clarified in advance, especially the schedules of the Institute of Computing Technology personnel—everyone knows that the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as the national research hub, has extremely valuable time for each expert. They not only had to participate in project development and system calibration, but their original research tasks could not be completely put aside, simply waiting for progress.

Therefore, Liu Guangqi and Director Lin meticulously reviewed the project plan item by item, setting clear timelines for each stage.

"I'll handle the contact with the Institute of Computing Technology," Liu Guangqi circled the personnel coordination section. "Professor Lu mentioned before that he would send key personnel to join, and I can confirm it with a phone call tonight."

Director Lin pointed to the parts distribution table: "The processing can be handed over to Hongxing Factory. You know Wang Jianguo well, so have him arrange reliable subcontractors, and the quality must be up to standard. Our own workshop will focus on tackling the main shaft and transmission system. Several senior master craftsmen from the Ministry's directly affiliated factories will be assigned to assist you."

Liu Guangqi nodded and added, "I also plan to include the graduates from Tsinghua University who participated in the early-stage research and development last year in the group, so that they can learn through practical experience and can be considered as a talent reserve."

As the sun began to set, the overall plan for the five-axis linkage project was finally finalized.

Liu Guangqi stared at the densely packed list of responsibilities on the paper—responsible person for confidentiality, equipment manager, liaison officer, inspection schedule, each item assigned to a specific name. Director Lin stood up and gently patted him on the shoulder: "This project is entrusted to you. I await good news."

Liu Guangqi gripped the project proposal in his hand, his gaze calm and resolute: "Rest assured, Director, the five-axis linkage heavy machining center will definitely be officially launched before the Spring Festival."

When I walked out of the office building, the Volga was already waiting in front of the door.

Liu Guangqi got into the car without saying a word. The street scenes outside the window rushed past, and he leaned back in the soft seat, letting out a slow sigh. He had to admit, the car provided by the Ministry of Metallurgy truly saved him a lot of trouble. If he were still riding that old bicycle between ministries and factories every day, like before, his body would probably be aching long ago. Especially with Zhao Mengyun about to give birth, without this car, he would probably have had to find a handcart to push her to the hospital, unlike now, where he could even rest for a while along the way. This dignity and convenience were something he had earned step by step.

Soon, the familiar building of Peking Union Medical College Hospital came into view.

The car came to a steady stop in front of the door. Just as Liu Guangqi was about to push the door open, the guard in the front seat turned around and handed him a thick manila envelope.

"Director, this was given to us this morning by Director Lin and several other leaders in the ministry. They said it was for your wife and child to improve their health," the guard said sincerely.

Liu Guangqi took the envelope, his palm sinking slightly. He didn't refuse and tore open the seal on the spot.

A stack of tickets of different colors slipped out and gently scattered on his lap.

Five milk powder coupons.

Three malted milk powder coupons.

Two brown sugar coupons.

Several receipts for canned fruit were also tucked inside.

The setting sun slanted in through the car window, landing on the corners of the tickets, where two small red characters were printed—**.

Upon seeing those two words, Liu Guangqi's heart sank, but then a surge of warmth welled up within him.

The quantities are different now.

This wasn't just ordinary care; it was genuine concern for him.

Director Lin and several other leaders in the ministry were clearly aware that his family had recently welcomed twins, a boy and a girl. Providing food for even one child was difficult, let alone two.

These receipts, held in my hand, were now almost hot.

These are not just tickets and certificates, but also his source of confidence in front of his parents-in-law.

Liu Guangqi has indeed been preoccupied with this matter for the past two days.

It's not that there's no way—my father-in-law's family has a wide network of connections. If we really ask, we might be able to find not only baby formula, but also other overseas products.

But he had just become a father, and it would be too embarrassing for him to ask his elders for money right away.

If word gets out, I'm afraid I'll be branded as someone who relies on my wife's family.

it's good now.

The nutritional supplements Zhao Mengyun needed after childbirth, and the breast milk for her two babies, were finally secured.

These tickets arrived at just the right time.

Liu Guangqi let out a soft breath and carefully put the ticket into the inner pocket.

"Remember to thank the leaders for me tomorrow."

A smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

This is not only practical support, but also silent recognition, which is more substantial than any commendation.

Three days later, at Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

After completing the discharge procedures, Liu Guangqi helped Zhao Mengyun slowly walk out of the ward.

Childbirth in this era is different from other times. Many people go back to work the day after giving birth, so they don't have the leisure to rest during the postpartum period.

But Liu Guangqi understood the importance of the matter. He hadn't used up the leave granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so he let his wife stay for two more days. Today, he also took half a day off to pick her up and take her back to the dormitory building in the ministry compound.

As soon as I entered the building, the aroma of millet porridge mixed with the smell of chicken soup wafted towards me.

Auntie Erda arrived early, cooking porridge in a rice cooker and stewing chicken in a ceramic pot on the coal stove, with steam rising slowly.

"Finally back."

The second aunt stepped forward and supported Zhao Mengyun on the other side, her tone one of relief:

"It's still more convenient to live in a tenement building. The canteen is nearby, and we have a rice cooker and a thermos at home, which makes taking care of the new mother much easier."

Judging from her expression, she was very satisfied with taking care of Zhao Mengyun here.

These days, after getting off work, Liu Pangpang no longer rushes back to the courtyard house; he always makes a detour to the ministry compound first.

He was thinking about his grandchildren Ruixue and Fengnian; he felt like something was missing if he didn't see them for a day.

He doesn't talk much to his daughter-in-law, but he never comes empty-handed—sometimes with a basket of newly arrived eggs, sometimes with brown sugar he's saved up at the supply and marketing cooperative.

The elderly couple, who usually couldn't bear to eat these things themselves, are now moving them all here.

As for Zhao's father and mother-in-law, Wu Shuang, they returned to the military base by car the afternoon after Zhao Mengyun was hospitalized.

Military families are disciplined, and it's impossible for them to stay with their daughters for long periods of time.

Even now, when Liu Guangqi recalls that scene before he left, his heart still warms.

That afternoon, a brand-new Jeep was parked in front of Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

His mother-in-law, Wu Shuang, stuffed a heavy cloth bag into his arms, making his arm feel slightly heavier.

"Guangqi," she said crisply, but her gaze was gentle, "inside are national food coupons, and all sorts of receipts that your father and I saved up in the army. Don't be stingy, use them when you need them, to provide nutrition for Xiaoyun and the baby."

Her gaze swept past him and fell on the hospital room window, where her daughter, who had just given birth, was located.

"We're relieved that your parents are here to take care of Xiaoyun."

As for you, you can focus on your career and don't need to worry about things at home.

Father Zhao stepped forward, placed his broad palm on his shoulder, and pressed it down firmly.

"Good lad, the country needs young people like you right now. Doing your job well is more important than anything else."

"We'll take care of Xiaoyun."

"With us two old bones supporting you, you can just go for it! The sky won't fall!"

Liu Guangqi stood beside the jeep, watching the dust kicked up by the wheels gradually disappear into the distance. A thousand words choked in his throat, yet he couldn't utter a single one. The two elders didn't exchange many private words, but their unconditional trust and support were more steadfast than any vow.

One place is his ancestral home, where he quietly guards a warm place of return with simple meals and the eggs he has saved.

Another source of support was his wife, whose solid foundation and connections provided him with ample opportunities to make his mark.

The days passed quietly amidst such busyness and tranquility.

Every morning and evening, the loud cries of Ruixue and Fengnian would ring out from the dormitory-style apartment buildings in the ministry compound, interspersed with Zhao Mengyun's clear laughter as she was amused. The sounds pierced through the corridors, adding a touch of vibrant human life to these orderly buildings.

Meanwhile, in the research labs of the First Ministry of Machine Building, the blueprints for various prototypes of five-axis linkage machining were being refined one by one. The external assistance from the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences had also been largely finalized; they were ready to join the research and development team at any time, once the project reached the stage requiring computer-aided calibration. For a time, the trial production of the core components for five-axis linkage machining was proceeding at a rapid pace.

Liu Guangqi shuttles between the ministry and his family every day. Although he is busy, he never feels tired. On the contrary, he has an indescribable energy.

Time flies, and the development of the five-axis linkage heavy-duty machining center has been underway for over a month. Parts such as the bed, spindle box, and machining head have been manufactured by the research department through their concerted efforts. These cold lines that once remained on paper have finally been transformed into a heavy, metallic, and solid entity.

Subsequently, through Liu Guangqi's connections, the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences also sent computer engineers. In those days, research and development were paramount, and the collaboration between the Ministry of Machine Building and the Institute of Computing Technology was a perfect match. With both sides working together, things naturally progressed smoothly. Moreover, Liu Guangqi only needed to borrow a few engineers, without even needing to alert higher authorities within the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

On the morning of that day, upon learning that the personnel from the Institute of Computing Technology had arrived, Liu Guangqi immediately rushed to the entrance of the First Machine Tool Plant to greet them.

"Cheng, Fu, welcome everyone."

He had initially thought that the Institute of Computing Technology would at most send one or two Level 8 engineers for this collaboration, but unexpectedly, two Level 7 computer engineers came directly, along with key personnel who were all assistant engineers or above. Seeing this, Liu Guangqi was certain that the manufacturing process of the five-axis linkage machining center might be accelerated even further.

A chilly autumn breeze blew in front of the Ministry of Machine Building's office building.

As soon as Liu Guangqi reached out his hand, it was firmly grasped by the middle-aged engineer at the head of the group.