Chapter 220

Regardless of one's own thoughts, since the ministry has officially announced it via broadcast, the matter is now certain.

The echoes of the broadcast had barely faded when Old Zhou from the research department clearly heard his name resound through the airwaves to every corner, and a surge of burning honor instantly filled his chest. He walked to Liu Guangqi's side and said sincerely, "Director, this time, we really benefited from your help."

Old Zhou understood perfectly well. Although the broadcast mentioned his name alongside Liu Guangqi's, everyone knew that even though Director Liu hadn't personally led the entire development of the nine-axis machine tool, his contribution was still paramount. Without Liu Guangqi's precise grasp of the direction, his strong support at key technical junctures, and especially the solid guarantees of the two core systems—electrical and CNC—the technical staff of their First Research Laboratory, even with their best efforts, would likely have been limited to patching things up within the existing framework.

Liu Guangqi is the key figure who gave this machine its true soul.

As soon as Old Zhou finished speaking, several young technicians gathered around him chimed in, their voices full of enthusiasm:

"Director!"

"We look forward to working with you on our next fully automated project!"

"Following you, we can not only learn real skills but also achieve tangible results. We also want to... make our names known, just like Team Leader Zhou!"

Liu Guangqi listened and couldn't help but laugh. Although it was a joke, looking at the faces before him, full of energy and trust, he felt a deep sense of reassurance. The success of this nine-axis machine tool was far more than just the simple conclusion of a project; it was like a solid foundation, firmly planted beneath their feet.

With it, the path to the planned fully automated production line and the research and development of medium-scale integrated circuits will be smoother and wider.

"Alright!" Liu Guangqi raised his voice, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "This is just the first step. Next, we need to get this machine tool out of the lab, into mass production, and enable more factories to use our own high-precision machine tools!"

As soon as he finished speaking, enthusiastic applause erupted once again in the workshop. Every gaze was bright and sparkling, reflecting boundless anticipation for the future.

The news of the successful development of the nine-axis machine tool spread like wildfire.

The Technical Group 1 instantly became the focus of the entire research department. The commendation document, printed in red ink, was neatly posted on the most prominent bulletin board. What made the other research colleagues even more envious was that the name of the group leader, Lao Zhou—Zhou Jianguo, who usually buried himself in hard work and didn't like to show off—was broadcast loudly and clearly throughout every corner of the institute, thanks to the ministry's announcement.

"...Here, we would like to express our special commendation to Comrade Zhou Jianguo and his team from the First Research Office of the Research Department..."

This caused quite a stir among many people. They whispered amongst themselves: for a project as complex as a nine-axis machine tool, Director Liu hadn't even personally led the team; he mainly provided the core design ideas and key guidance, and ultimately made the final decision on the CNC system integration. Even so, it was enough to make Old Zhou incredibly proud.

So, what kind of glory and opportunities will the in-depth research on CNC automation and the medium-scale integrated circuit project, which are personally led by Liu Guangqi, bring next?

Thinking about this, many people's minds began to stir.

September had just begun, but the air inside the research institute felt scorching hot, as if it had been set ablaze.

The news of the nine-axis machine tool being commended had only been circulating for two days when offices everywhere were buzzing with excitement.

Everyone's eyes burned with a fire.

This situation is very different from before. In the past, the groups always helped each other and supported each other. Now, the nine-axis project has won the championship, and even Lao Zhou's name has been broadcast several times. The other groups are secretly working hard and determined to make their own name in the two key projects of full automation and medium-scale integrated circuits.

Looking at the bustling scene before him, Liu Guangqi smiled slightly and unfolded the project division diagram:

"The fully automated project is divided into three modules. I lead one group, and the second and third groups are each responsible for one module, so we can work together."

"Whichever side produces results first will be given priority in the year-end performance evaluation!"

Before the words were even finished, the technicians from each group had already grabbed their task sheets and rushed out the door, their words of thanks carried on the wind.

Everyone fears being a step behind, or the opportunity will slip away to someone else.

……

September has arrived in the blink of an eye.

More than eight months have passed since the project was officially approved by Director Lin at the beginning of the year.

We've made it this far thanks to the tireless work of our technicians, who work day and night in the workshop.

Without them, Liu Guangqi would have been stuck with those blueprints for more than half a year.

Even so, he still felt that time had been torn in two.

At the Institute of Computing Technology, he frequently needed to oversee and guide the implementation of high-level languages ​​and compilers in the field of industrial control.

On the ministry side, the CNC automated production line is even more complex, with everything from architecture design to process debugging having to go through his hands.

Even the unprecedented new ideas and drawings in the integrated circuit CNC workshop had to be explained, hand-drawn, and even demonstrated and debugged by him personally.

Running back and forth, day and night, this kind of rhythm has almost become the norm.

Yet its efficiency is surprisingly high.

A few days ago, Director Duan heard that Liu Guangqi had brought back a new version of the CNC system from the Institute of Computing Technology and was preparing to officially assemble it on the production line, so he made a special trip to investigate.

Although he didn't quite understand the technical terms like "closed-loop control" and "pulse equivalent" that the technicians used, he had a general idea of ​​what was going on—if all went well, the CNC automated production line would be operational before the Spring Festival.

This made Director Duan extremely happy.

Having just taken charge of the General Machinery Division, two major achievements—the nine-axis machine tool and the CNC production line—came in quick succession, as if they had given him wings.

As he left, he couldn't hide the smile on his face—who wouldn't like a subordinate who knows how to advance and retreat and can bring honor to his superiors?

No wonder Lao Lin was promoted so quickly.

To achieve tangible political results so soon after taking office is a feeling you can't experience anywhere else.

……

The days that followed flew by in a constant flurry of activity.

Liu Guangqi shuttled between the Institute of Computing Technology and the First Ministry of Machine Building every day, checking progress and overseeing manufacturing; his steps were almost never stopped.

Just after the National Day holiday in October, the entire research department was quickly swept up in a wave of research and development.

Everyone threw themselves into the final battle, like a group of farmers chasing the season, trying to harvest the last crop before the ground froze.

In early November, the north wind began to pick up.

When the last electronic component factory brought good news—the core component, which had been successfully manufactured according to the design—the atmosphere in the project team suddenly became extremely tense.

Upon receiving the news, Liu Guangqi immediately rushed back to the ministry's research and development office from the Institute of Computing Technology.

The room was filled with scattered figures, and the air was thick with the pungent smell of machine oil mixed with solder.

A complete CNC automated production line lies like a sleeping dragon, waiting for its final heart to start beating.

Fortunately, Liu Guangqi had already broken down and thoroughly taught the researchers the most challenging technical hurdles and operational procedures.

At this moment, no further words are needed; everyone knows where they should focus their efforts.

In fact, they were just as anxious as Liu Guangqi: with the end of the year fast approaching, no one wanted to delay the completion deadline past this winter.

This is not just about personal glory, but also involves the blueprint for the entire industrial transformation and even the pulse of national defense construction in the distance.

Liu Guangqi also bent down to the busy final stage.

From circuit calibration to program injection, he didn't leave his post for a single step.

……

Time slipped away silently, drop by drop.

When the last wire was connected, the entire workshop suddenly fell into a tense silence.

All eyes, like an undercurrent, quietly converged on Liu Guangqi.

He slowly exhaled, walked to the control panel, and placed his finger steadily on the green start button.

hum-

A low hum of electricity filled the air, and a row of indicator lights lit up one after another, like stars awakening. The previously silent production line suddenly emitted a uniform friction sound and began to operate precisely and smoothly.

After a brief silence, someone shouted out first:

"It moved! It's done!"

In an instant, the entire research and development room seemed to be set ablaze.

"Great! It worked!"

"Director, we succeeded again!"

The cheers nearly lifted the factory roof off. Several young workers rushed forward, grabbed Liu Guangqi without a word, and tossed him high into the air amidst laughter and gasps—

Fortunately, someone caught it safely from behind.

After being tossed twice more, Liu Guangqi finally smiled and waved to stop. This brief moment of commotion seemed to release all the pent-up anticipation and tension from the past few days.

"Director, let's quickly test the performance!"

"Yes, look at our results, aren't they just as we expected!"

After a brief respite from the celebrations, the technicians in the workshop eagerly began urging everyone to get back to work.

Liu Guangqi was eager to know the result. He nodded and announced loudly, "Alright, let's begin the test now..."

Without a doubt, the first trial run of the CNC automated production line was almost perfect.

As the last batch of gleaming, precision parts slid off the assembly line, the entire workshop fell into a frozen silence.

Immediately afterwards, applause and cheers erupted like a torrent.

The news spread like wildfire, reaching the ministry leaders at top speed. Within a morning, a storm had already begun to brew.

"Ring ring ring—!"

The phone in Liu Guangqi's office suddenly rang sharply, startling him from his work as he was organizing test data.

He grabbed the receiver, but before he could speak—

The familiar yet barely suppressed excitement of Director Duan's voice came from the other end: "Comrade Guangqi, this is Duan Wenhua!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was filled with burning excitement.

"Director!" Liu Guangqi replied.

"Don't call me Director!" Duan Wenhua spoke rapidly. "A high-ranking leader from the Academy is coming to inspect in person in half an hour! The Minister asked me to inform you to prepare immediately and greet him at the building entrance!"

The college committee... a high-ranking leader?

Liu Guangqi's fingers tightened suddenly around the receiver, the plastic casing making a slight creaking sound.

A figure flashed through his mind instantly—gentle and refined, yet possessing immense authority.

After hanging up the phone, Liu Guangqi was still somewhat dazed.

Before I could think it through, there was a knock on the office door.

Director Duan's assistant poked his head in, a respectful yet nervous smile on his face:

"Director Liu! The director asked me to remind you that it's time to go downstairs."

Liu Guangqi suddenly snapped out of his daze, grabbed his coat from the back of the chair, hurriedly put it on, and rushed downstairs.

When he jogged to the front of the ministry's iconic office building—

The top leader of the Ministry of Machine Building stood at the forefront. Behind him were his former superiors, Vice Minister Lin and Director Duan, along with several other ministerial leaders. Each of them stood ramrod straight, their solemn expressions conveying anticipation, forming a dignified and imposing sight.

This scene...

Liu Guangqi's appearance immediately attracted everyone's attention.

He had planned to quietly walk behind Director Duan, find the last spot, and try to conceal his presence—after all, at this moment, he was still just a section chief in the General Mechanical Technology Division.

Vice Minister Lin glanced at him.

A faint smile played at the corners of his lips: "Comrade Guangqi, why are you hiding so far away? Come here."

As soon as he finished speaking, his eyes clearly said: You think you can hide?

The Minister of the First Ministry of Machine Building turned around upon hearing this, his gaze lingering on Liu Guangqi for a moment before he nodded meaningfully: "Comrade Guangqi, stand next to me. This time—the top leader specifically requested to see you."

That short sentence made the gazes of the surrounding deputy ministers towards Liu Guangqi deepen even further.

Liu Guangqi smiled helplessly and had no choice but to walk past the crowd to the minister's side.

Just then—

The low hum of a car engine could be heard coming from the gate of the ministry compound.

Everyone turned to look.

Three black sedans, guided by security guards, smoothly drove into the courtyard and finally came to a stop in front of everyone.

One of the cars had its door slowly pushed open.

It was the ZIS III armored sedan, the official vehicle of that high-ranking leader of the institute, that came to a smooth stop.