Chapter 13: Chief Engineer, a Salary of 186 Yuan

Chen Dezhong's eyes widened: "You... how did you know that?"

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "Teacher Chen, professional matters should be left to professional people. This machine has more problems than just these; the spindle dynamic balance is also problematic. This is currently just an emergency fix; it will need a major overhaul in a few days."

Chen Dezhong's expression shifted several times, his eyes filled with shock and suspicion.

"Test it again!" Chen Dezhong was unwilling to give up, leading Li Mingyuan to another large lathe, "What about this piece of equipment? Why can't the rotation speed go up?"

Li Mingyuan scanned the area, walked straight to the power distribution box in the corner, and skillfully opened it for inspection.

"The main circuit voltage is unstable, there is a tiny break in the motor coil, and the frequency converter parameters are set incorrectly." He said without looking back, adjusting several spots in the distribution box as he spoke, "Also, the cooling system has air resistance; the pipes need cleaning."

After finishing, he turned to Chen Dezhong and smiled slightly: "Would you like me to help you fix it?"

Chen Dezhong froze in place, the expression on his face as ugly as if he had swallowed a fly.

"Chief Engineer, you are too amazing!" A young engineer couldn't help but applaud.

Others followed suit, applauding one after another, the skepticism in their eyes turning into admiration.

Factory Lou Changzhang grinned from ear to ear: "I told you, Chief Engineer Li has real skills!"

"Come, let me take you to see the other workshops." Factory Lou Changzhang enthusiastically draped his arm over Li Mingyuan's shoulder, accompanying him to tour the entire factory.

Along the way, Li Mingyuan saw various old pieces of equipment—some produced by the Star-Spangled Country, some by Hans, and even some donated by the Polar Bear—pieced together to form a barely functional production line.

"Chief Engineer Li, the Military Industry Department has given instructions that our factory must cooperate with you to complete a task." Factory Lou Changzhang said in a low voice, "This is a key national project, and you see these facilities..."

"They can be retrofitted." Li Mingyuan answered decisively, "Although these machines are old, their basic performance is still okay. Through appropriate retrofitting, they can fully meet production requirements."

Factory Lou Changzhang's eyes lit up: "Really? That's great! The higher-ups have given our factory a death order; we must complete the task, otherwise..."

"Don't worry." Li Mingyuan patted his shoulder, "I already have a preliminary plan."

Just as they were talking, several familiar figures appeared at the workshop entrance.

Liu Haizhong and Jia Dongxu were working, and upon seeing the Factory Director leading a young man over, they hurriedly put down their tools and stood at attention.

"Good day, Factory Director!" The two said in unison.

Liu Haizhong squinted his eyes, and after seeing clearly who it was, he nearly bit his own tongue: "Li... Li Mingyuan?"

Jia Dongxu also widened his eyes: "You... aren't you the new neighbor who moved in yesterday?"

Factory Lou Changzhang looked at them in surprise: "You know Chief Engineer Li?"

"Chief Engineer?" Liu Haizhong and Jia Dongxu looked at each other, dumbfounded.

Li Mingyuan smiled: "That's right, we are neighbors in the courtyard."

Factory Lou Changzhang patted Li Mingyuan's shoulder: "That's wonderful. In the future, if Chief Engineer Li needs anything, you two help out more."

Liu Haizhong hurriedly nodded and bowed: "Certainly, certainly! If Chief Engineer Li has any orders, just say the word!"

Jia Dongxu kept his head down, his expression extremely ugly; thinking of the attitude he and his mother had shown Li Mingyuan yesterday, he felt a chill in his heart.

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly and deliberately patted Jia Dongxu on the shoulder. "Master Jia, don't be nervous. We are all neighbors; please take care of me in the future."

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Chief Engineer Li is too polite." Liu Haizhong fawningly leaned in, his rat-like face crinkling into a chrysanthemum-like smile, "If you have any needs, just give your orders."

Factory Lou Changzhang led Li Mingyuan to continue the tour, introducing the factory's situation as they walked.

"Chief Engineer Li, although our old factory has outdated equipment, the master workers are all top-notch. As long as you lead everyone, we will definitely be able to complete the task."

Li Mingyuan nodded, his gaze sweeping across the workshop, a preliminary plan already forming in his mind.

The current Rolling Mill was a completely different concept from the CNC factories of later generations, but as long as it was reasonably retrofitted, it would be more than enough to produce the Type Weapon.

The workers were all stealing glances at this young Chief Engineer, whispers filling the air. "He's a Chief Engineer at such a young age?"

"I heard he returned from studying abroad; the mechanical technology over in the Polar Bear is first-class."

"Pfft, he probably has connections. Look at his delicate, pampered appearance—what could he possibly know about machinery?"

Yi Zhonghai returned from the restroom and walked into the workshop, seeing the workers gathered together in heated discussion.

"What's going on? Why has everyone stopped working?"

"Old Yi, you don't know? A new Chief Engineer has come to our factory. He's young and supposedly returned from studying in the Polar Bear." A worker leaned over and whispered.

"A new Chief Engineer? How old could he be to be so impressive? I'll have to see for myself." Yi Zhonghai puffed out his chest; he had worked in the factory for over a dozen years and considered himself well-informed.

The worker pointed to the young man surrounded by the crowd not far away. Yi Zhonghai looked in that direction, and the whole person seemed struck by lightning. "This... isn't this..."

"That Li Mingyuan who just moved into the West Courtyard of our compound?" Yi Zhonghai's voice changed pitch, his eyeballs nearly popping out.

The worker looked at him in surprise: "You know him?"

Yi Zhonghai's mouth twitched, the expression on his face more bitter than if he had eaten ten pounds of dung.

He had just been humiliated by that kid yesterday, and today he becomes the factory's Chief Engineer? What kind of situation is this!

Li Mingyuan was arranged to be in an independent office on the second floor of the factory headquarters, twice as large as the office of an average section chief.

"By the way, Chief Engineer Li, regarding your compensation..." Factory Lou Changzhang dismissed the others to discuss this sensitive topic with Li Mingyuan alone.

Li Mingyuan sat up straight; he was indeed curious about the current compensation level for experts.

"Factory Lou Changzhang, whatever you arrange is fine."

"According to the instructions from the Military Industry Department, you are classified as a special talent introduction, with your salary set at Grade 8, a base salary of 110 yuan." Factory Lou Changzhang opened a document and pointed to the numbers on it,

"In addition, there is a research allowance of 45 yuan, a confidentiality subsidy of 18 yuan, and a housing subsidy of 13 yuan... totaling 186 yuan."

Li Mingyuan's eyes went blank as he listened.

186 yuan!

At this time, that was almost five or six times the income of an average worker.

An old master worker probably made only forty or fifty, and even the Factory Director only made a little over a hundred.

"This..." Li Mingyuan didn't know what to say for a moment.

Factory Lou Changzhang looked at his shocked expression and smiled: "Chief Engineer Li, don't worry. This is the standard set by the higher-ups. It is not easy for a country to cultivate a scientist; this level of compensation for you is deserved."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "Of course, it's better not to talk about this amount everywhere, so as to avoid causing unnecessary trouble."

Li Mingyuan nodded; in an era of material scarcity, this was truly the treatment of a high-ranking cadre.

Seeing Li Mingyuan agree, Factory Lou Changzhang breathed a sigh of relief: "That's good, that's good. By the way, Chief Engineer Li, the Military Industry Department called to say that several experts will be coming to the factory tomorrow; you need to be prepared."

After seeing Factory Lou Changzhang off, only Li Mingyuan remained in the office.

Li Mingyuan sat in the spacious office, his mind spinning rapidly.

After confirming there was no one in the office, Li Mingyuan locked the door, took the Mechanical Manufacturing Manual out from the System Space, and turned to the first page.