Chapter 16: Establishing the Military Industry Group

At night, the clamor in the courtyard gradually dissipated, and everyone returned to their rooms to rest.

Li Mingyuan stood in the small side courtyard, looking at the bright moonlight, lost in thought.

"The conflicts in this courtyard will only grow deeper; sooner or later, a more intense clash will erupt," Li Mingyuan muttered to himself, "I must make comprehensive preparations."

Although there are many skills in the system, they are all biased toward mechanical engineering and the military industry, lacking the ability for close-quarters defense.

In this era, physical fitness and actual combat capability are equally important.

Li Mingyuan took off his coat, wearing only a white undershirt, and began to loosen his muscles and bones.

Recalling some simple military boxing moves learned during school military training in his past life, he began to practice them, one move at a time.

"Bow stance, punch! Kill!"

【Detected that the host is practicing combat techniques. Activate the Insight System?】

"Activate!" Li Mingyuan whispered in his heart.

A massive stream of information surged into his mind; various boxing styles, body movements, and footwork played out in his head like a vivid film.

He saw the essence of Baji Quan—fierce, swift, and close-quarters hard entry—and saw how to use the waist and hips to generate power, concentrating the entire body's strength into the fist.

【Insight System activated successfully. The host has gained entry-level understanding of "Baji Quan".】

【Obtained special reward: Basic combat techniques have been implanted into the host's memory.】

【Insight Value increased: 10→12】

Li Mingyuan felt a wave of heat spread throughout his body. He involuntarily struck the starting pose of Baji Quan, followed by a "Fierce Tiger Hard Mounts the Mountain"; the wind of his punch whistled, causing the air in the courtyard to vibrate.

"Good heavens, this power..." Li Mingyuan looked at his own fist, his eyes flashing with excitement.

He continued to practice the boxing style he had just comprehended, every move and every stance more fluid and powerful than before.

"With this, I won't have to be afraid if I encounter the likes of Jia Zhangshi again," Li Mingyuan chuckled, "but I still need to continue exercising to strengthen my physique."

After practicing for over an hour, Li Mingyuan was drenched in sweat, but his spirit was exceptionally high.

He picked up a towel to wipe off the sweat, looked at the small courtyard under the moonlight, and his heart was full of anticipation.

After washing up, he went into his room, lay down, and soon drifted off to sleep.

Early the next morning, as soon as Li Mingyuan pushed open the door, he saw Yi Zhonghai sweeping the floor at the entrance of his own small courtyard. Seeing Li Mingyuan come out, he immediately beamed with a smile.

"Comrade Li, good morning! Did you sleep well last night?"

Li Mingyuan raised an eyebrow. This old fox changed his tune quite quickly; yesterday he still had a foul face, and today he was all smiles.

He certainly knows how to bend and stretch.

"Quite well. Master Yi, you're up so early to sweep the floor?" Li Mingyuan asked, knowing the answer.

Yi Zhonghai rubbed his hands together: "I was just afraid the courtyard wasn't clean and would affect your mood! You are a talent the country is focusing on cultivating; we should fully support your work!"

"Is that so?" Li Mingyuan smiled faintly, "Then thank you, Master Yi."

After a brief reply, he got on his bicycle and left, leaving Yi Zhonghai standing there awkwardly rubbing his hands.

"Chief Engineer Li!" Just as he entered the factory gate, Xiao Wang came up to him, "Factory Lou Changzhang is looking for you; he says it's urgent."

Li Mingyuan nodded and walked quickly toward the factory director's office.

Factory Lou Changzhang was looking down at some documents; seeing Li Mingyuan enter, he immediately stood up.

"Chief Engineer Li, you've come just in time! The Military Industry Department just called to say the Expert Group will arrive this afternoon, and we need to be prepared." Factory Lou Changzhang looked anxious, "But on our side..."

Li Mingyuan smiled slightly: "Don't worry, Factory Lou Changzhang. I prepared the full set of modification plans last night."

Factory Lou Changzhang was stunned: "Really? So fast?"

"Of course," Li Mingyuan took a stack of design blueprints from his briefcase, "but before the experts arrive, I have a proposal."

"Go ahead."

"I want to establish a 'Military Industry Technology Study Group' to select talented workers from the factory for further training, specifically to cultivate core personnel for this project." Li Mingyuan's gaze was firm, "Of course, there will be a special subsidy."

Factory Lou Changzhang's eyes lit up: "Good idea! This way we can quickly assemble a technical team. The subsidy is easy to handle; this is a key project, and funding is not an issue."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "Then please have Factory Lou Changzhang issue a notice; we will start the selection this morning."

Ten minutes later, a piece of news spread through the Rolling Mill like the wind: Chief Engineer Li is going to form a Military Industry Technology Study Group; those selected will not only participate in a confidential project but also receive a special monthly subsidy of ten yuan!

Once this news broke, the entire factory area boiled over.

In the workshops, workers gathered in twos and threes, discussing it excitedly.

"A ten-yuan subsidy—that's half a month's wages for an ordinary worker!"

"The key is being able to participate in a confidential project; the future will be limitless!"

"I heard this project is directly overseen by the Military Industry Department; completing it will definitely earn a great merit!"

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong stood together, both of their eyes flashing with strange light.

"Old Yi, we will definitely get into this group," Liu Haizhong rubbed his hands, looking smug, "I've been in the workshop for nearly ten years; I've repaired at least eighty or a hundred machines. Chief Engineer Li will definitely choose me."

Yi Zhonghai stroked his non-existent beard, feeling confident: "That is Nature. My craftsmanship is known throughout the factory; no one understands the temper of these old machines better than I do."

Jia Dongxu stood to the side, but his face was full of worry.

He was just an ordinary worker with average technical skills; he feared he had little hope of getting into the group.

"Dongxu, don't worry," Yi Zhonghai patted his shoulder, "When the time comes, I'll go have a word with Chief Engineer Li; I'll definitely be able to bring you in with me. We are all neighbors; he won't refuse to give me that face."

Jia Dongxu nodded reluctantly, but he felt uneasy inside.

Thinking of his mother pressuring him every day to dig up "dirt" on Li Mingyuan, if he couldn't even get into this group, he would probably be scolded again when he got home.

At ten o'clock in the morning, all the factory staff gathered in the auditorium. Li Mingyuan stood on the stage, his gaze sweeping over the sea of people below, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Comrades," Li Mingyuan said in a resonant voice, "I have gathered you all here today for an important task. Our factory has been selected to undertake a national secret project, and we need to form a capable technical team."

There was an uproar below the stage, and the crowd whispered to one another.

"For this reason, I have decided to establish the Military Industry Technology Study Group and select thirty Technical Backbone members. Those selected will receive a special monthly subsidy of ten yuan and have the opportunity to participate in a key national project."

As soon as these words were spoken, thunderous applause erupted in the auditorium, and cheers rose one after another.

Li Mingyuan raised his hand to signal for silence: "Considering the special nature of the task, we need comrades who are young, have potential, and possess strong learning abilities. At two o'clock this afternoon, I will conduct interviews personally; interested comrades should sign up at the Technical Section."

As soon as the meeting ended, a long line formed at the entrance of the Technical Section, and almost all the Technical Workers had come.

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong stood at the front of the line, chatting and laughing, looking completely confident.

"Old Yi, we will definitely get in this time," Liu Haizhong said in a low voice, "I heard this project is from the Military Industry Department. Although our factory hasn't done this kind of work before, the craftsmanship is the same."

Yi Zhonghai nodded: "That's true, there isn't a piece of equipment I've repaired that didn't obey me. Chief Engineer Li will definitely choose me; I even live right across from him, how convenient."

Jia Dongxu stood behind them, looking nervous, rubbing his hands incessantly.