Chapter 23: Huh? Doing it Yourself?

In less than five minutes, Factory Lou Changzhang rushed over in a flurry; as soon as he entered, he saw the two experts, Li Shouzheng and Cheng Yanhai, staring at the blueprints on the table as if possessed, muttering to themselves.

"What's going on here?" Factory Lou Changzhang leaned in curiously, "Any new discoveries?"

"Not a new discovery, a new revolution!" Li Shouzheng pointed at the blueprints, his voice trembling.

"Look at this steelmaking method, the Top-Bottom Combined Blowing Converter; by blowing oxygen from both the top and bottom simultaneously, theoretically, it can shorten the steelmaking cycle from seven or eight hours to forty minutes!"

Factory Lou Changzhang was stunned; he had worked in steel mills for most of his life and knew what this meant.

Currently, steel mills across the country basically all use Open-Hearth Furnaces; one batch of steel takes half a day to burn, the efficiency is terribly low, and what is the total national steel output anyway?

And yet, Li Mingyuan could increase efficiency tenfold with just a casual blueprint?

"Comrade Xiao Li, you... you..." Factory Lou Changzhang's lips trembled for a long time, unable to utter a complete sentence.

Li Mingyuan took a sip of tea, unimpressed, "This technology is actually quite mature; the main thing is that the quality of the sintered raw materials must be improved, the oxygen purity must keep up, and the converter structure design must be scientific and reasonable."

The entire office fell into an eerie silence; the three men stared at Li Mingyuan, dumbfounded, as if looking at a monster.

Factory Lou Changzhang was the first to recover, "Chief Engineer Li, can this technology be implemented in our factory?"

"Of course, I have already calculated all the parameters; we only need to modify the existing equipment, and we can complete the construction of the first test furnace within a month." Li Mingyuan's tone was flat, as if he were talking about what to have for lunch.

Li Shouzheng's old face flushed with excitement, "Xiao Li, I have never seen a genius like you in my life! The Continuous Rolling Mill was already shocking enough, and now this Top-Bottom Combined Blowing Converter... just how many more treasures do you have hidden away?"

Li Mingyuan chuckled, "Take it slow; if I bring out too much at once, everyone won't be able to digest it."

Cheng Yanhai interjected from the side, "Comrade Li Mingyuan, according to your design, how much can this technology increase steel output?"

"Conservatively estimated, more than tenfold." The figure Li Mingyuan gave made the three people in the room gasp in unison.

Tenfold! What kind of concept was that? Last year, the national steel output was only a pitiful one million plus tons; if this technology were adopted, wouldn't it leap to the ten-million-ton level in one go? That was simply...

"I must report this to the Ministry immediately!" Factory Lou Changzhang was so excited he was incoherent, "This technology is even more important than the weapons production line! This is a major matter concerning the industrial lifeline of the country!"

Li Mingyuan stopped him, "Factory Lou Changzhang, don't be hasty; let's finish the weapons project on hand first. This steelmaking technology can be pushed forward simultaneously, but don't spread the word; after all, our factory's main task right now is still weapons production."

Li Shouzheng nodded, "Xiao Li is right; take it one step at a time and solve the problems in front of us first."

After the meeting, Li Mingyuan took the blueprints to the workshop, explained the design concept of the Top-Bottom Combined Blowing Converter in detail to the technical team, and arranged a five-person group specifically responsible for the processing of parts for this project.

At two in the afternoon, Li Mingyuan was in his office calculating ballistic parameters when Chen Dezhong ran in excitedly, "Chief Engineer Li! The first Rifling Bed modification is complete! All indicators have met the standards!"

Li Mingyuan put down the calculator in his hand, "That's great, we can start trial-producing samples."

Chen Dezhong asked impatiently, "Do you want me to find a few veteran masters to make the first batch of samples?"

"No need, I'll do it myself." Li Mingyuan stood up and picked up several detailed component drawings, "I plan to make three guns first: one Type 56 Rifle, one Submachine Gun, and one Sniper Rifle."

Chen Dezhong's eyes widened sharply, "You... you are doing it yourself?"

"Why, is there a problem?" Li Mingyuan looked at him in confusion.

"No... no problem, it's just... technicians usually don't do the hands-on work themselves..." Chen Dezhong stammered.

Li Mingyuan smiled faintly, "Seen too many experts who only talk on paper, right? Hands-on ability is also a basic skill for an engineer."

The news quickly spread through the workshop, and everyone looked toward the office in surprise.

"Chief Engineer Li is going to make the guns himself?"

"How could a technician possibly know how to make guns? Isn't he just bragging?"

"I think he just wants to show off; he'll definitely find an excuse when he can't make them."

A group of workers and technicians whispered among themselves; some were curious, some were disdainful, and most were skeptical.

Li Mingyuan walked into the workshop with the blueprints, followed by Chen Dezhong and several experts, radiating an imposing aura.

Yi Zhonghai and Liu Haizhong were silently tightening screws in a corner; seeing Li Mingyuan's posture, the two exchanged a look, their faces revealing mocking smiles.

"Chief Engineer Li is going to do the manual work himself?" Yi Zhonghai put down his work and deliberately raised his voice, "This is technical work; it's not enough to just know how to draw."

Liu Haizhong also leaned in and said sarcastically, "Do you need us veteran masters to help guide you? After all, we've been at this for so many years; our handiwork isn't something an average person can compare to."

Li Mingyuan didn't even glance at them; he walked straight to the workbench, picked up a piece of steel, and began to work.

Everyone stopped what they were doing and watched this scene curiously.

The technicians looked at each other; a few were even secretly shaking their heads. They had seen too many experts who talked on paper only to falter when it came to actual operation.

Li Mingyuan picked up a file and began processing the first component with skilled technique. His movements were smooth and flowing, as precise as a program-controlled robot; every stroke was just right.

The workshop suddenly fell silent, leaving only the sound of tools rubbing against metal.

Just in these past two days, while wandering around the workshop, Li Mingyuan had already triggered the system and obtained the "Advanced Fitter" and "Advanced Turner" skills respectively; this precision machining was a piece of cake for him.

Half an hour later, the first part was formed; the high level of precision made everyone present widen their eyes.

Li Mingyuan didn't even use measuring tools to check it and immediately started processing the next component.

Yi Zhonghai's smile gradually froze; he watched Li Mingyuan's nimble hands, and his heart gradually turned cold.

This was no technician; this was clearly a master craftsman with superb skills!

That technique, that proficiency—even he, with over a dozen years of experience, couldn't compare.

The corners of Liu Haizhong's mouth began to twitch, and fine beads of sweat seeped out on his forehead. He wanted to say something, but his throat felt blocked by something, unable to make a sound.

Two hours later, over a dozen key components were all finished, and Li Mingyuan began assembly.

His hands seemed to have magic; the parts seemed to have life in his hands, automatically finding their positions and combining together perfectly.

The entire workshop was deathly silent; everyone held their breath, staring fixedly at Li Mingyuan.

Liu Haizhong couldn't take it anymore; taking advantage of Li Mingyuan's focus on work, he quietly slipped out of the workshop. He really couldn't bear to watch anymore; that kind of silent slap in the face was more uncomfortable than any scolding.

Yi Zhonghai also found an excuse to leave; his face burned with pain, as if he had been slapped across the face.

Returning to his workstation, he picked up a wrench, but his hands couldn't stop shaking, and his heart felt hollow.

"What exactly is this kid's background..." Yi Zhonghai pondered secretly, "To know so much at such a young age, and to have such good craftsmanship—it doesn't seem like something a normal person could do..."