Chapter 58: Full Support

Li Shouzheng nodded solemnly: "We have already conducted small-scale tests, and there is no problem with efficiency improvement; now, all that remains is the comprehensive renovation of the factory equipment."

Minister Yang stood up abruptly and strode to the telephone: "Connect me to the Chief's office!"

The entire conference room fell silent instantly, and everyone held their breath.

The call was connected, and Minister Yang's voice was exceptionally excited:

"Chief, this is Old Yang. The Hongxing Rolling Mill has brought a production plan; it is too shocking! It must be implemented immediately! Yes... efficiency will increase at least tenfold... Yes, tenfold! Special approval? Good, I will prepare the materials right now... Rest assured, Chief, I will supervise it personally!"

Minister Yang hung up the phone and turned to Factory Lou Changzhang and Li Shouzheng, the smile on his face as bright as the morning sun:

"The higher-ups have granted special approval! Full support for the Hongxing Rolling Mill renovation! You two go back and prepare; I will have the special approval documents delivered to the factory this afternoon!"

Li Shouzheng and Factory Lou Changzhang stood up in excitement, their faces flushed red like two children who had been given candy.

A burst of enthusiastic applause erupted in the conference room, and several chiefs stepped forward one after another to shake hands and offer congratulations; the scene was extraordinarily lively.

Minister Yang grabbed Factory Lou Changzhang's hand, his voice trembling involuntarily:

"Factory Lou Changzhang, your factory has performed a great service this time! When you go back, you must reward that Li Mingyuan well!"

"Yes, yes, rest assured, Chief, we will definitely cooperate fully!" Factory Lou Changzhang's voice was so excited it changed pitch.

Li Shouzheng was overjoyed: Xiao Li really showed his stuff this time; it seems following this young man is definitely the right choice.

Factory Lou Changzhang and Li Shouzheng returned to the factory, their faces full of excitement, and as soon as they entered the door, they shouted loudly:

"Where is Chief Engineer Li? Quickly call him to the office!"

Li Mingyuan was in the workshop guiding workers on retrofitting machine tools; hearing the call, he quickly put down the blueprints in his hand and hurried over.

"Chief Engineer Li, good news!" Factory Lou Changzhang grabbed Li Mingyuan's hand,

"Your plan has received special approval! The Military Industry Department is fully supporting our factory renovation!"

Li Mingyuan nodded calmly, though he was secretly pleased inside: The plan provided by the system is just top-notch; this is only the beginning, there is even more impressive stuff waiting for you all later.

"The special approval documents will arrive this afternoon; you should hurry and prepare, list the equipment and materials needed," Li Shouzheng said impatiently.

Li Mingyuan had been prepared for a long time and pulled a detailed list out of his briefcase: "It is all here, sorted by priority."

Factory Lou Changzhang and Li Shouzheng looked at each other, their eyes full of surprise: This kid seems to have expected the approval all along; he is far too well-prepared.

At three o'clock in the afternoon, the special approval documents from the Military Industry Department arrived at the Hongxing Rolling Mill, followed closely by a military truck loaded with the first batch of urgently needed supplies.

"Comrades!" Factory Lou Changzhang stood on the steps at the factory gate, holding the special approval documents and announcing loudly,

"Starting from today, our factory begins a comprehensive renovation! The higher-ups have given us their highest level of support!"

The workers erupted into a burst of enthusiastic applause and cheers, everyone's face beaming with pride and excitement.

Li Mingyuan stood in the crowd with a smile on his lips: It has finally started; I am going to make this era enter the assembly line production mode ahead of schedule.

That night, Li Mingyuan sat in his office filling out transfer orders and supply applications, the lights burning bright until late at night.

The words "Urgent Telegram" appeared on every document issued by the Hongxing Rolling Mill, and major machinery factories received the notice and acted one after another to provide support.

Early the next morning, the first batch of technical personnel arrived from the Beijing Machinery Research Institute, bringing the latest technical data and design drawings.

"Chief Engineer Li, we are here under orders to assist you," the lead engineer said respectfully, "If there is anything you need us to do, just give the order."

Li Mingyuan smiled and shook hands with them: "Welcome, comrades! Our task is arduous; we need to complete the factory renovation in the shortest possible time."

Around noon, the second batch of supplies arrived, with over a dozen large trucks lined up in a long queue, loaded with various machine tools, equipment, and steel.

The workers were unloading the cargo with great enthusiasm, and soon the factory yard was piled high with various parts and materials; the scene was spectacular.

Li Mingyuan walked among the piles of supplies, calculating the use of each item in his mind:

This batch of steel will be used for conveyor belt supports, those motors will be used to retrofit machine tools, and the aluminum will be used to make lightweight Tooling Fixture...

On the third morning, a black sedan stopped at the factory gate, and a high-ranking general in military uniform stepped out.

"Where is Chief Engineer Li? I want to see him." The general's voice was low and powerful.

Li Mingyuan stepped forward to meet him: "Hello, Chief, I am Li Mingyuan."

The general looked him up and down and nodded: "Young and promising! I am Deputy Minister Zhang from the Military Industry Department, here specifically to give you this."

The general took a document stamped with a red seal from his briefcase:

"This is a Special Authorization; from this day forward, you have the right to mobilize some technical resources nationwide for the factory renovation."

Li Mingyuan took the document, secretly delighted: This makes things much more convenient; some key technologies can now be directly sourced from existing ones.

"Chief Engineer Li, the country has high hopes for this project," Deputy Minister Zhang patted him on the shoulder, "I hope you will live up to the trust and build this production line as soon as possible."

Li Mingyuan saluted solemnly: "Please rest assured, Chief, I will definitely go all out and not fail the country's expectations!"

After seeing off Deputy Minister Zhang, Li Mingyuan immediately convened a meeting of the Technical Backbone, waving the Special Authorization in his hand.

"Comrades, with this, we can mobilize technical support from across the country; the renovation work must accelerate its pace!"

In the afternoon, five more trucks arrived, loaded with various precision instruments and measuring tools, all of which Li Mingyuan had specifically requested.

The entire factory area was like a large construction site, filled with workers moving materials and technicians installing equipment; it was noisy yet orderly.

"Chief Engineer Li, do you think this position is suitable for installing the belt conveyor?" a technician ran over to ask.

Li Mingyuan came back to his senses: "No, move it two meters south according to the blueprint; we need to leave enough space for maintenance access."

The busy three days passed quickly, the factory area had changed significantly, various new equipment had been installed one after another, and the renovation work was fully underway.

On the fourth morning, Li Mingyuan led the technical team to stand in front of the oldest belt-driven machine tool in the factory, excitement sparkling in his eyes.

"Today, we are going to dismantle this old machine tool and give it a thorough renovation," Li Mingyuan looked around at the surrounding workers and technicians, his voice firm.

The veteran worker Master Liu frowned: "This is a good machine tool I've used for ten years; it's a pity to take it apart."

Li Mingyuan patted his shoulder: "Don't worry, Master Liu; we are taking it apart to make it even better, with efficiency increasing more than tenfold."

Under the guidance of Li Mingyuan, the workers carefully dismantled the machine tool, numbering and recording every part before placing them on specially made workbenches.