Fusion System: Rebirth in a Courtyard - Bird Fighting Chronicles

Chapter 123 Ironclad Evidence Clears the Way, Craftsmanship Returns to its Place, and the Legacy Con

The wooden desks and chairs in the factory office still retained the chill of last night. Zhou Jianguo placed the recording equipment and surveillance footage submitted by Lin Chen in the center of the desk, tapping lightly on the surface with his fingertips. His gaze swept over Yi Zhonghai and Yan Bugui standing opposite him, finally settling on Old Zhang, the head of the security department who had just been summoned. Outside the window, the sycamore leaves were swept up by the autumn wind, casting swaying shadows on the windowpane, much like the complex emotions of everyone present.

"Old Zhang, go through the film and recordings first, follow the confidentiality procedures." Zhou Jianguo's voice broke the silence. He got up and poured a glass of warm water for each of the three men. "You're all veterans of the factory. Let's talk things out today, and the truth needs to be settled." Yi Zhonghai held the enamel cup in both hands, but the warmth of the cup couldn't penetrate his icy fingertips. The anxiety and excitement he felt while copying the blueprints last night had now turned into a tightness in his chest. Yan Bugui, on the other hand, repeatedly rubbed the edge of the abacus, his knuckles turning white from the force. His gaze was fixed on the cracks in the bricks on the ground, and he dared not make eye contact with anyone.

The security department's projector was quickly set up, and the blackout curtains were drawn, plunging the office into darkness. When the image from the archives appeared on the white wall, Yan Bugui's breath caught in his throat—the screen clearly showed him tiptoeing to peek into the filing cabinets the previous night, his fingers hovering over the lock cylinder, magnified to a jarring degree. The sounds from the recording equipment were even more vivid, including his argument with Yi Zhonghai and the crisp sound of him unconsciously turning the abacus beads, echoing in the silent office.

"Yan Bugui, what else do you have to say?" Old Zhang pressed the pause button, and the moment the lights came on, Yan Bugui's face was completely bloodless. He opened his mouth, his Adam's apple bobbing several times before he managed to squeeze out a sound: "I... I was just worried about the security of the factory's data, and I wanted to check if the filing cabinet was locked properly." As soon as these words left his mouth, even he felt they were weak and feeble, and hurriedly added, "It's just an occupational hazard; I feel like checking the locks whenever I see a cabinet. It has nothing to do with Lao Yi!"

Yi Zhonghai suddenly slammed his cup down on the table, splashing water everywhere. "Yan Bugui, you're lying through your teeth! Last night you clearly wanted to steal the blueprints I was copying, and you only called for backup when I refused! Do you think we're all fools?" He was about to step forward to argue when Lin Chen stopped him in time. Lin Chen gave him a reassuring look and turned to Zhou Jianguo: "Director Zhou, I've seen the blueprints that Uncle Yi copied. They're marked with suggestions for improving the forging process, especially the quenching process for precision gears. It's 20% more efficient than the process we're using now."

To prove his point, Lin Chen took out two blueprints from his briefcase. One was a copy of the confidential blueprints copied by Yi Zhonghai, and the other was a process diagram he had optimized based on system analysis. "Look here," Lin Chen pointed to the temperature curve on the blueprint, "Uncle Yi preserved the essence of traditional segmented quenching, and I added a waste heat recovery design. The combination of the two not only saves fuel but also increases the parts qualification rate from the current 85% to over 95%."

Zhou Jianguo took the blueprints and examined them repeatedly, his brow gradually relaxing. As a veteran technical backbone of the factory, he immediately recognized the value of these two blueprints—precision gears were core components in the steel rolling mill's production of military parts; every percentage point increase in the pass rate could save the factory tens of thousands of yuan in costs annually. Old Zhang also came over to look, becoming increasingly surprised: "If this process can be implemented, our factory's share of military orders will definitely increase again!"

Seeing that things were going wrong, Yan Bugui quickly pulled out an oilcloth bag from his pocket, inside which was a cost sheet he had calculated overnight: "Director Zhou, I've also figured something out! According to Xiao Lin's method of secondary smelting of waste materials, combined with Lao Yi's quenching process, our workshop can save 1500 kilograms of steel per month, reducing raw material costs by 12%. I've also calculated the cost-effectiveness of different types of steel. Using manganese steel from Tangshan is more wear-resistant than the carbon steel we're using now, costing only two cents more per kilogram, but extending its lifespan by three times."

This cost sheet was extremely detailed, not only including precise calculation formulas but also quotations from different steel mills, and even highlighting the optimal procurement plan in red. Looking at the densely packed numbers on the sheet, Zhou Jianguo couldn't help but praise, "Old Yan, your calculations really paid off! How come I never noticed you had this skill before?" Yan Bugui's face flushed slightly, and he scratched his head sheepishly, "I was so busy calculating things at home before that I neglected my proper skills."

Just then, the office door opened, and Sister Li, the union chairwoman, rushed in, holding a document in her hand: "Director Zhou, I just received a notice from the factory's Party committee that we're selecting annual technological innovation pacesetters and applying for municipal-level model worker awards. Our workshop needs to hurry up and submit the materials." Her gaze swept over the blueprints on the table, and her eyes instantly lit up. "If this process can be perfected, it will definitely win first prize!"

Zhou Jianguo's eyes lit up, and he immediately made a decision: "Old Zhang, regarding Yi Zhonghai's unauthorized entry into the archives room, he should be publicly criticized according to factory regulations, and his monthly bonus should be deducted. However, given that it was for technological innovation, he will not be dismissed. Appoint him as the workshop's technical consultant, specifically responsible for apprentice training and process improvement." He paused, then looked at Yan Bugui, "Old Yan, you're transferred to the cost accounting group as its leader, specifically responsible for raw material cost control. Put all your abacus skills to good use."

This decision stunned both of them. Yi Zhonghai was so excited that his lips trembled, and he couldn't speak for a long time; Yan Bugui bowed repeatedly, "Thank you, Director Zhou! Thank you, Xiao Lin! I will definitely work hard in the future and never try to be clever again!" Zhou Jianguo waved his hand with a smile, "No need to thank me, thank Xiao Lin. He suggested that you use your strengths. Xiao Lin, you will be in charge of leading this technological innovation project. Uncle Yi and Lao Yan are under your command. Just tell me what resources you need."

As he left the office, Yi Zhonghai gripped Lin Chen's hand tightly: "Little Lin, I've never admired anyone in my life, but I truly admire you today. Come to my house tonight, and I'll give you my most treasured forging manual. It was passed down from my master and contains methods for making more than thirty kinds of molds. I used to think I'd keep it to pass on to my apprentices, but now I realize that good skills only have value if they're passed down."

Yan Bugui also came over and pulled a new notebook out of his pocket: "Xiao Lin, I've written down the performance parameters of different types of steel, as well as the contact information for procurement channels. We'll figure out how to reduce costs together later. Oh, and I also found a batch of stockpiled scrap steel in the warehouse. It's all leftover scrap from forging in the past. According to my calculations, it can be refined into 800 kilograms of qualified steel, enough for us to test-make fifty sets of molds."

As soon as the three returned to the workshop, they were surrounded by a group of apprentices. Liu Guangtian, holding a half-finished mold, asked anxiously, "Brother Lin, is Grandpa Yi alright? We're still waiting to learn his quenching techniques!" Jia Geng also squeezed in, holding a brand-new notebook: "Brother Lin, I've written down everything you said about waste heat utilization last time. Check if it's correct!"

Yi Zhonghai cleared his throat and walked to the center of the crowd: "Don't worry, everyone. From now on, I'll teach you your skills in the workshop every day! Starting today, every afternoon at four o'clock, we'll hold a technical exchange meeting next to the scrap heap. Whether you're a veteran technician or a new apprentice, you can ask any questions you have, and you can bring up any good ideas you have." As he spoke, he took out a rusty mold from his pocket. "This is the first mold I made when I first joined the factory. Back then, in order to master the quenching process, I experimented seventeen times, burned out nine hammers, and wore out five pairs of gloves."

Although the mold was rusty, its chamfered angles were extremely precise, and the polishing marks on the surface showed superb craftsmanship. Yi Zhonghai pointed to the groove of the mold: "See this curvature? Before CNC machine tools, we relied entirely on hand grinding. To ensure that the curvature of each batch of molds was the same, we had to rely on the ability to 'distinguish temperature by sound.' During quenching, the sound of steel in water is different, and the temperature is different. A 'sizzling' sound is 600 degrees, a 'crackling' sound is 800 degrees, and a 'hissing' sound is 1000 degrees. A difference of one degree makes a big difference in hardness."

The apprentices listened intently, taking notes in their notebooks. Liu Guangtian couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Yi, how can we accurately determine the temperature? Last time I overdid it during quenching, and the mold cracked." Yi Zhonghai smiled and pulled a small hammer from his pocket: "Tomorrow I'll take you on an experiment, quenching at different temperatures, then tapping it with the hammer. You can tell the hardness by the sound. Xiao Lin, explain modern testing methods to them as well. Combining the old and the new will help us solidify our skills."

Lin Chen took out the temperature curve graph generated by the system: "Look at this curve, everyone. What Grandpa Yi called 'listening to the sound to determine the temperature' corresponds to these temperature points. I did some testing with an infrared thermometer. A 'buzzing' sound corresponds to 580-620 degrees, a 'crackling' sound to 780-820 degrees, and a 'hissing' sound to 980-1020 degrees. We can use the sound method to make a preliminary judgment, and then use the thermometer to calibrate. This way, we can preserve the traditional craftsmanship while ensuring accuracy."

At this moment, Qin Huairu walked into the workshop carrying a food box, followed by Jia Dang and Jia Huaihua. "Xiao Lin, Uncle Yi, Lao Yan, I brought you some food." She opened the food box, which contained freshly steamed brown sugar buns and braised eggs. "I heard you're going to do some technological innovation, so I made a little extra to nourish everyone. Jia Dang, distribute the buns to the apprentices."

Wearing clean blue overalls, Jia Dang skillfully distributed steamed buns to everyone, smiling as he said, "Brother Lin, I learned sewing from my mom. From now on, if the work gloves in our workshop break, I'll replace them for free. I also want to learn mold drawing from you guys, so I can make the presser foot molds for the sewing shop myself." Lin Chen nodded, "No problem, I'll find you a book on basic drawing tomorrow. You can start by drawing simple parts."

Sha Zhu also ran over carrying a large lunchbox filled with freshly stewed pork ribs: "Lin Chen, Uncle Yi, come and try my cooking! I learned a new recipe from the guesthouse chef, I added some soybeans, it's so fragrant and tender. From now on, when you guys are doing technical innovation, I'll make you extra meals every day!" As he spoke, he picked up the largest piece of pork rib for Yi Zhonghai. "Uncle Yi, I was so immature before, always arguing with you. Could you teach me some forging skills? I want to make a new wok for the guesthouse."

Yi Zhonghai took a bite of the rib, his eyes slightly reddening. "Shazhu, I was wrong before, always trying to take advantage of you to support me in my old age. If you want to learn a trade in the future, I'll teach you everything I know. I also know how to forge iron pots, and I guarantee they'll use less oil and heat more evenly than the ones you're using now." Shazhu slapped his thigh excitedly. "Great! As soon as I finish making the iron pot, I'll send it to you first!"

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the technical exchange meeting was held on time next to the scrap heap. Yi Zhonghai personally demonstrated the quenching process. He put the red-hot steel into cold water, and with a "sizzle" sound, water vapor rose into the air. He judged the temperature was just right just by the sound, picked up calipers to measure, and the error was indeed only 0.01 millimeters. The apprentices were dumbfounded and surrounded him to ask questions. Yi Zhonghai patiently answered them one by one and even taught them how to hold a hammer.

Yan Bugui and his cost accounting team were busy around the scrap heap. They measured the size of each piece of scrap steel with rulers, weighed it precisely with scales, and recorded the materials of different scraps. "This piece of manganese steel scrap can be forged into three gear shafts," Yan Bugui explained to his team members, pointing to a piece of scrap steel. "We need to sort and stack them according to their materials. Different materials have different melting temperatures, and refining them separately can improve utilization." He also invented a "scrap registration card" that clearly records the source, material, and usable parts of each piece of scrap, which is more detailed than the warehouse ledger.

Lin Chen, along with Liu Guangtian and Jia Geng, drew up mold blueprints. Using the optimized technical blueprints and combining them with Yi Zhonghai's traditional craftsmanship, he designed a completely new gear mold. "This chamfer angle needs to be accurate to 30 degrees," Lin Chen said to Jia Geng, pointing to the blueprints. "Use the hand-grinding method taught by Grandpa Yi, and then use the simple locator we made to ensure that every batch is the same." Liu Guangtian was responsible for making the locator. Using scrap steel plates from the workshop, he quickly made a highly precise locator according to Lin Chen's design.

As the sun set, the first improved mold was successfully manufactured. When the gear was removed from the mold, everyone gathered around. Calipers showed a dimensional error of only 0.008 millimeters, far exceeding the original factory standard. Yi Zhonghai, holding the gear, was so excited his hands trembled: "It's qualified! It's even more precise than the best mold I made when I was young!" Yan Bugui immediately did the math: "At this precision, we can produce an extra 500 sets of qualified gears per month, earning an extra 30,000 yuan from military orders alone!"

The news quickly spread throughout the entire steel rolling mill. The factory director personally inspected the workshop and, upon seeing the qualified gears, immediately decided to allocate 20,000 yuan in special funds to the workshop for purchasing new smelting equipment. He shook Lin Chen's hand and said, "Xiao Lin, you're truly a treasure to our factory! This technological innovation project will not only increase production but also allow us to apply for patents. In the future, our factory's products will be able to go beyond North China and be sold nationwide!"

That evening, a lively dinner was held in the courtyard. Qin Huairu prepared a large table of dishes, including braised pork, stewed ribs, and her specialty dumplings; Sha Zhu brought homemade rice wine from the guesthouse; Yi Zhonghai took out his treasured forging manual and placed it on the table for everyone to read; Yan Bugui gave each child a red envelope, the amount of which was small but full of sincerity.

Moonlight spilled onto the gray bricks and tiles of the courtyard, illuminating the smiling faces of everyone. Jia Geng, holding the mold drawings Lin Chen had given him, excitedly discussed them with Liu Guangtian; Jia Dang, meanwhile, sought advice from Yi Zhonghai on hand-polishing techniques; Yan Bugui and Sha Zhu huddled together, one calculating costs, the other discussing recipes, chatting animatedly. Looking at the scene before him, Lin Chen felt a surge of warmth—the courtyard, once filled with calculation and conflict, was now brimming with mutual assistance and affection; the artisans, once fighting their own battles, were now united, striving towards a common goal.

Yi Zhonghai raised his glass and stood up: "Today I want to toast Xiao Lin. He made me understand that true craftsmanship isn't about hiding things, but about inheritance and innovation. I also want to toast everyone, thank you for putting aside past grievances and working with me on technological innovation. From now on, our courtyard will be one big family, and the workshop will be another. With mutual help, we'll definitely make our lives better and better!"

Everyone raised their glasses and shouted in unison, "Cheers!" The crisp sound of clinking glasses echoed through the night air of the courtyard. Lin Chen looked at the rice wine swirling in his glass, and a sudden realization dawned on him—the technology brought by the system was certainly important, but the trust and legacy between people were the most precious treasures. In this courtyard filled with the warmth of everyday life, in this steel mill that carried the dreams of countless people, a story of the inheritance of technology and humanity had just begun.

Late at night, Lin Chen returned to his side room. Suddenly, a notification popped up on the system panel: [The host has successfully integrated traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, promoting team collaboration and unlocking the "Craftsman's Legacy" skill. Team R&D efficiency has increased by 50%. 5000 points have been earned, bringing the total points to 25100. New feature unlocked: Craftsmanship Patent Application Assistance.]