Master Craftsmen: Rising Since 1959

Chapter 1 The Retired Zhang Family

The winter of 1959.

On a green train speeding towards Yanjing City.

"Comrade, thank you for helping me catch the thief."

"You're welcome."

Looking at the grateful girl in front of him, Chen Weiguo flexed his wrists, feeling a little regretful.

It's a pity there was only one thief. He didn't even get to use several moves of his Black Dragon Eighteen Hands before the game was over.

Just now, while the girl sitting next to him was asleep, a thief stole her luggage, but luckily he discovered it in time.

As a well-educated college student in the 21st century, can you pretend you didn't see anything when you see someone stealing?

Therefore, Chen Weiguo did not hesitate to act bravely and handed the thief over to the train police. "Go have some tea at the station."

Having experienced so much ups and downs, the girl was completely wide awake. Looking at him curiously, she asked, "Comrade, what's your name?"

"Chen Weiguo, what about you?"

"Li Xiuzhi".

Li Xiuzhi? Chen Weiguo was taken aback.

This name sounds familiar...

and many more.

Isn't this Lao Xu's wife?

Chen Weiguo looked at her more carefully.

This girl, though...

But my skin is healthy, and I don't have many calluses on my hands.

She looks like a pretty girl who grew up in the city.

And that's in the authentic old Beijing dialect...

Okay, I guess I admit I was wrong.

She and that gentlest girl from Sichuan only share the same name.

Li Xiuzhi felt a little embarrassed by his scrutiny and lowered her head, saying:

"Brother Chen, are you a veteran?"

"Um."

Li Xiuzhi looked at him with eyes full of admiration: "No wonder you're so skilled, you subdued that thief in just a few moves."

Oh.

What is a veteran?

Chen Weiguo leaned back in his chair.

When talking about the unit Chen Weiguo was assigned to after his discharge from the army, Li Xiuzhi looked pleasantly surprised:

"What a coincidence! I was originally a sent-down youth, and this time I returned to the city because my dad got me a job at a factory! It's also the Yanjing Machinery Factory!"

Huh? Chen Weiguo was taken aback.

I know there are a few special circumstances regarding educated youth returning to the city.

But your father got a permanent position at a large state-owned factory so easily.

May I ask who your father is?

Li Xiuzhi was completely unaware of what he was thinking and was happily absorbed in her own thoughts.

"There are over two thousand people in this machine factory, and my dad is a manager! If you get bullied, just tell me, and I'll get my dad to stand up for you!"

Cough cough, Chen Weiguo was a hundred times unwilling.

You, a girl, are supposed to protect a grown man like me?

Does that mean I'll be a kept man?

If word gets out, where will I, a transmigrator, put my face?

That's right.

He is a traveler.

I transmigrated here just six months ago.

He became a repairman with the same name in the military repair shop.

At first, he didn't know anything.

You want me, a computer science major, to learn filing, drilling, and tapping?

However, later, through his diligent study and practice, day and night...

Of course, we also need a little help from the system.

I've finally reached the level of a Level 6 fitter!

Chen Weiguo disliked the system very much.

You said you'd be tied to me, so you'd help me marry a rich and beautiful woman and reach the pinnacle of life.

Why set up beginner tasks and make me have to report to the factory to unlock subsequent features?

If you don't report to the factory, the system only has basic functions, and you can only see your learning progress in various skills.

The small opening is not considered an opening at all.

Therefore, Chen Weiguo chose to retire from the military.

I wonder what new features the system will unlock after I report to the Yanjing Machinery Factory?

I hope it can be stronger.

These days, if an ordinary person doesn't have some kind of cheat code, even if they time-travel, they'll probably still be just an ordinary person.

……

Soon.

The train arrived in Yanjing City.

Beijing in the 1950s.

The streets are wide and there are many bicycles.

An old-fashioned bus occasionally drives by.

The wall was painted with the slogan "Go all out and strive for the top".

Chen Weiguo said goodbye to Li Xiuzhi and boarded the bus.

Head to No. 19 Daxing Hutong.

This is his hometown.

A large, three-section courtyard.

Most of the residents are family members of workers at the Yanjing Machinery Factory.

It was also the house allocated to Chen Weiguo's parents.

The original house was located in the east wing of the second courtyard, which had three rooms in total.

One main room was used for living and eating.

There are also two side rooms.

One of the rooms was where Chen Weihong, the younger sister of the original owner, lived.

Although the previous life had no parents.

But he also has a 16-year-old sister.

He is currently in high school and has excellent grades.

After transmigrating, Chen Weiguo never met this younger sister.

However, the two frequently exchanged letters.

I know she wants to continue her studies at university.

Going to university is great.

You have to go to university.

Chen Weiguo was naturally willing to support it.

Keep in mind, this is only 1959.

Chen Weihong finished university in 1964.

If we find her a good job, she can have a very high starting point.

College students in the 60s.

That's amazing!

Its value far surpasses that of college students in 2026.

In later generations, college students will be everywhere, and it won't be uncommon for graduate students to deliver food.

At this time, college students are truly the chosen ones.

I became a cadre right after graduation.

Everyone who sees you will look at you with respect; tell me, aren't you amazing?

Chen Weiguo arrived at his own doorstep.

Finding he didn't have his keys in his pocket, he had no choice but to leave his luggage at the door and go to the machinery factory to report for duty.

Just then.

A questioning voice came from behind:

"Are you Chen Weiguo?"

Chen Weiguo turned around.

Then I saw an older woman walk over from the inner courtyard.

She wiped her hands on her apron a couple of times and looked at him curiously.

You are… Chen Weiguo recalled the original owner's memories before recognizing her: “Aunt Wang, I am Weiguo.”

"Oh, you really came back."

Aunt Wang asked curiously:

"You've been discharged from the military?"

Chen Weiguo nodded.

Aunt Wang's eyes lit up:

"Have you found a girlfriend while in the military?"

"What's going on?" Chen Weiguo was speechless.

I just got home and haven't even put my luggage down yet.

So, the blind date process has already begun?

He suddenly understood the young people who went home for the New Year in later generations.

No matter how well you do outside.

When you get home, all your relatives will ask you questions.

Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?

This thing is a social program etched into the DNA of Chinese people.

No matter which era you travel to, you can't escape it.

However, Chen Weiguo didn't find it troublesome.

These days, finding a partner mostly relies on matchmakers and introductions from neighbors.

So he went along with it:

"Aunt Wang, I haven't met anyone yet. If you know anyone suitable, could you please put in a good word for me?"

"Alright, alright, I'll take care of it."

Aunt Wang patted her chest:

What kind of thing do you like?

"As long as he has good character, that's enough."

"That won't do; good character alone isn't enough."

Aunt Wang said earnestly:

"I'll pick one for you that's good-looking, has a good job, and comes from a good family background, don't worry."

Aunt Wang is so enthusiastic... What else could Chen Weiguo say?

All I could do was smile and nod.

Just as they were chatting, other neighbors gathered around.

The older women, uncles, aunts, and sisters-in-law surrounded him, asking him all sorts of questions.

This is to ask him what he does in the army.

The person asked him how much money he received upon his discharge from the military.

Another older woman directly asked him where he was going to work in the future and which unit he was assigned to.

Chen Weiguo was surrounded in the middle.

I felt like a spokesperson at a press conference.

The problem is that these reporters are not asking questions in the correct order.

Everyone was scrambling for the microphone.

Not professional at all.

There was no other way, so Chen Weiguo answered the questions one by one.

At the same time, they inquired about the courtyard and the unit they were going to report on.

Chatted for a while.

The neighbors chattered around, giving him a general overview of the factory's situation.

The original director of Yanjing Machinery Factory retired and a new one took over.

The new factory director's name is Zhao Dehai.

He was a demobilized military officer.

He has a terrible temper and is very stubborn.

However, there is one thing he values ​​extremely highly: technology.

It is said that after Director Zhao took office...

We should vigorously encourage technological research and invention.

He will give important positions to whoever can make a name for themselves in technology.

Therefore, the machinery factory's profits have been getting better and better in the past two years.

He was one of the top figures in the entire capital of Yanjing.

Speaking of which...

Aunt Wang suddenly interjected:

"Weiguo, what did you do in the army again? I heard from your sister that you were in maintenance?"

"Yes, a fitter. I was in charge of repairing machinery in the army."

What level are you?

"Level 6"

Aunt Wang slapped her thigh:

"Wow, with your skills, if you went to the machine factory, wouldn't Director Zhao treat you like a treasure?"

The old man next to me nodded enviously.

"Zhao Dehai only values ​​skilled workers. There aren't many like you in the factory with your level six fitter skills. Now that you've reported for duty, we'll make sure you're well taken care of."

The attitude of the onlookers became nuanced.

We were just saying that this kid has it tough in the army.

But now I feel like this person seems to have some ability.

Chen Weiguo just smiled.

A level 6 fitter is indeed a good skill.

But he was a newcomer.

When you first start working at the factory, you should keep a low profile and develop your skills.

The neighbors chatted for a while longer before gradually dispersing.

Chen Weiguo left his luggage at Aunt Wang's house.

We sat in Aunt Wang's house until four or five in the afternoon, drinking water and chatting.

Around 5 o'clock.

Chen Weiguo figured his younger sister would be home from school soon.

Then he went to the entrance of the alley to wait.

Not long after.

Then I saw a girl walking this way with her schoolbag on her back.

The girl was stunned for a moment when she saw him.

Then her eyes lit up and she ran towards him.

"Brother, when did you get back? Why didn't you write a letter beforehand?"

"I just wanted to surprise you, didn't I?"

"Brother, you're so mean."

Chen Weihong snorted, but looked quite happy:

"Brother, you look so good in your military uniform. Hey, did your company commander really bang on the table and not let you leave?"

"Of course, we filmed it three times."

This is no exaggeration.

A skilled soldier like him, with a level six fitter skill, is a treasure in the military.

But there was nothing we could do.

The system needs to report to the factory before it can unlock subsequent functions.

If Chen Weiguo wants to continue his incredible run, he has no choice but to retire from the military.

"Brother, you're amazing."

"Worship, huh?" Chen Weiguo smiled contentedly.

"Yeah, your brother is pretty amazing."

"Brother, you're so shameless..." Chen Weihong muttered, pouting.

The two bickered as they walked home.

The original inhabitants' parents passed away a year ago.

This period of more than a year.

Chen Weihong took care of herself.

I cook for myself and do my own laundry.

Chen Weihong chattered on, asking Chen Weiguo about his time in the army.

Although Chen Weiguo had written about these things countless times in his letters.

But after meeting the real person, Chen Weihong still asked questions out of curiosity.

It continued until evening.

It was already dark outside.

Chen Weihong's stomach started growling:

"Brother, I'll cook for you, you can try my cooking."

Soon.

Chen Weihong then brought out a plate of stewed cabbage with vermicelli.

And a pot of freshly steamed cornbread made from two kinds of dough.

Under Chen Weihong's expectant gaze.

Chen Weiguo took a bite of the cabbage.

Then he nodded seriously and said:

"Hmm, your cooking is very good."

call out!

Chen Weihong's eyes lit up.

"However, you should focus on your studies now. I'll take over the cooking at home from now on."

Chen Weihong: ...