Fusion System: Rebirth in a Courtyard - Bird Fighting Chronicles

Chapter 25 The First Sound of the Hammer Conveys the Craftsman's Spirit, Rumors Surge and Revea

The morning light of the twenty-fifth day of the twelfth lunar month pierced through the gray tiles of the courtyard, casting dappled shadows on the blue brick ground. Lin Chen had just put his self-made precision calipers into his tool bag when hurried footsteps came from the courtyard gate. Liu Guangtian, clutching the repaired manganese steel hammer, had cheeks red from the cold but his eyes shone brightly. Behind him followed Liu Guangfu, who dawdled along, carrying a cloth bag containing two warm cornbread buns.

"Team Leader Lin, my dad... my dad agreed!" Liu Guangtian held up the hammer in front of Lin Chen. The polishing marks on the edge of the hammerhead gleamed evenly in the morning light. "He said that if I can learn something, he won't force me to work at the docks anymore. This cornbread was steamed by my mother, it's still warm, please try some."

Lin Chen took the cornbread. The warmth from his fingertips, mixed with the aroma of the grain, reminded him of the days when he was sent to the countryside and ate frozen cornbread. He broke off half a piece and put it in his mouth. The rough texture had a faint sweetness. "It tastes good. Your mother is a good cook. Come on, let's go to the workshop and familiarize ourselves with the basic tools. Today I'll teach you how to identify the materials and how to use a hammer."

Liu Guangfu timidly hid the cloth bag behind his back, but Lin Chen noticed it at a glance. "Guangfu, come along too. The workshop is short-handed for sorting waste materials. You can learn to identify metal materials and gain more skills in the future." Lin Chen said, handing the remaining half of the cornbread to Liu Guangfu. "You're at an age where you need to grow, don't go hungry."

As the three of them stepped out of the courtyard, they bumped into Qin Huairu carrying a wooden basin to fetch water. She was wearing faded blue overalls, the sleeves rolled up to her forearms, her wrists still stained with machine oil—she had stayed up all night reading through most of the metalworking technique diagrams Lin Chen had given her yesterday, and had gone to the workshop to practice chiseling before dawn this morning. "Comrade Lin, are you going to learn a skill today?" Qin Huairu's voice was clearer than usual, and her eyes held less of the timidity of the past and more of a firmness. "Jia Geng said he also wants to learn from you, but I told him to finish his winter break homework first, and then he can ask you for guidance in the spring."

"No problem, have him come to the workshop to see me in the spring." Lin Chen nodded in agreement, glancing at the frayed edges of the collar of her work clothes soaking in the wooden basin. "Is the collar of your work clothes torn? I'll bring you a piece of durable scrap material this afternoon, you can sew it up yourself and wear it for another six months."

Qin Huairu paused, her eyes slightly reddening. She bowed her head, said "Thank you," and quickly walked towards the faucet. Lin Chen watched her retreating figure, recalling the trembling fingers she had when she received the fitter's diagram yesterday. He knew in his heart that this woman, who had been overwhelmed by life, was finally going to stand up on her own two feet.

The forging workshop of the steel rolling mill hadn't started work yet, and the huge factory was filled with the mixed smell of rust and coal. Lin Chen opened the tool cabinet, took out a brand-new set of protective gloves and goggles, and handed them to Liu Guangtian: "Forging starts with protection. Make sure the gloves are tight, and don't think the goggles are in the way. Iron filings in your eyes are no small matter." He pointed to the pile of scrap materials in the corner, "Identify the materials first. This pile is ordinary low-carbon steel; it's strongly magnetic and makes a dull sound when struck. That pile is alloy steel; test it with a magnet—it's weakly magnetic and makes a crisp sound when struck."

Liu Guangtian squatted in front of the scrap heap, meticulously identifying each piece according to Lin Chen's instructions, occasionally tapping it lightly with a hammer and listening intently to the differences in sound. Liu Guangfu also squatted down, sorting the scrap materials of different materials, his movements slow but exceptionally focused. Looking at the two, Lin Chen took out the forging diagrams he had drawn the day before from his toolbox: "Today we'll practice the most basic square billet forging. Forge this piece of scrap steel into a 10-centimeter square billet, ensuring all six sides are flat and the edges are sharp."

The roar of the blast furnace gradually rose, and the workers in the workshop arrived one after another. Liu Haizhong walked in carrying a lunchbox. He saw Liu Guangtian standing beside the forging press, holding a hammer. He snorted with a complicated expression, but did not scold him as usual. Lin Chen went up to him and handed him a cup of hot tea: "Master Liu, Guangtian has a talent for forging. Please give him some pointers."

Liu Haizhong took the teacup, watching his son clumsily but intently adjust the angle of the hammer. His Adam's apple bobbed. "This kid has loved hammering and banging since he was little. I always thought he was just wasting his time... Team Leader Lin, thank you for your help." He put down the teacup and took a gleaming chisel from the toolbox. "This was given to me by my master when I first started. Give it to Guangtian; it'll be handy."

The sound of the forging hammer echoed through the workshop. Following the "sinking shoulders, dropping elbows, and flicking wrists" technique taught by Lin Chen, Liu Guangtian hammered away at the red-hot steel billet. Sparks flew up and fell, casting flickering red light on his face. Lin Chen stood by, occasionally reminding him, "Two more taps on the left, the angle is off," "Reduce the pressure a bit, it's almost formed," his calipers ready to measure the dimensions at any moment.

During the lunch break, Sha Zhu ran over with a lunchbox filled with braised pork and two steamed buns. "Brother Lin, thanks to you for yesterday's troubles. I specially saved this meat for you." Sha Zhu handed the lunchbox to Lin Chen and said in a low voice, "Yi Zhonghai was detained by the neighborhood committee all night. This morning, the factory's security department took him away. I heard they're going to revoke his model worker title and he might even have his wages reduced."

Lin Chen picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in his mouth, the rich aroma spreading on his tongue. "He did something wrong, so he should bear the consequences." Lin Chen pushed the lunchbox to Liu Guangtian and his brother, "You two are at the age where you're growing, eat more." He looked at Sha Zhu, "Is the boiler in the cafeteria always having problems? I checked it yesterday, and it's caused by uneven grate spacing. I'll draw an improvement diagram for you this afternoon."

Sha Zhu's eyes lit up: "Really? That's great! This boiler breaks down every day, forcing me to work overtime to tend the fire. Brother Lin, you're truly my benefactor!" As he spoke, he pulled a small packet of brown sugar from his pocket. "I asked someone to buy this from the supply and marketing cooperative for you to make some tea."

Just as the afternoon shift began, workshop director Zhou Jianguo walked in with two people. Leading the way was Chairman Li of the factory's labor union, dressed in a crisp Zhongshan suit and carrying a notebook; behind him was a propaganda officer carrying an old-fashioned camera. "Comrade Lin Chen, we'd like to ask you about something," Chairman Li said, shaking Lin Chen's hand with a gentle smile. "We've already heard about Yi Zhonghai's situation yesterday. We're here today to verify the facts and also to interview you about your achievements in technological innovation."

Lin Chen led them to the precision group's work area and pointed to the molds and quality inspection reports on the table: "This is a wear-resistant mold that I developed using scrap materials. Its hardness is three times higher than the original. It has already been put into mass production and use. This is the quality inspection report for the crankshaft. The pass rate has increased from the original 70% to 100%. The heavy machinery factory has signed a three-year supply contract with us."

Chairman Li paused as he flipped through the report, his smile widening: "Excellent, excellent! Young people have ideas and drive! Yi Zhonghai's matter is a matter of his personal character; it shouldn't affect our enthusiasm for technological innovation. We plan to write a report about your achievements and publish it in the factory magazine, and we will also apply for a municipal-level technological innovation award."

The propaganda officer immediately raised his camera and started snapping pictures of the mold and report. Liu Guangtian stood to the side, hammer in hand, watching Lin Chen surrounded by the crowd, his eyes filled with admiration. Liu Haizhong watched from afar, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turning upwards, his wrench spinning rapidly in his hand.

After the interview, Zhou Jianguo called Lin Chen into his office and handed him a document: "This is an additional order from the heavy machinery factory. They want us to deliver another 500 crankshafts next month. After Yi Zhonghai was suspended from his duties for investigation, the technical guidance position in the precision group became vacant. The factory has decided to let you take on the role concurrently, and your salary will be increased from level five to level seven, effective next month."

Lin Chen took the order, and the numbers on it gave him a jolt. 500 sets of crankshafts—at the current production rate, it would require working overtime to complete. "Director Zhou, I have an idea." Lin Chen took out paper and pen and quickly sketched a draft. "We can modify the existing forging press, adding an automatic feeding device and optimizing the mold cooling system. This would increase production efficiency by at least 40%."

Zhou Jianguo stared at the sketch, his eyes widening. "Is this renovation plan feasible? How much funding and time will it require?"

"It won't cost much money, and most of the parts can be made from scrap materials; it will take about a week," Lin Chen said confidently. "After the renovation is completed, we will not only be able to complete orders on time, but also take on more precision forging business."

"Great! I fully support you!" Zhou Jianguo made the decision. "Just tell the logistics department what kind of manpower and materials you need, and say it's my idea."

As Lin Chen finished get off work in the evening, he returned to the courtyard house with the completed renovation plans. Just as he entered the central courtyard, he overheard Yan Bugui and several neighbors discussing the matter. "I heard Yi Zhonghai is completely finished this time. He'll lose his model worker title, and his salary will be reduced by three grades," Yan Bugui's voice was high-pitched and could be heard from a distance. "This Lin Chen is really something else. He brought down an eighth-grade fitter right from the start; his methods are ruthless."

"I think Yi Zhonghai brought this on himself by instigating others to steal. He deserves it!" Grandma Li said indignantly, holding her grandson. "Lin Chen helped me fix the coal stove and even gave my grandson a toy car. He's a kind-hearted kid."

"Can kindness feed you?" Jia Zhangshi poked her head out of the house, her face still bearing the timidity of yesterday, but her eyes revealing jealousy. "I heard he's close to the factory leaders, otherwise how could he get a raise right after being promoted? He probably used some improper means."

Lin Chen paused, about to speak, when Qin Huairu suddenly stepped forward: "Aunt Jia, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. Everyone has witnessed Comrade Lin's skills. Just ask him how much his molds made from scrap materials have improved the workshop's efficiency. Last time you were caught stealing eggs, it was Comrade Lin who pleaded for you and prevented you from being sent to the police station. How can you say such things about him?"

Madam Jia Zhang was shocked that Qin Huairu would speak up for Lin Chen, and her face flushed red: "You ungrateful wretch! If it weren't for Master Yi taking over for you, you would have starved to death long ago! Now that Master Yi is in trouble, you're taking the side of an outsider!"

"Master Yi helped me out of kindness, but it's also true that he did something wrong." Qin Huairu straightened her back. "Now I earn money by learning skills on my own, without having to be at the mercy of others or resort to petty theft. Comrade Lin taught me skills and even helped me arrange for Jia Geng to become an apprentice. He's my benefactor, and I can't let him suffer any injustice."

The neighbors nodded in agreement. Seeing that no one was on her side, Jia Zhangshi glared at Qin Huairu, then shrank back into the house and closed the door. Yan Bugui coughed twice and approached Lin Chen: "Team Leader Lin, I heard you're going to take on the role of technical advisor for the precision group? You're really young and promising. My son, Jie Cheng, is an apprentice in the workshop; I hope you'll look after him in the future."

"You're too kind, Master Yan. If Yan Jiecheng is willing to learn, I will naturally teach him," Lin Chen replied calmly. He knew Yan Bugui's intentions; he just wanted to curry favor and gain benefits. He took out a piece of durable scrap material he had prepared from his tool bag and handed it to Qin Huairu. "This is for you. It's more durable than ordinary fabric and perfect for mending work clothes."

Qin Huairu took the scraps and said gratefully, "Thank you, Comrade Lin. I'll sew them tonight and bring you some insoles I made tomorrow. They're filled with cotton, so they'll be warm."

Back inside, Lin Chen had just laid the blueprints on the table when he heard a knock at the door. Opening it, he saw Grandpa Wang, carrying a pipe, followed by a middle-aged man in a police uniform with a two-stripe badge on his shoulder. "Comrade Lin Chen, this is Captain Zhao from the branch office. He wants to speak with you about something."

Lin Chen's heart tightened, and he quickly invited the two into the house. After Captain Zhao sat down, he took out a document from his briefcase: "We are investigating Yi Zhonghai for allegedly withholding apprentices' benefits. Several veteran apprentices have reported that since 1958, Yi Zhonghai has been withholding their welfare subsidies under the guise of 'workshop expenses,' totaling approximately two hundred yuan. We understand that you have had work-related contact with Yi Zhonghai, and we would like to ask if you have any relevant leads."

Lin Chen recalled Jia Zhangshi's mention in the previous chapter about Yi Zhonghai withholding resettlement fees, and quickly said, "I heard that after Jia Dongxu died in a work-related accident, Yi Zhonghai withheld part of the resettlement fees when he helped Qin Huairu with the handover procedures. In addition, when I was sorting through the old workshop ledgers, I found several entries for 'apprentice welfare expenses' that were problematic, and the amounts were similar to what the senior apprentices had reported."

"These clues are very important." Captain Zhao took careful notes. "If the situation is true, Yi Zhonghai will not only be subject to factory disciplinary action, but will also bear corresponding legal responsibility. We have already spoken with Qin Huairu to understand the situation, and she provided the receipt for the resettlement fee at the time, and the amount on it was indeed thirty yuan less than the stipulated amount."

Grandpa Wang added from the side, "I've always felt that something was off about Yi Zhonghai. He's an eighth-level fitter with a decent salary, but he always complains about being poor to us. So that's how he gets his money."

As Captain Zhao was leaving, he shook Lin Chen's hand and said, "Thank you for the clue. We will find out the truth as soon as possible. Upright technical talents like you are a valuable asset to the factory and a role model for us to learn from."

After seeing Captain Zhao and Grandpa Wang off, Lin Chen returned to his desk, looking at the renovation plans. Moonlight streamed through the window, casting faint shadows on the plans. He knew that Yi Zhonghai's matter wasn't over, and the rumors surrounding the courtyard wouldn't easily subside, but none of that mattered anymore. The hammer and the plans in his hands were what truly mattered his survival in this era.

At this moment, a notification suddenly popped up on the system panel: "The host has obtained a factory-level technical advisor position. Complete the 'Capability Enhancement' task to receive 1000 points. The hidden task 'Purge Unhealthy Practices' has been triggered. Assist in investigating Yi Zhonghai's withholding of benefits. Task reward: 1500 points, unlock 'Advanced Material Analysis Permissions'."

Lin Chen smiled slightly, activated his material analysis privileges, and detailed parameters and fusion schemes for various metal materials immediately appeared before his eyes. He picked up the scraps on the table and pondered in his mind: "Fusing this alloy steel with scrap copper should allow me to make more precise mold parts, which will be perfect for modifying the forging press."

Night deepened, and the courtyard gradually quieted down, save for the occasional bark of a dog. Lin Chen lit a kerosene lamp and, by its light, revised the blueprints. In the lamplight, his shadow was cast on the wall, tall and resolute. He knew that modifying the forging press was only the first step; many more technical challenges awaited him, many more daunting difficulties to overcome. But he was not afraid, for he held the hammer in his hand, his conviction in his heart, and the trust and support of those who believed in him.

The next morning, as soon as Lin Chen entered the workshop, he saw Liu Guangtian and Liu Guangfu already busy at the scrap heap. Liu Guangtian was holding the blueprints Lin Chen had given him, identifying different grades of steel; Liu Guangfu was neatly stacking the sorted scrap together, fine beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. Seeing Lin Chen enter, the two quickly greeted him: "Team Leader Lin, we arrived early and have already sorted all the scrap you mentioned."

Lin Chen patted the two men on the shoulders, feeling very gratified. He pointed to the pile of scrap steel beside them and said, "Today we'll process the parts needed for the forging press modification. Guangtian, you'll learn forging from me, and Guangfu, you'll be in charge of grinding and drilling. Let's try to complete the processing of the core parts within three days."

The forging hammer struck again, this time not with monotonous pounding, but with rhythm and cadence, like a hymn to the craftsman. The workers in the workshop watched Lin Chen and Liu Guangtian's busy figures, their eyes filled with admiration. They knew that a new technological era was slowly unfolding amidst the crisp sound of the hammer.

Around noon, Sha Zhu rushed in excitedly, holding a proof of the factory magazine: "Brother Lin, look! Your article has been printed! The title is 'Young Technician Lin Chen: Writing a Legend with Technology,' and there's even your photo!"

Lin Chen took the proof, looking at the photo of himself standing next to the mold and the words of praise. He didn't feel much excitement, only a solid sense of accomplishment. He handed the proof to Liu Guangtian: "Take a good look. This is the power of technology. As long as you're willing to learn, your name will appear here someday."

Holding the proof, Liu Guangtian gently stroked the words on it with his fingers, his eyes filled with determination. He knew that from the moment he grasped that manganese steel hammer, his life had changed. And all of this stemmed from the young technical advisor before him, from the hammer in his hand that could create miracles, and even more so from this era that revered technology and yearned for change.

As the sun set, Lin Chen stood at the workshop entrance, watching the smoke rising from the distant chimneys. Half of the core components for the forging press modification were complete, Yi Zhonghai's investigation had made new progress, Liu Guangtian's skills were rapidly improving, and Qin Huairu's fitter skills were becoming increasingly proficient. The rumors circulating in the courtyard continued, but they could no longer hinder his progress.