A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

While the two factory managers were arguing, Secretary Liu tugged at Jiang Xia's sleeve.

"The head of the outer coating department wants you to call him back."

"Are you in a hurry?"

"They said they weren't in a rush, but judging from their tone, they're not in a good mood. If possible, you should reply as soon as possible. What's so interesting about two idiots fighting..."

"Okay, I'll go right now." Jiang Xia pointed to the two people who were rolling around in a ball, not caring about their image: "After they've had their fill of fighting, I'll tell them about the segmented training program for maintenance personnel. I'll put together the maintenance manual and stuff then!"

"Segmented training?"

"Well, the factory will send some people to set up a few repair shops, find some local talents to teach them basic maintenance and general repairs first, and then I will compile a small steel cannon repair guide for them. Finally, we will ask them to recommend outstanding ones, and then teach them in more depth."

Secretary Liu gave Jiang Xia a deep look. Was he going to pass on his skills? At this moment, what did skills represent? They meant a secure job!

Even in famine years, skilled craftsmen won't starve. Xiao Daimao's trick has given many people a way to make a living.

Even the very first people sent there need to be carefully selected. We can't let them hold back their talents and waste Xiao Dai Mao's good intentions. You see, even those who only know basic maintenance are still considered talent—the foundation of the steel mill, no, the entire industrialization of China. Talent isn't something that can be easily transferred to a difficult place with just a transfer order.

Got it!

Xiao Liu patted his head and pulled out a dark green notebook.

Jiang Xia was puzzled, so he took a look.

"A teacher's certificate from the Beijing TV University? Seriously, how many identities do you have? Are you some kind of Thousand-Faced Dragon?"

Secretary Liu covered her face and said, "It's just to make a living, and it's only a little over ten yuan more per month! My major is also quite relevant, like philosophy and stuff."

"However, none of that matters. What do you think about using the Open University's enrollment quotas as rewards for supporting hardship areas?"

"Open University... Just kidding, how many are there now..."

Wait, no, there are open universities now?

Secretary Liu scooped a large dollop of ice cream into her mouth and mumbled, "The classes started last year, and the second batch of students will be enrolling soon this year. Initially, we opened three departments: mathematics, physics, and chemistry. The teaching method is mainly correspondence courses, supplemented by audio-visual education..."

Will this diploma be recognized by employers?

"Nonsense! This is a school founded by Principal Chen Bo, who issued official documents to establish it. You can study and get your diploma at the same time, isn't that great? All the instructors here are reputable professors. Others need a recommendation from their workplace to get in!"

Oh, I see. It seems this school isn't the same radio and television university that was established in 78. But for those eager to improve, it's still a great opportunity to get a diploma!

When we asked Tie Jun and the others to sign up, it was clear that the career advancement opportunities for someone with only a vocational school diploma were limited.

Alright, never mind all that. Let's go back and call that big shot to see what instructions he has.

Along the way, I saw my fellow workers holding their lunchboxes, beaming with joy as they ate the small dollops of custard ice cream inside.

"Haha, my hunchback switched shifts with me today. I was quite reluctant at first, but I didn't expect the cafeteria to make such good food. I'm really lucky this time..."

"Hey! You definitely made a profit. Let me tell you, a lump like that would cost 5 cents at 'Old Mo's'!"

Hearing this, Jiang Xia nodded in agreement. The ice cream wasn't included in the set meal; it had to be ordered separately and was incredibly expensive.

"Hey! You son of a bitch, how did you end up eating Old Mo's food?"

"Hehe, what happened to you not getting the reward that Factory Director Yang gave you last time?"

"Yeah, this guy took the girl out for a meal at 'Old Mo' when he went on a blind date, and they became a couple. They'll probably get their marriage certificate after the New Year!"

"Stop being so smug! This month's advanced work team award is definitely ours..."

Yes, the benefits for steel mill workers are really good now. They've become hot commodities in Beijing's matchmaking market. As soon as matchmakers mention that a man works at a steel mill, it's practically a guaranteed match.

"Why didn't anyone say anything to me?" Jiang Xia shook the stray hair on his head, somewhat puzzled. "Aren't the union ladies supposed to be the most helpful these days? Why did they forget about me?!"

After returning to his office and looking in the mirror, Jiang Xia suddenly realized the truth and made a crucial decision.

"I'm just a little too young to be shaving! Starting today, I'm going to grow a beard! I won't shave until I'm as big as that bearded uncle!"

Upon hearing this, Lao Wang turned his head and sized up Jiang Xia for a while, then pursed his lips and continued to work diligently.

"Hey, Lao Wang, what are you doing?"

Jiang Xia looked into the office and saw Old Wang bending over, rubbing his dinosaur fossil.

"Just did a routine check, everything's normal so far, you can go about your business..."

Crackling sound~~ What's that sound? It's like a mouse gnawing on wood.

Before Jiang Xia could ask, the phone rang first.

"Hello? Oh, it's Uncle Wang from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications. Hmm, convenient. It's just that Old Wang is squatting in the corner doing something, making all sorts of squeaking noises, which is really annoying..."

A voice came from the other end of the microphone, and Jiang Xia chuckled and nodded.

Then Jiang Xia hung up the phone and called out to Lao Wang, "Hey, stop messing around. Your dad wants you to get out of here!"

Old Wang shook the army green water bottle in his hand vigorously, slammed it on Jiangxia's table with a thud, and then grabbed the ice cream in the lunchbox and ran off.

"If a dog bites Lü Dongbin, it'll make you want to grow a beard. Drink all the water, don't leave a drop..."

Jiang Xia was thirsty, so he took the food and started gulping it down, figuring that Old Wang wouldn't harm him anyway.

"Uncle Wang, are all the relays and stuff done?"

Minister Wang on the other end of the phone mentioned the air division converter, and Jiang Xia's mind calmed down after listening. She kept checking off items in the project spreadsheet she had prepared.

“Then there’s no problem. However, if the production capacity of reed relays is still ramping up, I suggest skipping the initial stage and going straight to the thousand-line level of switches.”

“Yes, the sampling of Baimen is too narrow. Let’s be bolder…”

Minister Wang on the other end of the phone gave a wry smile.

He wanted to be bold, but the telephone lines were always used by government agencies, so he couldn't bring himself to be.

"It's alright. Based on the 'busy hour' data you provided, a 1,000-line switch should be suitable at the moment. If you're worried about problems with the new machine..."

"Don't forget, the basic principle of this air division switch is similar to that of the original manual switch. Set up a backup line and have some female operators on standby. If the switch doesn't automatically connect the lines, we can bring in a human operator, which won't cause any problems, right?"

"Okay! When? Next week? Alright, I'll be there on time!"

Satisfied with the additional suggestions from Jiang Xia, Minister Wang hung up the phone and looked back at the technicians gathered around his table: "Then it's settled. We'll conduct the experiment next week. We must get the successful air division converter out before the French leave, and give those ill-intentioned guys a shock!"

One of the young researchers shrugged with a wry smile: "What's so exciting about it? Everyone else has been using it for ages, hasn't they? I reckon only when the programmable digital machine that Engineer Jiang mentioned comes out will they really have something to be excited about..."

"Hey, it seems that's really the case. Then there's really nothing to be alarmed about." Minister Wang visibly slumped down in dejection.

"Minister, do you think we should conduct preliminary research on programmable digital machines?" The young researcher took out a project application form and handed it over with both hands.

"A computer-based practical study on clutter removal based on corresponding pulse digital clutter removal".

"computer?"

“Yes, what we mean by ‘programmable control’ is a computer!” The young researcher pointed to the newspaper on the minister’s desk. The minister looked down and saw the headline on the front page.

"Look, transistor computers have already come out, which means we have the foundation for programmable control. With the basic theories provided by Engineer Jiang, the success rate of this project is very high!"

Minister Wang pondered for a moment: "Should we skip directly to a higher level of development? That's a bit risky..."

However, the format of this project proposal looks very familiar; I think I've seen it in some closed-door meeting before...