The winter sun slanted into the deputy factory director's office, casting dappled shadows on the cement floor. Liu Li was reviewing the technology center's budget report for the next quarter, her pen nib scratching steadily across the paper. Having served as deputy factory director for some time, she had gradually become accustomed to thinking about issues from a more macro perspective. The responsibilities on her shoulders were heavy, but they had also broadened her horizons.

Suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the door, followed by two slightly tense knocks.

"Please come in," Liu Li replied without looking up.

The person who came in was the factory office director, surnamed Qian, a middle-aged man who always had a smile on his face. But at this moment, there was no smile on his face, his brows were furrowed, and he was holding a document with a red seal in his hand.

"Deputy Factory Director Liu," Director Qian said with unusual urgency, "I just received an urgent notice from the Municipal Machinery Bureau and the Foreign Trade Company. Could you please take a look at this?"

He placed the document on Liu Li's desk. Liu Li put down her pen, picked up the document, and quickly scanned the title, her pupils contracting slightly—"Notice on the Emergency Organization of Production of a Batch of Agricultural Machinery Gearboxes for Export to Eastern Europe."

She quickly skimmed through the documents, her expression growing increasingly grave with each reading. This was a massive order for gearboxes from a major agricultural machinery company in an Eastern European country, whose requirements were extremely stringent. The attachments detailed the technical standards, far exceeding national standards and even imposing stringent quantitative targets on noise levels, lifespan, and low-temperature starting performance. Most critically, the delivery time was less than three months at most.

"Hiss—" Liu Li took a soft breath, put down the document, and looked at Director Qian, "Have you reviewed the technical requirements? And this delivery date..."

"We've reviewed it. The technical department and several workshop directors have circulated it beforehand, and they all feel... a lot of pressure." Director Qian wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead. "The key is that this is the first time our factory has handled such a high-standard export order. I heard the ministry has already put it on their radar. It's related to the country's export reputation and foreign exchange earnings. If we do it well, it'll be a golden brand; if we mess it up..." He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.

Liu Li stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the orderly factory area. The sun was shining brightly, and workers were busily moving about. But this notice, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattered all the normalcy.

"Notify the factory leadership that an emergency meeting will be held in the small conference room in half an hour." Liu Li turned around, her tone decisive and without the slightest hesitation. "In addition, have the main responsible persons of the technical department, production department, and quality inspection department, as well as the workshop directors, meet at the same location in one hour. Make copies of this document and the technical requirements, and give one to everyone at the meeting."

"Yes, I'll get right on it!" Seeing that Liu Li quickly got into the zone, Director Qian felt a little relieved and immediately turned around to make the arrangements.

Half an hour later, the small meeting room of the factory leadership team was filled with smoke, and the atmosphere was heavy. The factory director stubbed out his cigarette, looked around, and said, "Everyone knows the situation. The task is heavy and difficult, but its significance is even greater. This is a challenge, but also an opportunity. We must succeed, and we must do it well!"

The Party Secretary took over, his tone serious: "This is not only a production task, but also a political task! The entire factory must unify its thinking, overcome all difficulties, and ensure that the export task is completed on time and with high quality, so as to earn foreign exchange for the country and enhance the reputation of our Hongxing Factory!"

Liu Li listened quietly, her fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. She understood the tone set by the two commanders; what was needed now was a concrete action plan.

An hour later, the larger conference room was filled with people. When Liu Li reiterated the demanding technical requirements and announced the tight delivery deadline, a murmur of suppressed gasps and whispers rippled through the room.

"Our current equipment can't handle this level of precision!"

"With such high noise requirements, we have to rethink the heat treatment and assembly processes!"

"Three months? How long will it take just for process testing and tooling preparation?"

Doubts and concerns were inevitable. Liu Li didn't interrupt; she waited until the noise subsided before tapping the table, the crisp sound silencing the meeting room.

“The difficulties are clear to everyone, and even more so than we imagined.” Her gaze swept over every technical expert and production manager present, her voice clear and steady. “But the mission has been assigned, and there is no turning back. From today onwards, the entire factory is entering a ‘wartime state’.”

She began her deployment, methodical and clear, with well-defined instructions:

"First, the technical department, with engineer Fu Jingchen in charge, should immediately organize a capable team to conduct a process feasibility analysis item by item according to the technical requirements, identify all possible technical bottlenecks, and produce a preliminary analysis report within two days."

"Second, the production department immediately adjusted the existing production plan to make way for export orders, calculated the demand for raw materials, cutting tools, and auxiliary materials, and ensured the smooth flow of the supply chain."

"Third, after each workshop director returns, immediately take stock of the equipment status and assess the gap between the existing capacity and the order requirements, especially for the gear processing, heat treatment, and final assembly workshops. I need to see a detailed assessment report on the equipment and personnel capabilities by tomorrow morning."

"Fourth, the quality inspection department immediately formulated stricter inspection procedures and processes in accordance with the new standards to ensure process control."

She spoke slowly, but every word carried undeniable weight: "This is the biggest challenge Hongxing Factory has faced since its establishment, and also the best opportunity to prove our strength. I know everyone is uncertain, but the road is made by walking, and difficulties are overcome by people! Meeting adjourned!"

There were no grand pronouncements, only specific task breakdowns. Looking at the young yet composed deputy factory director on the stage, the attendees' anxiety seemed to subside somewhat with this pragmatic arrangement. They picked up their documents, their faces grave, and hurriedly left the meeting room to return to their respective posts.

Liu Li was the last to leave the meeting room. Outside the window, dusk was approaching. She took a deep breath; an unusual tension seemed to permeate the air. The prelude to the factory's "wartime state" had officially begun with this unexpected export order. She knew that the real test was just starting.