The faulty bearing was removed, but a new problem soon followed—there were no replacement parts.

Old Li held the broken bearing and measured it again and again with calipers, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper: "Inner diameter 65, outer diameter 120, width 23, and it's still C-grade precision... Our factory warehouse definitely doesn't have this spare part." He put down the calipers, his tone helpless, "This kind of precision bearing, which is used for spindles, rarely breaks down. At most, we have some ordinary bearings in the warehouse, but we don't need them."

He turned to Director Zhao and said, "We need to get the purchasing department to contact the original manufacturer or the provincial machinery and electrical company as soon as possible to see if they can expedite the delivery."

Director Zhao's expression was also grim. He quickly told the clerk, "Go and call the purchasing department immediately. Tell them this is urgent and that they must find a way to resolve it no matter what!"

The clerk ran off, and the relaxed atmosphere in the workshop fell silent again. Liu Li didn't rest; she used a fine oilstone to gently polish the scratches on the spindle journal, removing the burrs. But in her mind, she was thinking—in the 1970s, everything had to be planned. For this kind of precision bearing, if the purchasing department had to report it up the chain of command and contact the supplier, it wouldn't arrive in less than a week. The order definitely wouldn't be ready in time.

“Master Wang, Squad Leader Li,” Liu Li stopped what she was doing and looked up, “Waiting for the purchasing department alone won’t do. Don’t we have a No. 1 Machinery Plant and a Diesel Engine Plant in our city? They also have precision equipment, maybe they have the same type of bearings. And what about the Municipal Materials Bureau and the Machinery Research Institute, maybe they have some in stock?”

That hit the nail on the head—back then, it was common for state-owned factories to exchange supplies in emergencies, but you needed connections and influence.

Master Wang thought for a moment and nodded: "That's feasible. Old Li, you're familiar with Old Qian from the First Machinery Plant, call and ask first. Director Zhao, have the factory office issue a letter of introduction and send someone to the Materials Bureau and the Research Institute."

"Right! We can't just wait around!" Director Zhao immediately stood up. "I'll go to the factory office to find the director. Old Li, you call him right away!"

But soon, both of them returned dejected. Old Li sighed, "Old Qian from the First Machinery Plant said they just used their last spare part two months ago, and they've asked other factories, but they don't have any either." Director Zhao was even more anxious: "The Materials Bureau and the Machinery and Electrical Company both said they don't have any in stock and have to get it from elsewhere, which will take at least five days!"

Five days! Add to that the potential delays on the road, and the order is definitely off. Everyone in the workshop is dejected. Several experienced workers are squatting in a corner smoking, their faces full of worry. The spindle lies in the oil pan, gleaming, but no one is paying attention to it.

Liu Li felt her heart sink. Had she already taken it all apart, only to get stuck on a bearing? She stared at the faulty bearing and suddenly remembered something—precision grade!

"Squad Leader Li, take another look. Is this bearing really grade C?" Liu Li's voice was a little anxious.

Old Li picked it up and looked at it again: "That's right, the stamp on it is very clear, Grade C."

“Grade C is standard precision,” Liu Li said, her pace quickening. “Our C620 lathe can actually install even higher precision bearings. If we can’t find Grade C, can we use Grade B, or even Grade A? As long as the dimensions are the same!”

Upon hearing this, Old Li was stunned: "High-precision? Those are even harder to buy, and more expensive!"

“Now is not the time to consider whether it’s expensive or not, we need to save time!” Liu Li stared at him. “High-precision bearings are used in small quantities, so research institutes and optical instrument factories might have some in stock—they need to maintain precision equipment, so they might keep a few on hand, and they’re not subject to planned allocation restrictions!”

Master Wang's eyes lit up: "Research institute, optical instrument factory... that makes sense. Those places do have good stuff."

Director Zhao, as if grasping at a lifeline, exclaimed, "That's right! I'll have the factory office issue letters of introduction right away, focusing on these few places! Old Li, you should also think about whether you know anyone in these units!"

The factory office phone started ringing again, and Old Li was also making calls through his contacts. Taking advantage of a break, Liu Li took polishing paste and deerskin and polished the spindle journal more carefully—even if the bearing was found, it wouldn't work if the spindle wasn't level.

After waiting for almost two hours, the door to the workshop office was suddenly pushed open, and a clerk rushed in holding a piece of paper, his voice trembling: "Director! Good news! The Mechanical Research Institute says they have it!"

"What level of precision?" Liu Li and Lao Li asked together.

"Level B! They said they have a spare part for an imported piece of equipment, exactly the same size, and they agreed to allocate it to us first!"

"Grade B!" Old Li slapped his thigh. "Great! Higher precision, and more stable installation!"

The workshop suddenly buzzed with excitement; the veteran workers all stood up, smiles spreading across their faces. Director Zhao, his face flushed with excitement, exclaimed, "Quick! Send a car! I'll go pick it up myself! Bring the paperwork and the money!"

Liu Li breathed a sigh of relief, looking at the smoothly polished spindle in her hands, feeling much more at ease—it seemed the hardest hurdle had been overcome. But she also knew that getting the bearings was only the first step; reassembling them and ensuring precision would be another tough battle. But at this moment, with hope, she had the motivation to continue.