In early summer, the weather was sunny and the breeze was gentle, making people feel particularly comfortable. Meanwhile, the stadium at Hongxing Auto Repair Shop, which had just been renovated, was bustling with activity.

Leaders from the Ministry of Metallurgy, the Ministry of Transport, the Beijing municipal and district levels, and the steel rolling mill all gathered here and sat on the dais; a total of 80 auto repair workers from various auto repair shops in the city and 10 referees stood below the stage.

The first Beijing Auto Repair Industry Skills Competition has officially begun!

Today's competition has attracted three vice-ministerial level leaders and more than ten department-level cadres, which is a big deal for the entire steel rolling mill, let alone the auto repair shop.

Therefore, the entire meeting preparation and security work was directly taken over by the steel rolling mill in the later stages, which saved Xu Damao a lot of trouble.

The reason so many people were able to attend was twofold: firstly, Xu Damao had approached the leaders of the steel rolling mill and other high-ranking officials, who then personally invited them; secondly, it was also due to the prestige of being the first event. In any case, the leaders paid considerable attention to this inaugural event and showed it respect.

"Old Ma, you owe me a favor this time, remember to pay it back later. This is originally a matter for our transportation industry, but now it's been handed over to your metallurgical industry factory, which has offended quite a few people."

On the stage, Vice Minister Yue of the Ministry of Transport, sitting in the middle, spoke to Mr. Ma with a smile.

"You old man, you're getting the benefits and still acting innocent. We do the work for you, we do the work, you get the credit, and if anyone should thank someone, it's you thanking me."

Besides, I haven't seen anyone dare to criticize you. Your hot temper, which you had in the army, hasn't changed at all.

The two old friends knew each other in the army, and now that they've both come to Beijing, their relationship is naturally special, and they often tease each other.

"Why isn't anyone saying anything? Old Ma, for the sake of our old friendship, I'll tell you something, and you'll definitely offer me an extra drink in return."

Last time, Gong Shengli from the Beijing Municipal Transportation Bureau came to me, saying he wanted to request that our auto repair shop be transferred to the Beijing Municipal Transportation Bureau.

"Considering our relationship, I rejected the idea on the spot. But Comrade Shengli is the kind of person who won't give up until he gets what he wants; if things don't work out with me, he'll find other ways," said Old Yue.

The Gong Shengli he mentioned is the head of the Beijing Transportation Bureau. He should have been here today, but due to a last-minute business trip, his deputy attended in his place.

"Is that so? But this also shows that our Hongxing Factory is doing a good job and is capable. Otherwise, he wouldn't have accepted it even if I gave it to him."

Old Ma appeared nonchalant, but he was secretly planning to discuss it with the steel mill later. Such factory and mine restructuring was common in this era, but it affected everyone involved; losing a piece of one's flesh was painful.

Several leaders also spoke in turn in a pre-arranged order, encouraging all the contestants.

After the competition notice was issued, everyone took it very seriously. It's said that some factories have already said they would immediately provide a management position if the winner came in first place; others are offering to solve their housing problems. In short, they've all offered their best terms.

The workers who weren't initially very enthusiastic about the competition are now holding internal contests to compete for a spot. Therefore, those participating today are all top-tier workers, selected from the best of the best.

With a command from Elder Yue, the skills competition officially began. The entire square was divided into several areas, with different events taking place in different locations.

The leaders watched the competition with great interest for a while, and also exchanged views with the players and referees who were not competing at the moment. Xu Damao accompanied and explained the proceedings the whole time.

What amused Xu Damao was that Liu Haizhong was so incoherent when he was talking to several high-ranking leaders that he almost made the leaders doubt his abilities.

Liu Haizhong, as the deputy director of the forging workshop and a level seven forging worker, was naturally recommended to be a referee and was even placed in seclusion for a period of time. He boasted about it around the compound, insisting that he would treat everyone to a meal after the competition.

Just now, the high-ranking leaders and their entourage strolled over to the forging competition area. Liu Haizhong happened to be off-duty and watching from the sidelines. Xu Damao thought he'd give Liu a chance to shine, so he introduced him as the deputy director of the forging vehicle department at the auto repair shop and asked him to explain the competition to the leaders.

Who would have thought that he, who usually walks with his hands behind his back and likes to imitate the boss's bangs, would now be touching the hand that the boss had shaken and grinning like an idiot, unable to say a word.

In fact, Liu Haizhong had just seen the leader walking this way, and he was already thinking about how he would behave if the leader came over. He had already simulated the situation of him becoming the factory director.

But when the leader actually came over, his mind went completely blank. He could only laugh foolishly and didn't know how to say anything else. He completely forgot Xu Damao's various reminders and was no different from an idiot.

Several leaders, seeing that someone like him could be a deputy director, didn't say anything, but they all began to have doubts; their expressions said it all. Xu Damao knew things were going to go wrong and started thinking rapidly.

“Leaders, our explanations are too dry. How about we have our instructor demonstrate it for you on the spot?” Xu Damao suggested.

Knowing that he couldn't exonerate Liu Haizhong or clear the name of Hongxing Factory with just words, he could only prove himself to the leaders with concrete actions.

"Okay, Director Xu's idea is good. Here's what we'll do, leaders, let's rest here for a bit and see how skilled our master craftsman really is."

Li Xuewu, who was Xu Damao's backer, took responsibility at this time and took the initiative to arrange for the leaders to sit down and watch the Hongxing Factory demonstration.

"Master Liu, now that all the leaders are here, why don't you give our Hongxing Factory's technology a good demonstration?" Xu Damao said loudly.

When the leaders weren't looking, Xu Damao quietly told Liu Haizhong that if he didn't perform well later, the deputy director would be dismissed immediately.

Liu Haizhong, who was still in a daze, finally snapped out of it when he heard about the dismissal and realized that he had just lost a great opportunity and that a difficult test awaited him.

Even if it was a test, Lao Liu had no other choice. He didn't want to go back and be laughed at by his neighbors in the courtyard. Gritting his teeth, he walked directly towards the competition area. The other competitors had also moved to another location under the guidance of the staff.

He swung the sledgehammer, unleashing the full power of a seventh-level craftsman, like an elegant dancer, the sledgehammer suddenly becoming light and powerful. Every strike, every shaping, was filled with strength and precision.

What was originally a cold piece of metal was transformed into a precise part through forging in Liu Haizhong's hands. The leaders' previously indifferent expressions turned serious, and their disregard turned into respect.

Meanwhile, Liu Haizhong, having slowly finished his work, began to show a hint of unease in his usually meticulous expression. He looked at Xu Damao, his meaning clearly asking, "So, can I continue as deputy director?"