Lin Yan arrived at the provincial city's machinery factory for the first time, bringing all the money her brigade could muster. Accompanying her was the brigade's accountant.
After submitting their introduction letter, Lin Yan and the accountant, Zhang Qing, entered the provincial city's machinery factory.
Zhang Qing looked at the massive factory with astonishment. He had never been inside a factory before, let alone one of the best in the entire province.
Upon entering the office, Lin Yan and Zhang Qing waited for a while before the director of the sales department arrived.
After explaining their purpose to the sales director, Lin Yan proposed the agricultural machinery they desired.
"Comrade, we don't have any of the items you're describing. Especially the kind you mentioned, the one that can be operated by a single person – a transplanter. I doubt it exists not just in our factory, but likely anywhere in the country."
The sales director was somewhat curious. The girl in front of him, for she was still a girl, wasn't old, but to be the one in charge between the two of them was truly remarkable.
However, the machinery she proposed was something he had never heard of. If it weren't for the seriousness on her face, he would have thought she was joking.
Lin Yan, of course, knew they wouldn't have it; that was one of the reasons she came. With the money they had, it was impossible to buy everything. Moreover, they still needed to purchase the most crucial item: a tractor.
"Actually, these machines have very simple structures. I wonder if I could see the machinery the factory currently produces? Perhaps with a slight modification..."
Lin Yan voiced her thoughts. "Or I could draw a diagram, and you could see if it's possible to make it."
The sales director was taken aback. He hadn't expected this young girl to have such a bold ambition.
"Draw a diagram? Little comrade, you're thinking of mechanical manufacturing too simply."
"Educated youth Lin is very capable. The oil press she made for our brigade is excellent; it can be powered by water or livestock. It extracts oil very quickly," Zhang Qing interjected.
He had great faith in Lin Yan and couldn't help but speak up when the director seemed to be looking down on her.
"Oh? An oil press?" the sales director asked, surprised. "What does it look like?"
Lin Yan explained the principle and operation of the oil press to the sales director.
"It's just an attempt. Mainly, my family is very supportive," Lin Yan said modestly.
But the sales director, who clearly understood some mechanics, recognized the ingenuity of the oil press. He quickly called someone at the door to fetch the factory director.
A moment later, a man in work clothes entered the office. Inside, Director Li was still asking Lin Yan about the details of the oil press, becoming increasingly impressed by Lin Yan's clever design.
"Old Li, what's so important that you had to call me over?" the man asked in a loud voice.
His posture was erect, and his demeanor when moving clearly indicated he had been a soldier.
"Factory Director, these are comrades from the Zaolin Brigade in Lingcheng Hongqi Commune, here to purchase agricultural machinery. However, the machines they want are not something we produce," Director Li introduced Lin Yan and her companion.
"Educated youth Lin, Accountant Zhang, this is our factory's director. You can discuss your matters with him."
"Hello, Factory Director. I am Lin Yan, an educated youth from Zaolin Brigade," Lin Yan stepped forward and greeted the director.
"Hello, educated youth Lin. What kind of machinery are you looking to purchase?" the factory director asked, knowing his colleague well enough to understand that he wouldn't have called him over in such a hurry for something unimportant.
Lin Yan explained the machinery she wanted again, this time with more detail.
Upon hearing it, the factory director understood the utility of these machines. However, such machinery was not only absent from their factory but likely from any other factory as well.
"Factory Director, educated youth Lin can draw design blueprints. These machines don't seem too difficult to make. Why not let educated youth Lin guide us, and see if we can produce them?" Director Li quickly signaled to the factory director.
"Educated youth Lin can also draw?" the factory director was somewhat surprised, given the young age of the educated youth.
"I've studied it before, and it should be feasible. Once I draw it, Factory Director can ask experts to review it," Lin Yan was no longer being modest.
"But educated youth Lin, our procurement task isn't finished yet. Perhaps we should go again..."
Accountant Zhang's words were interrupted by Director Li. "Comrade Zhang, please don't worry. I am the sales director here. Show me your procurement list, and I'll help you sort it out, so you won't be bothering educated youth Lin's work."
Lin Yan was led to another office, where some people were already drawing and calculating.
The factory director didn't introduce Lin Yan but found her a desk and brought her paper and a pen.
Lin Yan didn't hesitate. She sat down immediately and began to slowly draw the simplest type of transplanter. She had visualized this drawing many times in her mind, so drawing it now was easy.
Watching Lin Yan's professional demeanor, the factory director felt a bit more at ease. It seemed Old Li was quite reliable.
The activity here also alerted the others in the room. They didn't disturb Lin Yan but slowly gathered around.
"Factory Director, what is this?" an older person asked.
"She's here to purchase machines, but we don't have what she wants, so she asked if she could draw them for us to produce," the factory director explained in a low voice.
"That's quite an ambitious statement!" he then added, moving closer to Lin Yan.
Looking at Lin Yan's drawing, he became increasingly amazed. This young girl was no ordinary person!
After Lin Yan finished drawing the blueprint, the group finally dared to speak, each of them starting to ask Lin Yan about the details of the machine.
Observing their eagerness, Lin Yan sighed. People of this era were truly studious and earnest.
She meticulously explained the purpose of each design to everyone and also discussed mechanical knowledge with them.
"Young lady, this is extraordinary! To achieve this at your age, it must be hereditary! The younger generation is indeed formidable, truly formidable! Who taught you?" the older man asked.
"My parents were professors at Tsinghua University. I always learned from them," Lin Yan shared the original owner's experience.
In truth, the original owner was very accomplished, otherwise, she wouldn't have become the most popular teacher in school and a professor at such a young age.
"No wonder!" everyone in the room showed an expression of understanding.
"Engineer Xu, do you think we can produce this transplanter?" the factory director asked.
"Yes, we can. Educated youth Lin's drawing is very detailed. Anyone with a brain can certainly make it. However, it's not entirely appropriate to just use the young lady's drawings like this!" Engineer Xu said jokingly.
The young woman before him was clearly capable, and it was a waste for her to be staying in the countryside. If she could work at their machinery factory, their factory would undoubtedly develop better. This was a win-win situation!