The train driver in the courtyard

time.

It's like a flush toilet.

With just a gentle press, all the filth can be washed away.

Li Aiguo has been both happy and tired these past two days. He is happy because the construction of the heavy engineering plant is progressing rapidly thanks to the support of several ministries.

The hard part was that he had to help plan the affairs of the heavy engineering plant while also taking care of Project 116.

Project 116 has now achieved a major breakthrough.

The engine's turbine and several key components have been manufactured.

Progress has also been made in Workshop 116 in various locations, and it is expected that the overall manufacturing work will be completed in another three or four months.

This speed is a bit beyond everyone's expectations.

Actually, you'll understand once you think about it.

The blueprints for the engine and helicopter were purchased by Li Aiguo from the system at a high price; they were based on mature technologies from later generations.

This is equivalent to pointing out the route on a dark and rugged road, saving us decades of detours.

In addition, the total number of researchers and technicians involved in Project 116 exceeded three thousand, and the number of workers was as high as ten thousand.

If we can't unite our strength to accomplish great things, then there's a problem.

"I just received a call from Comrade Zhou Gaoyuan. They have completed the modification of the tail rotor design and are currently planning the materials."

"Comrade Gao Yuan did a great job."

Professor Qi has been getting more and more energetic lately; his superiors even shook his hand and praised him.

"Patriotism, I've modified the injection position in the engine block. Take a look." Professor Qi took out another set of drawings.

Li Aiguo took it and examined it closely. Although this modification could not bring out the engine's maximum efficiency, it took into account the poor quality of oil in those days.

Helicopters require aviation kerosene due to their high horsepower.

For a long time after liberation, we were unable to produce aviation kerosene ourselves and had to import it from abroad.

It wasn't until the mid-1950s that No. 1 aviation kerosene, specifically designed for aircraft, was developed, solving the fuel needs of some military aircraft.

However, due to its flash point and low-temperature fluidity, it is not as good as aviation kerosene in later generations.

In particular, the flash point of No. 1 kerosene is only 28°C, which has a low safety level. This is the real reason why Professor Qi modified the engine.

"Old Qi, this modification is excellent." Li Aiguo was somewhat glad that he had chosen to work with Professor Qi, a veteran aviation expert.

There are many things that cannot be learned from books alone; we also need the guidance of these veteran comrades.

After finalizing the changes, Professor Qi and the aircraft factory researchers got to work.

As soon as Li Aiguo returned to his office, Section Chief Xing rushed over, took out a file folder, and handed it to Li Aiguo: "This is yours."

"Thank you, Section Chief." Li Aiguo quickly opened the file bag, which contained more than a dozen photos.

The first picture shows Li Aiguo introducing the excavator while a higher-level leader bends down to inspect it.

The second picture shows a superior leader smiling and talking to Li Aiguo.

The third photo is a group photo of the superiors and all members of the studio, with Li Aiguo standing next to the superiors.

The photojournalist is highly skilled; every single photo has a cinematic quality.

"Wait a minute, there's one more." Section Chief Xing suddenly slapped his forehead and took out another separate envelope, handing it over.

Li Aiguo hurriedly took it; inside was a photo of Li Aiguo lighting a cigarette for his superior when the superior was smoking.

"Tsk tsk, tsk tsk." Section Chief Xing was speechless with envy when he saw the photo.

He remembered a similar photo that had been collected by the archives, and he was sure this one would be collected as well.

Moreover, Li Aiguo is a person who only focuses on technology and rarely gets involved in those messy things. You can trust someone like that, otherwise the higher-ups wouldn't have given him the inscription.

This excavator has not only attracted the attention of four or five departments, but even the military is coming to test it.

While it can't dig trenches as fast as trench excavators, it has a wide range of applications. Once it passes testing, the military will also procure excavators on a large scale. This is the first time Section Chief Xing has seen a civilian machine receive such attention from the military.

Considering all the circumstances, Section Chief Xing felt he should give the boy a serious talk and teach him to guard against arrogance and impetuosity.

But I couldn't bring myself to say it.

"What do your superiors want?" Section Chief Xing swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue and carried out the task assigned to him by his superiors.

"Section Chief, could you please pass on a message to my superiors? I will absolutely do my best to complete the task. Next time, I'll also be helping my superiors light cigarettes." Li Aiguo knew how to express his stance; some things are just like that—you have to take the initiative and say it.

Upon hearing this, Section Chief Xing was slightly taken aback. Could such a request really be made?
Section Chief Xing didn't dare to make the decision on his own, so he reported it to Leader Teng, who surprisingly agreed.

"Let's just bring it up like this. You write a report, and I'll personally report it to the higher-ups."

Section Chief Xing still felt that Li Aiguo had gone too far. Seeing that Leader Teng had already taken out paper and pen, he could only suppress his doubts and write a report.

The report was submitted and received a response quickly.

"Tell Comrade Aiguo that the higher-ups have already prepared the cigarettes." Hearing the assistant's voice on the phone, Section Chief Xing couldn't help but smile. This really worked?
When Li Aiguo learned of this, he was thinking of putting the photos away, as they would become family heirlooms.

I happen to have a sandalwood chest at home, and I need to buy a large iron lock. It's not to prevent thieves, since no foolish thief would dare to steal a photo like this.

It was to prevent children from taking it without permission.

"Aiguo, this is the reply from the higher-ups. Also, the engineering plant will be starting large-scale production soon. Shouldn't we also prepare the excavator training and maintenance personnel?" Section Chief Xing relayed the situation to Li Aiguo.

Excavator training is simple. Li Aiguo found Lan Xiang and asked him to set up an excavator training class.

Lan Xiang hung up a sign at the entrance of the driving school advertising training for excavator operators.

Of course, initially the training was mainly for drivers in units and the military. This thing is generally unaffordable and unqualified for ordinary people.

The company that placed the order needs to send someone over to learn how to drive it before they can take the excavator back.

Regarding the repair work, Li Aiguo plans to contact the Beijing Machinery Factory as originally intended.

Before leaving get off work, Li Aiguo handed the newly compiled excavator maintenance manual to Zong Xianfeng, who then organized the technicians to check the manual and, in turn, proposed simpler maintenance methods based on the actual situation.

Then he rode his motorcycle back to the courtyard house.

Jia Dongxu found some wood from somewhere and was now squatting by the door with Qin Huairu, sawing wood, apparently to make a bed.

Upon seeing Li Aiguo, the two of them turned around simultaneously.

Li Aiguo didn't pay any attention, pushed his motorcycle into the yard, and went straight to Nan Yi's house.

“Aiguo is back.” Nan Yi unconsciously felt that he seemed a little inferior when he spoke to Li Aiguo.

He also saw the report about the visit of the superiors to the Qianmen Locomotive Depot. The photo was a group photo, and Li Aiguo was standing next to the superiors.

Li Aiguo nodded and handed Nan Yi a cigarette: "Where's your Liang Ladi?"

Liang Ladi was modifying an electric sewing machine inside the house when she heard the noise and came out.

She was much more generous than Nan Yi, and said with a smile, "Nan Yi, what are you doing? Brother Aiguo is here, quickly let him in."

"Yes, yes, yes," Nan Yi finally realized what was happening, let him in, and poured him some water.

“Brother Nan Yi, don’t bother. I’m here today to ask Liang Ladi for a favor.”

Liang Ladi moved a chair over and sat down.

"Here's the thing, our Qianmen Locomotive Depot is planning to train a group of excavator repair technicians and is considering cooperating with your Beijing Machinery Factory. What do you think?"

"This is great news! Our factory is the best at machine repair." Liang Ladi nodded excitedly.

"Then could you please help me contact the leaders at the Beijing Machinery Factory?"

"Okay, I'll go now."

Worried that other factories would beat her to it, Liang Ladi hopped on her bicycle and sped off.

(End of this chapter)