The train driver in the courtyard

When Li Aiguo returned home, Chen Xueru had not yet returned, and He Yushui had taken the three children to Aunt Liu's house.

"Dad, Grandpa is sick. Mom brought us back and then rushed to visit him." Li Hongsheng, who will be starting elementary school next year, speaks clearly and logically.

It's already deep winter.

The temperature dropped sharply a couple of days ago, and many young people were shivering from the cold. Older people definitely couldn't stand it.

Li Aiguo originally planned to take the children home for dinner, but Aunt Liu had already prepared sour slice soup and said, "Xueru isn't home. How can a grown man like you take care of several children? Eat here first before going back."

Li Aiguo did not refuse and went into the kitchen to serve himself a bowl.

The sour soup has plenty of chili peppers, and the sour, spicy, and savory flavor slides down your throat into your stomach.

After finishing the bowl, the chill in my body instantly dissipated as if I had been doused with hot oil, leaving me feeling completely comfortable.

"By the way, Aiguo, everyone in our compound has turned on their heated kang beds these past few days, why hasn't yours been heated yet?" During the meal, Aunt Liu was still concerned about the Li family's heating problem.

"It'll start burning when we get back." Li Aiguo has been either on business trips or busy at his studio lately, and he's really neglected this matter.

After finishing his meal, Li Aiguo planned to go back to the house to heat the kang (a traditional heated bed). Aunt Liu originally wanted to leave the three children there until the kang was warm before sending them back.

But as soon as Xiao Hongsheng and Xiao Mingwei heard the words "heating the kang," they tugged at Li Aiguo's clothes and insisted on going with him.

In the end, the younger Dongfang could only stay at Aunt Liu's house and read books with He Yushui.

Heating a kang (a traditional heated brick bed) is a skilled job, but fortunately, Li Aiguo has been in this era for several years and is already very familiar with it.

After the kang (heated brick bed) is lit, you should not go into the room immediately. You should open the windows to ventilate first. At night, you should not close the doors and windows completely to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

"Dad, it would be great if there was heating. Today our teacher took us to visit the Great Hall of the People, and it has heating installed inside. It's so warm and convenient." Xiao Dongfang squatted in front of the heated brick bed, his little face already blackened by soot.

"The kang is warm now, let's get on the kang and dry our socks."

Li Aiguo felt a bit stuffy in the room, so he went to the door and lit a cigarette.

These days, Beijing has already built a heating system, but it's too small. The only places with heating are large public buildings such as the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, Beijing Railway Station, and the Minzu Hotel. These places are collectively referred to as the "Ten Greats".

Large-scale centralized heating could only be achieved after several heating companies, including the Second Heating Plant, were built in the 1980s.

Even the Qianmen Locomotive Depot doesn't have heating. Several older colleagues from the south have started coughing these past few days, so the canteen specially prepared ginger soup to ward off the cold.

"I've heard that some factories and organizations use their own boilers for heating, which is a good solution."

As Li Aiguo was pondering this, a familiar motorcycle roar came from afar.

No need to ask, it must be Chen Xueru who's back.

"It's freezing!" Chen Xueru said, rubbing her red, frozen hands as soon as she parked her motorcycle.

Li Aiguo quickly took the motorcycle and parked it at the door, then pulled her along, saying, "Come inside and warm up. How's Dad?"

"The doctor examined me and said it's just a cold, nothing serious."

"Go to bed and warm up for a while first. I'll find some time to visit Dad tomorrow," Li Aiguo instructed, already planning in his mind that he needed to finish his work first and not delay it.

Upon entering the study, Li Aiguo draped a blanket over his lap and began to work with his pen.

The main challenge in turbojet engines lies in materials.

Today, the mainstream materials for international aero-engines have moved from traditional nickel-based alloys to the stage of directional solidification technology.

The Russian RD-9B engine uses a nickel-based high-temperature alloy, employs precision casting technology, can withstand temperatures of approximately 950°C, has a design life of only 100 hours, and often lasts less than 50 hours in actual use.

Moreover, at altitudes below 6000 meters, afterburner can only be maintained for a maximum of 6 minutes, and above 6000 meters, it is no more than 10 minutes.

If the time limit is exceeded, the turbine blades may melt due to the high temperature, directly causing the fatal risk of disintegration in the air.

The domestically produced J-6 engine also uses similar technology.

Driven by the philosophy of creating the best, Li Aiguo specifically brought out the single-crystal high-temperature alloy.

In addition, the turbine blades also need to be modified to adopt a "dust vortex" design, which can completely solve the problem of oscillating combustion.

While pondering these matters, Li Aiguo wrote a string of large characters on the manuscript paper: "Research Plan for Single-Crystal High-Temperature Alloys".

The next day, after getting up and having breakfast, Li Aiguo dressed warmly and rode his mountain bike to work.

The biting winter wind was like a blade, howling against my body. Thankfully, the safety helmet protected my head and face; otherwise, I would have been frozen solid the whole way.

Upon entering the locomotive depot's workshop, Li Aiguo did not go into the office but instead took a detour and headed towards the smelting workshop.

This place is more like a regular factory than a workshop.

The trains transported the steel from Anshan Iron and Steel Group, and after the smelting workshop carried out deep processing to produce qualified materials, they were then transported to the workshops where they were needed.

Upon entering the workshop, Li Aiguo went to find Chief Engineer Chen of the smelting workshop.

He was a first-class engineer, around fifty years old, a thin man with slightly gray hair, wearing glasses, and of medium height.

He was a big name in the domestic metallurgical industry before liberation, and he was one of the core participants in the research and development of oxygen steelmaking in open-hearth furnaces at Anshan Iron and Steel Group.

He also helped procure the material for the turbine engine fan blades last time.

Chief Engineer Chen is a typical old-fashioned scholar, doing things at a leisurely pace, with a smile always on his face.

Seeing Li Aiguo enter, Chief Engineer Chen stood up, poured a cup of tea into an enamel mug, and handed it to him: "Aiguo, what new materials does the studio need this time?"

Li Aiguo took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it for Chief Engineer Chen, and then sat down himself. They chatted for a while to find out about the recent work situation in the smelting workshop.

Seeing that the conversation had almost ended, Li Aiguo took out the document and handed it over.

"Well, I really do have something I'd like to ask for your help with this time."

Li Aiguo picked up his enamel mug and took a sip of hot water.

Chief Engineer Chen glanced at the materials in his hand; the cover bore the inscription: "Research Plan for Single-Crystal High-Temperature Alloys."

When Chief Engineer Chen saw this thing, he thought it was interesting. He opened the cover and found that there was a lot of content inside, and it was quite complicated.

The opening statement is based on the premise of "improving engine quality, extending engine life, and reducing industrial production costs."

As you read on, you'll find a whole set of terms, such as "research and development necessity," "research and development feasibility," and "research and development cost," spanning several pages, all of which make a lot of sense.

Chief Engineer Chen read these pages quickly. After finishing, he looked up and said, "Hmm, not bad. Patriotism. This preface alone is worth learning from."

Putting everything else aside, now that I've seen it, I feel that not researching this single-crystal superalloy is a dereliction of duty.

Actually, Li Aiguo didn't have any other thoughts; it was just a daily habit.

Hearing this, he laughed and said, "These are just some formatted things, please excuse my poor writing."

Chief Engineer Chen then continued flipping through the pages, but after only a couple of glances, his expression turned serious.

"Eliminate the crystal boundary?" he uttered unconsciously, his fingers gripping the paper with increased force.

“I do have this idea…” Before Li Aiguo could finish speaking, Chief Engineer Chen suddenly stood up, took the plan to the window, and carefully studied it by the bright light.

One minute……

five minutes……

ten minutes……

Chief Engineer Chen remained in his original posture, his brows furrowed as he stared at the first page of the research plan, showing no intention of even turning the page.

An engineer pushed open the door and, seeing Chief Engineer Chen in this state, quickly retreated, trying not to make a sound that might disturb his thinking.

The further down the screen he looked, the more serious Chief Engineer Chen's expression became.

About five more minutes passed.

Chief Engineer Chen sat back down, stood up, walked to the next room, and slammed the door shut.

Li Aiguo knew perfectly well that Chief Engineer Chen had gone deep inside.

This veteran engineer, like Professor Zhang Wendian, is the kind of person who can give up everything for scientific research.

There are quite a few such veteran experts at the Qianmen Locomotive Depot.

Even if ministerial leaders come to visit, seeing their passion, they will only praise them and will never find it strange.

Li Aiguo wasn't in a hurry. He lit a cigarette and smoked it slowly, pondering the work at hand and wondering if he should go back and finish it before coming back.

In a small room.

Chief Engineer Chen took out a draft paper from the drawer and began to calculate the feasibility of the research plan.

The research plan was very clear in its approach and rigorous in its logic, and the choice of technologies it used was quite ingenious, so much so that he couldn't find any fault with it.

There wasn't even a single area that could be improved.

What surprised him, however, was not these things, but their feasibility.

For some reason, Chief Engineer Chen always felt that the equipment and technology used in this research project had been deliberately simplified to accommodate current technological conditions.

Although the single-crystal high-temperature metal produced is inferior to that made using the original technology in some aspects.

However, its advantage lies in its feasibility.

He had no evidence; it was just an old chief engineer's intuition.

In his initial efforts to introduce structural steel technology from Russia, he was troubled by the fact that domestic smelting furnaces did not meet the standards, so he had to revise the plan and adjust the production steps.

interesting.

An hour passed.

After reading the last line and remaining silent for a long time, Chief Engineer Chen put down the scrap paper, sighed, and uttered two words.

"Great!"

If he had been more doubtful an hour ago, he would have been.

I've heard that the US is only just starting out with single-crystal high-temperature alloys. With the current level of technology in China, let alone production, no one even dares to consider initiating a research project.

But now, he is almost certain that as long as the plan is sound, by concentrating all the resources of the smelting workshop and integrating resources from all sides, this seemingly impossible task can really be accomplished!

Besides "amazing," he couldn't think of any other compliments.

Li Aiguo raised his wrist to check the time, still thinking about today's work, and hesitated whether he should come later.

At that moment, the door to the room was suddenly pushed open, and Chief Engineer Chen, carrying the research plan, came out.

Seeing this, Li Aiguo asked, "How is it?"

Holding the research plan tightly in his hand, Chief Engineer Chen nodded emphatically: "Aiguo, we have taken over this work at the smelting workshop. I suggest that a research team be established immediately."

“That’s what I think too.” Li Aiguo breathed a sigh of relief. With Chief Engineer Chen and the engineers in the smelting workshop, they were one step closer to building a turbojet engine.

Subsequently, the Single Crystal High Temperature Metal Project Team was officially established, with Li Aiguo serving as the team leader and Chief Engineer Chen serving as the deputy team leader.

The group members below include Professor Zhou from the Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Liu from the Institute of Metallurgy and Ceramics, and several professors from the Institute of Chemical Metallurgy.

There is strength in numbers.

At the project team's first meeting, everyone was in high spirits.

Professor Zhou spoke first: "I can contact the Jinzhou vacuum furnace manufacturing base. They have a 'big turtle' there, which is the only ultra-large vacuum induction furnace in China, and it can meet the smelting needs perfectly."

A professor from the Institute of Chemical Metallurgy added, "I've already spoken to Shijingshan Iron and Steel Company, and they've agreed to lend us their metallographic microscope. We rely on it to study the microstructure of metals."

"Regarding raw materials, I will coordinate with Ansteel to prioritize allocating high-purity nickel ingots to us!"

"I'll figure out the testing equipment. I'll contact the Metrology Institute to see if we can share resources!"

Looking at the experts before him, each eager to speak and displaying their unique talents, Chief Engineer Chen suddenly felt a sense of bewilderment. "Back then, the Qianmen Locomotive Depot's workshop offered such generous terms and even had higher-ups coordinate to transfer these people over, wasn't it all to leverage the power behind them?"

"However, I seem to be quite willing to do so."

But then he thought about it again and couldn't help but laugh.

Such unity and cooperation, such a feeling of fighting side by side for the same goal, is truly exhilarating.

Given the current weak industrial base, only by working together as one can we achieve what seems like an impossible breakthrough.

"No wonder the higher-ups all say this kid is a genius. Not only is he smart, but he can also bring so many talented people together. This ability is even more valuable than tackling technical problems."

Chief Engineer Chen looked at Li Aiguo, who was speaking eloquently, and a smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

****
The development of single-crystal high-temperature alloys is not something that can be accomplished overnight. After coordinating the work of the group, Li Aiguo returned to his office.

He has a lot of work to do now. Zhao Xinnian, who leads the LED research group at the Beijing Lighting Factory, has also made a lot of progress recently, but there is still a long way to go before they can produce LED lights.

The promotion assessment at the steel rolling mill is starting next week, and he needs to review the materials again.

The Red Star Motorcycle Team is currently preparing for the TT race.
"Never mind, let's go check on the convoy first!"

As it was almost noon, Li Aiguo simply put down the documents in his hand, humming a little tune as he headed straight for the driving school.

At this moment, the Red Star Motorcycle Team's racers are training on the track.

To better adapt to the venue, the driving school built a professional track specifically for the driving team.

Fortunately, with the help of the First Railway Bureau, the building materials were provided by the Ministry of Railways, and the Beijing Engineering Bureau also provided some assistance, so the cost was not high.

"Captain, you've arrived!" Zhou, the deputy captain of the team and a patrolman, spotted him immediately and quickly pushed Li Aiguo's personal race car out of the warehouse.

Li Aiguo also drove the race car for two laps. It was a bit cold outside, but once he got on the car, he didn't feel cold anymore, which was strange.

While Li Aiguo was immersed in the joy of racing, a special meeting was taking place at the headquarters of Hextech Corporation in Gangcheng.

The company received a John Bull distributor, accompanied by a middle-aged man wearing a gray cashmere coat.

“Mr. Yang, this is Mr. Norland of the John Bull family.”

Yang Jizong was well-informed and could tell at a glance that the other party was no ordinary person.

The hand-stitched coat is of exquisite quality, and the custom-made leather shoes are polished to a shine. Every gesture exudes the composure of an old-fashioned aristocrat, far beyond the reach of ordinary nouveau riche.

"Hello, Mr. Norland!"

"Mr. Yang, we plan to customize a Velociraptor sports car."

"What are the specific requirements?" Yang Jizong asked.

"The more prestigious, the better."

This seemingly simple request instantly put Yang Jizong on high alert.

Ordinary nouveau riche pursue luxury and extravagance, while the word "prestige" is often only associated with the top class.

"Sir, to ensure the sports car perfectly matches its owner's status, please inform us of the owner's name."

Norland looked hesitant, clearly having some concerns.

The distributor quickly pulled him aside and whispered, "Don't worry, Hextech has an excellent reputation internationally and will never leak customer information."

After a moment of contemplation, Norland uttered two words that sent a jolt through Yang Jizong's heart: "Queen."

"The Queen?" Li Aiguo was also a little confused when he received Yang Jizong's call.

John Bull only had one queen, right?

"That's right. It seems that the John Bull family is going to hold a celebration for the Queen. Those nobles are thinking about what to give the Queen, something unique. And since the Queen especially likes driving, they thought of our Velociraptor sports car."

Indeed, a custom-made sports car can only be one in the world, making it truly unique.

"The other party also said that price was not an issue, as long as it could highlight a sense of prestige," Yang Jizong added.

“No problem, I’ll take it!” Li Aiguo readily agreed.

There's no reason to refuse a good opportunity that can earn foreign exchange and enhance international reputation. What's more, the expert team that previously helped the Russians manufacture special vehicles is still in the workshop and can be put to good use.

Li Aiguo recalled the carriages the Queen rode in during the John Bull family celebrations in later generations, and soon had an idea.

Zong Xianfeng and the wild car expert were originally helping to build small airplanes, but now that they are going to build special cars, they have also been transferred over.

There's no way around it, I'm extremely busy with work right now, so I have to focus on the important tasks first.

When Section Chief Xing arrived at the workshop, he saw that the group of car manufacturing experts were busy working again, and asked a few questions out of curiosity.

However, none of those people knew the details about the car.

Section Chief Xing was puzzled. Who was in charge of making such a big commotion this time?
He knocked on Li Aiguo's office door. Li Aiguo was choosing a color scheme for a sports car. He stood up and greeted him.

"Section Chief, what brings you here?"

"What's going on in the studio? Who owns the car?"

Li Aiguo leaned closer to him and whispered two words.

"Cough cough...cough!" Section Chief Xing choked on the hot water he had just drunk, coughing several times in a row, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"Patriotism, have you reported this matter?"

"Yang Jizong has already contacted the foreign affairs department to report the matter."

Upon hearing that Yang Jizong had stepped forward, Section Chief Xing's anxiety immediately subsided. The Yang family now maintains close ties with relevant departments, and Yang Jizong was even received by a high-ranking leader during his last return; his actions are certainly reliable.

"This matter must be kept strictly confidential!" he repeatedly emphasized.

Li Aiguo nodded: "Now, besides me, only you know about this in the studio."

"You are indeed very cautious when you do things." Section Chief Xing nodded in satisfaction.

Section Chief Xing chatted for a few minutes and was about to leave when he stopped after taking only two steps.

"I almost forgot the important matter! Our locomotive depot plans to build its own heating station. Someone will be coming to lay the pipes soon. Tell the comrades in the workshop to cooperate as much as possible."

"That's good news. I'll have the staff in the studio cooperate. Section Chief, do the apartment buildings in the family quarters also have heating?"

"It's not feasible for now. The heating station isn't large enough yet. Right now, we're mainly providing heating to the workshops and your studio. Many of our workers from the south are suffering from the cold."

Li Aiguo was not surprised.

In this era, production has always been the priority, and welfare and living standards have always been secondary.

After a long day at get off work, Li Aiguo returned home and took Chen Xueru to visit Chen Fangxuan. Chen Fangxuan's condition was not serious, and he had already started helping with sewing clothes.

Time slips away little by little amidst the busyness.

A week has passed in the blink of an eye.

It's just dawn.

Before Xu Damao's rooster crowed, many residents had already turned on their lights and started washing up and cooking.

Today is the day for the steel rolling mill's performance evaluation and promotion.

This also determines the big day for workers' future wages and benefits.

As a result, the residents of the courtyard house became tense, and the air was filled with less laughter and more solemnity.

Li Aiguo also changed into a clean Zhongshan suit, put on leather shoes, and tidied his hair.

I looked in the mirror and, yeah, I'm still that handsome guy.

"Brother Aiguo, dinner's ready." Chen Xueru knew that Li Aiguo was going to the steel mill as the chief examiner today, so she prepared the meal early.

The staple food is large white steamed buns, a plate of stir-fried bean sprouts, a plate of fried eggs, and a bowl of cornmeal porridge. Life is good.

At the same time, the atmosphere in the deaf old lady's room was somber.

Yi Zhonghai stood to the side with his hands at his sides, his expression more serious than usual.

“Zhonghai, I was originally thinking of leaving Lao Liao’s connections to Shazhu, but if it weren’t for your repeated pleas, I really wouldn’t have been willing to give them up. You must seize this opportunity this time.” The deaf old lady leaned back in her chair and said with her eyes narrowed.

"Don't worry, ma'am, I know what I'm doing." Yi Zhonghai nodded and bowed hurriedly.

"Once you become an eighth-grade worker, I don't need to tell you what to do, right?" the old lady added slowly.

"Let's deal with that brat Li Aiguo first. Once Shazhu gets out, I'll personally arrange for him to find a good wife!"

"Go on." After saying these words, the deaf old woman seemed to have no strength left, and waved her hand.

Yi Zhonghai backed out of the house and closed the door.

He went home, ate a quick meal, picked up his toolbox, and left the house.

"Hai Zhong, you're going out too?"

When Yi Zhonghai saw that Liu Haizhong was also carrying a toolbox, he naturally understood his intention.

“Yes, I signed up too.” Liu Haizhong stopped in his tracks.

"It would be good to experience the atmosphere of the Level 8 promotion exam!" Yi Zhonghai nodded slightly, put his hands behind his back, and slowly spoke.

"Haizhong, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Just keep a calm and peaceful mind."

He smacked his lips and spoke with the air of someone who had been there all along.

"Besides"

"You're a few years younger than me, so you're already quite lucky to have been promoted to a level seven worker."

This sounds like a compliment.

But that tone made Liu Haizhong's smile freeze.

What does it mean to be lucky?

Liu Haizhong's eyelids twitched, he gave an awkward laugh, and replied stiffly.

"Uncle, it seems you're determined to win this time."

"I have a little confidence."

Yi Zhonghai chuckled in agreement and planned to walk around Liu Haizhong.

Just then, he saw Li Aiguo pushing his motorcycle out and casually greeted him.

"Aiguo, you're at the locomotive depot so early today? You guys on the railway must be pretty busy."

"We're not going to the locomotive depot today, we're going to the steel rolling mill." Li Aiguo saw Liu Haizhong standing next to him and said, "Second Uncle, we're going the same way, I'll give you a ride."

"That's great!" Liu Haizhong hurriedly sat on the back of the motorcycle.

Li Aiguo gently twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle sped away, leaving Yi Zhonghai with a cloud of exhaust fumes.

Yi Zhonghai's smile froze.

Today is the day of the promotion assessment, but Li Aiguo has to go to the steel rolling mill.

What's happening here?
Is it
The thought had barely formed when Yi Zhonghai nipped it in the bud.

Impossible, absolutely impossible! Li Aiguo only knows about railways; what could he possibly know about the jobs in a steel rolling mill?
I was definitely there on business, it has nothing to do with the performance evaluation!
(End of this chapter)