The train driver in the courtyard

Early Monday morning.

Li Aiguo rode his mountain bike to the Shijingshan Iron and Steel Plant.

The leaders of the Ministry of Metallurgy, the Metallurgical Research Institute, and the steel plant were all present, standing beside the VR furnace, watching Chief Engineer Liu and Xia Zhongsu conduct the final inspection.

A thin leader wearing a gray Zhongshan suit stood in the middle, holding blueprints and talking to several experts beside him.

Li Aiguo recognized him at a glance; this man was none other than Wang, the leader from the Ministry of Metallurgy.

Before liberation, Leader Wang graduated from the Second Zhili Normal School in Baoding.

During his tenure as leader, he presided over the compilation of the steel industry construction plan centered on the expansion of Anshan Iron and Steel, the construction of Wuhan Iron and Steel and Baotou Steel. He can be said to be the pioneer of our metallurgical industry.

Upon seeing Li Aiguo approach, Leader Wang extended his hand first: "Comrade Aiguo, congratulations on your Red Star Motorcycle Team winning the Isle of Man championship and bringing glory to the country."

Li Aiguo had great respect for this senior colleague, so he quickly extended his hand to shake it: "Leader, without qualified steel, we wouldn't be able to build our motorcycles. I think you are the real hero."

"I've long heard that Comrade Aiguo is humble and pragmatic, and seeing him today, I can confirm that his reputation is well-deserved!" Leader Wang laughed heartily.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xia Zhongsu strode over to report: "Aiguo, the installation and debugging of the industrial control computer are all complete, and the preparations are ready. Can we start the experiment now?"

Li Aiguo looked at Chief Engineer Liu, who nodded to indicate that everything was in order, and immediately nodded: "Let's begin."

Xia Zhongsu started the industrial control computer. Now there are red buttons on the keyboard. This was specially instructed by Li Aiguo. Experiments should also have a sense of ceremony.

Xia Zhongsu felt it was unnecessary, but now they would do whatever Li Aiguo said.

Since leaving the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and joining the Red Star Computing Institute, Xia Zhongsu has become a world-class computer expert, and his name has appeared in international newspapers and magazines many times.

Xia Zhongsu also knew that all of this was brought to him by Li Aiguo and the Red Star Computing Institute.

Chief Engineer Liu and Xia Zhongsu led the team in a final round of inspections. After confirming that everything was in order, they nodded to Li Aiguo and said, "It can be started now."

Li Aiguo took a deep breath and pressed the red start button hard.

A weak but precise electrical signal was instantly transmitted to the VR furnace control system, the industrial computer screen lit up, and various parameters began to fluctuate.

The world's first VR furnace industrial control automation experiment has officially begun.

The leaders of the Ministry of Metallurgy watched the entire experiment intently, asking questions from time to time, which Li Aiguo, Chief Engineer Liu, and Xia Zhongsu answered one by one.

As the experiment progressed, the joy on everyone's faces grew stronger, and by the time the last test was completed, everyone was beaming with smiles.

The steel plant's experts and workers cheered.

Leader Wang spoke first, setting the tone: "Patriotism! Excellent! Your Red Star Computing Institute has done a great service this time. This industrial control computer isn't just for furnaces; I think it can be used in other industrial equipment as well, and it's very useful! Hahaha."

He paused, then looked at Chief Engineer Zhou of the steel plant.

Chief Engineer Zhou's tears fell, truly tears. He took off his glasses, rubbed his eyes which were sore from the high temperature, and began to speak.

"I'm so excited, so incredibly excited! Please excuse my excitement. As you all probably know, this is how our steel smelting industry started, and we've been looking forward to this for so long."

Most of the people present were metallurgical industry workers, and they all understood this feeling, so no one interrupted him.

Chief Engineer Liu organized his thoughts and continued, "In the early days, when we were developing the steel industry, we had neither technology nor experience, so we could only follow behind our big brother and learn."

Take the smelting furnace for example. In order to understand the basic principles, we sent batches of technicians to learn from our big brother. We all studied and memorized like hungry wolves pouncing on their prey.

But when it came to actually building the furnace, one problem after another arose.

"The most troublesome issue is temperature control during smelting."

The older brother's smelting furnace technology is mature, but the control system is too cumbersome, relying entirely on manual monitoring of the instruments and manual adjustment of the valves.

Everyone knows how stringent the temperature requirements for molten steel are; a difference of just over ten degrees can drastically alter the quality of the steel.
They are either too brittle to break easily, or they lack the toughness to be used in critical engineering projects.

In the past, our workers had to be ready to adjust at any time.

By the end of the day, I was soaked in sweat, but even so, problems still frequently arose.

"Later, we also tried to improve the manual control system and added some auxiliary instruments."

Human energy is limited, and it is inevitable to make mistakes when working at high intensity for a long time.

Moreover, manual adjustments have a slow response time.

By the time abnormal temperatures are detected and adjustments are made, it is often too late, resulting in losses ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of yuan, or even affecting the progress of the entire project.

Back then, we wished we had a system that could automatically monitor the temperature and adjust the parameters, making the smelting furnace more 'obedient'.

But we didn't!

"This industrial VR furnace you've developed can flexibly switch and precisely match different grades of steel."

"You guys are all in the metallurgical field, and I assure you, with this industrial control computer, the lifespan of our domestically produced alloy steel will at least double! It will absolutely not let you down by creating such a wonderful product!"

Finally, Chief Engineer Zhou of the steel plant couldn't hold back any longer. He suddenly raised his fist and roared.

Leader Wang clapped his hands, and everyone present joined in.

After the applause subsided, Leader Wang asked another question with concern: "Comrade Aiguo, how difficult is it to use this industrial control computer on other industrial equipment? Besides controlling temperature, can it control other parameters?"

Li Aiguo stepped forward and replied, "Your question is very crucial! Objectively speaking, there are challenges in applying industrial control computers to other industrial equipment, but they are not significant."

The industrial control system we developed for the smelting furnace has established a universal core control framework, just like laying a solid foundation for building a house.

In subsequent applications, we only need to optimize and adapt the corresponding sensors and actuators according to the specific equipment's process requirements, and adjust the parameter thresholds and control algorithms in the program to quickly implement and use it.

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Besides temperature, this industrial computer can also precisely control various industrial parameters such as pressure, flow rate, speed, and liquid level, achieving 'multi-purpose and precise control'."

This is Li Aiguo's real purpose in taking out the industrial control computer.

Only when more and more industrial equipment and machine tools are equipped with industrial control computers, and industrial software has enough data, can it develop faster.

At the same time, industrial software can also provide feedback to industrial equipment.

This creates a virtuous cycle.

Li Aiguo's answer was clear, concise, and to the point that the leaders and experts present nodded in approval.

Leader Wang nodded in satisfaction: "Hmm, not bad, this is very good. I think the furnaces at Ansteel can also be modified, and Wuhan Iron and Steel, their 2030 cold rolling mill needs industrial control computers right now. I estimate that once these steel mills get this news, your doorstep will be worn down."

Chief Engineer Zhou became anxious upon hearing this.

What's going on? There are still several furnaces at Shijingshan Steel Plant that haven't been upgraded yet, so how could they transfer Li Aiguo and his team away?

He quickly gave the factory manager a meaningful look.

The factory manager immediately stepped forward: "Hey, hey, leader, let me make this clear first, we arrived first, and everything should be done in order of arrival. Our steel plant still has two furnaces to deal with, let's take care of them first, and then we'll consider our brother units."

Li Aiguo knew he had to explain this himself, since he knew the industrial control computer best: "Factory director, the difficulty of the industrial control computer lies in its research and development, and in compiling the relevant programs."

Now that our Red Star Computing Institute has completed the assembly, the subsequent assembly will not be difficult, especially since the chief engineer and experts from your steel plant are all highly skilled.

However, we can provide support to a group of computer experts, since our Red Star Computing Institute is indeed very busy right now.

Li Aiguo's idea was to expand the scale of the Red Star Computer Research Institute.

With enough talent, we can implement the next large-scale industrial control promotion plan and successfully raise the level of domestic industrial control technology to a higher level.

The factory manager felt very comfortable listening to this; it's always nice to hear someone you've fought alongside before.

He praised his own factory, and also had a suitable reason to make a request to the smelting department, along with asking for a group of people. This kid is really good; no wonder everyone is willing to cooperate with his work.

After some deliberation, Leader Wang concluded: "The Red Star Computing Institute is indeed short-staffed right now, and we should try to squeeze some people out elsewhere."

Since this industrial control computer was developed at the steel plant, we should prioritize meeting the steel plant's needs. Let's all work together to install a temperature lock on our furnace first.

Upon hearing this, everyone applauded, with the factory director and the factory's experts being particularly enthusiastic.

The flames of the furnace beside them roared and leaped, their orange-red light reflecting on everyone's faces, making their hearts burn with heat.

Upon hearing this wonderful news, Leader Wang was in high spirits.

Looking at the time, it was already noon. He said to the steel plant director, "Today is a joyous day. The comrades from the smelting institute and the computer institute have done a lot for your steel plant. As the director, you can't be stingy."

"I think we should arrange some food and set up a few tables here for a celebratory feast."

Everyone got excited when they heard about the celebration banquet.

The factory manager readily agreed and quickly arranged for someone to notify the canteen to prepare.

Shijingshan Iron and Steel Plant has been doing well recently, and its assets have become much more substantial. In addition, with leaders from the Ministry of Metallurgical Industry present, this celebration banquet was naturally going to be a grand affair.

Before long, the food was served one after another, not on porcelain plates, but in large enamel basins.

Braised pork belly, stewed ribs, and stir-fried vegetables—the portions were surprisingly generous.

The people present were all rough-around-the-edges industrial men, not given to formalities.

Leader Wang picked up an enamel mug filled with baijiu (Chinese liquor) and gave a simple opening speech: "Today is a joyous occasion, everyone eat and drink to your heart's content, and don't leave until you're completely drunk!"

The moment the words were spoken, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became lively.

The sounds of clinking bowls and chopsticks, laughter, and toasts mingled together, creating a lively atmosphere.

Chief Engineer Liu was in high spirits today, believing that this industrial control computer would greatly increase his chances of winning the Natural Science Award next year.

He felt that if he could also produce single-crystal high-temperature alloys, his chances of winning would be even greater.

During the meal, they didn't forget to chat with Li Aiguo about the upcoming research and development plan for single-crystal high-temperature alloys. Several chief engineers from the steel plant also joined the discussion. Ever since Li Aiguo's industrial control computer solved the major problem of the smelting furnace, everyone at the steel plant felt even closer to him.

The group gathered around a table for a lively discussion. What had initially seemed like a thorny technical challenge gradually became clearer through their back-and-forth exchanges.

When Leader Wang saw this, he nodded slightly.

"Boss, we've made arrangements with Hai Zi. Should we say goodbye to Li Aiguo and the others before we leave?" The assistant brought over a coat and helped Boss Wang put it on.

"No need, don't disturb their serious discussion."

Leader Wang glanced at Li Aiguo and the others a few more times before leaving the steel plant.

Inside a study in the capital city.

The higher-ups have just finished a meeting and are resting.

Upon seeing Leader Wang enter, he quickly waved to him, gesturing for Leader Wang to sit in the chair opposite him, and then instructed his assistant to bring a cup of hot tea.

Are you confident about this year's steel production?

As soon as I sat down, my superior asked me the core question.

"Don't worry, many large steel plants have been built in various places, the iron ore supply from Africa is stable, and the iron ore from Australia is of good quality. So far, we have completed one-third of the annual target, and we will definitely exceed the target by the end of the year!" Leader Wang took a sip of hot water.

"Great, great! We're undertaking a major construction project right now, and steel is needed everywhere. You, the steel steward, have to be on your toes."

"This is my duty, and I would never dare to slack off!"
"Leader Wang should have stood up and left, but he couldn't help but say, 'Leader, I just attended a celebration banquet at the Shijingshan Steel Plant.'"

The superior raised an eyebrow with interest: "Oh? What new achievements has Shijingshan made this time? Has the new VR furnace been completed and put into operation?"

"Boss, your memory is really good." Boss Wang said with a smile, "But this time it is even more meaningful that the VR furnace can be installed, because the industrial control computer developed by Comrade Li Aiguo has been put into service."

"Industrial control computer?" A hint of surprise flashed in the superior's eyes, and he leaned forward slightly. "Tell me more about it."

"That's how it is..." Leader Wang immediately gave a concise report on the principles of the industrial control computer, the experimental process, and its significant implications for the steel industry and the entire industrial sector.

After hearing this, the superior couldn't help but laugh: "I didn't expect that Li Aiguo, who just returned from the Isle of Man, couldn't stay still and went to your Ministry of Metallurgy to cause a big commotion."

"Yes, Li Aiguo just returned from abroad. He worked very hard. According to the next step of our Ministry of Metallurgy's plan, industrial control computers should be promoted as soon as possible."

Not only our metallurgical system, but also various factories under the First and Second Ministries of Machinery Industry urgently need this automation system.

However… the Red Star Computer Research Institute is severely understaffed and may not be able to keep up with the rollout.

After saying this much, Leader Wang didn't continue, but instead looked at his superior.

The higher-ups understood his meaning perfectly and nodded, saying, "Industrial control computers are the driving force of industrialization. This is a major issue concerning the overall situation, and we must concentrate our efforts on promoting it. I will coordinate and resolve the manpower issue!"

"Thank you, leader!" Leader Wang breathed a sigh of relief, realizing that he had not failed Li Aiguo's trust.

After Leader Wang left, the higher-level leader called over his assistant, and they laid out materials from several domestic computer research institutes on the table to study.

He flipped through the documents: "Let computer research institutes in various regions send a group of people to support the Red Star Computer Research Institute."

"I'll arrange it right away." The assistant took a pen and wrote it down, then turned and left.

The superior walked to the window, looked outside, and said in a low voice, "That kid Li Aiguo, he quietly tinkered with an industrial control computer. How many more surprises can you bring us?"

*****
Soon, a special meeting was convened by higher authorities, which clearly required major computer research institutes across the country to select a group of technical elites to support the Red Star Computing Institute.

At the meeting, the leaders emphasized that supporting the Red Star Computing Institute was to promote the coordinated development of computer technology and industrial automation nationwide, and that it was a task that had to be completed.

As orders were relayed up the chain of command, major computer research institutes were mobilized.

The East China Institute of Computing Technology was among the first to respond to the call from higher authorities and selected a group of outstanding computer experts.

Among them was Professor Chen, the developer of the "Shanghai-1" computer.

"Old Chen, don't be upset. This time we're going to provide support so that we can concentrate our resources on accomplishing something important!" The leaders of the Institute of Computing Technology were worried that Professor Chen might have some mental burden.

After all, Professor Chen is a big shot in the East China Institute, and he's getting old, yet he's going to Beijing with those young people.

"Don't worry, leader, I will obey the organization's arrangements!"

Because the transfer was urgent, Professor Chen signed the transfer order and went home.

When his wife, Liu Lamei, heard that he was going to Beijing, she said with some frustration, "Old man, you're already so old, why do you have to travel so far and suffer? Doesn't the leader think about your health?"

"Comrade Liu Lamei, where has your ideological awareness gone? The minicomputer developed by the Red Star Computing Institute is now the hope of the domestic computer industry. I heard that this industrial control computer can change the current state of domestic industry. The fact that the higher-ups are thinking of an old man like me is a sign of respect. Stop talking nonsense and pack your bags!" Professor Chen was getting impatient.

Liu Lamei was actually worried about his health. Seeing that he was serious, she didn't dare to say anything more and quickly turned around and went into the inner room to pack her luggage.

Early the next morning, a car sent by the East China Institute of Computing Technology stopped in front of Professor Chen's house, picked him up, and headed straight to the train station.

Similar scenarios have been playing out in other computer research institutes across China.

In just a few days, more than a dozen computer experts from all over the country arrived at the Red Star Computing Institute in Beijing to report for duty.

Li Aiguo hadn't expected the efficiency to be so high.

After thinking about it carefully, I felt relieved.

In this day and age, these old experts were true experts, and they really wanted to make a difference.

"Old Xia, these comrades are here to support us, so we can't treat them unfairly. We must make sure they are taken care of."

"Don't worry, our Institute of Computing Technology has already made plans. We'll allocate an apartment to each of them first," Professor Xia Zhongsu said confidently.

The Red Star Computing Institute currently holds a de facto monopoly on minicomputers both domestically and internationally, and has long been making a fortune.

After finishing his work, Li Aiguo, still concerned about the research on the small aircraft, decided to return to the Qianmen Maintenance Depot workshop.

Professor Xia Zhongsu stopped him again.

"Aiguo, it seems there's been no movement from the Institute of Computer Science at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. They haven't even submitted the list yet. Should we urge them to hurry up with it?"

"Just follow the instructions from above." Li Aiguo frowned, replied, and then left.

Professor Xia Zhongsu gave a wry smile upon hearing this.

Since the rise of the Red Star Computer Research Institute, the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has been suppressed and unable to raise its head. Even the original research work on vacuum tube mainframes was suspended. They must have some resentment towards this side.

Professor Xia Zhongsu, who came from the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, did not want to see the two sides fall out.

However, he also felt that the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences had acted extremely poorly this time.

This time it was an order from above, and they dared to disobey it!
After thinking it over, Professor Xia Zhongsu knew that Director Chen of the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences was a petty person, so he did not contact Director Chen directly, but instead contacted Vice President Zhang of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

In recent years, Vice President Zhang, who came from a military background, has had an increasingly close relationship with the Red Star Computer Research Institute, while Mr. Guo, after being criticized, stopped getting involved.

****
In the afternoon, in Mr. Guo's office at the Academy of Sciences.

"What? You insist that we send people to support the Red Star Computing Institute?" Director Chen of the Institute of Computing Technology asked angrily.

"The Red Star Computing Institute poached so many of our people back then, and now I'm trying to poach them again. It's just too much."

Mr. Guo was also helpless.

He didn't want to get involved in this matter, but the Institute of Computing Technology was, after all, the institute under his supervision.

Vice President Zhang, considering the need for unity within the leadership team, assigned the task to him.

"Ahem, Xiao Chen, this is the order from above. It's not just your Institute of Computing Technology, but also the computer research group at Harbin Institute of Technology, the Institute of Computing Technology of East China, and the Institute of Computing Technology of Central China. It seems inappropriate for us to just sit idly by."

At this point, Mr. Guo changed the subject, gesturing with his eyes: "However, ultimately, it's up to you, the director, to decide who to send to provide support, isn't it?"

Director Chen was taken aback for a moment, then realized what he meant. A look of understanding flashed in his eyes, and he quickly nodded in admiration: "Your thinking is truly insightful, old leader! I was confused just now and didn't understand this principle."

"You, you, stop flattering me." Mr. Guo's expression turned serious, and he added, "The Red Star Computing Institute is different now than before. We can't go against it; we need to pay attention to our working methods."

"Yes, yes, yes! Don't worry, senior leader, I will handle it properly!" Director Chen agreed repeatedly, already having made his plans, and turned to leave excitedly.

Mr. Guo watched his departing figure and shook his head helplessly: "I never expected that the Red Star Computing Institute would be valued so much by the higher-ups."

Li Aiguo was unaware of these circumstances, and even if he had, he wouldn't have cared.

Because the main structure of the small aircraft is now almost complete.

Although the aluminum alloy skin shows signs of hand-polishing, it fits the frame perfectly.

At the junction of the wing and the fuselage, the rivets are arranged neatly.

The welding and riveting of key structures such as wing spars, fuselage stringers, and tail stabilizers have all been completed.

The only thing missing now is a turbojet engine.

The steel mill has already started small-scale production, and the single-crystal high-temperature alloy should be delivered in the next couple of days.

In other words, it won't be long before they can fly their own little plane.

"Brother Patriot, shall we build another flying helmet?" the wild car expert asked, leaning closer.

“Yes, yes, pilots wear helmets, we should be equipped with one too,” Zong Xianfeng agreed.

Li Aiguo really overlooked this matter; a flight helmet could also be made.

(End of this chapter)