The train driver in the courtyard

The incandescent bulb in the ceiling made a soft hum.

In the work area surrounded by sixteen dark green drawing tables, the air suddenly froze.

“This data is wrong!”

These words were like a heavy hammer hitting the joyful atmosphere, and the computer room fell silent in an instant.

Professor Zhou, who was dancing and gesturing excitedly about his calculation results, suddenly turned his head.

When he saw that it was Professor Zhu Jian who was checking the data with a serious expression, his heart sank suddenly and an ominous premonition quickly spread in his heart.

Professor Zhu Jian is an authoritative figure in the Ninth Institute. In his early years, he had in-depth study and exchanges with Russian experts and was familiar with the detailed information of the Russians on mushroom cultivation technology.

In the early stages of the project, these materials were like beacons, guiding the direction of the theoretical calculation work of the Ninth Institute many times. Their importance is self-evident.

"Old Zhu, what's going on? We have reviewed the data and there is no way it can be wrong." Professor Huang Jin's eyes widened in shock, and the voice came out of his throat.

"Look, this is the data we obtained when calculating the artificial viscosity to deal with the shock wave." Professor Zhu Jian's face was terribly ugly at this time.

He pointed at the data on the material paper with trembling fingers, and took out a handwritten manuscript.

He took a deep breath and said slowly, "This data is the technical indicator provided by Professor Ledenev during his lecture. The difference between the two is too great, far beyond the scope of what can be explained by the error."

Director Deng grabbed the manuscript and took a look at it. He was not an expert in shock wave theory, so he hurriedly handed it to Professor Zhou: "Old Zhou, take a look at what's going on."

Professor Zhou took the manuscript, bent over the table and began to study it.

After a full twenty minutes, Professor Zhou finally looked up, his voice full of confusion: "This shouldn't be the case. There is nothing wrong with our calculation equations. Every step of the derivation is rigorous and correct. How could we get such a wrong result?"

"Is there something wrong with the calculator?" Professor Zhu Jian proposed a possibility with a hint of tentativeness in his voice.

Director Deng was startled and waved his hands quickly: "Impossible, there is nothing wrong with other data, why is this data wrong? Old Zhu, be careful with your words."

In this special period, any disturbance may cause huge waves, let alone data issues related to the core confidential project of mushroom cultivation.

Due to the particularity of the mushroom growing project, the atmosphere within Factory 221 has always been highly tense.

The team that built the railways, stations, and locomotive depot projects was the 10th Iron Division that came from the battlefield in the north.

The team responsible for infrastructure construction was replaced by the 8342nd Unit.

The officers and soldiers of the guard regiment guarding Factory 221 are from the 0971 unit.

In addition to these teams, there were also comrades from the Meteorological Bureau wearing gray Zhongshan suits.

These forces with different functions come together like a tightly interwoven net, guarding Factory 221 tightly and ensuring that no information can be leaked.

However, the interweaving of multiple forces will inevitably lead to some minor frictions and sensitive situations.

Director Deng pondered for a moment and carefully suggested, "We must not jump to conclusions before we have investigated the reasons for the data errors. This data is of great importance and cannot be sloppy. We must act with caution."

Professor Zhu Jian understood Director Deng’s concerns.

But due to his duty, he had to remind him: "Director, according to the regulations, we should report the results of this calculation to the 221 Factory Preparatory Office before five o'clock. This is an unshakable rule, and we cannot break it."

The rules and regulations of reporting work on time every day are of vital importance in this project.

On the one hand, it allows superiors to grasp the project progress in a timely and accurate manner so as to make decisions.

On the other hand, it also serves as a backup.

Avoid precious technical data from being damaged or lost due to some special reasons.

In this special period, any negligence may lead to irreversible consequences.

Director Deng has always strictly followed this rule, but he hesitated at this moment. He said with difficulty: "Old Zhu, can we... put off today's calculation results for a while, just for a while, and wait until we figure out the problem... After all, this data is too abnormal. If we report it like this, I'm afraid..."

"Old Deng, this cannot happen!" Professor Zhu Jian interrupted Director Deng in a rare moment of panic, looking serious and speaking firmly, "This is a mistake of principle. We are all loyal to the organization, and we cannot let a moment of hesitation ruin something important."

Director Deng looked around at the professors and experts and sighed inwardly.

He can make mistakes, but he cannot let these comrades make mistakes with him.

At this time, Professor Zhou finished studying the materials, raised his head, and suggested: "I suggest that Deputy Director Zhu go to the preparatory office to report on the work. I believe the superiors will understand."

Deputy Director Zhu has a special status in the Ninth Institute.

Not only was he able to explain the progress and existing problems in the giant mushroom research to his superiors in plain language, he was also able to explain clearly to his superiors in plain language.

Moreover, he has a cheerful and outgoing personality, is good at uniting comrades, and handles relationships with all parties very harmoniously. He is known as the "throat" of communication between the upper and lower levels in the Ninth Institute.

His presence makes the communication between the Ninth Institute and its superiors smooth and unimpeded.

When Director Deng heard this, he immediately understood Professor Zhou's intention and nodded, saying, "I'll go with Lao Zhu."

After receiving the task, Deputy Director Zhu immediately put down his work and followed Director Deng to the preparatory office.

The person in charge of the work of the Nine Institutes and One Office is Deputy Director Chen of the Preparatory Office.

After listening to Deputy Director Zhu's explanation, he adjusted the frame of his glasses and said, "Old Zhu, can I understand it this way? Now you can't be sure whether it is a problem with the calculator. You need to verify it several times before you can come to a conclusion."

"No, Deputy Director Chen, it's impossible for the calculator to have problems. It has transistors inside and can handle high and low voltages." Director Deng took the initiative to explain, trying to use his professional knowledge to make Deputy Director Chen understand the reliability of the calculator.

But Deputy Director Chen felt completely confused when he heard those obscure professional terms, and the more he listened, the more confused he became.

Director Deng was so anxious that he picked up a pen and wanted to explain the principle of the calculator to Deputy Director Chen on draft paper.

"Old Deng, let me do it." Deputy Director Zhu took the pen from Director Deng and drew a simple abacus on the notebook: "Look at the beads on this abacus, to the left is 1, and to the right is 0.

There are tens of thousands of such "iron beads" hidden in our calculators, and each of them is stuck tightly. If one is missing, the calculator will not be able to continue running.

Just like you need to stamp twelve stamps when approving a document, if one stamp is missing, it won’t pass.”

"Official seal, if you had said so earlier, I would have understood it earlier." Deputy Director Chen wrote down today's progress in the notebook, stamped it, and said with a smile: "Since there is no problem with the calculator, it may be that the calculation formula is wrong. Please check it a few more times."

"Thanks, Lao Chen. I heard that Director Li went fishing. I'll go and coordinate two catches in the evening. We also have two bottles of good wine. Let's have a good drink together." Deputy Director Zhu stood up with a laugh.

"Aren't you afraid that I'll make you bankrupt by drinking you out of money?" Deputy Director Chen smiled and handed the receipt to Deputy Director Zhu.

"This is what they call "a thousand cups are not enough when you meet a good friend." Deputy Director Zhu did not reach out to take the receipt, but took a step back, allowing Deputy Director Chen to seemingly hand it to Director Deng.

Director Deng took the receipt and nodded: "We still have work to do. We will go back first."

After saying that, he turned around and left.

Deputy Director Zhu pointed at Director Deng's back and gestured: "Old Deng is just like that."

"Got it." Deputy Director Chen smiled knowingly and gestured to him to get lost.

After the two left, Deputy Director Chen put today's notebook into a file bag and went to the office next door.

Just like running a program on a calculator, if you want to archive a notebook, you also have to go through layers of procedures.

The second procedure is Deputy Director Zhao Jitian.

In the opinion of Deputy Director Chen, this procedure is almost non-existent because Zhao Jitian does not understand the technology and will just glance at it and then stamp it.

But things seem a little different today.

Zhao Jitian turned to the last page and after reading it for half a minute, he suddenly asked a question that startled Deputy Director Chen.

"Old Chen, there is a big problem with the calculator that the Ninth Institute and the First Office got this time."

"That's impossible. A calculator is like a stamp. If one stamp is missing, it can't be submitted."

Zhao Jitian had been listening quietly to Deputy Director Chen's explanation. After he finished, he spoke up: "Calculators are high-tech, I don't understand them. But I understand people."

"people?"

Zhao Jitian narrowed his eyes, lit a cigarette, and uttered a chilling word along with a puff of smoke.

"Old Deng and Old Zhou are both the best talents in the country. Since the establishment of the first department, they have never made a mistake in calculations."

"The results we have now are inconsistent with the data provided by Big Brother."

"There's nothing wrong with the calculator either."

"Then the problem can only be with the person who designed the calculator."

"The other party wants to lead Jiusuoyishi astray and thus destroy the great cause of mushroom cultivation."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the office suddenly became tense, as if the air was about to freeze.

Deputy Director Chen felt his throat was a little dry and couldn't help swallowing his saliva: "Old Zhao, the matter has not been investigated clearly yet. The professors in the first department are trying to calculate the results. There is no need for us to draw conclusions in advance."

"It's absolutely necessary." Zhao Jitian waved his hand heavily. "Since the establishment of our 221 Factory, it has become a thorn in the eyes of imperialism. They are always keeping an eye on the 221 Factory. We should be extremely careful."

"If word of the failed calculation gets out, the other party will probably flee."

Deputy Director Chen didn't expect Zhao Jitian to suddenly make trouble about this matter, but he had no reason to refute for the time being.

After all, no one would have thought that the data calculated using a calculator would not match the data provided by the Russians.

The strangeness of this made him feel confused.

Deputy Director Chen was worried that the matter would get out of hand, so he hesitated for a moment and said, "It is said that Commissioner Li, who designed the calculator, has a background in the Meteorological Bureau, so he cannot be a bad guy."

Zhao Jitian insisted: "The bad guys don't have the word bad written on their faces. Lao Chen, you are in charge of technology, you may not understand, but I know very well that enemies in high positions can cause greater damage."

Deputy Director Chen frowned: "But the calculator is a piece of equipment introduced by the Ninth Bureau. Should we report it to Director Li?"

"Report? Old Chen, our Preparatory Office and the Ninth Bureau are at the same level, so there is no question of who leads whom."

As he spoke, Zhao Jitian groaned, "Besides, I have reminded Jiujiu several times that they should learn from Big Brother and take one step at a time. But they didn't listen and insisted on developing their own technology and calculators. Now there is a problem!"

Deputy Director Chen: “But.”

"Don't say but. As the deputy director of the preparatory office, I can't just watch a bad guy wandering around in Factory 221."

"If you do this, it will affect the normal work of Factory 221."

"Old Chen, if we allow the enemy to sabotage us, and then the higher-ups investigate, will you bear the responsibility, or will I?"

Zhao Jitian’s meaning is very clear. If you stop him again, you will be suspected of protecting the other party.

Faced with the aggressive Zhao Jitian, Deputy Director Chen was unable to respond for a while.

The several deputy directors of the preparatory office each have their own responsibilities and are not subordinate to each other.

The director of the preparatory office, Mr. Xu, is currently in Beijing attending an important meeting.

Finally, Deputy Director Chen could only propose to gather several deputy directors together to discuss how to deal with the matter.

"No need! I am responsible for the internal security of Factory 221. I will decide this matter." When Zhao Jitian saw that Deputy Director Chen wanted to ask for external assistance, he immediately rejected his proposal.

Deputy Director Chen realized that there was no way to stop it and could only find a way to minimize the impact of the incident.

"I will go and see Comrade Li Aiguo in person. I think he will understand."

"Old Chen, you intellectuals just like to drag your feet when doing things."

Before he finished speaking, Zhao Jitian had already dialed the phone and connected to the guard regiment responsible for the protection of 221.

"The Second Battalion? I, Zhao Jitian, will ask your Company Commander Gu Keming to run over to see me immediately." Deputy Director Chen sighed helplessly when he saw this situation.

He originally thought that Zhao Jitian was planning to control Li Aiguo because he was worried about the secret leak.

Now that he saw that Zhao Jitian actually mobilized Gu Keming, he vaguely understood that this was no longer a matter of leaking secrets.

There are two security systems in Factory 221.

One is the Confidentiality Department, most of whose members come from the weather station and are responsible for guarding against DITE and keeping transportation confidential.

The other set is the guard regiment, whose members all come from a certain province or place and they hardly have contact with the outside world on weekdays.

Responsible for all security and safety work within the factory, including the main factory, branch factory 1, various work numbers, and workshops.

According to procedures, Zhao Jitian should hand these matters over to the Confidentiality Office.

Now the Guard Regiment has been mobilized only because the Preparatory Office is the Guard Regiment's direct superior.

The guard regiment has three battalions, among which the second battalion commander Gu Keming has the best relationship with Zhao Jitian.

Deputy Director Chen lit a cigarette and sighed: It seems that Factory 221 is about to become uneasy.

After a moment, Gu Keming hurriedly pushed open the office door.

Zhao Jitian stood up and said loudly: "Captain Gu, I have a glorious and arduous task for you now. Do you have the confidence to complete it?"

Gu Keming saw Zhao Jitian's gloomy face and immediately realized that something serious had happened. He put his feet together, straightened his chest, and answered in a loud voice: "Yes!"

*****
evening.

The sunset in the Gobi Desert is beautiful.

The military-issue enamel tank cast a thin shadow on the windowsill.

Jiang Zongshan, who worked in the cafeteria of the 221 General Factory, was squatting in the small office at the entrance of the cafeteria, fiddling with the abacus beads.

The chef from the small cafeteria came in and asked, "Captain of the Seventh Company, what kind of food are you going to prepare for the Ninth Bureau tonight?"

Jiang Zongshan raised his head and rubbed his temples. "Director Deng of the Ninth Bureau has been very busy these days. Many of them have lost their appetite and have lost a lot of weight. Take two kilograms of Xiaozhan rice and add some Shandong peanuts to make porridge and send it to the Ninth Bureau."

The chef frowned and said with difficulty: "It's just porridge. It's not nutritious."

"Let's make do with this for now. A batch of refined white flour will be delivered in a couple of days. Then we can steam white flour buns for those professors and experts."

The chef had no choice but to leave.

As soon as the chef left, the second chef came in and asked, "Captain of the Seventh Company, what are the workers going to eat tonight?"

Jiang Zongshan shoved the beads on his abacus and sighed, "The soybeans delivered today are all stored in the warehouse. You can take some later... Remember, don't take too much. Add some dried vegetables to make vegetable porridge."

"It's thin porridge again. We've been eating only thin porridge lately. The workers can hardly bear it anymore." The second chef looked depressed. You know, those workers will have a bad temper when they are hungry.

The key is that they can also understand the anger of the workers.

"Hold on for a few more days until the refined white flour arrives."

"Steamed white flour buns?" The second chef was delighted.

"Add some highland barley flour and corn flour to make three-grain steamed buns."

".Captain of the Seventh Company, you are so stingy."

"It's much better now than before. Have you forgotten that a while ago, we could only have two meals of porridge a day?"

"Director Li went fishing, didn't he? Can you give the workers some meat dishes tonight?"

"You also know Director Li's fishing skills... Besides, Professor Guo has been in poor health these past few days. He particularly likes to eat braised fish. The little cat fish should be left for the canteen."

"Yes, Director Jiang!" The second chef said this with a hint of dissatisfaction and turned around to get back to work.

As the canteen director of Factory 221, Jiang Zongshan was responsible for providing meals for thousands of people in the factory and the Ninth Bureau.

But his organization is still affiliated with the army, so he particularly dislikes being called the canteen director.

Now the second chef calls him "Director Jiang", which is enough to show the dissatisfaction in his heart.

Jiang Zongshan could only shake his head helplessly.

He also wanted to be generous and let everyone eat white flour buns, but the conditions did not allow it.

At this time, there were already workers on shift lined up outside, eagerly waiting for dinner.

When they learned that dinner would be barley noodles and soybean porridge again, there was a burst of dissatisfied complaints from the crowd.

"Why is it porridge again? I've been drinking vegetable porridge for a month straight, and my face has turned green."

"Yes, it's not that we are greedy for enjoyment, nor is it that we have low ideological awareness. The key is that this vegetable porridge is not enough to satisfy your hunger. After working for a day, your stomach will be growling a lot."

"Hey, everyone, please understand. We at 221 implement the system of 'production first, life second'. Everything is for the purpose of growing big mushrooms."

In the crowd, Liu Hong gently pulled Zhou Xiaomeng's arm and whispered, "When dinner is served later, go and help me get the food."

"Why?" Zhou Xiaomeng was surprised.

"The beans in the big pot have sunk to the bottom. Now that you are sick, the chef will scoop the beans downward when he serves you."

"This, this is not appropriate. If I eat one more mouthful of beans, won't other comrades eat less?" Zhou Xiaomeng frowned and said seriously: "Sister Liu, I can't do such a thing. I'm really sorry."

"You are such a stubborn girl." Seeing that she couldn't persuade her, Liu Hong had to give up.

At this moment, there was an engine roar in the distance.

Everyone turned their heads to look, and saw two jeeps and a truck rushing towards them at lightning speed.

"It's Director Li who's back from fishing. Don't worry, everyone. Director Li might have a good catch today."

"Oh, you are dreaming. The fish in the river are very cunning."

"Hey, that's not right. Why did Director Li bring an extra jeep today?"

When Jiang Zongshan heard the discussions outside, he hurried out of the office.

At this time, the convoy had stopped steadily at the gate.

Jiang Zongshan saw Director Li and a young comrade getting out of the car, and he immediately greeted them with a smile: "Director, we caught a few fish today. You really helped me out of my urgent need."

"A few little cat fish? Who are you looking down on?" Director Li shook his collar and said loudly.

As soon as he said this, he realized something was wrong. This seemed to be Li Aiguo's lines, right?
But you know what, it feels so good to say this!

"Ah" Jiang Zongshan was stunned for a moment by Director Li's sudden momentum.

By the time he reacted, Director Li had already pulled a three-pound fish off the truck and threw it in front of him with a "pa".

"How about it?"

"Hey, Director Li, you've got a good harvest today!"

"Good catch? Who are you looking down on?" Director Li turned around, pulled down another fish and threw it heavily on the ground.

"Oh, it's five kilograms! Director Li, you have a great harvest today." Jiang Zongshan's face was full of surprise.

"A great harvest? Who are you looking down on?" Director Li turned around and wanted to pick up two more fish to show off his "great results".

At this time, the workers had gathered like a tide. When they saw the mountain of fish weighing thousands of kilograms on the truck, they immediately cheered. The cheers and applause intertwined and echoed throughout the factory.

Director Li: “.”

Looking at the depressed Director Li, Li Aiguo raised his head slightly: Pretending to be cool is also a technical job, even someone as strong as Director Li can't master it.

But regardless of whether Director Li successfully completed his "show-off mission", Jiang Zongshan was so excited that he almost jumped up.

Especially after learning that Factory 221 was about to set up a fishing team.

The old canteen director, who was usually very frugal and would have split every grain of rice into two, announced on the spot that he would provide the workers with delicious fish stew in the evening.

"Fish soup. I haven't tasted meat in half a year."

"I promise, after drinking this bowl of fish soup, I can complete twenty workpieces tomorrow."

"Director Li, thank you so much."

Facing the workers' praise, Director Li walked over without hesitation and patted Li Aiguo on the shoulder: "Today's fish were all caught by Commissioner Li, and it was Commissioner Li's idea to set up the fishing team. If you want to express gratitude, thank Commissioner Li."

Li Aiguo did not expect that Director Li would give him the credit at this time. He smiled modestly and said, "I just came up with some small ideas. The most important thing is Director Li's support. It was the comrades of the guard company who went down to the river to catch fish that led to such a rich harvest."

In the crowd, Liu Hong saw this scene, gently touched Zhou Xiaomeng's arm, and teased: "Xiaomeng, your train driver has done a great job. Look, the girls from Dalian have their eyes shining. If you don't hurry up, someone will snatch them away."

"Sister Liu, don't talk nonsense." Zhou Xiaomeng still felt a little confused at this moment. Isn't this man a train driver? How could he go fishing with Director Li and chat and laugh with him?

If he could really stay in Factory 221, maybe I should get in touch with him more often.

Director Li asked Jiang Zongshan to quickly deliver the fish to the warehouse and then prepare dinner for the workers.

The workers watched the fun and prepared to leave.

At this time, a team of fully armed guards, led by Zhao Jitian, hurriedly ran over from a distance.

Seeing the guards, all the workers stopped and realized that something was wrong.

Zhao Jitian seemed to enjoy the awed looks from the workers. He deliberately slowed down his pace and walked into the crowd with his head held high, accompanied by Gu Keming from the Third Battalion.

When he saw Director Li was there too, his brows slightly frowned, thinking to himself that something was not right.

However, Zhao Jitian was not too worried. As long as Li Aiguodit's identity could be confirmed, even Director Li would not be able to protect him.

Director Li also saw Zhao Jitian and asked, "Deputy Director Zhao, what happened?"

Zhao Jitian did not answer Director Li directly, but looked at Gu Keming and ordered loudly: "Please ask the workers to leave the scene first!"

"Yes!"

Gu Keming and his guards immediately took action. The workers were invited to the gate. Liu Hong stood at the gate and whispered, "Xiao Meng, something big might happen."

Seeing the guards take action, the comrades in the guard company drew their weapons and surrounded Director Li.

Director Li shouted, "What are you doing? This is Factory 221, and this is Bureau . Put all your weapons away."

His implication was obvious. He was warning Zhao Jitian that the Ninth Bureau also had jurisdiction over Factory 221.

No matter what Zhao Jitian wants to do, he has to think carefully and take it easy.

Since Zhao Jitian saw Director Li was there, he still dared to rush forward. It was obvious that he had been mentally prepared.

After Gu Keming took control of the scene, Zhao Jitian walked up to Director Li, bowed slightly, nodded apologetically, and said, "Director Li, today's incident has nothing to do with you. Our preparatory office discovered that someone deliberately sabotaged the mushroom planting work."

"Who?" Director Li was shocked.

Gu Keming looked around, and finally his cold eyes fell on Li Aiguo's face: "Him!"

(End of this chapter)