The train driver in the courtyard

At his master's daughter's house, Li Aiguo didn't have to be polite.

While pulling the stool, he said, "Sister Yuehua, Master has mentioned you to me a lot. When you were at home, you were both a sister and a mother, and you were good at housework. You were also a technical model in the factory. I admired you very much and wanted to meet you for a long time."

Cao Wenzhi's wife was in poor health and had many children. As the eldest sister, Cao Yuehua stayed at home like an old maid in order to take care of her younger siblings.

Later, she met Lu Baishan, who had changed his career, and they got married and started a family.

As he spoke, he began to take things out of his canvas bag: "Brother Baishan, Sister Yuehua, I came here in a hurry this time and didn't prepare anything, but it would be inappropriate to come empty-handed for the first time."

Li Aiguo put two cans of milk powder on the table: "It's a coincidence that the supply and marketing cooperative just got some new stock today."

When Cao Yuehua saw that it was milk powder, she thought it was too expensive and wanted to refuse.

"Yuehua, this thing is very scarce, and it is also a token of Aiguo's love. Let's accept it first." Lu Baishan looked at his wife's frail body and quickly pulled her back: "Yuehua, Aiguo is not an outsider. This thing is indeed useful to our family. Aiguo, if you can get it again, I would like to thank you here in advance."

Cao Yuehua had not been in good health to begin with, and especially recently she had been so busy at the factory that she couldn't even eat.

With milk powder, you can nourish your body.

Moreover, this thing is not something you can buy whenever you want, so it’s useless even if you have money.

Of course, as the head of the Security Department, Lu Baishan is considered a middle-level cadre in the factory. If he wants to do something, he can get not only two cans of milk powder, but even a whole box of milk powder.

Li Aiguo took out a bag of White Rabbit candy from his canvas bag and handed it to Xiaoju: "Here, Xiaoju, this is a gift from your uncle."

It was the first time that Xiaoju saw this big White Rabbit milk candy. Her big black eyes were full of anticipation and she couldn't help swallowing her saliva.

But he didn't answer it. Instead, he turned and looked at Cao Yuehua.

The milk powder has been collected, so I don't care about this. I'll find a way to replenish it later. Cao Yuehua smiled and said, "It's okay. This is my uncle. Keep it."

After saying that, she turned to look at Li Aiguo and said, "Aiguo, don't do that again in the future. You can't spoil the child."

Li Aiguo smiled and said, "It's just a little thing, not worth much."

Seeing that it was getting late, Cao Yuehua turned and walked towards the kitchen: "You guys chat first, I'll go cook, Xiaoju, come and help me."

Cao Yuehua and Xiaoju were busy in the kitchen, while Li Aiguo and Lu Baishan were chatting in the main room.

Cao Yuehua was very skillful and in a short time she prepared three dishes: a plate of stewed tofu, a plate of vegetables, and a plate of stir-fried meat. As long as there were meat dishes, it was considered a very high standard.

Lu Baishan took out a bottle of Lao Fen Liquor from the cabinet: "This was given to me by my superiors when I was commended a while ago. Let's drink this today."

Taking the bottle, Li Aiguo asked casually, "Brother Baishan, what big thing have you done?"

"Hehe, it's not a big deal. We just caught a Dieter." Lu Baishan straightened his collar.

"Hey, I'm most interested in this kind of thing, Brother Baishan, tell me about it."

Li Aiguo unscrewed the bottle cap, poured a glass of wine for Lu Baishan and handed it over.

Lu Baishan knew that Li Aiguo had a special identity and the confidentiality level was very high. In addition, everyone in the factory knew about this matter, so he did not hide it.

"A while ago, we had a vegetable delivery worker here."

Upon hearing this, Li Aiguo remembered that Captain Zhang seemed to have mentioned this matter.

However, Captain Zhang saw it from the materials and only knew the results but not the details.

After listening to Lu Baishan's story, Li Aiguo couldn't help but sigh that the enemy was too cunning.

The food delivery worker has been in Baotou for more than 20 years. There is absolutely no problem with his identity. He has been well-behaved since he started delivering food to the third canteen of the First Machine Factory.

However, after delivering the food every time, this delivery worker would take the initiative to help in the canteen, and would even help the workers get their meals at mealtime.

To outsiders, it seemed that the food delivery worker was either a positive person or wanted to build a relationship with the canteen chef so that he could take the swill back.

There was nothing suspicious about this matter, but that day Lu Baishan happened to see that when the food delivery man was helping the workers to serve meals, his attention was not on the rice spoon, but on eavesdropping on the workers' conversation.

Thinking of this, Lu Baishan couldn't help but sigh: "This guy is really too cunning. He actually sold the content he overheard as confidential information."

"Brother Baishan, you are indeed an experienced security guard. You noticed this little detail." Li Aiguo asked with a smile, "Where is his superior?"

"That man was an employee of the supply and marketing cooperative. When we rushed over, he had already committed suicide." Lu Baishan said with some regret: "You didn't see the scene. It was so tragic. His brains were scattered all over the ground. The ground was white, just like tofu brain mixed with brown sugar."

This metaphor is absolutely perfect. Li Aiguo picked up a bite of food casually.

"Hurry up and eat. Aiguo finally comes here, why are you talking about these things?" Cao Yuehua couldn't bear to hear this. She covered Xiaoju's ears and got angry.

"Yes, yes, let's not talk about this anymore. Come on, let's be patriotic and drink." Lu Baishan smiled awkwardly and picked up the wine glass.

A meal where both guest and host enjoy themselves.

The only drawback was that during the entire process, Staff Officer Xiao was eating and did not participate in the conversation.

"This guy is so dedicated." After eating and drinking, Li Aiguo left the tube building accompanied by Lu Baishan.

"Uncle, please come to my house to play next time." Xiaoju called in a baby voice from behind.

After waving to them, Li Aiguo went all the way back to the guesthouse, opened the door, and threw himself on the bed.

The first night at the First Machine Factory was spent in a quiet atmosphere.

At 6:30 the next morning, Li Aiguo woke up to the sound of passionate loudspeakers and first washed up with a washbasin.

The guesthouse is different from ordinary courtyards. There are two rooms next to it which are water rooms, providing tap water and boiled water.

Get some hot water and pour half a basin of tap water into it, the temperature is just right.

When Chen Xueru learned that Li Aiguo was coming to the Northwest, she knew the weather here was dry, so she specially packed some vanishing cream into the box.

Li Aiguo touched the bottle of vanishing cream, hesitated for a moment and put it down again.

This thing has a very strong smell. If other people smell it, they will think he is a gigolo.

In later times, gigolos could live off women, but nowadays they can only be looked down upon.

Staff Officer Xiao also got up at this time. Li Aiguo greeted him and prepared to go to the cafeteria for breakfast. At this time, Zhang Tan came hurriedly.

"Patriotic comrade, you are finally back."

"Engineer Zhang, has the track plan been approved?"

Faced with Li Aiguo's questions, Zhang Tan seemed a little embarrassed.

After all, they came here to manufacture trench excavator tracks, but now they are being pulled into the project team, which feels a bit like using free labor.

However, for the sake of the new tanks, Zhang Tan couldn't care less.

"Patriotic comrade, the tracks you need have already been manufactured in the production workshop, but due to the lack of materials, it will take some time to complete.

I came here this time because I need your help with something."

After that, Zhang Tan expressed the chief engineer's opinion.

"Help me with the tank tracks? Sure!"

To his surprise, Li Aiguo agreed to come without hesitation.

"Thank you so much. Patriotic comrade, let's go to the technical department now."

Zhang Tan was very happy.

With Li Aiguo's three technologies, the track problem of the new tank was solved.

In terms of research, the First Machine Factory has adopted a professional approach, with the technical department divided into more than a dozen departments, each of which is in charge of the research and development of different components.

The department Zhang Tan belongs to is called the Motion Device Department, which is specifically responsible for the research and development of tank propulsion systems, covering the design and optimization of components such as tracks, suspension devices, and driving wheels.

Zhang Tan is the chief engineer, and he has more than a dozen researchers under him.

After entering the department, Zhang Tan introduced Li Aiguo's identity and announced the finalization of the research project for the new track.

Most of the researchers expressed their support, but a few of them looked a little unhappy. Among them, a young man wearing glasses and with a middle-parted hair raised his hand and said, "Chief Engineer Zhang, our track design has already been worked out. Isn't it too hasty to change the design at this time?"

"Comrade Zhang Shiqi, we changed the track design because our original plan cannot meet the needs of the new tanks." Zhang Tan frowned.

Another researcher stood up and agreed with Zhang Tan: "There is nothing wrong with what Chief Engineer Zhang did. The new tank is the main tank of the next generation. We must use the best technical solution."

After saying this, he glanced at Zhang Shiqi.

There seems to be some conflict between these two people. Li Aiguo habitually observes the situation on the scene.

At this time, researchers also began to discuss whether the technical solution should be changed.

In the end, the voices supporting changing the technical solution overwhelmed those who wanted to retain the original technical solution.

"I have reservations about the replacement plan." Zhang Shiqi was a bit proud, and when he saw that he didn't get the support of everyone, he just sat back.

Zhang Tan was the chief engineer, not a political cadre, so he didn't care about the technicians' temper tantrums and then called those researchers together.

"Our new technical solution uses three new technologies. Comrade Aiguo will now explain them to you all."

Li Aiguo knew it was his turn, so he explained the principles of the three new technologies.

"In fact, the principles of these three technologies are very simple, but the final technical solution still needs to be determined based on the actual situation."

The meaning of this is obvious: What are the parameters of your new tank? There are no parameters, what the hell!

Zhang Tan also heard it. While asking the researchers to start studying the three new technologies, he invited Li Tiechui into the office.

"Patriotic comrade, take a seat."

After asking Li Aiguo to sit down, Zhang Tan took out a piece of information and handed it to him.

"This is some information about the new tank." "Some?" Li Aiguo took the information and took a look at it before he understood what the other party meant.

The above information only contains the approximate weight, size, and layout of the tank, and does not involve any specific parameters.

"Lao Zhang, you don't trust me." Li Aiguo threw the information on the table and lit a cigarette.

Zhang Tan smiled awkwardly: "Patriotic comrade, please understand that the new tank is the next generation of main battle tanks, and its specific parameters are top secret. Not to mention you, even the researchers in our technical department only know some of the parameters they should know."

Li Aiguo could understand the approach of the First Machine Factory. After all, he was the only one in the Red Star Computing Institute who had fully mastered the production technology of Red Star computers.

"However, I need to determine the specific weight and size now, which is related to the design of the track wheels."

On the key issues, Li Aiguo has no intention of giving in.

Zhang Tan was also aware of this, so he stood up, picked up the phone, and reported Li Aiguo's request to the factory leaders.

"Don't worry, Comrade Li Aiguo is trustworthy. Yes, I understand."

After hanging up the phone, Zhang Tan looked at Li Aiguo and said, "The new tank is 6.002 meters long, 3.307 meters wide including the skirt, and weighs about tons."

Li Aiguo's expression changed slightly when he heard this. With this weight and size, it must be at least a medium tank. No wonder the First Machine Factory was so cautious.

With the weight and size parameters, and using the technology purchased with points from the system, Li Aiguo is confident that he can make the tracks in a short time.

Before leaving the office, Li Aiguo suddenly remembered something and asked, "Lao Zhang, the researcher who just raised objections seems to be named Zhang Shiqi. What's his story?"

Generally speaking, changing the design plan is a decision made by the factory, and even if the researchers object, they will not jump out and sing a different tune on the spot.

"Zhang Shiqi, this guy is a talented person, but he is a little proud. Don't mind it."

Zhang Tan thought that Li Aiguo was angry with Zhang Shiqi, so he quickly explained Zhang Shiqi's situation.

Zhang Shiqi graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University.

This school had a name before liberation: Nanyang Public School. It was a top university in the country at that time and trained many masters.

Zhang Shiqi graduated as an outstanding graduate in 1948 and originally planned to study abroad. However, due to changes in his relatives overseas, he stayed in the country.

He first worked in Shanghai for a few years, and later was transferred to the First Machinery Factory because of his high technical level.

"Zhang Shiqi is a well-known all-rounder in our technical department. He is proficient in four languages ​​and has a special talent for mechanical design. He has made many contributions in his previous work. However, because he is too arrogant and does not pay attention to uniting the masses, he is still just a researcher."

“Maybe he feels that his talent is not appreciated.”

Zhang Tan was worried that Li Aiguo had a problem with Zhang Shiqi, so he hesitated for a moment and added, "It's possible, but the key point is that in the original track plan, Zhang Shiqi was the absolute main force and undertook most of the work. Now that the plan has been abolished, you can imagine how he feels."

"It seems that this matter is not just as simple as pride."

Li Aiguo gave a vague evaluation and asked another researcher who stood up and refuted Zhang Shiqi.

"That man is called Zhao Qing. He is a technician transferred from a factory in the southeast. His education and ability are average. He and Zhang Shiqi are old rivals."

Having said this, Zhang Tan hesitated to speak, which instead aroused Li Aiguo's curiosity.

"They are all young people who came here from all over to support military construction. Why is their relationship so strained?"

“Actually, they are all old clichés.”

Zhang Tan smiled awkwardly. He had not intended to talk about this matter, but seeing Li Aiguo staring at him, he had to smile and said, "They all fell in love with a girl in the database. The girl and Zhao Qing were from the same hometown, and they were very close at the beginning.

Zhang Shiqi came from a big city, was well-informed, and knew some poetry, so he came from behind and became the winner. Now, the two of them have become rivals in love. "

"There's nothing wrong with Zhao Qing, he's just a little petty."

It turned out that they were rivals in love. No wonder Zhao Qing stood up so proactively. Li Aiguo didn't care about it and just thought it was a big news.

Then he returned to the big office and got busy with a group of technicians.

"Comrade Aiguo, I'm really sorry for what happened just now. I was just considering the situation at the factory."

"If you need any help, just let me know."

As soon as I entered the office, Zhang Shiqi, who had just been strongly opposed to changing the design plan, became very active.

"You're welcome. Although we have different opinions, we should reach a consensus once the project is determined." Li Aiguo just smiled faintly in the face of his enthusiasm.

When assigning work, Li Aiguo adopted a common method, taking charge of the design work himself, while the researchers were only responsible for sub-items.

Zhang Shiqi raised his hand and said: "Comrade Aiguo, you are so busy. I have done in-depth research on the movement of crawler tracks. I would like to be responsible for the overall design work."

"I have already thought of the specific design plan. What we lack now is the design of specific components. Comrade Zhang Shiqi, I hope you can focus on the design of the inducer."

The inducer is used to induce and support the track, and adjust the tightness of the track together with the track adjuster.

Although it is critical, the technology of the inducer is mature and can be handled by a small technician.

Li Aiguo's arrangement clearly excluded Zhang Shiqi from the project.

Zhang Shiqi's face turned a little ugly at that time, and he could only look at Zhang Tan.

Zhang Tan couldn't figure out Li Aiguo's intention, but his task at the time was to develop the tracks, so he ignored Zhang Tan.

After receiving their corresponding work, each researcher returned to their respective offices and started working.

Li Aiguo finally had some free time, and he took out the "vague" material about the new tank that Zhang Tan had given him.

Although the material was missing most of the key parameters, Li Aiguo, relying on his professional knowledge, determined at a glance that this new tank was the Type 69 main battle tank of later generations.

The Type 69 main battle tank was developed based on the Type 59 tank. At the beginning of its development, it was given extremely high expectations.

However, reality dealt a heavy blow to people.

After the successful development of the Type 69 tank, the improvement was not significant compared with the Type 59 main battle tank.

Especially at that time, the main competitor in the tank field, the Russians, had already mass-produced the T-64 and T-72 main battle tanks with better performance.

Two years after the Type 69 main battle tank was finalized, the Soviet T-80 main battle tank also began to serve.

This means that the Type 69 main battle tank has lagged behind the main battle tanks equipped by other countries at the same time since its birth.

The firepower of the Type 69 tank is indeed enhanced compared to the Type 59 tank, and it is equipped with a 100mm smoothbore gun.

But unfortunately, there was no mature artillery production line in the country at that time, resulting in extremely low ammunition production.

In his previous life, Li Aiguo had read an interesting story in a military journal: due to insufficient supply of artillery shells, in order to conduct shooting training, the staff of the army personally went to the Armored Forces Technology Research Institute in the capital and borrowed a 100mm smoothbore gun armor-piercing training shell.

The staff officer carried the training bullet that looked like a real bullet on his shoulder, took a bus to the Beijing Station, bought a train ticket for that evening, and boarded the train in a swagger.

Although he attracted a lot of strange looks along the way, he did not encounter any obstacles. Overnight, he successfully brought this "treasure" back to the army.

Due to the lack of sufficient ammunition, both professional basic training and tactical training are difficult to carry out effectively, which greatly reduces the combat effectiveness of the Type 69 tank.

The tank troops had no choice but to continue using the established combat framework of the Type 59 tank, and the technical characteristics and tactical features of the Type 69 tank could not be demonstrated at all.

In the end, only 150 Type 69 tanks were produced in the country and equipped only one tank division.

Later, the 105mm rifled gun gradually became the standard artillery caliber of my country's tanks, and the 100mm smoothbore gun fell into an embarrassing situation of being ignored and left to fend for itself.

In actual combat, the disadvantage of the weak protection capability of the Type 69 tank was completely exposed, and this inherent defect cannot be remedied at all.

In the 69s, the only tank division equipped with Type 59 tanks began to transfer them in batches and re-equip them with Type tanks.

It was not until the 79s, after we successfully developed the Type 88 and Type 69 main battle tanks, that we remembered the Type tank again.

Since it is no longer needed domestically, it is better to export it. This way, we can earn foreign exchange and establish good relations with other countries.

The Type 69 tank, which had not been fully used in China, has gone abroad and sold nearly units, truly proving the saying "flowers bloom inside the wall and smell good outside the wall."

Among them, Iraq alone purchased more than 2,000 tanks, which were used in the wars with Xiaolang's family and Xiaomei's family.

During the battle with the Xiaomei family, the shortcomings of the Type 69 tank were exposed and heavy losses were incurred.

However, if you think about who the Type 69 tank's opponent is, you will understand - the M1A1, the world's first digital tank, a standard third-generation tank.

The Type 69 tank can only be considered a generation and a half at best.

It is a pity that the Type 69 tank, which cost countless manpower and resources to develop, was ultimately never used.

"The Type 69 tank itself doesn't have too many problems. As long as the main gun is replaced, the protection is strengthened, and the star upgrade is completed, it will be able to fight against the T72..."

Li Aiguo repeatedly thought about the various details related to the Type 69 tank and finally came to this conclusion.

However, if you want to replace the main gun, you must first convince the factory leaders.

In comparison, starting from strengthening protection may be a more feasible approach.

But how to implement it specifically... Until the end of get off work, Li Aiguo still had no idea.

In the following days, Li Aiguo began to search the system for technologies related to increasing tank protection.

However, these technologies require materials of a relatively high level, so even if they are available, they cannot be mass-produced.

There has been little progress in tank protection, but the design of the tracks is progressing rapidly. It is estimated that the design draft can be submitted in a few days.

The next day was the weekend. Li Aiguo went to a barber shop outside to get a haircut early in the morning, and then strolled back to the First Machine Factory with Staff Officer Xiao.

As soon as I reached the gate, I heard a sound coming from the guardhouse next to it.

"Chief Bai, I want to report to you that Zhang Shiqi in our department is Dieter. Please arrest him immediately!"

(End of this chapter)