Go back to the prosperous days and become a layman

Chapter 810, 809: A fish has taken the bait.
Tang Zhitong was delayed at Zhou Zheng's house until it was time for dinner. Although Zhou Zheng tried his best to persuade Tang Zhitong to stay for a simple meal, Tang Zhitong still managed to slip away.

After leaving the staff quarters of the Post and Telecommunications Institute, Tang Zhitong did not go home immediately, but went to the Women's Federation dormitory first.

"You just got back?" Ye Zhijuan was slightly surprised to see her son-in-law, as it was a rare occasion for her to be home and rest today.

"Yeah, I was just passing by, so I thought I'd drop by and grab a bite to eat." Tang Zhitong noticed that they were just having lunch, so she abandoned her idea of ​​going home for a meal and took out some cherries and cicada nymphs from her bag.

"Mom! Brother-in-law is here, shall we add some dishes?" Jingmin's mouth watered as he saw the cicada nymphs; the family's diet had been too bland lately.

"Then we'll eat it later. I'll go fry some." Before Ye Zhijuan could speak, Tang Zhitong put down her handbag, gathered the newspaper containing the cicada nymphs again, and took it to the kitchen.

Jingmin also stopped eating and followed them into the kitchen to watch.

With his brother-in-law present, Tang Zhitong couldn't openly cheat, so he chose to use a shoe brush to clean the mud off each cicada nymph.

"Brother-in-law, my sister has been a bit unhappy these past few days," Wang Jingmin tattled while watching Tang Zhitong catch cicadas.

"Oh? You made her angry again?" Tang Zhitong's hands didn't stop moving, he kept brushing away.

"What? I wouldn't dare to offend her when she's unhappy, otherwise I'd just become her punching bag." Wang Jingmin was still rational and shook his head rapidly.

"Hey, you do have some sense." Seeing that his brother-in-law didn't seem to know the inside story, Tang Zhitong didn't press him for details and let him watch from the sidelines.

After cleaning the cicada nymphs, Tang Zhitong selected about ten of them and gave them a free "back-opening" service. If this were done in a foot massage parlor, it would cost at least 298 yuan.

Since these cicada nymphs weren't marinated beforehand, they weren't very flavorful. Opening their backs and sprinkling some salt on them while stir-frying will help them absorb the flavor.

As for the remaining cicada nymphs, Tang Zhitong stuffed them all into the salt jar.

Cicada nymphs are high in protein, so you can pickle them and add a couple to your stir-fries to add a touch of meat.

After finishing his meal, Tang Zhitong did not leave immediately. Instead, he reported to Director Ye on the progress of the insulated box and what he had gained from the trip.

"Excellent, very good! You promised the research class a spot to stay in Beijing last time?" Upon hearing the news, Director Ye not only praised him highly but also remembered the conditions his son-in-law had previously mentioned.

"Yes, at least one. Having an experienced person will make the production and maintenance of the insulated boxes easier in the future." Tang Zhitong didn't worry much about the entire trial production process of the insulated boxes. He felt that this opportunity to stay in Beijing was something the research class deserved, but he didn't know who would be lucky enough to get it.

"When the hospital decides it's ready to be used, let me know. I'll have someone communicate with your college and let them decide who stays. Don't interfere." After hearing her son-in-law say that the trial results would be available soon, Ye Zhijuan considered the timeline. There was still room for maneuver if this matter could be finalized before graduation.

"Don't worry, I won't get involved. But I boasted to my classmates in the research class that I'd celebrate with them after the trial period. Hehe, Mom, could you arrange some meat or canned food?" Tang Zhitong hadn't planned to get involved in the matter of staying in Beijing. The number of spots was limited, and giving them to anyone or not would offend people. It was enough for her to secure this spot herself; she'd let the college leaders be the bad guys.

"Yes, that's a good idea. I'll take care of it." Although meat supply is difficult, Ye Zhijuan didn't hesitate. Even though meat supply is difficult now, necessary expenditures cannot be cut. Various units usually have some needs in this regard, so there is still room for official supplies.

"Alright, I'll head back now?" Having finished his business, Tang Zhitong was getting impatient. He hadn't seen Xiao Wang for several days and missed him terribly.

“Okay. After the National Heroes Conference, let’s talk to the editorial board and the health department about the proposal and see if we can get it done.” Ye Zhijuan didn’t stop her son-in-law, but she still gave him an extra tip.

Proposals are usually submitted when the congress is held. It's only the middle of the year now, and there's still some time before the congress. If we can get things moving sooner, not only will the health department not be caught off guard, but the implementation speed will also be faster.

Ye Zhijuan wanted to see the results as soon as possible, since her son-in-law had put in so much effort to organize this.

"Okay!" Tang Zhitong nodded in agreement before heading home. As for the cost of the incubator project, he didn't even mention it. He would sort it out later and discuss it with Miao Xiaoqin. It was better not to trouble Director Ye to handle such matters in the future.

"Be careful on the road." Ye Zhijuan didn't try to stop her. Her daughter had come over the day before yesterday afternoon. She was feeling down because she wasn't pregnant and had confided in her privately. Ye Zhijuan comforted her.

As a mother, there are some things she can say to her daughter but not to her son-in-law, but she believes her son-in-law can handle this matter well.

Tang Zhitong was humming a song when he got home, and as soon as he entered the house, he couldn't wait to announce loudly, "I'm home!"

Hearing her husband's commotion, Ms. Wang came out of the main room. Because she was running too fast, she almost stumbled and fell.

Tang Zhitong reacted quickly, stepping forward to help her up and whispering in her ear, "Hehe, missed me, didn't you?"

Hearing the commotion, Fengzhen and Fengzhi ran out after Xiao Wang, while Zhang Guifang leaned against the door frame and looked out with a smile.

In front of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, Xiao Wang, despite having countless feelings and words to say, could not express them directly at this moment. She could only pinch her husband's arm hard twice.

"Come on, you two, wash the cherries and cicada nymphs. We'll have an extra treat today." Tang Zhitong patted Xiao Wang lightly, freed her hand to take out a prepared paper packet from her bag, and sent her two younger sisters away.

Because he was worried that his brother-in-law had said that Xiao Wang was in a bad mood, Tang Zhitong greeted his mother, who was standing by the door, saying, "Mom, I'm going back to my room to change my clothes."

"Go on, go on, you must be tired from being out these past few days, take a good rest." Zhang Guifang waved with a smile, urging the young couple towards the side room.

"What's wrong?" Upon entering the room, Tang Zhitong pulled Xiao Wang into his arms, one hand around her waist and the other gently patting her back.

Language is powerful, but sometimes actions are more powerful than words.

Ms. Wang nestled in her husband's arms, her arms tightly wrapped around his waist. Feeling down, she said to him with a wronged expression, "I'm on my period."

"That's it? It's no big deal. Good things take time. We're still young, there's no rush." ​​Tang Zhitong wasn't worried at all, and rubbed Xiao Wang's cheek to comfort him.

"But it's been several months... Do you think there's something wrong with me?" Faced with this question, Xiao Wang seemed to have lost his mind and brought up the old issue again.

"If you ask me, neither of us is in a problem; it must be our child who is choosing the right time."

You see, if you get pregnant in the first few months, the baby will be born in the eleventh, twelfth, or first month of the lunar calendar, right? It will happen to be winter.

You know how cold it is in Beijing in winter.

Changing diapers is a pain for babies, but washing them is even more painful for adults.

If you get pregnant this month, the baby will be born around the second month of the lunar calendar, when the weather will warm up and people can sit comfortably in the house even without a stove.

Back then, whether it was changing diapers for the baby, washing diapers for the adults, or you being in postpartum confinement, everything was more comfortable.

Ultimately, this is just the child showing you love and consideration for us; we shouldn't think the worst.

While gently patting Xiao Wang's back, Tang Zhitong made up a story, shifting all the blame onto the unborn child. He claimed that not winning the lottery in the previous months was expected, as he had been secretly taking measures.

Tang Zhitong was slightly surprised that he didn't win the lottery this month. How could the little dragon who was always right suddenly lose his aim?

"Tch, how can this involve the child? They've already been burdened with such a huge accusation before anything even happened." Xiao Wang laughed. Her husband's words were clearly absurd, but they sounded comforting and resonated with her. What mother doesn't want her child to be sensible?
"Hehe, maybe this child is also timid, afraid of premature birth, but the incubator has been successfully developed today, so there's no reason for him not to come this time." Tang Zhitong said with a hint of pride, leaning back slightly to face Xiao Wang's youthful and beautiful face, their heads touching, his eyes full of affection.

"Pah, pah, pah! How can you talk about your own child like that? Our child will definitely be like you, a great hero!" Little Wang moved her arm up, around her husband's neck, closed her eyes, and pressed her pink lips to his...

Tang Zhitong was getting a little cocky at this moment. He didn't need to be a great hero, but he still looked forward to the days of having a wife, children, and a warm bed.

As for the baby's gender, Tang Zhitong hopes it will be a girl.

If a boy is as slow to understand as Zhou Zhengjia's son, or like you were when you were a child, then it's a bit difficult for him, and the old father doesn't have much love for him!

Girls are so cute! As long as they have seven or eight points of Xiao Wang's looks, it doesn't matter if their studies are a little bad. They won't even slap their own hands if they get five points on a math test!

After the ceremony, Xiao Wang's face was flushed; it was time to change the toilet paper again...

"Hehe, let's go eat some cherries, so we don't get too late and Fengzhi eats them all." Tang Zhitong saw that Xiao Wang's mood had visibly improved, so he rubbed her delicate cheek with his thumb, feeling a great sense of accomplishment. With him around, it would be difficult for Xiao Wang to get stuck on anything.

"You've already made fun of your own child, and now you're making fun of your own sister." With her husband's comforting words, Xiao Wang regained her confidence; she was sure she could make it this month!
Tang Zhitong ultimately couldn't change his clothes because Xiao Wang smelled a sweaty odor on him and planned to have him shower and change clothes later that night.

Back in the main house, Fengzhi couldn't wait to take credit, saying, "Sister-in-law, I wanted to call you to eat cherries, but Mom wouldn't let me!"

Fengzhi's words added a touch of charm to Xiao Wang's face.

"Hey, you little rascal, did Mom tell you to wait for us to come over before you eat?" Tang Zhitong knew this was her sister's protest against their mother forbidding her from touching the cherries. She rubbed her head, saw through her little scheme, and then grabbed a handful and stuffed them into her hand.

"How's your brother Xiaoping? Did he embarrass you?" Zhang Guifang wanted to ask her older brother, but she was too embarrassed to ask directly, so she could only try to find out indirectly.

"No, he has more influence in the production team now, and things will get better every day. Your uncle is doing well, so don't worry." Little Wang gave her mother-in-law and Fengzhen a handful of cherries each, and Tang Zhitong picked two for herself, popped them into her mouth, and said.

"That's good, that's good." Hearing her son say that, Zhang Guifang felt even more relieved. With her side sending some food from time to time, her brother's family would definitely be able to get through the disaster year.

"How's the situation now? Is the cooperative medical care you're thinking of feasible?" Xiao Wang put a cherry in her mouth, sucked on it, and then separated the flesh from the pit with a flick of her tongue, but she didn't spit the pit back immediately.

"There are pros and cons, the situation in each production team is not very even. We have found a production team that meets the conditions for piloting the program. Mom said she will meet with the editorial board and the comrades from the health department in a few days to come up with a safe plan." Tang Zhitong smiled and put her hand to Xiao Wang's mouth.

In front of her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, Xiao Wang hesitated, but her husband didn't take his hand away, so she embarrassedly spat out the cherry pits one by one.

"I want to play too! I want to play too!" Fengzhi, feeling playful, stuffed a handful of cherries into her mouth. However, she didn't have the same nimble tongue as Xiao Wang, and it took her a while to spit out the cherry pits.

Tang Zhitong wanted to stop her, but Fengzhi acted quickly and it was too late.

Worried that Fengzhi might choke in her haste, Tang Zhitong didn't say anything until Fengzhi spat out the cherry pit. Only then did he raise his hand and slap Fengzhi's bottom twice: "Why are you so naughty? What if you choke? Eat it properly! If you don't like it, don't eat it!"

Fengzhi wanted to retort, but chose to remain silent between not being able to eat and retorting.

Seeing her younger sister like this, Tang Zhitong felt a little worried. Nephews resemble their uncles, nieces resemble their aunts, and if her future daughter resembled Fengzhi, she wouldn't be entirely satisfied...

While the Tang family was enjoying their time together, Wu Aijun was also reaping the rewards. Someone actually went to the metallurgical institute to inquire about Qin's whereabouts and was immediately apprehended.

After receiving the news, the Science and Technology Commission finally breathed a sigh of relief. Now that the Russians knew about the supermagnetic field and were interested in it, it was time to start preparing the follow-up countermeasures.

This includes, but is not limited to, creating and releasing information, confusing truth with falsehood, and using information asymmetry to steer the situation in our favor and ultimately obtain what we want!

This move was made out of necessity.

Domestic neodymium reserves are limited, and currently, they cannot even meet the demand for uranium-235, let alone for military applications.

The discovery of supermagnetism spread within a specific small area. At this time, Lanzhou proposed an idea to obtain a portion of uranium-235 using centrifugation.

Lanzhou has a concentration plant built with aid from the north, but last year, Russia unilaterally terminated the aid and withdrew its aid personnel. At that time, the plant was not yet built, and the work was only 40% complete.

Without the Russian engineers, the subsequent construction became significantly more difficult.

Because the plant was originally designed to obtain uranium-235 using the gaseous diffusion method, this method is not only energy-intensive but also has low enrichment efficiency.

Centrifugation is 50 times more efficient than gaseous diffusion for obtaining uranium-235. The laboratory achieved the use of centrifugation to obtain uranium-235 as early as the beginning of this century, but due to the size of the equipment and the difficulty in manufacturing the components, it has not been truly used in industry.

The emergence of supermagnets has given researchers a glimmer of hope.

This is not just about accelerating the refining process; it also involves increasing the manufacturing speed.

The reason why the Japanese only had "familiar faces" in two places was not because they surrendered quickly, but because the U.S. Navy was using the diffusion method to refine uranium-235 at that time, and the raw materials were only enough to produce two uranium-235!
If they had broken through the production capacity bottleneck by then, given their nature, they would probably already be living a comfortable life with everyone around them.

China has rare earth mines, but lacks refining technology.

Faced with the neodymium shortage, we can only temporarily import it, but this is easy to be held hostage by the supply chain, so it is not the best solution. Only by producing it ourselves can we take control of the situation.

As for how to produce it, the fastest way is to "borrow" from existing products.

Technology knows no borders. If China can think of applications for supermagnets, then Russia, knowing the magnetic force value, will certainly be able to think of them too.

Since the Russians are already testing Qin, it means they value this technology. As long as they don't leak the formula again, the only way for them to acquire this technology is through formal negotiations.

At that time, exchanging technology for technology, or even exchanging technology for the other party's technology and reducing some of their debt, will become the optimal solution.

This approach may not allow us to maintain our leading position in the field of supermagnetism, but the proportions that Tang Zhitong "accidentally" formulated were also extremely simple, with only three raw materials.

Qin has already revealed the most crucial raw material, neodymium, to the other party. He believes that with the Russians' scientific research capabilities, they will surely be able to crack it in time.

If we lose our advantage and don't even get the technology in return, then we'll have truly suffered a loss.

(End of this chapter)