Restarting life in Siheyuan

The university curriculum was very tight, and it was very difficult to complete the studies in two years. In addition, Zhu Xuefeng planned too many research projects for himself, and soon after entering the university, he successfully passed the assessment and entered a material research group, laying the foundation for successful graduation.

This was prepared for his graduation thesis. Zhu Xuefeng already had deep accumulation in materials research and had unique conditions. In addition, he was pretty good at German. Although the study time was tight, it didn't seem to be a big problem.

Yan Zi took over Zhu Xuefeng's task and wandered around Europe. She would only come here for a day or two from time to time to meet him and then wander around again.

The accommodation conditions at school were not very good. There were three people in a room. The roommates were all international students from brother countries. It was very difficult to communicate with each other. Each other's Russian, German and English were very difficult, so the three of us rarely communicated.

The school has very strict requirements, with an lenient admission policy and difficult graduation requirements. All classes are taught in German. Unlike in China, the school has a high elimination rate. If you don't want to be unable to graduate, you have to study hard. Therefore, everyone in the dormitory is busy with their own things and does not interfere with each other. This is quite suitable for Zhu Xuefeng.

There were few Chinese international students in the school, and most of them went to Daye. Zhu Xuefeng attended the freshman meeting and registered.

The president of the alumni association was a man from Jiangsu named Wang Xiangdong, who studied mechanical automation. Another girl from Shanghai named Jiang Zhiming was in the same major as him. With Zhu Xuefeng's deliberate interaction, they both left a good impression on each other.

Originally, the postgraduate program was a four or five-year course. Although some streamlining had been done for international students, it was not an easy task to complete it within two years. Zhu Xuefeng did not just want to study one subject, as this would have been even more stressful. The reality was much harsher than Zhu Xuefeng had imagined, so he could only change some plans and temporarily devote all his energy to studying.

"Take care, Xiao Zhu. I will write a letter to Professor Lin. I haven't seen them for so many years. I really miss them. Come visit us more often when you have time."

"Professor Liu, please stay. I will definitely visit you again when I have time."

After bidding farewell to Professor Liu, Zhu Xuefeng had to hurry to catch the train back to school. Over the past month, with Professor Lin's letters, Zhu Xuefeng had visited several professors and scholars who were stranded here on weekends.

Professor Lin's letter made them very happy. It was a happy thing to be remembered by an old friend, but it did not seem to change their determination to stay. It was somewhat different to be able to go back home to study before liberation. These people have not been back for more than ten years, which shows that they all have their own ideas.

Considering the big storm in a few years, Zhu Xuefeng did not try to persuade him. Everyone has their own aspirations, and this cannot be forced. Let's talk about it later.

Zhu Xuefeng just chatted for a while and then left. These people were full of concerns, and Zhu Xuefeng had no intention of mobilizing them for the time being. However, Professor Arnold, who he met by chance on the plane last time, gave Zhu Xuefeng some ideas after two visits.

On the way back to school again, Zhu Xuefeng carefully observed the city. The school was very close to the train station, and it was very convenient to go everywhere. There were many cars, and occasionally some people passed by on bicycles, but motorcycles were rare. Even if there were, most of them were sidecar tricycles, and Dongsheng Company's products were nowhere to be seen.

According to Dongsheng Company's internal sales records, after the rapid development in the 1950s and 1960s, the economy of West Germany has recovered very quickly. Unlike here, West Germany is an important sales area for Dongsheng Company. It has sold more than 4,000 small scooters and 700 to 800 heavy motorcycles.

The city here seems very quiet. There are basically no pedestrians on the streets. Occasionally, there are a few women walking hurriedly with their heads down. It is a city where it is difficult to see men in public places.

This city still bears traces of what it was like more than a decade ago. Its economic situation should be pretty good. The stores have a wide variety of goods and the prices are not outrageous.

But it is impossible to rent a house outside. The management here is very strict. There are patrol teams of Big Goose passing through at night. Big Goose has garrisons in many cities. This is why the autonomous region and Dongsheng Company cannot open an office here.

There was no way to make international long-distance calls, and even transoceanic telegrams were out of the question. They could only communicate via correspondence. Neither Hong Kong nor the autonomous region could conduct official exchanges with East Germany, but occasional private exchanges were still a problem. That was why people from Dongsheng Company and the autonomous region could occasionally come over for a short stroll and report on the situation.

Zhu Xuefeng was in self-isolation and could only eagerly absorb knowledge that he had never been exposed to in his previous life, and then return to the dormitory to refine and elevate it based on his experiences in later lives.

Whenever I have time, I will take the initiative to contact Wang Xiangdong and Jiang Zhiming to discuss some technical issues together.

"Seniors, I have an idea. I want to be a big guy. I wonder if you two are interested."

"What big thing? We are still learning. Although we have the opportunity to go to the factory and make some small things, it is unrealistic to make a big thing."

"Of course not here. I wonder if you have heard that Beijing will start a subway project next year."

Jiang Zhiming looked at Zhu Xuefeng and chuckled, "This is a good thing. When we left, it had been verified for many years. I heard that they started to discuss it in 1950. Now they have finally decided to repair it?"

"Are you serious? Such a large project must have a great demand for our kind of automation. I want to graduate quickly and go back to devote myself to this project." Wang Xiangdong is a slightly extroverted person. When he heard the news, he couldn't sit still. According to the plan, if they can graduate successfully, the two should go back next year.

"Of course it's true. How can this thing lie?" The three of them sat on a long bench in the grove. Zhu Xuefeng spread his hands, tilted his neck back, took a deep breath of the cool air, and tried to relax himself. Today's communication was very important. He wanted to try to pull the two of them together to complete an amazing design.

"Then the big guy you are talking about is related to this project." Jiang Zhiming reacted quickly.

Seeing that Wang Xiangdong was also looking at him, Zhu Xuefeng expressed his thoughts.

"Yes, to build a subway, we have to dig holes underground. There are no shield machines in China now, and we can't afford to buy them. I know that since the demonstration of this project, shield machines have been studied. Are you interested? Let's also devote ourselves to the research of this project?"

"Is it being researched in China? I'm not sure. What stage is it at now? Where should we start?" Wang Xiangdong was not very clear about this.

Jiang Zhiming suddenly thought of a clue. "I don't know the situation in China, but when we visited the neighboring country in the first half of the year, we saw a shield machine abandoned there. It was said that it was rented for construction before World War II, but a fight broke out before the work started, and then the machine was abandoned there."

"President, I heard that the country is struggling right now. Without financial support, many research projects are progressing very slowly. What I mean is that the three of us should work together to design a complete system from scratch. I have found a lot of information on this in the library, including working principles and sketches. You two are both majoring in automation, and this big guy has a lot of requirements in this area. I was a little bit unconfident at first. If the news from the senior sister is true, we now have a physical object as a reference, and the chances of success will increase greatly. What do you think? Are you interested?"

Wang Xiangdong's family works in the Ministry of Railways, and he immediately realized the importance of this thing to railway construction. He glanced at Jiang Zhiming, and the two of them nodded together, their eyes full of eagerness, and the three of them stretched out their hands together.

Zhu Xuefeng took the first step towards his first major idea, and has since become busier. In addition to studying and conducting various experiments in his research group, Zhu Xuefeng also has to squeeze out time every day for the three of them to meet together.

At this time, international students have to report to the embassy regularly and receive study abroad subsidies. The subsidies are quite a lot, with graduate students receiving 900 rubles per month. The support provided by the state is simply unimaginable. In Eastern European countries, the purchasing power of these rubles exceeds one thousand US dollars. You should know that this is already the annual income of a department-level cadre.

In fact, Zhu Xuefeng brought a lot of currencies with him, but unfortunately, just like in China, he rarely had the opportunity to use money, so every time he went out, Zhu Xuefeng would buy all kinds of books like his predecessors.

"Student Zhu Xuefeng, do you have any difficulties studying here? If you have any difficulties, please raise them in time. Our embassy is your strong backing and will definitely help you solve them."

Counselor Fang hosted these students on behalf of the embassy. This is what the students like best. Every time they come, they can taste the flavors of their hometown, many of which are brought by the embassy staff from thousands of miles away. Counselor Fang seemed to be more enthusiastic towards Zhu Xuefeng. He was very kind every time and was very concerned about his studies. He would ask about his studies every time. Zhu Xuefeng guessed that he must have received special care.

"Thank you for your concern, everything is fine here. I was not used to the food at first, but I have gradually gotten used to it over the past month."

"Yes, your school's staple food should also be black bread. We are really not used to eating this. I know you study very hard, so you must get enough nutrition. Come on, come on, eat more."

Seeing that Zhu Xuefeng always went to pick up the bacon, Counselor Fang specially took the plate and was about to give it to Zhu Xuefeng.

"Leader, this is not okay. It's not appropriate."

There were several international students standing nearby, and his two partners were also looking at him in confusion. Zhu Xuefeng was not so shameless. It was just that the Sichuan-style bacon was really to his liking, so he took a few more bites. He didn't expect to attract the attention of Counselor Fang.

"Give me a few more pieces. There are some in the kitchen. We'll serve more if they're gone." Counselor Fang would not tolerate any refusal. He had no choice but to take two more pieces.

Counselor Fang put down his plate and shouted to the other international students, "Eat more if you like. If it's not enough, we have more. Don't be like this student, hiding it in front of his family. It's not fun, haha."

Everyone was amused by Counselor Fang's words, and the good-natured laughter also helped Zhu Xuefeng out of his embarrassment. In fact, everyone knew that the things brought over from thousands of miles away could not be too many.

“I think the subsidies are enough for everyone.”

"It's enough. I can't spend it at all. I bought a lot of information and plan to take it back."

"Well, that's a good idea. Those who want to send it back can send it to the embassy. It's more convenient for us to send things back." Counselor Fang once again provided a convenient service and received everyone's applause again.

After the meal, the international students left one after another. Counselor Fang kept Zhu Xuefeng and learned about his study progress. Zhu Xuefeng left a letter home and left the embassy.

"Brother, why did it take so long? I saw that all the other international students had left, but you didn't come out."

Liang Yan was already getting a little impatient waiting in a hotel not far away. She had arrived in East Berlin at the agreed time and couldn't stay too long.

"I asked the embassy to help send a few letters home, and my boss showed some concern for me. How are you doing? You must have been exhausted in the past two months."

It is already mid-November. Yan Zi arrived early and found different translators to follow her here. She has been hanging around for more than two months.

"The mission is accomplished, and I've spent a lot of money. The five thousand dollars you gave me are almost all gone."

"You're such a spendthrift. That's five thousand dollars, and you spent it all in two months? You've been flying around a lot, right?"

You know, five thousand dollars was a lot of money at that time, which exceeded the purchasing power of hundreds of thousands of dollars in later generations. She actually spent it all in more than two months. There was only one possibility, that she took a flight. Airline tickets at that time were much more expensive than those in later generations.

Liang Yan glanced at her stingy senior brother, stretched out her hand, blew a breath, and then put it on her face, covering her little face.

"Brother, you were the one who said that we should investigate as thoroughly as possible, so I spent a lot of time to find out the details. I didn't have time to take a train or a ship. You wouldn't be so stingy, would you?

It seemed that what Yan Zi said made sense, so Zhu Xuefeng stopped asking, "Are all the things ready?"

"Well, I drew it in great detail. You will definitely understand it at a glance."

"That's fine. Give me the stuff and go back to Hong Kong first. Secretary Chen is coming today, so you can go with her. As for whether to go to the autonomous region or rest in Hong Kong, you can make your own arrangements."

Yan Zi opened her big eyes, took Zhu Xuefeng's arm and came over, pretending to be pitiful, looking up at her senior brother along his arm.

"Brother, you are really destroying your bridges. I have worked hard for more than two months. When you start, can't you take me with you?"

Zhu Xuefeng had a headache again. Every time Yan Zi knew that he was going to do something, she would follow him. Of course, she could help a lot, but it would be inconvenient for Zhu Xuefeng to use the space.

"I haven't decided on a specific time yet. I have to find an opportunity and it has to not affect my studies. You can't stay here alone. You don't even understand what they're saying. I can't hire a translator to follow you around every day."

Liang Yan seemed to have been prepared. She smiled and said, "Brother, we can't stay here for long. I can go to Lundun to wait for you. Hehe, if I'm not mistaken, you will go there first. Dongsheng Company happens to have a sales point there, so I will wait for you there."

Zhu Xuefeng nodded helplessly, "Okay, then it will be the same as before."

"I know, I know. I'll just listen to you, okay? Tell me, when have I ever disobeyed you and acted on my own?"

Zhu Xuefeng thought about it and it made sense. Since the first time the two of them started working together at Leader Bai's house, it seemed that Yan Zi had never caused trouble once.

"That's settled then. I'll come find you then. I think the money is enough."

"Don't worry about that. I'm taking the train and the boat this time, so I'm not in a hurry."

Seeing that her senior brother agreed, Yan Zi was overjoyed, "Senior brother, I know you are the best, you will definitely agree."

Zhu Xuefeng felt that he had been cheated by Yan Zi again and had no choice but to confess.

"Go quickly if you have nothing to do. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll go there next week. You should go make some preparations first. I still have to go see Secretary Chen, and after that I have to catch the train back to school, so I won't be able to accompany you." (End of this chapter)