Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 32 Who says Northwestern Polytechnical University lacks technology?
A moment of silence fell over the room; everyone was stunned by Qin Liang's words.

How many years did it take to develop the twin-engine version of the J-7, the J-8? The research and development project started in 1964, and the first flight took place on July 5, 1969, taking five years! As for finalization? It's still not finished, another ten years have passed.

The extent of the modifications to the aircraft is now comparable to that of the J-8, and it was made possible without the involvement of any aircraft design institute. It was achieved by a single aircraft factory and a university within three years.
At this moment, Tu Lao and the others were also stunned. "Qin Liang, we don't have that kind of confidence either, you..."

Professor Sha, Professor Liu, and others were deeply moved.

A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger!
As people get older, they become more tactful and never speak definitively. They can always find someone to take the blame when something goes wrong. This is a trick that some people use to navigate the officialdom. But Qin Liang, young and impetuous, is willing to risk his life to get his superiors to approve the development of this aircraft!

This kid...

“Qin Liang, we admire your courage and determination, but that special era is over. We won’t be fooled by a few slogans or promises.” Just as everyone was moved, a voice rang out.

"Developing airplanes is no small matter. You have no specific experience in developing airplanes, and besides, you're just a college student. What makes you so confident that you can get this major redesigned model airborne within three years? To put it bluntly, if this project fails, what good is it if you're executed? Can that make up for the significant losses to our air force's equipment?"

That was a rather hurtful remark! Old Tu frowned and looked at the speaker.

Secretary Shen, do you really have to be so discouraging to a young man so enthusiastic about our country's aviation industry? These college students, recruited after the resumption of the college entrance examination, are the freshest blood in our country's scientific research field!

However, the Air Force is a customer of their aircraft factory, so it was inconvenient for him to speak directly.

“He’s inexperienced, still a college student, so let’s add me, Old Sha, to the list!” Just then, Professor Sha spoke up: “Chief Lin, if this aircraft doesn’t take to the skies within three years, add me to the execution list too!”

"And me, Lao Liu!" Professor Liu was a little annoyed. "Old Sha, how come you stole the limelight? Qin Liang is my prized student, and I should be protecting him!"

In fact, the two of them didn't have much confidence in Qin Liang's words. In the past few years, scientific research had been neglected, and sometimes even universities couldn't carry out normal teaching work. There had been a shortage of scientific and technological personnel. It would be difficult to come up with such a major redesign in three years!
However, Qin Liang is a promising student, and as his teachers, they must stand up without hesitation at this time!

"Plus our aircraft department!" Director Luo's voice rang out: "If we don't get this plane into the air within three years, then our Northwestern Polytechnical University aircraft department will be disbanded, and I, Old Luo, will all be left with nothing!"

“That’s right, including our entire aircraft department!” Other teachers from the aircraft department chimed in.

"Old Luo, what are you doing?" Principal Ji decided to step in and smooth things over: "We're discussing whether this aircraft can be developed on time, not whether our Northwestern Polytechnical University's aircraft department should be disbanded."

Even though you are the department head, you don't have the authority to decide the future of the aircraft department!
Criticize your own people first, and then explain to the other side!

"Fellow leaders from the Air Force, please don't take it to heart..."

Secretary Shen's stern face softened. "Principal Ji, we're not angry. Your students have spirit, a sense of responsibility and honor, which is a good thing. However, we also have to be realistic. Our country's aviation industry is very backward. To this day, we haven't carried out such a large-scale improvement. Even the J-8 still has an air intake in the nose, right?"

Secretary Shen spoke earnestly: "We are still far behind the world's advanced levels. If you don't have the skills, you shouldn't take on the job. We lack the technology in this area..."

Having said that, the conflict has been resolved. However, judging from their tone, the J-7 improvement project is doomed to fail, and they will still cling to the J-7-3!

Qin Liang's eyes darted around, and he decided to continue his defiance!

Anyway, that promise I just made exposed my youthful arrogance, so I might as well pretend again!
"Who says our technology is inferior? Who says we are still far behind the world's advanced levels?"

Secretary Shen swallowed back everything she was about to say, staring wide-eyed at Qin Liang. "What did you say? Is it shameful to admit we're inferior to foreign countries? They're already using third-generation fighters, and we're still patching up our second-generation ones! Our technology is still at the level of the early 1960s. How can we not be inferior?"

Principal Ji's heart sank. It was all over. He had done everything he could to protect Qin Liang, but he still insisted on defying the Air Force leaders. Child, you have to think about your future!
"Good lad, interesting!" Old Lin looked at Qin Liang with great satisfaction: "You say our skills aren't bad?"

“That’s right!” Qin Liang said, “Leaders, you’ve come at the perfect time. This afternoon, people from the AEROSPACE magazine came over to hold a discussion at Northwestern Polytechnical University about a paper that our university published in their magazine!”

"Erosbeth? What's that?" Secretary Shen asked.

"One of the top eight journals in the aerospace field."

"The top eight journals? Where are they from? I've never heard of them."

"Globally recognized, listed in the SCI journal directory."

Secretary Shen's face flushed instantly. He recalled a document from some time ago, requiring universities and research institutions nationwide to strive to publish papers in SCI journals to showcase the technological level of the East, with a bonus of two hundred yuan... Unfortunately, it was extremely difficult; he couldn't recall any university or research institute in the country having published one yet. He hadn't expected this...

"A paper published in one of the world's top eight core journals is of the highest quality! Moreover, the fact that they are coming to the symposium shows that Northwestern Polytechnical University has a very high level of scientific research!" Professor Lin nodded: "Since it's such a coincidence, let's just attend the symposium together. This is definitely a rare opportunity. What do you guys think, Lao Wang and Lao Hu?"

Leaders Wang and Hu nodded. They were worried that the domestic scientific research level was not high enough. If Northwestern Polytechnical University was really that good, then perhaps they could give this aircraft improvement project a try.
"Old Lin, if you want to participate in the discussion, you'll have to agree to a few conditions!"

You little brat, you're really pushing your luck! Secretary Shen's gaze was even more displeased. The fact that Elder Lin and the others were coming to attend the meeting was a sign of respect for Northwestern Polytechnical University. How dare you, a college student, make demands?

(End of this chapter)