78: Bringing his wife and children to Harbin Institute of Technology

If you step on the line too many times, you'll eventually fall off.

"Xiao Ye, let me tell you about the military industry project."

Professor Cai put down his chopsticks.

"The project from the Ministry of Ordnance Industry was for the outer casing of a new type of anti-tank missile launcher."

"The requirements are for high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, and impact resistance, two levels higher than your current military-grade casing. Are you confident in your capabilities?"

Ye Bingwen thought for a moment.

In his previous life at Peking University, he had encountered similar projects, but that was ten years later.

He wasn't sure if the technology was good enough to make it.

"Professor Cai, I need time."

"Yes. In six months. They need samples in six months."

Professor Cai picked up his wine glass and took a sip.

"In the next six months, focus on getting the civilian projects up and running to generate revenue to support the factory. Take your time with the military projects, don't rush it."

Ye Bingwen nodded.

"Also, I've been observing your apprentice, Liu Xiaojun, for a while."

Professor Cai said.

"This kid has a good foundation, he's quick-witted, and his hands are steady. But he hasn't received formal training, so just learning from you isn't enough."

"I suggest you send him to the provincial technical school for three months of further study so he can get a certificate."

Ye Bingwen was taken aback.

He did consider sending Liu Xiaojun for further studies, but he hadn't found the right opportunity yet.

"Professor Cai, what about the provincial technical school—"

"I've made the contact for you. Mechatronics major, classes start next Monday."

Professor Cai took a slip of paper out of his pocket and handed it over.

"This is the registration address and contact person. The tuition is not expensive, only two hundred yuan."

Ye Bingwen took the note, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

Professor Cai not only helped him with technology, but also with talent development.

He could never repay this favor in his lifetime.

"Professor Cai, I'd like to thank Xiaojun on his behalf regarding his matter."

"No need to speak for him. He will come to thank me himself."

Professor Cai took a file folder off the bookshelf.

"Here's another document that I've accumulated over the years: the technical standards, testing methods, and project application procedures for the military industry."

"Here are the contact details for a few old classmates. Take them back and take a look; they might be useful."

Ye Bingwen took the file folder.

He opened it and took a look; it was filled with dense notes, the paper already yellowed.

"Professor Cai, are these the culmination of your many years of hard work?"

"What effort? It's just some notes."

Professor Cai waved his hand.

"It's no use for me. Take it, use it if you can."

Ye Bingwen held the file folder in his arms.

After dinner, Professor Cai chatted with Ye Bingwen for another two hours.

The discussion ranged from the process parameters of composite materials to the technical standards of military projects.

The discussion started with the history of Harbin Military Engineering Institute and then moved on to personnel matters within the Ministry of Ordnance Industry.

Ye Bingwen listened and took notes, filling more than a dozen pages of his notebook.

Chen An listened from the side, occasionally interjecting with a comment, mostly about technical matters.

At 11 o'clock, Professor Cai's wife came out and urged him three times before he finally let them go.

"Xiao Ye, if you had been born ten years earlier, I would have definitely recruited you to Harbin Military Engineering Institute."

"Alright, go back now. Remember to take Xiaojun to register next Monday."

Ye Bingwen stood up and bowed.

"Professor Cai, thank you."

"Don't keep thanking me. Doing a good job is enough."

The night breeze was cool when I came out of Professor Cai's house.

Chen An rode away on his bicycle, while Ye Bingwen stood downstairs and lit a cigarette.

The file folder was placed in the bicycle basket.

It contains not only notes, but also the research resources of Professor Cai's three generations.

Professor Cai's father studied in the Soviet Union, and Professor Cai himself was among the first batch of graduate students at Harbin Military Engineering Institute.

His students are now spread throughout the military-industrial complex across the country.

This line is priceless; you can't buy it no matter how much money you have.

Ye Bingwen stubbed out his cigarette and rode his bicycle home.

Zheng Shuyun was reading a book in the living room.

"Why are you so late?"

"Professor Cai treated us to dinner, and we've been chatting ever since."

"What did you talk about?"

"We talked a lot. Military projects, the civilian market, and Xiaojun's matter."

Ye Bingwen placed the file folder on the table.

"Professor Cai was a great help."

Zheng Shuyun looked at the file folder.

"How do you plan to thank him?"

"If you do a good job, that's all I need to thank you for."

Zheng Shuyun nodded.

Ye Bingwen washed his face and sat by An'an's bedside for a while.

He returned to the living room, opened his notebook, and reorganized what Professor Cai had said that evening.

By the time I finished tidying up, it was already past midnight.

He closed his laptop and turned off the light.

The next morning, Ye Bingwen went to the factory.

Liu Xiaojun is wiping the press machine in the workshop.

Cleaning the equipment has now become a habit for him, every morning and evening without fail.

"Xiao Jun, come here for a second."

Liu Xiaojun put down the rag and walked over.

"Uncle Ye, what's the matter?"

"Next Monday, you will report to the provincial technical school. It's a three-month advanced training program in mechatronics."

Liu Xiaojun was stunned for a moment.

"Provincial technical school? Me? Uncle Ye, I didn't go to high school, is that okay?"

"It's feasible. Professor Cai has already made the arrangements for you, and the factory will cover the tuition."

Ye Bingwen patted him on the shoulder.

"You want to be a technician? Without a diploma, who will hire you?"

Liu Xiaojun's eyes reddened.

"Uncle Ye, I—"

"Don't cry. A real man doesn't cry."

"I didn't cry."

Liu Xiaojun wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

"I just—I just didn't expect it."

"There are many unexpected things."

Ye Bingwen took the note out of his pocket.

"This is the registration address and contact person. Be there promptly at 8:00 AM next Monday. Don't be late."

Liu Xiaojun took the note, his hands trembling.

"Uncle Ye, I'm leaving. What will happen to the factory?"

"Master Li and your Uncle Ye will handle things at the factory. Just focus on your studies and don't worry about anything else."

Liu Xiaojun nodded vigorously.

Master Li walked out of the workshop.

"Is Xiaojun going to the provincial technical school?"

"Yes. I'm leaving next Monday."

Master Li patted Liu Xiaojun on the shoulder.

"Alright. You've got potential. Go there and learn well, don't embarrass Uncle Ye."

"Understood, Master Li."

In the afternoon, Ye Bingwen called Master Li to his office.

"Master Li, after Xiaojun leaves, you'll take over as the deputy workshop director. When Xiaojun returns after completing his training, let him take over."

Mr. Li was stunned for a moment.

"Me, the deputy director? I didn't even finish high school."

"You've been a lathe operator for twenty years; you know more about the technology than someone who only went to high school. Don't push me away."

Master Li remained silent for a few seconds.

"Okay. If you want me to take on the extra work, I will."

Ye Bingwen took out a document from the drawer; it was a development plan for civilian composite material products.

"Master Li, take a look at this. It's an auto part; we'll make fifty sets for the first batch. The molds will arrive next month, and you'll be in charge of production then."

Master Li took it and flipped through it.

"This is different from military supplies, isn't it?"

"They're different, but the underlying principles are the same. Take a look first, and ask Xiao Chen if you don't understand anything."

Master Li put the materials into his pocket and went out.

Ye Bingwen opened the file folder that Professor Cai had given him and looked at each file one by one.

Technical standards, testing methods, and project application procedures—everything is packed with valuable information.