Chapter 67: Professor Xu's Domineering Side
"Tell me honestly, how sure are you?"
After Cao Tianwei left, only Professor Xu, Fang Xiang and Qin Jun were left in the office.
Professor Xu picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then looked at Fang Xiang seriously.
“There is definitely some certainty.
But you also know that CA-10 currently has potential.
But the upper limit is there.
The best solution is to start from the basics and gradually move on to the complex, optimizing first and then upgrading.
It won’t take long.
Designing a new engine becomes a large, long-term project.
But whether it is optimization or upgrading, we certainly can't do it alone.
It is better to have a cooperating factory to cooperate.
Another thing is the question of time.”
Fang Xiang hesitated for a moment and didn't say anything too final.
In fact, Fang Xiang also has a clear memory of the CA-15 engine.
But he wasn't just satisfied with CA-15; he had bigger ideas.
Pick out an engine from Mercedes-Benz, Scania, Foton or Weichai.
It's not impossible.
However, this thought only flashed through his mind.
You should eat your food one bite at a time and try to do things one by one.
Not to mention anything else, the materials and craftsmanship alone are a hurdle that cannot be crossed.
To give a simple example, there are processes such as vermicular casting, gray casting, ductile iron casting, and precision casting.
It is easier to use than traditional sand casting, film casting, investment casting, die casting and frosted casting.
Then why is it not used in China now? Is it because you don’t like using it?
There are also steels, including carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel and special steel.
There are dozens or even hundreds of such advanced materials in the following categories.
Why is it not used in China? Is it just because people don’t like using it?
Speaking of technology, the more advanced the engine, the more precise the processing and assembly technology required.
Why don’t we do it in our country? Is it because we don’t like it?
Finally, the machine tool, the mother of industry.
The quantity and quality of machine tools in China in the 60s were not as good as those in Hans in the 40s.
Is it also because we don’t like it?
Therefore, even when inventing and creating something, it must match the context of the times.
Not to mention the more advanced ones, just the 98k alone has taken you back to the early 18th century.
It was handed over to Napoleon in his heyday.
You'll know if you see whether he can replicate it.
"Just now I seemed to hear you say that the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill was not cooperating with the work?"
Professor Xu raised his eyebrows and recognized the voice-over.
"Is such that......"
I didn’t expect Professor Xu to find the key so quickly.
Fang Xiang had no intention of hiding anything and told everyone the whole story.
"Shougang... By the way, your home is near the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill, right..."
When Professor Xu was about to mention Shougang, he thought of Fang Xiang, who lived next to the steel rolling mill.
And it is not far from the Red Star Machinery Factory.
"Then if they fully cooperate, how long will it take you?"
After Professor Xu realized this, he saw Fang Xiang nodded and changed the subject.
“So what you mean is, take down this project?
Optimize and improve first, then design a new engine?
That cycle must be at least two years, right? "
Fang Xiang looked at Professor Xu's expression and saw that he obviously confirmed this idea.
After hesitating for a moment, he told a time.
“Then do it!
When you finish this project, I will set up a separate team for you.
In addition, there are two pieces of news, one good news and one bad news.
Which one do you want to hear first? "
Professor Xu nodded, and then immediately turned into a child with a sly smile on his face.
"Professor, this is fun, just tell me."
Fang Xiang didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He was so old and yet he was still playing this.
"Hey, you kid.
The good news is that I have communicated with Mr. Zhang from the First Ministry of Machine Building.
You don't have to wait until graduation. Your length of service will be calculated from the day you obtain the 10th-level professional title.
That is to say, you can take the engineer qualification examination when you are in your junior year.
The bad news is that the General Armament Department was very satisfied with the pistol drawings you submitted.
But because you are still a student, they can't give internal rewards.
So I applied for a third-class merit for you.
It’s about to come down, and then there are the two rifle drawings you designed.
The issue of caliber has also received high attention and favor from above.
The third-class merit award has been discontinued, so you won’t be able to get it before the New Year.”
Professor Xu told the two pieces of news with a smile.
"Can I really get the third-class merit? Isn't that an honor only for soldiers?"
Fang Xiang was surprised. It was not the first time he had heard of it, but he still couldn't believe it.
“This is different from the honor in the army, this is specially designed for ordinary people.
However, the limitation is that one can only get second-class and third-class merit, not first-class merit.
So, if everything goes well, after the new year, it is very likely that you will have a second-class merit waiting for you.”
Professor Xu smiled and patted Fang Xiang on the shoulder.
"Personal?"
Fang Xiang finally understood after listening to Professor Xu's explanation.
“Yes, personal.
I have also reached an agreement with the First Ministry of Machine Building.
Wait until you finish the tractor and Hongqi engine project on hand.
They have applied for the third-class collective merit and the third-class individual merit for you.
In addition, there is a cash prize.”
Professor Xu told us another piece of good news.
“But don’t be happy too soon.
This honor is not easy to get, you have to make sure there are no problems with the project."
Professor Xu saw that Fang Xiang was a little excited and quickly interrupted him.
"Don't worry, we will."
Fang Xiang nodded vigorously.
"Okay, I'll make another call and provide you with security."
Professor Xu smiled and picked up the phone in the office.
"Hello, Lao Zhang, I'm Lao Xu.
Well, well, your Ministry of First Machine Building has a Red Star Steel Rolling Mill in Dongzhimen, you know that?
Well, yes, it is like this, your Civil Machinery Department of the First Ministry of Machine Building and my students have collaborated on two projects.
Yes, that’s what I told you last time. One is the Dongfanghong tractor, and the other is the new Hongqi car.
Well, yes, their engine project is here with my students.
Yeah, yeah, yes, it’s Fang Xiang.
Yes, that director of the Red Star Steel Mill, what was his last name? "
Professor Xu spoke on the phone while looking at Fang Xiang.
"Surname Yang"
Fang Xiang quickly reminded in a low voice.
"Yes, his last name is Yang! I know him. He is the director of the Red Star Steel Rolling Mill.
If you don’t know, you might think he is the Minister of your Ministry of First Machine Building?
We directly responded to the request for cooperation on our joint project.
Well, well, so I called to ask, are you still the one in charge of the First Ministry of Machine Building?
Well, well, don’t talk to me about that. I have a lot of things to do. Who needs your wine?
What? 55-year-old Moutai?
Well, send me a box.
Yes! A box! You don’t have it? I don’t care if you have it or not!
If you have one bottle less, I will postpone your project in the Ministry of Machine Building for one year!
You decide for yourself! I have other things to do, that's all."
After Professor Xu put down the phone, he turned to look at Fang Xiang.
"Okay, you don't have to worry about this.
In this case, don’t be anxious, it’s almost the weekend.
You wait until next Monday and go there again."
Fang Xiang opened his mouth wide with a look of disbelief.
I almost didn't hear what Professor Xu said next.
Could it be that the call just now was made to the boss of the First Ministry of Machine Building?
"Yes, professor.
I haven't asked you yet, what level are you at?"
After waiting for a long while, Fang Xiang finally came to his senses.
Professor Xu, who dares to extort money like this, must be a big Buddha himself, right?
"Hey, you still don't know now? Then guess?"
Professor Xu grinned.
"Level 3? Level 2? Really? You're always level 1?"
Fang Xiang guessed while looking at Professor Xu and shaking his head.
Finally, he opened his mouth again.
"Okay, stop guessing.
Study hard, work hard, and strive to repay the motherland.
If you have any questions, just come to me!
By the way, the testing of the rifle you designed is almost completed.
Maybe Lao Hu will come looking for you again."
Professor Xu interrupted Fang Xiang's guess with a smile.
