Chapter 154: Made in a Week

When the discussion subsided slightly, he spoke unhurriedly:

"The questions raised by the experts are all very pertinent; they are indeed difficult problems that must be faced during the engine development process."

He flipped the process document to a specific page and pointed to a detailed process flow chart:

"But I have already designed a complete manufacturing process, including Alloy Smelting, Vacuum Casting, Hot Isostatic Pressing, and Directional Solidification. Following this process, a prototype of the Turbine Blade can be produced within a week."

Within a week?

The entire conference room instantly became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

Professor Zhang's glasses almost slid off the bridge of his nose: "You... what did you say? Within a week?"

"Complete the assembly and ground testing of the entire engine prototype within a week, and the first flight test can be conducted within a month."

Li Mingyuan added, his tone devoid of any exaggeration or hesitation.

This statement was so bold that the experts present did not know how to respond.

Even by the most optimistic estimates, developing a Jet Engine from scratch would be impossible without at least a year or eighteen months, let alone in just a few short months.

"Chief Engineer Li," Professor Zhang took off his glasses and rubbed his weary eyes, his voice tinged with helplessness,

"I respect your talent, but if I may speak frankly, this schedule is too... unrealistic. The Star-Spangled Country and the Polar Bear have mastered this technology for decades, and it still takes them several years to develop a new type of engine."

Li Mingyuan was not annoyed; instead, he nodded: "Professor Zhang's concerns are normal. However, we have an advantage they do not."

"What advantage?" everyone asked in unison.

"They are groping their way forward and have taken many detours. Whereas we," Li Mingyuan's eyes flashed with the light of wisdom,

"already have a complete technical roadmap and know which paths are dead ends and which directions are correct. This can save us a massive amount of time and resources on trial and error."

This answer left no room for rebuttal.

Indeed, with a detailed design plan and process flow, many unnecessary explorations and failures could be avoided.

But even so, manufacturing a prototype within a week was still too astonishing.

The atmosphere in the conference room became subtle.

No one expressed doubt openly, but no one truly believed Li Mingyuan's schedule either.

Professor Lao Chen stood up at this moment.

As the most respected expert in the aviation field, his words always carried weight:

"I propose we give Chief Engineer Li one week. If he can manufacture a qualified Turbine Blade prototype within a week, then we will push forward with his plan at full strength; if he cannot, we will re-evaluate the schedule."

This proposal received general agreement.

After all, a week would pass quickly, and by then, facts would speak louder than words.

Li Mingyuan nodded and accepted the proposal: "I need a small laboratory, five Technical Workers proficient in metal smelting and casting, and the necessary raw materials and equipment."

General Wang immediately stated: "I will arrange these conditions and guarantee they will be in place first thing tomorrow morning."

The meeting thus ended in an atmosphere of both anticipation and skepticism.

As everyone left, their eyes held both admiration for Li Mingyuan's astonishing talent and suspicion regarding his bold claims.

Only Minister Zhao, while leaving the conference room, gave Li Mingyuan a meaningful look.

There were too many mysteries surrounding this young man, and every time, he was able to create miracles that exceeded everyone's imagination.

"Mingyuan," Minister Zhao called out to Li Mingyuan, who was preparing to leave, "please come to my office after the meeting."

Li Mingyuan nodded, the expression on his face remaining as calm as water.

……

Minister Zhao's office was located on the top floor of the research institute, from where one could overlook the entire research base.

The bright lights in the middle of the night reflected the current tense state of war readiness.

When Li Mingyuan walked into the office, Minister Zhao was standing in front of the window, holding a cup of hot tea, his expression grave.

"Sit down, Mingyuan." Minister Zhao pointed to the sofa and sat down opposite him, "Tonight's events were too astonishing; I need to talk to you alone."

Li Mingyuan sat down and waited quietly for Minister Zhao to speak.

"Do you really think you can finish that Turbine Blade prototype within a week?" Minister Zhao asked directly, his eyes fixed on Li Mingyuan, as if trying to discern something from his expression.

"I can," Li Mingyuan nodded affirmatively, his tone full of confidence,

"I have calculated the entire manufacturing process countless times; every step and every parameter has been precisely computed. As long as the materials and equipment are in place, one week is more than enough."

Minister Zhao sighed and set down his teacup:

"Mingyuan, I have always felt there is something indescribable about you. Ever since you arrived at the institute, you have been able to produce technologies that transcend the era—the Ultra-light Mortar, New Body Armor, Vacuum Tube, Transistor, Computer, Radar System, and now the Jet Engine..."

He paused for a moment and looked at Li Mingyuan with burning eyes: "Sometimes I even wonder if you are... never mind, let's not talk about that."

Li Mingyuan maintained a calm expression, though he felt slightly nervous inside.

As a transmigrator, his greatest fear was the exposure of his identity. Fortunately, Minister Zhao did not continue to press the issue but turned to another topic.

"What is your take on this sudden war?" Minister Zhao asked suddenly.

Li Mingyuan was slightly taken aback, not expecting Minister Zhao to ask this question.

However, he was quite knowledgeable about the ins and outs of the war.

"The Star-Spangled Country will definitely intervene," Li Mingyuan said decisively, "and the scale of their intervention will far exceed our imagination."

Minister Zhao frowned: "Intervene? That seems unlikely. The Sun Country launched a sudden attack, catching the Star-Spangled Country off guard, and they have already withdrawn their troops on a large scale. It will be difficult for them to organize an effective counterattack in the short term."

Li Mingyuan shook his head and stood up, walking to the map in front of the table. It was a detailed map of East Asia, marking the borders of various countries and major cities.

"Minister, look at this position," Li Mingyuan pointed to the location of Taiji Tiger, "from a geopolitical perspective, Taiji Tiger is the Star-Spangled Country's last line of defense in East Asia. If the Sun Country successfully occupies Taiji Tiger, the Star-Spangled Country's strategic interests in this region will be severely threatened."

His finger drew a line on the map: "This line happens to be stuck in the Star-Spangled Country's strategic encirclement. The Star-Spangled Country cannot sit by and watch the Sun Country monopolize Taiji Tiger; that would completely break the balance of power."

Minister Zhao stood up, walked to the map, and observed it carefully, lost in thought: "Continue."

"More importantly," Li Mingyuan's voice lowered, "the Star-Spangled Country has just established its status as a global hegemon and will absolutely not allow itself to appear weak in the region. Once the Sun Country gains a clear advantage, the Star-Spangled Country will inevitably send large-scale troops to intervene, even at the cost of launching a full-scale war."