Chapter 96: Greenhouse

Ten thousand characters every day, five chapters presented; it is very tiring, everyone please give some encouragement.

……

"I understand," Li Mingyuan said. "At the same time, I would like to propose a suggestion: could we prioritize exploration of the most likely spots? For example, the oil resources in the Daqing region and the rare earth resources in Bayan Obo. If these two locations are confirmed, it will greatly improve our country's resource situation."

Yang pondered for a moment and nodded: "That makes sense. I will specifically emphasize the importance of these two locations in the report."

He placed the report into a specially made briefcase and locked it solemnly: "Chief Engineer Li, you have opened my eyes once again. From weapon design to resource exploration, your talents seem to encompass everything."

Li Mingyuan smiled: "Human potential is limitless; as long as there is an opportunity and a stage, everyone can display surprising abilities."

Yang patted him on the shoulder: "Good! That is well said! Speaking of which, the higher-ups have already decided to give you more resources and manpower to support your research and development work. Especially the 'Electronic Equipment R&D Plan' you proposed, which has already received preliminary approval."

Li Mingyuan's eyes lit up: "Really? That is great!"

"However," Yang changed the subject, "as you said, resources are a big problem. If this resource report can be verified, I believe the higher-ups will support your work even more fully."

The two talked for a while longer, mainly discussing the preliminary direction and resource requirements for electronic equipment R&D.

Li Mingyuan proposed several of the most urgently needed electronic components, including basic capacitors, resistors, transistors, etc., and explained their application prospects in weapon systems.

"Transistors?" Yang asked in confusion, "What is that?"

Li Mingyuan explained simply: "A transistor is a semiconductor device that can control current; it is smaller, more reliable, and has lower power consumption than a vacuum tube. It will be the cornerstone of the future electronics industry."

Although Yang listened without fully understanding, he still nodded: "If you say it is important, then it must be important. I will try my best to fight for resources to support your R&D work."

After the meeting ended, Li Mingyuan returned to the Rolling Mill to continue handling his daily work.

But his thoughts had already flown to those resource treasure troves that had yet to be discovered.

If these resource points could be discovered several or even a dozen years in advance, the industrialization process of Long Country would be greatly accelerated.

And for his R&D work, a more sufficient supply of raw materials also meant greater possibilities.

Returning to the office, Li Mingyuan began to organize his ideas regarding electronic equipment.

From the most basic resistors, capacitors, and transistors, to the slightly more complex integrated circuits, and then to the potentially future large scale integrated circuits... he divided these ideas into multiple stages to ensure that every step was feasible under current technical conditions.

"Start with the simplest first," Li Mingyuan muttered to himself, "turning stones into gold is not as good as keeping one's feet on the ground."

He opened the drawer and took out a thick notebook; this was where he had recorded various innovative ideas and technical concepts during this period.

From weapon design to industrial production, from electronic technology to mechanical engineering, it covered every field.

Flipping to the chapter on electronic technology, Li Mingyuan began to add new content.

Before there were results from the resource exploration, he needed to be fully prepared to ensure that once the resources were in place, he could immediately carry out the R&D work for electronic equipment.

……

With the submission of the resource report, Li Mingyuan temporarily put this matter aside and turned to another project he was equally concerned about—the development of the factory farm.

Although this might seem like a small matter to others, as a transmigrator, he knew deeply that in this era of material scarcity, food security was equally vital.

Early in the morning, Li Mingyuan stood on the open space on the west side of the factory, holding a small notebook in his hand, recording something from time to time.

This piece of land, about three mu in size, was currently overgrown with weeds, but in Li Mingyuan's eyes, it had already turned into a modern agricultural demonstration zone.

"Chief Engineer Li, are you here to look at this land so early in the morning?" Factory Lou Changzhang walked over, stepping through the dew, looking somewhat curious.

"This place has great potential," Li Mingyuan said with a smile, his eyes still fixed on the wasteland, "I have an idea; I want to build some simple greenhouses to grow vegetables all year round."

"Greenhouses?" Factory Lou Changzhang did not react for a moment.

"It is a type of heat-insulating planting facility that allows vegetables to grow without seasonal restrictions," Li Mingyuan explained, "In this way, the workers can eat fresh vegetables even in winter."

Factory Lou Changzhang's eyes lit up: "That would be great! However, is this technology feasible?"

"Completely feasible," Li Mingyuan said with confidence, "Actually, the technical principle is very simple; it mainly utilizes sunlight heat, plus simple heat-insulating measures."

He opened his notebook and pointed it out to Factory Lou Changzhang: "I have already drawn a preliminary design. The greenhouse frame will be built with wood or bamboo, and then the outside will be covered with a material to block wind and retain heat. Traditional greenhouses usually use plastic film, but since there is none now, I plan to use oiled paper and straw mats instead."

Factory Lou Changzhang looked at the drawing carefully, his brows slightly furrowed: "Will oiled paper work? It's not very sturdy, is it?"

"A single layer certainly won't work, but it can be treated in multiple layers and then coated with a layer of vegetable oil to increase water resistance," Li Mingyuan said, "In addition, I have also designed a simple ventilation system and a circulating water irrigation system to make the most of limited water resources."

He flipped to the next page of the drawing: "This is a small circulating aquaculture system where fish can be raised. Fish excrement can be used as plant fertilizer, and the plants can filter the water quality, forming a small ecological cycle."

Factory Lou Changzhang was dumbfounded: "Chief Engineer Li, you... you even understand this?"

Li Mingyuan smiled: "Agriculture is also a science, following the same laws and principles. I have roughly calculated that after this system is built, it can provide about five tons of vegetables and five hundred kilograms of fish every year. It is enough to supply part of the needs of the workers in the factory."

"Five tons of vegetables!" Factory Lou Changzhang opened his mouth in surprise, "This... this is simply a miracle! How much manpower and material resources would that require?"

"Not much manpower; three or four workers with rural experience will be enough," Li Mingyuan said, "The material resources are mainly wood, bamboo, oiled paper, straw mats, and some tools and seeds. The total investment will not be too large, but the return will be considerable."

Factory Lou Changzhang became more excited as he listened: "Good! I fully support this project! When shall we start?"

"The sooner the better; let's strive to complete the infrastructure construction before the spring plowing," Li Mingyuan said, "By the way, we also need some high-quality seeds. I have some here that we can use first."

……

Over the next few days, Li Mingyuan led several workers from the countryside and began the greenhouse construction work.

First was clearing the site and leveling the land; then they began to build the greenhouse frame, using bamboo and wood to construct a semi-circular support structure; finally, it was the preparation and installation of the covering materials.