Chapter 249: Establishing the R&D Team

Regarding Lu Cheng's words, Lei Zhan'ge was indifferent.

"If you lead troops into battle, I believe you have no problem, but this is a technical challenge; even if many experts gather to study it, they can't accomplish it. Can you solve it?"

Lu Cheng, with a confident expression, said: "I can't do it alone; what I need to do is integrate all resources, launch a focused strike, and cooperate to tackle the problem."

"Just as my current major is mechanical manufacturing, our Qingbei University has a strong faculty, and I could even suggest to the mentor that these issues be taken as research topics."

Lei Zhan'ge listened and nodded slightly: "It seems you really want to make this happen! Very well, since you have this determination, I can't dampen your enthusiasm. Tell me, what else do you need me to do?"

Lu Cheng thought for a moment: "You need to give me an Introduction Letter to the Railway Science Institute; I need to understand the specific technical problems we face."

"No problem; later I'll have Secretary Wang issue one for you."

Lu Cheng thought again: "Also, to mobilize resources to the fullest, you must propose to the higher‑ups that a snow removal machine R&D team be established at the Railway Science Institute, and appoint me as Chief Commander."

Hiss! This time Lei Zhan'ge did not immediately agree as he had before.

That's how it is within the unit; elsewhere, people would surely think this kid is too arrogant.

He is just a Junior Police Officer, with neither qualification nor seniority, so why should he be Chief Commander?

But Lei Zhan'ge thought again: if Lu Cheng could truly develop a high‑efficiency snow removal machine, that would be a great boon.

For that, he is willing to bear the pressure.

"How about this: after all, the snow removal machine development is led by the Railway Science Institute, and the Chief Commander will definitely be someone from there. You can serve as Deputy Chief Commander."

The Traffic Police Unit and the Railway Science Institute both belong to the railway system, but they are still two separate departments.

A Junior Police Officer with no seniority becoming the R&D team's Chief Commander would embarrass the Railway Science Institute.

Lu Cheng considered this reasoning and stepped back, saying: "Alright, Commander Lei, Deputy Chief Commander works, but I must lead the development of a large‑scale snow removal machine; if you agree, you must keep your word."

Lei Zhan'ge smiled: "If you can hold on, I'll already count you as successful."

There were things he didn't say; Lu Cheng has to face not only technical issues but also complex interpersonal problems.

Lu Cheng, being a Junior Police Officer, as Deputy Chief Commander at the Railway Science Institute, is inevitably subject to exclusion.

If he cannot manage relationships, his role as Deputy Chief Commander becomes meaningless, because no one will listen to him.

After Lu Cheng took the Introduction Letter and left, Lei Zhan'ge still couldn't relax; he grabbed the phone on the desk and called Dean Gao of the Railway Science Institute.

He briefly presented the proposal to establish a snow removal machine R&D team to Dean Gao.

"Dean Gao, our Jingzhan Transit Police urgently need large mechanical equipment for snow removal. The Northeast is an important heavy‑industry region; if even a minor snow‑removal issue can't be solved, it will severely affect the nation's industrial construction.

Therefore, I must trouble you, Dean Gao, to establish a dedicated R&D team."

On the phone, hearing Lei Zhan'ge's almost pleading words, Dean Gao felt deeply guilty.

This old revolutionary has devoted his life to the country, is now at retirement age, yet refuses to enjoy his twilight years, persisting on the front line of the railway.

"No problem, Lao Lei, I know you care deeply about Northeast industrial development; railways are the backbone of industrial transport. Although we've claimed to be developing snow removal machines, there has been no progress. Even if we set up a dedicated R&D team this time, I'm afraid the result still won't satisfy you."

Lei Zhan'ge laughed on the phone: "That's fine; as long as we try our best. I'm already grateful that you agree to form an R&D team."

"You are being modest, Lao Lei; this is precisely the duty of our institute, we just haven't done it well enough."

"Alright, since you're being courteous, I won't say more. Also, I want to assign a person to your team."

Lei Zhan'ge then mentioned Lu Cheng's desire to join.

Dean Gao thought for a moment after listening: "Lao Lei, I've heard of this Lu Cheng you mentioned. He's made a name in the railway system; I recall he earned a Third-Class Merit right after arriving. He must be the young comrade you refer to."

"Exactly, that's him. The young comrade is very ambitious; this time, Lu Cheng himself proposed developing a large‑scale snow removal machine."

Dean Gao, holding the microphone, said with doubt: "Comrade Lu Cheng is a good comrade, but he's just a Junior Police Officer—does he even understand technical R&D? If your Traffic Police Unit has such talent, why not transfer him to our Railway Science Institute?"

"No, no, he doesn't know much about technical development, but his organizational ability is strong, so I intend to involve him. Just assign him a deputy team‑leader position, and that'll do."

Dean Gao readily agreed, and Lei Zhan'ge hesitated briefly before continuing.

"It's just that, as you know, he's only a Junior Police Officer; I'm afraid that when he arrives at your institute…"

Lei Zhan'ge didn't finish his sentence, but Dean Gao already understood the implication.

"Ha ha, Lao Lei, you're still afraid that our comrade will come over and…"

Lei Zhan'ge indeed had this concern; although he couldn't guarantee Lu Cheng's success, if a small group doesn't concentrate its effort, the final success rate will be greatly reduced.

Dean Gao made a reassuring note on the phone: "Rest assured, Lao Lei, since you called personally, I will definitely take extra care; you need not worry about that."

Hearing Dean Gao say that, Lei Zhan'ge felt relieved and hung up.

Lei Zhan'ge made this call not out of suspicion nor distrust of his comrade, but because Lu Cheng is too young and human nature is complex.

In fact, as he expected, over at the Railway Science Institute, Dean Gao's directive to establish a snow removal machine R&D team was passed to the relevant institute, where Deputy Director Wu Qiming was appointed as the team leader, i. e., Chief Commander.

But when he heard Dean Gao say that a man named Lu Cheng would come from the Jingzhan Transit Police to serve as deputy team leader, he was extremely puzzled.

Even the newly formed team members were discussing it curiously.

"Director Wu, why are we letting an outsider serve as deputy team leader for this dedicated snow removal machine R&D team?"

"Exactly, what's his background? He must have come in through the back door."

"We're an institute; even if you come through the back door, you still need real skill."

"I think he's just using the Deputy Chief Commander title to come here for a gilded ride. Imagine, if the project truly succeeds, that Deputy Chief Commander will at least claim half the credit and then get a promotion and raise without much effort."

"Hey, I've never seen someone so shameless treat our institute like that."

Hearing the chatter, Wu Qiming waved his hand, signaling everyone to stop.

"Alright, everyone, I've heard all your opinions. I can assure you that, first of all, our institute is certainly not a stepping stone for others to get promotions and raises."

"If this Lu Cheng truly lacks ability, I will recommend to Dean Gao that he be let go."