Chapter 253: Provocation

Upon hearing Wu Qiming's words, Xiao Jia closed his notebook; he had previously participated in the development of snow removal machines, so he was already confident about technical issues.

He first glanced at Lu Cheng, then mustered his spirit and said, "Group Leader Lu is Beijing Station Police, surely has run the Beijing-Harbin Railway line, so you should also know the Plow-Type Snow Removal Machine; the one we are currently using is the Second Generation.

It improves many issues based on the First Generation, but nevertheless there are still many limitations."

"And the Rotary Snow Removal Machine we need to develop now can actually solve the limitations of the Plow-Type Snow Removal Machine."

"But, while the Rotary Snow Removal Machine is good—some industrially advanced countries have already produced it with very high efficiency—our country's industrial base is currently weak, so in development there are many problems that are hard to solve."

"For example, in the Northeast the temperature often drops below minus forty degrees; under such extreme cold, our domestically produced Hydraulic System and Transmission System have a very high failure rate, and at such low temperatures the Hydraulic oil becomes viscous, causing equipment to fail…"

Xiao Jia spoke at length, and these words were imprinted in his mind, so while speaking he could also watch Lu Cheng's movements.

What impressed him was that Lu Cheng listened attentively, and the fountain pen in his hand kept recording.

When Xiao Jia paused, Lu Cheng looked up and noticed Xiao Jia staring at him.

"Oh, Comrade Xiao Jia, you speak well, continue, I'm listening."

Xiao Jia did not continue, but looked toward the director, and Wu Qiming gave him a slight shake of the head.

Xiao Jia understood.

"Group Leader Lu, there are many technical issues with the Rotary Snow Removal Machine; I'm afraid you couldn't even record them all in one notebook."

Lu Cheng was determined to develop it; regardless of any problems, they must be solved.

"No problem, we are holding this technical issue discussion today precisely to solve the problems."

Wu Qiming then took over: "Group Leader Lu, Xiao Jia means that the problems should be solved one by one; you can't swallow a big one in one bite."

Xiao Jia nodded and, beginning to challenge, said: "Yes, Group Leader Lu, I just raised an issue about Hydraulic oil thickening at low temperatures; I don't know how you, Group Leader Lu, should solve it?"

Upon hearing Xiao Jia's aggressive tone, Lu Cheng instantly understood.

No wonder Captain Lei only said one sentence at the end; he could persist, which would count as success.

It turns out Captain Lei had long anticipated the situation he would face.

He, a Junior Police Officer, came to serve as deputy group leader of the Research Institute; these technically trained people naturally have an intellectual arrogance and are certainly dissatisfied.

To calm these people, one must first not show fear.

"Hehe, regarding the Hydraulic oil issue, I think it's an urgent, pending, and must‑solve problem; when problems arise, don't be afraid, we should build a winning resolve and…"

"Group Leader Lu, do you even understand the technology? If you have the ability, solve it on the spot; otherwise, I don't accept you."

"Look, you're impatient again; this attitude is already too rash, and in this state it will not only affect your judgment but also affect…"

"Ah, I'm going crazy!"

Xiao Jia grabbed his head, feeling that Lu Cheng nagged more than his own mother.

"Group Leader Lu, you are the deputy Chief Commander, and this is the Research Institute; if you're not here to solve problems, then please go back wherever you came from and don't waste our time here."

Seeing Xiao Jia's flushed, angry face, Lu Cheng remained calm and unhurried.

"Comrade Xiao Jia, you are so confident; you must understand the technology well."

When it came to his field, Xiao Jia wore a proud expression: "That's natural; at the Research Institute, I am only second to Director Wu."

No wonder he's so arrogant; he really does have skill.

Lu Cheng crossed his arms and continued: "Since your technique is so good, why haven't you solved the Hydraulic oil problem yet?"

Xiao Jia was stunned for a moment; it was him asking Lu Cheng, so why was he turned back with a question?

"Hmph, technology development isn't a banquet; it's not as simple as you think."

Lu Cheng unconsciously nodded: "That makes sense, but what you said is completely contradictory; you said it's not that simple, yet you still want me to solve it on the spot."

"I…"

"If I solve it on the spot, does that prove it's simple?"

"This…"

"Then does that also indirectly prove… your technique is lacking."

"I… you…"

Xiao Jia's face turned bright red from being rebuked, and he didn't know how to retort.

Beside them, Wu Qiming suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Xiao Jia, Group Leader Lu comes from an administrative background; you, who work on technical development, can't match him in rhetoric."

"Director Wu, I…"

"Alright, what Group Leader Lu said earlier is correct: first, have confidence; second, be united." Wu Qiming stood up.

"Group Leader Lu, those of us in technical development are rather straightforward; if Xiao Jia offended you just now, I apologize on his behalf."

Lu Cheng was about to speak when Wu Qiming reached out and stopped him.

"Group Leader Lu, you're right; when problems arise, they are indeed hard to solve on the spot, but our Research Institute needs people who can solve problems. If you can't solve them, staying here is of no use.

Therefore, I want to ask you, Group Leader Lu, regarding the Hydraulic oil issue, can you solve it? How long would it take to solve it?"

Compared with Xiao Jia's aggressive, attack‑only approach, Wu Qiming's words were airtight.

It seems that to be a good deputy Chief Commander, one must demonstrate some real ability.

Anyway, letting Lu Cheng leave is impossible; everyone points to his contributions here, and then he'll be promoted to Police Chief.

After a brief thought, Lu Cheng extended a finger and said: "One month."

But Wu Qiming shook his head.

"One month is too short; the Hydraulic oil issue is a major problem troubling us. Even if you solve it in a year, I'll consider you capable, and the doors of our Research Institute will always be open to you."

Lu Cheng smiled: "No, just one month."

Wu Qiming stared intently at Lu Cheng, trying to see from his eyes whether he was bluffing, but found Lu Cheng extremely steadfast.

"Fine, one month is one month; I hope Group Leader Lu can walk his talk, otherwise you need not come back. As for the snow removal machine development, our Research Institute will shoulder the burden ourselves."

The meeting ended here, with no need to continue; they simply would not accept Lu Cheng, an outsider, to be in charge of command.

Standing at the gate of the Iron Institute, Lu Cheng looked at the grayish sky; it wasn't about to rain, but in spring Capital City, strong winds often bring sandstorms.

Then the streets, alleys, and Hu Tong Li will be full of fine dust, very irritating.

Under the hazy sky, Lu Cheng suddenly thought of someone: Tian Shukuan, who is at the Metallurgical Bureau Research Institute.