Chapter 254: Opening One

Lu Cheng doesn't understand technical R&D; although his coursework was in mechanical manufacturing, he has only scratched the surface so far, and it's all theoretical knowledge, which is hard to apply directly to development.

But he knows that all technical R&D is created by people, so at the root it cannot be separated from "people".

One person's power is limited; a group's power is boundless.

Therefore, Lu Cheng tried to find Tian Shukuan to see if they could offer some ideas.

A sandstorm is expected to arrive tonight; the wind has already risen. Lu Cheng stood at the entrance of the Metallurgical Bureau, the gusts forcing his eyes shut, and he could only stand sideways, "puff puff".

"Group Leader Lu…" Tian Shukuan, who was in the institute, called out as he saw Lu Cheng, then inhaled a mouthful of sand, quickly shut his mouth, and hurried forward to meet him.

"Group Leader Lu, what brings you here?"

Although both he and Lu Cheng are in the Capital City and not far apart, they haven't met since their parting in Chuncheng.

To be honest, Tian Shukuan has been looking for a chance to see Lu Cheng in person, to thank him for his help last time.

Lu Cheng stepped forward a couple of paces and shook his hand: "Section Chief Tian, hello, I have nothing to do today, so I'm bothering you."

"Don't be so polite; we both went through life and death last time. Even now, when I think of that night's wolf pack, I still have nightmares."

Tian Shukuan laughed as he spoke, and his open mouth immediately filled with sand.

"Puff puff… Group Leader Lu, it's windy out here; let's go inside the institute to talk."

"No, Section Chief Tian, do you have time now? I'd like to treat you to a meal."

Tian Shukuan knew that Lu Cheng had come over specifically, so there must be a matter.

"You're being overly courteous again; how could I let you treat me? I think, since the weather's bad today, let's just skip eating outside and have two dishes right here in our institute's Cafeteria."

Lu Cheng thought for a moment and said, "That works. Actually, I've been wanting to try the food from your Cafeteria."

Tian Shukuan, while leading the way, laughed and said, "That's probably still not as good as the food from your Railway Department Cafeteria…"

The Metallurgical Bureau's Cafeteria food isn't bad either; Tian Shukuan ordered three dishes and a soup—two meat, one vegetarian, plus an egg and vegetable leaf soup.

Since they arrived early, there weren't many people eating in the Cafeteria—just a handful of individuals carrying aluminum lunch boxes to serve themselves.

Just when the weather seemed to be warming, a strong wind blew today, making it feel like the bitter cold of a winter month again.

"Group Leader Lu, have some soup first to warm yourself," Tian Shukuan personally ladled a bowl and handed it over.

Lu Cheng quickly stood up and took it: "Thank you, Section Chief Tian, I'll manage on my own… Hmm, not bad, better than what our Cafeteria makes."

"Haha, Group Leader Lu, you're joking. I've been to your Railway Department Cafeteria once; that place isn't stingy with oil or fat slices. Ours is far behind."

The two chatted about the Cafeteria food, then gradually about the harsh weather, and finally Tian Shukuan took the initiative to speak.

"Group Leader Lu, you came specially today; it can't be just to eat with me, right?"

Lu Cheng set down his bowl and chopsticks: "Yes, Section Chief Tian, I've run into a problem at work and came specifically to seek your advice."

Tian Shukuan waved his hand: "It's not really consulting; we haven't seen each other in a long time. I've been thinking of you, and today is just a chat."

Tian Shukuan paused, then asked with curiosity, "But you're a Train Police officer; if you have work‑related issues, how can I help you?"

Seeing Tian Shukuan's enthusiasm, Lu Cheng finally set aside his concerns and mentioned his trip to the Iron Science Institute Research Institute to study a snow‑removal machine.

After listening, Tian Shukuan looked surprised: "What? Group Leader Lu, are you no longer on the Railway line and have transferred to work at the research institute?"

Lu Cheng hurriedly laughed and waved his hand: "No, no, my mind isn't suited for research. This is a task I voluntarily took on. If the snow disaster in the Northeast isn't solved each day, the public's travel will be blocked, so developing a large snow‑removal machine is essential."

Tian Shukuan had also experienced the previous heavy‑snow road‑closure incident; if Lu Cheng hadn't escorted him with a Snow Plow, the delivery mission would have failed, and even then several people nearly lost their lives in the mountains.

If a high‑efficiency snow‑removal machine could be developed, it would indeed greatly aid the railway lines along the route.

"Group Leader Lu, you really do worry about the nation and its people. But research isn't just talk; since you want to complete this task and you're the commanding officer, you must have a general direction in mind, right?"

Lu Cheng came to see Tian Shukuan today to discuss his line of thought thoroughly, so he laid out his ideas without reservation.

"I truly don't understand technical R&D, but if you ask me about the general direction? My thinking is that we must never develop in isolation, especially in technical R&D…"

Lu Cheng paused while speaking, and seeing Tian Shukuan's strong approval, he continued.

"At present, our country has countless things awaiting development; many high‑end precision industries lack a large pool of top talent, and we are in a passive, blocked state technologically.

But we must not be discouraged; we need to devise every possible method to acquire foreign technology—through introduction, absorption, and then innovation—that is the correct path we should take now."

After Lu Cheng finished explaining his understanding, Tian Shukuan tightened his brows and remained silent.

"What's wrong, Section Chief Tian? Did I say something incorrect? It's fine; we're just discussing. If anything's off, please correct me."

Tian Shukuan quickly shook his head: "Group Leader Lu, you spoke very well. Especially the six characters you used—'introduce, absorb, innovate'—they're highly professional! What surprised me is that I didn't expect you, as a Train Police officer, to not only excel at that job but also have unique insights in other fields."

Lu Cheng quickly waved his hand: "No, no, that's nonsense. Saying that in front of Section Chief Tian is a bit like a novice wielding an axe at a master's gate."

Tian Shukuan laughed: "Haha, Group Leader Lu, you're not a novice. What you said is spot on—foreign technology does lead us, that's a fact. We should learn from others' strengths.

But how do we learn it? How will we surpass it later? It's always like two huge mountains blocking every researcher's heart; there's a long road ahead."

Seeing Lu Cheng approve his words, Tian Shukuan, as if he'd found a kindred spirit, added, "I work in R&D, while Group Leader Lu comes from an administrative background; I didn't expect we could even chat on the same wavelength."

Lu Cheng felt the same; the two continued eating while chatting, and eventually the topic shifted to the Hydraulic oil issue.

Tian Shukuan didn't offer a solution on the spot; instead, after they'd eaten enough, he led Lu Cheng into the data room.

"Section Chief Tian, why did you bring me here?"

"Isn't it because you want to solve the problem of Hydraulic oil becoming viscous in extreme cold?"

Lu Cheng casually pulled a magazine from the cabinet, flipped it open, and realized the characters were unfamiliar; the material was all foreign‑published professional journals.

"What? Could the answer be here?"