Chapter 255: A Way to Solve It

Just as Lu Cheng thought that the solution was hidden in these documents, it turned out not to be as he expected.

Tian Shukuan shook his head slightly and said, "There's definitely nothing here; otherwise, as a sister unit, the Iron Science Institute would have already borrowed the research, and it wouldn't still be unsolved."

"Hydraulic oil, you see, has a very wide range of applications; it's used in machines of almost every industry, all under normal conditions."

"But, as you mentioned, the situation under extreme cold only occurs for a few months in the Northeast Region, so for something with such low usage frequency, many technical barriers are inevitable."

Lu Cheng understood his point: if a product were used frequently in industrial production, the state would certainly invest heavily in research, and even if it couldn't be developed, it would spare no effort to import the technology at a high price.

Conversely, products with lower usage frequency tend to be overlooked.

"Section Chief Tian, does that mean the best way to solve this problem is to import technology from abroad?"

Tian Shukuan did not deny this approach: "If Group Leader Lu can wait, the Iron Science Institute could handle the import, but it requires a lengthy process, and even the final success remains uncertain."

Lu Cheng nodded: "I think it may not work; otherwise the Iron Science Institute would have imported it already. There must be some other factor in between."

Tian Shukuan, who works at the Research Institute, naturally knows how cumbersome the procedures for importing a technology are.

"Then it seems we can only rely on you," Tian Shukuan said, patting the wooden cabinet. "The second method I can tell you about is found in these journals."

Lu Cheng looked puzzled: "Section Chief Tian, didn't you just say there's no solution here?"

Tian Shukuan smiled and replied, "When I said here, I meant that our Research Institute's journals don't have it, but that doesn't mean other journals don't."

"These journals are professional publications from abroad, and we have dedicated translators here. When we encounter a research difficulty, we look for inspiration in these journals—a bit like a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse."

"But it cannot be denied that sometimes they do yield relevant solutions, so I also recommend you try this method."

Directly importing technology requires negotiations on many fronts; a single negotiation process often takes anywhere from one or two years to several years, which is quite normal.

And after you have exhausted your efforts and spent a fortune to import the technology, you discover that during those negotiation years, the technology has already been phased out, and others have begun upgrading.

You can only end up taking a loss.

Conversely, the published journals are recent, featuring the new technologies that others are currently using.

It indeed is a good method.

Realizing this, Lu Cheng immediately said, "Section Chief Tian, can you find journals that address the hydraulic oil problem?"

This time Tian Shukuan didn't answer so straightforwardly.

"Group Leader Lu, I already said that this method is purely a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse; even if we find journals about hydraulic oil, they may not be applicable under extreme cold conditions."

Lu Cheng didn't give up: "Anyway, it's still a method; we have to try it."

【5】 Tian Shukuan nodded: "Alright, I can apply to the superiors for a batch of journals, or you can have the Iron Science Institute apply on its own."

Tian Shukuan nodded: "Alright, I can apply to the superiors here for a batch of magazines, or you can have the Tie Ke Yuan apply for them yourselves, either way is fine."

So an application is required after all; in that case, anyone can submit it.

Lu Cheng was, however, somewhat worried about another issue.

"Section Chief Tian, if we submit an application, how long will it take to procure them?"

Tian Shukuan, clearly experienced in this area, said without hesitation, "About three months."

"Three months?"

Lu Cheng's newly kindled hope vanished instantly.

It's only because he allocated too little time at the Iron Science Institute Research Institute; back then, to avoid being looked down upon, he arrogantly promised just one month.

On the other hand, he still hoped to develop it as early as possible, preferably by the end of this year.

The development of the snow removal machine faces many issues; it can't be delayed for so long because of a single problem, otherwise, after solving all issues, it would take forever.

"Can't it be faster?"

Tian Shukuan was also a bit helpless: "This is already the fastest; you have to understand that these aren't domestic journals that can be procured at any time."

Lu Cheng knew Tian Shukuan wasn't hiding anything; if he said it's the fastest speed, it must indeed be the fastest.

"Alright, Section Chief Tian, please start the application on your side; any mechanical manufacturing data related to this, the more the better."

Lu Cheng didn't ask anyone at the Iron Science Institute to submit the application; he did this because he still wanted to rely on his own strength, letting Wu Qiming and the others see that he, Lu Cheng, is by no means a figurehead.

However, Tian Shukuan needs three months on his side, and Lu Cheng certainly cannot wait that long.

As for why he still asked Tian Shukuan to help apply for a batch of foreign journals, it's naturally because they might be useful later.

So, for this month, how can he obtain foreign journals?

When Lu Cheng braved the strong wind and returned to Da Za Yuan, he saw Lin Qingyan in the West Wing Room at dusk, perched on her butt in front of the cabinet, sorting clothes.

He suddenly got an idea.

When the weather gradually warms, many Cotton-padded Jackets become unworn; he would tidy them and place them at the bottom.

Spring and summer clothes should be taken out, and after a few days of good weather, let the sun dry them.

After the jackets were stored, Lin Qingyan held the red scarf and stared off absentmindedly.

It was still the one Lu Cheng had brought from elsewhere as a gift for her.

Thinking that there was only a year left before this marriage ended, Lin Qingyan unconsciously brushed the scarf.

Suddenly, Lu Cheng's head moved from his shoulder to right in front of her face, startling her.

"Like this scarf so much?"

Lin Qingyan didn't answer, only placed the scarf back into the cabinet and said, "It was so windy outside today; where did you go?"

Lu Cheng pulled back, checked the window; fortunately the winter plastic film hadn't been removed yet, so it could block the dust tonight.

"Just returned from the Metallurgical Bureau Research Institute."

"Metallurgical Bureau? Why did you go there?"

Lin Qingyan's tone was a bit off, and Lu Cheng then recalled that Lin Zhenfeng was the former deputy director of the Metallurgical Bureau; he feared that mentioning him would stir up Lin Qingyan's painful memories.

"Oh, I went there to handle something. By the way, how's the organization of those exposé materials?"

"Hmm, they're already organized."

"Alright, just hand them over to me later; when the time comes, I'll find someone to deal with it."

Lu Cheng had already thought of the person; by then, he'll probably need Senior Sister to step in and resolve it through military contacts, since Lin Qingyan's grandfather was a soldier.

Hearing Lu Cheng's words, Lin Qingyan pressed her lips tightly, until they grew a little pale.

"You've done so much for me, I... I don't even know how to thank you."

Lu Cheng suddenly wore a wicked grin, gesturing toward the bed.

"Actually, it's easy for you to thank me; how about tonight…"