Chapter 264: Coordinating with the Military‑Industrial Plant

When he learned that the military‑industrial plant could obtain this hydraulic oil, Wu Qiming was not very excited, because a military‑industrial plant is not something a small research institute like theirs can coordinate.

Xiao Jia suggested from the side, "Director Wu, if it really doesn't work, ask the department to step in and coordinate."

Wu Qiming tapped the table lightly with his finger, "This isn't a trivial matter; coordinating with the military‑industrial plant probably requires the minister to get involved."

Xiao Jia understood the director's concern; for the department, there are many important large projects under construction—Railway construction, communications construction, housing construction, and so on—any one of which, if pulled out, would make Snow Removal Machine development seem like a trivial speck.

And a minister of such stature handles countless affairs daily; he has no energy to oversee a small project like yours, and may not even meet you in person.

The few of them instantly grew worried; they seemed to have found a substitute, yet they couldn't obtain it, which is tantamount to not having found it at all.

The initial excitement turned into disappointment.

As director, Wu Qiming naturally offered some encouragement.

"Everyone, don't lose heart. Since hydraulic oil that resists low temperatures exists in the world, it proves our research direction isn't wrong, and you are top talent in the field; if others can produce it, we can produce it too."

Xiao Jia said, "Director Wu, if we were to develop and produce hydraulic oil ourselves, I have no idea how many years it would take."

Wu Qiming obviously understood, but at present there's no good solution; over at the military‑industrial plant, there's no connection to coordinate this matter.

"It's fine; if we can't make it in one year, then two; if not in two, then five. As long as we don't give up, have confidence, we'll eventually overcome all difficulties. Hmm? But… this Group Leader Lu?"

Wu Qiming was thinking, what about Lu Cheng? You'd say he hasn't solved the hydraulic‑oil issue, yet he seems to have found a substitute.

But even if we say he solved it, the substitute can't be obtained, which is essentially unsolved.

Now they all suspect that Lu Cheng, in order to stay, deliberately involved the military, knowing they lack the ability to coordinate it, so what's the point of saying it at the end!

Nevertheless, securing so many professional Journals is already a great achievement.

One could say Lu Cheng is somewhat useful, so trying to drive him away now seems rather improper.

Wu Qiming thought for a moment and decided to have a proper talk with Lu Cheng.

If you want to stay, that's fine; as you told Dean Gao before, you can sit here drinking tea, reading newspapers, or even taking a big nap, as long as you don't meddle with work or affect anyone—stay if you wish.

"Um, Group Leader Lu…"

Wu Qiming turned his body, searching for Lu Cheng's figure; this Comrade had been quite talkative before, chattering nonstop, so why so quiet now?

The others made way, and everyone saw Lu Cheng at the desk against the corner wall, making a phone call with a sly grin, though no one knew who he was calling.

"Ha ha, Senior Sister Su, have you missed me… Look, don't deny it; I know what's on your mind even if you don't say it. Anyway, the medicine should arrive soon; in a few days I'll come find you, and you'll have to treat me to a meal…"

Wu Qiming frowned slightly, "How is he still using the unit's phone to stew this phone‑call porridge!"

Fine then! Let him call; at least he's not meddling with work.

Wu Qiming was about to have Xiao Jia put away the Journals and send them to the Translation Room for translation; they're precious treasures that later R&D can use, and once translated, everyone will need to study them seriously.

However, before he could speak, the content of Lu Cheng's phone call suddenly drew everyone's attention.

"Senior Sister Su, I'm at the Research Institute now, currently in charge of a project's development and have hit some difficulties. I'd like you to see if you can contact Senior Brother Da; isn't he the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Military District? Ask him to think of a way to coordinate some hydraulic oil for me…"

Hearing Lu Cheng's phone content, Wu Qiming and a few others exchanged glances, while Xiao Jia and several others began to discuss.

"How come Group Leader Lu knows people in the Military District?"

"The key is directly contacting the Deputy Chief of Staff; what on earth is Group Leader Lu's background?"

"Could it be that his whole family are high officials! No wonder this little Junior Police Officer could be transferred to our Research Institute and get gilded."

"Hiss, we weren't nice to him before; didn't we offend him?"

"What's there to fear? We didn't break any law; they can't just arrest us."

Wu Qiming waved his hand, signaling everyone to stop the chatter; he wanted to hear exactly what Lu Cheng was saying.

"Thank you so much, Senior Sister Su. Then ask quickly; I'm quite anxious here. Alright, I'll hang up now, waiting for your call."

Lu Cheng put down the phone, turned around, and found everyone staring at him with an odd look.

"Why are you all looking at me like that? Worried about how to get hydraulic oil? Don't worry, I've already coordinated it on my end; it's not a big problem."

"Not a big problem?" Wu Qiming took a sip of water, heard those four words, and choked on the water.

The thorny, headache‑inducing problem, when it reached Lu Cheng, turned out to be 'not a big problem'!

"Um, Group Leader Lu, do you still have contacts with the military?"

Wu Qiming was no longer concerned about the hydraulic‑oil issue; instead, he grew curious about Lu Cheng's identity.

If he truly has such extensive connections, mobilizing various resources in future R&D could provide tremendous convenience.

It could even rival the minister personally overseeing things.

Lu Cheng, still at the phone, said, "Oh, there's some connection; if we're talking about relationships, I'll have to call my brother."

By age, Wu Zhekun's father and Lu Beitang are roughly the same age, but because they share a master, regardless of age they're still senior brothers.

Being brothers with the Deputy Chief of Staff gave Wu Qiming a sudden surprise.

Before he could continue asking, the phone rang, likely indicating news.

That fast? I wonder if it can succeed? Everyone's gaze turned to the phone.

Lu Cheng grabbed the handset and said, "Hey Senior Sister Su… hmm, okay, hmm, fine, I got it, alright…"

Everyone stuck out their heads.

They had hoped to gauge success from Lu Cheng's words, but all they heard was him nodding and saying "okay, okay, okay."

Everyone felt a bit impatient.

Fortunately, Lu Cheng didn't linger on the call this time; he hung up quickly, and everyone retracted their heads.

Seeing everyone's expectant eyes, Lu Cheng scanned the room, then waved his hand and declared, "It's done!"

Upon hearing the words "It's done," Xiao Jia and the others burst into cheers.

Although the Snow Removal Machine Project still has many issues to resolve, solving one problem in such a short time is an efficiency far beyond the norm.

Wu Qiming restrained his excitement and asked, "Group Leader Lu, what did the military‑industrial plant say?"