Chapter 547: How to Shorten Development Time

Iron Science Institute Research Institute.

Lu Cheng got off his bicycle and headed straight for the conference room, squatting by the coal stove to warm his hands.

Zheng Guoping came over holding a stack of documents and said, "Third, where did you come from? You're frozen like this and didn't even bring gloves."

The cold wind blew all the way, and Lu Cheng was indeed numb; his hands lost sensation, and only after warming them by the coal stove did he recover.

"From the hospital."

"Hospital? What's wrong, are you sick?"

"No, it's Captain Lei who is sick."

"Captain Lei? Is it serious?"

Lu Cheng rubbed his hands, fell silent for a moment, and said, "Maybe… he can't hold on for a few months."

Zheng Guoping exclaimed in surprise, "That severe? Should we go pay a visit?"

"No need. Captain Lei now needs rest, so we shouldn't disturb him."

Lu Cheng glanced around the office as he spoke; everyone was busy, heads down either studying data or drawing blueprints, and Wei Shu was nowhere to be seen.

"Lao Si?"

"Oh, he went to the Engineering Institute, ran into a few problems, and went to consult his mentor." Zheng Guoping poured a cup of hot water and handed it over.

Lu Cheng took it, placed it in his palm to warm his hands, and asked, "Can it be solved?"

"Hah, it can definitely be solved; it's just a matter of time. We have Comrades from the Iron Science Institute here, and Comrades from the Engineering Institute on Wei Shu's side; everyone works together.

Therefore, our research team's strength is still great; developing a new internal combustion engine within a year should not be a big problem."

The new internal combustion engine being developed this time is a modification of the original old-style internal combustion engine, adapted for passenger trains.

We started working on it in university; after graduation, it's been a little over a year, and after another year we can begin actual production.

To be honest, this pace is already fast; everyone has been diligent, pulling overtime to breakthrough multiple difficulties.

Thus everyone is exhausted, but Lu Cheng couldn't help but say, "Can we shorten the time a bit more?"

Zheng Guoping was startled and asked, "Shorten the time again? How much shorter do you want?"

"I'm telling Third, saying one year is already an underestimate; you've seen we're not slacking off, we're practically living here. Shortening the time further is unrealistic."

Lu Cheng could see how cumbersome and complex everyone's work was; the blueprints piled in the office alone weighed nearly a ton.

Every detail and parameter was calculated bit by bit by hand.

These researchers, stubbornly relying on their indomitable spirit and strong will, persisted, and Lu Cheng felt genuine admiration.

Seeing Lu Cheng silent, and not the usual cheeky self who used to joke, liven the atmosphere, and relax everyone, this time he returned with an obviously heavy demeanor.

Zheng Guoping quickly made an association: "Is it because of Captain Lei?"

Lu Cheng unconsciously nodded and told Zheng Guoping about Lei Zhan Ge's wish.

Zheng Guoping was naturally familiar with the veteran revolutionary Lei Zhan Ge, who had made many contributions to the Railway Industry.

He also knew Lu Cheng's feelings toward that Captain Lei.

"You want Captain Lei, before he closes his eyes, to see an internal combustion engine train running on the railway."

Lu Cheng inhaled, "Yes, Captain Lei's later years have been devoted to the railway; only a few months away, we can let him witness a transformation of our National Railway. I think he would be very proud."

Hearing Lu Cheng, Zheng Guoping tugged his hair hard a few times, and his hair clearly hadn't been washed for half a month.

Indeed, only a few months away from fulfilling an old revolutionary's wish; this isn't about earning merit, but about repayment and inheritance.

The peaceful life we enjoy today is exactly what the older generation of martyrs secured, unafraid of sacrifice, giving their lives.

They enjoy today's peace, yet cannot even satisfy an elderly person's wish; Zheng Guoping felt a bit irritated and anxious.

"Director Lu, give the order directly. Even if we work twenty hours straight, even if we die of exhaustion in this office, we'll do it willingly."

Even shouting "Director Lu" made Lu Cheng realize Zheng Guoping was serious.

And he rarely saw Zheng Guoping so earnest.

But even with Zheng Guoping's resolve, after today's brief discussion, Lu Cheng also recognized the importance of respecting facts.

"Alright, Second, even if you all die of exhaustion here, can you guarantee the new internal combustion engine will be developed within a few months?"

"I can't promise that, but we must have determination. Not just for you, but for Captain Lei—if we die, it'll still be worth it."

Lu Cheng shook his head helplessly, "Don't talk about dying. We all need to live well; only by staying alive can we better contribute to the country."

Seeing Zheng Guoping plop onto the stool, Lu Cheng smiled.

"Alright, I know everyone has already done their best. When I say shorten the time, I don't mean for you to go all out; that would be futile. Instead of overexerting, we should think how to shave off time on the existing foundation."

Listening to Lu Cheng's calm words, Zheng Guoping realized he had been too impulsive.

After thinking carefully for a while, while warming his hands by the coal stove, he said, "Actually, if we truly want to shorten the development time, it's not impossible…"

Lu Cheng looked over, and Zheng Guoping immediately added, "Frankly, we just don't have enough manpower; everything relies on hands and abacuses. You know, sometimes when we encounter a datum, to ensure accuracy we have to verify it three, five, even dozens or hundreds of times."

Talking about this, Lu Cheng realized it stemmed from the nation's weak industrial base; many issues depend entirely on massive manpower to solve.

At the same time it wastes a lot of precious time. Of course, Lu Cheng does not deny that many unsung heroes, through such strong will, have gradually overcome numerous challenges—such as satellites, atomic bombs…

Zheng Guoping's issue was about computational verification, because whether the final result is accurate determines if their development direction is correct.

Once massive calculations reveal an error, they can promptly adjust to cut losses.

Thus the biggest problem now is insufficient manpower, lacking specialized computational talent.

Lu Cheng thought seriously and recalled the approach used in the previous Snow Removal Machine Project.

"Then, Second, I'll try my best to coordinate additional talent from other departments, just like when we developed the Roller-type Snow Removal Machine."

Zheng Guoping was actually a bit skeptical; developing the new internal combustion engine is more than a hundred times harder than the snow removal machine.

Even with more people coordinated, it's impossible to build an engine in a few months, but any day shaved off helps; we just hope Captain Lei can hold on a bit longer.

Lu Cheng spent a day at the research institute, learning about other issues from everyone.

I have to say mental work is also extremely exhausting; when Lu Cheng returned to Da Za Yuan, he just wanted to lie down and do nothing.

But I was still called in by Mom to the Main Hall; when I went in, Father, Mom, and older sister were all there.

The three of them sat upright there, their expressions solemn, looking very much like they were about to judge a criminal.