Chapter 598: The Computer Is Wrong

Lu Cheng is the Hanging Board Director of the Research Institute, steering the overall direction and coordinating human resources.

Zheng Guoping, though the deputy director, does all the work of the director.

He oversees all the institute's tasks, staff assignments, and liaises with the technicians from Shencheng Vehicle Factory.

It can be said that after graduation, his growth during this period at the institute was extremely rapid.

Lu Cheng has watched Zheng Guoping evolve from an inexperienced young student into someone capable of handling matters alone.

But the key figure in the entire institute is undoubtedly Wei Shu; he is the institute's brain.

He ignores tasks like personnel coordination or interfacing with other work, devoting all his energy to research and development, focused and diligent.

And this guy indeed has that capability.

One can say that for this project to reach its current stage, countless hurdles were overcome, and Wei Shu played a decisive role and made the greatest contribution.

So even though Lu Cheng and Zheng Guoping are director and deputy director, on R&D issues both must heed Wei Shu's opinions.

Since borrowing the computer equipment, computational work efficiency has increased dramatically.

The current workflow is, to save time, the computer first computes the data, but its input and output are extremely cumbersome.

Data must be entered via punched cards; a single mis‑punched hole on a card causes the entire program to crash.

Output consists of multi‑page wide‑line printed paper, filled entirely with numbers.

Therefore a review is required to eliminate computational deviations caused by human errors such as an aging punch machine or scrambled card order.

Zheng Guoping was uneasy delegating this task to anyone, and ultimately gave it to the most focused worker, Wei Shu.

As the project neared its end, everyone's sweat over this period turned into strokes on sheet after sheet of drawings.

At the crucial moment before victory, everyone held their breath, hearts racing, silently waiting for Wei Shu to calmly utter the four words "No problem," as he always does.

Though brief, because it comes from Wei Shu, it carries the highest authority.

If he says there's no problem, then there must be none.

But today, for some reason, Wei Shu's normally swift review was unusually slow.

It left everyone anxiously waiting, yet no one dared to press.

Zheng Guoping, being the deputy director and an old schoolmate of Wei Shu, also grew anxious and couldn't help asking.

"How's it going, Lao Si? Still not finished reviewing?"

Wei Shu said nothing, just buried his head and diligently rechecked the data.

Zheng Guoping inhaled, looking at the expectant eyes of everyone; he was also extremely anxious.

"Maybe we should draw the plans as is, without waiting for the review result; I think there's no problem."

Everyone shared that thought, after all the computer had never erred.

If not for scientific rigor, Zheng Guoping would have canceled the review altogether, which would have saved a lot of time.

Just as everyone stretched their arms, took out paper and tools to start drawing, Wei Shu's voice finally rang out.

As usual, he calmly and simply uttered a few words.

"Wrong."

Everyone's actions froze; Zheng Guoping turned around: "What's wrong?"

Wei Shu repeated: "The data are wrong."

Zheng Guoping straightened up: "Impossible. How could the computer be wrong? It must be your calculation; why don't you review it again?"

He knew Wei Shu was tired, as was everyone; the brain runs continuously each day, so mistakes happen, but machines don't get confused.

Seeing Wei Shu shake his head, Zheng Guoping felt helpless; he knew Wei Shu never recalculates, his confidence is that strong.

Wei Shu insisted the computer's data were wrong, putting Zheng Guoping in a dilemma; at this moment, between Wei Shu and the computer, he had to choose whom to trust.

Naturally, his instinct was to trust Wei Shu, but the computer had indeed never erred, and the two technicians were very responsible, regularly inspecting and repairing the equipment.

While everyone hesitated, Lu Cheng, who was sleeping on a row of desks near the window, muttered suddenly.

"I trust Lao Si; since he says it's wrong, let the machine‑room's Comrade technicians check it."

Zheng Guoping could only nod: "Then I'll go myself."

The computer equipment is extremely delicate, and this is a national key project, so the Iron Science Institute allocated a large room specifically for a Constant Temperature Machine Room.

About half an hour later, Zheng Guoping rushed over, and everyone quickly stood up.

Zheng Guoping didn't even have time to drink, swallowed and said: "Indeed the computer equipment failed; a small transistor overheated and burned out from continuous operation."

Hearing Zheng Guoping's words, everyone was unsure whether to lift their spirits or let them down.

In any case, looking back at Wei Shu, a hint of respect appeared in their eyes.

Wei Shu remained calm, turning to attend to other tasks.

Lu Cheng was accustomed to it; any odd move by Wei Shu would be unsurprising.

He looked straight at Zheng Guoping and asked: "Second, what did the Comrade technicians say, and when can it be fixed?"

Zheng Guoping, holding a Thermos Flask and pouring water into the enamel tank, said: "We have a spare transistor; it'll be replaced in an hour."

Lu Cheng jumped down from the desk: "Alright, Comrades, the banner of victory is already beckoning us; whether we can hoist it to the summit depends on our resolve!"

"Also, comrades, hang in there a bit longer; tonight I'll treat everyone to a dinner out, with enough draft beer!"

The crowd erupted in cheers; victory was within reach, and everyone's tense nerves finally relaxed.

When the computer equipment was tuned, the latest data were given to Wei Shu for review; this time it was quick, providing the answer everyone needed—the final set of data had no issues.

Everyone continued the intense work, and by evening the last stroke was drawn on the plans.

Seeing the final drawing completed, Lu Cheng was surprised that no one expressed the expected excitement or cheers.

Instead, their gazes on the drawing were solemn and dignified.

Lu Cheng understood everyone's feelings—they were exhausted.

What was originally planned as a one‑ to two‑year task was forcibly compressed into half a year.

It is in this tiny office that, the reason we call it tiny is that the blueprints are thick, the tools are many, and the space a person can move in is truly very small.

But in this tiny office, when the body could not bear it, it was willpower that led everyone to this point and successfully completed the mission.

It was also in this tiny office that a great Reform of the Railway was brought about.

And this is not only a Reform of the Railway; the Railway, as the nation's transport lifeblood, will also be a major Reform for the country.

Perhaps no one will remember these quietly dedicated research workers, but Lu Cheng will remember that they are the most lovable people, heroes.

They are the truly deserving pillars of the nation…

Facing everyone, Lu Cheng gave a deep bow.

"Thank you all for your hard work."