"The slider was changed to thin oil lubrication; pneumatic water supply and axle temperature display were installed."
"A rear ventilation window was added to the driver's cab; a coal pusher was added to the coal trough; a whistle control valve was added to the right side; Install burners in the fire box and ash box; install cold and hot water pumps"
"Install superheat auxiliary device; use superheated steam for the air pump; use spokes for guiding and following the coal wheel spokes"
"The small smoke tube was changed to a material root, and a smoke guide plate was installed."
In the laboratory of the Railway Research Institute, Chief Engineer Liu was flipping through stacks of manuscript papers, and his expression became more and more excited. , and finally the fingers couldn't help but tremble.
Seeing this, the assistant took out a glass medicine bottle from his pocket, poured an enamel jar of tea and handed it over.
"Mr. Liu, are you doing your old habits again?"
"I'm not even 70 or 80 years old, so I don't need this thing!"
Mr. Liu pushed away He waved the manuscript paper with his hand and said excitedly.
“If these improvements can be realized, then the forward steam engine will be almost perfect!”
Perfect Liu Guozhang was shocked when he heard that Chief Engineer Liu gave such a high evaluation to Li Aiguo's plan.
You must know that perfection is almost impossible in mechanical design, especially in heavy transport machinery such as steam engines.
"Mr. Liu, is this too much praise? Although my student is diligent, he has never gone to university and has no research experience."
The higher the praise, the harder he falls. .
Liu Guozhang was worried that if things went wrong, it would arouse criticism from interested people.
General Engineer Liu said: "Brother Guozhang, don't worry. Although I am old now, I still have good eyesight."
He straightened his face and said: "I dare Definitely, as long as we improve according to this plan, our forward steam engine will become the most advanced steam locomotive in the world."
"Guozhang, you must not underestimate the front-line workers. There are many improvement plans for this. , only those veteran drivers who have been driving steam locomotives for many years can figure it out.
We are engaged in locomotive design and manufacturing, which is different from the group of young researchers at the Institute of Mathematics of the Academy of Sciences.
They just rely on it. A pen and a piece of paper can solve world-class problems. ”
Institute of Mathematics, Academy of Sciences? ?
Li Aiguo felt that the name sounded familiar and lightly touched Liu Guozhang's arm.
"Teacher, do we have any contact with the Institute of Mathematics on the railway?"
"Of course we do. When we encounter complex calculations, we often ask for help from the Institute of Mathematics." Liu Guozhang whispered.
General Engineer Liu is the chief engineer of Datong Factory and is fully responsible for locomotive improvement and research and development. His words are authoritative.
With Chief Engineer Liu’s decisive decision, the improvement work of Qianjin Locomotives started vigorously.
However, regarding the ownership of the improvement project, the opinions between the Datong Factory and the Railway Research Institute are not unified.
Although Liu Guozhang respected General Engineer Liu out of personal feelings.
But behind him is the Railway Research Institute, with Dong Gong and dozens of other researchers.
Liu Guozhang was unwilling and unable to give the project to Datong Factory.
However, Deputy Chief Engineer Wang of the Datong Factory felt that the improvement of the Qianjin Steam Engine had always been the responsibility of the Datong Factory, and the project should now be brought back to the Datong Factory.
Liu Guozhang and Deputy Chief Engineer Wang had a dispute over this.
Everyone has a strong sense of collective honor these days.
Don’t look at those researchers who are usually powerless and talk politely.
But at this critical moment, everyone burst out with extremely strong fighting power.
Under the leadership of Zheng Han, researchers from the Datong Factory started a war of words with researchers from the Donggong Railway Research Institute.
The atmosphere in the large conference room suddenly became tense.
"Okay, everyone, be quiet for a moment."
After Chief Engineer Liu waited for the researchers to return to their seats, he looked up at Li Aiguo, who had not spoken.
“Comrade Patriot, you have come up with these improvement plans, what do you think of them?”
Li Aiguo straightened his chest: "General Manager Liu, I am just a train driver. The people here are all outstanding talents. They have no right to speak. Now that you have named me, I will show my shame."
Chief Engineer Liu said: "If you have any opinions, feel free to mention them. We are having an academic discussion, not on the line."
If someone else said these words at this time, Li Aiguo would definitely not believe it.
But old comrades like Mr. Liu are sincerely considering the development of the railway industry.
So, Li Aiguo didn't hide it.
"Now the laboratory in the Railway Research Institute has been set up, all kinds of equipment are available, and an improvement team has been established."
Zheng Han raised his hand and said: "Our Datong factory The equipment inside is also very complete, and the quantity and quality of our researchers are far superior to those here."
"Researcher Zheng's words make sense."
Li Aiguo said unhurriedly: "It's just that. This improvement is very large, involving all aspects of the locomotive, but it may be difficult for the steam engine researchers to complete the task, and the help of various talents is needed at any time in the capital. "
As soon as these words came out, Mr. Liu immediately understood.
Seeing Zheng Han still raising his hand, he stopped Zheng Han.
“The opinions of patriotic comrades are very reasonable. Lao Wang and Guozhang, since the improvement group has been established, I don’t think the general structure should be changed.
It’s just that the improvements this time are big. It was partly proposed by the patriotic comrades that the patriotic comrades should serve as the leaders of the improvement team, and then two deputy leaders should be selected. "
Li Aiguo instantly understood what Chief Engineer Liu meant.
Li Aiguo is a Qianmen train driver and has no affiliation with the Railway Research Institute or Datong Factory.
The Railway Research Institute and the Datong Factory will each appoint a deputy team leader. Once the improvement project is successful, the two units will have equal credit.
It not only avoids disputes, but also helps improve locomotives.
Although this old engineer has been immersed in research for many years, how can an old comrade like him who has come through the storms without any skills do it!
Deputy Chief Engineer Wang of Datong Factory and Liu Guozhang of the Railway Research Institute also understood Mr. Liu’s intentions and nodded: “I will follow your arrangement.”
Finally, Deputy Chief Engineer Wang and Liu Guozhang served as deputy team leaders respectively, each responsible for some improvement projects.
In order to speed up the improvement progress, General Engineer Liu specially dispatched a large number of researchers from the Datong Factory to the capital.
The improvement team, which originally had only a dozen people, now has forty or fifty people.
And all those researchers are highly educated.
This is the first time that Li Aiguo has been responsible for such a large project, but he is not nervous.
After all, there are Deputy Chief Engineer Wang and Liu Guozhang.
He, the team leader, is just a mascot.
As Li Aiguo expected, under the arrangements of Deputy Chief Engineer Wang and Liu Guozhang, the improvement work started in full swing.
Considering the significance of the improvement project, General Engineer Liu specially applied for a batch of living supplies from his superiors in the name of Datong Factory.
One thousand kilograms of pork, five hundred kilograms of beef, and half a truck of fine white noodles. Director Wang of the Logistics Department of the Railway Research Institute felt that he was becoming arrogant.
With the supplies, the improvement team's meals improved again.
Li Aiguo once again lived a good life of punching in and eating.
Professor Chekov is in a good mood these days.
Datong is a good place with beautiful mountains and clear waters. He took advantage of his free opportunity to travel around.
Professor Chekov is particularly interested in the hat factory in DT City.
This factory produces Shuangyan brand sheep shearing hats.
It has been exported to seven or eight countries and is also very popular in Laomaozi's country.
Although the DT City Hat Factory, which is affiliated to the Second Lighting Bureau, is only a collective enterprise, it has nothing to do with Lao Maozi.
But now that Lao Maozi experts come to visit, the factory leaders and workers’ representatives must warmly welcome them.
Factory leaders took Professor Chekov to visit the sewing workshop, cutting workshop, packaging workshop, maintenance workshop, nursery, infirmary, and staff bath.
Professor Chekov also took the latest style of sheepskin hat from the worker and put it on his head.
The atmosphere reached a climax at this time.
The leaders of the hat factory also secretly breathed a sigh of relief and looked at each other, finally completing their foreign-related reception mission.
At this moment, the translator Shekov who came with Professor Chekov suddenly rushed over and whispered a few words into his ear.
Professor Chekov, who was excited just now, suddenly turned serious.
The faces of the factory leaders changed one after another, for fear of some accident.
Translator Xie Kefu explained to the factory leader: "Professor has an urgent matter to deal with now, so let's stop here today."
The leader of the hat factory was full of doubts, but in the At this point they could only smile and nod.
Gas jeep runs on the road.
Professor Chekov smoked a cigar, glanced at the driver, and asked Shekov in Russian with a strong dialect: "Are you sure? Datong Factory has sent a group of experts to the capital. ?”
"Dear professor, I am 100% sure."
Shikov also replied in the same language: "This morning when I was eating the experts' meal in the cafeteria, I secretly went to the cafeteria of those experts and found that The number of people was reduced by more than half. After asking the chef in the cafeteria, I found out that these people had left.
Then I found a friend who I had a good relationship with. After questioning, he personally admitted that the Datong Factory had dispatched at least fifty experts to the Beijing Railway Research Institute. "
Professor Chekhov still has great trust in Shekov's ability.
This man was trained by the Cheka.
"Now is the critical moment to improve the forward steam train. Why should Datong Factory do it?"
Shakov hesitated for a moment and said in a low voice: "In fact, my dear friend still has Provided a message.
A few days ago, Zheng Han, a student of General Engineer Liu, had brought a dozen experts to the capital to participate in the steam engine improvement work hosted by the Railway Research Institute. ”
"So there should be a breakthrough in the capital!"
The road was rugged and the Gas Jeep bumped twice. Professor Chekov's fingers trembled and his cigar almost fell out of his hand.
He was no longer in the mood to smoke a cigar, and frowned and said: "This breakthrough must be very important, otherwise Datong Factory would not make such a big move."
He turned his head and looked at Xie Kefu: "Dear Xie, things have changed. I think we can't stay here anymore."
"Professor, I will ask someone to make arrangements immediately, and we will leave for the capital in the afternoon." Xie Kefu said deeply He took a breath and said.
Professor Chekhov turned his head and looked out of the car window, feeling that the originally beautiful scenery suddenly became ugly.
Li Aiguo did not know that the improvement work of the Beijing Railway Research Institute had been noticed.
Even if he knew it, he didn't care.
Because at this time Li Aiguo had devoted himself wholeheartedly to improvement work.
Based on the experience of his previous life, Li Aiguo put forward a total of seventeen improvement requirements for the forward steam engine.
It can be said that as long as the improvements are completed, the forward steam engine will become the most advanced steam engine in the world.
As a train driver who loves driving big trains, how can I not be excited to think that I can drive the most advanced steam train in the world at this time?
It’s just that some improvements are particularly advanced.
Just like the transformation of tobacco pipes into tobacco pipes was only carried out in the 1970s. In advance of this era, the technical requirements are particularly high.
Fortunately, the entire improvement team now has dozens of undergraduates and graduate students, and the progress of the improvement work is not slow. It was not until the improvement work of installing a superheating auxiliary device was put on the agenda that the improvement team encountered real difficulties.
Because it is necessary to ensure driving safety and maximize the power of the steam engine, the size requirements of the superheating auxiliary device are strict.
At the same time, the size of the heat auxiliary device is also related to the effect, so it is necessary to find a balance between the two.
The team led by Dong Gong spent three days but failed to produce the drawings.
The team led by Deputy Chief Engineer Wang had just completed the improvement of installing pneumatic water supply, and Li Aiguo arranged to work with Dong Dong to solve this problem.
It took another five days, but Li Aiguo still had not waited for the drawings of the overheating auxiliary device.
At this time, Li Aiguo couldn't sit still.
Improvement projects have a time limit.
And Chief Engineer Liu has already reported on the improvement work of Qianjin Steam Engine.
The inspection team from the Hungarian People's Railways Ministry will arrive in the capital soon.
This is a big order involving two hundred steam engines!
The mascot Li Aiguo decided to do it himself.
He summoned Dong Gong, Deputy Chief Engineer Wang and several technical representatives together.
"Tell me, tell me, what difficulties have you encountered that so many of you can't solve!" Li Aiguo asked with a straight face.
Both Dong Gong and Deputy Chief Engineer Wang are much higher than Li Aiguo in terms of age and rank.
Now being questioned in a serious tone, there is no complaint in my heart.
Dong Gong drooped his head and said: "The calculation is too complicated."
Li Aiguo frowned: "Can't we do more abacus?"
Dong Gong heard this and couldn't laugh or cry: "This is not a calculation amount. The problem is that we don’t understand typical groups and matrix geometry in our design work.”
“.” Li Aiguo was silent for a moment.
He now has a choice to get the drawings directly from the system.
Start the system secretly and search for blueprints in the system.
[Heat booster blueprint], worth 100 points.
Hey guys, one drawing requires 100 points. Li Aiguo was a little reluctant to give it up.
He worked hard for so long and only accumulated more than 300 points.
You will regret it less when you use it.
Li Aiguo suddenly asked: "We don't understand mathematics, why don't we find people who do understand to help?"
He remembered that he often cooperated with researchers from the Institute of Mathematics on the railway.
Vice General Engineer Wang often has contact with mathematics researchers on weekdays and said: "Professor Hua is the one who knows the most about typical groups and matrix geometry in China, but he is currently attending an important conference in the south. ”
Professor Hua. What a guy, a boss-level figure.
There was no way to invite Professor Hua, and Li Aiguo felt a little regretful for a while.
It's just.
Li Aiguo coughed twice and said, "Does Professor Hua have no apprentices?"
"Hey, don't say it, there really are." Wang The vice president seemed to remember something, slapped his thigh suddenly and said: "A while ago, Professor Hua personally brought back a data clerk named Chen from Xiamen University. This person used to teach at Beijing No. 4 Middle School. Everyone in the Institute of Mathematics Call him Chen Jingcheng.”
Teacher Chen Li Aiguo’s breathing quickened.
If he guessed correctly, this teacher Chen should be the big boss who came up with 1+2 later.
With such a big boss, why would you spend points to redeem blueprints? !
"Ahem" Li Aiguo coughed twice, leaning back and assuming the posture of a team leader: "Since Professor Hua can't be invited, the disciples can do it, you can go and invite Teacher Chen now. . ”
At this time, Chen Ziyi was just an intern researcher at the Institute of Mathematics of the Academy of Sciences. He was unknown in the academic world at home and abroad, and he had no achievements in his daily work.
So Deputy Engineer Wang did not consider Chen Jingyi.
It’s just that Li Aiguo is now the team leader.
He could only follow the "suggestion" and went to the Institute of Mathematics in person.
The Institute of Mathematics was established in 1952, and its director is Professor Hua.
The institute was originally located in Qinghua Garden, but it was temporarily moved to Xiyuan Hotel in May this year.
In these days, materials are scarce, and the Institute of Mathematics is engaged in academic research. Although the higher authorities pay more attention to it, life is still relatively difficult.
One of the favorite jobs of those mathematics researchers is working with other departments.
First, you can use your mathematical knowledge to contribute to economic construction.
Secondly, those departments that need help from the Institute of Mathematics cannot go empty-handed, and will provide a batch of supplies every time.
So when Deputy Engineer Wang, an old friend, arrived at the Institute of Mathematics, he was immediately warmly welcomed.
The two entered the office and started a sincere negotiation.
The leaders of the Institute of Mathematics used complex mathematical models to estimate the size of the railway department, and then offered a fair price of 400 yuan for one thousand kilograms of fine grain and five hundred kilograms of pork.
The landlord’s family doesn’t have any food left.
After a period of bargaining unique to intellectuals, Deputy Chief Engineer Wang and the leaders of the institute.
The steam engine improvement team paid 500 kilograms of white flour, 100 kilograms of pork, 100 kilograms of sanitary oil, and 200 yuan to obtain the "right to use" Chen Jingyi and two other mathematics researchers. .
After receiving the 'quotation', Li Aiguo was a little bit dumbfounded when faced with Deputy Chief Engineer Wang, who was very calculating.
He didn’t know whether to praise Deputy Chief Engineer Wang for his ability or lament that these researchers were too low-valued.
But none of this matters.
“Now that we have negotiated, quickly send the supplies and pick up the people.”
“Don’t worry, I have arranged trucks and jeeps.”
Just like that, Chen Ziyi and two other mathematics researchers arrived at the Railway Research Institute.
Li Aiguo recognized Chen Jingcheng at a glance.
Just because he seems to be the kind of boss who is dedicated to academic research.
Introverted, silent, and even a little "isolated", he entered the office and sat directly on the chair.
"Chen Ziyi, I have admired your name for a long time." Li Aiguo walked up and extended his hand.
Chen Ziwen was stunned for a moment, stood up and shook hands with him.
“Leader, do you want to do some math?”
Li Aiguo: "."
He looked Chen Information up and down. His navy blue tunic suit had turned white from washing. He was thin and had bulging cheekbones. The lenses of the tortoiseshell glasses on the bridge of his nose were worn and the temples were broken. , and now it was wrapped with medical tape.
The only bright thing about my body is the pen in my coat pocket.
Life is not easy for Chen Zhengyi these days.
His mathematical ideas are not understood by the world. Because he is not good at interpersonal communication, he has repeatedly encountered obstacles at work.
When I was teaching at Beijing No. 4 Middle School, because of poor performance, I was "suspended from work and returned to my hometown to recuperate" by the school, which actually meant I was fired.
When he returned to his hometown, Chen Ziwen fell ill. Because he had no income, his life was in hardship, so that in order to earn living expenses, he had to set up a street stall.
Fortunately, Professor Youhua brought him back to the Capital Institute of Mathematics.
Otherwise, a generation of mathematical geniuses might have died.
Now that Li Aiguo has met Chen Jingcheng, he naturally wants to help him.
It's just that the wind is about to pick up, so we have to figure this out slowly.
Otherwise, I won’t be able to help Chen Chengcheng, and I might be hurt myself, so the gain outweighs the loss.
"Leader, do you want to do the math?" Chen Ziwen felt that this young leader was a bit weird for spending so much money to invite them.
And you have to pay a high subsidy of three yuan a day, why waste time?
Don’t he know that wasting time is a waste of life?
Li Aiguo was silent for a moment and suddenly asked: "Brother Chen, your glasses seem to be broken, right?"
Chen Ziwen was a few years older than Li Aiguo and was slightly stunned when he heard this address. He paused and didn’t think much about it.
"No, it's just that the lenses are a bit stained." Chen Ziwen was a standard sociophobe. When he mentioned his own affairs, he felt uncomfortable all over.
Took off his glasses, lifted up his clothes and wiped them, then put them back on, as if to show that there was nothing wrong with his glasses.
“The purpose of glasses is to see things clearly. In our next work, we need a lot of calculation data. Wearing glasses is not enough.”
Li Aiguo looked at Deputy Engineer Wang: "General Engineer Wang, in order to ensure that the improvement work can proceed smoothly, I think Comrade Chen Ziyi should be given a new pair of glasses. What do you think?"
Vice President Wang The worker didn't understand Li Aiguo's purpose. It was just a pair of glasses and he didn't take it to heart.
"That's right. Sharpening your sword will keep you from chopping firewood."
"That's it. Comrade Chen Jingcheng, can you ride a bicycle?" Li Aiguo asked.
"You know how to ride?"
"Let's go and get glasses."
Chen Jingwen is 1.7 meters tall which is rare in this era. .
Although I rarely ride a bicycle, those two long legs are hanging on the ground like pedals.
He followed Li Aiguo on his bicycle, still confused at this moment.
Who am I? Where am I going? What is my purpose?
He felt that this little leader was too strange.
There are many places where you can get glasses in Beijing these days, the most famous of which is the Smart Glasses Shop in Dashilar.
Smart Optical Shop is the first optical company in Beijing.
The reason why it is famous is not because of its large scale or its superb optician skills.
But the owner of a shrewd optical shop made his fortune by exploiting his apprentices.
There are many optical companies in the capital, but his family has the most deaths.
Before liberation, everyone in the capital knew that Smart Optical Shop especially liked to recruit apprentices.
Why?
After being an apprentice for three years, I will die soon when I can become a full-time worker.
After liberation, some apprentices from the shrewd optical shop complained that the brothers who died were all from lung disease, also called tuberculosis.
In the past, you were too tired from work, malnourished, and couldn't get sick? They did not get sick and are so lucky to be alive today!
The younger brother of Zhou Laoshuan, a maintenance man in the locomotive depot, died of exhaustion in the smart glasses store.
Li Aiguo often talked to him about things before liberation. According to Zhou Laoshuan, the apprenticeship system in the eye industry was very harsh.
Working in the store for three years and one day, you are not allowed to quit in the middle; if you quit in the middle, you will have to pay for three years and one day of meals.
During the apprenticeship period, you must obey the orders of the shopkeeper and senior brother. If you don't listen, the shopkeeper or senior brother can beat and scold you at will, and parents cannot protect you.
In addition, it is also stipulated that during the apprenticeship period, no one is allowed to go home without reason. The shop is responsible for the food, and the clothes and quilts are taken care of by oneself.
Later, the "Second Uncle" (the shopkeeper of the shop) and the "Second Aunt" (the shopkeeper's daughter-in-law) of the Smart Optical Shop all ate peanuts.
Smart Optical Shop implemented a public-private partnership, and the situation turned around. (End of this chapter)