In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 317 Just as Old Wu finished his charade, the leaders of Northwestern Polytechnical University came knocking to hold him accountable.
"Go pick up Xie Wei?"

Zhang Mingqiu looked at Liu Debao in surprise, "Are you just going to disregard everything? If this gets out, it won't do Xie Wei any good."

"We're not going to pick up Xie Wei or Old Wu."

Liu Debao raised an eyebrow and began to defend himself.

Before Zhang Mingqiu could speak, he added, "Old Wu is a key figure in our core machine project. If he doesn't come to take charge, I don't know how to arrange the work of all the people who have been transferred here."

Liu Debao's explanation was irrefutable.

Currently, the newly established Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense has brought in key technicians drawn from various relevant units, and the resettlement work alone has caused immense hardship for the school's logistics system.

After all, most of the people who come here will stay for many years.

The guesthouses next to the school simply couldn't accommodate so many people, and the school dormitories were already in short supply.

It wasn't just the core machine personnel; the heads of more than 40 core backbone units of Project 10 were also arriving one after another. Liu Debao was in charge of the school's military products project, but he didn't know much about Project 10, so it was naturally inappropriate for him to take charge of the work.

We're counting on Xie Wei to come back and offer some advice.

"Alright. I'll tell the cafeteria to get some late-night snacks; they probably didn't have dinner this afternoon either."

Zhang Mingqiu did not refuse.

Currently, with the increase in school research projects and the shortage of personnel, almost all projects are operating day and night. Many faculty and staff members, as well as students participating in the projects, live and eat in the laboratory and design studio. Researchers who are busy simply cannot go to the canteen for meals on time.

Harbin Institute of Technology's canteens are now open 20 hours a day.

This is probably the first of its kind on university campuses across the country.

After making the arrangements, the two timed it perfectly, with Liu Debao personally driving towards Factory 122.

"Oh, Secretary Liu, Principal Zhang, why did you have to come to pick me up in person?"

Liu Debao and Zhang Mingqiu personally came to pick up Wu Zhonghua, which surprised You Lihua with the school's high regard for him.

Even Wu Zhonghua thought so.

On the plane, Xie Wei gave him a detailed introduction to the school-enterprise cooperation office and the school, which made Wu Zhonghua feel that Harbin Institute of Technology was no longer the Harbin Institute of Technology he knew, and he was even eager to arrive as soon as possible.

He was even more moved to see the Party Secretary and the Principal greeting him together.

Only Xie Wei knew the inside story, but he didn't expose it. Instead, he took the initiative to introduce the two parties.

After a warm greeting, Liu Debao invited Mr. Wu to get in the car first.

"Hey, a Hongguang! And it's brand new..."

Looking at the car, Xie Wei was very puzzled. "Factory 122 is moving so fast? Are the mass-produced cars already off the production line?"

"Yes, this is the third one produced in batches. It rolled off the production line yesterday and was delivered to the school."

Liu Debao explained with a smile, then added, "It's much easier to drive than the 212 Jeep; shifting gears isn't as heavy..."

"I haven't seen any vehicles like that on the road. They do look a bit like minivans from Japan."

Old Wu looked at the van in front of him, somewhat uncertain.

"Yes, it's also a project between the school's enterprise development office and Factory 122. The school's vehicle engineering department designed it, Harbin Aircraft Industry Group (HAIG) was responsible for production, and the school's enterprise development office and Factory 122 jointly established a sales company to handle sales and after-sales service..."

Xie Wei explained the situation.

On the plane, he had already given a detailed introduction to the project of the school-enterprise cooperation office. Mr. Wu did not expect to see the results as soon as he got off the plane.

My positive impression of Harbin Institute of Technology has been further enhanced.

The group chatted about the van produced by Factory 122 as they walked toward the school.

"The car is driving very smoothly, but it's a bit noisy."

"It's equipped with a 75-horsepower engine from a 212 Jeep... According to the original design requirements, an engine of around 40 horsepower would suffice, but there aren't any readily available in China... The university's Department of Power Engineering is working on developing a relevant engine..."

Zhang Mingqiu replied, "Even if it reaches a two-ton load capacity, 75 horsepower is somewhat wasted, making it difficult to reduce costs, which in turn makes it difficult to lower the selling price."

"Alas, the heart disease problem in the domestic industrial sector is indeed an urgent issue that needs to be addressed."

Old Wu sighed.

He specializes in engineering thermophysics, and internal combustion engines are a subfield of power engineering and engineering thermophysics, so Professor Wu is naturally familiar with them.

But at this moment, he had a feeling of being deceived: the other party said that he was asked to help explain the three-dimensional flow theory and the Wu's equations used for calculation, but as soon as they met, they drove a newly designed and produced van and talked to him about power problems. Could it be that they wanted him to help them design a low-power engine for the van?

China hasn't even developed advanced gas turbines yet, so how can it have the time to invest in automotive engine research?

Thinking of this, Old Wu couldn't help but feel disappointed.

The lights were off inside the carriage, and it was pitch black outside. No one noticed Old Wu's gaze or expression.

"The problem with automobile power is not that serious. The more serious problem is gas turbines. Not to mention that turbofan engines have not been able to make a breakthrough, the development of gas turbines for warships is slow, and there are no high-power gas turbines for power plants... The 6000-horsepower gas turbine of the 703 has been under development for quite a while, but the reliability and stability problems have not been solved."

Xie Wei, unaware that Old Wu was already feeling cheated, spoke up.

He felt that it was time to tell Mr. Wu the truth.

I hadn't told him before, for fear that Mr. Wu would be too excited to sleep.

The three-dimensional flow theory was proposed by Wu in the winter of 1950 when he was a research scientist at the NACA Lewis Jet Propulsion Center, engaged in theoretical research on aero engines, and presented a paper entitled "A General Theory of Three-Dimensional Flow in Axial, Radial and Mixed-Flow Subsonic and Supersonic Turbomachinery" at the annual meeting of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in New York.

But after that, nobody knows which foreign companies used Wu's theory to study gas turbines and turbofan engines.

Anyway, it has never been used in China.

"Oh? Xie Wei, what do you think are the main reasons why domestic gas turbines and turbofan engines have been unable to solve the problems of stability and reliability?"

Upon hearing Xie Wei's words, Old Wu's heart stirred.

Judging from You Lihua's attitude towards Xie Wei, he could tell that the young Xie Wei had considerable influence.

Perhaps things will take a turn for the better?
"Lack of design theory support!"

"what?"

Xie Wei's answer surprised Old Wu, who was then overjoyed. But fearing he might be disappointed, he continued, "How is it that there is a lack of design theory support? You know, the core technologies of turbojet and turbofan engines are not that different."

"The turbojet engine is a copy; it's manufactured directly based on the sample's design and has nothing to do with theory. Therefore, the improvement work on turbojet engines in China has not been very smooth. As for turbofan engines, the WS-8, which is based on the JT-3D design, is progressing quickly, but the WS-6 is in a different situation... Even though the WS-9 has introduced ten key technologies, it is not a complete set of technologies..."

Xie Wei explained in detail what he knew and what he understood.

He knew very well that his answer would be crucial in whether or not he could persuade Mr. Wu to stay.

What he wanted was not just for Professor Wu to lead the development of the core engine, but for Professor Wu to stay at Harbin Institute of Technology and establish Harbin Institute of Technology's own Institute of Engineering Thermophysics!

Once people arrive, they can't leave.

The development of Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) requires a large number of academicians. Xie Wei is not greedy; for some majors at HIT, having three to five academicians in each research field is sufficient.

Xie Wei's goal wasn't to build the school's research strength and faculty in these areas, but rather to support his plan, which required the participation of many of the country's top experts and the cultivation of outstanding talents.

Harbin Institute of Technology's journey lies in the stars and the sea.

"Oh?"

Old Wu really didn't expect Xie Wei to know so much about the relevant projects. He suddenly had the idea of ​​taking Xie Wei on as a disciple and wondered if he should take the initiative to ask Xie Wei to be his graduate student, from master's to doctoral level.

"Therefore, we would like to invite you to lead the core machine research project that the school has just started..."

"What?"

"Bang~"

The screams and the sound of a head hitting the roof of the car rang out almost simultaneously.

Mr. Wu was so startled that he jumped up and his head hit the roof of the car hard.

"You mean you're going to develop a core machine?"

Old Wu's tone was urgent.

"Yes! We're using the three-dimensional flow theory as the design basis for the core engine! Didn't Director You tell you this? The Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense has already drawn more than 80 core technical backbones from turbojet, turbofan, and gas turbine teams across the country to gather at Harbin Institute of Technology, preparing to tackle the core engine development... Xie Wei proposed that you serve as the chief designer, and this trip to the capital was to persuade the higher-ups... Director Wu, do you have time to guide our core engine development?"

Liu Debao, who hadn't had a chance to speak until now, finally spoke up.

He told General Manager Wu without any concealment that it was Xie Wei who insisted and even went to the capital to persuade the higher-ups to secure this opportunity.

Favors that need to be given still need to be given.

"Yes! Yes! Yes!"

Mr. Wu excitedly said "Yes" three times in a row.

"That's not right. The country is currently undertaking multiple related projects simultaneously, and it's already short of funding..."

"The government covers the remaining portion, and the university covers the remaining portion. The university has autonomy over the project and can initiate projects independently without needing to report to higher authorities..."

Xie Wei explained.

We chatted all the way, and it was already 2 a.m. when we arrived at the school. The cafeteria was brightly lit, and many staff members who had just finished their work were having dinner there.

"This won't work. Everyone gets so busy that they forget to eat, and they'll all end up with stomach problems."

Xie Wei rarely arrives at school in the early hours of the morning. When he saw so many people in the cafeteria, he asked around and found out that it wasn't that everyone was hungry and eating a late-night snack, but rather that they hadn't eaten dinner and were only eating now.

"Are all research teams like this?"

Mr. Wu looked at the people in the cafeteria with some shock.

"From the time the school initiated its own projects, it's been pretty much like this. Many research teams live and work in the labs and design studios..."

Zhang Mingqiu answered with a bitter face.

No matter what policies the school introduces, it won't help with this kind of problem.

Previously, the school had a policy requiring students participating in projects to leave the laboratory or design studio before 10 a.m., but this rule was abandoned after only a few days. Students would leave as required by the school, but they could take unfinished work to the study room or even the corridor. This was not a big problem for some non-classified projects, but it was not good for classified projects.

Ultimately, the matter was dropped.

"With comrades like these, how can our country not be strong! After three or five decades of hard work, even if we cannot catch up with international advanced levels, we will not lag too far behind!"

Xie Wei felt that Wu Lao was being too conservative in his statement.

"When do you have time tomorrow to come to my office? President Wang and the others from Northwestern Polytechnical University would like to have a chat with you."

After settling Mr. Wu in and agreeing to take him to the site the next day to learn more about the situation, Xie Wei was about to return to the Civil Engineering Building when Liu Debao stopped him.

"Is Northwestern Polytechnical University involved in Project 10? Are they preparing to independently undertake certain technical projects?"

Xie Wei asked.

Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) excels in the aerospace field, while Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) has an advantage in aviation-related technologies.

Even if they could recruit key personnel from numerous domestic aircraft research institutes through Project 10, Xie Wei did not believe that Harbin Institute of Technology could be stronger than Northwestern Polytechnical University in the field of aerospace.

There's no way around it; they possess a complete set of basic aviation technologies and the best teaching staff in the country. From fighter jets to transport aircraft, early warning aircraft, attack aircraft, and bombers, there's nothing Northwestern Polytechnical University doesn't get involved in.

In terms of professional expertise, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) cannot compare with Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) in the field of aviation. After all, HIT's missile-related majors were merged into Harbin Military Engineering Institute (HMEI), and after HMEI moved south, the missile-related majors were left to the National University of Defense Technology (NUDT).

Project No. 10 is inseparable from Northwestern Polytechnical University.

However, Xie Wei did not expect that the leaders of Northwestern Polytechnical University would come to talk to him.

The next day, Zhang Mingqiu canceled his other work and accompanied Professor Wu to the power research laboratory, which was originally the WS-6 modification team. The core engine would be based on the school's team.

Wang Zhiheng, the president of Northwestern Polytechnical University, is much older than Li Rui. He is not tall, but he looks very energetic.

Accompanying President Wang was Ye Mingde, the Party Secretary of Northwestern Polytechnical University.

The very identities of these two individuals demonstrate how much Northwestern Polytechnical University values ​​this collaboration.

Originally, Project 10 was a collaboration between Northwestern Polytechnical University and Institute 611. However, due to Xie Wei's involvement, it became a joint project involving many of the top domestic fighter jet research institutions, including Harbin Institute of Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Institute 611, and Institute 601.

"Xie Wei, the Air Force says that your forward-looking approach to aviation equipment development is stronger than any other unit in the country. We hope you can be more open-minded and tell us about the development direction in related fields."

Wang Zhiheng looked like a kind old man, but the moment he opened his mouth, Xie Wei felt something was wrong.

Is the other party here to hold us accountable?
"Don't overthink it, Principal Wang is just anxious. The Air Force and the General Logistics Department called us in and gave us a good scolding..."

Seeing Xie Wei's change in expression, Ye Mingde realized he had misunderstood and hurriedly explained.

"Huh? This was a plan I just made up on the spot to trick the Iraqis into buying the H-5 light bombers from Factory 122..."

Only after Ye Mingde's explanation did Xie Wei realize the problem.

In order to sell more equipment, Xie Wei tricked Iraq into building a combined arms brigade and even asked for air force support. Eventually, Wei Changcheng, the military representative, found out and came to him. To prove that he was just trying to trick the Iraqis into buying more of their equipment, Xie Wei directly revealed the air force system and the army's real combined arms brigade plan.

That was the end of the story.

Who knew the impact would be so great, leading to the leaders of Northwestern Polytechnical University, a leading institution in the aviation field, being criticized?

"You proposed that satellites connect all units, early warning aircraft serve as information relays and target monitoring, stealth fighters kick down doors, cruise missiles strike targets, and bombers bombard the ground... What exactly was the plan? To achieve such goals, where should we start?"

Principal Wang asked Xie Wei with a pained expression.

At this moment, he really wanted to dissect Xie Wei's brain and see the plan inside clearly and directly.

(End of this chapter)