Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 438 The child's kidneys aren't very good.

He slept exceptionally well that night.

Meanwhile, in dormitory 421 at Peking University,
Chen Luyang lay on the bed with her arms behind her head, staring intently at the ceiling.

After leaving the mechanics building,

Zhang Diancai's words, "As long as the results can be implemented, the school will not refuse to approve them," were stuck in his mind like a nail.

It directly broke through a layer of paper and opened up his thinking!
As long as you produce something truly substantial, you can legitimately gain admission to the school and even secure policy support and funding!

The more Chen Luyang thought about it, the clearer her mind became, and her thoughts began to race.

A bright and promising new path unfolds before us.

At first, he focused all his attention on the repair shop business, thinking of starting with spare parts and developing steadily step by step.

The goal is to complete 3 projects in 6 months and 10 in a year, accumulating little by little until we gradually build something substantial.

If there's not enough, I'll try to get some material costs from the provincial machinery factory, translate more documents myself, and earn some living allowance.

But after all that calculation, the little money we could save would only be enough to buy two more calipers for the lab, or at best, another old, scrapped machine tool.

Even part of the factory's funds came from Lu and his team's own pockets.

Every time Chen Luyang thinks about this, he feels a pang of sadness and feels especially sorry for Director Lu and Sun Hongjun.

They abandoned their homes and businesses and followed me all the way to this town.

Not only do they not receive any additional benefits, but they also have to pay out of their own pockets to work.

Although Chen Luyang could ask the provincial machinery factory for money.

But he didn't want to live a life where his palms were up to him.

He had given Director Wang and Deputy Director Yu a firm guarantee that he would run the repair shop well and generate revenue for the factory!
Instead of repeatedly asking the provincial machinery factory for money.

Besides, what kind of branch factory keeps asking its employees for money?
That's not running a factory, that's raising a child.

Moreover, the child is still breastfeeding and keeps asking for "more" every day.

If you want the repair shop to grow quickly, relying solely on the provincial machinery factory as a temporary solution is not a long-term plan.

We should try our best to make as many friends and acquire as many resources as possible!

Although Zhang Diancai promised him that he would help him fight for it.

But relying on yourself is worse than relying on anyone else.

Instead of waiting for Zhang Diancai's promise, spending every day hoping for approvals and funding,

Instead of trying to get in touch with the school, we should take the initiative to knock on doors, try to get the project approved by the school, and strive for policy and funding support!
"Technological innovation project..."

Chen Luyang silently recited it in her mind.

He's been working frequently in the External Relations Department lately and has dealt with the Youth League Committee members a few times, so he knows a thing or two about it.

In recent years, the school's Youth League Committee has been organizing activities such as "Youth Technology Breakthrough", "Five Small Achievements Exhibition", and "Science Spring" every year... The activities are coming in one after another like dumplings being dropped into boiling water.

Even the philosophy department submitted a research paper titled "Xiaoping Theory and the Structure of Technological Thinking," claiming it was to "support the Four Modernizations" from an ideological perspective.

Even philosophy departments are now vying for technology projects.

Why can't his equipment repair shop, which actually does real work, apply for the license?

The more Chen Luyang thought about it, the more reliable it seemed, and the brighter his eyes became!
As for the project... it's already ready-made!

Research on the standardization of automotive parts!
This matter is not big or small.

It is different from the unrelated "sky-high projects" like the Great Leap Forward steelmaking.

This is a real social need, which is not only related to the "Four Modernizations" but also truly solves the current problem of difficulty in repairing cars and replacing parts.

The most crucial thing is!!!

The first batch of prototypes is about to be shipped out!
This is precisely the moment when the results are "visible and tangible"!

It's the perfect time to apply for a project.

call……

Chen Luyang took a deep breath.

In the middle of the night at Peking University dormitory,

Chen Luyang's eyes widened with excitement, all the blood in her body focused on her brilliant mind, while her toes felt ice-cold!
wipe……

Why do I need to pee again?!
That night, he did nothing but lie in bed thinking about applying for projects.

I've gone to the toilet three times already!

He originally didn't want to go.

But the more he didn't want to go, the more he wanted to go.

Finally, unable to resist any longer, he tiptoed out of bed, opened the door, and ran quickly to the bathroom.

"Ugh……"

In the dormitory, Tao Runze turned over and muttered:
"This child is so young, how come he pees so much..."

……

The Department of Mechanics had initially seriously considered moving equipment when setting up the experimental site.

Previously, Zhang Diancai had visited the laboratory and taken a liking to two old fatigue loading racks, intending to remove one and move it to the repair shop.

But when the day actually came, they discovered...

It's impossible to move!
The equipment is old and bulky, and the one with the foundation is welded directly to the concrete floor, so disassembling it requires chiseling the ground.

The other screw was rusted shut; it could only be turned half a turn before it made a low, whirring sound, unable to even move the shaft.

If we want to move equipment over, we'll have to dismantle the lab first.

While the lab is facing a dilemma, Chen Luyang is quite optimistic.

"This is no big deal at all!"

Chen Luyang made a phone call to the repair shop, asking Director Lu and his team to check with the West Railway Station and the scrap yard to see if they could get a used train carriage.

He remembered it clearly.
When he went to the junkyard to buy the old Soviet machine tool, he saw an abandoned train carriage there.

These train carriages have thick steel plates and sturdy frames, making them ideal for use as experimental platforms!
Zhang Guoqiang, Tan Songren, and Liu Kangwen in the factory are all skilled fitters and welders. If they really wanted to do it, modifying the carriages would be a piece of cake.

Unexpectedly, the Lu family actually managed to bring back a train car that very day!
Zhang Nan draws blueprints.
Zhang Guoqiang and his team cut open the base of the carriage, welded steel channels onto the inside, and reinforced the outside with brackets.

They also connected the winch system salvaged from the old crane to the motor, and cobbled together a "horizontal loading arm" using the tailstock of a scrap lathe and two sections of piston rod.

In just three days, a makeshift metal fatigue testing platform was built in the backyard of the repair shop.

Although it's an "earthen platform," it has all the necessary functions:
It can adjust the angle and run under load, not to mention...
There was also an old-fashioned mechanical alarm clock installed under the platform, with a spring steel needle attached, and the load waveform it drew was clear and usable!

While the experimental setup was in full swing, Lin Qiming was also keeping busy.

He and several students moved tools, fixtures, and materials from the mechanics building to the repair shop, like hamsters carrying house.

But Director Lu was focused on another important matter—the plaque!
This is an off-campus experimental site for the Department of Mechanics at Peking University.

We must put up a signboard at the entrance so that all the neighbors and everyone who comes to get their cars repaired can see it!
So he asked the brother-in-law of the guy who sold popcorn at the West Railway Station to introduce him to a small woodworking workshop.

The two sides chatted, talked about life, and negotiated prices.
In the end, they managed to negotiate a price of 12 yuan for a gilded cedar plaque! The repair shop was transformed overnight.

The courtyard, which was originally stained with oil, now has a plaque, a platform, and students coming and going, and suddenly it has the appearance of a "mechanical research institute".

Everything is ready.
Now we're just waiting for Director Chen to return from school on Sunday.

The sign was hung up, the store was unveiled, and it officially opened.

……

At this time,
Director Chen was in the large lecture hall of the Science Building at Peking University, flipping through his lecture notes while drinking water to moisten his throat.

The "Spring of Science" lecture will begin at 3 p.m.

But perhaps because he was too nervous, after finishing lunch at 12:30, he couldn't help but go to the classroom and sit down to calm himself down.

According to Tao Runze and Cui Shaojie, the two lectures last week were not only packed to capacity, but people were also standing in the aisles.

Not only were there students from Peking University, but also some from Tsinghua University and Renmin University who came to audit the class.

The classroom atmosphere was excellent!
The lectures at other people's places are crowded and lively, but when I gave my own lecture, only a few people showed up.

That would be incredibly embarrassing, I'd feel like dying!
Looking at the empty classroom,
Chen Luyang felt a little uneasy.

"Senior sister, have we posted all the notices? We haven't missed anyone, have we?"

Yu Xia said helplessly, "Apart from the principal's office and the toilets, the notices were posted everywhere... no, weren't there several other places where you personally posted the notices?"

Chen Luyang was a little uneasy: "Yes, yes, I did put it on myself. But I was just worried..."

Shen Fei, who was setting up the sound system nearby, said, "What are you worried about! We'll take care of the logistics for you, so you don't need to worry about anything!"

“Exactly~” Ma Tieli said while fixing Chen Luyang’s hair:

"I picked out your tea mug myself; the lettering on it is the most accurate! I've given you the best-looking mug."

Chen Luyang was still a little nervous: "But why is there no one in the classroom right now?"

Yu Xia rolled her eyes.

"Chen Luyang, our lecture is scheduled to start at 3 o'clock, and it's not even 1 o'clock yet."

"What's your hurry?!"

Damn... that makes sense!
Chen Luyang stared at the large wall clock, watching the time tick by.

Gradually, people began to enter the classroom.

Chen Luyang stared intently at the students who entered the room, as if they were her saviors.

Come on... come on~
The more people who come, the better!!!
Just as two more students in gray jackets walked in, before Chen Luyang could even feel happy, someone came over and asked;
"Excuse me, is this a lecture hall?"

"Yes, yes, yes!!" Chen Luyang couldn't help but jump up and point out the location to him.

This sounds like someone from another school!
He felt relieved as long as other schools came to audit the classes.

After warmly guiding the two students to their seats, Chen Luyang couldn't help but ask:
"Excuse me, which school are you from?"

The boy replied, "We're from a foreign language university. We came here because we heard that Chen Luyang was giving the lecture."

Eeya~!!!!!

Chen Luyang's eyes instantly deepened.

Even students from foreign language universities came to attend the class!

It seems we don't need to worry about the seats not being full today.

Then, Chen Luyang pretended to be a student and started chatting with the students from the foreign language university.

During the conversation, Chen Luyang learned that his book had become so sought-after that it was difficult to find a copy.

Since reopening to the outside world, English has shifted from being a "political language" back to being a practical technical tool.

Most English textbooks on the market focus on "grammar + text" and are extremely lacking in "speaking scenarios", "technical conversations" and "work scenarios" content;

Specialized practical dialogue materials like "The Practical English Communication Handbook" were snapped up by technicians, self-learners, and university students as soon as they were published.

The process of a book going through approval, typesetting, paper distribution and reprinting usually takes 3-6 months;

If a product sells out in a certain area, even with emergency reprints, it may be three or four months late.

Around universities and at foreign language book distribution points, books are often sold out as soon as they are put on the shelves.

So when they heard that the author, Chen Luyang, was going to give a lecture, everyone came to listen.

As the clock ticked closer to three o'clock, the once empty classroom was now packed with people, with even the aisles crowded with people.

Although he had no idea what the two lectures last week were like.

But he was already very happy to see such a huge crowd today.
That's how you gain confidence!
Just as Chen Luyang took a deep breath, prepared to drink some water, and waited for the 3 o'clock lecture to start promptly,
A familiar yet unfamiliar person walked up to him and offered his hand.

"Chen, classmate!!!"

As soon as Chen Luyang looked up, she saw a young man who looked both familiar and unfamiliar greeting her.

Ok? ? ?
He'd seen this person before...where had he seen him before?!
Just as Chen Luyang was rapidly recalling his memories, the young man spoke first.

"Chen, I'm Ye Minghua, from the Foreign Languages ​​University."

“We used to take the train together to Piancheng to go to school, and you even made me volunteer, leading foreigners around on weekends…”

"Oh my! Oh my gosh! It's you!"

Chen Luyang immediately stood up and gripped Ye Minghua's hand tightly.

They say when fellow villagers meet, their eyes well up with tears.

It's so great to see fellow villagers here!
How have you been lately? Have you been speaking English yet?

"It's a bit better than before; we can communicate normally now."

Although Ye Minghua spoke modestly, his appearance and mood were much more cheerful and confident than they were two months ago!
"Thanks to your suggestion and your book, I have successfully acted as a tour guide for three foreigners."

Chen Luyang chuckled: "Really? Where did they all go?"

Ye Minghua sighed softly.

"Don't even mention it. These foreigners are always eager to climb the Great Wall!"

"Now, my legs start to tremble whenever I hear the word 'Great Wall'."

Chen Luyang laughed even harder: "He who has not climbed the Great Wall is no true man. Every good tour guide started by practicing at the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. Just go to more places and travel more in the future."

The classroom was packed with people.

Chen Luyang immediately gave her seat to Ye Minghua, then turned and walked towards the podium.

He stood up, adjusted the microphone on the lectern, glanced at the crowd, and grinned:
"Hello everyone, I am Chen Luyang. Thank you all for taking the time out of your weekend to listen to me teach a course that we didn't often teach in the past, but now we have to teach it."

"Speaking of which, in the past, if we wanted to meet foreigners, we had to watch movies, listen to the radio, and read foreign language textbooks."

"But things are different now."

“If we go to the Friendship Hotel, the International Hotel, Beijing Foreign Studies University, the area near the Workers’ Stadium, or even the foreign guests’ canteen next to Peking University, we will always see a few blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigners speaking foreign languages.”

He paused, then smiled at the crowd:
"But if you actually run into them, and you open your mouth and start a conversation, you'll find that the few sentences we learned in our textbooks are useless."

(End of this chapter)