Back to the 80s Machinery Factory

Chapter 562 The house is about to be demolished

"Okay, as long as the design concept is clear."

Zhang Diancai leaned back on the stool: "How's the parts production at the repair shop going?"

Although the repair shop also has a sign indicating it belongs to the Department of Mechanics, it is a collaborative experimental site.

However, Zhang Diancai had to teach classes, conduct experiments, and oversee research projects, so his schedule was already packed and he simply couldn't spare much energy to follow up on-site.

Now that Zhang Nan brought it up, Zhang Diancai simply took the opportunity to ask clearly about the progress so he could have a better understanding of the situation.

"The repair shop has already produced six finished parts. Once I finish revising the brake cylinder repair kit and suspension bushing drawings, I can continue production."

Upon hearing Zhang Nan's words, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhang Diancai's eyes!
"The speed is quite fast. In less than half a year, he has made eight general-purpose parts. Chen Luyang is really capable."

After speaking, Zhang Diancai looked at Zhang Nan and asked with a smile:
"How does it feel to see your blueprints turn into parts?"

"I'm quite scared, I can't sleep well every night," Zhang Nan said in a low voice.

Zhang Diancai was taken aback: "What are you afraid of?"

"I'm afraid of making a mistake." Zhang Nan's shoulders seemed to tense up.

“I’m always afraid that if I don’t use a standard symbol or calculate a size accurately, it will cause hundreds of kilograms of steel to malfunction.”

"Sometimes when I stare at the blueprints, the more I look, the more I feel that there could be problems everywhere."

Zhang Diancai smiled and gestured for Zhang Nan to sit down.

"You're just too nervous!"

"However, a qualified engineer should have this kind of awe."

"Being careful stems from the fear of making mistakes."

"Only those who have the workers and the whole vehicle in mind can be considered truly responsible designers."

"But you also have to understand that design is not a one-person show."

"Drawing is just the beginning. There's trial production, testing, and a whole set of procedures to help you with quality control. If you clearly explain your ideas, you've fulfilled your responsibility."

Zhang Diancai smiled and added, "Being able to shoulder such a heavy responsibility during undergraduate studies is a rare opportunity for growth."

"Everyone has gone through this process, so don't be afraid, just do your best."

Zhang Nan nodded.

After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Teacher... how is the project on 'fatigue crack modeling of connectors' in our department progressing?"

Speaking of this, Zhang Nan couldn't help but feel guilty.

Logically, he was also a member of the research group and should have participated in experiments and data processing according to the schedule.

However, during this period, he focused all his attention on the blueprints for the repair shop, and naturally, the progress of his project fell behind.

I thought the teacher would give me some pointers, or even give me a stern reprimand.

However, to his surprise, Zhang Diancai not only did not blame him, but instead slapped his forehead.

"I told you I saw you had something to say, but I just couldn't remember!"

"Go and call Chen Luyang to my office. There's something about the research project that I need to talk to him about."

Currently, the research project on "fatigue crack modeling of connectors" has progressed to the key experimental stage.

To further verify the model's accuracy, repeated loading tests must be conducted on real components, and an on-site loading framework capable of applying controllable stress must be constructed.

However, the school's laboratory has limited facilities and is too small.

Neither the site area nor the equipment load-bearing capacity can meet the long-term loading requirements of large-sized components, making many tests impossible to conduct.

That's why Zhang Diancai had this idea: could the repair shop provide a space to set up the experimental equipment?

This not only solves the space problem, but also connects experimental conditions with actual production, making the research more grounded in reality.

When Chen Luyang arrived at Zhang Diancai's office, she listened to Zhang Diancai's ideas.

He was silent for a moment.

"Teacher, this matter... is probably a bit difficult."

"The repair shop is currently just a small two-story building. Half of the downstairs is where the workers repair cars, and the other half is a metal fatigue testing platform used by our research group for experiments."

"The space is already tight, and if we build a framework, there's simply no room left."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Diancai immediately frowned.

He had seen repair shops before, and they were indeed a bit cramped, but he still held onto a sliver of hope that Chen Luyang might be able to come up with a solution.

Now that Chen Luyang has said it himself, it's like pouring cold water on that hope.

Zhang Diancai sighed inwardly, his heart sinking.

Before he could voice his disappointment, Chen Luyang added:
"However, there is a carport next to the factory."

"A bicycle shed?" Zhang Diancai asked instinctively.

Chen Luyang nodded.

“I originally planned to demolish the carport and expand the factory, but if the project needs it urgently, I can free up the carport and build a stress-loaded frame first.”

These words made Zhang Diancai's eyes light up immediately.

Just as he was about to speak, Chen Luyang looked hesitant and said uncertainly:

"However, I haven't quite figured out the whole thing about the bike shed yet."

Zhang Diancai asked in confusion, "What do you mean by 'not understanding'?"

Chen Luyang explained, "If the carport is counted as the repair shop's own fixed assets, then it's simple. We can move it whenever we want and convert the carport into a frame at any time."

"But if it's allocated under the overall planning of the Municipal Economic Commission, even if it's a temporary facility allocated by the government, then we'll have to go through the approval process all over again."

"If the approval is fast, that's fine. But if it gets stuck at some stage, it might take three to five months."

Chen Luyang spread her hands, a hint of helplessness in her smile:
"Teacher Zhang, I definitely want to help."

"But as you know, this is a critical time when all the factories are focused on expansion, and even moving an inch requires approval from all levels of government. I'm afraid I, as a student, can't push it through..."

Zhang Diancai frowned slightly.

This Chen Luyang... I wonder if he has ulterior motives?
Although Chen Luyang spoke sincerely, her words did not sound like the straightforwardness of a simple student, but rather like the tone of a seasoned veteran in a government office.

On the surface, they seemed embarrassed, but in reality, they smoothly pushed the topic forward.

It's obvious that if this matter is to be accomplished, the school will have to step in; he, as a student, can't handle it.

In fact, that's exactly what Chen Luyang thought!
Returning to Pian'er City this year, Chen Luyang's most important plan is to expand the repair shop.

The carport is the most crucial "starting point" for this expansion plan.

If he agreed to Zhang Diancai's request, it would be tantamount to handing over the initiative in expanding the repair shop.

When the time comes, the frame will be erected in the carport, and the research team will have priority in using it, so the expansion of the repair shop will have to be postponed.

Therefore, he doesn't want to give up the place at all, not even a little bit!

But having no other choice, Zhang Diancai spoke up.

He couldn't openly refuse them.

However, Chen Luyang didn't suffer a loss either.

He subtly laid out the difficulties of the approval process in his words, seemingly making excuses, but in reality, he was indirectly reminding Zhang Diancai:
If you really want to do it, you have to ask the school and teachers to coordinate.

In this way, even if the carport is eventually moved, it will be the school's research group "borrowing the land," not the repair shop voluntarily "donating the land."

Moreover, once the Municipal Economic Commission approves the expansion, the repair shop's expansion will be legitimately recognized in advance. Even if the framework is dismantled in the future, the shop will have already occupied the land.

Neither of them are fools.

Chen Luyang was shrewd in her calculations, but Zhang Diancai wasn't oblivious to the scheme.

But the project is currently at a critical stage, and time is of the essence; he cannot afford to wait.

Zhang Diancai hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke:
"Okay, you should first find out what the situation is with the bike shed."

"If there are really difficulties with the expansion procedures, I will try to find a way, step in and see if we can push this matter forward."

These words immediately dispelled the tension in the air.

Chen Luyang nodded readily.

"Okay! I'll go back to the repair shop this weekend to find out the situation of the bike shed. I'll report back to the teacher on Monday."

……

weekend,

A cold wind was blowing directly into the bus stop at the school gate.

Shen Fei, wrapped in a thick cotton-padded coat and two pairs of cotton-padded trousers, with his hands tucked into the sleeves of his coat, hunched his neck, and looked at Chen Luyang, who was standing next to him whistling, with a resentful expression.

cheated!
Previously, in order to allow Chen Luyang to focus on Gan Luotian, he took the initiative to take on the task of procuring supplies and funding for the International Women's Day event.

I thought I was going to see a good show, but unexpectedly the journal's editorial department suddenly published a temporary notice.

Damn it, they just called a halt to the debate!
Well, not only did I not get to see any of the excitement, but I also ended up having to do the work.

Poor Zhang Nan, standing nearby, was completely unaware of the complicated relationship between Chen Luyang and Shen Fei.
He noticed something was off about Shen Fei's gaze and assumed the two had a grudge. He kept standing between Chen Luyang and Shen Fei, afraid that the two might start fighting again at the station.

After finally squeezing onto the bus, the two of them swayed along the way, finally making it back to the repair shop before lunch.

As soon as he turned the corner, Chen Luyang saw four or five cars parked in the repair shop's courtyard, all waiting to be repaired.

Several experienced workers, including Zhang Guoqiang, Tan Songren, and Liu Kangwen, were sweating profusely as they replaced parts on each of the vehicles.

Director Lu and Li He, along with a few others, were in the reception room, busy attending to the driver.

Upon seeing Chen Luyang return, before Director Lu and the others could even get up to greet her, Chen Luyang smiled and pressed their hands down.

"You guys are busy first."

Afterwards, Chen Luyang went into the office and went inside with Zhang Nan to bake the oven.

Once your body warms up,
Zhang Nan took the blueprints and tools and went to the warehouse to rummage through old parts, examining the wear and tear.

Since listening to Zhang Diancai's advice on "distinguishing between the functions of guidance and sealing," Zhang Nan now has a deeper sense of awe for every dimension and symbol on the drawings.

In the past, he would always fixate on a single value and calculate it meticulously, trying to minimize the error.
But now, for the first time, he is trying to think about the problem from the perspective of "what do the parts do in the whole vehicle".

The more changes Zhang Nan made, the broader her thinking became.

The numbers under the pen are no longer isolated values, but living entities connected to the hammers in the workers' hands and the hydraulic pumps in the workshop.

And the blueprints are like "part blueprints" that have come to life.

Seeing Zhang Nan revising the blueprints, Chen Luyang was in a great mood!

If the drawings are accurate, the parts can be assembled smoothly in batches with fewer rework.

The more detailed Zhang Nan's blueprints are, and the more accurate the numerical markings, the more reliable the parts production will be.
"Our business is doing great!"

Chen Luyang happily accepted the teacup handed to her by Li He, blew on the top layer of tea leaves, and felt extremely relaxed!

"Actually... it's not that good," Director Lu said cautiously.

Ok?
Before Chen Luyang could even take a sip of her hot tea, Director Lu suddenly poured a bucket of cold water on her.

I just couldn't figure it out.

"What's wrong?" Chen Luyang asked.

"In the past few days, the number of cars coming to the factory for repairs has decreased by nearly a third compared to before," Director Lu said in a deep voice.

"The taxi company hasn't had a single car repair shop lately."

Upon hearing this, Chen Luyang immediately frowned.

Not a single one?

Director Lu nodded: "That's the strange thing. When we first came back after the New Year, there were quite a few taxis coming in for repairs."

"But in less than a week, they all disappeared."

Chen Luyang pressed further, "What about the other units?"

Director Lu replied, "All other units are operating normally, but the taxis have suddenly disappeared."

Chen Luyang frowned even more deeply.

Taxi companies were among their earliest major clients, so there's no reason for them to cut ties so easily.

Something must have happened.

However, he didn't rush to conclusions. Instead, he suppressed his doubts and spoke:
"Never mind them for now. How's the matter of the bike shed that I asked you to inquire about going?"

"I've found out," Director Lu replied.

"This shed was originally built by Sheng Haisen and his team. Later, when the sunflower seed factory was being built, the Economic Commission approved a temporary fund, so they also put the shed on the Economic Commission's list."

“I went to the street office, the economic commission, and the housing management department to ask, and the answers they gave were all pretty much the same.”

"The shed is currently nominally a temporary facility and is still under the unified management of the Municipal Economic Commission."

“If we want to make any progress, we must first apply for approval and go through the process. We can only start construction after the approval is granted.”

"Otherwise, it would be considered illegal construction."

Chen Luyang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, he hadn't refused Zhang Diancai before, leaving the repair shop a way out, and he managed to steer the matter of the bike shed onto the school's research topic.

Otherwise, if he, as the student director of the repair shop, were to knock on doors, he would most likely be blocked by various rules and regulations, and might not be able to get approval even if he ran himself ragged.

"There's one more thing." Director Lu paused, then lowered his voice.

"I also heard a rumor that the city is planning to clear out a space near the West Railway Station to build a new freight transfer point."

"If it really gets going, our repair shop's position will be awkward."

"If we want to set up a freight transfer point, we need to clear out a number of small factories and temporary buildings around the West Railway Station first."

"Although we have the sign, it's hard to say whether we can withstand it if we really get serious."

Chen Luyang's teacup trembled.

Is this news accurate?

Director Lu nodded: "This information came from the street office. Although the official document hasn't been issued yet, once this kind of thing is brought up in the meeting, it's pretty much a done deal."

"Moreover, the area around the West Railway Station is already chaotic, with stalls, sheds, and factories all crammed together. If it really becomes a freight transit point, this area will definitely be among the first to be affected."

Instantly, Chen Luyang's heart skipped a beat, and her face darkened.

This is fucking infuriating!!!
And they're still expanding...

What expansion?!

Let's just take everything, stalls and shops, and have them sleep under bridges!
I finally managed to establish myself in this alleyway factory area, and even got the repair shop sign up. The city and Peking University recognized this place.

As a result, they might not even be able to keep their territory in the blink of an eye!
(End of this chapter)