Xiaomi Heavy Industry, its first entrepreneurial venture!

Chapter 303 A List from the Navy! (Third Update!)
At Feng Zhenhua's repeated invitation, Gao Hai decided to go and take a look at the workshop.

Time waits for no one. If reading this helps you find reasons to convince the big shots, that's not impossible.

So, under Feng Zhenhua's guidance, he entered the assembly workshop of the Space Technology Research Institute for the first time, and then saw a group of people dawdling at work!

It's not fair to say they're just slacking off; these people are adjusting equipment and production lines.

In simulated production.

But ultimately, no products were produced!
"Director Feng?" Gao Hai turned around and looked at Feng Zhenhua with a puzzled expression. Feng Zhenhua shrank his neck and said, "As you can see, everyone in the entire aerospace group is busy producing satellite parts for Xiaomi Heavy Industry."

"We are no exception."

"The parts manufactured by Xiaomi Heavy Industry itself have already been delivered to our warehouse."

"But the other parts haven't arrived yet, so we can't assemble it. We're in a situation where we can't cook without rice."

"Just take a look around!"

These words were like a bucket of cold water, extinguishing Gao Hai's excitement. He sighed and left Feng Zhenhua's side, drifting around the production workshop like a ghost, watching them operate the equipment.

Gao Hai is a military representative whose main job is to be stationed at the factory and supervise the production of related parts.

However, the parts he was primarily responsible for were the ship's structural components.

They were all big lumps of iron.

The Aerospace Technology Research Institute produces only precision electronic components. After looking at them for a long time, he only knew that they were components and that there was a circuit board, but he had no idea what they were for.

He didn't want to know, nor did he want to ask. Knowing too much might lead to leaks, so he didn't want to cause trouble for himself.

After watching for a while, he simply said goodbye.

After leaving the Aerospace Technology Research Institute, he rushed back to the General Assembly Department and found Zhu Jingyao, the head of the Navy Equipment Department.

Gao Hai slammed his hands on the opposite table and said impatiently:
"I don't think we should report it!"

"I think so!" Zhu Jingyao replied casually, pointing to the water dispenser next to him.
"Go make yourself a cup of tea, and then we can chat slowly. Tell me why you don't want it."

After the tea was brewed, Gao Hai carried the teacup back to Zhu Jingyao.
"We were just experimenting, outsourcing some less critical parts to this company and letting them try making them."

"If the quality is good, we'll take it; if the quality is bad..."

"Stop!" Zhu Jingyao raised his hand, silencing Gao Hai's remaining words.

Seeing that the people in front of him still didn't understand, Zhu Jingyao slumped into a chair, slapped his face repeatedly with both hands, and then said something that sounded like a slap in the face:

"I have never doubted the quality of products manufactured by Xiaomi Heavy Industry. Take that test video of the aircraft carrier arresting cable, for example. The top management of the entire naval system is watching it now, and they are all happy and pleased."

"You suggested that Xiaomi Heavy Industry produce some of the parts we need. In fact, everyone knows the truth but pretends not to, and everyone wants to do it that way."

"but……"

"Naval vessels are vital national assets!"

"We must be cautious about this!"

"I asked you to prepare the report so that you could follow the proper procedures!"

“If it’s a factory within our own system, we don’t need to submit this report; we can just issue the task directly.”

"But this Xiaomi Heavy Industry is not."

"Although the higher authorities have already approved the cooperation with Xiaomi Heavy Industry to develop equipment, the necessary procedures must still be followed."

"This is for our own good, and it's also for their own good!"

“If the process is done well, you can even entrust them to try producing the core components, let alone the unimportant ones.”

"And what you did was..." Zhu Jingyao began to grimace, mimicking Gao Hai's gesture:
"We should abandon our prejudices, focus on the future, and be bold..."

"Big ball!"

"If you don't submit the report by tomorrow morning, and you bring this up again, I'll just fire you."

After being scolded by Zhu Jingyao, Gao Hai was not angry. He simply drank the hot tea in one gulp with delight, turned around, and went back to his office to write a report.

He wrote until the early hours of the morning.

After finishing writing the report, he reviewed it several times to make sure there were no problems. Only then did he relax and look out the window.

A rosy glow appeared in the sky outside the window; it was the morning sun.

After printing out the report, binding it, and signing his name, Gao Hai squatted down in front of Zhu Jingyao's office with the report in hand.

When it was time for work, Zhu Jingyao arrived late. When she saw Gao Hai at the door, she was about to ask him if he had eaten breakfast when Gao Hai immediately handed her the report in his hand.

Faced with those reports, Zhu Jingyao had no choice but to swallow the words he was about to say.

He opened the door, walked into the office, put his things down, and then took the report from Gao Hai.

I read it through from beginning to end, and then gently nodded my head.
"This breakfast is yours!"

"I'll send this thing to the leaders right now."

"If you hurry, you'll have the results this afternoon; if you're slow, you'll have the results tomorrow or the day after."

"I go first!"

Zhu Jingyao disappeared through the door like the wind. After watching him leave, Gao Hai turned to look at his desk and at the breakfast Zhu Jingyao had brought.

Fried dough sticks! Steamed buns! And there should be a serving of soy milk!

Why does it feel a bit sticky?

Gao Hai opened the "soy milk" bag. The moment the bag was opened, the hot air inside, along with a slightly sour smell, wafted out. Upon smelling this, he quickly tied the bag back up.

Damn, that fermented bean juice!
After finishing breakfast, Gao Hai locked Zhu Jingyao's office and went back to his own office to sleep.

He woke up again when Zhu Jingyao shook him awake.

Seeing that Gao Hai had regained consciousness, Zhu Jingyao casually threw the document in his hand at his head:
"The leaders have approved the plan to conduct small-batch component testing first."

"Send them a copy of the drawings for those parts that have high processing requirements and whose uses are not easy to see."

"Let them see if they can do it. If they can, then do it quickly and make a finished product."

"With enough finished products in hand, it's easier for the leaders to talk to us."

With the sound, Gao Hai opened the folder and saw the fresh approval document inside.

[Approval granted for the General Armaments Department's application to outsource the production of some ship parts to Xiaomi Heavy Industry!]

According to the aircraft carrier arresting cable test video provided by Jiangnan Shipyard, Xiaomi Heavy Industry Group has sufficiently strong processing and manufacturing capabilities.

This processing and manufacturing capability can accelerate my country's coastal defense construction.

Therefore, the application from the Navy Department of the General Armaments Division was approved, and it was agreed that the drawings of some important parts would be delivered to Xiaomi Heavy Industry for trial production in batches and according to schedule.

Below this letter are six official seals and signatures.

Looking at the official seal and signature, Gao Hai couldn't help but let out a long roar to the sky.

"Oh--"

The sharp sound made Zhu Jingyao's ears ache. He picked at his ears and said impatiently, "Stop yelling."

"I'll leave the rest to you. You can negotiate which parts drawings can be given out."

"Then how long will it take to produce the finished product?"

"After you produce the finished product, how do you face the original manufacturer?"

"These are all issues you should be considering. Don't come looking for me. If you dare, I'll kill you!"

"Goodbye!" After giving his instructions, Zhu Jingyao turned and walked out. But as he reached the door, he circled back, snatched the folder, took out the approval documents, left one copy for Gao Hai, and left the office with the rest. Inside the office, Gao Hai held the remaining document, finding himself increasingly amused, until finally, he burst into laughter.

I've had my laugh.

He returned to his computer, opened the assembly directory, and began searching for the most suitable item.

If we can produce core components, then there's no need to waste time on unimportant parts.

As he flipped through the pages, his gaze fell upon a name.

[Varyag Reconstruction Project - Steam Turbine Improvement]

Once Gao Hai saw the name, he couldn't take his eyes off it.

When the Soviet Union designed the Varyag aircraft carrier, it used a traditional steam turbine propulsion system.

After acquiring the Varyag, the relevant expert team spent several years exploring and restoring the blueprints, while also comparing it with domestic manufacturers.

Ultimately, it was decided to stick with the Soviet design, which was the TB-12-4 steam turbine unit that had not been removed from the original ship.

But this thing is a product of the former Soviet Union.

It has significant limitations.

Each of these machines weighs up to 300 tons. According to the design, it requires four steam turbines, which in turn need to be used in conjunction with heavy oil boilers.

In addition to the main propulsion system consisting of heavy oil boilers and steam turbines, aircraft carriers also need to be equipped with diesel generators as a backup system for low-speed operation and general power supply.

This entire power system can easily weigh at least 3000 tons!

Therefore, the renovation team has been trying to miniaturize this thing, or replace the core internal components to improve its thermal efficiency.

Gao Hai doesn't need Lin Yi's Xiaomi Heavy Industry to produce this kind of steam turbine; he only needs Xiaomi Heavy Industry to process the core of this steam turbine.

That is, the blades of the steam turbine, and the central shaft.

The ship has not yet been launched.

As long as Xiaomi Heavy Industry can process these two core components, the corresponding powertrain team will have enough resources to experiment and learn from mistakes.

Each one that breaks down is one less available.

After making many mistakes, you'll eventually stumble upon a good one.

If Xiaomi Heavy Industry can develop this product, it will be a resounding success and will completely satisfy the higher-ups.

Moreover, technological breakthroughs in this area can also have positive repercussions elsewhere.

This is a win-win situation, making the most of every fish!
Having made up his mind, he immediately contacted the person in charge of the Varyag reconstruction project using the contact information left in the project directory.

When he informed the other party that a company might be capable of producing steam turbine cores, the person in charge of the Varyag refit project agreed to Gao Hai's request for blueprints without hesitation.

They also agreed on a time to send the drawings.

After hanging up the phone, Gao Hai picked up the approval document again, kissed it lightly, turned around, and put the document away.

If Xiaomi Heavy Industry can really make these things, the Varyag might be able to be launched much faster.

…………

Reappearing in Suzhou, looking at the city shrouded in mist and rain during the plum rain season, Gao Hai felt no sadness, only boundless joy.

He turned his gaze away from the car window, patted the briefcase in his hand, and then looked ahead again.

At the edge of the horizon not far away, a brand new sign stands there.

The sign features a silver-white cross character.

Seeing this new sign, Gao Hai knew he was one step closer to his goal.

The vehicle stopped in front of Xiaomi Heavy Industry Communications Company, and after registering the information, the security personnel led the vehicle into the parking lot.

After parking the car, I went upstairs with the help of the security personnel.

Seeing Lin Yi again after many days, Gao Hai felt that the young man in front of him was becoming more and more pleasing to the eye.

Seeing the person approaching, he put the box he was carrying in his right hand into his left hand and extended his right hand:

"President Lin, it's been a long time!"

"Representative Gao, it's been a long time!" Lin Yi extended his hand, exchanged a few pleasantries with Gao Hai, and then quickly let go of his hand.

He always felt that the way the person opposite him was looking at him was a bit strange, a little awkward.

He led the person into the office, served tea, and then asked with a smile:

"Did Representative Gao come here this time to purchase barricades?"

“Not yet!” Gao Hai shook his head, holding his teacup. “Of the four arresting cables we got from you last time, the engineering team at Jiangnan Shipyard has only completed testing two of them.”

"Two more are still being tested."

"After these two tests are completed, we will purchase a batch and conduct a new round of testing."

"The main reason I came here this time is because I saw your company's strength from the barricades."

"So, I submitted an application to my superiors, asking your company to help produce some small gadgets."

As he spoke, Gao Hai placed the briefcase on the table, opened it, took out the documents and a hard drive containing the documents, and placed them in front of Lin Yi.

Lin Yi took the documents and opened them with suspicion.

Once he realized it was information about steam turbines, he quickly understood.

This is for that aircraft carrier.

He knew it, but he still didn't ask.

He put down the documents and asked Gao Hai with a smile, "I remember that there are quite a few heavy industry companies in China, especially in Shandong Province, that can produce steam turbine blades and shafts."

"Why would Representative Gao go to such lengths to come to me instead of coming closer to me?"

“I have no precedent for producing steam turbine blades.”

Gao Hai spread his hands: "Nobody has any!"

"The factories you mentioned are actually within our scope of investigation."

"And I also spoke with them before coming to you."

"The last stage blade of the TB-12-4 steam turbine is 1200 millimeters long, which is 1.2 meters in layman's terms."

"The largest final-stage blades that the factories in Shandong Province can produce are one meter long."

"Moreover, in terms of overall strength, it is incomparable to the original Soviet version."

"If we're going to use it, we can only use it at a lower standard."

"That's why I came to find you!"

"You were able to build an aircraft carrier arresting cable that only began to show significant deformation after 250 uses."

"I believe you have unique expertise in materials, technology, and processing."

"I also believe that you are capable of manufacturing 1.2-meter-long final stage blades."

"It also allows us to produce better front-end blades."

"Most importantly, these things will be used on our country's first aircraft carrier!"

(End of this chapter)