Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 197 Sonic Cruiser, Northwestern Polytechnical University Takes the Lead!
Qin Liang's biggest shortage of manpower is...
The elites of Class 5381 all went to help Teacher Song, leaving Qin Liang with only a few other classes and upperclassmen.

The project to fool Boeing can't be too shabby, otherwise it will be exposed. The modification of the Super-7 trainer jet also needs to be arranged.

engine room.

When Mr. Yu and the others stepped in, they were filled with... shock.

There were no large server racks, no spinning tapes, no clicking printers; all I could see was a row of monitors connected to keyboards, making a constant clattering sound. Some people were even poking at a mouse-like thing on the side of the table... Was this a computer?

It has a very futuristic, sci-fi feel to it!

"Senior Brother Zhu, Zhu Yongguang, Zhu Yongguang!"

Hearing Qin Liang's shout, a young man in the corner raised his hand: "I'm here!"

"Let's go, let's go over there!" Qin Liang led Old Yu and the others to Zhu Yongguang's side. On his computer screen was a model of the Super 7! At this moment, he was dragging a module and stuffing it into the front cockpit of the Super 7. After it was placed there, it would become a... cockpit?
Isn't this too simple?
"The modification of the Super-7 two-seater is being handled by Senior Brother Zhu's team," Qin Liang said. "They only operate on computers and don't have much practical experience. Your strength is your rich experience. It's most suitable for you to join us now. In a few days, we will set aside a space in our building specifically for the Super-7 trainer aircraft project department, and you can work together in the project department."

"Alright!" Old Yu nodded: "Comrade Qin Liang, you go ahead and do your work. We'll just chat with this young man."

"Wait a minute!" Zhu Yongguang said, "Liangzi, there's something wrong with this cabin, whether it's installed at the front or the back. It can't be perfectly integrated with the fuselage. How do we solve this?"

"Enlarge the spine, ensure a smooth transition, first calculate the shape using Professor Liu's procedure, then go to the wind tunnel..."

"Oh, I see."

As Mr. Yu and the others watched, their eyes were full of admiration. The technology of Northwestern Polytechnical University was indeed the best. Even foreign aircraft designers might not have such methods.

After Qin Liang gave some pointers and confirmed everything was in order, he left. Sigh, conning people isn't easy! He'd only drawn a rough sketch initially, and now he realized there were many things that needed improvement! The Americans were coming soon; how could he fool them without producing something?

October 20th.

The motherland's birthday has passed, but unfortunately, due to various reasons, there was no grand military parade this year. Even if there had been, Qin Liang wouldn't have had time to watch it. He yawned as he stood at the entrance of the Fifth Department Building, watching a convoy approaching from afar.

"Liangzi, didn't you sleep well last night?"

"Yeah, I finished up some last-minute work last night..." He yawned again, and then... he saw a car window roll down in the convoy, and a hand sticking out from inside: "Brother Liangzi, Brother Liangzi!"

Yang Duo'er is here too! Qin Liang immediately perked up and strode over.

Crunch!

As soon as the car came to a stop, Yang Duo'er ran out and threw herself into Qin Liang's arms.

"Brother Liangzi!"

"Ahem, Duoduo, be mindful of your behavior, this is the East!"

"Ok."

Steiner stepped down and glanced at the building: "Before I came here, people kept telling me that the East was technologically backward, similar to Africa. Now it seems that the rumors were indeed wrong! The big cities in the East are also very modern."

“Of course, the East opened its doors to the world so that it could know and understand us!” Qin Liang said. “Welcome, Mr. Steiner, Dean Yang!”

Yang Tian chuckled and said, "I heard that you've finished all the formalities here, so I came here to take care of Duoduo's wedding as well!"

Yang Duo'er's face flushed slightly: "Dad, let's get down to business!"

"That's right, let's get down to business. Let's go upstairs!"

Fourth floor, Sonic Cruiser project office.

The room was very large, a large room formed by combining two classrooms, with a total area of ​​over 300 square meters. Upon entering, there was a row of computers, and next to the computers was a large table, on which was placed a model airplane that was over two meters long!

The Boeing guests gazed at the model with complex expressions.

After Qin Liang left, they did some preliminary research and then... they felt that the design was really good!

Once a plane flies past supersonic speeds, it becomes extremely fuel-intensive, and more importantly, it faces noise regulations. Although the Concorde was flying across the Atlantic, it had to fly at subsonic speeds over the United States.

Therefore, locking our supersonic cruiser at Mach 0.98 is the most suitable solution. Moreover, its shape design is also excellent, making it the most suitable method for hypersonic flight.

Of course, they had no idea that Qin Liang had plagiarized their plan, but that the plan wouldn't be available for another twenty years.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have completed the exterior design." Qin Liang addressed the aircraft, beginning his introduction: "It is designed as a twin-aisle wide-body passenger aircraft, with a fuselage cross-section width of 5.74 meters and a double-arc shape. The internal cabin is 5.49 meters wide and 63 meters long, allowing it to carry 290 people even in a two-class layout. Its weight is 115 tons, and its maximum takeoff weight is 254 tons..."

“Wait a minute!” Dick Taylor interrupted, “There’s something wrong with your empty weight data! A passenger plane of this size should have an empty weight of at least 130 tons. How did you arrive at 115 tons? I admit, airlines would be very interested in this data, but they don’t want their planes to disintegrate in the air!”

Civil aviation prioritizes operating costs. The lighter the aircraft, the more fuel-efficient it is, which means lower operating costs. However, there are limits to the weight of an aircraft, and basic flight safety must be ensured!

Soviet aircraft were heavier than Western aircraft, partly due to their own technological backwardness and partly due to their greater safety margins.

The West tries to reduce aircraft weight as much as possible, but... not to the point of sacrificing safety!

Qin Liang smiled and said, "That's right. If we use the conventional design, the aircraft's weight will definitely be over 130 tons. But we have advanced materials! We plan to use carbon fiber composite materials extensively on the fuselage, covering the fuselage surface, and... the entire wing."

When it comes to the weight of an aircraft, the skin definitely accounts for a large proportion. Even if aluminum alloy is light, it is still metal, and carbon fiber is simply plastic, so it will naturally be lighter!
Moreover, and more importantly, only Northwestern Polytechnical University currently possesses this level of carbon fiber! With the increase in orders, the materials science department's original production in the laboratory could no longer meet the needs. They needed to set up a factory and an assembly line to manufacture more carbon fiber materials, which would naturally be used in future aircraft, and even more would be needed!
Our design plan from Northwestern Polytechnical University will be followed. If Boeing objects, the project will have to be canceled. In short, we will not compromise. If they agree, they will not be able to bypass Northwestern Polytechnical University and work independently after the results are achieved, since they do not have this kind of material!
“Carbon fiber…I’m afraid this material isn’t mature yet?” Dick Taylor asked, frowning.

"How could it not be mature? It's already being used extensively in aircraft engines, and we've also started testing aircraft skin. Once this aircraft is developed, it can be used on the aircraft surface," Qin Liang said. "Everyone, projects involving Northwestern Polytechnical University must possess the world's most advanced technology! It has to be a groundbreaking passenger aircraft! Fuel efficiency isn't just about the engine; it also depends on reducing its own weight!"

Dick Taylor's expression changed rapidly, alternating between red and white, clearly as he weighed the pros and cons.

“Mr. Qin, we will seriously consider this technology,” Steiner said. “Could you also introduce us to some other technologies?”

"Okay, let's take a look. The canards at the front are mainly used to move the center of lift forward. The current plan is for them to be fixed. If you all think that we need to fly at high angles of attack..."

Everyone shook their heads. What a joke! If the passenger plane flew at a high angle of attack, wouldn't all the passengers in the cabin roll to the tail?

"Because we adopted a delta wing configuration, the wings are wide and can store a lot of fuel. According to our plan, we can achieve a long-distance flight of 14,000 kilometers using only the fuel tanks in the wings."

Twin-engine, twin-aisle, wide-body long-range passenger aircraft!
"In order to better control this passenger plane, we have decided to adopt fly-by-wire operation and a two-person pilot system..."

All of these are new concepts!
Boeing, a long-established behemoth, has always been very conservative. Those who look down on the Y-10 use the excuse that the Y-10 uses steel cables and trim tabs for control. In fact, the Boeing 707 is the same. The main wing control surfaces and vertical tail rudder are hydraulically driven, while the tail elevator uses steel cables and trim tabs.

Currently, Boeing's passenger planes still use hydraulic control, and it wasn't until the Boeing 777, delivered in 93, that fly-by-wire control was adopted. In contrast, Airbus was more aggressive, with the earliest Airbus A320 using fly-by-wire control.

The Boeing visitors all frowned; this made the research and development even riskier!

"Everyone, if Northwestern Polytechnical University is going to do something, it has to be the most advanced passenger plane in the world! If you have any concerns, that's fine too. Even without you, we can build it ourselves." Qin Liang said, "We value technology above all else, and we are not afraid of risks!"

This remark provoked the Americans. What did you say? We're afraid of risks?
Boeing has never been afraid of risks. Every development project they undertake is a high-stakes gamble. The Boeing 707, the Boeing 747... if a project fails, the company will go bankrupt. However... the company wins every time!

Only the board members were terrified. So, when McDonnell Douglas later acquired Boeing—yes, McDonnell Douglas used Boeing's money to acquire Boeing—McDonnell Douglas executives began lobbying the board to shift the focus to profitability and engaged in various shady financial maneuvers.

The money was there, but Boeing was ruined, becoming the subject of countless jokes in later generations. The 737 MAX, which was known for its fatal dive, was transformed from a few-day flight into a spaceship that could fly for hundreds of days...

“We at MIT believe this aircraft is groundbreaking!” Yang Tian said.

Steiner nodded: "Yes, it is indeed groundbreaking! Boeing is willing to invest in the research and development of this project, but... we still need you to provide us with complete information so our company can conduct an evaluation."

Qin Liang smiled and said, "It's impossible to give you the complete data because... we don't have it either! However, we can certainly give you a copy of the data needed for this assessment! But before you receive the assessment data, you need to sign a contract. If you abandon this project in the future, you cannot use the technology to develop similar passenger planes."

The Americans looked grim. What did that mean? Were they afraid we'd copy them? Boeing is a technology company; when has Boeing ever resorted to such despicable tactics!
"Okay, we can sign!"

Steiner nodded as he looked at the model.

Qin Liang was overjoyed. Good, they finally took the bait. All his hard work over the past few days hadn't been in vain!

The contract was ready-made. Boeing's lawyer studied it for a long time and found no problems, so both parties signed it. Then, Dick Taylor couldn't wait to take over the evaluation materials.

Evaluation Report on the Sonic Cruiser Passenger Aircraft. First, market analysis: Currently, there is a need internationally for a twin-engine, twin-aisle long-range intercontinental passenger aircraft. Let's start by analyzing Pan Am...

Second, its design features include a speed more than 15% faster than existing passenger aircraft and a fuel saving of 20%...

The report, over two hundred pages long, was very comprehensive and clear, just like the project analysis Boeing conducts when starting a new project. Although they always take risks, they absolutely have a grasp of the market pulse!
Now, unexpectedly, people from the East who are just beginning to embrace a market economy can produce such a report, with a lot of data... Dick Taylor looked at Yang Tian.

“Much of the information inside was proposed by MIT. After all, the development of this passenger aircraft is also a key project for MIT,” Yang Tian answered, knowing what he was going to ask.

Dick Taylor nodded: "Yes, I personally have no doubts about this project anymore. The only regret is that there is still too little actual research and development data."

“This is perfect for allocating R&D work,” Qin Liang said. “I have a work allocation document here, which is divided into four parts according to the various technologies we need. The additional engine part is not included. Each of the four parties will carry out one aspect of R&D.”

The work assignments were all handled by Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU), which meant that NPU was practically in charge of the project. This made everyone present somewhat unhappy, but... after all, the project was proposed by NPU.

"Of course, we can make changes if you have any objections, but now... it's almost time, shall we go eat first?"

"Can you bring the food over?"

Qin Liang glanced at Dick Taylor. Who said Americans aren't ambitious? These tech guys are just as obsessed with technology!
"Of course, everyone study the materials first, and we'll talk again tomorrow." After Qin Liang finished speaking, he looked at the others: "Uncle, Duoduo, let's go."

This is a formal family dinner!

This morning, Qin Baomin received the news and began making various preparations. In the past six months, the old farmer look of Qin Baomin has completely disappeared. He is dressed in a neat Zhongshan suit, with a straight back. Because he no longer does farm work outside, his skin has become much whiter. He eats and drinks well every day, and his body has even started to gain a little weight.

However, his personality remained unchanged, retaining the simplicity of an old farmer. Upon hearing that a foreign inspection team had arrived, he stood at the entrance of the faculty and staff dormitory building in Beicun, constantly looking around.

And so it wasn't until night fell and the streetlights shone that a few figures could be seen.

"Dad! Why have you been waiting outside? Come on, let's go upstairs!"

Qin Baomin stood there stunned for a few seconds before he reacted, his face beaming with smiles: "Yeah, Duoduo, don't worry. If Liangzi bullies you in the future, come find me anytime, and I'll beat him up!"

Later, Yang Tian looked helpless. His daughter hadn't even had a formal wedding yet, and she had already changed her address to him, calling him more affectionately than he did. Sigh, who said daughters are like little cotton-padded jackets?

Qin Liang glanced at Yang Tian: "Dad, let's go upstairs!"

Yang Tian was taken aback for a moment, then smiled broadly: "Let's go, let's go up!"

"Come on, you guys sit down, I'll go cook!"

The vegetables were all prepared, and the meat had been cut in advance; they were just waiting to be cooked! Qin Baomin opened the refrigerator and took out the vegetables he had prepared in advance.

"Dad, let me do it." Yang Duo'er walked over.

"Dad, you and Dad sit there and chat. Duo'er and I will go and get ready." Qin Liang still felt awkward.

"Come on, Lao Qin, sit down. Let's have a chat. You've raised a fine son!"

"Professor Yang, your daughter is the real talent."

"Don't call me Professor Yang, call me Old Yang!"

Inside the kitchen, Yang Duo'er looked at all the food and asked with some worry, "How... how do we make this?"

Qin Liang smiled and said, "I'll do it!"

The meal consisted of six dishes and a soup, including chicken and fish, stir-fries and stews, and looked very appetizing.

Yang Tian picked up a piece of pork belly and put it in his mouth: "Not bad, not bad, the meat from our East is still the best. In America, they don't bleed the pigs before slaughtering them..."

"Dad, Liangzi's cooking is still the best!"

"Hmm, okay, okay, you always talk about your brother Liangzi! The wedding hasn't even happened yet. By the way, after the wedding, where will you live?"

"Dad, our Department of Five is planning to build a staff housing building. When that happens, all the teachers in Department of Five will be able to live in big houses. Although my dad isn't a teacher in Department of Five, he will still be allocated two apartments, across from each other. We'll each live in one of them."

Some people miss the era of housing allocation. In reality, during that time, the average living space per person in the city was only five square meters. A family of six would live in a small house of only thirty square meters, which was even smaller than a pigeon coop in Hong Kong.

Now that Qin Liang is here, he's bound to change everything! Northwestern Polytechnical University can't operate on a free-for-all basis; we, the Fifth Department, should be taken care of first. Once the teaching buildings are finished, it'll be time for the staff quarters! Of course, what he's saying now is still far from being finalized! Director Luo of the Fifth Department doesn't even know; it's all still part of his own plan.

Qin Baomin frowned, glanced at Yang Tian, ​​and couldn't help but speak up, "Liangzi, the teachers' living conditions aren't very good these days. This dormitory building in Beicun was originally for single teachers, but many of them are married or even have children. There's no space in the family compound, so they all have to squeeze in here. There are so many houses... Let's prioritize them for now. We only need one place. You and Duoduo can stay here, and I'll stay here. It's quite nice here..."

“Brother Liangzi, Dad is right, one set is enough. But we can’t let Dad come here alone, let’s live together!” Yang Duo’er quickly said.

Qin Liang was somewhat...helpless. "Dad, do you even know what a white lie is?"
"Old Qin, your awareness is truly admirable!" Yang Tian said, "In the West, I've witnessed all sorts of conflicts of interest, marrying daughters to playboys for the sake of family interests... It just so happens that Duoduo doesn't like my students either. Coming to the East has allowed me to experience what human kindness is, and this is what society should be like! I'm willing to marry Duoduo into such a family!"

In later generations, many women dream of marrying into wealthy families. But is marrying into a wealthy family truly a happy life? It's not as good as marrying into a humble family!

When it comes to marriage, one must consider the character of the other party's family. Based on Qin Baomin's words, Yang Tian was completely at ease!

Was this all just a lucky accident?
"Come on, let's raise a glass and have a drink together!"

The room wasn't big, but it was full of warmth.

On the other side, inside the Fifth Department Teaching Building.

"We must be involved in the exterior design; we can't let Northwestern Polytechnical University develop it independently! We at Boeing also need to be involved in the fly-by-wire operation! We at Boeing also need to participate in the structural calculations! This..."

After reviewing each item, Dick Taylor felt uneasy and decided it would be best to develop it himself. In the end, he wanted to take on all the projects himself.

"Mr. Dick Taylor, what should we at Northwestern Polytechnical University do?" Director Luo asked.

"Could you... design the interior decoration?"

Director Luo smiled and said, "This is not our forte. This should be Boeing's forte, right?"

"Where is Mr. Qin? Where is Qin Liang? I need to discuss this with him."

"He's busy with the wedding preparations, so he probably won't be able to come over for a while."

"Honestly, what's so great about getting married? Even if you get married, it shouldn't interfere with your work, right?" Dick Taylor couldn't help but complain.

Just then, a figure appeared at the door: "Director Luo, Director Luo!"

Director Luo went out: "Old Sha, what's the matter?"

"I just received a telegram."

Director Luo took it, opened it, and his heart sank. This was too unfortunate! It seemed that Qin Liang's wedding couldn't take place now.
Faculty and staff dormitory building.

"Liangzi, Duoduo, what are your plans for your wedding?"

"Dad, we want to have a destination wedding, to travel around and see the world..."

Qin Baomin was stunned. What did that mean?
Holding a wedding is a big deal. You have to send out invitations, prepare a banquet, have the bride pick-up, and have all sorts of ceremonies... In this respect, Qin Baomin is still very conservative. After all, getting married is a once-in-a-lifetime event!

Travel wedding? This was the first time he'd ever heard of that term!

Yang Tian smiled and said, "I have no objection, but next time I go to the United States, we have to hold a homecoming banquet."

Look, Old Yang is going to throw a banquet! Just as Qin Baomin was about to speak, there was a knock on the door.

"Qin Liang, Qin Liang! We have a mission!"

　P.S.: Now I think this Sonic Cruiser looks really beautiful; maybe the protagonist should actually build it.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)