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

Chapter 38 The key to research and development is still the computer!

At the same time, at Northwestern Polytechnical University, in the Fifth Department office building.

"Old Liu, did you really develop those advanced technologies?" Old Tu asked, his face full of surprise.

Professor Liu was a little embarrassed: "This..."

He recalled Qin Liang's excitement when he heard about the 200 yuan bonus. He was certain that Qin Liang was after that bonus, and he had promised that the entire bonus would go to Qin Liang, with him merely holding the position in name only.

As for the research and development achievements introduced today, he didn't understand any of them from beginning to end!

At the time, he thought that as a professor at Northwestern Polytechnical University, he had a higher chance of publishing articles in SCI journals. He never intended to seek fame or take advantage of his students; would that still be considered being a teacher? He just didn't expect that so many things would follow! It was truly embarrassing on stage.

As for meals? He was even more embarrassed.

"Absolutely! It's a real honor for us Easterners and for our Eastern aviation industry!" Professor Sha chimed in, "Old Liu, based on your contributions today, I won't argue with you about Qin Liang's student status. From now on, you'll be his mentor. However, he has to be involved in the entire J-7 modification project! Now no one in the Air Force will doubt the technology of Northwestern Polytechnical University!"

Thinking of the doubts raised by the Air Force leaders before, and the looks they gave him while watching the discussion today, Professor Sha felt incredibly proud. Anyone who dares to say that Northwestern Polytechnical University has no technology, I'll slap them across the face!
Tu Lao continued, "Then, could you use this technology to further modify our J-7 fighter jet?"

Two air intakes on both sides, double delta wings... these improvements were no longer enough for Tu Lao. Stealth aircraft, this was definitely opening a completely new door!
"cannot!"

"why?"

Professor Liu couldn't continue. He really wanted to say that we really didn't have this technology, and that Qin Liang's paper seemed very hasty, his only goal being... to get the prize money! Wouldn't an SCI-level paper take a year and a half to write, involving numerous experiments and a large amount of data? Professor Liu was certain that the data in the paper was all fabricated by Qin Liang!

Professor Liu could admit his lack of ability, but he couldn't expose his student's shortcomings. Just as he didn't know how to answer, Old Tu continued to smooth things over: "Didn't Qin Liang say that developing this kind of technology requires a computer like the Cray-1 that can perform 100 million calculations per second? We don't have that kind of capability in China, so it's like trying to cook without rice."

"Yes," Old Tu nodded, "Without computers, everything is useless. Fortunately, you got a hundred 8086 processors and matching chips this time. I wonder when the computer science department will be able to assemble such a computer..."

Department 1, office building, conference room.

"Comrades, the 8086 processor and its supporting chips are right here, one hundred sets!" Director Meng's voice trembled with excitement: "Qin Liang kept his word, what about our mathematics department?"

"Of course, we must keep our word and develop this computer within a year!" Zhu Xianghua, a computer science teacher, immediately stood up: "Director Meng, please entrust this glorious and arduous task to me!"

"I'll join in too!"

"Count me in!"

"If you're all involved in research, what about teaching?" someone asked, frowning.

"Teaching? Of course, it means teaching students about the 8086 processor, doing research while teaching!"

"How about this: the teachers involved in the research can take on the teaching duties for senior students and lead the research. Let's bring up our best and brightest. At the same time, we should also ask our colleagues in the electronics major to help us. This computer research and development project will be the second key project undertaken by Northwestern Polytechnical University!"

"That's right!"

"Comrades, we must work hard. The research and development in the aircraft department is still waiting for our computers! As you saw at the symposium today, the West has imposed a blockade on us for advanced computers. Relying on others is useless; we can only rely on ourselves!" Director Meng concluded with his remarks and encouragement.

Actually, he didn't need to say much; everyone's eyes were filled with fighting spirit. "Yeah, what kind of computers will they use this year?" someone started to worry about the aircraft department.

May Day Hotel.

As soon as Secretary Shen finished speaking, he sensed that the atmosphere in the room had changed. Countless eyes were fixed on him, filled with dissatisfaction. Even the school teachers were glaring at Secretary Shen with anger.

How dare they criticize our students like that? Isn't this a slap in the face to Northwestern Polytechnical University?
As for the military personnel, their faces were even more gloomy, especially Old Lin, whose eyes seemed capable of killing.

Secretary Shen sobered up completely.

"When I left, the teacher already told me not to ask Teacher Liu, as I can speak for him. But you, Secretary Shen, whose opinion do you represent with these words?"

Secretary Shen was sweating profusely. Old Master Lin was still here; how could he possibly speak? Moreover, it was obvious that his statement was problematic in its stance, and his future was likely ruined!
"Come on, let's drink! Let's drink!" Principal Ji raised his glass. This Secretary Shen has said something problematic from the meeting until now; he'll probably be punished when he gets back. It wouldn't be good if he held a grudge against Qin Liang and tried to trip him up…

Quickly smooth things over!
However... Elder Lin did not raise his glass, nor did the other military personnel, making the atmosphere even more awkward.

“Mr. Smith, you look familiar. Where were you in the early 1950s?” Old Lin asked.

Smith's body stiffened immediately: "Well..."

"In the early 1950s, there was an ace pilot in the US military on the Far East battlefield who flew an F-86 and reportedly shot down eight aircraft. I think he looks a lot like you!"

Secretary Shen's clothes were completely soaked.

From the beginning of the symposium, one by one, the research and development achievements of Northwestern Polytechnical University were introduced to the Westerners with his nod. He originally thought it was an academic exchange, and at the time he also felt that the two sides were friendly and that the international friends should not be treated unfairly.

If these visitors are from the U.S. Air Force, then it's a completely different story. This is theft... no, this is openly stealing secrets from the East!

These two are foreigners. Even if they're exposed, the worst they'll get is deportation. As for me? I might be kicked out!

Thinking of this, he looked at Smith expectantly, hoping that he had nothing to do with the U.S. Air Force and that Old Lin had simply made a mistake.

"Teacher Lin, you have a good eye. I was indeed a flying ace back then, but I retired ten years ago. Because I knew a lot of theory, I went to work for a magazine."

Smith admitted it! Even now, as a magazine editor, it doesn't absolve him of suspicion that he was a spy!

"Also, you look very familiar. You're probably not a teacher at Northwestern Polytechnical University, are you?"

Smith has begun to fight back!

“I also understand a lot of theory, which is why I’m a nominal lecturer at Northwestern Polytechnical University,” Professor Lin said. “What, is there a problem? Mr. Smith, are you feeling guilty?”

Behind Old Lin, the guards were already prepared.

(End of this chapter)