Love in the Courtyard: Starting with Engineers

Three months passed in the blink of an eye, and Li Yu had been troubled by material issues throughout this time. Even when following the instructions in the blueprints, various problems kept arising.

In the precision machining workshop of Longxing Machinery Factory, the roar of machine tools never stops, day and night.

"Chief Engineer, the heat treatment of the tungsten alloy gun barrel has run into problems again. Fine cracks have appeared in all three trial production runs."

Engineer Lao Zhang hurried over with the test report in hand. "The military only has half a month left to complete the hull assembly of the Weihai. If we can't finish in time, the subsequent assembly will be delayed."

Li Yu took the report, his gaze falling on the crack data, and quickly recalled the "high-strength alloy heat treatment process" he had redeemed from the system.

"Reduce the existing quenching temperature by 15°C, add a secondary tempering process, and use nitrogen for protective cooling."

He picked up his pen and added process parameters to the drawings. "In addition, have Zhou Qiming bring the machine repair team over. The tool compensation of the five-axis machine tool needs to be recalibrated, and the machining accuracy of the gun barrel rifling must be controlled within 0.005 millimeters."

Upon receiving the notification, Zhou Qiming immediately arrived with his tools. Looking at the intricate rifling patterns on the blueprints, his eyes were filled with awe: "Chief Engineer Li, the rifling on this gun barrel is even more complex than that of a precision machine tool in a machine repair shop. Can our five-axis machine tool really machine it?"

"Don't worry, the equipment is fine; the key is in how you operate it."

Li Yu personally demonstrated how to adjust the CNC parameters of the machine tool: "You keep an eye on the machining process and record the tool wear data every half hour. If there is any abnormality, stop the machine immediately."

Just as the workshop was working hard to overcome the challenges, Li Huaide suddenly burst in, his expression grave: "Li Yu, the National Security Department has intercepted intelligence that foreign spies have their eyes on the technology of shipborne anti-aircraft guns and may have already infiltrated the factory area disguised as technicians."

Li Yu's eyes sharpened, and he immediately pressed the workshop broadcast button: "All personnel suspend work and present their work identification for verification."

During the inspection, a middle-aged man who identified himself as a "technician" appeared flustered and presented identification information that did not match the factory's registration.

Li Huaide immediately led his men forward to question the man, who attempted to resist but was subdued by security personnel who had been lying in ambush nearby.

An investigation revealed that this person was an undercover agent sent by a foreign intelligence agency with the intention of stealing the blueprints for the anti-aircraft gun's rate of fire adjustment system.

"Thank goodness you arrived in time." Li Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Now I can focus on research and development without worry."

Three days later, after repeated debugging, the first shipborne anti-aircraft gun was successfully rolled off the production line.

The gun barrel is entirely black, and its streamlined design reduces drag. The heat dissipation grooves on the barrel are arranged like sharp blades, exuding a fierce and murderous aura.

At the test firing range, with Li Yu's command, the anti-aircraft guns instantly spewed fire, and the dense shells wove a protective net in the sky, successfully shooting down the target drone simulating enemy missiles.

"Accuracy 55%, rate of fire meets target!"

The inspector reported excitedly.

"Chief Engineer Li, this cannon is amazing! From now on, the Weihai will have an impenetrable shield at sea!"

Li Yu gazed at the distant wreckage of the target drone, a smile playing on his lips.

He knew that this anti-aircraft gun was not only the core of the Weihai's defense, but also a significant breakthrough in my country's naval air defense system.

In the dry dock of Jiangnan Shipyard, the destroyer "Weihai" lies dormant like a giant steel shark.

The ship's anti-aircraft guns, like sharp eyes, vigilantly scanned the sea surface, complementing the electronic radar atop the bridge. After months of intensive assembly, the Weihai finally embarked on its maiden voyage.

Li Yu and military representatives boarded the warship and stood in the bridge command room. Captain Wang Jianjun, a seasoned veteran of the navy, shook Li Yu's hand and exclaimed, "Chief Engineer Li, our warships previously lacked even basic air defense capabilities. Now, with your anti-aircraft guns and radar, the Weihai is a true sea fortress!"

Everything went smoothly at the start of the sea trial.

The Weihai was sailing smoothly in the East China Sea, with all performance indicators meeting design requirements. However, when the warship entered international waters, the radar suddenly issued an alarm:

"Unidentified aerial target detected, 10 kilometers away, rapidly approaching our position!"

Wang Jianjun immediately ordered: "Activate the air defense system and enter Level 1 alert!"

Li Yu stared at the radar screen and saw two bright spots moving rapidly, at a speed far exceeding that of ordinary commercial airliners.

"It's an enemy reconnaissance aircraft, possibly carrying anti-ship missiles," he said in a deep voice.

Wang Jianjun immediately spoke into the walkie-talkie, "Put the anti-aircraft guns into automatic interception mode, and open fire immediately after the radar locks onto the target."

The shipborne radar quickly locked onto the target, and the anti-aircraft gun barrels began to rotate, emitting a deep hum. Just as the enemy reconnaissance aircraft entered attack range, Wang Jianjun shouted, "Fire!"

The four shipborne anti-aircraft guns simultaneously unleashed a barrage of fire, the dense shells forming an invisible barrier that traced dazzling trajectories in the air.

The first reconnaissance plane had no time to react; it was hit in the wing by a shell and crashed into the sea, billowing black smoke.

Seeing the situation was not good, the second reconnaissance plane tried to turn around and escape, but it was continuously tracked by radar. The anti-aircraft guns adjusted their angle and fired a new round of shots, which directly hit the fuselage. The reconnaissance plane exploded and disintegrated in the air.

The entire process took no more than three minutes. The Weihai successfully intercepted two enemy reconnaissance planes, and everyone present cheered with joy.

Wang Jianjun patted Li Yu on the shoulder excitedly: "That was fantastic! Chief Engineer Li, your anti-aircraft gun is simply a divine weapon! This test voyage was a complete success!"

After the sea trial, the Weihai returned to the shipyard.

When the news reached Beijing, both the Ministry of Industry and the Navy Headquarters sent congratulatory telegrams praising Longxing Machinery Factory for its significant contributions to the modernization of my country's navy.

Li Yu was invited to attend a celebration meeting held by the military. At the meeting, he proposed to further optimize the shipborne anti-aircraft gun, and planned to add infrared guidance function to improve the interception capability against low-altitude targets.

Back at the courtyard house, Yan Bugui unusually took the initiative to visit, carrying a basket of eggs: "Chief Engineer Li, I heard the news of the successful trial voyage of the Weihai. You are truly the pride of our courtyard house!"

With a look of guilt on his face, he said, "I was foolish before, always thinking about scheming. Now that I see how much you have done for the country, I understand what true ability is."

Li Yu looked at Yan Bugui suspiciously without reaching out to take it, just staring at Yan Bugui.

Yan Bugui smiled awkwardly: "This time I really didn't scheme. I heard it on the radio. This time it's really for you."

"I just wonder if you could let my son Jiefang learn something from you?"

Yan Jiefang followed behind, saying shyly, "Chief Engineer Li, if Longxing Factory needs anything in the future, I'll be there whenever you call, even if it means working overtime."

Li Yu waved his hand: "No, why do you think Yan Jiefang can learn what I'm doing now?"

"Do you think this is some kind of roadside bicycle repair shop?"

After saying that, Li Yu turned and went into the courtyard, leaving the Yan father and son looking constipated.