Love in the Courtyard: Starting with Engineers

The R&D workshop at Longxing Factory is brightly lit until late at night.

Zhao Wenshan led the research team to work around the prototype of the anti-interference system. The various data on the instrument panel jumped, showing "signal shielding efficiency 95%, response delay 0.1 seconds", which fully met the conventional testing standards.

A technician excitedly reported, "Deputy Team Leader Zhao, the routine environmental test has passed! Based on this data, it should pass the military's test."

Zhao Wenshan pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, a hint of smugness flashing in his eyes.

The beryllium copper alloy shielding layer he chose performs excellently in normal electromagnetic environments, but no one knows that this alloy will become unstable in molecular structure when the temperature exceeds 60°C and the electromagnetic intensity reaches a critical value.

The shielding effect will drop by 80% within 10 minutes—while in actual combat, the continuous operation of anti-aircraft guns will inevitably cause the equipment to heat up, and the electromagnetic environment is far more complex than in the laboratory.

"Very good. Compile the test report and submit it to Chief Engineer Li first thing tomorrow morning."

Suppressing his inner elation, Zhao Wenshan calmly instructed, "Everyone, check the equipment again to make sure nothing is missed."

Just then, engineer Lao Wang walked in with two testers, holding test plans in his hands.

"Deputy Team Leader Zhao, the chief engineer has instructed us to add an 'extreme environment durability test' to simulate a scenario of continuous operation for 20 minutes in actual combat, with an ambient temperature of 80°C and strong electromagnetic interference. This is the latest test item required by the military."

Zhao Wenshan's expression changed instantly, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "Engineer Wang, the routine tests have already passed. Is it really necessary to conduct such rigorous testing? Time is of the essence, and if we delay any longer, we may not be able to meet the delivery deadline."

"This is the chief engineer's order, and it's also to ensure that the equipment doesn't malfunction in actual combat," Old Wang said firmly.

"We just received news from the Weihai that enemy ships have begun live-fire drills near the islands and reefs. The situation is more urgent than expected, and any potential danger could lead to serious consequences."

Zhao Wenshan had no choice but to watch helplessly as the tester activated the extreme environment simulation device.

As the temperature gradually increased, the electromagnetic interference intensified, and the shielding layer of the prototype began to heat up slightly. The signal shielding efficiency on the instrument panel gradually decreased, dropping to 70% after 15 minutes and only 30% after 18 minutes, with a noticeable lag in the radar signal.

A technician exclaimed, "How could this happen? How could the shielding layer suddenly fail?"

Zhao Wenshan broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly explained, "It might be a problem with the testing equipment, or the alloy material might not be pure enough. Let's try another batch of materials."

"No need to try."

Li Yu's voice came from the doorway, followed by several military representatives.

Li Yu walked to the prototype and ran his fingertip across the heated shielding layer. "Beryllium copper alloy's high temperature resistance and strong electromagnetic resistance make it completely unsuitable as a shielding material. You couldn't possibly not know that, Team Leader Zhao."

Zhao Wenshan's heart sank: "Chief Engineer, I... I also referred to Western technical materials, I didn't expect this kind of problem to occur in actual application."

"Western technical data?"

Li Yu picked up a material sample from the table. "This alloy was phased out in the West long ago because its fatal flaws have caused equipment failures in actual combat. As an expert who studied abroad, would you make such a basic mistake?"

The military representative frowned, his eyes filled with suspicion as he looked at Zhao Wenshan.

Zhao Wenshan broke out in a cold sweat and was speechless for a moment. He could only lower his head and pretend to organize the drawings.

Just then, the head of the materials team came in, holding a shiny black metal block in his hand.

"Chief Engineer! Success! The rare earth tungsten alloy has been successfully refined! Testing shows that its hardness, high-temperature resistance, and wear resistance far exceed expectations, exceeding the tungsten-chromium alloy subject to Western embargo by 2.3 times, and fully meeting the requirements for gun barrel production!"

Li Yu took it and examined it, saying, "Excellent! With this alloy, the performance of anti-aircraft gun barrels will achieve a qualitative leap. Even after firing continuously for half an hour, there's no need to worry about deformation!"

Li Yu turned to Zhao Wenshan and said calmly, "Team Leader Zhao, it's normal to make mistakes in technology research and development, but they must be corrected in time."

"Since beryllium copper alloy is not suitable, we will use our own rare earth alloy as the shielding layer material."

Zhao Wenshan breathed a sigh of relief and quickly replied, "Yes, I'll take care of it right away!"

He was secretly relieved that Li Yu did not press the matter further, but he did not notice that Li Yu and Old Wang exchanged a glance.

After Zhao Wenshan and his team got back to work, Old Wang walked up to Li Yu and whispered:

"Factory manager, we just received a message from the National Security Bureau that after Zhao Wenshan passed the routine tests, he immediately sent the intelligence overseas that 'the prototype test was successful and there were no obvious defects.' The overseas side has replied, instructing him to steal the formula for rare earth tungsten alloy as soon as possible."

"Just as I expected."

A cold glint flashed in Li Yu's eyes. He had sensed something was wrong when the system notified him that it had received Zhao Wenshan's emotional value.

"Notify the National Security Bureau to closely monitor his every move, and take him down in one fell swoop when he reveals more clues."

"clear."

Meanwhile, Zhao Wenshan, who had rushed home, hid in the bathroom and secretly sent an encrypted telegram: "The target has developed a rare earth tungsten alloy with excellent performance. Request instructions on how to steal the formula."

Soon, the overseas side responded with brief instructions: "Take advantage of the opportunity to optimize the anti-interference system to access the core data of the materials group, and take special measures if necessary."

Zhao Wenshan gripped the radio tightly. He knew this was his last chance. If he couldn't steal the rare earth tungsten alloy formula, foreign forces would no longer provide him with any support, and might even try to silence him.

Even late at night, the R&D workshop at Longxing Factory remains busy.

With the support of a rare-earth alloy shielding layer, the optimized anti-interference system prototype successfully passed the extreme environment test, with a signal shielding efficiency of 98% and a response delay of less than 0.05 seconds, far exceeding the military's requirements.

Zhao Wenshan, taking advantage of the opportunity to discuss technical parameters with the materials team, attempted to sneak into the materials team's archives, unaware that a pair of eyes were watching him all along.

Meanwhile, the Weihai destroyer had already left port and was speeding towards the islands and reefs in the South China Sea. The officers and soldiers on board were eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new shipborne anti-aircraft guns produced by the Longxing Shipyard, while they were about to face a series of deadly traps laid by the enemy naval fleet.