Chapter One Hundred and Fourteen: The Plan Takes Shape, Part One

No one dared answer Marshal Nie. This was no small matter; whoever stepped forward now would have to bear the responsibility.

Seeing that no one below spoke, Marshal Nie grew even angrier. How could the aerospace industry ever soar like this? He had never imagined it had fallen to such a state. It was simply infuriating.

“Fine. No one wants to speak, is that it? Then I’ll call on people myself. This new aircraft project is being handled by Base 0011, isn’t it? Then let’s begin with Base 0011.”

He straightened his back, swept his gaze over the crowd below, and finally fixed his eyes on Chief Engineer Yu.

“Then let our newly appointed chief airframe designer speak. Yu Ximing, you handle overall design and administration. You tell us. Spell out the shortcomings of the aerospace industry as it stands now. Don’t be afraid. I want to see just how rotten it really is.”

Seeing Marshal Nie this furious, no one below dared even breathe too loudly. They could only glance at Chief Engineer Yu from the corners of their eyes. Yang Hui had not expected Marshal Nie to be this enraged this time either. The situation had taken an unexpected turn; it was already slipping beyond his control.

Chief Engineer Yu, seeing that Marshal Nie had personally singled him out, did not know whether to laugh or cry. He could only steel himself, forget everything else, sort through all the problems he knew, and lay them out in one breath.

“Marshal Nie, then I’ll speak. I only hope what I say will be of some use later.”

“Go ahead. If the problems are serious, I’ll report them to the higher-ups myself and take the lead on the reform. Today I’ll play the surgeon.”

Marshal Nie’s words carried real force. Some below were delighted, others worried. Everyone present was a senior figure in the aerospace industry, so naturally they knew a thing or two about its problems. If Marshal Nie truly intended to take charge of the reform personally, then the matter would indeed be hard to predict.

Hearing this, Chief Engineer Yu finally relaxed. If Marshal Nie was willing to personally oversee the reform, that would naturally be the best and most effective outcome.

“From the problems I have summarized, the two most serious are these. First: our designer system is in complete disorder. In a given model, there may not be many chief designers, but there are far too many deputy chief designers. Their authority overlaps badly. For difficult and critical projects, they all shove responsibility aside; for simple projects that are easy to score achievements with, they all scramble to get involved. That is a very poor use of scientific research resources.”

The factory leaders at the base let out a breath of relief. Good. They were talking about the designer system. That had nothing to do with the factories, so they could put their minds at ease for now.

Marshal Nie nodded, indicating that he had noted the issue. “Go on. The second point. I’m listening. Explain it carefully.”

Now it was time to offer solutions. This was the part that truly offended people. Before, they had only laid the problem on the table, like finding the easiest place to strike if one meant to kill. But now, proposing specific measures was the practical step forward; this was where hands would be laid on the matter, and it was the most dangerous stage.

Seeing that Chief Engineer Yu from First Institute had already identified the problem, Second Institute had to state its position. Director Bai stood up and put forward the concrete measures he had already discussed with Chief Engineer Yu, expressing Second Institute’s support for reforming the research system.

“Marshal Nie, we at Second Institute agree with the situation reported by our comrades from First Institute. I have thought of two measures that should be able to solve the problem.”

Now all eyes turned to Director Bai. Since the two research institutes at Base 0011 had reached a consensus, the rest of the matter became far more promising. It seemed the reform of the research system could take this opportunity to be tested at Base 0011.

Seeing someone volunteer to speak, Marshal Nie naturally approved. “Go on. Good or bad, we will take your suggestions seriously.”

Director Bai, his mouth dry, began to present the suggestions they had already worked out. These were Chief Engineer Yu’s ideas, and Chief Engineer Yu had in turn discussed them with Chief Engineer Song in Jin City. Naturally, what Director Bai was about to say was quite close to the reform measures later adopted by Chief Engineer Song.

“For the first problem, I suggest establishing a new designer system divided into three levels. The first level is the chief designer for a specific model; the second level is the chief designer for an entire system; the third level is the chief designer, director designer, or supervising designer for new products supporting an aircraft at the initial matching stage. Designers from different industries and departments involved in development should all be brought under system management.”

In just a few short sentences, he described the essence of the entire new designer system to perfection.

Everyone fell into deep thought over this reform measure, while Yang Hui alone was astonished. This was clearly the three-tier designer system used in later years. How had it now been put forward by Director Bai? Could it be that Director Bai had also had a deep exchange of ideas with Chief Engineer Song?

Yang Hui was stunned, but Marshal Nie praised the measure highly.

“This is a very good measure. I think it is workable. If adopted, the responsibilities and authority of each level of designer will become clear at once. Very good. Go on and tell me your second improvement measure. I’m optimistic about you.”

Hearing Marshal Nie approve of the proposal, Director Bai felt his mouth water and the earlier dryness vanish. He immediately laid out the second improvement measure in full.

“This second improvement measure is actually something we have used before. Our old all-out campaign system was excellent. Of course, we are only reforming the system within the aerospace sector now. It would be unrealistic to bring all industries across the country into campaign mode, but we should learn from that system. Whenever there is a major technical bottleneck, we should organize personnel for a collective assault. If necessary, researchers from other factories and institutes without major projects can be temporarily reassigned. All available strength should be pooled, and the chief designer system should take charge of organizing the technical breakthrough.”

The campaign system was a powerful tool from the early days of the Republic’s industrial beginnings, one that had solved major scientific and technical problems across many fields. The most famous example was the great oil campaign.

The older generation had not yet retired, so they naturally understood this system. With memories of their own fiery youth stirring in them, Marshal Nie also gave his approval.

“Good. I think these two suggestions of yours are both insightful, truly very good. It’s almost noon now, so let’s adjourn for the time being. When you go back today, put your suggestions into a written report and hand it to me. After that, I’ll take charge of this reform.”

After the meeting ended, people left in ones and twos to go eat. Yang Hui, however, was in no hurry. He walked slowly, step by step, without haste.

At that moment Aunt Li came from behind. “Yang Hui, wait a moment.”

Just as expected, Marshal Nie had understood what Yang Hui meant and had sent Aunt Li to call him over after the meeting.

“All right, Aunt Li. Let’s go. There are some things I need to say.”

Since they were all sensible people, that was enough. Aunt Li walked in front and led Yang Hui to the other side. After a few minutes, they arrived at the place where Marshal Nie was sitting. He was already waiting for Yang Hui.

“Grandfather Nie, I’m here.”

Marshal Nie turned around, looked at Yang Hui, and smiled as he gestured for him to sit down.

“Xiao Li, go and close the door. Xiao Hui, then tell me what those glances you kept giving me today were supposed to mean.”