Chapter 120: The Men and Horses Arrived

Uncle Yang was growing more and more pleased as he listened. By now, his keen interest in the new machine was plain to see. From his current remarks alone, one could easily infer the military’s delight. If the design were reverted to the new fighter, the Super J-7 would gain even greater promise.

Quite a few people harbored high hopes for this new machine. Yang Hui spoke with conviction: “That’s exactly our intention. At the last review, I met the person in charge at General Logistics, and he voiced strong expectations for the new project. We can therefore assume that the General Staff will hold equally high expectations for it.”

Yang Hui’s confidence stemmed from the fact that the technical and tactical specifications, along with all the supporting data, were already laid out in black and white. Once developed, the machine was guaranteed to be a superior combat aircraft. That was his greatest assurance.

When the topic turned to the General Staff, Director Yang suddenly remembered something. Smiling, he said to Yang Hui, “You mention the General Staff and it reminds me—today at the Science and Technology Commission, they came to ask about your new machine. They take it very seriously and are especially interested in the new technologies you’re developing. I suspect the base’s military representatives will be increased in number. I don’t know whether that counts as good or bad.”

The three of them chatted idly about work, having long since forgotten their original purpose for being here. Only when the conversation later turned to Yang Hui and Yang Yue did it still connect to their duties.

“Enough. I know your work situation fairly well. I still have high hopes for both of you. Right now, however, put all your energy into the new machine. Here’s my advice: until the new machine is finalized, you two cannot get married.”

Yang Hui was thoroughly defeated by this remark—his own father was even stricter. Yang Yue, hearing the same words, also redefined her view of this father. She realized why she had been sent to her grandfather to be raised: in his eyes, work came first.

Director Yang had wanted to say more, but the words died on his lips. His meaning toward Yang Yue was not without reason. The new project truly demanded time. They should finish it first. Moreover, both young people seemed to favor waiting a while.

Since both sides advocated waiting, then wait they would. Future matters could wait their turn.

“Very well, follow your wishes. Let the matter rest for now. It seems Xiao Yue will be heading to Dassault for training tomorrow, won’t she?”

The introduction of CATIA could not be delayed. According to plan, once Yang Hui and the others had completed the aerodynamic data trials, the entire CATIA system would be introduced. It would be essential for shaping, structural design, and other aspects of the new machine.

Chief Designer Yu led a group of people straight toward Yang Hui. The number of arrivals indicated they had been sent from the base’s aerodynamics section. It was evident they were a mixed crowd. There were young men in their twenties and elderly scholars in their fifties, but the majority were middle-aged men in their thirties. The base’s talent gap had clearly not affected this aerodynamic group.

A few days earlier, Chief Designer Yu had introduced these middle-aged men to Yang Hui. All of them were university graduates. When their ages were compared with their education, the quality of their skills became obvious. These were university graduates nurtured in a special era by special means, so their overall competence could hardly be praised.

“Come, Yang Hui, I’ll introduce you to the aerodynamics team that just arrived from the base. They will work with you, cooperating with professors and graduate students from Beihang University on the new machine’s aerodynamic tests.”

After Chief Designer Yu’s brief introduction, Yang Hui confirmed the identities of the newcomers. He had little regard for them. These men had already served at the base for seven or eight years without producing anyone truly valuable. Clearly, the problem went beyond mere knowledge or technique.

Over the years, anyone with even a basic grasp of physics had been able to enter the field in the research institute’s environment by self-studying. Yet here he was, being asked to guide this group through aerodynamic trials. Chief Designer Yu clearly held them in low esteem.

“Hello, my name is Yang Hui. I also studied aerodynamics and have been assigned to this group to work on this project together with you. I hope everyone will work together to finish the aerodynamic trials as soon as possible.”

Yang Hui’s self-introduction was clearly not well received. These men sized him up: a young man fresh from university, who, by seniority, should still call himself a junior. How could he possibly lead the aerodynamics group?

The responses were therefore lukewarm: “Mmm,” “Good,” “All right,” and so on.

Their perfunctory tone was unmistakable. Chief Designer Yu now understood the situation perfectly. It seemed these university graduates who had risen on the strength of various combat stories and praises for the Four Heavenly Kings had not yet shed their old habits.

Chief Designer Yu could only introduce Yang Hui’s achievements from a neutral standpoint, hoping to use solid results to suppress these “young heroes.”

“Don’t all act like you’re number one in the world. Yang Hui is the one who proposed the aerodynamic方案 for the new machine. Even I am convinced by the layout he suggested. Now perfect this aerodynamic work for me. If you don’t understand, ask the others properly. You’ll be working alongside professors and graduate students from Beihang University on the new machine’s aerodynamic trials—this is your chance. If your skills aren’t improved when you return, then you can all pack up and leave.”

With no one else present, Chief Designer Yu felt no restraint. He had long been dissatisfied with the technical abilities of these university graduates who had been born as young heroes. He had wanted to remove them for a long time, but various reasons had prevented it. He could only make excuses on their behalf: “Their lack of skill is the result of the times. If they had the opportunity to study properly, their skills would reach a completely different height.”

When Chief Designer Yu spoke, some of the group began to take Yang Hui seriously. Although they had once been young heroes, years spent in the research institute taught them that technology was the true path. Coupled with Chief Designer Yu’s words, they could no longer treat the matter lightly.

Though only a portion of the group, it was enough.

“Hello, I am Cui A, a researcher in aerodynamics from the base. I hope you will give us your technical guidance in the future. After all, the university graduates from our era are not as knowledgeable as the students educated in the proper way today. As group leader, I am absolutely convinced by you, Cui A. If there is anything, just tell me.”

Seeing someone yield so quickly, Yang Hui felt a pang of disgust. Where had the fighting spirit of the young heroes gone? Alas, the prestige of the young heroes had vanished.

Those who felt disgusted in their hearts still wore pleasant expressions and praised Cui A’s behavior.

“That’s right, we’ll have to trouble Young Brother Yang for more guidance. We mud-legged fellows really can’t manage this technology.”

“Young Brother Yang, if we have questions, please don’t mind our nagging.”

With just a few words, one could see what they truly thought. This skill was one Yang Hui had not yet learned. Moreover, the speakers were seasoned young heroes who had tested him before. Yang Hui had not yet faced them directly and did not know how formidable their combat strength truly was.

But years of experience told Yang Hui exactly what to do at this moment: if he wanted the enemy to reveal themselves, he must first show weakness.

“Certainly, certainly. I am still borrowed from the Second Institute and will rely on everyone’s guidance.”

Yang Hui knew that if he now claimed to be borrowed from the Second Institute, those fellows would regard him as an outsider and the troublemakers would look down on him even more, causing them to surface sooner. As long as anyone jumped out, Yang Hui could immediately kick them away.