Chapter 125: Continuing the Experiment

Hearing Yang Hui's words, Professor Zhu felt a jolt in his heart, suddenly understanding the reasoning behind it all. He couldn't help but let out a bitter smile.

"Sigh, you people really know how to make plans. All my students have already been assigned their future positions. Now you want to take a few away—this isn't just a minor problem."

In the 1980s, college graduates were assigned jobs upon graduation, and at that time, university students were especially valuable, not to mention graduate students, who were even more highly sought after. According to the current plan, even the oldest of Professor Zhu’s graduate students were at most two years ahead of Yang Hui, dating back to the first reinstatement of the college entrance examination.

Such rare talents had long been targeted by various parties. But now, Yang Hui had the upper hand; he was perfectly positioned to make the first move. By the time this new aircraft project was completed, he would have built a rapport with these students. As long as they were willing to go to the base in that "remote mountain valley," Yang Hui would have ways to win them over.

Yang Hui could easily guess the future assignments of these graduate students. The closest unit to the capital was the Fengtian Design Institute—an old, well-established institution, and most importantly, located in a big city. With their current J-8 project, recruiting talent was both easy and delightful. Clearly, Yang Hui’s intentions regarding these graduate students were to intercept them. It was tit for tat; Fengtian had just snatched people from Yang Hui’s group, and now he was planning to do the same to them. Whether Fengtian could hold on to these precious talents remained to be seen.

"Professor Zhu, you don’t need to worry. We’ll handle it. As long as you agree, we won’t force anyone. Only those who want to come to our base will be arranged. We’ll fully respect their personal wishes."

With things spelled out so clearly, Professor Zhu had nothing more to say. If anyone was willing to go to the third-line base, he wouldn’t object—after all, they were all working for the aviation industry.

"Very well, as long as you truly respect their wishes, I have nothing more to add."

Respecting personal wishes—of course Yang Hui would respect them. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t use a little persuasion; sometimes, subtle methods were the most effective.

"Professor Zhu, if we have to transfer these people out, could you find some more students for the theoretical analysis? Even soon-to-graduate undergraduates in aircraft design would be fine. The graduate students could guide them in the theoretical work."

Aerodynamics was no simple matter; there was no such undergraduate major at the time—only aircraft design. Only at the graduate level did the field split into aerodynamics. But if one was as diligent as Yang Hui had been, delving into dynamics early was possible. There were entry-level courses on aerodynamics for undergraduates.

Professor Zhu found Yang Hui’s suggestion feasible. Bringing in undergraduates early would provide a pool of candidates, so when it came time to recruit more graduate students, he’d already have some promising prospects in mind.

"That could work. We’re pressed for time, so all these options are worth considering."

In the midst of their conversation, sounds of an argument erupted from the next room. Listening closely, it was unmistakably Zhou Jianshe. Yang Hui, being young and quick, rushed over to the scene ahead of the others.

The voices grew clearer, and by the time Yang Hui arrived, Zhou Jianshe was grappling with the same student he’d nearly come to blows with earlier.

"Zhou Jianshe, are you rebelling? Chief Engineer Yu will be here any moment. Just wait and see!"

Yang Hui’s words successfully diffused the fight, as Zhou Jianshe, hearing this, was thrown into confusion. Hadn’t Chief Engineer Yu left yesterday? How could...

"What nonsense are you spouting? Old Yu Ximing left on yesterday’s train—I know that for a fact. Trying to scare me with that? Use your head."

Whether Yang Hui had thought it through was irrelevant. The real issue was that Chief Engineer Yu hadn’t left and was, in fact, just outside their room, having run into Professor Zhu.

"I really haven’t left," said Chief Engineer Yu, his voice carrying authority. "I knew you’d cause trouble, Zhou Jianshe. Don’t hope for any leniency this time. You and your little group have to leave. There’s no room for negotiation."

Hearing this, Zhou Jianshe wilted completely; there was no escaping his fate now. The other “little generals” looked equally crushed, as if the sky had fallen.

Turning to Yang Hui with a venomous glare, Zhou Jianshe sneered, "You actually reported us? How can someone like you be at this base? That so-called Professor Zhu is biased towards his own students. Not only do you not help us, but you even sabotage us."

A lifetime of underhanded deeds had clearly shaped their aura. Back in the day, these young men had denounced countless “reactionaries.”

Yang Hui felt as though he was being stalked by a wolf, goosebumps rising on his skin. He quietly stepped aside to watch how Chief Engineer Yu would handle the matter.

"Enough," Chief Engineer Yu said, "I’ve heard about your behavior. Let me remind you once more: a wind tunnel isn’t a giant fan you can just play with. The high-speed airflow can pin you to the wall, unable to come down. Wind tunnel experiments are dangerous work, and besides, your theoretical understanding is lacking."

Zhou Jianshe, already anticipating what was coming, interrupted, "Fine, I quit. No need to say any more."

Chief Engineer Yu then turned to the four other “little generals.” They, too, could not stay; these troublemakers were unwelcome at the base.

Seeing the resolute look in Chief Engineer Yu’s eyes, the group realized this time it was serious. One burst into tears, insisting he’d only been misled; another admitted his mistakes, begging for another chance.

"No more talk. You’re all dismissed. Report to the base’s labor protection company."

The labor protection company’s function was clear: making gloves, work clothes, masks, and other protective gear for workers—menial, marginal roles, most without official positions. Life would be hard for these men, but at least they still had a job. Consider it leniency for accomplices.

With the matter settled, Chief Engineer Yu shook his head at the group, then called Yang Hui and Professor Zhu outside.

"Professor Zhu, now that I’ve dealt with these five troublemakers, we’ll need you to put in extra effort for the upcoming experiments. I look forward to our continued collaboration. When the new aircraft is completed, the credit will be yours as well. I hope you’ll remain dedicated to the project."

"Of course," replied Professor Zhu. "As long as there’s no more interference, we’ll proceed with the experiments. Yang Hui has already calculated the manpower needed for the tests. Based on his estimates, we should be able to finish ahead of schedule—three months at most to produce the test data. I think the plan is quite straightforward."

Once Director Bai finished discussing the aerodynamic experiments, Chief Engineer Yu turned to Yang Hui to address another matter.

"Yang Hui, in a few days, the funding will arrive. There will also be negotiations about avionics. Prince Sultan of Saudi Arabia will be coming personally to attend talks with the British side. He specifically requested that you accompany him, so you’ll need to set aside a few days for the negotiations with Marconi."

Director Yu didn’t know Prince Sultan’s true intentions, but Yang Hui did. The prince was impatient to discuss the next project.

Yang Hui thought it best not to delay. He agreed to Chief Engineer Yu’s request, while considering how to help Saudi Arabia with their upcoming large-scale projects.

Thinking of the aerospace industry, Yang Hui suddenly remembered an old acquaintance—a marshal who had once been responsible for both atomic and missile projects. Contacting him would be straightforward.