Chapter 163: An Imperfect Fulfillment

The investigation team had arrived at the base feeling quite indignant over the unauthorized modification of the national military standards. However, once they witnessed the development results of the base's new engine, their stance began to waver.

The higher-ups were constantly bickering over the direction of the new military standards, leaving the Director of the Military Standard Revision Office feeling utterly helpless. Now, seeing that this base had already achieved initial success with its unauthorized revisions left a deep impression on Team Leader Zhang.

Having tracked the revision process within the institute, the investigation team members found their loyalties gradually shifting toward the new standards. If asked for their evaluation, they would undoubtedly choose the base’s British-influenced model.

The only remaining issue was the lack of legitimacy in these revisions. Yet, when the team saw the test data for the core engine developed under these new standards, they could no longer remain composed. A single sheet of paper was passed around, and every member who laid eyes on the core engine's data was moved to tears, overcome with excitement.

"A breakthrough! A monumental breakthrough! This data is nearing the standards for the first overhaul of the Turbojet-8. This is truly remarkable—six hundred hours of operation is an incredible achievement."

Faced with these figures, even Team Leader Zhang, who had been the most dismissive of the base, had to concede: "We must acknowledge this point: the new engine developed under the guidance of this new military standard has indeed made significant progress. It truly has its merits."

While the full service-life testing of the new engine was not yet complete, a first-overhaul lifespan of six hundred hours already surpassed the Turbojet-13, which was under development at the same time. The facts were laid bare, and Team Leader Zhang saw no need to argue further. Returning to the guesthouse, he felt it was necessary to speak personally with Director Bai, who had spearheaded the unauthorized revisions. Perhaps there was still room for a turnaround—provided, of course, that the Second Institute proved to be reasonable.

Sometimes, a situation hinges entirely on the mindset of the person in charge. To claim that personal bias never influences judgment is impossible; every person’s mind is a unified whole, and the only way to avoid such influence would be to suffer from split-personality disorder.

With the change in attitude from the team leader and the Director of the Military Standard Revision Office, a new path had opened. The nature of that path would depend on the outcome of the night's long, exhaustive discussion.

On the tranquil Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, a ribbon of industrial facilities was sparsely laid out. Among them was the Second Institute, where office lights burned through the night. While technical staff worked overtime on research, four men sat in Director Bai’s office—Director Bai, Yang Hui, Team Leader Zhang, and Elder Wu—preparing for a productive meeting.

Elder Wu acted as the peacemaker: "Now that we are all here, let us speak openly. Honestly, I believe this revision of the national military standards is highly significant and serves as a valuable reference. We must report the true situation upward; these revisions could even be promoted nationwide."

Nationwide promotion was a tempting prospect, and the new standards certainly had the merit to back it up. Now, it all depended on Team Leader Zhang.

"Chief Engineer Wu, your words have merit, but the fact that the Second Institute modified the national standards privately is a significant overreach. Not to mention, the Military Standard Revision Office has been placed in an extremely precarious position. It is difficult to downplay this matter."

Was it truly difficult? That depended on what Team Leader Zhang wanted, or perhaps, whether the base could offer something of value in exchange. It was a tragic reality. Taking enormous risks to reform and modernize outdated standards, only to have the results suppressed by those in power—such is the sorrow of reform.

Setting aside the sorrow, it was time to solve the problem. Team Leader Zhang’s words were clearly a call for a trade, a way for the Revision Office to save face and weather the storm. Director Bai had anticipated this moment from the start; they had, after all, taken the initiative.

"Team Leader Zhang, I know we have caused trouble for the office, but I believe you also know how unusable the old standards have become. Our new engine is an entirely new product for export; it demands new advancements. Modifying the old standards was a necessity."

Back and forth they bargained, seeking a solution both sides could accept. Both parties were satisfied with the new standards, and Team Leader Zhang had no desire to return to the capital only to face more bureaucratic bickering. If the new standards could be finalized now, it was for the best—which was why the team had lingered at the base for so long.

Ultimately, the issue was that Team Leader Zhang was not yet satisfied with the compensation offered by the base. The current offer did not sufficiently cover the loss of face and the predicament of the Revision Office.

As the negotiations teetered on the brink of collapse, Yang Hui decided it was time to speak. He realized there was another approach that no one had considered.

"Let me add a word. Let us not limit our perspective. This is a new military standard revision. If we are to proceed with the current plan, we have many subsequent projects ahead. I believe the people in the capital only know that we have introduced British military standards into our own."

The only news that had leaked about the new revisions concerned the British standards, but the most critical aspect—damage tolerance design—had not yet been mentioned. This was the bargaining chip.

Everyone looked at Yang Hui, waiting to see what this young deputy director had to propose.

"We have incorporated damage tolerance design into our new standards. If this revision process is allowed to continue, then our subsequent work on damage tolerance can be... conducted under the guidance of the Military Standard Revision Office."

Yang Hui was blunt. With only four people present, there was no need for circumlocution. This was a naked transaction.

The proposal of damage tolerance design finally swayed Team Leader Zhang. For those working on military standards, such cutting-edge design philosophy was highly coveted. If a design concept still in the research phase abroad could be implemented in the Republic's standards now, the prestige would be immense. Being the first in the world to "eat the crab" was an opportunity not to be missed. Although the work would only be "guided" by the Office, and the credit would be shared, it was more than enough to compensate for their loss.

***

The investigation team left on the third day after that long meeting. The base continued its design work on the new engine methodically, and with the agreement in place, the base was now free to proceed with the military standard revisions.

While the Second Institute awaited the final word from the capital, good news arrived from the nearby First Institute. Nine months had passed since the base took on the new aircraft project, and they had finally achieved a major milestone.

"Old Bai, if you have time, come over in ten days. Our new aircraft is ready for its maiden flight. With sufficient funding and good progress, it looks like we might achieve our goal within two years."

The excitement in Chief Engineer Yu’s voice was audible even through the phone. Director Bai was happy to hear of the test flight, yet he still felt a twinge of concern for his institute's engine, which was lagging behind the aircraft's development.

"Very well. The Second Institute will be there for the maiden flight. Make sure you are well-prepared."