Chapter Nineteen: The JJ-7 Trainer Fighter

The overall supervisor of the base thought for a moment and asked Director Bai and Chief Engineer Yu, “What do you two think of this suggestion? If it’s feasible, let’s proceed as proposed, but make sure to uncover the exact cause first.”

Director Bai and Chief Engineer Yu exchanged a glance, instantly understanding each other’s thoughts, and both expressed their support for Director Liu’s suggestion.

Seeing that all parties were in agreement, the supervisor announced, “Then let’s begin the engine failure inspection according to Director Liu’s recommendation!”

No sooner had the words been spoken than Director Liu waved to the transport team, instructing them to pack up the engine wreckage and prepare to ship it back to Liyang Factory for further examination. After all, this aircraft factory couldn’t conduct a systematic inspection.

Watching the plane being dismantled and set aside, Chief Engineer Yu remarked, “The aircraft issue is temporarily settled. I need to return to oversee the assembly of the JJ-7. Director Bai, would you like to come along? After all, your institute designed the engine for this plane.”

Director Bai smiled, “What designer? Our institute has never truly designed an engine. Your words put me in a difficult spot!”

Chief Engineer Yu patted Director Bai’s shoulder, feeling a kinship. “Isn’t that the truth? Our JJ-7 is a copy as well. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Come on, let’s all go take a look.”

Chief Engineer Wu extended another invitation, hoping his old friend would come see his new creation.

“Let’s go, then. There’s not much happening at our institute these days; we’re just idling time away, maybe doing some technical support for the manufacturing plant at best. No funding.”

Those last three words were the crux: nothing can be accomplished without money.

The colleagues from the institute who came along couldn’t hide their disappointment. Lack of funding was now their biggest problem; even this month’s salary was a few yuan less than last month.

A few of them exited the hangar and headed toward the adjacent assembly workshop. This time, there were no suspicious glances from the workers.

“Impressive, the aircraft is nearly assembled. They’re working fast.” Director Bai, catching sight of the twin-seat aircraft being put together, forgot his earlier gloom.

“Yes, it’s fast. We even have finished products. If we weren’t mapping things out quickly enough, I fear Director Yang would have dismissed me already,” Chief Engineer Yu said calmly, not worried about actually being replaced.

Director Bai noticed something unusual. “So much emphasis? I’ve never heard of such strict requirements before.”

Chief Engineer Wu walked over, patted the sturdy wing, greeted the assembly staff, then turned to Director Bai. “See these new faces? It’s for them that I made a military pledge. The institute can’t attract young talent. Our base is among the poorest areas in the country—who would want to come here?”

He gestured toward Yang Yue. “See that young woman? She’s new, you know? Director Yang’s granddaughter. She came because of my pledge; I worked hard to bring her here, and Director Yang invested a lot too. Without her leading the way, it would have been difficult to recruit anyone.”

Director Bai was immediately energized by this news. He looked at Yang Yue. “You’re right, she really does resemble Director Yang. Well, you’ve struck gold now—connections in high places! Ha!”

Seeing a whole crowd of newcomers at the institute, Director Bai was envious, almost drooling. “I’m tempted to learn from your approach! Apart from the old-timers from years ago, we’ve barely had any promising recruits in recent years. There’s a talent gap at the institute.”

Yang Hui, overhearing this, felt speechless. Wasn’t he new? Did he really have no value?

He coughed twice, drawing attention. “Director, I’ll work hard and achieve results to bring honor to the base and to the Second Institute!”

Chief Engineer Yu heard the cough and laughed, addressing Director Bai. “See? Your institute still has newcomers joining, carefully cultivated by old Wu. You must make good use of them. Oh, I heard someone is dating Director Yang’s granddaughter—so you’ll have connections in high places too.”

Sure enough, Chief Engineer Yu repeated Director Bai’s earlier comments word for word. The old generation was not easy to fool.

Director Bai seemed greatly encouraged, recalling that a few promising students had indeed joined the institute recently. He waved his hand modestly. “Not at all, it’s no comparison.” Despite his words, his face was wrinkled with smiles.

Yang Hui could no longer stand the two old men’s humility, so he strode over to the assembling aircraft, circling it and observing. The more he looked, the less interested he became; there really were reasons why this plane was later criticized.

A trainer aircraft converted from a high-altitude, high-speed jet—never mind the conversion, but the instructor’s rear cockpit was at the same height as the front seat, making visibility for flight training impossible to praise.

“Tsk, tsk, this aircraft still has a long road ahead.”

Bored, he sighed and started searching for Yang Yue. He found her among the piles of instrument panels, writing something on a notepad.

He walked over. “How is it? Settled in?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Yang Yue quickly turned and saw someone she recognized. “Yes, settled. I went home yesterday and everything was fine. Back at work again today.”

“Good, as long as you’re settled, I won’t worry.”

“All right, move aside, I’m still working.” Leaving him with a word, she continued her writing, ignoring him.

Seeing Yang Yue focused on her work, Yang Hui felt helpless. This woman truly could hold up half the sky. Knowing she was settled, he let her be.

Returning to the aircraft, Chief Engineer Yu and Director Bai were engaged in discussion, occasionally sighing. A great deal of effort had gone into this 0011 base aircraft.

Seeing Yang Hui coming from Yang Yue’s side, Director Bai joked, “Young man, it’s work time—don’t get distracted. Should I arrange for you to assist Chief Engineer Yu with matching the JJ-7 engine?”

Hearing this, Yang Hui’s eyes widened—he certainly didn’t want to stay here. He was eager to work at the institute on engines; what use was being here?

Director Bai was pleased with Yang Hui’s reaction. This was just right; had Yang Hui eagerly accepted, he would never trust him in the future.

He patted Yang Hui’s shoulder. “Yang Hui, I was joking. We’ve only got a handful of college graduates this time; there’s no way I’d have you do that. The institute’s talent gap is serious, and we need to cultivate new people. Us old guys won’t be around much longer.”

His words carried a note of helplessness but also revealed expectations for the younger generation. Yang Hui sensed that Chief Engineer Yu felt the same way.

“I remember you majored in aerodynamics at university. What do you think of this aircraft?”

That question instantly drew the group’s attention. Chief Engineer Yu looked Yang Hui up and down—he hadn’t expected Yang Hui to possess such expertise.

“Really? You studied aerodynamics in college?” Chief Engineer Yu asked in surprise, voicing the doubt everyone shared.

“Yes, I majored in aerodynamics; I attended engine lectures in my spare time. My diploma even says ‘aerodynamics.’” After speaking, he thought for a moment. Since he belonged to the Second Institute, specializing in engines, he had to prove his credentials, otherwise his future would be difficult. So he added, “But I did audit those courses and learned quite a bit. Old Wu wrote my recommendation letter after reading my thesis.”

Chief Engineer Yu, hearing Yang Hui’s slightly immodest remarks, was suddenly intrigued to see his aerodynamics skills. “Well, take a look at this plane! I’d like to hear what you younger generation university graduates have to say.”

At that moment, Yang Hui was conflicted. He didn’t know how to comment on this plane. If he simply evaluated it, the JJ-7, to be honest, was quite lacking. But for the 0011 base, it held great significance. He didn’t know how to express himself, thinking gloomily in front of the aircraft…

Chief Engineer Yu, observing Yang Hui’s expression, guessed he wasn’t optimistic about the plane, but wanted to hear the young man’s views.

“What’s so hard about it? Every aircraft has its pros and cons. If there’s something wrong, say it plainly. At my age, I’ve seen every setback.”

Hearing this, Yang Hui dropped all pretenses, ignoring the feelings of those who had labored so many days and nights on the plane. He said directly, “In my opinion, as a trainer aircraft, this plane is actually unqualified.”