Chapter 1294
Li Aiguo serves as the group leader, with three chief engineers as deputies; Yi Zhongha
Although Zhao was surprised, he didn't ask any further questions.
For those in technical fields, everything is in the planning document; they'd rather spend that time reading it.
The more he looked, the more his expression changed.
There was joy, surprise, doubt, and disbelief.
As a top expert of the Ministry of Machine Building, Mr. Zhao was personally responsible for the introduction of heavy rolling mills and had even gone to his elder brother's house to learn.
In terms of technical expertise, there are very few people in China who can truly surpass him.
But precisely because he was so knowledgeable, the more he looked, the more shocked he became.
"This...how is this possible?"
After reading the planning document, Zhao, the expert, could hardly believe it and waved the report in his hand at Li Aiguo.
"Comrade Patriot, is the data on this... accurate?"
Before Li Aiguo could respond, Chief Engineer Qi nodded.
"Old Zhao, don't you know what kind of person Comrade Aiguo is? He never jokes about work, let alone something as important as this."
The construction of the wind tunnel is nearing completion, with only some finishing touches remaining.
There's no need for a chief engineer like Chief Engineer Qi anymore.
Chief Engineer Qi was an expert in motors and machinery, so Li Aiguo temporarily recruited him to work on the rolling mill.
In this era, the practice of conscripting men and assigning more work to the capable was perfectly normal.
Expert Zhao is still not entirely at ease.
"But this is just too hard to believe."
Chief Engineer Qi understood his feelings. When Li Aiguo recruited him into the project team, he also felt like he was floating on clouds.
"Don't worry, we have already checked the calculations repeatedly."
From theoretical models to mechanical support, as long as we follow Comrade Aiguo's plan, we will definitely be able to build a super-heavy rolling mill with a capacity of 100,000 tons!
Chief Engineer Qi is a veteran chief engineer, and Expert Zhao reluctantly accepted this fact this time, his gaze towards Li Aiguo suddenly becoming fervent.
"Come on, come with us! We'll go to the ministry right away."
Li Aiguo didn't waste any time and quickly organized the blueprints and plans.
The three of them rushed into the large off-road vehicle and headed straight for the Ministry of Machine Building.
This 100,000-ton rolling mill project is a major event, a matter of great importance to the overall situation, and it requires the approval of top leaders.
When we arrived at the First Ministry of Machine Building, it was already 10 a.m.
Knock on the door and go in. Song Da's secretary was sitting at the table.
Li Aiguo had seen them before; in those days, they were called messengers.
Secretary Liu looked up and saw that it was Expert Zhao. He quickly stood up to greet him: "Expert Zhao, hello, hello. What brings you here today?"
Expert Zhao often reports to high-ranking leaders without mincing words: "Secretary Liu, is it convenient for the leader to do this now? I have some great news to report to him in person."
"The leader is in a meeting with the chief engineers of several major factories. Please wait a moment, I'll go in and ask for instructions." Seeing that Expert Zhao's expression was solemn, Secretary Liu dared not delay.
After saying that, he walked out the door.
A short while later, he returned with a smile on his face.
"Expert Zhao, the leader would like to invite you in. Comrade Li Aiguo, and this elderly comrade, please come with me."
Expert Zhao thanked them and led the two into the next office.
Inside the spacious office, Chief Executive Song was talking with several chief engineers.
Seeing the three of them enter, he gestured for them to wait on the sofa.
"That's the situation now. When you get back, you must strictly control safety and quality. The lessons learned from the steel rolling mill accident are too profound."
"clear."
As the group talked, Li Aiguo carefully observed them.
These men were all dressed in gray Zhongshan suits, with graying temples, and wearing the baseball caps that experts often wore in those days, with pens pinned to their chests. They were probably chief engineers or experts from some heavy machinery factory.
"Alright, that's settled then. You guys go back and get it done."
After seeing the group off, Leader Song himself came out from behind his desk and sat down on a sofa.
"Old Zhao, Comrade Aiguo, why are you in such a hurry so early in the morning? Is there any progress on the planning for the 10,000-ton rolling mill?"
While holding the planning document, Expert Zhao replied with a smile, "It's already done."
After saying that, he handed the planning document to the leader with both hands and explained, "Comrade Aiguo and the comrades of Qianmen Locomotive Depot have made unremitting efforts to develop a heavy-duty rolling mill. We just received the planning document and came to report to you. Please take a look."
Even the top leader, Song, was stunned by the 100,000-ton figure. After taking the planning document, he flipped through it and spoke.
"Hmm, let me see. Old Zhao, you tell me about the feasibility of this plan..."
Before he could finish speaking, his gaze was fixed on the title on the first page.
Expert Zhao turned to Li Aiguo and said, "Let Comrade Aiguo speak. He is the main designer, and I am just a gofer."
Li Aiguo didn't hesitate. He cleared his throat and reported to his superior, "Sir, our colleagues in the department have worked together to independently develop this '100,000-ton-class wide and thick plate rolling mill'."
Its core performance indicators fully meet or even surpass current international advanced levels in some aspects.
"The maximum rolling force can reach 120000 kN, and the mill stiffness reaches 9500 kN/mm."
"It can stably roll high-precision ultra-thick plates with a maximum width of 5350mm, which can fully meet the material needs of core fields such as large ships, strategic bridges and super high-rise buildings."
The leader stopped flipping through the report, looked up, and exclaimed in shock, "What did you say? Maximum rolling force... Say it again!"
Li Aiguo said with certainty: "The maximum rolling force is 120000 kN, and the mill stiffness is 9500 kN/mm."
A deathly silence fell over the office.
The leaders knew they wouldn't joke about something like this, but they still couldn't help but look at Expert Zhao and ask, "Old Zhao, really? This is a super-heavy rolling mill... Can we really build it independently?"
Expert Zhao nodded emphatically: "It's true, sir. I've repeatedly calculated the entire design logic, and..."
At this point, Expert Zhao deliberately paused, keeping everyone in suspense.
"And what? You old Zhao, when did you learn this trick too!" Leader Song said with a laugh, clearly in a very good mood.
"Moreover, the upper limit of the rigidity of this rolling mill is extremely high."
According to its design goals, it can stably roll out high-precision ultra-thick plates with a width of up to 5550mm!
Upon hearing this, the eyes of the high-ranking leader, Song, who was reviewing the planning documents, widened.
"A 5550mm high-precision ultra-thick plate. Wouldn't that be suitable for use as the main deck of an aircraft carrier?"
As the leader in charge of industry, Song Da had dealt with shipyards and the navy quite a bit, and listened to the experts' ramblings quite a bit.
What is the biggest shortage in building large warships and aircraft carriers now?
It's an extra-thick plate.
At this point, as if suddenly remembering something, he picked up the phone and dialed: "Secretary Liu! Quick! Tell those chief engineers who just left to come back immediately! Don't let any of them leave, stop them at the main gate!"
It must have been a call to Secretary Liu. After hanging up, Boss Song happily and carefully reviewed the planning document.
At this moment, Chief Engineer Zhang of Shenyang Heavy Machinery Plant, Chief Engineer Chen of No. 1 Heavy Machinery Plant, and Chief Engineer Liu of Taiyuan Heavy Machinery Plant were walking dejectedly out of the No. 1 Ministry of Machinery building.
Besides attending the meeting, their main purpose in coming here was to "plead poverty" with the ministry.
Let's see if we can beg and plead with our big brother to import a few more 10,000-ton rolling mills.
A 10,000-ton rolling mill is extremely important; for heavy industrial plants, it's like having two hands.
They also considered imitation, but due to incomplete blueprints, substandard materials, and weak technical foundation, the prototypes they produced were completely unusable.
The results of it?
As Leader Song said, we can forget about getting anything from Big Brother.
The project to build a 10,000-ton rolling mill at the steel mill has failed again, and the shortage of rolling mills cannot be changed in the short term.
The three chief engineers are all old friends, but now it's rare for them to meet, and they're not in the mood for chatting.
Just as they were walking out of the office building in frustration, they heard hurried footsteps behind them.
"Three chief engineers! Please wait! Please wait a moment!"
Secretary Liu chased after him, panting as he called out.
Chief Engineer Zhang of Shenyang Heavy Machinery Plant, who was older and more senior, stopped and turned around in confusion.
"Secretary Liu, what's wrong? What happened?"
Secretary Liu said breathlessly, "The leader wants the three of you to go back immediately, saying there is an extremely urgent matter to discuss."
The three chief engineers looked at each other, their minds filled with doubt.
They just finished a meeting and sent the person away, so why are they being called back?
Could it be that Leader Song can conjure up several 10,000-ton rolling mills out of thin air?
However, since they specifically sent their secretary to chase after and stop people, it must be something extraordinary.
Chief Engineer Zhang and his two companions dared not delay and followed Secretary Liu back to the office, filled with suspicion.
Upon entering the room, the three chief engineers were stunned.
In the office, besides the senior leader Song, there were also expert Zhao, chief engineer Qi, and an unfamiliar young man.
When they came in to report earlier, we saw each other briefly, and we assumed they were just reporting on routine work.
But judging from the current situation, the atmosphere inside the room is clearly not right.
Once everyone was present, Leader Song smiled and introduced the two sides.
"So it's Comrade Aiguo! It's a pleasure to meet you." The three chief engineers were all somewhat surprised; this national model worker was too young.
Li Aiguo had no idea that these three were actually the chief engineers of a top-tier heavy factory in the country. Their names would later appear in textbooks, and he now held them in high esteem.
After everyone sat down.
Leader Song took out the planning document and handed it over: "Gentlemen, I have good news for you. We're making progress on what you're looking for."
Chief Engineer Zhang was dumbfounded.
You guys are so fast! You couldn't even get it working a moment ago, how come it's already done in the blink of an eye?
I didn't care about anything else at the moment, and just opened the planning document to read it.
When he saw the words "100,000-ton rolling mill," he almost couldn't believe his eyes.
"A hundred thousand tons...class?!"
Suppressing his excitement, Chief Engineer Zhang continued flipping through the pages, and this time he was just as shocked as Senior Leader Song.
The two chief engineers next to him were a little surprised. Old Zhang is quite old. Back when the first 1150 rolling mill was produced at First Heavy Machinery, he didn't act like this.
Is it that the older one gets, the richer one's emotions become?
"Old Zhang, what exactly did you see?"
When the two chief engineers received the planning documents and saw the 100,000-ton rolling mill, they were just as shocked as Lao Zhang.
The two of them were almost in tears again. Wasn't this exactly what they had been dreaming of day and night? And it had been designed?
This planning document is incredibly detailed.
From mechanical models to construction plans, even the impact of climate at the construction site and hoisting details were taken into account in every aspect.
This is not a planning document; it is clearly a "complete set of construction instructions" that has been tested in practice and can be used to start construction immediately!
Another feeling is that this plan is like someone who has already built a 100,000-ton steel rolling mill and then summarized it.
Most importantly, they still haven't been able to find any flaws in it.
All the technologies that seemed almost impossible to achieve were completed naturally in the planning stage.
Of course, Chief Engineer Liu of Taiyuan Heavy Machinery Plant still found a flaw and looked at Li Aiguo.
"Comrade Patriot, the core difficulty of the 100,000-ton rolling mill should be the two super-large archways."
Based on the designed strength, each archway must weigh at least 500 tons. To cast such an archway, a hydraulic press with a capacity of at least 10,000 tons would be required.
Chief Engineer Liu sighed: "Currently, the largest one in China, which is our First Heavy Machinery's 6000-ton free forging hydraulic press, simply cannot handle such a large task."
This statement came out.
All eyes in the room turned to Li Aiguo.
Anyone in the industrial sector understands that no matter how well a design is made, it's just a castle in the air if it can't be built.
Li Aiguo had been preparing for this for a long time.
"Chief Engineer Liu is right, so my solution is to 'break the whole into parts'."
I divided the archway into four main modules: the upper horizontal beam, the lower horizontal beam, and two pillars.
The weight of each component is controlled to around one hundred tons. I have calculated it repeatedly, and as long as the connection process meets the standards, the yield strength is not a problem at all.
“This method is feasible, but even if it’s disassembled, how will you transport this massive piece of equipment weighing over a hundred tons to the construction site?” Chief Engineer Zhang pressed.
Li Aiguo continued, "No need for transportation. Our Qianmen Locomotive Depot workshop already has the capability to manufacture 2,000-ton hydraulic presses."
My plan is to build a hydraulic press on-site, and then use it as a power source for on-site processing and hoisting.
"Build a hydraulic press first, then use the hydraulic press to manufacture a 100,000-ton rolling mill. Patriot, this method is simply brilliant." Chief Engineer Zhang was also stunned by this plan and was truly impressed.
No wonder, a 2,000-ton hydraulic press is already considered a large piece of equipment.
Most heavy-duty factories are lucky to get even one.
Now they just build it whenever they want. At this moment, the three chief engineers looked at each other and all felt that the Qianmen Locomotive Depot's workshop was too extravagant.
That's how it is in industry; you can't do anything without technology, capital, and resources.
This is also why Li Aiguo manufactures so many daily necessities and generates foreign exchange.
The three chief engineers stood up and said, "Leader, we would also like to join the research and development team for the 100,000-ton rolling mill."
"You guys?" Leader Song was taken aback for a moment, then quickly understood.
He understood all too well the implications behind it.
Currently, only the United States, located across the ocean, possesses a 5335mm four-roll reversible plate rolling mill and is producing extra-wide decks for the Forrestal-class aircraft carriers.
John Bull's family still has to rely on others.
The 5000mm rolling mill belonging to the eldest brother was captured from San Dezi during World War II.
The rolling mill developed by Li Aiguo has a maximum production capacity of 5550mm, making it the world's largest.
Once you get involved, you can not only make a contribution, but also leave your mark on the history of the steel rolling industry.
Who wouldn't want that!
However, even Leader Song couldn't make the decision on this matter, so he looked at Li Aiguo and asked, "Comrade Aiguo, what do you think?"
Li Aiguo stepped forward and firmly shook hands with the three chief engineers: "Welcome!"
Just kidding, these three chief engineers are top-notch steel rolling experts in China, the kind who could publish books.
With their help, the project's success became much more likely.
"Great! Let's work together to build our own 100,000-ton rolling mill!" Leader Song was also excited at this moment.
Upon hearing this, Expert Zhao raised his hand: "Sir, does this mean the 100,000-ton rolling mill project has been officially approved?"
Leader Song looked at Expert Zhao with a mixture of amusement and exasperation.
However, it's understandable; these veteran experts in industry tend to be meticulous about everything.
"The project has been approved! It's officially approved!" Leader Song nodded emphatically and signed his name on the planning document.
Then.
The three chief engineers made phone calls to their respective factories to arrange follow-up work.
When the leaders of the various factories heard that the project was to be a "100,000-ton-class" facility, they gave it the green light without hesitation and immediately pledged to send their most skilled technical personnel to Beijing to provide support.
"Old Zhang, we absolutely have to make it happen this time!"
People of later generations would find it hard to understand this situation, where even if they didn't steam buns, they still wanted to prove themselves.
I'd rather suffer myself than put up with other people's bad temper.
Li Aiguo, of course, warmly welcomed the arrival of the technicians.
The project team was reorganized.
The team at the Qianmen Locomotive Depot's workshop, along with experts from the First Ministry of Machine Building and support from the three major factories, comprised more than twenty members, all of whom were top-notch experts.
They really have a strong and well-equipped army.
Li Aiguo sighed.
"When can we start working on patriotism?" Leader Song asked.
"Ready to go at any time!"
"Alright, this project is, after all, under the name of the steel rolling mill. How about this, I'll personally take you there and have a meeting with the steel rolling mill."
Leader Song picked up the phone and contacted Deputy Director Li of the steel rolling mill.
Upon receiving the call, Deputy Factory Director Li immediately instructed the broadcasting room to notify the steel rolling mill workers to hold a meeting in the factory auditorium.
When the loudspeakers announced that "a senior leader from the Ministry of Machinery Industry has arrived in person" and "the 100,000-ton rolling mill project team has moved in," the entire Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill instantly erupted in excitement.
"Did you hear that? A hundred-thousand-ton behemoth! My God, that ten-thousand-ton behemoth was scary enough, what kind of behemoth is this hundred-thousand-ton behemoth?"
"No matter how big it is! As long as the project lands in our factory, even if we can't get into the core team, we can just help out and hand over a wrench."
"Once the project succeeds, that'll be a achievement that will go down in the factory's history and earn us a big red flower!"
Yi Zhonghai was the happiest of them all.
"Huai Ru, push me to the auditorium right now."
Qin Huairu looked at Yi Zhonghai sitting in the wheelchair and frowned: "Master, you're already like this, why do you still want to go?"
“You silly kid, all talk and no action! What do you know? I’m a level seven fitter in our factory, a master craftsman! How can such an important project be done without me?” Yi Zhonghai thought Qin Huairu had a bit of cleverness, but not much.
If he were to appear in the auditorium in a wheelchair, in front of the top leaders of the Ministry of Machine Building, and volunteer to "fight despite his injuries," it would be an absolutely moving feat for the entire audience!
When the big boss is in a good mood, not only will he be able to wash away the stain of his previous accident, but he might even be awarded the title of "Special-Class Model Worker".
"Alright." Qin Huairu knew exactly what Yi Zhonghai was thinking, but she felt he had gone too far. There was nothing she could do now, so she could only push Yi Zhonghai into the auditorium.
The auditorium was already packed with people, a huge, overflowing crowd, with even the aisles crammed with people.
Having Yi Zhonghai in a wheelchair did have one advantage: everyone made way for him, and Qin Huairu insisted on pushing him to the most prominent position in the front row.
As soon as we came to a stop, a sarcastic and mocking voice came from the side.
"Hey! Isn't this our one-legged uncle? What are you doing here again, shining brightly?"
Xu Damao had a Seagull brand camera hanging around his neck. As a key member of the publicity department, he was in charge of taking photos on site today.
Seeing Yi Zhonghai's forced attempt to put on a good show, Xu Damao couldn't help but want to tease him.
"Xu Damao! You're the one with a broken leg! Your whole family has broken legs!" Yi Zhonghai was so angry that his eyes rolled back.
But knowing the occasion was special, he swallowed back the profanity he was about to utter and ignored Xu Damao.
At this moment, Deputy Factory Director Li walked onto the stage.
"Everyone, please be quiet! Now, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome the ministry leaders and project team experts into the room!"
Wow!
Thunderous applause instantly lifted the roof off the auditorium.
The first person to stride in was naturally Leader Song.
Following closely behind were several core cadres from the ministry, as well as three leading figures in the heavy industry: Chief Engineer Zhang, Chief Engineer Chen, and Chief Engineer Liu.
There were many veteran technicians in the steel rolling mill who recognized these three big shots at a glance.
"Look, it's Chief Engineer Chen from First Heavy Industries."
"Holy crap! Isn't that Chief Engineer Liu from Shenyang Heavy Industry? And Chief Engineer Zhang from Taiyuan Heavy Machinery Plant!"
These three are practically the "three driving forces" of China's heavy industry!
"Ah, Chief Engineer Zhang from Taiyuan Heavy Machinery Plant is here too."
"My God, the three chief engineers have all gathered at our steel rolling mill? Could it be that they're all here for this 100,000-ton rolling mill project?"
"Great! With these three chief engineers leading the team, our steel rolling mill is going to be a hit this time."
At this moment, Yi Zhonghai, who was "sitting" in the front row, was so excited that he wanted to stand up.
That imposter Chen is nothing compared to these three chief engineers, who are the real authorities.
He had already prepared his lines. As soon as the leader spoke, he would be the first to raise his hand and express his determination to "stay on the front lines despite minor injuries" in the most tragic tone.
He wanted to show everyone what the spirit of the older generation of workers truly meant!
Yi Zhonghai took a deep breath and was just about to raise his right hand.
Suddenly, he froze, his eyes fixed on the entrance as if he had seen a ghost.
Following the three chief engineers, a young figure who was all too familiar to him, and whom he hated with a passion, walked into the meeting room.
Who else could it be but Li Aiguo?!
At this moment, Li Aiguo also saw Xu Damao, who was carrying a camera.
Well, Xu Damao has become a photography master. You know what, this job is actually quite suitable for him.
“Brother Aiguo saw me! Hey, take a picture quickly.” Xu Damao picked up his camera and snapped a photo of Li Aiguo.
At this point, discussion had already begun in the meeting room.
"Why is Consultant Li here?"
"Nonsense, for such a big matter, Consultant Li, as one of our factory's top technical experts, would definitely have to step in."
"Yes, Consultant Li was the leader of the inspection team last time. He has a good relationship with the ministry, so he will definitely come to help this time."
After thinking it over carefully, Yi Zhonghai breathed a sigh of relief.
Although Li Aiguo is the chief engineer, he is not from the heavy industry field, and there is still a considerable gap between him and the real chief engineers.
"Hmph, although Li Aiguo is the chief engineer of the locomotive depot, he works with trains, which is a completely different field from heavy rolling mills. He is far inferior to these three chief engineers."
With his limited abilities, he's at best just here to sit in on the proceedings; he doesn't deserve to sit on the stage at all!
Hearing Yi Zhonghai's cold snort, the second uncle couldn't help but frown.
"Old Yi, what you're saying is going too far. You know better than anyone how high your level of patriotism really is."
"Let alone being a team member, I think he'd be more than capable of being the team leader for this project!"
"Hahaha! Hai Zhong, who doesn't know that you're in cahoots with Li Aiguo now?"
There's a limit to how much you can flatter him, right? Him as a team leader? If he could be a team leader, pigs would fly!
At this moment, Xu Damao teased a few female workers with his camera and then came over.
"Yi Zhonghai, have you lost your mind?"
"Have you forgotten that if it weren't for our patriotic brothers last time, you wouldn't even have the chance to be in a wheelchair now; you'd be smashed to pieces!"
Yi Zhonghai was hit where it hurt.
If Li Aiguo hadn't insisted on using standard carbon steel blocks for testing, would that rolling mill have had an accident?
He might already be wearing a big red flower and has become the deputy head of the production department.
However, he had no way of saying it.
After all, now everyone, from the older woman to Qin Huairu and the residents of the compound, believes that Li Aiguo saved Yi Zhonghai.
Li Aiguo is a great man, and Yi Zhonghai should thank him.
Yi Zhonghai was frustrated, but he could only keep a straight face.
"I'm just stating the facts! Is heavy industry something to be taken lightly?"
I'm putting this out there: if Li Aiguo gets into this project team, I'll eat this wheelchair right now!
Yi Zhonghai is now obsessed.
At this moment, Leader Song spoke up.
"Comrades! After careful consideration and decision by the ministries, the 100,000-ton heavy plate rolling mill project is officially established today!"
"Now, I announce the list of core members of the project team!"
"Comrade Li Aiguo will serve as the chief leader of the 100,000-ton rolling mill project team!"
"Chief Engineer Zhang, Chief Engineer Chen, Chief Engineer Liu, Expert Zhao, and Chief Engineer Qi will serve as deputy team leaders to fully cooperate with Comrade Li Aiguo's work!"
Wow!
The scene instantly erupted in excitement.
"Did I hear that right?! Chief Engineer Li is the team leader?!"
"The three chief engineers are his deputies?! What earth-shattering thing has Consultant Li come up with?!"
"A 100,000-ton rolling mill! That's absolutely the most advanced equipment in the world! Chief Engineer Li is awesome!!!"
The workers clapped and cheered loudly, the cheers rising in waves.
Deputy Factory Director Li stood up excitedly.
Others may not understand, but he was very clear about Li Aiguo's abilities.
"Please rest assured, leader! Please rest assured, Team Leader Li!"
All employees of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill will do our utmost, even if it means selling our pots and pans, to cooperate fully with Team Leader Li Aiguo!
Anyone who dares to hold us back, I'll be the first to fire them!
And in the very front row below the stage.
Yi Zhonghai was paralyzed in a wheelchair.
All that remained in my mind was the endless echo of Leader Song's words, "Li Aiguo will serve as the chief group leader."
His proud status as a level-seven worker and his carefully prepared "fighting while injured" act all became a complete joke at this moment.
Xu Damao slowly raised his camera and pointed the lens at Yi Zhonghai, whose face was ashen.
"eggplant!"
"Crack!"
The flash went off, freezing the moment Yi Zhonghai broke down.
Xu Damao put down his camera and patted Yi Zhonghai on the shoulder: "Eat up."
(End of this chapter)