Chapter 1376
Li Aiguo Invents Air Conditioners, Yan Jiecheng's Proactive Efforts, The Train Sho
As July progressed, the weather grew hotter day by day.
Even with the fan on all night, I was still sweaty when I woke up in the morning.
"It's so hot today." Chen Xueru got up early in the morning, changed her undershirt, and threw it into the basin of water.
In these days of scarcity, underwear had to be washed and dried in the sun all day so that it could be worn after a shower in the evening.
The family actually didn't need this piece of clothing, but people in this era were so frugal, even Li Aiguo was used to it.
"The weather forecast on the radio says this summer will be several degrees hotter than usual," Chen Xueru said, washing clothes while looking at her three children with heartache.
The three little ones all developed prickly heat. Chen Xueru applied prickly heat powder to them, but they were still incredibly itchy.
"If only there were a cool breeze blowing right now, that would be so comforting." Chen Xueru felt sorry for him, but there was nothing she could do.
"Cold air? Just install an air conditioner." Li Aiguo said casually, wiping his sweat.
What is air conditioning?
Seeing Chen Xueru's bewildered expression, Li Aiguo suddenly remembered that air conditioners already existed in China at that time, but they were mainly industrial air conditioning units, primarily supplied to vinylon fiber plants.
Even important departments in the capital city did not install air conditioning.
The high price is one issue, but the most critical one is safety.
"It's a machine that can cool itself and blow cold air," Li Aiguo explained with a smile.
"Sitting at home doing nothing and getting cold air? How is that possible!" Chen Xueru's eyes widened, thinking that her rough husband must be delirious from the heat, talking nonsense so early in the morning.
She shook her head, went to the water tap in the middle courtyard to get water, washed a towel, wrung it out half-dry, and handed it to Li Aiguo.
Li Aiguo was both amused and exasperated.
As he wiped his sweat, he pondered that it seemed necessary to get an air conditioner working.
It just so happens that the newly developed electric train cabs and carriages are just as hot as a giant steamer in the summer and urgently need air conditioning to cool them down.
Let's go all out and develop both train air conditioning and civilian air conditioning at the same time!
Humans are warm-blooded animals, which means that the pursuit of a suitable temperature is endless.
Air conditioning has existed since 1902.
Xiao Mei's engineers developed an air conditioning system for the printing plant.
However, the technology at the time was not mature, and refrigerants were prone to explosions. As a result, many people were killed by explosions while using air conditioning to cool off.
The explosion problem was only barely solved in 1931 when General Electric introduced air conditioners using Freon refrigerant.
However, Freon damages the ozone layer.
It was superseded in later generations by the more environmentally friendly and efficient refrigerant R410A.
More importantly...
Under the same piping conditions, R410A has a cooling capacity that is nearly half that of Freon, and its power consumption is also significantly reduced.
In this era of extreme energy scarcity, although the Daqing Oilfield had already started production and coal mines in Datong were being continuously mined, energy was still far from sufficient.
Especially electricity.
Our power industry started late and lacks power equipment and resources.
This year's total power generation is only 676.04 billion kilowatt-hours, which is more than ten times that of when the country was first liberated.
However, compared to the larger family, it still falls short in many ways.
Xiao Mei's family has 13000 kilowatt-hours, her older brother's family has 5100 kilowatt-hours, and even the small notebook shelf has 2700 kilowatt-hours.
Keep in mind that we already have a population of over 700 million at this time.
Therefore, power shortages are inevitable.
Saving electricity is absolutely the top priority!
Li Aiguo, aiming for the best, naturally chose the R410A.
"I remember the manufacturing process of the R410A was quite complex..."
Li Aiguo decisively activated the system, consumed some points, and directly redeemed a complete set of technical blueprints.
The synthesis of R32 and R125 monomers requires dichloromethane storage tanks, trichloroethylene storage tanks, anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF) pressure-resistant storage tanks, and hydrogen buffer tanks.
The distillation purification process requires distillation columns for removing light components and distillation columns for removing heavy components...
Finally, extremely precise closed-loop mixing technology is required...
Looking at the long list of equipment, Li Aiguo stroked his chin.
These chemical technologies would be extremely difficult to implement in this era.
But with a little effort, it's not impossible to make it happen.
Of course, for such a large project, it's essential to bring in as many helpers as possible.
Wang Qingdian, a veteran expert in chemical engineering, is definitely the top choice.
This old man is currently working on ammonia synthesis, but apparently there's not much progress. He's been temporarily transferred here to tackle the R410A problem.
As for the indoor and outdoor units, electrical components, etc., Zong Xianfeng can handle those.
For plastic casings, Lanzhou Petrochemical has now installed a new production line that can produce engineering plastics specifically for household appliances.
It has a beautiful appearance and is also very sturdy.
Li Aiguo stretched contentedly.
Now we have a strong and well-equipped army, with plenty of talented people under our command. This feeling is simply amazing.
After finishing his meal, Li Aiguo, as usual, pushed his motorcycle out of his house.
The sun had just risen, and the air was already thick with heat.
Little Stone, who usually runs around the yard the most happily, looked like a wilted eggplant, hanging his head and carrying his schoolbag to school.
Bang Geng wanted to play around with Liu Guangtian, but after running two steps, he was spotted by Qin Huairu, who came out carrying a basin.
He immediately launched into a tirade: "What are you doing running around in this sweltering heat! Your clothes are so dirty from washing them every day!"
"Brother Aiguo, going to work? Give me a ride." Xu Damao popped up from behind.
In this sweltering heat, he really didn't want to ride his bicycle to the countryside to show movies under the scorching sun.
These past two days I've simply been hanging around the publicity department, chatting with the girls there while enjoying the breeze from the fan.
"Okay, come on up."
Li Aiguo first dropped Xu Damao off at the gate of the steel rolling mill, then rode his bicycle to the Qianmen Locomotive Depot workshop.
The subway adaptation team has now been formed, and Zong Xianfeng, Zhou Gaoyuan, and several other engineers are waiting in the office.
"Our main task today is to install the pantograph-catenary wear monitoring device."
While Li Aiguo was assigning tasks, Yan Jiecheng appeared outside the studio.
Before he could even get close, Zhou Ke stopped him.
"Jiecheng, what are you doing wandering around here so early in the morning?"
"Oh, it's Brother Zhou. I need to talk to Brother Aiguo about something." Yan Jiecheng smiled and offered him a cigarette.
Zhou Ke could tell at a glance that Yan Jiecheng must have something to ask of him; this guy was a stingy fellow just like his father.
"We're in a meeting right now, wait a minute." Zhou Ke took the cigarette.
"Okay, okay, you're busy!" Yan Jiecheng wasn't annoyed and obediently squatted under the shade of a tree outside the workshop to wait.
Li Aiguo finished his work at 10 a.m. and saw Yan Jiecheng as soon as he came out.
"Brother Aiguo, I heard you're planning to renovate the subway." Yan Jiecheng knew Li Aiguo's personality and didn't waste any words.
"Look, can I join the construction team?"
Hearing this, Li Aiguo was genuinely surprised.
You should know that renovating a subway is hard work, involving climbing up and down steep slopes, and it's also dangerous.
Yan Jiecheng has been working as a clerical staff member at the locomotive depot for the past two years. Why did he suddenly change his mind and want to go to the construction team to suffer?
"Sigh, Brother Aiguo, I won't hide it from you anymore. My progress as a cadre is too slow. You know, I still have a disciplinary record in my file." Yan Jiecheng said with his head hanging down, explaining his thoughts.
The matter is actually quite simple. Yan Jiecheng's affair with the Party Secretary's daughter was recorded in his file and severely impacted his promotion.
Over the years, all the workers who joined the Qianmen Locomotive Depot at the same time as him, even the ordinary mechanics, have been promoted because of their excellent skills.
Only Yan Jiecheng remained a low-level cadre who hadn't made any progress.
The only shortcut to clearing the stains from your personnel file is to take the initiative to work in the most demanding positions and make contributions!
"The overhead contact line assembly team happens to be short of some capable personnel. If you really want to go, write an application and submit it to the leadership."
Li Aiguo didn't stop him, and said in a businesslike manner.
The subway construction site did need manpower, but Li Aiguo didn't care whether Yan Jiecheng could persevere.
"Thank you so much, Brother Aiguo! Thank you so much!"
Yan Jiecheng thanked him repeatedly and, after returning to his office, wrote an application letter and submitted it.
The railway department leaders took one look and said: "Wow, this young man is young and strong. He used to be a coal carrier at the steel rolling mill. Not bad."
Now that he has such a high level of awareness and has taken the initiative to take on the most difficult tasks, he is a rare and promising talent!
He immediately approved it with a stroke of his pen!
The third uncle strongly supported Yan Jiecheng's decision.
Although the basic salary remained the same after joining the assembly team, the construction team offered a high hardship allowance!
Even more enticing is that you can also get an extra two kilograms of rice every month!
If I secretly took these two kilograms of rice to the pigeon market and exchanged them for coarse grains, how much money could I make?
The third uncle felt a surge of joy just thinking about it.
"We owe it all to his patriotism this time! That kid is so kind and righteous!"
After getting off work, the third uncle specially moved a small stool to sit at the front gate of the yard and praised it to everyone he met.
The surrounding residents all nodded in agreement.
"That's right! Over the years, Aiguo has done a lot of practical things for our compound!"
“Take my good-for-nothing nephew for example. He idled away his days, and I was really worried that he would end up behind bars. Now he’s in the patrol team and he’s become more serious.”
"That's right, that's right! Li Aiguo's magnanimity and competence are far superior to that hypocrite Yi Zhonghai from the Intermediate People's Court!"
"That old bastard Yi Zhonghai, all he does all day is stand on the moral high ground and talk big, but when something really happens, he runs away faster than anyone else!"
"I think we should just hold a college-wide meeting and elect Li Aiguo to be the head of our college!"
"I think it's a good idea! That's a great idea!"
The residents were discussing it enthusiastically when Yi Zhonghai returned from get off work.
Seeing a crowd gathered in front of Uncle San's house from afar, he wanted to put on airs as an old man and go over to listen.
As soon as he took two steps closer, he heard people talking about pushing Li Aiguo to the top, and he immediately turned ashen with anger.
"That little brat Li Aiguo... his methods are too ruthless!"
Yi Zhonghai gritted his teeth and cursed under his breath before slinking away.
"He's even started trying to win over the entire compound! What is he trying to do?!"
In the following days, Li Aiguo was extremely busy, negotiating with Louis about selling electric trains while also helping to renovate the subway.
In my spare time, I continue to research air conditioners.
But that's how it is these days; the busier you are at work, the more energetic you become.
Just as Li Aiguo was working hard for the railway cause, news of the test of the high-speed Oriental train also reached his family.
Articles were published in the newspapers of both Xiao Mei's and Xiao Ou's families.
Shocking! Dongfang Electric Train Breaks World Record! Top Speed 281 km/h! A Great Milestone in the History of Global Railway Development!
"The Desperate Shinkansen: The Record Just Created Was Instantly Crushed to Ashes!"
Beware! The railway technology of the Eastern Bloc has quietly reached an internationally leading level!
Within the Western camp, there were those who offered objective praise, and others who expressed sour feelings of frustration and concern.
Meanwhile, the younger brothers in the eastern camp naturally celebrated with gongs, drums, and firecrackers.
The railway departments of the elder brother's family and Jack's family were the first to publish lengthy congratulatory articles in the newspaper.
The successful development of the high-speed Eastern-type electric train is a great victory for the superiority of our system!
Learn from our comrades in the east! Pay tribute to the great railway builders!
In contrast, the eldest brother, far to the north, reacted with a strange silence.
It's not that they don't want to speak out, but they simply can't afford to.
Lately, the competition between Xiaomei's family and the monkeys has become increasingly fierce.
We've invested a huge amount of resources, and things are getting increasingly tight.
In addition, the eldest brother's grain production plummeted, and he even had to use foreign exchange to buy grain from abroad at high prices.
I no longer have the strength to shout.
The elder brother summoned the person in charge of railway work.
"Idiots! A bunch of hopeless idiots! We're the big brother here!"
Back when we were doing a lot of research on railways, our little brother's industrial base was still very weak!
Now, things have taken a turn for the better. Their quietly developed electric train has broken a world record!
The older brother was so angry that his chest heaved violently.
The railway official was so reprimanded that he broke out in a cold sweat, his head bowed low, not daring to even breathe loudly.
He thought to himself: Why are you taking your anger out on me?
Who doesn't know that your nephew is currently doing business with Li Aiguo, the guy who developed the high-speed electric train!
But do I dare to say it? No!
That's actually how it is. Even though the two companies are constantly at odds and their relationship is very strained, they still have to do business privately.
This is not just about making money, but more importantly, about preserving a means of communication.
This is also a common practice in many households.
Listen! I don't care what methods you use!
You must produce me an electric train that is even faster than the Extreme East type in the shortest amount of time!
Just like our corn on the cob, we want to become number one in the world, understand?
The Medal Emperor issued the order.
"Understood! Rest assured, we guarantee to complete the mission!" The person in charge straightened up abruptly and loudly pledged his commitment.
However, as soon as he stepped out of the Kremlin gates and was hit by a cold wind, he felt a chill run through him.
281 kilometers per hour!
This has far exceeded the theoretical limits of their current locomotive design!
How could their engineers possibly develop it in such a short time?
"How about we import some from the east, paint them, and turn them into our own?" The personal assistant, who knew his boss best, leaned forward and whispered a terrible idea.
"Damn it! Copying our little brother's stuff? If word gets out, where will we, the big brother, put our faces?!"
The person in charge reflexively hissed and cursed in a low voice.
Although the person in charge was tough on the surface, he was already wavering in his heart.
This is indeed a good approach!
In case the research institute fails to produce results in time, there needs to be a backup plan to appease the wrath of the Medal Emperor.
Anyway, the import of electric trains still has to go through the Andrei Trading Company. Even if the Medal Emperor knew about it, he would probably pretend not to see it.
Thinking of this, a bitter smile unconsciously crept onto the person in charge's lips.
Once upon a time, they were the elder brothers, far ahead of their younger brothers. But in just a few years, they have been overtaken and surpassed by their younger brothers.
Is it really because we have forgotten our original ideals?
The person in charge is also a veteran who came through World War II and disapproves of many things.
But what can be done?
Once this enormous ship begins to sail downstream...
The price to pay for correcting its course would be far too high.
The cost was extremely high.
It was so devastating that neither he nor anyone else, not even the Medal Emperor himself, could possibly withstand it!
"Let's go, let's go check out the research institute."
The person in charge looked up at the gray sky over Moscow, where the dim sun emitted a cold, lifeless light.
He sighed deeply, pulled his coat tighter around himself, and strode away.
As time went on.
Over the next few days, the fervent discussion within the family about the high-speed Eastern Electric Train finally cooled down a bit.
but.
Railway experts in the industry are becoming increasingly interested in electric trains.
After all, in their view, electric trains are the future direction of train development.
Not to mention that the top speed of the Oriental Electric Train reached 281 kilometers per hour.
Even if it's only 260 kilometers long, as long as it can operate stably, it's enough to change the landscape of railway transportation.
The Iron Alliance held several discussions on this topic, exploring the high-speed Eastern-style electric train.
However, due to the limitations of the era, there was relatively little communication between China and the outside world, and the limited information was transmitted from Louis, the French railway engineer.
Louis only knew the parameters, but was unaware of the details.
So, after a long meeting, these experts ended up with nothing to show for it and didn't come to any useful conclusions.
Just when everyone thought that the matter would gradually subside over time.
A report by the Asahi Shimbun immediately caused a huge uproar within the family.
"Shocking fraud by the Eastern Railway! The world record for the Orient Express is a complete fabrication!"
In the report, the reporter started with the industrial base of the railway sector in the east.
He fabricated a long and elaborate theory.
An attempt was made to demonstrate from multiple perspectives, including materials science and aerodynamics, that the top speed of the Vostok 1000 could absolutely not have reached 281 kilometers per hour!
Finally, at the end of the article, it was written in a sinister tone: "The fact that they could tell such a huge lie shows the true nature of those technical personnel on the eastern railway!"
If this were in later generations, it would be considered directly accusing someone of academic fraud, or even more serious.
What's even more problematic is that the reporter who wrote this report is no ordinary person, but a highly influential senior editor at the Asahi Shimbun, Kuronuma!
To enhance the credibility of the report, Kuronuma even brought in a large number of top-notch train design engineers from Japan to jointly endorse the article.
The lineup is incredibly large!
As soon as this report was published, the railway department in the United States, which was already feeling sour, did not hesitate to jump out and support the report.
For a time, all sorts of opinions circulated within the extended family.
"That can't be right. The railway department in the east is an honest company. They've never done anything like this before."
"It's hard to say. So many railway experts think there's a problem. How can there not be a problem on the east side?"
"I think Kurozuma has ill intentions; everyone knows the grand prize is about to be awarded."
The Shinkansen bullet train was a sure thing for the little notebook, but then the Touhou Project came along unexpectedly.
"That old bastard Kuronuma is clearly afraid of losing the grand prize, so he's resorting to underhanded tactics."
"Anyway, this is going to be good!"
The foreign affairs department staff quickly received the report from their foreign counterparts and contacted the railway department.
The railway authorities immediately convened a meeting.
"This is outrageous! These people are deliberately slandering us!"
"Yes, our Eastern High-Speed Electric Train is now very likely to become the next generation of main locomotives, and it is very likely to be exported in the future. But this incident has ruined its reputation."
"No, we can't let them slander us like this."
"But... how can we respond convincingly? Should we just publish a formal statement in our own newspaper?"
The moment these words were spoken, the noisy conference room fell silent.
It's important to know that Asahi Shimbun's Kuronuma was specifically targeting them with accusations, and they even had over a dozen experts endorsing him.
Even if we publish an article in the Hextech newspaper in the port city, it will be difficult to clarify.
At this point, a leader suggested, "The one who tied the knot must untie it. I think we should hear Comrade Li Aiguo's thoughts on this matter."
"Yes, yes, yes! Comrade Li Aiguo is not only the chief designer of the Extreme Speed Oriental model, but also knows the best about this car."
Besides, he's dealt with those experts from the Iron Alliance before; maybe he has some good ideas!
At this time, Li Aiguo was already in the locomotive depot office, where he learned about this from Louis.
“Comrade Patriot, things are in complete chaos outside. Yesterday, an old friend of mine called me and brought this up again.” Louis became increasingly angry as he spoke.
"Kuronuma never came here at all; he's just spouting nonsense in the newspapers. I think he has ulterior motives."
Li Aiguo sneered.
He knew perfectly well what that bastard Kuronuma was up to.
Isn't their only goal to damage the reputation of the railway here through the newspapers and preserve their pitiful pride in the Shinkansen?
Unfortunately, in the face of absolute power, any conspiracy or trickery is nothing but a paper tiger!
However, this matter now involves the overall situation, and we really cannot act rashly.
Just then, the red secure phone on the table rang.
"Patriotism, your superiors have notified you to attend a meeting."
"Okay, I'm coming!"
Li Aiguo immediately stood up.
This meeting was definitely convened because of Kuronuma's report.
Li Aiguo thought for a moment, then looked at Louis and asked, "Comrade Louis, would you like to come with me?"
"Can I really do it?" Louis asked incredulously.
"Of course, this is just a symposium and does not involve any classified information," Li Aiguo said with a smile.
Louis stayed here for a while, and his awareness of secrecy grew higher and higher.
“That’s great!” Louis nodded excitedly.
Li Aiguo left the office with Louis.
Outside, a strong wind had started blowing at some point.
The red flag fluttered in the strong wind, standing out vividly in the dim light.
(End of this chapter)