novelsite Chapter 25 Li Ruijun
Chapter 25 Li Ruijun
Chen Yishang directed his apprentices and newly arrived temporary workers to systematically dismantle the original decorative panels, seats, partitions, and abandoned pipelines inside the carriages. Oxy-acetylene cutting torches sprayed blazing blue flames, peeling away bolts and welds one by one. The heavy components were moved to designated material storage areas and stored in categories—some structurally intact profiles and plates could be recycled, while the rest were temporarily stored in the abandoned warehouse on the north side of the marshalling yard.
Wang Zhengyang shuttled between various work sites. He needed to quickly determine which dismantled materials could still be used for subsequent modifications—the 0.41% Caldova gene engine continued to operate, and a perception that surpassed any detection instrument allowed him to "read" the microscopic state of the metal.
He walked to a pile of roof steel plates that had just been removed from the third carriage. These plates were 4 millimeters thick, rusted but otherwise intact. Wang Zhengyang placed his right palm flat on one of the plates and closed his eyes.
Perception spreads like invisible ripples—the internal crystal structure of the metal emerges in consciousness: the regularity of the iron atom arrangement, the accumulation of impurities at grain boundaries, the propagation path of micro-fatigue cracks, the distribution gradient of residual stress…
"This one won't do." Three seconds later, Wang Zhengyang opened his eyes and pointed to the steel plate that looked the best. "It has a network of micro-fatigue cracks inside, with the main crack being 2.3 millimeters long and located in the center of the plate. If used in a load-bearing structure, it will fail under vibration loads due to low-cycle fatigue."
"Dr. Wang, how...how did you figure that out?" Zhang Haitao crouched down and carefully examined the steel plate. There were only some rust spots on the surface. "Even magnetic particle testing might not have been able to detect that, right?"
"Experience combined with some special techniques." Wang Zhengyang didn't explain the existence of superpowers. He walked to the next pile of materials. "Use the third piece over there. Also, be especially careful when dismantling the aluminum frame of the car windows. The seventh to ninth carriages need the complete window structure as the basis for the modification. The deformation cannot exceed 1 millimeter."
Meanwhile, in the technology center's carriage, Lin Luo'er was completely absorbed in the work of verifying the simplified computing power of "Thunder Matrix." It was far more complicated than she had anticipated—she bit the end of her pencil, stared at the simulation data scrolling on the screen, sometimes rapidly typing on the keyboard to adjust parameters, sometimes working out formulas on scratch paper. Sweat dripped from her forehead onto the graphics tablet, but she was completely unaware.
At 12:10 PM, Wang Zhengyang walked in and placed a heated individual self-heating ration and a bottle of electrolyte drink next to her. "Eat, 25 minutes. Replenish fluids and electrolytes."
Lin Luo'er was startled, jolted awake from her reverie, and realized it was already noon, a distinct feeling of hunger rising in her stomach. "Thank you, Dr. Wang… I'm almost done with the topology optimization of this high-frequency resonant converter. If I use an interleaved parallel structure combined with digital phase-shift control, the efficiency should improve by another 3%…"
"Eat first." Wang Zhengyang interrupted her, his tone calm but uncompromising. "When the brain is highly focused, it consumes glucose three times faster than usual. What you need right now is carbohydrates, not more simulation data."
He picked up a ration of his own, tore open the heating pack, poured in water, and then closed the lid. While waiting for it to heat up for three minutes, he continued working on the list of materials marked with fifty-one red asterisks on his tablet. Obtaining these materials would be the biggest challenge for the next twenty days. Some could be purchased at high prices from legitimate industrial distributors, but many more were military-grade supplies, export-controlled items, or special materials not even available on the civilian market.
He circled twenty-three types of materials that could only be obtained through "special channels." These were the core of the problem and also the biggest risk points.
"Oh, right, Dr. Wang," Lin Luo'er suddenly remembered something and lowered her voice, "I did some calculations this morning when I was organizing the outsourcing requirements... If Brother Li's factory can handle all the custom parts processing, our modification schedule can be advanced by at least two days. However, the tracked chassis modification requires on-site construction, which necessitates a professional team..."
"I will bring up this request when I talk to him this afternoon," Wang Zhengyang said. "He needs to bring a few more key mechanics to the site to specifically handle chassis reinforcement. The cost will be settled at market price."
Lin Luo'er nodded, but her worry deepened: "Dr. Wang, Brother Li's factory... business hasn't been good lately. I heard they're being heavily pressured by some processing plants run by Indians and South Asians, and their prices might be even lower than the market price. Will we be able to...?"
"Pay at market price." Wang Zhengyang interrupted her. "It's not easy for Chinese people to do business here. Let them earn what they deserve. As for those Indians..." He paused, a cold glint in his eyes, "If they dare to cause trouble, I'll handle it."
He spoke calmly, but Lin Luo'er sensed the weight in his words. Looking at Wang Zhengyang, she suddenly felt that this always calm and restrained man possessed something unfathomable and beyond her comprehension.
At 2 p.m. sharp, Li Ruijun arrived on time, accompanied by a young woman in her early twenties.
"Dr. Wang, this is my younger sister, Li Xiaowei," Li Ruijun introduced, his tone filled with a brotherly affection and helplessness. "She's Luo'er's college classmate. When she heard I was coming, she insisted on coming along. She said... she wanted to see what big project Luo'er was working on."
"Hello Dr. Wang!" Li Xiaowei greeted him cheerfully, her eyes curving into crescent moons just like Lin Luo'er's. "Luo'er often says in the group chat that your project is amazing! Can I take a look?"
Wang Zhengyang sized up the girl—her clothes were simple yet stylish, her long hair was tied in a ponytail, and she had a sunny smile on her face; she looked like an ordinary college student. But there was a cleverness in her eyes, she used expressive gestures when she spoke, and she was full of energy.
"Okay," Wang Zhengyang nodded, "but some areas involve project secrets, so you can only move around in designated areas."
"Understood, understood!" Li Xiaowei nodded vigorously, already leaning close to Lin Luo'er. "Luo'er! What are you doing? These shelves... are you going to grow vegetables? Grow vegetables on the train?"
Lin Luo'er smiled and began to explain. Wang Zhengyang then turned his attention back to Li Ruijun. This man in his early thirties was dressed in simple work clothes, his hands were rough, and his eyes held the shrewdness of a seasoned businessman as well as the composure of a technician.
"Dr. Wang," Li Ruijun said bluntly, "Luo'er said you need to outsource processing, and the deadline is very tight. Could you take a look at the specific requirements?"
Lin Luo'er quickly handed over the prepared list of drawings. Li Ruijun took it and flipped through it rapidly, his brows furrowing and relaxing intermittently. Five minutes later, he looked up: "These components... have very high precision requirements. The load-bearing supports of the vegetable planting platform must withstand dynamic loads, the pipe fittings of the water purification system must ensure zero leakage, and these irregularly shaped connectors... Dr. Wang, your project is of a very high standard."
"It's a national testing project, so the standards are naturally high," Wang Zhengyang replied simply. "Can you do it?"
"I can do it." Li Ruijun nodded, but his expression was somewhat complicated. "My factory's equipment and technology are all fine, and the workers are all experienced veterans who have worked with me for several years. But..." He paused, "The deadline is so tight, I have to shut down the entire factory to focus on your work. And some materials need to be purchased on-site..."
"The cost will be settled at market price," Wang Zhengyang interrupted him. "30% prepayment, 50% on the day of arrival, and the remaining balance after acceptance. In addition, I need you to bring a professional team to assist with the tracked chassis modification. We need six experienced mechanics who will work continuously for twenty days."
This requirement stunned Li Ruijun. He took the tracked chassis modification drawings from Wang Zhengyang, his expression growing increasingly serious as he looked at them: "This is... a military-grade tracked system modification? It has to bear the entire weight of the vehicle while ensuring its passability... Dr. Wang, what exactly is going on with this project...?"
"The mobile platform test of the national emergency reserve system." Wang Zhengyang gave the answer he had prepared in advance. "The specific purpose is classified, but I can tell you that this platform may be used in disaster relief, support for remote areas, and other scenarios in the future."
This explanation makes perfect sense. Li Ruijun stared at the blueprints for a long time, then looked up at Wang Zhengyang, and then at the obviously unusual designs in the carriage. Finally, he took a deep breath: "Okay. But Dr. Wang, there's something I need to make clear beforehand."
"What is it?"
"I've been doing business in Berlin for five years, and recently... I've run into some trouble." Li Ruijun lowered his voice. "A few processing plants run by Indians and South Asians are stealing business with low prices and even hiring people to cause trouble near my factory. If they find out I took this big order from you, they might come looking for trouble. So..."
"So you need protection," Wang Zhengyang finished for him. "I can guarantee that as long as your people are on my project site, no one will dare to touch you. As for the factory..." He paused, "If you need it, I can help you handle those problems."
Li Ruijun's eyes widened slightly. He stared at Wang Zhengyang for a few seconds, seemingly assessing the weight of his words. Finally, he nodded: "Dr. Wang is a straightforward man. I'll take this job. I can bring the team over tomorrow; they're all brothers who have worked with me for several years, and their skills are trustworthy."
"Okay." Wang Zhengyang nodded. "Also, if your sister is willing, she can help out during the project. Lin Luo'er needs manpower to handle the daily management of the vegetable and plant platform."
"Great! I can cook too!" Li Xiaowei immediately raised her hand, her eyes shining. "I'm a fantastic cook! Luo'er knows that! And I studied horticulture, so I can grow vegetables too!"
This was an unexpected bonus. Wang Zhengyang looked at Lin Luo'er, who nodded vigorously: "Xiaowei is amazing! Her potted plants are the best-growing in our dorm!"
"Then it's settled." Wang Zhengyang made the decision. "Boss Li will bring his team in tomorrow, and your sister can stay and help out today. Her daily wage will be settled at market rate."
The agreement was quickly signed. Li Ruijun visibly relaxed as he put away the documents—this order would allow his factory to weather the most difficult period. His sister, Li Xiaowei, was already excitedly pulling Lin Luoer aside, asking her all sorts of questions. The two girls chattered away in the carriage, adding a touch of life to the otherwise steel space.
Seeing this, Wang Zhengyang felt a slight easing of his tension. The team was expanding, progress was accelerating, and everything was proceeding according to plan.