Chapter 122: A True Blessing for the Shipyard
Chapter 122: A True Blessing for the Shipyard
Zhou Chenglei gently tugged at Jiang Xia's hand and whispered, "Wait for me a moment."
Jiang Xia, not understanding, stood and waited for him.
Zhou Chenglei turned to Factory Director Zhou and said, "Director Zhou, may I borrow some paper and a pen?"
Director Zhou handed him the letter paper and Hero pen from the desk.
Taking the writing utensils, Zhou Chenglei walked out and used the wall outside the office as a makeshift desk, beginning to write seriously.
Jiang Xia watched as Zhou Chenglei wrote down several sets of data, then entered the office and handed it to Director Zhou, saying, "Director Zhou, please take a look and see if it's helpful."
"What?" Director Zhou, who was examining the blueprints, took the paper and glanced at it casually. As he continued reading, his eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly called out to the technician, "Quickly, gather everyone for a symposium!"
Excitedly, Director Zhou walked up to Zhou Chenglei and patted his shoulder, "Comrade Zhou, you might have just helped us tremendously! Haha... Once we succeed, I'll express my gratitude to you properly!"
Considering what he could offer for their ship, Zhou Chenglei calmly replied, "Director Zhou, there's no need for formality. Just give us a discount on the next purchase."
"Okay, okay! I'll definitely give you a discount. By the way, how did you learn about these things? Did you study them?"
Zhou Chenglei simply said, "I've had some exposure, so I know a little. I'm not sure if it's correct, but you can give it a try."
If any of his comrades were present, they would know that he had more than just a basic understanding.
Director Zhou laughed, "You're truly amazing! Both of you are incredible! Let me walk you out."
Just then, another technician entered, "Zhou, it's no use. It's cracked again! Everyone suggests using propane for preheating."
Director Zhou frowned upon hearing this, "What kind of joke is this? For several kilometers of welds, using propane would require tons of it. At least several dozen tons, where would we find such a supply?"
"Sigh, that's indeed a problem. But the supplier doesn't agree to use acetylene either. I can't think of any other options. It seems like we've tried everything, and it keeps cracking!"
It was enough to drive them crazy! The preheating temperature control for the jack-up leg welds was tricky, often leading to cracks during the welding process. The technicians had attempted this numerous times. The technical engineer scratched his nearly bald head.
Director Zhou also felt the headache, "Let's think of another solution, keep trying! We've overcome so many technical challenges; we won't be stopped by preheating for the jack-up legs!"
This jack-up drilling platform was also an export order, and they had overcome dozens of technical challenges. Today, he refused to believe they would be halted by preheating for the jack-up legs!
Jiang Xia spoke up, "For preheating, can't you use silicon carbide rods, iodine tungsten lamps, or calcium silicate boards?"
The technicians looked at Jiang Xia in astonishment, "What did you just say? Where did you hear about these things???"
Director Zhou also turned to Jiang Xia, surprised.
Jiang Xia, feigning surprise, said, "You haven't heard of these? I think I read about them in a book, but I might have remembered incorrectly. I don't recall the exact names, and I'm just talking nonsense. Don't take my words seriously, or I might mislead you, and that's not on me!"
Jiang Xia was merely sharing the preheating equipment she had heard about, giving them a hint.
However, she had no idea how to make those preheating devices.
She didn't know if they could use them or if they could even be made in this era. In any case, she was clueless.
But with such obvious names, Jiang Xia believed that those who understood would know, and those who could make them would eventually succeed.
Sometimes, scientists, inventors, and technicians just needed a little inspiration or a small hint to break through their bottlenecks.
The era they lived in was one of rapid technological advancements and progress in Huaguo, but it was also a time of suppression. Everyone was holding their breath, striving with all their might to improve and become stronger, determined not to be looked down upon by the great powers.
Factory Director Zhou was one such person who worked tirelessly, and he was also knowledgeable!
As he watched Jiang Xia's expression, he twitched his lips: "Who exactly are these two?"
"Let's have a meeting! Call everyone for a meeting! Wait, hold on a second, I'll start with the Kent Ring symposium. No, I'll hold this meeting first! Go and notify everyone to gather!"
The technician quickly ran off to gather everyone for the meeting.
Director Zhou happily turned to Zhou Chenglei and Jiang Xia, "Let's go, I'll see you out!"
Jiang Xia, understanding his busy schedule, smiled and said, "Director Zhou, you don't need to see us off. Just focus on getting our ship built as soon as possible."
Zhou Fu also said, "Yes, there's no need to see us off. We can walk on our own. Director Zhou, you should get back to work!"
Just then, another shipworker called out to Director Zhou, who responded before turning to Jiang Xia and the others, "It's fine, I'll see you out. I promise to have your ship completed ahead of schedule and as soon as possible! Remember to visit the shipyard more often, even if it's just for a casual visit."
Whenever these two came to the shipyard, they either brought in new orders or inspired him with their presence.
They were truly the shipyard's lucky stars!
Some workers, seeing Director Zhou's enthusiasm in personally seeing them off, even mistook Jiang Xia's group for visiting leaders.
Director Zhou escorted them all the way to the factory gate, watching as they rode off on their bicycles before hurrying back inside.
Indeed, he hurried back, running swiftly and even humming the national anthem, "Arise..."
In the distance, Zhou Fu pedaled Jiang Xia's ladies' bicycle, whistling as he went. His son and daughter-in-law had truly brought honor to the family! It was good to have an educated family!
After the ship returned, he planned to visit every household in the village, sharing the story of purchasing the ship.
Jiang Xia had barely ridden halfway when she felt her legs grow heavy, as if filled with lead. She had barely covered a quarter of the distance when she struggled to pedal, and Zhou Fu took over.
Zhou Chenglei watched as his father stared intently at the ladies' bicycle that Jiang Xia had ridden to their wedding, feeling a twinge of sympathy.
He had wanted to keep it for a lifetime.
Couldn't his father be a bit more refined?
Leaving the shipyard, the four of them headed to the city center and had a meal at a restaurant before making their way to the publishing house.
Since they were passing by the publishing house on their way to the department store, they decided to drop off the book first.
As they approached the entrance of the publishing house, they ran into Zhang Fuyan, who was there to have a meal with her aunt.
"Xiaxia!" Zhang Fuyan exclaimed happily, taking Xiaxia's arm. "Did you come to see me?"
Jiang Xia smiled and nodded, then said, "I'm in the city today, and I just finished translating a book, so I thought I'd bring it over for you to take a look."
"So fast? Come, I'll take you to my aunt's office."
Zhou Chenglei and Jiang Xia entered the building, while Zhou Fu and Zhou Chengxin decided to explore the area and meet up at the department store later.
Zhang Fuyan led the couple to her aunt's office.
The office door was open, and someone was inside. Zhang Fuyan gestured for Jiang Xia and the others to wait outside.
Since the door was open, it meant the conversation inside wasn't confidential, so Zhang Fuyan stayed outside with them.
Inside the office, Wen Wan sat at a large desk, looking somewhat listless.
Fan Lili sat across from her, proofreading Wen Wan's translation of a science magazine, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
