The train driver in the courtyard

Day by day.

Two days.

Three days passed.

Early morning three days later.

Today is the day to report to the Railway Research Institute.

Li Aiguo got up early, ate five steamed buns, and left the house while pushing his bicycle.

When passing by the door of Nan Yi's house, Liang Ladi heard the sound of the wheels and walked out holding Nan Xiaoying.

Nan Xiaoying is now more than three months old, and her little face has become chubby because of the milk powder.

This kid seemed to know Li Aiguo. He stretched out his hand and babbling even though he was far away.

"Brother Patriot, are you going to work so early?"

"Yes, the little eagle has grown so big."

Li Aiguo pinched Nan Xiaoying's little face and asked with a smile: "Liang Ladi, how is the transformation of the electric sewing machine going? Are there any difficulties?"

"It's not difficult. All the materials are available, but the structure is a bit complicated. Give me another five days to make sure it can be transformed." Liang Ladi puffed out her chest and said.

"Don't be in a hurry. Slow work will bring out the best. I still have to go to work, so I'll leave first."

After a few words of warning, Li Aiguo left the courtyard, got on his bicycle and headed towards the Railway Research Institute against the golden sun.

The Railway Research Institute attaches great importance to the improvement of the forward steam engine head.

A laboratory was specially allocated for the use of the renovation project team.

This laboratory was moved from Tangshan in its entirety last year, and the equipment inside it has reached internationally advanced status.

Vehicle brake test equipment, brake regulator test equipment, bicycle brake testers, various valves and other locomotive test equipment are all available.

After the project team met in the laboratory, Dong Gong introduced Li Aiguo to the project team members.

"Everyone, this is Comrade Li Aiguo, the train driver at the Qianmen Locomotive Depot, who serves as the deputy leader of the improvement team."

As soon as he finished speaking, a young man in a gray tunic suit raised his hand.

"Dong Gong, isn't this right? Li Aiguo is just a train driver and a worker. Why can he be the deputy team leader?"

Dong Gong took a deep look at the young man and said with a smile: "This is the decision of Director Liu of the institute. If you have any opinions, you can mention it directly to Director Liu."

The young man said nothing.

However, the look he looked at Li Aiguo was still unkind.

Li Aiguo did not expect that as soon as he arrived here, someone would show his teeth.

"Who is this person?"

While the researchers were studying the locomotive drawings, Li Aiguo called Dong Gong aside.

Dong Gong raised his eyes and looked at the young man and said: "His name is Zheng Han. He is a graduate student at Xi'an Jiaotong University. He is a true son of genius. He entered the Datong Factory last year and was designated as a fifth-level engineer. Now he is the technical backbone of the Datong Factory. .

It’s not unusual to have a graduate degree. There are four or five graduate students in our institute. The key is that Zheng Han’s supervisor is Professor Liu Zhengduo! "

It's not unusual for graduate students. He is just a technical secondary school student. Li Aiguo made a few slanderous remarks and said, "The name Liu Zhengduo is a bit familiar."

"Professor Liu Zhengduo was the chief engineer of Datong Locomotive Factory. He was already an authority on steam locomotives before liberation. He also served as the general consultant of the First Machinery Department."

"."

The general counsel of the ministry. What a great background.

Li Aiguo could understand why Zheng Han could participate in the locomotive improvement work as a representative of the Datong Factory.

Zheng Han, who was studying the drawings at this time, was a little depressed.

His family comes from three generations of poor people. His father, mother, brother and sister are all workers. He will not look down on Li Aiguo, who is from a worker background.

It’s just that Zheng Han believes that there is a specialization in the art industry.

In a project with such high technical requirements, there are so many highly educated researchers, but a worker is appointed as the deputy team leader, which is a bit suspicious of taking charge.

As a researcher determined to study train technology, he has always hated this system.

and.

The big worker didn't seem to be in a hurry at this time. Instead, he discussed lunch with the logistics director of the Railway Research Institute.

The most important thing is that only Zheng Han in the entire improvement team knows.

The improvement of the forward steam engine is not only related to the opening of the bridge to traffic, but also related to an export order of up to 200 units.

If the improvement fails, millions of foreign exchange will be lost.

Logistics Director Zhou of the Railway Research Institute did not expect that he would be invited into the laboratory, and was wondering at this time.

"Old Zhou, you are the head of logistics and have a great influence on the locomotive improvement project team. Whether we can each have a bowl of pork stewed vermicelli at noon depends on you, brother."

Li Aiguo handed Director Zhou a cigarette and put his hands together to light it for him.

It turned out that he wanted to open the back door. Director Zhou was smoking a cigarette and felt dumbfounded.

"It's not that we don't want our comrades to eat well, it's just that you know the current situation.

Pork stewed vermicelli is out of the question. Maximum is two bowls of white noodles per person, and I will arrange a bowl of braised noodles for you. "

"There must be meat in the stew. There are many of us, so we need at least half a catty of meat."

"make a deal!"

The institute is full of technicians and intellectuals, and they have never bargained with him over food.

Director Zhou was really overwhelmed for a while and could only order the kitchen to cut a piece of meat that was going to be served to the visiting leaders.

"Thank you, brother. When you go to the Qianmen Locomotive Depot for a business trip, I'll treat you to a big dinner." Li Aiguo patted Director Zhou heavily on the shoulder.

After seeing off Director Zhou, he returned to his desk humming a tune, picked up a newspaper and read it leisurely.

Zheng Han shook his head depressedly: "It's an insult to gentlemen! How can such a person serve as the deputy team leader?"

The two comrades next to him knew Zheng Han's upright temperament and were afraid that he would cause trouble, so they quickly stopped him.

"Xiao Zheng, Driver Li is the deputy team leader, please pay attention to your attitude."

Zheng Hanzheng was feeling angry because he couldn't solve a structural problem. Now that he was reminded of his identity, he slammed the table.

"Comrade Li Aiguo, as the deputy team leader, instead of studying how to improve the locomotive, you are busy preparing lunch. Are you putting the cart before the horse?"

Literary people are different. Even if they get angry, they still look polite and polite.

The newspaper tilted sideways, revealing Li Aiguo's head. His eyes glanced at Zheng Han, and then were covered by the newspaper again.

A faint voice came from behind the newspaper.

"I am the deputy team leader and the leader. Do I need to study those issues personally?

In that case, wouldn't it mean that we don't trust you technicians? "

The researchers nodded frequently.

The people selected here are all outstanding technicians from Datong Motorcycle Factory and Research Institute, and they are confident that they can solve all problems.

Zheng Han felt that Li Aiguo was playing rogue, and was speechless for a moment.

"Since you don't like me preparing lunch, you can have a big pot stove with your comrades from the institute at noon."

Zheng Han raised his head: "What's so great! I never pay attention to material enjoyment!"

Li Aiguo did not continue chatting with Zheng Han and focused on the newspaper.

He found that being the deputy leader was very comfortable.

Just check the modification plans submitted by the researchers, keep the suitable ones, and reject the unsuitable ones directly.

No wonder everyone likes to be a leader.

The time came to noon before I knew it.

In order to facilitate the work of the researchers, and to avoid trouble caused by the rude train driver, Director Zhou led a group of canteen workers to deliver the meals to the laboratory.

In the old Beijing language, white noodle slices are white noodle dough.

The hot white dough is topped with the fragrant shredded pork stew. Take a sip while it's hot. The taste is incredible.

Researchers' wages are higher than those of ordinary workers, but their food rations and meat stamps are the same as those of ordinary people.

In the past six months, supplies in the capital have become increasingly scarce, and even large factories like Datong Factory can no longer get meat.

The researchers all ate deliciously, and some even took off their glasses in order not to delay things.

There was a fragrant smell in the room. Zheng Han was holding two steamed buns and eating stick noodle porridge.

Although there is also a dish of boiled cabbage, which is much better than the food in the Datong factory, it is now difficult to swallow.

Although Zheng Han still doesn't think the big boss can serve as the team leader, the braised noodles with shredded pork are really delicious.

He regretted a little bit for going up against Li Aiguo just now.

The researchers ate with gusto.

"I haven't eaten meat for so long that I almost forgot what meat tastes like."

"That is, Team Leader Li came forward. If it were anyone else, we would definitely have to suffer from the big pot."

"Isn't Mr. Zheng just eating the big pot stove?"

Listening to the discussion, Zheng Han felt that the bun in his mouth was even more difficult to swallow.

"Eat, you will be full and energetic. In the afternoon you can change the sliding bearing of the tender to a six-axis rolling bearing and get the drawings out first."

A bowl of braised noodles suddenly appeared in front of him. The brown shredded meat exuded a greasy luster, and the air was filled with a fragrant smell. Zheng Han couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

This is not the key! The key is the bearings of the tender!

He raised his head and looked at Li Aiguo.

"Team Leader Li, what's wrong with the sliding bearings? Lao Maozi's water trucks all have sliding bearings!"

At this time, Li Aiguo had turned and walked towards the desk, leaving only one sentence.

"Eat first, and we'll talk about this later when you're full."

Zheng Han looked at the rough steamed buns, then at the greasy shredded meat and whitewashed noodles, gritted his teeth and muttered.

"I'm not giving in, but I want to eat enough so that I can explain the benefits of sliders to that big boss! It's for work."

Zheng Han dropped the wowotou, eagerly picked up the enamel bowl, picked up a shredded meat and put it into his mouth.

"smell good"

He started to devour the food.

Li Aiguo smoked a cigarette and shook the newspaper.

Damn it, I, the train driver, can’t handle you, a little graduate student? What a joke!
Keeping the bearing in mind, Zheng Han finished a large bowl of noodles in less than ten minutes.

He wiped his mouth with a towel, and without even having time to wash his lunch box, he took the blueprint to the desk. "Driver Li, as a train driver, you may not understand the advantages of sliding bearings. Let me explain them to you now."

Zheng Han was obviously well prepared and actually took out a Russian book and spread it in front of Li Aiguo.

"Sliding bearings have a stronger load-bearing capacity than rolling bearings, no noise pollution, smooth movement, safety and reliability. Ninety percent of Lao Maozi's coal water truck bogies use sliding bearings. These are basic knowledge. ”

Li Aiguo faced Zheng Han, who was chattering in Luo Liba, and only said one sentence.

"The forward steam locomotive has too little power."

Zheng Han, who looked confident just now, now opened his mouth and no sound could come out of his throat.

Many technologies of forward steam trains have reached the international first-class level.

In particular, the boiler adopts an all-electric welded structure without combustion chamber, which greatly extends the service life of the train and greatly shortens the maintenance period.

But it also brings disadvantages, that is, compared with locomotives of the same level, the horsepower is much lower.

Li Aiguo closed the book and handed it to Zheng Han: "We train drivers all know that if you want a horse to die quickly, use it to pull a cart.

If you want your horse to grow well, you have to pull a big horse to pull a small cart. "

"But the horsepower of the steam engine has been calculated and fully meets the demand."

"Have you calculated overloading? Have you calculated horsepower attenuation? Have you calculated train wear and tear?" Li Aiguo folded the newspaper and placed it on the table.

This thing can cover a wall, but it is a good thing and cannot be thrown away as garbage.

Li Aiguo stood up and said: "Our purpose of modifying the locomotive now is to prevent the locomotive from breaking down as much as possible. To achieve this goal, we must increase the power.

Replacing sliding bearings with rolling bearings will increase power by 10%. "

Zheng Han's pupils shrank suddenly. He did not expect that Li Aiguo actually knew this knowledge.

Li Aiguo continued: “The bearing capacity of sliding bearings is indeed higher, but the installation requires high precision, and installation and maintenance are troublesome.

It is the workers who are responsible for the installation. The skills of the workers may be high or low. To avoid malfunctions, workers must not have the opportunity to make mistakes! "

As soon as these words came out, Zheng Han could no longer say a word.

He did not expect that the theory of Lao Maozi he believed in would be vulnerable to this train driver.

There was silence in the laboratory, and the researchers had gathered around at some point.

They have been studying locomotives all year round, and many of them have also received special training in Moscow. They think they already know a lot about advanced steam locomotives.

However, Li Aiguo overturned their perceptions with just one rolling bearing.

The key point is that Li Aiguo's considerations are completely correct in theory, technology, and practice.

He is just a worker!

Zheng Han couldn't help but swallow his saliva and said timidly: "Driver Li, how do you know you can increase the power by ten percent?"

"It's calculated." Li Aiguo waved his hands towards them and said, "Okay, our workload is very heavy, and there are still many defects that need to be improved. Let's go back to work quickly."

After saying that, he sat back on the chair, picked up the newspaper, shook it, and continued reading.

On the front page, there is a huge black traditional Chinese headline, [Glorious Achievements and Great Victory—The Yumen Oil Mine, the first natural oil base, is basically completed. 】

The Yumen Oil Mine was built so quickly. It seems that the suggestions made during last year's northwest trip have come to fruition.

Although it was impossible for his name to appear in the newspaper, Li Aiguo was still in a good mood.

With the oil production from Yumen Oil Mine, the domestic energy shortage will be greatly alleviated.

Li Aiguo picked up the enamel jar and took a sip of tea. Tsk tsk, it was still a large piece of tea leaves, which could not be poked by a needle.

Different from Li Aiguo's leisurely life, the laboratory was busy at this time.

Although Zheng Han had no way to refute Li Aiguo's statement in theory, he still felt a little unbelievable.

He could not accept the fact that he was surpassed by a technical secondary school student.

A researcher suggested: "Since Deputy Team Leader Li said that using rolling bearings can increase the power of the locomotive by 10%, let's calculate it again. If the results are consistent, it means that Deputy Team Leader Li's suggestion is reliable."

Zheng Han also became more energetic: "This is a good idea."

A dozen researchers worked with Zheng Han to calculate all the data.

For a while, there was a constant sound of crackling abacus beads in the laboratory.

pat!

Half an hour later, the last abacus bead was fiddled with, and Zheng Han suddenly lay softly on the chair.

A researcher asked: "Gong Zheng, how are you? What's the result?"

"Indeed. Ten percent." Zheng Han still couldn't believe this result, but the abacus beads would not lie.

"Have you considered all the circumstances?" The researchers took a breath.

They had just a dozen technicians, and their minimum education level was an undergraduate degree, and their minimum professional title was a seventh-level engineer. They had been doing calculations for half an hour.

Li Aiguo, a train driver, just casually said a number and hit the target?

Zheng Han didn't answer them, but his behavior said everything.

I saw Zheng Han walking up to Li Aiguo holding the drawings.

"Team Leader Li, what do you think of my plan for the design of rolling bearings?"

Are you giving in now?
Li Aiguo was not surprised at all by this result.

Because the plan he used was the final improvement plan of the forward locomotive.

The Forward locomotive is the most produced steam locomotive in China and is also the locomotive that has been improved the most.

From the time the prototype was produced, it went through a total of eight major modifications and countless minor modifications before finally arriving at the final plan.

After so many modifications, the final plan is almost perfect.

Even after the rise of diesel locomotives, the forward locomotive still persisted until the 1990s, which shows its perfection.

Li Aiguo was not the kind of person who liked to care about things. He took Zheng Han's design and studied it carefully.

"You see, rolling bearings can be designed here."

With just a few words of advice, Zheng Han felt suddenly enlightened.

It was a simple question, how could he not think of it?

"Driver Li, yes, yes, your method is much smarter, I understand."

Zheng Han suddenly found the feeling of being a student in school, and Li Aiguo sitting opposite him was Professor Shu Jin.

Zheng Han is the most talented researcher in the research team. Seeing his appearance, the researchers all looked at each other.

It seems that this comrade worker is really capable, so he was chosen as the deputy team leader.

After working hard for most of the day, Dong Gong finally returned to the laboratory from the meeting in the institute and was preparing to hold a research meeting to study how to improve the train.

While calculating the data, Zheng Han raised his hand and said, "Team Leader Dong, no need. Team Leader Li has already proposed an improvement plan. We are revising the drawings and don't have time for a meeting."

Team Leader Li? Dong Gong rubbed his ears to make sure he heard correctly.

Didn't these guys think Li Aiguo was a rough guy just now? How could they accept his transformation plan now?
He picked up a drawing with doubts and looked at it twice, and instantly understood the reason.

Dong Gong also sat down silently, picked up a pen and paper and started calculating.

The simplest thing in the world is to shoot an arrow first and then draw a target.

With the plan to replace sliding bearings with rolling bearings, the design drawings were drawn up in just one afternoon.

Dong Gong divided the final drawing into two parts and put them into two file bags. One part was submitted to the office, waiting for approval.

The other was sent directly to the preparatory meeting of the locomotive factory in Datong by train.

Postal delivery is too slow these days, and there is no air transportation. It is usually transported by trucks, cars, donkey carts, and even bicycles.

A letter may take more than ten days to be delivered to the recipient.

Urgent mail on the railway is delivered by train through a set of internal procedures.

The system works wherever trains can reach it.

After delivering the drawings and returning to the laboratory, when it was time to get off work, Dong Gong suddenly remembered something important.

"Patriot, we got the rolling bearing today, what will we improve tomorrow?"

He knew very well that Li Aiguo would not give up so easily.

"Let's talk about tomorrow's matters tomorrow. I have to go back now!"

Li Aiguo laughed, put on his canvas bag, and rode his bicycle out of the institute.

It was the hot season at this time, and even though it was approaching dusk, the air was still hot.

Under the shade of a tree, two puppies were fighting fiercely.

This seems to indicate something.
When Li Aiguo returned home, before he had time to rest, he was pushed into the bathroom by Chen Xueru.

"Wash it quickly and get it clean!"

Good guy, this is killing the goose that lays the egg.

Li Aiguo, Li Aiguo, is not someone to be trifled with, so he directly used a move to stop Chen Xueru, directly knocking Chen Xueru to a standstill.

The night is getting darker.

Chen Xueru, who had been harmed five times, finally couldn't hold on any longer and lay on the bed gasping for air.

Her hair was sticky on her forehead, her skin was flushed, and her bright red mouth kept muttering: "I'm going to die, I'm going to die."

You little brat, I can’t conquer you.

The next day.

Inside the institute's laboratory.

Under the gaze of all the researchers, Li Aiguo picked up the chalk and wrote on the blackboard the words "Improve the smoke exhaust device and coal chute water distribution pipeline".

Just like yesterday, the researchers looked a little strange when they saw this transformation plan.

Unlike yesterday, no one took the lead to oppose this time.

Not even Zheng Han.

Finally, Dong Gong raised his hand: "Aiguo, can you explain it in detail?"

"The smoke exhaust device of the forward train is defective, and smoke may be injected back during high-speed operation, which may affect the driving at a mild level. In more serious cases, it may endanger the life safety of the driver team."

Li Aiguo stood up and drew a sketch on the blackboard with chalk.

"You see, according to aerodynamics, running at high speed"

The laboratory suddenly became quiet. When Zheng Han saw that Li Aiguo was starting to lecture, he quickly picked up the pen and wrote down all the contents in his notebook.

(End of this chapter)