The train driver in the courtyard

The sun in the capital city in October sets much later than before.

It was already past six in the afternoon, and the golden sunlight was still pouring into the house through the blue curtains on the old wooden windows, falling on the two people sitting opposite each other in the room, casting two long slanted shadows.

The two figures should have been parallel, but with the help of the magical angle, they intertwined not far away.

The sunlight passed over the figures, making the walls sparkle, and even the mahogany furniture deep in the room shone with a red wine-like glow.

The room was bright, but Li Aiguo was very nervous.

[Mr.] said warmly, "Don't be nervous, young man. I asked you to come here today just to ask you, a front-line worker, to talk about your views on internal combustion engines and steam engines."

"The difference in their working principles determines that the internal combustion engine has a higher thermal efficiency than the steam engine, so it is technically inevitable that the internal combustion engine will replace the steam engine."

Li Aiguo also calmed down at this time, straightened his chest and spoke loudly.

“Can you explain the principle to me?” [Mr.] put his hands on the table with fists, very patiently.

Li Aiguo did not hide it.

“A steam engine requires igniting coal in a furnace, boiling water, and using the steam to drive the mechanical device.

The internal combustion engine skips the stage of boiling water, and the fuel is burned directly in the cylinder, converting the released heat energy directly into mechanical energy. "

[Mr.] said, “So, the internal combustion engine is more advanced than the steam engine. Why do you object to exchanging internal combustion engine technology?”

"Advanced things are not appropriate things."

“Advanced may not necessarily be appropriate.”

The gentleman pondered for a moment, a playful look appeared on his face, and he nodded and said, "Then I'll trouble you, a front-line worker, to teach me a lesson today."

Li Aiguo said: "First, the raw material problem. Although my country has discovered several large and medium-sized oil fields, the domestic oil industry is in short supply because of its poor foundation.

The original diesel and heavy oil for diesel locomotives need to be refined from petroleum.

If internal combustion engines are developed in a short period of time, the oil shortage situation will become even worse. "

[Mr.] nodded: "That's true. Every year, the import and export company needs to spend a lot of foreign exchange to import oil from the West.

Oil is like a shackle around our necks, and we must not let this shackle get tighter and tighter.”

These days, domestic and foreign exchanges are not frequent.

China Import and Export Corporation is the only company that specializes in trade with Western countries.

The import of important materials urgently needed for domestic production and life supported the economic construction of New China.

The most important commodity is oil.

By the way, China Import and Export Corporation was later called Sinochem Group.

[Sir] commented in his mind that this young man is not only bookish but also has a broad perspective.

this point is very important.

Some technicians and scholars ignore the actual situation and although they seem to be upholding the truth, they have caused great harm.

"Go on."

Li Aiguo said: "For the current industrial situation in China and even the world, internal combustion locomotives are too advanced.

As a result, its actual performance is far inferior to that of a steam engine."

"How do you explain this?"

“After decades of development, the steam engine technology has matured.

In terms of total power, the Patriot model steam locomotive has a total power of 3500 horsepower and an output power of up to 3100 horsepower.

但是老毛子D1内燃机的ND1型内燃机车使用的是16JV17/24型600马力柴油机。

The rated power is only 600 horsepower, and the output power is estimated to be just over horsepower.

With such a small horsepower, it is difficult to be used as a shunting locomotive, let alone a freight or passenger train."

[Mr.] tapped the table with his fingers: “This problem is also explained in the report submitted by the Harbin Railway Technology Research Institute.

They believe that internal combustion engine technology is a new technology, and new technologies always start slowly, so we need to be patient and accumulate technology bit by bit."

"If our family was wealthy, it wouldn't matter, but the point is that we are already tightening our belts to make ends meet, so wouldn't that be like throwing money down the drain?"

Tighten your belt, this kid is quite courageous [Sir] looked up at Li Aiguo and saw only honesty on his face.

This kid is just as recorded in the file, an upright person, but with the habits of a bandit.

"Go on."

Li Aiguo changed the subject.

"The ND1 diesel locomotives and technology that the Russians gave to Hungary have all been put into cold storage at the Hungarian Railways Ministry.

The fact that they have advanced diesel locomotives but are not using them and are now buying patriotic steam engines from us speaks volumes."

[Mr.]’s expression changed slightly when he heard this.

Although he is an outsider, he can still analyze it from logic.

"So, the Harbin Railway Research Institute knew that there were technical problems with the ND1 diesel locomotive?"

“Most of the comrades at Harbin Railway Research Institute are technical personnel.

For them, researching a new technology is more interesting than improving old technology.

But for us frontline train drivers, nothing is more reassuring than being able to use reliable old technology.

We train drivers have only two goals.

One is to take passengers to their destination.

The second is that after the trip, I can go home and live a warm life with my wife and children."

Li Aiguo did not take the opportunity to criticize the Harbin Railway Research Institute, which won the approval of Mr.

His words were not high-sounding or profound, but were full of the flavor of the common people, and left a deep impression on Mr.

[Mr.] pondered for a moment and suddenly asked: "Patriotic Comrade, if you are in charge, what do you think we should exchange with Hungary?"

No one called him "young man", but "young comrade" directly.
The tip of the pen trembled slightly on the notebook and almost left an ink spot. Fortunately, the person holding the pen had a steady hand and adjusted himself quickly. Fluent handwriting appeared on the white paper without a single clue.

The assistant who had been sitting not far away taking notes raised his eyelids slightly and looked at the train driver.

Directly seek Li Aiguo's opinion, it seems that this little train driver has caught his eye.

We are about to get involved in something big! Li Aiguo's eyes widened suddenly.

He took a deep breath and said slowly, "I prefer the Hungarian Chobel D.420 truck."

"The Chabel D.420 truck?"

[Mr.] turned his head and looked at the assistant, giving him a questioning look.

The assistant put down his pen, stood up, quickly found a document on the bookshelf and handed it over.

"Last year, the highway on our plateau was completed, and we needed a batch of trucks as transportation tools.

Participating in the test were Hungarian Chobel D.420 trucks, Russian GAZ and ZIS150 trucks, American Dodge trucks, Czechoslovak Tatra and Prague trucks, and East German IFA trucks.

Among them, the Quebel D.420 truck performed the best, and the vehicle can travel normally at an altitude of 1000-1500 meters.

During the test, the team went through many complex road sections, crossed many snow-capped mountains and passes, and finally arrived at the destination safely.

Suitable for road transportation and military personnel transfer in remote areas.

It was even sent to the capital for exhibition.”

Li Aiguo gave a thumbs up to his assistant's ability in his heart, as he was able to memorize such obscure information.

This is not an assistant at all, this is simply a human-shaped GPT.

After understanding the whole story, [Mr.] said, "It's rare for a train driver to put aside his prejudice and think about exchanging trains for trucks."

Li Aiguo said solemnly: "It is better to make than to buy! We are not only replacing trucks, but if there is a chance, it would be best if Ikarus Bus Manufacturing Plant could transfer the technology of producing Quebel trucks to us."

Upon hearing this, the assistant couldn't help but clench his pen.

The train driver was a bit reckless in offering such an important suggestion.
What I didn’t expect was that instead of getting angry, the gentleman nodded and praised, “After all, it’s better to make it yourself than to buy it from others.

Comrade Patriot, this is a very good idea of ​​yours."

He paused for a moment and said kindly: "If you have any good ideas or suggestions in the future, you can talk to me directly, no matter what.

I am very interested in the life and work of you train drivers."

Hear the words.

Li Aiguo knew it was time for him to leave, so he said hello to [Mr.] and turned around to leave the study.

While walking in the corridor, Li Aiguo realized that his back had become sticky and wet without him noticing.

It is impossible to say that Li Aiguo is not afraid, because the person just now was "Sir"!
But Li Aiguo has no regrets.

Because in the past, the domestic project to develop the ND1 diesel locomotive was a disaster.

The Harbin Railway Bureau Scientific Research Institute disassembled and surveyed the ND1 diesel locomotive and spent a lot of manpower and material resources on improvements, and manufactured two diesel engines in 1958.

This internal combustion engine was named "Jianshe" and caused quite a stir in the country. All railway people expected the "Jianshe" internal combustion engine to achieve great success.

Subsequently, the "Jianshe" internal combustion engine was tested on a loop line after it rolled off the production line.

Then there is no more.

Due to horsepower issues, the "Jianshe" type diesel locomotive was not put into mass production or formal operation, and the two trial locomotives eventually disappeared.

The development of internal combustion engines has encountered the same problem not only in China but also abroad.

The world's first diesel locomotive began operation in 1913, but for a long time afterwards, it was not widely promoted due to technical reasons.

It was not until the 1960s that high-power silicon rectifiers were successfully developed and applied to locomotive braking.

Only with the emergence of 2-kW diesel locomotives with AC and DC electric drive did diesel locomotives have the ability to compete with steam locomotives.

Of course, the new diesel locomotive uses diesel to generate electricity, which then drives the train.

In a sense, it was the electric locomotive, not the internal combustion engine, that replaced the steam locomotive.

However, because my country is rich in coal resources but scarce in oil resources, steam locomotives were not gradually phased out from mainline passenger cars until the 80s.

Steam locomotives were gradually phased out from branch line passenger vehicles in the mid-90s.

In 2000, steam locomotives were gradually phased out from freight trains and factory and mining trains.

There are still 30 years to go before the 1980s.
In later generations, we have become big tyrant rabbits and can waste some materials and funds.

But in those days, many people still couldn't get enough to eat, and Li Aiguo naturally wanted to stop wasting precious funds on projects that were bound to fail.

As for the Chabel truck, it is an incredible artifact.

The most important reason why the GAZ truck became so famous in later generations was that we had a good relationship with the Russians, and we also got the production line and improved it into the Jiefang truck.

The power of the Quebel truck is actually far superior to that of the GAZ truck.

For the purpose of plateau transportation, my country imported more than 20 Quebec trucks, and truck drivers quickly fell in love with these tough and durable trucks.

In the 1970s and 1980s, when Jiefang trucks were already being mass-produced, the government still used precious foreign exchange to import two batches of Quebel trucks.

By the end of the 750s, the number of domestic civilian Chabel D2108 trucks reached .

These trucks were used until the 1990s.

Later, using Quebel's chassis, China also developed a number of domestic passenger buses using this chassis.

The most important thing is.

Chabel trucks are particularly suitable for use on plateaus.

If we want to print quickly, more than 20 trucks are far from enough. If we have the technology and the production line, we can produce hundreds or thousands of trucks that can run on the plateau.

Of course.

These still need to be discussed by [Sir].

I, Li Aiguo, can only offer a suggestion.

After the study door was closed.

"Advanced things are not necessarily suitable for us. It is better to make than to buy. The words of this front-line worker sound crude, but they are meaningful."

[Mr.] pondered for a moment, then said to his assistant, “Pay more attention to this train driver in the future.”

"Attention. Yes." The assistant hesitated for a moment and nodded quickly.

"Please invite Minister Teng over now."

"Yes."

The assistant left the study and closed the door.

Walking in the silent corridor, the assistant felt a little depressed. He was usually calm and steady, so why did he have so many mood swings today?

Ever since Li Aiguo was invited by [Mr.], everyone in the meeting room has known who will win the dispute.

When Minister Teng was invited again, comrades from the Harbin Railway Research Institute had already started packing their bags and preparing to return to Harbin.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before news came from the department.

The plan to exchange internal combustion engine technology was cancelled and replaced by an exchange for a truck production technology.

When Cao Zhenzhang received the news, he was packing his luggage.

He immediately dropped the box and ran to Professor Cui's room next door.

"Professor Cui, we could have exchanged for train technology this time, but because of Li Aiguo's obstruction, we ended up getting nothing, and instead, those guys from the Ministry of Machine Building got a bargain.

Li Aiguo's behavior has already constituted a betrayal of the interests of our railway.

I think you have the responsibility and obligation to report Li Aiguo."

Professor Cui did not expect that Cao Zhenzhang would look at the problem in this way.

After confirming again and again that this was Cao Zhenzhang's true thought.

Professor Cui said with a serious face: "Cao Zhenzhang, whether it is the First Ministry of Machine Building or the Ministry of Railways, they all belong to the country and the people. Now the national economic development and industrial construction are a big chess game.

Aren’t the steel used in our railways, the food we eat, and the wages we receive all supported by other departments?

We did have some disputes with the Beijing Railway Research Institute, but they were technical disputes and did not involve sectarianism.

I think you should focus on technical research after you go back.

Administrative work is temporarily suspended.”

Cao Zhenzhang didn't expect this result, and his head was buzzing.

"Teacher, thank you for your care."

Cao Zhenzhang turned his head and staggered out of the room.

Professor Cui looked at his back and sighed deeply.

He adjusted Cao Zhenzhang's job not to punish him but to protect him.

"I hope this child can understand my painstaking efforts."

Knowing that Professor Cui was going to leave the capital with the Harbin Railway Research Institute, Liu Guozhang specially took Li Aiguo and Engineer Dong to the Beijing Railway Station to see them off.

on the platform.

Professor Cui held Liu Guozhang's hand and said apologetically, "Old Liu, I'm really sorry for disturbing you by coming to Beijing this time."

"That's wrong, Lao Cui. We are all working hard for the development of domestic railways." Liu Guozhang said.

Professor Cui turned around and walked up to Li Aiguo and took the initiative to shake hands with Li Aiguo.

"Driver Li, you know that diesel locomotives are bound to replace steam locomotives, right?"

"Of course, as a train driver, I also hope to be able to drive a diesel locomotive one day. In that case, my wife won't have to wash my oil-covered clothes all the time."

"."

Professor Cui did not even notice a trace of a victorious smile on Li Aiguo's face.

A sudden feeling of frustration welled up in him.

Perhaps the train driver never regarded him as a real opponent from the beginning to the end.

"Old Liu, you are not as skilled as me, and you are not as educated as me. The only thing you are worse than me in is that you have a good student."

Professor Cui patted Liu Guozhang on the shoulder, turned around and walked into the carriage without hesitation.

With two whistles, the train sped out of the Beijing Railway Station. The wheels whizzed past the tracks, stirring up a few fallen leaves.

It was not until the train disappeared at the end of the track that Liu Guozhang slowly turned around, looked at Li Aiguo and said something.

"You are getting better and better."

Liu Guozhang had already learned from some very secret channels that Li Aiguo had entered the sight of [Mr.].

Even if the wind blows in the future, you don’t have to worry too much.

****
Early morning three days later.

Li Aiguo was awakened by the noise outside.

"Who's making noise outside so early in the morning?"

Chen Xueru, who was cooking, pushed open the door and said with a smile, "Are you awake? It's Uncle Er. It seems like he heard some incredible news on the radio again."

"Hurry up, I made your favorite fried eggs this morning, seven in total. Go wash your face."

Li Aiguo put on his clothes and shoes, yawned, and carried the enamel basin to the pool in the middle courtyard.

It was the morning peak for water use and there was a long line forming by the faucet at the sink.

The residents chatted while queuing up to wash.

After Liu Haizhong had been reporting the news in the backyard, he discovered this great place and immediately stood on the flower bed, dancing with joy.

"Everyone, maybe you don't know yet, but today we have reached a cooperation agreement with Hungary!"

People these days are very enthusiastic about major events at home and abroad. At that time, several residents asked, "Second uncle, have you listened to the radio again? Tell us about it."

With a supporting actor, Liu Haizhong became even more excited. With his big belly sticking out, he imitated the voice of the announcer and said, "We are going to sell 200 patriotic steam locomotives to Hungary in exchange for dozens of large trucks and related truck manufacturing technology.

In addition, there were two Kondo electric locomotives, a grain combine harvester, a silage combine harvester, and a lot of grain, but I can't remember exactly.

The radio said that this export of steam locomotives is a great victory for us."

Wow.

There was warm applause.

Even the usually selfish Xu Damao dropped his enamel basin and applauded enthusiastically.

In those days, the moon in foreign countries had not become fuller and the air had not become fresher, but people were proud of every bit of progress made by their motherland.

No one has ever been sarcastic or sarcastic.

"Great, we can finally sell big trains outside."

"Yeah, look, it's still selling the trains to make money, and you can get so many things in one go."

"If I were a worker in a locomotive factory, I would be eager to start production right now."

"Yes, Li Aiguo in our compound can also be honored."

in the crowd.

An inappropriate voice sounded.

"Li Aiguo is just a train driver. This matter has nothing to do with him."

Jia Dongxu has been feeling angry ever since he lost the opportunity to perform in the square.

When I hear this now, I am shocked.

"Patriotic train, maybe it was invented out of patriotism?" Xu Damao said with a turn of his eyes.

He also knew it was impossible, but he just wanted to make things difficult for Jia Dongxu.

Jia Dongxu seemed to have heard a huge joke. He stood up and laughed: "What a joke, Li Aiguo is just a little train driver. Can he build a train? If he can, I would be his grandson."

At this time, the postman pushed his bicycle in and threw a newspaper to the uncle.

"Uncle, why is your door closed? This is yesterday's newspaper for your compound. Remember to go directly to the post office to get it next time."

"I went fishing yesterday and forgot about it. Xiao Wang, could you please make a trip?"

The third uncle took the newspaper and opened it casually.

The residents knew it was time to read the newspaper and immediately gathered around.

Liu Haizhong disagreed.

He had already taken the lead and passed on the important news.

[my country and the Hungarian Ministry of Railways have reached an agreement. This second uncle has already read it. ]

[The plateau highway was completed yesterday, with a total length of 1179 kilometers. The road from Yecheng to Gadake in ALD District is open to traffic. This is very short. ]

[Warm congratulations to Comrade Li Aiguo, the train driver of Qianmen Locomotive Depot, for developing the Aiguo steam locomotive, which has reached the international leading level.]

The third uncle adjusted his glasses, looked up at Li Aiguo who had just walked out of the crescent-shaped door and said, "Aiguo, look, the man who developed the Aiguo steam locomotive has the same name as you. Hey, your workplace is the same as well."

The third uncle looked at the newspaper, then looked at Li Aiguo, and his mouth could no longer close.

The residents who were fetching water looked at Li Aiguo with shocked eyes.

The scene was completely silent, save for the sound of running water from the tap.

"Ahhh!"

It was unknown how long it had been before Xu Damao remembered something. He pointed at Li Aiguo, then at Jia Dongxu, and was so anxious that he couldn't utter a complete word.

"Ahhh!" a rapid sound echoed in the air.

The residents seemed to remember something and turned to look at Jia Dongxu.

Under all the gazes, Jia Dongxu's face turned pale instantly.

He called out to Li Aiguo, "Grandpa."

Li Aiguo: "."

He rushed over and kicked Jia Dongxu.

The kick was not powerful enough to knock Jia Dongxu to the ground.

"Good boy, how dare you take advantage of me."

Jia Dongxu: "."

The residents looked confused at first, then suddenly turned their heads to look at Jia Zhang, and then they understood.

Xu Damao slapped his thigh and called Jia Dongxu too cunning, trying every way to take advantage of him.

Jia Dongxu felt that he was very wronged.

(End of this chapter)