The train driver in the courtyard

Night falls.

After a busy day, the Qianmen Locomotive Depot finally calmed down a bit.

The maintenance workshop was busy.

The maintenance team is doing "maintenance" on the steam engine that just returned.

The old masters personally took part in the battle.

The apprentices learned on the side and served tea and water to the masters at any time.

"Master Zhang, your skills are really great. Looking at the way you use this welding gun, I think you are even better than an eighth-level master."

"Hey, Master Chen, you tightened this screw really well. Everyone, come and see. This is a role model for us to learn from."

"Come here, Master Huang, have some water. You are the master chef I admire most in our workshop."

Among them, a young apprentice wearing work clothes and side-parted hair seemed particularly active.

Sometimes he served tea and water to the masters, and sometimes he encouraged them.

Compared to him, the apprentices next to him turned into pieces of wood.

As a result, Director Zhang of the maintenance workshop had to remind him implicitly: "Comrade Zhu Deqing, as an apprentice, you should not delay the normal work of the masters."

Zhu Deqing was not angry either. He saluted Director Zhang with a grin.

"Director, don't worry, I will definitely follow your highest instructions!"

Director Zhang: "."

If it were an ordinary apprentice, he would have kicked him out long ago.

It’s just that Zhu Deqing’s father worked in the Beijing Bureau before liberation and was an old train driver.

He has taught many apprentices over the years. He is a smooth person and has a good reputation in the Qianmen Locomotive Depot.

After graduating from junior high school this year, Zhu Deqing went directly to the maintenance workshop as an apprentice.

This person inherited his father's character. Although he is young, he is as experienced as a veteran.

While others were drilling under the car to tighten screws, he was helping the master to fetch water.

While others were carrying steel rods, he helped his master light a cigarette.

I didn't learn much technical skills, but I am very popular in this workshop.

Director Zhang had talked to him several times, hoping that he could focus on his work and not engage in any crooked practices.

But Zhu Deqing raised his hand to promise every time, but ended up doing what he wanted.

Is it illegal to flatter someone?

It’s not illegal!
Director Zhang could only shake his head and return to his office.

Looking at Director Zhang's back, Zhu Deqing curled his lips in disdain, lit a cigarette, wandered over to the side, sat on a stool and smoked comfortably.

"Brother Zhu, have you been criticized by our director again?" A young apprentice came over quietly, wanting to share a cigarette.

Apprentices only earned fifteen yuan a month, and the cigarettes they usually smoked were Daqianmen cigarettes without a nozzle.

It is also common for several people to smoke a cigarette together, which is called sharing cigarettes.

Zhu Deqing's family is well-off, and he smokes Sunflowers.

Zhu Deqing looked down on the act of sharing cigarettes. He generously handed a cigarette to the apprentice and said disdainfully: "Director Zhang knows nothing. Is it useful to learn technology? Look at Master Zhang and Master Chen, the sixth- and seventh-level workers. They are old, but they still have to work with their butts bent, right?"

"So you want to..." The apprentice lit a cigarette and acted as the supporting actor.

Zhu Deqing stood up and put his hands on his waist and said, "Of course, you have to find a way to become a leader. When you become a leader, you only need to move your mouth, no physical effort is needed."

"I thought it was a good idea! It's too hard to be a leader, unless you can research so many good things like Li Dache." The apprentice shook his head.

Zhu Deqing's face darkened when he heard this. He rolled his eyes and said, "It's just instant noodles and a vegetable shed. I didn't think of it. If I had thought of it, I could have made it."

"You are just bragging."

Before the apprentice could say anything, the cigarette was snatched away by Zhu Deqing.

"You kid, do you look down on me? Just wait, it won't be long before I can create something amazing. First I will be an excellent worker, and then a leader."

The apprentice knew that Zhu Deqing seemed to be kind, but in fact he was a petty person.

He immediately licked his face and said with a smile: "Brother Zhu, hey, look at my mouth, why is it so cheap! My eyes, why are they so blind, you can tell at a glance that you are a good leader."

"You are a sensible boy."

Zhu Deqing generously put the cigarette into the apprentice's mouth.

At this time, the old master sat down to rest. Zhu Deqing's eyes turned and he ran over to pour a cup of tea for the old master.

He looked at the machine parts and began to plan his own path to success.

What should he do? After thinking about it, Zhu Deqing still had no idea.

Just at this moment, a burly figure walked in from outside, blocking the setting sun at the workshop door.

Li Aiguo and his apprentice Huang Jing entered the maintenance workshop.

Li Aiguo often went to the maintenance workshop to "purchase goods". When the old masters saw Li Aiguo, they treated him as a bandit.

Some hid the application materials they had worked so hard to obtain, some hugged their tool kits, and some simply sat on the car windows.

Master Chen hurriedly packed up his precious pliers and shouted at the top of his voice: "Director Zhang, bandits. Oh, no, it's Li Dache who's here!"

Oh my god, are the Japanese invaders entering the village?
Nonsence.

I'm not a devil.

Li Aiguo said to Director Zhang who was walking towards him with a smile: "Old Zhang, I want to steal something from you. No, I want to lend you something."

"."

Director Zhang was silent for a moment and then said, "Li Da Che, our friendship is friendship, but the formal procedures must be followed."

Wow.

Li Aiguo slapped the list in front of Director Zhang and said, "How could I possibly make things difficult for you? Look, this is the note from the section chief."

Director Zhang took the note, glanced at it, and then frowned.

There are many kinds of materials on the strip, including springs, three-point steel pipes, pedals, and even shafts, there are dozens of miscellaneous items.

Moreover, there is no note on the note stating the purpose of the material.

"This doesn't comply with regulations." Director Zhang was a little hesitant.

Normally speaking, if a studio wants to carry out a project, it needs at least some approval documents and also needs to be registered with the logistics department.

Now there is only one note.

Li Aiguo coughed twice and signaled his apprentice to come out.

Huang Jing, the street signal, puffed out her chest and said, "Director Zhang, the yield of our vegetable greenhouse has not been high these two days. If there is no red stamp from the logistics department, don't even think about picking vegetables from the greenhouse."

Director Zhang's face changed.

He takes three cucumbers from the vegetable greenhouse every week.

It's not that he is greedy, but his wife likes to eat it.
If there were no cucumbers, his wife would definitely be angry with him at night.

"Hey, look at my brain, why am I so confused? The section chief's note is the rule!"

"Wait a minute, I'll find someone to get you the materials."

Director Zhang took the note and looked around, and happened to see Zhu Deqing tiptoeing towards the lounge, preparing to slack off.

"Zhu Deqing, you will help driver Li pick out the materials. Remember, you must choose the best."

Zhu Deqing was stopped and felt a little depressed.

But he never shows his emotions on his face.

"Mr. Li, you are the one I admire most in our locomotive depot. You are my role model."

Zhu Deqing slapped Li Aiguo fiercely.

This guy is simply a smaller version of Xu Damao.

Li Aiguo had also heard of Zhu Deqing's reputation, so he ignored him and asked him to pick out the materials quickly to avoid wasting time.

"Please wait here. I'll be there soon."

Zhu Deqing took the list of materials and ran into the warehouse.

After selecting the materials and preparing to send them out, he suddenly stopped.

Zhu Deqing looked at the names of the ingredients on the list and slapped his thigh.

“The opportunity to be a leader was right in front of me, and I almost missed it!”

He hid in a corner and copied a list of materials before handing them to Li Aiguo.

"Li Da Che, are you going to make something new?"

“This cannot be disclosed for the time being.”

Li Aiguo took the materials and left the maintenance workshop with Huang Jing.

Looking at the two men's backs, Zhu Deqing took out the copied material list from his pocket, a sinister smile appearing on his face.

"If you don't tell me, I won't know it? Oh, you really underestimate me.

Li Da Che, if I can come up with what you want to research first, I can get a promotion."

Zhu Deqing took the list of materials and went to find a few experienced craftsmen.

Those old masters couldn't understand the purpose of those materials.

Even the old masters can’t figure it out, so it must be a good thing.

Zhu Deqing saw a young man in a gray Zhongshan suit walking out of the office, and hurriedly went to greet him with a flattering smile.

"Mr. Liu, you are the most educated person in our maintenance workshop. I admire you very much."

Engineer Liu is a technician stationed in the maintenance workshop of Qianmen Locomotive Depot of Sifang Factory, with the professional title of Grade Nine Engineer.

On weekdays, he is responsible for maintaining the steam engine according to the instructions of the workshop technicians. At the same time, he collects data and feeds it back to the Sifang Factory to facilitate the improvement of the steam engine.

"Zhu Deqing, have you run into trouble again?" Mr. Liu has always looked down on old-fashioned people like Zhu Deqing, and his tone was a little impolite.

Zhu Deqing was not angry. He took out the piece of paper from his pocket and handed it over.

"Look, what is this thing used for?"

Mr. Liu didn't care at first, but after taking it, he looked at it for a few seconds and then frowned.

"Xiao Zhu, there are a lot of electrical materials used in this. It should be some kind of timing device."

"Timer?" Zhu Deqing looked confused. "Why do we need this kind of timer on the train?"

Upon hearing this, Engineer Liu looked Zhu Deqing up and down and said, "Zhu Deqing, this material paper is not yours, right?"

"Ah, it's a friend, Mr. Liu, Master Zhang is calling me, I have to go get busy."

Zhu Deqing felt that he was being suspected, so he quickly snatched the paper with the materials, stuffed it into his pocket, and ran away.

Engineer Liu didn't care about it. He just thought that Zhu Deqing was trying to please some old master again.

At this time, a colleague came out of the office and greeted him with a smile.

"Mr. Liu, shall we go to the tavern tonight?"

"No, after the ideological education meeting, I plan to go to Li Dache's studio."

"You are studying the steam locomotive again. You are busy in the workshop during the day and studying at night. No wonder you became an engineer at such a young age." A colleague laughed.

"This is a rare opportunity. I have learned a lot from Li Dache, and it will definitely come in handy when I return to the factory." Engineer Liu felt excited when he thought of this.

Mr. Liu is a graduate from a regular university. After being assigned to the Sifang Factory, he successfully passed the assessment and became a level nine engineer.

However, because his parents were returned intellectuals and his family background was not good, he did not join the research group, but was sent to work in a local locomotive depot.

Going to a local locomotive depot is like being exiled to a remote frontier, where you have no way to communicate with colleagues or carry out design work.

Engineer Liu had been discouraged, but after arriving at the Qianmen Locomotive Depot and witnessing Li Aiguo's transformation of the Aiguo steam engine, he suddenly realized that this was an opportunity.

So, Engineer Liu tried to establish a relationship with Li Aiguo through Engineer Dong.

After learning that this man was a steam engine enthusiast and hoped to learn more about the design of steam locomotives, Li Aiguo did not refuse his request.

Whenever he had the chance, he would be allowed to study in the studio at night.

One afternoon.

Zhu Deqing was confused.

Why did Li Aiguo design a timing device for use on trains?

He racked his brains but still couldn't figure it out.

As the workday was about to end, workers and leaders from various workshops came to the large conference room of the Education Office to participate in ideological education.

In recent days, there has been only one theme of ideological education, that is, when driving, train drivers must avoid slacking off to avoid accidents.

Section Chief Xing attended the meeting in person and reported the results of the handling of the 3169th driver team.

The accident was caused by the driver Guo Congbin.

Guo Congbin was held primarily responsible and was expelled from the organization, removed from the road, and sentenced to ten years in prison.

The co-driver Zheng Tao was negligent in observing the situation, expelled from the road and sentenced to five years in prison.

Boiler operator Liu Dapeng was negligent in observation and bears joint responsibility, and was given a serious warning.

The stoker looked somewhat innocent in the accident.

But the driver team is a whole. If something happens to the train, it is the problem of all members of the driver team.

"Comrades, everyone please be alert! Now I will report an accident that happened at the next road station."

Section Chief Xing slammed the table and said, "The Harbin Railway Bureau issued a notice today that the chief and deputy drivers of a driver group in the bureau were fighting for two kilograms of meat in the driver's cabin, causing the train to lose control and run a signal."

Li Aiguo was stunned. Wow, so brave?

Xing Duanchang continued, "Zhengzhou Bureau issued a notice that the driver of a passenger train used the rear windshield of the locomotive to enter the passenger car to get food from the dining car. The assistant driver took the opportunity to bring the driver's wife, who was a crew member, into the driver's building and had an affair with her."

This time Li Aiguo remained silent.

He knew that the train crew was a bit chaotic, but he didn't expect it to be this chaotic.

It seems that we still need to design the [Dead Man's Pedal] as soon as possible and then find a way to promote it, otherwise there will be a big mess.

The train drivers and crew members in the venue were also shocked by the surprising behavior of the deputy driver of the Zhengzhou Bureau.

"This is too embarrassing for us train people."

"Who said it wasn't? No matter what, you can't stay in the driver's building. At least go to the camper. There are berths there."

"."

When Director Xing heard the chaotic discussions, his face suddenly turned dark.

He pressed his hands down, and when everyone was quiet, he said loudly: "Now let's discuss what methods we can use to prevent these things from happening, and the most important thing is to prevent the driver from falling asleep."

Everything was said for a while.

Some people have suggested that special supervisors should be assigned.

But someone said, what if the supervisor also fell asleep, or fooled around with the driver's wife?
After hearing this, Zhu Deqing suddenly understood and slapped his thigh.

"Li Dache wants to create something that can prevent drivers from falling asleep or messing around while driving!"

After thinking it through, Zhu Deqing felt deflated.

Looking at the list of materials on the desk, he scratched his head and said, "I can't make this thing either."

Before he could finish his words, there was a knock on the door.

Zhu Deqing pushed open the door and saw his father Zhu Dahua standing outside. His face suddenly turned gloomy.

"Didn't I tell you not to disturb my rest?"

"Son, Dad traveled a long way this time and brought back a lot of good things. I made a lot of money and bought you a nice toy."

Freight driver Zhu Dahua took out a shiny object from his canvas bag. It was round in shape and had two mallets on it.

"An alarm clock. What do I need this for?"

Zhu Deqing was about to chase Zhu Dahua out when his eyes fell on the alarm clock and he couldn't move them away.

His breathing also became rapid.

An alarm clock can be used to set time. If we use an alarm clock, wouldn’t we be able to create a timing device?

"Dad, I'm going to be successful. Your son is going to be a leader." Zhu Deqing snatched the alarm clock, pushed Zhu Dahua out of the house, and closed the door tightly.

When Zhu's mother saw this scene, she wanted to step forward and teach Zhu Deqing a lesson, but was stopped by Zhu Dahua.

"Old lady, young people are bound to be a little flamboyant. Besides, our son is a potential leader, so we should encourage him."

Mother Zhu scolded: "This child has been spoiled by you since he was young."

"After all, he is my own son. Even if it's the moon in the sky, I will pick it for him." Zhu Dahua said comfortably while smoking.

Mother Zhu thought of the alarm clock and reminded her worriedly, "Old Zhu, the traffic police have been checking strictly recently. You should be careful when you carry things with you. Don't let anyone catch you."

Live by the mountain, live by the water; live by the railway, live by the railway.

It is an unspoken rule for train drivers, especially freight drivers, to use trains to carry things.

The so-called unspoken rules are rules that cannot be brought to the table.

"I know, you think I do.

Our son is not married yet, so I have to find a way to earn money for him to buy a radio, a sewing machine, and a private house." Zhu Dahua said impatiently.

Zhu's mother knew that Zhu Dahua was particularly doting on his son and had no way of stopping him, so she could only sigh.

inside the house.

Zhu Deqing had already found a way to make a splash, and he sat down at his desk and started working.

"Driver Li, I really have to thank you this time. But you can't blame me, because you have so many ideas.

Since you don't want to be a leader, why don't you let me help you be a leader?"

A sinister smile appeared on Zhu Deqing's lips.

Li Aiguo didn't know that his work had been plagiarized. He and Huang Jing were busy working under the dim light.

The parts were assembled together one by one, and soon it became a strange device that looked like a pedal.

"Master, is this the death pedal?"

Huang Jing feels very happy to be able to participate in Li Aiguo's research.

"If I don't step on it, the train will brake automatically?"

“That’s the rationale, indeed.”

"Then why do you keep it secret? Why don't you release it immediately and let the maintenance depot promote it?" Huang Jing's face was full of confusion.

Huang Jing knew very well that once the [death pedal] was installed on a train, most train accidents could be avoided.

But Li Aiguo said that he was not planning to take this thing out for the time being.

Li Aiguo wiped his hands with a towel, took the enamel cup from Huang Jing, and drank a sip of tea.

"Who is the owner of our locomotive depot?"

"Of course it's the workers." Huang Jing was a little confused.

"Do you still remember the 'dormitory manager' incident in our section a while ago?" Li Aiguo put down the enamel pot and said in a deep voice.

"This..." Huang Jing originally thought that Li Aiguo was worrying too much, but when she thought about the "dormitory manager" incident, she had to admit that Li Aiguo's concerns made some sense.

A while ago, in order to prevent workers from dozing off during long-distance driving, the section, at the suggestion of Section Chief Xing, set up a very inconspicuous job - dormitory manager.

What do these dormitory managers do?

Simple, force the driver to rest.

Generally, drivers on night shifts have to report to the dormitory during the day.

The dormitory manager will arrange for them to go to bed and wake them up at a certain time.

This approach was originally adopted for safety reasons, but was jointly opposed by Deputy Director Huang of the Education Office and Vice Chairman Zhang of the Trade Union.

Deputy Director Huang and Vice Chairman Zhang are both political cadres with good pedigree and are relatively tough leaders in the section.

Their reasons for objection are bizarre.

"Forcing workers to go to bed early means they lose their personal freedom. Isn't that the same as the contract labor before liberation?
Now it is a new world, the people are in charge, how can you go back to the old ways?"

The reasons are bizarre, but the issues involved are serious.

Even though Duan knew that these reasons were just for the sake of opposition, he still cancelled the dormitory manager in order to avoid causing unnecessary disputes.

Now if they want to set up a device in the driver's building to force train drivers to step on it, Huang Jing believes that Deputy Director Huang and Vice Chairman Zhang will definitely jump out.

As for the reasons, they are easy to find.

After all, it is very easy to draw a target and then shoot the arrow.

"Master, you even anticipated this in advance." Huang Jing couldn't help but take a breath after she figured it out.

"It's better to be safe than sorry. We need to do business and find ways to promote the development of the railway industry, but we must first protect our own safety." Li Aiguo said slowly.

"Then do we just put the death pedal on hold?" Huang Jing knew that what Li Aiguo said made sense, but still found it hard to accept.

"Of course not. Now we just need to wait for an opportunity. An opportunity that neither the leaders nor the workers in the section can refuse."

Li Aiguo stood up and spoke slowly.

Under the light, his silhouette became longer and longer.

At this time, there was a knock on the door.

Li Aiguo knew that it was Engineer Liu who came, and called Huang Jing to open the door.

"Driver Huang is here too."

Engineer Liu entered the studio, greeted Huang Jing, looked at Li Aiguo and said, "Li Da Che, I am here to bother you again tonight."

"Ahem, Old Liu, if others hear what you said, it will cause misunderstanding."

Li Aiguo couldn't help but pinch his brows and handed a copy of the old Russian book to Liu Gong, "You can study this tonight. If you encounter something you don't understand, you can ask me."

"Thank you, Mr. Li."

The textbooks these days are very hardcore and the content is obscure and difficult to understand.

Mr. Liu also tried to study on his own, but after spending half a month, he didn't understand even one chapter.

Now that I have someone to ask for advice, I am naturally very happy.

Mr. Liu sat down with the book in his hand. As soon as he spread it out, he saw a piece of material paper next to it.

He picked it up and exclaimed, "Li Dache, today I saw an apprentice in the maintenance workshop holding a material paper and asking what equipment can be made with these materials?"

(End of this chapter)