Chapter 124: Honoring the Virtuous

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on their movements, watching with bated breath and eager anticipation.

"Director Yang, I have checked three times; there is nothing wrong with the machine!" The maintenance technician had probed meticulously and confirmed repeatedly that the computer hardware and software were flawless, and the supercomputer connection ports were stable and sound.

If everything was in order, it meant... Everyone drew a sharp breath. "Is this data really achievable? Which legendary genius performed this optimization?"

The top aerospace engine expert in the country was their own Director Yang. Could anyone else double the data performance based on his foundation?

"Let’s do it. Arrange the physical trial preparation process! Everyone, remember the confidentiality regulations; re-sign the non-disclosure agreements!" Yang Wei stared at the data on the screen and issued the command decisively. The entire institute immediately sprang into action.

Physical reality is the ultimate test. Having spent half his life working on aero-engines for the nation, having endured the heart-wrenching struggles of the WS-10, the betrayal by the old Soviet Union, and the failure of importing the problematic AL-31LN, his life's greatest dream was to produce a domestic aero-engine that could surpass global standards. He wanted to solve the "heart disease" of China's fighter jets, allowing the Chinese eagles to soar proudly in the blue sky, free from any future worries.

Now, a vision that was highly likely to be realized stood before him. With data exceeding his expectations and detailed deductive evidence, why not do it? He would do it. He would create something monumental, and he would hand over the position of chief designer and all the glory to that selfless child who contributed so much to the country. He would make sure that brat, Lu Xiao, could never again say that their engines were inadequate or couldn't match his designs.

The 614 Institute began a frantic, tightly scheduled preparation for the trial run. Simultaneously, at the Xizhou Institute, Lu Xiao, who had rushed back via military channels, led his core research team to prepare the hull according to the revised and perfected model. They began preparing for wind tunnel data feedback, while the coordination for the production of T4 titanium-aluminum alloy was carried out in parallel.

As for Wu Tong’s project application, he and Elder Cheng had already submitted it before leaving the laboratory. The project for the research and development of T4 titanium-aluminum alloy and T5 nickel-iron alloy requested three hundred million in funding.

At the Beijing National Aviation Group, General Manager Lin Zheming, having just arrived at work, felt his back teeth ache the moment he saw the amount. These big shots didn't treat money as money; did they think it blew in on the wind? They were asking for hundreds of millions right off the bat. Perhaps they should just squeeze him dry, strip him to the bone, and see how much they could get for him!

Of course, despite his complaints, Lin Zheming didn't delay for a second. He carefully reviewed the project content, which was for the new alloy materials developed by Elder Cheng’s laboratory. Upon looking at the material data, even though he wasn't an expert in materials, his vast experience in his position allowed him to recognize the advanced and superior performance of these two materials from the report's parameters. They were definitely worth pursuing.

As long as it wasn't reckless and was backed by solid evidence, he would approve even the most exorbitant funding request. If they could truly manufacture such epoch-making aviation materials with performance as superior as the data suggested, what was three hundred million? Even three billion would be worth burning; it was the only way to catch up with the international leaders and surpass their rivals.

However, upon seeing the next page, he realized the project lead was not the highly respected Elder Cheng Huanan, but a name both strange and familiar: Wu Tong from Peking University. Isn't this that child who had recently risen to fame and gained international recognition? Admittedly, the girl was outstanding, had brought glory to the country, and was very promising! But if he remembered correctly, wasn't her field of expertise mathematics? And wasn't she only seventeen years old?

Was Peking University crazy? Was Elder Cheng crazy? Was Lu Xiao, the general director of the 20 project, joining in on this nonsense, letting a seventeen-year-old non-materials student lead such a massive national project?

Lin Zheming’s first reaction was that it was impossible. No matter how much they wanted to promote Wu Tong, Peking University wouldn't jeopardize its entire reputation for a prank. Elder Cheng was a man of integrity who had contributed immensely to the nation; he wasn't one to act recklessly. And Lu Xiao was a genius of the same caliber as Wu Tong; after his own awakening, he had disappeared into the shadows to devote himself to national construction, carrying a mantle of honors.

Suppressing his urge to immediately reject the application, Lin Zheming flipped to the next page, and his eyes widened in shock. The designer of the T4 and T5 alloy materials was Wu Tong?

How was that possible?

But years ago, Lu Xiao had proven to the nation with iron-clad facts that geniuses could not be judged by conventional wisdom.

Was this Wu Tong the same?

Unable to contain his turbulent emotions, Lin Zheming dialed a number directly. "Lu Xiao, are you and Elder Cheng serious about this application? Is the data for the T4 titanium-aluminum alloy and the T5 nickel-iron alloy blades real? Is this the same Wu Tong who gave the report at the International Congress of Mathematicians recently?"

"Yes. The T4 alloy data was verified by the security team as they watched the reproduction process. The T5 nickel-iron alloy blade model was designed and deduced by her right in front of me. She also optimized the core component data for the WS-15 engine, which has been sent by a specialist to Director Yang at Xi'an Aircraft. Elder Cheng and I have already reviewed it; the deduction is flawless, and the mathematical logic is perfect. Given Wu Tong’s level as a top international mathematical scholar, there is no doubt about this."

"I believe the success probability is locked in. She created the T4 alloy on her first attempt, and together we discussed, deduced, and perfected the Weilong model. We are currently preparing the hull for wind tunnel testing. Once the data is out, I will need a large amount of T4 titanium-aluminum alloy for the exterior, and the 614 Institute will likely urgently need a large quantity of the new T5 blade material for engine manufacturing."

So, the project approval needed to be fast, and the funding needed to be allocated immediately! Lin Zheming read between the lines of Lu Xiao's request perfectly. After hanging up with Lu Xiao, Lin Zheming made a second confirmation call. "Elder Cheng, I’m sorry to disturb your rest."

"You want to confirm the application with Wu Tong as the project lead, right?" Before Lin Zheming could even finish, Cheng Huanan went straight to the core of the issue. "The decision to have Wu Tong lead was mine!"

"I don't shy away from appointing my own, and Wu Tong is my closing disciple. There is no need to doubt her talent and expertise in material deduction and preparation. Her potential ceiling is something I cannot even foresee. She is the most promising natural-born materials scientist I have ever encountered. Her sensitivity to material R&D, her brilliance in design and deduction, and her one-in-a-million mathematical transformation skills are unmatched. Surpassing me is only a matter of time."

"As for the trivial matters, I will handle all the obstacles for her." He would be the one to back his little apprentice. "And let me tell you, Director Lin, we have been frugal enough. Including the R&D equipment for T4 and T5, material selection, and even the initial production costs, we have only applied for this much funding. It's already doing the child a disservice!"