Chapter 131: Entrustment

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Due to confidentiality protocols, Wu Tong could not publicly receive accolades at the forefront, but the nation would never neglect any citizen who contributed to its cause.

This was his first meeting with Wu Tong, but he believed there would be many more opportunities ahead. In the future, she would be one of the top talents emerging from Jing University, a source of pride for their alma mater.

“Wu Tong, has the opening ceremony concluded? Our project has been approved, and the funding has been allocated and deposited!” Wu Tong’s phone vibrated with an incoming call. Although the senior professor’s address was vague, the meaning was clear: “Come to the lab!”

“Alright, Professor, I’m on my way!” The opening ceremony was nearing its end. Wu Tong apologized to her mentors and swiftly headed to the materials laboratory.

“Professor, Senior Brother Ruan!” Swiping her card to enter the lab, Wu Tong first went to Professor Cheng’s office. Inside, both Professor Cheng and Ruan Chengxu were present.

“The funding has arrived. Wu Tong, come and confirm receipt!” This was the new work computer specially assigned to Wu Tong by the confidential team. All communications could be completed through this proprietary system, fortified by stringent security measures to ensure her research and consultations remained confidential.

“Professor, I’m responsible for material preparation and process organization. I’ll need your help managing the budget because I’m not very skilled in that area,” Wu Tong spoke frankly, clearly aware of her position.

She might have achieved some results in mathematics or even materials science, but she had no experience managing a project of this scale. Nobody is perfect—she couldn’t possibly take on such a massive undertaking and handle it effortlessly right away.

Her strength lay solely in learning and research.

“That’s exactly what this old man is here for. You just focus on your research. I’ll handle the trivial matters. If you need any equipment, materials, or personnel, just tell me. I’ll arrange everything for you!” Cheng Huanan agreed immediately. Though he had no direct achievements in new materials, helping his protégé by handling these affairs so she could concentrate on her research was his way of contributing in his old age.

Wu Tong logged into the specially registered internal communication system, developed under Lu Xiao’s leadership. After becoming the project leader, she naturally received an encrypted account.

As soon as she logged in, a message popped up from Lu Xiao: “The wind tunnel data is ready. The updated aircraft model data perfectly meets my expectations. We can proceed to the actual airframe fabrication process. Thank you, Wu Tong!”

Lu Xiao’s relentless pursuit of perfection, combined with Wu Tong’s efforts in deriving the final improvements, achieved the data he had anticipated. The future Chinese Eagle, in terms of design, would finally enter the ranks of the world’s top-tier aircraft.

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Most likely, it would surpass all other fighter designs and be truly first-rate.

The second message came from Chief Engineer Yang Wei of Western Aviation.

“Wu Tong, thank you. We have validated that some optimized engine parameters are indeed effective. We are now rushing to finalize the optimization data and conduct new engine core component tests. I will provide you with the latest updates and data as soon as possible!”

Wu Tong was delighted. The data she had painstakingly derived was genuinely helpful, pushing the Chinese Eagle closer to soaring triumphantly. Lu and Chief Engineer Yang must have been working around the clock to produce so much data in just three or four days. She couldn’t afford to lag behind.

Wu Tong inserted her portable USB drive into the computer and began uploading her latest work. She had further refined the preparation process for the T4 material—data parameters suitable for industrial-scale production. This process documentation would be sent to Lu Xiao, who would forward it to the 113th Factory for formal manufacturing. The initial production expenses would be coordinated through her professor.

With Lu personally overseeing the process, it was expected that the production of the airframe material would keep pace with the aircraft’s construction, enabling the use of new materials for the fuselage.

Wu Tong respectfully replied to Engineer Yang’s message, “I will complete the preparation of the blade material as soon as possible!”

They aimed to synchronize the new material output with their fabrication process, equipping the WS-15 engine blades with entirely revamped materials.

While Wu Tong checked the messages, Cheng Huanan and Ruan Chengxu exchanged a tacit glance and discreetly stepped aside. Once Wu Tong paused her work, Cheng Huanan continued: “I managed to secure a batch of materials from the aviation department. The lab materials are now fully prepared!”

As a seasoned materials expert, he knew exactly how to prepare everything swiftly.

The Aviation Group had finally covered the expenses his lab incurred during the previous preparation of the T4 titanium-aluminum alloy. He thought it better to take advantage of the situation—since time was pressing and the aviation department had comprehensive materials available, he arranged for a batch of experimental materials to be transferred over.

As for payment, they would cover it from the budget rather than waiting for the funds to arrive and then placing orders with suppliers, which would be slower and less efficient.

Everything prioritized new materials. Lin Zheming could do little but comply. Cheng Huanan, entrusted by Wu Tong, devoted himself to paving the way for his protégé. As project coordinator, he could ensure everything proceeded swiftly and flawlessly.

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“All laboratory instruments have been checked and are confirmed fully operational. We can start the experiments at any time. The single-crystal directional solidification equipment has been borrowed and brought into the lab. Academician Xie will arrive here in half an hour!” Ruan Chengxu carefully reported their preparations. From now on, he intended to stick close to his junior female colleague. For the sake of a bright future, he had to make a good impression now.

Waiting to be replaced?

Many would envy his position and try to take it, but the advantage of proximity would always favor him.

“Thank you for your hard work, Professor, and thanks, Senior Brother, for your efforts. Let’s begin the experiments!” Wu Tong nodded, expressed her gratitude to both, and together they headed to the laboratory.

Wu Tong had not been idle these past days. The T5 single-crystal nickel-iron alloy model had evolved from rough sketches into detailed model data. She now input it directly into the computer simulation system to begin data modeling.

As expected, all the high-performance metrics appeared on the screen by the time Academician Xie arrived. This time, they had secured a supercomputing port, vastly improving computational power over the previous lab computers and greatly reducing the time to obtain results.

“Excellent! High temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, light weight, high strength, creep resistance…” Academician Xie’s eyes lit up as he observed the simulation data, his voice filled with excitement and admiration.

“This surpasses what composite materials can achieve, with lower cost and easier maintenance. Perfect! If we use this material for our engine blades, it will be like giving them wings to fly. Let’s get started. Wu Tong, you take command, and I will fully support you. The nation’s future truly depends on young talents like you!”

Academician Xie was eager and ready. Today, there was no difference between him and any ordinary experimental participant.

(End of chapter)