Scholars in the courtyard.

Chapter 2453 The Hope of People
After leaving the meeting room, Yang Xiaotao did not return to the office, but walked to the next meeting room and asked Lou Xiao'e to find Pang Guo.

After waiting for a while, Pang Guo followed Lou Xiao'e in.

"Old Pang, sit down."

Yang Xiaotao pointed at the chair opposite him without waiting for Pang Guo to speak. Pang Guo smiled and sat down. "Minister Yang, what do you want?"

The two knew each other when they were working in a steel mill.

Back then, there were four engineers in the steel mill.

Later, Yang Xiaotao emerged as a rising star and now has become the boss of the Ninth Division.

Chang Mingjie is the second person to embark on a "political career" after Yang Xiaotao. In his early years, he was the director of a machine tool production workshop, and now he is the director of a machine tool processing plant.

Next came Chen Bin.

He is now mainly responsible for aircraft design and production, and has also become the team leader.

He was the only one who still held on to his original post, running back and forth between various factories.

In fact, Pang Guo became an engineer a few years earlier than Yang Xiaotao, but he was the latecomer and he could only fall on the beach.

However, he also has self-knowledge and knows that his abilities cannot compare to Yang Xiaotao's, so he is willing to follow Yang Xiaotao and work hard without complaint.

"Nothing, I just have a task for you, and I want to ask if you have time."

Yang Xiaotao took out a cigarette and handed it to Pang Guo, who quickly took it, and then Yang Xiaotao lit it.

"I've been helping out at Sun Guo's place these days, so I do have time."

"If you have any questions, just ask me. I can do anything for you."

The two lit cigarettes. Yang Xiaotao pondered for a moment and then said, "Lao Pang, do you know about shield machines?"

"Tunnel boring machine?"

Pang Guo was a little overwhelmed when Yang Xiaotao suddenly asked him this question.

After a long while, he finally thought of something. "I've heard of this. It seems that our country has tried it for a while, but it wasn't done well. Accidents occurred repeatedly during use, and it was eventually abandoned."

"Why are you asking? Is this what you want to do?"

Pang Guo narrowed his eyes and looked at Yang Xiaotao. Based on his understanding of Yang Xiaotao, as long as the other party showed interest, he would most likely do it.

But this thing is no less difficult than an airplane engine.

Yang Xiaotao shook his head after hearing this, which made Pang Guo feel relieved. It would be best if the other party did not have such an intention.

But then Yang Xiaotao said, "I have already finished the design drawings of the shield machine, and I need someone to come and preside over the work."

"I want to ask if you are interested."

Smoke was rising in the office, but Pang Guo seemed to be deaf, as if he didn't hear anything, but also as if he heard something incredible, and he was completely confused.

After Yang Xiaotao finished smoking, he put the cigarette butt into the ashtray and watched Pang Guo thinking.

In the morning, he took a special look at the shield machine design drawing provided by the system.

In his opinion, the design of this closed-chest earth pressure cement shield machine is not complicated, at least it is much easier to understand than an aircraft engine.

Moreover, the provided shield machine does not exceed the current technological development and can be used directly.

After a long while, the ash on his hand was very long. Pang Guo finally reacted and quickly flicked the ash into the ashtray. Then he took two deep puffs and looked at Yang Xiaotao. "Minister Yang, are you saying that you have done it?"

"Yes, we worked overtime at night during this period and finally built the shield machine."

Hearing this, Pang Guo felt his heart beating violently and uncontrollably.

Even Lou Xiao'e and Liu Lixue, who were accompanying them, widened their eyes, both of them were filled with disbelief.

During this period, not only them, but the entire Ninth Department knew that Yang Xiaotao often worked overtime until midnight.

I originally thought he was working overtime on the aircraft design drawings, but who would have thought that he was doing something else.

It’s really amazing.

After everyone was surprised, Pang Guo immediately nodded, "I'm interested, I'm interested."

He knew that Yang Xiaotao was adding to his burden.

It's also a chance for him.

If he does it well this time, he will be the same as Chen Bin, no, better than Chen Bin.

It might even be the same as Chang Mingjie.

He must seize this opportunity.

"As long as you are interested!"

Yang Xiaotao smiled and chose Pang Guo because not only his work attitude but also his business ability met Yang Xiaotao's requirements.

He has thought of a partner, but that doesn't mean he will lose his relationship with the Nine Departments once he hands it over.

Instead, he had to ensure that the tunnel boring machine could be manufactured according to the design drawings.

As I said, don’t blame the person, but the matter.

If the other party fails to complete the task, he can only set up the stage and perform on his own.

"Xiaoxue, both of you bring the design drawings from cabinet number three."

"Boss, please take a look here for a while. If you have any questions, come to my office and find me."

"As for the manpower issue, I don't have any for now, but don't worry, our Ninth Department doesn't have the energy to complete it, but other departments will send people."

"What you need to do is to understand the design thoroughly, and then guide and supervise them to complete the work."

After Yang Xiaotao finished speaking, Pang Guo stood up and walked to his side, suddenly extending his hand, "Xiao Yang, thank you."

Yang Xiaotao smiled and held the other's hand, "Lao Pang, we have been together for so many years, why are we still saying these polite words?"

"I know I know."

Pang Guo was somewhat moved. Yang Xiaotao just patted him on the shoulder and said with a smile, "If you do this well, you will benefit greatly in the future."

Looking at Yang Xiaotao's back as he left, Pang Guo was deeply moved.

"Mr. Pang, congratulations."

Lou Xiao'e walked in with a stack of design drawings and congratulated Pang Guo.

Liu Lixue took the opportunity to step forward, with a hint of curiosity in her eyes, "Engineer Pang, what is this tunnel boring machine used for?"

Pang Guo took the design drawing and looked at the number on it. He knew that this was all the hard work of Yang Xiaotao. He reached out and stroked it gently, fearing that it would get dirty or torn.

Hearing Liu Lixue's question, Pang Guo opened the top overall structure diagram, took a look at it, and understood the basic principles of the shield machine.

After a moment's silence, he explained to the two, "Secretary Liu, Secretary Lou, this tunnel boring machine has appeared abroad a long time ago."

"Its biggest function is to dig holes in mountains and tunnels."

"You see, this design of Yang's is very clever. People are operating the machine inside, and it is always fixed to prevent accidents such as collapse and water seepage."

The more Pang Guo explained, the brighter his eyes became.

The more Liu Lixue listened, the more surprised she was.

She is well aware of the difficulties the country faces in railway construction.

Especially in the southwest, every section of railway that crosses mountains and ridges is intertwined with sweat and blood.

She made up her mind and told her family when she got home to tell her uncle about this good thing as soon as possible, to promote it vigorously, and to make it as soon as possible.

Pang Guo excitedly stayed in the conference room for most of the day, and was still busy on the table until Yang Xiaotao left for get off work.

"Boss, it's time to get off work. It's getting dark."

Yang Xiaotao reminded him at the door, and Pang Guo nodded, "Director Yang, it's okay, I'll make a copy of the design so that it can help you remember it better."

"Combine work and rest, don't get too tired."

"Don't worry, I'm fine now."

After saying that, he dove into the design drawing.

Yang Xiaotao shook his head, walked downstairs and told Wang Hao, "Please have someone keep an eye on Lao Pang. If he doesn't go back to rest at night, tell him what I said. If he doesn't go back, he can stop working."

Wang Hao didn't understand, but he wrote it down anyway.

When we got in the car, the Taoist priest and Mr. Ye were already waiting there.

Yang Xiaotao was driving, and the two asked about the plane in the back, "Are we officially starting today?"

"We received quite a few orders for alloys this afternoon."

The old Taoist said this and Yang Xiaotao nodded.

"By the way, how's your research on those titanium alloys going?"

Hearing Yang Xiaotao ask this question, the Taoist knew something was fishy, ​​so he replied, "Three types of titanium alloys have been made."

“Have you figured it out?”

"Well, we only started a few furnaces, and the output is not much, but the performance is a little worse than that of Type 01, especially Type 04 alloy, which is only slightly better than stainless steel in terms of high temperature resistance."

Hearing the Taoist priest say this, Yang Xiaotao's heart moved, "Have all the materials Wu Zhe and the others requested been sent out?" "No, they are still in the process of preparation. They need too much, so they have to be transported from the steel plant."

"Well, then, all titanium alloys used in the future will be No. 3."

"Number three?"

The Taoist priest looked surprised, but he quickly reacted, "Okay, I'll call An Zhongsheng tomorrow."

Mr. Ye on the side listened carefully without saying anything.

The next day, Yang Xiaotao sent his children to school as usual, and then came to Jiubu.

But this time, as soon as he entered the office building, he was blocked by Li Hongfeng.

"Old Li, you are waiting to be robbed so early in the morning."

Looking at Li Hongfeng standing at the office door, Yang Xiaotao's eyes were a little red, and he was a little confused about what the other party meant.

"Xiao Yang, is the shield machine you designed real?"

His voice was a little hoarse, but his eyes were full of desire.

When I was leaving get off work last night, I passed by a conference room and saw someone inside, so I walked in to take a look.

Then Pang Guo’s eyes were seen red, and he was extremely excited.

I walked in curiously and asked, and then I was shocked by what Pang Guo said.

Tunnel boring machine.

In an instant, he thought of his comrades, brothers, and even his lover and son in the southwest.

At this moment, they are probably still on the construction site, chopping with knives and axes, and pushing carts carrying sand, gravel and soil soaked with sweat and blood.

When I think of those lonely graves, my heart becomes choked with sorrow.

If they had this thing, would they still have to put in so much effort?
Afterwards, he lay on the table and listened to Pang Guo talking over and over again, imagining the scenes of the use of the shield machine over and over again in his mind.

It was not until Wang Hao reminded them that they reluctantly left the meeting room.

After returning to his residence, he still couldn't sleep.

My mind is full of tunnel boring machines and the scene of returning to the southwest with this thing.

At that time, he would say to his wife, "I am back with the best machine."

The night was too long and the sound of mosquitoes made it impossible to sleep, so I simply got up and walked towards Jiubu.

I arrived at Department 9 before dawn and waited in the office.

It was almost time before he waited for Yang Xiaotao in front of the office.

"Old Li, what's wrong with you?"

"Tell me, is the shield machine real? Your design will surely succeed, right?"

Li Hongfeng looked excited. Yang Xiaotao immediately saw the other party's concern, so he said solemnly, "Yes, my design will definitely succeed."

Looking at Yang Xiaotao's face again and again, Li Hongfeng suddenly laughed, and then two lines of tears rolled down, "Good, great, great."

With Yang Xiaotao's guarantee, it means that this matter is 90% certain.

"Come on, let's go drink."

After Li Hongfeng finished speaking, he pulled Yang Xiaotao towards his office.

Yang Xiaotao was speechless at the back, wondering why he was drinking so early in the morning.

However, he also noticed that Li Hongfeng looked a little strange, so he followed him into the office.

Soon, Li Hongfeng took out two enamel jars in the room, and then took out the two bottles of Xifeng wine that were usually used as decorations in the cabinet. Without caring whether there were any side dishes, he directly opened a bottle and poured the wine into the jars.

Yang Xiaotao saw that this was not okay, this was not drinking, this was getting drunk.

"Lao Li, Lao Li, let's go home and drink. Let's go to my place tonight and cook two dishes. It's not a good time to work."

Yang Xiaotao stepped forward and stopped Li Hongfeng. Lao Hong's voice came from outside the door, "What are you two doing so early in the morning?"

As he said this, he walked in, and then saw the jar on the table and the bottle of wine in Li Hongfeng's hand.

"Here, are you drinking?"

Old Hong was surprised. Yang Xiaotao wanted to explain, but Li Hongfeng happily took out a cup and said, "Old Hong, you came at the right time. This cup is for you."

"I'm happy today, I must have a drink."

As he said this, he was about to pour wine into the glass.

"Wait a minute."

Lao Hong quickly stepped forward to stop him. He had just come in and said a few words, but now he was being bullied. What did that mean?
He looked at Yang Xiaotao, who quickly explained the matter, and Lao Hong understood it instantly.

Looking at Li Hongfeng, I felt a sense of empathy.

"Old Li, we have to celebrate, but we have to wait until the shield machine is completed before we celebrate."

Lao Hong advised, but Li Hongfeng shook his head, "Lao Hong, I know what you said. We must celebrate at that time."

"But this wine must be drunk today."

Then he looked at Yang Xiaotao and said, "At the beginning, I only mentioned the difficulties and hardships in the southwest, but Xiao Yang listened to me and took the initiative to design the shield machine. With this kind of heart, do you think I should drink it?"

After hearing this, Lao Hong silently shook his head.

When the calculator was invented, he just had one drink to celebrate.

I also had a drink when I developed the solar cell.

Later, when he got a lot of money, three hundred million and one hundred million, he didn't even have the intention to celebrate.

But now, just because of a tunnel boring machine, he was directly taken down by Yang Xiaotao. He wanted to drink so early in the morning and drank from the jar. It can be seen that he still has those former railway soldiers in his mind.

"Okay, drink it then."

Seeing that what Li Hongfeng said was sincere, Lao Hong agreed immediately.

Yang Xiaotao was speechless. I asked you to come here to help, but how come you ended up forcing someone to drink?
Seeing Li Hongfeng start to pour the wine, Yang Xiaotao had no choice but to shout to the outside of the door. Lou Xiaoe happened to be at work and asked her to come quickly.

"Go to the kitchen and find some peanuts."

Lou Xiao'e didn't ask any more questions and immediately ran to the kitchen.

Li Hongfeng sat aside, patting his knees with his hands, "In 52, we came back and went to the northwest. There were three thousand of us, a whole group, and the sky was full of sand and wind."

"In 56, I led people to the south, where the mountains were much older."

"That day, the flash flood came suddenly. When we gathered again, there were only more than 200 people..."

The three of them picked up the teacup and drank in silence.

This was the first time that Yang Xiaotao heard Li Hongfeng talk about past stories. He became silent and the wine he drank tasted a bit bitter.

After a while, a bag of unshelled peanuts was brought back. The three of them drank it for a while, and without feeling disgusted, they grabbed a handful and started eating.

“In 62, more than of us went to the southwest.”

"It's really like there's no clear sky for three days, and no flat ground for three feet."

"We went there, but we couldn't adapt to the local climate. My wife got malaria. At that time, she almost thought she couldn't survive. In the end, she received medicine from the rear."

"But later I found out that the medicine was sent from Shanghai by plane. It took us a whole week to find it by plane, train, car, and mule."

"Later, I"

“That’s when I realized where we were.”

They were still drinking, one was talking about his sorrows, and the other two were listening attentively.

Outside the half-open door, the corridor was filled with people without anyone noticing.

The three of them were completely unaware as they drank sip after sip and spoke from the bottom of their hearts.

"Xiao Yang, thank you, thank you for thinking about the people there."

"Thank you for making this machine, thank you"

Yang Xiaotao put his hand on Li Hongfeng's shoulder, and Lao Hong also helped to support him, "Lao Li, I know, everyone knows that you are worried about the people over there."

"Everyone is just like you, and they all miss their comrades there."

Li Hongfeng nodded, "I know, I know you are the same as me."

“I know even more about their suffering.”

He couldn't hold back his tears, leaving traces of them on his resolute face, yet it seemed full of true feelings.

"Xiao Yang, Lao Hong, I know how hard they have been working."

"This shield machine must be built. It must be built."

"This is their hope, and even more so the country's hope."

"You must do it!"