The Red Era, the Opening University Speech

Chapter 127 You might as well take a look at this blueprint before making a decision

Shazhu works in the kitchen. He can act tough in front of most workers, but he is still a little timid in front of the old man.

Upon hearing this, Sha Zhu looked embarrassed and turned to Li Mu and asked, "Why are you here at the steel mill? Are you here to participate in the production construction as well?"

"That's not right. Didn't they come a few days ago? Why are you so late?"

"Oh, I remember now. A few days ago the factory manager said five people would come, but only four showed up. You took the last one, right?"

Without waiting for Li Mu to say anything, Sha Zhu opened her mouth like a loose cannon and said everything she guessed and thought.

The gatekeeper at the back got even angrier when he heard this, and snorted, "I was wondering why the other college students were busy with production, but there was still one who had the time to visit us. Turns out he didn't join in!"

"How dare you come to see your classmates? At least they participated in the labor. Although they like to complain, they are still diligent in their work."

"Get out of here now, or don't blame me for being rude."

In this era, labor is the most glorious, and avoiding labor is shameful.

Li Mu felt helpless when he heard that. He wanted to explain, but he thought the master might not believe him.

Just as Li Mu was thinking about how to explain, a middle-aged man who had just walked in came back and asked:

"Are you Li Mu, the Li Mu from Beijing Institute of Technology?"

When they saw the middle-aged man, Shazhu and the gatekeeper showed surprise on their faces.

"It's me. Who are you?" Li Mu looked at the other person in confusion.

They probably haven't seen it.

The middle-aged man's face lit up with joy when he heard this, and he said, "It's really you. I'm the director of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, and my last name is Yang."

"What are you doing standing at the door? Come in and sit down. I've heard a lot about you!"

After saying that, Director Yang took Li Mu to the factory.

Such enthusiasm made Shazhu and the gatekeeper stunned.

When had they ever seen Director Yang be so enthusiastic towards others? They even said they had heard of your great name for a long time.

"Look, you didn't let him in, but the factory director invited him in personally." Shazhu came to her senses and smiled at the gatekeeper.

He really has no control over his mouth.

But this time the gatekeeper didn't say anything. Although the factory has rules, it depends on who they are targeted at.

The factory manager is bringing people in, do you dare to stop him?
Li Mu felt a little strange when Director Yang enthusiastically pulled him into the office.

He asked curiously, "Director Yang, how do you know me?"

The steel rolling mill has basically nothing to do with his previous research field, so the other party should not have heard of him.

Director Yang smiled and said:
"Haha, I didn't know that before you even arrived, the leaders of the Ministry of Culture and Education and the First Ministry of Machine Building called us and asked us to take good care of you."

"When I heard that you not only invented the two-way electric drill and the incandescent lamp, but also invented the air fryer and the mountain bike, and made great contributions to the country, I immediately agreed."

"What a pity! I didn't expect you to not come later. I felt regretful for a long time."

There was a hint of praise but also a hint of inquiry in his words.

"I was wrong about this." Li Mu first apologized and explained:
"I was originally planning to attend, but then I received a letter."

"After reading the letter, I felt that I should really focus on more important things, so I didn't come to participate."

When Director Yang heard Li Mu say that a letter made him change his mind, his eyes were full of surprise.

Leaders at the Ministry of Culture and Education and the First Ministry of Machine Building have personally inquired about the matter. Logically speaking, even if Li Mu changed his mind temporarily, it would not be that easy to do so.

Unless the person who wrote the letter carries more weight than the previous two.

Director Yang opened his mouth and wanted to ask, but it was not appropriate as they were just meeting for the first time.

So he turned around and asked, "So that's how it is. Then why are you here at the steel mill again?"

"Several of my familiar classmates were assigned to your factory. I happened to have some free time today, so I came to take a look. I almost couldn't get in." Li Mu said with a smile.

We certainly cannot talk directly about the innovation in steelmaking technology.

Director Yang was also a shrewd man. He knew that Li Mu's purpose was definitely not that simple. However, he saw through it but did not say anything. He smiled and said, "What's the big deal? I'll tell the gatekeeper later. You can come whenever you want in the future."

"But many of the workshops in the factory are dangerous when operating, so don't get close to them rashly."

"By the way, aren't you going to look for your classmates? It's lunch time now, and they happen to be free. I'll take you there."

Having said that, he stood up and took Li Mu to the cafeteria to find someone.

……

When they arrived at the canteen, the workers who were eating nearby saw the factory director leading a young man over, and they all showed curiosity.

Among the workers queuing for meals, Li Mu saw Wang Ya holding a book, with Shao Yanan, Zhang Kai and others behind her.

He walked forward with a smile: "So hardworking?"

When Director Yang saw the person Li Mu was greeting, there was a hint of mockery in his eyes.

"How did you get in?" Wang Ya looked up blankly.

Li Mu smiled and said, "Thanks to Director Yang for his help."

At this time, Zhang Kai and the other two also discovered him, and they were both happy and surprised.

Director Yang saw many workers around him paying attention to this place, and he immediately said with a smile: "Don't line up, come to my office, I will give you some special treatment."

"This is not appropriate." Li Mu hesitated.

He also felt that this was not a good place to talk.

"What's inappropriate? You are all college students and the future pillars of the country. You should be treated well." After Director Yang finished speaking, he pulled Li Mu back to the office.

After instructing the kitchen to bring over a few dishes, Director Yang saw that everyone was a little uncomfortable with him being there, so he found an excuse to go out, leaving the space to Li Mu and the others.

As soon as he left, Zhang Kai couldn't help asking, "Why did you come to the steel mill? You're such a busy man, why did you come all the way to see us?"

Wang Ya and Li Jian also gave him puzzled looks.

As for Shao Yanan's eyes, there was more of a mockery. She only knew that Li Mu had improved the electric drill and incandescent lamp, and she thought that Li Mu came here because of Wang Ya.

Looking at the looks of the few people, Li Mu explained with a smile:
"I see you're just here for a visit. I came here because you said earlier that our country's steelmaking technology is relatively backward. I wanted to come and see if there is any room for improvement."

"You want to study top-blown oxygen converter?" Zhang Kai's eyes were filled with shock.

He was just complaining and saying that innovative technology would be great, but in his heart he didn't think it was possible.

So many people in China are researching top-blown oxygen converter technology, but it has not been developed yet, which already shows a problem.

Shao Yanan was also surprised and asked, "Li Mu, top-blown oxygen converter is a technology only available abroad. Are you sure?"

"I just came over to take a look. I haven't decided to study it yet." Li Mu smiled and laughed it off.

After that, they chatted for a while and he prepared to leave.

But at this moment, Director Yang walked in with a smile and said, "Since you are here, Li Mu, would you like to visit our factory?"

This proposal made Li Mu's heart move slightly. To make a top-blown oxygen converter, it is definitely not enough to just draw blueprints in the laboratory, and a certain understanding of mechanical processing is also required.

"Is this appropriate? After all, I'm not from a steel mill." Although he was moved, he was still quite polite.

Upon hearing this, Director Yang laughed and said, "What's inappropriate about that? Besides, you are a top student from Beijing Institute of Technology. Maybe you can guide our workers."

As he said that, he pulled Li Mu outside to visit the steel mill.

……

Over the next few days, Li Mu continued to visit the steel mill several times.

When he felt that it was almost ready, he found Qian Shuyan and told him about his plan to research the top-blown oxygen converter.

After listening to this, Qian Shuyan couldn't help but advise:
"Li Mu, you have to think carefully. A person's energy is always limited."

“While you were doing semiconductor research, you also invented great things like air fryers and mountain bikes.”

"But steelmaking technology is different. It requires more time and energy."

"If you try to do both, I'm afraid you'll lose both."

Faced with his exhortation, Li Mu was silent for a moment.

After hesitating for a moment, he took out a conceptual drawing of top-blown oxygen converter technology from his bag.

Some basic principles are also written on it.

"This is..." Qian Shuyan's attention was immediately attracted, and he stared at the drawings on the table in a daze.

Li Mu said: "This is the sketch I drew of a top-blown oxygen converter, along with some basic principles."

"In fact, I already have some confidence, but I just need to verify it through experiments."

"Don't worry, if it doesn't work, I won't spend more energy on this."

"Our country's current steelmaking technology is very backward. If we don't have good steelmaking technology, the cost of building a strong basic industry will be astronomical!"

Qian Shuyan stared at the sketch, and the more he looked at it, the more shocked he felt.

This thing is not even a sketch!

There are only some finishing touches left to the finished product!
Even if he didn't have much knowledge of the metallurgical industry, he could see the value of this sketch.

I suddenly looked up at Li Mu, wanting to dissect him to see if he was really a human being!

I thought that he was so young and became a top scholar in the semiconductor industry, which meant he was extremely talented. I didn't expect...

He stammered a few times, wanting to praise the other person, but found that no matter what words he used, they pale in comparison to Li Mu's talent in engineering.

"Huh!" He let out a deep breath.

Qian Shuyan said: "Since you are so well prepared, just go for it. I fully support you!"

"If you need any equipment or materials, just tell me."

"By the way, it's definitely not possible for you to do research alone. Wait, I'll take you to find an old professor in our college."

……

Beijing Institute of Technology, experimental building.

Iron and Steel Metallurgy Laboratory.

Because the experiment involves the steel smelting process and heat treatment technology, the laboratory is filled with various sophisticated equipment.

Standing outside the laboratory, Li Mu took a quick glance and recognized the names of these instruments: photoelectric colorimetric element analyzer, electronic material testing machine, metal material spectrum detector...

In the laboratory, a professor in his forties or fifties was doing experiments with several graduate students.

……

"Knock knock~" Qian Shuyan knocked on the door gently twice.

The professor, who was immersed in thought, raised his head unhappily.

After seeing that it was Qian Shuyan, he concealed his displeasure and asked with a little surprise: "Dean, why are you here?"

"Haha, I'm here to give you, Professor Zhang, a big gift!" Qian Shuyan said with a smile.

Hearing this, Professor Zhang was stunned: "It's not a festival, what gift are you giving?"

Qian Shuyan explained: "That's right, Li Mu is researching top-blown oxygen converter technology, and has made some progress."

"Professor Zhang, you are an expert in iron and steel metallurgy in our college. You may want to communicate with him."

"Don't underestimate him because he's young. He's very capable!"

He originally wanted to praise Li Mu a few words so that the other party would take him seriously, but he didn't expect it to have the opposite effect.

Professor Zhang's relaxed brows wrinkled up again unconsciously and he said:
"Dean, I know that Li Mu is talented in semiconductor research and has made considerable achievements."

"But steel metallurgy and semiconductors are not the same thing. Without long-term research, no results can be achieved."

"Student Li Mu, instead of wasting your energy in a field that is not suitable for you, you should put your time and energy into the field that you are more proficient in."

What he said actually makes sense.

Li Mu is not a scientist who has stood the test of time like Qian and Deng, so his cross-border research will definitely arouse suspicion.

This is also the reason why he went to the steel mill to study before.

No matter how talented a person is, he cannot create something out of nothing and produce something he does not understand.

Facing Professor Zhang's questioning, Qian Shuyan did not get anxious. Instead, he handed him the drawing he had been holding, and then said:
"You might as well take a look at this blueprint before making a decision."

"Then I'd like to take a closer look to see if he also has talent in steel metallurgy." Professor Zhang took the drawing and spread it out on the table.

He first glanced at the drawings, then turned his attention to the principle analysis:
"Insert an oxygen lance vertically from the top of the converter to blow industrial pure oxygen into the molten pool, thereby oxidizing the carbon, silicon, manganese and other elements in the molten iron, while generating heat and raising the molten pool..."

As he watched, Professor Zhang's pupils shrank and his mind was completely immersed in it.

These few hundred simple words almost describe most of the process principles of the top-blown oxygen converter.

With a "swish", Professor Zhang turned it over suddenly, only to find that there was a blank space behind the drawing.

He couldn't help but ask, "What's next? What should we do next?"

"The composition of the furnace body, how many parts are there, what kind of structure should be used, and the reaction of the converter molten pool is exposed to high temperatures..."

Professor Zhang's excited questions attracted curious glances from several graduate students in the Iron and Steel Metallurgy Laboratory.

Normally, their professor is not so easily excited. He always has a stern face when doing experiments, which is scary to look at.

"Haha, now you don't say he is inappropriate?" Qian Shuyan couldn't help but joked.

Professor Zhang apologized, "I underestimated Li Mu before. I didn't expect him to be so accomplished!"

"There are many things on this drawing that I didn't expect."

"If we can continue the research, there is a high probability that the problem of top-blown oxygen converter technology will be solved!"

(End of this chapter)