It's better to conquer them than to command the steel torrent

Chapter 16 | Assessment Preparation

The so-called Bakelite is not wood, but actually the first plastic put into industrial production in human history. Its official name is phenolic resin, and it has a history of more than 30 years.

Bakelite plastic has high strength, good insulation and high temperature resistance, and is widely used as the casing of electrical equipment.

Another example is the famous Kalashnikov assault rifle. In addition to the steel curved magazine, reddish-brown resin polymer magazines are also quite common.

Shang Ke thought about many things in a short period of time and couldn't help but jokingly said, "I was mistaken. I didn't expect Miss Jian to be the daughter of a certain family. She should be called the eldest lady."

"That's an exaggeration." Jian Keqiu glanced at him, her dark eyes deep and calm, and she said lightly, "I don't really like this title. It's rather embarrassing."

After a pause, she asked again, "So why are you here today? Do you have any questions for me this time?"

"There's nothing to ask, but I just thought about it and there's something very important that I can't handle by myself, so I'm afraid I have to trouble you." Shang Ke was being mysterious.

"what's up?"

"It's mainly to check the information."

As he spoke, Shang Ke took out a piece of paper from his pocket. On it were some professional terms and short sentences that he had just written while waiting.

Jian Keqiu hesitated for a moment, then reached out to take the note and said with a faint smile, "You're quite open, Mr. Nitro."

After browsing through them, she pondered with some embarrassment, "It's mechanics, metallurgy, electrical engineering, and chemical engineering. The scope is too wide."

"Indeed, but I need to find out the current status of these things."

"I'm kind of lazy, and I've been busy lately. Anyway, don't get your hopes up too much."

Shang Ke said with a smile: "You are too modest, Miss Jian. I am very grateful that you agreed to help me. I will do my best to help you in the future."

"Okay." Jian Keqiu agreed readily.

Generally speaking, Shang Ke has his own grand blueprint in mind, but he doesn't like to mess around, so he plans to conduct research and evaluation before making specific plans.

For example, taking the tanks that are bound to shine in the future, any design route must be adapted to the country's heavy vehicle industry, which brings up five key questions about the design of medium tanks.

Question 1: Cast armor or welded rolled armor?
Question 2: Diesel engine or gasoline engine?

Question 3: Torsion bar suspension or spring suspension?

Question 4: Is the gearbox front or rear?

Question 5: Assembly line production or workstation production model?

Therefore, he had to figure out many things in his own country.

Regarding the machinery industry—What is the ratio of new to old roughing and finishing equipment? What are the milling, stamping, and casting process technologies?
Regarding the metallurgical industry—what are the production capacity limits for steel and light alloys? What is the proportion of open-hearth furnaces, converters, and electric furnaces?
Regarding the electrical industry—what is the state of the art technology? What are the manufacturing processes for electron tubes, vacuum triodes, and cathode ray tubes?
All of these things need to be researched clearly, otherwise it is easy to make unrealistic jokes.

But now there is no Internet, and the channels for obtaining information are very limited. Generally speaking, the best way to read papers and journals is university.

Seeing that Jian Keqiu was dressed as lightly as last time, Shang Ke couldn't bear to continue chatting and said goodbye.

"Miss Jane, you'll catch a cold wearing such thin clothes. Go back quickly." He looked at his watch and said, "I'm leaving now. See you next time. By the way, Happy New Year."

Jian Keqiu said calmly, "Hmm," and nodded gently, "Happy New Year."

She watched Shang's figure disappear into the distance.

Although she appeared nonchalant on the surface, Jian Keqiu's curiosity about the bustling Shang had reached a unique level.

An officer responsible for enforcing military discipline couldn't possibly have anything to do with this sort of thing, right? It was mysterious and inexplicable!

She was puzzled. The snow under the dormitory building had turned black and gray from being trampled on by people, and it looked dirty.

The temperature difference between inside and outside is quite obvious. It is freezing cold outside, but the heating that penetrates the entire floor makes it warm as spring inside. Her face suddenly becomes rosy.

My roommate is Xiaoshan, a lively girl from Xuzhou. She is currently worrying about the upcoming group report, and her desk is piled with books and documents.

Seeing Jian Keqiu coming back, Xiaoshan lamented, "Sister Qiuqiu, why don't you start working? I've tried my best but I still can't do it."

"Not at full strength. You went to buy records yesterday." Jian Keqiu glanced at him and said nonchalantly, "I'll take a nap first and start again tonight."

She just yawned and calmly changed her clothes and took off her shoes.

When she got into bed, Xiao Shan muttered, "I just bought a record, but you, Sister Qiuqiu, are secretly meeting a man."

Ok? !

"What?" Jian Keqiu sat up from the bed with a somersault.

"I saw it all just now. You walked all the way here with that guy. Admit it, Sister Qiuqiu. When did you two meet?"

"Just a few days ago."

"Humph, you still don't admit it."

"Why would I lie to you?" Jian Keqiu lay down again and said casually, "First, I'm not familiar with him; second, he just asked me for a favor."

"I don't believe it, not at all." Xiaolan said with a look of disbelief, "I've never seen you help anyone."

"It's up to you. I only do things that interest me."

"Humph, I'm going to hold the wedding this time when I go back for the New Year, Sister Qiuqiu, make sure you hurry up."

"That's all for later. Why are you rushing me?" Jian Keqiu said nonchalantly, "Why don't you take care of your current problems first and hand in the manuscript the day after tomorrow."

"Oh! Don't say it! It's too hard to write! Now I just feel like God has abandoned me..."

Meanwhile, at the Capital Railway Station.

Because of the delay, Shang Ke jogged all the way to the train station. There were only a few passengers left on Platform 3, and the train had been refueled and was about to start.

Before him was a standard passenger train, its locomotive a 2-3-1 axle superheated steam locomotive manufactured by Chase. As for the track gauge, the country used a slightly smaller 1400mm gauge, a unique feature in the world, showcasing a perfect balance of power.

Huge steel wheels, heavy cast iron, and refined copper pipes.

This was the first time that Shangke saw a running locomotive with his own eyes, and the sense of steampunk industrial power was overwhelming.

He stared at the locomotive with great interest until the attendant came over and reminded him.

"Sir, the train leaves in half a quarter of an hour."

"Can you wait a little longer?"

"It's so cold outside, there's heating in the car."

"It's okay, you can get in the car first."

The flight attendant left with a frown on her face.

Not long after, with a loud whistle, the train slowly left the Capital Railway Station and accelerated all the way north.

(End of this chapter)