At 2:40 p.m., at an abandoned marshalling yard in the eastern suburbs of Berlin.

The silhouette of the Longyuan cast a heavy shadow in the afternoon sun, its newly added armor plates making it look like a crouching steel behemoth. Besides the smells of rust and machine oil, the air was also thick with the metallic dust characteristic of cutting and drilling.

Standing on the makeshift work platform on the roof of the vehicle, Wang Zhengyang's 0.57% arousal level made his perception like an invisible radar, covering the entire work area. He didn't need to turn around to clearly "perceive" the three vehicles approaching and stopping along the factory road, the lightness or heaviness of the footsteps and the rhythm of breathing of the seven people getting out of the vehicles, and even the slight clinking sounds of their tools and metal parts.

His attention quickly focused on the leading figure, Zhang Hao, whose biomagnetic field was active and orderly.

Zhang Hao was the first to step forward, his steps steady. His gaze swept quickly over the massive hull of the Longyuan and the various equipment boxes and cable reels piled around it. A hint of shock flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by focus. The six people behind him—Old Li, Zhou Ming, Zhao Dayong, Sun Hai, Chen Qi, and Wu Fan—followed him closely, their expressions a mixture of tension and curiosity.

"Mr. Wang, we have arrived at the agreed time. There are seven people, and we have all the basic tools and protective equipment." Zhang Hao's voice was clear as he handed over a handwritten list and a skill correspondence table, indicating that he had done his homework and rehearsed the division of labor before coming.

Wang Zhengyang took the paper, his gaze lingering on it for less than two seconds before he looked up and calmly swept his eyes over everyone. In his perception, each person's physical condition, the subtle degree of muscle tension, and even the direction of their current focus were clearly presented like a data stream.

"Very good." Wang Zhengyang put away the list, without any pleasantries, and pointed directly to the work area. "Today's task: Install the train's peripheral auxiliary sensing network. This mainly includes lateral monitoring nodes, panoramic cameras, and chassis monitoring sensors. All installation locations, angles, wiring paths, and interface standards are on the drawings."

He handed Zhang Hao a thick stack of blueprints. Zhang Hao quickly flipped through them, his eyes scanning the complex annotations and 3D diagrams with lightning speed. Old Li and Zhou Ming also came over to look, and the three of them began to discuss in hushed tones almost simultaneously.

"There should be one lateral node every three meters, and miniature cameras and laser rangefinders need to be installed simultaneously... The cabling needs to pass through the armor interlayer, with allowance for expansion and contraction..."

"The panoramic camera is spherical, and the mounting base needs to be leveled; the error cannot exceed plus or minus 0.5 degrees..."

"The chassis sensors must be resistant to mud and water impact, and the interface waterproof rating must reach IP68..."

After listening to the two quickly analyze the situation, Zhang Hao looked up. The initial tension on his face had vanished, replaced by a calm demeanor befitting someone in a technically focused state. He turned to the team, speaking quickly and clearly:

"Li, Zhou, you two will lead Chen Qi and Wu Fan to form the electrical control team. They will be responsible for confirming the electrical interfaces of all sensors, ensuring proper cable laying specifications, wiring, and conducting preliminary power-on testing. Pay special attention to thoroughly understanding the waterproofing and airtightness requirements on the drawings."

"Master Zhao, you and Sun Hai form Mechanical Team Two. They will be responsible for fixing and aligning all the mounting bases. Where holes or taps are needed, strictly follow the coordinates and parameters on the drawings. Especially the spherical mounts on the roof; I've brought the leveling tools."

"I am responsible for overall coordination, answering questions about drawings, tracking progress, and final segment acceptance. Communicate any problems promptly; don't act recklessly."

With a clear and reasonable division of labor, the seven people were instantly transformed into two highly efficient teams. Old Li and Zhou Ming immediately led the two younger men to inventory the sensor equipment, verifying the models and interfaces. Zhao Dayong instructed Sun Hai to check the mounting brackets and specialized tools. The entire process was almost entirely silent, filled only with the sounds of tools being unpacked, papers being turned over, and brief confirmations.

Wang Zhengyang nodded slightly, took a few steps back, and leaned against a carriage, seemingly resting with his eyes closed, but in reality, he fully extended his senses.

He "saw" that Zhang Hao wasn't standing still to direct operations, but rather constantly moving between the two groups. When the electrical control group first started laying the first main cable, Zhang Hao pointed out an easily overlooked detail on the blueprints: when the cable passed through the pre-drilled holes in the armor, wear-resistant sleeves had to be installed. When the mechanical group installed the first panoramic camera mount on the roof, Zhang Hao personally climbed up, checked it with a level, and explained how to fine-tune the spherical hinge to ensure that subsequent cameras could rotate without blind spots.

Overall control is not just about issuing orders, but also about anticipating details, allocating resources, and controlling key nodes. Wang Zhengyang silently assessed the situation. Zhang Hao demonstrated precisely this ability. He could quickly understand the technical intent conveyed by Wang Zhengyang through the drawings and translate it into actionable steps. He could intervene as soon as a problem emerged, avoiding rework with minimal adjustments.

With Zhang Hao's guidance, the efficiency of both groups steadily improved. The wiring in the electrical control group became increasingly standardized and smooth, while the installation in the mechanical group became more precise and rapid. Two young men, Chen Qi and Wu Fan, quickly got the hang of things under the guidance of Lao Li and Zhou Ming, operating with practiced ease. Sun Hai, strong and eager to learn, became Zhao Dayong's capable assistant.

Wang Zhengyang's perception was like the most sophisticated surveillance network, capturing every detail:

Old Li's meticulousness in wiring was almost obsessive; he would repeatedly test the continuity and insulation of each wire.

Zhou Ming maintains a dual commitment to both aesthetics and functionality in wiring, even in areas unseen under the car.

Zhao Dayong's calloused hands were steady when operating precision tools, as was his keen intuition about metal materials.

Sun Hai silently took on most of the heavy lifting and high-altitude work without complaint.

Although Chen Qi and Wu Fan were inexperienced, they were focused on their studies and took notes very quickly.

As the sun sets, temporary lighting comes on. Newly installed side observation points are neatly arranged on both sides of the Longyuan's hull; spherical panoramic cameras are quietly positioned at the four corners of the roof; and many inconspicuous but crucial "eyes" have also been added to the underside of the vehicle.

Zhang Hao, holding a tablet, checked the installation list item by item, and finally reported to Wang Zhengyang: "Mr. Wang, the hardware installation of all auxiliary sensing nodes marked on the drawings is complete. The electrical control group has completed 95% of the wiring and preliminary circuit testing. Due to the weather and lighting conditions, it is recommended that the remaining parts be sealed and re-inspected tomorrow morning. The mechanical group has completed all installations, and spot checks show that the installation accuracy meets the requirements of the drawings."

His report was concise and objective, explaining the achievements while also addressing unfinished tasks and providing reasonable suggestions.

Wang Zhengyang's gaze swept over the Longyuan. In his perception, although the newly installed sensors had not yet been officially connected to the central system, their physical positions and attitudes were already accurately in place, like compound eyes newly opened for this steel behemoth. More importantly, he saw the prototype of a small team that could quickly self-organize and collaborate efficiently under pressure, led by a young man with excellent coordination and execution skills.

"The installation quality is satisfactory," Wang Zhengyang affirmed, taking out the prepared reward from his pocket and handing it to Zhang Hao. "Tomorrow morning at eight o'clock, we'll conduct the final inspection and initial system integration testing. Those who wish to continue participating, please be on time. There will be a more detailed confidentiality agreement to sign."

He didn't say more, but his meaning was clear: today's work is the ticket to entry; starting tomorrow, he might get to know the more core aspects.

Zhang Hao took the envelope, nodded emphatically, and his eyes flashed with determination and anticipation. The team members behind him, though tired, showed more excitement at completing the challenge and eagerness for tomorrow's work.

Watching them drive away, Wang Zhengyang turned around and looked at the Longyuan, which appeared even more ferocious and complete under the lights.

And the "technological seeds" worth observing and nurturing, seemingly unexpectedly yet logically, have quietly sprouted their first tender shoots. Zhang Hao has demonstrated not only technical understanding, but also a rare systemic organizational ability to translate technical intentions into team action. This may be even more valuable than a single skill in the future.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like