Chapter 25: Only Half of the Blueprint

"Pull it with oxen."

The Director of the Education Section almost burst out laughing.

However, remembering that Deputy Bureau Chief Wang was still standing behind him, he could only suppress it, his expression appearing exceptionally strange.

Deputy Bureau Chief Wang, standing beside him, said

"This young comrade certainly has ideas, but he has underestimated the weight of the train far too much.

An empty 15-car train has a total weight of up to 12,000 tons.

Ten oxen certainly won't do; it would take at least a thousand.

From this, it is evident that the basic level of this year's candidates is quite poor.

Currently, our country is in a state of urgent reconstruction, external enemies are surrounding us, and the imperialists' desire to destroy us remains undiminished.

We are in dire need of loyal, reliable, and outstanding talent.

The Education Section needs to heighten its vigilance. You must fully grasp the spirit of the Bureau Committee meetings and strictly control both ideological education and teaching quality."

Seeing the leader turn his矛头 (aim) toward him, the Director of the Education Office hurriedly signaled to Wang Xiangrui: "Among these exam papers, are there no more constructive solutions?"

"That is not the case. I think the idea from this candidate named Liu Erfeng is quite good."

Wang Xiangrui pulled a paper from the stack and handed it to the Director.

"This candidate only got two questions wrong in the preceding sections, which shows he has a solid foundation of basic knowledge.

He has designed an auxiliary system for the train.

An auxiliary system is to be installed at the rear of the train.

The system is not operated during normal runs; it is only activated when the train encounters slippery rails."

Deputy Bureau Chief Wang took it, glanced at it, frowned, and offered his critique

"The concept is reasonable, but it is impractical.

Adding an extra power system would double both maintenance and manufacturing costs.

Furthermore, the steam engines currently used domestically are all imported from the Soviet Union, exchanged for tens of thousands of tons of grain.

This candidate is merely engaging in armchair warfare.

It runs contrary to the spirit of 'coming from practice and going back to practice' set by the higher-ups.

From this, it is evident that your Education Section has also been lax in its daily oversight of ideological education."

Seeing even the best exam paper being disparaged into nothingness, beads of sweat broke out on Wang Xiangrui's forehead. In his heart, he cursed the engineer who had set the questions to death.

*You guys feel great for a moment while setting the questions, but the Education Section is the one taking the fall.*

Just as he was at a loss for how to respond to Deputy Bureau Chief Wang's accusations, he saw an elderly comrade pick up an exam paper and suddenly stand up, looking somewhat excited.

"Officer Wang, what is wrong with that paper?"

"That paper proposes a solution. I think it's feasible, just a bit strange," Officer Wang said hesitantly.

"A bit strange? Quick, bring it here for me to see."

With the roar of artillery in the distance, Wang Xiangrui didn't care about anything else as long as it could save his skin; he reached out and snatched the paper.

With just one glance, his pupils underwent a massive earthquake, and an incredulous sound squeezed from his throat.

"Sand... is this a joke?"

"Someone thought of using sand to increase friction?"

A middle-aged man in a Zhongshan suit stepped out from behind Deputy Bureau Chief Wang.

"Who is this?" Wang Xiangrui asked, puzzled.

When had this middle-aged man entered? He didn't remember.

Deputy Bureau Chief Wang introduced him: "This is the Level 5 Engineer you were just criticizing—Comrade Dong Qingfu from the Sifang Plant."

The thought that he had just insulted Engineer Dong made Wang Xiangrui feel guilty.

Engineers were divided into nine levels; a Level 5 Engineer was already an Associate Chief Engineer.

Engineer Dong was also the technical representative of the Sifang Plant for the Railway General Section.

In terms of both status and power, he was not someone a mere Section Chief of the Education Section could afford to offend.

"Engineer Dong, about what just happened..."

Just as Wang Xiangrui was about to explain, Engineer Dong ignored him. He reached out, grabbed the paper from his hands, spread it on the table, and began reading it intently.

"Setting up a device that can scatter sand at any time... when the train is climbing a slope..."

"Good, good! This concept is truly ingenious!"

"There are drawings below..."

Engineer Dong continued reading, unable to hide the excitement on his face.

"Brilliant! Placing sandbags on the roof—this idea is superb!"

"Then controlling it through a valve, and then..."

"..."

"Eh? Where are the drawings? Why are they gone?"

*Rustle.*

Engineer Dong flipped the paper over, only to find nothing on the back. He grew anxious.

He stared at Wang Xiangrui with wide eyes: "Deputy Section Chief Wang, where are the drawings for the rest?"

Deputy Bureau Chief Wang also realized something and urged, "Wang Xiangrui, why is there only half the drawing? Where is the other half?"

"I really don't know. All the collected papers are right here."

Wang Xiangrui spread his hands.

Even in his dullness, he realized the importance of this drawing, and in his heart, he cursed the comrades who collected the papers mercilessly.

*If you guys had been more careful, I wouldn't be getting criticized right now.*

Wait...

A flash of inspiration struck Wang Xiangrui. He took the paper, glanced at it, and smiled: "Engineer Dong, look, it's written very slowly on this paper. Do you think it's possible that this candidate didn't draw the entire set of blueprints?"

Engineer Dong examined the paper closely. It was indeed as Wang Xiangrui had said; based on the direction of the lines, the bottom half of the drawing had not been completed.

"How could he do this! Doesn't he know that an incomplete drawing is a profanation of technology?"

Seeing Engineer Dong so anxious, a strange light flashed in Deputy Bureau Chief Wang's eyes. He asked with a smile, "Old Dong, what's this? Is this solution actually quite good?"

"It's more than just 'quite good'; it's excellent, it's perfect!"

Engineer Dong gave Deputy Bureau Chief Wang no face at all: "It's only because people like you who don't understand technology would think it's merely 'quite good'."

Knowing that Engineer Dong was a technical fanatic who only had eyes for technology and blueprints, Deputy Bureau Chief Wang didn't mind his attitude. He smiled and asked, "So, you think this solution can solve the train's slipping problem?"

At the mention of technology, Engineer Dong's expression turned solemn: "Technology requires rigor. Since I haven't seen the bottom half of the drawings, I cannot reach that conclusion arbitrarily. However, looking at the existing drawings, it indeed can solve the slipping issue.

Look, this candidate's design is very exquisite. He designed a sandbag on the roof..."

Talking about technology, Engineer Dong became energized, pointing at the paper and explaining in detail.

Deputy Bureau Chief Wang did not continue listening to the technical details.

He only needed to know if this design could solve the problem.

He turned to Wang Xiangrui: "Section Chief Wang, what is this candidate's name, and where is he now? Can we invite him here immediately? Engineer Dong likely wants to speak with him in person."

Wang Xiangrui picked up the paper, flipped to the name section, and nodded: "His name is Li Aiguo. He is a candidate from the Qianmen Locomotive Depot. Right now, he should be..."

Glancing at his wrist, Wang Xiangrui continued: "According to the exam schedule, the candidates from the Qianmen Locomotive Depot should be undergoing their practical examinations right now."

"If you are in a hurry, I can suspend the exam and have someone bring him over."

Deputy Bureau Chief Wang glanced at Engineer Dong, who was still studying the drawings intently, and shook his head: "No need to interrupt the exam. Notify the leader at the Qianmen Locomotive Depot to have Comrade Li Aiguo report to Engineer Dong's office once the exam is over."

"Yes, I will arrange it immediately."

At this moment, Li Aiguo was not participating in the practical exam as Wang Xiangrui had expected; instead, he had just woken up from a bed in a guesthouse.

He had been startled awake by a series of "bang, bang, bang" knocks on the door.