"So, Lianshan, what are your thoughts after reading it?"
Looking into Professor Wu's sincere eyes, Chen Lianshan felt extremely ashamed.
"Professor Wu, our group of students all went down the wrong path back then. Fortunately, I've turned back in time. Is it too late?"
"It's not entirely wrong, but it's not suitable for our national conditions. Do you think we Chinese can't manufacture machinery? The main problem is that our country's industrial base is too weak, and we don't have the right environment to thrive."
Professor Wu's eyes revealed a deep sense of resentment as he spoke these words.
Back when he first graduated from Bald Eagle, he had the same thoughts.
At that time, the warlord wars had just ended, and everything was in need of rebuilding. It was the perfect time for them to show their skills.
But reality dealt him a heavy blow. They had no funding and no equipment. How were they supposed to manufacture machinery? Were they supposed to rub it by hand?
Later, it went through the War of Resistance against Japan and the War of Liberation, and only after the founding of the People's Republic of China did things finally settle down.
He had hoped that the founding of the new China would allow him to realize his ambitions, but in the end, the industrial base was still too weak, and he could not do anything. He spent most of his life in this state, achieving nothing.
In the end, Professor Wu, having figured things out, embarked on the path of modifying machinery and achieved some success, which is why he greatly admired Sun Zhengguo's paper.
"Mr. Wu, don't be discouraged. You must believe in our motherland. Sooner or later, we will catch up. There will even be a day when foreigners see the machinery made in our country and say 'very good'."
Seeing the old professor's eyes redden with memories, Sun Zhengguo comforted him.
It can't really be called a consolation, because before Sun Zhengguo traveled through time, China already had its own aircraft carriers, destroyers, and J-20 fighter jets, and China's heavy industry was shining brightly in the world.
"I hope so! I may not live to see that day, but I believe you will."
Professor Wu's words silenced the entire laboratory.
Sun Zhengguo did not expect that the atmosphere would be so dull on the first day of work.
However, he didn't know how to persuade him, because the process was indeed very long, probably another forty or fifty years, and Professor Wu might not be able to hold on until then.
The first day of work passed in this dull atmosphere. No one talked much, and everyone went home after get off work in the evening.
After getting off work in the evening, from dinner to returning to the courtyard and even going to bed, Sun Zhengguo always seemed to be in low spirits.
The young couple crawled into bed, and Ning Xiaowei finally couldn't help but ask.
"Jung-guk, what's wrong? You've been unhappy ever since you came home from work today."
"It's nothing, honey. I was probably just bored at work today, which made me feel down, so I didn't want to talk."
Fearing his wife would worry, Sun Zhengguo recounted his day at work.
"Hey! What is it? Professor Wu's words are a bit too sad, aren't they? We are catching up with Britain and the United States now, and maybe in a few years, his ideal will be realized."
Well! Another perfect idealist. Ning Xiaowei didn't know that in a few years, that ideal would be even harder to achieve.
"Go to sleep, honey. Let's not talk about dreams. Anything can happen in dreams. Let's dream!"
"Fine! You're making fun of me, saying I'm talking in my sleep."
"I'm not making fun of you, it's just that your imagination is too idealistic. Utopian ideals can never be realized. Just wait and see."
"Okay! I'll be waiting."
Ning Xiaowei didn't argue with Sun Zhengguo. Instead, she found a comfortable spot and curled up in her husband's arms.
Before long, the two fell asleep, searching for their own utopia.
The next day, when Sun Zhengguo arrived at Tsinghua University, Professor Wu, who was always early, was inexplicably absent.
"Senior Brother Chen, what's wrong with Elder Wu today? This isn't like her."
"I don't know either? Maybe something's wrong! Let's wait a bit longer. If they don't come soon, let's draw up the blueprints for the machinery we disassembled yesterday so it'll be easier to study later."
Chen Lianshan was also puzzled. This had never happened before. Even if Professor Wu couldn't come, he would always let him know in advance.
Did Professor Wu suffer some kind of shock yesterday?
Chen Lianshan dared not think any further. The two silently began to draw blueprints, waiting as they drew, hoping that Professor Wu would arrive soon.
The two of them were busy until noon, but Professor Wu still hadn't come over.
"Senior Brother Chen, stop busy and come eat!"
"oh!"
Chen Lianshan put down the blueprints and pen in his hand and walked over absentmindedly.
"Zhengguo, do you think we should go to Professor Wu's house to check on him, just in case something has happened?"
"Impossible, right? Old Wu was just a little sentimental yesterday, it's impossible for it to be like what you said."
Sun Zhengguo looked completely certain. Who was Professor Wu?
What kind of situation haven't I been through? I've survived the toughest times. You think I'm going to do something like this now? Are you kidding me?
"Then explain why he hasn't arrived yet?"
Chen Lianshan's words stunned Sun Zhengguo. He had no choice but to put down his lunchbox and accompany his senior brother Chen, otherwise neither of them would feel at ease doing their work.
Having made their decision, the two didn't hesitate any longer, got on their bicycles, and headed towards the school gate.
At the entrance of Tsinghua University, Professor Wu had just entered the archway on his bicycle when he saw two students rushing out on their bicycles.
Professor Wu was still wondering why these two were riding so fast.
Were they going to put out a fire? But it doesn't seem like it.
"You two, stop right there! What are you doing?"
Hearing someone shout, the two of them noticed that the little old man standing next to the archway was none other than Professor Wu.
The two immediately stopped the car, smiled at each other, and pushed the car to Professor Wu.
"Professor Wu, it's so good to see you're alright. We were worried something had happened to you."
Sun Zhengguo couldn't help but cover his face. This Senior Brother Chen really speaks so directly. Can't you be a little more tactful?
"What could be wrong with me? But I have some good news to share today. Come on, let's go back to the lab and talk."
Professor Wu didn't notice Chen Lianshan's way of speaking; he was currently excited and eager to go back and share the good news with his two beloved students.
The group returned to the laboratory, where Professor Wu looked mysterious.
"Guess why I'm only arriving now?"
Both of them shook their heads at the same time, indicating that they did not know and asked Professor Wu to continue.
"It doesn't matter if I tell you, since you'll all be involved in the work from now on anyway."
"Mr. Wu, has the plan to upgrade the rolling mill been officially approved?"
At this point, even if Sun Zhengguo was stupid, he would have guessed that it must be related to this plan.
"Clever! Hehe!"
"Professor Wu, please sit down and have a cup of tea to warm yourself up."
Seeing the hot tea that Chen Lianshan brought, Professor Wu didn't stand on ceremony and took a sip of the teacup.
Then he sat down and began to preach slowly.
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