Professor Zhang, who studies crops, could only see the function of the machinery, but didn't understand much else. Looking at the machine, which was very different from the previous blueprint, Professor Zhang asked Chen Ke, "I see that this machine has wheels, but the harvester from last time didn't seem to have them."
Chen Ke explained, "Because the last one was designed to be used with a 12-horsepower walking tractor, I later considered that there are many places without tractors, so I designed the seeder to be self-loading. If you install the tumbling blades, it can also plow the land."
"Really? That would be incredibly useful! In many places, tilling the land is still done manually, which is inefficient and doesn't boost productivity. If these machines could be installed in plains planting areas, productivity would definitely increase significantly!"
With the food problem looming, Professor Zhang was incredibly excited at the thought that this machine could improve productivity and alleviate the pressure on food supplies.
Shi Ruzhong is a mechanical expert who is more concerned with the machinery itself.
He stared intently at it for so long, and without a doubt, this seeder design drawing was just as flawless as the grain harvester design drawing, both in terms of the drawings and the precise data. If Chen Ke had designed both entirely independently…
That young man certainly has reason to be proud.
Shi Ruzhong disliked people who boasted, but he never minded the arrogance of young people.
He looked up at Chen Ke and said, "Chen Ke, I've noticed that almost all of your designs are agricultural machinery. Is it because you're interested in this area, or is there some other reason?"
After hearing Shi Ruzhong's question, everyone else looked at Chen Ke with curiosity. Logically speaking, if this young man is really a genius in mechanical design, then he should actually develop in heavy machinery, such as designing machine tools and large industrial machines. After all, these are the "hot topics" now and can attract more attention.
Chen Ke paused for a moment, then replied, word by word, "Because I don't want to go hungry."
······
Everyone fell silent.
Not wanting to go hungry—such a simple reason.
But this is also the most serious problem they are facing now.
Shi Ruzhong sighed and slowly said, "The country is like a newborn, with everything in need of rebuilding. The covetous eyes of the Western powers have forced us to accelerate the development of industrial technology, which has brought about tremendous changes in the technological structure of the country and society."
But for a country with a vast territory and nearly 400 million people, its largest region—the countryside—remains economically and culturally dormant.
The cacophony of the new era hadn't yet reached there, and our technology wasn't yet sufficient to keep pace with agricultural development.
But it's not that no one is paying attention. National leaders are paying attention, scientific researchers are paying attention, and now it seems that even our frontline workers are paying attention.
"Chen Ke, I am now formally inviting you to work at the research institute, specializing in research on agricultural machinery production technology."
As soon as Shi Ruzhong finished speaking, the room fell so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone looked hopefully at Chen Ke, waiting for the young man's answer.
Chen Ke looked back at Shi Ruzhong with unwavering determination, his voice steady and powerful, "I do!"
·······
"Great! Chen Ke, I have high hopes for you. You will definitely shine in this field!" Professor Jiang's eyes were red with excitement as he patted Chen Ke's shoulder, his eyes full of encouragement and expectation.
"Chen Ke, welcome to our research institute. I am really looking forward to the day when your machines will be put into use. You don't know how hard it is for farmers." Professor Zhang was an emotional person, and he choked up as he spoke. "They toil in the fields their whole lives, and in the end... they may not even be able to fill their own stomachs."
"I will do my best and give it my all."
That difficult period is etched in history, and Chen Ke suddenly wanted to add a light touch to that rich tapestry.
With those respectable and lovable people.
——
After the matter of going to the research institute was settled, it also solved a major problem for Chen Ke's future development. When he passed by the state-run restaurant, he wanted to buy some food to celebrate, but the restaurant had already closed because it was out of stock.
Helpless, Chen Ke could only try his luck at the textile factory canteen. He heard that the transport team had brought back a lot of mountain products, and he wondered if he could buy some. If he could, he should also send something to Professor Jiang and Professor Zhang as a token of his appreciation. Without them, he wouldn't have been able to enter the research institute so quickly.
It was almost lunchtime when Chen Ke arrived. He quickened his pace toward the cafeteria, but bumped into Gao Jin, who was carrying a lunchbox, talking to Zhou Qi next to him.
Gao Jin looked smug, and was just about to mock Zhou Qi for his poor eyesight when he saw Chen Ke walking towards him. He immediately looked delighted and said, "Haha, speak of the devil! Chen Ke, weren't you off today? What brings you to the factory?"
Chen Ke asked in confusion, "How did Officer Gao know I was off today?"
“I just went to the textile workshop to look for you. Your workshop director told me about it.”
"Did Officer Gao want to see me about something?"
Officer Gao smiled knowingly, "Section Chief Chen, that's not very interesting. Why keep such a great thing a secret?"
“Hey Chen Ke, why didn’t you share this great news with us? We were colleagues at the same factory, and even though we won’t be working in the same place anymore, we can still keep in touch.” Zhou Qi said as he walked over.
Chen Ke raised an eyebrow. Had this matter already reached the factory so quickly?
Upon seeing this, Gao Jin explained, "We only found out because the research institute called to ask for your work and family information. Chairman Feng told me to come and inform you immediately, only to find out that you were off today. My goodness, Chen Ke, you're going to do research on eyes? So you'll be a researcher from now on?" Gao Jin's shocked and surprised expression made it seem as if he himself was going to the research institute.
Zhou Qi felt a pang of emotion. Although both of them worked at the textile factory, they had only met for the first time two months ago when they were repairing the radio. At that time, Chen Ke was just a textile worker whose clothes were faded from washing. He even had a grudge against Director Feng for giving him a spot in the night school.
As a result, he was about to go to work at the research institute, while he was still worrying about that spot. It's really ironic how fate works. Comparison is the thief of joy.
The more Zhou Qi thought about it, the more difficult it became to smile. He quickly made an excuse to leave. The current Chen Ke was no longer someone who could show his displeasure to others.
Gao Jin watched Zhou Qi's departing figure and curled his lip. "Ignore him. He's just jealous. All his hard work can't compete with his amazing talent."
"Everyone has their own aspirations."
"That's right. Hey, I haven't congratulated you yet. I thought you were smart from the beginning, and it turns out you're really smart. Even the research institute specifically requested you. My goodness, you must be a genius."
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