Chapter 230 Mission
Three days later, in the early morning, Jincheng Railway Station was shrouded in a thin morning mist.
Jiang Haitang was standing on the platform, wearing a navy blue Dacron shirt and carrying a canvas luggage bag.
The roar of a steam locomotive came from the distance, the rails trembled slightly, and the train was about to enter the station.
Lu Liangchen was wearing a neat military green cadre uniform. He was holding Xiao Taozi, who was still rubbing her eyes, in one hand and holding a net bag full of food in the other.
"Mom, are you really leaving?" Little Taozi lay on Lu Liangchen's shoulder, her voice soft and sweet as if she had just woken up, and a little reluctant.
Mom has only been back for a few days, why is she leaving?
Jiang Haitang felt so soft inside that she took her daughter in her arms and kissed her rosy little face again and again.
"Mom will be back soon with a doll that blinks for you. Little Peach, be a good boy and listen to Daddy at home!"
"Okay, Mommy, I'll be good." Little Peach raised a finger, and suddenly seemed to remember something, and took out something wrapped in a handkerchief from her pocket, "This is for Mommy!"
Inside the handkerchief were three little peaches' favorite animal biscuits. Jiang Haitang felt a lump in her throat. How could such a little girl be so popular?
"Mommy's baby, Mommy will miss you."
"Wooo--" The whistle blew long and the green train slowly entered the station, spewing white smoke.
The platform was suddenly filled with noise and passengers carrying large and small bags began to pour in.
Although Jiang Haitang felt reluctant, she still handed her daughter to Lu Liangchen.
Lu Liangchen handed the net bag to Jiang Haitang: "Ten boiled eggs, five scallion pancakes, a can of beef sauce, and five cucumbers. These are all prepared by Master Zhang for you. It's enough to last you all the way to the capital. The old man said that he would make you something delicious when you come back."
"Thank him for me."
Lu Liangchen nodded, paused, and took out a brown paper envelope from his inner pocket. "Here are 20 kilograms of national food coupons and five industrial coupons. You..."
"I don't need that much. Didn't you give me a lot of money?" Jiang Haitang pushed it back. "Besides, the department has arranged everything for us to go out and study."
"A poor family is rich on the road. Even if you don't use it when you go abroad, you might be able to use it when you are in Beijing." Lu Liangchen stuffed it into her bag stubbornly.
"When I get to the capital, I'll take the time to help you visit your family. I'll go see them too..."
Lu Liangchen nodded: "Of course, you should go and accompany Grandpa Jiang, he will be very happy."
The conductor began to blow the whistle to urge them on. Jiang Haitang hurriedly put her things away and finally kissed Xiao Taozi on the cheek.
Lu Liangchen suddenly stepped forward and, while helping her straighten her collar, whispered quickly in her ear, "The factory office can receive international calls every Wednesday. I'll be waiting for your call."
Jiang Haitang immediately understood that this was probably something Lu Liangchen had found a way to apply for.
"Dear passengers, please note that train No. T18 bound for Beijing is about to depart..."
A clear and melodious voice was heard on the radio.
Jiang Haitang boarded the train with her luggage and sat down by the window.
Through the blurry window, she saw Lu Liangchen standing on the platform holding Xiao Taozi, who was waving her hands desperately.
The train started slowly, and Lu Liangchen suddenly ran a few steps and said something with his lips opening and closing.
Jiang Haitang's eyes were sore. She had just set out and she had already started thinking about what to do.
The man and child under the car are her concerns that she can't let go of!
The train accelerated away from the platform, and the outline of Jincheng gradually disappeared in the morning mist.
Jiang Haitang took out a notebook and started writing and drawing on it.
The flight attendant pushed the dining cart past: "Comrade, would you like breakfast? We have porridge and steamed buns."
"Thank you, I brought my own."
After Jiang Haitang thanked the flight attendant with a smile, she planned to take out her breakfast, but she found it difficult to eat.
In the end, she still didn't eat, but continued to write and draw in her notebook, trying to absorb knowledge.
She always has a feeling that she doesn't have enough time and always wants to work harder.
The train passed through the North China Plain, and the scenery outside the window gradually changed from continuous wheat fields to rolling hills.
Jiang Haitang sat by the window, the pencil in her hand rustling on the notebook. Sometimes she frowned in thought, and sometimes she quickly sketched a few strokes, leaving smooth lines on the paper with the tip of the pen.
Suddenly, a light cough was heard from the seat opposite.
Jiang Haitang looked up and saw a woman in her early fifties looking at her.
The lesbian wore old-fashioned black-framed glasses. Behind the lenses were a pair of sharp yet gentle eyes. There were a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes, but that did not diminish her brilliance at all.
She was wearing a washed-out navy blue Lenin suit with a small badge on her chest, and she exuded a capable and calm temperament.
"Comrade, your drawing of the bearing improvement is very good." The female comrade pushed her glasses, her voice gentle but with a professionalism that could not be ignored.
She pointed to a certain part of the drawing. Jiang Haitang noticed that her fingers were long, with distinct knuckles and neatly trimmed nails, but with some signs of wear and tear, which were the result of years of dealing with machinery.
Jiang Haitang didn't expect that there was an expert sitting opposite her. She smiled and looked at the female comrade opposite her.
Jiang Haitang's eyes lit up, and he immediately put down his pen, leaned forward slightly, and asked, "Do you know mechanical design?"
"Chen Yuru, Technical Department of the Ministry of Industry." The female comrade stretched out her hand, revealing an old Shanghai watch on her wrist. The strap was a little worn, but it still kept accurate time.
Her handshake was firm and warm, and her palms were lightly callused, clearly a doer.
Jiang Haitang quickly introduced herself: "Hello, I'm Jiang Haitang from Jincheng Textile Factory."
Her voice was filled with unconcealed excitement. "It's an honor to be in the same car with you."
"Are you planning to improve the imported winding machine bearings?" Chen Yuru asked after looking at the drawings for a few seconds.
"The bearings on our factory's imported winding machines keep having problems, and I've been trying to find ways to improve them... We recently set up a special team to improve these machines to avoid being controlled by others."
"The tolerance of the bearing seat is deliberately enlarged by 0.1 mm." Chen Yuru took over the conversation with a firm tone.
"How did you know?" Jiang Haitang was very surprised.
"We receive similar reports every year. This is a problem artificially created by foreigners. I didn't expect your factory to have already started preparing to improve the equipment."
"Every time I'm controlled by others, I have to pay huge amounts of foreign exchange. I really can't bear it!"
"Yes, who would be willing to accept this? But at present, our capabilities and level are still lacking. Comrade Haitang, I also have some experience in this area. What is the current level of your research? Perhaps I can also contribute to your research."
Chen Yuru spoke clearly and logically, and from time to time she would quickly write down a few formulas or data on paper with a pen, her handwriting strong and powerful.
She looked at the vernier caliper Jiang Haitang had made, her eyes showing admiration: "It's very finely crafted, and you can tell a lot of effort went into it."
"I like this!" Jiang Haitang kept smiling.
Suddenly, Chen Yuru lowered her voice and said, "Xiao Jiang, how is your English?"
Jiang Haitang was a little embarrassed: "There is no problem in this regard. I also work part-time as a translator for our factory's Canton Fair."
"Oh, I was wondering why your name sounded so familiar. I finally remembered it. Are you going to meet up with Vice Minister Zhou?" Chen Yuru said with sudden realization. Obviously, she also knew Jiang Haitang.
Jiang Haitang didn't expect that Chen Yuru actually knew her. She subconsciously touched the hair behind her ears and felt a little embarrassed.
"I thought there were many such outstanding young comrades now, but it turns out I was overthinking it. You are an extremely outstanding comrade. Not only are you capable in research, but you are also a helpful comrade."
"I have heard many stories about you..."
The two of them got along better and better as they talked, and soon it was time for dinner. Chen Yuru insisted on treating Jiang Haitang to a meal.
Jiang Haitang couldn't refuse, so she had to accept it. The two continued chatting while eating.
"There's also a precision machinery seminar when you go to Country D. I have an invitation. You can go and take a look."
"This is an invitation for you. Why don't you go yourself?"
"I'm injured and can't stand the long journey." Chen Yuru said, patting her thigh.
"Is it serious?"
"I can basically take care of myself, but going abroad is not an easy thing. I've suffered a lot along the way. Plus, going to Country D inevitably involves many inconveniences. Meeting you today is just a coincidence, and it can be considered your opportunity."
After hearing what Chen Yuru said, Jiang Haitang stopped refusing. She took the invitation letter with her fingers trembling slightly.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down, but the gleam in her eyes still revealed her inner excitement.
"Your team leader this time is Vice Minister Zhou, a very professional person." Chen Yuru's voice was gentle but firm. "If you have the opportunity along the way, you can ask Vice Minister Zhou for advice. It will be of great benefit to your future development."
Seeing that the water cup in front of Chen Yuru was empty, Jiang Haitang took the initiative to help Chen Yuru get some water. When she returned to her seat, she saw Chen Yuru took out a bag of sesame candy.
The unique sweet smell of sesame candy diffuses in the air.
"People get tired on the train, try this."
Jiang Haitang broke off a piece. The sweet and crispy taste reminded her of the biscuits that Xiao Taozi had stuffed into her mouth before she left. The corners of her mouth unconsciously raised in a gentle arc.
"Are you married?"
"Why do you ask this suddenly?"
"The smile on your lips just now was very warm. It was because you missed your children. But you are too young!" Chen Yuru explained with a smile.
"Are you thinking about your children?"
Chen Yuru smiled faintly, with a hint of nostalgia in her eyes.
She took out a slightly yellowed photo from her inner pocket, her movements gentle, as if she was treating a treasure.
In the photo, a young girl in military uniform is standing next to a loom, with a "Technical Model" medal pinned on her chest and a bright smile on her face.
"My girl is working in the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps on agricultural machinery transformation. I haven't seen her for two years." She stroked the photo, her voice filled with pride and a barely perceptible choke.
The train passed through the tunnel. In the flickering light and shadow, Jiang Haitang saw tears flashing in Chen Yuru's eyes.
At this moment, she seemed to see her future self, also working hard for her career and also worried about her children.
"I believe your daughter will become as outstanding as you in the future."
"As long as she makes the effort, I'll be proud of her."
"I'm not married yet, but I've adopted a daughter who's four years old now. She's very cute, and her father is a martyr."
Jiang Haitang also began to talk about her little peach.
Two mothers from different times and ages, yet at this moment, they have a rare intersection in their lives.
At this moment, Jiang Haitang suddenly realized that they were continuing the dreams and mission of generations of Chinese industrialists.
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