Chapter 156 Designing the First Generation of Firearms
Deputy Director Liu took the letter and certificate, and after a careful look, his expression immediately softened, even showing a slight smile: "Oh dear, it's Technician Xu. Look at this mess, it's all a misunderstanding."
"Director Zhou was saying the other day that you should come. I've been looking forward to your design sketches."
He turned his head, his face darkening, and criticized the woman: "Xiao Huang, what's wrong with you? This Comrade Xu Zhili is a specially hired technical consultant in the factory. Her letter of introduction and work permit are in order. Why aren't you at your post? Why are you blocking people at the door? Hurry up and apologize to Comrade Xu."
The woman's face turned pale and then red. Under Director Zhang's stern gaze, she reluctantly muttered to Xu Zhili, "...I'm sorry."
Xu Zhili didn't want to get entangled with her any longer. She simply nodded and said to Director Zhang, "It's alright. It's good that things have been clarified. I hope there won't be any more misunderstandings next time we come. It wouldn't be good if it delayed the factory's business."
"No, no, this way please. Director Zhou is in his office."
Deputy Director Liu quickly led the way.
The woman surnamed Huang was left standing there, watching Xu Zhili's departing figure, her eyes filled with resentment and bitterness, and she bit her lip tightly.
Upon arriving at Director Zhou's office, Xu Zhili spread out her meticulously drawn blueprints on the desk.
"Director Zhou, I've given some thought to the question you raised last time about reducing the weight of agricultural machinery and improving its flexibility."
"This is a preliminary structural drawing of a lightweight tractor I envisioned. Please take a look and see if it's feasible."
Factory Director Zhou bent down, looking at the clear lines, standard markings, and detailed component analysis on the blueprints. Although some of the technologies involved were quite advanced, he found it a bit difficult to understand.
However, he listened attentively as Xu Zhili explained the design concept, key innovations, and expected performance, while occasionally asking questions.
Finally, he straightened up, his eyes filled with admiration and a hint of amazement, and patted Xu's shoulder, saying, "Young Xu, you are a promising young man."
"How did you come up with that idea? It's very bold and novel."
"Although there will definitely be many difficulties in the actual implementation, and the technology and processes are all challenges, this direction is very good. The factory will support you, so be bold and give it a try!"
With Director Zhou's explicit support, Xu Zhili felt more at ease and her enthusiasm increased.
In the following days, Xu Zhili spent her time in the technical department and workshop of the machinery factory, communicating with experienced workers and technicians about the details.
At first, when the workers saw this overly young and beautiful educated youth produce such a complex design, most of them looked at her with suspicion and disdain.
"Little girl, this tractor isn't something you can just draw on. Do you really understand what it is?"
An experienced craftsman, a cigarette dangling from his lips, squinted as he examined the blueprints and her.
But Xu Zhili did not back down. She patiently explained the considerations, principles and expected effects of each design step in language that everyone could understand. She also responded to the questions one by one with solid theoretical knowledge and clear logic.
Gradually, several master craftsmen and technical backbones were convinced by her ingenious ideas in her drawings and her insightful conversation.
They recognized her abilities and even privately expressed their willingness to use their spare time to help her process some critical parts that had high requirements and were difficult to manufacture.
With the matter temporarily settled, Xu Zhili rode her old bicycle back along the winding village road where dust flew everywhere.
The setting sun bathed the fields in gold, and in the distance, she saw a tall, familiar figure walking towards the main group, backlit by the sun.
Xu Zhili subconsciously squeezed the car brake, slowed down, and tentatively called out, "Xie Yunce?"
Hearing the shout, the figure paused, then slowly turned around.
It was indeed Xie Yunze. He was wearing a crisp military uniform, and his face looked even more rugged in the afterglow. His deep eyes looked at Xu Zhili, and a hint of barely perceptible surprise flashed in them.
"Comrade Xu Zhili." His voice was deep and powerful, standing out clearly in the quiet environment.
Xu Zhili slowly approached, pushing her bicycle, her heart involuntarily quickening its pace.
The two stood facing each other, both silent for a moment, a subtle atmosphere filling the air.
After a moment, Xu Zhili broke the silence, smiling as she asked, "What are you doing here? Are you passing by on your way back to Xiangyang Brigade?"
Xie Yunze nodded slightly, his gaze not leaving her face. "Yes, I had some things to take care of here. I'm about to go back to the unit after I'm done."
His gaze fell on Xu Zhili's bicycle. "Where did you just come from?"
Xu Zhili brushed a stray hair behind her ear. "I went to the city to take care of some things and I'm heading back to the village now."
A gentle breeze blew by, ruffling Xu Zhili's hair. Xie Yunze unconsciously raised his hand, wanting to tuck her hair behind her ear, but halfway through, he seemed to remember something and awkwardly withdrew his hand.
Xu Zhili noticed this small gesture, her face flushed slightly, and the atmosphere between the two became somewhat romantic.
A few bird calls broke the brief silence in the distance.
Xie Yunze cleared his throat and said, "It's getting late. Be careful riding your bike home alone."
Xu Zhili nodded, "Yes, you too, be careful on your way back to the unit."
Just as the two were about to turn and leave, Xu Zhili suddenly called out to Xie Yunce: "Xie Yunce, I have something important to give you. You can take it and report it to your superiors."
Based on his years of accumulated knowledge and experience, the design of this gun is truly exquisite.
The gun has smooth lines, and while ensuring accuracy and stability, it also seems to take into account portability and concealment.
Xie Yunze frowned slightly, a hint of surprise and delight flashing in his eyes. He looked up at Xu Zhili and asked, "Did you design this?"
Xu Zhili nodded slightly, a hint of anticipation in her eyes. "Yes, I consulted some materials and combined them with the current technological conditions to design this gun."
"It uses a new rifling structure, which can improve the muzzle velocity and shooting accuracy of the bullet, and the materials are chosen to be as lightweight and durable as possible."
Xie Yunze lowered his head again to examine the blueprint carefully, his fingers unconsciously tracing the lines, as if he could see the gun taking shape in his mind.
"Theoretically speaking, this design can indeed improve performance significantly, but in reality, it will likely face many challenges in manufacturing it."
He frowned slightly, his expression serious.
Xu Zhili had anticipated this and quickly said, "I know, that's why I wanted to hear your opinion. You've handled a lot of guns in the military, so you must have a better understanding of their actual use. I hope we can improve upon the existing technology and strive to manufacture it."
Xie Yunze pondered for a moment, then pointed to several details on the blueprint and said, "The firing mechanism here can be further optimized, otherwise it may jam."
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