Chapter 112: Choosing the Grand Master

Minister Zhang nodded, expressing his full agreement with Yang Hui’s words. Many of the subprojects in the new aircraft were indeed highly innovative designs, and in the years to come those technologies would surely become a precious store of technical wealth. For an aircraft research and manufacturing institute, they were truly valuable assets; with such gains to be made, even working for nothing would seem worthwhile.

He lifted his cup and said, “Good. If you can think this way, with such long-term vision, then you’ll surely rise from the mountains someday and soar into the sky. But for now, I ought to thank all of you. Come, let’s have a drink.”

Yang Hui hurriedly picked up his cup. The two of them clinked glasses, and Yang Hui naturally drained his in one gulp. At this point, Director Yu’s words had indeed come true: for the sake of the base, Yang Hui had practically surrendered his stomach.

Seeing that Yang Hui had finished the entire cup, Director Zhang could not help but sigh. “After all, you’re young. You really do have the capital to drink. These days, I’m no longer up to it.”

As he spoke, he looked at the remaining half-cup of liquor, then could only shake his head helplessly. He was reminded of how much he had once been able to hold in his younger years; now, well... he had no choice but to admit that age had the last word.

Having finished his drink, Yang Hui heard Minister Zhang lamenting the passage of time. He did not quite know how to answer. After all, he had come back to youth in this era; it would have been awkward to join Director Zhang in such wistful reflections, even though he understood exactly how the older man felt.

So he could only speak of the advantages of being older: “Not at all. Minister Zhang is experienced and steady. As for me, I’m the classic case of a beardless youth who cannot be trusted with serious business. Wherever I go, people tend to judge me by first impressions. In our line of work, whether you’re twenty or thirty, you’re hardly more than a schoolboy. In aviation, experience really does have to be accumulated over time.”

Hearing Yang Hui say this, Minister Zhang shook his head, then nodded again.

“How should I put this? The fact that you can say something like that already shows that you’ve moved beyond the stage of being twenty or thirty. At the very least, your thinking has already escaped the flaw most people in their twenties still have: excessive confidence. Since your mindset has reached a certain level, you’re already different from others your age. At the very least, you already occupy a very important place in the minds of the leaders at your base. The fact that you were chosen to give the presentation is proof enough.”

Only then did Yang Hui suddenly understand. After arriving in this time and place, he had been trying too hard to be a qualified peer, while also wanting to accomplish something great. Clearly, that would not do. He had already shown so many differences, and the base leaders had all recognized him. So why worry about so much else? He might as well simply be his true self.

Once he understood that, Yang Hui felt a great weight lift from his heart.

“Minister Zhang makes excellent sense. I’ve learned a great deal today. From now on, I’ll keep doing my own work well and stop overthinking things.”

Minister Zhang listened, then gave a noncommittal nod. “Good. Then I’ll head over first. Carry on, and see you tomorrow.”

With that, Minister Zhang left to the side. As for seeing each other tomorrow, that was only natural. The beginning of the new aircraft was far more than merely presenting the proposal; follow-up matters would still need to be discussed. Only if the preliminary work was done well could the formal development work proceed smoothly afterward.

The reception would naturally not last too long. After such a long evening, once the courtesy had been shown, everyone could disperse. A large crowd came out, and one could vaguely tell that they had split into several groups, presumably according to their work units. The only unusual thing was that Yang Hui had once again wound up walking with Prince Sultan, and now it was Yang Hui’s turn to make his presence felt.

Prince Sultan glanced at the people from the foreign affairs office beside him, still somewhat shaken.

“Yang, you people are just as hospitable as we are in Saudi Arabia. I can see that clearly. Only a people like yours can win our friendship. I believe our future cooperation will surely go smoothly. If anything comes up, just inform us promptly. As for funding, we can solve that in many different ways. Among friends, anything can be discussed.”

Well, it looked as if the foreign affairs department had done quite well today after all. Most importantly, they had used their strength in the right place. No, this had to be praised properly. In the blink of an eye, Yang Hui had showered the foreign affairs department with praise from top to bottom.

“Yes, yes, Your Highness. All outstanding peoples share one virtue: hospitality. In that respect, we are indeed the same. So I must ask you to take good care of our project as well. As for Saudi Arabia’s needs, we will certainly handle them properly.”

After seeing the foreign representatives off to their cars, the most important matter of the day was finally complete. Yang Hui let out a long breath, then requested leave from the institute director and returned to the compound with Director Yang and Yang Yue. They had been back in the Imperial Capital for quite some time now, and it was time to return to the compound for a proper night’s sleep. With the project situation looking so favorable today, he could sleep soundly at last.

Along the way, Director Yang also expressed his satisfaction with Yang Hui’s performance that day. At such a young age, Yang Hui had already achieved this much; in the years to come, he was indeed capable of great things.

“Xiaohui, you’re very good now. I’m quite optimistic about you. Over the next few years, I can still help support you a little within the Imperial Capital Science Commission, but in a few years I’ll be stepping down too. By then, it will be up to you all yourselves. You must seize this project opportunity.”

Seize the opportunity? Yang Hui certainly intended to do exactly that. By now, if there was no opportunity, he would create one. The new trainer aircraft itself had been an opportunity he had actively created.

“Of course. I had already set my sights on this project back in university, on the aerodynamic layout. Now that I finally have the chance to realize it, I’ll definitely make the most of it. Even if there is no opportunity later, I’ll create one. Please rest assured.”

After a night’s sleep, Yang Hui rose early as always. Together with Director Yang and Yang Yue, he headed once again to yesterday’s conference venue. Today they would discuss the specifics of project cooperation, as well as development matters and funding arrangements.

There was no need for Yang Hui to give a presentation anymore. Now that all the parties were seated in the meeting room, the key figures gathered to make arrangements. Nothing else needed to be said first; the first matter was to decide on the chief designer.

Marshal Nie had not really needed to come today, but after some consideration he had still shown up. His presence was meant to reduce the wrangling as effectively as possible.

Marshal Nie had overseen the two major strategic projects himself, so he understood that a project first needed a leader.

“All right, now that the project is settled, let’s discuss who will be in charge of the two main systems: the aircraft itself and the engine. Everyone, let’s hear your thoughts.”

The matter of recommending a person was naturally one on which the people from the base had the most say. When it came to the chief person responsible for the airframe, there was no doubt that it had to be Chief Designer Yu. Yu was already the chief designer of the old J-7 trainer, and having him continue as chief designer of the new trainer was the consensus choice.

The director of the Yunma Plant spoke first. “I think it would be best to let Chief Designer Yu continue as the chief designer of the airframe. Right now, there’s no one at our base more suitable for this position than he is.”

As soon as he said that, everyone at the base voiced their agreement. There was absolutely no objection. Even Chief Designer Yu himself did not make a token refusal, because there was no need. In any case, as the Yunma Plant director had said, no one at the base was more suitable for the role than Chief Designer Yu.

Seeing that Base 0011, the development side, was unanimously recommending Yu Ximing for the position, Marshal Nie weighed the matter from all angles and, after considering various factors, finally stated that he agreed in principle.

“Very well. Since everyone says so, I have nothing more to add. I agree in principle that Comrade Yu Ximing should serve as chief airframe designer for this project. Now let us consider the chief designer for the engine.”

Since the chief airframe designer was already the veteran leader from the first institute, the engine side was naturally easier to arrange as well. There were few factories involved in engine production, and right now the director of the Liyang Plant was the most approachable person to make a recommendation. Yet Director Liu kept silent for a long time.

Seeing this, Chief Designer Yu stepped forward. “I recommend Comrade Bai Kang as chief designer of the new engine. He has worked with me all along, and ever since the base was established he has served as the head of the Second Institute. He is also a capable organizer of technical work, and I believe he is well suited to be the chief designer of the new engine.”

Hearing that he was being recommended for the new engine’s chief designer position, Director Bai no longer hesitated.

“No, I personally do not intend to take this position. In our Second Institute, there is a more suitable candidate. He has rich experience and excellent technical ability as well. I believe there will be absolutely no problem if he takes on the role of chief designer.”

What was going on? Director Bai had declined the position, and there was someone in the Second Institute even more suitable than he was? It seemed the Second Institute was about to produce another talent.

Why use the word “another”? Because Yang Hui was already in front. If the Second Institute was producing yet another gifted person, then naturally the word “another” fit perfectly.