Siheyuan: Starting from a Truck Driver

Then, Li Xiaodong explained two defects of GIL 150 and ways to improve them. He seemed a little tired, so he paused.

——I drank too much chicken soup this morning. Now the greasy food is rising up from my stomach, and my throat is uncomfortable with the saltiness.

The veteran drivers who were listening attentively began to feel dissatisfied.

"Expert Li, please tell me about the modification plan for the exhaust and intake manifold."

"As expected of an expert in the automotive field, the method of transformation is really unique and very reasonable when you think about it carefully. It is amazing and admirable."

...

When Li Xiaodong heard his colleagues calling him "experts", he thought it was just compliments among colleagues and did not take it seriously.

After all, his skills have reached expert level, so the praise from his peers is not excessive.

His throat was a little dry, and he couldn't help but cough twice.

Niu Meng was very clever and quickly said with a smile: "Teacher, please wait a moment. I will go get you a cup of hot water."

"Thanks."

Niu Meng took the enamel cup and hurried to the kitchen.

When she reached the door, she saw Li Zheng blocking her way and said impatiently, "Get out of the way! The teacher's time is precious. If you delay teaching, can you bear the consequences?"

Faced with the beautiful woman's scolding, the usually aloof Li Zheng did not get angry but stepped aside awkwardly.

He just smiled bitterly in his heart: "I am also an expert, my last name is Li, why am I treated so differently?"

After drinking some water, his throat felt much better and Li Xiaodong continued teaching.

"Next, I will explain how to strengthen the frame crossbeam of the GIL 150. As we all know, the stronger the chassis, the greater the load-bearing capacity, but you can't just weld a channel steel at will. The truck chassis consists of four parts: the running system, the transmission system, the braking system, and the steering system. Any change will affect the entire system. Therefore, you must be cautious when strengthening the crossbeam.

I have designed a reinforcement plan..."

Li Xiaodong turned around habitually, but unexpectedly found that there was no blackboard behind him.

Oops, this is supposed to be a lounge, not a classroom.

"Sorry, since there is no blackboard or chalk, we will skip this part and continue."

Even Mr. Liu, the chief engineer of Changchun FAW Plant, did not dare to easily modify the truck chassis.

This young engineer actually claimed to have a solution.

How could Li Zheng not be excited?

Li Zheng, who was standing at the door, was about to learn from him. Upon hearing this, he immediately stood up and raised his hand high: "Teacher, I have paper and pen here, you can use them."

Li Xiaodong frowned slightly. He did come up with a plan to reinforce the frame crossbeam, but it would take a lot of time.

I wanted to be lazy, but the young driver in front of me, who was neatly dressed and had a good appearance, obviously lacked eyesight and might be a novice.

Looking at the anxious eyes of the veteran drivers below, he had no choice but to ask Niu Meng to bring paper and pen, and explain while drawing.

"The GZ-150 uses the drive axle layout of the GAZ-33, which has not been mass-produced. The whole vehicle uses a non-through drive axle with five transmission shafts. The main reduction ratio of the drive axle is 6.67. If it is modified, we can..."

After handing over the pen, Li Zheng took out a pencil stub from his canvas bag and planned to write down the key points.

Squatting is really inconvenient and writing is too slow.

He simply sat down on the ground.

...

At this moment, in the logistics department of the steel rolling mill.

"Lao Niu, your fleet's gasoline consumption has exceeded the limit again this month."

"What can I do? When the weather gets cold, trucks become as aggressive as if they were drinking oil. I can't just let the drivers push them."

"Hey, if you can really push the cart, I will definitely apply for additional job subsidies for you."

"You must be kidding. Give me the gas ticket now. Today, the technicians from FAW are going to explain trucks to the drivers. I need to go and listen."

Team leader Niu Yong looked at his watch and his eyes widened instantly: "It's over, it's over, it's almost nine o'clock, Old Guo will definitely blame you for dilly-dallying like a woman."

He reached out and snatched the oil ticket from Director Guo of the Logistics Department, then strode away.

Director Guo looked at the anxious figure, smiled bitterly and shook his head: "This old man is still so hot-tempered. I guess only his sister can control him in the whole factory."

...

"It's too late, too late. I don't know if Niu Meng is ready for the reception. We can't waste the barley wine."

Niu Yong jogged all the way to the door of the lounge, and only felt relieved when he heard the sound of a lecture inside the room.

He was so tired that he was out of breath and breathing heavily. After taking a short rest and adjusting his breathing, he opened the cotton curtain.

As soon as he looked inside, he was stunned.

Who is that person giving a lecture on the stage?

Also, why is expert Mr. Li sitting on the ground?

Niu Yong saw that the experienced students were concentrating on the class and felt embarrassed to disturb them loudly.

He suppressed his curiosity, squatted next to Li Zheng, and gently nudged him with his elbow.

"Mr. Li, you are so generous that you even brought your colleagues along?"

"Be quiet, I'm studying."

Li Zheng was so focused on the blueprint that he didn't even notice there was someone beside him.

At this time, Li Xiaodong had just finished speaking a paragraph and stopped to drink some water to moisten his throat.

Li Zheng finally came back to his senses and clapped his hands in praise, "Great, really outstanding. With such a strengthened chassis, the truck's carrying capacity will be significantly improved. FAW has found a treasure."

Experienced drivers can still understand the previous content about water tank modification.

As for the chassis problem, once cracks appear, just find a welding master to repair it. There are plenty of welders in the steel mill anyway.

Therefore, even the maintenance technicians sitting in the back row were a little confused.

Everyone had a focused look on their faces and clapped when they heard the applause.

What Niu Yong wanted to say was interrupted by the applause. When the applause died down, he seized the opportunity and whispered in Li Zheng's ear:

"Is he from FAW? Isn't he your colleague?"

colleague?

Li Zheng heard it clearly this time. He rubbed his ears and almost dropped his glasses:

"What? Isn't he the engineer you hired from FAW?"

"..."

"..."

The two looked at each other in silence, and at the same time realized that something was wrong, and looked at Li Xiaodong together.

Who is this guy? Is he a spy?

Niu Yong looked at it carefully and narrowed his eyes slightly.

This young man seems familiar, he should be Li Zhen's son.

When Li Zhen was injured, Niu Yong went to visit him on behalf of the motorcade with gifts and also met his son. Although it was only a quick glance, the memory is a little fuzzy.

No, I have to figure this out.

Niu Yong was impatient and was about to stand up to ask, but was stopped by Li Zheng. "Wait a minute, let him finish talking about the engine modification plan first, then you can ask questions."

Originally, Li Xiaodong did not plan to elaborate on the engine because the technology was too complicated for their steel mill and could not be modified at all. But if he gave up halfway, wouldn't he be incompetent? Who would take such a risk?

"The GIS 150 engine with the MKZ-14V carburetor on the ZI 120 has a power of only 90 horsepower. If it can be replaced with a MKZ-K-80B carburetor, the truck's power can be increased to 92 horsepower. In addition, the current gray cast iron cylinder head has a compression ratio of 6. If it is replaced with an aluminum alloy cylinder head with a compression ratio of 6.2, the power will be increased to 104 horsepower."

Li Xiaodong paused at this point. He had to admire the professionalism of truck drivers in this era.

You know, in later times, a 1.5T car had a power of 193 horsepower. In this era, the engine power of a truck was only 100 horsepower. When fully loaded with goods, the entire vehicle weighed more than ten tons, while the weight of a car itself was usually less than two tons. In comparison, it was like a small horse pulling a big cart.

Anyone who has driven a car knows that insufficient horsepower means limited control. Especially on steep roads, if you are not careful, the vehicle may run out of power halfway through. Once a heavy vehicle slides down the slope, the consequences will be disastrous. What you lack in horsepower, you must make up for in courage. Driving on the road is like gambling with your life.

As expected, the experienced drivers knew nothing about engine structure, and they looked confused and empty-eyed as if they had lost hope. They had no idea what terms like compression ratio and aluminum alloy cylinder head meant.

……

What a treasure, an invaluable wealth of knowledge. Li Zheng quickly recorded it in his notebook as if he had discovered a treasure.

FAW is developing a new truck, the prototype of which is the ZIL 150. With these improvements, the performance of the new truck will undoubtedly be taken to a higher level.

I have taught you everything I know, and I hope I have satisfied your curiosity. Li Xiaodong looked at the silent drivers and spread his hands helplessly, "I have finished explaining. Now who can tell me who I should go to when a new employee reports?"

As soon as these words came out, the lounge was filled with gasps. "Hiss..." Li Xiaodong felt that the temperature in the room seemed to have risen a few degrees. Everyone had made a small contribution to global warming.

"New employee? Isn't he Expert Li from FAW?" someone questioned.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible. He knows the Gill 150 like the back of his hand, but he's not an expert. This is a joke." Everyone was talking, among which Li Zheng was the most surprised. The drivers only saw that this guy knew the Gill 150 very well.

As an authority on automobile design, he understood that those modification proposals meant that the other party still had a solid foundation in the field of design.

Well, although he was reluctant to admit it, he had to admire that the man's skills were indeed beyond his.

It’s unbelievable that such a master is actually a novice driver!

Or in other words, have I, a graduate of Beijing University, regressed and become mediocre?

The more Li Zheng thought about it, the more shocked he became. Suddenly, he felt a soreness in his calves.

If Niu Yong hadn't been quick to support him, he would have fallen down.

"Mr. Li, are you okay?"

"It's okay, it's okay. Please ask Comrade Li to come over. I have some questions I want to ask him."

"..."

Ten minutes later, in the team office.

Li Xiaodong sat proudly, while Li Zheng beside him looked anxious.

He whispered: "Brother Wei, you..."

"Don't call me Brother Wei, call me Comrade Xiaodong, we are not familiar with each other yet."

"Yes, Brother Xiaodong, you..."

"Don't talk. Can't you see that girl is being criticized? She has no sense at all."

Li Xiaodong's refusal to cooperate forced Li Zheng to swallow his question.

Niu Yong, who was sitting behind the desk, had a frown on his face, but his brows relaxed slightly at this moment.

"So, you didn't confirm Li Xiaodong's identity and mistook him for an expert, right?"

Niu Meng lowered his head and said nothing, his eyes falling on the floor: "Yeah."

"boom!"

Niu Yong slammed the table and said angrily:

"Look at what you've done. I was away for a while and you caused such a disaster."

"I really didn't mean it." Niu Meng's little face was full of grievance, with tears flashing in her eyes.

"It's not okay even if you didn't mean it. Your lunch today will be four steamed buns." Niu Yong pretended not to see it and said seriously with a straight face.

"Only four buns?"

Niu Meng's little fists clenched instantly, and the veins on his slender neck became prominent.

She raised her head suddenly and moved as fast as lightning, grabbing Niu Yong's collar.

"You said you would only let me eat four steamed buns, right?"

Faced with Niu Yong, who weighed more than 200 kilograms, she pulled him and he was unable to break free.

The originally dark face now turned like a purple eggplant.

"Two more steamed buns, okay..."

Glancing secretly at the stunned Li Xiaodong and Li Zheng, he whispered, "Sister, let go. I'm your leader. Is this appropriate for you? Be careful or I'll tell mom when I get home."

Niu Meng's breathing rose and fell. It took a long time for him to calm down and let go of his hand.

"Don't joke about meals anymore."

After Niu Yong regained his freedom, he adjusted his tie, cleared his throat, and put on a serious look.

"You two, what happened just now was a family matter, don't mind it."

At this time, Li Xiaodong also suddenly realized.

It turns out that the captain of the Black Tower and the cute girl are siblings.

But he didn't expect that the seemingly strong Black Tower was no match for the cute girl.

He witnessed with his own eyes that the black tower was almost lifted up and even the table shook twice.

Niu Meng is so strong that he can lift 200 kilograms with one hand. This is like a little cow riding an airplane.