Chapter 299 055 Going into the Water

Author: September Sauce

Chapter 299 055 into the water

"The Zumwalt launch plan has been delayed, and major problems may arise in various technologies."

A few days later, the release of this news surprised everyone who paid attention to 055 and Zumwalt.

After all, in the eyes of most people, the Zumwalt project represents the most advanced technology, the highest quality project management, the most sufficient resources and the largest talent team in the world.

How could such a project be delayed due to technical problems?

It doesn't sound that believable.

To talk about delays, it should be the 055 delay - but the blame lies here. Not only was the 055 project not delayed, but it was abnormally announced that it would be launched in mid-November.

When is mid-November?

It’s already November 10th.

As early as the next day, or as late as 10 days later, this legendary 10,000-ton ship will be ready for real use.

Most people still have good intentions and want to see what improvements this ship has compared to the previous generation destroyer.

But it is undeniable that not all expectations are well-intentioned.

There are also some people, the reason why they continue to pay attention to the progress is to wait until the day it is launched, to watch China's jokes, and to humiliate 055 with Zumwalt's technology and strength.

But unfortunately, their expectations were dashed.

It can't even be made, how can it be better than a hammer?

At least in terms of speed, the United States has already lost one round.

However, those people with bad intentions did not give up because of this. In their eyes, cheap products are not good products, and fast products are not good products. Anyway, as long as it is related to China, there is definitely no good product.

Therefore, during the period when 055 was about to be launched, the negative news about it almost reached its peak.

But even Li Xiang was too lazy to deal with these public opinions.

Because he knew that within a few days, all these people's faces would be swollen from being slapped.

Jiangnan Shipyard.

Wen Xingdong sat in his office with a rare serious look on his face, carefully checking the report in front of him.

"Have all checks been completed? How is the situation?"

Opposite him, the assistant engineer nodded and replied:

"The structure, equipment, and center of gravity balance have been completed, and most of the material inspection has been completed. The basic fire-fighting and life-saving equipment is currently complete. Some living equipment has not yet been put on the ship. It is estimated that it will be completed within the next two days."

"After the material inspection is completed, all inspection work will be completed and you can sign at that time."

Wen Xingdong hummed and continued to ask:

"Have you contacted Mr. Ma yet? We agreed before that he would come over again to do a full electrical equipment test. When does he plan to come over?"

"Mr. Ma will arrive tomorrow morning - but in fact, we have already completed the test under his remote guidance, and no problems were found."

"It's different. After all, Mr. Ma is the first person in charge of the integrated power system. This is also the first time this system has been used on a combat ship. If he doesn't come, we won't worry, and he won't worry either."

"There are still 4 days left. There is still time. If problems are found, we can just push it back a day or two."

"Understood, I'll set up a backup schedule first."

As he spoke, the assistant silently wrote a date of "November 17th" in his notebook, but he had a strong premonition in his heart:

This date must be useless. There is no way anything could go wrong with the ship before it is launched.

Because all possible pitfalls have been eliminated a few months ago.

The rest of the time is just a matter of sprinting forward.

——

There is still room for a sprint.

This feeling is like that of a 5,000-meter long-distance runner who suddenly discovers that the track is only 4,000 meters away. The finish line is almost here before his physical strength is exhausted to the limit.

How could one still fall under such circumstances?

The caution now is just to strictly implement the process regulations.

He raised his head again and looked at Wen Xingdong behind the desk. After noticing the tired look on his face, he said:

"Mr. Wen, please get off work early today."

"The rest of the work does not require your presence to direct it."

"In the past few days, I suggest you take a good rest and replenish your energy."

"After all, the 15th is a big day. It will be broadcast live across the country, and many overseas media will also broadcast it."

"As the chief engineer, you must keep your mental state in good shape, otherwise, if they catch a bad shot, they will definitely make a big fuss."

Hearing the assistant's words, Wen Xingdong nodded solemnly.

This may seem like a small thing, but based on past experience, it’s actually not that small.

Those media will indeed deliberately vilify the image of Chinese scientific researchers and leaders in their reports. To this day, they even force many military spokespersons to undergo strict training to control their blinking frequency before taking the stage.

——

Of course, for Wen Xingdong, the requirements are not that exaggerated.

But with his current clothes, sunken eye sockets and disheveled hair, there is absolutely no way he can go out to meet people.

At least I need to get a haircut, get some sleep, and tidy myself up.

Therefore, the assistant's suggestion can be said to be very pertinent, and Wen Xingdong did not refuse it.

He lowered his head and glanced at his watch. It was already four o'clock in the afternoon. Wen Xingdong packed up his things and walked out of the office. He announced to everyone who was still working that he would leave work early and let everyone who did not have urgent work at hand go back to rest.

Everyone cheered, but their excitement was not because of "getting off work", but because when Wen Xingdong said the words "you can rest", it only meant one thing:

The inspection results were all normal, and the final sprint on No. 055 was also normal.

Someone stood up excitedly and asked Wen Xingdong:

"Mr. Wen, is the time still changing? It's definitely the 15th, right?"

Wen Xingdong nodded and replied:

"I'm not sure. How can such a thing be certain? Don't ask, just do your job and just wait. Why are you so anxious about having a baby?"

The people around burst into laughter, and then someone asked:

"Mr. Wen, what should I wear on the 15th? Is there a unified standard?"

The person who asked the question was a technician with a non-military background. Unlike others, he could not wear a military uniform directly, but if he wore a suit, he felt something was wrong, so he asked directly while Wen Xingdong was there.

This question really stumped Wen Xingdong. He hesitated for a few seconds and finally answered:

"Suits are OK, Mao suits are OK, and factory uniforms are OK. There is no need for too much red tape. Just make sure you have a good image."

"I don't want anyone to be photographed by foreign media wearing casual clothes on the 15th, do you understand?"

"Understood!"

Everyone answered one after another, Wen Xingdong explained a few more words, turned around and walked out of the office.

He was really tired and really needed to rest.

But not many people followed him out of the office.

Halfway there, he suddenly felt something in his heart.

Looking back, what came into view was a picture that was incompatible with what they were discussing.

The room is filled with piles of drawings and books. It is messy and retro. If a new person comes in, they might even think that this is the office of a publishing house.

The old man who spoke incomprehensible Shanghainese was lying on the table using a pencil and a T-square to draw paper. Young people who had returned from studying abroad were watching and interjecting a few words from time to time. English, Chinese and Shanghainese were mixed together.

People who participated in the discussion from the beginning probably sounded like a bible.

Most people still drink from cans and bottles, and there are enamel rice bowls and plastic lunch boxes on the table, which also contain half of the fried dough sticks that were not finished in the morning or at noon.

On the broken sofa covered with gray cotton cloth, two technicians who had been busy all day were reclining and resting. When they moved their bodies slightly, the springs creaked.

There are two books placed under the desk in the corner under the window sill on the right, with "Dune" written on the cover.

There are potted flowers placed on the terrazzo windowsill, but at this season, they have completely withered and it is impossible to tell what they are.

This is where 055 was born.

It was in such a simple and even crude environment that these people designed the most advanced warship in the world.

——

Of course, it is undeniable that Spark, and the man behind Spark, played a huge role in this process.

But without the people in this office, 055 Drive would only be a castle in the air.
To be continued...