Spark

"Zumwalt's launching plan has been delayed, and various technologies may have major problems."

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

After all, in the eyes of most people, the Zumwalt project represents the most advanced technology, the best 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?

Not as believable as it sounds.

If we talk about the delay, it should also be the 055 delay—but the blame is here. Not only is the 055 project not delayed, but it is abnormally announced that it will be launched in mid-November.

When is mid-November?

It's now November 10th.

The next day at the earliest, and 10 days at the latest, this legendary 10,000-ton giant ship will see its true chapter.

Most people still have good faith expectations and want to see how this ship has improved compared to the previous generation of destroyers.

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 of launching, to watch Huaxia's jokes, and to humiliate 055 with Zumwalt's technology and strength.

But unfortunately, their expectations fell through.

You can't even make it, so it's better than a hammer?

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

However, those malicious people did not admit defeat because of this. In their eyes, there is no good product if it is cheap, and there is no good product if it is fast. 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 is too lazy to deal with these public opinions.

Because he knew that within a few days, the faces of these people would all be swollen.

Jiangnan Shipyard.

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

"Have all the checks been done? What's the status?"

Opposite him, the assistant engineer nodded and replied:

"The structure, equipment, and balance of the center of gravity have all been completed, and most of the material inspections have been completed. At present, the basic fire-fighting and life-saving equipment is complete. Some living equipment has not yet boarded the ship. It is estimated that it will be completed in the next two days."

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

Wen Xingdong hummed, and continued to ask:

"Have you got in touch with Mr. Ma? It was agreed to let him come over again to do a full electric equipment test. When does he plan to come?"

"Mr. Ma will arrive tomorrow morning—but in fact, we have already finished testing under his remote guidance, and no problems have been found."

"It's different. After all, Mr. Ma is the first person in charge of the integrated power system. This is the first time this system has been applied to a combat ship. If he doesn't come, we don't worry about it, and he won't worry about it himself."

"There are still 4 days left. If there is time, if you find a problem, you can push it back for a day or two."

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

While talking, the assistant silently wrote down a date of "November 17" in his notebook, but he had a strong premonition in his heart:

There must be no use for this date, and nothing could possibly go wrong with the ship before it was launched.

Because, all possible pitfalls have been ruled out a few months ago.

The rest of the time is just sprinting forward.

——

There is still room for a sprint.

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

Under such circumstances, how could it be possible to still wrestle?

The current prudence is nothing more than strictly implementing the process regulations.

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

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

"The rest of the work doesn't need you to be there personally to direct."

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

"After all, the 15th is a big day, and it will be broadcast live nationwide, and many foreign media will also broadcast it."

"As the chief engineer, you must ensure a good mental outlook, otherwise, if they catch bad shots, they will definitely make a big fuss."

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

This may seem like a small matter, but based on past experience, it is actually not small.

Those media will indeed deliberately vilify the image of China's scientific research and leadership personnel in their reports. Up to now, many military spokespersons have even been forced to undergo strict training before taking the stage to control their blinking frequency.

——

Of course, for Wen Xingdong, the request is not that exaggerated.

But with his current clothes with sunken eye sockets and disheveled hair, it is absolutely impossible for him to go out to meet people.

At least you have to get a haircut, catch up on sleep, and tidy up yourself.

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

He glanced down at his watch. It was already four o'clock in the afternoon. Wen Xingdong packed up his things and walked out of the office, announcing to everyone who was still working to leave work early, so that those who didn't have urgent work to go back to rest.

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

The inspection results are all normal, and the final sprint of No. 055 is also all normal.

Someone stood up excitedly and asked Wen Xingdong:

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

Wen Xingdong nodded and replied:

"I'm not sure, how can there be certainty about this kind of thing! Don't ask, just do your job well and just wait. Are you in such a hurry to have a baby?"

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

"Mr. Wen, what clothes do you wear on the 15th? Is there a uniform standard?"

The person who asked the question was a technician with a non-military background. He was not allowed to wear a military uniform like other people, but he felt something was wrong when he wore a suit, so he asked directly while Wen Xingdong was around.

And this question really stumped Wen Xingdong, he hesitated for a few seconds, and finally replied:

"Suits are fine, Chinese tunic suits are fine, and factory uniforms are fine too. There's no need for too much red tape, just make sure you have a good image."

"I don't want someone to be photographed by the foreign media on the 15th, wearing sloppy clothes, 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 a rest.

But there were not many people who followed him out of the office.

Halfway through, he suddenly felt something.

Looking back, what caught my eye was a picture that was incompatible with what they were discussing.

The whole room is full of drawings and books, which are messy and retro. If a newcomer comes in, they may even think that this is the office of some publishing house.

The old man who spoke the difficult Shanghai dialect lay on the table and drew drawings with pencils and a T-square. Those who participated in the discussion from the beginning may sound like a bible.

Most people drink water from canned bottles, and there are enamel rice bowls and plastic lunch boxes for eating on the table, and there are still half a deep-fried dough stick left in the morning or noon.

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

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

There are potted flowers on the terrazzo window sill, but in this season, it has completely withered, and it is impossible to tell what it is

This is where the 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, there's no denying that Starfire, and the man behind Starfire, played a huge role in this process.

But without the people in this office, 055's great drive would only be a castle in the air after all.

Watching this scene, Wen Xingdong suddenly remembered a past event.

In 2003, he once met a certain captain of the North Sea Fleet.

At that time, the navy was so poor that it was not decent.

For the same event, more than a hundred people from the army came, but only two or three people from the navy.

The only thing that can overwhelm the army is the handsome uniform of the navy.

At that time, Wen Xingdong still teased the captain, saying that if you wear this white military uniform every day, you are not afraid that it will get dirty and difficult to wash?

And the half-joking answer of the captain is still fresh in his memory.

The man said:

"Our navy only has this appearance. Although the equipment is not much and not advanced, but my military uniform is worth 6,000 tons, a 300-ton submarine hunter. As long as I stand on it, it will be Ticonderoga. Do you want to move?"

The captain said it very easily, but in Wen Xingdong's ears, there was only sadness.

Later, the captain quietly asked Wen Xingdong.

"You are engaged in ships. Tell me, can we board the aircraft carrier and 10,000-ton ship we built ourselves?"

At that time Wen Xingdong did not answer.

But he actually has an answer in his heart.

He thought that within 20 years, such a goal would be out of the question.

However, five years later, the situation has changed dramatically.

The captain had just been promoted to major a few months ago, and 055 was about to go into the water.

In two months, 001 will also go into the water.

I have to say that my generation is lucky.

This magnificent era, this era of going dark blue, has finally caught up.

Wen Xingdong let out a long sigh of relief, turned and left the office.

According to the assistant's suggestion, he went to the barber shop to tidy up his hair, personally sent the uniform to the logistics for dry cleaning and ironing, then went to the vegetable market to buy vegetables, and returned home to cook a simple, but extremely attentive meal. dinner.

His wife and parents were pleasantly surprised by his rare free time today, while his son kept pestering him about this and that.

Although this child is not very old, he has inexplicably developed a strong interest in ships, and the house is full of various model toys.

He obviously also saw the news about 055's upcoming launch on TV, so he asked:

"Dad, is our boat about to launch? Is the new boat powerful?"

Due to confidentiality requirements, the family does not actually know the specific work of Wen Xingdong, but the project is drawing to a close, and many things are well known even if they are not mentioned.

Seeing his innocent face, Wen Xingdong couldn't help laughing.

He replied:

"It must be powerful. Our ship is the most powerful ship in the world, and no one can match it."

"Yeah! Is that more powerful than the American destroyer Burke? Is it more powerful than Ticonti Conderoga?"

"Better than them all!"

Wen Xingdong nodded.

"Great, I'm going to be a navy in the future, I'm going to open a warship and defeat them all!"

Hearing this, before Wen Xingdong had time to answer, the grandfather on the side hurriedly said:

"My dear grandson, if you like warships, you will become a designer just like Dad in the future, but you can't go to war."

"Now we are still far behind, but we can't beat them."

"Why can't you beat it?"

the son asked puzzledly.

"Uh, this question. Look, you need a lot of things to fight a war."

"For example, if you watch the TV drama Romance of the Three Kingdoms, in order to win a war in ancient times, your sword must be sharpened than others, your food must be more than others, you must win the hearts of the people, and you must have a strategy."

"It's not like you were fighting with your classmates in preschool. It's not about whoever is stronger will win."

Hearing the old man's words, Wen Xingdong smiled helplessly.

In fact, the old man has no malice, nor does it mean that he has no confidence in the country. He said this out of pure love for this grandson.

I don't want any surprises for the younger generations, this is a very normal thing.

Therefore, he did not immediately refute. After all, he still had confidence in the education his son had received.

It is impossible for him to shake what he believes just because of a few simple words.

Sure enough, after a few seconds of contemplation, the son said:

"Grandpa, if you say that, we can definitely beat them."

"That's not necessarily the case. We haven't fought a war for decades. They fight every day."

The old man still wanted to "teach him well", but a sentence suddenly came out of his son's mouth, which surprised everyone.

He said:

"Grandpa, that's not right."

"Even though we haven't fought a war for a long time, we've been sharpening our knives."

Wen Xingdong's hand holding Caicai stopped in mid-air.

A thought suddenly popped up in his mind:

How long will it take to sharpen this knife?

When it is out of the sheath, can it cut off all the invading enemies in front of it?

Four days later, on November 15th.

The 055 destroyer was officially launched at the Jiangnan Shipyard.

The sea blade of the Republic was unsheathed on this day.