Volume 1: The Empire Awakens Chapter 43: Tiny Weights
When he saw Du Xing leaning against the jeep smoking, Tan Renhao suddenly remembered that Du Xing had arrived in the afternoon.
"Congratulations, Captain!"
Du Xing looked at the captain's epaulettes on Tan Renhao's shoulders with a bit of envy.
"How long have you been here?"
Tan Renhao smiled shyly. Only now did he realize that he was already a captain .
"It's been a while, but I heard you were busy, so I didn't bother you."
Du Xing immediately opened the car door for Tan Renhao. "I've already put my luggage in the dormitory. Do you want to go eat now?"
Tan Renhao nodded awkwardly.
"You didn't eat either?"
Du Xing immediately started the jeep.
"There are several restaurants near the base gate. They look pretty good."
Tan Renhao immediately agreed and the jeep drove towards the base gate.
After Du Xing arrived at the headquarters in the afternoon, he went directly to the double dormitory assigned to Tan Renhao and him.
After putting down his luggage, he originally wanted to look for Ran Renhao, but he was not qualified to enter the basement of the Equipment and Technology Building, and he didn't even know anyone there, so he had to drive around the base a few times to familiarize himself with the base's environment.
This is also what an adjutant should do, which means Tan Renhao doesn't need to spend time familiarizing himself with the new workplace.
The two found a Sichuan restaurant and ordered a few dishes.
After being promoted to captain, Tan Renhao's allowance also increased nearly four times, which allowed him to live a comfortable life. At least he no longer had to worry about eating out.
"Sergeant, where are you from?"
Tan Renhao tried to make small talk, he couldn't just eat in silence.
"It's on the coast of northern Jiangsu, not far from Lianyungang and Yancheng."
Du Xing has a good appetite and it seems that he likes Sichuan cuisine very much. His movements are also much faster than Tan Renhao.
Tan Renhao frowned slightly.
Northern Jiangsu is the most barren place in the eastern part of the empire. Five years ago, the Huaihe River flooded, almost submerging all places east of Hongze Lake. At least five million people were affected and the losses were difficult to estimate.
Binhai is also within the disaster area.
Tan Renhao glanced at his adjutant. Du Xing had obvious traces of a country boy.
After chatting for a while, Tan Renhao found out about Du Xing's background.
He was indeed from a coastal village. The flood five years ago destroyed his village. His father and two younger brothers were killed in the flood. Although he, his mother, and a younger sister escaped, they lost everything.
Of course, continuing to go to school was impossible.
Four years ago, when Du Xing was sixteen years old, he signed up for the Imperial Navy, and started as an ordinary soldier, and gradually rose to the rank of sergeant.
This is also the highest military rank that an ordinary soldier can obtain in non-war times. Unless he has a good background, his family is wealthy enough, and his performance in the army exceeds that of others, then he will have the opportunity to be sent to a military academy for further studies as an ordinary soldier and then become an officer. Otherwise, he can only stay at the position of sergeant. If he is lucky enough to become a sergeant with both technical and technical skills (such as a pilot), he can serve until the age of 54 and then receive a retirement pension.
However, in Du Xing's case, he might only be able to work in the navy for another five years, complete three terms of nine years of military service, and then return to the local area with a not-too-large retirement allowance.
At the same time, Tan Renhao also discovered that Du Xing was actually a very motivated young man. Otherwise, he would not have been able to complete the six-stage jump from private to sergeant in just four years.
Du Xing was also a very cheerful person. He didn't earn much, but he had to support his mother and help his sister who was attending a girls' school.
The burden of life on this young soldier is very heavy, but he is very optimistic and positive.
Tan Renhao really wanted to help his adjutant. In the army, the adjutant is the hands and feet of the officers.
An excellent officer must have an excellent adjutant to assist and support him.
This is a tradition throughout the Imperial Army.
However, Tan Renhao was unable to help now. At least he had to become a major before he could recommend his adjutant to study in a military academy, or become a lifelong non-commissioned officer. This would ensure that the adjutant could be paid for the rest of his life without having to leave the army in middle age to find another way to make a living.
It was around ten o'clock when the two returned to the dormitory.
This row of dormitories is specially provided for foreign naval officers, and they are all double suites. Obviously, this takes into account the fact that every officer has his own adjutant.
Tan Renhao lived in the room facing the sea, while Du Xing took the initiative to live in the small room without windows. He couldn't let the adjutant live in the big room and take over the main room.
The next day, Tan Renhao went to get Du Xing an adjutant pass, allowing him to enter the equipment and technology building, and reserved a seat for Du Xing in his office.
This is the treatment that a captain can enjoy, and it is also a representation of the status of a captain.
Then, Tan Renhao asked Du Xing to buy him lunch boxes at noon and in the evening, and after leaving money for two people, he went to the underground information room.
For half a month in a row, Tan Renhao spent almost all of his "working" time in the basement reference room, and then at night he would continue to read the books that Du Xing had helped him borrow from the library.
He is like a dry sponge, and the new knowledge he comes into contact with is water.
He greedily absorbed this knowledge that had not even been included in internal references before, and strengthened his understanding of the future of the navy.
After half a month, Tan Renhao looked much more haggard, mainly due to lack of sleep, but he became more confident because he discovered that a large number of young officers in the navy shared the same understanding as him.
This kind of life ended when General Yu Gengnian called Tan Renhao away alone.
Tan Renhao seemed like a different person. If the Fifth Fleet allowed him to see the future of naval aviation, then here, Tan Renhao had almost drawn a blueprint for future naval warfare, a blueprint that no one else had seen.
"I heard that you have been working very hard recently. How do you feel now?"
General Yu Gengnian's expression seemed to never change, still so serious and earnest.
“It’s very fulfilling and I feel more confident.”
Tan Renhao originally wanted to make the atmosphere more relaxed, but he was soon disappointed.
"Very good, there is a task for you to complete now!"
Tan Renhao was slightly stunned. It seemed that he didn't even have time to catch his breath and rest.
The predecessor of the Shenyang Aircraft Manufacturing Plant was a small aircraft manufacturing plant established by Feng Ru, a pioneer of imperial aviation. It was also the first aircraft manufacturing plant in the empire.
That year, Feng Ru completed the first powered flight in human history almost at the same time as the Wright brothers of the United States.
From then on, the blue sky was no longer a forbidden zone for human footsteps, and the empire's aviation industry started at this time.
After more than 20 years of development, Shenfei is the largest of the empire's five major aviation factories and also the main aircraft supplier to the Imperial Navy.
During the last war, Shen Fei manufactured more than 20,000 aircraft for the Imperial Navy and Army, including the very famous "Swift" fighter (recognized as one of the three best fighters in World War I). Shen Fei's status was confirmed at this time.
However, later the Army Aviation Corporation turned to support Chengdu Aircraft Corporation and Xi'an Aircraft Corporation, and Shenyang Aircraft Corporation focused on cooperating with HNA.
Almost all of the fighter jets currently equipped by the HNA are developed and produced by Shenfei.
The first task that Tan Renhao received from General Yu Gengnian was to go to Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and assist the engineers and designers of Shenyang Aircraft Corporation in determining the performance of several aircraft carriers to be provided to the navy.
Before the transport plane landed, Tan Renhao had already seen Shenfei's huge factory complex.
Shenfei is located in the northwest of Shenyang City, connected to the city by a national highway.
There are complete facilities for researching and manufacturing aircraft here, and even a 3,000-meter-long concrete runway.
The transport plane landed on this runway, and when Tan Renhao and Du Xing got off the plane, a sergeant from the factory guard unit had already come to pick them up in a jeep.
"Sir, welcome here!"
The sergeant was very enthusiastic and insisted on helping Ze Tan Renhao carry his luggage.
After the three of them got in the car, Tan Renhao asked, "Where are we going now?"
"I'll take you to your accommodation first. Mr. Li will invite you over in the afternoon."
The sergeant was obviously very familiar with the situation in the factory. He didn't even pay much attention to driving, but was concentrating on chatting with the two people.
Tan Renhao didn't ask any more questions. After arriving at the factory hotel, he asked Du Xing and the sergeant to familiarize themselves with the situation in the factory.
They will stay here for a while, and Tan Renhao does not want to have a strange sergeant as his guide.
After having a free lunch in the hotel restaurant, Du Xing and the sergeant returned, and then Tan Renhao went to see Chief Engineer Li Zhiyang.
Li Zhiyang is one of the five academicians of the Imperial Academy of Engineering of Shenfei, and the youngest among them, at only 52 years old.
Because of his great contribution to the research and design of combat aircraft for the navy, he was elected as a member of the Imperial Academy of Engineering two years ago. He was also the only candidate for the academy nominated by the Imperial Navy that year.
What surprised Tan Renhao was that Li Zhiyang looked older than his actual age. Most of his hair was white, and his face had many wrinkles and his skin was darker.
This is very different from Tan Renhao's impression of scientists.
At the same time, Li Zhiyang is also a very cheerful and energetic person, which can be seen from the tone and volume of his voice.
"Captain, you are here to assist us, right? Please sit down, please sit down!"
Li Zhiyang quickly cleared out a sofa piled with documents. "It's a bit messy here, but it doesn't matter. I heard that the Navy has new requirements for the aircraft we are designing?"
Tan Renhao nodded and handed the information he brought to Academician Li Zhiyang.
"This is our new requirement. Of course, I would like to know the situation in more detail if possible."
"No problem, this is what we should do!"
Li Zhiyang didn't even look at the information Tan Renhao gave him. He went to get a folder and said, "Here is our detailed introduction. If you need, I can arrange a time to accompany you to the factory to have a look."
Tan Renhao quickly flipped through it. It was a data sheet of four types of combat aircraft. Then he closed the folder and said, "Boss Li, I'll take a closer look at these when I get back. However, I hope to learn the most basic things, such as the engines. Of course, it would be best if someone could explain the relevant information to me. I'm a layman in this area."
Li Zhiyang immediately laughed.
"No problem. I'll go to the engine lab in two days. I'll have someone come to inform you then. I believe that the more details you understand, the more confidence you'll have in us."
Tan Renhao smiled and stood up.
"That's all, if there's anything else, I'll contact you."
After returning to the hotel, Tan Renhao immediately began to check the documents provided by Li Zhiyang in detail.
"Captain, it's time to eat!"
Du Xing spent an afternoon getting familiar with the factory. He was already very familiar with this job.
"Okay, you still help me..."
When Tan Renhao saw the lunch box Du Xing brought in, he immediately laughed, "Have you eaten?"
Du Xing nodded and put the lunch box next to Tan Renhao.
"Captain, how long are we going to stay here?"
"Maybe ten days, maybe a month, anyway, we will go back after we finish our work."
Tan Renhao stretched out his hand and asked, "Why, what's the matter?"
Du Xing smiled awkwardly, looking a little embarrassed to speak.
"Just tell me what you have to say. Is there anything else you can't tell me?"
Tan Renhao picked up the lunch box.
"Captain, I would like to ask for a few days' leave. My mother is suddenly seriously ill, and I was originally..."
"When did this happen?"
Tan Renhao immediately put down the lunch box. He had learned before that Du Xing's mother had been in poor health, so Du Xing needed to send money back home every month.
"It's been a few days. I shouldn't have asked for leave at this time, but..."
"Then you should go back quickly!"
Tan Renhao didn't think much about it. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone else, and I won't deduct your allowance. I understand all this!"
Du Xing was slightly excited and quickly took out a piece of paper from his body.
"Captain, this is the factory diagram I drew. You may find it useful..."
"Okay, okay, there's another bus to the city tonight, hurry up and pack your luggage!"
Tan Renhao smiled and patted Du Xing's shoulder, then took out a few banknotes and stuffed them into Du Xing's hand. "This is my little token of my appreciation to my aunt. You also need money, so don't be so picky with me."
"Captain, I..."
Du Xing was very excited.
Tan Renhao smiled and sent Du Xing to the door, then he breathed a sigh of relief. Perhaps this was the best way to help Du Xing.
