"The reason why evil can defeat good is because good people are not evil enough." Chapter 3 of Volume 7 of Su Tong's Memoirs.
Zhuskov is a Russian, and he is also an aircraft designer. Yes, he is an aircraft designer for an aircraft manufacturing company in Chahar and Zhangjiakou. This is an enviable and respectable job.
, his monthly salary is as high as two hundred gold yuan, and the company also allocates him a car for transportation. He also has a virtuous wife and two lovely children at home. Logically speaking, he should be very content, but these days he
But he always looked gloomy. After coming home from work, he just stayed in the study without knowing what he was doing.
In fact, the reason why Ruskov is worried is very simple, because the company he works for is almost unable to survive due to financial problems. If there is no injection of external funds or orders, it will only be a matter of time before the company declares bankruptcy. In this case, our Ruskov
It’s not right for Mr. Skov to be unemployed too. Ahem, according to our Chief Su, he should be laid off. Logically speaking, according to Zhuskov’s professional level, he should not worry about finding a job after losing his job, but Ruskov
Mr. Hu believes that the company's situation has a lot to do with him. If he hadn't insisted on designing an aircraft that could take off and land vertically and occupied the company's only working capital, the company might have been able to survive for a while longer, but
Now
It was getting dark, so Ruskov got up, ate some cold rice left over from last night, and drove to the company ten miles away. The full name of the company Ruskov worked for was "Morning Star"
"Aircraft Manufacturing Company" has a grand name but the company is small in scale, just like many small aircraft manufacturing companies in the Chahar Industrial Zone. The entire company includes a design team of more than 20 people chaired by Zhuskov.
There are less than a hundred people.
Entering the empty company, the originally lively company was now deserted. Since most of the people in the company had been fired, there was only an old man left in the company looking at the door. He came to a lawn as big as a football field in the back.
, a row of simple work sheds built with steel bars was erected on one side of the lawn. Parked in the work shed were two strange-looking aircraft-like things. They are said to resemble aircraft because the propellers of this thing are placed on the back of the aircraft body, and they are
There is also a small propeller at the tail. Its body looks very fat and short, and there are two seats inside. It looks as weird as possible.
After Ruskov entered the work shed, he saw another figure standing in front of the two aircraft. Ruskov was already very familiar with that figure. He had been relying on his support for more than a year.
In order to develop this kind of aircraft, the company took a year to complete two prototypes. However, before they could see the dawn of victory, the company received the bad news that the capital chain was about to dry up.
"Good morning, boss," Zhuskov said softly as he walked behind the figure.
The figure turned around, revealing a thin face, a pair of thick eyebrows and resolute eyes that made it difficult to forget at a glance. He was Zhu Jiaren, the boss of Daystar Company.
"Ruskov, you're here." Zhu Jiaren looked back at Ruskov, smiled faintly, and then turned to look at the two aircraft.
Walking to the boss and looking at his sunken eyes, Ruskov felt very uncomfortable. When the company was first established, Zhu Jiaren suggested that he first take over some parts processing work from the Star Aircraft Manufacturing Company or the Northwest Aircraft Manufacturing Company.
The company slowly developed, but with his own persistence, Zhu Jiaren chose to invest all the funds in this "bottomless pit". Although after a year of hard work, the company finally produced two prototypes, but when the prototypes were manufactured
After coming out, when the two of them enthusiastically took two prototypes and sold them everywhere, the ruthlessness of reality gave them a blow in the head.
After watching the performance of the aircraft brought by Zhuskov, the procurement officer of the Air Force Procurement Department asked them: "Sir, what is the name of this thing you built."
"We call it a helicopter"
The procurement officer asked: "When will it fly faster than a fixed-wing aircraft?"
Zhuskov shook his head without hesitation: "No, it will never fly faster than a fixed-wing aircraft."
Zhuskov's answer made the procurement officer slightly stunned, but he still continued his question: "Well, does it have any advantages over fixed-wing aircraft in terms of load capacity or weapon power?"
"That's impossible. It can't have more firepower than fixed-wing aircraft, or it can transport heavier and more cargo."
"Then why did you design this thing? Is it just for grandstanding?" Zhuskov's answer made the procurement officer very angry. How dare you sell a useless thing to the army, treating the army as a garbage collection station?
Everything is stuffed into the army
Zhuskov proudly replied: "Oh, Mr. Officer, the only thing I can tell you is that helicopters can complete some tasks that fixed-wing aircraft cannot complete. These tasks, in fact, cannot be completed by anything else except helicopters.
No other aircraft can do this except it.”
At that time, Zhuskov was very confident because his aircraft was the first aircraft in China that could take off and land vertically. It would make him go down in history. He was also confident that he would win a large order for his boss.
, to obtain a steady stream of financial resources for the company, and to repay the boss's kindness to him, but the ruthless reality gave him a blow, and the procurement officer's answer made him almost fall into despair.
"Mr. Zhuskov, I sympathize with your company's current situation, but I am sure that if I purchase such a batch of slow-moving, short-range, low-flying, and small-carrying aircraft, my boss will
Tear me to pieces, our military funds are limited and we cannot let us squander it wantonly."
Ruskov returned angrily and took the helicopter to civil aviation companies to promote it again, but was also rejected.
"Sir, what is the range and speed of your aircraft?"
"Its speed is about 100 kilometers per hour and its range is 223 kilometers."
"How high can you fly?"
“More than a thousand meters”
"Your plane can't fly much faster than a car. It has a short range, a low flying altitude, and a lot of noise. I really can't imagine what we can do after buying it. It's a pity that I can't purchase this plane."
The relentless rejections made the designer, who usually only immersed himself in research, feel cold. Although he also knew that any new thing would be looked at with suspicion or ridicule when it first appeared in the world, he did not expect that
The thing is that this process is so difficult and tortuous.
He and his boss ran around Chahar with the prototype for nearly a month, and all they got were countless shakes of the head and eye rolls. At this time, the company's capital chain was about to be broken, which meant that if it could not receive any more orders, the company would be
Had to declare bankruptcy.
Ruskov, who felt guilty, stood behind Zhu Jiaren and said softly and apologetically: "Boss, I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have let you invest all your funds here."
"Nothing." Zhu Jiaren turned around, looked at the guilty-looking Ruskov, smiled and patted his shoulder: "Ruskov, you are a very good aircraft designer, I have always thought so.
, this view has not changed until now. All you lack is an opportunity. The helicopter you designed is very promising, but the world has not yet discovered its value."
"Boss" Ruskov was so moved after hearing Zhu Jiaren's words that he almost cried. The star company he worked for fired him because he was always obsessed with developing helicopters.
When I was struggling to find a job on the street, the man in front of me hired me with a high salary and gave him extremely high treatment. After joining the company, he also used his hard work to repay his boss. He never thought that the aircraft would be developed now.
However, the company was about to go bankrupt. Ruskov blamed all of this on his own will. If he hadn’t squandered all the limited funds of the company, the company would not have collapsed so quickly. It was all his own fault.
Wrong
Just when Ruskov was filled with regrets, the old man guarding the door came to the work shed with several strange guests.
"Boss Zhu, these guests said they want to see you." Old Man Zhang said.
Zhu Jiaren and Ruskov looked back and saw several officers from the Army Procurement Center and an unknown intermediate soldier standing behind them. They knew these officers because Zhu Jiaren and Ruskov had already met last month.
I have dealt with them too much, but why are they here again today? Who is the middle-aged officer wearing a military coat who is surrounded by them?
Although he had all kinds of doubts in his heart, out of politeness, Zhu Jiaren still greeted several officers with a smile: "Major Wang, Lieutenant Colonel Hong, hello. I wonder if you have any advice for me when you come to our company today."
Major Wang and Lieutenant Colonel Hong blushed and said with a forced smile: "Boss Zhu, this is our commander. He heard that your company has produced a new aircraft that can take off and land vertically.
I’m very interested and wanted to come over and take a look.”
Both Major Wang and Major Wang were in a very awkward mood at this time. The officer came to this company to watch the aircraft that was "shot" by both of them. Wasn't that questioning their vision and ability to do things? There were so many people around him.
The master cannot afford to offend the two of us. If he is made unhappy, the two of them will probably just pack up and go home to eat themselves.
"You are the boss of this company." The middle-aged man standing in the middle looked at Zhu Jiaren with a calm face and asked: "Are the two helicopters next to you also designed by your company itself? Can you give me their last names?"
Can you please introduce it in detail?”
"Yes, yes, of course." Although Zhu Jiaren didn't understand why the attitudes of the officers in the procurement center changed so quickly, but out of the instinct of a businessman, he was still keenly aware that his company might be about to turn around.
Ruskov on the side rushed over without waiting for the boss's instructions and introduced his masterpiece in a eloquent manner.
"Sir, I am the designer of this aircraft. Please allow me to introduce to you the features of this aircraft. I call it "Hummingbird". It uses the Huawei I-type air-cooled engine produced by Northwest Company Gas
, the engine power is 91.7 kilowatts, the rotor diameter is 7.62 meters, the aircraft height is 2.63 meters, the total weight is 725.5 kilograms, and the maximum flight speed is 136 kilometers per hour.
The range is 219 kilometers and the cabin is enclosed.”
As Suskov introduced it eloquently, the officer remained calm. After Zhuskov finished the introduction, the officer asked: "Can you demonstrate to me the name of this aircraft?"
"Of course, no problem." Zhu Jiaren and Ruskov were overjoyed when they heard this. It seemed like there was a way.
But then the two of them looked at each other in embarrassment, because the company had laid off most of its personnel, including test pilots, and now there was no test pilot in the entire company. But this was
Our Mr. Zhuskov could not be troubled. He gritted his teeth and said: "Sir, if you don't mind, I can personally fly it for you and show it to you. Don't worry, I care about every part of this aircraft."
Familiar with it, I guarantee there will be no problems.”
More than ten minutes later, as Ruskov started the engine, China's first helicopter began to vibrate. The joystick kept vibrating in his hand, and Ruskov gradually increased the throttle.
The vibration of the plane became more intense. Ruskov pulled the pitch control lever upward to increase the angle of attack of the rotor blades. The helicopter gradually left the ground. He controlled the plane and drove the plane backward amidst the roar of the engine.
Flying, flying on both sides, up and down, and even turning on the spot. He even parked the helicopter firmly on the roof of a factory building in the factory to the astonishment of everyone. It seems that today our helicopter
Mr. Zhuskov used all his special skills. Although everyone could see that the vibration of the aircraft was very violent and it was difficult to control, the officer still gave him warm applause.
When Zhuskov parked the plane on the ground again and stepped out of the plane, the officer walked over and asked calmly: "Does this plane have any shortcomings?"
"Yes, this aircraft is not perfect yet. The fuselage shakes violently during flight, and it is not that convenient to control." Zhuskov frankly admitted the shortcomings of this helicopter.
“Is there room for improvement?”
"Of course, sir, but our company no longer has any extra funds to carry out renovations. To be honest, if we don't receive any more orders, our company will declare bankruptcy." At this point, Zhuskov's face turned red.
"I think you don't have to worry about this problem anymore." The visitor finally showed a smile and said: "Congratulations, our Air Force department has decided to place an order for fifty of this helicopter with your company. When you improve the aircraft
We will place another order after the defects are found. I believe that with the advent of this aircraft, the name of your Venus company will also grow with this helicopter to become a nationally famous large aircraft manufacturing company like Mingxing and Huaxia Company.
"
Although he had already had a premonition in his heart, Zhuskov couldn't help but cheered when he heard the good news with his own ears.
"Boss, we succeeded. We finally have an order. The Air Force has placed an order for us." Ruskov couldn't help but burst into tears. The hard work of more than 300 days and nights was finally reported.
"Sir, can we know your name?" Zhu Jiaren is the boss after all. He is not as rude as Ruskov, and he can still ask the other party's name politely.
"Of course, my name is Gao Zhihang." The visitor smiled slightly, showing a pair of snow-white teeth.
Soon, Daystar Company received a formal contract from the Air Force. In the contract signed with them, the Air Force not only required Daystar Company to deliver fifty helicopters within four months, but also required them to deliver 50 helicopters within this year.
If internal improvements are made to the aircraft's shortcomings such as excessive vibration and difficulty in piloting, the military will place additional orders depending on the degree of improvement.
Zhu Jiaren and Ruskov, who were overjoyed after receiving the order, quickly recalled the dismissed staff and began to recruit workers to expand the factory. Why don't you have funds? Please, as long as you have the military contract, you can borrow as much money from the bank as you want.
None of it is a problem.
Not to mention Daystar Company, which was starting to get busy, when Gao Zhihang came to Su Tong's office to tell Su Tong the news of the new helicopter, Su Tong patted his forehead with some annoyance, and at the same time he felt overjoyed. Others
Don’t you know the purpose of helicopters? Don’t you, Sir Su, know it? In later generations, they are known as "tank killers". No matter how advanced a tank is, it will only run away when it encounters even the most backward armed helicopter.
In military terms, it can be widely used in ground attacks, airborne landings, weapons transportation, logistical support, battlefield rescue, reconnaissance patrols, command and control, communications, anti-submarine minesweeping, electronic countermeasures, etc. However, it is not used in civilian applications.
It can be used for short-distance transportation, medical rescue, disaster relief, emergency rescue, hoisting equipment, geological exploration, forest protection and fire extinguishing, aerial photography, etc. In short, it has many benefits.
"Zi Heng, you did a good job this time. Your Air Force must strongly support this kind of innovative and practical enterprise. I will talk to you in detail about the use of helicopters in two days. Now you go immediately
For additional orders, our first batch of purchases will be at least 200 aircraft."
"Two hundred." Gao Zhihang asked in surprise: "Is it too many?"
"Of course it's not much. Just watch. Not only does your Air Force want it, but the Army will also be scrambling for it soon." A mysterious smile appeared on Su Tong's face.