195: Gone with the wind

After speaking, Uncle Chao turned and left, not forgetting to turn back and instruct, "Remember to be extremely cautious. I'll come find you after I'm done, and then we'll go back to the North Sea Industrial Base together."

Watching Uncle Chao's retreating figure, Xu Ning stood alone on the dock, already having a plan in mind.

He knew that to convince these well-informed old academicians, simply stating things directly was far from enough.

He had to subtly convey his knowledge to them, and only then could he ensure the smooth progress of the future aircraft carrier project.

Soon after, a large bus slowly entered their view. The door opened, and a group of bespectacled, white-haired scholars streamed out, their voices filled with intense discussion.

"Zhao Jinzhu, can't you speed up? Stop dragging your feet and delaying my important research on aircraft carriers!"

"Yu Huainian, can't you be patient? You're the most impatient senior on the whole bus. Do you think we're not anxious?"

"Heh, I think you guys really aren't anxious. You know this is a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier! I wish I could grow wings and fly over to see it right now. Look at you, all of you seem to have difficulty walking."

"Hey, not everyone is as young and strong as you. Do you understand the principle of respecting the elderly and cherishing the young?"

Yu Huainian glanced sideways, a hint of smugness on his lips: "Who told me I became an academician researching aircraft carriers before I was fifty?"

"Hmph, you talk as if you're the only academician."

These white-haired old experts slowly got off the bus while bickering.

Just then, they spotted Xu Ning standing in front of the aircraft carrier, waiting for them.

Yu Huainian adjusted his glasses and asked curiously, "Young man, who are you? What are you doing here?"

Xu Ning politely replied, "Hello, I am Xu Ning, responsible for introducing this aircraft carrier to everyone."

Upon hearing the name for the first time, Yu Huainian's brow furrowed slightly, feeling a sense of familiarity.

But when he learned that Xu Ning was going to explain the aircraft carrier, he couldn't help but chuckle:

"Haha, young man, I don't think that's necessary. We old folks specialize in researching it. Although I haven't been on board, I know every inch of steel plate like the back of my hand."

Xu Ning smiled and responded, "However, perhaps you don't fully understand the story and function behind every single steel plate."

At these words, Yu Huainian's expression became slightly serious. He was confident that in the field of aircraft carriers, his knowledge was unsurpassed.

He had been one of the few China scholars fortunate enough to visit a United States aircraft carrier.

Now, being challenged like this by a junior, he naturally felt a bit displeased.

"Young man, judging by your tone, it seems you think you know everything?"

Xu Ning nodded and smiled, "Indeed, otherwise I wouldn't be standing here to be your guide. If you don't believe me, feel free to test me."

At this moment, Zhao Jinzhu gently stroked his beard and teased, "Yu Huainian, it seems you've met your match this time."

Yu Huainian glared at Zhao Jinzhu, but he didn't take it too seriously, merely finding the young man in front of him a bit arrogant. After all, he himself had been a spirited young man back in the day.

"Alright, then I'll test you," Yu Huainian sneered, "Let's start with the most common arresting gear..."

Meanwhile, Chen Dongchao had just finished dealing with the Gongda Family's affairs and hurried back to the dock. He remembered that Xu Ning was waiting for him there.

In the boundless halls of academia, those old scholars were like veteran generals defending a city; once their proud domain of knowledge was touched upon, they would become exceptionally stubborn.

And Xu Ning, this young, energetic, and talented genius, was straightforward. If he spoke carelessly and offended these academic giants, the consequences would be unimaginable.

However, when Chen Dongchao hurriedly drove to the dock, the sight before him left him dumbfounded: the group of renowned old academicians, instead of boarding the aircraft carrier, were sitting on the ground like a group of curious students, listening intently to Xu Ning's explanation.

The scene was as if they had traveled to a special elderly classroom, where a group of wise men with a combined age exceeding a thousand years were so humbly seeking guidance from a young man in his twenties.

Although the scene seemed comical, Chen Dongchao, who was present, couldn't laugh. Cold sweat dripped down his forehead, and he muttered to himself, "This kid didn't plan to make things easy for me as soon as he came back."

Chen Dongchao quickly stepped forward, pulled Xu Ning aside, and bowed deeply to the esteemed elders before him.

"I am truly sorry! If Xu Ning has offended you in any way, please allow me to apologize on his behalf." Saying this, he was about to lead everyone onto the ship.

"Uncle Chao..." Xu Ning had just opened his mouth when Chen Dongchao covered it, "Shut up, you. If you keep talking nonsense, I won't be able to protect you."

One must know that everyone present was a giant in the military industry, and among them, Academician Yu Huainian was particularly sensitive. It was said that he was notoriously difficult to please within his area of expertise.

If he were offended, Xu Ning's future career path would likely be full of thorns.

Just then, Yu Huainian slowly raised his hand to stop Chen Dongchao's actions, "Comrade, could you please let go of Teacher Xu first?"

"Oh, oh, of course, of course." Chen Dongchao immediately released his hand, but then an expression of disbelief appeared on his face, "You... you called him 'Teacher'?"

Yu Huainian closed the notebook in his hand, "That's right. Wasn't he the expert you specifically invited? He hasn't finished explaining the technical details of the ulyanovsk yet. With this interruption, our learning progress has been disrupted."

Chen Dongchao's eyes widened, almost unable to believe his ears: "Academician Yu, you're not joking, are you?"

Facing the question, Yu Huainian shook his head repeatedly. "Who would joke about something like this? Teacher Xiao Xu is indeed a master you invited from overseas, otherwise, how could he understand this aircraft carrier so thoroughly. I really didn't expect that there are still Asian individuals who can surpass my knowledge in this field."

"Has the racial prejudice that foreigners used to talk about really disappeared with the wind?"

Yu Huainian's thoughts were like surging waves, saying more and more, and his heart was gradually enveloped by a layer of gloom.

Just now, he had experienced an unprecedented defeat in his life; in the professional knowledge of aircraft carriers, he was completely crushed by a junior.

At that moment, the words in books seemed so pale and powerless in his eyes, as if they had become a sarcastic joke. The surrounding academicians were also silent, their lowered gazes revealing unspeakable emotions.

They had witnessed the confrontation between Yu Huainian and Xu Ning with their own eyes, but they had never expected the outcome to be so surprising. This was a heavy blow to everyone.

Chen Dongchao hesitated, glancing with complex emotions at the Xu Ning beside him, who had a half-smile on his face.

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