28: Chapter 28: A National Treasure, Beichen Emerges

Inside the vast, brand-new factory of Xingchen Heavy Industry, the atmosphere was completely different from the modern, brisk vibe of the Spark Technology headquarters.

The air was filled with a unique mixture of machine oil, metal, and electricity. Towering overhead cranes suspended cast iron components weighing several tons, and various cables and pipes were neatly laid out on the ground, presenting the solid demeanor of a heavy industrial base.

In the core dust-free, temperature-controlled workshop of the factory, a behemoth stood quietly.

Its lines were rigid, its structure complex, and its metal casing shimmered with a dark luster under the cold LED light—this was Xingchen Heavy Industry's first experimental five-axis linkage CNC machine tool, "Beichen No. 1".

Chief Engineer Lu Qiming, wearing work clothes stained with a little oil, his hair meticulously groomed, was personally conducting the final adjustments.

His eyes, like a sculptor examining his most perfect masterpiece, were focused and intense.

Chen Zhiyuan and Zhao Qing were leading their respective teams, checking the supporting tool magazines, cooling systems, and numerical control units.

Lin Wan stood in the observation area a little further away, wearing a well-fitting professional suit covered by a dust-proof white lab coat, looking capable yet with a subtle contrast to the environment.

She held a tablet in her hand, constantly recording various data, her eyes filled with amazement.

Despite cramming knowledge for several months, seeing this machine, which condensed countless cutting-edge technologies, with her own eyes still felt shocking.

Su Chen quietly walked to her side and asked in a low voice, "How is the situation?"

"Everything is going smoothly. Old Lu said we can conduct the first full-parameter test at any time," Lin Wan reported, her tone carrying irrepressible excitement.

Lu Qiming saw Su Chen and walked over. Although his face was weary, his spirit was extremely excited: "General Manager Su, we are ready! We have selected a high-temperature alloy impeller commonly used in the aerospace field as the test workpiece. This thing has a complex shape and extremely high precision requirements, making it a litmus test for the capabilities of a five-axis machine tool."

"Let's begin, Old Lu." Su Chen nodded.

Lu Qiming personally entered the final command on the control console.

Accompanied by a low and steady hum, "Beichen No. 1" awakened.

The robotic arm precisely grabbed the tool, and driven by the CNC system, it began to machine the metal blank fixed on the workbench.

Metal shavings fell like a waterfall, emitting rhythmic cutting sounds, precise beyond compare.

Several hours later, a complex metal impeller with blades as thin as cicada wings was finished.

The staff carefully removed it and sent it to the coordinate measuring machine nearby for inspection.

The moment the inspection results came out, the entire workshop fell into a brief silence, followed by an irrepressible cheer!

"Precision... everything is within 0.005 mm! Some key dimensions even reached 0.003 mm!" The engineer in charge of testing was trembling, "This, this completely exceeds our design expectations. The precision is even 30% higher than the paper parameters of Germany's top-tier equipment! The stability is worlds apart!"

Lu Qiming let out a long sigh of relief, a look of relief and immense pride on his face. He looked at Su Chen: "General Manager Su, I have not failed the mission! 'Beichen No. 1', it's a success!"

Su Chen gripped Lu Qiming's hand tightly: "Thank you for your hard work, Old Lu! Thank you all for your hard work!" He knew that this was not just the success of a machine tool, but the beginning of an era.

The news of "Beichen No. 1's" success, while kept highly confidential, still acted like a stone thrown into a lake, creating huge ripples within specific circles.

A few days later, a group of people with calm temperaments and hurried steps secretly arrived at Xingchen Heavy Industry.

Leading them was an elderly man with gray hair and wise eyes. Beside him were several middle-aged men in plain clothes but with upright postures and sharp gazes, as well as several officials who clearly looked like senior technical experts.

Lin Wan had already received notice and was personally welcoming them at the entrance, her expression solemn.

"Welcome, leaders and experts, to Xingchen Heavy Industry for guidance." Lin Wan guided them to the core workshop with neither servility nor overbearingness.

In the workshop, Lu Qiming personally explained things to the inspection team.

He did not over-embellish but directly displayed several key components machined by "Beichen No. 1": the inertial navigation bracket for a certain type of missile, turbine blades for a new type of fighter engine, and a precision structural part from a satellite.

Each component gleamed with the cold light of metal, and its precision and finish made the experts present nod frequently, their eyes shining with brilliance.

The white-haired elder was none other than Academician Li, a leading authority in the field of mechanics at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

He picked up an impeller disk, gently stroked its mirror-smooth surface with his finger, and exclaimed: "Remarkable! Truly remarkable! I have visited countless top machine tool companies at home and abroad. Those that can achieve this level of machining, especially being so outstanding in material adaptability and dynamic precision stability, are few and far between. Little Lu, you have really launched a satellite with this one!"

A military representative, whose shoulder insignia indicated a high rank, asked in a deep voice: "Chief Engineer Lu, the repeat positioning accuracy and long-term operating reliability of this equipment, and... can it withstand the test of extreme environments?"

Lu Qiming answered confidently: "Chief, all data has been strictly tested and far exceeds national military standards. We have adopted an original error compensation algorithm and structural optimization design, and its stability far exceeds similar imported equipment. As for extreme environments, our simulation test chamber has already verified its excellent performance under conditions such as temperature differences and vibrations."

The inspection team stayed at Xingchen Heavy Industry for a full day, reviewing all design drawings and test reports, and even randomly designated a more complex component on the spot for machining verification. The results once again convinced them.

Before leaving, Academician Li tightly gripped Su Chen's hand: "General Manager Su, you have performed a great service for the country! You have solved a long-standing worry of ours for many years! This 'Beichen No. 1' has comprehensive performance that is at least two years ahead of the best similar products currently available on the international market! This is a strategic breakthrough!"

The military representative also solemnly stated: "We will immediately report to our superiors. The Equipment Department of the Ministry of Defense will purchase five 'Beichen No. 1' units first, giving priority to manufacturing units in core fields such as aerospace, missiles, fighter jets, warships, and tanks. The price will be the one billion you set; this is not a matter of money, but a matter of national security and strategic initiative!"

After sending off the inspection team, Su Chen and Lin Wan stood in the factory area in the twilight.

"We did it, Su Chen," Lin Wan said softly, the evening breeze blowing through her hair.

"This is just the beginning," Su Chen said, looking into the distance, his gaze deep. "The country's recognition is an honor, but even more so a heavy responsibility. Moreover, the tree desires stillness, but the wind will not cease..."