"You...are saying that there are already research results?" Guo Tiemin looked incredulous when he heard Xu Qiang say this.

Like many people in the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building, Guo Tiemin also came from the military. In his early years, he also participated in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, and he made great military achievements. Although he was later transferred to work in the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building, he always maintained a vigorous and resolute style of a soldier. In addition, although he was meticulous in his work, he had a bad temper.

All of Xu Qiang's previous applications eventually fell into Guo Tiemin's hands. Although he was somewhat dissatisfied with Xu Qiang's frequent requests for help, he finally endured it under Zhang Zhen's persuasion.

But now Xu Qiang's "appetite" is getting bigger and bigger, and he wants more and more funds and supplies. As the head of the logistics of the department, seeing that this year is almost over, he has not produced any results. It happened that he came to the south for a meeting recently, so he simply came over to inspect it.

As a result, when he arrived at the research institute, Guo Tiemin waited for more than four hours before he saw Xu Qiang, which made him very angry. That was why his tone of voice just now was a bit aggressive.

However, Guo Tiemin also knew that the difficulty and risk of Project 8702 were much higher than those of ordinary projects. Even Xu Yuanming, a top domestic explosives expert, had spent four years without success and a major accident occurred. So it was obviously unlikely for Xu Qiang to produce results in less than half a year.

So after hearing that Xu Qiang had achieved success, Guo Tiemin's face was filled with disbelief, and his attitude seemed to soften instantly.

"The department has given me such great support, I certainly cannot let the leaders down." Xu Qiang smiled slightly, and then said: "In fact, I have successfully made a new type of high explosive, but the explosives have not yet been tested..."

"How dare you say you succeeded without conducting any experiments?" Guo Tiemin said with a frown.

"Because I am confident in my results." Xu Qiang raised his eyebrows and continued, "But the experiment cannot be carried out in our institute. I need a venue and facilities. Director Guo, you also know that these matters need to be approved. The Chinese New Year is coming soon, so I have to wait until after the Chinese New Year..."

"There's still a month before the Chinese New Year. What can't be done in such a long time?" Guo Tiemin obviously thought that Xu Qiang was trying to delay the battle, so he said, "Isn't it just a matter of experimental site and testing equipment? Write the application right away and I'll solve it for you right away!"

"Director Guo, explosives are very dangerous. Let's not act rashly..." Seeing that Guo Tiemin had no intention of giving Xu Qiang a chance to catch his breath, Guo Rui on the side quickly interjected.

"What do you mean by acting too hastily? Since Xu Qiang said that he has already made the product, he should conduct experiments immediately!" Guo Tiemin did not even look at Guo Rui and remained firm in his attitude.

"Okay, since Director Guo said so, I will write the application now..." Xu Qiang said hurriedly when he saw this.

"Don't bother too much. Just write down what you need. I can sort out the venue with just one phone call."

"No problem." Xu Qiang nodded and then came to the desk.

Taking out paper and pen from the drawer, Xu Qiang directly made a list of the equipment needed.

In fact, the most important instrument for testing explosives is the detonation velocity meter, because this kind of instrument is highly professional and is relatively rare in China. But this is not a problem for Guo Tiemin at all. After all, there are many military industrial departments under the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building, and these things can be easily handled with just one phone call.

As for the site problem, it can be solved by contacting the local garrison troops. There are many military bases around Shanghai, including shooting ranges and training grounds. You can just block off an area and conduct experiments on explosives.

Other required equipment includes shock wave tester and infrared temperature tester, which are also indispensable. As for other instruments, Xu Qiang’s research institute has them all.

A moment later, a complete list was handed to Guo Tiemin.

"This is the list of testing instruments for explosives. I have done all the experiments that can be done in the laboratory. I will submit the relevant test reports to the ministry later." Xu Qiang said.

"Yes." After taking the list and taking a look at it, Guo Tiemin nodded, and then said to Xu Qiang: "Are you confident about this experiment?"

"Of course I have confidence, but no one can be 100% successful in scientific research. I hope Director Guo understands this." Xu Qiang paused and continued, "Also, the Chinese New Year is coming soon. The comrades in our institute have left their homes thousands of miles away and come here from BJ to work. They have paid a lot for this, so I think the department can give them more Chinese New Year benefits. I don't want a penny..."

"Uh..." Seeing that Xu Qiang still did not forget to ask his superiors for money at this time, Guo Rui was so scared that he didn't even dare to breathe.

"That's not your top priority right now!" Guo Tiemin's face darkened again, and he said, "After the experiment is over, you can talk to me about these things. If the experiment fails, I will report to Minister Zhang and may re-select the project leader!"

At this moment, Guo Tiemin has already revealed his cards.

There is no doubt that Guo Tiemin has been patient with the "bottomless pit" of Shanghai Research Institute for some time. Now, unless he sees Xu Qiang's research and development results, the department will re-select the project leader.

As for Xu Qiang, the temporary director, since the project leader has changed, he naturally no longer has the position of director. As for how his superiors will arrange it, they will definitely reconsider it when the time comes.

"Okay, let's do the experiment first." Xu Qiang nodded and said, "I'll bring the samples over after Director Guo prepares the venue and equipment."

"That's it." Upon hearing this, Guo Tiemin turned around and left.

"Director Guo, it's time for dinner. We have already prepared food. Why don't you just stay here after you finish eating..." Seeing this, Guo Rui hurriedly stepped forward and said.

"No need, you can eat by yourselves." After saying that, Guo Tiemin left the office.

Seeing this, Xu Qiang immediately sent Guo Tiemin downstairs, and then watched him leave the institute in a special car.

"Director Xu, what should we do now?"

Seeing Guo Tiemin leaving, Guo Rui said with a worried look on his face.

"What to do?"

"Experiments...If Director Guo has prepared the venue and equipment, what should we use to do the experiments?" Guo Rui obviously didn't know that Xu Qiang had already made samples, so he suddenly felt that something dangerous was about to happen.

"You don't have to worry about this. I have my own way." Xu Qiang said lightly.

"But……"

"You don't have to say anything. I've already told you I have a solution." Xu Qiang glanced at Guo Rui and said, "Dinner is almost here. Ask Xiao Wang to cook two more dishes and buy a few bottles of wine. I won't be going back tonight. Let's get drunk!"

"Well... okay." Upon hearing this, Guo Rui had no choice but to do as he was told and turned to walk towards the kitchen.

At this time, Xu Qiang took out a cigarette, lit it, and blew a smoke ring into the sky...

……

In the evening, in the institute's restaurant, Xu Qiang and the employees sat together, and the table was filled with sumptuous meals.

Normally, dinner time can be said to be the happiest time in the institute. People chat and laugh, pass food to each other, and the fatigue of the day is swept away at this moment.

But at this moment, the atmosphere in the restaurant seemed unusually depressing. Everyone had a frown on their face and no one was willing to pick up their chopsticks first.

"What's wrong with everyone? Let's eat?" Seeing this, Xu Qiang immediately signaled everyone to eat.

"Pick up your chopsticks and eat!" Guo Rui also said to everyone at this time.

After hearing this, everyone picked up the chopsticks on the table, but their faces were still a little sad.

"What's wrong with you all?" Xu Qiang asked at this time.

"Director Xu, are our superiors going to cancel our project?" Finally, a middle-aged woman sitting opposite Xu Qiang suddenly asked.

"Cancel the project? What do you mean?" Xu Qiang was stunned when he heard that, and then asked.

"Didn't Director Guo come today? Isn't he preparing to do experiments? But the problem is that our project team hasn't produced a successful sample yet. If we can't produce any results, the project will probably be cancelled..." said the middle-aged woman.

"Yes, our project has been going on for several months, but we haven't produced even a single sample..." a man next to him also said.

It turned out that what Xu Qiang didn't know was that when Xu Qiang and Guo Tiemin were talking in the office just now, several people in the institute were eavesdropping outside the door.

When they learned that Guo Tiemin had to test the experiment in the laboratory to make it successful, everyone was surprised.

You know, since these people came to Shanghai, they have been in a relatively relaxed working state. They basically spent the first month cleaning. In the next two months, the work assigned to them by Xu Qiang was also very easy. They only needed to synthesize some compounds according to the process he gave. The final synthesis work was completed by Xu Qiang alone, so no one knew what stage the research and development of the new explosives had reached, and no one knew that Xu Qiang had actually made a sample.

So when their superiors asked to see the results, they suddenly felt a great crisis.

After all, in the past few months in Shanghai, thanks to Xu Qiang's efforts, the working and living environment in the institute has become very good, and cultural and sports activities are held very frequently, which is much better than the original working environment in BJ.

Add to that the three dollars and fifty cents a day for food and travel expenses, and the fact that the material entertainment in Shanghai is better than in BJ, so he has long been reluctant to leave these people.

But if the project fails, the only outcome waiting for them may be to pack up and go home... (End of this chapter)