Chapter 190: Fifth-Generation Nickel-Based Superalloy Material
"Superalloy material?"
"Yes, superalloy material. Do you know about our country's latest fourth-generation fighter jets?" Qiao Yunfeng looked at Zhang Yang, hands clasped behind his back as he paced around the tea table, speaking with a hint of helplessness.
"I know. There are two models—Black Ribbon and Black Swan." As a university student, and a guy at that, he naturally knew about these things.
"Right, those two. Their designs are no weaker than those of advanced Western nations, but they still have a weakness—the engines…" Qiao Yunfeng stopped by the table and sat down again. "Frankly, our engines, whether in thrust-to-weight ratio or stability, still can't compare to those of advanced Western countries. Do you know the key issue? It's the superalloy material used in the turbine blades and other parts."
"Right now, the engines of mainstream fighter jets around the world are all turbine engines. They rely on pressure expansion to convert thermal energy into power and achieve thrust. The magnitude of that thrust depends primarily on the compression ratio and how high the turbine inlet temperature can go. Theoretically, we can design ultra-high compression ratios and infinitely increase the turbine temperature, but the key issue lies in the stability and durability of the blades."
"And the stability and durability of those blades depend on the superalloy used. Currently, most Western countries use nickel-based superalloy materials. Especially in the U.S., the famous F119 engine uses the fourth-generation single-crystal nickel-based superalloy EPM-102. As for us, the alloys in practical use are still second-generation. Of course, it's not that we can't design alloys comparable to theirs."
"We can even produce high-niobium titanium-aluminum alloy blades, but whether in process or stability, there's still a gap with Western nations."
"Western countries have pushed the thrust-to-weight ratio of turbofan engines to the limit, while we're still chasing them. Their engines reach a ratio of 11, while ours remain between 7.5 and 9. That's the real gap."
"And your future father-in-law happens to be in charge of researching superalloy materials. So, since you've got all that future tech in your head, how about helping me come up with a stable and production-ready set of badass superalloy material tech? Even if not for me, at least do it for the country."
Qiao Yunfeng's gaze carried a trace of urgency.
As for Zhang Yang, it wasn't that he didn't want to help, but he only had eleven points left—far from the fifty he needed. Unless he went negative again, his only option was to ask the system and take a gamble.
Though actually…
When Qiao Yunfeng had been talking earlier, he had already asked the System Assistant. A complete set of technical data for fifth-generation nickel-based superalloy turbine blades that could boost a turbofan engine's thrust-to-weight ratio to 13 or even 15 would cost forty system points.
A set of design and process materials for high-niobium titanium-aluminum alloys required fifty points, while a complete vacuum-energy engine design applicable to anti-gravity systems would need a staggering three hundred and twenty points. With his current balance, he couldn't afford any of them.
But of course, as long as he worked hard for a few more days, he could soon get them.
He gritted his teeth.
Deliberately emphasizing the words "superalloy material," he repeated, "Superalloy material? I haven't found anything like that in my head yet, but give me one week, and I'll definitely develop a fifth-generation nickel-based superalloy production process."
"One week?"
"Yeah. Any faster would take at least four days." Zhang Yang gritted his teeth. Forty points—he had eleven now, meaning he needed twenty-nine more. Four days meant seven or eight per day. It wasn't that he couldn't handle it, but Lulu and Gao Qi probably couldn't, and he also worried that this set of technical data might end up like that damned 'Level 1 Security Defense System'—requiring future tech that consumed more points. That would be a bottomless pit.
The engine might not be built yet, and he could end up dead first.
"No, no, no, don't rush. I thought it'd take a year or more, but you can do it in a week? Isn't that too hasty? Make it a month. If you can help me get a fifth-generation nickel-based superalloy—or even a fourth-generation one—in a month, something we can mass-produce with stable quality, you'll be a national hero. I'll make sure you get recognized."
"Uncle, no need for recognition. But I do have one condition."
"What condition? Say it."
"That no one can know this came from me, including what I told you tonight." Zhang Yang said. Qiao Yunfeng was his future father-in-law and a general, so sharing a few small details shouldn't be an issue. But if others found out, he'd be in deep trouble. Someone might even chop off his head for research.
"That's it?" Qiao Yunfeng thought Zhang Yang would ask for Qiao Xier's hand directly. He hadn't expected such a simple condition. Even if Zhang Yang didn't say it, he wouldn't tell anyone anyway. That was his precious son-in-law—he wouldn't want anyone stealing him away.
With a broad grin, he nodded repeatedly. "What you said tonight, I won't tell a soul. But if you really develop that fifth-generation nickel-based superalloy process and don't get any reward, that'd be unfair. You're my son-in-law, after all—I can't just watch you get shortchanged…"
By now, he'd already upgraded Zhang Yang from future son-in-law to actual son-in-law.
Zhang Yang was delighted inside but kept a straight face. "Uncle, as long as you don't oppose me being with Joyce, I'm already grateful. Those rewards mean nothing to me."
"Alright then, we'll talk about it later." Qiao Yunfeng was so excited he didn't know what else to say.
With that, once they had a stable superalloy production process, not only could the country's high-thrust engines go into production, but Huaxia's most advanced fighter jets could stand toe-to-toe with, or even surpass, those of the West.
Downstairs, the ladies of Nuwa Residence were sitting nervously together. Qiao Yunfeng's visit had everyone on edge—not only Qiao Xier, the main party, but even Xu Danlu and Gao Qi were anxious.
The two already regarded Qiao Xier as a sister and fully understood how important Zhang Yang was to her.
And they knew well what kind of family the Qiao family was—there was no way they'd accept a flirtatious commoner with two girlfriends.
Qiao Yunfeng's visit clearly wasn't friendly. The two men had been talking upstairs for hours, and the women downstairs had nearly lost patience, barely stopping themselves from rushing up to check.
"Qiao Qiao, you said your dad's a general, right? And he served in the special forces? Doesn't that mean he's super tough?" Gao Qi, her ample chest trembling, stared at Qiao Xier nervously. "You think he'll beat Yangzi half to death?"
"He wouldn't… my dad's not like that…" Qiao Xier said anxiously, though she wasn't entirely sure herself.
She vaguely remembered that when she was a child, after being bullied by a boy at school, her father led a group straight to the kid's house…
In high school,
When her father heard a boy was pursuing her too eagerly, he personally took leave, returned from the base, and confronted the guy. Whatever he did, that boy transferred schools the very next day.
And this time… well.
Though her father seemed easygoing, that was only with her. With outsiders—especially Yangzi—who knew? If he thought they'd slept together, breaking his leg wouldn't be out of the question.
But just as the three women worried, and Gao Qi even went to find a stretcher, Qiao Yunfeng and Zhang Yang came down the stairs with arms around each other like close brothers, all smiles.
The three women froze on the spot—especially Qiao Xier. She had already prepared for the worst, ready to face her father's wrath if things went south, but she hadn't expected the two men to come down so harmoniously.
"Dad, you didn't do anything to Zhang Yang, right?" Qiao Xier's eyes scanned Zhang Yang up and down nervously, as if checking for missing parts.
"What are you talking about… what could I possibly do to him?" Qiao Yunfeng was so angered by his daughter's question that he almost spat blood. He was already old, and she knew Zhang Yang could fight like hell, yet she still worried about that brat instead of her own father!
Truly, a grown daughter belongs to someone else.
"Good, as long as he's fine." Qiao Xier checked again and confirmed that Zhang Yang was intact. He even gave her a sneaky wink, and her heart immediately relaxed.
"Hmph, seems like you don't want me here, Qiao Qiao. Fine, I won't stay tonight—wouldn't want to be in your way." Qiao Yunfeng pretended to be angry, glancing at her.
"Oh, Dad, it's already late—if you want to stay, then stay." Qiao Xier heard his tone and finally sighed in relief. It seemed the worst had passed. Now her thoughts were all on Zhang Yang. This bastard—how did he manage to win her father over? She'd interrogate him later.
Qiao Yunfeng gave Zhang Yang a helpless look. His daughter was hopeless—'If you want to stay, then stay'? That sounded more like a polite eviction. Still, he hadn't planned to stay anyway. This place was full of beautiful girls; what would it look like for an old man like him to stay here? Besides, he needed to get back and think over the fifth-generation single-crystal nickel-based superalloy process. That was a revolutionary leap, with lots of groundwork to do.
"I'll get going…" Qiao Yunfeng smiled at Zhang Yang. "Zhang Yang, don't forget our agreement."
"Don't worry, Uncle!"
True to her carefree nature, as soon as her father left, Qiao Xier grabbed Zhang Yang and demanded, "You… what did you say to my dad?"
"You wanna know?" Zhang Yang grinned, his eyes drifting toward her perky curves.
"No shit!" Qiao Xier glanced at Xu Danlu and Gao Qi beside her, then gave up on hitting him. "Hurry up and tell me, or you're dead."
"No way—unless you agree to one condition." After all, those forty points hurt to spend; that was over ten battles' worth!
"What condition?" Qiao Xier eyed his lecherous look, knowing he was up to no good—but she wanted to know too badly.