Study Monster Cultivation System-Chapter 318 - 317 I’m really not pretending...

Morning, 9:30 am.

As Du Songtao walked into the office with his coffee and the international news in hand, he noticed Li Zheng and a guy with a buzz cut slumped over his desk.

Overtime through the night?!

How could they do such a thing?

Without a moment’s hesitation, Du Songtao headed straight for Lin Yujing’s workstation.

To his surprise, Lin Yujing was also face down, apparently asleep!

No, that can’t be right, could she have also worked overtime?

Probably not, just a regular nap at the desk.

"Ahem..." Du Songtao coughed deliberately, not too lightly but not too forcefully either.

No one paid him any attention.

Left with no choice, Du Songtao approached the desk, about to wake Li Zheng when he saw a printed report on it.

He set aside his cup of coffee and began to skim through the report.

Immediately, his eyes bulged in astonishment.

The more he flipped through, the faster he went, until he reached the very last page.

Following that, he fell into a prolonged moment of stillness.

If that’s the case...

Then now should be the time to...

Instinctively, he turned around, ready to burst into Zhu Mingyue’s office.

But his pace soon slowed.

A scholar he might be, but snatching credit just wasn’t his style.

He quickly returned to the desk and, with the report in hand, abruptly awakened Li Zheng and Liu Rui.

Before the two could even speak, Zhu Mingyue pointed to the report and said,

"I don’t understand the algorithm, just tell me how confident you are."

After a short moment of post-wake daze, Li Zheng shook his head and straightened his hair.

"Above 95%, and it can be verified immediately."

"We don’t have the capability to verify, it must be done by the team from The Sixth Institute, which will take considerable effort," Du Songtao said, waving the report, "I’m going to arrange an all-hands meeting with Zhu Mingyue right now. If it’s rejected, we’ll be the laughingstock."

"That won’t happen, Chief Engineer Du," Liu Rui said as he got up, putting on his glasses, "Even if our conclusions are wrong, there’s nothing laughable about this matter."

"Understood," Du Songtao patted both their shoulders and said solemnly, "Wait for my message."

With that, he hurriedly left the office.

Five minutes later, the entire YF-87 team received a notice for an emergency meeting.

When Du Songtao returned, Li Zheng and Liu Rui were putting the final touches on the presentation, while Lin Yujing was still bedding down at her desk.

"How’s it going?" Du Songtao asked, walking briskly over to the workstation, "Any problems with your presentation?"

"Li Zheng can give the report, my mind is blank," Liu Rui gestured vaguely, "My head is full of curves, I can’t even understand what Li Zheng is saying anymore."

"You did most of the work, you present it," Li Zheng replied, saving the presentation and turning around, "Besides, this is Institute No. 17’s area of expertise, I don’t want to stand out too much. Having a bunch of teachers listen to me, it just doesn’t feel right..."

"But I really... I’m struggling to even speak a complete sentence right now..." Liu Rui said, squinting and rubbing his forehead, "My brain has never been this overloaded in my life..."

"Alright, I’ll make the call," Du Songtao pointed to the computer and said, "Li Zheng will handle the presentation, and Liu Rui’s name will be written at the front in the PPT, OK?"

The two men exchanged glances, then reluctantly nodded.

"Good," Du Songtao clapped his hands and forcibly pulled them up, "Now, both of you go wash your faces, slap yourselves awake, and I’ll go pour you some coffee. If we can verify it like your conclusions suggest, then I believe—"

"Starting today, Yellow 2 is making a comeback."

...

At 9:39 am, the last team member rushed into the meeting room.

The notice only mentioned an emergency meeting with no further details and without any prior information, which left most people filled with a sense of mystery.

In front of the long table, Zhu Mingyue and Du Songtao discussed tensely while Li Zheng and Liu Rui, near the projection screen, were blankly adjusting the projector.

At exactly 9:40 am, Zhu Mingyue and Du Songtao nodded to each other and put their discussion on hold.

Zhu Mingyue dispensed with the introductions, following Du Songtao, and directly began his address.

"Chief Engineer Du’s team has unearthed a breakthrough achievement in data analysis."

"It’s complex, and I haven’t had the chance to look at it in detail."

"Now, let’s hear Li Zheng’s report and debate its accuracy on the spot, and plan the follow-up work."

Upon hearing this, the faces of those present couldn’t hide their disappointment.

In this period, Du Songtao had indeed proposed some ideas at regular meetings, which had either been disproven or were impossible to prove due to a lack of conditions.

Although he was an expert in satellites, he still lacked experience in the field of engines, giving the impression of being an armchair strategist.

Put dramatically, it was like two people fighting it out in LOL with mere words, declaring their moves and countermoves with phrases like "how I position myself and when I use my Q." Such talk could theoretically hold up, following his own logic, but practically it was nowhere near the real deal.

It also wasn’t hard to deduce from Zhu Mingyue’s words that he had explicitly absolved himself of responsibility, evidently dragged into the meeting by Du Songtao against his will.

This is what happens when an outsider with no experience drops in; they waste everyone’s time.

When most attendees realized the presenter was Li Zheng, disappointment undeniably deepened.

Despite being at a dead end, was it really necessary to engage in such farcical behavior? To listen to a high school student laying out plans?

Li Zheng, however, paid no attention to these sentiments and simply smoothed his hair before standing up.

To muster his energy, he had even dampened his hair, now exuding a type of oily charm, reminiscent of an overworked senior programmer.

"First, I want to clarify that this work wasn’t entirely done within our group," he said.

"It is Liu Rui and the members of various groups that completed 99% of it. I only finished the last 1%."

"I’ll briefly describe the process and conclusions now."

As Li Zheng spoke, he pressed the controller, and a curve graph appeared on the screen immediately.

"This is a suspicious frequency curve."

"Such suspicious curves appear in thousands of segments during each test run."

"I was constantly looking for its characteristic values, trying to use some algorithm to filter out the interference and pinpoint the most dubious parts for in-depth study."

"But due to the involvement of engineering calculations, my personal abilities were limited, and I never found a reliable method."

"At this point, Liu Rui presented these… these, and these…"

Li Zheng said while consecutively clicking the controller, and one by one, the suspicious curves spread across the screen.

"We’ve analyzed these curves already," said a group leader, raising his hand. "Liu Rui worked very hard, but following these threads we found no dependable conclusions; they’re likely just normal engine vibrations and noise during operation."

Li Zheng nodded.

"Yes, analyzing a single curve would result in this conclusion, as they appear periodically, neither too strong nor too weak, neither too deep nor too shallow."

"If analyzed in isolation, it would be like trying to solve a 12-variable equation based on a single line of calculation—inevitably, it would yield no results."

"Therefore, we need at least 12 lines of calculations, and to solve them jointly."

Li Zheng clicked the remote again.

The previously spread-out curves now overlapped on the screen.

The whole room turned to look, with many previously disheartened individuals now perking up.

Everyone present was an expert in their field, and although they saw only the superimposition of curves, they sensed the periodicity and correlation within.

Li Zheng tapped again, and along the overlay of 12 curves, a clearly marked red curve appeared, followed by its corresponding matrix and dense mathematical expressions on the bottom.

"This is the solution," Li Zheng circled more than half a page of mathematical symbols on the screen. "Teachers can briefly check this out, and if there are no specific objections, we can turn the page."

By this stage, there weren’t many in the room who could understand the material.

One of them, a young engineer, raised his hand.

"We have tried similar approaches," he began, "but you should know, from those suspicious data points Liu Rui identified, randomly picking any 12 to analyze for correlation will yield some conclusions. Such an analysis method doesn’t necessarily prove anything, considering nearly 200 curves were summarized, it’s even less likely to prove anything."

"The 12 I chose were not random, they were refined using an improved fault model algorithm," Li Zheng clarified attentively.

"Based on the parameters I entered into the system, it could extract 1, 2, or even 100 curves. I just randomly chose 12 to make it easier to discuss here."

"In my actual analysis, I ultimately selected 67 parameters, which roughly equates to solving a 67-variable equation."

"Of course, my explanation is still very superficial. This involves specialist content in machine learning and data analysis. If the teachers are interested, they could refer to the three papers previously published by Institute No. 11."

The engineer shook his head: "I understand you can’t go into detail here, but the issue is, this step of justification is crucial. If you don’t convince everyone here, it will be hard for them to accept your subsequent conclusions."

Li Zheng nodded confidently: "No problem, my conclusions can be verified through actual testing."

The engineer couldn’t help but laugh and cry: "Do you mean to say, we should build another engine based on your conclusions and take it for a test run? No offense, but we really don’t have the time and resources for such antics…"

"No need to build another one, no test run necessary. We can verify it today, half a day at most is enough," Li Zheng said, spreading his hands helplessly. "Actually, I wasn’t expecting such a simple report to convince everyone of my conclusions. This report is just to give everyone a reason to consider my conclusion."

"…" The engineer shook his head and waved his hand, "You continue, for now, let’s assume your fault curve is valid."

"Thank you for your tolerance, Teacher," Li Zheng continued. "To be precise, this conclusion is not a fault curve but a curve that describes the fault curve, an equation describing another equation. It’s like reducing the fault analysis by one dimension and reducing it to a pure mathematical problem. Based on this, we can calculate further and uncover this—"

The screen flipped, showing a super-matrix that nobody in the room could understand.

"This is the mathematical description of the final fault," said Li Zheng with a nod. "I am not trying to dazzle with mathematical skill or confuse everyone. I just want to present a more reliable argument, strengthening the basis for everyone to validate my conclusion."

"Next, we ’tweak’ this description just a bit…"

"And it becomes this…"

"Hard to comprehend, yes, but this is actually one of the mathematical expressions for the two-dimensional projection of the fault point on the axis system…"

"Now… we will use the structural parameters of the axis system to ’restore’ this projection back onto the axis system…"

"Simply put, we need to re-elevate the dimensions…"

"You may understand this process as a computer operation where we convert the characters we entered into binary sequences, process them, and then output the result in characters we can understand…"

"Don’t make that face; I really am not showing off…"

"The final mathematical expression is straightforward; I am sure everyone can understand it…"

With another click from Li Zheng, several lines of equations appeared, simplified to the point of being moving.

"Probability distribution?" someone already cried out, "To be precise, it’s a point probability distribution within a cylindrical-like body."

Li Zheng was also moved; at last, someone understood.

He clicked again, and finally, a shape that even a primary school student could recognize appeared.

It was the model diagram of a YF-87 turbine shaft system, covered with countless tiny red dots.

"There are a thousand red dots on this diagram."

"They are placed on the shaft system in a probabilistic distribution."

"The denser the red dots, the more likely there is a problem; the sparser, the less likely."

"Due to my limited abilities, this is as far as I could go."

The group scrutinized the engine that seemed as if it had been shot by countless quanta, and an intense discussion ensued.

Zhu Mingyue reached out to Du Songtao.

Before Zhu Mingyue could speak, Du Songtao had already looked up.

"I know what you’re going to say—don’t ask me; I didn’t have time to understand all of that in the middle either," Du Songtao took control of the conversation and asked, "Assuming Li Zheng is correct, would this conclusion help with engine improvement?"

"If the assumption is correct..." Zhu Mingyue looked at the diagram and kept pursing his lips, "then the root of the problem has been delivered to our doorstep."

In the midst of the discussion, someone raised their hand and said, "If it’s this kind of probability distribution, the conclusion is quite clear... The question is, how can we believe that this conclusion is reliable? You just said it can be verified today?"

"Yes." Li Zheng nodded, "This model holds true not only for the three recent test runs but also for every test in the past."

"During the past test run that lasted 30,000 seconds, I believe the problem has already been exposed, although it was too minor to reach our threshold of awareness."

"But I am certain that the exposure probability is directly proportional to the environmental difficulty parameter."

"Although my understanding of the engine is far less than all the teachers present."

"But I am confident to put forward a hypothesis here—"

"Every engine in each of our past tests has fractured to varying degrees."

"Perhaps it was a crack so small it was invisible to the naked eye."

"But it definitely exists, right in front of us."

"At this moment, we still have four complete engines in the factory that have undergone different levels of testing, all with the conclusion of ’stable operation’."

"Now, go to the factory and dismantle them."

"There will be cracks."

"If none are found, I guarantee to immediately vanish from here and no longer occupy anyone’s time or resources."

At the end of his words, Li Zheng bowed deeply.

"My knowledge and skills are modest, I apologize for the time I’ve taken."

The room fell into silence.

All eyes were turned to Zhu Mingyue.

After a brief thought, Zhu Mingyue looked towards the head of the maintenance team: "I remember there were inspections after the previous test runs, right?"

The team leader hesitated: "Yes, there was a comprehensive check after each test run, and we never found any cracks."

"What level of inspection was it?" Li Zheng asked, "Did you disassemble the engine? How detailed was it?"

"We disassembled one, and didn’t find any cracks. The other engines also underwent thorough electrical and monitoring inspections." The team leader looked at Li Zheng, "The result would probably be the same if we disassembled all of them..."

"How do we know without trying?" Li Zheng requested, "If you can’t see it with your eyes, use a magnifying glass, if the magnifying glass can’t see it, use a microscope. There must be cracks; when all else fails, we have to put in the hard work. This trick was taught to me by Liu Rui; he said it’s the spirit passed down from the elder generation of Institute No. 17."

"..." The team leader fell silent and turned to look at Zhu Mingyue.

Zhu Mingyue hardly pondered before striking the table decisively.

"The cost of verification is low, it’s worth a try."

Most people were then persuaded and nodded in agreement.

If Li Zheng’s conclusion required building another engine to verify it, that would, of course, be out of the question.

But if it was only about inspecting the existing engines, it would take just a few hours.

As a bit of a joke, everyone could just equip themselves with a magnifying glass.

Seeing the reaction of the crowd, Zhu Mingyue also gained some confidence and nodded affirmatively,

"Before we arrange work, let me first talk about Li Zheng’s issue."

"He said if no cracks are found, he would leave."

"I do not approve of this."

"Here, I don’t care about your educational background or age, you are a top expert in data analysis, and all your work is laid out here. No one questions your attitude and ability. Even if you pointed us in the wrong direction, don’t be afraid, I’ve been wrong dozens of times and am I not still sitting here?"

"I said it the first time we met—we’re all family here, no need to make it feel adversarial."

"So, Li Zheng." Zhu Mingyue stared at Li Zheng and nodded, "Can you take back what you said? If you’re wrong, get up and keep going. Can you do that?"

The head of the maintenance team then raised his hand: "That’s right... You scared me with the determination you showed just now... We’re all brothers, it’s not necessary..."

"Li Zheng, each of us wants to prove that you’re right," the testing team leader nodded as well, "No matter what’s holding us back, we’re all in this together. We’ll push in whatever direction we need to. No more talk like that."

"If every mistake meant someone had to go, then the aerospace system would be left with no one at all."

Comforted by everyone’s kindness, Li Zheng also wiped his eyes.

"Sorry, sorry... I spoke out of line in my agitation, I didn’t sleep last night..." Li Zheng said with an embarrassed laugh, scratching his head, "I take it back, I won’t say it anymore."

"Not just you. Look at Liu Rui, he’s staring blankly," Zhu Mingyue pointed at the dazed Liu Rui, "Take a break now. Once the results are out, you’ll be busy."

However, Liu Rui continued to stare blankly, as if he hadn’t even heard the remark, until everyone’s laughter brought him back to reality.

Soon, Zhu Mingyue had sent nearly half of the people out.

Most headed urgently to the Western Suburb Test Site, targeting two engines that had undergone thousands of seconds of testing and were "stable and intact."

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A smaller group was dispatched to the original factory in Jibei to check the other two engines that had been returned for maintenance.

In fact, this task could have been left to the workshop engineers, but Zhu Mingyue was prepared for a detailed inspection that would require long periods with the "magnifying glass"—a metaphor for a series of testing and control instruments, of course.

The good news was that an engine at the original factory in Jibei was being opened up for maintenance, and the factory mechanics had immediately taken on the task of dismantling and meticulously inspecting it. With some luck, the conclusions might come even faster than expected.

After all the arrangements were made and Li Zheng had answered some colleagues’ questions, half an hour had passed.

At this moment, Li Zheng felt as though he had been through a tough battle, and the tightness in his spirit that had lasted all night finally eased.

Once his tension dissipated, he collapsed powerlessly into the chair.

By then, Zhu Mingyue fully understood Zhao Zhenhua’s gamble.

Though the outcome was uncertain, it was indeed worth the bet.

Zhu Mingyue personally stood up and went over to Li Zheng.

"Li Zheng, you go and rest as well. We’ve already had a lot of people go down. Now, we need to conserve our strength," he said.

"Yes..." Li Zheng stood up, "But... how could I possibly sleep now..."

"That’s true, then might as well use this leftover heat," Zhu Mingyue nodded, "No matter what the outcome is, your analysis method has its value. For the next step, I’ve arranged your work: systematically summarize your methods, organize sessions for the data people when you have time, and intern it in document form for future reference."

"That I can do," Li Zheng smiled, "I didn’t expect to start writing a paper here."

"No, no, no, this is too core to be published as a paper," Zhu Mingyue said, supporting Li Zheng’s shoulders, "But its value will definitely exceed that of most papers. Regardless of the result, I’ll find a way to give you a reward that’s not less than the reward for publishing a core paper."

"Really, that’s not necessary..." Li Zheng laughed it off, "As long as we can get connected with Harbin Institute of Technology soon, that’s enough for me."

"Hmm?" Zhu Mingyue asked, "If this conclusion is correct, do we still need them?"

"Still needed, and even more so," Li Zheng nodded vehemently, "I’ve at most found the path. To keep going, we’ll certainly need top-notch engineering computation support."

"Got it, don’t worry. The documents have been sent to the First Institute already, and Secretary Zhao will personally approve it."

While they were talking, Du Songtao, who had been standing by idly, sauntered over.

"Old Zhu, are you trying to steal my people?"

"Hey, we’re all one family, there’s no ’yours’ or ’mine’ here."

"Don’t give me that!" Du Songtao also followed with a joking shake of his head, "Can you believe it? I, a grand master, spent half the day and couldn’t persuade them. Yet it’s you, kid, with your list of equations who convinced them..."

"Coincidence, coincidence," Li Zheng patted the continuously dazed Liu Rui beside him, "Really, 99% of the work is his. I just played the role of an ordinary data analyst. Plus, his content coincidentally highly overlapped with my work recently. With our minds meeting, everything clicked instantly."

"All those coincidences," Du Songtao sighed, "You’re the one who’s patient. Once you focus on a direction, you delve deep into it. You had to have burrowed deep enough to have a feel for Liu Rui’s data, to work all night and come up with these. I must admit, in this case, my approach to the work might have been wrong..."

As they spoke, Zhu Mingyue’s phone rang.

As soon as he answered, Zhu Mingyue shouted out.

"Are you sure?!"

"Okay, send the picture over."

"Check the second engine as fast as you can."

Zhu Mingyue hung up the phone and rushed out of the conference room, yelling.

"No need to go, everyone come back!"

"Verification ended!"

"Start the second reset!"

"Two and a half months left, we have two and a half months left!"

After a brief silence in the office area,

cheers that pierced three floors erupted one after another.

"Those engines really had cracks?"

"Clearly it’s a malfunction, why am I so happy!"

"I thought it was magic, but it turned out to be math."

At that moment,

Lin Yujing, who had been napping in the office, suddenly sat up straight.

"Ugh... what time is it... where is everyone..."