Chapter 35: Technical Error

Seeing Hua Guosheng rushing out in a fluster, Zhao Guoyang hurriedly followed after him.

As they made their way to the inspection site, Zhao Guoyang asked Xu Dongfeng, "Dongfeng, what exactly is going on? Haven't we supplied fuel tanks to Mingke Tractor Factory many times before? There were never any reports of oil leakage. Why are so many tanks leaking this time?"

Xu Dongfeng hesitated, casting a pleading glance at Hua Guosheng.

Seeing his pitiful expression, Zhao Guoyang sighed inwardly, realizing he’d asked the wrong person. Although Xu Dongfeng wasn’t slow-witted, he was rather lazy and knew only the basics about technical matters. Most of the time, he simply followed whatever his master, Hua Guosheng, instructed, never bothering to ask why.

Hua Guosheng, who had clearly overheard Zhao Guoyang’s question, slowed his steps and explained, "Guoyang, here’s the situation. This batch of fuel tanks ordered by Mingke Tractor Factory is somewhat different from previous ones. The shape hasn’t changed much, but the volume has increased."

"After receiving the order, I redesigned the dimensions and handed them over to the production team. In theory, changing only the outer dimensions shouldn’t cause any issues. But for some reason, problems have cropped up this time. Sigh..."

Hearing Hua Guosheng’s lament, Zhao Guoyang felt a wave of sympathy for the seasoned technician. He knew that if the product had issues, Hua Guosheng would lose his bonus for the next three months—at least a hundred yuan gone. In these days, technical staff were treated quite well, with special monthly bonuses that other departments didn’t enjoy. But now, a serious quality problem had arisen with his product, and Hua Guosheng’s bonus was essentially forfeit. If the issue couldn’t be resolved properly, even his year-end bonus might suffer greatly.

"Don’t worry too much, Master Hua," Zhao Guoyang said after some thought, trying to offer comfort. "Fuel tank leakage is a common issue. As long as it hasn’t left the factory, it’s not a safety incident. Let’s go take a look and see if there’s any way to fix it!"

"Yes, that’s all we can do," Hua Guosheng nodded, picking up his pace.

When the three arrived at the inspection station, two inspectors were discussing the ten fuel tanks before them.

"Old Ma, this batch of tanks definitely won’t be ready for delivery on time. We’ve only checked the first ten, and already found seven with issues. Even if they can be reworked, it’ll take at least a day or two."

"There are several more batches currently in the final coating stage. If we keep finding problems like this, it’ll be a disaster..."

Inspector Old Ma sighed, "Who can argue? Fuel tanks are most prone to leaks. We’re lucky to have found the issue in our own factory. If they were shipped out and caused a safety accident at the client’s site, that would be a real problem..."

"Old Wang, Old Ma, what’s the situation?" Hua Guosheng asked hurriedly as he entered.

Seeing Hua Guosheng, the two inspectors sighed, "Old Hua, you’re finally here. The leakage issue with this batch is severe—the rejection rate is up to seventy percent... take a look for yourself."

Old Ma stepped aside, revealing the square water tank used for leak testing.

Hua Guosheng walked forward, picked up a fuel tank, sealed its cap, and immersed it in the water tank. Almost immediately, bubbles began to appear around the tank, indicating a leak.

He tested several more tanks in succession, all showing leakage. Staring at the seven leaking tanks before him, his face darkened.

Zhao Guoyang observed the entire process, noting the location of the leaks on each tank. From his analysis, the leakage was not an accident but a technical error. The reason was clear—almost every leak occurred at the tank’s corners, the most vulnerable spots.

Now, Zhao Guoyang wanted to see the drawings Hua Guosheng had provided to the production team, to check if there was any mistake.

He cleared his throat and said to Hua Guosheng, "Master Hua, could you show me the production drawings you issued?"

Before Hua Guosheng could reply, Xu Dongfeng interjected, "Guoyang, are you serious? It’s just a twenty percent increase in size—why would we need a drawing for that?"

Hua Guosheng nodded in agreement, "That’s right, Guoyang. Since only the length, width, and height differed from the previous product, I took a shortcut and didn’t draw a new diagram. I simply gave the new dimensions to the production team and told them to follow those."

Hearing this, Zhao Guoyang had a good idea where the problem lay. He nodded and said, "Alright, then, Master Hua, I’d like to see the previous product’s drawings to check if there’s any possibility for a remedy."

Hua Guosheng trusted Zhao Guoyang and immediately agreed, excusing himself to find the drawings in the production department. Seeing his master leave, Xu Dongfeng waved at Zhao Guoyang and hurried after him to help.

After the two departed, Zhao Guoyang picked up a defective tank and examined it closely.

As he inspected the tank, the two inspectors, Old Ma and Old Wang, began whispering.

"Old Ma, our new deputy technical chief really talks big, doesn’t he?"

"No kidding," Old Ma replied in a low voice. "Such a major fuel tank leakage issue, and he treats it as if it’s nothing. He even wants to find a way to fix it? Quite the braggart."

"Young and reckless, unaware of the challenges ahead," Old Wang shook his head in exasperation. "But it’s no wonder—fresh out of school, and already sitting in the deputy director’s chair. If he doesn’t make some grand statements, it’ll be hard to win people over. Did you see how Old Hua immediately obeyed his command just now? I’ve never seen him so compliant before."

"Well, I’m curious to see what miracle he’ll create. Fuel tank leaks are either nonexistent or a huge headache when they do occur. Usually, you have to remake them from scratch."

"Otherwise, patching here and there can easily compromise the tank’s structural integrity. By then, regret will come too late..."