Chapter 23: I am here for this family! Rest assured!

"Report, Chief, Dean Sun is here."

Xu Dongguo raised an eyebrow. He had just been thinking about Su Dingping when Sun Yongguo arrived all the way from Harbin.

"Let him in."

A moment later, Sun Yongguo hurried in.

"Comrade Yongguo, what brings you all the way from Harbin?"

"Chief, I've come for two reasons. First, to report on our recent progress. Second, to get a better understanding of the situation regarding the 956E."

"Didn't I already approve the application order?" Xu Dongguo asked, looking surprised. He had signed the relevant documents days ago.

"It’s like this—the 956E has already been moved to the base. I was worried about the logistics of coming and going, so..."

Xu Dongguo realized the issue and said quickly, "I see. I’ll write you another pass in a moment."

He paused, recalling his recent conversation with Qian Wenbing, and added, "You all need to pick up the pace. The 956E might need to be moved to the southern base before long; Chief Qian is pushing hard for it."

Sun Yongguo nodded repeatedly and handed over a report. "Chief, this is the progress report for the last few days. We’ve expanded the team from six people to eighteen."

"Eighteen? Can he handle that?"

"Reporting, Chief, this was Comrade Dingping’s own request. He plans to divide the teaching and have everyone tackle their own specific areas, advancing on all fronts simultaneously."

"But it is true—the progress these past few days has been much faster than the first two, and everyone has benefited immensely."

After flipping through the pages, Xu Dongguo gave a sincere piece of advice. "Comrade Yongguo, Comrade Dingping is a treasure to our Navy. You mustn't let him burn out! There are some things I cannot say directly, but you must keep an eye on him. If he exhausts himself, it will be a loss for the entire Navy!"

"Yes, Chief!"

Sun Yongguo then produced another document. "Chief, this is an application for a military merit citation for Comrade Su Dingping. We are all in agreement that given the core technologies Su Dingping has conquered, requesting a First-Class Merit is both reasonable and appropriate."

With so many experts vouching for him, Xu Dongguo had no reason to doubt. "That won't be a problem!"

He tucked the file away and looked at Sun Yongguo. "Comrade Yongguo, I am considering keeping Comrade Dingping in our Navy. Tell me your thoughts."

Upon hearing this, Sun Yongguo replied immediately, "Chief, I support this! In the time I’ve spent with Su Dingping, I’ve found him to be a truly rare talent."

"If he were snatched up by other sister services in the future, it would be a huge loss for us!"

"I was considering that as well," Xu Dongguo said thoughtfully. "Very well, find some time and draft a program for this."

"Yes, Chief!"

***

At the same time, in the capital, at the Naval 408 Research Institute.

"Is this the result you’ve brought me? Is this what I asked for? Is this what our Navy needs?"

Dean Lü Guangjun was furious, facing a room full of researchers. None of them dared to make a sound.

The deputy dean, who led the group, said, "Dean Lü, we have done our best! Breaking through core modern technologies is truly a monumental challenge!"

"I am well aware it is difficult! If it weren't difficult, why would they need us?"

Seeing that no one spoke, Lü Guangjun waved his hand. "Enough, enough. Everyone, get out."

Soon, he was alone in his vast office. Looking over the data from the recent adjustments to the 051B, Lü Guangjun sighed deeply.

The Navy’s independently developed 051B was at the stage where results needed to be submitted. Initially, they had been full of confidence, planning to build a modernized warship that belonged to the Navy itself. The 051B was considered the culmination of current naval military industrial efforts.

However, after the arrival of the 956E, they realized there was still a significant gap between the 051B and true modernization, let alone being on par with the 956E. Consequently, while working on the 956E, they were also attempting technical upgrades on the 051B.

Now, the results of those adjustments were in, and Lü Guangjun was still unsatisfied. Faced with the current urgent situation, the 051B offered very limited utility. He stood up and paced the room, feeling increasingly anxious.

Just then, a call came through from Cheng Yiqiang, Dean of the Naval 702 Research Institute.

"Old Lü, it’s me, Old Cheng. The results of today’s negotiations are out. Have you heard?"

"What results?"

"The talks collapsed!"

"What did you say? Collapsed?" Lü Guangjun’s voice rose several decibels. It was normal for both sides to fail to reach an agreement, but what on earth did it mean for the talks to "collapse"?

"What exactly is going on? Tell me."

"I don't know much either..."

After Cheng Yiqiang gave a brief explanation, Lü Guangjun was stunned. Chief Xu apparently didn't intend to buy? Why would he suddenly stop buying? The 051B results already left him dissatisfied, and now the follow-up purchase of the 956E had collapsed; he felt completely numb.

"Do you think this has anything to do with Chief Xu’s sudden visit to Harbin Institute of Technology a while back?"

At Cheng Yiqiang’s prompt, Lü Guangjun immediately recalled the news from a few days ago. At the time, he hadn't given it much thought, but who would have imagined it would affect the subsequent 956E procurement!

Taking a deep breath, Lü Guangjun asked, "Have you heard any rumors?"

"Not clearly."

After a long silence, Lü Guangjun finally said, "Old Cheng, the 051B upgrade has failed! There is still a huge gap from what we envisioned."

"I know. I’ve already seen the data, which is why I called you in such a hurry. If everything had gone smoothly, the other two 956Es might have been delivered by the beginning of the year! With four 956Es in our arsenal, we could have bought ourselves more time! Now, Sun Yongguo has done something, and Chief Xu’s attitude toward the purchase has changed entirely!"

Lü Guangjun pondered for a moment. "I’m going to go see Chief Xu!"

"Don't bother. I’ve tried to reach him, but I couldn't. I get the feeling Chief Xu is intentionally avoiding me."

The two fell into a brief silence.

Suddenly, Lü Guangjun declared, "No, this cannot be left as it is! I am going to see Sun Yongguo tomorrow! I want to see what kind of medicine he has in his gourd!"

"Alright, I’ll wait for your good news tomorrow!"

***

The next morning, Lü Guangjun boarded a flight straight to Harbin. He intended to ask Sun Yongguo directly, otherwise, he wouldn't be able to settle his mind.

Meanwhile, at the 335 Research Institute:

"Old Li, are you really not coming?" Zhang Gongnong asked Professor Li.

"I’m not going. Someone has to stay here to hold the fort! A round trip takes at least a day; I’d rather spend that time guiding them in their research."

Professor Li added, "Dingping has never been to Qingdao. After seeing the 956E, take him around to have some fun in Qingdao. No need to rush back!"

As he spoke, he gave Zhang Gongnong a look, as if to say: "I’ve got things covered here."

"Dingping, let’s go!"

Immediately, Sun Yongguo, Zhang Gongnong, and Su Dingping boarded a car heading to the naval branch. Half an hour later, a private plane took off, bound directly for the northern sea military base.