Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 414 Gathering All Forces, Setting Off Again

The main gate of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

After the two young men met at the door, they looked at each other and one of them greeted, "Hello, comrade. I'm here today to participate in a project selection. Do you know where Vice Dean Zhou's office is?"

“What a coincidence, comrade, I’m also looking for Vice Dean Zhou Fengnian. I’m Miao Zihao from Sijiu City Medical College.”

Miao Zihao smiled and reached out to shake hands with the student in front of him who was the same age as him.

"Hello, hello, I'm Xing Zhiming, from Beijing Medical University."

Xing Zhiming quickly extended his hand to introduce himself. Both of them were somewhat shocked after learning about each other's information; they both held doctoral degrees.

Doctoral degrees were only introduced a few years ago, and they were among the second batch of graduates; the number was extremely small, probably only around one hundred in the entire city of Beijing.

There are still some in Shanghai, but it will take them a few days to get here by car. Zhou Fengnian has been busy with this matter these past few days, trying to get it done as soon as possible.

Xing Zhiming and Miao Zihao were originally scheduled to intern at the research institute or on a research project, but they suddenly received a notice that they had been transferred here.

This incident angered both their supervising teachers and the project team preparing to take them in. In the entire city of Beijing, there are only so many good students each year, and two of them were snatched away at once.

They were also informed that they might need more people in the future, which made their teachers furious; but since the messenger was Zhou Fengnian, they could only suppress their resentment.

Miao Zihao and Xing Zhiming were just the first batch; there were thirteen more people to follow.

After exchanging information, the two discovered that it was the first time for both of them to come here, and they didn't know why they were there. The project was also confidential, but they were told to come here to find Vice Dean Zhou Fengnian.

Xing Zhiming and Miao Zihao were both familiar with Zhou Fengnian. It should be said that at this time, even students who were not in the same major should know Zhou Fengnian.

This person has such an overwhelming aura that even the Tsinghua University professorship is just the most insignificant one among all his accolades.

After exchanging pleasantries with Miao Zihao at the entrance of the Academy of Sciences, Xing Zhiming asked, "Comrade Miao, let's go in together. Do you know how to find someone?"

"I'm not sure, but someone should be coming to pick us up. Let's ask first."

Miao Zihao had been to the research institute twice and knew that one couldn't just wander around in such a place. If one was an outsider, someone would have to accompany them the whole time.

So Miao Zihao called Xing Zhiming over, and together they walked toward the gatekeeper: "Hello comrade, I am Miao Zihao from Sijiu City Medical College. This is my identification."

I received a notification asking me to come see Vice Dean Zhou Fengnian today. May I go in?

"Looking for Vice Dean Zhou? Wait a moment, let me check if there's a record."

There are two guards on duty at the gate, both armed, and there are quite a few people inside, so the security level is quite high, and outsiders behave themselves when they come here.

Miao Zihao and Xing Zhiming did the same, immediately handing over their identification documents and waiting for the security guard to check the registration.

"Yes, Vice President Zhou's secretary said you would be coming today. Please wait a moment while I call Secretary Qian to let him know."

After the security guard finished speaking, he picked up the phone and dialed Qian Zhi: "Secretary Qian, the people you mentioned the day before yesterday have arrived, Miao Zihao and Xing Zhiming. Should I let them in now?"

"Okay, okay, then I'll have them wait for you."

After reporting the situation, the security guard said to Miao Zihao and Xing Zhiming, "Please wait here for a moment. Secretary Qian will come down to pick you up soon."

"Thank you, comrade, for your trouble."

After thanking them, the two waited at the door, but soon they saw someone walking towards the door.

As he approached the entrance, the security guards greeted him, saying, "Secretary Qian, you've arrived. These are the people here."

"Thank you for your help. I've brought the person in; the leader is waiting to see them."

After greeting the gatekeeper, Qian Zhi turned to Miao Zihao and Xing Zhiming and said, "Come with me, the leader happens to have some time right now."

After saying that, Qian Zhi led the two of them into the Academy of Sciences.

This place is considered a sacred place in the hearts of all researchers. If they can earn a title here after a lifetime of hard work, such as a member of the academic division, then their life is considered complete.

Miao Zihao and Xing Zhiming were the same; after entering, they looked left and right, their minds filled with thoughts of working here in the future.

Today might be their chance. Although they don't know what they'll face next, the two of them just talked and found that they are in the same major, so what they will face next will definitely be related to their major.

Led by Qian Zhi, the two quickly arrived at the door of Zhou Fengnian's office.

Qian Zhi knocked on the door, and after hearing a "come in" from inside, he pushed the door open and went in, saying to Zhou Fengnian, "Boss, the two people you asked for the day before yesterday, Miao Zihao and Xing Zhiming have arrived."

Zhou Fengnian looked up at the door and said, "Alright, let them in. Go and prepare two cups of tea."

"I see."

After Qian Zhi finished speaking, he called the two men in, then poured two cups of tea and placed them in front of Miao Zihao and Xing Zhiming before leaving the office.

After Qian Zhi left, Zhou Fengnian said, "Miao Zihao, Xing Zhiming, I am aware of your abilities and performance. There is a research project that requires your participation, but this project is confidential. Please sign the agreement first."

I'll let you know after I sign it, but even if you don't participate, you can't disclose it to anyone, otherwise it would be leaking state secrets."

After speaking, Zhou Fengnian took out two confidentiality agreements, which contained requirements for the two people. These agreements only covered the confidentiality of those who knew about this matter.

Miao Zihao asked, "Sir, may I ask what kind of research it is?"

"Sign this first, and I can tell you after you've all signed it."

Xing Zhiming, who was standing nearby, also asked, "Sir, if we find out after signing, can we still choose not to participate?"

Zhou Fengnian said, "Sure, it's up to you whether you participate or not, but you can't reveal this to anyone, not even your teachers or relatives at school. If you do, it's a leak of state secrets, and someone will hold you accountable."

After hearing this, Miao Zihao and Xing Zhiming both became serious. Seeing the seriousness on Zhou Fengnian's face, they realized that this was no joke.

However, the two did not hesitate for long before stepping forward to sign the confidentiality agreement.

After seeing the two people sign, Zhou Fengnian took out the documents for the near-human body project from the drawer, and said as he handed them over.

"This is a project about human evolution, mainly aimed at creating a cell evolution serum that can push the limits of the number of cells in the human body, as well as the limits of the number of cell divisions."
If you participate, you will be responsible for assisting me in completing the initial serum manufacturing experiments; simply put, you will use the test subjects as petri dishes.”

Zhou Fengnian gave a brief introduction to the project and what they were going to do, and then fell silent.

After they finished reading the project construction documents, both of them looked up with shock and disbelief on their faces.

This experiment is a bit ahead of its time. When Dean Wu first saw the project plan, he was very skeptical.

"Have you finished reading? Tell me your plans." Zhou Fengnian picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then continued, "If you don't want to join, remember the confidentiality agreement. If you are willing to join this project, I will take care of the rest of the formalities for you."

"Boss, I'd like to join."

Miao Zihao began by saying that he felt this was an opportunity, and this research also made him very curious about how far the human body could evolve!
After Miao Zihao finished speaking, Xing Zhiming was still a little hesitant. He saw the general direction of the experiment above and felt that this method was a bit too much. However, Xing Zhiming, who had just graduated from school not long ago, was really tempted.

Like Miao Zihao, he wanted to participate in such a major research project.

"Boss, I'd like to join in too."

Seeing that the two had agreed, Zhou Fengnian said, "Since you've agreed, go back and make some preparations. I'll help you complete the formalities in a few days, and you can completely separate from your previous projects."

By the way, be prepared to remain anonymous for a long time. This project is a top-secret national project; no one except the participants and the highest-ranking officials can be informed.

"But you don't need to worry. You will still have a respectable job and income. Once the results are in, I guarantee that your income will not be lower than that of your previous teachers."

Since it's difficult to give them official recognition, then give them plenty of benefits; the researchers who participate will receive a minimum monthly salary of over four hundred yuan, and earning five or six thousand yuan a year is not a problem.

Although they weren't there for the money, Zhou Fengnian had to put their worries at ease so that their whole family wouldn't have to worry about money or possessions.

After Miao Zihao and Xing Zhiming signed the agreement, they left to go back and inform their families and schools of the situation.

In the following days, Zhou Fengnian also spoke with the other thirteen people, but two of them did not accept the offer.

After Zhou Fengnian gave them a brief explanation of the confidentiality agreement, he let them leave, while the rest of them remained in Beijing.

There are thirteen people in total, which is enough.

The research institute will be completed soon, and the experimental subjects will be ready at any time. Zhou Fengnian will be able to start the project research next month.

Cell evolution serum is not difficult to produce; it can be manufactured entirely with the scientific research equipment of this era.

Once the serum is produced, extending lifespan will be a secondary benefit; the most important thing is to create a batch of soldiers who exceed human limits.

They can carry a lot of equipment and perform high-difficulty tasks in environments that ordinary people cannot endure; their most basic use is as a mobile intelligence signal station.

------

"Sigh, it's so cold in Northeast China. Spring has been over for so many days, but it's still like winter here."

Zhou Xianzhe closed the window and said that he couldn't stand the cold after the car window was open for a short while.

He then turned to his cousin and asked, "Xianrui, how much longer until we arrive?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Xianrui glanced at his watch and said, "About two more hours, brother. You should get used to it by now. We should come here more often in the future; there are two factories here."

"How about I stay in Beijing to oversee things? I'll leave things here to you."

"Dream on! I've already said we either make money together or enjoy life together. Stop thinking about slacking off."

Zhou Xianrui refused without hesitation: a food processing plant, a mechanical parts processing plant, and a transit warehouse.

With so many things to do by himself, he'll have to spend seven or eight months a year in Northeast China. Will he ever be able to go back to Beijing?

"Besides, why don't you wear more layers? That bear coat is so warm, why don't you wear it?"

Zhou Xianzhe said with disdain, "Wearing this makes you look like a big black bear, how can you even see a human shape? Forget it, let's not talk about it anymore. This time we need to find some capable people in Beijing to help us. From now on, we can only come to the Russians to take a look. Otherwise, we can forget about it."

After the New Year, the two of them went to Russia again, and this time they had a good haul, bringing back a semi-finished fourth-generation fighter jet, which was different from the fourth-generation jet they had brought back last time.

They called it a semi-finished product, but those Russians were really bold. They even called it a semi-finished product when it was just the final spray painting.

And they sold it to them for only $600,000, what a bunch of parasites; the normal price is around $2 million, but they got it for two-thirds less.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. If you fly out and get reimbursed, the expenses are covered by the government, but if you get 'reimbursed' on the production line, then it's considered your own expense.

Occasionally, they might get a reprimand for filing one or two plane claims, but the millions in income they earn are real.

Zhou Xianzhe and Zhou Xianrui were generous with their money, and they made a lot of money from that trip. They bought back nearly 60% of the 'scrap' parts from the three Russian machinery factories.

There are also various food ingredients; buy them, process them, and resell them to earn double or triple the money.

Before long, the train arrived at the station. The two brothers had practically booked the entire train, carrying not only disassembled fourth-generation fighter jets but also loads of 'personal goods'.

This isn't the end of it; there are still three more trips to bring back all the goods they bought from the Russians.

Being able to charter four trains in a private capacity is unprecedented for Zhou Xianzhe and Zhou Xianrui since the founding of New China.

After disembarking at the station, a section of the platform was cleared out. Other items could only be loaded and unloaded after the fourth-generation fighter jets were transported away by relevant personnel.

"We've finally arrived at Second Uncle's place?"

As soon as Zhou Xianzhe and Zhou Xianrui got out of the car, they saw Guo Jinhuai walking towards them. Upon seeing this, they quickly went up to him and respectfully greeted him, "Second Uncle, what brings you here?"

They had been scolded by Guo Jinhuai many times in their attempts to find wives, and in the end, they had no choice but to ask their third uncle, Zhou Fengnian, for help.

Even now that they are relatives, the two have not forgotten Guo Jinhuai's methods.

"I was on a business trip and just stopped by to see you all."

Guo Jinhuai nodded as he saw the fighter jet parts being unloaded from the train and said, "You've done a great job. These two times alone have made a significant contribution, and it has also brought me a lot of pride."

“Look at what my second uncle is saying, this is not what we should be doing.”

Zhou Xianzhe quickly replied, "Besides, we've made quite a bit of money along with them, it's only right."

Four train trips, after processing all the goods, can earn them 20 to 30 million yuan. If they make six trips a year, they can earn hundreds of millions of yuan by transshipping goods across the border.

The three chatted for a while. Guo Jinhuai's two nieces had also given birth, but their fathers were transferred away shortly after the babies were born. The new father was his niece's husband. Guo Jinhuai was quite embarrassed.

However, this was an order given to him by his superiors, so Guo Jinhuai had no choice but to comply. He would ask first, and if they were not happy, he would talk about it later.

“Xianzhe and Xianrui, you can tell I’ve come to you with something, so I won’t beat around the bush.”

Guo Jinhuai pulled the two aside and said in a slightly lowered voice, "Our comrades have made considerable progress in Ulan and have basically gathered enough information, but we still need some comrades to smooth things over in order to purchase the aircraft carrier."

You guys are pretty good at this. Consider going there; you have a big advantage. That old Russian you made connections with these last two times also has connections in Ulan.”

(End of this chapter)