The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Chapter 337 Hairline

Liu Hua said this intentionally, because he remembered a similar incident that happened in our country in the 1990s.

There's this yellow-skinned, white-hearted thing—I can't remember its name—that's very well-connected with everyone in major steel companies in China, from security guards to CEOs.

Taking advantage of these opportunities, he compiled statistics on the annual raw material demand of major steel mills and then sold this data to BHP Billiton and Vale.

Our steel companies' import of iron ore has put them in a difficult position, forcing them to spend huge sums of money every year to purchase raw materials.

It wasn't until later, when steel companies across the country united and exerted collective pressure, that prices were finally brought down.

Of course, this guy was eventually discovered and brought to justice, but the lost funds could not be recovered, and the losses suffered by our country are irreparable.

Studying the material transfer process on LNG carriers is a meticulous task. Liu Hua taught Shougang's engineers for half a month, which was already quite a lot of face for Shougang. He only taught Baosteel's engineers for four days at most.

The management of Shougang were extremely grateful. Back in those difficult years, the local specialties they sent were not given for nothing; they left a lasting impression.

After finishing the first phase of work, Liu Hua rested at home. He needed to rest well. He used to be a research engineer who did odd jobs, and suddenly leading such a large research team was something he couldn't adapt to all at once.

His wife once asked him: "He used to do his research quietly by himself, so why did he make such a big fuss this time?"

Liu Hua replied with a smile, "Do you know how big this thing is? It can hold hundreds of thousands of tons of natural gas. If I were to work on such a behemoth by myself, it would take forever."

It was precisely because it was unrealistic for one person to build such a ship, and even more contrary to the general laws of scientific development, that Liu Hua requested the leadership to launch a major campaign.

In fact, Liu Hua is not content to rest at home. He is now a well-known figure nationwide, especially in the motorcycle engine industry, where he is a household name.

The country's economy is currently in a very favorable state, and motorcycle manufacturers are springing up everywhere.

Many motorcycle manufacturers don't have their own core technology at all. They just buy parts from here and there and cobble together a motorcycle.

The most crucial component is naturally the engine. Every day, manufacturers from all over the country come to visit Taiyi Heavy Industry.

Liu Hua naturally ignored the ordinary, no-name brands, but many of these companies were originally state-owned enterprises that didn't produce motorcycles. However, in order to find a way out and provide food for their workers, they changed careers and entered the motorcycle industry.

Their rank was quite high. These factory managers came to Liu Hua with letters of introduction from regional leaders. Ju Wei was not of a high enough rank to be received by Liu Hua personally.

Many people have no idea how motorcycles are manufactured, so when Liu Hua talks to them, it's like talking to a brick wall.

They demanded the best engine, and Liu Hua could only patiently tell them that his engine was already the best in the world.

Liu Hua had no idea what these people were thinking. They clearly didn't understand the technology at all, yet they dared to claim they were going to build the best motorcycle in the world. It wasn't that Liu Hua's engine was bad, but their standards were too high, and they wanted Liu Hua to optimize it further. Liu Hua was so angry he wanted to slap them. "If you're so capable, why don't you optimize it yourselves?" he thought.

However, since the other party had powerful backers and was so fearless, Liu could only feign compliance.

“Optimizing the engine is not the problem, the problem is time. It takes three to five years to develop a good engine.” Liu Hua said, pretending to be helpless. “I don’t have time right now because I have to take charge of other projects. Besides, I don’t know if your factory can afford to wait.”

Liu Hua thought to himself, "If you weren't desperate, you wouldn't have entered this race."

Sure enough, once these words were spoken, they compromised and began to negotiate the order price down again and again. Some even shamelessly hoped that the price written in the contract would be slightly different from the actual price. What they meant was clear to everyone, but it couldn't be said outright.

Liu Hua, of course, flatly refused such a request. Some people persisted, but Liu Hua didn't care. If these people dared to use any special means, Liu Hua could show them what it meant to have powerful connections.

I'm willing to discuss business with you, so you should be sensible and know your place. If you really resort to underhanded tactics, you'll either end up in jail or be in jail.

Faced with these incessant visits, Liu Hua was thoroughly annoyed. In the end, when he had no other choice, Li Huaide gave him a suggestion.

Li Huaide helped him contact a retired senior director from the Ministry of Industry, a man of strong principles, and rehired him as the deputy director of his office, so that this senior director could replace Liu Hua in receiving these visitors from all over the country.

This old director worked diligently in the Ministry of Industry his entire life, and many people knew him. If anyone dared to be unprincipled in front of him, the old director wouldn't mind teaching them what principles really meant.

Liu Hua is extremely busy these days, flying out of town on average once a week. His travel expenses are so high that even the Ministry of Industry is surprised. Fortunately, Liu Hua is covering his own travel expenses.

Although the leaders felt this was somewhat against procedure, they could only acquiesce to the situation because we didn't have much money in our pockets right now, since Liu Hua really did have money.

At the end of 1988, before the Chinese New Year, Liu Hua traveled all over the country to learn about the research situation of various research institutes. Overall, the situation was very good. Although there were no major breakthroughs, progress was being made.

After finishing the LNG matter, there was also a meeting at Tsinghua University. He needed to oversee his graduate students and the department's research tasks.

Professor Li said to Liu Hua, "Now that the higher-ups have decided to develop a new generation of supercomputers, I've secured you a position as deputy chief engineer."

Liu Hua strongly resisted: "You want to work me to death? I have a huge project at the Ministry of Industry, and I'm the deputy chief engineer there."

"The capable should do more." Professor Li said with a smile, "In terms of supercomputer architecture, you are unmatched in the country. I am even slightly inferior to you. It is only because you have other work that I am willing to take on the role of chief engineer. Otherwise, you should be the chief engineer."

Liu Hua touched his forehead, feeling that his hairline might be receding. He was over forty years old and still had a thick, black head of hair; he certainly didn't want to have a receding hairline.

(End of this chapter)