The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Chapter 444 Steel
My father eventually passed away, but thankfully my mother recovered.

After his father's memorial service, Liu Hua suddenly felt enlightened. In his previous life, he was young and had never faced life and death directly. Although he had passed away, it was only for a moment, and he didn't need any preparation.

He's already over fifty years old. At this age, there are some things he should let go of. He might as well maximize his value in the remaining days of his life.

I packed my bags and headed straight for Longxi.

Liu Feifei advised, "You're not young anymore, can you please not work so hard?"

"It's precisely because I'm getting old that I have to work so hard," Liu Hua said with a smile. "I don't have many days left, and I haven't really realized my self-worth in my life yet."

Liu Feifei slapped Liu Hua: "You're already a great scientist, and you haven't realized your value yet. Then what about all of us who have lived our lives in vain? The earth isn't going to stop turning just because of you."

“That makes sense,” Liu Hua said with a smile. “But since I have the ability, I should contribute more. How could I not do my best for such a great country?”

"I'm thinking of building the experimental thorium-based molten salt reactor this year. That's how the world works; if you're one step ahead, you'll be many steps ahead."

The research team in Longxi warmly welcomed the boss's arrival. Last year, the boss solved more than a dozen important problems in just three months. If the boss works hard again this year, the reactor might be successful within two or three years.

While Liu Hua was engrossed in his research, people from China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) came to inspect the research institute. Strictly speaking, this institute should be jointly led by Liu Hua's Taiyi New Energy and CNNC.

Our country's nuclear power industry is currently in its initial stage and is exploring various avenues. They have high expectations for Liu Hua's thorium-based molten salt reactor, so they sent a vice president to inspect it.

"Professor Liu, I didn't expect to see you here."

Liu Hua shook hands with him: "Anyway, we're just idling around, so let's join the research together. Adding a monkey will definitely add some effort."

"Professor Liu is so humorous. If you could join the research, it would be a great opportunity for me to participate," the vice president said with a smile. "You are a very famous person in our country's scientific research community. No project you are involved in is unsuccessful, and they are all completed very quickly."

"You flatter me." Liu Hua waved his hand. "But the research on the thorium-based molten salt reactor has indeed gone quite smoothly. I'm thinking of starting to build the experimental reactor this year."

"That's really good news. I'll go back and apply to see if I can get some funding from the company. Since the research institute is a joint venture between our two companies, we can't let you contribute both money and personnel. We have to do our part."

During their inspection, the two men started talking about the nuclear fusion project.

“Our country is now interested in joining the ITER project, and we are currently in contact with relevant parties.”

Liu Hua shook his head: "Impossible, they would never let us join."

"Really? They seem quite enthusiastic to me," the vice president said doubtfully. "So far, they haven't shown any signs of rejection."

“When it comes to hypocrisy, Westerners are far superior to us,” Liu Hua said disdainfully. “They would never let us join them, because in their planned world system, a populous country like ours will always be a base for providing them with cheap labor and cheap goods. High technology is not something we should covet.”

The vice president frowned: "But those Westerners didn't refuse our request to make contact; they were quite enthusiastic."

Liu Hua smiled and said, "When someone gives a gift, they must have something in mind. Based on their plans and current behavior, I reckon they're probably planning to rip us off. Artificial suns are very expensive; they'll need to find someone to share the costs." The vice president's expression turned serious: "If that's the case, then we need to be extra careful during our interactions."

"When dealing with the West, don't believe they have truth, goodness, and beauty; it's all a facade. We must try to understand them with the worst possible human motives."

Having completed the preliminary theoretical and design work, Liu Hua is now preparing to build the experimental reactor.

China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) dispatched its most experienced equipment engineers and technicians to help, all of whom were transferred from Daya Bay and Qinshan.

Liu Hua was directing the construction work methodically when a call came from the Ministry of Industry, urging him to return to Beijing immediately.

Liu Hua handed over the work to the chief engineer of the thorium-based molten salt reactor and rushed back home.

"Boss, what's the matter that's so urgent that you summoned me back with just one phone call?" Liu Hua joked, "This is as urgent as summoning Yue Fei with twelve imperial edicts."

"What are you talking about? If you're Yue Fei, then am I Qin Hui or Emperor Gaozong of Song?" the leader said, feigning displeasure. "I have something important to discuss with you."

"What big event? Why is there always something big happening? Let me make this clear beforehand, I don't know anything about national affairs."

"You previously told the Air Force that Xiaodongyang's steel production was suspected of data falsification."

Liu Hua nodded: "That's true."

"We have re-inspected the steel we imported from Japan over the years." The leader sighed, "There were indeed issues with inflated data; we were careless before."

Liu Hua waved his hand: "Don't worry, the steel he fakes is always the top-of-the-line stuff. The material he exports to us may have some mislabeling, but it's not a big problem."

“False labeling is false labeling.” The leader shook his head: “So now the higher-ups have come up with a solution to integrate some small steel companies in the market and establish a new steel group that specializes in specialty metals.”

"We already have many steel groups like this in China, such as Shagang, Panzhihua Steel, and Baosteel. Won't this lead to a waste of resources?"

"Activate the market and strengthen competition." The leader said with a smile, "Without competition, there is no technological development."

"Then why did you summon me back in such a hurry?"

The leader smiled and said, "You were in charge of the projects at Baosteel and Shougang. You have experience in this area. Now you have the technology, experience, and funds, so everyone agrees that you can run the new steel company."

"Put it under our Taiyi Group?" Liu Hua shook his head: "Impossible. Although our Taiyi Group is very rich now, we have a large scale of operations. Starting a steel company would be a gold mine."

"I've thought it all out for you," the leader said with a smile. "The Construction Bank has prepared 10 billion yuan in interest-free loans and 20 billion yuan in low-interest loans, all specifically for you. These funds will be exclusively for your use for the next five years."

(End of this chapter)