The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Chapter 464 I am a penny

"Does it all concern us?"

Liu Hua nodded: "The Scourge of God, the remnants of the Huns, were beaten so badly by us that they could not take care of themselves and could only flee westward. They learned a little bit of our techniques and were able to beat Europe so badly that it could not take care of itself. In the rise and fall of the various dynasties that followed, these crippled steppe tribes all went westward."

So, ultimately, he's afraid of us?

Liu Hua nodded: "I'm scared, very scared. We could beat them black and blue when we were poor and penniless. If we were to gain access to high technology, what do you think they would think?"

"But we love peace."

"Stop talking nonsense." Liu Hua smiled. "We know we love peace, but they don't think so. They are the descendants of bandits. Their basic logic is that only by plundering can we become rich and powerful, and once we become rich and powerful, we will enslave others. They are afraid that we will enslave them once we become strong."

The vice president stood up, hands on his hips: "After talking with you, I feel much clearer. If you don't want to play with us, then you don't want to play with us. We'll just play by ourselves."

Liu Hua nodded: "That's right, you'll find that we're much more efficient when we play by ourselves than when they team up."

"How could that be? A whole group of them couldn't possibly beat our family?"

Liu Hua nodded: "That's right. Looking at history, from the time the eighteen warlords united to fight Dong Zhuo, how many alliances have you seen that actually succeeded? The more people there are, the more disorganized they become."

“That makes sense.” The vice president said with a smile, “I feel much better now. How about your thorium-based molten salt reactor? We can’t count on nuclear fusion in the short term. But if your thorium-based molten salt reactor succeeds, that would be very exciting.”

"The experimental reactor has been built," Liu Hua said with a smile. "It's currently being tested, and we're making modifications as we go. The first-generation technology is still not mature enough."

"The first generation of technology is out already?" the vice president said happily. "That's already a great victory."

"According to our timeline, we should be able to connect to the grid and start operating by the end of this year at the earliest, and by the middle of next year at the latest," Liu Hua said with a smile. "Our technology will be updated and iterated twice within three years at the latest."

The vice president grabbed Liu Hua's hand and said, "Come on, let's go out for a drink. At this moment, I can't express my joy without a little alcohol."

"Don't be so happy, this is just the first step in a long journey." Liu Hua shook his head: "We are still importing thorium ore from Afghanistan. Although there are thorium mines in China, they are not being mined much."

"Let's prioritize the Indians' use for now," the vice president said cheerfully. "Haven't you always advocated using domestic resources as reserves?"

“You know India, right?” Liu Hua smiled helplessly. “They’re determined to be the hegemon of Asia, but they’re not destined for it. They’ve been having disputes with us for a long time now. I’m worried about the quality of the minerals from there.”

"So let's import more while we have the insurance. You can use our CNNC warehouse however you like." The vice president pulled Liu Hua aside: "Let's not talk about anything else. We have to drink today. I'm happy today. When I first came, I was full of resentment, but now I'm happy. After we finish drinking and go back, we still need to discuss internally how our two companies can cooperate on this thorium-based molten salt reactor."

"You're making the decision?"

The vice president patted Liu Hua on the shoulder: "Don't worry, Professor Liu won't treat you unfairly. We may have the will, but we don't have the guts. Your project is a key project, and many important people are watching it."

At this point, the vice president scratched his head and said, "Back then, we at CNNC regarded this thorium-based molten salt reactor as a key project for the next century. But at your rate of development, it will be completed before the next century even begins."

"The 21st century has its own mission," Liu Hua said with a smile. "By then, our key projects should be lunar exploration, Mars development, and nuclear fusion."

"You're really carefree." As the vice president of CNNC, he should have a lot of entertainment expenses every year, but today he paid out of his own pocket and went to a small restaurant with Liu Hua. They ordered three snacks and two bottles of Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor), and the more they drank, the happier they became.

He completely forgot about the humiliation he suffered in Europe.

After returning, he began to discuss cooperation with Taiyi New Energy, making sure to divide the pie fairly and impartially.

The State Grid was well-informed; as soon as CNNC started discussing cooperation, the State Grid began visiting Liu Hua.

"Professor Liu, I heard that your nuclear reactor can generate electricity."

Liu Hua shook his head: "No, it's not very stable yet."

“That’s fine then.” The deputy general manager of State Grid complimented, “You truly deserve to be called a national hero. Our country’s nuclear power project has only just begun, and you have already opened up a new path.”

"Because thorium-based molten salt reactors are stable and safe." Liu Hua said with a smile, "Those involved in nuclear power can never forget Chernobyl."

“That’s right.” The vice president nodded. “We must remember the lessons learned. Our State Grid team would like to cooperate with you.”

"It's a bit early," Liu Hua shook his head. "It's just an experimental reactor right now. Although it can generate electricity, it's unstable and can't be connected to the grid yet."

"Preparation is the key to success, and lack of preparation leads to failure." The vice president said with a smile, "The power shortage in Longxi is very serious. Your reactor can at least generate electricity and solve part of the shortage. Moreover, I believe it will become more and more stable."

The deputy general manager said earnestly, "You should know that it's not just Longxi that's short of power; the entire Northwest region is experiencing power shortages, and it's a headache for us at the State Grid."

"Haven't you been building new energy power generation facilities all along?"

"Yes, the construction of solar and wind power has never stopped, but with the acceleration of economic development, our growth rate cannot keep up with the demand."

Liu Hua thought for a moment and said, "I can't agree to that. This is not a small matter. You need to get the approval of the relevant departments."

“You’re an expert. What do you think about connecting to the grid? As long as you have positive suggestions, we’ll negotiate with the higher-ups.”

Liu Hua thought for a moment and said, "If you invest some money to build a battery transfer station, I think it should be possible to connect to the grid."

“No problem.” The deputy general manager of State Grid readily agreed: “We have been building these kinds of power transfer stations. New energy power generation needs transfer stations, and we have experience in this area.”

"You guys go and discuss it with the higher-ups," Liu Hua smiled. "But the money owed to our company can't be less. I've invested a lot of money in this nuclear reactor, and we're almost running out of money."

"You're joking," the vice president said cheerfully. "You're the richest man in the country. If you're struggling to make ends meet, then our State Grid will go bankrupt."

"Am I pathetic?" Liu Hua said, pretending to be serious. "Compared to you guys, I'm just a drop in the ocean. You're nine oxen, and I'm just a drop."

(End of this chapter)