The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Chapter 472 Come to life
“A while ago, an engineer from Baosteel came to visit, and my boss accompanied him.” He Jianguo said tentatively, “I took him on the tour, but I didn’t show him the design drawings.”

"Actually, it doesn't matter if you let him see it." Liu Hua smiled. "The technology is all similar. It's just that I've incorporated a lot of advanced semiconductor technology. It's just a trial run in this area. As computer technology matures, they will also make modifications in this area. I'm just one step ahead."

“Steel mills are traditional enterprises, and now even traditional enterprises are using so much computer technology.” He Jianguo said with emotion, “It seems that computing technology will be a hot topic in the future. I regret not choosing computer science as my major.”

Liu Hua smiled and said, "Actually, your choice is not wrong. Steel is an eternal theme for mankind. It is the backbone of industry. However, computer technology is updated too quickly. I am already struggling to keep up. I only do some guiding work. The specific research is all done by my students. Only the young and energetic can carry this banner."

"The reason I chose this major is because my dad saw how impressive you were as the chief engineer back then, so he encouraged me to choose this major. And I also think you are impressive, especially since your family has never lacked snacks since I was a child, which is a huge temptation for me."

Liu Hua laughed heartily: "People like to indulge their appetites, just as the old saying goes, 'Food is the first necessity of the people.'"

“Your Guodong truly understands the importance of food for the people,” He Jianguo said with a smile. “He is now following in the footsteps of Professor Yuan in researching grain, and he will undoubtedly become an authority in this field in the future. I am far inferior to him.”

Infrastructure construction cannot be accomplished overnight. The first phase of the steel plant project is less than halfway complete, and Liu Hua understands that this matter cannot be rushed.

He had already prepared the first product of the new steel plant: marine steel, and not just ordinary marine steel. It was marine steel specifically designed for building warships.

Once Liu Hua's products are ready for market, our country's new ships can be produced like dumplings being dropped into boiling water, such as the Type 052, Type 054, and preferably the Type 055.

He Jianguo asked suspiciously, "Ship steel?"

Liu Hua nodded: "To be precise, it's ship steel."

"Building warships?" He Jianguo said excitedly, "That's interesting. However, I think if we want to make money, we should also include shipbuilding steel in our business scope, since civilian ships use more of it."

"That's not a problem."

He Jianguo thought for a moment and shook his head: "What good is it to have ship steel? Our power system is no good. Otherwise, we wouldn't have imported two Sovremenny-class warships from Russia last year. Even if our steel industry is no longer good, at least we can still provide steel for construction."

Liu Hua patted his chest and said, "Have you forgotten what your uncle does? Your uncle owns a factory that specializes in producing engines."

"Stop joking, Uncle." He Jianguo waved his hand: "A car engine is not the same as a ship engine. Even if you used a hundred cars to pull it, it still couldn't outpace a warship."

"How could I not know that?" Liu Hua said with a smile. "I'm telling you, I'm quite knowledgeable about engines."

"You study motorcycle engines and car engines."

Liu Hua shook his head: "Aren't you underestimating me? I consider you one of my own. Today I'll boast a little: I've designed ship engines, tank engines, airplane engines, and even helicopter engines, but I've never designed a warship engine."

"Pah." Liu Hua spit out his words: "What's used on ships isn't an engine, it's called a steam turbine in a more professional sense."

He Jianguo looked Liu Hua up and down: "Uncle, are you bragging or telling the truth?" "What do you think?"

He Jianguo thought for a long time and said, "I feel it should be the truth."

"You're smart enough to know what's good for you, kid." Liu Hua smiled and said, "Let me tell you the truth. Your uncle also has a company called Dijun, which specializes in military production. The components for our country's latest generation of fighter jets were designed and manufactured by me."

"My idol, Uncle!" He Jianguo said excitedly, "Is it that J-10 that just started serving in the south? It's so cool."

"Keep it low-key," Liu Hua smiled. "Just don't let it get out."

"Don't worry about that, I understand the most basic rules of confidentiality." After saying that, He Jianguo asked hesitantly, "Uncle, could you show me these big guys sometime?"

"What are you thinking? My company only has engines, not airplanes."

While chatting idly with He Jianguo, a relative of his, Liu Hua was thinking to himself that it was time to put the military steam turbine project on the agenda.

This year, Dijun Company had already made preparations for its autumn recruitment, seeking nearly one hundred talents in the field of marine power from various universities.

These are talents that Liu Hua retained with high salaries; otherwise, some of them would have gone to foreign companies, and others would have had to study abroad.

To be honest, recently, domestic companies and universities have really been unable to retain talent. There's nothing we can do about it; it's all because of money.

If the salary is good enough, most talented people are willing to serve the country. But sometimes, money can make even the most heroic person lose. People study diligently for more than ten years, and after graduation, they are just trying to make a living. We can't expect them to ignore their parents for the sake of their ideals.

Back at Dijun Company, Liu Hua reviewed the information of the hundred or so young people. While they couldn't all be considered exceptional individuals, they were definitely top talents.

Liu Hua was even pleasantly surprised to find that some children had already spontaneously organized their friends to start researching marine engines, and these talents could serve as leaders in scientific research.

Liu Hua gathered everyone together in the small auditorium. He clapped his hands and said, "Kids, your work has come. You've been idle for two months. Aren't you all getting impatient?"

“Yes, boss.” One of the young men was bold and said bluntly, “Seeing other research groups working hard on fighter jet engines, I’m itching to get started. I can’t wait to do it myself.”

“Young people, full of vigor.” Liu Hua smiled. “This time your research is even bolder. I’ve already asked the company to continue recruiting talents in ship design. You’re also researching, but it’s not just the power system of a warship, but a complete warship.”

Liu Hua originally planned to only exchange for ship propulsion, but then he thought that since Dijun Company had already produced light infantry fighting vehicles, it wouldn't be too much to produce another frigate or destroyer, right?

After two minutes of careful consideration, Liu Hua felt it was not unreasonable, so he set his sights on the 052D destroyer.

(End of this chapter)