The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Chapter 545: Desire for profit
“Mr. Yang, you seem to be in a good mood,” the foreigner asked with a smile. “The last time I saw you, you were frowning, but today you haven’t stopped smiling.”

Mr. Yang nodded: "Yes, because our research and development is going very smoothly. Soon our products will be exported to you great Americans, which will increase our reputation. In the future, we will also be an internationally renowned brand."

The foreigners were somewhat stunned. They hoped the deal would be kept secret, preferably without causing any disturbance, so as to deceive their domestic opposition.

"Mr. Yang, it's best not to publicize our business too much."

Mr. Yang feigned surprise and asked, "Why? This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our company."

“Yang, you don’t understand. This is a very complicated matter. Our current business with you is not public in our country. If others find out, our opponents may lobby the parliament to prevent us from using foreign raw materials, and then our cooperation may have to be put on hold.”

The other foreigner nodded: "That's right. Although we will pay some compensation for breach of contract, I believe you will make the most advantageous choice between the compensation and long-term cooperation."

"Oh, I see. That's such a pity." Mr. Yang said, feigning disappointment. "After your bridge is built, you must let me know. I want to walk on the first bridge overseas built with our steel cables."

The two foreigners' expressions changed. Where did this bridge come from? It was all made up, but they couldn't tell the truth.

Fortunately, one of the foreigners was quick-witted and used delaying tactics, saying, "Yang, you should know that in the United States, administrative procedures are quite complicated, and there are restrictions on working hours to protect workers' rights. So, the bridge won't be built for at least ten years. I'll definitely tell you the good news when that time comes."

The two foreigners breathed a sigh of relief; they had finally gotten through it.

Mr. Yang really wanted to laugh. These two were so desperate to appease him that they would say such things to smear him, even though it was the truth.

"Then your country's infrastructure construction speed is really too slow." Boss Yang said with feigned disdain, "You might as well just hire our country's construction workers to do it, and I guarantee it will be built for you within two years."

"I don't think you understand. It's a very complicated matter. In the United States, any public works infrastructure project must employ local workers and create local jobs. Otherwise, the legislature will easily vote against it."

Mr. Yang shook his head: "It seems like your council doesn't do anything worthwhile. Building bridges and paving roads are great acts of charity, how can you oppose them?"

“Sometimes we don’t like parliament either, but there’s nothing we can do about it; that’s the embodiment of democracy.”

At this point, the two foreigners felt they had talked too much with Boss Yang, so they changed the subject: "Could we take a look at the finished product? That way, we can have something to report back to the company."

"Of course, no problem. In fact, if you had come a few months later, we would have been able to produce a qualified product."

The foreigner returned home satisfied, carrying some samples and test reports.

After seeing them off, Boss Yang laughed so hard he was doubled over. It was hilarious! The two foreigners' scheming looks were just too funny. It was only because he was a seasoned veteran that he didn't burst out laughing on the spot.

Liu Hua has some great news: Taiyi New Materials has officially submitted its application. They have solved the mass production problem of carbon nanotubes and hope to build a factory for mass production.

Liu Hua readily approved the allocation of the requested 1 billion yuan. If this project is completed, it will be another great treasure. Currently, the cost of carbon nanoparticles worldwide is approximately over sixty US dollars per gram, but Taiyi New Materials' method has directly reduced the cost to one US dollar.

Top-tier materials research labs across the country have all taken action upon hearing this news. The mass production of carbon nanotubes is undoubtedly a major event in the materials science field.

Especially since it concerns the livelihoods of many people, several laboratories are researching methods for the mass production of carbon nanotubes, and Taiyi New Materials has taken the lead.

A magnanimous person will offer congratulations, while some people come with a critical mindset; they are unwilling to accept that they have lost both fame and fortune.

Leaders from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology also came. Since so many experts were gathered together, the leaders suggested holding a report meeting to report on the carbon nanotube project to the experts.

Liu Hua couldn't refuse, so he asked the guests in charge of the project to come up on stage and give a report.

To everyone's surprise, as soon as these researchers mentioned their use of fluidized bed technology, someone stood up to object, and they presented their arguments with solid evidence.

“We have also conducted experiments with fluidized bed technology, but the results were not very stable. If you want to mass-produce based solely on fluidized bed technology, then I think you are wasting the country’s funding.”

Several people even nodded in agreement, making the researchers on the stage feel somewhat embarrassed.

Liu Hua tapped the table: "As a senior, what you should do at the juniors' research achievement report meeting is to listen patiently. If you have any questions, you can raise them after the children have finished reporting. Even if you can't hold back, you should still be polite, instead of standing up to object after only hearing the beginning."

Liu Hua's words made the person who had objected feel so ashamed that he could only sit down awkwardly.

"Continue. Answer the questions from your seniors carefully," Liu Hua instructed his researchers. "Focus on making this presentation a success and don't let anything distract you."

It was clearly a veiled reference, and then people were heard whispering, saying that the so-called elders were blinded by greed and had no shame.

Everyone who heard it knew who the senior was talking about, and the explanation on stage proceeded smoothly. Even if someone wanted to ask a question, they would raise their hand to ask.

A four-hour presentation. For these veteran employees, physical stamina was a challenge, but fortunately, the company's logistics were excellent, even providing tea breaks.

After answering about a dozen questions, the senior experts whispered among themselves and finally reached a consensus, whispering a few words in the leader's ear.

The leader walked onto the stage with a big smile and shook hands with several researchers: "It was a very good presentation. Several senior researchers just told me that your ideas are very practical and feasible. I look forward to your even better performance in the future."

Liu Hua then stood up and said, "Thank you all for recognizing our company's researchers. I would also like to clarify that all the funding for our company's research and development and mass production is borne by our own company. There is no government funding. So even if problems arise, our country will not suffer any losses."

(End of this chapter)