Reborn in 2012, building a new energy empire

His fingers unconsciously tapped lightly twice on the smooth tabletop, a subtle gesture that revealed a hint of deep thought.

His gaze wasn't just fixed on Jiang Haoran on the stage; out of the corner of his eye, it seemed to inadvertently sweep over the young figure sitting upright in the competition team seats below the stage, her expression focused yet revealing undisguised concern: his daughter, Bai Xiwei.

Seeing the light shining in his daughter's eyes for the people on stage, and her wholehearted dedication as a member of the team, a faint, complex ripple crossed Bai Jingming's usually calm eyes.

This young man named Jiang Haoran not only has a methodical approach to his projects, but also speaks with vision and composure. What's even more remarkable is that he has won the approval of his discerning daughter, who has even become a core member of her team...

Bai Jingming leaned back slightly, refocusing his gaze on Jiang Haoran. In his thoughtful scrutiny, a strong sense of personal interest, transcending official duties, quietly crept in.

This young man is interesting.

The 45-minute presentation and Q&A session concluded.

Jiang Haoran concluded by saying, "The details regarding cost calculation, technical approach, and market promotion have already been explained in detail in the presentation just now."

"But in the end, I want to step away from specific data and models and talk about the 'original intention' that led us to choose this direction and stick to it until now."

He turned slightly to the side, and on the screen behind him, the originally complex financial charts quietly switched to a few concise yet powerful keywords: "high-end equipment," "autonomy of core technologies," and "support from strategic emerging industries."

These terms clearly come from the officially promulgated "National Twelfth Five-Year Plan for High-end Equipment Manufacturing".

Jiang Haoran pointed his finger at the screen, each word resounding: "Breaking through technological blockades in key areas and achieving independent control over high-end equipment is no longer just an industry vision, but a strategic task that has been written into the national blueprint and must be accomplished."

"What our 'Kirin-Jianguo' joint team is tackling is a specific coordinate in this grand blueprint—photovoltaic diamond wire cutting technology. It may seem like just a 'point' in the industrial chain, but this point is the bottleneck that restricts the cost reduction of silicon wafers and affects the competitiveness of the entire photovoltaic industry in the international market."

"Our generation of young people grew up in the wave of the rise of Chinese manufacturing and witnessed countless industrial miracles from nothing to something, from catching up to running alongside."

"We study finance not to engage in arbitrage in the capital game; we study engineering not just to manufacture for foreign designs."

His voice was infused with a sincere and fervent emotion: "What we want to do is to use the knowledge we have learned and gather the resources we can mobilize to truly overcome one 'bottleneck' link after another."

"So that China's photovoltaic industry, and even more high-end manufacturing sectors, can firmly grasp the initiative in development in their own hands."

He paused for a moment, then concluded, "Therefore, participating in this competition and seeking support is not just about financing a project, but also about gathering more like-minded forces."

"We want to prove that China's younger generation has the ability and determination to take root in the areas where the country needs to make breakthroughs the most, and to create truly 'usable, easy to use, and leading' domestically produced high-end equipment."

"This is our startup project, and also our generation's answer to this era. Thank you everyone!"

He bowed again, his demeanor composed, but the industrial ambition and sense of responsibility he conveyed in his words resonated in the venue far beyond the discussion of technical details.

There was a moment of silence in the audience, followed by applause.

At first, the applause was somewhat sparse, but it quickly grew enthusiastic and sustained. Several industry judges on the panel were also quietly applauding.

Backstage, Li Jiangshan let out a long breath; the back of his shirt was slightly damp with sweat.

Jiang Haoran handed him a bottle of water, while he unscrewed another bottle and slowly took a sip.

The wait for the final results wasn't long. After all the projects were presented, the judges held a closed-door deliberation for about half an hour.

The host returned to the stage, holding an envelope.

The winner of the first prize in this year's JS Province College Student Entrepreneurship Competition is—

The usual pause.

Congratulations to Jinling University on the "Kirin Technology - Localization and Intelligent Cutting Solution for Diamond Wire Saws for Photovoltaic Silicon Wafer Cutting" project!

The applause erupted again. Flashbulbs went off.

Jiang Haoran and his team members Li Jiangshan, Zhou Mingyuan, and Bai Xiwei returned to the stage. They received the trophy and certificate from the award presenter, a female section chief from the Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology.

The trophy is heavy, made of crystal, and engraved with the competition's logo.

The female director shook hands with each of them, a smile of encouragement on her face.

When it was Jiang Haoran's turn, she tightened her grip slightly, leaned forward a little, and said clearly and forcefully in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "The direction you have chosen has precisely hit the most critical 'point' in the current industrial upgrading."

"Equipment self-sufficiency, especially in solving the bottleneck issues of specialized equipment and core consumables, is a tough nut to crack in the 12th Five-Year Plan. The province is studying specific supporting policies. We must maintain this drive and pragmatism, refine our products, and solidify our market presence."

Jiang Haoran's heart tightened, and his attitude became even more solemn. He replied in a deep voice, "Thank you for your affirmation and guidance, Director. We will definitely keep our responsibilities in mind, focus on breakthroughs, and live up to your expectations."

The female director nodded, a hint of approval in her eyes, before resuming her standard public smile and turning to the next award recipient.

As they stepped off the stage, Jiang Haoran could feel many eyes following them.

There was envy, curiosity, and resentment from the other unsuccessful teams. He kept his eyes straight ahead and walked steadily.

As he approached the side door of the auditorium, a man wearing a work badge and resembling a secretary walked quickly over and politely stopped him.

"Hello, Jiang Haoran. Director Bai is in the small conference room backstage and would like to invite you over for a brief chat. Is now a convenient time?"

Jiang Haoran looked in the direction he indicated and saw a quiet corridor leading to the back office area.

He nodded: "Of course it's convenient."

He then turned around and handed the trophy and certificate to Li Jiangshan beside him, saying, "You guys go back to the rest area and wait for me. I'll be right back."

He straightened his suit slightly and followed the secretary through the rather empty corridor to a half-open conference room door.

The secretary knocked gently and then opened the door: "Director Bai, Jiang Haoran is here."

This is a small conference room with simple furnishings, consisting of only a small conference table and a few chairs.

Bai Jingming was standing by the window with his hands behind his back, looking outside. Hearing the sound, he turned around.