Reborn in 2012, building a new energy empire

After Gu Qiushi finished stating his three requirements, he stared intently at Jiang Haoran, and the room fell silent for a moment.

"Dr. Gu, words alone are not enough," Jiang Haoran said calmly. "It's only right that you value ability and sincerity."

He took two documents out of his bag and pushed them in front of Gu Qiushi.

The first document is a bank certificate of deposit for a fixed term, in the name of Jiang Haoran, for a sum of ten million. It's in black and white, with a clear seal.

The second document is a copy of the business registration information and capital verification report of "Jiutian Investment Management Co., Ltd.", with a registered capital of 100 million yuan and a paid-in capital of 35 million yuan. Jiang Haoran's name is clearly printed in the controlling shareholder column.

Gu Qiushi picked up the document and carefully read it line by line. His hands trembled slightly.

After reading it, he remained silent for a long time. When he looked up again, most of the wariness and blankness in his eyes had disappeared.

"Your salary request can be fully met. As for the company's funds, you don't need to worry. Jiutian Investment has just completed its first round of fundraising, and there will be continuous investment in the future," Jiang Haoran said calmly.

"As for long-term investment and industry passion, if I were only interested in making quick money, I should be investing in the Shanghai Stock Exchange right now, not here at this time, having in-depth discussions with you about the technical bottlenecks in photovoltaic cutting processes."

"In the eyes of most people, the photovoltaic industry today is a bottomless quagmire that they would avoid at all costs."

He leaned back against the edge of the bed, as if calming his mind or making an important decision.

After a while, he looked at Jiang Haoran, his eyes filled with seriousness: "President Jiang, I trust you. I'll take on this project."

Jiang Haoran felt a sense of relief, knowing that the most crucial step had been taken.

His expression became even more serious: "Dr. Gu, you flatter me. From now on, we are comrades-in-arms fighting side by side. Since we share the same goal, I'd like to know how we can produce industrial-scale products as quickly as possible?"

Gu Qiushi took a deep breath, as if he wanted to reveal the blueprint that had been building up in his heart for many years.

"First, the core team." He held up one finger. "We need a core R&D team of at least fifteen to twenty people. The disciplines need to be comprehensive: those in materials science will tackle the challenges of steel wire matrix and diamond micron powder; those in mechanical engineering and automation will be responsible for equipment and process control; and those in electrochemistry will focus on the most critical bonding process."

"The salaries of these people cannot be lower than the industry's competitive level, otherwise we will not be able to retain them, let alone attract top talent."

"Secondly, we need to import some key R&D and testing equipment, such as high-resolution electron microscopes, precise micron particle size analyzers, coating adhesion testing equipment, and so on. We also need to plan for corresponding laboratory facilities and pilot plant facilities."

"Third, industry-academia-research collaboration." He pointed to the complex hand-drawn diagram on the wall. "Working in isolation won't work. We must collaborate with top universities or national-level laboratories. By leveraging their theoretical advantages, testing platforms, and engineering experience, we can solve the process challenges from small-scale laboratory testing to pilot-scale amplification. This can greatly shorten the R&D cycle and avoid detours."

He estimated, "If everything goes smoothly, within two years we hope to produce a product with performance approaching that of second-tier Japanese manufacturers, achieving a breakthrough from zero to one."

"Two years is too slow. Market and technological advancements won't wait for us for two years," Jiang Haoran shook his head, his tone resolute.

"My idea is to directly acquire a domestic company with a certain foundation in the field of metal wire or precision manufacturing as the initial vehicle. Based on this, we can quickly expand the professional R&D team you need, which can be two to three times the size you mentioned."

His eyes were sharp, displaying a maturity beyond his years: "At the same time, the company will establish joint laboratories or R&D centers with the top universities in China."

"Our goal is to target the technological benchmarks of leading manufacturers and tackle them. We aim to reduce the timeline to one to one and a half years."

"I'll handle the funding, personnel, resources, and external collaborations. You'll be fully responsible for choosing the technology roadmap, leading the team daily, and controlling the R&D progress."

Gu Qiushi was stunned again. He looked at Jiang Haoran, and the young man's overwhelming determination and drive made something that had been dormant in his chest for many years begin to beat violently.

His lips moved, and finally, he squeezed out a single word heavily, almost from his chest:

"good!"

Jiang Haoran smiled sincerely. He took a thick envelope out of his bag and placed it on the table.

"Here's 20,000 yuan, please take it. Find a better place to live, buy some necessary necessities, and take care of your health. Health is the foundation of everything, and it's also the basis for us to fight a tough battle."

"I'll have my professional lawyer and assistant come over next week to finalize the specific details of the cooperation and your employment contract. Please settle in first, and we'll stay in touch."

Gu Qiushi looked at the envelope, did not refuse, and nodded heavily.

It was dusk when I left that dimly lit tenement building.

Jiang Haoran stood on the street as dusk deepened, pondered for a moment, and then dialed another number.

"Senior Jiang? That's really rare!" Bai Xiwei's tone was relaxed and lively.

Jiang Haoran couldn't help but chuckle: "Junior Sister Bai, look at what you're saying. I just met Gu Qiushi, so I'll give you an update on the progress."

"Oh? How was it?" Bai Xiwei's voice became more serious.

"Xiwei, thank you so much this time." Jiang Haoran said sincerely, "Dr. Gu is very capable and is exactly the kind of person I need."

"Really?" Bai Xiwei's voice was filled with joy. "I was worried that he might have a bad temper."

"It's normal for someone with real skills to have a temper," Jiang Haoran said frankly. "Besides, we hit it off really well. I've already reached a preliminary agreement with him to ask him to come out of retirement and lead a project to tackle key challenges in photovoltaic equipment."

"Wow! That was fast!" Bai Xiwei exclaimed in surprise, then smiled and said, "As expected of President Jiang, so decisive. However, Dr. Gu's requirements are quite high."

"The specific terms have been agreed upon, and I plan to establish a dedicated company to do this, focusing on the manufacturing of high-end photovoltaic equipment."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone. When Bai Xiwei spoke again, her tone carried a different meaning: "President Jiang, your vision is becoming increasingly broad. You're doing very well in the financial markets, and you also have ideas about the manufacturing industry."

"The financial market is a means, not an end," Jiang Haoran said in a calm and clear voice.

"The ultimate destination of capital should be those real sectors that can reshape the industrial landscape and possess long-term value. New energy, especially photovoltaics, is the future of global energy transformation over the next twenty years, and the independent control of core equipment is the only way forward."

He paused, then his tone took on a sharp edge, as if facing a challenge head-on: "Of course this is difficult. The technological barriers are high, the investment cycle is long, and international competition is fierce. But it is precisely because it is difficult that it is worthwhile to concentrate our efforts on it, and that we have the opportunity to build a real moat."

"But then again, if it weren't for you recommending Dr. Gu to me, Junior Sister Bai, I don't know where my idea would have come from."

Bai Xiwei was amused by him: "Alright, alright, don't flatter me. Is there anything I can help you with next?"

"Not for now. You've already taken the most crucial and irreplaceable step," Jiang Haoran said. "We'll ask you to oversee things once the company makes some substantial progress."

"Okay, I'll wait." Bai Xiwei said with a smile, "Then let's leave it at that for now, so as not to keep you busy with your important business, President Jiang."

"Okay, I'll contact you again."