94: From Technological Warfare to Space Empire

Professor Song's beard was gray and messy, and it was clear that he hadn't shaved for several days; his hair was also somewhat dry.

Hair dye was not as popular in this era as it is in later years. Although there were some domestic hair dye brands, Professor Song was not the type of person who would go to a hair salon to dye his hair.

A few days ago, Professor Song's hair, while not exactly jet black and thick, was still shiny.

But since the satellite exploded, in just a few days, her black hair quickly withered and turned into the gray and powerless state she sees now.

Upon hearing the professor's explanation, Lin Yu realized that the renowned BeiDou Navigation Satellite System was a project that had only recently been established.

Lin Yu is not a military enthusiast; his knowledge of the past 30 years of history comes only from occasional short videos and platforms like Zhihu and Hupu.

He always thought we built our own satellite navigation system after 96.

I didn't expect it to start so early.

Lin Yu chuckled to himself helplessly. Indeed, satellite navigation must be firmly in our own hands; the country certainly has a longer-term vision for this than he does.

It's impossible that they didn't do research earlier.

There was a particularly famous rumor in my past life.

It is said that GPS signals malfunctioned during the Thai Strait crisis, causing missile launch failures.

As a result, various lengthy essays all claim that China only started developing its own satellite navigation system after this failure.

But after checking a lot of information, Lin Yu finally found the official report that all three missiles were successfully launched.

The rumor was deliberately spread from the other side, and because the level of information technology was not as high as that of the other side at that time, the rumor was believed for a long time.

Professor Song handed over an invitation to the Beidou project team, and now the choice was entirely in Lin Yu's hands.

He knew that if he agreed now, it would greatly accelerate the establishment of the BeiDou system.

but...

"Professor, after I join the project team, will I have absolute say?"

Lin Yu made no attempt to hide his ambition. This was the way things were in this era; the scientific research system wasn't as rigid as it was in later generations. As long as you had the ability, you could really climb up the ranks.

Professor Song looked at the childlike yet energetic face and said these words. He reached out and gently tapped Lin Yu's head, then ruffled Lin Yu's hair until it was messed up and Lin Yu resisted before he stopped.

"You! If you don't change your temper, I don't know who can stand you."

"So many people at the top wish they could pass down their positions to future generations, yet you want to overturn their chairs right now."

After saying this, Professor Song tapped his forehead with his finger, looking troubled and distressed.

Just as Lin Yu was about to step forward and retract his words, he saw Professor Song laugh like a mischievous child:

"But don't worry, we old guys aren't dead yet."

"I know those parasites want to usurp our position, but for now, the power is still in our hands."

"I have many good friends in the research group, and I will also visit my professor's group later."

"If you really have that much talent and boundless abilities, then you'll have to put them to use..."

Professor Song paused, deliberately drawing out his words:

"Teacher, what's wrong with me pulling in my friends and giving you a head start?"

"At worst, it'll just be a new battle. You youngsters haven't experienced this yet, but I, your teacher, have plenty of experience."

Lin Yu got the answer he wanted, but now he fell silent.

He had considered what the professor had said: "He's so young, he definitely won't have a say."

I also thought the professor might say: as long as he has the ability, he can gain the right to speak.

But he never imagined that what the professor meant was: if he had the ability and wanted something but others wouldn't give it to him, the professor would help him gain a voice.

The older generation's playing style is truly authoritative.

After Professor Song finished explaining everything he could do, he waited for Lin Yu's reply.

But when Lin Yu spoke softly, the professor's hands started itching:

"Teacher, if I want to do more than just satellite engineering, I want to be the chief architect of scientific research."

"I want to develop artificial intelligence, supercomputers, chip manufacturing, nuclear fusion engineering, build dams, carry out ecological engineering projects, and combat fraud abroad?"

"I still want to do many, many things; I still want to completely change this era."

"I want to build socialism."

There were some things Lin Yu didn't mention. He remembered the devastating floods of 98, the severe drought of 06, and the Wenchuan earthquake of 08.

Aside from the Wenchuan earthquake, he had no idea when the other earthquakes occurred; he only knew that the casualties were heavy.

He is a researcher, and he should be able to do more when he returns to this era.

After saying that, Lin Yu obediently sat down and looked at Professor Song.

Professor Song's face twitched, and he couldn't utter a word for a long time. He hesitated for a long time, his hands on his waistband, wanting to undo it but not quite.

Lin Yu knew that Professor Song wanted to treat him to stir-fried pork with a leather belt.

Since university, Professor Song has taken good care of him, and their relationship is like that of father and son.

He would kick his way into the research group's office, and sometimes, when he angered the professor, the professor would whip him with a belt.

Hearing Lin Yu's outrageous and somewhat shameless request, Professor Song finally sighed, withdrew his hand from his belt, and patted Lin Yu's head with some pity:

"Then you younger generation will have to start fighting too."

"It's unnecessary. You don't need to be in that position at your age."

"The teacher believes that position will definitely be yours in 30 years, no, it can be in 20 years."

Seeing that Professor Song didn't hit him, Lin Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

He had previously hesitated about whether to change his plans and join the Beidou team.

Because there was no internet or instant messaging in this era, information monopolies and information asymmetry were very common.

When his former supervisor's research group ran out of funding, his first thought was that the country was no longer planning to develop satellites at that time.

The result was simply that neither he nor his advisor were among those who received the initial notification; that was all.

After two days of reflection, Lin Yu realized that what he wanted to change was not just aerospace, but to start with aerospace and do his utmost to change this era.

So now, the answer is obvious.

"Then I won't go, Professor."

Lin Yu gently rubbed the old professor's hand, which had been used to work hard all his life. The gray ink from the charcoal pencil was left on the professor's hand and could not be washed off.

"You don't need to fight for me."

"I know everyone feels that they are the most essential part of their own process."

"And they certainly do have that capability."

Lin Yu's eyes shone with an eerie light as he spoke to the professor, word by word:

"But I'm not a component. I'm part of a system that's assembled with them."

"A gentleman is not a vessel; I am not content to work in only one direction, nor am I content to remain anonymous."

Lin Yu pulled up the system he carried with him, and the goal of connecting the artificial intelligence network by 2026 was shining brightly on it.

"Professor, I still have my original plan."

"I will build my own commercial space empire and outcompete NASA in the United States."

"As long as you don't accept help from others, you won't be hindered in any way."

"BeiDou is great, but I want absolute autonomy in scientific research even more."

Professor Song looked at the energetic young man in front of him and racked his brains but still couldn't figure out how Lin Yu had developed such a stubborn personality.

"But where would you get the money?"

Lin Yu rubbed his hands together and chuckled upon hearing this:

"We're indeed a bit short of initial startup capital. Professor, could you lend me some?"

Professor Song was speechless for a moment:

"Didn't you just say that if you don't accept help from others, you won't be hindered by them?"

Lin Yu, who had previously been arrogant and unwilling to bow his head, now lowered his head and said with a sheepish smile:

"Isn't that because the professor has always been supportive and hasn't hindered me at all?"