Siheyuan: I have a multi-dimensional chat group!

The Optical Research Center has been incredibly lively these past few days. Breakthroughs in the field of microscopy are a huge boon for biology and medicine.

These two areas are not China's strengths to begin with, and with foreign sanctions, the gap is even bigger.

Previously, we couldn't find a way to catch up, and we couldn't even buy the most basic instruments. Now, with the optical microscope from Taishan, we can at least conduct the most basic research.

"Mr. Xiao, Principal Mao said he'll be visiting you this afternoon," the assistant reported.

"Yes, make arrangements for the reception room. When Principal Mao arrives, take him directly to the reception room and bring out my collection of tea leaves."

"Yes."

It was afternoon when Xiao Shan met Principal Mao in the reception room.

"Principal Mao, try my treasured Da Hong Pao tea. I had a hard time finding it."

Principal Mao took a sip of tea and couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "Good tea."

After a few brief pleasantries, the two got straight to the point: "Principal Mao, you're such a busy person, what brings you here?"

Principal Mao laughed and said, "Mr. Xiao, let's be frank. Give me fifty of the latest optical microscopes to tide me over. Several of our research projects in biology and medicine are progressing extremely slowly. We can't observe a lot of data and can only determine the true situation of the data through continuous experiments."

Xiao Shan also knew why Principal Mao was anxious: many laboratories in China are in competition with each other, especially in biological research.

The national funding is limited each year, so whoever produces results first can apply for more research funding.

Those who achieve results later will naturally receive less money.

“That’s easy to arrange, but I can only give Principal Mao twenty units at most. The research center’s output is not high at present, and the fastest we can produce is two hundred units per month. This is after slowing down other research and focusing on producing optical microscopes. Our optical instrument production workshop is under construction and will soon be able to carry out large-scale mass production.”

Principal Mao is aware of Xiaoshan's difficulties; countless people are now seeking his help!

At the Optical Research Center, he not only saw university leaders, but also procurement personnel from many key national research centers.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Xiao."

Principal Mao was a very busy man. He drank two cups of tea, didn't even eat a meal, and returned to the school that same day.

These past few days, dealing with various university research centers has taken a toll on Xiaoshan.

Many of them had good relationships with him, and many of them were university presidents who came to him personally. Xiaoshan couldn't refuse them, so he had to arrange a few receptions for them.

Two hundred units seem like a lot, but they're gone in a single, simple transaction.

Even so, many people still come to Xiaoshan, and even ask the Shenzhen government to act as lobbyists, making Xiaoshan both happy and troubled.

It's good that the product is selling well, but it's also a real headache when production can't keep up.

This was the day that CTV (China Television) came to interview them.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Xiao Shan arrived at the Optical Research Center on time to meet with Li Xianguang.

A few minutes later, the CCTV interview workshop appeared at the entrance of the research center.

"Mr. Xiao, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to grant us this interview."

"It's all as expected. This is Li Xianguang, the chief expert of our Optical Research Center. This time, we were able to break through the foreign blockade and break the monopoly, all thanks to Professor Wang."

Upon hearing Xiao Shan's words, Li Xianguang quickly replied, "All of this is inseparable from Xiao Sheng's unreserved investment. When I first joined the company, Xiao Sheng told me that he was prepared not to see any returns for five years. It is precisely because of Xiao Sheng's continuous investment that we were able to fully unleash our research efforts and achieve today's results."

The reporter quickly transcribed this passage.

Li Xianguang led the reporters on a tour of the Optical Research Center, where they saw the latest optical microscopes.

We also interviewed some university experts and scholars at the scene, asking them to discuss how the advent of the optical microscope will change scientific research in China.

"Mr. Xiao, I've heard that Taishan has established several research centers, and many of these centers have produced no results at all, yet they've invested a lot of money. What prompted you to make such investments?"

In response to the reporter's question, Xiao Shan smiled and said, "Science and technology are the primary productive forces. Some things always need to be done by someone, so why can't it be me? We Chinese are no less capable than anyone else; why can't we occupy a place at the forefront of the world's fields? Moreover, if you know Taishan, you'll find that many of our research centers are researching emerging technologies, which are just getting started worldwide. We Chinese are hardworking and intelligent; under equal conditions, I believe we will ultimately prevail in competition. Furthermore, as our country grows stronger, I don't want to see us being held back in key technological fields. It's better to prepare for the future than to wait until that day."

Chapter 767, Returning to the Courtyard House, Meeting Those from the Past Again! (Please Subscribe!)

Two years passed in the blink of an eye, and it was now the year 2000.

Taishan Group is making great strides in mainland China.

Moon Mirror Lake has released two more mobile phones, both of which have achieved good results.

Moreover, Moon Mirror Lake is currently using its own system, and current mobile phone systems are far less complex than those of later smartphones.

It's just simple phone calls, maybe with a little game at most.

Taishan's welding machines have always been far ahead, and under the leadership of Xiaoshan, they have achieved remarkable results, continuously eroding the market share of developed countries.

The various research centers have also achieved some results.

It's only because Xiao Shan knew the situation twenty years from now, and also had the advantage of the chat group, that he wouldn't have dared to make such a huge leap at once.

The storage research center has also achieved certain results, and the memory in mobile phones is all produced by its own company.

Even the batteries are products of the Battery Energy Research Center.

Of course, these achievements are also inseparable from the technology that Xiaoshan obtained from the chat community.

If Taishan Group were to achieve these results so quickly on its own, it would be quite difficult.

In the office, Xiao Shan was resting in a chair while Xiao Jingyan reviewed documents for him.

"Dad, Jingsi is coming home today. Mom wants us to come home early for dinner."

"Alright, let's go back after we finish these documents and see what Lao San thinks. He's a graduate student now, and his grades are pretty good. He should graduate next year."

Jingsi and Jinglan are twins, but Jinglan chose to study abroad, while Jingsi chose to study in China.

After dinner, Xiao Shan asked Jing Si, "Fourth brother, what are your plans after graduation?"

"Dad, I plan to go abroad to do research. Currently, the field of physics is stronger abroad."

Xiao Shan shook his head and said, "Even if you go abroad as a student, you'll just be a low-level corporate slave. What kind of profound knowledge will you get to know? It would be better if your dad built a physics lab for you in China, affiliated with the Taishan Group. You can recruit talent in whatever field you want to research. Wouldn't that be faster for you to advance than working as a laborer abroad? It's easier to achieve results by combining theory with practice."

Hearing Xiao Shan's words, Xiao Jingsi was speechless and didn't know what to say.

At this moment, Xiao Jingshu said, "Dad, a lot of people have been contacting me these past few days, wanting to raise funds for their websites and blogs. The amount raised has already exceeded 100 million."

"How's the company's finances? Is the startup capital we gave you almost gone?"

Xiao Jingshu nodded: "Yes, that's about right."

"If you don't want to accept external financing and affect your own judgment, then let my investment company provide you with financing."

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Jingshu nodded: "Alright!"

Seeing his daughter nod, Xiao Shan smiled and said, "I'll talk to them about how much money you need later."

"One hundred million would be about right," Xiao Jingshu said after thinking for a moment.

"Alright, I'll inform the investment company later. You can talk to them yourself."

At night, in the bedroom.

Xiao Shan said to Ding Qiunan, "I plan to go back to Beijing in a couple of days. I've been too busy lately and I'm a bit tired. I plan to rest for a few days."

Ding Qiunan also had gray hair: "You're almost sixty years old, and you're still working so hard. Nobody can stand it. You should let go of what you should let go of. No matter how capable you are, how much can you really do? Some of the burdens should be shouldered by Jingyan and the others."

“I’ll give it a try. Jingyan has hardly experienced any setbacks. Now that our research centers are starting to show results, we’re probably already on the blacklists of some developed countries. The laser research center is developing rapidly recently, and we expect to see results on small lasers and high-power lasers this year. That will be the time for us to make great strides forward. I’m worried that Jingyan won’t be able to handle the pressure.”

Two days later, Xiao Shan took Ding Qiunan back to Beijing by plane, and a private car took them directly to a courtyard house that had been cleaned in advance.

After a short rest in Xiaoshan, they went directly to Courtyard No. 95.

Looking at the familiar scene, Xiao Shan felt as if he had returned to 1958, when he had just come into this world, and he could almost hear the loud and inspiring broadcast.

"Are you Xiaoshan?" Yan Jiefang's voice rang in my ears.

Xiao Shan turned his head and saw Yan Jiefang with half-white hair: "Jiefang, you've gotten old."

"Haha, you're getting old too. We'll be sixty soon. Now I run this little shop, earn a living, and occasionally I go out for a drink with Xu Damao. Life couldn't be more comfortable."

Xiao Shan smiled and said, "Looks like I'm destined to be a busybody! Come to my house for a while, and we can chat."

Yan Jiefang nodded: "No problem, I'll tell my wife to keep an eye on the shop."

As Xiao Shan entered the courtyard, a familiar figure was washing clothes by the pool. The bright floral cotton-padded jacket seemed to bring Xiao Shan's memories back to the summer of 1958.

The person is still the same, but the charm of yesteryear is long gone, and the half-gray hair tells the story of the passage of time.

"sister in law."

Qin Huairu raised her head, looking at the somewhat familiar figure in front of her, and almost couldn't recognize him: "Xiaoshan? You're Xiaoshan!"

"It's me, sister-in-law! It's been years, but you still look as beautiful as ever!"

Qin Huairu waved her hand with a smile and said, "Don't joke around. I'm old now, over sixty years old. What charm do I still have? I already have grandchildren."

Xiao Shan's lips curled up slightly: "It seems Ping An got married. Congratulations, sister-in-law. As her uncle, I didn't have the chance to attend the child's wedding. Here's 20,000 yuan, it's just a small token of my appreciation."

As he spoke, Xiao Shan took out 20,000 yuan in cash from his bag and stuffed it into Qin Huairu's hand.

“How could I possibly take your money, sister-in-law? You know I run a pancake stall outside, and the money I earn is enough for my expenses. Over the years, I’ve come to understand that money is nothing compared to the health of my children.”

Qin Huairu had a deep understanding of these words. Xiao Shan thought about Qin Huairu's experience and nodded.

Qin Huairu lost her husband, mother-in-law, son, second husband, and second mother-in-law in succession.

The two daughters are not close to Qin Huairu and have both started their own families.

Besides, Qin Huairu has remarried, and the Jia family line has ended; they only visit each other during holidays.

"Sister-in-law, take the money. Don't be so polite with me. What kind of relationship do we have? We've been neighbors for so many years. Is there anything you need later? I came back this time to spend some time with our familiar old neighbors and have a meal together."

“It’s rare for you to come back, Xiaoshan. Your sister-in-law will definitely have time. I still can’t believe that the little guy from back then could have achieved what he has today.”

When Xiao Shan's parents passed away, he was left all alone, and almost no one in the courtyard had any hope for him.

Who could have imagined that, after decades of dramatic changes, Xiaoshan would achieve its current success?

Chapter 768, A Grand Gathering of Elderly Residents in a Courtyard! (Please Subscribe!)

"Xiaoshan!" A joyful voice rang out in the courtyard.

Xiao Shan turned around, and Xu Damao came out from the backyard carrying a two- or three-year-old child.

"Brother Mao, it's been so many years, and your hair has turned completely white."

“Haha, I’m over sixty, this is my grandson, quickly call him Grandpa Xiao,” Xu Damao said to the child in his hand.

The child looked at Xiao Shan obediently and said, "Grandpa Xiao."

"My grandson is such a good boy," Xu Damao said proudly.

Xiao Shan then took out a stack of money and handed it to Xu Damao: "This is ten thousand yuan, as a gift for the child. Brother Mao, you can't refuse it."

Xu Damao didn't stand on ceremony either: "I won't be polite with you, buddy. I know you're not short of money."

Xiao Shan smiled and said, "Brother Mao, are you free later? Let's go to my place for lunch and have a drink. It's rare for old neighbors from the courtyard to get together."

"Okay, I'll give the child to your sister-in-law in a bit, so she can look after the child for a while."

After saying goodbye to the group, Xiao Shan returned to his familiar home and lay on his bed, feeling an indescribable sense of peace.

I fell asleep without realizing it, and only gradually woke up when the sun was high in the sky.

Xiao Shan slept soundly and felt refreshed.

After getting up, Xiao Shan took out his phone and called his assistant, asking him to prepare a large meal and deliver it to the courtyard house.

Just then, Xu Damao's voice rang out from outside: "Xiaoshan, buddy's here."

Xu Damao was followed by Yan Jiefang and Qin Huairu.

"Please sit down, the food and drinks will be here soon. Over the years, I've thought about recreating this scene so many times, but I've always been too busy and haven't had the chance. Today, I guess my wish has finally come true. After all these years, only a few of our old neighbors are left. It's not easy!"

Soon, the assistant brought over some food and drinks with several people.

The menu included signature dishes from Fengzeyuan Restaurant, Peking duck from Quanjude Restaurant, several signature dishes from Tan Family Restaurant, and two bottles of Moutai liquor.

Xiao Shan smiled and said, "Come on, let's have a drink to celebrate that we're both sixty and can still get together."

After a glass of wine, everyone was filled with emotion.

Xiao Shan looked at Yan Jiefang and asked, "Jiefang, do you know what's going on with Guangtian now?"

“He passed away two years ago!” Yan Jiefang sighed.

The drinking session lasted for more than two hours before everyone gradually dispersed.