Chapter 23: I've got this family! Don't worry!

"Reporting, Chief, Dean Sun has arrived."

Xu Dongguo raised an eyebrow.

He had just been thinking about Su Dingping, and here came Sun Yongguo, traveling all the way from Harbin.

"Let him in."

A moment later, Sun Yongguo arrived in a hurry.

"Comrade Yongguo, why have you come all this way from Harbin to see me?"

"Chief, I am here for two reasons: first, to report on recent work progress, and second, to get an update on the status of the 956E."

"Haven't I already approved the application?" Xu Dongguo looked surprised.

He had approved the relevant documents several days ago.

"It's like this—the 956E was sent back to the base previously, wasn't it? I was worried about the logistical difficulties of moving it in and out, so..."

Realizing the reason, Xu Dongguo said hurriedly, "Alright, I'll issue another permit for you in a moment."

Pausing, Xu Dongguo remembered his previous call with Qian Wenbing and added, "You'll need to hurry when the time comes. In a while, this 956E might need to be sent to the Southern Base; Chief Qian is pushing hard."

Sun Yongguo nodded repeatedly, then handed over a report.

"Chief, this is the progress report for the past few days. The team has expanded from the original six people to eighteen."

"Eighteen people? Can he handle that much work?"

"Reporting, Chief, this was Comrade Dingping's own request! He plans to divide the teaching process, with everyone tackling their respective specialized fields simultaneously."

"But it's true—the progress over the last few days has been much faster than the first two days. Everyone has benefited greatly."

After skimming through the report, Xu Dongguo gave a solemn warning.

"Comrade Yongguo, Comrade Dingping is a treasure of our Navy. You cannot let him overwork himself! There are some things I cannot say, but you must advise him! If he burns himself out, it will be a loss for our Navy!"

"Yes, Chief!"

Immediately after, Sun Yongguo took out another set of documents and handed them over.

"Chief, this is the application for Comrade Su Dingping's military merits! We are in unanimous agreement that, based solely on the core technologies Su Dingping has mastered, applying for a First-Class Merit is entirely justified."

With so many experts backing the claim, Xu Dongguo naturally had no reason to doubt it.

"No problem with that!"

After putting the documents away, he looked at Sun Yongguo.

"Comrade Yongguo, I intend to keep Comrade Dingping in our Navy. Tell me your thoughts."

Upon hearing this, Sun Yongguo quickly replied, "Chief, I support this! After working with Su Dingping these past few days, I have found him to be a truly rare talent!"

"If he is snatched away by other branches in the future, it will be a massive loss for us!"

"That is exactly what I was considering," Xu Dongguo said thoughtfully. "How about this: find some time to draft a formal proposal."

"Yes, Chief!"

***

At the same time, in Beijing, at the Navy 408 Research Institute.

"Is this the result you've brought me? Is this what I asked for? Is this what our Navy needs?"

Facing a group of researchers, Dean Lyu Guangjun was in a towering rage.

The researchers stood there, none of them daring to speak.

The Vice Dean leading the group said, "Dean Lyu, we have done our best! Breaking through core modern technologies is indeed extremely difficult!"

"Of course I know it's difficult! If it weren't difficult, why would we need you?"

Seeing that no one spoke, Lyu Guangjun waved his hand.

"Fine, fine. Everyone, get out."

A moment later, the massive office was left with only him.

Flipping through the debugging data of the improved 051B submitted by his subordinates, Lyu Guangjun let out a deep sigh.

The Navy's independently developed 051B had reached the stage where results needed to be submitted. Originally, they were full of confidence, intending to build a modern warship that belonged entirely to the Navy.

The 051B was considered the pinnacle of current naval military industry.

However, with the arrival of the 956E, they realized there was still a significant gap between the 051B and true modernization, let alone being able to rival the 956E.

Thus, while working on the 956E, they were also performing technical upgrades and adjustments on the 051B.

Now that the results of the adjustments were in, Lyu Guangjun was still unsatisfied.

Given the current urgent situation, the help the 051B could provide was very limited.

He stood up and paced back and forth in the room, his heart filled with anxiety.

Just then, a phone call came in. It was Cheng Yiqiang, the Dean of the Navy 702 Research Institute.

"Old Lyu, it's me, Old Cheng. The results of today's negotiations are out. Have you heard?"

"What results?"

"The talks collapsed!"

"What did you say! The talks collapsed?"

Lyu Guangjun's voice rose several decibels.

It was normal for both sides not to reach an agreement, but what on earth did "the talks collapsed" mean?

"What exactly is the situation? Tell me."

"I don't know much myself..."

After Cheng Yiqiang gave a brief explanation, Lyu Guangjun was stunned.

It seemed Chief Xu had no intention of buying?

Everything was going fine—why would he suddenly stop the purchase?

The 051B results had left him unsatisfied, and now the secondary purchase of the 956E had also collapsed. He felt like he was losing his mind.

"Do you think... it might have something to do with Chief Xu's sudden trip to Harbin Institute of Technology a while ago?"

Prompted by Cheng Yiqiang, Lyu Guangjun immediately remembered the news from a while back.

At the time, he hadn't taken the matter to heart. Who could have guessed that it would affect the subsequent procurement of the 956E!

Taking a deep breath, Lyu Guangjun asked, "Have you heard any rumors?"

"I'm not sure."

After a long silence, Lyu Guangjun finally said, "Old Cheng, the 051B improvement failed! There is still a huge gap between it and what we envisioned."

"I know. I've seen the data, which is why I'm calling you in such a hurry. If everything had gone smoothly, the other two 956Es might have been delivered by the beginning of the year! With four 956Es on station, we could have bought ourselves more time! Now, thanks to whatever trick Sun Yongguo pulled, Chief Xu's attitude toward the purchase has completely changed!"

After a moment of contemplation, Lyu Guangjun said, "I'm going to see Chief Xu!"

"Don't bother. I tried to contact him, but couldn't get through. I get the feeling Chief Xu is intentionally avoiding me."

The two fell into a brief silence.

Suddenly, Lyu Guangjun said, "No, we can't just let this matter slide! I'm going to find Sun Yongguo tomorrow! I want to see exactly what he's up to!"

"Alright, then I'll wait for your good news tomorrow!"

***

Early the next morning, Lyu Guangjun boarded a direct flight to Harbin. He intended to find Sun Yongguo in person to get a clear answer; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to rest easy.

Meanwhile, at the 335 Research Institute.

"Old Li, are you really not going?"

Engineer Zhang Gongnong looked at Professor Li.

"I won't go. Someone needs to stay here to hold the fort! A round trip takes at least a day; I'd rather use that time to lead them in deep research."

Professor Li then added, "Dingping has never been to Qingdao. After seeing the 956E, take him to enjoy Qingdao for a bit. There's no rush to come back!"

As he spoke, he gave Zhang Gongnong a look, as if saying: *I've got this place covered.*

"Dingping, let's head out!"

Immediately after, Sun Yongguo, Zhang Gongnong, and Su Dingping boarded a special vehicle bound for the Navy branch.

Half an hour later, a private jet took off, heading straight for the military base in the Northern Sea region.

(End of Chapter)