Chapter 15: I'll Handle This!

Zhang Gongnong realized that he had been too impatient and had failed to explain things clearly.

He hurriedly pulled Dean Sun toward the interior.

"Dean Sun, look at this!"

As one of the three leaders of the 956E breakthrough project at the 335 Research Institute, Dean Sun recognized it at first glance.

"The 956E!"

Dean Sun's face was filled with astonishment.

Warship hull construction was his specialty; with a brief glance, he could see that this model was practically carved from the same mold as the 956E.

Although the model was scaled down more than ten times, the internal structure was complete!

The more he looked, the more shocked he became.

Many internal details were things he himself had not yet fully grasped.

It couldn't be helped; there were only two 956Es in existence, each costing over 400 million USD. No one dared to dismantle them, so they could only deduce and explore through slow observation.

But he never expected that Zhang Gongnong, who was not an expert in warship construction, could actually produce a 956E model in a university laboratory—and such a perfect one at that, instantly leaping ahead of him.

"Comrade Gongnong, you spend every day at the Research Institute, yet I didn't expect you to find the time to sneak back and pull off such a feat!"

Now he understood why Zhang Gongnong had been so anxious.

To be able to produce such a sophisticated model proved that Zhang Gongnong's understanding of the 956E had already surpassed all the experts involved in the breakthrough project.

This would be of immense help to the 956E project!

He sighed with emotion.

"Comrade Gongnong, you've kept me in the dark! This model is incredibly valuable. If you had told me even a month earlier, I would have stood my ground against the two other Deans during the last meeting to ensure we didn't agree to the current terms!"

"But the die is cast, and negotiations are already underway. Relying on just a model, I'm afraid it won't be enough to convince the Chief to change his decision!"

Dean Sun looked regretful.

Had he had this model just a month earlier, he would have had much more confidence.

"What are the chances?"

"Less than thirty percent!"

"What about these?"

Zhang Gongnong pointed to the design blueprints scattered around.

Sun Yongguo stepped forward with a look of confusion and began flipping through the drawings. Gradually, his expression changed.

"'Military Bird-MA' type air situation awareness radar detailed design drawings, including theoretical..."

"MP-401 electronic warfare system, 'Lake Baikal' tactical command system..."

The more he read, the more stunned he became.

Every single technology listed here was a core modern technology he had been desperately trying to conquer.

They had been working on the breakthrough for seven months, and progress had been slow!

He never dreamed that Zhang Gongnong had quietly achieved such a major scientific breakthrough!

"Comrade Gongnong, you are incredible! You've made such a massive move without making a sound! Quick, tell me, how did you do it..."

Facing the urgent Dean Sun, Zhang Gongnong did not explain. Instead, he asked

"With this model and these detailed design drawings, what are the chances?"

Dean Sun replied bluntly, "One hundred percent!"

With these, he had absolute confidence in persuading the Chief!

"Comrade Gongnong, I didn't realize you were hiding so many tricks up your sleeve at the Research Institute! You've treated us like outsiders!"

There was a hint of reproach in Dean Sun's tone.

He knew Zhang Gongnong's situation at the Research Institute very well; compared to what was before him now, the progress being reported on the surface was nothing more than treading water!

He thought Zhang Gongnong had intentionally kept everyone at the Research Institute in the dark to work secretly in the university lab.

But Zhang Gongnong's next sentence left him speechless.

"Dean Sun, this model and these drawings were not made by me. They were made by my student—Su Dingping!" Zhang Gongnong pulled Su Dingping forward and said, "I mentioned him to you before. Dingping, this is Dean Sun of our institute."

"Hello, Dean Sun."

Dean Sun looked at Su Dingping and said kindly, "So you are Su Dingping? Comrade Gongnong told me he had recruited an exceptionally outstanding student..."

Halfway through his sentence, he suddenly froze.

"Wait a moment, Comrade Gongnong, what did you just say? These were made by this student?"

"Yes! These are all his research achievements!" Zhang Gongnong added, "I have no credit for any of this!"

Dean Sun was utterly stunned.

"Zhang Gongnong, this is no joke!"

Zhang Gongnong decided to just lay it all out.

After hearing everything that had happened this morning, Sun Yongguo felt numb, his mind going blank.

"Wait, let me process this!"

The news was too shocking; he needed time to digest it.

He glanced toward Professor Li and Professor Huang, his eyes seemingly asking: *Is this true?*

The two of them nodded to him.

"Dean Sun," Professor Li spoke up, "Professor Huang, Colonel Zhang, and I all witnessed this personally. We can all testify!"

Colonel Zhang also added, "That's right! I was even planning to apply for a First-Class Individual Merit for Dingping! With these achievements, getting a First-Class Individual Merit is absolutely no problem!"

At this moment, Dean Sun could feel his heart pounding.

He suddenly felt a sense of trance.

Only two hours ago, he had told Zhang Gongnong to wait for the project to restart and not to give up, and then the man turned around and delivered hope itself!

"Dean Sun? Dean Sun?"

Dean Sun jolted and snapped back to reality.

"I will handle this matter."

***

Meanwhile, at the Navy Northern Sea Military Base, in the office of Chief Xu Dongguo.

Two staff members were reporting the work situation to Xu Dongguo.

"Report, Chief. The negotiations between our side and the Russian representatives have once again ended in disagreement. This is the fifth round of discussions."

"Report, Chief. The Russian representatives stated that 1.8 billion USD is their bottom line! They also stated that if our attitude remains the same during the next negotiation, they would rather not cooperate at all."

After hearing the report, Xu Dongguo's face darkened.

"What do you think?"

The two looked at each other and then replied.

"Report, Chief, I believe we must stand firm on our bottom price and not waver!"

"Fine, I understand."

Xu Dongguo waved his hand, signaling them that they could leave.

Only after they had left did Xu Dongguo stand up and walk to the window. Looking out at the distant sea, his thoughts were many.

1.8 billion USD!

That was equivalent to the Navy's total military budget for two years! The price was too high, exceeding what he could accept.

Exchanging 1.8 billion USD for two 956Es might seem to slightly alleviate the Navy's current predicament, but it would be highly detrimental to the Navy's future development!

It was a dilemma. For the Navy, this was a major historical turning point. Every step had to be taken with extreme caution.

If they could not build modern warships, the Navy would never be able to stand tall and would remain constrained by others in every aspect.

Thinking of this, Xu Dongguo let out a soft sigh.

Just then, the telephone on his desk rang.

"Report, Chief. A call from Dean Sun."

"Put him through."

Soon, Dean Sun's call was connected via the dedicated line.

"Comrade Sun Yongguo, it's me."

"Report, Chief. 'Operation 951' was a success."

In that instant, the hand holding the receiver trembled slightly.

(End of Chapter)