Chapter 50: This young comrade is a great talent!

No wonder Xu Dongguo had granted this young comrade an exceptional promotion to the rank of Captain and even applied for a First-Class Merit medal for him.

It turned out the man was the leader of this major scientific research breakthrough.

The successful second modification of the 051B and the successful development of the 956E were both closely related to this person.

After learning the truth of the matter, Liu Huaming was in high spirits.

Regarding Xu Dongguo's decision to unilaterally authorize the disassembly of the 956E, he felt it was absolutely the right move.

If the disassembly of the 956E had truly been brought to a meeting for discussion before starting, it was uncertain whether a consensus could have been reached. Even if it had, a comprehensive risk assessment report would have been mandatory. Such back-and-forth would have wasted months.

Previously, he had remarked that Xu Dongguo had not given talent enough authority or enough space to display their brilliance. Now it seemed that when it came to dealing with talent, Xu Dongguo possessed immense decisiveness.

After enduring so many years of hardship and so much grievance, the Navy had finally welcomed a genius. Liu Huaming was happy from the bottom of his heart.

In the future, when the high-level leadership of the three services held meetings, he could stand tall with a smile on his face, instead of always looking enviously at the progress of the Army and the Air Force.

Xiao Chongjun sat there, meticulously organizing the entire sequence of events in his mind.

Even after connecting all the details into a single line, he still found it incredible.

If even one single detail had gone wrong, Xu Dongguo would not be sitting here today with such composure.

"Wait a moment, let me catch my breath."

Qian Wenbing's mind was currently a bit of a mess; the news he had heard today was too shocking, and he couldn't process it immediately.

He remembered clearly that he had come here to denounce Xu Dongguo's shamelessness and intended to take back the 956E. Now, he felt that taking back the 956E was no longer important; by comparison, this Su Dingping was far more significant.

If he could pull him over to his base...

Just thinking about it made Qian Wenbing feel excited.

A genius—who wouldn't love one?

"This is Su Dingping's file."

As he spoke, Xu Dongguo handed over Su Dingping's information and the investigation results.

Liu Huaming took the file and began to flip through it. Qian Wenbing and Xiao Chongjun also disregarded their personal image and crowded around to take a look.

"Hmm?"

While flipping through, Liu Huaming's eyebrows twitched slightly.

After a long pause, his brow suddenly smoothed out, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face.

"Building the China Dream! Well said!"

After Qian Wenbing and Xiao Chongjun finished reading, they were filled with emotion.

"What a kid! That line, 'I will make what should be turned into what must be,' is so inspiring!"

"Exactly! Old Qian, listen to this sentence."

Xiao Chongjun pointed to a line and read aloud.

"'Every generation has its own Long March, every generation has its own mission. As the baton of the era is passed into our hands, we are the sparks that will build China'!'

"Look at this vision, this level of ideological awareness—so many people can't even come close!"

"This is the treasure of our Navy!"

Even though they hadn't met Su Dingping in person, the two of them already admired him from the bottom of their hearts.

Over the years, they had heard of many talents.

But Su Dingping was the first genius with such vision and awareness!

"Comrade Dongguo, this young comrade is a great talent!"

Liu Huaming instructed solemnly.

"For a great talent like this, we must give sufficient respect and authority, and let him work freely! Even if he breaks the sky, our Navy will cover for him!"

"Yes, Chief!"

***

Meanwhile, in Qingdao, at the Navy Northern Sea Area Military Base.

Su Dingping was in the middle of intensive research on the core technology of the 052D within the Military Industry Illustrated Forging Space when a sudden knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Dingping, the 956E assembly is successful. It is ready for testing at any time!"

Opening the door, Su Dingping walked out quickly.

Arriving at the harbor, the 956E was moored at sea.

Its exterior appeared unchanged, but the internal structure of its core components had undergone massive modifications.

In front of the 956E, Engineer Zhang Nong and others stood there with excited expressions. Beside them, the 296 Navy officers and soldiers, led by Zhou Qinglei, also stood in excitement.

They were responsible for the disassembly, and now they were responsible for the assembly. Being able to participate in such a major project from start to finish filled them with pride as Navy personnel.

As Su Dingping arrived, everyone's eyes fell upon him.

"Comrade Dingping, everything has been verified and there are no issues. We are just waiting for you to come out to sea for the actual test!" Li Mingrui said, handing over the documents.

Su Dingping glanced at the recorded data; it was exactly as he had predicted, with no discrepancies.

This assembly had been handled entirely by Sun Yongguo and the others without asking a single question during the process.

Clearly, the words Su Dingping had said the day before—"This is a test for you! If you can't even pass this stage... it will waste time"—had provided significant motivation to everyone.

They all wanted to work hard to prove themselves so they could participate in the second phase of the course.

Sun Yongguo said, "Lü Guangjun's side has successfully completed the second modification of the 051B. The modified 051B has now crossed the threshold of modernization. He asked me to convey the thanks of all the researchers at the 408 Research Institute to you!"

"That is the harvest of their own hard work; I cannot take credit for it," Su Dingping replied very casually.

"Say a few words to everyone."

"Huh?"

Su Dingping was stunned.

*I have to speak again? I don't know how.*

Sun Yongguo encouraged him from the side, "You were the primary person in charge of this breakthrough. Now that everyone has produced results, they are waiting for your affirmation."

That might be true, but Su Dingping was no fool.

Connecting this to the previous instance, he realized that the other party was training him.

An excellent Chief Designer must not only possess top-tier technical skills but must also be able to boost the morale of his comrades when facing difficulties and provide sufficient affirmation after completing major breakthrough projects.

Only a team led by such a person can continue to ride the waves and be invincible.

Su Dingping stood there, facing those pairs of fervent eyes.

Whether it was the hot-blooded Navy soldiers or the professors in their fifties, everyone was waiting quietly.

After his gaze swept across everyone, Su Dingping finally spoke.

"Everyone, I said that day that others said we couldn't do it, but I refused to believe that nonsense. Today, you have all proven through your actions that we Chinese people are not inferior to the Westerners!"

"We have fired the first shot in the counterattack against Western technological blockades. Today's success is primarily due to you!"

"Everyone, you did a magnificent job!"

Receiving Su Dingping's affirmation, everyone present was overcome with excitement.

Su Dingping pointed to the 956E behind them and continued.

"The 956E that we once looked up to is now nothing more than this!"

"In the near future, I will continue to lead everyone to break through one new technology after another. Until one day..."

"We will surpass the West!"

It was unclear who clapped first, but suddenly, thunderous applause erupted from below.

It took a long time for the applause to subside.

Su Dingping waved his hand grandly.

"Everyone, the time is right. It is time to witness the results! Board the ship!"

(End of Chapter)