Rebirth of Hong Kong Island, leading the technology war

Chapter 510 Chinese Scientists

The group exchanged bewildered glances; it seemed Bill Guise had come prepared.

Zach Burke shrugged. "Very well, Mr. Guise, we need to catch up on our studies and see what this China Space Launch Company is all about."

Gus gestured to the person who came with him to take a laptop out of his bag.

Surprisingly, it was actually an Apple laptop.

Gus founded Microsoft, so it seems his team was more inclined towards Apple computers.

Zakabak had someone connect a projector so that everyone in the meeting room could watch the content on the computer together.

Guss had a PowerPoint presentation prepared, which contained many photos and videos about the Hong Kong Space Launch Site.

Guss said, "To make it more intuitive, let's play that video first."

Soon, an island appeared on the projection, shaped like a crescent moon or a croissant.

That's right, that's Tenglong Island.

Zakhar Burke said, "Oh, this is a very beautiful island. Is it on Hong Kong Island?"

Guss said calmly, "Yes."

Soon, the camera zoomed in rapidly, descending to a certain height on the island and stopping.

At this moment, Zach Burke, Douglas, and the others finally sat up straight, their expressions turning serious.

Because what's shown on the screen is a space launch site.

The launch pad towered into the clouds, a truly magnificent sight.

As the saying goes, laymen watch the excitement, while insiders watch the door.

People who are familiar with space launches can glean a lot from the launch pad.

This at least reveals the technological level and financial condition of the space launch site.

Dave couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow, this launch pad is beautifully built, and it's fully functional."

Dave is a powertrain technology expert on Meta's side, and his assessment is quite authoritative.

Next, more details of the launch pad appeared in the footage.

Dave added, "Very good, this guide bay is well done, unlike the Speys X launch site, which was too perfunctory."

The camera circled the launch pad once, then zoomed out for a wide shot, and then it ended.

Zakbarke asked, "Mr. Guise, is this the launch pad at that space launch site?"

"Yes, this was sent to me by someone on Hong Kong Island. They captured almost all the details."

Actually, these photos and videos were brought back by Catherine.

Of course, it wasn't filmed by Catherine, but rather obtained directly from Hu Jiangshan. It's said to be the original footage shot for a promotional video, so it was all shot with professional equipment, and the photos and videos are of very high quality.

Zach Burke glanced at Douglas and asked, "Doug, what do you think?"

Douglas shook his head: "You can't tell anything from this video. All you can say is that the launch site does a good job of appearances."

Guss knew it wouldn't be so easy to convince Meta's people; in fact, most of Guss's team didn't really believe in the technical capabilities of the Tenglong Island Space Launch Site.

Of course, the lunar orbiter is on Meta's side, and Guss's side will only lose some signing bonus at most, so the resentment is not strong.

Gus then had other videos played and showed several more sets of photos.

To be fair, the information provided shows that the Tenglong Island Space Launch Site is indeed no ordinary facility; at least its hardware standards are top-notch, its equipment is complete, and its funding is substantial. However, this information alone is not enough to convince Zakhar Burke's military.

At least it had some effect; the opposition within the team was not as strong.

Zach Burke said, "Well, maybe we can send a full technical team to the site to assess whether it's really as good as it appears in the video. However, Mr. Guise, I think we should be more proactive in the negotiations."

Guss paused, then asked, "More proactive? What do you mean?"

“We demand greater autonomy within the launch site and that we not be excluded from the project as it progresses.”

Gus understood what Zakbark meant: he wanted to be deeply involved in the mission to launch the probe.

In fact, Guss also wanted to do this, but Hu Jiangshan might not agree.

After all, aerospace instruments and equipment are highly classified, and in principle, outsiders are not allowed to operate them directly.

For example, when space companies in the United States accept orders, they will certainly not agree to allow the client to participate in the mission launch. They may even deliberately clear the area and only allow the client to watch from a distance in a designated location, which is quite domineering.

There's no reason why Hu Jiangshan's side would be an exception.

Guss said, "We can talk about this, but it's hard to say whether they'll agree."

Zakbarke gave a dismissive look: "What right does a private Chinese company have to bargain with us?"

Gus was speechless for a moment. He wanted to tell Zakhar Burke not to underestimate Hu Jiangshan, but he felt that even if he said that, it would probably be of no use.

As mentioned earlier, Zakabak seems to have an instinctive aversion to everything Chinese, even though he married a woman who is half Chinese.

Perhaps it was because of the influence of Zakhar Burke's wife, Privia Chen, that Zakhar Burke has always harbored prejudice against China.

Prejudice is like a mountain; it's not something that can be easily changed.

Gus is indeed older than Zakhar Burke, but those in their line of work know very well that seniority doesn't matter; it's about ability and influence.

At this time, Zach Burke was at the height of his power, and Gus really couldn't control him.

A moment later, Guss and his team came out of the building, briefly explained the arrangements to the others, told them to prepare in advance, and then they dispersed.

Gus drove home alone in his Tesla electric car.

As mentioned earlier, Gus owns many mansions all over the planet Earth. The mansion in Xiyatu is called Paradise 2.0, which is a very luxurious super villa.

Shangri-La 2.0 is built on the shore of a beautiful lake, with beautiful scenery and fresh air. In addition, it is not far from the town, making travel and daily life convenient. Therefore, the Gus family likes to live here, especially in recent years, spending nearly a third of the year in Shangri-La 2.0.

About half an hour later, Guss arrived at the villa's entrance, smoothly parked his car in one of the parking spaces, glanced at the blue Porsche next to him, and smiled.

This Porsche belongs to my dear daughter, Catherine. The fact that this car is here means that Catherine has returned.

Catherine has been in Hong Kong, China for almost half a month now, and Gus still misses her terribly.

Guss went inside and saw a servant. He asked, "Where is Catherine?"

The maid said, "Mr. Guss, Ms. Guss is in the library."

"it is good."

Gus walked toward the library.

The most distinctive feature of this ultra-luxury villa is its private library, which Catherine loves. She spends all her free time there reading and working.

Gus arrived at the library and immediately spotted Catherine sitting in her usual spot, reading a book. Gus walked over and sat down next to Catherine.

Catherine then realized what was happening, hugged Gus, and called him "Dear Daddy."

Gus asked, "What book are you reading?"

Catherine showed the cover to Gus.

Gus was stunned: "A Chinese book?"

"Yes, Daddy, I brought back some great books from Hong Kong Island. I plan to read them carefully."

“Catherine, you are truly Daddy’s pride and joy to be able to read such difficult Chinese books.”

Guss also knows some Mandarin, but not much, just enough for everyday conversation. He can't read or write it at all. Catherine, on the other hand, is proficient in all four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Except for a slight accent when speaking Mandarin, her level is almost equivalent to that of a native speaker.

Even more remarkably, Catherine can even understand classic Chinese literature, which is a very high achievement for a foreigner.

Catherine looked at Gus and said, "Daddy, you look tired. Didn't you just have a meeting with Meta? It didn't go very well?"

Guss smiled and waved his hand: "Not at all. The discussions went smoothly, and we'll be sending a team to Hong Kong soon."

"Any questions then?"

Guss thought for a moment and said, "There are indeed problems. For example, negotiating with Mr. Hu, Catherine, is not an easy task."

Catherine was very clever and immediately grasped the key point, saying, "Should we make some rather unreasonable demands on Boss Hu?"

Gus nodded: "That's for sure. So I'm personally quite worried about the atmosphere of the negotiations. Catherine, you should know that I don't want to fall out with Mr. Hu. He has great potential, and I hope we can preserve the space for cooperation."

Catherine said, "Daddy, you don't need to worry about this. I'm working very well with Mr. Hu, and I've already secured the operating rights for Tenglong Island Resort."

Gus laughed: "Then congratulations, my dear Catherine."

Catherine added, "I trust Mr. Hu's character. He's not someone who gets angry easily. I believe you can communicate rationally without affecting your personal relationship."

Gus nodded and said, "I'm thinking about who to send to negotiate, or whether I should go myself."

Catherine thought for a moment and said, "Daddy, I think it's best if you don't go on the first meeting. It's better to go after the meeting is more or less over."

"You're right, it seems I need to find a suitable candidate."

Just then, Gus's cell phone rang.

Upon seeing the caller ID, Guss's expression changed slightly: "It's Mr. Chalode."

Catherine paused, then remained silent.

Catherine certainly knew who Mr. Chalod was, and she also knew their "status" in the United States. Catherine was even sometimes afraid of these people, feeling that they had no bottom line and would do something inhuman at any time.

Although Guss was one of them, he was still on the fringes and could not be considered an accomplice.

Fortunately, Cherold and Guss had a good relationship.

Gus answered the phone, and Cherold's slightly hoarse voice came from the other end.

"Hello, Mr. Guss."

"Hey, Mr. Cherold, it's been a long time."

Chalod chuckled: "It hasn't been that long, has it? It hasn't been that long since we last met. Okay, let's talk about something serious. You and Zach Burke are building a team, aren't you?"

Gus replied, “That’s right, Mr. Chalod, we plan to send a technical team to conduct the evaluation the first time.”

"Okay, that's great. So, has a team leader been found?"

"Not yet, Mr. Chalode. To be frank, that's a big problem."

Chalode laughed: "Perhaps I can solve this for you."

"...Oh? Mr. Chalode, could you help arrange someone to be in charge?"

"Yes, I have a suitable candidate, you can consider it."

What could Guss say? He quickly agreed.

Chalode was not a kind person. Although his tone was relaxed and he was only giving advice rather than giving orders, it was in fact an order, and there was no doubt about it.

If Guss refuses, that would be a big problem, tantamount to offending a top figure like Challow.

Of course, given his status, Chalode wouldn't immediately cause trouble for the Guise family, but gradually, the fangs of these leaders would be revealed. If they wanted, they could bankrupt a top billionaire like Guise.

Therefore, Guss had no choice but to agree, and he had to do it quickly; even a second of hesitation would be disrespectful to Mr. Cherold.

Gus wanted to ask who Cherold would arrange, but wisely refrained from asking, as it would be more appropriate to let Cherold answer for himself.

Sure enough, Chalode gave a brief introduction, not very clearly, but it gave Guss an idea of ​​the man's background.

It turns out that he was a Chinese-American scientist, an outstanding one who had worked for NASA in the United States, but at that time he was working at the MIT Space Laboratory and had experience leading teams.

Gus breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the person Chalode had found wasn't too outrageous, at least that's how it sounded.

Since he is a Chinese-American scientist, he is likely to speak Mandarin, which would make communication with Mr. Hu's side much smoother and more accurate, avoiding any misunderstandings.

Guss talked with Chalod for a while before hanging up the phone.

Throughout the conversation, Guss maintained a humble yet dignified demeanor.

Gus breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Mr. Chalode has arranged someone as the team leader, which is good, it saves us a lot of trouble."

Catherine asked curiously, "Daddy, who is that person?"

"He is a Chinese-American scientist."

Guss recounted what Chalod had just told him.

Catherine looked thoughtful. "Daddy, don't you find it strange? Why would Mr. Challow arrange for someone like this? Is there anything special about this person?"

Guss thought for a moment: "I think apart from the fact that he is a Chinese-American scientist, there is no difference, or..."

Suddenly, Guss realized something and said, "Could he be connected to the intelligence department?"

Catherine said, "It's not out of the question, Daddy. He may not be an intelligence officer, but he'll at least work for one."

It must be said that Catherine's words make a lot of sense.

However, Guss had no choice. Since this cooperation was specially approved, he could only let people arrange it this way, otherwise the cooperation would not exist.

Guss had no idea what the intelligence agency wanted to do by planting people in there.

Hopefully, the worst things won't happen.

(End of this chapter)