Rebirth of Hong Kong Island, leading the technology war

Chapter 513 That launch site is very advanced
Hu Jiangshan asked curiously, "Dr. Kong, you can ask for anything you want to see, and I will try my best to meet your requirements."

Kong Yanbin said, "Let me think about taking a look at the main control room and the rocket assembly and maintenance depot. Is that alright?"

Hu Jiangshan nodded: "Of course, no problem, this is also within our itinerary."

"That's good."

Kong Yanbin looked at the rocket launcher again and said, "Boss Hu, this launcher is well made."

"Thanks for the compliment."

"The materials used are substantial, and the functions are comprehensive. They must have spared no expense, right?"

Hu Jiangshan said, "The cost is indeed very high, but it is necessary to improve the efficiency of rocket launches, and there is no need to save costs in this regard."

Kong Yanbin asked, "Has this rocket launcher ever been used?"

"It has been used. We conducted a rocket launch experiment, Dr. Kong. You can find traces of it in the deflector."

At this moment, Li Chenyu approached Kong Yanbin and whispered, "Professor, there are traces of rocket exhaust in the deflector, but not many."

"Oh, I know."

After Li Chenyu left, Kong Yanbin did not communicate with Hu Jiangshan again, but instead casually looked around.

Kong Yanbin appeared calm on the surface, but was actually full of doubts inside.

It turns out that rocket launch experiments were actually conducted here. Although there are few traces, and it may have only been done once or twice, it at least shows that this rocket launch pad was indeed usable.

So, is Kong Yanbin's previous assessment of the Tenglong Island space launch site still valid?
Kong Yanbin wasn't so easily fooled. After a moment's thought, he immediately realized that this situation made sense.

If it's just a simple rocket launch experiment, it doesn't require advanced technology or sophisticated equipment. As long as it can ignite normally, it's not difficult.

If you want to go even further, you can even fake the so-called trail of flame.

Thinking of this, Kong Yanbin revealed a cold smile.

Hu Jiangshan thinks he can get away with this so easily?
If it were someone else as the team leader, they might have been fooled by Hu Jiangshan. Unfortunately, he is Kong Yanbin, who is not only an expert among experts, but also has a deep understanding of the Chinese way of doing things and thinking.

A few moments later, everyone had finished looking at the rocket launch pad and returned.

Apart from Kong Yanbin and his two companions, the others were all technical personnel from the Gas Group and Meta Technology. They praised the rocket launcher highly, saying it was the most advanced and sophisticated rocket launcher they had ever seen.

In fact, Li Chenyu and Fan Hao felt the same way; the launch pad was much better than they had imagined.

However, neither of them dared to show it, as they were well aware of Kong Yanbin's attitude.

Kong Yanbin is the boss. If you want to get along well with him, you have to be on the same page and stay in agreement.

Kong Yanbin said to Hu Jiangshan, "Shall we go to the rocket assembly and maintenance depot now?"

"of course can."

The group then boarded the electric shuttle bus and headed towards the office building.

The rocket assembly and maintenance depot is right next to the office building; once you get there, you'll find a one-stop service.

Judging from Kong Yanbin's expression, he'll probably make even more demands. Hu Jiangshan is watching with bated breath, wanting to see what this guy is up to.

Meanwhile, across the ocean, in West Virginia, at the Melden Restaurant.

This restaurant is very upscale and has a great location, right across from Algi Beach. One wall is made up of floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a beautiful view of the beach.

For this reason, Melden Restaurant is popular with many celebrities in the United States, and even many wealthy people from the Earth come here to have a meal.

The reason why only wealthy people come here is because this restaurant is very expensive. Although it is not a Michelin-starred restaurant, its prices are higher than those of Michelin-starred restaurants, and by a lot. It is said that a meal here costs at least tens of thousands of dollars.

Even though it's so expensive, many wealthy people come here to eat, and you even need to make a reservation in advance on weekdays.

Of course, the so-called advance reservation only applies to ordinary wealthy people. In the United States, there is a small group of people who do not need to make an appointment in advance to enter any place. They can come and go as they please. If someone is so ignorant as to refuse them entry, they will be causing themselves a lot of trouble.

Therefore, any restaurant with a certain reputation is well aware of these people.

Melden Restaurant has three floors, with the top floor consisting of suites, which are what people in China often call private rooms.

The suite has a long dining table, two regular small dining tables, a sofa booth, and a dance floor, but it is not equipped with any recreational facilities.

Such suites can cost several thousand dollars just for service fees, which is unaffordable for the average middle class. Only those at the very top of the pyramid are willing to spend money here.

At that moment, several people were sitting in the largest and most luxurious suite, including Bill Gates and Mark Zachburke.

These are two tech giants, holding top positions on Earth.

However, the two of them were not the highest-ranking people in the room. There were at least two people that neither Gus nor Zachary Burke could afford to offend, one of whom was Colin Chalod.

As mentioned earlier, Chalode is no ordinary person; he is the current head of the Chalode family and one of the seven leaders of the Stonemasons' Guild.

Sitting next to Chairod was another big shot, who shared the same status as Chairod and was also in charge of the Stonemasons' Guild.

This man is named Carly Dickinson. He is almost seventy years old, but he doesn't look old at all, which shows that he takes very good care of himself.

In fact, those in charge have many special methods for maintaining their health, some of which are even quite shady and unknown to the average person.

Dickinson was also a member of a large family, whose ancestors came from Britain and were among the oldest money in the world.

Compared to Dickinson and Chalod, Gus and Zachary Burke behaved much more politely, as if they were mere novice compared to them.

The presence of two leaders from the stonemasons' guild at this time indicates that it was a very important occasion.

Chairod checked the time and said, "Dr. Kong and the others should be at the Tenglong Island space launch site by now. I wonder how it's going."

Guss remained silent, because he didn't know how to respond. He wasn't familiar with Kong Yanbin, and he didn't have a good impression of him.

Zakbarke said, "Dr. Kong is a very cautious person, and I am confident that he will get the best possible outcome for us."

Dickinson took a sip of expensive red wine and said, "Dr. Kong is very experienced and knows China well. I believe he will not fall into the trap set by the Chinese."

Chalode glanced at Dickinson: "Mr. Dickinson, it seems you still don't have a very high opinion of the Tenglong Island Space Launch Site."

Dickinson shrugged: "China's space program is doing well now, but their private space companies are not up to par and are not worth mentioning. I don't believe that Tenglong Island is capable of successfully launching a deep space probe."

At this point, Dickinson took another sip of red wine and added, "I don't believe this company can pose any threat to SpessX either. Oh, by the way, Mr. Guise, I heard that you're also involved in the rocket launch site that SpessX is building on Hong Kong Island?" Guise forced a smile and replied, "Yes, Mr. Dickinson, that launch site is a joint project between our Guise Group and SpessX."

"Oh, very good. Speth X has the complete technology. Gus, you guys just need to provide the funding, right?"

“Well… Mr. Dickinson, our team is also professional.”

Dickinson waved his hand: "That's not important."

Guss sighed inwardly, while Zachary Burke wore a gloating expression, as if he were watching a good show.

Among the stonemasons' guild's leadership, Cherold and Guise had a good relationship, but the others were only so-so. Dickinson, in particular, had a negative attitude towards Guise, for reasons unknown.

It is said that the leadership team had a heated debate last time about how great the threat posed by the Tenglong Island space launch site was. Dickinson's view was very clear: it was not great, or even nonexistent.

As is well known, Dickinson has always been dismissive of China, believing that all the achievements of the Chinese people are fake, that they are all show and no substance, and that they are easily defeated, including in the aerospace field.

If it weren't for the intelligence agencies saying that the Tenglong Island space launch site was eerie, and that even the strongest cyberattack team had suffered a setback and top intelligence personnel had almost been caught off guard there, Dickinson wouldn't have even agreed to investigate Tenglong Island.

Dickinson eventually agreed, but on the condition that the person he recommended, Dr. Kong Yanbin, be used.

Dickinson's high regard for Kong Yanbin was not due to his strong research capabilities, but rather because his values ​​aligned well with Dickinson's own.

Dickinson likes anyone who disdains China, considering them all on his side, and believes they can give him a try.

No wonder Kong Yanbin was so unyielding when he met Gus; it turns out he had latched onto Dickinson's coattails, which gave him some confidence.

Chalode raised his glass, gesturing for everyone to drink, then asked Guise, "Mr. Guise, you must have been to Tenglong Island, right?"

Gus looked embarrassed: "I've been there. Actually, Tenglong Island was a property I bought before, and later I resold it to Hu Jiangshan. I didn't expect him to develop that island so well."

Chai Luode nodded: "That means Hu Jiangshan is quite capable. We still can't underestimate him, otherwise the intelligence department wouldn't have suffered a loss at his hands."

Dickinson sneered: "Chirode, the intelligence agencies these days aren't as capable as they used to be. They're all just loafing around, a bunch of useless trash."

Chalode couldn't refute it, but he was indeed not as good as before. However, to call him useless would be a bit of an exaggeration. At least on Earth, he was still quite powerful and would easily rank in the top three.

Dickinson added, "Gentlemen, I bet Dr. Kong will find out the truth, and that it's just a theme park, nothing special, let alone comparable to Speth X."

Zakabak smiled and responded with a few words.

Zakabak never believed that a Chinese aerospace company was capable of launching MetaTech's lunar orbiter.

Discovering the weaknesses of Tenglong Island as soon as possible could also prevent the risk of sending such a valuable probe to China from being too great.

Guss said nothing, which was wise. For a man like Deakins, his thoughts and opinions were irrelevant. The only one qualified to argue with him was Cherold.

Chalode doesn't seem to have any intention of doing that either.

Chalode was cautious by nature and would not argue with other managers unless he was absolutely certain.

Dickinson said, "I'm curious why the intelligence community would pay attention to this small Chinese company?"

"Mr. Dickinson, you should know that they have their own procedures," said Chalod. "The fact that Tenglong Island caught their attention and that they took action shows that there are some tricks to it."

Dickinson snorted, looking unimpressed.

Chalode checked the time and said, "We can just wait for the results; it shouldn't be too long."

At this point, Guss said, "If Dr. Kong doesn't find any obvious problems, should we proceed with the cooperation with Tenglong Island as planned?"

Chalode nodded: "Of course, this is our plan."

"I don't think the chances of reaching an agreement are high," Zakbarke said.

Gus glanced at Zachary Burke, knowing what the guy was thinking, but still unwilling to give up his precious detector.

There are now rumors that Zachary Burke is a lizardman, which is clearly malicious slander, but every time Gus sees him, he feels that it is strangely fitting.

Zakabak's expression and eyes did indeed resemble those disgusting things.

Just then, Dickinson's phone beeped.

Dickinson smiled slightly: "Dear Dr. Kong, the investigation is complete."

Upon hearing this, Chalod, Gus, Zachary, and the others all sat up straight.

Chalode asked, "How's the situation over there?"

Dickinson said, "Don't rush. Since we're all here, let's have a short video conference and have Dr. Kong give us a briefing."

Judging from Dickinson's demeanor, it seemed as if everything was under control.

Everyone agreed.

A moment later, the online video system was ready, and Kong Yanbin's face appeared on the other end.

Kong Yanbin should be in a hotel at this time. From the window behind him, it can be seen that it is already evening in China.

Kong Yanbin looked somewhat haggard, probably from exhaustion.

On a sweltering day, going to an island to see a launch site is indeed a tough job.

Kong Yanbin first greeted Dickinson, Chalode, and others.

Dickinson casually asked, "Dr. Kong, have you finished looking at the Tenglong Island launch site?"

"Yes, Mr. Dickinson, we have completed the inspection process."

"Very well, so what's the conclusion? I'd love to know just how bad could that space launch site be?"

Kong Yanbin opened his mouth, seemingly hesitant, but still said, "Mr. Dickinson, that space launch site... is very advanced."

"……what?"

Dickinson realized what was happening and asked, "Advanced? Dr. Kong, did I hear that right?"

Kong Yanbin said, "Yes, you heard right, it is indeed very advanced there, especially the instruments and equipment... I don't know how they did it, but there is a lot of advanced equipment."

(End of this chapter)