Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 425 Set sail
There was another reason why Lao Song was able to successfully apply: he couldn't tell He Yuzhu that China's first generation of all-weather fighter jets had rolled off the production line and successfully completed its test flight.

The key to their success lies in the radar laboratory at Huanghe and the data and fighter jet samples provided by He Yuzhu. They are currently designing and developing the next generation of fighter jets based on the SU-33 and SU-35, targeting the world's mainstream fighter jets. The only system they are checking is the Global Positioning System (GPS), which they dare not risk directly connecting to North America's system. Therefore, the new fighter jet has a limited combat radius.

Director Song understood the importance of cooperating with Huanghe better than anyone else. However, just because Huanghe is a private company, the cooperation between the two parties was not as simple as building a laboratory.

Two weeks later, Lao Fang came over, along with Lao Fan.

"Why did you two come together? Old Fan, you've retired too?"

"I'd like to retire," Old Fan said with a smile.

"So you've come to give me an award certificate today?" He Yuzhu joked.

"You kid, you still think it's forty years ago? If you want, I'll give you a stack," Old Fang said.

"I don't want what you're giving me. I don't know how many things you'd trade for that certificate of merit," He Yuzhu said, pursing his lips.

"Hmph, you talk like you're some kind of landlord or tyrant from the old society. Is my certificate of merit a contract of servitude?"

"More or less." He Yuzhu nodded.

"Ah, hahahaha." After saying that, He Yuzhu and Lao Fan burst into laughter together.

"Are you two bullying this old man?"

"Well, at our age, we can only bully people like you." The two laughed and nodded seriously.

"You, you..." Old Fang, who was sitting on the sofa, suddenly fell backward.

"Hey, Lao Fang, what's wrong?" Lao Fan immediately got anxious and got up to go check on him.

He Yuzhu grabbed him and said, "Uncle Fang, if you're going to pretend, at least make it look convincing. Why are your eyelids twitching like that?"

"I knew I couldn't fool you, why did you remind Lao Fan?"

“He’s not young anymore, you’d scare him badly,” He Yuzhu said.

"Alright, Lao Fan, you go ahead and say it. You were here to handle some business today anyway," Lao Fang said.

Old Fan let out a long sigh. He was really scared just now. What he didn't know was that since Old Fang moved, he had been taking supplements in his diet and medicine, plus regular check-ups, so his health was actually quite good.

Old Fan took something out of his briefcase, walked up to He Yuzhu, gave him a solemn salute, and then handed the item to He Yuzhu.

"Comrade He Yuzhu, this is an invitation letter. Only a handful of people in the whole country can receive an invitation letter. This is an honor for you."

He Yuzhu took the document with both hands and opened it.

"Huh, I can go there too?"

"If you can't go, then no one else can. There are no outsiders here, so why are you pretending?" Old Fang said irritably.

"Does he not have it?" He Yuzhu asked Lao Fan.

“Not only Mr. Fang, but I don’t have it either. You know how rare this thing is, right?”

"That's pretty fast. Has the satellite issue been resolved?" He Yuzhu asked.

"So you really do know how much stuff you've been hiding," Old Fang said.

"It's common sense. I knew that in 1965."

"1965, 1965, you mean..." Old Fang muttered for a long time before suddenly realizing.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't say it if you see through it. Otherwise, we won't be friends anymore." He Yuzhu interrupted him directly.

"Fine, don't tell me then. You'll see me this time anyway," Old Fang said.

He Yuzhu squinted, looking at Lao Fang, then at Lao Fan.

The two old men immediately felt the temperature in the room drop a few degrees.

"What's going on, Zhu Zi? You're giving us a menacing look. We haven't offended you," Old Fan said.

"What's going on with this?" He Yuzhu waved the invitation in his hand.

"It was given by higher-ups; we don't have that authority," Old Fan said.

He Yuzhu looked at the simple yet weighty invitation in his hand, his fingertips gently stroking the smooth paper.

He was silent for a moment, then looked up at Lao Fan, his eyes now calm as usual.

"Time and place?" he asked simply and directly.

"Next month on the 5th, Liaodong, Dalian Port. There will be someone to receive you," Lao Fan replied, his tone equally solemn.

"I understand." He Yuzhu carefully put the invitation away in his desk drawer. "I will be there on time."

Old Fang observed his expression from the side and clicked his tongue: "What, not excited at all? This is an honor that so many people can only dream of."

He Yuzhu smiled, a smile carrying a complex and indescribable emotion: "I am excited, but more than that, I am filled with emotion. We have been walking this path for decades, and finally we are seeing some tangible results."

"Yes, it wasn't easy," Lao Fan sighed. "You Huanghe also deserve credit for this. Especially the special materials and precision-machined parts provided by Jinggong and Zhonggong, which solved a major problem."

"It's our duty." He Yuzhu waved his hand. "It's the company's responsibility to contribute to the country. I just hope that this path can become wider and wider."

"Yes, it will." Old Fan said firmly, "It's an inevitable trend, and no one can stop it."

After seeing Lao Fang and Lao Fan off, He Yuzhu sat alone in his study for a long time.

To be honest, he really didn't expect to be invited; his identity was too special.

Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

His thoughts began to drift away, recalling many years ago when he listened to those inspiring messages on the radio, never imagining that one day he would participate in them in this way.

Xiaoman gently pushed the door open and came in. Seeing him gazing out the window in a daze, she walked over to his side and asked, "Uncle Fang and Lao Fan, what brings you here?"

"It's nothing, I just helped them with a small favor. By the way, I have to go on a business trip next month."

"Where are you going again? You're so old, why are you still running around?" Xiaoman complained.

"It's within China, but I can't say exactly where."

"Is this what they came for? Is it dangerous?"

"What danger could there be? If it doesn't work, just keep Uncle Fang at home as a hostage."

"You're in your fifties and sixties and still don't behave properly," Xiaoman said reproachfully, giving him a light punch.

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Oh dear, have I disturbed your sweet moment, you two?"

"Ah ah ah," followed by several children's voices.

"You silly girl, what are you doing hiding by the door? You didn't make a sound at all," Xiaoman scolded.

"Mom, you've really wronged me. I just arrived, okay? Otherwise, you would have heard your granddaughter calling out by now." He Ningxue was speechless.

"What brings you here? You're right at the door and you haven't even said a word."

"I came to see my dad to see my granddaughter." Unable to withstand her mother's pressure, He Ningxue could only look to He Yuzhu for help.

"Then why don't you bring my granddaughter over? What are you doing standing at the door?" He Yuzhu said.

"Ah, ah, ah," Xiao Nianhe called out in cooperation.

He Yuzhu took his granddaughter in his arms and started tickling her.

"Giggle, giggle." The room was filled with Xiao Nianhe's laughter.

Time quietly slipped into October.

He Yuzhu arrived in Liaodong a day ahead of schedule, following the instructions on the invitation letter.

He was received by a middle-aged military officer surnamed Wang, who had a serious expression, spoke little, but made thorough and appropriate arrangements.

On the morning of the 5th, at a heavily guarded dock in Dalian Port, the sea breeze carried the coolness of late autumn.

The sky was somewhat overcast with low-hanging clouds, but this did not diminish the solemn yet exciting atmosphere at the dock.

He Yuzhu naturally knew why such weather was chosen, as it rendered the satellites in the sky blind and deaf.

He Yuzhu stood in the designated observation area, surrounded mostly by soldiers, with only a few others dressed in civilian clothes like him.

All eyes were focused on the huge figure beside the dock.

Despite being extremely familiar with the ship, He Yuzhu still felt a surge of excitement when the canvas was slowly lifted, revealing the majestic silhouette of the giant vessel.

The streamlined hull, the towering island superstructure, and the wide flight deck gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen under the gloomy sky—it was the very same sea tyrant he had once "touched" and brought back.

Now, it is painted gray, and the prominent hull number on the bow proclaims its rebirth.

"Woo—" The deep sound of the ship's horn pierced the sky and echoed in the harbor.

Following the grand launching and naming ceremony, the next step was the core event – ​​the maiden voyage.

To He Yuzhu's slight surprise, Officer Wang came to his side and whispered, "Comrade He, please come with me. The commander invites you to board the ship for a tour."

Amidst the slightly surprised and envious gazes of several attendees, He Yuzhu calmly nodded and followed Officer Wang up the gangway to the flight deck of the giant ship.

No one behind him dared to investigate who this person was; those who were allowed to come today had all undergone rigorous screening.

He felt the solid texture of the metal deck beneath his feet, and the sea breeze grew stronger, making his clothes flutter loudly.

He didn't look around, but quietly followed behind the guide, his gaze calmly sweeping over the facilities on the deck: the pulley system of the arresting cables, the outline of the aircraft elevator, and the various antennas and sensors densely packed on the outer wall of the island superstructure.

All of this was both familiar and strange to him.

He felt familiar with the ship because he had studied it and its accompanying materials countless times during his time in space; yet he felt unfamiliar with it because theoretical knowledge is ultimately insufficient, and only by truly being on board could one feel the magnificent aura brought about by this pinnacle of human industrial civilization.

He was led to an observation platform on the upper level of the island superstructure, which offered a wide view overlooking most of the flight deck while avoiding key operational areas such as engine testing.

Several naval officers and technical experts were already present. One of them, an elderly man with general's stars on his shoulders, nodded slightly when he saw him, but did not say anything more.

He Yuzhu also wisely stood in a slightly back position, so as not to disturb them.

The roar of the engine gradually grew louder, and a slight vibration was felt in the hull.

With the assistance of tugboats, the massive ship slowly left the dock and headed towards the wider sea outside the harbor.

The sea trial projects were launched one by one.

First, the power system was tested. The giant ship accelerated on the sea, cutting through the waves, leaving a trail like a huge white ribbon.

He Yuzhu could feel the stable thrust coming from under his feet, and he had a preliminary assessment of the state of this power system.

This was followed by a simulation of carrier-based aircraft takeoffs and landings.

Although no actual aircraft was carried during this sea trial, the ground crew on the deck conducted a full-process rehearsal.

Personnel wearing vests of different colors moved around in different areas, simulating the movement and positioning of fighter jets, as well as the most important process—ski-jump takeoff and arrested landing.

He Yuzhu's gaze followed their movements, corroborating his memories from his past life.

He saw the ski-jump ramp poised for takeoff at the front of the flight deck and the meticulous inspection work of the ground crew in the arresting cable area, and nodded slightly.

During this period, technicians reported data to the generals, occasionally mentioning terms such as "ski jump angle adaptation" and "peak stress of the arresting system".

He Yuzhu listened quietly, understanding that this original system from the north was undergoing a difficult process of digestion, absorption, and readaptation thanks to the efforts of domestic engineers.

"The biggest challenge at present is still the integration of carrier-based aircraft and the platform," a bespectacled technical expert reported to the general in a low voice. "Especially the landing process, which is a great test for both the pilots and the ship's guidance system."

"Our existing SU-33s and their accompanying helicopters still require a lot of training and data accumulation."

The general's gaze fell on the empty landing runway, his brow furrowing slightly: "Time waits for no one. The accompanying pilot training and tactical exploration must be accelerated."

He Yuzhu nodded upon hearing this. He recalled the training outlines for carrier-based aircraft pilots, suggestions for optimizing the landing guidance system, and even the development ideas for subsequent carrier-based aircraft models that had been delivered to the relevant departments.

"The time was still too short!" He Yuzhu sighed inwardly.

The aircraft carrier traced a huge arc on the sea, completing its turning test.

The dark clouds had dispersed somewhat, and a ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds, shining on the gray island superstructure with a metallic luster.

He Yuzhu leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance. The vast and boundless sea, together with this giant ship that carried the dreams and efforts of countless people, formed a breathtaking scene.

On this trip, he was merely a special bystander, a witness.

But being able to see this national treasure, which embodies his hard work, galloping on the blue waves and feel its nascent and vigorous power, filled him with an indescribable sense of satisfaction and emotion.

The clouds in the sky began to disperse slowly, and the trial voyage, which lasted for several hours, quickly came to an end, with the large ship slowly returning to port.

As He Yuzhu stepped onto the solid ground of the dock once more, he looked back and saw the giant ship quietly moored at its berth, like a giant beast taking a temporary rest, waiting for its next, even longer journey.

Officer Wang escorted him to his lodgings, and before parting, he gave him another solemn salute: "Comrade He, thank you for everything you have done for the country."

He Yuzhu returned the smile without saying anything more.

it is more than words.

Back at my lodgings, after dinner, someone came to my door; it was a general.

"Hello, Comrade He, I am the commander of a certain unit."

"Hello, Commander." He Yuzhu extended his hand and shook hands with the other person.

Aren't you curious why I came to see you?

"People who come here shouldn't be curious; you'll naturally tell what you can say."

"Haha, you really are an interesting person. We're about the same age, so you don't need to call me Commander. Just call me Old Lu, my name is Kong Shanhe."

Seeing He Yuzhu's puzzled look, he explained in a low voice, "Others may not know your identity, but I do know something about it. I was the one who took over the ship and the plane back then."

He Yuzhu nodded, and then Kong Shanhe added, "I'm calling you so late because I have another place to go the day after tomorrow, so don't rush back."

"Also from the water?"

"So you knew after all." Kong Shanhe nodded.

"I had a guess. If it's from the sky, it's definitely not you coming to find me."

"What, you look down on our navy? We have planes too, you know."

He Yuzhu smiled but remained silent.

"Hey, in front of someone like you, it's like being naked and exposed to everyone, with no secrets at all."

"I'm not that great, I just know a little more."

"You're just a little bit... Honestly, if it weren't for the rule, I would have dragged you to all the soldiers and made them salute you!"

"I can't accept this gift; it's far too much!"

"We deserve it, we deserve it. You've given us the dream of having a navy ten or even twenty years ahead of schedule. We absolutely deserve it."

"I just did what I could."

"No, you've done something no one else can. I can't stay any longer. You can travel around for the next couple of days. There will be people at your beck and call. I'll take my leave now."

"it is good."

The next day, Kong Shanhe arranged for someone to accompany He Yuzhu to visit some non-classified coastal projects and port facilities in Dalian, during which time no further military-related topics were discussed.

On the morning of the third day, the same officer Wang came to pick him up, and the vehicle drove away from the city to a more secluded military port.

This trip was much more low-key, with no ceremony or spectators.

After a rigorous inspection, He Yuzhu was taken to the dock and changed into a training uniform.

A sleek, low-slung black whale rested quietly in its designated berth—it was a submarine.

It represents a completely different aesthetic from an aircraft carrier; one exudes power and presence, while the other conceals a deadly stillness.

"Comrade He, please." Kong Shanhe, now dressed in his training uniform, was already waiting at the dock.

He didn't offer much explanation, but simply made an inviting gesture.

He Yuzhu nodded and followed him through the gangway into the submarine.

The interior space is much narrower and more compact than it appears from the outside. The passageways are only wide enough for one person to pass through. Various pipes, valves, and instruments are scattered all around, and the air is filled with the smell of engine oil, metal, and a peculiar, enclosed odor.

The crew members performed their duties, and when they saw the commander and He Yuzhu enter, they simply nodded silently in acknowledgment.

Kong Shanhe led He Yuzhu to the command center.

This is the central hub for command, communications, and weapons control, where various screens and instruments flicker with a dim light.

"Today's dive is a short-range adaptive dive, mainly to test several improved systems," Kong Shanhe said in a low voice.

"This place should be relatively safe, right? Can you tell me why you brought me here?" "I was the one who received the first submarine." After saying that, Kong Shanhe stared at He Yuzhu, but He Yuzhu's expression remained unchanged, so it was impossible to tell anything from him.

Kong Shanhe was not disappointed. He pulled He Yuzhu to a corner where they could stand without interfering with the operation.

He Yuzhu's gaze swept over the things in the control room, and he was actually slightly disappointed with these operating interfaces and display units.

Many of them are from the same lineage as the ship he brought back back in the first place, but they are outdated in terms of current technology.

"All departments prepare, dive!" The captain's command was steady and powerful.

A low, rumbling sound arose, and the boat tilted slightly.

Through the heavy periscope well base, one can feel the seawater gradually overflowing the bridge.

The light dimmed, relying mainly on internal lighting.

The change in pressure caused some discomfort in my eardrums.

After confirming with He Yuzhu that he had no adverse reactions, Kong Shanhe stopped paying attention to He Yuzhu. He didn't have many more opportunities to go into the water now, and if He Yuzhu hadn't come, he wouldn't have been allowed to go in at all.

He rose through the ranks from submarine captain and has a special affection for submarines.

Like a real whale, the submarine silently glided into the deep sea.

The noise of the outside world was completely shut out, leaving only the slight noise of the equipment running and the simple and efficient communication codes between the crew.

He Yuzhu observed quietly.

He saw the sonar operator wearing headphones, intently capturing every sound underwater; he saw the helmsman precisely controlling the course and depth; he saw the commander synthesizing information from all sides to make a judgment.

This dive was not a combat mission, but more of a system test and personnel integration exercise.

But the highly tense and meticulous atmosphere still made He Yuzhu feel the heavy responsibility that the underwater Great Wall bears.

During this period, the submarine made several changes in depth, turns, and low-speed maneuvers.

He Yuzhu could intuitively feel the submarine's response speed and stealth performance.

He secretly assessed that the boat was quite advanced in some aspects, but overall it was still lacking.

Kong Shanhe would occasionally explain one or two non-confidential professional matters to him in a low voice, and He Yuzhu would respond with an understanding look.

After sailing underwater for several hours, the submarine began to surface.

When the flickering lights reappeared on the sea state display screen atop the command cabin, it meant they were approaching the surface.

The submarine regained its stability, and familiar natural light streamed into the cabin through the raised periscope.

"How are you feeling?" Kong Shanhe asked.

"Silent, yet powerful," He Yuzhu succinctly commented.

Kong Shanhe smiled proudly: "This is our own 'blackfish,' and it will get even better in the future."

On the way back to the dock, Kong Shanhe and He Yuzhu walked side by side.

"Old He," Kong Shanhe addressed him more casually, "you really don't have anything to say about today's trip?"

He Yuzhu understood the meaning behind his words, and after thinking for a moment, he said, "I don't know about other things, but you are lagging behind in terms of electronic equipment."

"Have you seen any others?"

He Yuzhu shook his head, "I know about the development of the electronics industry."

"So what do you think we should do?"

"You'll have to talk to the person who made this thing; I don't know anything about it."

"Old He, that's not honest of you." Kong Shanhe patted his shoulder forcefully.

"I really don't know. If I knew, I would have told you, but the people who made them must have known."

"Okay, I'll go find them. If I need your help, you can't refuse."

"Doing what I can is my duty!"

"Hahaha, great! I love hearing that! Let's drink until we drop tonight!"

"you sure?"

"How dare you underestimate my alcohol tolerance?"

As a result, Kong Shanhe was carried back that night, and He Yuzhu returned to Beijing early the next morning. Kong Shanhe, who woke up and couldn't find He Yuzhu, exclaimed, "I was careless. I should have called more people."

When He Yuzhu returned to Beijing, Lao Fang came to his door.

The first thing he said when they met was, "Zhu Zi, how are you?"

"That's fine!"

What do you mean by "it's just like that"?

"So what do you want me to say? You'll understand if I tell you, right? I've already given you all the information!" He Yuzhu said helplessly.

"I asked how it compares to other countries?"

"Do you want to hear the truth, or should I just make one up for you?"

"Of course it's the truth."

"To be honest, I don't know. I haven't been to other people's sites, and I haven't looked at their materials."

"Then how about we make one up?" Old Fang had no intention of giving up.

"That means we still have a big gap. The navy has never been a strong point of the North, and the tonnage of that ship can only be considered average."

"Where's the boat?"

"I don't know about the others, but the equipment on it is definitely not advanced."

"Okay, so you didn't want to discourage me."

"Is this all it takes to hurt us? At least we have some, how are those who don't supposed to survive?"

"Hahaha, yes, yes, having something is better than not having one." Old Fang smiled.

In November, Ho Yiu-chung called from the Special Administrative Region, sounding both excited and anxious.

"Dad, the ministry just held a closed-door meeting about the development plan for communications and information technology over the next few years. After the meeting, a familiar leader privately revealed that the Navy may have a batch of special orders, and specifically requested that our Yellow River Communications and Electronics Technology Company participate."

"Oh? The specific direction?" He Yuzhu asked calmly, not surprised.

"The main focus is on upgrading shipborne communication equipment, miniaturizing anti-jamming data links, and the core processing unit of the command and control system. The requirements are very high, especially environmental adaptability and reliability." He Yaozong paused and added, "In addition, the leadership also subtly mentioned that they hope we can ensure 'independence, controllability, and stability' in the supply of semiconductor components."

He Yuzhu tapped his fingers lightly on the table.

This aligns with his previous assessment that the large ship and the underwater "black fish" had an urgent need for domestically produced, highly reliable electronic equipment.

"Understood. You should communicate with your Uncle Mao and your Third Uncle and get the precision engineering, heavy industry, electronics technology, and communications companies all mobilized to form a joint technical response team. We don't require them to produce finished products immediately, but they must quickly understand the needs and come up with feasible technical solutions and a sample timeline."

“Understood. I’ll arrange it right away,” He Yaozong replied. “Also, Dad, it seems that restrictions on our semiconductor import business in Hong Kong have been eased. Several shipments that were previously experiencing some delays have recently cleared customs smoothly.”

“That’s normal. We’ve demonstrated value, so we’ll naturally receive corresponding benefits. But remember, we must be careful with our actions. We can’t just use things indiscriminately; we must use them where they’re needed,” He Yuzhu advised.

"I know."

After hanging up the phone, He Yuzhu pondered for a moment.

The Navy's order is just the beginning, a signal.

This means that companies in the Yellow River system are gradually becoming formally integrated into the military industry, and it also means that many companies will be split up later.

He picked up the phone and called Xu Damao and He Yuxin, asking them to find some time to return to Beijing soon so they could discuss the details in person.

Xu Damao acted the fastest, rushing back the very next day.

"Brother, Yaozong called me! This is a huge opportunity!" He exclaimed as soon as he entered the study. "Those guys in the navy have a sharp eye. The fact that they've taken a liking to our stuff means it's really top-notch! We've talked about it before, but they had too many concerns. I've already had the Electronic Technology Research Institute select key personnel to form a special task force!"

He Yuzhu poured him a cup of tea. "Sit down and let's talk slowly. What is our actual situation regarding electronic components?"

Xu Damao picked up his teacup, took a big gulp, and wiped his mouth: "To be honest, the quality varies greatly. For general-purpose chips and some standard components, thanks to Hong Kong's channels and the efforts of several domestic partners, we can basically keep up, and the performance gap is within an acceptable range. But for some special-purpose high-performance computing chips, special sensors that can withstand extreme environments, and... core components of testing equipment such as high-end oscilloscopes and spectrum analyzers, the gap is quite large, and we will still have to rely on outsiders in the short term."

"What about alternative schedules?"

“We’ve been investing money, but you know, this can’t be rushed. Design and manufacturing processes both require time to develop. Several domestic research institutes we’ve invested in have made breakthroughs in power semiconductors and certain analog chips, but it’s still a long way from complete replacement,” Xu Damao sighed. “I estimate that the Navy’s current demand is precisely addressing one of our weaknesses.”

“Then let’s list out the shortcomings, prioritize them, and focus our efforts on solving the most urgent problems first,” He Yuzhu said. “In addition, we can also learn from our cooperation with Harbin Aircraft Industry Group and Xi’an Aircraft Industry Group to see if we can do joint research and development, or we can provide the design and find a domestic factory to fabricate the chips.”

“This is a good approach. I’ll contact them later.” Xu Damao nodded.

He Yuxin returned to Beijing a little later. He was mainly in charge of the infrastructure and heavy industry sectors, which were not directly related to electronics, but his overall vision and coordination ability were what the group needed.

The three brothers talked for a long time in He Yuzhu's study.

He Yuzhu concluded by saying, “This opportunity is not just about business, but also about responsibility. Each company must go all out, pushing the technical limits to the limit, and ensuring there are absolutely no flaws in quality. Da Mao, you will be in charge of components and basic electronics; Yao Zong, you will be responsible for communication equipment and system integration; Yu Xin, you will provide support in heavy industry and materials, especially in areas involving structure, heat dissipation, and protection against special environments. If you encounter any cross-departmental resource coordination issues, come directly to me.”

"Understood, brother," the two replied in unison.

In early December, He Ningxue's commercial complex project completed its main structure capping.

She brought her daughter to show He Yuzhu the photos from the scene. Little Nianhe waved her little hands and pointed at the building in the photos, babbling away.

“Dad, look, even Nianhe says it looks good,” He Ningxue said with a smile.

He Yuzhu smiled and teased his granddaughter, then said to He Ningxue, "Well done. But the next step, attracting investment and operation, is key; we need to create something unique."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." He Ningxue said confidently. "By the way, Dad, Zhixing's studio has recently taken on a few cultural exhibition projects, which seem to be related to museums. They're all very secretive about it."

He Yuzhu nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

Gu Zhixing's connections likely extend to museums in various regions, but there's no need to ask if he doesn't mention it.

As 1995 drew to a close, He Yuzhu began reviewing the group's draft budget for the following year.

The expansion and upgrading of industries are like a greedy beast, constantly devouring funds.

Cooperation with companies such as Harbin Aircraft Industry Group and Xi'an Aircraft Industry Group has brought reputation and potential long-term benefits, but the initial investment is huge and the return cycle is long.

The intentions revealed by the Navy are a bottomless pit that requires continuous investment.

"Dad, this is the preliminary plan for the spin-off and restructuring of the communications sector." He Yaozong placed a document on the table, his face showing some fatigue.

In order to comply with future industrial policies and avoid potential risks, it has become an inevitable choice to separate the mobile phone-centric communication terminal business from the massive Yellow River Communications and establish a dedicated "Yellow River Mobile Communication Equipment Company".

This involves a complex web of issues, including asset allocation, personnel placement, and channel restructuring.

He Yuzhu carefully reviewed the documents, occasionally raising questions: "Patent ownership must be clear, and the incentive plan for the core team must be well-designed. After independent operation, the supply chain must not be disrupted, especially the stable supply of components is crucial."

“I understand. Uncle Da Mao is already coordinating to use domestically produced components, and the chip tape-out success rate has increased to 45%. Although the cost is still high, at least we won't be completely held back at critical moments,” He Yaozong replied. “The import channels in Hong Kong have also been basically streamlined, but the price fluctuations are a bit large.”

“Yes, we need to diversify our approach; we can’t put all our hopes on one thing.” He Yuzhu nodded. “The divestiture process must be smooth and shouldn’t affect existing orders and customer relationships.”

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on it myself."

Just then, Xiaoman brought in hot tea. Seeing the weariness on her son's face, she said with concern, "Yaozong, things can't be finished in a day. Take care of yourself. Your wife just called and said that Shi'an has a slight fever. If you're alright here, go back and check on him as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, He Yaozong immediately stood up: "Dad, I'll go back and take a look first. You can take a look at the plan first, and I'll adjust it if there are any changes."

"Go quickly, the child is more important." He Yuzhu waved his hand.

After her son left, Xiaoman sat down next to He Yuzhu and said softly, "Why don't you just delegate things to your subordinates? I don't think you sleep well at night."

He Yuzhu rubbed his temples: "The business is getting bigger, and we have to consider all aspects. Don't you know their level? I'd rather hand it over to you than to them. How could I bear to let you work so hard? Things will get better after this period."

"You always think of others, but don't you ever think about how you're already sixty?"

"My body is in great shape, Yuxin and the others can't compare to me."

"Even if you're very good, you're still getting on in years, so you still need to be careful."

“It’s okay. I’ll let go once Yaozu and Yaozong have grown up in a couple of years.”

"Yuxin isn't good enough?"

Do you think he'll answer?

"Well, you should ask too."

"No need to ask. I know my brother too well. If he had that intention, he would have told me."

"Then he won't."

"Don't worry about that. Let Yaozu and his generation handle their own affairs in the future. Let the capable rise to the top. I don't distinguish between legitimate and illegitimate children."

“I think you should still make things clear with Yuxin and his two sons, otherwise they will have a lot of trouble in the future.”

“Okay, I’ll talk to them when they all come back for Chinese New Year this year.”

"Oh, and also Da Mao and his group, you should think about them too."

“I will take care of their retirement, but I will not take care of their children. If they are capable, they can go. I will recommend the virtuous and not avoid relatives. If they are not capable, I have no objection to them staying at home as rich kids. But it is not allowed to bring them into the group and cause trouble for others.”

"I think you should talk to them about this too, otherwise... you know, as people get older, their thoughts are definitely different from before."

"Okay, I'll try to go back to Hong Kong next year when I have some free time."

"Hmm, but I don't think you can back out. You are the Zhenhai Divine Iron."

"I can retire behind the scenes, right? Do you expect me to be at the forefront again in ten or eight years?"

"I don't know what it will be like then, but you are still the same now."

“If our generation all retires, I will also retire behind the scenes. Besides, to put it bluntly, Uncle Fang and the others will eventually leave, and their future networks will definitely not go through me; they will have to rely on Yaozu, Yaozong, and the others themselves.”

"That's true, but future cooperation will definitely be between government entities, and they won't be able to rely on the connections of the older generation."

“You seem to understand things quite well,” He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"After all these years with you, how could I not understand?" Xiaoman smiled as well.

"Yes, you are so smart, the first college student in our family."

"Stop flattering me. If you wanted to sleep with someone, you would have done it long ago. I finally understand why you went to vocational school in the first place—it was all just to join the army."

"No, I just want to go to work as soon as possible, because things aren't going well at home then."

Do you think I believe that?

"You have to believe it whether you want to or not! Haha!" He Yuzhu started acting like a rogue.

"I can't argue with you, so I'll go check on my parents in the back. They're afraid of the cold these days and rarely go out."

"go together."

When we arrived at the backyard, we went into the old couple's house.

"Dad, you seem to be in good spirits today."

He Daqing hummed in agreement, his gaze slowly sweeping over the few little ones running around the room before finally settling on He Yuzhu's face.

“Zhu Zi,” He Daqing said, his voice sounding somewhat aged, “Yao Yang and Yao Chen are getting older, isn’t it time for them to start learning martial arts?”

He Yuzhu nodded: "Yes, Dad. I've been thinking about this too. We can't let the men of the He family stop practicing martial arts to strengthen their bodies."

"That's good. What do you think, should we find a teacher to teach us, or..."

“I’ll do it. Let’s learn Tongbei Quan first. They’re too young for Bajiquan, and they can’t comprehend Tai Chi.”

"Fine, you decide what to do."

"My grandsons and great-grandsons are going to have a hard time," Chen Lanxiang sighed from the side.

“Mother, we all went through the same thing back then, you can’t be soft-hearted.”

"I know."

"That's fine."

The matter was settled.

Those mischievous kids were still unaware of their impending doom, running around the house laughing.

He Yuzhu also called He Yuxin, He Yuyao, and He Yuyan about this matter. None of them had any objections, nor did they dare to, otherwise they would be the ones to be punished. They knew that their skills had fallen behind over the years, and if He Yuzhu came to investigate, they would be in big trouble.

The younger siblings had no objections. They were very supportive of the children learning from their uncle, as they believed that getting closer to He Yuzhu would allow them to receive more care.

(End of this chapter)