Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 426 Sword Dance
In the twelfth lunar month, He Yuzhu called He Yuxin, He Yaozu, and He Yaozong, who had returned, to his study.

The study was filled with the aroma of tea, but the atmosphere was more solemn than usual.

"I called you all here today for no other reason than to talk about the future," He Yuzhu said bluntly, his gaze sweeping over his younger brother and two sons. "The group has grown to this size, which is something I never expected. With such a large operation, the rules need to be clearly defined to avoid any resentment from you later, or unfounded speculation from your subordinates."

He Yuxin immediately stated, "Brother, I have no opinion. I'm busy enough with this business right now, and I can't manage anything bigger. I'll wholeheartedly support Yaozu and Yaozong taking over in the future."

He Yaozong hurriedly said, "Third Uncle, you are very experienced. We still have a lot to learn from you."

He Yaozu nodded, "Yes, Third Uncle."

He Yuzhu waved his hand, stopping their polite conversation: "Since that's the case, then Yuxin will take charge of the infrastructure and heavy industry sectors. I'm making this clear today: the future leader of the group will not be chosen based on age or lineage, but solely on ability and responsibility. Currently, Yaozu seems to have a good overall perspective and is suitable for leading the entire group; Yaozong has keen technical skills and can lead the group to breakthroughs in research and development. You brothers need to work together. As for the specific division of labor, you can discuss it yourselves later. If you're unsure, you can ask me or your mother."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious: "As for veterans like Ah Lang, Da Mao, Chen Sheng, Yuan Heng, and Xing Yao, the group will not mistreat them. They are old, and the company will support them. But their children must start from the bottom and work their way up through their own abilities to join the group. Anyone who tries to rely on their parents' achievements to get by, or even does something underhanded, don't blame me for being ruthless. You can't say this to Yao Zu, but I will go back to Hong Kong after the New Year and talk to them in person."

He Yaozu and He Yaozong's expressions tightened, and they replied in unison, "Understood, Dad."

He Yuxin breathed a sigh of relief. He really didn't have his sights set on this. His older brother's ability to make things clear saved him a lot of unnecessary trouble.

"Alright, let's finish the business. Yuxin, how's the planning for that logistics center in Tianjin New Port going?" He Yuzhu changed the subject, and the atmosphere relaxed.

"The preliminary plan is out, and there are a few details I need to report to you, brother." He Yuxin took out the prepared documents.

In the courtyard outside the study, the faint sounds of children playing could be heard, and the festive atmosphere of the year-end had quietly enveloped the courtyard.

Before the Lunar New Year, Wu Qianli called.

"Pillar, is it convenient for us to talk?"

"It's convenient, just let me know if you need anything."

"Well, I'll get straight to the point. The things you asked me to pass on last time were taken very seriously by the higher-ups, who organized several seminars. Some of the ideas were very inspiring for us. We'd like to commission your company to trial-produce a batch of improved connectors and buffer mechanisms for use on new ground equipment. I'll fax you the drawings and requirements tomorrow."

"No problem, I'll have Jinggong handle it first."

"There's something else, a personal matter. Old Xiong's son, Xiong Qianjin, is leaving the military this year. He doesn't want to follow the conventional path into a government office; he wants to try his luck outside. If you have any suitable positions available, could you help me look into them?" Wu Qianli's voice carried a hint of embarrassment.

He Yuzhu laughed: "You're quite the worrywart, Uncle. Why doesn't Lao Xiong call himself? Let him come over. Start from a basic management position. Whether he can handle it or not is up to him. The Special Economic Zone is in need of a capable middle manager. Let him give it a try."

"They took it out again. Wait for him to come back and have him pay you back."

"They don't even take a break during the Lunar New Year."

"There's nothing we can do; there are some troublemakers outside."

"Ah."

"That's settled then. Qianjin is tough, so you can throw him around as much as you want."

On the 28th day of the twelfth lunar month, He Yuzhu began giving the boys in his family their first martial arts lesson.

The location was a glass greenhouse in the east wing of the courtyard house, where He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang sat watching.

He Ningyu, He Yaoyang, He Yaochen, and the other little ones, along with Wang Siyu's son and He Yushui's daughter, all looked both curious and nervous.

"Today, I'll teach you the basics of Tongbei Quan, starting with stance training." He Yuzhu stood with his hands behind his back, his expression serious. His gaze swept over the children, and they straightened their backs involuntarily. "Raise your hands, yes, that's the posture. Martial arts are not for bullying others, but for strengthening your body and tempering your will. All of you, hold on! Anyone who slacks off will have to practice for an extra ten minutes."

At first, the children found it novel, but after a few minutes, they started to grimace and their legs began to tremble.

Chen Lanxiang felt sorry for him, but He Daqing held her hand down: "A doting mother often spoils her son, and Zhu Zi knows this."

He Yuzhu walked over and gently adjusted the children's postures, his tone softening: "Yes, lower your center of gravity and keep your breathing steady. Remember this feeling."

Inside the greenhouse, only the children's slightly heavy breathing and He Yuzhu's occasional pointing could be heard.

He Daqing looked at the children gritting their teeth and persevering, nodded approvingly, and a barely perceptible smile flashed in his eyes.

The He family has a worthy successor.

The New Year's Eve dinner will still be held at a restaurant.

The He family and their relatives and friends, numbering in the dozens, filled four large tables.

He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang sat in the main seats, looking at their children and grandchildren, their faces filled with undisguised joy.

He Yuzhu and Xiaoman were busy greeting guests, toasting the elders and giving red envelopes to the younger generation. The scene was lively yet orderly.

During the meal, He Yaozong received an urgent phone call. He left the table briefly and returned, whispering a few words in He Yuzhu's ear.

He Yuzhu's expression remained unchanged; he simply nodded slightly and said, "I understand. We'll talk about it after the New Year."

After dinner, the family returned to the courtyard house and sat around drinking tea and staying up all night to welcome the New Year.

He Yaozu finally had a chance to ask, "Yaozong, what happened?"

“It’s nothing serious.” He Yaozong took a sip of tea. “A long-established telecommunications equipment manufacturer in North America contacted us through an intermediary, wanting to discuss cross-licensing of patents. They probably see our strong momentum and don’t want to waste time in court.”

"They certainly know how to pick their timing," He Yaozu snorted.

“Business negotiations are normal. Let them wait a few days, until after the New Year, then have the legal and R&D teams make contact first. We can be humble, but we must stick to our bottom line,” He Yuzhu said.

He Yaozong nodded in agreement.

The TV was playing a variety show, and the skits made everyone laugh.

He Yuzhu's gaze, however, went beyond the screen and landed on the deep night sky outside the window.

It's 1996 now, and I wonder what the family will do in the face of the commotion outside.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, people came to wish me a happy new year very early.

Instead of waiting at home for the younger generation to come and pay their respects, Lao Fang and Lao Zhao came to the He family's house, followed by a middle-aged man.

"Zhu Zi, let me introduce you to a new friend." Old Zhao introduced with a smile, "This is Zheng Guodong, who used to work on the Third Front construction in the Southwest. He has just been transferred back to Beijing and works in the Planning Commission. Old Zheng, this is He Yuzhu."

Zheng Guodong extended his hand with a hearty smile: "Mr. He, I've long admired your name. Your Yellow River's strategic layout in the Northeast and the Special Economic Zones is truly impressive."

He Yuzhu shook hands with him, feeling the roughness and strength in the other's palm: "Director Zheng, you flatter me. It's just going with the flow."

The group sat down and chatted, and the topic quickly shifted from New Year's greetings and small talk to the macroeconomy.

Zheng Guodong has unique insights into the domestic and international industrial situation, and his words reveal his deep concern for high-end manufacturing and the self-reliance of core technologies.

"Especially for precision instruments and high-end bearings, many key projects are currently facing bottlenecks. Imports are not only expensive, but also frequently restricted," Zheng Guodong lamented. "If there were more companies like Huanghe Precision Machinery in China, the situation would be much better."

He Yuzhu understood the deeper meaning in his words and cautiously replied, "Our foundation is weak, our accumulation is thin, and it will take time to catch up. We are also exploring."

“Time waits for no one.” Zheng Guodong gave He Yuzhu a meaningful look, then smiled and said, “However, with an entrepreneur like Boss He who has vision and a sense of responsibility, there is always hope.”

After seeing the guests off, He Yuzhu said to He Yuxin and He Yaozong beside him, "This Director Zheng is no ordinary person. Keep a close eye on the policy developments of the Planning Commission in the future."

The two nodded and made sure they remembered it.

On the second day of the Lunar New Year, Gu Zhixing accompanied He Ningxue and her child back to her parents' home.

Little Nianhe, dressed in a bright red cotton-padded jacket, was held in turns by her family, babbling and becoming the focus of everyone's attention.

After the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, Xiong Jie called to personally thank He Yuzhu for arranging for his son, Xiong Qianjin.

He Yuzhu said, "You should prepare the food and drinks." Xiong Jie assured him, "No problem."

After the Lantern Festival, He Yuzhu went to Huacheng and met up with some old comrades-in-arms.

"Zhu Zi, you've really given us a big job. We haven't had a moment's rest lately," Xiong Jie said.

"Shouldn't today be your thank-you banquet, Old Xiong? Why are you reminiscing about your hardships? Is this a way of remembering the bitter past and appreciating the sweet present?"

"You have too many words!" Xiong Jie said irritably.

"What, the things I gave you were useless?"

"It's not that it's useless, it's that it's extremely useful. The problem is that our equipment can't keep up, and we can't learn many of the tactics."

"You can't talk to me about this. You should tell Qianli to go to the Equipment Department, right, Qianli?"

"Pretend I never looked for you," Wu Qianli said helplessly.

"Then what's the point of you telling me?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Hehe, it really works. You have such wide connections, could you help us get a batch back?" Yu Congrong said.

"You think too highly of me. Do you think I'm capable of handling that kind of thing?"

"This time, someone is vouching for you."

"What do you mean?" He Yuzhu asked casually, a thought flashing through his mind.

"The Equipment Department is responsible for receiving them, regardless of any reinforcements," Wu Qianli said.

"You think this is an easy task, right? You're afraid the Yellow River won't be watched by outsiders? Do you know what the consequences of being watched are?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Well...we really didn't think that much about it," Wu Qianli said somewhat embarrassedly.

"I'll pretend you never mentioned this."

"Yes, yes, let's drink, let's drink!" Wu Wanli smoothed things over.

"Actually, your stuff isn't that much different. Look at how much you've improved your infrared equipment in the last few years, right? Your communication equipment seems to be made in our Yellow River region too. Your helicopters aren't much different either. I don't know about tanks, but I don't think the armored vehicles that 541 provided to you are any worse than those from outside. What else are you lacking?"

He Yuzhu's words plunged the old comrades into a brief silence.

Wu Qianli took a sip of wine and said slowly, "Zhu Zi is right. Our equipment, if taken out individually, may still lag behind the top-tier equipment, but we have indeed been catching up in recent years, and the system is gradually being built up. Infrared, communications, helicopters, these shortcomings have been filled, and the improvement in combat effectiveness is not small."

Xiong Jie sighed and continued, "That makes sense, but seeing them getting ahead step by step is making us anxious. Take the integrated information system for individual soldiers, for example. We're still at the blueprint and conceptual stage, while they're almost deploying it. If we encounter each other on the battlefield, the difference in information acquisition and command efficiency will be huge, making the battle much harder to win."

Yu Congrong nodded: "Old Xiong is right. What we lack now is not guns or cannons, but the 'nerves' and 'brain' that can unite all combat units into one. This is something we can't buy, and we can't rely on others for; we can only rely on ourselves to make it work."

He Yuzhu listened to their discussion and understood.

He put down his wine glass and said, "'Nerves' and 'brain' rely on chips, software, and system integration. Yellow River Communications and Electronic Technology have been investing in this area and have also obtained some pre-research projects from the military. But this is not something that can be accomplished overnight; it takes time and requires the troops to continuously raise demands in combat-oriented training to help us iterate."

He looked at Xiong Jie, who said, "Ask Wanli about this. He's in charge of this and knows more about it than I do. My brain just can't process these things."

He Yuzhu said to Wu Wanli, "Wanli, since your brigade is the pilot unit, you have the most say. You can compile the specific problems encountered in training, especially the situations of poor information flow and lack of coordination, into a detailed requirements report. The more specific, the better. Don't just say in general terms like 'insufficient communication distance,' but be precise about the terrain, electromagnetic environment, and equipment in which the problems occur. With this first-hand information, our research and development can be more targeted."

Wu Wanli's eyes lit up: "This is a good idea! We can't just complain about the equipment; we also need to tell the research institutions what kind of 'good' equipment we need. I'll have the team organize people to work on this."

Xiong Jie perked up: "That's right! We're feeling our way across the river, but we also need to tell the people behind us where the stones are! Zhu Zi, I'll give you a copy of this too."

“No need to give it to me, just report it directly, someone will handle it for you.” He Yuzhu nodded. “Also, regarding the upgrade of individual soldier equipment, perhaps we can change our approach. The complete system can’t be implemented in a short time, so could we solve the key points first? For example, data sharing terminals at the squad and platoon level, or lighter, more interference-resistant individual radios? These things have relatively lower technical barriers, and the relevant units in the equipment department can tackle them faster.”

"Look at my mouth, it's not appropriate to give it to you. We'll report it, we'll definitely report it, hahaha." Xiong Jie slapped his thigh: "As for what you said later, each squad has a little gadget that can share location in real time and receive brief instructions. If we report it, will someone be able to solve it? At that time, the flexibility of squad tactics will be greatly improved!"

"Probably. Many factories are actually short of projects right now, so they can't all be researching the same thing."

“We don’t understand this, we just use it,” Xiong Jie said.

“If you submit your reports systematically, the higher-ups will definitely make appropriate arrangements.”

"Okay, let's get back and start working on it."

The atmosphere became lively again, and everyone discussed the specific technical requirements and feasible transition plans for a long time.

Instead of taking on everything himself, He Yuzhu guided his old comrades to transform their vague anxiety about "outdated equipment" into concrete and actionable technical issues.

Later, Wu Wanli simply took out his notebook and started taking notes.

After the banquet, Wu Qianli said to He Yuzhu privately, "Zhuzi, I feel bad for troubling you every time."

He Yuzhu said, "There's no trouble at all, but I want to clarify that I'm just a businessperson providing some technical and conceptual suggestions. Ultimately, the outcome depends on you and the professional research institutions."

"That's for sure. That's exactly what we're missing. I genuinely want to see the world's number one army before I retire."

“Actually, we’ve always been number one, ever since we beat the Peninsula.” He Yuzhu patted his old friend on the shoulder.

“Yes, always has been,” Wu Qianli replied with a smile.

"Alright, go back and rest. You've had quite a bit to drink today."

After leaving Guangzhou, He Yuzhu returned to Hong Kong. He had two purposes for the trip: first, to discuss with Cherie Chung and Lok Wai-chun the specific plans for further involvement of Yellow River culture in mainland film and television production; and second, to convene a closed-door meeting with a group of veterans including Lou Xiao'e, A Lang, Chen Sheng, Gu Yuanheng, Zhang Xingyao, and Shi Bin.

At the He family's villa located halfway up the mountain, He Yuzhu didn't beat around the bush.

"I've called you all here today for no other reason than to talk about the future." His gaze swept over each of his old brothers and subordinates who had followed him for decades. "The group's success today is thanks to the hard work, bloodshed, and sweat of each and every one of you back then. I, He Yuzhu, remember this kindness, and the group remembers it too."

He paused, then continued, "Everyone here is getting on in years, having dedicated half their lives to the company. From now on, the company will not mistreat any of its contributors. Retirement benefits are already stipulated and will only improve. However…"

He then changed the subject, his expression turning serious: "If the group wants to develop and survive longer, it can't just rely on personal relationships and ignore the rules. In the future, we welcome your children and relatives who want to work in the group. But they must start from the bottom, go through formal assessments, and climb the ranks based on their own abilities. Anyone who thinks that their parents have made contributions can rest on their laurels, or even use their status to seek special treatment and undermine the company's atmosphere and system, then don't blame me, He Yuzhu, for not showing any mercy then."

The living room was silent, with only the faint sound of waves crashing outside the window.

Lou Xiao'e spoke first: "The chairman is right. The group is not a family business. Once the rules are established, it will be good for everyone."

Hong Lang grinned: "Boss, don't you know me? If my kid is useless, I'll be the first to kick him out of the house. I'll never let him cause trouble for the company."

Chen Sheng, Gu Yuanheng, Xian Xingyao and others also expressed their support.

He Yuzhu smiled and raised his teacup: "With everyone's words of encouragement, I am relieved. Let's toast to all of you for your many years of weathering storms together."

"To the boss!"

During his time in Hong Kong, He Yuzhu also met some old friends. They were all shocked by the scale of Huanghe Group's investment in China. Although they had also invested, none of them had invested as thoroughly or as relentlessly as Huanghe. He Yuzhu didn't say much, since their roots were in Hong Kong and they couldn't see decades into the future.

I can only mention indirectly that Hong Kong is about to return home.

After only a few days in Hong Kong, Xu Damao called from the Special Administrative Region, his voice brimming with barely suppressed excitement: "Brother, great news! The first batch of prototypes from our joint project team with the Navy has passed testing! It's that miniaturized shipborne communication module that ran continuously for half a month in the rough, high-salt, and high-humidity environment at sea, and its stability is even better than the imported ones they're currently using!"

He Yuzhu sat in the study, a gratified smile on his face.

He knew this was more than just securing an order. "The team involved in R&D should be heavily rewarded, especially the young engineers who led the charge."

"Understood! It's been arranged." Xu Damao replied, then lowered his voice a little, "Also, brother, through this cooperation, we've officially entered that 'circle.' There are a few preliminary research projects on the core processing unit of the command system that they want us to participate in the bidding, but the competition is quite fierce. I heard that several established state-owned factories are also keeping a close eye on it, and the external procurement companies are also competitors."

"That's normal. We earn our living through our skills, so we shouldn't be afraid of competition. We should showcase our accumulated technical expertise, especially our advantages in anti-interference and data encryption. Prices can be flexible, but the bottom line for quality cannot be compromised."

"Understood, I'll go prepare a more detailed plan right away."

After hanging up the phone, He Yuzhu was glad that the telecommunications company had dismantled the equipment quickly, otherwise they would have been in real trouble.

Entering the military supply system means higher standards and stricter reviews. If mobile phones are not separated, will they be exclusively supplied to the military in the future? That's not what he wants.

After that, he met with Orion, the old man who was about to retire, but ultimately failed to become the director.

Now he's fighting for power to pave the way for He Yuyao, which is actually also paving the way for his family's children, since He Yuyao is the one with the highest position, and the others aren't that reliable.

He Yuzhu returned to Beijing just in time for the official opening of the commercial complex spearheaded by He Ningxue.

On opening day, the place was packed with people.

He Yuzhu and Xiaoman also secretly went to take a look. The project was precisely positioned, integrating retail, catering, children's entertainment, and experiential consumption. Coupled with He Ningxue's meticulously planned marketing activities, it became an instant hit.

He Yuzhu felt quite proud watching his daughter confidently and calmly handle the guests at the opening ceremony.

Xiaoman took his arm and whispered, "This girl is really capable of standing on her own now."

He Yuzhu nodded: "She was born for this. But, just a reminder to her, there are a lot of things to do since the business has just opened, so take care of your health and don't forget you have a little one at home."

"I know, I've said it before."

Meanwhile, far away in the Special Economic Zone, Ho Yiu-chung was experiencing a war without gunfire.

The negotiation team sent by the long-established North American telecommunications equipment manufacturer arrived in the Special Administrative Region, and the two sides engaged in a tug-of-war over cross-licensing of patents.

Relying on its extensive patent portfolio and global market position, the other party offered extremely harsh terms.

He Yaozong reported the progress to his father on the phone, sounding somewhat tired: "They insist that we grant licenses for some of the underlying architecture patents, which is almost tantamount to handing over our years of research and development achievements. Otherwise, they will launch a full-scale patent lawsuit against us in the few overseas markets where they have an advantage."

He Yuzhu listened quietly and asked, "What about the assessments from the legal and intellectual property departments?"

“We don’t stand a good chance of winning in a head-on confrontation, at least on certain key patents that we can’t avoid. Litigation would greatly slow down our overseas expansion, and the time and financial costs would be unbearable,” He Yaozong said frankly.

“Then let’s try a different approach,” He Yuzhu said. “What do they want most? Nothing more than to contain us, or to enter the domestic market through us. We can agree to license, but only for specific, non-core patents, and we require them to reciprocally open some of the patents we consider valuable. In addition, the scope of the license must be strictly limited, and it cannot cover our core products and future technological directions. Most importantly, we must require them to promise to cease all patent litigation and interference against Huanghe within the agreed market area.”

He Yaozong pondered his father's words: "Dad, is this about negotiating a ceasefire? Exchanging limited authorization for space and time to develop?"

“That’s right. Negotiation is the art of compromise. We need time and space now. Pulling back our fists isn’t about admitting defeat, it’s about striking harder next time.” He Yuzhu’s tone was calm. “You and your team can handle the specific terms, but I’ve already stated my bottom line.”

“I understand, Dad. I know how to talk to him.”

After several rounds of arduous negotiations, Yellow River Communications and the North American company finally reached a limited patent cross-licensing agreement.

The details of the agreement have not been made public, but those in the industry know that Huanghe withstood the pressure, did not relinquish its core interests, and won itself a valuable breathing space.

After the agreement was signed, He Yaozong sent his father a short message: "Take a break, but we are not defeated. The road ahead is still long."

He Yuzhu looked at the message, smiled, and replied with four words: "Hide your strength and bide your time."

Afterwards, He Yuzhu received a phone call from Lu Shanhe.

The naval admiral's voice was still loud and clear: "Old He, did I disturb you?"

"Commander Lu's call is welcome anytime."

"Don't call me Commander, just call me Old Lu." Lu Shanhe laughed and then got to the point, "The upgrade of the ship's electronic equipment that I mentioned to you last time is progressing very smoothly. The prototypes and solutions you provided have been a great help. However, we've encountered a new problem, or rather, an old problem—talent."

"Oh?"

"Many of our frontline technical officers and soldiers are very familiar with the old equipment, but they are struggling to keep up with the increasing number and sophistication of the new equipment. Relying on manufacturers for training a few times is not enough to meet their needs," Lu Shanhe lamented.

He Yuzhu's heart skipped a beat, and he thought of something: "Old Lu, what do you mean?"

"Could you, Huanghe, take the lead or assist us in establishing a permanent, high-level professional and technical training center? It shouldn't just focus on our equipment, but also include basic theory, the latest international technological trends, and so on. As for the instructors, we can invite your engineers, or experts from universities and research institutes. The location could be in the special economic zone, or some other convenient place," Lu Shanhe said, outlining his idea.

He Yuzhu said almost without hesitation: "This is a good thing. It benefits the country and the people, and it also helps us to understand the needs more deeply. I agree. Let Xu Damao coordinate with your relevant departments to come up with a plan."

"Great! I knew I'd come to the right place!" Lu Shanhe exclaimed with delight.

This matter was quickly put on the agenda.

Xu Damao, in close communication with relevant naval departments, has tentatively decided to establish a "Military-Civilian Integration Information Technology Training Center" in the special economic zone to provide regular rotational training and specialized technical training for naval technical officers and soldiers. This is not only a window for Huanghe to fulfill its social responsibility, but also an excellent platform for deeply connecting with front-line users and obtaining the most direct feedback.

Early summer of 1996, southeastern sea area.

The sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, caressed the control tower of a coastal military airport.

Zhao Weiguo, an engineer in his early thirties and head of the technical support team dispatched by the Yellow River Group to the Navy, squinted as he looked towards the distant horizon where the sea and sky met.

Standing next to him was Captain Li of a naval technical support squadron.

"Old Zhao, it's up to you guys this time." Captain Li patted a dark green box next to him. "This 'Sea Eye-1' data link terminal is your Yellow River's 'own son'."

Zhao Weiguo smiled, but his expression was serious: "Don't worry, Captain Li. I followed the whole process from prototype to finalization. If it malfunctions during the exercise, I'll be the first to jump into the sea and swim back."

Behind him, two other members of the team, software engineer Xiao Wang and hardware engineer Xiao Zhang, were conducting final checks on the equipment that was about to be installed.

They were among the first batch of technical support personnel to be deployed to the troops with this new type of data link terminal. Their mission was to ensure the stable operation of this system, jointly developed by Yellow River Electronics Technology and a naval research institute, during its first large-scale live-fire exercise.

A few days ago, they received an urgent notice that they would participate in a joint sea and land exercise codenamed "Jingtao-96".

The aircraft carrier was not deployed in this exercise, but it brought together elite forces including new destroyers, frigates, submarines, naval aviation and shore-based missile units.

The data link system, which Zhao Weiguo's team was responsible for supporting, bears the heavy responsibility of enabling real-time sharing of critical tactical data between ships, aircraft, and shore-based command posts in complex electromagnetic environments.

"Attention all units, the first phase of Operation 'Surging Waves' has begun!" The command was transmitted through an encrypted channel.

With a tremendous roar, several warplanes, loaded with live ammunition, took off one after another, piercing the sky.

On the distant sea, the naval formation began to maneuver.

Zhao Weiguo's team boarded a specially modified Y-8J command and liaison aircraft, which would serve as their air support platform.

Inside the cabin, indicator lights flashed, and data streams on the screens kept refreshing.

"All nodes are connected normally, and the data synchronization rate is 99.8%." Xiao Wang stared intently at the monitoring terminal and quickly reported.

The electromagnetic environment in the exercise airspace suddenly became harsh.

The "Blue Team's" powerful electronic jamming began.

"Report! Data link signal attenuation in Zone 3 is 30%! There is packet loss!" Xiao Zhang shouted.

Zhao Weiguo leaned over the control panel, his fingers flying across the keyboard: "Activate anti-interference redundancy protocol B, increase transmission power by 15%. Xiao Wang, check if the routing switch is smooth!"

"Protocol initiated! Routing switch normal, backup channel established!"

On the screen, the node indicator light, which had been flashing red, gradually returned to stability.

Meanwhile, inside the command room of the Red Army destroyer "Zhuhai".

The captain, watching the stabilized situation on the integrated display screen, breathed a sigh of relief. Just moments before, strong interference had caused a temporary interruption of target data from the early warning aircraft.

"There's something to it about the Yellow River," he whispered to the political commissar beside him.

The exercise has entered a critical phase.

The Red Army command detected electronic signals from a simulated enemy ship belonging to the "Blue Army," indicating its intention to conduct reconnaissance.

"Order: The 'Zhuhai' ship moves forward to conduct electronic feints and attract the enemy's attention."

"Qianlong 2, stealthily approach the target sea area. 3rd Air Regiment, prepare for attack."

Commands are instantly distributed to each unit via data link.

As Zhao Weiguo watched from the Y-8J aircraft, observing the dots representing various combat units moving in unison on the screen, his mind was on edge.

He knew this was a test of the data link system's limits.

Suddenly, the alarm light on the subsystem responsible for communicating with the underwater node came on!

"It's 'Qianlong' No. 2! Communication is intermittent!" Xiao Zhang said anxiously.

Underwater communication is challenging in itself, and the addition of strong interference makes the situation even more difficult.

"Try switching to the longwave backup channel and activate the data compression and retransmission mechanism!" Sweat beaded on Zhao Weiguo's forehead. "Report the situation to command and suggest that 'Qianlong' 2 continue to execute the contingency plan according to the last received instructions!"

Once an instruction is issued, a response will take time.

The atmosphere inside the cabin was heavy.

A few minutes later, a new set of target parameters was updated on the screen by the shore-based radar station—that was the target information captured and uploaded by the "Qianlong 2" using its own sensors in the event that it could not receive new instructions, according to the pre-planned procedure!
"Well done!" Zhao Weiguo couldn't help but pump his fist. The redundancy and autonomy in the system design came into play.

"3rd Air Regiment, target data received, requesting attack!"

"Attack approved!"

In an instant, the missile without a warhead was successfully launched. In the distance, on the horizon, although there was no warhead explosion, huge waves still splashed up.

Zhao Weiguo wiped the sweat from his forehead, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on the edge of the control panel.

The cabin was filled with the stench of cooling equipment and human sweat. Outside the window, thick clouds hung in the sky, and the sea below shimmered with a leaden gray light.

“The Blue Army’s electronic suppression intensity is still increasing,” Xiao Wang stared at the spectrum analyzer. “They’ve introduced new sources of interference.”

Xiao Zhang interjected: "The shipborne terminal reported increased data transmission delay and the presence of errors."

Zhao Weiguo bent down to adjust the parameters. "Activate adaptive frequency hopping mode and raise the encryption verification level to the highest level. Request the use of the backup frequency band from the command center."

The instructions were transmitted rapidly over the encrypted channel. Minutes later, the Red Army command ship approved the frequency switching request.

At this moment, in the operations room of the Red Army's "Zhuhai" warship, the captain frowned as he looked at the tactical diagrams on the screen that occasionally froze. "Can the data link still maintain basic command?" he asked the communications officer.

"Yes, but the transmission rate will drop by about 40%. There will be a delay in target updates."

After a moment's thought, the captain ordered: "Activate the backup communication plan. Encrypt critical commands via the voice channel. We can't put all our eggs in one basket."

Lu Shanhe, far away at the shore-based command post, was following the exercise's progress through various channels. He picked up the dedicated phone line: "Is Huanghe's technical team still in the air?"

"Yes, Commander. They have been in forward airspace with the command and liaison aircraft."

"Tell them to stay calm. The real combat environment is much more complex than this."

When Zhao Weiguo received this text message, he was staring at an abnormal data stream. "Understood. Please rest assured, sir, the system is operating within its design redundancy limits."

The exercise has entered its second phase.

The Red Army's shore-based missile units began simulating attacks on the sea.

The data link needs to distribute the target parameters acquired by the radar to each transmitting unit in real time.

"Coastal radar station reporting: Target data packaged and ready to be uploaded," Xiao Wang reported.

"All receiving nodes are confirmed to be in place," Xiao Zhang said immediately.

Zhao Weiguo took a deep breath: "Start the transmission."

The massive data packets flowed through multiple relay nodes to missile launchers located at different positions.

On the screen, the green light band representing the data transmission progress moves forward slowly but steadily.

Suddenly, the primary channel experienced strong interference again.

"Switch to satellite relay channel!" Zhao Weiguo ordered.

The backup channel was established, and data transmission was restored.

However, a few seconds later, the satellite link also started to fluctuate.

"They are trying to block our satellite communications," Xiao Zhang concluded.

Zhao Weiguo made a decisive decision: "Activate the last resort—data fragmentation and multiplexing. Break the data into small blocks, send them simultaneously through all available channels, and reassemble them at the receiving end."

This is a technology that is not yet fully mature and was originally intended only as a theoretical reserve.

Xiao Wang quickly loaded the corresponding protocol, and Xiao Zhang adjusted the hardware parameters. After the command was issued, the system resource usage spiked instantly.

"Will it work?" Xiao Wang asked, somewhat worried.

“Theoretically, it’s possible,” Zhao Weiguo said, his eyes glued to the screen. “It all depends on the processing capabilities of the receiving end.”

At a missile site of the Red Army, a technician, watching the fragmented data packets arriving on his terminal screen, quickly initiated a reassembly process. The progress bar slowly climbed, eventually settling at 100%.

"Target data received completely! Fire control calculation complete!" came the report from the position.

"Simulated launch approved!"

Although no live ammunition was fired, the command's adjudication system determined that the simulated attack was effective based on the transmitted target data and missile parameters, successfully "destroying" an important Blue Force ship.

The message was relayed back to the command liaison, and Zhao Weiguo's three-person team exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief.

However, the test was not over. The exercise command added an impromptu project: simulating the system's reorganization capability after the master node was destroyed.

When the node representing the command ship disappeared from the tactical network, Zhao Weiguo immediately activated the distributed command protocol.

The system automatically transfers command authority to the backup node, and each combat unit coordinates autonomously according to the preset plan.

"System reconstruction complete, taking 3 minutes and 17 seconds," Xiao Wang reported.

This time was half a minute slower than usual during training, but it was still quite remarkable in an environment with strong electromagnetic interference.

The exercise lasted for thirty-six hours. When the order to "end the exercise" finally came, Zhao Weiguo's team had been working continuously for nearly forty hours, surviving only on compressed biscuits and energy drinks.

During the return journey, Lu Shanhe personally connected the command and communication aircraft.

"The system you provided has basically met expectations." Lu Shanhe's voice was tired, but also showed a hint of satisfaction. "Make a detailed list of the problems that have been exposed. We will need your help for the next step of improvement."

"Yes, Commander. We will definitely cooperate with the troops to complete the system optimization."

As the plane landed on the runway, the eastern sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

Looking at the brightening sky outside the window, Zhao Weiguo said to his team members, "When we get back, we need to back up all the data we recorded this time. There are more problems than we expected."

Xiao Zhang rubbed his red eyes: "Several hardware interfaces have become loose due to continuous vibration, and we need to redesign the fixing method."

Xiao Wang added, "The stability of the software under extreme conditions also needs to be optimized, especially the resource scheduling algorithm during multi-path transmission."

They left the airport exhausted, carrying several boxes of valuable data records.

A week later, Huanghe Electronic Technology and relevant naval departments held a debriefing meeting on the exercise.

Zhao Weiguo, representing the technical team, gave a report, providing a detailed analysis of the system's performance under complex electromagnetic environments, high-intensity continuous operation, and extreme climatic conditions, and pointed out twelve technical issues that need improvement.

At the end of the meeting, the naval official shook Xu Damao's hand and said, "This exercise proves that domestically produced systems are capable of handling important tasks. However, we must also recognize the gaps. We hope you can come up with the next upgrade plan as soon as possible."

Xu Damao solemnly promised: "Huang He will go all out."

Upon returning to the special economic zone, Zhao Weiguo's team immediately embarked on a new round of technical research.

The problems exposed during the exercise became the most important guide for their next research and development.

Meanwhile, along the southeastern coast, the tense atmosphere did not completely dissipate after the exercise ended.

Coastal radar stations in a certain area remain on high alert, patrol vessels are sailing at a significantly higher frequency than usual, and fighter jets are frequently seen taking off and landing at the airfield.

Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, a fleet halted its northward journey and diverted to another base.

(End of this chapter)