Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 449 Counter-Terrorism?

A few days later, one evening, Lao Fan once again arrived uninvited and entered He Yuzhu's study as if he knew the way well.

This time, he didn't rush to speak as usual. Instead, he poured himself a cup of tea, sat on the sofa, and frowned, as if he had something difficult to decide.

After He Yuzhu finished reading the last page of the document in his hand, he looked up at him and said, "What trouble have you run into this time? Look at all the problems you've got."

Old Fan put down his teacup and began, "Zhu Zi, I've been thinking about that reminder you gave me last time, about how the international situation might affect domestic security, for a long time. With the recent incident in New York, the higher-ups are definitely paying more attention. They've held meetings to discuss strengthening our ability to respond to emergencies, especially in counter-terrorism."

He paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully: "You know, we have a weak foundation in this area, it's basically a blank slate. You did a great job with security in Hong Kong before, especially with specialized equipment and targeted training, you were very impressive. The equipment and thinking of the domestic conventional forces are a bit inadequate and can't keep up with this kind of threat that is hidden in the shadows and doesn't play by the rules. The commander asked me to think of a way to make up for this weakness as soon as possible."

He Yuzhu asked doubtfully, "Is this your responsibility? I've never heard of it. Besides, it doesn't seem right that you'd come to me with this idea."

“It wasn’t like that before, but now, where else would I go to find a solution if not you?” Old Fan spread his hands. “You have a wide network of connections and a lot of experience, and your subordinates can come up with good ideas. Most importantly, you always think ahead. I just want to hear your opinion: if we want to build a rapid response force specifically to deal with such extreme situations, where should we start? We need the best, not just in terms of equipment, but also in terms of personnel selection and training strategies.”

He Yuzhu didn't answer immediately. He was trying to figure out whether Lao Fan's words were the superior's or his own. But then he thought it made no difference. Lao Fan's department would eventually be involved in this, so he spoke up.

"Old Fan, this kind of thing is essentially a completely new and extremely asymmetrical war. The enemy has no front line, no fixed position, and not even a clear identity. What they are pursuing is the greatest effect of panic and destruction."

"To deal with this kind of threat, brute force won't work. What's needed is extreme precision, speed, and the ability to kill with a single blow. So, you're right, we need the best equipment and the best soldiers."

"Tell me more details," Old Fan said, his eyes fixed intently on He Yuzhu.

“Let’s talk about people first,” He Yuzhu said. “We can’t just pick from regular troops. We need to broaden our pool and select the best from reconnaissance soldiers, special forces, and even the armed police. We need to look beyond military skills and value psychological qualities, on-the-spot judgment, independent combat capabilities, and the courage to make quick decisions in complex environments. These people need to be able to cut precisely into the heart of the chaos like a scalpel to solve problems, rather than swinging a sledgehammer.”

Old Fan nodded thoughtfully: "Is this to form a new unit? To re-select personnel and redefine the training syllabus?"

"Yes, of course, you can set up a separate department within the Armed Police. If you want to manage it, you can do it within your department."

"We'll talk about that later, you continue," Old Fan said.

He Yuzhu nodded and continued, "Then there's the equipment. Conventional artillery and tanks won't be needed. What's required is top-of-the-line equipment for individual soldiers or small teams. High-precision sniper rifles, individual radios that can communicate in complex environments, portable reconnaissance equipment, and assault rifle scopes, night vision goggles, and bulletproof protective gear—all of these need to be lightweight and high-performance. Even details like breaching rams, explosive cords, high-intensity flashlights, and tactical hand signals and gesture communication equipment must be considered and perfected."

Old Fan's mouth dropped open. These things were more advanced than those of the regular troops, and the investment must have been huge. He was a little unsure if the higher-ups would approve them.

He took a deep breath: "This is a considerable expense, and much of the equipment isn't on the previous procurement list. The approval process will likely be lengthy."

“That’s why you, Lao Fan, need to argue for it and explain the stakes,” He Yuzhu interrupted him. “The New York incident is the best example. This kind of force building is better to be prepared and not use it than to need it and not be prepared. In normal times, it may seem like you’re spending money to maintain a seemingly ‘useless’ elite force, but in critical moments, the losses they can avoid and the situations they can salvage are priceless.”

Old Fan nodded heavily: "I understand. I'll organize experts to discuss the personnel selection and training approach when I get back. As for the equipment, can you help me come up with a list first? Which items are urgently needed? Which can be gradually supplied? Which domestic factories have the potential to tackle these challenges? Which ones might require alternative solutions for the time being?"

“You can mention one thing: this unit isn’t just for counter-terrorism; it can also fight on the front lines.”

"That's true," Old Fan nodded.

"Also, don't mention me. I've noticed that you're pushing me to the forefront."

"Isn't it good?" Old Fan asked doubtfully.

"What do you think? I'm a businessman, a businessman!!! I'm fine in Beijing, but what about my boss and my men?" He Yuzhu said irritably.

"Okay, I just thought you could contribute more."

"I think you're afraid I won't die fast enough!"

"That's too serious. You're my savior. Besides, I still want to hang out with you guys after I retire."

"Don't even think about it. I'm already annoyed enough with just Lao Fang. Add you on top of that, and I'll be in big trouble!"

"That's not up to you, hehe!"

He Yuzhu shook his head helplessly at Lao Fan's "I'm sticking with you" expression.

He walked to the bookshelf, pulled out a hardcover notebook that looked quite old, flipped through a few pages, and then handed it to Lao Fan.

"This is what I learned through some channels in my early years. It's about the equipment and training ideas of some special units abroad. It's not very comprehensive, so take a look and use it as a reference." He Yuzhu pointed to the notebook. "Some of the individual soldier equipment concepts mentioned in it, such as modular weapon systems, helmet-mounted displays, individual tactical radios, and data link integration, are the future development directions for elite squads. It's not that China is completely without the foundation, but it needs systematic integration and improvement."

Old Fan was overjoyed, took the notebook with both hands, and carefully flipped through it.

It doesn't contain detailed drawings, but rather conceptual descriptions, performance requirements, and ideas for some training subjects. The text is concise, but the ideas are clear and forward-thinking.

"This is amazing!" Old Fan exclaimed in amazement. "The concept of 'individual soldier integrated combat system' mentioned here is far more advanced than what we're thinking now. This thing..."

"Just take a look, don't say I gave it to you. If you weren't in charge of this area, I wouldn't have taken it out, otherwise you would have investigated me thoroughly," He Yuzhu joked.

"That won't do," Old Fan said.

"How to implement it specifically requires you to consult with relevant research institutes and manufacturers to conduct research and develop solutions."

"Understood, understood!" Old Fan nodded repeatedly, carefully putting the notebook into his briefcase. "With your guidance, things will be much easier. I'll go back and hold a meeting with the relevant departments to get the framework in place first."

"Remember, selecting the right people is fundamental, training is crucial, and equipment is support. Take it one step at a time. Building a strong seed team and developing a set of effective tactics and training methods is more important than blindly pursuing high-end equipment," He Yuzhu reminded.

"Don't worry, I understand that." Old Fan patted his briefcase, stood up with satisfaction, and said, "I won't bother you any longer. I need to go back and digest this information and prepare my report."

"It's always like this every time you come. What do you take me for?"

"I'll try to come as little as possible, as little as possible!!!" Old Fan chuckled and walked towards the door.

"Don't rush. How's your preparation of the funds I asked you to get? If they're not in place, I won't wait any longer."

"Yes, yes, I'll go back and urge them to come." Old Fan said hurriedly.

"You can see for yourself; anyway, this is an opportunity."

"I'll go and urge them right away." Old Fan quickened his pace.

After seeing Lao Fan off, I felt that it was actually quite good that he asked questions when he didn't understand; it was better than those who pretended to know what they didn't.

As the country develops rapidly, the security challenges it faces are becoming increasingly complex and diverse, making the formation of such an elite force an inevitable trend.

All he can do is offer some perspectives and inspirations from the "future" within his capabilities.

A few days later, He Yuzhu received a call from Xiaoman at the group's headquarters. Her voice sounded tired, but even more excited.

November arrived, and one day after Xiaoman (the first full moon), Xiaoman returned home and pulled He Yuzhu into the study.

"Brother Zhu, the first phase of harvesting went very smoothly. Our short positions, which we set up in advance, have yielded substantial profits. At the same time, as planned, we have begun to acquire the high-quality assets in Europe and North America that we previously marked through diversified channels, especially several small and medium-sized enterprises with unique technologies in the fields of fine chemicals, high-end bearings, and optical glass. The acquisition negotiations are progressing faster than expected, and the prices are also very competitive."

"Are there any problems with cash flow and compliance?" He Yuzhu asked.

“No problem. Yaozu and Yaozong are cooperating very well, both using shell companies. After Chen Sheng came back, while coordinating global patent and standards matters, he also helped me to sort out some of the financial secrets I laid out in the early years, which greatly improved efficiency. However, we made quite a splash this time, and I estimate that it has already attracted the attention of some Wall Street bigwigs.”

"As expected." He Yuzhu wasn't surprised. "Such a large flow of funds can't be completely hidden from those local bullies. But we still need to be careful. Also, has Lao Fan's side been in place?"

“They’ve all come together. The companies I mentioned have basically started using their funds. Of course, we’ll also invest in the really high-quality ones ourselves,” Xiaoman said.

"Well, they'll have to rely on themselves for the second phase. We're only responsible for the first phase."

"I've already spoken to the person I'm in charge of over there."

"What did he reply?"

"They haven't said anything openly, but I can tell they have big ambitions."

“They’ll never improve if they just stick with us. I’ll tell Lao Fan that.”

“Understood,” Xiaoman replied. “In addition, based on your assessment, we have begun to gradually reduce our investment in North American real estate and related derivative financial products, and increase our investment in the Asia-Pacific region, especially in domestic infrastructure construction.”

"Yes, just do your best." He Yuzhu had complete confidence in Xiaoman's abilities. "Thank you for your hard work these past few days."

"It wasn't hard work at all; it felt like I was back in Hong Kong all over again," Xiaoman said with a smile.

Later, Ho Yao-tsu sent back news from North America that patent legal battles against Qualcomm had been filed in courts in multiple regions. Although the process was destined to be lengthy, the initial pre-trial clashes had already brought Qualcomm some public pressure and concerns from potential licensees.

At the 3GPP meeting, NeoComm, in conjunction with several European and Asian telecommunications companies, successfully pushed an alternative technology solution into the discussion process. Although it is still far from becoming a standard, it broke the monopoly of Qualcomm, which was supported by North America.

Meanwhile, news came from Bai Yifeng's side that most of the "spies" planted in the early stages had successfully passed the initial review and entered the grassroots or periphery of the target organization, thanks to their outstanding personal abilities and carefully prepared backgrounds.

Although there is still a long way to go before reaching a core position, the first step has finally been taken.

In late November, He Yaozong returned to the He family's old residence in Nanluoguxiang.

“Dad, we’ve received the latest briefing from Taishan Group on the peninsula. Their fifth-generation TFT-LCD production line has achieved a yield rate of over 90%, and they’ve successfully broken through the technical bottleneck of larger-size substrates. This means that we can not only keep up with the international mainstream in computer monitor panels, but also have a solid technical foundation for moving into TV panels.” He Yaozong’s tone was filled with excitement.

Yu Zhu nodded slightly, a satisfied look on his face.

He knew that in the capital- and technology-intensive LCD panel industry, Taishan Group's ability to carve out a path to success was due to its initial investment regardless of cost and its firm commitment to technology import and assimilation.

"It's not easy. Tell the person in charge there to proceed steadily and prioritize quality. We also need to continue developing the technology."

"Understood." He Yaozong nodded and noted it down, then changed the subject, his smile widening, "There's more good news. Our Yellow River Electronic Technology Company's first independently developed vehicle navigation system, 'Guide Star-1,' has been completed."

He took out a device slightly larger than a cigarette pack from his briefcase. It was made entirely of black engineering plastic and had a 3.5-inch LCD screen on the front, making it look quite compact.

"This is the one. It uses a screen provided by Taishan Group, and we designed the circuitry and navigation software ourselves. It has a built-in Beidou module and electronic maps of major highways across the country."

He Yuzhu took the equipment; it felt heavy and had a high-quality feel to it.

He pressed the power button on the side, and the screen lit up, displaying a clear menu interface.

He Yuzhu carefully examined the navigation device in his hand, his fingers switching functions on several physical buttons.

He Yaozong was completely stunned, knowing that his father had never been exposed to anything like this before.

The map on the screen zoomed in and out as he operated it; although the resolution was not high, the road network was clearly discernible.

"What is the location range of this thing?" He Yuzhu asked after fiddling with it for a while and seeing that the screen showed Nanluoguxiang, but not the specific address.

“Currently, the positioning accuracy on urban roads is around 50 meters, and on highways it can be controlled within 30 meters,” He Yaozong explained. “This is mainly limited by the current satellite system and the precision of electronic maps. However, it is sufficient for long-distance drivers.”

"What about the cost? Are there any difficulties in mass production?" He Yuzhu turned off the equipment and gently placed it on the table.

"The screen and Beidou module are the main components, but our supply chain is already stable. We can achieve a monthly production of 5,000 units next month, mainly supplying the group's logistics fleet and 4S store channels," He Yaozong said confidently. "Market research shows that long-haul truck drivers and corporate users who frequently travel for business are very interested in this product. Since there is not much to compare it with, we have priced it at 3,800 yuan. Currently, it only supports domestic markets. We do not have access to international maps, and it is also difficult to use Beidou in foreign countries."

He Yuzhu thought for a moment and then asked, "The country's infrastructure construction is progressing very quickly now, so your maps need to be updated in a timely manner. You could consider cooperating with the surveying and mapping department to establish a mechanism for regular updates."

“They’re already in talks,” He Yaozong nodded.

"Now that the screen is out, what about our smartphone? When can we get an engineering prototype?" He Yuzhu asked again.

"The R&D department has already come up with a preliminary plan for the smartphone project."

He Yaozong took out a document and opened it: "The mobile operating system developed based on the VISON system has completed kernel optimization and is currently being adapted to the hardware platform. We plan to use our self-produced Yellow River 2000 processor, paired with 128MB of memory, and support 2G network and Bluetooth."

"2G?"

"Yes, because 3G has not yet been deployed on a large scale, although our mobile phones support 3G."

"How mature is touchscreen technology now?" He Yuzhu then asked.

He Yaozong shook his head: "The accuracy and durability of resistive touchscreens are not ideal, and the cost is also too high. We prefer to develop a full keyboard design first, equipped with a 2.4-inch TFT LCD screen, to ensure a good user experience. We expect to launch an engineering prototype in the second half of next year."

“The screen is too small, can’t this screen be used?” He Yuzhu picked up the navigator again.

"It hasn't been verified yet. I'll assign the task when I get back."

He Yuzhu nodded: "A keyboard machine it is. Let's port our HICQ and BBS to it."

"We ported it, and also developed email clients and browsers."

"Yes, you need to cooperate more deeply with the group's networking company in the future to develop the concept of mobile internet. The operating system also needs to continue to iterate in preparation for the future transition to touchscreens."

"Understood. Regarding the software ecosystem, we are collaborating with several software companies to develop tools for music playback, video playback, and image browsing."

What about the camera function?

When his father asked about the camera's features, He Yaozong's face showed a hint of helplessness: "Dad, we've run into a snag with the camera module. We approached several small and medium-sized camera manufacturers in Germany to discuss cooperation, but they either quoted too high prices or refused outright, saying they had no plans to cooperate with domestic mobile phone manufacturers at the moment. They prefer to supply established international brands or only sell mature modules without providing core technology. Our own lens and sensor technology cannot achieve the ideal image quality in the short term."

He Yuzhu wasn't surprised; it was within his expectations. "Since they're putting on airs now, let's wait and see. Many companies are having a tough time during this financial crisis, especially those established optics manufacturers that are small in scale but have good technology. Have the investment and M&A team focus on companies like Leica. See if there are any opportunities to make strategic investments while the market is down, or to directly acquire some key technology teams and patents."

He picked up the GPS navigator on the table and weighed it in his hand: "The GPS navigator and smartphone projects can't stop. Keep an eye on NeoComm. Have them develop a car navigation product based on the GPS system, using their own designed chip. As for smartphones, NeoComm should be on par with Huanghe, right?"

“Okay, Dad. I’ll arrange it as soon as I get back. I’ll have the group’s strategic investment department take the lead in setting up a special team to keep an eye on companies in Europe and Japan that have core optical technologies.” He Yaozong quickly jotted down the key points. “As for NeoComm, I will personally communicate with their CEO to clarify the R&D tasks and timelines.”

"Okay, hurry up and get it done." He Yuzhu waved his hand. He Yaozong got up to leave, but He Yuzhu called out to him, "Have you gone to see your grandparents yet?"

"not yet."

"Then why don't you go and see them? There's also the child. You two don't have time to take care of him, and your mother is busy right now. You should spend some time with her. Just have dinner at home tonight. There's no rush."

"Okay, Dad."

"I called your sister and brother-in-law back too; it's been a long time since we ate together."

"I'll make the call right now." He Yaozong took out his phone and started dialing.

After He Yaozong finished his call, He Yuzhu had already gone to the back kitchen. Everyone in the family was back, so they definitely couldn't eat the housekeeper's cooking. The old man was too old to lift a spoon anymore, so it had to be him.

After finishing his phone call, He Yaozong walked through the moon gate into the backyard.

He went straight to the back room, where He Daqing and Chen Lanxiang now lived. He Daqing was wearing reading glasses and reading the newspaper, while Chen Lanxiang was watching TV with a group of children.

"Grandpa, Grandma," He Yaozong called out.

He Daqing looked up, squinted to recognize him, and then smiled, "It's Yaozong. What brings you back today?"

"I came back to report to Dad about work, and also to see you two." He Yaozong sat down next to the old man. "How are you feeling?"

“They’re doing great,” Chen Lanxiang said, nudging He Yaozong’s two little ones. “Why don’t you call me Dad? You miss Dad every day!”

"Dad!" He Shi'an called out first.

"Dad~ Dad~" He Shiping's words were still not fluent.

Then came a flurry of greetings from his second brother (second uncle, second maternal uncle), which He Yaozong responded to one by one.

Then he said to Chen Lanxiang, "Grandma, my dad said he's having dinner at home tonight and asked me to call Ningxue and the others back too."

Chen Lanxiang immediately beamed: "That's great! Is your dad cooking?"

"Yes, my dad went to the kitchen."

"Then you go and help out. I'll look after the kids."

"We want to go too!" A group of children couldn't sit still when they heard that He Yuzhu was cooking.

"What a bunch of little gluttons! Go, go, but don't cause trouble for your uncles (grandfathers, maternal grandfathers)."

"Okay, Grandma (Great-Grandma)," the group of children replied obediently.

He Yaozong led a group of children to the east courtyard. He Yuzhu heard them from afar and poked his head out of the kitchen wearing an apron: "Yaozong, come and lend a hand, let's process these two fish."

He Yaozong responded and left.

The older children were with the younger ones, watching the father and son busy in the kitchen.

"Go wash the fruit and eat it yourself!" He Yuzhu shouted outside.

"Uncle, I know!" He Yaohui, the eldest of the children at home, replied, and then he ran to get fruit for his younger siblings (nephews and nieces).

He Yuzhu looked at the group of well-behaved children, and his smile never stopped.

In the evening, He Ningxue and her husband Gu Zhixing arrived first.

Not long after, He Yaozong's wife, Lu Shuyi, also returned.

Then Xiaoman picked up Wang Cuiping and her husband.

Upon seeing such a complete set, Chen Lanxiang immediately called Wang Hongxia and then asked Gu Zhixing to tell He Yuzhu to cook a few more dishes.

"Dad, Grandma wants you to cook a few more dishes. She's also invited the grandpa and grandma from house number 66 over," Gu Zhixing said to He Yuzhu as he entered the kitchen.

"Understood, Yaozong, prepare a few more dishes."

"Okay, Dad!"

"How can I help?" Gu Zhixing asked hastily when he saw that his second brother was busy.

"Why don't you go help watch the kids?" He Yaozong said with a smile. It wasn't that he didn't want Gu Zhixing to help, but that this guy would only cause trouble if he went into the kitchen.

Gu Zhixing, being sensible, went to help look after the children.

Around seven o'clock, everyone who could be called arrived, including the families of A Lang and Chen Sheng. Gu Zhixing was even sent out to buy a lot of cooked food.

The courtyard suddenly became lively, with children chasing and playing, while adults bustled about in the kitchen and dining area.

Wait until He Yuzhu finishes making the last dish.

"Dinner's ready!" Xiaoman called to everyone to take their seats.

During the meal, He Daqing and other older generation members drank a few drinks as a symbolic gesture, which then created a lively atmosphere.

Amidst laughter and conversation, the home-cooked meal was enjoyed warmly and comfortably, with both host and guests having a good time. He Yuzhu didn't mention anything about the company, and the others tactfully refrained from bringing it up as well.

After the meal, the nanny cleared the dishes, and the women went to take care of the children.

He Yuzhu, along with Lao Fang, Lao Zhao, He Yaozong, A Lang, Chen Sheng, and others, moved to the tea room next to the study.

Inside the tea room, the aroma of tea filled the air as everyone sat around.

Old Fang took a sip of the strong tea brewed by He Yuzhu and spoke first: "Zhuzi, what do you think of things happening internationally lately?"

"How do you look? Look with your eyes!"

Old Fang put down his teacup and spoke again, this time in a much more serious tone: "Zhu Zi, I'm not joking. There's been quite a turmoil outside lately. After what happened in New York, people around the world are in a state of panic. Although we're far away, the economic ties between us are very real. There have been several meetings at the higher-ups discussing how to deal with a possible global economic downturn. You have a keen sense of smell and you've been making arrangements abroad for a while now. What are your thoughts?"

He Yuzhu asked He Yaozong to refill everyone's teacups and said slowly, "I mentioned my views to Lao Fan before, but not many people believed me at the time. Now, the facts are clear. This incident is like giving the already fragile world economy a kick. Shrinking demand, capital flight, and tight liquidity are inevitable. In the short term, the pressure on our export-oriented enterprises will be great."

He looked at He Yaozong and Chen Sheng: "So you were right to adjust your structure, increase internal supply chain integration, and explore emerging markets. Things may be a little tighter going forward, but it's also an opportunity."

Chen Sheng nodded in agreement: "The boss's judgment is correct. Some of our short positions in overseas investments have already begun to be sold off for profit, while the other part is being quietly acquired according to plan, including real assets and technology companies whose valuations have been driven down. Especially in Europe, there are several precision machinery and special materials factories, and negotiations are going very smoothly."

He Yaozong added, "Domestically, we have increased our investment in infrastructure and people's livelihood-related fields. The upgrade of Taishan Group's LCD panel production line is progressing smoothly, and the in-vehicle navigation system has also been rolled out. Although the camera module of the smartphone project has been temporarily hampered, other parts are progressing as expected. The key is to stabilize the fundamentals and strengthen our internal capabilities."

Ah Lang, who is mainly in charge of some domestic industrial businesses and some special channels, took a sip of tea and said, "In terms of the physical business, we have a solid foundation and there shouldn't be any major problems. It's just that international freight rates and raw material prices fluctuate a bit, and we are trying to find ways to hedge against them."

He Yuzhu nodded: "We can solve the cost problem gradually. First, we need to ensure we have the resources. This can't be rushed, but we need to continue investing in it."

Old Fang seemed thoughtful: "So, you think this storm presents both danger and opportunity?"

“It always has been,” He Yuzhu affirmed. “The danger lies in the deteriorating external environment, which may continue for some time, making it difficult for some small and medium-sized enterprises that rely on external markets and technologies to survive. The opportunity lies in the fact that we can acquire technologies and assets that were previously difficult to access at a relatively low cost, while at the same time forcing domestic industries to upgrade and strengthen self-reliance and control. The key is how we respond.”

He paused, looking out at the deep night: "It's a good thing that the higher-ups are paying attention now. But we need to act quickly, but also steadily. Fiscal and monetary policies must be precise, not a flood of liquidity. More importantly, we must have confidence. Our market is large, and we have a lot of room to maneuver. As long as we don't cause internal turmoil and proceed steadily, we can weather the storm, and even stand stronger after it passes."

Old Zhao had been listening silently until he finally spoke up: "That makes sense. You have to be strong yourself to succeed. No matter how chaotic things are outside, we can't afford to be chaotic ourselves. This applies to the economy, and it applies to everything else."

He Yuzhu smiled and raised his teacup: "So, everyone, those who need to be busy should continue to be busy, and those who need to keep a close eye on things should keep a close eye on things. The winds and rains are strong outside, but we need to manage our homes even better. Once we get through this period, a whole new world will open up before us."

Everyone raised their glasses, using tea instead of wine, a tacit understanding unspoken.

The conversation in the tea room continued for a while, covering details of coping strategies and resource coordination for each sector, until it ended late at night.

A few days later, He Yuzhu received a call from Lao Fan.

"Zhu Zi, the suggestions you made last time, especially regarding the establishment of a professional counter-terrorism force and supporting equipment, have been submitted and have attracted a lot of attention. Several review meetings have been held, and they have basically approved your ideas. The commander has given the order to get it started as soon as possible, with the tentative codename 'Aegis'. The equipment list and training syllabus will be refined based on the direction you provided, combined with our actual situation."

He Yuzhu almost choked. What the hell is this 'Aegis'? Who came up with this name?

Taking a breath, He Yuzhu said, "This is a good thing. The selection of candidates is crucial; we must be selective and not accept inferior candidates."

“Understood. The selection process has already started with reconnaissance detachments from various military regions and special operations units of the armed police. The standards are very high.” Old Fan paused, then lowered his voice. “In addition, your previous warnings about economic risks and your suggestions for proactive measures in certain key technology areas have also been discussed at a higher level. Although specific measures are still under study, the general direction has been set: we must pay more attention to supply chain security and breakthroughs in core technologies. As long as your actions are compliant, the higher-ups will welcome them.”

He Yuzhu smiled slightly, knowing that Lao Fan was sending him a positive signal. "Don't worry, Lao Fan, I know what I'm doing. We won't do anything illegal or disorderly, but it's our duty to make good use of the rules and reserve more food and technology for the country."

"Let the outsiders have their headaches then," Old Fan said with a smile.

Before New Year's Day, He Yaozong was in the laboratory of Yellow River Electronics Technology, discussing with the technical team the improvement plan for the second generation of "Guide Star" product, focusing on improving positioning accuracy and map update efficiency.

The phone suddenly rang.

"Hello, He Yaozong."

"Mr. He, this is Secretary Li from the group headquarters. I just received a notification that a research team jointly formed by relevant departments of the General Armaments Department and the General Staff Department will be visiting your electronics technology company tomorrow morning for a visit and technical exchange, with a focus on understanding your 'Guide Star' navigation system. It's a very high-level team, led by a deputy director of the General Armaments Department's Science and Technology Committee, surnamed Wang."

He Yaozong was not surprised; the military would notice this technology sooner or later: "I understand. I'll stay at the electronics company for a couple more days."

"Chairman He instructed that no special treatment is needed; just proceed as usual. As for how to negotiate, that's up to you," Secretary Li said.

"Okay, thank you, Secretary Li." He Yaozong was puzzled. Shouldn't his father or his wife have told him this? It seemed that this time the person had gone directly to the company. He wondered what they were thinking.

After hanging up the phone, He Yaozong said to the technical experts who had gathered around, "The military personnel will be here tomorrow. Prepare a detailed report containing all the technical data and test data of the 'Guide Star' generation, including the bottleneck problems we've encountered."

The CTO was both excited and apprehensive: "Mr. He, does this mean..."

He Yaozong raised his hand to interrupt him: "What, you want to go to Huagao Technology? Do you want me to issue you a transfer order right now?"

"No, no, but I think about this..."

"What, you think they'll share things with us? You're dreaming. Just stick to civilian products."

"Oh~~~"

The next morning, three vehicles with military license plates drove into the Huanghe Electronic Technology Company's R&D base in the special economic zone on time.

The research team consisted of seven or eight people, dressed in civilian clothes, but their demeanor exuded the competence of soldiers.

The team leader, Director Wang, was in his fifties. His hair was neatly combed, but his eyes resembled those of a businessman, and he spoke directly.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Director Wang got straight to the point: "President He, the main reason we're here is to gain a deeper understanding of your independently developed 'Guide Star' vehicle navigation system. To be honest, the military has an urgent need for reliable and independent positioning and navigation technology. Your product is very interesting."

"Director Wang, distinguished leaders, this is our 'Guide Star' first-generation product, which is currently in small-batch production." He Yaozong picked up a prototype and turned it on to demonstrate. "It uses the BeiDou satellite navigation system and has a built-in electronic map that we developed ourselves. Currently, the positioning accuracy on urban roads is about fifty meters, and it can be improved to about thirty meters in open areas or on highways."

A technical officer accompanying the group picked up another prototype and skillfully operated it, occasionally asking questions: "What about power consumption? Continuous operating time? Do you have data on its shock resistance performance? How does it perform during startup and operation under extreme temperatures?"

The technical team answered all the questions and provided a thick test report.

Director Wang listened attentively, occasionally interjecting with a question or two on a key point, such as: "Is the core baseband processing chip domestically produced? How is the map data update mechanism guaranteed? If we disconnect from cellular network signals and rely solely on satellites, can we complete route planning and navigation?"

He Yaozong instructed the technical director to answer the specific technical questions, while he added, "Director Wang, the chip currently used is our independently designed 'Beidou-1' dedicated chip. We are currently in talks with the National Geomatics Center of China regarding map data cooperation, hoping to establish a regular update mechanism. In pure satellite mode, basic route planning and navigation can be achieved, but the map data needs to be pre-loaded and cannot be updated with real-time traffic conditions."

After visiting the exhibition area, everyone moved to the conference room.

The technical team frankly reported on more detailed technical documentation, source code architecture diagrams (non-core parts), and the challenges they faced, such as chip performance improvement, power consumption optimization, cost control, and especially the difficulties in acquiring and updating high-precision maps.

Director Wang and his entourage listened very carefully, exchanging opinions in hushed tones from time to time.

Finally, Director Wang closed his notebook and looked at He Yaozong: "Mr. He, your technical team is very solid, and your product ideas are clear. Let's get straight to the point. The military has a need for this technology, but military standards are much higher than civilian standards. We hope to cooperate with you to jointly develop a portable navigation and positioning terminal that meets military standards, based on the existing 'Guide Star'."

"Regarding the cooperation method, the core navigation and positioning algorithms, the parts that are deeply adapted to the BeiDou system, and the integration and manufacturing of the final product need to be led by qualified entities, such as Huagao Technology. Your electronics technology company can retain all rights to the civilian products, and in the military version, you will be responsible for providing non-core but important modules such as the human-computer interaction interface and hardware structure design, and participate in subsequent testing and improvement. The specific division of labor and ownership of intellectual property rights will be discussed with you by a dedicated team later."

Unexpectedly, He Yaozong shook his head and said, "Director Wang, the only person in our group who is responsible for liaising with you is Huagao Technology. We will transfer the relevant information to Huagao Technology. Your people can discuss the specifics with them."

"Oh, I see. Well, we'll discuss the specifics after you hand it over to Huagao Technology." Director Wang was actually a little disappointed. Huagao Technology was now at a high level, and his status wasn't really that useful.

Of course, there's another point: when negotiating with private enterprises, they can negotiate lower prices. But with Huagao Technology, things are separate, and Huagao Technology will definitely ask them for patent fees to pay Huanghe Electronics' patent fees.

"Okay, then you can discuss the specifics with them after we've finished the handover."

Director Wang had never dealt with Huagao Technology before. He wondered what he would think if he knew that the person in charge of Huagao Technology was this man's wife.

After seeing the group off, He Yaozong made a phone call to his wife.

Lu Shuyi certainly wouldn't let the group suffer a loss. She said that after the materials are delivered, she will have someone evaluate them. If Huanghe Electronics has more advanced technology in the future, it will purchase the technology. Of course, if Huanghe Electronics needs Huagao Technology's products, it certainly won't use them for free.

(End of this chapter)