Break out of the courtyard

Chapter 1079 Environmental Matters

Besides being concerned about the loopholes in the pilot program of the Lifespan 120 drug, the foreigners were also trying to infiltrate the Shenzhen World Advanced Technology Research Institute, because the recruitment exam for the third Genius Training Camp had begun.

The fact that the recruitment exams for the first two sessions were held in Hong Kong Island actually caused a lot of trouble for the teachers leading the teams from the mainland.

This year's third annual Genius Training Camp recruitment exam, including the first and second rounds of virtual learning dream exams, was held in two venues: Shenzhen and Hong Kong Island.

After the first two rounds of selection, only the selected foreign teenagers can obtain visas to enter Shenzhen and take the final exam at the World Advanced Technology Research Institute.

When Mr. Hua and Mr. Li arrived in Shenzhen at noon, the second round of virtual dream exams at the Hong Kong Island Peace Academy library had just ended, so they did not see any foreigners checking into the Shenzhen Peace Hotel.

When they returned from their trip to Huadu, they saw some foreign adults and children negotiating outside the guard post.

"Mr. Hua, those foreigners must be here to take the genius training camp exam, right? Why won't the guards let them in?" Mr. Qin, who was accompanying them, looked out the bus window with a puzzled expression.

The foreigner who was just negotiating with the guards at the post got into a light yellow minivan parked on the side of the road.

Mr. Hua was also looking out of the car, but he was unaware of the situation outside.

The driver replied, "They took the wrong intersection. The north side of the college intersection is only for internal personnel; outsiders have to go to the checkpoint on the south side of the intersection."

After being reminded by the driver, Mr. Hua remembered this rule. He had been coming this way all the time and had overlooked this detail over time.

Seeing the doubts on the faces of the other elderly people, Hua Lao added an explanation: "This rule was established after Consultant Zhang encountered a car bomb outside Peace Hospital."

The elderly people who were visiting for the first time remembered the bombing four years ago after hearing this, and then chatted about the aftermath of the incident.

Among these people, there were also those who were close to them and those who were distant relatives. For example, Old Li and Old Madam Zheng lived in the villas next to Old Hua and Director Wang respectively, while the others were arranged to stay at the Peace Hotel.

As dinner time approached, Mr. Hua planned to take his old friends to the college cafeteria for dinner and invite his younger family members along.

When they passed through the security checkpoint at the entrance of the World Advanced Technology Research Institute and arrived at the college cafeteria by electric sightseeing bus, they happened to see a group of boys and girls chattering and lining up outside the cafeteria, with more than a dozen teachers in front of them taking attendance.

"Mr. Hua, what is Consultant Zhang's purpose in organizing the genius training camp?" an old man asked, puzzled. "After the first two sessions of the genius training camp were completed, we haven't heard any follow-up news."

"Old Liu must have experienced the virtual dream world in Nanjing!" Old Hua, like a host, gestured for everyone to move forward. "Besides playing games, this brain-computer interface has another major use: learning."

"After we finish eating, I'll take you to the library and see if there are any empty seats so you can experience the virtual learning dream here."

An elderly man in the crowd chimed in, "I've heard of this dreamlike learning experience! The Dalian warship..."

"Old Duan! Watch your words!" Old Li interrupted in time, preventing the other party from revealing the brain-computer interface equipment at the Dalian Naval Academy.

The old man called Lao Duan was taken aback for a moment, but was quickly reminded by the others around him, and then realized that there were many teenagers around, which could easily lead to the leak of information.

Although the smile on Hua Lao's face did not fade, a sense of vigilance arose in his heart.

While dining on the second floor, Elder Hua quickly finished his meal, wiped his mouth, stood up, and said with a smile, "The academy has many confidential projects. If you see anything new or interesting, please try not to spread it."

"Of course, if there are any confidential matters, I will also remind you in time to avoid any leaks."

Although Hua Lao waited more than forty minutes before mentioning the confidential matter, many people in the room subconsciously glanced at Lao Duan.

After all, they were all experienced veterans who had long since memorized the confidentiality regulations, so there weren't many who needed Hua Lao's reminders.

Just as the atmosphere was getting awkward, Old Li interjected, "Everyone, eat faster. Besides the virtual learning dream world, there's also a virtual dream world about the Korean War: fighting while negotiating."

"Old Li, is this the sixth campaign of aiding Korea that Old Liang and the others mentioned before?" A tall old man immediately perked up.

"That's it!" Old Li said with a smile. "At this time, there probably aren't many empty spots left in the Virtual Learning Dreamland, but there should be more empty spots in the Aid Korea Virtual Dreamland."

"Dad, there are no empty seats on either side!" Old Li's third son interjected.

Old Li remembered what his third son had mentioned when he came over—that the younger members of their families had gone to play virtual reality games—and laughed, "It's alright, we'll let those little rascals rest on the side later, and we'll try it out and then leave."

……

While Hua and his colleagues were eating in the cafeteria, they were unaware that Zhang Heping, Qian Lao, Deng Lao, Director Wang, Secretary Chen, and others were having a video conference in the conference room.

"Heping Materials Factory buys rice straw and husks at high prices, which is different from your buying of rice straw, wheat straw, and corn stalks!" Zhang Heping said slowly, looking at the video projection on the screen.

"Peace Materials Plant produces high-value-added products such as nano-silicon carbide, which is a core raw material used to manufacture wafers."

"What we are discussing today are biodegradable biomaterials, which involve products such as disposable lunch boxes, packaging bags, trays, and cushioning materials, etc., and their added value is not high."

The dark-skinned middle-aged man in the upper left corner of the video hurriedly spoke up, "Consultant Zhang, you're so knowledgeable, could you help us think of a more expensive option...?"

"Representative from Ningcheng!" Secretary Chen couldn't help but speak up, "The content of our discussion today is..."

Zhang Heping raised his left hand and gently pressed it down on Secretary Chen, signaling him not to interrupt.

Although the meeting had already gone overtime by more than an hour, the questions asked by the city representatives were all about generating revenue for their local areas, so Zhang Heping remained quite patient.

"The decision to raise grain procurement prices this time is twofold: first, to guarantee the income of farmers, and second, to ensure the scale of grain cultivation," Zhang Heping said slowly.

"The purpose of our meeting today is to find a market for straw such as rice straw, wheat straw, and corn straw, which were originally only used as firewood, so that farmers can have an additional source of income."

"I understand your desire to sell straw at a high price and help farmers earn more money!"

"But as I just mentioned, the relevant biodegradable biomaterials technology is available in the learning section of the World Forum website. You can organize people to learn about it and then build your own factory locally. If you want to attract investment to build a factory, you can also formulate an investment promotion policy and call the Peace Group I just mentioned."

"Look at the comrades in Jingcheng, Xishuangbanna. They've been on the phone for half an hour, all smiles, and you're still asking me questions."

"If you want to sell straw at a high price, you'll have to use your own brains. Do I really want to tell you to find Heping Materials Factory to build a branch factory in your area and then buy rice straw and husks from nearby?"

"If I say that, will representatives from other cities try to take it from you?"

When Secretary Chen, Director Wang, and Mr. Qian heard this, they couldn't help but smile as they watched the people in each meeting room make phone calls on the video projection screen.

"Also, let me remind everyone that when you're trying to attract investment, you can also talk about your local specialties, like Ningcheng's goji berries, licorice, and potatoes. Don't just focus on straw."

"Alright, next!"

After Zhang Heping finished speaking, he waited for a few minutes without anyone speaking, so he looked at Secretary Chen, who was presiding over the meeting.

Secretary Chen understood, said a few words briefly, and quickly ended the meeting.

As soon as the meeting ended, Secretary Chen hurriedly apologized, "Mr. Qian, Mr. Deng, Advisor Zhang, I'm so sorry to have taken up so much of your time."

"What's there to be ashamed of in helping farmers generate income?" Old Deng replied casually.

Zhang Heping put away his phone on the table and frowned, saying, "Why are there no people from the Academy of Agricultural Sciences at the meeting today? Secretary Chen, please report this to your superiors. It would be best if local agricultural technology stations promoted the development of biodegradable biomaterials by township enterprises."

"Foreign media are pushing environmental rhetoric, constantly talking about plastic pollution, and their criticism is directed at developing countries like us."

"Once biodegradable biomaterial products are produced, they can be exported to those countries that are quick to voice their opinions, all under the guise of environmental protection."

"Okay, Consultant Zhang!" Secretary Chen replied hurriedly, "I'll give you feedback on the matter with the Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the Agricultural Technology Station shortly."

"No rush, let's eat first!" Zhang Heping said, and then left with Mr. Qian, Mr. Deng, Director Wang and the others.

Secretary Chen picked up his phone from the table, turned off the recording, and then looked at his subordinates beside him, saying, "Clean up the meeting room, let's go to the cafeteria for lunch first."

"Director, I have a question!" A young man in his twenties raised his right hand.

After leaving Secretary Chen in Shenzhen, Mr. Hua had already handed over his secretarial work to his driver, Xiao Qin.

The reason Zhang Heping and the others still called him Secretary Chen was twofold: firstly, it sounded more intimate, and secondly, the position of secretary was roughly equivalent to that of his director.

"Speak!" Secretary Chen replied simply.

The young man hurriedly asked, "Won't such widespread promotion of biodegradable biomaterials lead to overproduction?"

Secretary Chen picked up her notebook and pen, glanced at the young man who had only been there for a little over a month, then looked at the other subordinates, randomly pointing to one of them, "Xiao Feng, what's your opinion on this issue?"

The man named Xiao Feng was a tall man in his thirties. He said in a serious tone, "Advisor Zhang just said that we can export it under the guise of environmental protection."

"In addition, based on the development of Shenzhen in recent years, and the external situation we saw when we went to Hong Kong Island with the director, it is foreseeable that the domestic demand for plastic products will rise rapidly."

"Promoting biodegradable biomaterial products to replace plastic products at this time may initially lead to overproduction and unsold products due to sales issues. However, market demand is there, and as long as not all lunch boxes are produced as disposable ones, there will be no worry about not being able to sell them later."

Secretary Chen nodded slightly and said as he walked out, "Consultant Zhang just mentioned a lot of biodegradable biomaterial products. After we finish eating, we'll compile a list and submit it."

"When Xiao Feng has time, take Xiao Liao out for a stroll and let her try some local food."

Xiao Liao was the young man who had just arrived. Secretary Chen's arrangement clearly indicated that he felt the young man lacked experience.

When Secretary Chen led his men to the canteen, they happened to see Elder Hua and Elder Li coming out after their meal. Secretary Chen couldn't help but go over and chat with the old leaders for a few more minutes.

"Foreigners have indeed been negotiating with us about environmental issues recently, and they've mentioned carbon emissions and global warming." Looking at Secretary Chen and his group, Mr. Hua frowned and said, "Find me after you finish your report, and we'll discuss it in detail then."

Secretary Chen smiled and replied, "Okay, boss! You all go ahead with your work, I'll take them to lunch!"

……

When Zhang Heping returned to the villa area, he saw that Director Wang was about to go back to her villa, number 2. Zhang Heping called out to her, "Aunt Wang, come to my house for dinner! Uncle Li and the others have been dragged by my dad to play a virtual dream game."

"They've all gone?" Director Wang glanced helplessly at his tightly closed front door.

"Once Uncle Li gets hooked on the fun, he can stay here and keep you company!" Zhang Heping joked before heading towards his villa, number one.

It is said that Director Wang has quite a few children and grandchildren. His two granddaughters, Li Rong and Li Qian, are close in age to Zhang Long and Zhang Hu, but they did not hit it off.

"When did Old Chen arrive?" As soon as Zhang Heping entered the living room, he saw a small old man wearing black-rimmed glasses stand up from the sofa.

"Um..." Old Chen, the math expert, tugged at his sweater somewhat awkwardly, but the words that were on the tip of his tongue remained unspoken.

Zhang Heping glanced at the Tieguanyin tea gift box on the coffee table and roughly guessed that the other party had come to mediate between their hometown and their family.

Zhang Bei, who had been talking to him, stood up. "Dad, I'll go heat up your food!"

"Old Chen, have you eaten yet?" Zhang Heping nodded to his eldest son, then beckoned Old Chen to follow him to the dining room. "Even if you eat, you have to drink the soup to nourish your body. With your small frame, I could lift you up with one hand."

This math expert, Lao Chen, had previously fallen and hit his head in an accident. He was bedridden for several years without improvement before Hua and his colleagues took him to Shenzhen Heping Hospital to treat him. After recovering, he stayed to work there.

Because of this relationship, Zhang Heping would make such harmless jokes with the other party.

Director Wang obviously saw the gifts on the coffee table, but she didn't get involved. Instead, she followed Zhang Bei into the kitchen and asked him about the progress of Zhang Yi's brain-computer interface research institute.

The purpose of asking those questions was simply to indirectly inquire about Zhang Bei's progress with Xu Ning and Li Tong.

Unfortunately, Zhang Bei, this straight-laced guy, actually said that he had already clearly rejected Xu Ning and Li Tong to their faces.

Director Wang wasn't surprised by this. He casually asked a few other questions and then took the bowls and chopsticks and left.

The marriages of Zhang Bei and Zhang Nan are truly worrisome, but fortunately, Zhang Long and Zhang Hu are relatively simple-minded and not as picky as their older siblings.

"Dean, um, the tea was sent by someone from my hometown. They..."

"Old Chen, we're on the same side. You know I'm very busy right now. If it's a business matter, have them call the Heping Group."

"Uh...that..."