Break out of the courtyard

Chapter 865 Still in Wucheng

Monday, August 1992, 1.

Wucheng Shipping Company, R&D Department.

"Can this aircraft carrier fleet really be built?"

In response to the question from the slightly portly grey-clad elder, the chief engineer of the R&D department, who was waiting nearby, quickly replied, "This aircraft carrier fleet model was manufactured using a 3D printer at a 1:300 scale based on the design drawings provided by Consultant Zhang."

"After research and discussion by the expert group, with our country's current industrial level and the various new material formulas provided by Consultant Zhang, we are confident that we can build this aircraft carrier fleet!"

Everyone looked at the pile of aircraft carrier and ship models floating in the central pool of the R&D department hall, and they all felt that it was a bit unreal.

Even though some of them had already known in advance that Wucheng was going to build an aircraft carrier, and even though they had come to this top-secret R&D department at this time, they still felt that this change came too sudden.

Elder Hua looked at the gray-clad elder beside him, who was much shorter than him, and smiled as he introduced, "The current aircraft carrier fleet of the Magnesium Nation consists of a core aircraft carrier, several air defense destroyers, anti-submarine frigates, attack nuclear submarines, integrated supply ships, as well as some fighter jets and early warning aircraft."

"One such aircraft carrier fleet can only be used for patrols or low-intensity combat; two aircraft carrier fleets can produce a certain degree of deterrence. And Magnesium currently has 1 such aircraft carrier fleets!"

"In order to cope with possible large-scale conventional wars in the future, Advisor Zhang suggested producing three such aircraft carrier fleets."

"Three sets?" an elderly man in a green military uniform accompanying the tour asked doubtfully, "Isn't that too few?"

Mr. Hua laughed and said, "We don't need to deploy military bases around the world like the United States does, relying on aircraft carrier fleets to deter other countries. So three sets are more than enough!"

"How much does it cost to build such an aircraft carrier fleet? How much will it cost to maintain it in the future? What is the loss after a battle?" The gray-clothed old man asked three questions in a row with a deep frown on his face.

He advocated developing the economy first, cutting military spending and troop numbers to show weakness to the enemy in order to achieve peaceful development.

In his opinion, the country already has nuclear deterrence capabilities, and only by developing the economy and improving people's lives can the current major social contradictions be resolved.

Mr. Hua smiled without saying anything and looked at Xu Huizhi, the head of Wucheng Shipping Company, who was standing beside him.

This female person in charge was also Zhang Heping’s junior high and high school classmate.

Since she left Banna and joined the navy, she once became a captain and a regimental-level cadre.

Xu Huizhi smiled and said, "The Umbrella Security Company under the Peace Group has currently invested 100 billion magnesium yuan, accounting for 49% of our company's shares."

Just as everyone was puzzled by her irrelevant answer, Xu Huizhi added, "According to Consultant Zhang, if we only produce three aircraft carrier fleets, not only will the cost be too high, but it will also be difficult to support our company and the supporting equipment manufacturers with the maintenance costs of those aircraft carrier fleets."

"So, he proposed that after completing the production of the aircraft carrier fleet, we should continue to produce large commercial cruise ships and cargo ships, thereby spreading the cost of building the aircraft carrier fleet over quantity and further reducing subsequent maintenance costs."

"In addition, we can ensure that all parts and equipment of the aircraft carrier fleet we are about to build are 100% domestically produced."

"Combined with the accompanying miniature thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plant, the cost of building the aircraft carrier fleet, as well as its subsequent operating and maintenance costs, will not exceed half the cost of the current US aircraft carrier fleet."

Everyone was silent for a moment, and then a middle-aged woman in a black turtleneck sweater and a blue work jacket asked, "Manager Xu, even after all you've said, we still don't understand how much your aircraft carrier fleet costs."

Xu Huizhi spread her hands and said with a hint of helplessness, "To be honest, we've been pouring money into other factories, hoping they can quickly develop the production equipment we need according to Consultant Zhang's design drawings."

"The money we spent upfront is actually part of the cost. If it's only spread across the three aircraft carrier fleets, each fleet will have incurred at least 3 billion magnesium in factory equipment costs before production even begins."

"That's why I just mentioned that our company will produce large commercial cruise ships and cargo ships in the future to share this part of the cost, thereby reducing the cost of building the aircraft carrier fleet."

"The most important thing is that our Wucheng Shipping Company is a joint venture, and we also have to consider the distribution of benefits from foreign investment. We haven't had time to discuss these things yet."

The gray-robed elder looked at Mr. Hua with confusion and asked, "Shouldn't this kind of thing be agreed upon in black and white before the joint venture was established?"

Seeing that the other party had indeed followed their line of thought and asked this kind of question, Mr. Hua said with a hint of regret: "You also know that the military expenditure in recent years..."

"Forget it, let's not talk about that. I'll try to communicate with the higher-ups again this year. I hope they'll relent."

The old man in gray was also very experienced. With just two sentences, he understood what the other party wanted to express implicitly, and he was blaming him for his shortcomings.

"Okay!" The gray-robed old man didn't ask any more questions, but nodded and said, "When you go to the capital, ask me to come with you. I'll go and sit in on the class, too."

Hearing the other party's answer, a smile appeared on Mr. Hua's face again.

He deliberately turned the internal problems of Wucheng Shipping Company into suspense, keeping the other party in suspense, with a teasing mentality.

In fact, Wucheng Shipping Company did not negotiate the distribution of profits with Umbrella Security Company because this year's military expenditure has not yet been released, and the three aircraft carrier fleets ready for production have not received formal orders and deposits.

If it weren't for the policy issued last year allowing foreign ships to dock at Wucheng Port, Zhang Heping would probably have withdrawn his investment and stopped developing aircraft carriers here.

After leaving Wucheng Shipping Company, everyone visited the Wucheng Shipyard nearby, and then went to the thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plant in the south of Wucheng.

……

"Our Wucheng No. 1 Thorium Molten Salt Reactor Nuclear Power Plant was built in October 1987 and officially connected to the grid in June 10. The designed annual power generation is 1990 billion kWh, and the actual power generation in the first year of grid connection was about 6 billion kWh."

"The reason why the 8 million kilowatt-hours are missing is because we conducted some emergency tests under extreme conditions during this period, which resulted in several power generation interruptions."

"What is kilowatt-hour?" Someone among the visitors asked his companions in a low voice, and was heard by the engineer who was introducing the nuclear power plant.

"1 million kWh is one kilowatt-hour," the engineer at the front explained with a smile. "1 billion kWh can meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 67 million households."

The gray-robed old man asked, "How much did your nuclear power plant cost to build? How much does it cost to generate electricity? And how much does it cost to sell it to the State Grid?"

The engineer quickly replied, "The first Taishan Thorium Molten Salt Reactor Nuclear Power Plant invested by the Peace Group cost 13.5 billion magnesium yuan."

"Our two thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plants in Wucheng are two of the 16 thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plants built by the Southern Power Grid Company after unified price negotiation. The cost of each thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plant has been reduced to 5 million magnesium yuan."

Someone asked, "How could the cost be reduced by 8.5 million magnesium yuan?"

Hua Lao smiled and said, "This is the same situation as the Wucheng Shipping Company. The cost of the first Taishan Thorium Molten Salt Reactor Nuclear Power Plant includes the manufacturing costs of the new equipment in those factories."

"The thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plant built later eliminated those equipment costs."

"Actually, the cost of 5 million magnesium yuan is still high. The exchange rate has fluctuated significantly in recent years, with the RMB depreciating by 43%. This has made those factories very happy with their profits."

The old man in gray nodded, then looked at the engineer who was in charge of the introduction.

The engineer then continued, "Because our raw materials are all purchased centrally by the Southern Power Company, the power generation cost of thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plants across the country can be controlled at 5 cents per kilowatt-hour. The purchase price given to us by the State Grid is 1 cent per kilowatt-hour."

"The annual power generation is 75 billion kWh, and we make 5 cents per kWh, which means a profit of 3.75 million yuan a year?" One of the accompanying staff members was shocked and said, "In less than 10 years, the construction costs of the nuclear power plant have been recovered!"

Another calculating member of the entourage lamented, "The recent exchange rate seems to be 1 to 5.4. The cost of 5 million magnesium dollars is 27 billion RMB. To be exact, the cost can be recovered in less than 8 years!"

The engineer who was in charge of the introduction thought they were dissatisfied with the high profits of nuclear power plants and hurriedly said, "You only see the superficial profits and have not considered the cost of building the lines and equipment between the power station and the power consumption end."

"And we..."

The person in charge of the Wucheng No. 1 Thorium Molten Salt Reactor Nuclear Power Plant stepped forward, interrupting the engineer's subsequent words about the maintenance company. He said with a smile, "The profits will be reinvested in other areas to build more Thorium Molten Salt Reactor Nuclear Power Plants and power facilities."

The old man in gray had heard about Zhang Heping's ability to make money a long time ago, but he didn't expect that he could recover the 149 billion magnesium yuan he invested in the Southern Power Grid Company so quickly.

He secretly thought that developing science and technology was indeed the right thing to do, and at the same time, he wanted to meet this young capitalist, scientist, and educator whom he had heard of for a long time...

Thinking of Zhang Heping's numerous titles, the gray-robed elder smiled at Hua Lao and said, "I'm a little curious. Can the highways invested by the Heping Group in China also make a quick return on investment?"

Mr. Hua understood the other party's implication. There are few cars in the country, so it would be difficult to make a quick return on investment like a nuclear power plant.

Mr. Hua thought for a moment before answering the seemingly casual question. "In 86, the Heping Group's Land, Sea, and Air Company invested 16.5 billion yuan to build two expressways: one between Huadu and Zhuhai, and the other between Huadu and Shenzhen."

"Since the two expressways were completed and opened to traffic, free passage has been offered to trucks transporting agricultural and fishery products such as vegetables, fruits, fish and meat, as well as military vehicles, ambulances and fire trucks. Free passage has also been offered to all vehicles on holidays."

"After deducting the labor costs and operation and maintenance expenses of the highways, the construction costs of these two highways should be recovered in another 10 years."

The gray-robed old man nodded again. "The construction cost of the highway will be recouped in a dozen years. When we go to Huadu, you must take me for a ride to see the two highways."

Mr. Hua smiled and said, "Even if you hadn't mentioned this, I would have taken you to see it. There's a music highway built on the highway exit ramp over there, which has attracted many foreigners to visit and learn."

The gray-robed old man asked with a smile, "Is it the road posted on the World Internet Forum where cars can play the music of 'My Motherland and I' when they drive on it?"

Mr. Hua nodded, and then talked about the highways from Haicheng to Wucheng, Haicheng to Huadu, and other highways in other parts of the country. He mentioned that many highways are difficult to recoup the investment, but the Heping Group still invested money in their construction without hesitation.

~

After Zhang Heping returned to Shenzhen, he was first greeted by a group of secretaries and guards. None of the real people who could keep their word showed up.

"Advisor Zhang, even if you just ask the guards we brought to stand guard at the door, it's fine. Just consider it as a favor!" The middle-aged male secretary who came from Huadu was extremely humble to Zhang Heping, almost bowing to him.

As for guarding the door, the guards transferred from Huadu can just stand at the door and don't need Zhang Heping's consent.

To put it bluntly, the other party still wants guards to be stationed inside the Peace College and other factories.

"Sorry, you can do whatever you want outside, but not inside!" Zhang Heping said seriously, "You should have heard that a biology expert from our college just defected to the Magnesium Country."

"Let's not talk about how he brought his family all the way to Shanghai, and then flew to Magnesium via Tokyo."

"Just considering the current level of confidentiality, if you bring people into this, it will easily cause unnecessary misunderstandings."

Even after Zhang Heping said this, several secretaries in Huadu were still hesitant. It was obvious that they could not make the decision and it would be difficult to report to their superiors.

Then, Zhang Heping said, "How about this? I'll ask Mr. Hua to talk to your leader about this. You guys go back to the guesthouse and wait for notification!"

The middle-aged male secretary in the lead secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "Thank you, Consultant Zhang, for your understanding. Then we will go back and wait for further notice!"

After watching the group of Huadu secretaries and guards leave, Zhang Heping, who was standing at the school gate, asked Liang Kai, the secretary of the Shenfu who had not left, "They all sent guards here, why didn't you send someone from the Shenfu to show your support?"

"Advisor Zhang, you're joking. The guards sent by us and Huadu only have a small pistol at most. How can we show off our skills in front of your guards?" Secretary Liang said, glancing at the fully armed guards at the door.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the weapons held by the guards look like plastic toy water guns; they are actually the latest type of laser weapons.

When that laser gun is fully charged, its minimum power can kill 1000 people continuously, and its maximum power can penetrate a tank at one time!

This is just the surface equipment that Liu Yuan told him. The unknown equipment in the academy that is covered with jungle camouflage canvas and is permanently manned should be the greatest reliance of the guards at the Peace College.

What's more, there are military camps and air defense systems on the South Mountain behind!

"If it is inconvenient for you to send guards to accompany them, you can arrange for them to visit the Smart City Management Center in Shenzhen first. You know what I mean!" Zhang Heping gave a suggestion and turned back to the college.

When Secretary Liang heard this suggestion, the first person he thought of was Zhao Jianguo, another old classmate of his wife Liu Yuan and the director of the Smart City Management Center.

Secretary Liang wondered if Zhang Heping wanted this old classmate to show up, but the next second, Secretary Liang changed his mind. He remembered what Liu Yuan told him, that Zhang Heping was wrongly accused of being a murder suspect in the capital.

If the capital also had a smart city management center, Zhang Heping would be ruled out as a suspect by simply retrieving the surveillance footage near the deceased.

In addition, Secretary Liang also thought of the case handling data reported by the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau at the summary meeting at the end of last year. In recent years, they have quickly handled many cases with the assistance of video images from the Smart City Management Center.

From finding someone to tracking down a murderer...

Secretary Liang thought about it and suddenly shook his head. He felt that some cases could not be talked about. If they were talked about, it would instead reflect that the public security in Shenzhen was poor.

When thinking about the public security in Shenzhen, Secretary Liang couldn't help but think of those motorcycle thieves, and then he was shocked. What if the leaders who came to inspect saw the motorcycle thieves snatching bags on the surveillance screen of the Smart City Management Center!

"No! No!" Secretary Liang slapped his forehead and muttered to himself, "What if the inspecting leader encounters a motorcycle thief snatching a bag on the road? That would be the end of us!"

Thinking of this, Secretary Liang hurriedly took out his cell phone and reported the matter to the director of the secretariat.

Reporting to higher levels within the system can easily lead to misunderstandings and dissatisfaction.

Especially this kind of thing that requires cooperation from other departments.

What if Secretary Liang reports the matter to the senior leader, and the senior leader then hands the matter over to him to coordinate with relevant departments to handle it?

Even if the director above him doesn't make things difficult for him, people from other departments will think he is of low rank and will not actively cooperate!

Of course, except for those guys with strong connections...