Break out of the courtyard

Three months after the establishment of the World Advanced Technology Research Institute, most research institutions of all sizes in mainland China had adapted to the new framework.

When relevant research institutions receive a research task suddenly assigned from above, they will submit a research project application through the internal system of the World Institute of Advanced Technology in accordance with the procedures.

Take, for example, the recent problems encountered with the introduction of high-speed rail technology!
Due to the Peace Group's opposition to Japan Island, the Northwest Space Exploration Base explicitly rejected the participation of Japan Islanders in the Moon Palace Base project.

As a result, the Japanese authorities withdrew their high-speed rail technical personnel.

Because the WTO did not force mainland China to release the Lifespan 120 drug, Germany and France also took measures to withdraw their technical personnel.

Then, the high-speed rail-related research projects were submitted to the internal system of the World Institute of Advanced Technology.

On May 1st, Labor Day, the day China decided to implement a two-day weekend, the high-speed rail-related technical team gathered on the first and second floors of the library of the World Advanced Technology Research Institute, put on gaming helmets, and entered a virtual learning dream.

In his virtual learning dream, Zhang Heping first materialized the world's first high-speed railway, the Tokaido Shinkansen, which runs at 200 kilometers per hour in Japan.

After Zhang Heping analyzed each component one by one, he then materialized the high-speed rails of Germany and France, provided corresponding analysis, and told these people which floor of the dream library they could find the relevant reference books.

Subsequently, Zhang Heping proposed high-speed rail designs with speeds of 350 km/h and 450 km/h, and had these 1896 experts and technicians develop high-speed rail independently using virtual learning dream factories and laboratories.

After Zhang Heping finished speaking in the virtual learning dream, he called these high-speed rail experts and technicians outside the library.

After these people had mostly forgotten what happened in their dream, Zhang Heping took the microphone from his assistant and addressed the crowd:
"You've probably forgotten most of what I demonstrated and explained to you in the virtual learning dream!"

As soon as these words were spoken, high-speed rail experts and technicians immediately raised their hands, wanting to ask questions.

But Zhang Heping didn't give them a chance and continued, "If you treat what just happened as a dream, you'll understand why you forgot it so quickly."

"However, none of that matters! The Dream Library has the technical data you want, and you can use the Dream Warehouse, Factory, and Laboratory as you please."

"Furthermore, while you are using the virtual learning dream, I will activate a 10x acceleration of perception on the regenerative brain server."

"In other words, one day in the real world will feel like ten days in your virtual learning dream!"

Zhang Heping then introduced some safety precautions and prepared to hand the matter over to Vice President Deng for further arrangements.

"Dean Zhang!" Seeing Zhang Heping about to leave, one of the middle-aged men wearing glasses, who hadn't let go of his hands, asked loudly, "What if we still can't remember the information in the virtual learning dream afterward?"

"This question was originally intended for you to experience it yourselves for a period of time, and then you would come to the answer yourselves," Zhang Heping said slowly, holding the microphone.

"Since you're so eager to know, I'll explain it simply. The dream memories you just forgot are actually stored in your subconscious; they haven't been truly forgotten."

"If you want to remember the information in the virtual learning dream, the method is actually very simple: memorize it in the dream and apply what you have learned. This is also why so many factories and laboratories are built there."

After Zhang Heping finished speaking, seeing that no one asked any more questions, he handed the microphone to Vice President Deng.

Vice President Deng's arrangements were actually quite simple: he reiterated the safety precautions and the efficacy of the brain-boosting liquid, and finally mentioned the price of the liquid, reminding the high-speed rail experts and technicians to apply for funding to purchase the medicine.

The brain-boosting liquid developed by Zhang Heping was actually provided by the institute's biological laboratory, and the related expenses were naturally covered by the institute's accounts.

Although Zhang Heping provided additional funding to the college, Vice Dean Deng felt that the brain-boosting liquid should not be given away for free.

In particular, as the brain-computer interface devices in Harbin, Nanjing, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong gradually became fixed, and the daily need for brain-boosting fluids continued to increase, Vice Dean Deng became even more unwilling to let the college's accounts run into losses.

To this end, Vice President Deng also persuaded Chen Shuting to authorize the patent of the brain-boosting liquid to Heping Health Care Company for production, and then Tingmei Trading was responsible for external sales.

Leaving aside how exorbitantly profitable Peace Health Company's Tingmei slimming tea and Taitai oral liquid products are, just consider the target audience for brain-boosting liquid. In addition to brain-computer interface users who overwork their brains, there is an even larger target group: students!
Especially for students in their second and third years of high school!

The effects of brain-boosting liquid are noticeable and can be felt directly, unlike the "number" health products that are heavily advertised in China now, which are essentially ineffective.

After returning from Hong Kong Island that evening, Chen Shuting learned that high-speed rail experts and technicians from the mainland had arrived here. Somewhat unwillingly, she asked Zhang Heping again, "Honey, are we really not going to invest in high-speed rail in the mainland?"

"With a population of over a billion in China, such a huge market, and high-speed rail that's faster than a regular train, I think the return on investment should be quite good!"

"Can you get the pricing power for high-speed rail tickets?" Zhang Heping sat on the sofa, teasing his grand-nephew Zhang Bo, and replied casually, "It's a project for the people's livelihood, destined to take the route of benefiting the people. It would be good if we could break even, don't expect to make money."

"Isn't Chang Qing in contact with you about the high-speed rail?" Chen Shuting sat down on the sofa and asked in a low voice, "Once the domestic high-speed rail network is built, Chang Qing should be able to rise to a good position in the Ministry of Railways. At that time, could we use him to influence pricing?"

Zhang Heping glanced at his concubine Chen Shuting. Outsiders who heard her words would only think that she was obsessed with money.

But Zhang Heping knew that the other party was making money for his space program, just using rather unsophisticated methods.

"They're planning an anti-corruption bureau in the capital!" Zhang Heping replied in a low voice, then went back to playing with Zhang Yi's 3-year-old son.

Not long after, Chang Qing returned to Villa No. 1 with his mother, Zhang Zhaodi.

When Chang Qing returned, he greeted everyone in the living room, then looked at Chen Shuting and said with a smile, "Auntie, our high-speed rail expert team is planning to purchase a batch of brain-boosting liquid. Do you think you could give us a discount?"

Chen Shuting was just thinking about what would happen after Chang Qing got a high position in the Ministry of Railways after investing in China's high-speed rail, but she didn't expect that this kid would take public money and ask her for a discount... She can't count on him!

"Those high-speed rail experts who experience virtual learning scenarios in the school library should ideally buy their brain-boosting supplements from the medical staff on duty nearby. These are brain-computer interface drugs, not the export-grade health products from the factory," Chen Shuting explained with a smile.
"The brain-computer interface research center that your mother runs also gets its brain-boosting solution from the school."

"Oh!" Chang Qing said with a smile, "Then I'll ask the school leaders tomorrow."

Zhang Zhaodi was in contact with Vice Dean Deng and others regarding matters related to the brain-boosting liquid. Chen Shuting heard that Chang Qing was planning to communicate with the school, so she stopped discussing the matter.

……

The high-speed rail issue is just a minor episode.

After Changqing helped the high-speed rail experts and technicians settle the relevant matters in Shenzhen, he was called back to the capital.

However, Zhang Heping's leisure time didn't last long, as the National Science and Technology Conference was urging him to participate again.

This year, the capital city put forward the strategy of revitalizing the country through science and education. Zhang Heping holds the title of president of the World Advanced Technology Research Institute, so he is needed to handle many matters.

Take, for example, the issue of human organ donation and transplantation that the Shenzhen health system has been discussing recently! Because Heping Hospital has regenerative repair fluid that can regenerate severed limbs and organs, human organ transplantation technology is somewhat outdated, making donation seem dispensable.

However, the regeneration and repair solution has not yet been promoted to the public. Apart from Heping Hospital, no other hospitals have it.

Therefore, other hospitals are still performing transplant surgeries, and many patients who cannot go to Shenzhen are still waiting for donations.

Therefore, Zhang Zhaodi was tasked with inviting Zhang Heping to a meeting of the Shenzhen health system to discuss whether it was necessary to legislate on human organ donation.

Although Zhang Heping attended the meeting, his response was to have them report to their superiors, because he had already relinquished the right to use the regeneration and repair fluid, and he could not decide whether other hospitals could use it.

Like regeneration and repair fluid, antigravity suspension devices have too great strategic value, and the higher authorities have not yet reached a consensus on their implementation.

If Zhang Heping hadn't publicized the brain-computer interface extensively, it would have faced various restrictions as well.

After finishing his work, Zhang Heping only took his mother, Ma Xiuzhen, back to the capital.

I won't go into details about Tang Xin, the first wife, tutoring Xiao Zhanghao.

The reason why my father, Lao Zhang, didn't return to the capital was because he, along with Company Commander Zhao and a group of old comrades, were engrossed in a virtual dream of the Korean War, where they talked and fought simultaneously, and didn't have time to return to the capital.

It is worth mentioning that after becoming engrossed in the virtual dream game here, Company Commander Zhao never mentioned Zhao Jianguo's return to work in the capital again.

The people who came to pick me up at the airport were still the guards from No. 5 Wanshou Road, and an old Hongqi car.

Although Zhang Heping hadn't lived in that villa for over ten years, Villa No. 1 in Building 11 was still reserved for him, and people were sent to clean and maintain that house every week.

"When was that countdown clock put up?"

As Zhang Heping passed by the Grand Plaza, he saw a huge countdown clock for the return of Hong Kong Island.

The driver glanced at the large white sign with red lettering on the left and smiled, "It was erected at the end of last year!"

"Time flies!" Zhang Heping remarked casually, looking at the dense crowd in the square.

The convoy drove into the north bank of Houhai Lake. After leaving his mother, Ma Xiuzhen, and four bodyguards behind, Zhang Heping went to Hua Lao's house alone in the car.

His return to the capital this time is ostensibly to attend the National Science and Technology Conference starting tomorrow, but secretly he also wants to participate in some discussions on economic issues.

Zhang Heping felt that there was no need to take the World Trade Center, which O.M. had not yet agreed to, too seriously.

In any case, China has signed many bilateral and regional trade agreements, plus offshore trade and entrepot trade, so whether or not China joins the WTO will not have a significant impact on its import and export business.

As for trade frictions, disputes, and sanctions, even if we join the WTO, if we are not strong enough to deter external forces, they will still happen!
Of course, joining the WTO will reduce many unnecessary legal risks.

When Zhang Heping arrived at Hua Lao's house, Hua Lao and Li Lao were helping to pick vegetables, and there was a lot of activity in the kitchen, obviously preparing dinner.

Zhang Heping greeted everyone, then took a yellow porcelain basin containing five cloves of garlic from the kitchen, and sat down on the sofa to peel the garlic.

"I thought we were going to have a meeting outside tonight!" Zhang Heping casually started a conversation.

Old Hua smiled and said, "Tonight we're all acquaintances, let's have a private discussion first."

The implication behind these words was that they were preparing to unite against a common enemy after tonight, which made Zhang Heping frown slightly, feeling that someone was still targeting him.

But then he thought again, if he were to associate with Elder Hua, some trouble might come his way. It might be openly targeting him, but it was hard to say who it was secretly targeting.

"Peace!" Old Li, who was picking green beans nearby, asked with a smile, "The Shenzhen Municipal Health Bureau has submitted an application to conduct clinical trials of the regeneration and repair fluid at Shenzhen Hospital. What do you think?"

“They called me to a meeting first, and I told them to report it to their superiors.” Zhang Heping didn’t hide anything about such a small matter and continued, “As you know, after I handed over the regeneration and repair fluid, I didn’t care about the subsequent research. At the time, I also promised not to leak it to the outside world.”

"Peace has arrived!" Grandma Zheng greeted them happily as soon as she entered the door, interrupting Zhang Heping and the others' conversation.

After exchanging a few polite words, Zhou's niece, who had come with Old Mrs. Zheng, went straight to the kitchen to help.

“Peace!” Grandma Zheng said with a smile, “I think the method you mentioned before, which is to continue to increase the construction of transportation projects in the central and western regions, thereby attracting foreign investment to our country, and finally letting those foreign investors, for their own interests, promote our accession to the WTO, is the most prudent one.”

Zhang Heping nodded and said, "I still hold the same view: with or without the WTO, we can still conduct overseas business. What we lack is legal protection that can convince foreign businesses, as well as stable business policies!"

"In recent years, the economies of coastal cities have developed rapidly, but the gap between the rich and poor in the east and west..."

With Zhang Heping's return to Shenzhen and his post in charge of domestic scientific research, many people's attitudes towards him have improved.

After all, people with real skills will be respected wherever they go, and their minor flaws will be tolerated.

Sure enough, he sat in the first row at the meeting the next day.

However, after the serious meeting, many experts approached Zhang Heping, but instead of discussing the content of the meeting, they asked about this year's Nobel Peace Prize winners and whether their future research directions had a chance of winning.

These people weren't after the Peace Prize money; they were mainly after the lifespan potion advance cards.

The expert is in his fifties or sixties, and his parents are in their seventies or eighties.

The current recommended age for using the Lifespan 120 medication is 90 years old. If someone in their 70s or 80s wants to use the medication, it's only because they are unable to care for themselves.

Even if an elderly person is truly unable to take care of themselves, there are still many screening criteria in the queuing system for the Shouyuan 120 medication. It's not that someone who is 78 years old and paralyzed due to cerebral infarction can apply for the medication, since the production of the Shouyuan 120 medication has not yet been fully developed.

Therefore, obtaining a Lifespan Potion Advance Card is the most effective way to jump the queue.

"Advisor Zhang!" someone suddenly asked loudly, "August 15th this year marks the 50th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender. Could you create some virtual dreamscapes of the War of Resistance against Japan and place them in the anti-Japanese war memorial halls in China?"

...(End of chapter)