Break out of the courtyard

"It's falling! It's falling! The rocket is falling!"

"Look! The anti-aircraft guns on the top of the mountain are moving!"

"The anti-aircraft guns on those frigates are also moving!"

As waves of exclamations rang out, the ships that were originally dispersing and preparing to return to Hong Kong Island gradually stopped.

Following the gaze of the people on the boat, they saw that the black rocket that had flown up before was now falling diagonally, creating flames when it struck the air.

However, as the rocket without a pointed tip continued to spew out white gas and tail flames and got closer to the Dapeng Peninsula, the surrounding ships began to move again, moving away from the Dapeng Peninsula for fear of being affected by the rocket explosion if they were too late.

However, until the headless black rocket fell into the mountains of Dapeng Peninsula, the anti-aircraft guns on the mountain tops and frigates did not fire, and the rocket did not explode...

Because of the viewing angle, the people on the ship could not see the rocket falling back to the launch site and were in a state of confusion.

On the other side of Qinniang Mountain, because the terrain is higher, many people saw the headless black rocket spewing fire from the bottom to adjust its falling posture, and finally fell almost vertically into the mountain valley where the rocket was launched, as if it flew back by itself.

After a round of applause, a group of old men and women in work clothes came down the mountain with excitement, escorted by a team of guards in green clothes.

A female reporter caught up with the group of elderly people coming down the mountain with a microphone and said hurriedly, "Professor Li, I am a reporter from Xinhua News Agency. I have interviewed you before. Can I ask you a few questions now?"

Before a young guard came over, the professor surnamed Li smiled and said, "You should go to the rocket launch command center for an interview instead of asking us, the audience."

The female reporter walked in the wild grass beside the mountain path, trying not to disturb the group of elderly people from going down the mountain, but was stopped by the guards who rushed over.

"Comrade, please go down the mountain for the interview! The mountain path is steep. If you do this, it will be very dangerous for both you and these old experts." After the young guard said this, he stopped in front of the female reporter and let Professor Li, who had answered the question, go down a distance first, and then he followed slowly.

The female reporter followed behind helplessly and said to the photographer who followed her: "If I had known that the rocket could fly back after launching, I would have applied to go to the command center for an interview!"

The photographer laughed and said, "How dare you say that? I suggested going to the command center before."

"You suggested going to the command center because you didn't want to climb the mountain with a camera on your back. Don't think I don't know!" The female reporter snorted, then urged, "Let's hurry up, otherwise these experts and professors will leave in the car."

...

Dapeng Peninsula, rocket launch command center.

"The first stage rocket successfully returned to the launch pad and began fuel self-inspection..."

Before the female voice could finish, warm applause broke out in the command hall and lasted for a long time. Everyone who was applauding was very excited.

"The second stage rocket enters the Earth's orbit, engine shutdown countdown 10, 9, 8..."

As the countdown sounded, everyone in the command hall quickly quieted down, staring straight at the partial image of the arrow body on the large combined screen in front.

"The second stage rocket and satellite separated successfully!"

"Satellites 1 to 6 have been separated successfully!"

"The second stage rocket ignited successfully and is automatically adjusting its direction..."

"Teacher Zhang, the second stage rocket failed to detect the position of the moon. The control console requests human intervention."

Everyone was listening quietly to the observer's report, but they didn't expect an application to come in.

Zhang Heping did not agree immediately, but replied: "First check the data sent back by the second-stage rocket to confirm whether the equipment on it is damaged."

A young man hurriedly replied: "Report, the data sent back by the second-stage rocket is normal and the relevant equipment is operating normally!"

"Wait another 51 seconds!" Zhang Heping said calmly, "If the second-stage rocket still hasn't detected the moon's position, then we can intervene manually."

"Got it!" A male voice came from the control panel.

"Uncle..." The eldest nephew Zhang Yi came over and asked in a very low voice, "The satellite has been successfully launched. Shouldn't the second stage of the rocket fall down and be burned up in the atmosphere? Why do we still need to detect the position of the moon?"

Zhang Heping patted Zhang Yi's hunched back and said with a smile, "Those reporters have the same doubts as you. Someone will give a unified answer later."

Zhang Yi said "oh" and stepped aside again.

Under Tang Xin's contact, Zhang Bei, Zhang Nan, Zhang Yi and other children who were busy with work were called over. At this time, they were standing in the back row of the command center with Zhang Heping and did not affect the staff's operations.

"Homing Pigeon 2 successfully entered the planned orbit!"

"The second stage rocket has detected the position of the moon and is adjusting its direction."

"Homing Pigeon 5 successfully entered the planned orbit!"

……

As the second-stage rocket accelerated toward the moon, the six satellites found their respective predetermined orbits one after another, and warm applause rang out in the command hall again.

At Zhang Heping's nod, Lu Zhongsheng, general manager of Peace Aerospace Co., Ltd., walked to the large screen in the command hall and excitedly said to everyone: "I declare that the launch mission of the Peace-1 rocket has been successfully completed!"

The applause became louder again. Amid the applause, President Lu walked to the back row and invited all the reporters and guests to leave and go to the large conference room outside to answer questions.

Zhang Heping also asked his wife and children to follow him out, "Wait for me in the conference room. I still have some finishing work to do."

As the non-staff members left and the door of the command hall closed, Zhang Heping walked to the front of the command hall.

"Call up all the images of the second-stage rocket!" Zhang Heping ordered calmly.

Immediately afterwards, the images on the combined large screen were divided into 8 pieces, including images of the front and back of the second-stage rocket, as well as images around the rocket.

A middle-aged female engineer hesitated and said, "Teacher Zhang, cameras 3, 4, 5, and 6 seem to be broken!"

Zhang Heping said calmly: "Control panel, let the second stage rocket rotate slowly clockwise for one circle and check if the side camera is damaged!"

"Control panel received, the second-stage rocket slowly rotates clockwise!" a male voice responded.

As the image on the combined screen rotates, the edge of the earth with a hazy halo gradually emerges.

"The camera doesn't seem to be broken!"

"But why is it that the camera on the other side of the earth is completely dark? Not even a single star can be seen?"

"Look at the space outside the earth, it's also pitch black, you can't see any stars!"

There were whispers in the command hall, but Zhang Heping did not try to stop them, nor did he try to explain.

"The second stage rocket is about to shut down its engine for the second time. The shutdown countdown is 10, 9, 8..."

After the observers finished counting down, Zhang Heping spoke again: "Everyone, the next task will be handed over to you."

"If you have any problems in the future, please discuss with each other first. If you really can't solve them, you can call me or send me an email." As Zhang Heping's farewell words rang out, the opening speech in the conference room next door finally ended and entered the question-and-answer session.

"Hello, Mr. Lu! I am a reporter from Rediffusion Television. May I ask if the first-stage rocket that just returned can still be used?"

General Manager Lu Zhongsheng nodded and replied, "Theoretically, yes, but our engineers need to disassemble this first-stage rocket for research. Therefore, this first-stage rocket may not be used again, and future first-stage rockets will be reused many times."

"Hello, I am a reporter from the Hong Kong Commercial Daily. Are the six communication satellites launched this time for the deployment of a 6G communication network?"

Lu Zhongsheng recalled his speech and said, "In theory, 4G communication networks do not require the assistance of communication satellites. However, it is not convenient to build 4G communication base stations in some remote areas, so low-Earth communication satellites are added to expand the communication coverage."

"Hello, I'm a reporter from Oriental Daily. Is your second-stage rocket going to be launched to the moon?"

When Zhang Yi heard this question, he immediately became interested and even touched his cousin Zhang Bei who was distracted.

Lu Zhongsheng smiled and said, "Normally, the second and third stage rockets are left to fall into the atmosphere and burn and decompose through friction, but we at Peace Aerospace Company don't want to waste them like that."

"Our company has several plans for the future. One is to launch more low-Earth orbit satellites to strive to cover every corner of the world with communication networks."

“The second is to build space stations on Earth, the Moon and Mars, and the third is to build bases on the Moon and Mars.”

"Launching the second-stage rocket to the moon is to prepare for the future maintenance of the lunar base."

"Hello, I am a reporter from Xinhua News Agency. May I ask..."

While the reporters were still asking questions, Zhang Bei frowned and looked at his two twin brothers who were concentrating on reading a book on material mechanics behind him.

"Brother Yi, aren't we too unambitious to set up a game company to make money?" Zhang Bei was stimulated by the rockets and satellites his father had made, as well as the company's future plans that Mr. Lu had mentioned.

Zhang Yi nodded, "For you, it is indeed a bit!"

Zhang Bei fell into silence, but Zhang Nan on the side was still whispering with his stepmother Chen Shuting.

"In other words, once the display screen manufacturer in Wucheng starts mass production, Shenzhen will be able to mass-produce smartphones?" Zhang Nan summarized the information he had heard from his mother, and quickly thought about the production issues of MP3, MP4 players, and digital cameras.

There is no problem with the current sales of MP3, MP4 players and digital cameras. Zhang Nan is just worried that the production volume cannot be increased.

Chen Shuting patted Zhang Nan's thigh and whispered, "Don't limit your thinking to the product. Don't forget that we have the technical patents, and we don't have to produce and sell it ourselves."

Zhang Nan frowned and said, "Little Mom, do you want me to license out the technology patent?"

Chen Shuting smiled and said, "Since you can think of small profits but quick turnover, why don't you just license it out? Anyway, these are product technologies that will be eliminated, so why not let others make some money before smartphones come out, and expand your overseas network for Global Trade Company at the same time."

Zhang Nan hesitated and said, "But this technology belongs to my father..."

"Didn't he give you the technology?" Chen Shuting raised her chin towards the podium and whispered, "Just like he gave them the rocket and satellite technology."

Then, Zhang Nan also fell silent, thinking about the pros and cons of patent licensing.

My niece Zhou Xiaochun is a senior student in the Journalism Department of Capital University. At this moment, she is listening to the interviews of various reporters with a look of excitement on her face, silently repeating their words and fantasizing about the day when she will become a reporter.

My nephew Zhou Xiaopeng is a student majoring in communications at Capital University of Posts and Telecommunications. He was very interested in the topic of communications satellites and did not notice anything strange about Zhang Bei, Zhang Nan and others.

Nieces Chang Wen and Zhang Ting, and daughters Zhang Nian and Zhang Feng were whispering about literature. They were not very interested in matters of science and engineering. They came here purely to cheer Zhang Heping on.

Of course, if the rocket launch is unsuccessful, they will also give verbal comfort.

Although Chang Le is a student at Capital University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, she is still a little confused about what kind of job she can do after graduating from university because she majored in engineering mechanics.

Chang Xing and Chang Qing listened attentively, purely out of curiosity.

Tang Xin held the sleepy little kid Zhang Nuo in her arms, and glanced at the door of the conference room from time to time, waiting for her husband Zhang Heping to show up.

Today's rocket launch didn't seem to have much impact on the Zhang family.

However, to the outside world, it was no less than a bomb exploding in the international aerospace community.

As reporters from Hong Kong and Macao returned, the news that Peace Space Company had launched six satellites in one rocket and recovered the first-stage booster rocket spread through television, newspapers and the Internet.

In less than 4 hours, it spread all over the world!
...

Datang Investment Company, Central, Hong Kong Island.

"What a pity! What a pity!" Tang Qiang sighed after hearing that his uncle Zhang Heping had successfully launched a rocket.

A magnesium fund manager who was waiting to work the night shift in the big office said tactfully, "Boss Tang, what are you regretting?"

"It's a pity that my uncle's Peace Aerospace Company is not listed. Otherwise, based on today's news, the company's stock price would have doubled!" Tang Qiang said as if venting:
"My uncle is good in every way, except that he has become more and more disdainful of money recently. With such a good opportunity to make money, he should make Peace Aerospace Company a subsidiary of Hailukong Company!"

"Mr. Tang, come and read this news!" A female fund manager laughed and said, "Someone spread false news, saying that Hailukong Company owns 20% of the shares of Heping Aerospace Company."

The fund manager next to him interrupted and said, "I also saw a fake news that Hong Kong Island Telecom owns 15% of the shares of Peace Aerospace and Telecommunications."

"Hmph! A bunch of guys trying to take advantage of troubled waters!" Tang Qiang said with disdain.

The people who spread the fake news did so purely to increase the share prices of two listed companies, Air China and Hong Kong Island Telecom, without caring about the impact after the news was exposed.

"Boss Tang!" A fund manager who was collecting news about Japanese stocks said loudly, "Should we also make up some fake news? For example, the stainless steel body of the Peace 1 rocket was provided by the Nichima Steel Pipe Company?"

Tang Qiang's eyes lit up, and he pointed at the fund manager who had just spoken with his right hand, and said with a smile: "This is a good idea! Let's think about it together. Let's link this rocket launch to a few more Japanese companies and see if we can raise the stock prices of the related Japanese companies even higher!"

"Aqiang!"

Just as Tang Qiang was excitedly arranging work tasks, Tang Lie suddenly walked in.

The two brothers entered the general manager's office. After the female secretary brought in two cups of coffee, Tang Lie, who was standing by the window, spoke again.

"Xiao Bei wants to transfer his Capital Technology Company to me. Do you think we should take it?" Tang Lie said with a frown, but his eyes were still looking out the window to somewhere unknown.

Tang Qiang asked in confusion: "I heard you say last time that his company's online games and game recharge platforms are both good. Why did he suddenly transfer them to you? Did his uncle not allow him to start a company anymore?"

"No!" Tang Lie turned around, walked to the sofa and sat down, frowning and said, "He said that he felt that starting a company to make money was not a pursuit, and he wanted to find something meaningful to do!"

"Hehe!" Tang Qiang laughed, "As expected of my uncle's son, he even looks down on money! Did he tell me what he plans to do next?"

"He said he hasn't made up his mind yet!" Tang Lie leaned back on the sofa, crossed his legs, and said with a frown, "This guy wants to transfer the company to me, but he didn't say a price. He just asked me if I wanted it. Do you think he is waiting for our quotation?"

Tang Qiang shook his head. "I think he might have come up with the idea of ​​transferring the business suddenly. It's not as complicated as you think!"

Tang Lie sighed, "This is not easy to do! If I give too little money, I won't be able to explain it to my uncle!" (End of this chapter)