Break out of the courtyard

When Tang Xin, Zhang Heping's first wife, overheard Zhang Heping's words that he did not want his children to take over the Ping Group, she couldn't help but feel a little complicated.

Even though she had been told this before, the ingrained idea of ​​a son inheriting his father's business still lingered in her mind.

Fortunately, these emotions came and went quickly.

Since none of the children raised any objections, the issue of the family property was simply glossed over.

At 23 p.m. that night, news came from Hong Kong Island that the entire management team of the Hong Kong Island technology company had been wiped out, not a single one of them was spared.

After that, things were simple: first, hand the person over to the Hong Kong police, and then proceed with the legal procedures in Hong Kong.

The following morning, Chen Shuting asked Tang Wei, the head of Heping Smart Technology Company, to help Zhangbei's Gangdao Technology Company clean up the mess.

Chen Shuting's thinking was simple: if her husband didn't want Zhang Bei to learn from Tang Wei, then she would do the opposite and have Tang Wei bring a few managers to help Zhang Bei's company streamline its personnel and business.

With the thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plants in Taishan, Zhuhai, and Yangjiang operating at full capacity, the seawater desalination plant, seawater refining plant, and hydrogen production plant on the Dapeng Peninsula in Shenzhen are able to operate at full capacity, temporarily alleviating fuel concerns for this year's rocket launch missions.

So when Zhang Heping arrived at Heping Aerospace Company with 12 assistants and their students, they happened to see a rocket carrying 4 weather satellites take off.

Since there was no time to climb the mountain, Zhang Heping did not take them to the mountain to see the rocket recovery. Instead, he took them directly to the comprehensive testing plant to see the other three space experiment modules up close, so that they could have a more intuitive understanding of the space modules.

A group of people wearing white dust suits crawled in and out of the No. 2, 3, and 4 Shouyuan space capsules several times before finally satisfying their curiosity.

Just as Zhang Heping was leading them to the monitoring center of the Shouyuan Space Capsule project at Heping Aerospace Company, Assistant Lü Lao smiled and said to Zhang Heping:
"I didn't realize how big the No. 1 life capsule was before, but after entering the other life capsules today, I realized that once these four life capsules are successfully docked and assembled in space, they can be completely comparable to foreign space stations!"

“It’s pointless to compare with foreigners!” Zhang Heping laughed. “You can think of the Shouyuan Space Experiment Module as a miniature version of the Tiangong Space Station.”

"Once the No. 2 longevity capsule successfully launches with the experimental monkeys, our manned mission and the Tiangong space station project will be put on the agenda."

Upon hearing this news, men, women, and children around them couldn't help but show expressions of excitement.

A male student asked excitedly, "Teacher Zhang, will astronauts go inside our Shouyuan Space Capsule in the future?"

"If the spacecraft malfunctions and requires manual repair, we might send astronauts over," Zhang Heping casually replied, "provided there's no leakage of dangerous samples!"

Led by Zhang Heping, the assistants and students arrived at the Shouyuan Space Capsule Project Monitoring Center and got to know the staff there.

After that student made a mistake last time, they didn't realize the seriousness of the problem at all, nor did they take any immediate action.

The other three assistants were focused on their own experiments and were completely unaware of the spread of colorless and invisible bacteria.

It was only after the Shouyuan Space Capsule Project Monitoring Center discovered an abnormal operation of one of the robotic arms that they immediately called the remote control center at Shenzhen Peace College, confirming that the operational error had caused the air inside the space capsule to be contaminated.

As Zhang Heping was about to call everyone back, Lu Zhongsheng, the head of Heping Aerospace, pulled Zhang Heping aside and whispered:
"The space agency just called. They want to connect to our navigation and communication satellite systems. What do you think about this?"

"What do you think?" Zhang asked expressionlessly.

Initially, he instructed Peace Investment's Shenzhen branch to negotiate cooperation with the mainland on nuclear power plants, power grids, the internet, and satellites, while the nuclear and aerospace sectors were to oppose him.

They have no money and no technology, and yet they want to take a 51% controlling stake in the joint venture!
If they're fighting over this small amount of equity, who knows how fierce the struggle will become over the management rights of the joint venture in the future!

Zhang Heping was most annoyed by those who didn't listen to orders, so he set up Southern Power and Heping Aerospace Company in Shenzhen to run his own business.

Lu Zhongsheng, head of Peace Aerospace, hesitated for a moment before saying, "They said that if we agree to their access, they can help us launch some rocket missions."

"How many satellites did Peace Space launch last year? How many did they launch?" Zhang Heping asked coldly. "Do you think we need their help to launch rockets?"

“No need!” Lu Zhongsheng hurriedly shook his head to express his opinion. He had already heard the dissatisfaction in Zhang Heping’s tone, which he guessed was related to the space agency’s previous refusal to cooperate.

After Zhang Heping and his men left, Lu Zhongsheng reluctantly dialed Hua Lao's number and told him about Zhang Heping's attitude.

Because of the electronic warfare in the Middle East, space agency personnel were summoned for questioning and asked to come up with measures to deal with the US.

Then, the space agency thought of Hua Zhong, who had previously poached their employees, and wanted him to act as an intermediary to facilitate their cooperation with Peace Space.

Unfortunately, they now lack both money and technology, and even their technical personnel have been poached by Peace Aerospace, leaving them without any leverage in negotiations.

Hua Lao had actually anticipated Zhang Heping's refusal, after all, he had known Zhang Heping's personality very well after spending so many years with him.

Fortunately, Peace Space's navigation and communication satellites are open to the military free of charge, so they will not affect the military's modernization reforms.

Therefore, he didn't rush back to Shenzhen to find Zhang Heping, nor did he care how much pressure the space agency was under.

However, after Elder Hua decided to stay in the capital for the New Year, more and more people came to visit him. It was easy to guess that most of them were there to ask about the Longevity Elixir.

While Hua Lao's guards could keep people out of the door, Director Wang Sumei wasn't so assertive.

In particular, after the visitors went to the Zhuang family to see the much younger Grandpa Zhuang, they asked Grandma Yang to help introduce them to Wang Sumei next door.

Wang Sumei can refuse to speak to strangers or people she doesn't know well by using the principle of confidentiality.

However, when some former leaders came to her door to ask for the medicine, and when Old Lady Yang came with a face full of apologies, Wang Sumei finally understood why Zhang Heping had given her the right to test the Longevity 100 medicine.

"Out of respect for Lao Yang, I can help you apply for a trial spot," Director Wang Sumei said with a hint of helplessness. "However, you'll have to find out about the side effects of the Lifespan 100 drug on your own."

"If you can accept the side effects, go to the cosmetic surgery department of Shenzhen Peace College after the New Year, and then call me."

“No, Comrade Wang!” A middle-aged man who had come with them interjected, “I heard that the longevity potion used by Elder Zheng and Elder Zhuang has no side effects. Could you give my father that kind of longevity potion without side effects?”

"Heh..." Director Wang couldn't help but laugh. Recently, nine out of ten people who came to her wanted to use the longevity potion with no side effects, and the key thing was that they didn't want to pay for it.

Director Wang looked at Old Lady Yang, whose face looked unnatural, and said, "Since there is a longevity potion without side effects, why didn't Old Lady Yang and Old Lady Hua use it?"

Someone who can make Director Wang patiently explain must be of a high rank.

However, compared to Elder Hua and Elder Li, it's not enough.

The reason Wang Sumei was still sitting there was mainly because these people were brought by Old Lady Yang. Old Lady Yang continued, "I said before that those drugs without side effects can't be mass-produced."

The elderly man who came seeking medicine frowned and glanced at Old Lady Yang and Wang Sumei. His gaze finally settled on Old Man Zhuang's dazed face. "I heard that although that medicine can slow down aging, it can't cure Alzheimer's disease."

"Okay!" Director Wang Sumei nodded. "You can go back and think about it slowly. If you can accept the side effects of the Lifespan 100 potion, just call me after the New Year."

"As for using those longevity potions without side effects, I can only tell you, it's extremely difficult!"

"Foreign billionaires are now asking for 1 million magnesium dollars per vial of that drug."

"If that kind of medicine were really easy to make, it would have been sold on Hong Kong Island long ago."

The old man seeking medicine shamelessly remained seated. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Could Comrade Wang introduce me to Consultant Zhang?"

“You have to talk to Elder Hua about this!” Wang Sumei’s expression suddenly turned serious. “Elder Kong, Elder Zhou, and Elder Tang all met Consultant Zhang through Elder Hua.”

"Besides, none of them have obtained that longevity potion without side effects, so seeing Consultant Zhang won't help."

The old man seeking medicine was embarrassed. If he had the ability to see Elder Hua, he wouldn't have had to go through all this trouble to find his way here.

After seeing off the people who came to ask for medicine, Old Mrs. Yang said to Wang Sumei apologetically, "That person was Lao Zhuang's old boss. Although Lao Zhuang has forgotten about him, I can't help it, sigh..."

"It's alright. Heping Hospital anticipated this kind of shamelessness, so they left several hundred extra doses of Lifespan 100 medicine at Heping Hospital." Wang Sumei comforted her helplessly, "If someone comes to you in the future and you really can't refuse, just bring them to me."

"However, we can't promise that kind of longevity potion without side effects. Even Heping's old father-in-law hasn't taken it yet, so how could it be their turn!"

“I understand. Heping told me last year that the new drug is still under development.” Grandma Yang also showed a helpless look.

"It is indeed under development!" Director Wang looked at Mr. Zhuang, who looked to be in his fifties, and smiled again. "The first longevity capsule launched by Peace Aerospace was launched to develop a new longevity drug."

Grandma Yang nodded to indicate that she understood, and after chatting for a few more minutes, she pulled her husband away.

Once the outsiders left, Director Wang's current husband, Li Ming, who had been hiding in the inner room, finally emerged leisurely.

"You must be very tired!" Li Ming, who is over sixty years old, walked over with a smile, pulled Wang Sumei to sit down on the sofa, and advised, "If you really can't take it, just quit your job there and stay at home to take care of your grandchildren."

“That won’t do!” Director Wang looked at his wife and said seriously, “You don’t understand the importance of peace, nor do you understand his character.”

"If he gets angry at some idiot and runs away, that would be a huge problem!"

Li Ming laughed and said, "The richest man in Hong Kong, a world-renowned medical expert and scientist, who doesn't know his reputation? Who would dare to drive him away!"

"Hmph!" Director Wang snorted coldly, "Knowing is one thing, doing is another."

"Besides, haven't you seen enough people who can't stand to see others do well and stab them in the back?"

"Fine! I can't argue with you!" Li Ming patted Wang Sumei's hand. "I'm just worried about you getting tired, after all, you've been retired for ten years!"

"I'm not tired, but there are many things I need to keep secret and can't tell you or our children," Wang Sumei said, leaning on her husband Li Ming's shoulder.

Li Ming leaned his head against his wife's head and laughed, "Whether we talk about it or not is no longer important. The amount of money that Heping Group has invested in the mainland in recent years has been increasing, and it must be due to your hard work in maintaining it."

Wang Sumei simply hummed in agreement. With her husband's understanding, the burden on her shoulders seemed to lighten considerably.

~
Capital, north bank of Houhai Lake.

Zhang Pandi had just returned home when she saw her eldest sister, Zhang Zhaodi, sitting at the dining table in a daze. She walked over to her with a slightly helpless expression.

When Zhang Zhaodi saw her second sister arrive, she first sighed and asked helplessly, "How many old men and women came to see you today?"

Zhang Pandi slumped heavily into the chair and casually replied, "Six. And you?"

“Eleven of them, five of whom were brought to me by Chang Sheng.” Zhang Zhaodi’s tone revealed a deep sense of helplessness and speechlessness.

"Where's my brother-in-law?" Zhang Pandi looked up at the courtyard, but saw no one and heard no sound.

"He's definitely hiding at his parents' house!" Zhang Zhaodi said irritably. "It's not good to embarrass him in front of outsiders this afternoon. When he gets back, I'll teach him a lesson!"

Zhang Pandi also disliked Chang Sheng's passing the buck approach. Knowing that many elderly people had been coming to see him recently, she could let it go if he didn't want to refuse them directly, but he could at least stall with some empty words rather than take them to her older sister Zhang Zhaodi.

"No one came looking for the longevity potion before, why are so many people coming to our door these past few days?" Zhang Pandi leaned back in her chair, puzzled. "Could it be that the longevity potion without side effects can be mass-produced now?"

"I'm too lazy to think about it. Why don't you call Heping and ask?" After saying this, Zhang Zhaodi got up and went to the stove to start a fire and boil water to prepare noodles.

Zhang Pandi took out her thin Heping brand smartphone and, as instructed, called her third brother Zhang Heping's phone.

A moment later, Zhang Pandi put her phone on the table and sneered at her older sister, "Sister, guess what the reason is?"

"Just say it!" Zhang Zhaodi said unhappily, "Today, I drank more than twenty cups of tea and went to the toilet seven or eight times just to deal with those people. I'm really annoyed!"

Zhang Pandi stopped beating around the bush and said with disdain, "He Ping said that a pharmaceutical company in the United States has produced a generic version of the Lifespan 100 drug, which is priced at 3000 million US dollars per vial. Those people may have heard about this."

"3000 million magnesium dollars a vial!" Zhang Zhaodi turned around in surprise and asked her second sister, "Are those old men and women coming here to pick up bargains?"

These days, having 10,000 yuan is already quite an achievement, let alone 30 million US dollars!
Those in the know thought that if the Americans could sell the longevity potion for 3000 million US dollars a vial, even if the Peace Group sold it for a lower price, even if it was only 3 US dollars a vial, they would still find it difficult to afford.

"What else did Heping say?" Zhang Zhaodi asked, then went to the cabinet to find noodles.

Zhang Pandi laughed and said, "He gave us 200 spots for the 100-dose longevity potion trial, and let us choose the people to try the drug, but the premise is that those people must accept side effects such as hair removal and tooth loss."

Zhang Zhaodi took a handful of noodles and walked to the stove, frowning as she said, "Today, three old men asked me if I had any longevity potions without side effects."

"They certainly dare to dream!" Zhang Pandi sneered. "He Ping said that currently only 100-life-extending potions are available. If they don't want to use them, that's fine too; we won't force them!" (End of Chapter)