Break out of the courtyard

Chapter 865 Still in Wucheng
Monday, August 1992, 1.

Wucheng Shipbuilding Company, Research and Development Department.

"Can this aircraft carrier fleet really be built?"

Faced with the question from the slightly overweight elderly man in gray, the chief engineer of the R&D department, who was waiting nearby, hurriedly replied: "This aircraft carrier fleet model was manufactured using a 3D printer at a scale of 1:300, 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 warship models floating in the pool in the center of the R&D department hall and felt it was somewhat unreal.

Even though some of them had known in advance that Wucheng was going to build an aircraft carrier, and even though they had come to this top-secret research and development department, they still felt that this change came too suddenly.

Hua Lao looked at the gray-clad old man next to him, who was much shorter than him, and introduced with a smile: "The current aircraft carrier fleet of the United States consists of a core aircraft carrier, plus some air defense destroyers, anti-submarine frigates, attack nuclear submarines, comprehensive 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 are needed to generate a certain deterrent force; while the United States currently has 15 such aircraft carrier fleets!"

"In order to cope with the possibility of 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, who was accompanying the tour, asked doubtfully, "Isn't that too few?"

Hua Lao laughed and said, "We don't need to deploy military bases all over the world like the United States, or rely on aircraft carrier fleets to deter other countries, so three sets are enough!"

"How much does one such aircraft carrier fleet cost to build? What are the future maintenance costs? How much damage will it suffer in a battle?" The old man in gray asked three questions in a row, his brows furrowed deeply.

He advocated prioritizing economic development and using reductions in military spending and troop numbers to project weakness to external enemies in order to pursue peaceful development.

In his view, the country already possesses nuclear deterrent capabilities; only by developing the economy and improving people's lives can the current major social contradictions be resolved.

Hua Lao smiled without saying a word and looked at Xu Huizhi, the person in charge of Wucheng Shipbuilding Company, who was standing to the side.

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

After leaving Xishuangbanna and joining the navy, she rose to the rank of captain and became a regimental-level officer.

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

Just as everyone was puzzled by her irrelevant answer, Xu Huizhi said, "According to Consultant Zhang, if we only produce 3 sets of aircraft carrier fleets, the cost will be too high, and it will be difficult to support our company and the supporting equipment manufacturers with the maintenance costs of those aircraft carrier fleets."

"Therefore, he proposed that after the aircraft carrier fleet is completed, large commercial cruise ships and cargo ships should be produced to spread the cost of the aircraft carrier fleet in terms of quantity, while also further reducing subsequent maintenance costs."

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

"In addition to the supporting miniature thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plant, the cost of building an aircraft carrier fleet, as well as its future operating and maintenance costs, will not exceed half the cost of a single existing US aircraft carrier fleet."

After a moment of silence, a middle-aged woman wearing a black turtleneck sweater and a blue work jacket spoke up and asked, "Manager Xu, after all you've said, we still don't understand how much your aircraft carrier fleet costs?"

Xu Huizhi spread her hands, looking somewhat helpless, and said, "To be honest, we've been pouring money into other factories, hoping they can develop the production equipment we need as soon as possible according to Consultant Zhang's design drawings."

"The money invested in the early stages is actually part of the cost; if it is only spread across the three aircraft carrier fleets, each aircraft carrier fleet has already added at least 1 billion US dollars in factory equipment costs before production even begins."

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

"Most importantly, our Wucheng Shipbuilding Company is a joint venture, and we also need to consider the distribution of foreign investment interests. These things haven't been discussed yet."

The old man in gray looked at Elder Hua with a puzzled expression and asked, "Shouldn't such a thing be agreed upon in black and white before the joint venture is established?"

Seeing that the other party had indeed followed their line of thought and asked this question, Elder Hua said with a hint of regret, "You know, the military spending these past few years..."

"Forget it, let's not talk about that anymore. I'll try to communicate with the higher-ups again this year, and hopefully they'll give in."

The old man in gray was also a shrewd old man. With just two sentences, he understood the other party's hidden meaning: that the other party was blaming him for the previous reduction.

“Alright!” The old man in gray did not ask any further questions, but nodded and said, “Take me with you when you go to the capital, I’ll go and listen in too.”

Upon hearing this reply, Hua Lao smiled again.

He deliberately created suspense by framing the internal problems of Wucheng Shipbuilding Company, keeping the other party hanging, with a hint of mockery in his mind.

In fact, the reason why Wucheng Shipbuilding Company did not reach an agreement with Umbrella Security Company on profit sharing is because this year's military budget has not yet been released, and the three sets of aircraft carrier fleets that are ready for production have not yet 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 building aircraft carriers here long ago.

After leaving the Wucheng Shipbuilding Company, the group visited the nearby Wucheng Shipyard and then went to the thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plant in southern Wucheng.

……

“Our Wucheng No. 1 thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plant was started in October 1987 and officially connected to the grid in June 1990. The designed annual power generation is 75 billion kilowatt-hours, and the actual power generation in the first year after grid connection is about 67 billion kilowatt-hours.”

"The reason for the 8 million kWh reduction is that some emergency tests under extreme conditions were conducted during the period, resulting in several power outages."

"What is a kilowatt-hour?" someone whispered to their companion in the crowd of visitors, only to be overheard by an engineer who was explaining the nuclear power plant.

"10 million kilowatt-hours is one kilowatt-hour of electricity." The engineer in front explained with a smile, "67 billion kilowatt-hours can meet the annual electricity needs of approximately 8 million households."

The elderly man in gray asked, "What was the construction cost of your nuclear power plant? What is the cost of generating electricity? And how much do you sell it to the State Grid for?"

The engineer hurriedly replied, "The first thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plant invested by the Peace Group in Taishan cost 13.5 billion magnesium yuan."

"These 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 China Southern Power 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 later asked, "How could the cost be reduced by 8.5 million magnesium dollars all of a sudden?"

Hua Lao laughed and said, "This is the same situation as Wucheng Shipbuilding Company. The cost of the first Taishan thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plant included the manufacturing cost of the new equipment in those factories."

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

"Actually, the cost of 5 million magnesium dollars is still too high. The exchange rate has changed a lot in recent years. The RMB has depreciated by 43%, which has made those factories very happy."

The old man in gray nodded, then looked at the engineer who was giving the introduction. The engineer continued, "Because our raw materials are all procured by the Southern Power Company, the power generation cost of thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plants in various regions can be controlled at 5 cents per kilowatt-hour. The State Grid's purchase price for us is 1 cents per kilowatt-hour."

"The annual power generation is 75 billion kilowatt-hours, and you earn 5 cents per kilowatt-hour, resulting in an annual profit of 3.75 million yuan?" An accompanying staff member exclaimed in shock, "The construction cost of the nuclear power plant was recovered in less than 10 years!"

One of the entourage members, who was good at calculations, remarked, "The recent exchange rate seems to be 1 to 5.4. The cost of 5 million magnesium dollars is 27 billion RMB. To be precise, the cost can be recovered in less than 8 years!"

The engineer in charge of the presentation thought they thought nuclear power plants were too profitable, and hurriedly said, "You only see the surface profits, and you haven't thought about the construction costs of the lines and equipment between the power plant and the electricity consumer."

"And also, we..."

The head of the Wucheng No. 1 thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plant stepped forward, interrupting the engineer's subsequent remarks about the maintenance company, and said with a smile: "Those profits will be reinvested in other places to build more thorium-based molten salt reactor nuclear power plants and power facilities."

The old man in gray had long heard of Zhang Heping's ability to make money, but he never expected that the 149 billion magnesium yuan he invested in the Southern Power Company would be recovered so quickly.

While secretly congratulating himself on the success of developing technology, he was even more eager to meet this young capitalist, scientist, and educator he had heard so much about...

Thinking of Zhang Heping's numerous titles, the gray-robed old man smiled at Hua Lao and said, "I'm a little curious, can the highways that Heping Group invests in in China also recoup their costs so quickly?"

Mr. Hua understood the implication: with so few cars in China, it would be difficult to recoup costs as quickly as with nuclear power plants.

After thinking for a moment, Mr. Hua answered the seemingly casual question, “In 86, the Heping Group’s land, sea and air companies invested 16.5 billion US dollars to build two expressways between Huadu and Zhuhai, and between Huadu and Shenzhen.”

"Since these two expressways were completed and opened to traffic, trucks transporting agricultural and fishery products such as vegetables, fruits, fish and meat, as well as military vehicles, ambulances and fire trucks, have been granted free passage, and all vehicles have been granted free passage during holidays."

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

The old man in gray nodded again, "It will only take a dozen years to recoup the construction costs of the expressway. When we go to Huadu, you must take me to see those two expressways."

Old Hua laughed and said, "Even if you hadn't told me, I would have taken you to see it. The highway exit ramp over there has been built into a music highway, which has attracted many foreigners to visit and learn."

The old man in gray asked with a smile, "Is it the highway that was announced at the World Internet Forum, where cars driving by can play the music 'My Motherland and I'?"

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

~
When Zhang Heping returned to Shenzhen, he was first greeted by a group of secretaries and guards; none of the person in charge who could keep his word came.

"Advisor Zhang, even if it's just to have our guards put on a show and stand watch at the door, that would be fine. Just consider it a favor!" The middle-aged male secretary from Huadu was unusually humble towards Zhang Heping, almost bowing to him.

As for guarding the gate, the guards transferred from Huadu can simply stand at the gate; they don't need Zhang Heping's permission.

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

"Excuse me, you can do as you please outside the door, but not inside!" Zhang Heping said with a serious expression. "You should have heard that a biology expert from this academy recently defected to the United States."

"Let's not even talk about how he managed to take his family all the way to Shanghai, and then fly to the United States via Tokyo and Japan."

"Given the current level of secrecy, your involvement could easily lead to unnecessary misunderstandings."

Zhang Heping had already said all this, but the secretaries in Huadu were still hesitating. Clearly, they couldn't make the decision and wouldn't be able to explain it to their superiors.

Then Zhang Heping said, "How about this, I'll ask Elder Hua to talk to your leaders about this later, and you can go back to the guesthouse and wait for further notice!"

The middle-aged male secretary at the head of the group secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Thank you for your understanding, Consultant Zhang. We'll go back and wait for your notification!"

After watching the group of secretaries and guards from Huadu leave, Zhang Heping, who was standing at the school gate, asked Liang Kai, the secretary from Shenfu who hadn't left, "They all sent guards over, why didn't Shenfu send anyone over to show their support?"

"Advisor Zhang is joking. The guards we and the guards sent from Huadu each have at most a small pistol. How could we possibly show off our limited 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 guards' weapons look like plastic toy water guns; they are actually the latest type of laser weapons.

When fully charged, that laser gun has a minimum power that can kill 1000 people in succession, and a maximum power that can penetrate a tank in one go!
This is only the surface-level equipment that Liu Yuan told him about. The unknown equipment hidden in the academy by jungle camouflage canvas and guarded by people for a long time should be the biggest asset of the Peace Academy's security.

Moreover, there are military camps and air defense systems on the southern mountain behind!

“If it’s inconvenient for you to send guards with you, you can arrange for them to visit the Shenzhen Smart City Management Center first, you know what I mean!” Zhang Heping gave a suggestion and then 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, who was the director of the Smart City Management Center.

Secretary Liang guessed that Zhang Heping wanted to give his old classmate some exposure, but the next second, Secretary Liang changed his mind. He remembered what Liu Yuan had told him about Zhang Heping being wrongly accused of murder in the capital.

If the capital city also had a smart city management center, it would only be necessary to retrieve surveillance footage from the vicinity of the deceased to rule out Zhang Heping as a suspect.

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

From finding a missing person to catching a murderer...

As Secretary Liang pondered, he suddenly shook his head, feeling that some cases couldn't be discussed, as doing so would only highlight the poor public security in Shenzhen.

Thinking about the security situation in Shenzhen, Secretary Liang couldn't help but think of those motorcycle thieves, and then he was horrified. What if the leaders who came to inspect the city saw a motorcycle thief snatching a bag on the monitoring screen of the smart city management center!

"No! No!" Secretary Liang slapped his forehead and muttered to himself, "What if the inspecting leaders run into a motorcycle thief snatching their bags on the road? We're doomed!"

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

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

Especially for tasks that require cooperation and effort from other departments.

If Secretary Liang reports the matter to the higher-ups, and the higher-ups then assign the matter to him to coordinate with the relevant departments, it would be disastrous.

Even if his superior doesn't make things difficult for him, people in other departments will still think he's too low-ranking and won't cooperate with him!

Of course, this excludes those with exceptionally strong connections...

(End of this chapter)