Siheyuan: I eat melons while doing scientific research

Chapter 1343 Lou Shouxing's New Toy (5k)

"You mean, use the reservoir of the Wushuidu Hydropower Station to supply water to the reactor?"

Gao Zhendong nodded: "Yes, this would save the cost of a large reservoir. And it's not just about saving the cost of a reservoir; the costs of site preparation, material storage, transportation, waste disposal, and construction for the reactor project can be integrated with the Wushuidu project, which would also save a lot of money. Moreover, while the Wushuidu Reservoir is supplying water by gravity, a backup water intake point can be built directly on the Wushui River downstream of the Wushuidu power station to ensure the reactor's water supply security to the greatest extent possible. Of course, this is just a suggestion; it doesn't necessarily have to be done this way."

The cost of gravity water supply for the Wushuidu Hydropower Station is much lower than that of the original large-scale pumping station cluster. If we carefully consider these savings and build a backup water source that draws water directly from the main stream of the Wushui River, it will greatly benefit the safe operation of the power station.

Although the two projects cannot be adjacent, as long as they are in the same large area, comprehensive planning will always be beneficial.

However, this is uncertain. After all, the main function of the Wushuidu Hydropower Station is power generation, and other factors may also influence the matter. Therefore, Gao Zhendong has only put forward the idea; whether or not it will be implemented will depend on a comprehensive assessment and survey.

It's worth noting that even whether this project should be carried out on the ground is still uncertain.

However, his words made the leader laugh.

"You 'Qianshan person,' you really always try to bring all the good things back to Qianshan!"

You know what, although reactors sound a bit dangerous, they're actually a really good thing, especially if you add the power plant component.

Without power plants, the economy would only be boosted by consumption. But with power plants, it's a different story. The importance of energy for a rapidly developing country is self-evident.

"Sir, as you know, whether it's the electrolytic aluminum in Qianshan or the electronics industry that is being planned and constructed, electricity is very important. Although there is no shortage of hydropower resources there, construction takes time, and even if it is completed, hydropower is seasonal, and its frequency regulation and peak shaving functions are somewhat lacking. Nuclear power and thermal power do not have this problem."

The mountains of Guizhou have both coal and water, and have already become a coal base for the Coal Mountain Special Zone. The Wushuidu Hydropower Station was already a key project during the Third Front construction. Adding the power generation component of this reactor would make it even better.

While graphite-cooled reactors aren't the optimal type for power generation, they are still nuclear reactors. From a safety perspective, the nuclear power plant that Polar Bear bombed, although it was a graphite-cooled reactor, was more due to human error than the reactor itself. Of all the graphite-cooled reactors Polar Bear built, only one was destroyed; the others are all fine.

As for why it has so many graphite-based cold reactors, just look at its Tsar Bomba numbers. For the present and even for the next twenty years, graphite reactors and heavy water reactors are the best options for producing Pu-239.

Therefore, in Gao Zhendong's view, the best outcome would be if the power generation capacity of this reactor could be developed.

The leader didn't really understand what Gao Zhendong meant by frequency regulation and peak shaving; it was probably some kind of terminology in the power industry. The leader was used to Gao Zhendong knowing a little about everything, but at least one thing he was certain of was that what Gao Zhendong said was absolutely not a lie.

If we consider it this way, the construction of this reactor is indeed questionable; we need to think carefully about how to proceed.

"Zhendong, I have received your opinions on this matter. I will convey them truthfully. The opinions of all the experts are very important. As for the outcome, it is hard to say now. Of course, you may still have to attend the meeting." The leader cannot make any decisions right now; the decision-making power still rests with those above. Today, he is collecting opinions from relevant experts regarding the preliminary plan, and Gao Zhendong is one of the "relevant experts."

Gao Zhendong was aware of the situation and smiled, "I'm ready to be called upon at any time." Being able to participate in this project was like a windfall for Gao Zhendong. It had nothing to do with profit, only with personal feelings.

At this point, the leader didn't stop the conversation. He changed the subject: "You just mentioned two levels of disapproval. One is your disapproval of the plan, and the other is your disapproval of the project. You only mentioned your disapproval of the plan itself, so why do you also disapprove of the project?"

This is what the leader finds most perplexing.

It's perfectly normal for Gao Zhendong to have suggestions for revising the plan. Given Gao Zhendong's abilities and habits, it's perfectly normal for him to offer his own insights on existing plans.

However, his outright disapproval of the project completely baffled the leadership, which was unlike Gao Zhendong's usual style. Based on Gao Zhendong's past habits, he should have wholeheartedly supported such matters.

Therefore, the leaders were very curious about why he disapproved of the project.

Upon hearing the leader's question, Gao Zhendong said, "Actually, some of the reasons I disagree with this project were already mentioned earlier. The limited functionality, long construction period, and high cost are all reasons, but these are not the main reasons, as these can all be improved to some extent. The core reason I disagree with this project is..."

What Gao Zhendong said next almost made the leader stumble.

"...because we already have a Pu-239 production reactor! Its production capacity should be able to keep up with our needs for fusion weapons for the time being."

These words sent shockwaves through the leader's mind—how did he know?

Although Gao Zhendong already knows a lot of things, this kind of core secret, which is not meant to be disseminated unless absolutely necessary, should theoretically be unknown to him at the moment, according to the system and procedures.

"Huh? How did you know??!!!" The leader didn't even use a vague question like "Why do you say that?"

In fact, the reason Gao Zhendong knew about this was very simple: he knew it in his previous life. Moreover, he also knew that the production start time in this timeline was much earlier than he knew in his previous life, but this reason certainly cannot be used here.

"I'm guessing, and my evidence is that our fusion bomb successfully exploded! Theoretically speaking, using Pu-239 as a trigger is more feasible to detonate the fusion bomb, that's my guess." Gao Zhendong's reasoning sounded quite reasonable.

Looking at his smiling face, the leader now had a new feeling about Gao Zhendong's "know-it-all" attitude. This kid really does know everything.

Gao Zhendong said, “It seems I wasn’t wrong. Now that we have stable production capacity, in my personal opinion, there’s not much need to continue building this single-purpose production reactor. I think we should consider taking a step forward and seriously study reactor types that can both generate electricity and produce. That’s why I suggested putting the reactor on the ground; it’s difficult to do all this inside a mountain. Actually, I’ve already explained my complete thoughts in what I just said. What I don’t approve of is single-purpose reactor projects. After all, we have limited funds, and I hope to do as much as we can.”

Gao Zhendong knew that if this project were built inside the mountain, there was a high probability that the final outcome would be the same as what he knew in his previous life. In that case, it would be better to put it outside and lay the foundation for the energy reactor. If that were the case, then even if it took a little more time, it wouldn't be a big deal.

He wasn't aiming for some advanced reactor design; he simply wanted to add a power generation component to the Pu-239 production reactor. After all, the reactor would always generate heat, so why not? And although this graphite-based graphite-cooled reactor was different from the later mainstream pressurized water reactor, the experience gained in the power generation component was still somewhat useful and would be applicable in the future.

Moreover, all those graphite reactors at the White Bear Nuclear Power Plant were running perfectly fine. If it weren't for the lapse in judgment of the plant's operators, not a single one would have exploded. And yet, they managed to seal off the reactor afterwards. Compared to the Japanese, who let the molten material from the reactor burn through the floor and leak, they were far superior.

"Hmm... I've noted it all down. In any case, everyone will definitely move in the direction that best satisfies the interests of the people and the country," the leader nodded.

However, he did not say more. Satisfying the interests of the masses does not necessarily mean generating electricity. Protecting the masses is the greatest benefit, and other things can be considered and taken into account later.

After leaving the National Defense Commission, Gao Zhendong seemed lost in thought in the car.

He opened the system, intending to start a search, but then stopped after thinking about it.

Since the next step is unclear, it's best not to take any action for now and wait until the direction becomes clear. Moreover, regardless of the next step, it involves a vast system, and the sources of information in this field are relatively limited, with details often obscured. Much of the publicly available information is rather vague. It's best to continue waiting and see if the details have been addressed; that way, we can be more targeted and perhaps better solve the problem.

Just as Gao Zhendong was about to shut down the system, he suddenly stopped his consciousness.

As the old saying goes, since you're already here, why not give it a shot! Gao Zhendong still has the resources to try his luck. The most important thing is to have a clear mind; since he's already decided on this, why not go for it? Being stingy won't get him anywhere.

Gao Zhendong, who was known for his impulsive nature, simply delivered a double blow.

The book was pretty useless, mainly because Gao Zhendong really had no appreciation for literature, so he just tossed it aside.

But the other one is quite interesting; it had a 50% sell-through rate, not bad! My face turned incredibly white!
Looking at the book's title, Gao Zhendong fell silent. What a coincidence! Although it didn't completely overlap with today's topic, it was somewhat related. This damn system must be spying on me.

Gao Zhendong put the book away and then thought of his other buff—the gift of his hometown.

It seems like combining the two could create something interesting.

Gao Zhendong looked at the system interface thoughtfully.
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Regardless of how this matter develops, the most urgent thing facing Gao Zhendong is to explain Lou Shouxing's situation clearly.

"How was it? Had enough fun?" Gao Zhendong joked, looking at his brother-in-law.

"This stuff is great! It's fantastic!" Lou Shouxing looked at the complete set of terminals that Gao Zhendong had taken back, his eyes pleading like a child whose toy had been confiscated.

What you learn from books is never enough; you must put it into practice to truly understand. No matter how vividly the instruction manual describes it, it can't compare to the real experience of using it yourself. Lou Shouxing truly felt the convenience of this device.

This small device can deliver information within 24 hours, no matter how far away it is. Moreover, even if someone obtains the communication device without the key, they cannot access the specific data content.

This delay will be considered garbage decades later, but at this time, it was enough to give Lou Shouxing a profound shock about modern communication technology.

From now on, he can contact his family anytime, anywhere! This gave Lou Shouxing, who was stationed overseas, a great sense of reassurance.

However, he had already mastered this technique, and Gao Zhendong was about to take it away. His own set would be waiting for him in Macau or Hong Kong. This left Lou Shouxing, who had just started learning, with a sense of regret.

"Alright, alright, stop acting like a kid who's lost a toy. Let's talk about the important thing that brought you back. Go and invite Dad over, and we'll discuss it in detail," Gao Zhendong said with a smile.

Lou Shouxing's expression turned serious. The veteran actor has arrived!

A moment later, Lou's father also entered the study.

"Brother, don't be sad. Although your toys were taken away, this incident is related to toys." Gao Zhendong continued to joke with Lou Shouxing.

"A toy? What kind of toy would warrant such a big fuss?" Lou Shouxing laughed. Although Gao Zhendong's words were somewhat joking, Lou Shouxing became even more interested in this "toy."

The toy must be something special for your brother-in-law to make such a big fuss about shaking you back from outside.

Gao Zhendong didn't answer directly, but instead asked about something else: "Brother, how are the handheld game consoles selling?"

Speaking of this, Lou Shouxing is no longer sleepy.

“Great. Although there aren’t many games and the graphics are simple, it’s very replayable and there are no competitors in the market. Apart from the high sales at the beginning of its release, the shipment volume has been very stable. What’s limiting sales is our production capacity.”

Don't be fooled by the few simple games; for children with sufficient purchasing power, this thing is extremely attractive. Moreover, the core of this product consists of two parts: the TN-LCD and the dedicated IC for storage and game execution. One of these components is controlled by Zhenxing Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., and the other is controlled by mainland China, both of which are tightly controlled.

After all, the integrated circuit technology outside is still far behind the domestic level. Not to mention that it is impossible to reach this level, even if it were possible, it would not be used to produce game ICs.

Considering that Apollo was still using magnetic core memory as the main memory for the lunar landing computer in 1969, it's not hard to guess what the level of semiconductor technology was like in the mid-60s.

The only factor limiting Zhenxing Electronics' shipments is the speed of IC supply from its home market. Before the expanded semiconductor production capacity is fully operational, the volume can't be large; after all, squeezing out even a small amount of capacity to produce gaming ICs is already the limit. The domestic semiconductor industry has more important things to do right now.

However, Zhenxing Electric Technology is not in a hurry. A steady and gradual approach may not be a bad thing, especially when the product is firmly in their grasp.

Thinking about this, Lou Shouxing seemed to realize something.

"Zhendong, are you planning to expand production of handheld consoles? Increase IC supply?" This is a big deal, so it's barely acceptable for me to make a trip, even...

"Could it be that the family is planning to give us one of their outdated IC production lines?" If so, then this trip will be even more worthwhile! Lou Shouxing was overjoyed.

Gao Zhendong shook his head: "It's impossible in the short term, don't even think about it, hahaha. Our outdated IC lines are extremely advanced even in the outside world. Let's consider this again after some time."

Seeing that Gao Zhendong hadn't given up, Lou Shouxing, though somewhat disappointed, wasn't discouraged. As long as there was an opportunity, Zhendong and his comrades here would naturally seize it.

"Then what is the connection between this matter and the handheld console?" Since it's not related, it means there are other benefits to this trip. Lou Shouxing wasn't greedy at all. He knew that what came from his brother-in-law might not be any less beneficial than the benefits of the IC production line.

After all, even if they were given a production line to phase out, it could only be used for manufacturing; the underlying technology of semiconductor processes could not be leaked. However, the brother-in-law himself could directly hand over the underlying technology to Zhenxing Electronics Technology Co., Ltd., since he owns half of that group.

Gao Zhendong laughed and said, "Don't you think the games on handheld consoles are too simple? Whether it's the graphics, gameplay, levels, flow, or sound, they're all lacking something?"

"Yeah, that's the feeling. Others might not feel it, but I've probably been exposed to too many handheld games, and I feel like I'm getting a bit bored with the same few games all the time." Lou Shouxing's situation is a typical example of an elevated dopamine threshold; he needs better games to really engage him.

Gao Zhendong laughed and said, "What if there was a game console that could be directly connected to a TV, used as an output, and that solved all the above shortcomings, and could also be used to play games? Do you think that would be a good idea?"

Lou Shouxing almost jumped up: "Really? You're really giving it to me?"

He knew all too well what appeal Gao Zhendong was talking about to those energetic foreign kids. Let alone kids, even adults couldn't resist the temptation.

Although Lou Shouxing couldn't yet imagine just how amazing the game Gao Zhendong was talking about would be, just hearing his general description made him incredibly eager to try it.

And you can even switch games! Lou Shouxing wasn't stupid; he knew this meant another stable source of income—selling games!

(End of this chapter)