Siheyuan: I eat melons while doing scientific research

Chapter 1476 Their Bottom Line (4k)

Let alone someone like the chief engineer, even someone outside the industry can sense the scientific rationality of Gao Zhendong's plan.

The rest was much simpler, at least Gao Zhendong didn't need to worry about it too much.

With the fuel formula in place, the remaining task is to synthesize the raw materials. This is somewhat challenging, but not necessarily very difficult, since the goal is very clear.

Especially since the dosage used in the early stages of testing was not high enough to warrant industrial-scale production, things are much easier. There's no need to consider costs or mass production, so it shouldn't be a major problem for the colleagues in the Applied Chemistry Department.

The Stirling engine was challenging, but since it was first proposed in 1816, it's not like there was absolutely no research on it, and a lot of existing data is actually publicly available.

With a solid theoretical foundation, comrades can move on to the specific design without being completely unprepared. When it comes to the actual engineering implementation stage, Gao Zhendong can also be of assistance if comrades need him.

"Zhendong, let's tentatively agree on this then. We'll need your help again if needed later." The chief engineer said, giving us a heads-up.

The probability of this happening is quite high.

Gao Zhendong nodded: "It's our duty. By the way, boss, there's something else I'd like to tell you. This time, it's really necessary for both of you to recuse yourselves."

Everyone laughed. It was good that they avoided it. For the two comrades from the Bohai Sea, the more things they needed to avoid, the more good news they had to do.

After the two comrades left and closed the door, the chief engineer turned around and asked, "What are your thoughts?"

Gao Zhendong did not answer directly, but asked, "Boss, you should be modifying conventionally powered ballistic missile submarines now, right?"

The chief engineer did not hide anything: "There is related work, for testing purposes, but only a few can be installed on it."

The scope of "related work" is quite broad, including research, demonstration, and manufacturing.
But no matter what, the fact that this matter exists makes things much easier. Gao Zhendong said, "If there is relevant work, I suggest integrating the air-independent propulsion system into this work, treating it as two things being tested together. Moreover, this propulsion module is independent. In the worst-case scenario, even if this module is not used at all, it will not have a significant impact on the previous work."

"what do you mean……"

He roughly understood what Gao Zhendong meant: installing an air-independent propulsion system on a conventionally powered ballistic missile nuclear submarine was essentially a weaker version of a proper strategic submarine.

But this doesn't seem very reliable.

Gao Zhendong nodded: "Yes, that's exactly what I mean, to maintain a minimum level of deterrence."

“But as I just said, we can only load a few rounds. I can give you a heads-up, two rounds,” the chief engineer said, frowning. He didn’t hide anything from Gao Zhendong.

This parameter is the one Gao Zhendong knew from his previous life. Gao Zhendong had even seen that boat before; two thick cylinders inside the conning tower were clearly visible through the drainage holes.

Gao Zhendong laughed: "Does the number of shots really matter with this thing?"

There's another factor – nuclear coercion. Nobody dares to gamble on who they'll target when someone launches a large-scale nuclear attack, especially given the current state of coordination mechanisms and early warning systems. It's highly likely that if someone else launches, then we'll have to launch one too.

As the saying goes, it's better for both sides to lose than for one side to win.

Therefore, the binding force these days is real, and it's not even a proactive strategy, but rather a helpless choice under technological and environmental conditions.

The chief engineer smiled and said, "That seems to make sense." He understood the logic, but he still had a question: "But could a conventional submarine get out of there?"

The submarine-launched missiles currently "in operation," thanks to the GAP propellant, have a significantly increased range compared to what Gao Zhendong knew in his previous life. However, they still fall short of hitting the biggest hypothetical enemy in the fortified waters of the south, where they are now largely established. They still need to move forward to achieve this.

This puts a lot of pressure on conventional submarines.

Gao Zhendong nodded and said, "Currently, anti-submarine warfare isn't really that reliable, so conventional submarines have a chance to go forward. Moreover, our submarines have excellent stealth capabilities, which increases the chances even more..."

Let alone now, even in Gao Zhendong's past life, when the Americans mocked that our nuclear submarines could be heard across the Pacific Ocean as soon as they left port, they were just as nervous as our strategic submarines were not in port.

"Hmm...that makes sense." The chief engineer knew about the stealth capabilities the new submarine could achieve, and he knew Gao Zhendong knew even better, because it was Gao Zhendong who spearheaded the project.

Gao Zhendong pressed on, saying, "In this situation, the most important thing for a submarine is to have an underwater endurance that exceeds the norm, coupled with a greater diving depth, which increases the probability of it going forward. So my idea is to at least consider it as an emergency technology reserve."

The chief engineer pondered for a moment and nodded: "Yes, it is indeed worth considering. The key is that if this is successful, it will not cost too much to apply to the experimental submarine. At least it will give others a shock and raise the bar for their use."

After all, no one dares to be like that certain anti-Japanese hero, gambling every day that the other side's gun has no bullets.

After seeing off the chief engineer who had been greatly inspired, Gao Zhendong turned around and sat down. This time things were relatively stable. Even if some parts went wrong, other parts could make up for it.

Gao Zhendong never believed that strategic effects could be achieved through extremely complex and ingenious interconnected plans. In other words, for anything of importance, such so-called "strategy" was nonsense.

This kind of "strategy" requires not only that no single step can go wrong, but also an extremely high level of luck to ensure that the minimum requirements for the plan are met in terms of the success of each step and the timing.

So, the heavens are practically feeding you? You're a darling of the world, a chosen one of destiny.

Even the wisest strategist like Zhuge Liang in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms was helpless against Sima Yi, who remained holed up in the wilderness, when the country's strength was insufficient. He launched six expeditions to Qishan but failed to succeed.

The only chance they had was the first time they failed because they didn't achieve their planned objectives—that's when Ma Su went up the mountain... And their weakness left the entire operation plan with no room for error. Even the Marquis of Wu was helpless; with so little resources, it was really hard to expand the margin for error.

If Zhuge Liang was this ruthless when executing such strategies, most other people would probably just give up and go to sleep.

Gao Zhendong believes in preparing in a saturated manner when conditions permit, and in advancing toward the goal from multiple directions, multiple paths, and multiple aspects, starting from every possible path, every possibility, and every possible condition.

If the conditions are not available, try to create them.

"We've done everything we can, and some things are still in progress. There shouldn't be any problems now," Gao Zhendong shook his head and sat down to continue working.
-
Gaul, Champs-Élysées, in Mr. Seine's office.

“Mr. Sena, the Easterner’s reply has arrived.”

"Let me see it quickly!" Sena was a little anxious. This matter not only involved interests, but also breaking the ice. For him personally, it was even an honor. He could do what others could not.

Sena even considered naming this operation "Operation Icebreaker".

However, the name carries too strong a military connotation, and the Gauls haven't had any noteworthy military achievements for a long time, so it's best to just let it go.

Taking the documents from his subordinate, Sena quickly scanned them, a smile spreading across his face. "Overall, not bad. They're shrewd, but haven't gone too far. There's still a foundation for continuing. This is good news, and I think we should inform that gentleman of it."

He knew he couldn't succeed on his first try. There's an Eastern saying that everything is difficult at the beginning, and now he was at the very beginning.

At least the door wasn't closed, and the other party didn't show any refusal; they even made some demands, which made it possible for things to move forward.

The next thing had to be reported to that man. This matter was somewhat complicated, and without his support, Sena couldn't handle so many colleagues with different ideas and demands.

“Well done, my Mr. Sena, you have truly opened my eyes.”

Sena felt a little embarrassed listening to the man's words, but he couldn't remind him that the Eastern expression "to look at someone with new eyes" shouldn't be used like that.

Well, at least the other person was genuinely praising me.

“I must thank you for your help, sir. Without everything you provided, I wouldn’t have been able to pry open this gap,” Sena said with a slight bow and a smile.

The man sitting at the head of the table smiled and shook his head. In his opinion, Sena had not so much pried open the crack as he had discovered it.

If the other party has no intention of taking action, Sena alone cannot break through their defenses.

The man was well aware that, to some extent, the Eastern country was in a similar predicament to his own, and perhaps even more severely isolated and isolated.

The other side has firm beliefs, but they need international space.

However, he didn't mention this fact, which was rather disrespectful to the overjoyed Mr. Sena. And indeed, he was the one who discovered the crack, something he hadn't even anticipated.

“Mr. Sena, you’ve done a great job. Now you can make your request. I’m sure there’s something you need my help with.”

"Regarding the conditions they proposed for future reciprocal investments..."

Most of the responses from the other party were things that Senna could handle, but this was the one thing that Senna couldn't decide.

She might not even be able to handle the man in front of her well.

Ultimately, whether the territory they controlled would change was not up to the Gauls themselves; the people on those lands also had considerable say. Although the Gauls nurtured many Mangosteen people, the only constant in this world is change.

But the other party is more qualified than me.

"What's your opinion, Mr. Sena?"

“I’m inclined to agree to their terms. If we disregard the potential issues of investment location, it’s actually a very normal business term.” Sena is very keen to make this happen.

To make this happen, he had to consider the other party's attitude, and Easterners are known for their insistence on their bottom line. Citibank knew this all too well.

The man nodded: "You're right. But have you considered that the other party might not be entirely motivated by business?"

"Not entirely for business?" But Sena doesn't understand anything else besides business.

"Yes... Don't forget what's written on their most famous city tower."

Now I understand.

Because of that city gate, Seine made a special trip to visit it and even asked the translator about all the details.

The thought of those large, square characters sent a chill down Sena’s spine and filled him with fear once again.

They genuinely think that way, and they've been doing it all along. This poses a tremendous threat to Seine, to the country of Seine, and even to a wider world—a threat that could directly threaten their very survival.

We can't let them have the chance to sow the seeds; Sena knows that Easterners especially love farming.

“Sir, I think I understand. I will firmly refuse their offer.” Sena felt he had found his direction.

Unexpectedly, the man shook his head again: "No, don't agree to them so easily, but that's not our bottom line. When things can't move forward, you can consider agreeing to them conditionally."

Sena looked at the man: "Sir, why? Since you mentioned those big words..."

"Because this is their bottom line...and we need to facilitate this cooperation."

When the man said this, he didn't realize that his behavior perfectly illustrated how ornaments could grow on streetlights.

As someone once said, what they always pursue is profit, and this man's words are the most vivid illustration of this statement.

Sena was even less aware of these things, and even among the people of the old district, most of them would subconsciously avoid these assertions.

"Why? I don't think it's even as important as the ratio of 51 to 49."

“You have to learn to think for yourself, Mr. Sena. But I’ve thought about this decision for you first. Because if we don’t agree to reciprocal terms, the other side will refuse any further possibilities because of what happened in the last 100 years. Many people get stuck in this quagmire because they haven’t considered this reason.”

For example, that big guy to their north.

"But what you just mentioned about the large characters on the city gate tower..."

“We can restrict them through detailed terms to prevent them from spreading their seed everywhere, but at least we must be prepared to make a commitment to this explicit prerequisite.”

The man's meaning is simple: try to struggle, and if you really can't struggle, then make a promise to them.

In fact, this man is preparing to make some decisions that will cause great upheaval. Although it will take time and the right opportunity before they are officially implemented, he is really carefully considering and preparing for this day.

By then, the pressure and actions from Citizens and their century-old neighbors will be considerable, and the Gauls will also need a new space that does not belong to the East or West.

(End of this chapter)