Who would still be a social slave when they are so rich?

In the final assembly workshop office, Su Chen and Grandpa Xiao were sitting at the tea table, drinking tea and chatting.

Li Qiwen suddenly pushed the door open and walked to Su Chen's side, whispering something to him. Su Chen nodded, waved his hand to signal him to go and prepare, and then turned to look at Old Master Xiao, who was drinking tea.

"Sir, the tilt detonation engine has been disassembled and transported to the test workshop. Shall we go over and take a look now?"

"Let's go! Let's go take a look right away!" Upon hearing this, Old Master Xiao's eyes lit up instantly. He put down his teacup and stood up without hesitation.

Compared to static observation and close-up viewing of the White Emperor's revolutionary engine, he would much rather see it roaring, which is undoubtedly more attractive.

The group soon arrived at the dedicated test workshop connected to the final assembly workshop. The atmosphere here was completely different from that of the final assembly workshop; it was exceptionally quiet, with only a peculiar smell of metal and propellant permeating the air.

In the middle of the workshop, a huge and complex test bench is in place. At the center of the bench, the tilt detonation engine that was just unloaded from the "White Emperor" is firmly fixed by various pipelines and high-strength supports, revealing its more complete form.

Unlike the partial view from the plane, the fully exposed engine here showcases its ingenious design and unique structure to the fullest extent.

Unlike traditional painted engines with their prominent, massive fan and turbine blade assembly, this engine is more like an extremely optimized, complex fluid channel. It extensively utilizes special alloys constructed using unibody molding and 3D printing techniques, and its surface is covered with sensor interfaces for monitoring pressure, temperature, and vibration.

Li Qiwen and several core engineers, including Wen Zhanpeng, are conducting final testing and data connection confirmation at the test bench.

Mr. Xiao stood in front of the isolation observation window and looked carefully. Suddenly, he noticed a young figure among the busy people. This immediately aroused his curiosity. After all, anyone who could appear in the test workshop must be a core member of the project.

He then turned to Su Chen, pointed at the young man, and asked curiously, "Where did you find that young man?"

Su Chen immediately walked to the isolation observation window and looked in the direction that Grandpa Xiao was pointing. When he saw the person's appearance, a smile immediately appeared on his face: "Hehe~ That person is called Chen Ming. He was recruited by Professor Chen from Shenyang Aircraft Corporation. He said he was Chief Engineer Wang's favorite student!"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Xiao immediately thought of the news he had received earlier: Su Chen's senior experts and professors were using their connections to poach people all over the country, and he also knew about Shen Fei's research team.

He had originally planned to send people over under the guise of supporting experts to "learn from their expertise," and he specifically sent a research team of about twenty people. But judging from Li Qiwen's current state, it seems his plan has failed, and he feels like he's been given a meat bun.

"I almost forgot something." Thinking of Shen Fei, Old Master Xiao gently patted his forehead.

Seeing the old man's expression, Su Chen couldn't help but ask curiously, "Grandpa, what's on your mind?"

"Before I came here, I received a call from Chief Designer Wang of Shenfei, saying that their engine has been successfully developed and can reach speeds of Mach 8!" Old Master Xiao did not hide anything from Su Chen. Although this was a top secret, with Su Chen as a shining example, it was not so important whether to hide it or not.

Of course, this only applies to Su Chen. If it were anyone else, Old Master Xiao would definitely not reveal even a single piece of information.

Upon hearing this, Su Chen's brow twitched slightly, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Shen Fei is indeed Shen Fei. To be able to break through the engine technology in such a short time and to manufacture the prototype so quickly, his strength is truly not to be underestimated."

But he quickly noticed the faint worry on the old man's face and asked in confusion, "Grandpa, isn't Shenfei's breakthrough in engine technology a good thing? Why do you still look so worried?"

Upon hearing this, Old Master Xiao sighed softly, his gaze fixed on the tilting detonation engine in the workshop, without responding to Su Chen's words.

Seeing this, Su Chen thought for a moment and immediately understood. He then laughed and said, "Grandpa, I never thought you could be so blinded by a single leaf."

"Hmm?" Old Master Xiao frowned slightly, looking at Su Chen with some confusion, but did not speak, quietly waiting for his explanation.

"Sir, have you ever thought about how many Gs a pilot would need to bear at a speed of Mach 16.5? Based on the current data, the maximum overload a pilot can withstand is only 9 Gs, which translates to a maximum of Mach 5!"

"Tell me," Su Chen deliberately slowed his speech, "what would happen to the pilots if we installed Baidi's engines on fighter jets?"

Upon hearing Su Chen's words, Old Master Xiao was taken aback at first, but then he suddenly realized what was happening, and the worry on his face was instantly replaced by surprise.

He couldn't help but lightly slap his forehead and burst into laughter: "Hahaha! Good lad, you're right! You're right! I was just being stubborn!"

"We've been focusing on the speed data but have forgotten the most fundamental issue—the pilot's tolerance!" Grandpa Xiao paced back and forth excitedly in front of the observation window. "Let alone Mach 16.5, even if it reaches Mach 8, the sustained high G-forces are something no human pilot can withstand."

"The engine developed by Chief Designer Wang and his team is more than sufficient for current hypersonic fighter jets, unless there is a major breakthrough in anti-G suits to relieve pilots from the stress of overload!"

As he spoke, Old Master Xiao turned his gaze to Su Chen, his eyes gleaming: "Therefore, 'White Emperor' was positioned as an unmanned aerospace fighter from the very beginning. This is not only a choice of technical route, but also a fundamental way to break free from this limitation."

"Without the physiological burden on pilots, its performance ceiling could be pushed to such an astonishing height, and all of this..."

After a pause, Old Master Xiao looked at Su Chen meaningfully and said, word by word, "You had this planned from the beginning, didn't you!"

"You know, even if Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) makes a breakthrough in engines, it's only in supersonic fighter jets. But you've reached an unshakeable position in unmanned combat aircraft. Even if SAC makes further breakthroughs based on its existing foundation, it will probably still be hard to catch up. You've really got a good plan!"

"Ahem~" Su Chen was a little embarrassed by the old man's "observant" comments, and coughed twice to cover up his embarrassment.

He had never even considered that possibility; it was purely a coincidence.
Yes, it was all a coincidence!
"Grandpa, I never thought of that. Please don't slander me. However, the White Emperor did have different ideas from the very beginning." Su Chen's expression immediately turned serious as he recalled the advanced equipment of the Southern Heavenly Gate Project.

He said seriously, "From the very beginning, I have set my sights on the higher and farther reaches of the sky, wanting to create a completely new track—an unmanned, intelligent, and integrated air-space combat system!"

"After all," Su Chen's eyes gleamed with an exceptionally bright light, his voice deep yet deafening, "our future lies in the vast universe!"

After their casual conversation and some lighthearted banter, Su Chen's focus had shifted beyond Blue Star. Even if he made a fortune or built a powerful conglomerate or corporation, he could only dominate one or a few regions. Instead, he dreamed of becoming the first major landowner, or "sphere owner," and expanding his territory beyond Blue Star. Wasn't that far more appealing than making a pittance?

"Smack!" A sudden tap on the head snapped Su Chen back to his senses. Before he could even ask what happened, Old Master Xiao's voice rang in his ears, "What are you daydreaming about, kid? Stars and the sea? You should launch two satellites first."

Su Chen rubbed his aching head and saw the speechless expression on Old Master Xiao's face. Even Xiao Chen, Huang Feng, and the others beside him were covering their mouths and secretly laughing. When they saw his gaze, they immediately tried to suppress their laughter, which gave Su Chen a headache.

Fortunately, at that moment, Li Qiwen's voice came through the communication equipment in the test workshop: "Boss, Mr. Xiao, the test preparation is complete, and we can proceed with the ignition test according to the prescribed procedures!"

Having had the experience of test driving before, Su Chen seemed much calmer this time. He pressed the call button on the table and said softly but firmly, "Let's begin! Be sure to collect all the data."

He also looked at Grandpa Xiao beside him and said half-jokingly, "Grandpa, you'd better be prepared, the starting point of our 'sea of ​​stars' is going to be quite a big deal!"

Upon hearing this, Grandpa Xiao chuckled and scolded, "You brat!" He then stood in front of the observation window, found the best angle, and focused his gaze on the test bench.

"Understood! Ignition test countdown begins! 10, 9, 8"

As soon as Su Chen gave the order, the countdown started instantly, drawing everyone's attention, even though they had all seen it many times before.

"3, 2, 1! Ignition!"

The moment the command was given, the exact same scene that Su Chen had witnessed before played out again!

A blinding blue-white light suddenly erupted, followed by the signature high-frequency, sharp crackling sound that seemed to tear space apart.

"Buzz—Clang—!!!"

A terrifying, dark blue plasma jet erupted, its steady flow sending shivers down one's spine. The parameters on the data screen fluctuated wildly, making Old Master Xiao's eyes twitch.

Despite being mentally prepared, witnessing this extraordinary burst of power was still awe-inspiring.

The speed quickly reached Mach 16. Seeing this, Su Chen pressed the call button again and instructed, "Engineer Li, start the highest frequency and test the maximum speed!"

"Yes!" Li Qiwen responded the next second, and at the same time, the engine in the workshop emitted a terrifying hum. The original blue and white tail flame turned white, a blazing white!
The data on the screen started jumping wildly again, especially the speed: "16, 17, 18".

With each breath, the number changed, until it finally stopped jumping at 19.88.

"Mach 19.88!"

When the number finally settled on the data screen, Old Master Xiao's breathing became rapid, his hands clenched into fists in his sleeves, and he murmured, "Good! Good!"

"Holy crap~ Mach 19.88! Almost Mach 20? I thought they were kidding me, but I didn't expect it to actually be possible. That's amazing!" Even though Xiao Chen had seen the test drive before, he couldn't hide his excitement when he saw this top speed.

As the test drive concluded, Li Qiwen, the person in charge, entered the room. He quickly walked up to Old Master Xiao and said with a broad smile, "Old Master Xiao, I didn't disappoint you, did I?"

As a soldier personally selected by Old Master Xiao, this was also the time for Li Qiwen to receive praise.

"This is not disappointing, it's a huge surprise! Hahaha~ Chief Engineer Li, you've worked hard. The Baidi project should be considered a success, right? When I leave, will you come back to the capital with me?" Old Master Xiao asked with a smile, shaking hands with Li Qiwen and patting his shoulder.

Su Chen rolled his eyes. He really didn't care about being seen by others at all!
He couldn't help but mutter to himself, "That old man is really wicked. He just thinks that Li Qiwen is the person in charge, so he's trying to poach my people. Heh~ If I hadn't given him a heads-up beforehand, the old man might have actually succeeded."

Li Qiwen hadn't expected Old Master Xiao to come so directly, and for a moment he didn't know how to answer.

If he refused outright, wouldn't that be disrespectful to Old Master Xiao? But if he agreed, he hadn't forgotten what Su Chen had told him before: the White Emperor was just an appetizer, and the main event was yet to come. He didn't want to miss such a good opportunity.

Left with no other choice, Li Qiwen could only turn to Su Chen for help.

Seeing the pleading look in Li Qiwen's eyes, Su Chen chuckled inwardly, but feigned surprise and interjected, "Oh dear, old man, that's not very kind of you!"

"You promised to give me Chief Engineer Li before, how come you want him back now? That won't do!" Su Chen stepped forward, blocking Li Qiwen's way, and gave Old Master Xiao a wronged look.

"You brat!" Old Master Xiao glared at Su Chen, who was looking at him like he was a thief. "I was just asking, why are you so nervous?"

Su Chen did not respond directly, but looked at Old Master Xiao with a half-smile.

Old Master Xiao knew that Su Chen had seen through his little scheme, but as someone who had experienced all sorts of situations, he wasn't embarrassed at all. He snorted and said with a hint of reproach, "I wonder what kind of drug you gave Li Qiwen?"

Then, changing the subject, he said, "It's getting late, and we've seen what we needed to see. Let's find somewhere else to talk. Young man Su and old man came in a hurry and haven't even had dinner yet. As the host, shouldn't you make some arrangements?"

"It was my mistake. I immediately had someone make arrangements. Now let's go back to the office and talk about Bai Di. What do you think, sir?" Su Chen's smile faded slightly, and his words carried a hint of deeper meaning.

Upon hearing this, Old Master Xiao gave Su Chen a deep look, said nothing more, simply nodded, and gestured for him to lead the way. (End of Chapter)