The Red Era, the Opening University Speech

Chapter 179 Serving as Chief Designer and Chief Consultant

"Our country is currently leading the field of semiconductors and computers, but we cannot be complacent and must be prepared for danger in times of peace."

……

After a lively discussion, the experts and professors present preliminarily approved Li Mu's idea and established a plan to develop a supercomputer.

Finally, leaders including Guo Mo, Gu Zheng, and Dong Huaxing made a summary and expressed their strong support for supercomputer research.

"Don't let everyone down." Before leaving, Guo Mo gently patted Li Mu on the shoulder and whispered the words of his superior:
"Don't worry, just do it. I believe in you and you will succeed!"

When hearing these words, Li Mu felt a surge of blood boiling in his heart.

……

Soon after the discussion, a supercomputing research project named "Smart Center" was put on the agenda.

The superior leaders personally instructed that the development of this supercomputer will adopt a large-scale battle mode.

Led by the Semiconductor Research Institute and the Computing Technology Research Institute, computer experts and professors from universities and institutions across the country who did not have important research on hand were transferred to Kyoto with a transfer order.

……

While people from all parties were rushing in, Li Mu was also considering the location to build the "Smart Center".

It certainly won't work if it's placed in the Semiconductor Research Institute. Just to house the supercomputer, it would require an area as big as two small courtyards in the institute.

If such a large volume is to be placed in a semiconductor research institute, it must be expanded, but that will not only make a lot of noise, but will also take time to complete.

So at the beginning, Li Mu preferred to build it in the suburbs. Not only was the place large enough, but it would also not attract attention.

But in the suburbs, there is another big problem.

He didn't have enough time.

You can't run back and forth between the city and the suburbs every day.

So in the end, a compromise was taken. The research was conducted in the Semiconductor Research Institute first, and then a new place was built secretly. After it was completed, the entire place would be moved there.

……

Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guo Mo’s office.

After the address problem was resolved, Li Mu took the opportunity to propose to cancel the restriction on his research time.

He said with certainty:

"Last time we played, Xiao Guan was there too. You don't know, even if the three of them were tied together they wouldn't be enough for me to beat."

“My physical issues have really been resolved.”

"No, just ask, after I got serious, did he ever touch the basketball from beginning to end?"

Guan Jianmin, who was dissed, nodded slightly embarrassedly, thought for a moment, and said weakly: "I still touched the ball."

"Does being hit by the ball count?" Li Mu asked with a smile.

Guan Jianmin: “…”

Guo Mo looked at Li Mu catching Guan Jianmin "bullying" and smiled slightly, then said:
"Okay, okay, no need to say more. I knew you would make this request. I've already asked."

“After this, your research time will no longer be strictly restricted, but the prerequisite is that you ensure that your health does not have any more problems.

"Of course, if it happens again, it will be a fixed eight hours a day from now on, and it will be useless to beg for mercy."

"Also, the leader has specifically asked you to serve as the chief designer and chief consultant for this research. The chief engineer is Yan Peilin, director of the Institute of Computing Technology, but in essence, all research is under your leadership."

"The leader has high and deep expectations of you. You must work hard!"

When he finished speaking, his tone was full of emotion.

Although as the proposer of supercomputer, there is nothing wrong with Li Mu serving as chief designer and chief consultant, in fact there are still many obstacles.

The biggest problem is his age.

As he was able to make such a decision, one can imagine how much his superiors valued him.

"Well... Chief Consultant is fine, but Chief Designer is a bit inappropriate, right?" Li Mu was also confused. Let him be the chief designer and chief consultant?
Guo Mo said: "That's a little bit, but with your ability, I believe you can do it."

His words made Li Mu silent for a moment.

Being the chief designer and chief consultant, this burden is indeed heavy.

But could he back down? Of course not.

"I will definitely not let my superiors and the organization down!" Li Mu said firmly.

Hearing this, Guo Mo said with relief: "Okay, okay."

……

With full of passion, Li Mu was about to leave when he suddenly looked at Guan Jianmin beside him and asked Guo Mo:
"My research time limit has been lifted, so Xiao Guan should..."

"My leader asked me to be your assistant. This is an order from above. Even if this order is gone, I will still be your assistant!" Guan Jianmin's mouth twitched slightly.

Li Mu explained: "You think too much. We have been together for such a long time that we have become friends. You have helped me a lot. I am worried that the superiors will take you back as well."

"I wouldn't believe you." Guan Jianmin was speechless.

Guo Mo was very satisfied seeing the two of them getting along well.

It is definitely unrealistic to forcibly manage a scientist's research time. What they need is someone who can persuade Li Mu.

But having only Guan Jianmin as a "friend" is not enough.

It would be better to have a wife.

Thinking of this, Guo Mo secretly winked at Guan Jianmin.

The latter immediately understood and said to Li Mu: "You go first, I have something to talk to Dean Guo."

"What can possibly happen to you?" Li Mu's eyes were full of suspicion.

Guan Jianmin said: "Don't worry about this, it's a work issue."

He is responsible for taking care of Li Mu's life and research, and caring about Li Mu's personal problems. There is nothing wrong with saying that it is a work problem.

"Okay, I'll go first." Li Mu looked at Guo Mo and said goodbye to them.

……

As soon as he left, Guo Mo couldn't wait to ask, "Xiao Guan, you are always by his side, have you noticed anything going on between him and Wang Ya?"

"The higher-ups are very worried about his personal problems!"

"You can't be with him forever without a wife to look after you!"

"They don't spend much time together, and when they are together, they are just like ordinary friends." Guan Jianmin thought for a while and said.

Just looking at how the two of them usually get along, they are indeed like friends.

This result disappointed Guo Mo.

But Guan Jianmin immediately continued:

"But I found that they basically have no other friends of the opposite sex. Li Mu basically doesn't contact other girls except Wang Ya. Wang Ya is the same. Except when Li Mu calls her, she is always studying and researching."

"And the thing about playing basketball that he just mentioned. Wang Ya was originally researching it, but as soon as Li Mu called her, she followed him. She even sat next to us and did nothing but watch us play basketball."

"I think they definitely have feelings for each other, but for some reason, no one has broken the ice."

Hearing this, Guo Mo's eyes suddenly became bright. As expected, Qian Shuyan was not wrong at all!
He stood up, paced back and forth in the office for a while, and then said, "They are not taking the initiative, we can't just sit there."

"Xiao Guan, come here, I want to tell you..."

……

Back to HKUST.

There is a class taught by Teacher Qian Wu today, so Li Mu came to the classroom early to reserve a seat.

He waited until after class, when the people who had gathered around Teacher Qian Wu to ask questions had dispersed, before he stepped forward and handed in the assignment he had already written.

However, Master Qian Wu just glanced at it casually and put it down.

Since they have been directly developed, there will naturally be no problems with these theories.

He and Li Mu left the classroom first, and then walked along the corridor of the campus while saying, "I heard that your semiconductor research institute has made some big moves recently?"

"Yes, I was just about to tell you about this. I might be busy for a while, and I'm afraid I won't be able to come over to study when you're free." Li Mu said ashamedly.

Professor Qian Wu’s time is very precious. Even though he comes to HKUST to teach regularly, he sometimes postpones his lectures due to research.

"But don't worry, I will definitely not fall behind in the study of applied physics." Li Mu said again.

Hearing this, Master Qian Wu smiled and shook his head. The "Smart Center" was just like the big mushroom, both of which were top-secret research and development tasks.

So even though he knew that the Semiconductor Research Institute was making a big move, he didn't know what exactly it was.

He said, "I believe you have your reasons for doing this."

“Learning is important, but research is sometimes more important.”

"After all, we learn knowledge for the purpose of research."

"Thank you for your understanding, teacher." Li Mu breathed a sigh of relief. He really felt that he was not qualified to be a student.

Although we have tried very hard, we have only developed an automated guidance system so far and have not been successful yet.

Master Qian Wu suddenly laughed and said:
"Why thank me for that? Your desire to develop a surface-to-air missile is already a big surprise to me."

"Your research talent is not inferior to mine. Believe in yourself and do it boldly. You don't have to listen to my instructions."

"What I want to do is to help you check when you encounter problems and prevent you from going astray."

Geniuses don't need to be taught. All he did was to lead Li Mu into the door.

"Thank you for the compliment." Li Mu looked at Master Qian Wu's eyes and felt guilty.

What a joke! How dare he compete with his teacher in scientific research talent?
That is truly TO level worldwide!
……

After saying goodbye to Master Qian Wu, Li Mu thought about it and went back home.

Developing a supercomputer is an extremely arduous task. He might not be able to go home for half a month, so he has to tell Grandma Li first.

As expected, after he finished speaking, Grandma Li complained again:
"Work, work, work. Why am I not as busy as other college graduates?"

"From coming back every three or four days to once a week, this time half a month, will it be several months or half a year in the future?"

……

Despite her nagging, Grandma Li kept picking up food for Li Mu after dinner, telling him to take care of his health while working and not to overwork himself.

After dinner, Li Mu sat in the yard, chatting with his grandmother, uncle, and aunt.

Li Jun's work in the factory is very stable. He is down-to-earth and capable, and is highly regarded by the factory director. He proudly says that it won't be long before he is promoted to workshop director.

Wang Juanhong also did a good job and her salary was raised again.

As they were talking, the two little sisters ran around noisily. Li Lan accidentally fell to the ground and let out a cry of pain.

Before everyone could react, Li Lan got up again, wiped the dirt off his body, and continued to play as if nothing had happened, causing them to burst into laughter.

As she was laughing, Grandma Li suddenly said, "Xiao Lan and Xiao Yu are already this old, it's much easier to take care of them."

"Xiao Mu, you are almost old enough. I think it's time to consider a partner."

"Give birth sooner, while I still have the strength, and I can help you take care of the baby."

Li Jun and Wang Juanhong on the side also chimed in, saying, "Xiao Mu, Mom is right. You should consider this issue."

"I will find one, I will find one." Seeing that they had formed a united front, Li Mu turned his gaze and said with a smile: "Actually, I don't think it's necessary for me to get married."

"Grandma, if you want to take care of the baby, you can ask my uncle and aunt to work harder and add a new baby to our family."

"Anyway, we don't have to worry about food or clothing now, so we can afford to raise a few more fat boys."

“You are so disrespectful.” Grandma Li scolded with a smile, but she unknowingly shifted her focus and said, “What Xiao Mu said actually makes sense…”

Uncle:? ? ?
……

the next day.

When Li Mu arrived at HKUST, as expected, Yan Peilin was already waiting in the dormitory.

As the chief engineer, he has been busy these days and his eyes are bloodshot.

"Mr. Yan, you need to rest more!" Looking at his appearance, Li Mu couldn't help but feel distressed.

Yan Peilin waved his hand and said with a smile:

"It's okay, it's okay. I was just busy with the preparations for the official launch of the project."

"Once the latter officially starts, I won't have to worry about it."

"Although it's not stated explicitly above, everyone knows that you are the leader of this research."

"I can be the chief engineer because of you. In fact, my task is to do a good job of your logistics and ensure that you have no worries. Rather than saying that I am the chief engineer, it is better to say that I am the logistics captain!"

Although he is the director of the Institute of Computing Technology, he is old after all and is unable to devote himself to research.

"Mr. Yan, you are too modest. I have always admired your vision." Li Mu said sincerely, "Besides, I am young after all, and have never participated in such a large-scale research."

"I'll need your advice when the time comes, otherwise if something goes wrong, I won't know what to do."

"You~" Yan Peilin smiled lightly and did not continue on this issue. Instead, he said:
"Three days later, experts from all over the country will gather in the Great Hall of the People to hold a supercomputing project launch meeting."

"You are the chief designer and chief consultant, so I would like to ask you if you have any ideas about the grouping and personnel allocation?"

Faced with this question, Li Mu pondered for a moment, and then said:
"You can decide on your own. There are so many people, I can't even recognize them all, let alone divide them into groups."

"If you really want to say something, the improvement of the integration level of distributed projection lithography equipment is the key to achieving supercomputing. In this regard, I suggest that Professor Huang continue to lead."

"As for software development, the J language application research group's capabilities have been fully exercised in the development of games. They are indispensable for the software needed for supercomputing."

"Beyond that, I can't think of anything else. I'll have to trouble you, the chief engineer, to help me."

He is too young to interfere in the grouping matter.

You say that a certain expert is more capable than a certain professor and can be the team leader, but ability is not an obvious in-game statistic that can be seen at a glance.

Besides, there are many things related to human relationships, which Li Mu didn't want to care about, so he simply left it to Yan Peilin.

"Okay, then except for what you said about keeping the personnel arrangement unchanged, leave the rest to me. We'll have a clear division of labor and try to build the supercomputer as soon as possible." Yan Peilin saw what he was thinking and nodded with a smile.

In fact, he had anticipated Li Mu's reaction, but this trip had to come anyway.

(End of this chapter)