Chapter 863
Another group arrives, two choices
When Li Zhenhua sent the message to Wang Donglai, news about the 'Xirang-1 type' superconducting material also reached Beijing through a highly encrypted channel.
In Galaxy Technology, or in the entire Tang City.
Almost no information could escape Nuwa's surveillance.
Wa noticed this encrypted channel from the beginning and reported it to Wang Donglai.
However, Wang Donglai did not take any action because he knew that this route led to the capital.
Given the importance of Galaxy Technology, it would be strange if there weren't any extra arrangements.
It could even be said that he deliberately leaked the news about the 'Xirang-1' superconducting material.
He had already anticipated this situation when he was giving technical guidance.
Throughout the year, he seemingly made a high-profile yet actually cautious announcement of a series of technological "bombshells".
The disruptive "lithography factory" solution has enabled China to reverse its passive situation in the field of high-end chip manufacturing; brain-computer interfaces have transformed from high-latency, low-bandwidth "toys" into "bridges" capable of stably transmitting complex commands and providing rudimentary sensory feedback; motion control and environmental interaction algorithms for intelligent robots have broken through several key bottlenecks, enabling them to move from pre-defined production lines to more complex semi-open scenarios; and the key theories for miniaturization and efficiency improvement of the "thorium-based molten salt reactor" based on a novel configuration have opened a practical door to near-infinite clean energy...
Each of these is enough to cause a huge upheaval in its respective field.
When these waves begin to converge, the resulting momentum and the attention they attract will extend far beyond the commercial or academic realm.
They touch upon the foundations of energy, intelligent evolution, human enhancement, and the lifeline of industry... a cluster of strategic technologies capable of reshaping the balance of power among nations and the future social structure.
The authorities have maintained close but low-key monitoring, providing Galaxy Technology with unprecedented development convenience and a certain degree of risk shielding.
But there is always a limit to observation, evaluation, and weighing.
When the dawn of the "Xirang-1" project first appeared, and it was combined with the previous major technological breakthroughs, the balance finally tipped to a critical point.
the next day.
There was a gentle knock on Wang Donglai's office door.
"Enter!"
The person who came in was Deng Bing, the head of the security team he had assigned. As the person specifically assigned to Wang Donglai to be in charge of security, Deng Bing was naturally not an ordinary person.
"Boss, three comrades have come from Beijing and wish to have an important meeting with you. We have verified their identities and are certain that they are genuine."
Wang Donglai nodded and said, "Please invite them in!"
Soon, Deng Bing led three middle-aged men dressed in formal attire into the room.
Deng Bing did not stay there, but left the office, leaving the space to Wang Donglai and the three of them.
The middle-aged man who was the leader of the three stepped forward and extended his hand: "Mr. Wang, I am Zhou Yi from the Strategic Development Committee. These two are my colleagues, Comrade Li Mingzhe and Comrade Chen Yuanshan. I apologize for bothering you so early, but there are some things that we believe have reached the point where we must have an in-depth discussion in person."
Wang Donglai stood up, walked to the three men, and shook hands with each of them.
Their hands were dry and strong, and their eyes were calm but deep—the kind of eyes that only those who have long handled important matters and seen real storms possess.
Wang Donglai gestured to the sofa in the reception area and said, "Please sit down."
The four men sat down, and after a brief silence, Zhou Yi got straight to the point: "Mr. Wang, we are here today not as regulators, nor as negotiating opponents. We are here on behalf of our superiors to have a strategic dialogue with an outstanding scientist and entrepreneur about the future."
He paused, then took out a not-too-thick but well-bound document from his briefcase and gently placed it on the coffee table.
On the dark blue cover, the gold-stamped logo appears solemn and dignified under the light.
"Over the past seven years, Galaxy Technologies has achieved astonishing success."
Zhou Yi's voice was steady and clear as he spoke: "From the 'lithography factory' full-chain technology that broke the blockade, to the 'Changqing Liquid' and 'Hepatobiliary Special Drug' that completely changed the pharmaceutical industry; from solid-state batteries that disrupted the energy landscape, to brain-computer interfaces that ushered in the era of human-machine integration; from heavy-lift rocket technology that enabled my country's aerospace to achieve a leapfrog lunar landing, to the 'Xirang-1' quasi-room temperature superconducting material that was just successfully verified today..."
For each item he mentioned, Li Mingzhe would gently push a corresponding technical assessment summary to him.
The stack of documents was half a foot high.
It can be said that if the power of the state is fully mobilized, very little information can be uncovered.
Even the money Wang Donglai made in the stock market had long been thoroughly investigated by the relevant departments.
"Based on three large-scale reviews jointly organized by the China Academy of Science and Technology Evaluation, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Chinese Academy of Engineering,"
Zhou Yi continued, "Galaxy Technology's technological level in at least eight major areas mentioned above has reached or exceeded the most advanced international level, five of which are globally unique or absolutely leading."
"More importantly, these technologies are not isolated; they are forming an ecosystem that supports and promotes each other."
Chen Yuanshan spoke at this moment, his voice slightly low: "Mr. Wang, we have studied all the public and some of the non-public information of Galaxy Technology."
"One question has always lingered in the minds of all analysts: How can a private enterprise established for less than three years achieve breakthroughs in so many cutting-edge fields at the same time? This does not conform to the conventional laws of scientific research, nor does it conform to business logic—unless there is an extremely special and extremely powerful core driving force."
His gaze fell on Wang Donglai. He didn't press for answers, but said with certainty, "And the core of this is clearly you yourself."
"Given your achievements in the field of mathematics, these results, while surprising and even shocking, are entirely possible and quite reasonable upon closer examination."
Wang Donglai did not answer immediately.
He picked up the teacup, feeling the warmth emanating from the celadon cup.
Through the office window, one can see the scenery of Tangdu City in the distance, and with Wang Donglai's eyesight, he can even see the Zhongnan Mountain peak in the distance.
But his thoughts had already drifted to a much farther place—fragments of knowledge from another dimension, deductions and reconstructions carried out in the depths of consciousness late at night, and the tens of thousands of tiny choices experienced when turning theory into reality.
"Director Chen's question is crucial."
Wang Donglai put down his teacup, calmly met the gaze of the three men, and said in a composed manner, "But I think the core purpose of your visit today is not to explore the source of my knowledge—that may be a scientific puzzle, but it is not the most pressing issue at present."
Zhou Yi nodded slightly: "Mr. Wang is astute. Indeed, what we are talking about today is the future."
He pointed to the document with the dark blue cover and said, "This is a strategic decision made by the leadership after discussion, demonstration and weighing of options. This document is the outline for the establishment of the 'Frontier Technology Research Institute' and the accompanying 'Strategic Scientific and Technological Force Integration Implementation Plan'."
"We can tell Academician Wang frankly that the leadership has never attached such importance to a company before. These proposals are only drafts. We brought them over first, and Academician Wang can discuss them with us if he has any thoughts after reviewing them!"
Wang Donglai's pupils contracted slightly.
This sincerity is truly remarkable, demonstrating the importance they place on themselves.
"The new research institute will be positioned as a core carrier of national strategic scientific and technological strength,"
Zhou Yi's voice became solemn as he said, "It does not belong to any single department, but reports directly to the leadership. Its mission is to concentrate efforts on tackling the most cutting-edge, fundamental, and paradigm-revolutionary key scientific and technological challenges; to coordinate the nation's top scientific research forces to avoid duplication of investment and internal friction; to establish a high-speed transformation channel from basic research to industrialization; and to provide cutting-edge science and technology roadmap consultation for the country's long-term development strategy."
Li Mingzhe continued, "According to the plan, the new research institute will have several 'national laboratories' covering key areas such as energy, information, life sciences, materials, and aerospace..."
“Each laboratory will receive the highest level of resource guarantees and policy support, and enjoy a great deal of autonomy in scientific research, but at the same time, it will also undertake clear national strategic tasks…”
The conference room fell silent for a moment, with only the faint hum of the central air conditioning system.
"So……"
Wang Donglai slowly asked, "Where does Galaxy Technology stand in this grand blueprint?"
Zhou Yi leaned forward slightly and said with a hint of pressure, "This is the core of what we're going to talk about today. There are currently two options."
"The first option is for Galaxy Technology to be transformed into a state-owned holding mixed-ownership enterprise, with you retaining some shares and serving as the chief scientist for life."
"The existing technology patents will be used under license from the organization, but at the same time, huge amounts of funds and resources will be injected to support Galaxy Technology's continued expansion. You will become the first director of the Scientific Research Institute."
"The second option!"
Zhou Yi slowed his speech, making each word crystal clear, and said, "Galaxy Technology will remain a private enterprise, but will become a 'strategic core technology partner.' The higher authorities will provide Galaxy Technology with unprecedented support through special policies, dedicated funds, talent transfer, and market guarantees."
"At the same time, Galaxy Technology's core technologies will be opened up to major national projects and key industries in an orderly manner through a brand-new 'strategic technology pool' mechanism, while ensuring national security and commercial interests."
"You yourself will become the 'Special Chief Advisor' of the Academy of Sciences, enjoying a high level of political treatment and confidentiality authority, but will not assume any specific administrative position."
He paused for a moment, then added, "Whichever path you choose, you and your core team members will receive the highest scientific and technological award, as well as nominations for the national medal."
"A dedicated security team will be established to ensure the absolute safety of your family. At the same time, you will have the highest degree of autonomy in scientific research."
Upon hearing these conditions, Wang Donglai fell silent.
If this condition were to get out, the entire online world would probably be in an uproar.
That's absolutely astonishing; it's no exaggeration to say it's a meteoric rise.
However, Wang Donglai remained calm despite such tempting offers.
In the midst of the calm, he seemed to hear a deeper voice—the roar of the turning wheels of history, the heartbeat of a nation striving to catch up in the long race of science and technology, finally seeing itself on par with or even potentially leading the pack, a mixture of excitement, trepidation, and determination.
Wang Donglai began by asking a seemingly unrelated question: "I'd like to know, after 'Xirang-1,' what is the research institute, or rather the leadership, most hoping to prioritize a breakthrough in?"
Chen Yuanshan and Zhou Yi exchanged a glance and took out a black encrypted tablet from the innermost layer of their briefcases.
After unlocking, a short list appears on the screen, each item containing only a few words:
【1. Practical room-temperature superconductivity (full temperature range)】
2. Commercialized Controlled Nuclear Fusion
3. General-purpose strong artificial intelligence (controllable)
4. Substantial extension of human lifespan and health span.
5. Low Earth Orbit Large-Scale Development Technology
6. Engineering of Quantum Computing
【7.………】
The list is short, but each item represents the pinnacle of human technology, a "mythical" technology capable of truly transforming the form of civilization.
"These are not orders, nor are they task assignments."
Zhou Yi turned off the tablet, his gaze intense, and said, "This is just our—including many top scientists'—vision for the future."
"We'd like to know, in your view, which are achievable? Which should be prioritized? And... what role can Galaxy Technology, or the future National Research Institute, play in all of this?"
Wang Donglai stood up and walked to the French windows.
His gaze passed over the city lights and looked southeast—where the coastline lay, and beyond that, the vast Pacific Ocean stretched out.
"I choose the second path!"
He didn't turn around, his voice echoing clearly in the quiet space as he said, "Galaxy Technology will remain private, but will become our closest strategic partner. I will accept the role of 'Special Chief Advisor'."
"It's not that I'm reluctant to part with Galaxy Technology's wealth, but rather that I need Galaxy Technology to shoulder more social responsibility."
"Technology increases productivity, but has little impact on production relations. I want to try things that others are unwilling to do."
The three of them didn't seem surprised, but they all visibly breathed a sigh of relief.
The higher-ups were perfectly aware of what Wang Donglai was planning to do.
Although there were differing opinions, no one dared to openly express their opposition.
Therefore, allowing Galaxy Technology to do this is not a big problem.
"As for those future technologies..."
Wang Donglai turned around, a sharp look appearing on his face for the first time, and said firmly, "Room temperature superconductivity: I will produce a practical sample within three years."
"Regarding controlled nuclear fusion, I personally prefer thorium-based molten salt reactors. Based on our existing materials and engineering foundation, we should be able to make a breakthrough within two years."
"Strong AI requires more caution, but I already have a preliminary idea for the underlying architecture..."
"However, I don't have any ideas or energy for extending human lifespan yet. Let's talk about it when life sciences have developed to a certain level!"
With each word he spoke, the eyes of Zhou Yi and the other two brightened a little more.
Upon hearing the final words, the three men's eyes flickered slightly, but they didn't show much unusual reaction.
"But the significance of these technologies goes beyond the technologies themselves."
Wang Donglai's voice was calm yet powerful as he said, "They will redefine energy, transportation, computing, healthcare, aerospace..."
"Their breakthroughs will bring about a massive explosion in productivity, but they will also bring unprecedented shocks to social structures, ethical challenges, and international competition."
"so……"
He walked back to the sofa, his gaze sweeping over the three of them, and said, “My conditions are: First, all major technological breakthroughs must be accompanied by corresponding research on social adaptability and ethical governance; technology cannot simply run rampant without a foundation. Second, the export and application of key technologies must be guided by clear strategic planning to avoid internal friction and short-sighted behavior. Third, and most importantly…” (End of Chapter)