Chapter 300 Perfume
That evening, Xu Qiang, Guo Kai and other project team members celebrated the re-launch of the 8702 project in the cafeteria of the guesthouse.

"Xu Qiang, I'll toast you a glass. I hope we can have a pleasant cooperation!"

As soon as the white wine was served, Guo Rui immediately poured himself a glass and then said to Xu Qiang.

During the meeting in the afternoon, Guo Kai and others were completely impressed by Xu Qiang's approach. They had not expected that Xu Qiang would take over such a dangerous project without seeking fame or profit, and even said that he would donate all the prize money to Professor Xu's family. Guo Kai and others had never encountered such an approach before, so they had more respect for Xu Qiang.

"Cheers!" Xu Qiang was also very happy at this time. After clinking glasses with Guo Rui, he drank it all in one gulp.

Of course, Xu Qiang was not so aware. He must have had a purpose in taking over this project. Now that the ministry had decided to build a special research institute in Shanghai and let Xu Qiang temporarily serve as the director, his goal had been achieved.

Although he is only a temporary director, in fact, as long as Xu Qiang does not make major mistakes and can undertake key national tasks for a long time, his position as director will be as solid as a rock.

It’s just that Xu Qiang would not tell anyone about these things. At least in the eyes of people like Guo Rui, he is a person who does not seek fame or wealth and has a very high level of awareness.

"It is my honor to meet you all today." After raising his glass to toast everyone, Xu Qiang said, "I am very confident that this project can be successfully completed. I also hope that in the days to come, our project team can unite and work together to complete the tasks left by Professor Xu, so that he will have no regrets!"

"Well said!" Guo Kai led the applause, and the scene suddenly became lively.

"Xu Qiang, our project only lasts for one year. Can you really complete it in such a short time?" a middle-aged female team member asked Xu Qiang.

"For us who are engaged in scientific research, nothing is 100% certain to succeed, but I am very confident." Xu Qiang paused and continued, "In fact, I have always been interested in high-energy explosives. The first workshop I worked in was a chemical workshop that produced engineering explosives. Our factory was the largest third-line arsenal in Jiangxi, and there was a lot of information on explosives in the factory. The paper I sent to the ministry was actually written at that time."

"Your paper is of very high quality. I can't believe you wrote it in a factory." Another team member said in surprise after hearing this.

"Comrade Xu Qiang is a genius. Some things cannot be viewed from an ordinary perspective. I still have great confidence in him." Guo Rui glanced at everyone and continued, "In order to complete the project as quickly as possible, everyone must unite closely around Team Leader Xu, weather the storm together, and strive for greater victory!"

As soon as Guo Rui finished speaking, everyone applauded.

"Thank you for your trust in me." Upon hearing this, Xu Qiang looked at Guo Rui approvingly and then said, "If I manage this project team alone, there will definitely be things I can't take care of. So I decided to let Comrade Guo Rui serve as the deputy leader of our project team. If I'm not here in the future, you can go to him first if you have any problems, including problems in your life. I think Guo Rui should know your situation better than me."

"No problem!" Guo Rui was delighted when he heard that, and then he said, "We are going to work in Shanghai this time, which is definitely not as good as BJ in all aspects. In addition, we have to work away from home for a long time, and how to take care of our families. Let's discuss it while eating today to see if there is any way to take care of each other. In short, we must balance work and family..."

Seeing Guo Rui actively livening up the atmosphere, Xu Qiang immediately understood why this man, although not at the top academic level, was able to become Xu Yuanming's disciple. Obviously, he had his strengths.

In fact, a research and development team does not need so many top talents. Too many and too diverse voices will only cause ineffective internal friction. With people like Guo Rui, Xu Qiang can free up more time and energy to do truly important work, instead of being overwhelmed by the tedious work of his subordinates.

That night, Xu Qiang and other members of the team got to know each other briefly. What made Xu Qiang feel gratified was that these people had no aversion or resistance to Xu Qiang being the project leader. In this way, Xu Qiang did not need to do ideological work for them in private.

Although the new project team has been established, they actually do not need to go to Shanghai for the time being. They have to wait until the department builds the research institute in Shanghai and the equipment and raw materials for experiments are in place before they set off to Shanghai to meet up with Xu Qiang.

By this calculation, the project can actually be used for less than ten months.

During the construction of the institute, Xu Qiang still has two months to do other things, and this period coincides with the summer vacation, so Xu Qiang does not have to worry about academic problems.

It was not until after ten o'clock in the evening, when the cafeteria was about to close, that everyone left. Xu Qiang escorted them all the way out of the gate of the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building and then returned to their room in the guesthouse.

The next morning, Xu Qiang took the project appointment letter and other luggage and boarded the train back to Shanghai...

……

The next day, He Yonghong found Xu Qiang just after he returned to the School of Mechanical Engineering.

"Business is coming!" He Yonghong was very excited at this time. She did not ask about Xu Qiang's situation these days, but directly asked: "Do you remember Zhang Li?"

"Are you talking about the deputy director of Changzhou Township Enterprise Management Office?"

"Yes, that woman. She came to school again yesterday and wanted to invite you to Changzhou again. She said there is a new project. I wonder if you are interested."

"Where is she now?"

"She left me a phone number..." He Yonghong took out a small notebook from her pocket and said to Xu Qiang, "She said she will stay in Shanghai for two days this time. If you come back, call her immediately." "Didn't she say what product project it is?" Xu Qiang asked.

"Who cares what product they have? As long as we are the iron triangle, is there anything we can't handle?"

After several collaborations with Xu Qiang and Liu Siying, He Yonghong is now full of confidence.

In his opinion, their team is now invincible and has even won the National Science and Technology Progress Award. Researching a civilian product project should be a piece of cake.

Moreover, compared with Xu Qiang, He Yonghong is very interested in the projects in Changzhou. He easily made 5,000 yuan from the feed project before. Having tasted such great sweetness, he naturally looks forward to more such money-making opportunities.

"That's true, but there's no such easy money in this world." Xu Qiang smiled and said, "Then let's call her right away."

"Okay!" This was what He Yonghong was waiting for, and then he got up and left the dormitory.

About twenty minutes later, it was still the familiar white Volga sedan. The door opened and Zhang Li walked out.

We haven't seen each other for a while. Zhang Li has a new hairstyle. The layered short hair looks particularly refreshing, forming a sharp contrast with the bright red lips. The high-end floral dress sets off her exquisite figure, giving people an indescribable feeling of stunning.

"Get in the car."

Seeing Xu Qiang, Zhang Li smiled slightly and gestured for him to get in the car at any time.

"Director Zhang, what new project do you want us to work on this time?" Xu Qiang asked Zhang Li after getting in the car.

"They are all township enterprises, so there shouldn't be any difficult products," said He Yonghong.

"That's not necessarily true." Zhang Li smiled and said, "Although we are a township enterprise, we must also take the high-tech route. Otherwise, we would not cooperate with top domestic experts like you."

"That makes sense!" Xu Qiang nodded and said, "But my wages are not cheap. I told you last time that when we first worked together, I gave you a friendly price, but this time, the price must be increased..."

"As long as you can complete our cooperation contract as required, the price can be negotiated." Zhang Li raised her eyebrows and said, "Let's find a place to drink coffee first, and then talk slowly."

"Okay." Xu Qiang replied.

Then the car drove towards the city.

On Dianchi Road near the Bund, there is a store called Donghai Coffee Shop. According to Zhang Li, this is the earliest coffee shop in Shanghai and it opened in 1934.

Before liberation, coffee shops were gathering places for intellectuals and celebrities. Lu Xun, a great writer of his time, also loved going to coffee shops to meet with friends.

Even during that special period, although coffee was labeled as "capitalist", it still continued to flourish in Shanghai.

Upon entering the cafe, the first thing you see is the patterned floor tiles from the Republic of China, the small paintings hanging on the wall, the small windows with cast iron flower railings, and the train seats with copper nails on all four sides, which were very fashionable in those days. They gave Xu Qiang a sense of old-fashioned fashion.

Finding a seat next to the window, Xu Qiang, He Yonghong and Zhang Li sat face to face.

After three cups of coffee and two plates of desserts, Zhang Li put her bag on the chair next to her, a look of satisfaction on her face.

"This thing is just coffee..." He Yonghong picked up the cup and took a big sip, and a look of disappointment immediately appeared on his face.

"Drinking coffee is much better than drinking alcohol." Xu Qiang smiled and said to Zhang Li, "Director Zhang, can you talk about our new project now?"

"I want to ask, have you used this thing before?" As Zhang Li spoke, she took out an exquisite glass bottle from her bag and placed it in front of Xu Qiang.

"Is this... perfume?" Xu Qiang said in surprise after picking up the bottle and taking a look at it.

(End of this chapter)