Chapter 329 Major Changes
"Mr. Hu is highly respected. The reason we can achieve today's success is actually because we stand on the shoulders of predecessors like you." At this time, Xu Qiang also held a glass of wine and walked in front of Hu Weiming, saying: "If it weren't for the foundation laid by Professor Xu and senior predecessors like you, I would not have been able to achieve success so smoothly..."

Facing Hu Weiming, Xu Qiang showed considerable respect.

You know, unlike the present era, these old experts have been working diligently on the front line of national science and technology since the founding of New China. The conditions at that time were very difficult. Not to mention advanced instruments, even the most ordinary three meals a day for scientific researchers could not be guaranteed. But even under such conditions, they still completed the two bombs and one satellite, and created one technological breakthrough after another for the country.

Therefore, no matter what kind of achievements Xu Qiang will make in the future, he will always respect these veteran experts of the country and will not be arrogant in front of them.

"Xiao Xu is not only a skilled person, but also a humble person. This is really rare..." Hu Weiming was moved when he heard this, and said to Guo Tiemin: "With such an outstanding young talent like him, our country's national defense science and technology can be said to have successors. No wonder Deputy Director Chen Zhitao thought so highly of you. He mentioned you to me many times before. When I saw you today, I found that you are indeed extraordinary..."

"Mr. Hu, thank you for the compliment. By the way, how is Director Chen now? Is he still busy with work every day?" Xu Qiang asked.

"Director Chen has been very busy. He has recently organized the institute to carry out the key research stage of a new project. Otherwise, he would not have come to Shanghai this time." Hu Weiming paused and continued, "But he is still very concerned about your project experiment. He also asked me to tell you that no matter whether the project is successful or not, you can come to BJ when you have time. He also plans to treat you to Beijing roast duck..."

"Haha, of course!" Xu Qiang laughed when he heard that.

"Come on, Xiao Xu, I'll toast you a glass!"

At this time, Captain Li and several other officers came over, holding wine glasses in their hands.

The troops are not allowed to drink alcohol when on duty or on combat readiness, but today is Sunday and the troops also celebrate Sunday, so it is normal to drink a little alcohol occasionally.

What's more, this was a celebration banquet. Everyone witnessed the successful experiment of Xu Qiang's new explosives. They felt sincere admiration for him for achieving such success at such a young age, so they came forward to toast and show their respect.

"Come!" Xu Qiang also picked up the wine glass.

Although Xu Qiang already knew that his experiment would be successful, he still felt relieved and in a very good mood after the results came out, so he accepted all the toasts from others.

"I also want to toast our young scientists!"

At once, everyone gathered around.

"Xu Qiang, if your research institute needs manpower to do work in the future, you can come to me directly. We, the military and the people, are one family. I may not be able to help you with other things, but I have a lot of people here, and it can be regarded as a contribution to the development of our military industry, so you don't have to be embarrassed to ask." After drinking a glass of wine, Captain Li said to Xu Qiang.

"Thank you, Captain Li. I will come to you if I have any help." Upon hearing this, Xu Qiang hurriedly expressed his gratitude.

Getting to know the officers of the local garrison is also a good opportunity for Xu Qiang to expand his network.

In addition, Xu Qiang is engaged in military technology after all, especially the research and development of new explosives, which requires testing in a safe field. Therefore, in the future, he will definitely have to deal with local military leaders like Captain Li.

Moreover, when these officers return to local areas in the future, they will still be cadres, and most of them will be from public security, procuratorial and judicial units, so such people will still be very useful to Xu Qiang in the future.

Today, Xu Qiang is undoubtedly the absolute protagonist. Everyone can see that his future prospects are almost limitless, so everyone is naturally very attentive to him.

As he drank cup after cup of liquor, Xu Qiang's face gradually began to look a little drunk, but his mind remained clear.

"Come on, let's have a drink."

It was not until this time that Guo Tiemin picked up the wine glass and spoke to Xu Qiang.

Unlike his serious expression before the experiment, Guo Tiemin seemed relieved at this moment and finally smiled at Xu Qiang.

From the beginning till now, many people have toasted him. He sat next to Xu Qiang and observed his performance. Now that everyone has finished half of the drinks, Guo Tiemin also started talking to Xu Qiang.

"Director Guo, cheers!" Upon seeing this, Xu Qiang immediately picked up the wine glass, clinked it with his, and then drank it all in one gulp.

"Yeah." Guo Tiemin finished his drink and nodded gently. Then he said to Xu Qiang, "Did you feel that I was too strict with you before..." "It's normal to be strict. It's all for work." Xu Qiang smiled slightly and continued, "Besides, I have problems myself. I shouldn't ask my superiors for money every day, and I can't produce any results. If I were a leader, I would also be annoyed by such subordinates."

"Hahaha!" Hearing this, Guo Tiemin burst into laughter and said, "You actually know everything. I think you did that on purpose, right?"

"I have no other choice." Xu Qiang spread his hands and continued, "Our Shanghai Research Institute has just been established and we don't have anything we need. I can only ask my superiors for help..."

"But do you know that the current conditions of your institute are better than those of Institute 201 in Beijing? For example, Lao Hu and his friends don't even have a TV or a washing machine in their dormitory, let alone an electric fan. Their conditions are much worse than yours..."

"I admire the seniors for their hard work in starting a business, but there are really not many people willing to endure hardships in this era." Xu Qiang paused, then continued: "Take the people in my project team for example, they were all transferred from BJ. In the past, they could go home after get off work, with a wife and children, and a comfortable and nourishing life. But when they come to Shanghai, they are unfamiliar with the place, and if the living conditions are difficult, I think it won't take long before no one will be willing to stay here. I might end up being the only one..."

"Uh..." Guo Tiemin nodded when he heard that.

"I want to keep people here and make them willing to work here for a long time. I have to either do some ideological work for them or provide them with a good working and living environment. There is no other way." Xu Qiang curled his lips and continued, "But I am very busy at work every day. I don't have time to talk to them and do ideological work every day. Besides, the people in the institute are older than me. It is not easy to convince them..."

"That's true. What you said makes sense." Guo Tiemin agreed.

"...I am the only one who still has some power in my hands and can ask for money from the higher-ups, so please don't be surprised, Director Guo. No matter what, this research institute belongs to the country. When I leave, I can't take anything from the institute with me. It will only be used to serve the people working here." Xu Qiang said sincerely.

"Yeah." Guo Tiemin nodded and said, "I can understand what you said. I was indeed a bit harsh towards you before, but you don't have to take it to heart..."

"I won't take it to heart. We are all here for work. There is nothing to say."

"That's good!" Guo Tiemin picked up the wine bottle and was about to pour wine for Xu Qiang.

"I'll do it!" Seeing this, Xu Qiang immediately took the bottle and poured a glass of wine for Guo Tiemin first.

"I didn't expect this project to be successful. No wonder Minister Zhang thinks highly of you. He is really good at judging people..." Looking at the wine in the glass, Guo Tiemin shook his head slightly and said, "But I am in such a hurry this time because I have my own difficulties. Our Fifth Ministry of Machine Building is about to change..."

"The situation has changed?" Xu Qiang was stunned when he heard Guo Tiemin say this.

"It's like this... The country is planning to abolish the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building this year..."

"Cancel the Fifth Machine Department!?"

Xu Qiang was shocked when he heard this.

Although he traveled through time from his previous life, Xu Qiang actually didn't know much about the history of the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building. Although he knew that the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building had been cancelled in his previous life, he didn't expect it to be cancelled so quickly.

"That's right. In order to strengthen the management and coordination of departments, the country plans to merge the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building with several other departments to form a new department called the 'Ministry of Ordnance Industry'. At the same time, some personnel adjustments will be made to this newly established department." Guo Tiemin paused and continued, "As far as I know, Minister Zhang is also likely to retire directly. He is now in his seventies, and his superiors think that his physical condition may not be suitable for high-intensity work..."

"I understand." After hearing this, Xu Qiang suddenly realized.

It now seems that the reason why Guo Tiemin rushed to Shanghai to ask Xu Qiang to produce the project results was probably because of this reason.

After all, it was Minister Zhang who appointed Xu Qiang as the head of the 8702 project team, and the ministry also invested a lot of resources in the construction of the Shanghai Institute. Guo Tiemin wanted to gain more "political achievements" for Minister Zhang Zhen. In this way, he might be able to delay Minister Zhang Zhen's retirement deadline and at the same time fulfill his wish.

In addition, after the abolition of the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building, the leaders of the newly established Ministry of Ordnance Industry will certainly come up with a "new look". They will probably establish some new key scientific research projects and at the same time cancel some old projects that have not been successful for a long time. This is all predictable.

So Guo Tiemin came to Shanghai this time to put pressure on Xu Qiang, actually wanting Xu Qiang to come up with some research results. Even if the project cannot be completed in the short term, but with the interim results, when the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building is abolished in the future, the leaders of the newly established Ministry of Ordnance Industry will see Xu Qiang's interim results and will most likely allow the project to continue. This is very important for Xu Qiang and Minister Zhang Zhen who appointed him as the project leader. At least it is an explanation to his superiors, and it will also allow Xu Qiang to continue to receive the attention of the new leadership.

What Guo Tiemin didn't expect was that Xu Qiang actually completed the entire 8702 project in such a short time, thus putting a perfect end to this national key military project that had lasted for several years...

(End of this chapter)