Chapter 11: Before the Restart, You Must Never Give Up!

Turgenev watched Zhang Gongnong’s retreating figure, his expression shifting like the weather.

A reunion? How could that be!

Before national interests, old feelings mean nothing.

He had intended to straightforwardly explain the stakes to Zhang Gongnong and make clear that conquering the core technology of the 956E was an impossible task, hoping to dampen his confidence and thus better facilitate negotiations between the two sides.

After all, selling a few tens of millions of dollars more was still a substantial income for the Russian military-industrial complex.

But unexpectedly, Zhang Gongnong fiercely refuted him with the old atomic bomb incident.

Back then, Russian nuclear weapons experts had withdrawn, destroying a vast amount of critical data, declaring: “With our protection, you have no need to develop it yourselves. Even if you waste your whole lives, you won’t figure it out!”

Yet, within a few years, China successfully detonated its atomic bomb.

Now, with Zhang Gongnong bringing up old matters again, Turgenev was naturally displeased.

“Hmph! Zhang Gongnong, we’ll see about this!”

Zhang Gongnong left the reception room and headed straight to the director’s office.

His mind was filled with confusion.

Why on earth was there a sudden plan to purchase two more 956E ships?

The two 956Es had cost nearly $900 million, already far exceeding market prices. Now they weren’t even outfitting them—just outright seizing them!

Two billion dollars—that was equivalent to 14.9 billion Chinese yuan, while the navy’s total annual budget was only 8 billion!

If they poured 14.9 billion into this, what was left for naval development? Where would the funds for further military advances come from? They might as well just guard four 956Es and call it a year.

Zhang Gongnong was burning with anxiety.

Bang—

He flung open the door and shouted inside, “Director Sun? Director Sun!”

Director Sun, bent over his desk, looked up, pushed up his reading glasses, and upon seeing who it was said, “Comrade Gongnong, I was just about to look for you.”

Zhang Gongnong spoke directly, “Director Sun, when was this second purchase of the 956E decided? I haven’t heard a word! Two billion dollars—is this madness?”

“Just last month. The two sides are still negotiating! We definitely won’t accept the two billion price,” Director Sun explained.

“We already have two ships; why pay double to buy two more? It’s unnecessary! With so much money, we could do research and…”

“Comrade Gongnong, this isn’t something I can decide alone.”

“Is it those two old fossils? Director, you’re confused!”

Zhang Gongnong immediately thought of the other two institute directors.

As deputy director, he hadn’t even been involved in the vote. This must have been decided by the three directors voting together.

Director Sun said gravely, “The three directors voted; two agreed. I could only abstain. What else could I do?”

“Director, why don’t you stand up to them? If you won’t, I will! We have to show them some backbone!”

As he spoke, Zhang Gongnong rolled up his sleeves and started to leave.

“Zhang Gongnong, come back! Don’t think just because you were a soldier for a few days you can boss me around!” Director Sun slammed the table and scolded.

Zhang Gongnong grew desperate: “Director, they’re trying to cut off our navy’s independent R&D path!”

“Do you think I don’t understand? But do you know, just two months ago, the fourth Kongo-class destroyer officially entered production in the East? Soon, they’ll have four complete ‘88 Fleets.’”

Director Sun’s tone grew urgent.

“The Eastern Navy has boasted they can annihilate our navy in an hour! You work on the 956E. You know the gap between non-modern and modern warships! The 956E is much inferior to the Kongo-class! You know better than anyone the gap between us and the Eastern Navy! Without at least two modern ships, how can the navy protect our maritime security?”

“But…”

Zhang Gongnong was about to speak when Director Sun cut him off.

“There’s one more thing I need to tell you: the 956E research program is suspended!”

“What! Such a major project, and it’s just suspended like that?”

Zhang Gongnong stood dumbfounded.

These two heavy blows had completely stunned him.

“Director, we can’t stop! We’ve finally made some progress, and now all will be lost!”

Director Sun sat down and sighed deeply.

“Our country needs money everywhere. Overcoming the 956E’s challenges is difficult enough, and now having to buy two more 956Es, there simply isn’t enough military funding.”

“Director, I don’t understand. Right here, in this office, under this red banner, you told us the navy’s modernization must be achieved at all costs!”

“That’s right, I said it.”

“You led us in taking that oath.”

“Yes, we took it together.”

“What difficulties can’t be overcome?”

“The 956E project has been underway for seven months. Do you know how much has been invested by the three institutes combined? 1.5 billion yuan! That money was taken from various departments’ budgets. Many projects have been put on hold because of this. And what results? That 1.5 billion yuan is like water splashing—bigger waves than our seven months of progress!”

Director Sun’s expression was mournful.

“Do you know how hard it is for me to report progress to the leadership? Every time, when they look to me expecting good news, how much anguish I feel inside!”

“Now, it’s settled. They want to buy! Fine, let them buy!”

Zhang Gongnong staggered, nearly losing his footing.

The news hit him like a thunderbolt; his heart was bleeding.

“Director, this shouldn’t be. We can do it.”

His voice was hoarse, as if all his strength and drive had been drained.

Director Sun stood and walked over, patting Zhang Gongnong’s shoulder with earnest gravity.

“Comrade Gongnong, the organization will keep a few people on to continue research, preparing for a comeback. You are one of them. In the days ahead, you will become a lone walker, waiting for us to get through this difficult period. Before we restart, you must not give up.”

“When will we restart?”

“I don’t know. Just promise me, before restarting, you won’t give up.”

Zhang Gongnong nodded firmly.

“Go rest for a few days. You’ve worked hard enough these past six months.”

Dazed, Zhang Gongnong didn’t even realize how he left the office.

Standing in the sunlight, the dazzling rays fell on him but could not dispel the chill in his heart.

He looked around, suddenly unsure where to go.

The belief he had clung to was gone, leaving him utterly lost.

At that moment, his phone rang.

He picked it up to see it was Professor Li calling.

After some brief greetings, Professor Li lowered his voice.

“Old Zhang, come quickly to Harbin Institute of Technology. There’s a major discovery!”

“Old Li, I have no confidence now. Don’t you know the plan is suspended…”

“You’re foolish! If you don’t come, your disciple will be taken by others! You know your disciple… It’s inconvenient to say over the phone. Just come back quickly.”

“Old Li, I…”

“Zhang, shut up! I’m giving you half an hour to get here! If you’re late, I’ll burn down your lab myself!”