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Chapter 186 - 186: Armed Satellite Project Chief Engineer

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

“By the way, Red Lotus, how much money is currently available in the company’s account?”

This thought about finances had slipped his mind until now.

It had been quite some time since he last checked the company’s account balance, and he remained oblivious to his current financial standing.

“Master, the company’s account currently holds 57.2 billion, with 11.2 billion earmarked for the Blue Army’s equipment advance payment, while the remaining 460 billion represents the company’s current cash reserves.”

Tang Rui was left astounded upon hearing the significant figure. It contradicted his prior understanding.

He had previously believed the company’s account had never exceeded 18 billion. Initially, it had held over 30 billion, proceeds from his earnings when the ATiddle East led a consortium of wealthy investors to make purchases.

However, he had expended a considerable portion of those funds on projects like constructing the White Emperor and acquiring a private jet, not to mention various other expenses, tallying over 10 billion.

Consequently, the sudden influx of funds into the company’s account seemed perplexing.

“Why is there so much money?” Tang Rui exclaimed.

“Master, the majority of these funds were acquired through patent authorizations, and an additional 6 billion is a special grant from the Ministry of Finance.”

Red Lotus meticulously organized the company’s financial inflows and outflows into a comprehensible table, which she presented before Tang Rui.

Following a thorough examination, Tang Rui eventually comprehended the origins of this wealth.

To be honest, collecting patent royalties was an avenue for accumulating wealth.

Stepping out of the laboratory, Tang Rui strolled around the company, as he presently lacked any pressing matters to attend to.

The sole undertaking necessitating his personal involvement was the liquid rocket engine, while the remainder of the projects operated autonomously.

However, the company’s employees were evidently engaged in their duties.

After a couple of rounds, he gravitated toward his office to address company affairs. These responsibilities largely entailed non-urgent and minor matters.

In instances of urgency, staff directly liaised with him through the intelligent office assistant, Red Lotus.

“Hmm?”

Tang Rui’s attention was drawn to a substantial pile of documents resting on his desk.

He found himself immersed in deep contemplation.

How had such an abundance of documents accumulated in such a short span of time? It hadn’t even been half a month, yet these tasks had piled up significantly.

He plucked one document from the stack, only to realize that the bulk of them pertained to inquiries from other companies and corporations, rather than company-specific matters.

“Inquiring about machinery and equipment?” he pondered aloud.

Skimming through these faxes, most inquired about the availability of Crimson’s machinery and equipment.

Had these inquiries not predominantly emanated from organizations bearing ‘national’ or ‘central’ designations, Tang Rui might have considered them to be suspicious solicitations.

“Red Lotus, display all of these equipment requests,” he instructed.

Truth be told, upon reviewing the faxes, Tang Rui found it challenging to discern the nature of these devices.

Many of the model names he had never encountered before.

“Yes, Master,” Red Lotus complied, projecting the equipment models before Tang Rui’s eyes.

Upon his perusal, it became unequivocal to him that these were entirely devices he hadn’t previously encountered.

“Red Lotus, are these devices from our company?” Tang Rui questioned, perplexed.

“Yes, Master. All of these devices were developed by the personnel from the Mechanical Laboratory.”

The Mechanical Laboratory? It only housed two individuals.

Observing the myriad devices comprising over a hundred distinct types with diverse functionalities, the assertion that these inventions originated from the laboratory’s sole occupants appeared implausible.

“This equipment’s data and information—have you uploaded them to the confidential database?” Tang Rui inquired.

“All the data has been uploaded,” Red Lotus affirmed.

This elucidated how companies with ‘national’ or ‘central’ affiliations had gleaned information about these inventions. They accessed the data via the database.

Nonetheless, selling the equipment using this method was unnecessary. Tang Rui authorized a state-owned enterprise directly through Red Lotus, subsequently securing licensing fees and profits accrued from the sale of equipment.

In doing so, he could effortlessly generate income while savoring the comfort of his abode.

The question of how much he might earn, to him, was trivial.

At that juncture, Tang Rui’s phone vibrated, signifying an incoming call from Academician Yu.

“Hello… Professor… No, I’m not occupied. I recently completed the solid rocket engine project and was preparing to delve into the liquid rocket engine… The Lunar Network Plan has undergone a revamp… What’s that? I’m being appointed Chief Designer?… Very well, 1 understand,” he stated, concluding the call.

With a complex expression, Tang Rui terminated the call with Professor Yu. The academician had phoned to apprise him of the Lunar Network Plan’s overhaul. A research plan and project outline had been disseminated, leading to the comprehensive recommencement of the entire endeavor.

Beforehand, Tang Rui had been trailing Professor Yu, engaged in the segment the latter managed, and hadn’t borne sole responsibility for any specific task.

The prevailing circumstances differed significantly.

The new project outline had been tailored to feature a dedicated project designated for Tang Rui: the Armed Satellite Project.

Tang Rui possessed proficiency in weaponry as well as satellite systems and even maintained an aerospace fighter capable of traversing the chasm between terrestrial ground and orbital space.

Consequently, he had been entrusted with the helm of the Armed Satellite Project.

This project was far from insignificant.

Within the broader Lunar Network Plan, it assumed a position of prominence and was now subject to the direct jurisdiction of the Lunar Network Plan Review Committee, bereft of any limitations.

In summary, he had ascended to the mantle of Chief Designer and Project Leader for the Armed Satellite Project, which was succinctly referred to as Chief Designer.

Tang Rui’s reaction to this turn of events was one of positive affirmation.

Before departing the office that evening, Lin Chao entered to convey a bundle of resumes and pertinent documents.

“These documents pertain to the list of applicants for the Armed Satellite Project. You may opt to select individuals from the roster or choose to admit them all. Should you have candidates you’d like to transfer, kindly apprise me, and I shall undertake the necessary coordination.”

As Tang Rui confronted the towering stack of resumes and documents, he felt overwhelmed.

“By all conventional standards, projects are led by Chief Designers who are supported by several Deputy Project Leaders to assist in the execution. Why, then, when it comes to me, am I tasked with personally handpicking personnel? What about the other staff?”

Tang Rui mused, rendered somewhat flabbergasted by the situation.

“If you so wish, the higher-ups can assume the onus of arranging everything for you. However, does that accord with your inclinations?” Lin Chao inquired, his expression sly.

Both Lin Chao and the higher echelons recognized Tang Rui’s disposition. Should the higher-ups dictate every facet of the project, he might undertake it, yet his commitment would be halfhearted, relegating it to the status of a mere chore.

Such an approach didn’t invite scrutiny; it merely underscored the inherent disparities in individual dispositions.

“Very well, there’s an electronic version, isn’t there?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent. I will forward you the list of selected personnel before 1 retire for the night.”

Given the electronic version’s availability, Tang Rui could rely on Red Lotus for assistance.

“Alright, carry on,” Lin Chao declared before taking his leave.

Tang Rui tasked Red Lotus with opening the electronic versions of these resumes and related documents and categorizing them based on academic credentials, accolades, and age.

Once this organizational phase was complete, he proceeded to select team members with a newfound sense of gravity.

This marked his inaugural tenure as Chief Designer, and he was determined not to drop the ball..