Chapter 106: Unappealing Dining Manners

“Director Du, the park’s Director Shao mentioned that a group of leaders will be visiting this morning, and he hopes that you could personally receive them.”

Du Qiu had just arrived at the company when Yuan Minhua came to see him.

After hearing Yuan Minhua’s words, Du Qiu couldn’t help but sigh.

Ever since the Heavenly System became famous, it wasn’t unusual for some leaders to be arranged to visit the park for research and observations.

Typically, these matters were handled by Sun Hongming and Yuan Minhua, and Du Qiu almost never showed his face.

Especially after devoting himself entirely to the development of the ultra-high precision CNC machining centers, he even less time to spare for these meetings and greetings.

During the recent Eleventh Exhibition, Tian Gong’s debut shook the entire Tang Country’s industrial sector, prompting an even larger wave of visits than before.

Among the visitors, the officials’ ranks were getting higher and some explicitly requested to meet Du Qiu, leaving Sun Hongming unable to cope.

For this reason, Du Qiu had already been forced to receive two batches of visitors prior.

“Which leaders?”

Yuan Minhua said: “Leaders from the city’s Development and Reform Commission, accompanied by a group of state-owned enterprise executives.”

Du Qiu smiled bitterly as this was one of the most powerful government departments, which meant he could not avoid the task of receiving them.

“When will they arrive?”

“Director Shao said it would be in about half an hour.”

“Let’s get ready quickly. Call me to go to the entrance ten minutes before they arrive.”

“Okay.”

……

……

“Dr. Du, you really are young and promising!”

Deputy Director Yu shook Du Qiu’s hand with a smile.

Deputy Director Yu had already been impressed with Du Qiu’s youth when reviewing his profile, achieving such significant scientific research results at such a young age, his future was boundless.

“Director Yu, your praise is too generous. Please, this way. This production line provides components for the ultra-high precision machining center, Tian Gong Model One.”

By now, Dream Technology’s factory had seen new changes.

Since the beginning of this year, with the shift in the international situation, some of the park’s export-oriented enterprises have been affected, leading to consecutive closures.

Shao Wenhua was grateful that he had rented the factory buildings to Du Qiu previously, and now, with Dream Technology’s rapid development, all the vacated buildings due to closures were taken over for rent.

Otherwise, his performance for the year could never have been achieved.

Currently, in the earliest factory buildings of Dream Technology, only two production lines remained: one for the production of components for Tian Gong Model One, and the other for waste treatment equipment.

Between the two production lines was a double-sided glass corridor, designed specifically for visitors to walk and observe closely.

“Hmm, nice. I’ve seen many unmanned factories, but as clean and completely unmanned as this one, it seems only the general assembly workshop of Tesla’s soon-to-be-completed Magic City factory.”

Deputy Director Yu kept looking around and listening to Du Qiu’s explanations with emotion.

“Many unmanned factories still require some manual assistance nowadays. I have already delegated this part of the assistant work to industrial assistant robots.”

“Oh, is it that machine with six mechanical arms and four wheels?”

Deputy Director Yu pointed at a machine moving next to a machining center and asked.

“You are indeed insightful, Director Yu, that’s correct. Its mechanical hands have achieved precise control, so it not only handles the heavy tasks of cleaning and moving, but also delicate tasks such as workpiece loading and unloading with ease.”

“May I ask Dr. Du, is this robot available for sale separately?”

At this moment, a middle-aged man next to Deputy Director Yu suddenly asked.

Du Qiu explained, “Oh, currently they are sold as a whole set with the production line. The individual sale is still in planning, requiring some additional development work. After all, it hasn’t reached the level of true artificial intelligence and needs to be customized according to the buyer’s actual usage situation.”

Director Yu smiled and said, “Dr. Du, this gentleman is the chairman of the listed company Xingyu Electromechanical, Mr. Fu Guochen. He specifically came today to seek advice from Dr. Du.”

Du Qiu looked at Fu Guochen with a hint of surprise.

This was a slightly overweight middle-aged man with a somewhat sinister aura between his brows, and a distinguishing feature was his hooked nose, which was one not to forget easily.

“Just too modest, Chairman Fu. Xingyu Electromechanical is a big listed company, and my small firm pales in comparison. I should be learning from you.”

Chairman Fu’s face was full of smiles as he said, “It’s all about learning from each other. I just don’t know if Dr. Du would be willing to offer such an opportunity?”

“Chairman Fu is jesting. It’s always good to learn from each other.”

Deputy Director Yu laughed heartily, “I see you both hit it off well. Why not go to the conference room and have a good chat?”

Du Qiu was about to lead the group to the conference room.

However, Deputy Director Yu suggested to Du Qiu that others could continue the tour, while he would hold a meeting with Fu Guochen and Du Qiu alone.

Although Du Qiu was a bit surprised, he did as Deputy Director Yu requested and had Sun Hongming continue escorting the remaining visitors.

He led the two to the prepared conference room, and after they were seated,

Deputy Director Yu and Du Qiu chatted about some bland topics before asking, “Dr. Du, is Dream Technology currently solely funded by you?”

Du Qiu became slightly guarded and replied, “I am just the major shareholder. There are other shareholders and employee stock ownership.”

The middle-aged man, Fu Guochen, suddenly interjected, “Such a shareholding structure has some governance issues; it would be best to have state-backed strategic investors enter the company. After all, Dream Technology’s products are mainly for state-owned enterprises, having strategic investors’ channels could help Dream Technology develop better.”

Du Qiu responded with a smile, “We have a joint venture with the state-owned enterprise Feiyu Technology, called Xingguang Precision. Tian Gong Model One machining centers are sold to some key state enterprises under the name of Xingguang Precision.”

Hearing this, Fu Guochen’s face fell. He glanced at Deputy Director Yu.

Deputy Director Yu smiled and said, “Your cooperation with Feiyu Technology is one model, but there could be another model in coexistence. For instance, your Dream Technology could cross-share with Chairman Fu’s Xingyu Electromechanical, each of you leveraging each other’s strengths for better sustainable development.

This year, our Magic City is accelerating state-owned enterprise reforms. Magic City state capital is the second-largest shareholder of Xingyu Electromechanical and could play a regulating role during this stock optimization process.”

Du Qiu had not expected that today’s tour concealed such a scheme and it seemed to contradict national policies; perhaps it was just that these two in front of him were too unappealing in their behavior.

With a smile, Du Qiu politely declined, “Thank you both for the kind offer, but Dream Technology does not currently plan to introduce strategic investors.”

Deputy Director Yu’s face showed displeasure and he suggested, “It’s just an immature proposal of mine. You two can discuss the specifics. I’ll go to the restroom first.”

With that, Deputy Director Yu got up and left the conference room.

Fu Guochen moved closer to Du Qiu and said sternly, “Dr. Du, starting a business on your own is not easy. With the support of a listed company like Xingyu Electromechanical and local support from Magic City state capital, you can go further. Others would long for such an opportunity.”

“Chairman Fu, I’m sorry. I genuinely do not wish to introduce strategic investors. With the current momentum of Dream Technology, we truly do not need it.”

“Young man, you think you can open up the state enterprise market just with the support of Feiyu Technology? That’s too naive,” Fu Guochen said coldly.

“Chairman Fu, Dream Technology is not solely relying on the state enterprise market, and even if we can’t break into this market, I believe the international market can also keep Dream Technology thriving,” Du Qiu calmly replied.

“Truly young. Given the current international situation, do you really think Dream Technology can grab market share from the high-end monopolistic markets in the West?”

Du Qiu simply stated, “Man proposes, God disposes.”

“Well then, I wish Dr. Du great success in his endeavors,” said Fu Guochen as he stood up and left.

Just as he reached the door, he met Deputy Director Yu. Fu Guochen subtly shook his head, and Deputy Director Yu’s expression immediately darkened.

After that, the conversation went downhill, as they didn’t seem to hit it off. Deputy Director Yu’s party left in a hurry shortly after.

It’s the weekend, folks; how about a reward!