Chapter 112: Turbulent Winds and Rising Clouds

“Shocking: Our country invents new carbon fiber production method, ‘industrial gold’ may drop to civilian pricing!”

“Shenyang, Hongwei, Zhijian: three companies splurge a huge sum on patent licensing fees, becoming the leading enterprises in the carbon fiber production revolution!”

“Another world’s first emerges from Tang Country!”

“Top news: Weilan Automobiles’ latest luxury model adopts a new carbon fiber body, with a price just 30% higher than the standard models!”

“Gili Automobile announces that all high-end models will use carbon fiber bodies!”

…

One explosive piece of news after another is released and reported in print media, online, and even on some local TV stations.

Du Qiu, who sold the rights to his carbon fiber patent a few months ago, finally announces it now after the joint operation of the three companies.

Due to Du Qiu’s request, in the first wave of publicity, Du Qiu’s name did not appear; only Dream Technology R&D Center was mentioned as the patent licensee in the reports.

Reporters quickly traced the source back to the Dream Technology R&D Center and sought to interview it.

Over the past few months, Du Qiu has leased three additional factories in the park: one transformed into an R&D center, one into a carbon fiber equipment manufacturing factory, and another for manufacturing waste treatment equipment.

Adding to the existing facility facing the street and another used for producing graphene materials, Du Qiu has now rented a total of five buildings in the park.

Combining the layout of the five buildings, the company has restructured the surrounding walls, and Du Qiu has also deployed his own newly developed security system.

The location of the R&D center is strategically surrounded by the other four buildings, with the original office building, situated next to the street, serving as the main entrance to the entire complex.

The R&D center has recruited a large number of researchers primarily focused on developing new materials and various types of sensors.

Having many material formulas at his disposal, Du Qiu certainly does not have the time to verify each one, so he “develops” these materials through various project teams.

Of course, catalysts and molecular exchange agents are also “researched” successfully when the time is right.

During this period, the R&D center has already applied for hundreds of patents.

This is still under Du Qiu’s control, to avoid too much shock and awe.

The current pace of patent applications is indeed astounding.

However, researchers at the development center regard Du Qiu as a god of fortune because whenever they encounter difficulties in their research, Du Qiu’s timely inspiration leads to actual “research” accomplishments.

Initially, some were skeptical, but knowing that these new materials’ processes largely continue the carbon fiber production methods previously invented by Du Qiu, they became reassured.

Some even suggested that this production process be named after Du Qiu.

Naturally, Du Qiu declined, as his initial purpose in establishing the R&D center was not only to create his own development team but also to conceal the advent of black technology.

If all inventions or discoveries were credited to Du Qiu alone, people certainly would not revere him as an Edison figure.

Apart from researchers, Du Qiu has set up a large server room in the center and purchased a bunch of commercial supercomputers.

Du Qiu has begun preparing for research into artificial intelligence.

Given the importance of the R&D center, it’s not a place where reporters can freely enter. In fact, they can’t even get through the main gate, let alone approach the R&D center located in the company’s core area.

The increasing number of reporters arriving indeed disrupts the normal work order of the entire Dream Technology.

Since these individuals cannot get inside, they naturally wait outside, hassling anyone they perceive as research staff from the R&D center as they enter and leave work.

This causes considerable annoyance to employees of other subsidiaries.

The entire Dream Technology not only requires all employees to sign confidentiality agreements but has also clearly established employee discipline.

Employees are prohibited from disclosing any internal company matters to any reporter, which, if violated, is treated as a leak of secrets, meriting termination and legal repercussions.

Currently, the compensation at Dream Technology is quite substantial, so no one would answer a reporter’s questions for an interview not likely to bring them fame.

“Director Du, why don’t you take the opportunity to promote Dream Technology?”

Sun Hongming stands in front of the office window of Du Qiu, looking at those reporters waiting by the street, expressing the question in his heart.

Over the past several months with Dream Technology and its subsidiaries thriving, Sun Hongming is in very good spirits, his lean face always beaming with an unusual radiance.

“Brother Sun, Dream Technology is already famous enough; it doesn’t need more publicity. ‘The well-known face troubles, the fat pig is slaughtered’ — there’s truth to this old saying. Some people are already targeting us.”

Sun Hongming turns around, looking at Du Qiu in surprise, “What do you mean?”

Du Qiu explained calmly, “The ultra-precision machining center is a national treasure. We have made a significant breakthrough, which means many people’s cake will be touched by us.

After all, many people are used to buying foreign products. I won’t even mention the amount of those collusive rules favoring foreign sellers, but at least some individuals will lose their opportunities for state-funded overseas study trips.

As for those manufacturers from Japan, Europe, and America, I estimate that they will soon take action. Now with the new carbon fiber production technology, do you think we still need to promote ourselves so conspicuously?”

Sun Hongming frowns, “So how should we deal with these open and covert attacks?”

Ordinary people always think that if domestic goods catch up and surpass imported goods, the imported goods will definitely be replaced.

But it’s not that simple. Haven’t you noticed that this year’s Double Eleven festival had Apple phones selling the best?

Actually, this reflects a certain insecurity inherent in Tang Country after a century of decline, with some people even developing a preference for foreign products.

Even though Dream Technology’s current products completely surpass their imported counterparts in quality and are more affordable, many people still find various reasons to purchase imported products.

Naturally, these individuals form a collective force with foreign manufacturers, becoming competitors to Dream Technology.

Reality isn’t like some black tech novels where the protagonist acquires black tech, starts a company, introduces new products, and instantly overthrows Apple and tramples on Qualcomm, earning universal acclaim.

Of course, such novels seem thrilling, but everyone should understand the frustrations experienced by Huawei to see that those are just fairy tales.

“What else can we do? Meet force with force, and cover water with earth.”

Du Qiu said with ease, “As long as we just focus on doing our work well and take hold of the domestic market first.

We must also strive to expand into international markets. With our steady approach, our market share will inevitably grow year by year. If foreign companies want to wage a price war, they only have one path: defeat.”

Last night, Du Qiu settled the caretaker issue and can now directly connect to the caretaker through dreams, and perhaps before long, he’ll gain access to even more advanced technology.

Not to mention anything else, just achieving artificial intelligence in this internet age will place us in an invincible position.”

Sun Hongming has become somewhat worried, “Do you think our products will suffer the same fate as Huawei, being targeted and bad-mouthed by America everywhere?”

Du Qiu smiled and said, “It shouldn’t happen. After all, our products are at least comparable to those abroad.

Moreover, since our products aren’t for ordinary consumer use, they won’t affect the average foreign person.

At most, America would put us on some so-called entity list, but that wouldn’t affect Europe.”