Chapter 115: Barrage of Challenges

The next day, Du Qiu hummed a tune as he entered the office, ready to tackle a big project and get artificial intelligence developed as soon as possible.

This would greatly reduce his workload.

Fortunately, the supercomputing distributed cluster in the research center’s computer room had already been installed and deployed, just waiting for the software program to be successfully developed.

However, the existing power supply lines in the research center’s factory could not meet the required standards. An application for a dedicated power line to the power supply bureau had already been made, but it was unclear if it had been approved or not.

Du Qiu hadn’t even sat down when Sun Hongming entered the office looking very tense.

“President Du, we just got a notification from the electric power bureau; our application for the special dedicated line has not been approved.”

Although the research center wasn’t officially under Dream Technology, the day-to-day operations were still handled by it.

Dream Technology had been growing so rapidly that many positions had not yet been filled, which meant veterans like Sun Hongming and Yuan Minhua had to take on multiple roles.

Knowing that Du Qiu had been busy with the construction of the research center’s computer room and was well aware of the importance he placed on big data and AI research, Sun Hongming was naturally concerned and had even established some personal connections with a section chief at the power supply bureau.

“Wasn’t this application submitted a while ago? It fully met the power bureau’s regulations, on what grounds did they refuse it?”

“I asked Section Chief Su, and he revealed that an order from higher-up was issued and the bureau leadership stopped the approval process.”

Sun Hongming leaned back in his chair with a sigh, then continued, “President Du, do you think it could be Deputy Director Yu…”

“It’s possible, indeed. As expected, he’s not one to take things lying down, causing trouble right at this critical moment…”

“President Du, President Du…” Yuan Minhua burst in so hurriedly that she didn’t even knock on the door.

“What’s happened that you’re in such a rush?”

With an anxious look, Yuan Minhua said, “Director Shao just called me and said the industrial park might be closed down. This entire area is about to be demolished.”

“What?!” Sun Hongming stood up from his chair with a start, then suddenly cried out in pain and sat back down.

“Brother Sun, what’s wrong with you?”

Seeing Sun Hongming’s pale face and him clutching his right abdomen, Du Qiu quickly asked with concern.

Startled by Sun Hongming’s appearance, Yuan Minhua hurried to call for an ambulance.

“It’s nothing, I just got up too quickly and strained a muscle.” Sun Hongming quickly stopped Yuan Minhua.

Du Qiu, seeing Wen Siqing entering the room at the sound, instructed, “Secretary Wen, please get a glass of warm water for President Sun.”

After gently massaging for a bit, Sun Hongming said, “It’s okay now, I’m fine. Minhua, tell us more about the industrial park being shut down. What’s going on?”

“Are you really okay?” Du Qiu still sounded unsure.

“I’m fine.” Sun Hongming took the cup of water handed to him by Wen Siqing and drank a few large gulps.

Seeing this, Yuan Minhua explained, “Director Shao called to say that there’s just been an adjustment in the city planning, and this area is going to be demolished, to be transformed into this district’s sub-center.

Soon, this plot of land will be auctioned off by the land bureau and, once purchased by real estate developers, this area is bound to be demolished.

The mood in the industrial park is already unsettled, and everyone is trying to figure out how to transfer out. Otherwise, those who stay to the end will probably find it hard to get good positions elsewhere.”

Du Qiu couldn’t help but smile wryly, it seemed he had underestimated the vindictiveness of certain individuals.

These two events felt like continuous attacks against Dream Technology, with short-term work obstruction and medium-term business interruption.

If the area were to be demolished, just finding new land and factories and completing a range of cleanroom modifications would take quite some time.

During this period, Dream Technology would be unable to produce, and not to mention the numerous orders that would breach contracts—even without paying penalties, the long time without supply would give competitors ample time to strategize in the market.

The key issue was that this was being done officially and aboveboard, leaving him with no grounds for complaint.

There was no evidence to suggest this was someone’s retaliatory measure.

After all, they were well-disposed towards Dream Technology—they even wanted to take a stake in it.

“President Du, I think you should discuss this with Chairman Ning. He might be able to change the new plan,” suggested Sun Hongming.

“Well, if the new plan isn’t finalized yet, there might still be a chance. Otherwise, even Chairman Ning would likely have difficulty making an impact,” Du Qiu replied.

“We should try regardless. What if it can be stopped?” Yuan Minhua said with a hint of hope.

“Yes, Chairman Ning might have channels to understand the insider details of the planning. After all, if our operations are halted, it would also greatly impact the completion of orders for Xingguang Precision.”

“Okay, I’ll call Chairman Ning right now.”

Du Qiu took out his phone and directly dialed Ning Yuzhe’s number.

“Xiao Du, what’s up with calling me today?”

“Chairman Ning, there’s a matter in which we might need your help.” In front of Sun Hongming and Yuan Minhua, Du Qiu used a formal title.

Upon hearing this, Ning Yuzhe chuckled and said, “What, you’ve got company over there? What’s the matter?”

“Just got two pieces of news—one is that the power bureau has rejected our application for a dedicated line. The other is that the industrial park is going to be dismantled and this plot of land will be auctioned to build an urban sub-center.”

“What?” Ning Yuzhe was genuinely startled by the second piece of news, understanding what it implied.

Ning Yuzhe was aware that Dream Technology had rented several more factories and converted them all into cleanroom facilities, a costly investment.

Most importantly, demolition would surely disrupt regular operations.

“Are you sure about the news?”

“It’s true. It was Director Shao from the industrial park who informed us.”

“Fu Guochen’s move is ruthless indeed; if he can’t have it, he makes sure I can’t leverage it either.” Ning Yuzhe sounded troubled, knowing that big conglomerate restructurings were planned for year-end through to next spring. If Du Qiu’s company couldn’t complete a batch of CNC machining centers on schedule,

and the ministry officials didn’t see concrete results, it would be difficult for him to take the seat of the big group’s chairman.

“Chairman Ning, are you certain this is Fu Guochen’s doing and not that Deputy Director Yu’s? Fu Guochen is just a business leader after all…”

“You don’t understand, Fu Guochen has a complicated background. Deputy Director Yu is willing to act for him, considering the face of the person behind him.”

“Oh, what should we do now then?”

“Hang on!” Ning Yuzhe’s voice came through, then there was silence.

Du Qiu could only wait patiently.

After a full ten minutes, Ning Yuzhe’s voice came from the phone again, “Seeing as it’s come to this, let’s have a go at it. Don’t do anything for now; carry on as usual.”

“Ah?!” Du Qiu couldn’t help but be startled.

“There should be a change within three days. If it can’t be changed, then we’ll admit defeat.”

“Beep, beep, beep…” Du Qiu hadn’t expected Ning Yuzhe to just hang up on him.

He rubbed his temples with his hand. Ning Yuzhe might concede, but if his own large operation really had to relocate, it would likely be quite a painful undertaking.

“President Du, what did Chairman Ning say?” Sun Hongming asked.

“Oh, he said to wait patiently for three days to see if there’s any change. If not, we should prepare for relocation.”

With a slap, Sun Hongming hit the table, “This is outrageous! If we do have to relocate, we’ll suffer huge losses.”

“There’s nothing we can do. They’re replanning everything in a logical manner; what can we ordinary folks do about it?”

Du Qiu spread his hands as he spoke, his voice filled with helpless resignation, yet his heart seethed with indignation.

Yuan Minhua also sighed and said, “Right, if this place is to be demolished, we can only move elsewhere. The question is where can we move to?”

Du Qiu responded, “Sister Yuan, start looking for places in Magic City where there are ready-made factories and at least three standard factory buildings.

We need to prioritize ensuring the manufacturing of CNC machining centers, waste treatment equipment, and carbon fiber production lines.”

The domestic carbon fiber market had already begun to boom, with the leading carbon fiber enterprise in Japan trying to maintain its international market share—though it was only a matter of time before their hold would be breached.

The three major carbon fiber manufacturers were running at full capacity yet still couldn’t meet demand; all were chasing additional production line orders from Dream Technology.

“All right, I hope we find something quickly.”

“President Du, I’ll go make an emergency plan right now, to see the potential impact and losses we might incur if we have to relocate.”

Sun Hongming stood up to head back to his own office.

“Brother Sun, hold on. I think you should go to the hospital for a check-up. That episode just now might not be a simple muscle strain. Work is important, but not as important as your health.”

Sun Hongming’s face reddened slightly as he replied, “President Du, I know. I’ll find the time to get it checked out.”

With that said, Sun Hongming left.