Chapter 178: Joint Development

Liu Yaofeng blurted out and immediately felt it was somewhat abrupt, and awkwardly chuckled with embarrassment.

In the video, the tall figure was indeed a combat robot. Its upper body was humanoid, while the lower half consisted of four legs.

The upper body also had four mechanical arms, two of which were equipped with what was clearly Gatling six-barrel machine guns.

At this moment, the machine guns roared to life, unleashing a barrage of bullets towards the Persian army. In a short half-minute, the Persian forces suffered heavy losses.

This was because the robot, manning the machine gun, had actually achieved a level of precision shooting.

As the machine gun of the robot opened fire, another pair of mechanical arms—one seemingly a simple rocket launcher—turned and fired multiple rockets at the Persian forces ambushing from the other side of the road.

Just like that, with a barrage of attacks, the Persian army sustained heavy losses.

However, the Persian soldiers were tenacious; some of them lifted rocket launchers and fired at the robot, attempting to destroy this adversary.

But a surprising scene unfolded—the robot dodged the attack with astonishing speed and threw a grenade with its fourth mechanical arm. The grenade exploded precisely above the head of the soldier who had launched the rocket.

“Is it that nimble?” Liu Yaofeng was a bit surprised. In his mind, robots or robotic dogs made by the Americans, although already quite good, should not have reached such a level of agility.

It seemed that he had underestimated the technical level of old America.

Perhaps this was the difference between military and civilian use.

Director Ding ended the video playback and then said, “I believe both of you have seen clearly. This is a video of the U.S. military using combat robots on the Persian battlefield.

It is obvious that the U.S. military has already tested combat robots on the battlefield, and their combat effectiveness is astonishing at present.

Our preliminary judgment is that the best weapon against combat robots is still combat robots.”

Minister Fang looked at the two and said, “We asked for your presence because we need the help of your two companies to accelerate the development process of our military’s combat robots.

He said, pointing to a Colonel sitting to his left, “Colonel Chen Daofan is in charge of our military’s armed robot project.

I wonder if both of you Presidents are willing to contribute to our country?”

Yu Donghua smiled and said, “Minister Fang, there’s no need to be polite. It’s an honor for us to be able to enhance our national defense capabilities.”

Liu Yaofeng also quickly said, “Don’t worry, Minister Fang. We will definitely provide the best assistance to lead our country’s combat robots ahead of the world.”

Minister Fang smiled faintly and said, “President Liu, you can inform Dr. Du that the country welcomes his return at any time. His safety will be taken care of by our military.

Of course, since Dream Technology and Wisdom Technology are participating in a military project, you will naturally be under military protection, and nobody will be allowed to infringe upon the interests of your two companies.”

Liu Yaofeng’s heart skipped a beat. It seemed that the higher-ups might have guessed that he was in contact with the boss; otherwise, he would not be able to make such significant moves.

“I will certainly relay Minister Fang’s words to Dr. Du Qiu.”

Yu Donghua asked, “Minister Fang, how should we cooperate with Colonel Chen on this armed robot project? How will it be carried out?”

Minister Fang replied, “My opinion is joint development. After the successful development, the intellectual property will be co-owned. The military will give you some orders as payment for research and development costs and product profits.”

Yu Donghua further inquired, “Our company is obviously responsible for providing chips. For this part of the intellectual property…”

“As long as the chip isn’t redesigned by the project team, the intellectual property rights are yours. If the chip is customized by the project team, then it will be co-owned.”

Yu Donghua nodded in understanding but then asked again, “Then the chip production should all be taken care of by our company, right?”

Minister Fang chuckled and said, “The military will invest in two chip production lines from your company. In the future, the military will take on some of the chip production.”

“Understood. Then there’s no problem.”

“What about you, President Liu? Do you have any concerns?”

Liu Yaofeng scratched his head and asked, “Where will the research be carried out? Do we need to send people?”

Minister Fang laughed and said, “It’s not you who will send people, but us. It will be at Dream Technology. After all, your company is capable of producing such lifelike robots, so all equipment should be very complete.”

Colonel Chen Daofan said, “President Liu, I will lead a team of 26 from the military project to report to your company for work tomorrow. Please arrange things for us.”

Liu Yaofeng was startled, “So soon? Do we need to arrange accommodations?”

Minister Fang said, “The U.S. military has already deployed armed robots to the battlefield; we cannot fall behind any longer.

I don’t wish to see our soldiers facing enemies that are all steely bodies from assembly lines one day.”

Liu Yaofeng nodded, “I hope not either.”

Colonel Chen Daofan said, “No need to arrange accommodations. We will all come to work by bus.

Externally, you can announce this is a joint project with Kunlun Intelligent Machinery Co., Ltd., but all of your company’s personnel participating in the project must sign a related confidentiality agreement.

The military will have special personnel stationed in your company, responsible for the security of the area where the project team is located.”

“Got it, I understand.”

Colonel Chen Daofan then said to Yu Donghua, “President Yu, if the chips provided by your side are not suitable and need customization, we will have the corresponding personnel participate in the customization design. Please follow Dream Technology’s practice when that time comes.”

“No problem, I’ll prepare in advance. Personally, I think we should go for customized design directly to suit actual combat needs better.”

Colonel Chen Daofan nodded approvingly and said, “President Yu has considered things thoroughly. Then I will arrange for five people to go to your company.”

Minister Fang, seeing that both parties had basically come to terms, said right away, “I am relieved that both Presidents can support the construction of national defense so strongly. That will be all for today; I will not keep you for dinner.”

After seeing off Yu Donghua and Liu Yaofeng, Minister Fang returned alone to a room.

The room was not empty; on the coffee table in front of the couch, a game of Go was set up, and a middle-aged military man sat in the center position of the couch gazing intently at the board.

Apparently, he was playing through a Go game on his own.

Juxtaposed on his shoulders were also three gold stars.

“Old Lu, you really are in a relaxing mood.” Minister Fang sat down on a single couch to the side and undid his uniform’s top button.

Old Lu glanced at Minister Fang and said, “With you, Fang Tianji, taking action, what can’t be done? What do I have to worry about?”

“Ai, Old Lu, I’ve been scheming all day long for your sake. What if you lead troops to battle one day, and the enemies are all armed robots? Then what?”

Old Lu stopped looking at the game and leaned back saying, “A robot is just a frail piece of iron. An EMP can take care of a lot of them at once. Would I be intimidated by these things?”

“Wow wow, you even know to use EMPs. Don’t you know that their gadgets can resist attacks from electromagnetic pulses?”

“Even if they can defend against EMPs, can they withstand heavy artillery bombardment?” Old Lu retorted with wide eyes.

“That’s not the point. If it really came to that, your special forces might be utterly redundant.”

Old Lu scratched his head and laughed, “The silicon carbide chips from Wisdom Technology, I heard they can work normally under various severe conditions. This is practically tailor-made for military use.

Didn’t you tell Yu Pangu (Fatty Yu) that we are purchasing a batch to replace the chips in our existing equipment?”

Minister Fang shook his head, “I didn’t say that. Changing the chips in our existing equipment, as you put it, sounds so simple. Where does the money come from?

Instead, I’m planning to purchase two chip production lines from Wisdom Technology under the guise of joint development.

It’s better for us to handle some of the production ourselves, more secure that way.”

“Aiyo, truly Fang Tianji, what a ruthless move. Aren’t you worried that they won’t sell it?”

Fang Tianji tapped Old Lu with a finger and said, “How can you underestimate the patriotic sentiments of today’s young people like that?

Besides, I promised that both of their enterprises would be supported by our military.

Any little rascal or damsel who wants to get crooked, I, Fang Tianji, will be the first to object.”

Old Lu made sounds of admiration, “Is that so? How come I remember you, Fang Tianji, once praised that Powerful Capital is about to become a main force in national development?”

Fang Tianji poured himself a cup of tea and drank, “Don’t bring up things out of context. The Liang family boy is gone, and his mess won’t fall on me.

Besides, did I say anything wrong? Powerful Capital indeed ought to be a national development main force, with most of it being state-owned, right?”

“That’s why I say, no matter whether it’s state capital or private capital, the key is whether the leader is sincerely for the country. Some people like to ruin good capital by thinking crooked thoughts.”