828: Chapter 823 A Few Torn Papers

He tossed the iron box to Chen Guangke and stood up, his gaze sweeping past the silent steel behemoths, as if he could already see the world-shaking intelligent production line roaring to life in the future.

"Let's go. Tell the brothers outside to seal the opening."

"If anyone lets slip a single word about what happened tonight, I will make sure they stay here forever to accompany our friend from Country D."

As Shen Yan finished speaking, Hassan and his men immediately straightened up, nodding frantically.

In this Eastern man, they sensed an aura more dangerous than that of a warlord.

It was absolute authority interwoven with money and wisdom.

When they walked out of the bunker, the sky outside was already close to dawn.

On the eastern horizon, a pale, fish-belly white light was struggling to tear through the night.

The desert morning was bitingly cold.

But Chen Guangke felt scorching hot all over. The two briefcases, one holding the iron box and the other the machine tool data, felt as heavy as a mountain in his hands, yet were terrifyingly hot.

He glanced back at the entrance that was about to be reburied.

Who would have thought that beneath this barren African Gobi lay the seeds capable of shifting the industrial layout of the future world.

And those seeds were already grasped firmly in Shen Yan's hands.

"Brother Yan, when we get back to Jinghai, I want a massive feast."

Chen Guangke grinned, showing a simple, foolish smile.

Shen Yan pulled open the car door, looked at the rising sun, and narrowed his eyes.

"When we get back to Jinghai, forget a massive feast—I can buy you a whole restaurant."

The rain in Jinghai seemed endless.

Returning to this humid Jinghai from the scorching Gobi, Shen Yan's skin still hadn't quite adjusted to the sticky feeling.

The black maybach smoothly slid into the underground garage of the 'Cloud Top Club'.

The car door opened, and Shen Yan stepped out with long strides, his suit trousers stirring up a faint breeze.

Chen Guangke followed behind, carrying the black case just brought back from Africa, his expression as vigilant as if he were transporting a nuclear launch button.

The elevator went directly to the top floor.

Ning Ke was already waiting there. The tea set before him was swirling with mist; it was specially sourced Pu'er, which this man particularly enjoyed.

"You're back?"

Ning Ke didn't stand up, turning a Zisha teapot over in his hand. His eyes swept over the case in Chen Guangke's hand, and his eyebrows lifted slightly.

"Is this why you needed me to find people?"

Shen Yan sat down on the leather sofa opposite, sinking into it slightly. The travel over the past few days had indeed left him somewhat fatigued.

He waved his hand outwards.

Chen Guangke placed the case on the table and opened it with a click.

There was no gold or treasure inside, only those few yellowed blueprints and several metal samples sealed in glass tubes.

Ning Ke leaned over for a look, then wrinkled his nose in disdain.

"For these few pieces of scrap paper, you made me turn Jinghai upside down?"

Shen Yan didn't explain. He just tapped a cigarette from the pack, didn't light it, and spun it between his fingers.

"This stuff can double Rock Technology's valuation within half a year."

The teacup in Ning Ke's hand paused.

He knew Shen Yan too well; this man never exaggerated. If he said double, it might even be a conservative estimate.

"Fine. Since you asked, I won't inquire about the source."

Ning Ke pulled out two documents from the briefcase behind him and slapped them onto the table.

"According to your requirements, for people who understand high-temperature alloys and ancient compounding methods, only these two rank highly in all of Jinghai, even the entire country."

Shen Yan picked up the one on the left.

The photo showed a scruffy old man, the background looking like a greasy kitchen.

"Feng Quji, nicknamed 'Blacksmith Feng.' He used to be the head of the Military Industry Institute, but he was disciplined after that explosion incident and his personality changed drastically."

Ning Ke took a sip of tea, his tone somewhat playful.

"Now he runs a small tavern called 'Half Ounce' in the old district. He has a strange temper and is said to only cook for people he finds pleasing. He swore off stoves for life long ago."

Shen Yan put that file down and picked up the one on the right.

This resume looked much more glorious.

Liang Zexu, an overseas PhD, Director of the Jinghai Special Materials Research Institute, holding over a dozen national patents and serving as a technical consultant for several listed companies.

The man in the photo was wearing a suit and tie, his glasses reflecting a sharp intelligence.

"This Liang Zexu, his technique is undeniable—a top expert recognized in the industry. However..."

Ning Ke paused, seemingly weighing his words.

"However, this man is incredibly arrogant, demands exorbitant fees, and has a strong desire for control. The principals who cooperate with him usually end up having their technical authority completely usurped by him."

Shen Yan looked at Liang Zexu's photo and tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice.

A system notification flashed in the corner of his vision.

[Intelligence Update: Liang Zexu's team's newly developed titanium alloy recently faked results in wear resistance testing and urgently needs a large sum of money to cover laboratory deficits.]

Shen Yan pushed Feng Quji's file aside and placed his finger on Liang Zexu's photo.

"Him, then."

Ning Ke was slightly surprised.

"Not reconsidering? That Old Feng might be ill-tempered, but his skill is rumored to be ancestral. His real ability might surpass this overseas returnee."

Ning Ke said this to test Shen Yan. Although he also agreed with Shen Yan's decision, Shen Yan usually did things that took people by surprise.

"Old Feng has too many variables; it would take time to persuade him."

Shen Yan stood up, straightened his clothes, and the decisive aura of a business shark instantly enveloped him.

"What I lack most right now is time."

"As long as he's motivated by money, it's manageable."

Jinghai Special Materials Research Institute.

The decoration style here was just like its name: full of cold technological feel and suffocating whiteness.

Shen Yan waited in the reception room for a full forty-five minutes.

Chen Guangke was getting restless, rubbing his bottom on the chair, creating an irritating friction sound.

"Brother Yan, this Liang guy is putting on quite an act. We are the client."

Shen Yan looked out at the rain, his expression as calm as water.

"Geniuses always get some privileges. As long as he can refine what I need, it's fine to let him act arrogant for a while."

The door was finally pushed open.

Liang Zexu walked in, surrounded by a group of assistants wearing white coats.

He didn't look at Shen Yan, instead giving instructions about some data to an assistant while walking, as if the two living people in the room were air.

Only when seated in the main chair did Liang Zexu lift his eyelids and glance at Shen Yan.

"You must be President Shen? President Ning gave me a heads-up."

He raised his hand to check the expensive Patek Philippe on his wrist.

"I only have twenty minutes. I have a video conference afterward, so let's get straight to the point."

This lofty attitude made Chen Guangke clench his fists, wanting to stand up and curse, but Shen Yan suppressed him with a look.

Shen Yan wasted no words and immediately had Chen Guangke hand over the photocopied sections of the blueprints and parameters.

"I have a batch of old D Country machine tools that need the core transmission components repaired."

"This is the original material formula, but I need you to replicate and reinforce it using modern processes without altering the original physical properties."

Liang Zexu didn't reach out to take them, instead signaling an assistant nearby to collect them.

He flipped through two pages casually, and a hint of contempt quickly curled his lips.

"Old antiques from Country D?"