151: Chapter 151 Certificates and Medals Galore? Awards Galore!

"The H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber has been successfully developed. Xiao Hao, your contribution is immense!!"

Unknowingly, Elder Long's way of addressing him had gradually shifted from Xu Hao to Xiao Hao.

Long Yi picked up the teapot and poured a cup of hot tea for Xu Hao.

Startled, Xu Hao hurriedly stood up, lifted his teacup, and received the tea poured by Elder Long.

He said politely:

"Elder Long, you flatter me. I merely offered some ideas and strategies. If it weren't for everyone working together to overcome the difficulties and putting in the effort, the H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber could not have been developed so quickly and successfully."

"I played a part, but everyone else's contributions were just as significant."

Elder Long laughed heartily, looking at Xu Hao with satisfaction.

Afterward, he gestured for Xu Hao to sit down and said:

"Don't be so formal. Here, there is no General Long, nor is there an Elder Long; there is only Grandpa Long."

A warm smile spread across Long Yi's face.

Xu Hao was slightly stunned, then nodded and sat down gently.

He thought to himself:

Elder Long was highly respected, not just for his illustrious military achievements, but also for his approachable nature.

Sitting and chatting with someone like him, one would unconsciously forget his status and treat him just like an ordinary grandfather.

Professor Zhou Xuemin took all of this in, a kind smile lingering in his cloudy eyes.

It was rare for Elder Long to be so affectionate toward a younger generation.

His words were filled with nothing but praise.

The people who usually visited The Compound were either high-ranking military generals or senior officials from the General Office.

Sometimes even the current leader.

But the number of young people who had entered The Compound could be counted on one hand.

As for young people who could sit down and have tea with Elder Long, there wasn't a single one!

Xu Hao was the only one!!

This was enough to show Elder Long's fondness for Xu Hao.

Professor Zhou Xuemin was very happy about this.

He picked up where Elder Long left off, not skimping on praise, and said:

"What Xiao Hao says is true, but without your complete design plans and the breakthroughs in key technologies, the 6th Generation Stealth Bomber would likely have taken much longer to be successfully realized."

"I know that the H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber's first real flight test achieved quite a feat, fooling the entire radar system of the Southern Military Region."

Professor Zhou Xuemin laughed heartily.

Xu Hao did not humble himself further this time but nodded and admitted:

"That's right. While I wouldn't claim that the comprehensive performance of our H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber is the absolute best on the entire planet, its current stealth capabilities are unmatched, even by the most advanced generation of B-series bombers from the USA."

"If we further increase its maneuverability and payload capacity, there is no doubt that the H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber will have no rivals for a long time to come!!"

Xu Hao wasn't boasting; the H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber was fully capable of achieving all of this.

Afterward, once the H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber's aerial operations became more mature, it would undergo multiple rounds of comprehensive modifications and upgrades.

For example, enhancing stealth performance, upgrading the thrust of the LG-Turbofan Engine, and so on.

All of this would require military pilots to combine actual flight conditions with localized improvements and upgrades, in order to create a H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber that best suited our air force!

The two elders nodded in agreement upon hearing Xu Hao's words.

They had already reviewed the general data for the H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber.

Everything was exactly as Xu Hao had said; the H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber was an exceptionally excellent aircraft.

Thinking of this, Professor Zhou Xuemin exchanged a glance with Elder Long, then nodded and said to Xu Hao:

"Xiao Hao, after a unanimous decision by the Dragon Academy of Sciences, the Office of Science, and other relevant departments, you have been selected as this year's Dragon Country Academician of Science."

"Although this title is nothing fancy and doesn't hold much weight, it's better than nothing!"

"As for the others, like the Highest Science and Technology Award, the Outstanding Contribution Award, the Great Nation Craftsman Award, the National Defense Security Pioneer, the Diplomatic Honorary Envoy, and so on, those are just minor awards, so I won't list them one by one."

"I'll have those departments bundle the honorary certificates, medals, prize money, and such together and send them all to you at once, so you don't have to go collect them one by one—what a hassle!"

Professor Zhou Xuemin waved his hand, looking nonchalant.

Xu Hao, however, didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

If those in the academic world heard Professor Zhou Xuemin's words, imagine how they would feel.

Any one of these honors and awards was enough to make others feel daunted.

Yet in Professor Zhou's mouth, they had become insignificant trinkets.

However, having said that.

For Xu Hao, who had developed various high-tech products and cutting-edge military equipment, these things really were somewhat inconsequential.

The honors officially bestowed by the state were more about commending Xu Hao and letting the public know how much the nation valued talent.

As for the rewards and authority given to Xu Hao behind the scenes, few people likely knew about them.

Only Xu Hao himself truly understood.

After Professor Zhou Xuemin finished speaking, Elder Long also spoke up:

"I don't have much else to offer, so I can only arrange for a sum of funds to be allocated from the Ministry of Finance to be used for your research expenses."

"Don't be in such a rush to refuse."

Seeing Xu Hao about to open his mouth to decline the funding, Elder Long immediately interrupted.

"I know your Xu's Heavy Industry makes money—a lot of it."

"But what the state gives is the state's, and what you earn is your own; the significance is different."

"If you don't accept this research funding, others will find out and mock our Dragon Country officials. We can't afford to lose face like that!!"

Elder Long said in an unquestionable tone.

Hearing this, Xu Hao had no choice but to helplessly agree.

Come to think of it, Xu's Heavy Industry really wasn't short on money right now.

They were receiving so many domestic and international orders that they couldn't keep up, and the funds in their accounts were growing every second.

If there was one thing they had plenty of, it was money.

Now the state was offering another sum of research funding.

When the state opened its coffers, even if it wasn't hundreds of billions, it would at least be several billion.

With this, Xu's Heavy Industry was truly set to become a leading enterprise!

The casual conversation continued, shifting from the H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber itself to the future development of Dragon Country.

Listening to Xu Hao's wonderful vision for the future development of Dragon Country, a look of gratification appeared on Long Yi's face.

Afterward, he sighed softly, his expression looking somewhat desolate.

Xu Hao and Professor Zhou Xuemin immediately looked at Elder Long.

Looking at the sun high in the sky at noon, Long Yi lamented:

"The development of Dragon Country is like this rising sun, climbing step by step, shining bright and radiating heat, illuminating every inch of Dragon Country's land."

"I believe that in the future, Dragon Country will surely be bathed in sunlight and is destined to become a powerful nation on this planet."

"It's just that, as for Dragon Country's great journey, this old man is afraid I won't live to see it."

Long Yi shook his head and reached out to stop Xu Hao, who was about to speak words of comfort.

Then, he turned back and looked solemnly at Xu Hao:

"Xiao Hao, you are excellent, truly outstanding. Whether in terms of ability or character, you are the pride of the younger generation. From the Powered Exoskeleton Mecha to the A-225 Military Transport Aircraft, and now to the H-20 Strategic Stealth Bomber."

"In just one short year, under your leadership, you have created so many advanced military products."

"No one has ever done this before; you are the only one!"

"And you are so young!"

"In you, I see the shadow of Dragon Country's future."

"The older generation will eventually grow old, but the spirit of our predecessors will live on forever. I hope you can carry on the spirit of our predecessors, never forget your original intention, keep your mission in mind, and contribute to Dragon Country's dream of a strong military!!"

Long Yi's cloudy eyes flickered faintly.

He gazed at Xu Hao, filled with earnest hope.

Xu Hao stood up, pursing his lips, his expression solemn.

In front of him, invisible to others, a virtual screen lit up, with two tasks flashing continuously on it.

Xu Hao knew that this was the 'Elder's Request' mentioned by the [MOSS Technology System].

He didn't hesitate and chose the second option!