26: Chapter 26: The Foundation of Industry

The morning sun filtered through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the top-floor office, casting its light on Su Chen.

He dismissed his aides and stood alone before the window, overlooking the city as it gradually awakened.

To outsiders, this young business tycoon was enjoying the pinnacle of a hundred-billion-dollar market capitalization, but only he knew that an even greater journey was about to begin.

"System, claim the 'Industrial Mother Machine' technology package and its supporting rewards."

[Command confirmed. Distributing...]

[Core data stream transmitting...]

[The 'Industrial Mother Machine' basic theory and cutting-edge technology library (covering CNC systems, precision machinery, servo drives, material processes, etc.) has been loaded into the host's consciousness.]

[Supporting team of scientists generated, currently matching reasonable identities and resumes for this world...]

[Team members: Lu Qiming (65), Chief Machine Tool Scientist, system rating: [Peerless National Scholar], proficient in five-axis linkage and higher-end machine tool design and system integration.

Chen Zhiyuan (52), Senior Machine Tool Engineer, system rating: [Industry Titan], proficient in the industrialization and processing of four-axis and turn-mill composite machine tools.

Zhao Qing (48), Senior Manufacturing Expert, system rating: [Technical Authority], proficient in the large-scale production and cost control of three-axis and lower general-purpose machine tools. They will arrive at the company to report for duty today.]

[Note: The initial startup capital of 3 billion has been used, credited to the host's personal account via the system; the source of funds is compliant.]

A massive and profound torrent of knowledge flooded into Su Chen's mind; countless terms that were once foreign—machine tool structures, error compensation, CNC algorithms—now became as familiar as the back of his hand.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath; when he opened them again, his gaze was clear and resolute.

"It's time." He pressed the internal intercom button: "Lin Wan, notify all core management; emergency meeting in one hour."

An hour later, the atmosphere in the conference room was solemn.

Core members including Shen Nanpeng, Liang Zhen, Wang Ming, Wu Hao, and Yang Yang were all present.

They had just experienced the ecstasy of the market cap breaking one hundred billion, but now they felt somewhat confused by Su Chen's emergency summons.

Su Chen did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "I have gathered everyone today to announce a strategic decision that concerns our development for the next decade, and perhaps even longer."

He scanned the room, his voice steady and powerful: "I have decided to establish a brand new, wholly-owned company—Xingchen Heavy Industry."

"Xingchen Heavy Industry?" Shen Nanpeng frowned slightly. As CFO, he was instinctively cautious about any investment: "Boss Su, our main business is in consumer electronics and new energy batteries, and the momentum is excellent. Heavy industry, especially machine tools, requires massive investment, has an extremely long payback period, and furthermore... the technical barriers are too high; the international market is almost monopolized by giants from Germany and Japan."

"Shen Nanpeng is right, but not entirely," Su Chen nodded, then dropped an even bigger bombshell: "The new company's initial registered capital will be 3 billion. I will personally fund it in full."

"Three billion?!" Everyone was shocked. This was pure cash investment, and even for the current Su Chen, it was by no means a small sum.

Liang Zhen adjusted his glasses and raised a question from a legal perspective: "Boss Su, why choose sole proprietorship? Instead of having the listed company invest? This could spread the risk and also utilize the power of the capital market."

Su Chen had already anticipated these questions. He stood up, walked to the whiteboard, and wrote the four big characters: "Industrial Mother Machine".

"There are three reasons."

"First, technical confidentiality and strategic security. Information about a listed company is transparent and inevitably subject to scrutiny by all parties. What we are going to develop are high-end machine tools that can break foreign monopolies and truly establish the foundation of industry. The core technology involved must be top secret and must never be exposed to potential corporate spies or even international rivals."

"Second, decision-making efficiency. Heavy industry R&D requires long-termism and strategic determination; it cannot be swayed by short-term fluctuations in the capital market or the opinions of shareholders. Sole proprietorship means I can concentrate resources to accomplish big things without interference."

"Third, and this is the most important point," Su Chen's tone became incomparably solemn as he tapped the whiteboard, "The responsibility of 'if not me, who?'! Everyone, no matter how high our drones fly or how good our battery performance is, if the most core and precise machine tools used to manufacture them are always held in the hands of others, we will always be castles in the air! A high-end five-axis linkage CNC machine tool is not only related to national defense and military industry, but also to the industrial upgrading of our entire country! If we don't conquer this field, are we to forever look up to others and be 'strangled' in the most critical areas?"

The four words "if not me, who?" struck everyone like a heavy hammer.

Veterans with technical backgrounds like Wang Ming and Wu Hao felt this deeply; they understood the importance of basic industry all too well.

Shen Nanpeng was silent for a moment, then finally nodded slowly: "I understand. From a commercial perspective, the risk is extremely high; but from the perspective of the country and national industry, it is of extraordinary significance. I support it."

Liang Zhen also stated his position: "Legally and structurally, I will ensure the independence and confidentiality of the new company are foolproof."

With their minds aligned, Su Chen began to deploy specific tasks.

"The new company is entirely owned by me, but its operation requires the most trustworthy people." He turned his gaze to Lin Wan, who had been quietly taking meeting minutes, "Lin Wan."

Lin Wan looked up subconsciously: "Boss Su?"

"I am appointing you as the CEO of Xingchen Heavy Industry, fully responsible for the company's preparation and daily operational management."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked. Even Lin Wan herself was stunned.

Although she was Su Chen's closest secretary and Administrative Director, with outstanding capabilities, the span was simply too large to be responsible for a completely unfamiliar heavy industry field with a very high technical threshold.

"Boss Su, I..." Lin Wan was at a loss for words, "I know nothing about machine tool manufacturing; I'm afraid I'm not up to such a heavy responsibility..."

Su Chen walked over to her, his eyes full of trust and encouragement: "Lin Wan, I don't need a technical expert; I need a helmsman I can fully trust, who possesses strong learning ability, execution, and management skills. Technical problems will be solved by a team of top scientists. As for you, I believe you can coordinate everything and build Xingchen Heavy Industry into another legend. Are you willing to accept this challenge?"

Looking at Su Chen's firm gaze and feeling the heavy trust on her shoulders, the hesitation in Lin Wan's heart was gradually replaced by a surge of courage.

She remembered the bits and pieces of accompanying Su Chen from the brink of bankruptcy; what challenge could be tougher than that?

She took a deep breath, stood straight, and her eyes became sharp and resolute: "Boss Su, thank you for your trust. I accept the appointment and will do my utmost to live up to it!"

"Good!" Su Chen nodded with satisfaction, then looked at Shen Nanpeng and Liang Zhen, "Shen Nanpeng, Liang Zhen, you two will concurrently serve as CFO and CLO of Xingchen Heavy Industry, assisting Lin Wan in completing the initial setup and legal framework."

"Understood."

"No problem."

Just then, there was a knock on the conference room door. The front desk secretary reported nervously: "Boss Su, there are three gentlemen outside who say they are here to report for duty as per your appointment. One is surnamed Lu, one is surnamed Chen, and one is surnamed Zhao."

A flash of brilliance appeared in Su Chen's eyes, and a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth: "They have come just in time. Please have them wait in the VIP room next door; I will meet them personally after the meeting."

He turned to everyone and concluded: "Look, our future technical core has arrived. Xingchen Heavy Industry, setting sail today!"