"Hey, Luo, I don't think you can say it like that. Isn't there still three years left? I reckon Qiao has a good head on his shoulders. He surely wouldn't be shooting in the dark; maybe he already has a plan?"
"That's a pointless argument. I admit that Qiao Ze is brilliant at math, but which one of these mathematicians isn't an idealist? It's not just about the young ones like Qiao Ze, even those who are decades older, how many of them have dealt with real engineering projects? Does he understand how hard it is to turn an idea into reality?"
"Luo, that's a bit unfair. I might agree with you about other mathematicians, but you're off the mark when it comes to Qiao. He does have experience in implementing projects in practice. The Group Wisdom project was led by him. In fact, our computer science department even had a bit of a stir over it."
"You're just being obstinate, even an outsider wouldn't say such a thing! Since when could software engineering be discussed in the same breath as mechanical engineering?"
"Luo, if you're going to talk like that, I have something to say. What? You look down on us in software? Isn't it our algorithms that your projects use?"
"When did I ever say I looked down on you?"
"Okay, okay, stop arguing."
Perhaps unable to bear watching Luo Benyuan fight alone, Zuo Chengzheng called a halt to the debate among the few people.
By now, except for a few academicians who hadn't yet expressed their opinions, he had a good sense of everyone else's stance.
It was all within expectations.
Academicians certainly have their concerns, but for others who simply want to climb higher, given such an opportunity, of course, they would fight tooth and nail to take a shot at it.
Not everyone is Li Jiangao, lucky enough to be called legendary.
Just going out to a meeting and coming back with a phenomenal student, and then to be pushed to the pinnacle of life by that student; now that's something you can't easily find someone to talk sense into.
When Zuo Chengzheng first heard this story, he couldn't for a moment tell whether it was Qiao Ze or Li Jiangao who was cast in the role of the protagonist.
More than a fifth of the 21st century has passed, and yet these kinds of things can still happen, and what's scarier is that it's all out in the open, not an exaggeration to call it legendary.
"Enough with the arguing; even if you argue until next year, you won't reach a conclusion. Here's what we'll do: let's have the heads of each lab and research center express their opinions, whether for or against. Clarify your reasons, we'll keep a record of the meeting, and then we'll vote by a show of hands."
After speaking, Zuo Changzheng's gaze fell on Hao Changqing, who was sitting to his immediate left, and he said, "Hmm, Academician Hao, shall we start with you?"
As the senior-most academician in the meeting and one of the chief scientists of the national 973 program, the attitude of this silent authority was indeed particularly significant.
"Oh, I Discover more novels on NovelHub - your gateway to endless stories. As for my reason, I had a long chat with Old Qian in the Capital recently, and we both think that it's not a big deal to let young people make mistakes, as long as someone is watching and they don't cause the country significant loss.
And something Old Qian said I think is quite right; he said although he's never met Qiao Ze, he believes the kid has what it takes to succeed. You see, an outsider can be so optimistic about our young scientist, we have even more reason to be hopeful. I've said my piece."
Slowly turning off the microphone in front of him, Hao Changqing looked up at Luo Benyuan, flashed a smile with a hint of apology, then withdrew his gaze and leaned back in his chair.
Having heard these words and seen Hao Changqing's look, Luo Benyuan sighed deeply in his heart.
The result was no longer uncertain...
And indeed it was so.
After everyone had expressed their views, only he opposed, two others reserved judgment, and the rest all clearly chose to agree.
It seemed he was the one with ulterior motives.
"Alright, the result is clear. The resolution formed in this meeting will be reported, and in two or three working days, we should have an outcome. Unless there are surprises, it should pass. Everyone can start making preparations. That's it, meeting adjourned."
Zuo Chengzheng decisively concluded the meeting once the decision was made.
While these bigshots at the school were still in the meeting, Su Lixing was already scouting for a plot of land suitable for building a factory, accompanied by the leaders of the Xilin High-tech Zone administration.
The night after he received a call from Qiao Ze the day before yesterday, he embarrassingly suffered from insomnia.
Su Lixing never expected, at his age, to have such an impressive son-in-law all of a sudden.
He tossed and turned in bed, alternating between nervousness and excitement, unable to sleep.
It was nearly dawn before he managed a short nap, and he even dreamed. In the dream, he sat aboard a large ship, watching a huge island sink until it was submerged by the sea. But before he could rejoice, a remnant wave from the big waves hit him directly, waking him up.
After waking up, Su Lixing got up and took a bath, and that's when it clicked for him.
He was almost fifty, and if he didn't go a little crazy now, he would really be old.
Not to mention, he now had the confidence to be daring.
Even if he ran Xilin Licheng into the ground, the savings from Linhai Licheng would be enough to keep a large family clothed and fed for two generations.
Not to mention his impressive prospective son-in-law, who was even more restless. Even if they both ended up in a queue to go in, his daughter would surely not starve later on.
No, at that time he could take all the blame. With Qiao Ze's capabilities, the authorities would presumably help and let the guy continue to contribute outside, right?