Chapter 341 - 341: Someone With Ulterior Motive
“Impossible? Why is it impossible? With our long history spanning thousands of years, how can you say that developing a nanometer-level ultra-precision machine tool is impossible? Is there a problem?” Zhou Chao said calmly, emphasizing each word clearly, and a cold light flashed in his eyes as he spoke.
Edward saw the cold light in Zhou Chao’s eyes and felt a momentary unease, but he quickly regained his composure.
“Of course, there are problems. Based on your current technological expertise and professional knowledge, it’s completely impossible to develop such a machine tool. Unless you’re a fraud trying to deceive us!”
Instantly, the scene erupted into commotion. Aside from some leaders present, the crowd consisted of technical executives and experts from domestic and international machine tool companies. They all had their opinions on the technological development in Huaxia, and many of them began to believe in Edward’s words. Conversations and whispers filled the air.
“They might find it impossible, but that doesn’t mean my company can’t do it. You called him Edward, right? Yes, Edward, if you still doubt it, take a good look at the mechanical components in front of you and that large sphere. You can study them carefully. If you still don’t understand, no worries. Have you noticed the thing behind me? It’s exactly what you called ‘impossible’!”
Zhou Chao pointed to the exhibits on the table and the machine tool covered by a cloth on the display stand.
“Hehe, let me expose your little trick!” Edward, full of confidence, walked up to the display stand, and others turned their gaze in that direction as well.
“Jiang Lao, is there any issue? If there is, 1 can immediately instruct my people to stop it,” a leader in charge of the industry sector asked with a furrowed brow.
Jiang Lao turned to look at several leaders and saw that they all wore concerned expressions and furrowed brows.
“Relax, let’s not jump to conclusions. 1 know that kid well enough to trust him. Relevant departments, you can proceed with your tasks!”
The leaders’ faces quickly shifted from gloomy to relieved, and they instructed their subordinates to take action.
At that moment, Edward stood in front of the display table with a set of professional inspection equipment, beginning his examination.
One piece, two pieces, three pieces… As Edward continued to inspect, sweat began to trickle down his face, and he kept muttering, “Impossible, impossible. This can’t be real. How is it possible that all the component data are the same?”
It wasn’t until the final spherical object was inspected that Edward froze in place. The technical executives from various major companies also had puzzled expressions on their faces.
“Mr. Edward, i wonder about the results of your inspection. Did it meet the standards?” Zhou Chao asked with a smile, looking at the bewildered Edward.
No, it’s not possible. These components must have come from elsewhere, not manufactured by your own machine tools. Yes, that’s it. These components are definitely not produced by your company!” Edward clung to this newfound hope as he spoke.
Fulin Group, as one of the top machine tool companies in D Country, held a prominent position worldwide and was especially recognized in the top three for high-precision machine tools.
Simultaneously, Fulin was the largest machine tool supplier in Huaxia. Once it was confirmed that Canghai Technology’s machine tool technology was genuine, it would not only lead to Fulin’s exit from the Huaxia market but also bring unprecedented shockwaves to the global machine tool industry.
Edward, as a technical executive of Fulin, could not allow such a thing to happen.
“Hehe, everyone here is an expert in this field. How many companies in the industry can produce components of this level?”
Nobody in the room was a fool, and they could tell from Edward’s expression what the outcome was. At this point, many people had already started planning in their minds.
“Alright, Xiao Chao, let us see the true face of this machine tool!” Jiang Lao, seeing that the goal was almost achieved, stepped forward to mediate. After all, this expo was held right in front of their own doorstep, and they couldn’t afford any incidents that would damage their reputation.
Zhou Chao nodded in agreement and cast a sidelong glance at Edward, who walked into the crowd with a defeated expression.
“Lao Zhou, Chai Lao!”
Both of them quickly unveiled the curtain covering the machine tool, revealing a beautifully crafted instrument inside.
The people who couldn’t wait any longer rushed forward, crowding around the glass wall of the machine tool to get a closer look. They all hoped to uncover some hidden secrets.
Zhou Chao, Zhou Jilong, and Chai Lao were pushed aside by the eager crowd. Observing the excitement on the faces of those people, Zhou Chao smiled in satisfaction.
“You did a great job, kid. You managed to accomplish ail of this without making a fuss,” Jiang Lao whispered to Zhou Chao, appearing by his side out of nowhere.
“Hehe, it’s all thanks to their hard work. If I were to research it myself, it would take another decade or two!”
Jiang Lao gave him a meaningful look, a smile playing on his lips.
At that moment, the leaders also approached Zhou Chao, inquiring about the machine tool and its details. Zhou Chao promptly pushed Zhou Jilong and Chai Lao forward to answer their questions.
Time flew by unnoticed, and it was already 2:oo in the afternoon. It was time for the expo to open its doors again, and even more people than in the morning were eager to enter the exhibition hall.
“Brothers, I’m already at the expo site. Let’s go find Canghai Technology’s location!” A popular internet personality shouted as he held up his phone. His livestream had gathered over 20,000 viewers.
Meanwhile, many onlookers also headed towards Canghai Technology, eager to see what all the fuss was about.
In no time, the area around the Cio8 display booth was packed with people, all eager to get a glimpse and find out if it was indeed real.
This scene directly frightened the expo’s leaders. After all, there were many senior executives and representatives from national machine tool associations or companies inside. If anything went wrong, it would be a massive embarrassment for them.
“Arrange 20 security personnel immediately, right now!” A leader shouted into his phone, but his voice was drowned out by the noise from the crowd.
Zhou Chao looked at the overcrowded platform and couldn’t help but smile.
Soon, with the arrival of security personnel, the situation was brought under control. Those from other machine tool companies left the scene and began calling their own company leaders to explain the situation, including Edward.
Meanwhile, various government departments received first-hand information and instructed their subordinates to quickly report back to their respective departments to plan their next steps.
“Brother Chao, did you see Edward’s face just now? It cracked me up. I secretly took a few pictures. Take a look!” Jiang Li, holding her phone, happily approached Zhou Chao.
“Photos? Let me see… Hahaha! Well done, my wife! You’re amazing!” Zhou Chao exclaimed as he saw the photos on Jiang Li’s phone. He kissed her a few times in excitement.
Even Jiang Lao, who was standing nearby, shook his head when he saw them. “Young people nowadays are so unrestrained. They’re kissing each other in front of so many people. Oh my!”
As time passed, the online discussions intensified. With the actions of the various government departments, announcements were made about domestic independent research and development of nano-level ultra-precision machine tools.
The online buzz grew exponentially, and many people on social media platforms shared and commented on the news, causing a sensation.
At the same time, many top machine tool companies worldwide received related information.
Tian Tian from Footprint Consortium, Markza, and “Er Ha” from the Bald Eagle Alliance, as well as Fulin from D Country, all received the information. Their high-level executives immediately convened meetings to respond to this situation.
President Tian directly issued an acquisition order, while Fulin in D Country did the same. In essence, they wanted to crush Canghai Technology while it was still in its infancy.
“Grandpa, 1’11 leave the matters here to Zhou Jilong and the others. I’ll take Jiang Li and go ahead!” With more and more people arriving, Zhou Chao couldn’t bear the crowded environment any longer.
Besides, Canghai had already made a name for itself, and now they just had to weather the storm. Once they got through this wave, it would be time for him to counterattack.
“All right, we should leave too. After the expo is over, I’m afraid many people will come looking for you!” Jiang Lao hinted with a smile.
“No problem. These minor challenges can’t stop me, especially with you and Mr. Xiao by my side!” Zhou Chao responded confidently.
“You little brat, get going!” Jiang Lao scolded with a smile.
Zhou Chao smiled knowingly and walked hand in hand with Jiang Li towards the exit.
“Phew, I’m exhausted! These people are too crazy!” Jiang Li, who was back in the car, quickly took out a bottle of water from the cooler and started drinking.
“Well, you don’t even realize how amazing your husband is!”
“Yeah, you’re really something!” Jiang Li rolled her eyes at him. Despite being tired, he was still acting goofy.
Glancing at the time, Zhou Chao saw that it was nearly four in the afternoon and asked, “Darling, are you hungry? How about we go eat something delicious?”
“Sure, 1 want to have Peking duck!”
“What’s so special about Peking duck?”
No, i just feel like having Peking duck!” Jiang Li gave him a pitiful look.
“Alright, alright, let’s go have Peking duck!” Zhou Chao reluctantly agreed to Jiang Li’s request.
Shortly after Zhou Chao left, a robust man arrived at Canghai Technology’s booth with the expo’s organizers.
“Where’s your boss? Our young master wants to have a chat with him!”
“I’m sorry, but our boss is not here. Can you leave your contact information, and I’ll pass it on to him when he’s available?” Lin Wu replied with a serious expression.
The two men confronted each other for a moment, and the sturdy man continued, “If you can’t handle this matter, give your boss a call!”
Lin Wu realized the situation. He could tell that the man in front of him was of a similar background, and in an instant, he understood the reason behind this visit.
With a slightly changed expression, Lin Wu said, “Just wait here. I’ll make a phone call.”
“Okay.”
Lin Wu turned and walked away, making a call to Zhou Chao.
At that moment, not far from Wangfujing, Zhou Chao and Jiang Li were chatting and enjoying themselves when Zhou Chao’s phone rang.
“Hello, Lin Wu, what’s up?”
Lin Wu proceeded to explain the situation that had just occurred and his suspicions about the visitor.
“Oh, 1 see. Go and ask his name and where he’s from.”
Lin Wu returned to the sturdy man and inquired, “What’s your young master’s name, and where is he having tea?”
“Li! He’s at the 888 private room of the Jingdu Club!”