Chapter 164 Meeting of Industrialists
"And within this planned 150 hectares, we have included a research base that will not only serve the Yangtze River Delta region but also aim at a global scale,"
Su Yuanshan said softly after sipping his tea. "At present, the number of overseas returnees is still low, and the talent in semiconductor-related fields is even rarer... Frankly speaking, the ones returning now are not the 'dragon-slaying' heroes we once imagined."
Compared to state-owned enterprises under the old system, Yuanxin's massive scale, high salaries, and futuristic work environment and research investment naturally made it the first choice for returning talent who preferred to join a private company.
For example, there were already several returned master's graduates working in the Science Park.
However, after getting to know them personally, Su Yuanshan realized they were not as outstanding as he had expected.
They had enough ability and knowledge to easily lead a small team, but when it came to handling a large organization, they fell short.
The root cause was that Yuanxin had already moved ahead of the times.
What Yuanxin needed wasn't "poverty-relief" level talents—it needed true top-tier experts, people like Xi Xiaoding.
Of course, the more outstanding talents they could gather, the better.
Director Zhang nodded slightly, fully agreeing with Su Yuanshan's analysis.
Su Yuanshan paused for a moment before continuing,
"But this will not remain the norm. As a company, Yuanxin's confidence in the country's future far exceeds even the most optimistic estimates today.
We believe that in less than ten years, there will be a new wave of overseas returnees and an influx of foreign experts into China.
And across the whole country, the only city capable of attracting those top talents used to international standards will be Shanghai."
"That's why we dare to demand so much land in this city where every inch is precious."
Director Zhang looked deeply at Su Yuanshan, thought for a few seconds, then smiled, "Can you tell me how confident you are?"
Su Yuanshan pressed his lips together, remained silent for a few seconds, and then softly spoke six words:
"Twenty-five years, full industrialization."
The moment he finished, Director Zhang's expression changed instantly.
Even Chen Jing and the secretary beside her, who had been quietly listening, showed clear shock.
Especially Chen Jing.
The reason she had been willing to dedicate herself so completely to Yuanxin was largely because Su Yuanshan never treated her like an outsider.
As CEO, she had full authority—something extremely rare.
Authority alone wasn't enough; what mattered was also the ability to exercise that authority.
Chen Jing's word carried absolute weight within Yuanxin.
To put it simply: she was one of the very few people within Yuanxin whose words were law.
It wasn't just her—Xi Xiaoding, Tian Yaoming, Li Mingliu, and even Qu Hui, who had been spun off with Zhiyuan, still hung around Yuanxin's headquarters because of this same reason.
The fundamental reason was Su Yuanshan's extraordinary charm.
In terms of technology, character, and vision, he was impeccable.
He naturally made people want to follow him wholeheartedly.
However, Chen Jing had never heard Su Yuanshan speak so clearly about how far he believed the country could go.
She knew he had absolute confidence in China's future—this faith had long infected everyone at Yuanxin, driving them forward—but hearing it articulated so plainly shocked her.
Now, Su Yuanshan said, in 25 years, China would complete industrialization.
Anyone with even a basic understanding of modern economics knew what those three words—full industrialization—meant.
Since 1840, China had been synonymous with ignorance, poverty, and backwardness.
Even though the country had "stood up" forty years ago, it hadn't fully shed those three labels.
And now Su Yuanshan claimed that within 25 years, China would successfully complete industrialization?
No matter how much Chen Jing trusted and admired Su Yuanshan, she instinctively felt... it was impossible.
Industrialization needed money, technology, and talent.
Where would all that come from?
(Of course, in hindsight, it's generally recognized that China has now completed industrialization, and we no longer call ourselves an agricultural country—the industrial output alone accounts for one-third of the world's total.)
...
...
Director Zhang also found it hard to believe.
As an engineer who had spent his entire career in heavy industry, he knew the true state of domestic industrial capabilities better than Su Yuanshan.
Realistically speaking, official projections estimated full industrial modernization by around 2040—meaning it would take at least two more generations of effort.
But when Director Zhang looked into Su Yuanshan's eyes, he didn't see exaggeration or acting.
He saw only a technical person making a judgment and prediction based on his understanding.
In other words, Su Yuanshan absolutely believed this would happen.
As a staunch believer in the "industrial nation" philosophy, Director Zhang felt a surge of joy at that moment.
Still, he quickly asked, "So Yuanxin's entire strategic plan is based on that prediction?"
Su Yuanshan nodded—then shook his head.
"Yes and no. Yuanxin is a technology-driven R&D enterprise.
Our only mission is to push the progress of technology.
All of our planning revolves around that."
Hearing this, Director Zhang showed clear admiration in his eyes.
Su Yuanshan smiled,
"So, Director Zhang, the reason we're asking for so much land is twofold: first, because Yuanxin will bring many scientific research projects to Shanghai in the future; second, because as China's development accelerates, Shanghai will undoubtedly become the leading city.
One day, property prices here might even reach tens of thousands of yuan per square meter..."
Director Zhang couldn't help but laugh, "Surely that's an exaggeration?"
Su Yuanshan blinked, "It's just prudent planning!
We have to guard against skyrocketing land prices and a future where land becomes unattainable."
Director Zhang chuckled softly and fell into deep thought.
The decision about Yuanxin's land wasn't entirely in his hands.
Because Yuanxin wasn't just asking for land to build a normal factory.
They were building a semiconductor FAB—a wafer fabrication plant!
That was no small matter.
Just last year, the entire country had still been deeply concerned about their semiconductor capabilities, leading to the launch of the "908 Project," a massive national-level semiconductor initiative, after endless investigations and studies.
You could say it was practically a nationwide effort.
And now Yuanxin was saying:
No need for national backing.
We'll build it ourselves.
It was also because of Yuanxin's ambition to build a FAB that their spin-off and sale of the EDA division had gone so smoothly, without a single person daring to covet Yuanxin's funds.
Not a single one.
Maybe outsiders didn't know all the details, but Director Zhang knew perfectly well.
To safeguard Yuanxin's semiconductor project, every relevant department and high-ranking official had been working silently behind the scenes, clearing obstacles to make sure everything went smoothly.
At the same time, Director Zhang had rushed back to Shanghai with a mission.
Yuanxin's land—would definitely be granted.
As for the land sale proceeds...
well, Shanghai might not even charge them.
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