"This is the research institute I've prepared for you, a standalone research building with a total of six floors, which you can allocate as you see fit. I'll give you a quota of 500 people, and you'll have complete control over who is recruited. If you need to recruit anyone, simply submit your requirements to the administrative department of the research center, and they will recruit researchers according to your specifications!" Huang He said with a smile to Zuo Sicheng, standing inside a small building where an entire floor had been opened up, empty but meticulously cleaned.
"Additionally, if you need any experimental equipment, you can make direct requests. The research base will prioritize your use of existing equipment, or procure it if it's not available. Even if international procurement is not permitted, I will find a way to get it for you. As long as the total amount does not exceed 100 million US dollars, the relevant departments will provide it for you!" Huang He continued.
These words sent a shiver down Zuo Sicheng's spine. 600 researchers and 100 million US dollars in research funding, Huang He said it so casually.
Of course, Zuo Sicheng didn't doubt whether Huang He could actually come up with such a vast sum. The 100 million US dollars he had been given was already quietly resting in his bank account; he had no doubt that Huang He would keep his word.
After a few days of interaction and understanding, Zuo Sicheng had come to know Huang He's character. He was someone who would never hold back when it came to scientific research, and the kind of boss that all researchers dreamed of.
"Are you really certain about embarking on the research of a base-5 chip and computer?" Zuo Sicheng couldn't help but ask. "You should understand that even if a base-5 computer is developed, it might become the loneliest computer in the world. No company will be willing to invest heavily in developing base-5 related programs and software, and we might gain nothing!"
"This also means that if a base-5 computer is successfully developed and gains market traction, the global voice in computer systems will shift from American tech companies to our Jiangnan Group. I will be the king of global computers, and I will control the destiny of all future computers worldwide. Don't you think this would be a great endeavor that would give you goosebumps?" Huang He said, narrowing his eyes.
Following Huang He's words, as Zuo Sicheng began to envision a future where the global computer industry transitioned from binary to base-5, and all the rules and technical standards for base-5 computers were created by him alone, Zuo Sicheng also felt his blood begin to boil.
If Huang He was the king of base-5 computers, then he would be the Pope of base-5 computers, the vital operational mechanism of the entire system being endowed by him.
This was indeed a magnificent achievement that would make any researcher's skin crawl.
"But a base-5 computer might not necessarily succeed. Even if I can develop it, its computational power might not surpass that of binary computers!" Zuo Sicheng said.
"We'll talk about that when you present your research results!" Huang He smiled. "Even if it fails, I'll only lose a few billion dollars. But if I succeed, it will create an industry worth tens of trillions of dollars in the future. I think it's worth a gamble!"
"..." Zuo Sicheng fell silent. He remembered a sentence Huang He had uttered at a press conference that day.
"'There's only one kind of person who would invest in base-5 computers, and that's the great God. So, let God research this problem; humans should be more grounded.' This statement, to anyone who heard it, meant a refusal to research base-5 computers, implying it wasn't something humans should be studying."
But now, understanding the statement differently, it meant that Huang He had placed himself in the position of God. Since only God would research base-5 computers, Huang He, who was now initiating the path of base-5 computing, was naturally the God of the future.
Who could have imagined that Huang He's seemingly casual joke hid such enormous ambition?
"Actually, I think what I need most is a teacher!" Zuo Sicheng said after a moment's hesitation. "Right now, I'm not qualified to lead such a research team to study base-5 computers. My current personal ability is at most that of a beginner, and I don't understand the entire computer industry."
"I admit I have some talent, but I still need to learn. So I think it would be best if you let me study for a few years. I truly don't have the courage to shoulder this research work right now!" Zuo Sicheng said earnestly, feeling genuinely unqualified.
"No, Chief Engineer Ni and I have already discussed this!" Huang He waved his hand. "Chief Engineer Ni told me that perhaps someone with only foundational knowledge, like you, is the best candidate to lead the research on base-5 computers!"
"Why?" Zuo Sicheng asked in surprise.
"Because your knowledge and common sense are currently a blank slate!" Huang He said. "Base-5 is different from binary computers. All the rules and common sense within it need to be updated. Humanity needs to construct and enrich the overall system of base-5 computers step by step, just as it did when the first binary computer was developed 40 years ago."
"If the leader of the team is a seasoned binary computer expert, their mind will inevitably be filled with experiences from binary computers. These experiences might help avoid some detours, but they will also confine the researchers' thinking, leading to stagnation and an inability to move forward."
"This is why, out of tens of thousands of experts and scholars worldwide, not a single one thought of using base-5 to solve this problem, yet it was only you, a genius who just woke up from a coma, who came up with this idea!"
"Therefore, I believe you are the best pioneer in the field of base-5 computers. You are not bound by the knowledge and experience of binary systems, and you are a rare genius in the world. With a genius like you, unburdened by constraints, to pioneer base-5 computers, I believe this is the fastest development path for base-5 computers!" Huang He said.
"However, your knowledge being too shallow is also a problem, so I will arrange two deputies for you. They are both experienced and wise elders. If you encounter any difficulties in your research, you can consult them. They can provide you with answers from the perspective of binary computers, and these answers might offer you relevant inspiration!"
"In summary, everything here is yours. You can study if you wish, or conduct research if you wish. As long as you dedicate yourself wholeheartedly to the research of base-5 computers, I believe that the most brilliant technological flower in the world will bloom here!" Huang He said sincerely.
"Okay!" Zuo Sicheng nodded. "While I can't guarantee anything, I can promise that I will put in more effort than you've given me!"
"That's all that matters!" Huang He chuckled. "By the way, your IQ test results are out: an IQ of 318, the highest in recorded history, 18 points higher than the previous prodigy with an IQ of 300. It scared the expert from the IQ Research Association so much he almost knelt down."
"Oh, and he said he wants to write a paper about your achievements and publish it in a top international journal. However, this requires your consent. If you agree, it will shock the entire world. If you don't agree, it will shock the entire world in the future! What do you think?" Huang He asked curiously.
"Let him release it. I want to shock the world right now!" Zuo Sicheng said very decisively.
"Is that so?" Huang He shrugged. This guy was truly different from Tong He. Tong He was a low-key type, very useful. But this Zuo Sicheng was quite high-profile, not at all reserved, completely unlike the popular "Gou Dao" (concealment) protagonist archetype from before my rebirth!
"People live for something. You live for money, I live for fame. I don't have the noble character of revolutionary ancestors who worked silently for decades without seeking fame or reward!" Zuo Sicheng said calmly. "I'll repay you more than you give me, that's all!"
"Also, I believe the company can protect my personal safety and won't let me be threatened by people with malicious intent, right?" Zuo Sicheng retorted.
"As long as you don't go abroad, then unless I'm dead, you will never be in any danger!" Huang He said very decisively.
"Alright!" Zuo Sicheng nodded, then Huang He notified the expert. Before long, the title of the world's highest IQ would likely change hands.
"I've arranged for your father to work in the company. Don't worry, he has absolute freedom. He can go anywhere in the country, and traveling abroad is also possible with prior application. However, I will arrange a secretary to protect his safety!" Huang He said.
"I understand!" Zuo Sicheng nodded, looked at Huang He, hesitated, then asked, "Do you know why I came back?"
"I'm not inside your stomach, how could I know something like that!" Huang He smiled. That's right, Zuo Sicheng had returned on his own.
This morning, Zuo Sicheng had appeared at the entrance of Jiangnan Group's headquarters with his father, Zuo Muli, and was ushered in with surprise by the staff. He then met Huang He and directly stated his desire to join Jiangnan Group and become a member.
Huang He hadn't asked many questions and immediately processed his employment. Then he participated in the press conference, and only now did Zuo Sicheng finally speak up.
Of course, Huang He wasn't completely unaware. For instance, he knew that Zuo Sicheng and his father had already obtained their boarding passes, checked their luggage, and were even preparing to board.
But they had left while queuing, causing the plane to delay its departure by a full 30 minutes to unload their loaded luggage.
Thus, Zuo Sicheng, who had one foot already out of the country, had returned.
"I've thought it over carefully!" Zuo Sicheng said. "Whether your apology is sincere or not, your emphasis on scientific research and talent is genuine. By working with you, I can realize my greatest value."
"I aspire to achieve fame and success, and to become someone like Einstein. I hope that in the future, I can be featured in global journals, even appear in global textbooks, letting everyone in the world know how amazing a person named Zuo Sicheng is, and letting the world worship me like they worship Einstein."
"Others cannot help me achieve these things; only you can!" Zuo Sicheng said earnestly.
"I understand!" Huang He nodded, then asked, "But before you achieve these ambitions, don't you have something to return to me?"
"What thing?"
Zuo Sicheng was stunned.
"Actually, you owe me an apology too!" Huang He said, hitting Zuo Sicheng's shoulder. "The manhole cover you stole back then almost caused me to fall to my death. Oh, and my sister-in-law also fell with me. Those were two lives."
"I've already apologized to you, shouldn't you reciprocate with an apology?"
"...Ridiculous..."
"Respected Mr. Huang He, I should not have stolen the manhole cover, and I am truly sorry. Please forgive me... Is this enough!" Zuo Sicheng said, stretching out his tone, but deep down, he felt something suddenly dissipate. This past grievance, with these two apologies, was now thoroughly resolved!