Chapter 156 Foreign-Related Steel Mission

The smoke in the conference room had not completely dissipated.

The leaders and technical experts who attended the meeting gradually got up and left, exchanging quiet conversations about the content of the meeting in small groups.

Everyone was in a hurry, their minds focused on the nation's crucial steel research and development and industrial construction.

He Yuzhu was the only one who picked up the enamel mug on the table, preparing to leave with the rest of the group.

He was stopped by Dean Huang, who was sitting in the main seat.

"Xiao He, please stay behind for a moment. I have a few words to say to you privately."

Dean Huang's voice was steady and powerful, carrying an unquestionable authority.

Those who had originally wanted to talk to He Yuzhu quickened their pace upon seeing this, and in a short while, the large conference room was emptied.

He Yuzhu's heart skipped a beat, and he vaguely guessed Dean Huang's intention in keeping him.

However, he remained standing still, quietly waiting for Dean Huang to speak.

The meeting room door was gently closed by the last person to leave.

Dean Huang stood up, walked up to He Yuzhu, and looked at him intently.

"Xiao He, I'll be blunt. I'm asking you, do you have any other steel formulas in mind?"

Just as He Yuzhu was about to speak, Dean Huang added another sentence.

"Especially the special steel formula used in the military industry, which is extremely important to our country."

Currently, the country's industrial base is weak, and military steel is a critical bottleneck problem.

Countless researchers have been working day and night on this project, yet they still haven't grasped the key to success, delaying the progress of countless important projects.

Dean Huang had no other choice but to ask He Yuzhu a private question as a last resort.

He had heard before that He Yuzhu could always come up with steel-related technologies that were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people, and he had long held some expectations in his heart.

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu's face showed a hint of frankness, without any attempt to hide anything.

"Dean Huang, to be honest, I really don't understand professional steel research, and I haven't systematically studied the theoretical knowledge in this area."

Upon hearing this, Dean Huang's eyes dimmed instantly, unable to conceal his disappointment.

But He Yuzhu then changed the subject and gave a surprising answer.

"But I do have a few formulas for special steels. I can't explain their specific properties and applicable scenarios. The steel company's professionals will have to go back and study and calculate them themselves."

Dean Huang's heart, which had been sinking, suddenly jumped up again, and his eyes instantly lit up with an astonishing brightness.

He grabbed He Yuzhu's arm, his tone becoming urgent.

"Really? You really have the formula for military-grade steel?!"

"Absolutely true, Dean Huang, I wouldn't dare joke about something like this."

He Yuzhu nodded solemnly, his tone extremely serious.

"That's great! That's really great!"

Dean Huang was so excited that he paced back and forth, his hands trembling slightly.

This has solved the country's urgent problem and is a great thing for national defense!

Without further hesitation, he immediately spoke to He Yuzhu.

"Xiao He, write it down now! Write down all the recipes you remember, don't miss a single word!"

After saying that, Dean Huang turned around and walked directly to the conference room door.

He gave a few instructions to the staff waiting outside, and soon staff from the special department were dispatched.

Two upright and solemn staff members immediately stood guard at the conference room door.

No one is allowed to approach or enter or leave without Dean Huang's personal written order.

All external interference was completely isolated, ensuring absolute confidentiality in the formula writing process.

After arranging the gatekeeping, Dean Huang did not stay in the conference room to keep watch.

He turned and quickly left the conference room, heading straight for General Manager Feng's office.

No one knows what Dean Huang and General Manager Feng discussed in secret in the office.

The office door remained tightly closed, and not a single sound could be heard.

More than half an hour passed before Dean Huang emerged from his office with a solemn expression.

He didn't go anywhere else, but went straight back to the conference room, where he sat quietly to the side, watching He Yuzhu write down the formula.

He Yuzhu sat at the conference table, his hand holding a fountain pen writing continuously.

But only he knew that these recipes were not something he had memorized out of thin air.

Instead, it was information he painstakingly retrieved from his personal storage space.

The space contained a vast amount of information, with various technical drawings and formula parameters piled up haphazardly.

Finding the exact formula for military steel and verifying the parameters one by one is no easy task.

He had to carefully search through the information, meticulously verifying each piece of data, for fear of writing down a single number or symbol incorrectly.

I kept writing until I was about to leave work.

The sky outside the window gradually darkened, and most of the colleagues in the office building had already left for the day.

He Yuzhu slowly put down his pen and let out a long sigh of relief.

During his writing process, he completed each recipe.

The senior engineers that Dean Huang brought immediately couldn't wait to "snatch" it away.

They would gather around with the recipe in hand, frantically calculating and deriving various data using draft paper.

When they first started the calculations, the engineers looked serious, their brows furrowed.

However, as the calculations progressed, precise data and reasonable parameters emerged.

The engineers' solemn expressions gradually faded, replaced by barely suppressed joy.

In the end, everyone's face was beaming with smiles, and their lips never left their mouths.

The look in their eyes as they gazed at He Yuzhu was filled with admiration and disbelief.

The more they calculated, the clearer it became how amazing the value of these formulas was.

This is no ordinary steel formula; it is clearly a treasure that can enable the country's military steel technology to achieve a leapfrog development!

In order not to delay the writing of the formula and the engineers' calculations.

Even lunch was delivered from outside by someone.

It was a special meal prepared by the kitchen staff, a combination of meat and vegetables, with an irresistible aroma.

It was a world of difference from the bland, unpalatable, and unpalatable food in the company cafeteria.

Everyone focused on eating quickly, and immediately returned to their work afterward; no one dared to slack off.

Only after all the available recipes had been written down did He Yuzhu look up at Dean Huang.

He said sincerely, "Dean Huang, that's all I remember. I've written down everything I can."

Dean Huang could no longer suppress his excitement.

He suddenly stood up, walked quickly to He Yuzhu, and grabbed He Yuzhu's hand tightly.

His palms were so white from the force he exerted that they were enough to show his mood at that moment.

"Xiao He! Thank you so much! You've really helped us a lot!"

"If we relied on our own research and trial and error, who knows how much time and resources we would have wasted!"

"You've saved us several years of research time; your contribution is immense!"

He Yuzhu quickly waved his hand gently, with a humble smile on his face.

"Dean Huang, you're too kind. This is what I should do."

"I just felt that these formulas would be useful to the country and to us, so I quietly wrote them down."

"This time was too short, and I can only recall this much. If I had more time, I might have been able to remember more."

Upon hearing this, Dean Huang nodded repeatedly, his gaze towards He Yuzhu becoming increasingly satisfied.

"Excellent, young comrade, you are truly a good comrade! You have a strong sense of the big picture and a deep love for your country!"

"Work hard here. If you're unhappy with your work here in the future, you can come to our Steel General Manager's place anytime."

"Our company, Steel General Manager, will always reserve a position for you; we will never let someone as talented as you go to waste!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu politely shook his head, declining the offer in a tactful manner.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Dean Huang, but I really can't do professional research work, and it's not my area of ​​expertise."

At this moment, Team Leader Fang, who was standing to the side, quickly spoke up and invited them again.

"Comrade He, the work over there is also very suitable for you. You don't necessarily have to do research; you can come and work here!"

He Yuzhu remained firm in his stance and politely declined again.

"I'm sorry, Team Leader Fang, the work on your side is indeed not suitable for me."

"Moreover, I have just come from the front lines and witnessed the cruelty of the battlefield. Now I just want to peacefully contribute to the construction of our motherland and do my part in this small way."

Team Leader Fang was very reluctant to part with him and wanted to say a few more words of persuasion.

But Dean Huang interrupted him directly by raising his hand.

"Xiao Fang, you don't need to waste your time trying to persuade her anymore. Stop trying to make a move on Xiao He."

Team Leader Fang was immediately indignant and frowned as he looked at Dean Huang.

"Dean Huang, such a talented person, why can't they work out with us? What a waste!"

"I think he could be more effective if he went to our area!"

Dean Huang looked at Team Leader Fang and explained in a serious tone.

"Do you know how outstanding Xiao He is? He is fluent in four languages, studied mechanical and civil engineering in college, and now he has mastered so many core technologies related to materials science."

"It would be a real waste if such well-rounded, multi-talented individuals didn't contribute to national infrastructure development or do more valuable work!"

Team Leader Fang was still unwilling to give up, and retorted, "But he also had outstanding performances on the battlefield before!"

"Peace talks are already underway on the Korean Peninsula. From now on, the country's major direction and focus will be on economic construction and industrial development."

Dean Huang spoke with conviction, enunciating each word clearly.

"You don't need to worry about this. I'll talk to your boss about it myself."

"If my intervention doesn't work, I'll go to my old brigade commander and my former sergeant commander. They'll definitely understand what I'm trying to do."

Seeing Dean Huang's resolute attitude, Team Leader Fang knew there was no room for negotiation on this matter.

He could only nod helplessly: "I understand, Dean Huang."

Dean Huang then turned to look at He Yuzhu again, his tone much gentler.

"Xiao He, regarding your previous request to arrange for technical personnel to come and assist you, we will send them over soon, and it will definitely not delay your work."

"As for the gold and luxury goods you mentioned, we'll have to wait a bit longer. As you know, the country is currently in dire need of rebuilding, and our finances are not very tight. We don't have much surplus money."

He Yuzhu understood this perfectly and, without the slightest dissatisfaction, immediately nodded in agreement.

"Okay, Dean Huang, I understand. I can wait. Everything is for the greater good of the country."

"Alright, I've taken up so much of your time. It's well past your quitting time. You should go home now."

Dean Huang smiled and patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder, speaking in a friendly tone.

"Come visit us at Steel General Store when you have time. Don't be shy, Steel General Store is practically your second home now!"

"Yes, Dean Huang, I've noted it down. I'll definitely visit you when I have time."

He Yuzhu respectfully agreed, then turned and left the conference room.

But he had only walked a short distance out of the office building.

I could vaguely hear Dean Huang's low, suppressed reprimands coming from the direction of the conference room behind me.

This is clearly a reprimand for the personnel who failed to perform their duties effectively and delayed the research and development progress.

He Yuzhu didn't linger or turn around to ask questions; he planned to go straight home to rest.

To his surprise, he was stopped by Director Zhang, who was walking towards him, as soon as he reached the intersection.

"Xiao He, wait a moment. Come with me to General Manager Feng's office. General Manager Feng wants to talk to you."

Director Zhang's expression was calm, without the previous seriousness and aloofness.

Although He Yuzhu had some doubts, he obediently followed Director Zhang back to the office building and entered General Manager Feng's office.

I thought I would be reprimanded for making decisions on my own before.

Unexpectedly, there were no words of reprimand in the office, only encouragement and recognition.

General Manager Feng sat behind his desk, looking at He Yuzhu with an approving expression on his face.

"Xiao He, you did a great job this time."

"Our company was founded with the aim of facilitating steel import and export and technology introduction, thus paving the way for the country's industrial development."

"Now that you've done such an outstanding job and exceeded your expectations, we, as your leaders, will only fully support you and will never stand in your way."

He Yuzhu quickly stood up and said respectfully, "President Feng, you flatter me. I was just doing what I was supposed to do."

When I came out of General Manager Feng's office.

Director Zhang walked up to He Yuzhu with a hint of apology on his face and took the initiative to apologize.

"Xiao He, I'm sorry. I wasn't very nice to you this morning, and I spoke too harshly. Please don't take it to heart."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu quickly waved his hand and comforted Director Zhang instead.

"Director, please don't say that. I also have my own problems. I acted too hastily and didn't report to you in advance."

"I haven't apologized to you yet, so you don't need to apologize to me."

"No, no, it's not your fault."

Director Zhang quickly waved his hand and said sincerely.

"Technology-related matters always require extreme caution, so it's only right that I be strict."

"Just remember to let us know in advance if something like this happens again in the future."

"After all, we know more people in other industries and organizations, which can help you connect with them more effectively."

"And the most important point is the issue of confidentiality. These steel formulas and technical data are top secret and must not be leaked in the slightest."

"Okay, Director Zhang, I understand. I will definitely report in a timely manner and strictly abide by the confidentiality rules in the future."

He Yuzhu nodded solemnly in agreement, and then casually mentioned it again.

"By the way, what Xiao Zheng and the others researched before was outdated bridge steel technology from the Russians, which has no practical value. I know that."

Upon hearing this, Director Zhang nodded with satisfaction and patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder.

"It's good that you know what's going on. I feel very reassured having a subordinate like you."

But only Director Zhang himself knew the truth.

The new subordinate in front of him was putting immense pressure on him, even creating a sense of overwhelming oppression.

Despite his young age, he possesses extraordinary abilities and always manages to accomplish remarkable things that surprise people. His vision also far surpasses that of ordinary people.

Within a few days, all the technical personnel promised by the steel company arrived.

Looking at the large group of people in front of him, He Yuzhu couldn't help but marvel.

This isn't just sending a few people to help; it's practically assembling a small, professional inspection team!

The team is full of talented people, covering all sub-sectors of the steel industry.

There are senior engineers who are in charge of steelmaking processes, key personnel who are proficient in steel rolling technology, and experts who specialize in material analysis and performance testing.

It has a full range of professional talents, all of whom are top experts in the industry.

The once spacious and empty office was suddenly crammed full.

We're all tech people, straightforward, and don't mince words.

In just half a day, they became familiar with each other and got along very well.

However, everyone is very respectful in their daily interactions.

We will only discuss professional topics such as steel technology, process optimization, and equipment improvement.

They remained completely silent about their upcoming business trip to Russia, taking strict precautions to prevent any leaks.

Meanwhile, the steel company was raising the funds needed for this mission.

They went to great lengths, ran themselves ragged, sought help from everyone, and coordinated with various parties.

I truly experienced what it means to beg and plead, and every penny was incredibly hard-earned.

The immense financial pressure caused even the usually composed Dean Huang to become anxious, resulting in several blisters appearing on his lips.

He was frowning all day long, but he was at a loss for what to do, and the progress of the task was about to be delayed by funding problems.

Just when Dean Huang was at his wit's end and was about to be driven to the brink of despair.

He suddenly received a call from the hardware and electrical import company where He Yuzhu worked.

After listening to the contents of the phone call, Dean Huang's tightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed.

His face, which had been filled with worry, instantly blossomed into a bright smile, and he couldn't stop laughing.

The financial problem that had troubled him for so long was solved so easily.

Ironically, it was He Yuzhu, who had initially made the request, who ultimately resolved the problem himself.

It turns out that these were steel purchase orders from Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill, as well as orders for new steel rolling mills.

After going through multiple internal approval processes and layers of review by higher-level departments, the document was finally officially issued to the hardware and electrical import company.

A note on the order made all the company leaders beam with joy, and they were completely relieved.

The remarks clearly state that this procurement was handled by the Steel Procurement Department 4, and all procurement costs were to be paid in cash by the shareholders of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill in proportion to their shareholdings.

This is like a pillow being delivered to someone who's just fallen asleep, or charcoal being sent in the snow – a true lifesaver!

The company leaders immediately called Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill to carefully verify the situation.

After some questioning, it was finally revealed that He Yuzhu was the one who had orchestrated this whole affair.

It was he who gave the shareholders of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill their advice in advance, which made this good thing possible.

After learning the truth, General Manager Feng and Director Zhang exchanged a glance, both having the same thought in their minds.

Did He Yuzhu already foresee that he would be assigned even more difficult tasks and that there would be a funding gap?

That's why they made arrangements in advance, giving the steel mill's shareholders this advice, and laying the groundwork for addressing the funding issue ahead of time.

However, this speculation is no longer important at the moment.

Most importantly, the purchase funds should be recovered immediately from the shareholders of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill.

Once the funds are in place, He Yuzhu and his team can immediately set off for Russia to advance their subsequent mission.

In order to obtain the funds as soon as possible, Director Zhang personally led a team to Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill to make contact.

Although I didn't receive the full amount at once, I did receive a deposit.

However, the amount of this deposit is enough to cover all the expenses of this trip to the Russian bear.

Besides cash, there was a small box of heavy gold and another small box of luxury goods that He Yuzhu had mentioned before.

The shareholders of Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill were all eager to take out these items as soon as they heard that they could be used as a discount to offset funds.

Fearing they would miss this opportunity, they all cooperated fully without any hesitation.

Time flies, and it's already late March.

Everything is reviving, spring is here and flowers are blooming, everywhere is a scene full of vitality.

After a series of preparations, personnel arrangements, and funding, He Yuzhu and his group finally finalized their itinerary.

It has been officially confirmed that we will depart for Russia in early April to coordinate the procurement of steel and equipment.

He Yuzhu returned home and told his family that he was going to Russia.

Upon hearing the news, all the adults in the family were noticeably downcast, their faces filled with worry and reluctance.

After all, it involves traveling abroad, going to unfamiliar places, and dealing with complex business, which inevitably makes people worry.

But the children in the family were all so happy that they danced with joy.

In the children's eyes, He Yuzhu's departure on a long journey meant that when he returned, he would definitely bring them all sorts of novel gifts.

The old lady held He Yuzhu's hand, her eyes slightly red, and gave him a long, rambling lecture.

"Zhu Zi, when you're out and about, you must be careful and cautious. Never be reckless."

"When you're out, make sure to eat on time. Don't always think about work and ruin your health. Your health is the most important thing."

Chen Lanxiang sat beside her, her eyes filled with reluctance as she gave her instructions, her tone full of concern.

After her elders finished giving their instructions, Chen Lanxiang immediately turned around and began helping He Yuzhu pack his luggage for the trip.

Clothes, shoes, socks, commonly used medicines, and toiletries were all carefully organized one by one.

Fearing that nothing might be left behind, they packed their suitcases to the brim, taking meticulous care of everything.

After learning the news, Wang Cuiping also made a special trip to find He Yuzhu and solemnly gave him some instructions.

"Pillar, once we're out here, safety is always the top priority. If a mission isn't completed, we can do it again next time. This isn't a battlefield; there's no need to take risks."

He Yuzhu nodded repeatedly, keeping all his family's instructions in mind.

Upon hearing the news, Wang Hongxia made a special trip to the He family's home.

She told He Yuzhu that his family told him to go out without worry and not to worry about home.

Because someone on Zhao Fengnian's side had already subtly conveyed a message that they would take special care of He Yuzhu's family and ensure their safety.

Wang Hongxia and her husband are both perceptive people. Upon hearing this, they knew that He Yuzhu was on a special mission this time.

However, they were well aware of the organization's discipline and would never ask questions they shouldn't, so they simply reassured He Yuzhu to focus on doing what he was supposed to do.

With them taking care of the house, there will be absolutely no problems.

On April 1st, early in the morning, just as dawn was breaking.

A special vehicle was parked at the entrance of Hejia Hutong to pick up He Yuzhu and his group.

To avoid sadness and prevent family members from experiencing the painful scene of parting.

He Yuzhu didn't let his family see him off; he quietly carried his luggage and got into the car.

The car slowly started and headed towards the border.

There were about ten people traveling to Russia with us, all of whom were carefully selected professionals.

Old Wei, who had previously traveled on a business trip with them, did not go with them this time.

Lao Wei remained in China, devoting himself to data collection and statistics on bridges across the country.

You don't realize how much you lack technology and materials in bridge construction until you delve into this work. The more you study it, the more you discover how much the technology and materials are lacking in China's bridge construction, and the workload is enormous.

In addition, the journey to the bear was long and bumpy, and Old Wei was too old and his body couldn't take it anymore.

So this time, Lao Wei stayed in China to help He Yuzhu look after the house and handle various tasks at home.

On the way to Russia, He Yuzhu carried a large suitcase with him.

He never left the public eye and was closely watched by everyone.

Everyone knew that the box contained key documents, agreements, and important items for this mission.

But no one knew that long before they set off...

He Yuzhu had secretly switched all the key items in the box and put them into his personal space.

He did this to reduce trouble on the road, avoid accidents, and ensure everything went smoothly.

After a bumpy journey, the group arrived safely in Manzhouli, crossed the border smoothly, and entered Russian territory.

After the train entered Russian territory, it stopped at several more stations.

Soon, several local staff members boarded the train.

One of the men, who had a capable-looking expression, walked straight up to He Yuzhu, nodded slightly to him, and indicated that they should talk privately.

The two walked to the connecting area between the train carriages. After confirming that no one was around, the man took the initiative to speak and exchange the secret signal.

He Yuzhu knew from the code word that this was the contact person arranged by the organization.

Without any unnecessary words, the contact person directly handed over the detailed contact information for the Moscow liaison point to He Yuzhu.

Then, he secretly slipped a Tokarev T33 pistol and two magazines full of bullets into He Yuzhu's hand.

After briefly explaining the precautions for use and storage, the contact person turned and left the train without any hesitation.

He Yuzhu carefully put away the pistol and magazine, returned to his seat, and his expression remained unchanged.

After several days of travel, He Yuzhu and his entourage arrived safely in Moscow.

After settling the others in, He Yuzhu went out alone.

None of the engineers or staff accompanying him asked him where he was going or what he was going to do.

Because before the trip, the domestic leaders had already held a special meeting.

He explained the general details and precautions of the trip in detail.

Furthermore, it was repeatedly emphasized that He Yuzhu was the sole leader of this mission.

Everyone must unconditionally obey He Yuzhu's orders and must not disobey in any way.

Following the address left by the contact person, He Yuzhu successfully found the liaison point in Moscow.

They successfully made contact with local liaisons.

When the liaison officers met He Yuzhu, they initially thought he was going to talk about personnel support, route arrangements, or ask for contact information in Kyiv.

But the first thing He Yuzhu said completely stunned the liaisons present.

He Yuzhu spoke slowly, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.

"I need you to compile a detailed list of all military-to-civilian conversion enterprises, integrated military-civilian factories, and related research institutions in Moscow before I return."

The liaison officer was stunned for a long time before he reacted and looked at He Yuzhu with a shocked expression.

"Comrade He, what are you doing? This list involves classified information; it's no small matter!"

He Yuzhu smiled faintly and responded in a calm tone.

"Doing nothing is better than being prepared, isn't it? The more prepared you are, the more secure you are."

The liaison officer looked troubled and hesitated before saying, "We can help coordinate the process, but this matter is of great importance and we must first report to our superiors and obtain their approval before we can take any action."

"That's as it should be. As for the procedures, just follow the rules. I'll wait for your reply."

He Yuzhu was very understanding and did not make things difficult for the other party in the slightest.

The liaison officer then asked with a puzzled look, "Why didn't you bring up something so important beforehand while we were in China? That would have allowed us to prepare in advance."

"What could be safer and more confidential than discussing it face-to-face? Online communication always carries risks."

He Yuzhu spoke calmly, yet he revealed the safest course of action.

Upon hearing this, the liaison officer suddenly realized and nodded repeatedly.

"That's true, I didn't think it through."

"By the way, do you also need the relevant lists from Kyiv?"

"Of course, that's necessary. Also, Kyiv is quite far away, so it's best if you send someone to notify them in person, rather than online, to avoid leaks."

He Yuzhu responded immediately, demonstrating meticulous consideration.

"Okay, I've noted it down. Here are the contact details from Kyiv. Keep them safe."

The liaison officer handed He Yuzhu a slip of paper with contact information written on it, and then asked.

"How many days do you plan to stay in Moscow?"

"I probably won't stay too long. I'll leave after I've finished dealing with things here."

He Yuzhu thought for a moment, then continued.

"As for Kyiv, I plan to contact you again after I finish the work at the Azov steel plant and return home. You must hurry up and prepare the list so as not to delay the trip."

"Okay, don't worry, I'll make the arrangements immediately after you leave and do my best to push this matter forward."

The liaison officer solemnly agreed.

He Yuzhu then remembered something and asked, "By the way, before we left China, we should have already informed you about the data transportation, right?"

"You're referring to the transportation of steel technical data and equipment drawings, right? I've already mentioned that."

The liaison officer responded quickly.

"We'll contact a fleet of specialized trucks to transport the data, equipment, and spare parts back to China. The truck capacity should be sufficient, right?"

"I don't know the exact capacity, but the more the better. We should prepare as many vehicles as possible, as we have a lot of things to transport."

He Yuzhu gave his instructions.

"I understand, I will do my best to coordinate."

As the liaison officer spoke, he picked up a thick, large document bag from the side of his feet and handed it to He Yuzhu.

"By the way, this is the money that the organization went to great lengths to raise. It didn't come easily; every penny is the blood and sweat of the country. You should be careful with your money while you're out there and use it wisely."

He Yuzhu reached out and took the file bag; it felt heavy in his hand.

He opened the file bag, glanced at it quickly, and then immediately sealed it, his expression extremely solemn.

"Please rest assured, I guarantee that every penny will be spent where it is needed, and I will never waste a single cent. I will definitely use the money for the mission."

"That's good, that's good. We're relieved to hear that."

The liaison officer wore a relieved smile.

"Alright, I've finished my business here, so I'll head back now. We'll meet again when I get back from Kyiv."

He Yuzhu stood up, preparing to leave.

"When I come back, I'll treat you all to a good meal to reward you all."

The liaison officer quickly waved his hand and said with a smile, "No need for a meal, it's too expensive. As long as we complete the mission, that's fine."

"It won't cost much. By the way, does your contact point have a place to cook?"

He Yuzhu suddenly asked.

"Yes, we do. What's wrong?" the liaison officer asked, looking puzzled.

"I forgot to tell you, besides being the leader of this mission, I'm also a proper cook, and my cooking skills are definitely not bad."

He Yuzhu said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the liaison officer's eyes lit up instantly, his face filled with surprise.

"Oh? Really? Then we're definitely having this meal!"

"Comrades, you've been here for so long, eating Russian food every day, you're really craving home-cooked meals! You're really looking forward to it!"

"It's settled then. I'll show you what I can do when I get back."

He Yuzhu smiled and agreed.

Take care and have a safe journey.

"Take care, and please be safe too."

The two waved goodbye, and He Yuzhu turned and left the liaison point, returning to his residence.

He Yuzhu and his group spent a total of three days in Moscow.

During those three days, he led his fellow engineers on a tour of renowned local libraries and top industrial universities in Moscow.

Looking at the bookshelves and classrooms, one sees a variety of advanced books on steel technology, industrial manufacturing, and mechanical design.

The engineers traveling with him were all rooted to the spot, their eyes glued to the books, their faces filled with longing and envy.

I wish I could bring all the books back to China so I could study them thoroughly.

It is worth mentioning that most of the engineers brought this time are fluent in Russian, and there are no obstacles to communication and reading.

Looking at their infatuated expressions, He Yuzhu spoke slowly and firmly.

"Don't worry, everyone. We will have these technologies and books in the future. Our country's industry will definitely catch up."

Hearing He Yuzhu's words, the engineers reluctantly turned their gaze away and followed He Yuzhu out of the library and university campus.

Everyone secretly resolved to study technology diligently and contribute to the country's industrial development.

After concluding their trip to Moscow, He Yuzhu and his entourage immediately set off for Kyiv.

Upon arriving in Kyiv, they made no stopover.

We transferred directly to a train and rushed to the core destination of this trip – the Azov Steel Plant.

After a bumpy ride, we finally arrived at the gate of the Azov steel plant.

He Yuzhu stepped forward, explained his purpose to the gatekeeper, and gave him his identification information.

The security guard immediately helped to call the factory and contact the relevant personnel.

Not long after, a burly figure with a full beard rushed out of the factory area.

It was Mikhail of the Azov steelworks.

Mihai spotted He Yuzhu immediately, and a bright smile instantly bloomed on his face.

He ran quickly to He Yuzhu and, without saying a word, gave He Yuzhu a big bear hug.

The force was so great that it almost pulled He Yuzhu into a tight embrace, and the tone was incredibly enthusiastic.

"Hey, you've finally arrived! I've missed you so much!"

He Yuzhu was both amused and exasperated by the hug, and gently pushed Mihai away, teasingly.

"You don't miss me, I think you miss my cooking, right? After all, you were once conquered by my culinary skills."

Upon hearing this, Mihai burst into laughter, making no attempt to hide his laughter, and nodded repeatedly.

"I miss both! I miss you as a person, and I miss the food you cook!"

"Come with me quickly, I'll arrange accommodations for you, I guarantee they'll be comfortable and clean."

As Mihai spoke, he turned his head and saw the large group of people behind He Yuzhu, and couldn't help but be a little surprised.

"You've brought quite a few people this time, several times more than last time. Is there any special purchasing requirement?"

"This isn't the place to talk. Let's talk as we walk."

He Yuzhu did not answer directly, but spoke cryptically.

"Okay, I'll do as you say. We'll talk as we walk."

Mihai understood and asked no further questions, leading the group toward their lodgings outside the factory area.

On the way, Mihai told He Yuzhu with a smug look on his face.

"Hey, I got promoted! I'm now the deputy director of the factory's sales department, which will make things much easier!"

"Congratulations, Mikhail! Hard work pays off, you've finally been promoted."

He Yuzhu sincerely congratulated him.

Mihai pursed his lips, displeased, and said, "You're just congratulating me with empty words? That's so insincere!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu smiled knowingly and immediately said, "Don't worry, you'll definitely get your share of the benefits. Prepare the materials needed for the subsequent cooperation, and we'll go to our usual spot tonight. I'll get you something good to eat and treat you properly."

"That's more like it! That's what a true friend should be!"

Mihai immediately beamed with joy, extremely satisfied.

Upon arriving at their lodgings, Mihai made several more phone calls to coordinate the supplies needed for their daily lives.

After He Yuzhu and his group settled in and got ready.

Mihai once again led He Yuzhu and his group to the large courtyard they frequented during their previous collaborations.

This courtyard is secluded and safe, making it ideal for discussing business or having meals together.

Before long, factory workers delivered fresh meat, vegetables, and drinks—everything you could need.

The accompanying staff were also busy, helping to wash, chop, and prepare the ingredients, working together seamlessly.

Mihai then pulled He Yuzhu to a corner of the courtyard, away from the crowd, and they spoke in hushed tones.

"Hey, what new procurement tasks do you have this time? I've heard that you're the only one left in the country dealing with business with our factory."

"I'm here not only to purchase steel, but also to ask you about something else."

He Yuzhu spoke calmly and got straight to the point.

"Does your factory sell its rolling mill? And what about complete sets of steelmaking equipment? Are you willing to sell them?"

Upon hearing this, Mihai was stunned, his face filled with surprise.

"Oh? Weren't you always just sourcing steel? How come you're starting to manage the production equipment now?"

"If you can get promoted, why can't I advance and take on more responsibilities?"

He Yuzhu smiled and asked in return.

"Ah! So you got promoted too! That's fantastic news!"

Mihai realized what was happening and was overjoyed. He patted He Yuzhu on the shoulder and said...

"We have to have a few drinks during dinner to celebrate!"

He Yuzhu raised an eyebrow, looking at him with a half-smile: "Are you sure? Want to have a few more drinks with me?"

Mihai instantly recalled the embarrassing incident from the last time he drank with He Yuzhu, where he was so drunk that he ended up sleeping under the table.

He immediately burst into awkward laughter, waving his hands hastily, "Hahaha, I was just saying it offhand, just saying it offhand! Drinking should be stopped in time, stopped in time!"

"Now that I've told you my needs, just tell me, is this thing possible?"

He Yuzhu stopped joking and got back to the main topic.

"I can do it, but even if I sell you the rolling mill and steelmaking equipment, will you know how to operate and use them after you transport them back?"

Mihai expressed his concerns.

He Yuzhu turned to the side and pointed to a group of engineers who were helping to pack the ingredients not far behind him.

"These people are all top-notch professional and technical personnel in the country. They came here specifically to learn equipment operation and process technology. Do you think they know how to use it?"

Mihai frowned as he looked at the group of engineers who looked capable and professional.

"This matter is a bit difficult to handle, as it involves the factory's core technology, and the approval process is very complicated."

He Yuzhu took a step closer, lowered his voice, and spoke with an irresistible allure.

"I still have the benefits left over from our last collaboration. In addition, I can also provide the gold you want."

Mihai's eyes flickered slightly, and the scales in his heart tipped instantly.

He gritted his teeth, made up his mind, and said, "I'll try my best to help you and smooth things over with all the connections. But if this is to be done, you, as the cook, will have to help with the cooking and making the connections."

"No problem. As long as you can get things done, you can come whenever you need me. I'll cook whatever you ask."

He Yuzhu readily agreed.

"Hey, how did I end up as a friend? You always give me such difficult questions and make me take such big risks."

Mihai complained, feigning helplessness.

"Come on, I can tell you're secretly pleased."

He Yuzhu rolled her eyes at him and mercilessly exposed his lie.

"If you help me with this, you might get promoted to head of sales and won't be the deputy head anymore."

Upon hearing this, Mihai's face showed a hint of difficulty, and he truthfully replied, "It's difficult. I'm not senior enough, and there are several senior officials above me who are holding me back. It's not that easy to get promoted."

"So you really did have that idea!"

He Yuzhu suddenly realized and said with a smile.

"No wonder you were so eager for me to come; it turns out I was just a stepping stone for your promotion!"

"Don't put it so harshly. We're not exploiting each other, no, we're helping each other, yes, helping each other out, a win-win cooperation!"

Mihai quickly changed his tune and awkwardly explained.

"Since we're helping each other out, then you should put in a lot of effort and make sure things get done. You'll definitely get the benefits."

He Yuzhu said firmly.

"Okay, I will do my best."

Mihai nodded solemnly.

As evening fell, the dishes in the courtyard were served one after another, their aroma filling the entire courtyard.

During the meal, Mikhail invited many of his colleagues from the factory over.

He focused on introducing the factory's senior steelmaking engineers and advanced technicians to He Yuzhu's team.

The intention is to encourage more communication and build rapport between the two parties, paving the way for future technical collaboration and cooperation negotiations.

The meal was incredibly lively.

The Russians are known for their generosity and love of drinking.

In addition, He Yuzhu's cooking was so delicious that it completely won over everyone's taste buds.

A group of people toasted each other and drank until they were completely drunk.

In the end, several of the Russian staff members got completely drunk and had to be carried back.

Of course, on He Yuzhu's side, there were also several engineers who couldn't hold their liquor and got completely drunk, and had to be helped back to rest by their companions.

The next morning, just as dawn broke.

He Yuzhu, carrying the purchase order he had prepared in advance, went to the Azov Steel Plant alone.

The security guard remembered this Mr. He from China from the last time he came to the factory to discuss business.

After a simple registration of his identity information, He Yuzhu was immediately allowed into the factory area.

He Yuzhu went straight to the sales office and entered Mikhail's office.

Upon entering, he slammed the purchase order onto Mikhail's desk without saying a word.

Mihai picked up the order, looked it over carefully, and then looked up at He Yuzhu.

"The quantity of steel on the order is fine. I can also use my authority to apply for more quotas for you, provided that you can pay in full."

"No problem, as long as there's enough stock, money is no issue, the more the better."

He Yuzhu immediately agreed, and then asked further questions.

"The steel issue is easy to handle, but have you reported the rolling mill and steelmaking equipment issues to the factory leadership? Have you received any results?"

"I reported it as soon as I got to work. Wait for me a moment, I'll reply to you right away."

As he spoke, Mihai immediately stood up and strode towards the leader's office.

Not long after, Mikhail hurriedly returned to his office.

"The rolling mill is no problem. The factory has agreed to sell it and can coordinate the delivery."

"However, a complete set of steelmaking equipment is a bit difficult. Those pieces of equipment are too big and too heavy, making them extremely difficult to transport."

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu immediately asked, "Can't we even disassemble the equipment and transport it as parts?"

"Small parts can be disassembled and transported, but core large components simply cannot be transported by train. There is insufficient transport capacity and no suitable loading tools."

Mihai said helplessly.

"Unless we use sea freight and cargo ships, but we don't have the necessary conditions for sea freight and we can't coordinate the shipments."

He Yuzhu frowned and asked again, "Could you help contact other steel mills in Russia to see if any are willing to sell their equipment?"

"I'm not sure about that either. I can only try to find out and coordinate for you, but I can't give you a definite answer."

Mihai stated the facts truthfully.

"Then please ask around for me and try your best to coordinate."

He Yuzhu thought for a moment and then said.

"If that really doesn't work, could you sell me the smaller, detachable parts of the equipment first? Oh, and also the accompanying blueprints and technical documents? Could you sell those to me as well?"

When talking about blueprints and documents, He Yuzhu lowered his voice and looked extremely serious.

This is more important than equipment parts; it's where the core technology lies.

Mihai's expression also turned serious, and he responded in a similarly low voice.

"I can't make that decision myself. I'll have to ask the factory's senior management before I can give you an answer."

"Okay, I'm not in a hurry. I'll wait for your news. Go and ask as soon as possible."

He Yuzhu nodded and continued.

"The production of steel can be arranged in advance. Once the agreement is reached, the goods will be shipped directly. After returning to China, a dedicated person will handle the payment with you. The same applies to the rolling mill."

"Okay, no problem. I'll go to the production department later to discuss and arrange the production plan."

Mihai readily agreed.

"By the way, don't forget about my technicians coming to the factory to learn equipment operation and process technology. Arrange it as soon as possible."

He Yuzhu gave another reminder.

"I won't forget it. I've kept this important in my heart and will let you know as soon as I have any news."

Mikhail assured him.

"Then I'll head back to my place now. I won't disturb your work here. I'll wait for your good news."

After He Yuzhu finished speaking, he turned around and prepared to leave.

"Wait, don't go yet."

Mihai quickly called out to him.

"Could you cook dinner for me tonight? I think it's not convenient to discuss the blueprints and documents in the office. We'll have a higher chance of success if we talk about it privately while we're eating out."

"No problem. As long as the matter can be accomplished, I'll cook ten meals, let alone one. I won't hesitate."

He Yuzhu readily agreed.

"It's a deal then, ten meals. Don't you dare try to renege on your promise!"

Mihai said with a smile.

"No problem, I'll be going now. I'll be there on time tonight."

He Yuzhu waved his hand, turned around and left the office.

That evening, He Yuzhu pulled out all the stops to secure the cooperation.

In the courtyard, she showcased her culinary skills, preparing a table full of authentic Chinese home-style dishes, all of which were visually appealing, fragrant, and delicious.

Not only did he cook the entire meal, but he also drank and chatted with Mikhail and several factory leaders during the meal, handling all the social obligations.

After much effort, although we didn't get the complete set of blueprints for the equipment directly.

But they received a crucial new message.

During the meal, a factory leader, after drinking, revealed that there was an affiliated steel plant near the Black Sea that was about to be demolished and rebuilt due to adjustments in the factory's planning.

The entire steelmaking and rolling equipment in the factory needs to be replaced and phased out. They asked He Yuzhu and his team if they were interested in these second-hand equipment.

He Yuzhu was overjoyed when he heard the news; it was an unexpected delight!

In fact, his original goal was not necessarily to obtain the blueprints of the existing steel mill.

After all, if we only buy some small, scattered parts and equipment, and then build and start production in China, it would be easy for many Russian experts to provide guidance in China, which could easily arouse suspicion and cause unnecessary trouble.

But if we could acquire the entire set of equipment from the steel plant that was about to be demolished, all the problems would be solved!

He Yuzhu suppressed his excitement and calmly expressed his feelings on the spot.

"I can't make the decision on this matter myself; I need to call back home immediately for instructions. However, based on my assessment, I'm 90% confident that we're willing to take it on."

This news also pleased the several Russian leaders present at the meeting.

Originally, these old pieces of equipment were intended to be scrapped and recycled, as they were not worth much money.

Now it can be sold as a finished product, which can bring in a large sum of money. The benefits are self-evident.

The next morning, He Yuzhu immediately made a long-distance call to the company in China.

Once the call connected, He Yuzhu told Director Zhang about the situation at the steel plant near the Black Sea and his ideas for purchasing equipment.

When Director Zhang received the call and listened to He Yuzhu's report, he was instantly excited and almost jumped up.

He knew in his heart that this was a tremendous good thing for the country!

But such a big matter was beyond the authority of a mere section chief; he dared not agree to it on his own.

He immediately said into the phone, "Xiao He, don't worry, call back in an hour, and I'll go report to General Manager Feng right away!"

After hanging up the phone, Director Zhang didn't dare to waste a moment. Grabbing the call log, he rushed into General Manager Feng's office.

Upon learning the news, General Manager Feng did not dare to delay and immediately reported the matter to higher-level leaders.

The matter was of great importance, involving national industrial development, and the response from higher-level leaders was extremely swift.

Less than an hour later, a clear instruction was given: Yes!

At the same time, they added a requirement that He Yuzhu obtain detailed information about the steel mill, a list of equipment, and a reasonable price as soon as possible before making a final decision.

An hour later, He Yuzhu dialed the company's number on time.

Director Zhang relayed the superior's instructions to He Yuzhu word for word.

He Yuzhu was overjoyed and immediately said, "Okay, I understand. I'll get in touch right away and get back to you as soon as I have any news."

After hanging up the phone, He Yuzhu immediately contacted the steel mill leader who had leaked the information through Mikhail.

After agreeing on a time, He Yuzhu, along with a senior engineer from China specializing in steelmaking equipment, traveled to the steel plant located near the Black Sea during the weekend.

After arriving at the steel plant, we conducted an on-site visit and inspection.

He Yuzhu and the engineers were stunned.

This steel mill, although smaller than the Azov steel mill, was a subsidiary steel mill.

In China, it would definitely be considered one of the top large steel mills, with an annual output of up to 80 tons!

The steel plant was abandoned and is planned to be demolished and rebuilt simply because it had sufficient capacity and more advanced technology.

The group toured the factory area carefully, inspecting each piece of equipment one by one.

After detailed testing and verification, the domestic engineers unanimously confirmed it.

Although the equipment in the steel plant is not the most advanced, it is well maintained and all functions are working properly. It can be put into production as soon as it is shipped back to China and can fully meet the needs of domestic industrial construction!

After confirming that the equipment was working properly, both parties immediately began negotiating the price.

He Yuzhu's expectation was to buy the entire set of equipment at the price of scrap metal, thereby maximizing profits with minimal cost.

However, the steel mill's management regarded He Yuzhu and his group as easy prey delivered to their doorstep.

They stuck to the price, wanting to rip him off, and quoted a price far exceeding He Yuzhu's expectations.

The two sides reached a stalemate, and the negotiations stalled for a time.

Just then, Mihai kept winking at He Yuzhu, signaling him to back down for the time being.

He Yuzhu understood and nodded slightly.

Mikhail immediately stood up and said with a smile to the steel mill manager, "Let's not rush to talk about prices. Comrade He's cooking skills are superb. Why don't we eat first, have a good meal, and then talk slowly? Business is business."

Mikhail then invited the steel mill's executives to the factory's cafeteria.

The steel mill manager looked puzzled, wondering what magic a meal could have.

The leader who previously leaked the information had eaten He Yuzhu's cooking and knew the ins and outs of it.

He quickly advised from the side, "Everyone, just listen to Mikhail. After you've had this meal, you'll know you definitely won't regret it."

The group was skeptical, but they followed them to the cafeteria.

Without saying a word, He Yuzhu went straight into the kitchen, rolled up his sleeves, and started working.

With practiced ease, she tossed the food in the wok, stirred it, and seasoned it. In just over an hour, she had prepared a table full of delicious dishes.

As soon as the food was served, a rich aroma filled the air.

The steel mill manager, who had initially been skeptical, was completely won over after taking a bite of the food!

The delicious and fragrant dishes far surpassed the Russian food they usually ate, and everyone ate with great relish, praising them repeatedly.

During the meal, He Yuzhu seized the opportunity to ask Mihai to help mediate, and also offered watches, gold and other hard currency as benefits to bribe them one by one.

Under the dual attack of delicious food and tangible benefits.

The steel mill's management completely softened their stance and no longer insisted on the previous high price.

He readily agreed on the spot and signed a purchase intention agreement with He Yuzhu.

The final transaction price was slightly lower than that of brand-new finished steel, but slightly higher than that of scrap iron, and both parties were very satisfied.

After finalizing the equipment procurement, He Yuzhu struck while the iron was hot and discussed the technical documentation for the equipment.

The steel mill readily agreed and promised to provide a complete set of technical drawings, process parameters, and operation manuals.

They also offered to send senior engineers and technicians from the factory to China to help with the installation and commissioning of the equipment, ensuring that it could be put into production normally.

He Yuzhu was very satisfied with this, but he also kept a watchful eye, in case the other party changed their mind later.

After the agreement was signed, the accompanying engineers were immediately arranged to check and verify all the technical documents.

Once the information is confirmed to be complete and accurate, it will be sealed on the spot and handed over to a designated person for safekeeping, leaving no opportunity for the other party to change or renege.