Chapter 60: Thundering Progress.
Hao Ren and Klaus arrived closer to the professors whose eyes were glued to the robot. They were like a bunch of kindergarten students who just found a new toy. Hao Ren and Klaus exchanged a glance and smiled.
Klaus said, "Grace, can you identify the people before you?"
Grace turned her head a little while still dribbling the basket ball, and said, "The professors from Jade City University. From left to right, Professor Duke L. Deen, Professor Jiang Ting, Professor Matthew Kraft, Professor Jeremy Rein, and Professor Almanac Haitian."
The five old boys were stunned, Hao Ren smiled and said, "Grace, introduce yourself to the Professors."
Grace stopped dribbling the basket ball and held it in her hands. The old people were fascinated and the robot started to introduce herself. After a few minutes, when she was done, the old professors looked at Hao Ren and the young man smiled as he said, "Grace is the final prototype of our new product line. She is the first step towards a better future."
Professor Kraft asked, "What do you want from us when you are capable enough to create her?"
His voice and demeanor was calm, and his eyes were brimming with questions. He has seen a lot of impressive tech in the world but this was the first time where he saw a robot that was capable of doing a lot of things that a human could.
Hao Ren replied, "Would it be alright if we talk in a secluded place?"
He looked at the bunch of enthusiastic students, and then at the group of old men. Professor Ting nodded and said, "Fine, come along."
…
Klaus was left outside with Grace, they were using the interaction with students as a data gathering event. Also, the students were excited and wanted to post this encounter on the internet but Hao Ren told them to wait till the official announcement and they will be among the first batch that will receive a House-bot.
Meanwhile, Hao Ren and the professors were sitting in a separate room inside the library. They were all looking at Hao Ren, who smiled faintly and said, "You just asked me what I want, the answer is very simple. You are all leading scientists and engineers when it comes to the chip technology. I am sure that none is better aware of the current trend than you are.
While the western hemisphere is already moving up with 4nm chips, we are still stuck at 6nm and 8nm.
I also want to create devices that uplift the status of living of the people. However, I cannot do that without the higher quality chipset. While I am not completely money minded, I don't have an aversion toward it either. Money can be used to develop better technology. So, I want to ask you all to come together and join the Thunder Research Center. Explore the boundaries of the chip technology."
Professor Almanac smiled faintly and said, "I understand that you are ambitious, but you have to know that research is too costly. Many tycoons have tried and even after the decades of research they have only reached 6nm chipsets that you see in the best domestic brands. Are you sure you will be able to pitch in the money?"
Hao Ren confidently nodded and said, "I will put in fifty million yuan in the research fund every month. Also, all the research that you do will be assisted by the calculations of a super computer. So, the results will come out sooner. What I lack is humans who have the courage to tread forward and redefine the boundaries. That's why I came here."
The old people looked at each other and Hao Ren said, "You don't have to give me a response now, you can wait till you see the results achieved by Grace when the units are out and about in the market."
The people nodded and Hao Ren left after asking them a few things. The reason he did not pressurize them was because he wanted to accumulate more funds and also a sight where the people could research in peace. Also, Thunder Technologies was not yet a big name. Thinking about this Hao Ren left the office.
...
Hao Ren came out and found that the students were watching Grace with great curiosity, they were asking her many questions and the unit was answering them with great efficiency. Suddenly, Grace said, "Friends, if you all do not mind, can we resume this conversation later, my battery is running low."
The students saw that the smiling emote on her face had turned into a slightly upset one. Klaus said, "Guys, Grace is a prototype and is still in testing phase, please cooperate."
Many people knew Klaus and they left the place after agreeing and wishing them. Hao Ren said, "Let's go, we have stuff to do."
Soon, they were back at the office, and Hao Ren called the Human Resource head, the person was told to hire young communicative people to set up a call center that will help the customers find answers to their questions and also the complaints will be addressed quickly. Then Hao Ren set the date for the release of the House Bot in thirty days, and he asked Klaus to increase the battery output.
He was sitting inside his cabin and thinking about the financial block before him. As he thought for the solutions, he thought of stock marketing but it was not that good in the short run. Suddenly, he recalled the Golden Manager card that the system has given him.
He thought and said, "System, I would like to use a golden manager card, but can you tell me how to get the most out of this card?"
*Ding: Host, you can select the which type of manager you want.*
Hao Ren thought about it and said, "I would like to have someone who can raise money for me from stock trading and investment in small start up companies."
*Ding: With that in mind, if you use the ticket, you will be able to find a manager you want.*
Hao Ren thought that it was quite simple, and said, "I want to use the ticket."
*Ding: Golden Manager Ticket is in use.*
Hao Ren waited but found the notification stopped at an obscurely small sentence. He thought, 'What does it mean, 'in use'? What the heck is going on here?'
However, just when he was confused, Xiao Mei said, "Boss, some Mister Dion is calling you."
Hao Ren looked at the call and then said, "Xiao Mei find me all his details."
The AI acknowledged and a few minutes later, he found that Dion was a director in one of the top ten investment firms, the golden pioneer. However, he had been limited to deal with just one field while he had great hobby.
Thinking about it, Hao Ren called the guy back and said, "Greetings, Mister Dion, how may I help you."
Dion was shocked and said, "I did not expect you to know me, Mister Hao."
Hao Ren smiled and replied, "How can I not know someone who looked into my trading profile?"
Xiao Mei told him that Dion had been prying around his profile, trying to find a way to connect just now, and Hao Ren used it. His enhanced intelligence was coming in to play. His words shocked Dion and he froze.
Dion had been in the field for over fifteen years, and had looked into many people, he had always been discreet but this was the first time he was caught, and from what he knew, Hao Ren was very young.
He took a deep breath to calm his mind and replied, "I apologize for prying too much, Mister Hao, but I wanted to meet you and discuss the scope of a collaboration."
Hao Ren smiled and said, "You came at the right time, I am looking for a financial manager who can help me multiply my capital in short and long term. I wonder if you would be willing to explore the possibilities."
Dion replied, "Mister Hao, I was thinking of taking you up as one of my clients."
He clarified that he did not want to work for anyone else. This meant that he was fed up of the limitation set upon him.
Hao Ren replied, and said, "Mister Dion, what I am offering you is a complete freedom position in my business, you can mobilize the funds and invest it in any field you would like, be it a small dog cafe or the multi billion dollar research center, the choice is yours, I only care for the results.
It goes without saying that the investment shouldn't be of illegal nature. I only want a stable return, if there is a lose less then ten million dollar you don't have to report to me. What do you think?"
Ten Million Dollars was a big amount, none of the clients that Dion had approached allowed him this much leeway. It was as if ten million was chump change. He asked shakily, "Mister Hao, are you sure?"
Hao Ren replied, "Mister Dion I can make up ten million dollar with one session in the western market. The business there is booming. I do not have any reason to lie to you. As for the specifics, why don't we talk after you come to the Han Nation?"
Dion replied, "Mister Hao, I don't need to talk, as long as you allow me to act according to the things that you offered, I will work for you. Many people do not understand this but boundaries in terms of investment or learning are the biggest reason for me to always looking outside my window. It is a big world so why do I have to be limited to one spot and do something decided by someone else?
I will be coming over in a week, I would like to meet you the same day."
Hao Ren chuckled and he understood that Dion was getting high on the scent of freedom, but he did not intend to stop him and wished him well before disconnecting the call. As he put down his mobile, Xiao Mei said, "The Ye family is making a move against magnificent cosmetics boss, if you did not stop them right away, it will be millions in losses."
Hao Ren sighed and said, "Some people never learn how to stop until they are six feet under."
He would raze the Ye empire to ground within a week.