Chapter 529: Graphene

A week after Tech Lao Zhang's video was released, in the public opinion monitoring room of Wanxiang Dasha, Fang Wenshan stared at the data curve on the screen, a slight smile tugging at his mouth.

The red line representing negative public opinion dropped from a peak of 23% down to 7%, while the blue line indicating purchase intent was slowly climbing.

He picked up the Telephone and dialed Li Yaozong's number.

"President Li, the data have reversed."

The line was silent for two seconds.

"How much?"

"The daily average sales of the fifth‑generation aircraft rose by 17% compared to last week. The comment section's sentiment has completely shifted; those who were criticizing can't be found."

Li Yaozong gave a hum.

"Let the bullet fly for a while; once it's done, it's time to get to work."

Ten minutes later, Li Yaozong appeared at the Nanshan R&D Center.

In the new materials laboratory on the fifth floor, the atmosphere was a bit odd. Several researchers gathered around a microscope in silence. Chen Feng stood nearby, clutching a freshly printed test report.

Seeing Li Yaozong enter, Chen Feng looked up.

"President Li, take a look at this."

Li Yaozong walked over.

Under the microscope, a piece of material so thin it was almost transparent glimmered with an odd sheen. It was neither as cold and hard as a silicon wafer nor as heavy as metal; it resembled a breathing film.

"What is this?"

Chen Feng handed over the test report.

"Graphene."

Li Yaozong took the report.

The first line read: single‑layer carbon atom structure, thickness 0.335 nanometers, electron mobility two hundred times that of silicon.

He looked up.

"Two hundred times?"

Chen Feng nodded.

"Theoretically, chips made with graphene could reach frequencies above 300 GHz, and power consumption would be an order of magnitude lower than silicon chips."

He paused briefly.

"This isn't a shortcut; it's a change of track."

In the conference room, several key figures sat in a circle.

Chen Feng stood before the projection screen, flipping through the slides page by page.

"The applications of graphene go beyond chips."

He pointed to the keywords on the screen.

"In electronic information, it can be used for flexible displays, high‑frequency devices, sensors. Our foldable screen, if equipped with graphene electrodes, could see its bend‑resistance increase tenfold."

Liu Yang's eyes lit up beside him.

"Tenfold?"

Chen Feng nodded.

"For energy storage, lithium batteries with graphene raise energy density by 10% to 30% and fast‑charging speed by two to three times."

He Xiao sat up straight.

"Automotive batteries?"

"Right. Supercapacitors charge in seconds, endure a million cycles. Future electric‑vehicle charging will be as quick as refueling."

He continued turning the pages.

"Composite materials gain 0.5% to 2% addition, with strength increasing 30% to 50%. Aerospace and lightweight automotive applications will both use it."

"Biomedicine: drug delivery, tumor therapy, early Alzheimer's detection."

"Environmental: seawater desalination, air purification, heavy‑metal adsorption."

"Livelihood: graphene floor heating, heated clothing, smart home textiles."

He flipped page after page, each one like a bomb.

After the last page, he turned around.

"President Li, this thing can change everything."

The conference room remained silent for a long while.

He Xiao spoke first.

"Do we have the ore?"

Chen Feng nodded.

"The raw material for graphene is graphite. China's graphite reserves rank second worldwide, production ranks first. But the rare earths…"

He looked at Li Yaozong.

"Rare earths are another matter. Many high‑end applications require rare‑earth assistance; our rare‑earth reserves account for 30% of the world's, but they were sold too cheaply in recent years."

Li Yaozong stood up.

"At the mining company, Ma Guotao may be retired, but his successor is still there. Have him check how many rare‑earth mining rights we currently hold."

He looked at Chen Feng.

"Also, I'll handle the communications with the Government. They need to know graphene's uses. As for rare‑earth exports, the ones that should be regulated must be."

Chen Feng nodded.

At three p. m., Li Yaozong dialed an old friend at the National Development and Reform Commission.

"Director Liu, I have something I'd like to discuss with you."

A bright laugh came from the other end of the Telephone.

"General Manager Li, a rare guest. What's the matter?"

Li Yaozong gave a brief rundown of the graphene matter.

The other end of the Telephone was silent for a few seconds.

"Do you mean this thing can change the chip landscape?"

"Not just chips. Energy, materials, biology, environmental protection—all can use it. But many high‑end applications need rare‑earths. Our rare‑earths have been sold too cheaply in recent years."

Lao Liu hummed thoughtfully.

"What do you want to do?"

"It's not about what I want to do. It's about what should be done," Li Yaozong said. "The strategic value of this thing is not less than oil. The Government should regulate it; we can't let people be sold like cabbages."

The other end of the Telephone fell silent again for a few seconds.

"General Manager Li, you've made a good call. Next week there's a rare‑earth industry forum; come over and speak in person."

A week later, Li Yaozong returned from Beijing.

Chen Feng waited for him in the office.

"General Manager Li, how did it go?"

Li Yaozong sat down and took a sip of tea.

"It's settled. The Government will reassess the rare‑earth export policy, and graphene‑related applications will be given priority for domestic supply."

He looked at Chen Feng.

"As for the mining companies, I've already ordered them to acquire mines. If they're suitable, buy them. Money isn't an issue."

Chen Feng nodded.

"On the chip side, we want to set up a dedicated graphene team. From basic research to process development to product conversion, we'll integrate the whole chain."

Li Yaozong looked at him.

"How many people are needed?"

Chen Feng thought for a moment.

"Start by pulling twenty people from the research institute, then add more as the situation permits."

"Approved."

Wang Bo knocked and entered.

"General Manager Li, there's an issue with the Internet of Things."

Li Yaozong gestured for him to speak.

"Our sixth‑generation device can control home appliances, cars, door locks. But there's a problem—only newly manufactured equipment has network‑enabled chips. Old equipment can't connect."

He looked at Li Yaozong.

"Customers who bought the sixth‑generation device find their home air conditioners can't connect, which hurts the experience."

Li Yaozong thought for a moment.

"Trade‑in."

Wang Bo was momentarily stunned.

"Trade‑in?"

"Right. Users can hand in old home appliances for a discount toward new Wanshang Smart Home Appliances. The discount money is partially covered by the company and partially absorbed by the factory."

He looked at Wang Bo.

"This way, we solve the old‑equipment connectivity issue and also boost appliance sales."

Wang Bo nodded.

"I'll go back and run the numbers to see what discount is appropriate."

At six p. m. that evening, Li Yaozong appeared on the sixth floor of Nanshan R&D Center.

Several labs still had lights on; researchers sat at microscopes, others typed code at computers. When Li Yaozong entered, someone glanced up, then lowered their head and kept working.

Li Yaozong stood in the corridor for a while.

Chen Feng walked over from behind.

"General Manager Li, looking for anyone?"

Li Yaozong shook his head.

"Not looking for anyone. Just taking a look."

He looked at the labs with their lights on.

"These people, overtime like this every day?"

Chen Feng nodded.

"It's a habit. When projects are tight, we pull all‑night shifts."

Li Yaozong was silent for a few seconds.

Then he turned around.

"Tomorrow morning, call the Human Resources and Administrative Department staff to hold a meeting."

At nine a. m. the next morning, the conference room was packed.

Li Yaozong got straight to the point.

"I want to change the overtime issue at the R&D Center."

The Human Resources manager was momentarily stunned.

"General Manager Li, you mean…"

Li Yaozong stood up and walked to the whiteboard.

First, R&D staff: as long as they can complete the task that day and work at least eight hours, they can clock out and leave at any time. Finish work and leave.

He wrote a few words on the whiteboard.

Second, there's no such thing as being late or leaving early. Come at ten in the morning, leave at six in the evening; as long as you work eight hours, it counts as full attendance.

Personnel manager opened his mouth.

Li Yaozong, this… will management get chaotic?

Li Yaozong looked at him.

What chaos? These people aren't factory line workers; they're doing R&D. They need inspiration, not a time clock. As long as the work is done, what does it matter when they come or go?

He continued writing.

Third, the cafeteria is open 24 hours. No matter when you come or leave, there's hot food to eat.

Fourth, we'll add another building to the South Mountain R&D Center. It will have a gym, dormitories, and a lounge. If you're tired, rest; if you're hungry, eat; if you want to exercise, go to the gym.

He put down his pen.

These are benefits for R&D and office staff. Let them work comfortably, and they'll work longer.

The Administrative Department manager raised his hand.

Li Yaozong, building takes time. The current conditions…

Li Yaozong looked at him.

Let's improve the current conditions first. Add late-night snacks to the cafeteria, put a few massage chairs in the lounge, and replace the gym equipment that needs replacing.

He paused.

Money isn't an issue. Spending on these people will create more value.

Lin Jiawen added from the side.

Li Yaozong, there's also the matter of health checkups.

Li Yaozong nodded.

Right. A comprehensive health checkup once a year. Prioritize the R&D center, then roll it out company-wide.

He looked at Lin Jiawen.

Talk with a few top-tier hospitals to open a green channel for Wanshang employees. If there's a problem with the checkup, directly arrange a specialist consultation.

Lin Jiawen nodded.

I'll take care of it right away.

At four in the afternoon, Li Yaozong went to the South Mountain R&D Center again.

In a lab on the sixth floor, a young researcher was slumped over the desk writing something. Seeing Li Yaozong enter, he stood up.

Li Yaozong.

Li Yaozong waved his hand.

Have a seat. What are you writing?

The young man scratched his head.

A paper. On the graphene bit, preparing to submit to Nature.

Li Yaozong was stunned.

Nature?

The young man nodded.

Chen Feng said, our research results shouldn't just be known to us; we need the whole world to know.

Li Yaozong looked at him.

What's your name?

Zhang Mingyuan. He's one of the first batch sent abroad for further study.

Li Yaozong remembered.

He's back?

Zhang Mingyuan nodded.

He came back last year. He spent two years at Stanford and learned a lot.

Li Yaozong looked at him.

Are you still used to it?

Zhang Mingyuan smiled.

Used to it. Here you can do whatever you want; it's freer than there.

Leaving the lab, Li Yaozong stood in the hallway for a while.

A few researchers in casual clothes walked by, holding lunch boxes, heading toward the cafeteria. Someone was discussing something as they walked, their voices low, but it was clear they were arguing about a certain algorithm.

The elevator doors opened, then closed.

The hallway fell quiet.

Chen Feng walked over.

Li Yaozong, the site for the new building has been confirmed. It's next to the R&D center, a five-minute walk away.

Li Yaozong nodded.

Let's break ground as soon as possible.

Chen Feng looked at him.

Li Yaozong, the benefits you mentioned today are spreading among the R&D center staff. Just now someone asked me if they're real.

Li Yaozong looked at him.

What do you say?

Chen Feng smiled.

"I say, when has what Manager Li said ever been false?"

At seven in the evening, Li Yaozong returned to Wanxiang Dasha.

On the office desk lay several newly delivered reports.

One was the establishment plan for the graphene special team.

One was the budget for the IoT trade-in program.

One was the design draft for the new building of the R&D center.

One was the list of hospitals for the health-check cooperation.

He flipped through them page by page.

When he reached the last page, he paused a moment.

It was a handwritten sticky note, in Chen Feng's handwriting:

"Manager Li, the graphene breakthrough may be faster than we imagined. Just now in testing, the electron mobility of the single-layer sample increased by another twenty percent."

He stared at the note, silent for a few seconds.

Then he stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, Shenzhen's night was deep.

In the distance, the lights of the Nanshan R&D center glowed like a sheet. In that six-story old building, countless people were working overtime, writing code, tuning algorithms, exploring that mysterious material only an atom thick.

In a year, another building will rise beside it, containing dormitories, a gym, and a cafeteria open twenty-four hours.

In two years, the graphene-based chips will be installed in the Phoenix Generation Six, running faster than any competitor.

In five years, the technologies that emerged from the Nature paper will become Wanshang's new track.

He stood there for a long time.

Then he turned and walked back to his desk.

He opened his computer and began to read the graphene special team's plan.

Outside the window, the city's lights shone like dawn.