Chapter 29: Imperial Capital Mansion

Qin Feng's shocking question, "Is it difficult?" was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring massive ripples within the conference room.

Several top scientists wore expressions of utter shock and disbelief; some even furrowed their brows tightly, clearly regarding this young man as arrogant and ignorant of his place. Primary authority? Maximum R&D autonomy? Direct accountability to the highest leadership? These were conditions unheard of!

Even Mr. Yang, accustomed to storms, flickered with profound surprise in his deep eyes; he fixed his gaze on Qin Feng, as if trying to pierce through his calm exterior and discern the true source of his confidence.

The air in the conference room seemed to freeze.

Yet Qin Feng did not wait for their reply—or rather, he did not need their reply at this moment. He knew these conditions exceeded the decision-making scope of the experts and officials present. By raising them, he was making a posture, an announcement—what he brought was not capital begging for cooperation, but power capable of reshaping the landscape.

"It seems you need time to deliberate," Qin Feng rose, his tone still composed, "I'll stay in the Imperial Capital for a few days, awaiting your response."

He said no more, gave a slight nod to Mr. Yang, and walked out of the conference room first, leaving behind a room of experts and officials with complex expressions and murmuring voices.

"Too arrogant! Who does he think he is?"

"It's good for a young man to have spirit, but he shouldn't…"

"Still, the projects he invested in do have some merit…"

"But what's his basis?"

Low doubts arose, but Mr. Yang raised a hand to halt the chatter. He watched Qin Feng's retreating back, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

Outside the guesthouse, Qin Feng instructed Sun Zhe: "Find a suitable place in the Imperial Capital and buy it. We may need to stay here for a while."

"Yes, Boss!" Sun Zhe immediately agreed. He understood: his Boss was taking a stance of long-term roots in the Imperial Capital—waiting for the upper echelons' response, while also applying silent pressure—I have time and patience.

With Qin Feng's current terrifying wealth, acquiring property in the Imperial Capital was effortless. Sun Zhe leveraged his network and secured, within just three days, a top-tier estate at the foot of Xishan, adjacent to the imperial gardens.

This estate, named Yunshan Manor, was formerly the villa of a prince from the previous dynasty, passed through several hands, and now owned by an overseas tycoon. The estate spanned vast grounds, serene amid the bustle, its interior a modernized Chinese courtyard with pavilions, terraces, bridges over flowing streams, and towering ancient trees—blending historical weight with modern comfort and privacy, and boasting top-tier security.

The price was naturally astronomical, but for Qin Feng, who had just made 80 billion, it was a drop in the ocean.

When Qin Feng stepped into this magnificent mansion, he couldn't help but nod slightly at its scale and depth. Here, he would temporarily establish his foundation in the Imperial Capital.

After moving into Yunshan Manor, Qin Feng did not anxiously wait; instead, he continued remotely directing tech companies in Hong Kong and elsewhere through Su Wenqian, while using the slow but steady analytical power of the Technology Core and his remaining Tech Points to conduct deeper research on the ancient artifacts and existing technical blueprints.

He had a hunch: cooperation with the state was inevitable, but he must maintain absolute technological leadership and the power to set the agenda in the collaboration. This required more cards.

Several days later, Mr. Yang personally arrived at Yunshan Manor. He brought no attendants, only a personal Secretary trailing behind.

In the antique study of the manor, Mr. Yang sipped Qin Feng's prized Da Hong Pao tea, gazing at the meticulously tended garden outside, and sighed: "Mr. Qin has excellent taste—Yunshan Manor is a rare gem in the Imperial Capital; many have coveted it."

Qin Feng smiled faintly: "Just luck. Mr. Yang, you've come today—surely you have a result?"

Mr. Yang set down his teacup, his expression turning solemn: "Mr. Qin, your conditions underwent extremely careful and heated deliberation." He paused, his gaze sharp as he fixed on Qin Feng, "In principle, we can agree."

Even with Qin Feng's composure, hearing this sent a jolt through his heart! The state actually agreed to his so-called "harsh" conditions!

"But," Mr. Yang shifted tone, "there are several prerequisites."

"First, the final authority and R&D direction of the laboratory must align with national strategic security and development interests, subject to 'limited oversight' by a committee of multiple experts—this committee holds only information rights and advisory power on major risks, with no decision-making authority."

"Second, the state holds priority usage rights and certain allocation rights over the laboratory's core research outcomes."

"Third, and most importantly," Mr. Yang leaned forward slightly, his eyes blazing, "we need to see your true 'strength.' Empty words won't suffice—we need a 'pledge of loyalty,' or rather, a proof convincing to all of us."

"What kind of proof?" Qin Feng asked calmly.

Mr. Yang slowly uttered three words, heavy as a thousand catties:

"The 'Chasing the Sun' project's greatest bottleneck lies in its inability to stably confine plasma at hundreds of millions of degrees. Existing materials, under intense radiation and heat, have extremely short lifespans, severely constraining experimental progress."

He locked eyes with Qin Feng: "If you—or your team—can, within half a year, provide a new material or technical solution that increases the lifespan of existing plasma confinement materials by more than fivefold…"

"Then, I will personally hang the sign for the 'National Strategic Technology Laboratory' for you! Your demanded autonomy—every bit of it—will be granted!"

Increase material lifespan by more than fivefold! Within half a year!

If this demand became public, everyone would deem it fantasy! It was essentially demanding a revolutionary leap in materials science!

Sun Zhe stood behind Qin Feng, sweat pooling in his palms. This condition was too harsh!

Yet, upon hearing this demand, Qin Feng's eyes flickered with a barely perceptible gleam.

New material? Stability under extreme heat and intense radiation?

His consciousness instantly sank into the system.

【Technology Core, search Technology Archive and analysis data, filter technical or material directions meeting these criteria: extreme heat resistance, radiation resistance, applicable to plasma confinement…】

【Searching…】

【Evaluating based on Source Technology Imprint analysis and existing materials database…】

【Potential viable direction found: Multi-layer Composite Gradient Protective Coating theory, derived and optimized from Light-Year Materials' perovskite structure.】

【Refining this theory and generating specific technical blueprint—estimated cost: 1800 Tech Points.】

【Proceed with refinement?】

Qin Feng's heart settled! The Technology Core had not disappointed him!

He raised his head, meeting Mr. Yang's scrutinizing gaze, his face showing no sign of difficulty—instead, a faint, confident smile, as if all were under control.

He did not directly answer whether he accepted the challenge; instead, he lifted his teacup, gently blew away the floating leaves, and asked in a casual tone that sent shockwaves through Mr. Yang:

"Only fivefold?"

Mr. Yang: "…"

The personal Secretary: "!!!"

Sun Zhe's legs nearly buckled.

Qin Feng sipped his tea, set down the cup, and spoke as if discussing a trivial matter:

"Six months is too long."

"Give me three months."

"And change the target to a tenfold increase."

"Is it difficult?"