Chapter 108

The internal discussion triggered by "Torch Dragon" had not yet fully subsided when a red document marked with the highest level of encryption was delivered to Feng Yan's desk.

When Secretary Lin brought the document in, even someone as accustomed to big scenes as her could not hide her excitement.

"Team Leader Feng, it's a direct appointment document from the highest level!" Secretary Lin's voice was even trembling slightly.

Feng Yan took the document and scanned it quickly, his eyes gradually brightening.

The content of the document was concise and to the point: In view of the breakthrough achievements made by the Longyin Research Institute in the field of cutting-edge equipment research and development and the strategic value it has demonstrated.

After research and decision, it is officially upgraded to the "Longyin National Frontier Technology Research Institute," directly under the management of the highest level, and its administrative rank is raised to ministerial level.

"Holy sh*t!" Feng Yan rarely swore, and immediately pressed the internal communication button.

"All core members, assemble in the Number One Emergency Conference Room, emergency meeting!"

Ten minutes later, when Feng Yan announced this good news, the conference room was silent for a moment, followed by an explosion of deafening cheers.

"My god! Ministerial level! Directly under the highest level!" Wang Hao was the first to jump up.

"We've completely upgraded from a local ragtag team to a central direct-reporting unit!"

"Don't get too excited yet," Feng Yan said with a smile, pressing his hands down.

"An upgrade means greater responsibility, and it also means we need to undergo a thorough organizational restructuring."

With the issuance of the new appointment documents, everyone's positions underwent earth-shaking changes:

Feng Yan was appointed as Executive Vice President, presiding over the work of the entire institute.

Seeing this appointment, he was stunned for a moment, then smiled bitterly and said to everyone: "The higher-ups said I was promoted too fast, so I'll serve as Vice President for a transition, but in reality, I have to fulfill the duties of the President."

"Now this is great, I haven't done any less work, but my title has been downgraded by half a rank."

Li Yang was appointed as the Director of the Mech Research Institute, leading the R&D of all mechs and related platforms.

Upon hearing the appointment, he silently looked at the "Jing'an" being tested outside the window and said softly: "Finally, I can focus on my mech research."

Chen Guang was appointed as the Director of the Laser and Intelligent Systems Research Institute, in charge of laser technology R&D, artificial intelligence, and information systems.

He pushed up his glasses and calmly stated: "I'll need at least five more supercomputing nodes and two laser laboratories."

The most surprising one was Wang Hao, who was appointed as the Director of the Missile and Aerospace Technology Research Institute.

When this guy heard the appointment, he was stunned at first, then slapped the table and laughed wildly: "Hahahaha!"

"Master Hao here is going to the sky! From now on, please call me Director Wang!"

Zhao Kaiyuan and his entire team were also officially merged into the research institute, with Zhao Kaiyuan serving as the Director of the New Energy and Power Research Institute.

Zhao Gong became the Chief Engineer of Precision Manufacturing and Craftsmanship.

Even Master Li Kui was officially hired as the Chief Expert of the Special Materials Laboratory, enjoying special talent subsidies.

The change in positions brought not just a change in titles; this time, it was a real and substantial tilt of resources.

The next day, a series of heavy-duty support followed one after another:

First, a well-equipped direct-reporting guard unit moved in, led by a lean Lieutenant Colonel who gave Feng Yan a standard military salute upon meeting him:

"President Feng, the Longyin Guard Detachment reports for duty as ordered, 300 people in total, responsible for the security of the research institute and cooperation in new equipment testing!"

Next was financial support—ten billion in special funds were directly credited to the research institute's account.

When Wang Hao saw the bank text message, he almost popped his eyes out: "My mom, so many zeros, how many missiles is that enough for me to build!"

The green light was given for equipment procurement as well.

Li Yang's hands were shaking as he held the procurement list: "Five of the latest five-axis linkage machining centers, two sets of industrial-grade 3D metal printers, a full set of environmental simulation testing equipment..."

"These are all treasures we couldn't even beg for before!"

Chen Guang's procurement list was even more exaggerated: "Expansion of the supercomputing cluster to ten times the scale, construction permits for a quantum computing laboratory, and also..."

"Access rights to the national-level laser test range?"

Even Wang Hao was allocated a complete missile test range and a rocket engine test stand.

Looking at the plan, he was so excited he couldn't speak coherently: "This, this specification, it's almost catching up to the Aerospace Group!"

The personnel establishment was tripled, with the higher-ups directly transferring key talents from major top universities and scientific research institutions.

Looking at the high-level talents arriving one after another, Zhao Gong couldn't help but exclaim: "I've never fought such a wealthy battle in my life!"

The newly appointed Administrative Vice President was an old comrade around fifty years old, surnamed Zheng, who had served in multiple national-level scientific research institutions.

On his first day, he showed amazing efficiency, sorting out the huge administrative system in an orderly manner in no time.

"President Feng," Vice President Zheng found Feng Yan with a schedule.

"The planning for the new park has started, covering an area of 5,000 mu, including independent test ranges, experimental areas, and living facilities."

"The design unit will come tomorrow to connect with our requirements."

Feng Yan looked at the dense schedule and felt his scalp tingle: "President Zheng, I'll leave these administrative tasks to you; I still want to focus my main energy on the technical direction."

Vice President Zheng nodded understandingly: "Understood, I will handle the specific matters, you just need to grasp the general direction."

As new personnel arrived one after another, the research institute visibly became "formal."

With the addition of a professional administrative team, Feng Yan was finally liberated from the tedious daily management, but new challenges followed.

At the first meeting of middle-level cadres of the entire institute, Feng Yan felt the discomfort of the role change.

As the heads of the various newly established departments reported their work in turn, he found that he was no longer as knowledgeable about many details as he used to be.

"... So we need to import a high-precision 3D measuring instrument," the newly arrived Director of the Testing Center was reporting.

"The budget is around eight million."

Feng Yan asked subconsciously: "What is the specific model? What are the precision requirements?"

The conference room was quiet for a moment, and Vice President Zheng reminded him softly: "President Feng, let the professionals handle these specific matters."

Only then did Feng Yan realize that he no longer needed to do everything himself.

In comparison, Wang Hao adapted to his new role much faster.

After work that day, he insisted on dragging Li Yang and Chen Guang to visit his newly renovated "Director's Office."

"Look! Solid wood desk! Leather sofa!" Wang Hao strolled around the office proudly.

"And this! The coffee machine is imported! From now on, please call me Director Wang!"

Li Yang looked at him helplessly: "Haozi, the director's duty is to lead the team to tackle key problems, not to enjoy life."

"I know, I know!" Wang Hao sat down in the boss's chair.

"We'll start researching the new generation of missiles tomorrow!"

"But before that, let me enjoy the thrill of being a leader!"

Chen Guang was more pragmatic; the first thing he did after his promotion was to submit a report requesting the expansion of the laboratory:

"Laser weapon R&D needs a larger test site; the existing laboratory is no longer enough."

In addition, the most gratifying thing was Li Yang's change.

After becoming the Director of the Mech Research Institute, he took the initiative to find Feng Yan: "I think we should set up a youth talent training program."

"Put some promising young people in important positions to train them."

Feng Yan looked at him in surprise: "Old Li, have you finally figured it out? You used to bury your head and do everything yourself."

Li Yang smiled rarely: "Now that I'm in charge of an institute, I can't keep doing things like before."

"Besides, the follow-up development of 'Jing'an' definitely won't be enough if we just rely on the few of us."

The upgrade brought not only resources but also higher requirements and expectations.

A week later, the higher-ups issued a new mission statement: requiring the completion of the preliminary mass production preparation for the "Jing'an" mech within the next six months, while accelerating the iterative R&D of the "Iron Wolf-Assault Type" and "Chengshan-Auxiliary Type" exoskeletons.

"This workload..." Li Yang frowned as he looked at the mission statement.

"That's why I said we need to train new people," Feng Yan pointed to the plan.

"I plan to hand over the follow-up development of the 'Chengshan' series to a few young key members, while you and Wang Hao focus on tackling the technical bottlenecks of mech mass production and the iteration of the military 'Iron Wolf' series."

Wang Hao perked up upon hearing this: "Mass production? Does that mean we'll see rows of 'Jing'an' lining up to leave the factory in the future? Just thinking about it is exciting!"

Just as everyone was discussing heatedly, Vice President Zheng walked in with another document:

"President Feng, the General Affairs Office just received a notice that the second batch of precision equipment will arrive tomorrow, including three nano-scale lithography machines and a full set of equipment for a wind tunnel laboratory."

Feng Yan took the document and looked at the equipment list on it, suddenly feeling a sense of unreality.

From that small team tinkering with mechs in a warehouse to managing a national-level research institute today, it all felt like it happened yesterday.

"What's wrong, Brother Feng?" Wang Hao noticed his distraction.

Feng Yan came back to his senses and smiled: "I was thinking, if I hadn't seen Old Li making a mech helmet on a short video back then, what would we all be doing now?"

Li Yang thought seriously for a moment: "I would probably still be repairing motorcycles in the warehouse."

Chen Guang: "If it weren't for Brother Feng, I would have already changed my graduation project direction by then."

Wang Hao laughed out loud: "I would definitely be inheriting the fireworks factory back home, being scolded by my old man every day for being unreliable!"

Joking aside, the project discussion meeting that day lasted until late at night.

After the meeting, Feng Yan stayed in his office alone, looking at the newly hung organizational structure chart of the research institute on the wall.

It was densely marked with various research institutes, laboratories, and functional departments.

The internal communicator on the table lit up; it was the schedule for tomorrow sent by Vice President Zheng:

In the morning, there was a report on the planning and design of the new park, in the afternoon, he had to listen to the progress of three key projects, and in the evening, he had to receive a visiting international expert group...

Feng Yan rubbed his temples and brewed himself a cup of strong tea.