Chapter 357: The Next Grand Chess Move

Dean Gao was momentarily stunned; because of Lu Cheng's outstanding performance on the Snow Removal Machine Project, he had, over this period, gotten to know him to some extent.

This kid, once he earns any merit, never returns empty‑handed; even if nothing is offered, he'll shamelessly ask for it.

He somewhat regrets having praised Lu Cheng, and even more regrets having taken him onto the car to return to the Capital City.

"Ahem, later I'll have Captain Lei reward you; you don't know, our institute has always been short on funds."

It's not that Dean Gao is stingy; those of us doing research don't care about material comforts, we tighten our belts, and even a single saved coin goes toward research work.

Lu Cheng, of course, knew this, and smiled: "Dean Gao, you underestimate me; I'm just like you researchers, always treating money as dirt."

"Oh?" Dean Gao, a bit skeptical, asked proactively: "Then why did you just now ask me for a reward…"

For anyone else, receiving a direct commendation from this dean would already be a great honor.

Lu Cheng hesitated: "Dean Gao, hear me out first; I'm wondering if you could arrange for me to hold a director position."

Dean Gao didn't quite catch it: "What do you mean? You, a newly promoted captain, don't want to keep the job and want to run off to our Iron Science Institute?"

But Dean Gao thought it was feasible; Lu Cheng's current university major is mechanical manufacturing, and upon graduation he could normally go to a research institute.

Moreover, given Lu Cheng's strong coordination ability, sending him out early actually seemed profitable to Dean Gao.

Except… Captain Lei would definitely be unwilling to let him go.

He knows that old man too well; if he learns Lei has snatched Lu Cheng away, he'll immediately come over to fight him.

"No, no, I mean just put a name on it."

Lu Cheng explained: after struggling to finally become a captain, he couldn't instantly jump to another unit, or Captain Lei would instantly brand him a traitor.

"Put a name? So, are you planning to join any project?"

Lu Cheng shook his head slightly: "Not for now. I'm thinking our school has many talents in this field; if the Iron Science Institute were to establish another research institute, I could use that as a pretext to attract those talents."

Dean Gao listened, half‑understanding: "So you want to set up a dedicated research institute—what exactly are you planning to study?"

"None for now."

Dean Gao leaned back: "If you aren't researching anything, why ask me to set up a dedicated institute? That's just wasting resources."

"Of course it's not wasteful; just because we aren't researching now doesn't mean we won't later. Setting it up now makes it easier for me to bring people in."

Dean Gao understood; it's like fishing—lay the net in advance, and when the fish come, they can't escape.

Dean Gao scratched his head: "That's called…"

Lu Cheng took over: "It's called Preventive Measures."

"No, no, that's nonsense!"

Lu Cheng grew impatient: "Dean Gao, how could this be nonsense? Think about it—talent is abundant and precious now, and our school is Qingbei, whose talent is even more noteworthy."

If we set up the institute early and I list myself as director, I'll have a justification to gather those talents, which would be a great contribution to the Iron Science Institute.

Logically that's sound, yet Dean Gao still felt something was off: "The key is, we've never done it that way!"

We've always first defined the relevant research projects, then established the corresponding institute.

But Lu Cheng has no project at all; he's just putting up an empty institute.

"Dean Gao, that's because you haven't met me yet; had you met me earlier, you would have done this already."

Dean Gao gave a wry smile, but Lu Cheng didn't give him a chance to speak, pressing his argument further.

"Dean Gao, opportunities don't wait; you don't know that we haven't even graduated yet, and other units—like the One Machine Department—have already started pre‑booking our university's graduates."

Lu Cheng's words were not false at all; he already has some classmates who have secured their post‑graduation placements.

Lu Cheng is anxious; although classmates going to other units will help when needed, it never builds the same network around him.

No one knows, but Lu Cheng is actually playing a larger game; the future belongs to the tech era, and these research engineers become especially crucial.

And for the Lu family to remain unshakable in the future, its industry must be a red business, so partnering with these engineers is essential.

The Lu family, once it earns money, will invest in R&D and even offer High Reward to attract foreign talent to serve the nation—this is Mutual Support and Reciprocal Benefit.

Of course, his idea is too avant‑garde, even unsuitable for the current era; otherwise he might be labeled something.

"Dean Gao, you surely don't want all the talent to run to the One Machine Department, do you? By then you'd be too late to regret."

Dean Gao was somewhat swayed, yet still worried: "But our Iron Science Institute's compensation isn't high; would they be willing to come?"

Lu Cheng was completely untroubled: "Dean Gao, you don't need to worry about that; I'm sure I can persuade them to come. If you still think it's improper, then I'll just list myself as director without taking any compensation from your Iron Science Institute."

Dean Gao gave an incredulous look: "You have such lofty enlightenment? Working for our Iron Science Institute for free?"

Lu Cheng thought, who works for free? I'm planning to take the return later.

"Dean Gao still underestimates me. You can go around asking everyone; the Railway Department has no one with higher enlightenment than me. I love serving the people; a day without serving makes me feel uneasy."

Dean Gao was speechless, but regarding Lu Cheng's proposal, he seemed to have no reason to refuse.

Setting up a research institute in advance is just freeing up a vacant room for the Iron Science Institute; there's no other loss.

And Lu Cheng's nominal "director" role can attract a portion of professional talent—why not?

But with decades of experience, he still feels Lu Cheng's real motive lies elsewhere.

However, with the matter so close at hand, he doesn't have to worry about anything.

So he agreed to the request.

After all, Lu Cheng helped the Iron Science Institute finish the Snow Removal Machine Project, didn't ask for any tangible reward, and even wants to keep helping attract talent; he has no reason to refuse.

Lu Cheng relaxed, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes; the next step was to start recruiting at the school.

As he thought, that graceful figure inexplicably resurfaced in his mind.

Nothing happened to the Lin family; was it Lin Qingyan who got into trouble?

But, following her parents, what could happen?

Returning to the Capital City, Lu Cheng went straight home; he planned to ask his sister.

Lu Ying hadn't finished work yet, but at the Hu Tong Entrance she ran into the Big Sister from the last time at the Postal and Telecommunications Bureau.

Lu Cheng thought, it's doomed; could that Big Sister have sensed something amiss and come to claim that stamp back?