Chapter 199: Lu Qingshan

Lu Qingshan solemnly thought for a moment, then continued: "Financial prosperity is certainly a good thing, but the foundation of development is still the gap in high‑tech industry, which is even more important." His tone grew deeper, "This involves people's livelihood, the military, international diplomatic discourse power and other aspects, and aligns more closely with livelihood and economic development. So finance is the foundation, the strong driving force for enterprise development; the real core is actually technological development, and only technological development can embody true national power."

Several leaders set down their tea cups, and Chen Lao's gaze became especially focused. Such a viewpoint coming from a person in his twenties was indeed surprising.

"But financial security must not be underestimated," Lu Qingshan continued, "and brand protection is equally important. Domestic brands for the people are not just brands; they embody trust and pride, and also involve food safety, genetic safety, and many other fields."

Wang Bureau Chief pushed up his glasses, thoughtful, and said: "Comrade Qingshan, the brand protection and genetic safety you mentioned are a novel angle. Could you elaborate?"

Lu Qingshan felt memories from a previous life surge within him—those ethnic brands acquired by foreign capital, those food‑safety incidents—making his expression turn serious: "When I was in Hong Kong Island, I observed that Western developed countries have a very strong awareness of brand protection. They obtain huge profits through brand premiums, while our high‑quality products are OEM'd for foreign brands, earning only meager processing fees. Over time, we are essentially making wedding dresses for others."

He paused, "More importantly, once foreign capital controls the brands of our seeds, food, medicines and other key sectors, it ceases to be merely an economic issue and becomes a matter of national security. For example, if foreign capital controls our seed enterprises, they could decide what we plant, how we plant, and might even turn our farmers into their tenants."

Zhang Buzhang set down his tea cup, his expression solemn: "You are right. Recently our Ministry of Foreign Trade has also noticed this trend; after economic opening, foreign enterprises have shown abnormal interest in some of our traditionally advantageous industries."

"Therefore I think that while opening up, we must establish a sound protection mechanism," Lu Qingshan nodded, "We must both learn advanced management experience and technology, and safeguard our core interests. It's like opening the door to welcome guests, but not letting them take all the house keys."

Chen Lao couldn't help but laugh: "That metaphor is vivid. Qingshan, you just mentioned wanting to venture into energy, resources, transportation, and shipping; what are your concrete ideas for those fields?"

"As for the energy, resources, transportation, and shipping I wish to enter, those fields serve the high‑tech industry," Lu Qingshan's voice grew more resolute, "The main focus is the high‑tech industry. When the state cannot act directly, I, as a businessman, can do a lot, and won't be constrained by a change of role."

Those words made several leaders present light up. Lin Minister couldn't help but ask: "Do you mean using private capital to do things that the state cannot directly participate in at the national level?"

"Exactly so." Lu Qingshan's eyes flashed with brilliance, "For example, I could set up overseas key resource development projects, or acquire technology firms with strategic value. On the surface it looks like a commercial act, but in reality it serves the nation's long‑term development. It's like sending out a commercial scout: publicly doing business, secretly gathering intelligence and technology for the state."

Wang Bureau Chief's eyes lit up as he listened: "This line of thinking is very interesting. However, it requires massive capital support, and the risk is not small."

"Regarding capital, I have already built some foundation in Hong Kong Island," Lu Qingshan said with Confidence, "The risk indeed exists, but I think this risk is worth taking. If we don't act now, by the time others catch up the cost will be much higher. It's like buying a house: the earlier you buy, the cheaper; the later you buy you can only take over."

Chen Lao suddenly asked: "Qingshan, if you were to choose the three most important technological fields to invest in, which three would you pick?"

The question shook Lu Qingshan's heart. Memories from a previous life surged like tides: the Internet, new energy, biotechnology… these world‑changing technologies are still in their budding stage.

"The first is computer technology." Lu Qingshan said without hesitation, "When I was in Hong Kong Island I encountered some American computer products; the development speed of this technology is beyond imagination. In the future it may completely change how people work and live. Now many still think a computer is just a large calculator, but I believe that one day everyone will have their own computer, just as everyone now has a watch."

Lu Hua, listening nearby, was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected his son to have such deep understanding of these new technologies. Several leaders exchanged glances, and this assessment aligned with some of their internal forecasts.

"The second is new energy technology, especially solar, tidal and wind power," Lu Qingshan continued, "Traditional energy will eventually run out and is heavily polluting; we can start by buying out traditional energy. Breakthroughs in new energy technology can not only solve energy‑security issues but also let us dominate future international competition. The future development focus is efficiency, storage and grid integration. Imagine if our desert lands could all generate electricity—that would be a spectacular sight."

"The third is biotechnology, including medicine and agriculture," Lu Qingshan's voice grew more serious, "It concerns people's health and food safety, and is also the high ground of future tech competition. For example, if we could cultivate a super‑rice resistant to pests and diseases, we could not only solve food‑security issues but also spread the technology worldwide, giving us a voice in the agricultural sector."

Chen Lao fell silent for a long while after listening. The atmosphere in the living room grew tranquil, with only the ticking of the wall clock reminding of time's passage.

"Qingshan, your ideas are very forward‑looking and strategic," Chen Lao finally spoke, "However, the investment thresholds in these fields are high, and the technical risk is also considerable. Do you have a concrete implementation plan?"

"My plan is to proceed step by step," Lu Qingshan organized his words, "First, I will set up several R&D bases domestically and recruit outstanding tech talent. At the same time, I will look overseas for suitable acquisition targets to obtain advanced technology. Then, through industrialization, I will turn the technology into actual products and services. In simple terms, first learn to walk, then learn to run."

Zhang Buzhang couldn't help but interject: "This requires massive support from foreign‑trade resources; our Ministry of Foreign Trade can provide certain policy conveniences."

Wang Bureau Chief also nodded: "Regarding foreign‑exchange management, there are some difficulties, but for this strategically significant investment we can open a green channel."

Lu Qingshan felt a warm current rise in his heart; the support of these state leaders made his plan far more feasible.

"There's one more important point," Lu Qingshan suddenly said, "I hope to establish cooperation with the nation's research institutes. The flexibility of private capital combined with the technical strength of state research institutions should generate strong synergy. It's like two people pushing a cart together, faster than one alone."

Lin Minister's eyes lit up: "That proposal is excellent! Our Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has several research institutes with a solid foundation in biotechnology. If you truly wish to invest in this field, we can first discuss the possibilities of cooperation."

At this point, Lu Qingshan suddenly recalled something and asked: "Leaders, if I want to bring in overseas technical talent on a large scale, are there any policy restrictions?"

"What do you mean?" Chen Lao showed interest.

"My idea is to set up R&D institutions overseas, hiring local tech talent with high salaries so they serve our technological development. This both avoids legal risks of technology transfer and secures the latest tech results," Lu Qingshan explained, "It's like blooming and bearing fruit on enemy territory, then bringing the harvest home."

Several leaders laughed after hearing it; the young man's idea was indeed interesting.

"But this would be very costly, right?" Wang Bureau Chief asked.

"The cost is indeed not low, but I think it's worth it," Lu Qingshan calculated, "One top‑tier tech talent may be worth dozens of ordinary craftsmen. Moreover, we can use this approach to train our own technical team, teaching them the most advanced R&D methods."

"Qingshan, your idea is very forward‑looking," Chen Lao praised, "However, talent introduction indeed requires a complete policy framework to support. We will study this issue seriously."

Time slipped by unnoticed, and more than two hours had passed; night deepened, yet the discussion in the living room grew ever deeper. Lu Qingshan discovered that these state leaders' understanding and foresight of new technologies were far stronger than he had imagined.

"Alright, that's all for today's discussion," Chen Lao finally stood up, "Qingshan, your ideas are valuable; we will consider them seriously. However, I must remind you to keep the path righteous and not take steps that are too large."

"Rest assured, I understand the limits," Lu Qingshan said respectfully.

When seeing him off, Chen Lao clasped Lu Qingshan's hand and said earnestly, "It's good for a young person to have ideas, but remember, wherever you go, never forget where your roots lie."

Stepping out of the courtyard, the night breeze cool, Lu Qingshan felt unprecedented excitement. Today's meeting not only earned him state‑level recognition, but more importantly, showed him the limitless possibilities for his future development.

"Qingshan, you performed very well today," Lu Hua said in the car, "However, the road ahead may be even tougher; you must be ready."

"Dad, I'm ready," Lu Qingshan said, looking at the Capital City nightscape through the car window, his heart full of heroic ambition, "This time back, I will let everyone see what true Chinese power really is."

The car drove through the night, carrying a father and son, and also a grand blueprint for the future.