Cutting-edge technology: Starting with individual stealth equipment

Chapter 17 Talent Support in Place

Lin Chuan looked at Huang Chongwei: "How many people do you need?"

Huang Chongwei thought for a moment and replied, "We need at least two more optical engineers, two more materials engineers, and three more process engineers."

He then added, "It would be best to have two more mechanical designers; I'm going blind from drawing so many diagrams every day."

"Okay. Guo Tao, what about you?"

"For the sensor side, I need analog circuit designers and test engineers. Also, I'd like a PhD who specializes in MEMS technology."

Lin Chuan turned to Cheng Siyuan: "What about you?"

Cheng Siyuan replied, "The algorithm team needs to be expanded to at least five more members, including those who work on the underlying drivers, image algorithms, system integration, and testing."

Lin Chuan nodded: "Okay, I understand."

After a moment, he looked at Zhang Wei and said, "Transfer you to a management position and build up the company's framework."

Zhang Wei made a gesture: "Okay, anyway, I'm the worst at technical development."

Lin Chuan: That's all. Meeting adjourned.

……

At 2 p.m., Lin Chuan pushed open the door to the finance office.

Jiang Miaolan was facing the computer, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

"Is the budget sorted out? Zhang Wei is waiting for the list."

Lin Chuan entered the room, bent down slightly beside her, placed one hand on the computer desk, and glanced at the table on the screen.

Jiang Miaolan clicked on the document to start printing, and said, "As for the venue, we'll rent the entire vacant factory building next door, three floors, annual rent of 168 million, one month's deposit and three months' rent in advance. We need to renovate the laboratory, build a new Class 100 cleanroom, etc., budget 8.5 million."

As she spoke, she picked up her water glass, took a small sip, and continued: "Regarding equipment procurement, the total budget is around 1760 million. In terms of personnel, we need to add 22 R&D positions, 10 administrative and financial clerks, and 3 security guards, for a total of 35 people, with monthly salaries ranging from 8000 to 3, on a 15-month salary system."

Lin Chuan nodded and said to himself, "It adds up to less than 3500 million, less than expected, but it's not bad."

Jiang Miaolan reminded him, "Materials aren't included in the budget; that's the biggest expense."

Lin Chuan immediately replied, "I know that, it's not a big problem. The company has plenty of funds right now, and we shouldn't be stingy with money when it comes to military projects."

A few minutes later, Lin Chuan walked out of the finance office.

He took the job description and benefits list compiled by Jiang Miaolan back to his office, contacted Wang Chengjun in the military, and faxed the document to the designated agency.

He chose to seek help from Wang Chengjun regarding the recruitment of personnel.

Recruiting people yourself would be very inefficient. DeepBlue Technology hasn't taken off yet, and even if we recruit top talent, they might not be willing to come.

Project Shadow is currently highly classified, and candidates need to pass a political vetting process before they can start working, which will take a considerable amount of time.

Lin Chuan did not forget the current task of the Hyperdimensional Technology Library. He had only been given six months, and a third of that time had already passed.

……

A week later.

Wang Chengjun visited DeepBlue Technology again, accompanied by more than twenty other people.

In the reception room, Lin Chuan was having a private conversation with Wang Chengjun.

"I've personally brought the people you requested: optical engineers, materials engineers, MEMS engineers, and some clerical staff—all configured according to your requirements."

Wang Chengjun smiled and continued, "The General Armaments Department selected these individuals from top universities and research institutes; they are all promising talents."

With the military involved, efficiency is indeed fast.

If DeepBlue Technology were to recruit on its own, it would be impossible to recruit enough people in such a short time.

Wang Chengjun added, "They have all signed confidentiality agreements, but they still don't know what they are going to do. You are responsible for telling them."

"In addition, the military has already registered their families under the name of 'participation in key national scientific research projects.' If anyone has a problem, you can come directly to me."

Lin Chuan nodded.

Wang Chengjun did not stay at DeepBlue Technology for long; after bringing the person there, he took his leave.

At this moment, Lin Chuan was reviewing the personnel list and resume information.

The first person on the list is a tall, thin man wearing glasses named Zhou Ming, a PhD in Optical Engineering; the second is a woman named Shen Yuxin, a Master's student; the third is a PhD in MEMS who received a national scholarship; the fourth…

Some of these people are recent graduates, some are transferred from research institutes, and some are recommended by the military.

They all share the characteristics of being highly skilled professionals with impeccable backgrounds.

Lin Chuan was quite satisfied after reviewing the resumes of these people; they were all very talented individuals.

In the afternoon, he called everyone to the multimedia conference room.

As everyone entered the conference room, they were all drawn to the words "Project Shadow (Top Secret)" displayed on the conference screen.

With all the staff in place, the company expanded to about 40 people.

Lin Chuan looked at the twenty-odd new faces and said, "You all probably have many questions. What does Deep Blue Technology do? What are we going to do?"

No one spoke; everyone looked at the young boss on the stage.

Lin Chuan pressed a button on the remote control, and a short video of less than ten seconds appeared on the screen, playing in a loop. It showed the process of optical invisibility of the skin against a wood grain background.

"This is a stealth material," Lin Chuan said. "That's what we make."

Upon hearing this, all the newly hired employees present were immediately surprised and stared blankly at the video that was playing on a loop.

Lin Chuan said methodically, "What Deep Blue Technology will do next is to use this stealth technology to create a single-soldier stealth combat suit system, which is called 'Project Shadow'."

Zhou Ming, who was present, exclaimed in surprise, "Optical invisibility...this thing exists in theory, but in engineering..."

Zhang Wei said with a hint of pride, "But we've already achieved it. Otherwise, how could our little-known startup have received such high attention from the military?"

Zhang Wei intentionally said this to his newly arrived colleagues, aiming to showcase the founding team's capabilities.

Otherwise, they will look down on you, and they might even resent you.

Lin Chuan then said, "Alright, enough with the chit-chat. The military wants us to produce a prototype as soon as possible, and that's our next task."

After assigning personnel and specific tasks to each group, the meeting adjourned.

In the days that followed, DeepBlue Technology's technical team of more than 30 people began to work on the prototype of the first-generation individual soldier stealth system.

The new employees quickly accepted it. They were initially a little resentful, after all, Lin Chuan and his team were so young, and DeepBlue Technology was still a startup.

But we're all tech people, and if you're not good at this, you're just not good at it.

When they personally came into contact with the stealth skin and witnessed optical invisibility, they were completely convinced.

Because they couldn't do it themselves, but a dozen or so people managed to do it under such rudimentary conditions. That's real skill, you can't argue with that.

……