240: Chapter 239 Principal Ding's Demand

Five years was the final answer Wang Shuo gave.

This answer did not meet the expectations of Ding Congsheng; he wanted to hear a longer timeframe, like ten years.

For a highly valuable research project, ten years is not considered a very long time.

But Wang Shuo clearly did not think so.

Looking at Wang Shuo's young and resolute face, Ding Congsheng turned the words on his lips and swallowed them back down.

Did he really have to give up on Wang Shuo?

That was clearly impossible. Not to mention Wang Shuo's monstrous talent for programming, the benefits brought by cooperating with Wang Shuo alone were enough to keep them standing with him.

Then... continue trying to persuade Wang Shuo?

That path wouldn't work either.

They had tried to persuade him, but he was extremely opinionated and simply wouldn't listen.

Ding Congsheng turned his head to look around, and seeing everyone looking thoughtful and unwilling to speak, he couldn't help but feel speechless.

So you all don't want to be the bad guy, and you want me to be it, right?

"Ahem, Dean Yang Rong."

Ding Congsheng coughed and suddenly spoke to one of the Middle-aged men: "You are in charge of the Integrated Circuit Design and Integrated Systems major, what is your opinion?"

The Middle-aged man who was called out was confused. He looked at Wang Shuo, who had turned his head toward him with piercing eyes, and cursed inwardly.

He was still hoping to pull some strings with Wang Shuo and take two zero eggs back with him; now you want me to come out and offend him?

In your dreams!

"Hmm, well..." Yang Rong said with a chuckle, "I think it's a good thing for young man to have drive. Even if it doesn't work out, suffering a little is to be expected; there's no harm in it."

"As for the matter of campus recruitment in our department..."

Yang Rong smiled at Wang Shuo: "This is no different from other units coming for campus recruitment, and besides, Wang Shuo is one of our own, so in principle, I agree."

Ding Congsheng: "..."

I asked you to come out and give an opinion, and you, on the other hand, are just currying favor, right?

He glanced at the other professors again, and sure enough, everyone was looking taciturn and eager, just waiting for Ding Congsheng to call their names so they could say a few words. If they could leave a deep, favorable impression on Wang Shuo, that would be even better.

Why hadn't he noticed before that these old guys were so shameless?

Complimenting a junior was one thing, but now there was even a faint hint of currying favor?

Where was your arrogant attitude? Where was the poised demeanor you have when facing me? Where was the cultivation of industry titans?

If your students saw you like this, what kind of decorum would that be?

However... thinking about how these guys had previously shamelessly run to his dormitory and pestered him to answer questions, he wasn't surprised by this behavior now.

"Does everyone... have this same thought?"

Ding Congsheng's gaze swept over the deans.

The deans nodded one after another.

Ding Congsheng didn't look at the group of good-for-nothing old guys behind him anymore and turned his gaze back to Wang Shuo, saying steadily: "Since no one objects, then this matter is settled."

"We agree to the establishment of a new Chip manufacturing company, but Student Wang Shuo..."

Ding Congsheng's voice was low: "You need to know that although our school has an Integrated Circuit Design major, it is far from reaching first-class standards and can only design some relatively ordinary, low-end Chips."

"Therefore, in terms of technology, the support we can provide you will likely be limited; you had best not pin your hopes too high."

This was only because it was Wang Shuo; if it were anyone else, he wouldn't say such things.

This was tantamount to slapping his own face.

The Integrated Circuit Design major was founded by him single-handedly. After the initial difficult wading phase, it had now entered a period of stable development and even had the tendency to become a new calling card for HUST, which had always given him a sense of accomplishment.

But that was only from an educational perspective.

From a professional perspective, the technical strength of HUST's Integrated Circuit Design major was still far from reaching the level of commercial application.

The reason was simple: there were too many titans in the Integrated Circuit Design industry, and the water here was terrifyingly deep.

To want to break through in this field was far from something a single company, enterprise, or individual force could achieve; it required massive resources, massive manpower and material resources, and massive foundational support.

This was even more terrifying than a single mechanical and electrical system; it had already touched the bottom-level interests of Western technological hegemony. If any uncontrolled enterprise really achieved it, it would inevitably cause a strong backlash.

Ding Congsheng did not tell Wang Shuo any of this.

It was also fine for him to venture in without knowing anything; at least he wouldn't be devastated by setbacks.

Wang Shuo didn't feel much about it; from the very beginning, he hadn't planned on letting HUST provide technical support. All he wanted was people.

Of course, he didn't want just anyone. What he needed were those "newbies" who had extremely excellent learning abilities and a certain foundation of theoretical knowledge, but who hadn't engaged in in-depth study yet.

To put it bluntly, these were college students who hadn't been in university for long. Unless there was a special reason, he didn't even want graduates entering their fourth year.

"I know, Principal Ding."

Wang Shuo nodded slightly and revealed a faint smile.

"As long as you know."

Ding Congsheng didn't know what else to say, so he could only continue: "However, in other aspects, we can provide you with a certain amount of support, and having the school endorse it is absolutely no problem, but I have one condition."

"Please speak."

"I need you to keep it confidential from the public for the time being. Before there are phased achievements in the Chip industry, do not announce it to the outside world."

Ding Congsheng's expression was very serious: "If any results must be released, you must communicate with the school in a timely manner and try to release them in the school's name. Can you do that?"

Release in the school's name?

Wang Shuo was slightly surprised.

"Principal, you can let Little Shuo use my name."

Professor Zeng, who was standing to the side, also spoke up, then he looked at Yang Rong: "Old Yang, how about counting you in too?"

"I couldn't ask for more." Yang Rong chuckled happily. Looking at the others who were eager to try, he laughed and said: "The rest of you shouldn't fight with us old guys; it's time to let us have our moment in the spotlight."

Wang Shuo was even more surprised.

He didn't know what Dean Yang Rong's personality was like, but as far as he knew, Professor Zeng was not a person who liked to show off. Why was he so actively seeking a flashy, unsubstantial reputation this time?

However, none of this was important. One of his purposes for pulling the school in was to let the school take the spotlight, and to take the spotlight, it would inevitably mean having the school come forward to release some things.

So he only thought for a few seconds before nodding: "That works."

One hour later.

Wang Shuo walked out of the conference room, and in his pocket, there was now an extra memorandum.

Patting his pocket in satisfaction, Wang Shuo took out his phone and sent a message.

A few minutes later, a campus shuttle vehicle had already stopped in front of him.

Looking at Teacher Ding Runan, who was walking off the vehicle with an unfriendly expression, Wang Shuo gave a sheepish smile:

"Good morning, Teacher Ding."

...

Inside the conference room.

At this moment, only Ding Congsheng, Professor Zeng, and Yang Rong remained in the conference room.

Professor Zeng was silent for a moment before speaking: "Old Ding, the words you said at the end today might make Wang Shuo misunderstand."

"Misunderstand?"

Ding Congsheng smiled faintly: "Let him misunderstand. Misunderstanding is better than losing one's life."

Professor Zeng frowned: "Is the situation... really that dire?"

"Not quite."

Ding Congsheng shook his head: "It's just that there are some things you don't consider, but I have to consider, and I have to consider them in advance. The request I made today was just a precaution. I'm just afraid that this kid Wang Shuo is young and impulsive, doesn't know how to lie low, and will show off whatever good things he has."

Professor Zeng was speechless.

"This time, it actually implicated Yang Rong." Ding Congsheng looked at Dean Yang Rong and said helplessly: "I didn't expect this kid Wang Shuo to be playing such a big game. I'm sorry."

"Principal Ding, you're being too serious." Yang Rong was still that happy-go-lucky self, smiling as he said: "I actually think very highly of this kid Wang Shuo. He's young, has drive, and is much stronger than I was back then."

Ding Congsheng shook his head slightly and sighed: "That is exactly why I am worried."