Chapter 436 Salvaging Riches
In the midst of a world abuzz with astonishing news, the atmosphere was electrified by a remarkable development. The exclamation, "Shock! Another big order!" echoed through the air, setting the stage for an extraordinary sequence of events.
In the world of industry, the headlines blared, "Congratulations to Geely Automobile for ordering graphene-aluminum batteries with a total value of 35 billion yuan!" The mere utterance of this news sent shockwaves through the business community. The emergence of graphene-aluminum batteries had proven to be a game-changer, with not one but two colossal orders in quick succession.
News of this magnitude reverberated across every conceivable platform - the internet, newspapers, and television. A tidal wave of reports and articles inundated the public domain, casting a spotlight on this technological marvel. The phrase "graphene-aluminum batteries" became a household name as it surged to the top of the trending charts.
Curiosity and awe sparked conversations around the world. "What's going on here," people wondered aloud, "Hongguang Automobile ordered 32 billion, Geely Auto ordered 35 billion!" Skeptics were forced to reconsider their doubts, acknowledging that the graphene-aluminum battery was, in fact, a groundbreaking innovation.
"Universal Enterprise Group is so awesome," some mused in admiration, "it actually produced such a heaven-defying battery." Silence followed, as if to punctuate the collective awe.
As the days passed, more and more people placed their faith in graphene-aluminum batteries. Even the most ardent skeptics, who had once accused the technology of being mere hype, found themselves swiftly changing their tune. Public opinion on the internet underwent a dramatic transformation. Skepticism and doubt were supplanted by confidence and celebration, heralding the birth of the graphene-aluminum battery era.
Even prominent internet personalities and bloggers, often known for their criticism, found themselves at a crossroads. They no longer tore apart graphene-aluminum batteries with their words. Instead, they either adopted an ostrich-like approach, burying their skepticism, or took the humble path of admitting their previous misjudgments.
Within a mere two days, following the footsteps of Hongguang Automobile and Geely Automobile, another domestic automaker entered the fray with a staggering order of 40 billion batteries. Three momentous orders in succession, and the trajectory was on a steady ascent.
32 billion!
35 billion!
40 billion!
Qiu Yang and his associates could hardly believe their fortune. With orders pouring in at an unprecedented scale, their business soared to unimaginable heights, all before the products had even hit mass production.
In the western suburbs of Huahai City, within a sprawling industrial park, the construction of Global New Energy Group's No. 2 factory commenced with astounding efficiency. Spanning an expansive area exceeding 500 acres, this factory was poised to become a production powerhouse, churning out 12 million car batteries and 3 million mobile phone batteries per month.
Liu Yong, the mastermind behind these ventures, had grander designs in mind. Following this factory's inauguration, his blueprint called for two more factories to be built, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the graphene-aluminum battery revolution.
Meanwhile, in the North Pacific Ocean, a fleet led by the mighty vessel known as the "Blue Whale" embarked on a mission of great significance. Comprising a total of five colossal ships, they navigated to a shallow sea, a location shrouded in intrigue.
As the "Blue Whale" reached its destination, preparations began for a submersible descent, a critical phase in their quest. Within a mere hour, their efforts bore fruit as they stumbled upon a trove of metal fragments and mysterious black rods, meticulously arranged on the seabed.
"Report to the captain," came a swift communication, "we've found the target."
Captain Ren Ziquan wasted no time, hastily approaching the screen displaying images transmitted from the submersible. His keen eye confirmed what they had hoped for.
"Yes," he declared with conviction, "this is precisely what we've been seeking. The Blue Whale shall anchor, ready to initiate salvage operations."
Amidst the vast expanse of metal fragments beneath them, the water's depth here reached a mere 30 to 40 meters, and the clarity of the sea allowed for a smooth salvage operation. The "Blue Whale" moved gracefully, efficiently hoisting numerous gray-black metal fragments from the depths of the ocean.
Little did the crew know, a mere few hundred meters away, a curious observer named Bawang silently watched the proceedings beneath the waves. "Master, salvage operations have begun," Bawang communicated telepathically, prompting Liu Yong to engage his third-party field of vision.
Through this unique vantage point, Liu Yong witnessed the "Blue Whale" in action, stationed beside the "Shiwang," a massive iron ore bulk carrier with a tonnage exceeding 100,000. What was once a cargo vessel now became a vessel for their prized cargo.
Gray metal fragments of various sizes were systematically retrieved and loaded onto the open cargo hold of the "Shiwang." It was a sight to behold, a triumph of engineering and ambition.
In this covert operation, a staggering 200,000 tons of gray-black metal fragments, including a coveted cache of 100 black alloy rods, were successfully salvaged. These precious materials, with immense implications, were destined for Huahai City, where Universal Special Materials Company would unlock their potential.
Liu Yong remained vigilant for roughly 20 to 30 minutes, ensuring that the operation proceeded without a hitch. Satisfied with the progress, he disengaged his third-party vision, pondering the next steps in this grand undertaking.
Elsewhere, in the mysterious depths of Country M, at the heart of the enigmatic Black Iron Company, President Sherman received a disconcerting report from a concerned subordinate. "Your Excellency President," the subordinate began, "a fleet of five large ships, including the 'Blue Whale' from Universal Enterprise Group, has arrived in that designated sea area and is actively engaged in salvage operations."
Sherman's visage darkened at the news. His frustration was palpable, for the Universal Enterprise Group was poised to claim the very treasures he had coveted for so long. "What should we do?" his subordinate inquired hesitantly, "Should we simply watch as they make off with our prize?"
Sherman's frustration was matched only by his sense of helplessness. He sighed softly, as if the weight of the situation bore down on him. The question lingered: What indeed could be done?
Having previously dispatched ships for similar salvage efforts, Sherman had been met with inexplicable disasters. The ships sent to retrieve the precious cargo had met untimely fates, and the reasons remained shrouded in mystery. Thus, sending another ship seemed unwise.
However, Sherman's countenance brightened as a thought occurred to him. "What if," he pondered aloud, "we reported this situation to the military? They could deploy a fleet to safeguard our interests."
The idea seemed to breathe new life into Sherman's resolve. The Black Iron Company enjoyed a favorable relationship with the military, having supplied them with invaluable materials for years. Moreover, the military held a vested interest in the enigmatic gray-black metal. With some strategic persuasion, they could be convinced to send warships to protect the company's interests.
In that moment, Sherman was reinvigorated, seizing his phone to dial a number that could set
a chain of events in motion.
As the "Blue Whale" continued its relentless work, three days elapsed, and more than 200,000 tons of gray-black metal fragments were retrieved from the ocean's depths. Among the haul were 100 black alloy rods, treasures of immense value and potential.
Captain Ren Ziquan decided it was time to ensure that all possible fragments had been salvaged. The submersibles were dispatched once more to search the seabed, but their efforts yielded no additional findings.
"Captain," reported one of the crew members, "I can confirm that we've salvaged everything."
Ren Ziquan nodded in satisfaction. "Set sail," he commanded, "we shall depart and rendezvous with our four cargo ships before returning to Huahai City."
As the "Blue Whale" began its departure, a crew member hurried over, bearing unsettling news. "Captain," he announced, "we've spotted a fleet approaching from the northeast. They are heading in our direction."
Ren Ziquan's heart sank at the revelation. The presence of an incoming fleet in this remote locale was disconcerting. Far removed from international waterways, this area rarely saw any vessels, let alone an entire fleet.
"Can you identify the country of origin?" Ren Ziquan inquired, his voice betraying a hint of apprehension. "And how many warships have they dispatched?"
"The distance is still considerable," the crew member replied, "but we can confirm that there are seven warships in the fleet."
Seven warships. The realization sent a ripple of concern through Ren Ziquan, though he maintained an outward facade of composure. He gestured for his crew to monitor the approaching fleet closely while the "Blue Whale" continued its journey.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to all but a select few, Liu Yong remained vigilant beneath the waves. Through the eyes of his loyal companion, Bawang, he observed the unfolding drama with keen interest, all while the distance between the "Blue Whale" and the approaching fleet steadily decreased.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺