Chapter 46: External Leap 1.0 Adapter (35)
The infrastructure work in Tianzhi Electronics Factory's southern district progressed far faster than expected. Spurred on by overtime shifts and triple pay, the construction crews unleashed astonishing efficiency. Piles were driven into the ground one after another, steel frameworks rose one by one, and more than two thousand workers carried out their respective duties, completing their assigned tasks at every stage.
All the floodlights were switched on at night, and towering soundproof barriers were erected. At a speed that left everyone incredulous, factory buildings were completed one after another, and cement was swiftly poured across the floors.
In eleven days, thirty-six production workshops were completed and delivered.
The moment the concrete floors had fully cured, truckloads of equipment drove into the factory grounds. Production lines were unloaded one after another, moved into the workshops, and rapidly assembled. Each workshop housed a full ten production lines, and the packed lines were filled with clamor and noise.
Through the video feed, Chen Mengchuan watched the production progress in the workshops and asked Gu Xiaoxiao beside him, "Have all the cables been tested?"
Gu Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes. "What do you think? Do I really seem that unreliable to you?"
Chen Mengchuan smiled but did not dare respond.
"A main power cable was set up from Tianzhi's original plant with parallel interfaces and thirty-six branch connectors. Each one corresponds to one of the thirty-six production workshops in the new factory area. Enough cables have also been reserved in the workshops, and the interfaces are ready. Once the equipment is finished, the cables can be connected, and once it is powered on, Achen can begin calibration," Gu Xiaoxiao answered seriously.
Chen Mengchuan nodded. "I trust you when it comes to getting things done. I just have a habit of asking."
"I almost believed you." Gu Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes again.
"By the way, what have you been busy with lately? You and Toni have both been acting so mysteriously. What have you two made now? I asked Achen, and she actually refused to tell me. I'm starting to think Achen might be roleplayed by a real person," Gu Xiaoxiao asked.
"A real person roleplaying her? Achen is much smarter than you. If you think you can trick information out of her, you're dreaming. Toni and I merely conducted production demonstrations for all the External Leap 1.0 Adapters that have been confirmed and finalized. The additional three hundred and fourteen production lines may seem like a lot, but once we begin making External Leap 1.0 Adapters, we'll find they're nowhere near enough." Chen Mengchuan sighed.
"Three hundred and fourteen, plus the original twelve—that's a full three hundred and twenty-six production lines. How could that possibly not be enough?" Gu Xiaoxiao found it hard to believe.
"It looks like a lot, but once they're actually put to use, it'll be far from enough," Chen Mengchuan said.
"You even said far from enough? Are you sure? Could the quality of these production lines be poor?"
Chen Mengchuan shook his head. "You'll find out later. Let's discuss that another time. How is the supercomputer expansion plan going?"
"Although it was shipped out a long time ago, it's still moving slowly. It'll probably take another week to clear Huaxia Customs. The space on the first floor is ready and everything has been planned out. As soon as the new hardware arrives, we can quickly begin setting it up. Achen has been keeping an eye on it too, so don't worry. She's much more anxious than you are," Gu Xiaoxiao said with a smile.
During this period, Achen had checked in on the progress of the new hardware from time to time. Had it shipped? How much had shipped? Where had it reached? Questions like those would constantly pop up as she followed up. Although Gu Xiaoxiao had long grown accustomed to Achen's intelligence, this behavior felt exactly like ordering something she loved online and waiting for the delivery. It was that feeling that made Gu Xiaoxiao now completely treat Achen as a real person, like a younger sister.
Chen Mengchuan smiled. "Of course Achen is more anxious than I am. Once the hardware arrives, the supercomputer can be upgraded, and her computing speed will increase further."
Knock, knock, knock. After a round of knocking, the door slowly opened, and Zhao Wanyu walked in carrying two large insulated food containers.
"Wanyu, what delicious food did you bring?" Gu Xiaoxiao walked over and took one of the containers from her.
After setting both containers on the table, Gu Xiaoxiao immediately opened them. The fragrance of food instantly filled the entire office.
"Hot chicken soup, roast goose, braised fish, blanched bok choy with corn and carrots... so much food." Gu Xiaoxiao listed the dishes one by one.
Chen Mengchuan glanced at the time. It was exactly noon. Smiling, he rose from his seat.
"I'll go get Toni." Gu Xiaoxiao called out before darting out the door.
"You! Xiaoxiao and Toni aren't even here yet, and you've already started? Do you even know how to use chopsticks? Have you washed your hands? Go on, wash your hands..." Zhao Wanyu drove away Chen Mengchuan, who had grabbed a roast goose drumstick.
After washing his hands in the office restroom, Chen Mengchuan came out to find that the three of them had already started eating. One look at the roast goose told him that most of it was gone.
"Good thing I grabbed a goose leg first," Chen Mengchuan said speechlessly.
Wearing gloves, Toni held a goose leg in one hand. With his other hand, he pushed up his glasses and asked, "So next, we'll make External Leap 1.0 Adapters for small household appliances the main focus of the first stage of mass production?"
Chen Mengchuan nodded. After swallowing a piece of roast goose, he said, "Safety for household appliances will definitely be the biggest selling point of the External Leap 1.0 Adapter. Especially for families with children between one and three years old—those households have the highest safety requirements for all kinds of small appliances. They'll be our main target in the first stage."
Taking a bowl of chicken soup from Zhao Wanyu and drinking a few mouthfuls, Chen Mengchuan continued, "As for larger household appliances like laptops, air conditioners, refrigerators, and televisions, the External Leap 1.0 Adapter isn't a necessity for them at the moment. So even the manufacturers themselves can't really determine how many they can sell or how many they should order. Only after they actually launch them on the market will they know."
After speaking, he continued drinking his chicken soup.
Zhao Wanyu handed him a bowl of rice piled with quite a few dishes.
"Thanks, Wanyu." Chen Mengchuan took the bowl and chopsticks.
"Why not try listing all of them for sale on Tianzhi's official website? Our External Leap 1.0 Adapters have quite a few models that should work by simply plugging them in, like those for rice cookers and electric kettles. For the other models that can't be used that way, we can partner with the manufacturers and have their service staff come install them, adding that cost as well. Quite a few manufacturers should be willing, since there's profit in it," Zhao Wanyu said.
"Wanyu's idea is pretty good," Toni said as he served himself a bowl of chicken soup.
"I think it's worth trying," Gu Xiaoxiao added, then served herself a bowl of chicken soup too.
Zhao Wanyu nodded and continued, "On Tianzhi's official website, clearly label which models can be used by simply plugging them in and which require the appliance to be opened and parts replaced. Include the prices clearly on the site as well. That way, consumers can tell exactly which appliances in their homes can be plugged in directly and which require an on-site visit. You won't need to keep agonizing over how many consumers are willing to make the replacement."
"Wanyu, I toast you." Gu Xiaoxiao raised her chicken soup!
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