[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-reborn-starting-from-1993":3,"chapter-reborn-starting-from-1993-reborn-starting-from-1993-chapter-59":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Reborn Starting from 1993",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2357043,4611,"Chapter 59: Chapter Fifty-Eight: Thunder on Level Ground","reborn-starting-from-1993-chapter-59",59,"\u003Cp>When Li Dongling got out of the car, he was slightly surprised to see Han Qianyi and Liu Youguo waiting downstairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dean Han, Professor Liu, I apologize for keeping you waiting!” Li Dongling hurried forward after stepping out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s only right.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qianyi beamed, “Dongling, you came back to campus without even telling us! Our faculty and your junior classmates all want to meet the big name from the tech industry!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, when Li Dongling had flown to the provincial capital, numerous universities—including Hanxi Jiaotong—had invited him to give lectures, but he had declined them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You flatter me, Dean Han. Dongling High-Tech has merely been lucky to accomplish a few things—we’re nowhere near the achievements of Hanxi Jiaotong’s senior alumni!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanxi Jiaotong had a century of accumulated prestige; over the years, its graduates had spread across every industry, including many who held high-ranking positions—these were all Hanxi Jiaotong’s connections.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once upstairs and seated, Han Qianyi raised his cup first: “Dongling, on behalf of the college, I toast you. Please come back often—our college misses those who’ve gone out into the world.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After downing the drink, Li Dongling glanced at Han Qianyi. Han had lowered himself so far that if Li still didn’t understand, he’d be blind—Han was practically begging outright about the college’s dire budget shortages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dongling cleared his throat and said, “Whether for the College of Radio Technology or Hanxi Jiaotong, I’m willing to lend whatever small help I can. Personally, I’ll donate five hundred thousand yuan to the College of Radio Technology, and Dongling High-Tech will also donate five hundred thousand yuan to Hanxi Jiaotong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dongling’s combined personal and corporate donation of one million yuan to Hanxi Jiaotong was substantial indeed—professors there earned less than eight hundred yuan a month, often paid late or partially withheld.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for whether this donation was a loss: over time, with Hanxi Jiaotong’s century-old prestige and network, Dongling High-Tech could leverage it to access resources that money alone couldn’t buy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, Hanxi Jiaotong’s future R&D capabilities could be borrowed by Dongling High-Tech, and its graduates could be prioritized for recruitment—effectively, Hanxi Jiaotong’s vast talent pool had opened its gates to Dongling High-Tech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“On behalf of the College of Radio Technology, I thank you for your donation, Dongling!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qianyi rose solemnly to address Li Dongling. Even a small amount of money was better than none; for Hanxi Jiaotong’s vast size, this sum might not change much—but for Han Qianyi, it meant he could now proceed with many projects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could keep some lab projects running, retain young scholars who might otherwise quit due to low pay, and award scholarships to students in financial hardship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After eating a few bites, Li Dongling wiped his mouth and turned to Han Qianyi: “Dean Han, I asked Professor Liu to invite you here because I have a matter to discuss—I hope you’ll help.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re one of our own—no need for formalities. Say what’s on your mind!” Han Qianyi, in high spirits after several drinks, his face flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dongling pulled out a pre-prepared proposal and placed it before Han Qianyi: “I propose that Dongling High-Tech, Hanxi Jiaotong, and Pingyang University jointly establish a collaborative R&D laboratory.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If things go well, we can invite more universities and research institutions to join later!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the initial phase, Dongling High-Tech plans to invest fifteen million yuan to build the lab, purchase equipment, and pay R&D staff salaries; annually, Dongling High-Tech will allocate five percent of its profits to fund this collaborative lab’s research.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Liu Youguo’s eyes lit up instantly. Han Qianyi, who had been half-drunk moments before, snapped awake—his hands trembled as he picked up the proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, universities including Hanxi Jiaotong primarily teach theory—do they not want students to engage in hands-on experiments? No, they simply lack funds. Every school wants more R&D projects to train more geniuses, but that requires massive funding—geniuses cost money to cultivate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now they can’t even pay full salaries—how could they afford R&D experiments? When Han Qianyi heard Li Dongling planned to invest fifteen million yuan upfront, his head spun and his heart pounded as if it might burst from his chest—the surprise came too fast, too overwhelming for his age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“R&D is essential—where would technology come from otherwise? If we keep buying everything from foreigners, what if they one day refuse to sell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the Soviets aided us, what happened? One disagreement, and they pulled all their engineers—we had to figure everything out ourselves!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Youguo spoke with passion: “Now, companies only look for cheap imports. When they rely entirely on foreign suppliers, and those suppliers stop selling, they’ll be strangled—forced to accept any terms.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These companies have such short-sighted vision—chasing only petty profits from foreigners. They’ll pay dearly in the end!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Once the lab is built, I’ll be the first to join the R&D team—even without a salary…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qianyi gave a disdainful look at the shameless Liu Youguo—he knew exactly what Liu was thinking. What did “work without salary” mean?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If top-tier R&D equipment were purchased and access to materials permitted, professors from Hanxi Jiaotong and even other universities would flock to the lab with their own funding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as they completed R&D, obtained results, published papers in domestic and international journals, gained fame, and secured funding from the Ministry of Education or promotions, these conditions were already top-tier in R&D—education funding was simply too scarce!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll submit this proposal to the university leadership—I believe cooperation is feasible!” Han Qianyi now wanted to rush straight to the administration to lock it down before anyone else heard and tried to snatch the deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dean Han!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dongling looked at him. “Before we proceed, I’d like to set three ground rules—better to state them clearly upfront than face disputes or even lawsuits later.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead,” Han Qianyi sat up straight, his expression serious as he stared at Li Dongling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First: R&D funding for the lab will be borne by Dongling High-Tech. Dongling High-Tech will use seventy percent of the total annual budget; the remaining thirty percent will be autonomously allocated by Hanxi Jiaotong, Pingyang University, and other participating institutions for their own R&D projects.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lab was established by Dongling High-Tech, so it naturally deserved the majority of funding. The rest could be used freely by Hanxi Jiaotong and others—Dongling High-Tech wouldn’t interfere, since they needed these universities’ R&D capabilities and had to offer incentives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally,” Han Qianyi and Liu Youguo both smiled—even thirty percent was better than nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second: Dongling High-Tech will assign key R&D projects to the lab. These are the lab’s most critical projects, and Hanxi Jiaotong must assist in their development. Dongling High-Tech will also provide salaries, bonuses, and allowances to all Hanxi Jiaotong personnel involved.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third—and most important: all technologies, new materials, and patents developed by the lab belong to the lab itself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dongling High-Tech holds priority rights to use, acquire, or sell these patents. No participating university, research institute, or scientist may violate this agreement or infringe upon Dongling High-Tech’s rights!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qianyi and Liu Youguo exchanged glances but said nothing at first—they weren’t sure what Li Dongling meant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In China today, patents and technology were largely ignored. If one institution developed a new technology or product, and another institution needed it, they’d freely license it—even teach it hand-to-hand. This led to popular products being copied endlessly, flooding the market until it was ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Qianyi felt a headache coming: under Li Dongling’s terms, Hanxi Jiaotong couldn’t freely share any patents or technologies developed in the lab—they’d need approval from the lab, meaning from Dongling High-Tech, the majority shareholder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll report this to the university leadership,” Han Qianyi said after a moment. No matter the conditions, Hanxi Jiaotong couldn’t miss this “borrowing the hen to lay eggs” opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Dongling added: “Dean Han, the third rule is most critical. If Hanxi Jiaotong cannot agree to abide by it, Dongling High-Tech will have to seek other partners. I hope you understand.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the meal, Han Qianyi couldn’t sit still—he rushed off to meet Hanxi Jiaotong’s leadership.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without making Li Dongling wait, Hanxi Jiaotong, fearing the deal might slip away, sent Han Qianyi the next day to confirm: they accepted all three of Li Dongling’s terms and would join the collaborative lab.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fifteen million yuan invested by Dongling High-Tech, jointly with Hanxi Jiaotong and Pingyang University, to establish China’s most advanced R&D laboratory!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Hanxi Provincial Daily broke the news of Dongling High-Tech’s fifteen-million-yuan investment to co-found the lab, it exploded like thunder across China’s entire tech industry.\u003C\u002Fp>",1428,"2026-06-21T04:42:08.057Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","84bf7dddbf64632a1304c26afb6d8a952a5ea4aeb636a8df752c579842a2a1c4","reborn-starting-from-1993-chapter-60","reborn-starting-from-1993-chapter-58",989,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Freborn-starting-from-1993-cover.jpg"]