Chapter 402: Domestic Products Must Strengthen Themselves

At ten a. ., when the tea forum officially began, two more people arrived.

Li Dayong quietly told Li Ye that these two were not technical staff under Professor Zhao or Professor Wu, but colleagues from their respective units—one surnamed Liu, the other surnamed Kang.

Li Ye nodded to show he understood; these two had come to set conditions, and without them, this tea forum probably wouldn't have been called at all.

After the forum began, these two barely spoke at all, as if they'd only brought their ears and left their vocal cords at home.

Are these overseers?

Professors Zhao and Wu gently expressed their willingness to cooperate and mentioned that the institute's equipment and conditions were decent, having previously produced various research outcomes.

But Guo Tianyong stuck to one point: civilian product research could not proceed without factory and market support, so the research location must be in Changbei, and both sides must strictly abide by the agreed technical confidentiality agreement.

The two sides exchanged words with smiles and cordiality, as if determined to drag out the negotiations indefinitely.

As mealtime approached, the middle-aged man surnamed Kang finally spoke: "Let me raise a question."

"You've gathered so many of our top scientific researchers here to work on a low-end project like sewing machines—don't you think this is a waste of talent? They should be focusing on high-tech, cutting-edge projects, yet now they're working on this without authorization—"

"Hey hey hey, Kang Cheng, watch your language—what do you mean 'without authorization'? Everyone is using their off-hours to help achieve technical breakthroughs."

Professor Zhao cut him off before he could finish, clearly annoyed: "There are plenty of people in our unit working on high-tech projects—aren't they handling those?

We're not developing airplanes or cannons—why are you being so serious? Besides, you yourself called sewing machines a lowly project unworthy of attention. Let them earn a little extra money on Sundays to buy clothes for their wives and children—don't be so picky!"

The middle-aged man named Kang Cheng clearly feared Zhao Xiangchu; he dared not retaliate and looked deeply embarrassed.

And when he glanced around, he could see the others were clearly angered by him.

Cutting off someone's livelihood is like killing their parents—Professor Zhao and Professor Wu's disciples and protégés found it hard to earn even a little extra money.

In the early 1980s, foreign investors were still timid; if the Hong Kong side feared "over-politicization" and halted cooperation, where else could they earn so comfortably?

In this profitable environment, if you don't come, someone else will.

How many high-tech projects are there in any unit these days? Among thirty- to forty-year-old, physically strong researchers, eight out of ten have no proper projects—not even a bicycle project.

After thinking it over, Kang Cheng said solemnly: "Director Zhao, I'm not targeting anyone—our unit has requirements, and I'm just raising them for everyone to discuss."

"Then discuss them!"

Professor Zhao picked up his teacup, blew on the leaves, and sipped slowly.

Professor Wu did the same, holding his cup and staring at it, as if trying to identify the calligraphy style of the great leader's inscription.

With the two senior leaders silent, the other researchers stayed quiet too—the atmosphere turned cold.

But Guo Tianyong had received instructions from Pei Wenhui before the meeting, so now he didn't hold back—he laid it all out.

"We've always believed that research bonuses must go directly to individuals, because that's what researchers deserve, and it's also a demonstration of responsibility—you get the money, you take the responsibility.

But we've learned that some units have unclear accountability, so we won't change our current cooperation model. If you disagree, give us some time—I must find successors to take over the next phase of research."

"Additionally, our next step will include collective benefits: three group overseas study trips per year, and five sponsored slots for overseas further education.

We'll leave the allocation to Professor Zhao and Professor Wu—it can be for family members, children, or colleagues."

Guo Tianyong's words might as well have been written on his face: "carrot and stick."

Maintain the status quo, and everyone benefits—every advantage and perk is yours.

But if you stir up trouble, we part ways amicably—you finish your last shift, and I'll find others to replace you.

And the new benefits Guo Tianyong offered carried implications he didn't dare spell out.

Children? Fine. Colleagues? Fine. You sort it out yourselves—I don't care who gets what.

Professor Zhao and Professor Wu exchanged a glance and sighed.

Then Professor Zhao said to Kang Cheng: "Take these two points back and see what your unit thinks."

Kang Cheng nodded and stood up to leave.

The other attendee followed him out.

The overseas study trips were one thing, but those five sponsored slots for overseas study must be settled quickly—delay and it'll be too late.

After the two outsiders left, Guo Tianyong hosted a lavish lunch, and the atmosphere warmed again.

Li Ye was seated at the table for middle-aged and young researchers, right next to Wu Yan.

Wu Yan first raised his cup to toast Li Ye, then stared at him for several seconds and asked: "Do you know why the Hong Kong side is offering these benefits?"

Li Ye smiled and countered: "Why do you think I know?"

Wu Yan said firmly: "I believe you know."

"Huh."

Li Ye smiled, then said: "I do know—we've been doing one thing all along: domestic products must strengthen themselves."

The group of male technicians froze, then looked at Li Ye and laughed.

"We've heard that slogan for years—our ears are worn out. Saying that now is just empty words."

"Mine isn't empty."

Li Ye's smile faded, and he said seriously: "After these days of research, you've all realized—we're far behind global standards in civilian industry.

Our equipment is inadequate, our foundations are weak, our funding is insufficient. The only thing we have going for us is you—the researchers sitting here, bored out of your minds."

"You all know some researchers who've done well overseas—your capabilities are undeniable. Now that you're being offered the same treatment as overseas researchers, do you still need to bow to foreign faces?"

"We have plenty of researchers—we compensate for weak foundations with strong manpower."

"Young comrade, you're wrong—technology helps, but it can't fully make up for weak foundations. We still have a long way to go."

"Of course."

Li Ye replied calmly: "'Domestic products must strengthen themselves'—first, they must rank among the top in China. If you can't even make the top three domestically, you're just shouting empty slogans and fooling people."

The middle-aged and young researchers sat in thoughtful silence.

They didn't know if the slogan was empty, but now they felt their work for Hong Kong capital carried a sense of righteousness.

Who says we're here for the money? We're here for domestic products to strengthen themselves.

Wu Yan, who had been quiet, suddenly blurted: "Let's aim for first place nationwide—second place is meaningless."

(End of Chapter)

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