Chapter 433: As Long as You Persist, You Can

After Ni Dashen said "program-controlled switch," he was about to explain further, but Liu Lianxiang interrupted him.

"Hahaha, Mr. Pei, you've probably noticed already—our Engineer Ni is a meticulous man.

When he says he can research program-controlled switches, it's because we already have the technical results—we're just one step away from moving from the lab to the factory. You surely understand the difference between lab prototypes and mass-produced products, right?"

"But we also have the capability to research personal computers—we produced our first 103 computer in 1958, and our 104 computer in 1959 reached world-class standards. All we lack now is a bit of funding."

Liu Lianxiang rattled off a long speech; Ni Dashen must have realized something, so he just sat there silently sipping tea. The table was laden with food, but he barely touched his chopsticks.

Yet after quietly listening to Liu Lianxiang's presentation of their capabilities, Pei Wencong still smiled and asked Ni Dashen: "Mr. Ni, could you clearly tell us—what's the actual gap in difficulty between researching a program-controlled switch and a personal computer?"

"."

Everyone turned to look at Ni Dashen again; some even stepped on his shoes under the table.

After a few seconds of silence, Ni Dashen still said: "Mr. Pei, forgive me for speaking bluntly—I don't know if you understand the difference between scientific research and business. I deeply admire your desire to develop our own personal computer,

but from a scientific standpoint, a personal computer must be broken down into over a dozen research projects: data processors, image processors, data storage, operational memory…"

"Among these projects, some are completely beyond our domestic research capabilities. If you can accept a five- to ten-year research timeline and hundreds of millions of U. S. dollars in funding, we can take on this cooperation project."

"But a program-controlled switch is different—it's still within the scope of computing equipment, but its functions are relatively simple, the research difficulty is much lower, and its prospects within the mainland are excellent.

Two years ago, Fujian Province first imported the Fujitsu F150 program-controlled switch, received visits and support from top leadership, and has already clearly begun upgrading its telecommunications infrastructure. And you know well the advantages of having top-level support when developing technology within the mainland."

Ni Dashen also spoke at length, but it was entirely different from Liu Lianxiang's rambling.

Liu Lianxiang was like a loudmouth waving his fists, shouting slogans like "We'll surpass XX in minutes."

But Ni Dashen, grounded and pragmatic, clearly laid out for Pei Wencong the difficulties, needs, and prospects before them.

His meaning was: if you're not afraid to spend money, I'm happy to take on the personal computer research project; if you want quick profits, I'll deliver you a program-controlled switch—and guarantee I'll develop it.

Now Pei Wencong finally understood why Li Ye had insisted on bringing this Engineer Ni to dinner.

He's the kind who dares to give you a written guarantee. By contrast, that Manager Liu—after all that talk, Pei Wencong only understood five words: "Give me money now."

"One conversation with you is worth ten years of reading, Mr. Ni. You've made even someone like me, who never understood computers, know exactly what to choose. Let me toast you first."

Pei Wencong toasted Ni Dashen first, then smiled at Liu Lianxiang: "Manager Liu, I'll send people to discuss cooperation on the program-controlled switch as soon as possible. Please prepare technical documentation—next time I come, it'll be someone who actually understands computers."

"No problem, Mr. Pei, rest assured. Our technology is the best in the mainland. If we can't do it, nobody else can."

Liu Lianxiang patted his chest and gave Pei Wencong his assurance, then the round of toasts and drinking began anew.

At this point, Li Ye and Veronica's roles became clear—they flanked Pei Wencong on either side, blocking two-thirds of the toasts and drinks.

Liu Lianxiang glanced at Li Ye several times, then suddenly said: "Your accent—aren't you from Hong Kong?"

Li Ye smiled and nodded: "I'm from Dongshan. I'm currently a student at Jingda. I've had some literary exchanges with Mr. Pei, and later heard about the roller skates…"

"Jingda!" Liu Lianxiang exclaimed. "After you graduate, consider joining us. Don't be fooled by our small organization—we can secure you a Beijing household registration, and our salary is significantly higher than other units."

Li Ye smiled but said nothing.

I believe you? Not a chance.

But I have to admit, Liu Lianxiang's social skills are already highly refined. At this time, only half of university graduates could stay in Beijing. A Beijing household registration was more tempting than a carrot to a white rabbit.

Getting Li Ye on board would also be a good connection with Pei Wencong.

But Liu Lianxiang had misjudged him—he thought Li Ye was just a guide who provided the "roller skates" information, never imagining he was the real boss.

And this boss knew his character and background inside out.

The banquet lasted three hours before everyone was thoroughly satisfied.

Liu Lianxiang insisted on paying the bill, but Pei Wencong wasn't stingy—he had his secretary Veronica pull out a stack of foreign currency.

"This is an earnest deposit. My secretary will handle all future coordination with you. Please take this cooperation seriously—don't let us down."

"Yes, yes, absolutely—we won't let you down."

Liu Lianxiang, both astonished and thrilled, beamed as he saw Pei Wencong off.

But as soon as he turned around, he vented his frustration at Ni Dashen: "Ni, what's gotten into you today? We had a massive deal in front of us, and you turned it into something petty?

How big a project is a program-controlled switch? How much tech fee could I ask for? How much could I ask for personal computer research?

You know our company's situation! Dozens of people rely on me to bring in projects just to eat! Now, I was ready to demand the moon—and you pulled my teeth out."

Ni Dashen sighed and said seriously: "I'd love to swallow a whole ox at once, but capitalists' money isn't easy to take. If you take the money but can't deliver, what do you compensate them with?"

"Oh come on, Ni—you've been overseas too long. Now you're speaking like a capitalist's lackey. Hand me the money collection; I'll take the blame if anything goes wrong."

"."

………………

Pei Wencong and Li Ye couldn't hear Liu Lianxiang and Ni Dashen's conversation,

but once in the car, Pei Wencong said worriedly to Li Ye: "Mr. Li, I think that Manager Liu… isn't a suitable partner."

Li Ye smiled: "Of course he isn't. But that Engineer Ni is."

Pei Wencong nodded in agreement: "True. But that Engineer Ni seems to have little influence. Also, his guarantee about the program-controlled switch—wasn't that too certain?

I've met some researchers at Hong Kong University. They never give 100% guarantees on projects that haven't succeeded yet."

"That's because he has enough confidence."

Li Ye slowly shook his head: "Mr. Ni isn't lying. The mainland truly has a research foundation for program-controlled switches."

Any breakthrough technology requires not only a series of industrial foundations, but also market demand.

Thus, key breakthroughs in later eras always erupted at the right moment—the moment when market demand and industrial conditions aligned.

For example, China's textile machinery around 1987, engineering machinery around 1997, and CNC machine tools after 2007—all emerged as desperate counterattacks against overseas companies' "predatory dumping" amid surging domestic demand.

Now, China's telecommunications network is precisely at the moment of upgrade. Pei Wencong only noticed that not one in a hundred households had a phone, but he didn't notice that ninety-nine of those hundred households desperately wanted one.

Everything is ready except the east wind.

And Li Ye remembered that the mainland's first program-controlled switch approved for network access was the HJD-02 model, produced by Post and Telecommunications Factory No. 4, in the late 1980s.

The first domestically developed large-scale digital program-controlled telephone switch was successfully developed in 1991. Its success completely broke foreign monopolies on China's market and even won the 1995 National Science and Technology Progress First Prize.

Now, with Li Ye—a disruptor who knows the future—involved, couldn't we push that timeline forward by three to five years?

But Li Ye couldn't tell Pei Wencong these details—he had to find another way to say it.

"Trust me, old Pei. The mainland always produces inexplicable talents. That Mr. Qian once was worth five army divisions. This Mr. Ni… is worth a hundred million."

"."

Pei Wencong studied Li Ye carefully for a moment, then nodded: "I understand. I'll find a way to contact Mr. Ni. Is that hundred million RMB or USD?"

"What are you thinking, old Pei?"

Li Ye laughed: "Do you think someone like Mr. Ni can be bought with money? He's not a businessman. If you hand him cash today, tomorrow he might cause trouble."

Is Ni Dashen a man who loves money? If he did, he wouldn't have ended up in those later events.

Last year, Ni Dashen was already doing well overseas, yet he gave up his high salary and spent all his money buying books to bring back to the mainland. Do you think you can bribe a man like that?

You'd likely get the opposite result.

Pei Wencong looked embarrassed: "Then, Mr. Li, how should I approach Mr. Ni?"

Li Ye thought for a moment: "You must make him believe you're willing to go bankrupt to steadfastly support the mainland's computer industry. Of course, you don't need to go bankrupt—just contribute a small portion. The rest, I'll cover."

"No, no, no—I'm willing! Mr. Li, I'm willing to sacrifice all my wealth."

Pei Wencong now spoke without thinking. If Li Ye said go west, he'd happily go to the western heavens.

Back then, he hesitated and didn't mortgage his house, so his capital was less than half of Li Ye's—and now he's already three times behind. How could he hesitate now?

Li Ye smiled wryly: "Then, old Pei, think carefully. We're far behind the world. This catch-up may take a long time. Profit won't come anytime soon."

Pei Wencong immediately declared: "I don't care if we never break even. I believe the mainland won't forget my contribution."

Looking at the resolute Pei Wencong, Li Ye said calmly: "Not breaking even is impossible. As long as you're persistent, you'll never earn too little."

Decades later, the top hundred semiconductor companies globally were still dominated by Western firms,

but if you looked further down, from rank thirty onward, it was all red—more than half the map.

"Alright, Mr. Li. I'll persist. I'll build trust with Mr. Ni and strive to have him understand us, believe us, and join us soon."

"Don't rush it."

Li Ye smiled: "To get Mr. Ni to join us, trust alone isn't enough. We need help from our rivals."

"."

Given Ni Dashen's nature, he'd almost certainly never join Li Ye's private team. But with outside pressure, it would be entirely different.

(End of Chapter)