Upon learning that the contract manufacturer was a small, village-run enterprise, they began to look down on it. Since they lacked the capacity to produce, they reasoned, "Why not just outsource everything to a company?"

As for what they researched and developed, we can ignore that. What resources does a small village-run enterprise have to conduct research and development? Who knows where they copied the images from?

Even their self-developed computers were based on existing designs. Core components were imported. Less than 60% of their electronic components were domestically produced.

Boasting about it costs nothing, and it looks good on the surface. Anyway, it's been developed and produced, and there's a supply shortage.

How much capability does your village-run enterprise have to compare with a provincial computer company? I bet that village factory is just an empty shell, having the provincial computer company do the manufacturing and then slapping its own brand on it.

This is equivalent to someone taking a label and selling a product manufactured by a company. It turns out they're the ones who produced it; isn't that just doing someone else's work for free?

What if word gets out and the provincial computer company becomes a laughing stock in the industry? After all, the provincial computer company did produce supporting electronic products for the Dongfanghong rocket back in the day.

So, as the meetings progressed, their purpose changed. Either they stopped production altogether, or they gave small factories a small sum to buy a complete set of blueprints, which the provincial computer company then manufactured and distributed.

Xing Baohua had indeed been on guard against them, and his plan had come to fruition. Zhang Xuebao, accompanied by his supervisor, came to the small guesthouse to explain the situation to Xing Baohua.

Zhang Baohua felt too ashamed to face Xing Baohua. He sighed and shook his head, not knowing what to say.

The supervisor's intention was to purchase all the plans held by Xing Baohua. The price would be based on the highest engineer's bonus, one thousand yuan.

The price almost made Xing Baohua excited.

Is a thousand yuan a lot? It certainly is! It depends on who it's given to. If it's given to someone like Zhang Xuebao, he'd probably be too excited to sleep for days. But for Xing Baohua and the factory behind him, it's a humiliation.

Do they really think Xing Baohua has never seen money before? People buy stereos with stacks of cash and even throw in a genuine leather bag. He's glanced at 150,000 yuan several times.

"Sir, please return the drawings to me. Since we can't reach an agreement on cooperation, let's remain amicable even if the deal falls through," Xing Baohua said, suppressing his anger.

"Comrade Xing Baohua, you should reconsider. After all, we are a large enterprise. We are fully capable of making your products popular and successful," the supervisor advised.

"What's the use of carrying forward and developing it! You've all made all the money, how are we supposed to develop?" Xing Baohua said bluntly.

“It’s easier to develop if you have a reputation in the industry. We’ll collaborate with your factory on production under our name. Besides, who knows where you copied this design from? If you run into trouble, you won’t be able to handle it! It’s different if we produce and sell it.” The supervisor was still trying to persuade them.

Xing Baohua sneered and said, "You've got a good plan, boss. I'll tell you whether you're going to return the map or not. If you don't want it, fine, keep it and play with it. I don't want it anymore, but please remember what I said: I will repay you double for what you did to me today."

After saying this, Xing Baohua knew there was no point in staying any longer, so she prepared to pack her things and leave.

"Why are you so blunt, comrade? Double the return? Who do you think you are? Just some country bumpkin. Do you really think our company cares about your little thing? Zhang, go back and get the drawings and return them to him." With that, the supervisor left.

Engineer Zhang looked at Xing Baohua, shook his head slightly, and said, "Little Xing, I don't have any good ideas either. Wait a moment, I'll go back and give you the blueprints."

After everyone left, Xing Baohua sat on the edge of the bed and reflected on whether she had been too presumptuous in her thinking.

Knowing full well that they behave rudely, why bother going to them? Isn't that just asking for trouble?

What's yours is mine, and what's mine is still mine.

That's perfectly reasonable; it's exactly what large companies say to small companies.

When the supervisor returned, he handed the drawings to Zhang Xuebao and asked Zhang Xuebao to pass on a message to Xing Baohua: "Don't even think about seeking technical support or cooperation from them in the future."

Zhang Xuebao relayed the message, and Xing Baohua chose to leave. Of course, the whole matter had nothing to do with Zhang Xuebao, and he didn't blame him.

Before leaving, Xing Baohua told Zhang Xuebao that they were still friends and that he should visit Zhang Xuebao when he went to central Shandong.

When Zhang Xuebao returned to the company, his supervisor called him again.

"Has your friend left yet?"

"I'm leaving. I'll see him to the bus stop. Do you need to see him for something?" Zhang Xuebao asked in surprise.

It turns out that when Zhang Xuebao delivered the drawings to Xing Baohua, the auditing department had already calculated the costs.

The technical staff were stunned after reviewing the costs. They then consulted the chief engineer, who discovered the problem.

This entry-level computer learning machine is shockingly cheap? Nowadays, even domestically produced computers cost over ten thousand yuan.

Xing Baohua's computer learning machine means it can be introduced into families with slightly better financial means to teach children basic computer skills. Furthermore, it can be promoted in schools. This would greatly increase profits and the market potential.

They were all shrewd and capable people. They reported to the top leader, who then approached the supervisor and said they should find a way to secure the product.

So the supervisor asked Zhang Xuebao to use the company car to intercept Xing Baohua at the train station. Meanwhile, the provincial computer company held an emergency meeting of middle and senior management. The topic was this low-cost learning machine.