Fang Lang had never imagined that universities nowadays have already started conducting experiments and research on machine tools.
This opened the door to a new world for Fang Lang.
“Gentlemen, since Germany is now severely restricted, I wonder if I would have the honor to hire you to build a new machine tool research laboratory in Brazil.”
The two old gentlemen were obviously moved by the olive branch that Fang Lang had thrown out. After looking at each other, one of them said:
“Mr. Fang, the mayor has told us about your help to us. We are also very willing to go to Brazil to continue the machine tool research and experiments, but I feel that my personal ability is not enough to serve as the leader of the laboratory.
Some of our best designers have been recruited by the United States and the Soviet Union, and the rest of us can only serve as auxiliary personnel. If you want to set up a laboratory, I have a candidate to recommend to you.
If you can convince this person to return to China with you, I think this machine tool laboratory will be able to achieve excellent results soon. "
Fang Lang didn't expect that such a good thing would happen. Isn't this actively sending talents to himself?
"Oh! Please tell me where this person is. I will go and visit him in person right away."
...
...
Seeing Fang Lang's eagerness to recruit talents, the two were also very pleased and said with a smile:
"His name is Oqun Kentshire, and he is a professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering at Aachen University. Although he is not a member of the machine tool research laboratory, he has published many papers on machine tool research.
He has profound knowledge in machine tool automation research, and many of our research projects have been guided by him."
As soon as Fang Lang heard about machine tool automation research, his eyes began to light up. This is the future!
But at the same time, I felt strange:
"If he is so capable, why wasn't he recruited by the United States or the Soviet Union?"
After hearing Fang Lang's question, the two of them were also a little confused. One of them said:
"The United States and the Soviet Union did invite him, but for some reason they both gave up later."
Fang Lang was confused. What could happen if the US and the Soviet Union could not recruit him? Could it be that this person had very high requirements?
No matter what, now that I know such a person exists, I have to give it a try.
"Then please tell me where this professor lives, and I will go to visit him in person right now."
“In fact, we have never met the professor in person, but have only read his research papers. He was appointed as a professor by Aachen University only last year.
I do know the approximate location of where he lives, but you may need to go around and ask around."
For some reason, after hearing what these people said, Fang Lang always felt something strange in his heart, but he couldn't tell what was wrong.
Maybe I'll know what's going on after I meet him in person?
Then Fang Lang invited the two again. Both of them expressed their concerns that they were not capable enough to serve as the head of the laboratory, but they also clearly agreed to go to Brazil to work.
Now Fang Lang felt relieved. No matter what the professor's situation was, he would invite a few more outstanding researchers. It didn't matter if they couldn't innovate, as long as they could restore Germany's pre-war technological level, Fang Lang would not have lost out.
He also expressed his gratitude to Mayor Jonas and asked them to introduce more outstanding machine tool designers.
Several people also readily agreed.
After leaving the city hall, Fang Lang went straight to the home of Professor Ouqu Kent according to the address, because the professor's home was near Aachen University.
In order to save time, Fang Lang took a direct flight to Aachen.
Aachen is a border city close to the Netherlands and Belgium. Aachen is now under the rule of the British occupation forces.
The plane arrived in Aachen in less than two hours. The feeling of arriving in Aachen was obviously better than the first time I arrived in Stuttgart. It might be because the British rule over the occupied areas was not as strict as the French.
Fang Lang left the airport without any hindrance, rented a few cars near the airport and then arrived at the location marked on the address.
After some inquiries, I finally found the professor's home.
The person who opened the door was a woman who looked to be in her fifties. She had gray hair, high cheekbones, and a cold expression. When she heard that we were visiting Professor Kent, she immediately and enthusiastically invited us in.
The expression changed so quickly that Fang Lang was caught off guard.
Fang Lang smiled and politely handed over the gift for the visit. After the lady opened it, she immediately became more enthusiastic.
Because what Fang Lang gave away was a set of jewelry.
After entering the room, Fang Lang saw a kind-looking handsome man in his fifties sitting on the sofa. He had an obvious scholarly air.
However, when he saw a guest coming in, the other party did not stand up.
Fang Lang didn't mind, he took the initiative to step forward and greeted:
"Hello, Professor Kent, my name is Fang Lang, and it's a great honor to meet you."
The professor seemed rather reserved. After seeing Fang Lang's expression, he slowly stood up, shook hands with Fang Lang gently, and said:
"Hello, Mr. Fang, nice to meet you too. I wonder how I can help you."
Fang Lang felt that the other party just shook hands lightly and there was no smile on his face. He didn't feel very good.
But since you are here to invite someone to come out, it is normal for you to be rejected by them!
So he pushed the gift box in his hand over with a smile on his face. It was a watch bought in Stuttgart.
It can also be regarded as a very valuable gift.
After taking a look, the professor finally smiled.
This made Fang Lang feel very strange. Generally, educated intellectuals would appear to be somewhat aloof. They would not be greedy for money, but they would not show it so obviously.
This seems somewhat out of tune with the bookish air displayed by the other party.
However, the other party soon stopped smiling again and returned to his previous somewhat arrogant look.
Fang Lang didn't want to beat around the bush and said directly:
"Professor, I heard that you have made great achievements in the field of automated machine tool research. I wonder if I can invite you to set up a machine tool laboratory in Brazil."
Before Fang Lang could finish, the professor interrupted:
"Brazil? The Brazil in South America? Can you use such advanced machine tools?"
Your mother! Fang Lang felt a little unhappy when he said this. What does it mean? Look down on people.
Qi Qingshan and others behind him also changed color.
Perhaps realizing that he had made a mistake, the professor continued:
"I mean, the investment in machine tool research is very huge. Do you have the corresponding funds prepared?"
Fang Lang took a breath and said slowly:
"Please rest assured. We have prepared sufficient funds to meet the research expenses of the machine tool research laboratory."
"Oh! What is the monthly budget of the laboratory? Do I have absolute control over these expenses?"
Hearing Fang Lang say that there was enough research funding, the professor's expression relaxed further and he placed the book he had been holding on the table beside him.
Fang Lang's eyes accidentally swept over the title of the book, which turned out to be an English version of "Du Scam's New Book". When he saw the title, Fang Lang felt unwell.
Is it appropriate for you to read the book of scams left by my ancestors in front of me?
This "New Book to Fight Scams" is also called "The Book of Scams". It is a book written during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty that specifically introduces various scams. Of course, it does not tell you how to commit scams, but it tells you how to avoid scams.
However, many scammers also find inspiration from it.
As a crew member, Fang Lang happened to read this book when he was bored during his journey at sea.
At this moment, Fang Lang felt that he was not feeling well. The professor in front of him could not be a liar! How could a liar become a university professor?
However, when Fang Lang heard that the other party was concerned about the laboratory's research funds and the right to control the funds, and then looked at the books on the table, he wanted to blurt out "Fuck you".
After a long while, Fang Lang comforted himself: "He is a cultured person! It is normal for him to read a lot of books! I must be overthinking it."
Still tentatively asked:
"I wonder how much money you think it would take to build a machine tool research laboratory, Professor?"
After hearing Fang Lang's question, the professor's eyes flashed and he asked:
"Your laboratory hasn't started construction yet, right? If you want to meet my experimental requirements, this laboratory will need to invest at least one million US dollars, and the estimated monthly research and development expenses will definitely exceed ten thousand US dollars. Do you have the strength to do so?"
This amount of funding was of course a piece of cake for Fang Lang, but Fang Lang had already begun to doubt this professor. So he tried to test him:
"If we invest so much, I wonder how long it will take to produce results? Professor, can you tell me about your main research direction?"
The professor looked at Fang Lang strangely and said:
"Didn't you come here after reading my thesis? My research direction is definitely the automation of machine tools! As for how long it will take to produce results?
I am currently working on a research topic that is about to make a breakthrough, and I think I will make a breakthrough within two months. If you can really support my research with all your strength, you will definitely gain a lot. "
Fang Lang didn't expect that the other party would directly promise to produce results within two months. If he was a liar, he should say that the research could not give an exact time!
Or is the professor planning to run away with the money within two months?
For a moment, Fang Lang became hesitant.
Just as Fang Lang was thinking about how to answer the professor's question, he suddenly heard a subtle sound of metal dragging across the ground. The professor and his wife were both in the living room.
This means there must be someone else at home, but the sound did not come from upstairs, but from underground.
Fang Lang's mind moved:
"That's great, I feel relieved with your words.
It's almost dinner time now, and I wonder if I would be honored to invite you and your family to a restaurant downtown for dinner to celebrate the birth of our common laboratory."
The professor and his wife looked at each other, and both showed a hint of joy. Finally, the professor smiled happily and said:
"Of course, no problem. This is indeed worth celebrating."
"Okay, I'll arrange for someone to go to the restaurant in the city to reserve a table. I don't know if the professor's family is here, and how many tables we need to reserve."
Fang Lang also said with a smile on his face.
When the professor's wife heard the number of family members, she took the initiative to answer:
"There are only my husband and I in our family. Our children have all gone to the United States, and there is no family around. So, there is only room for the two of us."
Hearing what the professor's wife said, Fang Lang turned his head to look at her and scanned the house, but found nothing unusual.
However, I had some vague guesses in my mind.
"Then I will go and arrange for the restaurant now. I will arrange for a driver to pick up the professor and his wife for the banquet. I will take my leave now."
After saying that, Fang Lang stood up and said goodbye to the two hosts.
The professor and his wife also enthusiastically escorted Fang Lang to the door. When Fang Lang walked out of the room, he heard a slight sound of metal rubbing against the ground from underground again.
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