Chapter 1591 What if that day really comes?
"Li Ye, I won't hide anything from you, the companies you introduced us to are all very generous. They provided us with research funding more than a month ago, ensuring our research can proceed smoothly."
After several days of discussions, two technical solutions may emerge: one is to achieve certain results and then seek international cooperation.
The second option is to complete the entire project independently, without relying on anyone, but this approach is technically very difficult and requires a larger investment.
During this gathering at Ni Dashen's house, Bu Qingjun didn't compete with Li Ye in drinking. Instead, she frankly discussed the difficult choices they were facing.
Upon hearing Bu Qingjun's words, Li Ye knew that their satellite navigation project had not yet escaped the enormous inertia of history.
Following the original historical trajectory, the mainland would conduct certain research to demonstrate its strength to overseas entities before seeking overseas cooperation.
Because deploying a global navigation system is not something that can be accomplished with just a few satellites; the technology, human resources, and financial resources required are astronomical.
With civilian navigation systems not yet widely adopted, such investments with no tangible benefits are destined not to be supported by everyone.
Therefore, flexing one's muscles to the outside world and then pursuing cooperative development seems to have a significant advantage.
I have the capability to develop this project myself, so your acceptance of us is a win-win collaboration.
However, Li Ye knew that those people lacked the traditional Chinese sense of shame, and that the so-called "spirit of contract" touted by the West would disappear completely at some opportune moment, ultimately wasting his time and bringing him unforgettable pain.
So Li Ye looked at Bu Qingjun and asked very seriously, "So, Lao Bu, which technical solution do you support?"
"Of course I support the second option. I don't trust outsiders; I only trust our own people."
Bu Qingjun blurted out her true feelings, then added embarrassedly, "But as I said, the second option requires a huge investment. You know the situation in mainland China; money is needed everywhere, so..."
Li Ye interrupted Bu Qingjun and asked calmly, "So you want to ask me if I can help you get more donations, is that right?"
Bu Qingjun was extremely embarrassed.
The idea of meeting up with Li Ye today was already rushed, and now they're bringing up money again, which is unpleasant for anyone.
Li Ye also stated firmly, "Old Bu, let me tell you the truth. If donations continue unabated, even the most patriotic and righteous company can't withstand it. Even if they're willing to throw money down the drain, they should do it transparently and meaningfully."
"It's like skipping stones. No way."
Bu Qingjun swallowed awkwardly, feeling only bitterness in her mouth.
Although Li Ye said last time that he would be given the highest priority when the satellite navigation system can be used for civilian purposes, Bu Qingjun really doesn't dare to guarantee that satellite navigation technology will ever be available for civilian use.
Looking at the embarrassed Bu Qingjun, Li Ye suddenly smiled and said, "Old Bu, you're always thinking about cooperating with overseas people, why don't you cooperate with our own people?"
Bu Qingjun asked in surprise, "Cooperating with our own people? With whom?"
Li Ye said in surprise, "With companies from our mainland! For example, Fengyu Electronics, didn't you just say they were very loyal?"
Bu Qingjun exclaimed in shock, "Fengyu Electronics? But they're a private enterprise!"
Li Ye said with dissatisfaction, "What's wrong with private enterprises? Aren't private enterprises one of our own?"
It's understandable that Bu Qingjun didn't understand. After all, in the 1990s, private enterprises were still synonymous with "small workshops." In Bu Qingjun's view, it was one thing for private enterprises to engage in textiles or toys, but to say that they would get involved in projects like satellite navigation was completely beyond Bu Qingjun's comprehension.
However, decades later, both Huawei and Ali are private enterprises, yet both have been accused by the Lighthouse of "serving the military." So, is it really necessary to make such a clear distinction between military and civilian?
"Let me sort this out."
Bu Qingjun rubbed his forehead vigorously, unsure whether he was trying to dispel the fatigue accumulated from days of insomnia or to alleviate the shock and turmoil caused by Li Ye.
Although satellite navigation appears to be "serving the whole world," it is actually a military project.
Can private enterprises get involved in the military industry?
But is military industry not considered industry?
If Bu Qingjun had Li Ye's "foresight," she would know that she was merely trapped in the limitations of her era's understanding, only adding to her own troubles.
Decades later, a private enterprise that used to sell noodles was able to build airplanes, and one private enterprise even managed to develop a wave-rider missile.
Yes, it's a waverider missile, not a waverider aircraft. They're not even going through the motions; they're not even putting on a show.
Even decades later, well-informed people will think this is absolutely outrageous, utterly absurd.
How many countries in the world can manufacture such highly maneuverable supersonic missiles?
Can the quality of missiles manufactured by private companies be guaranteed?
But it's cheap!
With only one-tenth of the manufacturing cost, what quality assurance do you expect? If it doesn't sound during takeoff, there's no warranty! Because it's already flown overseas.
So why can't private enterprises participate in important national projects?
Bu Qingjun rubbed her forehead and thought for a while. She seemed to have figured something out. Her eyes grew brighter and brighter. She stared at Li Ye as if she were looking at a stunning beauty.
"Li Ye, you need to understand, if a private enterprise is involved in certain important national projects, then that private enterprise might not have so much freedom."
Li Ye smiled faintly and said nonchalantly, "As long as the money is spent on practical things, as long as it can prevent us from suffering this kind of humiliation today, what does it matter if a company is not free?"
No matter how much money you have, it's just a number. Once you have enough money, you'll always want to pursue something higher.
If one day, Chinese civilian enterprises dominate the world, what's wrong with donating these enterprises?
At this moment, Ni Dashen, who was standing next to him, suddenly said, "How about we talk to China Mobile about this? Fengyu Electronics has a deep connection with China Mobile. We can cooperate in the name of China Mobile. The government can trust China Mobile's position, right?"
Bu Qingjun quickly nodded: "That's a good suggestion, a good suggestion. I even met President Pan once! Back then, he was just a section chief, in charge of a project to establish telecommunications connections with the other side of the strait. Now, we can communicate normally between the two sides. He had foresight."
Master Ni: "."
Don't tell me it was just a one-time meeting; that person is related to Li Ye.
...
Bu Qingjun seemed to be in a real hurry. After receiving some kind of assurance from Li Ye, he hurriedly left with the female PhD student, Xiao Xu. Tomorrow they would be arguing their case at an important event, and Li Ye had given him confidence, so he needed to prepare his speech quickly.
Li Ye did not leave immediately, but instead inquired about his younger sister Li Juan's situation.
"Old Ni, how are the negotiations with Microsoft going lately? My sister was involved in the negotiations, right? How did she perform?"
"The performance was quite good."
Master Ni said frankly, "Li Juan is a lot like you. Not only is she technically excellent and pragmatic in her work, but more importantly, she has no bias towards overseas things, unlike some people who think overseas is advanced and domestic is backward."
"Hehe, I taught them all. Actually, both overseas and mainland China have their own advantages and disadvantages. Or rather, our disadvantages are their advantages, and our advantages are precisely their disadvantages."
Li Ye smiled. Enabling his younger sister to have "time-defining" insights in this era was one of the things he was most proud of.
Ni Dashen also laughed and said, "That's why I said she's a lot like you! Sometimes I don't understand why, even though I've lived in North America for several years, my understanding of them is sometimes not as deep as yours."
Because I live in the internet age, and it has undergone decades of development!
Many people in the West talk about freedom and equality, but in essence, the rules of the game are for the middle class and above.
If you're just an ordinary worker, then try reasoning with a capitalist.
See if the court will listen to you, see if the media will report on you. You insist on asking why? Well, the reason is that the congressmen only accept donations from your boss; they don't care about your meager earnings.
As for strikes and demonstrations by ordinary people, how many out of hundreds of such events are truly successful? And who ultimately benefits the most?
"By the way, there's someone named Xu Lingmiao in the negotiation team at Microsoft, right?"
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
