In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 125 Is it so easy to convince the leader? No! The leader already had the idea
“If labor costs are reduced, will the market have to be reshuffled?”

Minister Zheng frowned and looked at Xie Wei seriously, reminding him, "Comrade Xie Wei, there are many countries and regions in the world with cheap labor. The labor cost in the entire third world is not high. The rise of the four Asian tigers is due to cheap labor."

Since the late 1960s, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong have vigorously developed re-export trade and their economies have taken off rapidly due to the high labor costs in the West. The two small countries of South Korea and Singapore, together with Taiwan and Hong Kong, have taken advantage of political stability and low labor costs.

Known as the Four Asian Tigers.

"Compared to them, domestic costs are lower!"

Xie Wei did not back down at all.

He stared blankly at Minister Zheng.

“They are not affected by the Batumi embargo!”

Minister Zheng had made sufficient preparations before this.

The economic take-off of the four Asian tigers is the biggest reference for China.

"Indeed, but high-tech and cutting-edge products are only a part of the world's industrial production. Most conventional technology and equipment are not affected by the embargo. More importantly, the four Asian tigers combined cannot compare with us. We not only have abundant resources, but also a large number of cheap industrial workers!"

Rich mineral resources and a large number of cheap and skilled industrial workers were the main competitive advantages in the early days of reform and opening up.

Even for a long time to come, a large number of cheap skilled industrial workers will be the main competitive advantage of domestic products.

With the development and entering the 21st century, the most competitive feature of the country is the complete industrial supporting facilities - China is the only country in the world with a complete industrial system!

After developing to a certain level, the domestic wage level is relatively high compared with that of Asia except for a few small developed countries. International labor-intensive enterprises have begun to move to surrounding areas with lower labor costs.

As a result, other countries were unable to keep up with the industrial supporting facilities, and the OEM factories that had moved out were eventually forced to move back.

Xie Wei knew more clearly how things developed later than Minister Zheng.

At this moment, he was so confident that even Minister Zheng was puzzled, wondering where his confidence came from.

"But……"

"Leader, since we are in the process of reform and opening up, and without any experience to draw on, we can only cross the river by feeling the stones. Investment has risks, and no one can guarantee that an investment will be profitable. The only thing I can guarantee is that the school's business office will try its best to adapt to the international market and make a profit. This is not only related to the school's funding source, but also to the reform pilot."

Xie Wei looked at Minister Zheng seriously.

Even if he can guarantee profits, he will not make such promises in front of his superiors, although this may be much less effective than promising good results before he even does anything.

There are no absolutely reliable talents, no one has experience, and Xie Wei cannot put all his energy into this.

Naturally there is no guarantee.

"Three million Hong Kong dollars is too much. Although you are confident, you cannot guarantee the result. The department can only support one million Hong Kong dollars at most..."

Minister Zheng was silent for a long time, his eyes fixed on Xie Wei, hoping to learn something from his facial expression.

However, Xie Wei has better psychological quality than Li Rui.

Maybe Xie Wei is really confident!
Minister Zheng thought so. Thinking about the 300 million Hong Kong dollars that Li Rui had proposed before, he definitely could not give it. Maybe as long as it was less than 100 million, Li Rui would ask for 300 million.

100 million Hong Kong dollars!
Isn’t it said that it’s hard to get projects and funding these days?
Xie Wei proposed 100 million Hong Kong dollars, and Minister Zheng gave it to him directly...

What do you mean 300 million can't be given? Xie Wei looked at Li Rui in confusion, only to see the latter with a faint smile on his face and a slight nod. Xie Wei immediately understood that Principal Li was asking for 300 million Hong Kong dollars.

You ask for a sky-high price, but you don’t want to pay it back when it comes down to earth!

Although he couldn't understand it, he didn't object.

It is not easy to get funds from superiors these days, not to mention that it involves the already scarce foreign exchange.

Seeing Xie Wei remained silent, Minister Zheng thought that Xie Wei was dissatisfied with the amount of money, so he immediately explained: "At present, many technologies and equipment in China need to be introduced from abroad to narrow the gap with the world's advanced level, especially some key infrastructure. This one million Hong Kong dollars is not much for setting up a company, but you cannot guarantee that you will be profitable..."

Minister Zheng's words have revealed his attention and support for the school-enterprise cooperation plan.

One million was definitely a huge amount of money in 100 when the average monthly salary was less than 40 yuan.

What’s more, foreign exchange is scarce?

The Chinese currency can be printed in China, but foreign currency cannot.

"Minister, HK$100 million is indeed a little less than what we need, but it can build a framework. I have confidence in the school's operations in this regard. I believe that we will have an answer in a year at most! At least this investment of one million Hong Kong dollars will not be wasted."

One million is already the highest amount Xie Wei expected.

In his opinion, 100 million Hong Kong dollars was already enough for bargaining with superiors, and 50 Hong Kong dollars would be enough.

For a small company, it is very good if it has a registered capital of 50 or 100 million at the beginning.

Hearing Xie Wei's answer, Principal Li secretly gave him a thumbs up.

Young people have a future!
As expected, he is someone that I value. When he tries to fool his leader, he says that he is doing it reluctantly and he doesn't want to put more pressure on his superior.

"By the way, Comrade Xie Wei, what do you think about the Air Force handing over the Changkong No. 1 target drone improvement project to your school?"

Minister Zheng did not say whether he would approve the HK$100 million foreign exchange for the school-enterprise partnership, but instead asked Xie Wei about the improvement project of the Changkong- unmanned target drone.

"Leader, these are two different things!"

When Principal Li heard this, he immediately became anxious.

Minister Zheng's words seemed casual, but they made the experienced Principal Li realize the trap.

Obviously, Minister Zheng was planning to bundle the unmanned target drone improvement project with these. If Xie Wei's answer did not satisfy him, he would naturally not sign the foreign exchange approval slip for 100 million Hong Kong dollars.

After all, Xie Wei was too young. He had never dealt with these shrewd senior leaders and didn't know the traps involved.

"What are the two different things? Comrade Li Rui, I'm asking Comrade Xie Wei!"

Minister Zheng raised his eyebrows and glared at Principal Li with displeasure.

Looking at this scene, Xie Wei sighed silently.

None of the leaders who hold high positions are easy to fool.

He also knew that his answer was related to whether Minister Zheng supported the School-Enterprise Office to set up a company in Hong Kong. It seemed that the two had nothing to do with each other. The fact that Minister Zheng had a detailed understanding of the projects of the School-Enterprise Office before Principal Li came, but the only thing he didn't know was the sanitary napkins that had just been developed, was enough to explain the problem.

"Principal, actually, improving the Changkong No. 1 unmanned target drone is not too difficult for the school at present..."

Xie Wei thought about it before speaking.

"Oh? Tell me in detail."

Minister Zheng was somewhat surprised by Xie Wei's answer.

If it were someone else, even if they were confident and sure, they would not answer like Xie Wei.

"The Changkong-1 UAV does not need to be improved in terms of power system and aerodynamic layout in the short term. What the Air Force needs is to improve automatic control and remote control, so that the UAV can be more flexible in the air and maximize the role and performance of air-to-air missiles and air defense missiles..."

Xie Wei understood this very clearly.

Changkong No. 1 target drone is currently the most mature drone target drone in China, but it has a short hovering time and is not flexible enough in automatic flight in the air. To make the drone more flexible in the air, it is necessary not only to work hard on the automatic control program, but also on the control system and sensors.

"In fact, the school has a pre-research project on cutting-edge fighter aircraft technology in cooperation with the Third Ministry of Machine Building, especially the control system, which does not conflict with the project of improving the Changkong No. 1 unmanned target aircraft. The technology can even be verified through the unmanned target aircraft."

Seeing that Minister Zheng didn't say anything, Xie Wei didn't know whether he had convinced the other party.

I can only keep talking.

In his era, domestic drone technology was unrivaled in the world.

Not only is the technology advanced, the cost is also shockingly low.

Xie Wei happens to be an entrepreneur in the field of automatic control, so when it comes to these technologies, Xie Wei talks endlessly without even having to think.

"Our Seventh Ministry of Machine Building is mainly responsible for aerospace. Missiles and rockets belong to our business scope. Whether it's drones or fighter jets, they belong to the business scope of the Third Ministry of Machine Building..."

Minister Zheng reminded Xie Wei calmly.

Li Rui on the side knew the trap in these words very well. Before he could open his mouth, he was glared at by Minister Zheng. He knew that if he opened his mouth, it would have the opposite effect, so he could only look at Xie Wei awkwardly.

I hope Xie Wei can realize the trap in my words.

"Leader, the Third and Seventh Machine Ministries have clear divisions of labor, but many technologies are universal. In any case, all the machinery industry ministries belong to the country! The reason for this division of labor is that the country hopes to further improve technology according to the areas of responsibility of each department..."

Principal Li almost clapped his hands and cheered loudly at Xie Wei's answer.

The answer is almost full marks.

Each department has different divisions of labor, and everyone is working to rapidly advance technology and enhance national defense capabilities.

"UAV control technology is actually also needed in the aerospace field. Whether it is a missile or a rocket, after it is launched, in addition to remote control, it relies on the internal automatic control system..."

Even if you haven't eaten pork, you have seen pigs run.

Xie Wei is well aware that many technologies in the aerospace field are universal.

"Not bad!"

In the end, Minister Zheng just threw down these two words.

Whether the 100 million Hong Kong dollars was given was not mentioned at all.

"I have a lot of things to do here. You guys go back to the guesthouse first. I'll talk to other leaders in the department later and then get back to you..."

Minister Zheng issued an order to expel them.

Until he left, Xie Wei was still in a daze.

"Principal, what does Minister Zheng mean? He just asked a few questions and didn't say anything."

On the way back to the guesthouse from the ministry, Xie Wei asked Li Rui.

He had some speculations in his mind, but times had changed and he did not dare to use the thinking of leading cadres decades later to measure today's leading cadres.

Li Rui smiled and said, "What's the point? I'll just test you!"

"..."

Principal Li's words made Xie Wei look at him in astonishment.

Assess yourself?

What is being assessed?
"It's not just about testing your political awareness, it's also about testing your professional knowledge... Haha, kid, you really didn't disappoint me! Don't worry, the foreign exchange for opening a company in Hong Kong is already there."

Looking at Li Rui who looked excited, Xie Wei was full of doubts.

Is this it?

Didn’t Minister Zheng say he would discuss this with other leaders in the ministry?

"You kid! After all, you are the head of the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building. Even if you hold a discussion meeting, the funding is only 100 million Hong Kong dollars!"

After Li Rui's explanation, Xie Wei immediately understood.

It’s settled indeed.

If the leader does not object, it means support.

Is it possible to ask the leader to take the initiative to express support?

If something unexpected happens, I will lose one million Hong Kong dollars...

Sure enough, just as Li Rui guessed, on the third day, someone from the department found the two and told them that the department agreed in principle to set up a company in Hong Kong, and that the start-up fund of 100 million Hong Kong dollars would soon be transferred to the school's account.

"See, I didn't object before, but now I agree in principle."

Li Rui looked at Xie Wei with excitement, "You are more effective than me. It is true that a new emperor appoints new ministers!"

"..."

Principal Li's words left Xie Wei at a loss as to how to respond.

It is not advisable to be cautious on your own.

"Don't look at me like that. If I were to do it myself, even if the department agreed, I would have to think hard. And you explained that the department agreed so easily because of your previous achievements. Before the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee, our department had already had a pilot project, and the results of the pilot project were not bad..."

Li Rui's explanation immediately made Xie Wei understand the problem.

The achievements of the school-enterprise partnership!

Before the country introduced policies, he persuaded Principal Li to go to the ministry to ask for policies, which led to the establishment of the School-Enterprise Office. So far, the profits brought by various projects of the School-Enterprise Office are not high, but it has achieved certain results.

If you have results, then things will be easy.

"The 1200 million yuan in funding came from the school-enterprise partnership. This time, we need 100 million Hong Kong dollars to open a company in Hong Kong because of the school-enterprise partnership pilot... You don't have to feel pressured. Even if you lose all the money, your superiors won't have any objections. Reforms are bound to fail."

I have no pressure at all!
Seeing Principal Li beaming with joy, Xie Wei didn't know how to respond.

Will you feel pressure?
The development direction of the international market in the next few decades is in the hands of God. To open an international trading company these days is completely a matter of luck.

It is against the will of heaven not to make money.

"Director Wu and his team went to Hong Kong to investigate the market?"

Thinking that it is very difficult to go through various procedures for going abroad these days, Xie Wei reminded Li Rui that he should take the opportunity to get these things done at once.

If your superiors speak up for you, you will avoid many detours.

"I mentioned it before you went, but the leader didn't even ask. He must have already considered it. Let's go back directly and let Wu Tao and Wang Zheng prepare for going to Hong Kong."

Having said that, Li Rui looked at Xie Wei, and a flash of regret flashed across his face.

(End of this chapter)