In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 236 Such a small order? You have no shame? Recruiting international students is a business too!
"What disputes could they possibly have? Even if they knew, they couldn't refuse the conditions I proposed. You can't buy an impregnable national defense; they knew that back in '65..."

Xie Wei raised an eyebrow and said disdainfully.

A conspiracy?
Conspiracy!

Are Pakistani officials unaware of the actual situation?

knew.

But they couldn't refuse.

Even if you can assemble it yourself, it's still more reliable than buying everything.

Being able to produce some spare parts gives them stronger logistical support capabilities; at least, they can directly replace spare parts when maintenance personnel are unable to repair them.

"So, you planned this all along?"

Liu Debao's expression was complicated.

No wonder Principal Li values ​​Xie Wei so much; even though they are at the top of the school, they don't consider things as comprehensively as Xie Wei.

"It's not really a matter of planning. As long as you understand what the Pakistani military is thinking, it's easy to reach a cooperation agreement."

Xie Wei explained.

With Xie Wei's explanation, the two men's initial worries were greatly reduced, but not completely eliminated: they still didn't know if their superiors would agree.

Xie Wei, however, showed no such concern whatsoever.

The military would certainly not have agreed if everything hadn't been prioritized over economic infrastructure development.

With military spending constantly being cut, many advanced weapons and equipment projects have had to be cancelled after losing research and development funding. It is actually a good thing that foreign clients can invest in the research and development of technology projects.

Soon, the car arrived at the hotel where the Pakistanis were staying.

Xie Wei had heard of the Northern Building many times since arriving at school, but this was his first time visiting it, let alone eating there.

"If Xie Rou came, she would be very happy."

Looking at the lavish banquet, Xie Wei sighed with emotion.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Mingqiu, who was standing next to him, raised an eyebrow and warned Xie Wei, "You wouldn't be thinking of selling that thing too, would you?"

"It was originally developed for export!"

Xie Wei raised an eyebrow, somewhat dissatisfied with Zhang Mingqiu. "Principal Zhang, even if we develop it, the military doesn't have a clear intention to equip it. It's specifically targeted at the export market, but they won't let us sell this or export that. And the university can't get funding. How can we develop it?"

Zhang Mingqiu's attitude certainly displeased Xie Wei.

This guy is way too conservative!

If everything is restricted from export, and there are no government grants, no orders from the military, and schools can't raise funds for projects on their own, then what's the point of development?

Compared to Principal Li, who doesn't follow the rules, Principal Zhang Mingqiu is really unqualified.

"Principal Zhang, let's discuss this later. The school needs to develop!"

Liu Debao sensed Xie Wei's dissatisfaction and quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Besides, the ministry has also put Xie Wei in charge of this matter; we just need to cooperate."

The ministry put you in charge?
Xie Wei was surprised.

I haven't had much contact with the leaders in the department.

Zhang Mingqiu realized this wasn't the place to discuss this topic, gave an awkward laugh, and then said nothing more.

That evening, the two sides negotiated the details of the cooperation. The Pakistani side needed to obtain a complete cooperation plan before submitting it to the senior military leadership for discussion; they did not have the authority to make the decision.

"Regarding your proposal to send students to our school to study in relevant majors, I think we can start by cooperating on projects, which would be beneficial for both sides..."

Pakistan's desire to send a large number of students to China is a good thing in principle.

However, after they raised the issue, Xie Wei was the first to voice his objection.

"Thanks, what's the difference?"

Imohan Farouk now takes this young man very seriously.

It seems that Xie Wei maintained control of the entire negotiation process, as no one from the other side made a statement.

"Before this, our school had no experience in training foreign students, nor did it have any corresponding management systems... Sending technical personnel to trainees through cooperative projects is a good thing for both sides..."

Xie Wei calmly stated his reasons.

In theory, the more students the other party sends, the better it is for the school's development.

The problem is that the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs do not have corresponding policies.

In addition, in order to expand its international influence, China has historically recruited many international students without paying attention to their academic background and even provided them with high subsidies.

Apart from a few military academies, there are currently almost no students from around the world sending students to China.

The educational cooperation between Harbin Institute of Technology and Pakistan is likely to become a pilot project for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to formulate relevant policies in the future, which Xie Wei cannot ignore.

For those who are capable, providing scholarships is naturally not a problem.

And the level of education in Pakistan...

"Furthermore, our school is currently facing a shortage of teaching space, laboratories, and even dormitories. If you send a large number of international students from the outset, it will significantly impact the training outcomes..."

That's Xie Wei's attitude, anyway.

It's impossible for the school to voluntarily spend its own money to train talent for foreign countries.

Influence or not, that's not within Xie Wei's consideration.

Pakistan is not too insistent on this matter. In their view, even if Harbin Institute of Technology does not agree to accept Pakistani students on a large scale, other Chinese universities would be happy to do so.

There are plenty of universities in China.

There's not much need to waste too much energy on this.

"Gentlemen, this is just the beginning of our cooperation. Once successful, we can not only help your country train personnel in tank design and manufacturing, and help you establish a modern tank industry, but we can also use this cooperation as a foundation to provide experience for more comprehensive cooperation in the future..."

"A more comprehensive cooperation?"

Murita looked at Shevchenko, "You mean?"

The projects and technologies that Harbin Institute of Technology was showcasing were already a revelation to them. Could it be that the school was not fully open to them?
"More advanced fighter jets, long-range rocket artillery, and even missiles..."

Xie Wei's words were like a thunderbolt from the blue!
In an instant, it stirred up a monstrous wave in the other person's already turbulent mind.

Upon hearing Xie Wei's words, Zhang Mingqiu and the others were already numb.

Since Xie Wei has been put in charge of negotiating cooperation with Pakistan, they should just obediently play the supporting role to avoid growing the rift between them and Xie Wei, which would ultimately be detrimental to the school's development.

"You have a fighter jet project?"

"You have a missile program?"

Both Murita and Imohan stood up abruptly and asked at the same time.

"Yes! Whether or not we can cooperate depends on this collaboration..."

Xie Wei made no attempt to hide anything.

Although the JF-17 Thunder was a joint development, it was actually designed by the 611 Institute for Pakistan. Currently, half of the staff at the 611 Institute are working on third-generation fighter jet projects at universities, and Xie Wei naturally doesn't want to give up continuing to receive funding from Pakistan.

"Gentlemen, although both sides have clearly expressed their intention to cooperate on the tank project, regarding the cooperation on sniper grenade launchers and rocket launchers..."

Xie Wei kept giving Zhang Mingqiu and the others meaningful glances, but the two had absolutely no chemistry.

It was Xiao Zhengshan, the person in charge of the escort arranged by the military, who spoke up.

Everyone then realized that after talking for so long, they hadn't even discussed the most important points. "600 explosive fragmentation rocket launchers; 300 armor-piercing rocket launchers..."

Murita announced the amount they had agreed upon.

"Uh……"

The Chinese side was greatly surprised.

600 explosive weapons!

300 armored vehicles!

The total number adds up to less than a thousand.

Is this really a representative of Pakistan?

Compared to Thailand, they are much better, yet they are so stingy in purchasing heavy individual weapons that can significantly improve the combat effectiveness of infantry.

Look at Thailand, they placed an order for 5000 units right away.

The procurement amount quoted by the other party was indeed far different from what the Chinese personnel had expected. In their view, it couldn't possibly be less than what Thailand had ordered.

Pakistan not only has conflicts with its neighbor next door, but its northern neighbor is now occupied by the Soviet Union!

Given this situation, why are they only purchasing such a small amount?
The total amount is only $84.

It's thanks to so many people accompanying them, and even opening up the school's most confidential projects to them...

Zhang Mingqiu frowned, looked at the Pakistani man, and then at Xie Wei. Xie Wei seemed completely unaffected, not at all upset about the small order.

Just as he was about to speak, he saw Liu Debao looking at him.

Liu Debao's eyes also showed worry: Even rocket launchers, which can greatly enhance the anti-armor and assault capabilities of infantry, have only received such a small order. Xie Wei has proposed an $8000 million tank cooperation project. Can it work?

"Where's the sniper grenade?"

Xie Wei didn't say anything because the other party's order was small, but instead asked about the quantity of sniper grenades.

"200."

Murita seemed oblivious to the displeasure on the faces of the Chinese personnel.

The purchase quantity was determined before we arrived at Harbin Institute of Technology.

It's not that they don't want to buy more; this trip was specifically to help the guerrillas with their procurement, funded by the CIA.

The Pakistani military didn't even know this thing existed, and they didn't have any temporary decision-making power. They could only let the military leadership see its power after the rocket launchers and sniper grenades they purchased were transported back, and then discuss it further.

"No problem. If there are no objections to the price, we can sign the contract."

Xie Wei said calmly.

Pakistan naturally had no objections.

The price was already low, and they had even decided to offer it to the CIA at a 50% markup.

This means that the Pakistani military can obtain 200 high-explosive fragmentation rocket launchers and 100 armor-piercing rocket launchers without paying a single penny. The quantity is not large, but it is enough for the training of seed troops.

Furthermore, Murita and his team did not intend to provide the rocket launchers and sniper grenades they earned to the troops, but instead planned to seek out customers with purchasing power to test them.

They saw the power.

As long as customers place orders, they can take the opportunity to equip the Pakistani army without spending a penny.

Both parties decided to sign the contract the following day.

Back at school, before Xie Wei could return to his office in the Civil Engineering Building, Zhang Mingqiu and Liu Debao stopped him and asked him to come with them to the principal's office.

Xie Wei was unwilling.

Knowing what the two were thinking, I couldn't be bothered to explain. I couldn't very well tell them that the Pakistanis were here to help the CIA procure individual weapons for guerrillas, could I?

Can I talk about this?

"Don't worry about the cooperation on the tank project. After they go back and report, there will be a result in no more than a month. Then the school will have the money."

Xie Wei said this to the two of them and then turned to get into the car.

"Xie Wei, don't panic!"

Liu Debao stopped him, "If things take a turn for the worse, wouldn't all the school's preparations have been for nothing?"

"How could it be done for nothing?"

Xie Wei was puzzled.

It's so late at night, and those two old guys aren't sleeping. Don't you want to sleep too?

What's the point of worrying about this?

"They're sending people here. Didn't we agree that their first batch of international students would come before the new semester starts, and they'd be with our new students?"

Zhang Mingqiu reminded Xie Wei.

As agreed by both parties, the Pakistani personnel will arrive together with the new students when they register for school in September. They will not only study courses with the new students, but also participate in the tank project.

They're being so stingy even when buying a rocket launcher!

What if the cooperation falls through and the other party keeps sending people over? How will the school handle that?

"Even if we don't cooperate, it's fine! The tank project costs $8000 million, not including the cost of training personnel. Didn't I bring that up back then, and they agreed? Each international student has $3000 in tuition and living expenses per year! That also generates revenue for the school."

Xie Wei reminded the two of this.

What were they doing while we were talking?

Pakistan did not object to these contents.

As agreed by both parties, Pakistan will send no more than 80 students in the first year, mainly majoring in materials science, vehicle engineering, and a few other tank-related fields.

For each international student, Pakistan needs to pay a fee of $3000.

With 80 people, the annual cost is only $24.

For the Pakistani military, it was just a small amount of money, and they didn't feel any pain paying it off. Moreover, Xie Wei assured them that the school would not discriminate and would treat all students equally.

The reason for this requirement is to establish a rule from the beginning that schools will not provide scholarships to international students unless they have excellent grades.

A school's influence is not improved by spending money to attract mediocre international students.

Xie Wei can't control what happens at other schools, but he can influence Harbin Institute of Technology now.

"If our school could have 1000 international students, just the tuition alone would be $300 million a year. Even after deducting all costs, we could still make at least $200 million, right?"

After saying that, Xie Wei ignored their reactions and got into the car.

She called to the driver and asked him to take her to the Civil Engineering Building.

"This boy!"

Watching Xie Wei leave without looking back, Zhang Mingqiu complained.

"Sigh, we're getting old after all, and we can't keep up with the way young people think..."

Liu Debao sighed. Xie Wei was somewhat dissatisfied with their attitudes. They could tell that continuing like this wouldn't be a good thing.

Turning to Zhang Mingqiu, whose expression was equally complicated, he said, "Old Zhang, I think that in the future, even if we don't understand these things, we shouldn't raise any objections... Relying on ourselves, it's difficult to achieve anything, and it won't do any good for the school's development."

"But……"

Zhang Mingqiu hurriedly wanted to refute, but the words were on the tip of his tongue, and he didn't know how to start.

(End of this chapter)