In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 420: What's it like to have a school project that's even more advanced than the 863 Program?
"Oh?"

After listening to Ge Jianjun's report, Xie Wei raised an eyebrow. "Is he trying to take our bowl and smash the pot?"

Xie Wei had no particular impression of Wu Lijun, neither good nor bad, even though Poly had indeed taken a lot of profits from the school. Li Rui had talked to him about this before—many projects in the military were not going to survive!

"Secretary Liu directly stated that if we don't purchase equipment from our affiliated company partners, we will not cooperate."

"Nothing wrong!"

Xie Wei's expression remained completely unchanged upon hearing this.

Isn't this normal?
He didn't expect that Wu Lijun, whom Li Rui had arranged, didn't even understand this basic principle. What was the point of cooperating with him then?

Back then, each of the Ministry of Machinery Industry established import and export companies. Poly was part of the military logistics. If it weren't for the enormous business of the Dongfeng-3 missile, Xie Wei certainly wouldn't have agreed to reduce the business to other import and export companies.

The Precision Machinery Import and Export Company was originally a subordinate unit of the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building, and it was part of the same system as Harbin Institute of Technology.

"Don't worry, let them come to me if they need anything. We will definitely prioritize giving business to our partners; if they don't develop, our supporting infrastructure will still be inadequate."

Xie Wei knew why Ge Jianjun had come to see him.

He wouldn't dare to slam his fist on the table or even resort to violence in front of big shots like Li Rui, as Xie Wei did.

"By the way, Director Ge, what are your thoughts on the school's logistics work?"

"what?"

The unexpected problem caught Ge Jianjun off guard.

"Vice Principal Tan's job will be adjusted. Your achievements in the school-enterprise cooperation office over the years are well known not only to the school but also to the higher-ups..."

Seeing Ge Jianjun's shocked expression, clearly not having reacted yet, Xie Wei began to explain.

Tan Heping will be transferred, and only a very few people know this at present.

Although Xie Wei was only the deputy director of the school-enterprise office and the director of the industry-university-research office, he was able to find himself a suitable and good leader.

Ge Jianjun doesn't have a strong background, but he is capable and has his own opinions. However, he won't blindly oppose Xie Wei's various arrangements.

Luo Yang has been transferred back to familiarize himself with the school before taking over as principal after Zhang Mingqiu retires; Ge Jianjun is Xie Wei's preferred candidate to succeed Luo Yang as principal. At that time, Xie Wei will be able to take the position.

"Old Ge, what's wrong with you? Why are you so distracted? Did your school-enterprise cooperation office also uncover a major spy?"

When Ge Jianjun returned home in the afternoon, his mind was still somewhat hazy.

Xie Wei's words were like a dream to him.

"Old woman, pinch me, let me see if I'm dreaming. I've pinched myself so many times, it still doesn't feel real..."

Ge Jianjun said to his wife.

"I don't have a fever!"

The old lady stepped forward, touched Ge Jianjun's forehead with the back of her hand, and said in surprise.

Pinch me!

"Ouch! Don't hit me so hard!"

The old lady pinched Ge Jianjun's arm hard, making him jump up in pain.

What good thing has made you lose your bearings?

Ge Jianjun shook his head, "It's still far from certain."

Xie Wei is only the deputy director of the school-enterprise cooperation office. It's hard to believe that he could be appointed as the vice principal of the school.

Moreover, Ge Jianjun is currently only the director of the school-enterprise office, a division-level position, and the vice principal of the school, which is several levels higher!

Ge Jianjun, who had partnered with Xie Wei for many years, knew Xie Wei's influence better than anyone. Since Xie Wei had approached him about this matter, there was naturally no problem.

Otherwise, Ge Jianjun wouldn't have been so agitated.

"You're really something. You're probably possessed!"

The old lady didn't pay any attention and went into the kitchen to cook.

Ge Jianjun didn't explain, and he still hasn't fully recovered from the shock; the happiness came too suddenly.

On his way back from Harbin Institute of Technology, Wu Lijun became increasingly troubled. Poly was an import and export unit under the military, and many units in the military logistics department needed technological upgrades. According to Liu Debao and others' requirements, didn't this mean that key units associated with Poly would be unable to obtain the opportunity for technological upgrades from this massive export order?

After returning, he did not go directly to his workplace, but instead went to find Long Yaohua.

Just then, Li Rui was discussing something with Long Yaohua.

"Didn't you go to Harbin Institute of Technology to discuss the subsequent order delivery and other matters?"

Li Rui asked Wu Lijun.

"Leader Long, Director Li, Harbin Institute of Technology has gone too far..."

He immediately explained the school's requirements, "Since they let Poly participate to give more companies the opportunity to improve their production technology and capabilities, now they're requiring it to be a related entity that has business dealings with them... It's really..."

"okay!"

Li Rui interrupted Wu Lijun.

During Wu Lijun's narration, Long Yaohua glanced at Li Rui several times.

"Director Li, what about Harbin Institute of Technology..."

“Vice President Wu, this business was negotiated by Xie Wei and is the result of many years of work by Harbin Institute of Technology! Before this, was there any investment needed for sample production and parts production? Just because you took over, has the other party's supporting infrastructure been affected?”

Li Rui asked Wu Lijun with a dark expression.

"I……"

Wu Lijun immediately prepared to defend himself.

A sense of unease began to creep in: Director Li, who had always addressed me as "comrade," was now using my official title.

Could it be that my own thinking is flawed?

"Just do it the way the school wants. If you can't do it well, or if you find it unacceptable, then find someone else to handle it!"

"what?"

Wu Lijun was dumbfounded; he never expected Li Rui to have this attitude.

She cast a pleading look at Long Yaohua, but Long Yaohua just looked at her without saying a word.

"But the units we are affiliated with..."

"They gave us a 12% agency fee. What do you think they're doing with such a high fee? Our aerospace division has two foreign trade companies: Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation and CATIC Import & Export Corporation. Even if Precision Machinery Import & Export Corporation handles the military's business, their profits aren't as high as yours. As the person in charge, don't you ever think about why?"

Li Rui's words struck Wu Lijun's heart like a heavy hammer blow.

He really hadn't thought about it.

From its inception, the company quickly obtained start-up capital by selling Harbin Aircraft Industry Group Co., Ltd. (HAIG) Hongguang, a subsidiary of Factory 122. Subsequently, it earned tens of millions of US dollars in foreign exchange annually through the export business of HAIG Hongguang, with substantial profits. Wu Lijun never paid attention to the attitude of Harbin Institute of Technology.

Anyway, Li Rui is there to handle it.

"Comrade Lijun, in order to accumulate start-up capital for Poly's development, Director Li practically stole profits from Harbin Institute of Technology. He was punched by Xie Wei in front of the Seventh Machinery Department because of this... This time it's different. Many of Harbin Institute of Technology's projects are constrained by supporting facilities and basic technologies..."

Long Yaohua spoke.

His use of the term "comrade" made Wu Lijun feel that there was still hope for him. But listening to the rest of the story, it became clear that Long Yaohua was also on the side of Harbin Institute of Technology.

He really wanted to remind Long Yaohua: You are a leader in the military! Harbin Institute of Technology is not part of the military, but belongs to the aerospace system.

"This business with Poly was also obtained by Director Li through Xie Wei... Xie Wei not only didn't object, but also proactively increased the agency fee to 12%, precisely to leverage multiple entities to provide business to different entities, thereby promoting the technological upgrading of supporting units..."

Long Yaohua was well aware of Wu Lijun's capabilities.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have explained it that way.

"Good steel needs to be used on the blade. Harbin Institute of Technology needs too much support."

Long Yaohua reminded Wu Lijun.

"..."

Wu Lijun fell silent.

He wanted to argue that Poly Group should be more concerned with upgrading the subordinate units of the military logistics system.

"If you can't figure it out, go back and think about it again. You need to get the work done first. The money has arrived, and we must deliver on time. If you can't do it, then find someone else!"

Li Rui spoke calmly, partly to prevent Wu Lijun from causing any more trouble.

Xie Wei's lack of outward expression doesn't mean he has no objections. If he misunderstands Wu Lijun's idea as his own, then even the original friendship might be completely exhausted.

Not long after Wu Lijun left, Liu Debao came to find the two of them.

"Just do it your way. If Wu Lijun can't accept it, then change the person in charge. There can't be any problems with transactions with big clients."

Before Liu Debao could speak, Li Rui spoke up.
"Boss, that's not why I came here."

Liu Debao shook his head.

They didn't take Wu Lijun's attitude seriously at all.

"Oh?"

Long Yaohua also became curious.

Xie Wei wanted to transfer Luo Cheng, the factory director of Rongcheng Switch Factory, back to the School-Enterprise Cooperation Office as director, and to transfer Tan Heping out of the school, with Luo Yangxian serving as vice principal...

Upon hearing this, Long Yaohua immediately understood that Liu Debao had come to seek their support.

Where is Ge Jianjun?

Li Rui was not surprised at all.

"The Office of Industry-University-Research Cooperation will be merged and upgraded to the provincial level. Then, the director of the Office of Industry-University-Research Cooperation will be transferred to the position of vice president in charge of logistics. At that time, Luo Cheng will be in charge of the Office of Industry-University-Research Cooperation."

Where is Xie Wei?

Li Rui was somewhat puzzled.

This kind of operation can only be said to be unlikely to be opposed by superiors in principle. Upgrading the school-enterprise office is also appropriate. The development achievements in recent years are obvious to all. The annual output value of the entire school-enterprise office and its subordinate units exceeds 50 billion yuan.

If Xie Wei hadn't suppressed it, the output value would have been even higher.

"He is still serving as the deputy director."

"That might not be appropriate."

After listening, Long Yaohua shook his head, unable to understand what Xie Wei was up to.

"The ministry also thinks it's inappropriate, but Xie Wei insists, so I'm here to ask for help..."

Liu Debao explained his purpose: he hoped Long Yaohua and Li Rui could support the school's adjustments in this regard. Although Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) is not under the military's jurisdiction and even the Ministry of Education does not have direct control over it, many of HIT's majors are either unique to the military or involve cutting-edge military technologies that require secrecy. This has led to the military being, in some respects, directly managed by the university.

Liu Debao and Zhang Mingqiu are both not far from retirement. They have served as school party secretary and principal for a long enough time. Even if they are rehired after retirement, they will still need to leave their current positions.

Xie Wei is too young; it wouldn't be a good thing to promote him to the position of school leader.

He himself was aware of this, which is why he refused to directly serve as the director of the School-Enterprise Cooperation Office, and instead promoted himself as the deputy director by promoting the administrative level of the School-Enterprise Cooperation Office.

"So, Xie Wei wanted Luo Cheng to be in front and draw attention?"

Li Rui somewhat understood Xie Wei's thoughts.

"That's one way too. As long as it doesn't affect the development of the school or the school-enterprise cooperation office, there's no problem."

Long Yao spoke.

He then asked Liu Debao, "The school has made a profit of $23 billion from this order. Is Xie Wei really planning to invest all of this huge sum in infrastructure construction?"

"Hmm."

Liu Debao nodded, then looked resentful. "The school's computer and integrated circuit design work has always been at the forefront, but the process technology required for integrated circuits has been unable to be completed because the silicon wafer purification process and lithography process cannot meet the design requirements. The school is using the Galaxy-1 satellite to assist in the design, and Yu Guofeng's team completed the HZ-256 chip, which contains 256 million transistors, two years ago. Currently, the most advanced 1-micron lithography machine produces chips that have been problematic. According to the R&D team's analysis, at least an 800-nanometer process lithography machine is needed... The lithography machine is now stuck on the light source and control..."

Most of the school's advanced projects are interconnected.

This means that if one project fails to make a breakthrough, it will affect the progress of other projects.

"The instability of Galaxy-2 at the National University of Defense Technology is also affected by the instability in the production of HZ-125 chips, right?"

Long Yaohua suddenly asked.

"Correct."

Liu Debao nodded. "Xie Wei said that we must solve various basic supporting problems, from materials to manufacturing processes, otherwise we will be eliminated. To date, 14 billion yuan has been invested in chip-related projects, and Huafeng's factory has suffered losses of over 1.73 million yuan so far..."

As he spoke, he kept glancing at Li Rui.

His eyes were filled with accusation against Li Rui for his despicable behavior of disregarding the school's development, not only stuffing projects into the school but also embezzling money from it.

This left Li Rui extremely embarrassed, wishing he could disappear into the ground.

"This wasn't my fault!"

Li Rui said irritably.

"Director Li, I didn't say it was your fault. Right now, low-end chips from abroad are flooding the market with low prices. Our silicon wafers and manufacturing processes can't compare with those of foreign countries. And Polytech's import business includes chips, right?"

Li Rui fell silent.

This isn't something he can decide on his own; he wants to explain, but he doesn't know how.

Domestically produced chips of the same type have performance that is about 20% lower than foreign ones, but are 20% more expensive. Factories also need profits, so they cannot use chips with lower performance and higher cost in order to support domestic products.

"Alright, nowadays, apart from military products, civilian products are mainly market-driven, and profits need to be considered."

Long Yaohua did not expect Liu Debao to bring this up at this time. “To develop supporting facilities, it is definitely not enough to rely on the school to organize them alone. And some of your projects are too advanced and are not within the scope of the 863 Program. So, I will discuss this with the relevant leaders and then report to them to see how to coordinate.”

Upon hearing Long Yaohua's words, Liu Debao immediately became happy.

That's why he came.

The state has launched a high-tech research and development program, mainly for the development of cutting-edge technologies. However, many of the high-tech technologies developed by the school, such as drones, pure electric power systems, and artificial intelligence, are considered too advanced for this era or even just beginning basic research.

Since the 863 Program is a national project, those that pass it can receive national funding and policy support; however, many of Harbin Institute of Technology's projects are independent projects, and the school doesn't care about the limited national funding. This is where the problem arises—the Ministry of Science and Technology, the General Armament Department, and the 863 Program Joint Office, which are responsible for implementing the 863 Program projects, cannot manage some of the school's projects!
Naturally, it's also impossible to help support all the supporting industries through the 863 Program Joint Office.

Xie Wei needs a higher-level organization to organize the relevant school-related projects.

It has higher requirements than the 863 Program projects, but it lacks national policy and funding support!

(End of this chapter)