Return to Hong Kong Island for a Century

Chapter 439 Untitled
"One million!!!" Ma Shengli had some understanding of chips, and he was also shocked by this number.

"Ok!"

"There might be more to come." Li Song knew that the sales of game consoles and arcade machines were terrifying.

In addition, this type of chip is widely used in various fields such as automation control and numerical control systems.

So 100 million per year is a conservative estimate, and it could very well be more.

Ma Shengli nodded and made a note of it.

"We have already reported what Mr. Ma mentioned this morning, and it will be ready soon."

"I wonder if Mr. Li has any other requests?" Ma Shengli asked again.

"I will let you know if there are any other requirements." Li Song nodded.

"Mr. Ma, these are the approval documents for the nature reserve and the zoo, issued by the higher authorities!"

"The Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, the Baiji Dolphin Reserve, the Panda Reserve, and the establishment of a botanical and zoological garden in Yangcheng."

"In addition, we will establish a botanical and zoological garden in Xishuangbanna!" Ma Shengli then produced another thick document.

Li Song opened the documents and found that the nature reserve was approved under the guise of scientific research.

That's not wrong either. Take the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, for example. It mainly focuses on scientific research and animal rescue, as well as combating poaching.

Other nature reserves also bear this responsibility, as poaching is rampant in various areas at this time.

Even decades later, poaching and theft of protected animals remain a serious problem.

Because many nature reserves are uninhabited primeval forests.

Places like western Sichuan, the Qinling Mountains, and Shennongjia are all primeval forests.

Moreover, the natural environment gets better the further you go.

At this time of year, in most rural areas, there are hardly any large trees on the mountains; they are mostly small trees.

The grass in the woods had been cleared away, and the fallen leaves had long since been gathered up.

During the collective farming era, people would shovel down the humus from the mountains and collect fresh leaves to compost in the fields.

As for the dried leaves, they were gathered up and used as firewood.

Therefore, in most rural areas in the 80s, the mountains were barren, and there was almost no opportunity to hunt.

Moreover, in rural areas during the 80s, not to mention rifles, the number of handguns was simply incalculable.

On the contrary, decades later, with most people going out to work and the application of electricity and gas, the forests have recovered to an unprecedented state.

Why do I say this? Because throughout history, farmers have burned timber for generations.

Take Kyoto for example. A large area around Kyoto used to be barren, with very little grass, let alone shrubs.

Therefore, at this time, preventing poaching is of paramount importance in nature reserves.

"Thank you!"

"I'll have someone transfer the money to the relevant account later."

"My idea is to employ most of the local people in the reserve, except for technicians and financial staff."

"Of course, we also need some people with strong military skills to prevent poaching!"

"A special team has been set up in the nature reserve to prevent poaching."

"In addition, I hope to upgrade the level of the nature reserve."

"To avoid poaching affecting local interests," Li Song said after thinking for a moment.

If poaching is rampant in a region, it is almost certainly related to certain local bullies.

There's no need to even think about it.

Just like how organized crime runs rampant in some places, there's definitely a roof over one's head.

Ma Shengli nodded when he heard Li Song say that.

"Ideally, we should train a group of helicopter pilots, as well as pilots for the Panda aircraft."

"I will personally donate a batch of helicopters to the reserve for patrol, rescue, and anti-poaching purposes, and I will also donate a batch of panda-themed aircraft!" Li Song's words made his intentions quite clear.

Those are anti-poaching personnel in nature reserves, preferably military personnel.

In places like the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, if poachers are discovered and dare to resist, we should open fire immediately. Only in this way can we deter those poachers.

Li Song also had other methods, because the furs and falcons that these people poached would eventually end up in the hands of the wealthy.

Li Song was originally going to wield the environmental protection banner, so he would directly donate money to these environmental groups and let them deal with those people.

How powerful are environmental groups?

Just look at the situation in Europe decades from now: on the one hand, they dismantle all their own nuclear power plants, on the other hand, they buy oil and natural gas from Aramco at high prices, and of course, they also buy nuclear power from other countries.

Electricity is the foundation of industry. If even this cannot be guaranteed, how can we guarantee the development of industry?
Similarly, why didn't Aramco build more nuclear power facilities in the following decades?

Many people believe it was the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant accident, but the deeper reason is the electricity monopoly.

For these power companies, there is absolutely no need to build new power plants.

What should we do if there is a power shortage?
Power outages and price hikes all in one go!

Does building a new power plant require a large investment?

If power plants aren't built now, the greater the power shortage, the more severe the price increases will be.

In other words, Aramco's electricity was absolutely the most impressive in the world in 1981.

Of course, Aramco's success and failure both stemmed from its private ownership of electricity.

Private companies are accountable to their shareholders, not to the long-term future of the country.

Their decision-making logic is very simple: everything is for the sake of making the financial statements look good. Upgrading the old power grid is too costly and will affect profits, so they won't do it.

Investing in new energy storage technologies has too long a payback period and is too risky, so we won't do it.

To make their financial statements look good, Aramco's private power company management will not invest in new power plants or develop new technologies.

Since there's a power shortage anyway, just raise prices. As for whether it will solve the problem, who knows?

Of course, Li Song knew that there was another big shot behind these environmental groups.

That's Wall Street.

Because in Western finance and manufacturing, the two camps are locked in a love-hate relationship.

Later, Amerinsky's politics also split into two camps: one of traditional industry and commerce, and the other of emerging technology and finance.

Because Amy's opposition is very simple: it opposes for the sake of opposing. It opposes the opponents that it chooses, so both sides naturally side with the two major forces.

As for the Wall Street behind it, it is of course the well-known Douyu consortium.

In fact, Aramco's financial sector made a fortune in the decades that followed, partly due to the globalization of the US dollar.

Another example is the stock market. In 1981, the Nasdaq only had 875 points, but by 2025 it will have reached more than 23000 points.

"I will report this to my superiors." Ma Shengli nodded.

"In addition, I also plan to license the technology of BMW's 1.5L and 2.0L naturally aspirated sedans to domestic companies. Two or three companies will be enough, since sedans are expensive!" BMW sedans are very popular in London, but unfortunately, production capacity is insufficient.

Moreover, Li Song did this in order to deal with some potential threats.

Because negotiations between the West and the East will inevitably open up some markets.

Although BMW cars are already available in China.

However, this does not prevent others from achieving results, so they may introduce car manufacturing technologies from other car companies.

These are the results from various regions, as well as the results from some large automakers.

Moreover, the domestic demand for cars is also very large. If the licensing is not relaxed at this time, other international car companies may take advantage of the situation.

The other party provides both technology and capital, so neither local governments nor businesses would refuse.

"Of course, joint ventures can also be established."

"We'll invest everything in foreign exchange!" Li Song wanted to thwart certain ideas of foreign car companies at this point.

Li Song authorized 2-3 BMW car dealerships, including the companies and locations of these dealerships.

At that time, they will be on the same side as Li Song, and it is easy to imagine how difficult it will be for other car companies to enter the competition.

“Okay!” Ma Shengli didn’t think too much about it, because BMW cars were in short supply in China at the moment.

BMW cars are now mainly supplied to government agencies.

How should I put it?
Everyone cares about their image, and sometimes when interacting with foreign guests, it's also important to maintain appearances.

While Li Song was talking to Ma Shengli, the higher-ups were also discussing some matters related to negotiations with Ami.

Meanwhile, the trade and economic team dispatched by Aramco was also discussing the content of the negotiations.

Of course, this trade and economic team also had another task: to try every means to find out the bottom line of the East.

This bottom line includes both political and technological boundaries.

How dare they offer such terms?

"They also want to buy our most advanced aircraft carrier!"

"We also want to buy our most advanced destroyers and frigates, submarines, transport planes, and bombers." The Aramco trade delegation was staying at the Aramco consulate in the East.

Because trade delegations need to maintain frequent contact with domestic authorities.

The members of the trade delegation are waiting here, waiting for the top leaders in the country to come to work and report on their work.

"that is!"

"Many of these things are not even equipped by our allies, so how could we possibly give them to them?"

"Don't underestimate the wisdom of Easterners. The conditions they propose now may seem outrageous, but they won't seem outrageous in the end."

"I've received information that the East is also developing its own aircraft safety standards, which are said to be copied from our domestic safety standards," someone said.

"China Eastern has made significant moves in the civil aviation sector in the past two years, establishing several new airlines."

"This is quite normal. On the one hand, they need to carry out reforms, and on the other hand, they are capable of manufacturing commercial airliners themselves."

"The main thing now is to sell our planes to their country before their own aircraft production capacity comes online."

"This way, we can gain a foothold in the market in the early stages!"

"The operation of civil aviation passenger aircraft is a chain-like operation, from pilot training to aircraft maintenance. Once they invest in it in the early stages, it is not easy to get rid of it later!"

Most members of the trade delegation were well aware that the reason this condition was raised in the first round of negotiations was mainly due to Boeing's extensive lobbying efforts behind the scenes.

After careful analysis, Boeing's senior management team concluded that the Chang'an 201 could not meet the market demand in the East in the short term.

This is the best opportunity. In addition, Boeing has already spent a lot of money on the new aviation safety management measures.

However, the current political situation makes it impossible to push forward with this aviation safety management regulation, so we have to change our approach.

In other words, many members of the trade delegation received money.

"Let's report first, and then we'll wait for the decision from the domestic authorities." The head of the trade delegation didn't say much, mainly because the conditions proposed by the East were too outrageous, and they couldn't negotiate any of their authorizations.

Finally, when it was time for the big boss inside the White House to start work, the trade delegation reported the results of the initial consultations.

Verbal reports are one aspect, but more written reports will be delivered to the White House as quickly as possible via international flights.

The actors and the think tank inside the White House listened to the trade delegation's report.

A decision was not made at the time; instead, the trade delegation was asked to wait for further information.

Even the actors in the White House have no say. The conditions proposed by Dongfang seem outrageous, but they involve big business deals.

How much is a fighter jet worth?

How much are frigates and destroyers worth?
How much is an aircraft carrier worth?

How much is a bomber worth?
After these items are sold, how much maintenance, upkeep, and training are involved?
Behind every actor is a capitalist.

Another point is to support the East to draw attention away from the enemy, which means giving the East some sensitive information.

This is the only way to draw fire from the East.

Such sensitive things—what should be given, and what shouldn't be given?

This requires a systematic assessment, as well as the power struggle among the capitalists behind it.

In other words, you should give things that are sensitive, but not too sensitive, nor too weak, otherwise they won't be effective.

"Gentlemen, the rest is up to you. I need a definite answer before I leave work." The actors in the White House then handed over the follow-up matters to the think tank, who would then communicate with the capitalists.

The think tank members went to contact the capitalists to see what their demands were.
The Eastern leaders had just discussed negotiations with the Angolan delegation when they obtained a conversation between Ma Shengli and Li Song.

"One million chips, it seems Li Song and his team have big ambitions." The leaders noticed Li Song's request first.

Originally, Li Song was the major shareholder of both the chip manufacturing plant and the wafer manufacturing plant.

Li Song did not communicate directly with the company's leadership, but instead had Ma Shengli report to them.

The main issue is in China, where the economy is still largely planned. Expanding chip production involves various planning processes.

Li Song wants the chip industry to continue to expand, and in the process of expansion, factories, equipment, personnel, and so on are needed.

It would be much easier for Li Song to get things done through Ma Shengli, going from top to bottom. If he brought it up himself at the factory, the factory would report it.

This one is different again.

"I don't think it's a big problem. Anyway, Li Song's family is very wealthy and powerful."

"What I'm looking forward to is what kind of finished equipment will be manufactured from these 100 million chips. Will it be 100 million computers?" The leaders are more interested in how much industrial chain these 100 million chips will drive.
(End of this chapter)