78: Bringing his wife and children to Harbin Institute of Technology

The motor factory's assessment was even better than Yeh Ping-wen had anticipated. Li Kuo-liang wrote a note on the document: "The technical solution is feasible; it is recommended to expedite the prototype production." He added, "If conditions permit, an application can be made for project support from the Provincial Department of Science and Technology."

Ye Bingwen put the documents away and planned to go to Zhang Guangyuan's place first. The proposal from Institute 601 had been sent out several days ago, but there had been no response.

Zhang Guangyuan was grading papers in his office when he saw Ye Bingwen come in and took off his glasses.

"Perfect timing." He took an envelope from the drawer, with the words "Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute" printed in red on it.

Ye Bingwen's heart skipped a beat. "A reply from Institute 601?"

"Invitation letter." Zhang Guangyuan pushed the envelope over.

Ye Bingwen opened the letter, which contained an official seal. It read: "Our institute has received Comrade Ye Bingwen's technical proposal for the optimization of the aerodynamic layout of a certain type of aircraft. After preliminary review by our expert group, it is deemed to have significant reference value. We hereby invite Comrade Ye Bingwen to our institute for technical exchange."

"Professor Zhang, they didn't say whether the plan is usable?"

"He didn't say." Zhang Guangyuan leaned back in his chair. "But the phrase 'important reference value' is already a very high evaluation in the 601 Institute's evaluation system. After reviewing your proposal, the chief engineer sat in his office for an entire afternoon without saying a word."

Ye Bingwen was taken aback.

"Because your solution is better than anything his subordinates have done." Zhang Guangyuan looked at him. "You, a freshman, solved a problem that Institute 601 couldn't solve in two years. If this news gets out, the entire aviation industry system will know about you."

Ye Bingwen fell silent. He knew, of course, what this meant; opportunity and trouble were inextricably linked.

"When should I go?"

"No rush, take care of what you're doing first," Zhang Guangyuan waved his hand.

At 2 p.m., Ye Bingwen appeared on time in the conference room of Harbin Electric Machinery Factory.

Li Guoliang was already waiting, with technician Sun Jianguo and a master craftsman in his forties sitting beside him. Li Guoliang introduced, "This is Master Wang, he's been winding motors for twenty years, and he's the most skilled."

Master Wang glanced at Ye Bingwen but didn't say anything.

Ye Bingwen took out the complete blueprints for the brushless motor from his bag and spread them on the table. Li Guoliang bent down and looked at them page by page, very slowly. Master Wang leaned over, his brows furrowing.

"I've never seen this winding method before."

"The fractional-slot concentrated winding uses less copper wire and is more efficient than the traditional method," Ye Bingwen explained. "The process is a bit more complex, but with your experience, it shouldn't be a problem."

Master Wang snorted and looked down a few more times.

After reviewing the blueprints, Li Guoliang looked up. "The technology is fine. But there's one issue: there's no patent law in the country right now. How can you protect your rights with this technology? Someone in the factory has offered a one-time buyout for two thousand yuan."

Two thousand dollars was a huge sum of money at the time. Ye Bingwen remained silent.

"But I don't think it's appropriate," Li Guoliang said. "Your technology is worth far more than two thousand yuan. You'll be doing research in the future, and if the technology is bought out, you won't be able to use it even if you want to.

Ye Bingwen felt a greater sense of respect for Li Guoliang.

"Chief Engineer Li, do you have any suggestions?"

"Technology as equity. You provide the technology, the factory provides the equipment and production line, and the profits are split proportionally. I've spoken with the factory manager, and he agrees in principle."

Ye Bingwen thought for a moment. "Ten percent."

"Too high."

"Eight percent."

"Five percent." Li Guoliang held out one hand. "That's the maximum I can negotiate. And it's only for this model. If you release an upgraded model later, we'll renegotiate."

Ye Bingwen looked into his eyes and remained silent for a few seconds. "Deal."

Li Guoliang smiled and extended his hand. "It's a pleasure working with you."

Finally, Mr. Wang spoke up. "Young man, can your motor really save half the electricity compared to the current one?"

"Efficiency will increase by 30% to 40%."

Master Wang snorted, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Alright, I'll trust you this once. I'll take the cable winding job."

It was getting dark when Ye Bingwen left the motor factory. Standing at the factory gate, about to flag down a bus, he heard footsteps behind him. Sun Jianguo chased after him, holding a paper package.

"Chief Engineer Li asked me to give this to you."

Ye Bingwen opened it and saw five hundred yuan.

"Advance payment. The contract hasn't been signed yet, but Chief Engineer Li said we can't let you make this trip for nothing."

Ye Bingwen carefully put the money away. "Please tell Chief Engineer Li how much I'm thanking you."

Clutching the money in my pocket, I stood by the roadside. The wind was strong, but my heart was warm.

Back home, Zheng Shuyun was putting An'an to sleep. The little girl saw Ye Bingwen and immediately sat up, stretching out her chubby little hands. "Daddy, hug me!"

Ye Bingwen picked her up, and An'an wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her little face against his shoulder. She quickly quieted down. Zheng Shuyun chuckled softly beside them.

"How was your day?" Zheng Shuyun leaned closer.

"The deal with the motor factory is done. Technology as equity, 5% profit sharing." Ye Bingwen took out a wad of cash from his pocket. "Advance payment, five hundred yuan."

Zheng Shuyun's eyes widened as she took the money, her fingers trembling slightly. She counted it over and over again, her eyes reddening when she looked up. "Bingwen, we have money now."

When they left the countryside, they had less than fifty yuan in total. Renting a place, buying daily necessities, and paying for their child's medical treatment—every penny had to be carefully budgeted. Now things are better; at least they don't have to worry about milk powder anymore.

"Things will get better in the future," Ye Bingwen said, holding her hand.

An'an rolled over in bed, her little hand reaching out as if to grab something. Ye Bingwen went over and tucked her hand back under the covers, and An'an smiled in her sleep.

The next morning, Ye Bingwen was stopped by Chen Zhiyuan as soon as he arrived at school.

"Bingwen, have you heard? The whole school knows about Zhou Mingyuan's disciplinary action! Physics students are all talking about it, saying it's so shameful for their department head to do something like that. Some are even saying you're the first student in Harbin Institute of Technology's history to bring down a department head—you're a celebrity now!"

Ye Bingwen pushed open the laboratory door. "What's the use of being a celebrity? Can you eat it?"

Chen Zhiyuan scratched his head and followed in to help disassemble the rotor windings.

While he was working, the laboratory door was pushed open. Zhang Guangyuan stood in the doorway, his expression not good.

"Ye Bingwen, come with me for a moment."

There was no one in the corridor. Zhang Guangyuan stopped, turned around, and looked at him.

"Zhou Mingyuan appealed to the Provincial Department of Education, saying that Principal Liu's disciplinary decision was unfair and demanding its revocation."

Ye Bingwen's heart sank.

"And he also said something else." Zhang Guangyuan stared at him. "He said that Ye Bingwen's background was 'complex,' and suggested that the school re-examine your admission qualifications."

Ye Bingwen's fingers slowly clenched.

Zhou Mingyuan, you really won't give up until you're completely cornered.