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

"Zhao Jianguo went to the motor factory?" Ye Bingwen stared at Zhou Mingyi.

"I stayed for more than two hours, met with the factory director, and also Director Wang from the factory office." Zhou Mingyi bent down to put the paper bag on the steps, then straightened up. "Zhao Jianguo doesn't like to leave loose ends. If he had his eye on your technology, he wouldn't have only approached you."

Ye Bingwen remained silent. Zhou Mingyuan pressured them from the school, while Zhao Jianguo approached them from the project. Now they went directly to the motor factory.

Zhou Mingyi turned and left. Ye Bingwen didn't take the paper bag; he turned and went upstairs.

Zheng Shuyun was carrying An'an, spinning her around the room. An'an was already sleepy. Seeing Ye Bingwen's expression, she asked softly, "What's wrong?"

"Zhao Jianguo also went to the motor factory today. He met with the factory director and Director Wang."

Zheng Shuyun put An'an in the crib and sat down beside him. "He wants to get your technology through the motor factory?"

"Possibly. The motor factory has the equipment, the workers, and the production lines. Once the technology is in their hands, mass production won't be a problem."

"What should we do then?"

"Let's see. Once the contract is signed, Chief Engineer Li is on my side."

The next morning, Ye Bingwen went to the motor factory.

Li Guoliang, carrying an enamel teacup, walked over from the other end of the corridor. Upon seeing him, he paused. "Student Ye? So early?"

"Did Zhao Jianguo come to the factory yesterday?"

Li Guoliang's expression changed slightly, and he pushed open the door to let him in.

"The factory manager said that we should put the technology-for-equity agreement on hold for now and not rush to sign it," Li Guoliang said in a low voice. "He also said that the ownership of this technology needs to be studied further."

Ye Bingwen's fingers slowly clenched. The contract was signed, the words were signed, the advance payment was received. Now they're saying to put it aside?

"The factory manager is the legal representative. If I sign something while he's not around, he can deny it when he comes back. This is a legal loophole," Li Guoliang sighed.

"Chief Engineer Li, whose side are you on?"

"I'm on the side of technology. Whoever is in charge of technology, I'll stand by them." Li Guoliang looked at him, "But you have to be prepared. I'll cover for you with the factory director, but Zhao Jianguo is a deputy director-general, and the factory director doesn't dare to offend him. You'll have to think of another way."

"What method?"

"Make your technology public. Publish your papers, apply for patents—no one can take them away. Have you submitted your papers?"

"Submitted to the Journal of Mechanical Engineering."

"Then let's urge them."

After leaving the motor factory, Ye Bingwen went straight to the post office and sent a telegram to the editorial department: "Paper number 78023, please tell me the progress of the review, urgent." It cost three yuan and eighty cents, which hurt his heart but he felt it was worth it.

He stood by the roadside, bought a roasted sweet potato, and held it in his hands to warm his fingertips. The sweet potato was sweet, but he couldn't taste the flavor.

As I approached the school gate, a black sedan was parked on the side of the road. The door opened, and a tall, thin man got out, wearing a cap and a black cotton-padded jacket.

"Are you Ye Bingwen? From the Provincial Department of Industry, surnamed Liu. Deputy Director Zhao asked me to give this to you." He handed over an envelope.

Ye Bingwen took it.

"Deputy Director Zhao said that you haven't submitted the application form for the technological upgrading project yet. If you don't submit it by the end of the month, this year's quota will be gone."

The man turned, got into his car, and drove away. Ye Bingwen opened the envelope; inside was the application form he had tucked into his drawer. Zhao Jianguo had somehow gotten his hands on it and sent it back. There was an extra line of red writing on it: "Deadline at the end of the month, as soon as possible."

He walked into the campus and ran into Cai Xun smoking. Cai Xun stubbed out his cigarette. "The province called looking for you. The caller didn't say their name, just that they want you to go to the Provincial Department of Industry tomorrow morning. Principal Liu personally answered the call and told me to tell you to be careful when you go. Don't say anything you shouldn't say, and don't agree to anything you shouldn't agree to."

When they got home in the evening, Zheng Shuyun had prepared dinner. An'an sat in her high chair, munching on a steamed bun.

Ye Bingwen recounted what had happened that day. Zheng Shuyun put down her chopsticks. "Zhao Jianguo is trying to force you."

"Let's go tomorrow and see what he's up to."

An'an stuffed a steamed bun into her mouth, smiling and revealing two tiny teeth. Zheng Shuyun looked at her, her eyes slightly red. "Bingwen, why can't these people just let people live in peace?"

"Because life is too good, they can't get any benefits." Ye Bingwen held her hand. "Don't worry, I have a way."

The next morning, Ye Bingwen appeared at the entrance of the Provincial Department of Industry on time.

The corridor was paved with dark red floorboards that creaked underfoot. He found the office at the far end of the third floor, with a sign that read "Deputy Director." The door was ajar, and he knocked.

"Come in."

Zhao Jianguo sat behind his desk, phone in hand. Seeing him, he pointed to the sofa. Ye Bingwen sat down and waited. Zhao Jianguo hung up the phone, then stood up with a smile.

"Ye Bingwen, you've arrived?"

"Deputy Director Zhao."

Zhao Jianguo walked to the window, his back to him. "Your technology is excellent, and the province values ​​it highly. The deputy senior official in charge of industry is very interested and says that this technology should remain within the province, not flow to other provinces, much less abroad."

Ye Bingwen nodded. "That's what I think too."

"Okay. Then let's talk about how to keep him." Zhao Jianguo walked back behind his desk, sat down, and took a document from his drawer, pushing it towards him.

The title is "Proposal Regarding the Establishment of a Joint R&D Center for Brushless Motors." The gist is: The Provincial Department of Industry will take the lead, with Harbin Electric Machinery Factory as the main entity, in conjunction with Harbin Institute of Technology, to establish a research and development center. Ye Bingwen will serve as the technical head, receiving a monthly stipend of 200 yuan. Ownership of the technology will belong to the R&D center, while Ye Bingwen will have the right to be credited and the right of priority use.

Ye Bingwen finished reading the document and put it down. "Deputy Director Zhao, does this plan mean the technology will be publicly owned?"

"It doesn't belong to the company, it belongs to the R&D center. You are the technical lead, but the technology still belongs to you."

"What if I leave the R&D center?"

Zhao Jianguo smiled. "Why do you want to leave? The R&D center is a key project supported by the province, with good conditions and high salaries. What more could you want?"

Ye Bingwen looked into his eyes. "There's only one thing I'm dissatisfied with. The ownership of the technology shouldn't belong to someone else."

The office was silent for a few seconds. Zhao Jianguo's smile slowly faded.

There was a sudden knock on the door, not a polite knock, but a rapid, urgent one. Zhao Jianguo frowned. "Come in."

The door opened, and Comrade Liu poked half his body in, his face pale. "Vice Director Zhao, the Ministry of Machinery Industry called, specifically asking for Ye Bingwen."

It felt like a layer of air had been sucked out of the office.

Zhao Jianguo leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers lightly twice on the table, very slowly, as if counting beats. Ye Bingwen sat on the sofa, his back straight, his gaze unwavering.

"Ye Bingwen, you may not fully understand the significance of this plan," Zhao Jianguo said, his voice lower than before, but each word clearly enunciated. "The province is leading the establishment of the R&D center not to take advantage of you, but to provide you with a platform. How far can you go alone, without equipment, funding, or a team?"

"Vice Director Zhao, I understand the province's good intentions. But I cannot hand over ownership of the technology."

Why?