Chapter 59

"Uncle Jiang, it's a simple logic. If this technology is only worth ten million dollars, would Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory go to such lengths?"

Hu Wenhui laid out the patent certificate and contract in front of Jiang Yucheng and said solemnly, "As long as I have these documents, with the evidence in Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory's hands, according to U.S. law, I cannot lose the lawsuit. But the problem is, I am not an American. This prolonged legal battle would be very disadvantageous for me."

"But to take the patent from me using such means, how much reputation would Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have to sacrifice?"

"Would Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory really go to such lengths for a technology worth only ten million dollars?"

"Don't forget that Watson is advancing the Human Genome Project. How much would a tarnished reputation cost him? The Human Genome Project is a multi-billion dollar project!"

Hu Wenhai's series of questions made Jiang Yucheng think seriously. Indeed, if a scandal involving Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory suddenly broke out while Watson was advancing the Human Genome Project, it would severely impact Watson's leadership of this international project, and might even cost him his position as the project leader.

To lose the identity of the leader and organizer of such a project, would it be just for a mere ten million dollars?

"Mr. Jiang, I think Comrade Hu's points are not without merit," Lin Qianjun unexpectedly supported Hu Wenhui, saying solemnly, "I may not be very familiar with Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory or technology patents, but I have been in charge of the negotiations with Grumman. I can responsibly say that without other options, our plan to introduce the F-14 will definitely fail."

"And Comrade Hu's plan is the only lifeline I can grasp."

"As you said, the achievements of our country's reform and opening up are constantly threatened by the Soviet Union. Now that we have an opportunity, should we just give it up?"

"Even if Comrade Hu's technology is not worth a billion dollars, he is still a Chinese citizen. It is our duty to stand up for our citizens."

"Regardless of the actual value of this technology, since Comrade Hu is unwilling to sell it to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, they cannot bully us!"

"Of course, if we can sell it to another party for a few tens of millions, at least we can get an F-14 for research, right?"

"Hey, hey!" Hu Wenhui was initially very excited by Lin Qianjun's words, but by the last sentence, he was left with a head full of black lines. "Comrade Lin Qianjun, where is your integrity? Is that last sentence your true thoughts? Give me back the upright and principled Lin Qianjun!"

It wasn't clear which of Lin Qianjun's words moved Jiang Yucheng, but he nodded lightly and sighed, "Director Lin is right. If our Chinese people abroad cannot rely on their own embassy for support, who else will respect us? Wait here, I will report to the ambassador and see how we can express our stance to the U.S. government."

As he spoke, the embassy chef brought in the meal. Jiang Yucheng didn't even look at the food, picked up the documents Hu Wenhui had laid on the table, and left without looking back.

Hu Wenhui and Lin Qianjun exchanged a glance and could only wait patiently. Unfortunately, the chef's skills, which rivaled those of a top chef, were wasted as the two of them barely touched their chopsticks and ate without savoring the food.

Obtaining the support of the embassy was the most crucial step for Hu Wenhui. He hadn't expected that none of his planned strategies would be needed, and Lin Qianjun's words would directly move Jiang Yucheng.

In the end, he was too accustomed to being calculating and had forgotten that for someone far from home, a single sentence was enough: "I am Chinese."

The three words "Chinese" only truly reveal their value when one is not on Chinese soil.

After a simple lunch, which Hu Wenhui and Lin Qianjun barely tasted, they only ate a bowl of rice and barely touched the dishes in front of them.

About ten minutes later, Jiang Yucheng hurried back. He waved his hand, sat back down, took a deep breath, and nodded, "The ambassador is aware of your situation. After contacting the domestic authorities, we can formally follow up on this matter. However, before that, Comrade Hu can participate in the negotiations with Grumman."

"Yes!"

Lin Qianjun clenched his fist and inadvertently used a catchphrase he had learned during the negotiations.

...

For Grumman, the mid-1980s were not easy. In fact, not just Grumman, the entire Western aviation industry was shrinking in the 1980s. The U.S., U.K., France, and Germany all recognized China as a new market.

Boeing brought the MD82, Rolls-Royce brought the Spey engine, the French had a helicopter project in cooperation with China, and the Germans even wanted to develop their regional aircraft with China.

In this wave of entering China, only Lockheed and Grumman could only look on in envy. As part of the military-industrial complex, they were heavily influenced by U.S. political trends, and the opportunity to enter China was fleeting.

China is a large country, and Grumman knew that the F-14 entering China would not be like the Persian cats in Iran. China's military is a system.

Once the F-14 enters China, the future fighter jets of the Chinese Air Force will inevitably bear the bloodline of Grumman. This means that Grumman could not only sell aircraft but also technology, spare parts, overhaul lines, and even production equipment.

To intercept the Tu-22M Backfire, do you need the Phoenix missile? The F-14's variable-sweep wing technology provides excellent low-altitude performance. Do you want to improve the avionics and make it a bomb cat? You have designed a certain air-to-air missile in China. Do you want our engineers to write the weapon interface to integrate it with the F-14?

The TF30 engine currently used in the F-14 is unreliable—actually, extremely unreliable. Do you want to upgrade to a better engine?

Even more, do you want to send Chinese pilots to the U.S. for training? How do you calculate the training fees?

The F-14 entering China would be like Grumman opening the door to the Chinese military aircraft market. The benefits are too tempting.

But capitalists are capitalists and will never do a losing business. The lowest price for an F-14 is $24 million, and it can't be sold to China at a lower price than to the U.S. military. If that happens, the congressmen will tear Grumman and all the generals who procured the F-14 to shreds!

Moreover, there are various voices in the U.S. military interfering with these negotiations. The hawkish officers believe that the Soviet Union is on its last legs, and now is the time to restrict China, not arm it.

However, the Sino-U.S. honeymoon of the 1980s was not just talk. The other NATO countries were all trying their best to open the Chinese market, and the French even sold nuclear reactor technology! If the Americans don't quickly drop their principles, they might miss out on everything.

Rudolph, the president of Grumman's Asia-Pacific region, who had been in charge of negotiations with the Chinese, was under pressure from both the company and the military.

"President Rudolph, the Chinese have arrived."

A beautiful blonde secretary walked into Rudolph's office. Looking at her graceful figure, Rudolph felt no joy—years of high-stress work had gradually diminished his virility. Seeing the good life of having the secretary do the work and coughing when there was nothing to do, Rudolph felt he was not far from being a pervert.

"Alright, notify our team. We'll go to the meeting room to waste more time."

After this period of contact, Rudolph had completely lost hope in the Chinese Cat project. The Chinese were too "poor." They had millions of foreign exchange to repeatedly purchase refrigerators, color TVs, cars, and even production lines for Japanese tofu, but they had no money to buy Grumman's Tomcat!

How can Grumman be so honest in business? These Chinese don't know what they're missing!

However, complaints wouldn't change anything. To reach the level of regional president, Rudolph was certainly not someone who only complained.

With the thought of wasting more time, Rudolph pushed open the door to the meeting room.

"Hey, who is this Chinese person?"

Rudolph saw a young man, probably in his late teens, distributing small blue pills to the Grumman negotiators. As he whispered in their ears, each person who received the blue pill soon wore a mysterious smile.

Seeing Rudolph, the key figure from Grumman, the young man walked over without hesitation and slipped a handful of blue pills into his hand.

As the young man whispered in Rudolph's ear, Rudolph's eyes gradually lit up!