Chapter 90

"First, I want the right to import and export aircraft."

"This is the exclusive domain of China Aviation Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC)..."

"I know this is CATIC's exclusive domain. I can refrain from acting as an agent for this business, but I must be able to export the aircraft we produce and import the necessary aviation equipment on my own."

Hu Wenhui's unwavering attitude made Lin Qianjun somewhat retreat. The import and export of aviation technology and aircraft were the exclusive rights of CATIC. For example, the simulation aircraft exported to Pakistan and the jet models exported to the United States were all processed through CATIC's accounts.

For Factory 501, their task was simply to provide products according to instructions. Contracts with Pakistan, the Top Gun production team, or the Pentagon were all signed by CATIC.

In fact, CATIC now had the exclusive right to import and export all of China's aviation products. Factory 501 had neither the authority nor the need to develop its own market; they just had to wait for CATIC's salespeople to bring in business and start production.

However, it was clear that relying on CATIC to promote Factory 501's, or rather, New Science Company's products, was like washing up and going to bed.

Therefore, Hu Wenhui's first demand was that New Science Company must have its own right to import and export aviation products, even if it was limited to the products it produced and did not involve agency import and export business.

"Ten million, I won't take this import and export right for free. I will pay ten million RMB annually to the Air Force as a licensing fee, from my balance of over 2 billion RMB."

Gulp—

Lin Qianjun swallowed, forgetting to mention that CATIC was under the jurisdiction of the Third Ministry of Machinery Industry, now the Ministry of Aerospace Industry.

It was not part of the Air Force's jurisdiction.

"This, I will consult with the leaders, it's definitely not something I can decide."

"That's fine." Hu Wenhui smiled. Ten million was not much, but for the Air Force, it was a significant windfall.

"Second." Hu Wenhui paused, thinking for a moment.

"For the projects I invest in, the technical patents will belong to me, and the progress of the projects will be under my control. No one can dissolve the project with just a word! The project personnel will operate under a dual management system, receiving salaries from New Science Company, but their positions can remain in the project team. However, their work arrangements must follow my instructions!"

"This—"

Before Lin Qianjun could object, Hu Wenhui said firmly and even sternly, "This is the most basic requirement. If this cannot be agreed to, I will not invest at all!"

"But, the project team members are all national researchers, there is no reason—"

"I think it's reasonable!" A sudden voice made both Lin Qianjun and Hu Wenhui look up. Zhai Youjiang had already changed out of his military uniform and was wearing an inconspicuous white shirt, smiling as he found a seat.

"Comrade Hu's request is entirely reasonable. How can anyone expect to invest money without having a say in the matter?"

Zhai Youjiang said enthusiastically, "I fully support Comrade Hu's request. If Director Lin cannot secure this condition for you, I will push for Beihang University to accept it! I believe with Comrade Hu's support, Beihang University can achieve great things!"

Zhai Youjiang's eyes were not just on the 2 billion RMB Hu Wenhui currently had. He had been closely following the clinical trials of Viagra. According to the information from the Air Force General Hospital, the clinical response to Viagra was not only promising for Chinese experts but also for the FDA—Grumman was even more concerned about this than domestic entities.

If Viagra could complete its clinical trials and be launched as quickly as possible, it would generate at least one billion USD annually. Even if the exchange rate between USD and RMB remained unchanged, it would be a major project worth 2.8 billion RMB annually.

2 billion RMB might not be enough for the F-14 domestication project, but 2 billion RMB annually made Zhai Youjiang's heart race!

The F-14 domestication project would take at least 10 years, or at most 20 years. With 2 billion RMB annually, that would be 200 to 400 billion RMB, a level of investment comparable to the two bombs and one satellite project!

Lin Qianjun saw the systemic difficulties and the state's control over the project. But Zhai Youjiang saw an opportunity for scientists to take charge of the project.

Hu Wenhui did not want to be interfered with during the project's progress, and the scientists in charge of the project also did not want to be interfered with. If the management of the project could be liberated from a large, complex, and rigid system, convincing Hu Wenhui that as long as the project progressed and the future prospects were clear would be enough—there would be no need to consider the past issues behind the project, no political problems, no personal relationships, no systemic issues.

Others might not know, but Zhai Youjiang deeply understood the complexity within the aviation system. The Air Force, Navy, Third Ministry of Machinery Industry, military industry system, research institutes, and various research institutes and factories had intricate relationships. Without even mentioning other issues, just looking at where the Spey engine was now, one could see that project teams under this system had little security.

Project teams that were about to produce results could be cut off, and unreliable projects like the MD82 assembly could be handed over to Shanghang, which had no foundation. Some people's actions were even openly biased...

In Zhai Youjiang's view, Hu Wenhui was a nearly perfect investor.

He had money, vision, and the key was that any issues could be resolved by convincing him alone.

This simple requirement was incredibly attractive to Zhai Youjiang and Beihang University.

"I can't make this decision either. Mr. Hu, you'll have to wait for a response from above." Lin Qianjun looked distressed, realizing that this money was not coming for free.

"Alright, I'll wait." Hu Wenhui looked at Zhai Youjiang with some surprise, not expecting such strong support.

He didn't know that Zhai Youjiang was well aware of the difficult situation of domestic research institutes.

"Third, as a private enterprise, Director Lin should know the status of private companies in the domestic supply system. New Science Company has money, but without quotas, we can't buy anything. So, third, I hope to obtain the same material supply status as state-owned enterprises, or at least foreign enterprises."

Lin Qianjun was already feeling helpless. None of Hu Wenhui's three demands seemed to be something he could agree to. But it made sense; he was trying to push the F-14 project, which was like a small horse pulling a large cart. The only hope was to see how determined the higher-ups were about the F-14 domestication project and how much effort they were willing to put in.

But this was also good; at least he didn't have to worry about whether to join the F-14 project team. If the higher-ups approved Hu Wenhui's demands, he would join the team without hesitation. If they did not agree, there would be nothing to say, and everyone could wash up and go to bed.

"I can't make this decision either." Lin Qianjun smiled bitterly and said sincerely, "But Mr. Hu, rest assured, your third demand is reasonable. Even without the F-14 domestication project, I will do my best to secure it from above."

"Thank you, Director Lin." Hu Wenhui looked at him deeply and nodded in satisfaction.

Lin Qianjun no longer dared to treat Hu Wenhui like a child. Some geniuses could easily earn vast sums of money with just a flash of inspiration.

But Hu Wenhui's three demands showed that he had a clear understanding of the world. At least in terms of thinking and perspective, Hu Wenhui was already on par with a high-ranking adult.

At this moment, he had the qualifications to engage in equal dialogue with anyone. Anyone.

It was easy to imagine that if the organization agreed to his three conditions, Hu Wenhui, though not within the system, would no longer be easily touched by anyone.

Whoever touched him would be opposing the F-14 domestication project. As long as the state's confidence in the F-14 domestication project remained, Hu Wenhui and New Science Company would be as stable as a rock.

Securing the right to import and export aircraft from CATIC was like plucking a feather from a tiger's mouth, showing others his capability. Gaining control over the F-14 domestication project ensured his invincibility.

Obtaining the same status as state-owned enterprises cleared the last obstacle for New Science Company's development.

Although New Science Company was a private enterprise, with these three protections, it would not face the difficulties of a private company but would have the smooth operations of a state-owned enterprise. Without interference from superiors, it would have the flexibility in management. Even without outstanding projects, such a company could become the top in the country, even if it just sold ice cream.

...

The "solution" Hu Wenhui proposed had already reached the highest levels, and it was not easy to get a result quickly.

Although New Science Company was facing many issues with its restructuring, it was fortunate to have Hu Jiefang and Hu Shiwu overseeing things, so it was not necessary for Hu Wenhui to stay there.

After a telephone line was installed in his room at the Air Force guesthouse, Hu Wenhui had to temporarily stay in the capital. During the wait for a response, he mostly stayed in his room, remotely managing New Science Company's affairs, and was unaware that the aviation system was almost in an uproar.

In the office building of CATIC, the meeting room was filled with smoke as the managers and secretaries of the export committee looked at each other, all with furrowed brows.

"Everyone, what's going on with this New Science Company? Are they trying to pluck a feather from a tiger's mouth? The export of simulation aircraft this year alone is expected to generate at least ten million USD in revenue. Are we just going to let it go?"

"Let it go? Are you kidding? Our company is the only one in the country with the right to import and export aviation products. Without our approval, who dares to let a single aircraft out!"