Great Power Technology

At the same time that Ye Zhou was putting forward his suggestions to his superiors, at the Xiongguo Baranov Aero Engine Research Institute, a group of experts and administrative officials were discussing related strategies for the expected cooperation with the Nantianmen project.

The first person to speak was a senior researcher named Alexai. He was wearing old-fashioned clothes and his hair was gray, but he was still in good spirits.

"According to the preliminary plan information we have obtained, the first thing that the other party's Nantianmen plan must solve is the aero-engine related problems, and we happen to have relative technical advantages in this field. I think we can transfer part of the technology, so as to In exchange for the opportunity to cooperate.”

"After all, it is an objective fact that we lack funds and resources at this stage. If we can join the other party's project and use the other party's advantages to help us carry out more advanced research and development work, it will have a role that cannot be underestimated, both for them and us. .”

"This is a win-win strategy. I think the other party will not refuse."

"The only question is how much do they want us to give in exchange, and what price and cost are we willing to bear."

"From my perspective, the other party has been trying to obtain more advanced aero-engine technology from us, especially the design principles of the NK-32 engine. If we are willing to transfer this technology, then I think that in the other party's project It is not difficult to occupy the core seats in China.”

After hearing his words, a man in a suit across from him said:

"Alixai, I understand what you mean, and I also understand the dilemma our aviation department is facing now, but I have to remind you that the NK-32 represents our most advanced aviation technology and is what we have now. One of the few technologies that dominates the world."

"If we transfer this technology to them, it means that we will lose our dominant position in the future - this will trigger a butterfly effect and cause unpredictable consequences."

"do you understand what I mean?"

Alexey nodded and replied:

"Of course I understand, but, comrade, I hope you also think about another thing: this is our only chance."

"If we don't cooperate with them, they will surpass us sooner or later on their own. This is just a matter of time, because our country is no longer what it used to be, and it can no longer produce more bread to feed us researchers. .”

“And once researchers don’t have enough to eat, falling behind becomes inevitable.”

"So, we have to make a choice. Should we die slowly or cut off one of our arms in exchange for a chance to be reborn?"

After his words fell, everyone present fell silent.

That's right, they are no longer the wealthy big brother they once were. In the past few years, under the combined influence of continuous Western sanctions, internal management flaws, wrong choices of development direction, and other factors, their strength in all aspects has continued to grow. Decline, and the scientific research field affected by this decline is that scientific research talents have not been valued for a long time, and scientific research projects cannot receive sufficient funds.

It’s been countless years since they came up with amazing, world-leading products.

If this continues, the status of the former powerful country may be in jeopardy.

The man in the suit glanced around and said:

"What are other people's opinions? Are they the same as Alexey's? If so, please show your hands."

“I don’t mind telling you the result of this choice directly: if you choose to transfer core technology and reach cooperation with the other party, your life will be much richer in the next twenty years, and your families will also receive more care. "

"But, equally, our country will face a huge risk, that is, the other party will use our technology to quickly surpass us. At that time, everything we have for a short period of time may very well be unsustainable."

"On the other hand, if we choose not to cooperate or are unwilling to transfer our core technology, then the result is that you will live an ordinary life in peace, maybe very ordinary, but there will definitely be no more accidents."

"Now, please raise your hands to vote. If you agree to transfer technology and achieve cooperation, please raise your hands."

There was a burst of whispers in the huge conference room. After a few seconds, Alexei raised his first hand, and then other staff also raised their hands.

The man in the suit carefully counted the number of people who raised their hands, and then said:

"Okay, the results are clear. We will transfer core technologies in exchange for corresponding funds and core project seats."

After that, he stood up and said goodbye to everyone, turned around and left the conference room.

Alexey followed him and sent him out of the institute. At this time, sparse snowflakes were floating in the sky. The two of them were walking in the snow, and the dim street lights illuminated their tall but slender shadows.

After walking out of the research institute, the man in the suit said with some emotion:

"I never thought before that we would have to compromise with anyone else technically. It seems that times have really changed. This era no longer belongs to old men like us."

Alexei nodded, sighed and replied:

"Yes, but this is a stage we have to go through. Every country will encounter such a painful period when it develops to a certain level, right? We will get through it."

"In addition, on the bright side, what we discussed today is just the expected response strategy. In fact, according to my understanding of them, they are generally very friendly to us. Maybe they don't need to pay too much. He will help us in this matter."

Hearing Alexai's words, the man in the suit smiled, patted the other person's shoulder gently, brushed the snowflakes off his clothes and said:

"Alixai, you are still like this. You know, when I say that times have changed, it is not just because we have become weaker, or he has become stronger."

“What really changes is something else.”

"There is a saying among their people, I don't know if you have heard of it: 'The reason why we miss Big Brother is because Big Brother is dead'."

"Do you know what this sentence means? We are no longer their big brother. The big brother they recognized was dead at the end of the last century."

"So, in fact, they have no feelings for us. Everything is just an exchange of interests based on the alliance."

"At the national level, it is difficult to have brotherhood."

Alexei listened silently, and after a long time, he spoke:

"At least, we still have a chance for exchange, don't we? I heard that they directly rejected country x's request for cooperation."

"Yeah, that's good."

The man in the suit nodded and suddenly asked thoughtfully:

"Alixai, from your perspective, is their so-called Nantianmen project really that attractive?"

Alexey did not hesitate and answered directly:

"It is very attractive. This attraction is not only their huge investment in resources and funds, but more importantly, the new ideas and technical concepts they have demonstrated in the planning of this giant project."

"We have received preliminary planning documents from them which are a bit more detailed than what they have released to the public."

“By analyzing these documents, we came to the basic conclusion that they should have mastered the basic technologies of the five sub-projects in the Nantianmen project. At least, they will not encounter any difficulties in project startup and early development.”

“When I say early development, I mean within the next five years.”

"In the past five years, with the help of the Nantianmen Project, they will obtain a huge amount of new technologies and new results, which is equally attractive to scientific researchers all over the world. Otherwise, how could so many countries want to invest in it?" What about their request for cooperation? You know, other countries are not as short of money as we are."

The man in the suit nodded and said nothing.

He is over sixty this year and has spanned three representative eras, but it seems that he has not really realized until these days that the protagonist of this world has changed.

On the day the Nantianmen project was announced, all relevant personnel in this once extremely proud country were scrambling to find out the details of the project. Some people even submitted reports directly to him, requesting him to make a cooperation decision immediately.

And this report after report really allowed him to speed up his decision-making.

This is not so much efficiency as it is a forced sense of urgency.

The two of them did not continue talking, but walked in silence to the car parked on the roadside. The man in the suit said goodbye to Alexei and got into the back seat. In the back seat, he looked at each other again through the glass, his eyes He kept looking at the red patch on the other person's chest that he had never taken off.

The red that should have been so bright turned out to be a bit mottled and pale after decades, and the dim light from the streetlights only exacerbated the paleness that made him feel sad.

He withdrew his gaze and signaled the driver to start the car. When he closed his eyes and prepared to rest, a thought suddenly came to his mind.