Reborn Industrial Tycoon

Chapter 717: Concealing the truth

In Congressman Douglas's office in Washington, D.C., representatives from lobbying firms were eloquent and spewed a lot of spit.

Douglas is not a rookie congressman, and he also knows how to deal with lobbying companies.

Douglas smiled slightly and then said, "The outflow of sensor scientific research talents does need to be taken seriously, but there are priorities. The first thing we in the United States must solve now is the economic problem, which is also the issue that the people are most concerned about.

You must also know that the legacy of the subprime mortgage crisis has not been eradicated, and a new situation has emerged in Europe's sovereign debt, which may cause harm to the entire EU and in turn affect our economic recovery.

In addition, the priority in the Middle East is also higher. We have to continue to fight against terrorism, maintain order in Iraq, and deal with Iran's nuclear issue. These are all things that need to be dealt with immediately. We have to treat our Israeli allies

An explanation!"

Representatives from the lobbying companies immediately understood what Douglas was trying to do. He was probably not interested in limiting the outflow of sensor talent.

As a member of Congress, if you also propose proposals, proposals targeting economic issues will obviously gain more points. Especially when the economy is in recession, even if the level of the proposals is not good, it can still give voters a sense of concern about the economy.

impression and win more support from voters.

In addition to economic issues, issues such as counter-terrorism, the Middle East, and the Iranian nuclear issue are also very good issues, because if members touch these issues, they can get the support of the Jewish consortium.

Politicians in Washington, D.C., must not avoid Jewish consortiums, and even the financial backers behind many lobbying companies are originally Jewish consortiums. Ordinary lobbying companies cannot get money from Jewish consortiums.

As for the Jewish consortium, their biggest concern is definitely the security of Israel, and Middle East affairs are also ranked as the highest priority.

When American congressmen do things, they are bound to be full of all kinds of calculations, not just political calculations, but also economic calculations, future calculations, and most importantly, vote calculations.

In the end, these calculations have only one goal, which is to maximize profits!

The outflow of sensor talent was obviously not in the best interests of the politicians at the time.

However, Congressman Douglas didn't say anything. He just said: "Of course, if other influential members have similar proposals, I wouldn't mind supporting them!"

"An important congressman?" The lobbying company representative frowned and began to wonder where to find this important congressman.

Douglas reminded: "As far as I know, Representative Wolf of the House Appropriations Committee should be more interested in this type of issue. You can give him a try. Maybe he will accept your suggestions!"

…

Li Weidong received another call from Heidrick and Struggles. He thought he had found the right talent, but unexpectedly he heard bad news.

"Mr. Lee, we have just received news that several members of Congress have proposed limiting the flow of sensor talent to China, and now their suggestions have been submitted to the Business, Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee." Heidrick & Struggles Investigation

The officer spoke.

"How come the members of Congress in the United States suddenly care about this kind of thing?" Li Weidong asked in confusion.

"We have heard some news, but I can't prove the authenticity of the news. It may be because you have been recruiting sensor talents in the United States during this period, which has caused dissatisfaction among American companies. Especially Martin Fang, many American companies want him.

, but in the end he decided to go to China, which may have been the trigger."

The investigator continued: "Behind this should be the operation of a lobbying company, and this is not a major event involving economics or diplomacy. For companies, please ask the lobbying company to lobby several members of Congress to introduce a bill to limit the brain drain.

It’s not very difficult.”

"The U.S. Congress shouldn't be so busy, right? Congress should be busy with everything. Members just raise an issue casually. It shouldn't be easy to get it discussed in Congress, right?" Li Weidong asked with a smile.

"This time is different. Those congressmen directly approached the Commerce, Science and Related Agencies Group of the House Appropriations Committee. The chairman of this group has always been relatively anti-China. According to our predictions, there is a high probability that he will...

Make this issue a plan and formally submit it to the House of Representatives!" the investigator said.

"What is this chairman's name?" Li Weidong asked immediately.

"His name is Frank Rudolf Wolf!" the investigator answered.

"It turns out to be this old guy! That's not surprising." Li Weidong nodded in realization.

When it comes to Frank Wolff, many people may not know it, but when it comes to the "Wolf Clause", many people should know it.

The "Wolf Clause" is a clause that prohibits any scientific research activities between the United States and China related to NASA and the White House Office of Science and Technology. This clause was proposed by Frank Wolf and passed by the US Congress in 2011.

After this clause is passed, the short-term effect will be that China will not be able to participate in the International Space Station, and the long-term effect will be that the cooperation between the United States and China in the aerospace field will be interrupted.

At that time, the Americans should have felt complacent about excluding China from the International Space Station through the Wolf Clause. They believed that it had successfully restricted the development of China's aerospace industry.

However, everyone knows what happened next. In the year when the Wolf Clause was passed, that is, in 2011, Tiangong-1 was successfully launched.

In 2012, Shenzhou 9 was successfully launched; in 2013, Shenzhou 10 was successfully launched; in 2016, Tiangong 2 and Shenzhou 11 were successfully launched; in 2017, Tianzhou 1 was successfully launched; in 2018, Chang'e 4 was successfully launched and landed.

The far side of the moon; in 2020, Chang'e-5 was successfully launched and samples were collected from the moon.

In 2020, Tianwen-1 was successfully launched; in 2021, China's space core module, Shenzhou 12, and Shenzhou 13 were successfully launched one after another; in 2022, Shenzhou 14 was successfully launched, followed by Shenzhou 15.

China's own space has been operating in space for some time, and astronauts have gone up there several times. However, the International Space Station is about to be decommissioned. At this time, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson shamelessly jumped out and said that China should conduct space cooperation with the United States.

cooperation in the field, completely forgetting that it was the Americans themselves who proposed the "Wolf Clause".

It is no exaggeration to say that this "Wolf Clause" has made great contributions to the independence of China's aerospace industry. It is not an exaggeration to say that the old man Wolf has helped the development of China's aerospace industry.

Many members of the U.S. Congress hold an anti-China stance, and Frank Wolf's anti-China stance is particularly clear, as can be seen from the "Wolf Clause" he led.

Li Weidong might not take it seriously if it were proposed by other congressmen, but he would not take Frank Wolfe's proposal lightly.

After pondering for a moment, Li Weidong said: "In that case, let's also find a lobbying company. You Heidrick & Struggles should have relationships with many lobbying companies, right?"

"We have business dealings with some lobbying companies!" The other party paused and then said, "If necessary, we will help you contact the appropriate lobbying company, but I can't guarantee the effect.

Mr. Li, you know that American companies often have contacts with lobbying companies for many years. They may have carried out a lot of lobbying work for decades, and they have dealt with many members of Congress for many years."

"I understand, please help me find a suitable lobbying company first! I will also think of other ways." Li Weidong replied.

…

Lobbying is a legal and huge industry in the United States, especially in Washington, D.C., where lobbying companies are dotted and there are quite a few people who rely on lobbying to make a living.

The main target of the lobbying company is the hundreds of congressmen in the United States. Through lobbying the congressmen, they influence US policies.

This is also a very ironic thing. Members of Congress are all elected by the people, and they claim to be representatives. However, those who can really influence members of Congress are lobbying companies and the funders who provide campaign funds behind them.

The funder behind the employment lobbying company not only includes local companies, but also many foreign companies and even organizations with official backgrounds, such as Japanese organizations and companies, which spend a lot of money every year on lobbying in Washington.

Since others can find lobbying companies, Li Weidong can also find lobbying companies, but the effect of this kind of temporary lobbying is definitely not as good as that of large companies that have been rooted in the United States for decades.

However, before lobbying, Li Weidong still had to make some preparations.

…

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology is a newly established department in 2008. It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to promote the development of technical equipment and independent innovation. The sensors Li Weidong wants to develop are major technical equipment, and the localized research and development of sensors naturally belongs to the development of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Now that the United States is imposing restrictions on technical talents, Li Weidong naturally has to seek help from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

When he arrived at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Li Weidong didn't wait long before he was invited to the leader's office.

After the guests and hosts were seated, the two exchanged simple greetings and then went straight to the main point.

Li Weidong slowly explained: "Boss, the thing is like this, I plan to make mid-to-high-end sensors, and I have invested more than one billion to establish a company. However, the technology of this sensor has been subject to Western export restrictions, so I plan to go

The road to independent research and development. Independent research and development requires talents. I hired some relevant talents in the United States, but recently I received news that the United States may want to restrict the outflow of talents in this field to China..."

After listening, the other party nodded: "This is not the first time that the United States has restricted outstanding Chinese talents from returning to China. When New China was first founded, Mr. Qian and other scientists wanted to return to China to work, but they were also blocked by Americans.

Obstacle in every possible way!

High-end sensors can not only be used for civilian purposes, but also play an important role in the development of national defense technology. If autonomy can be achieved, of course we encourage it. Tell me, what do you need us to do? Do you need to use the diplomatic or national security departments?

strength?"

"It doesn't have to be that complicated." Li Weidong said quickly: "I plan to find an American lobbying company to solve this matter, but for lobbying, there must be a reason, right? I have to ask the country to help me in this regard."

"How do you want us to help you?" the other party asked with a smile.

"I hope the ministry can send an inspection team to our place, mainly to inspect whether our place is defrauding the country's high-tech subsidies by developing new sensors." Li Weidong replied.

After a few seconds, the other party looked at Li Weidong thoughtfully, lowered his voice and said, "Then are you planning to cheat on subsidies? Or are you really going to develop new technologies?"

"Of course we are engaged in technology research and development in a down-to-earth manner, but if we say it to the outside world, we are trying to cheat on subsidies!" Li Weidong replied with a smile.

"I understand. What a trick to hide the truth!" The other party nodded, and then said: "By the way, I will find the media to cooperate with the report and help you build momentum!"

"Thank you, leader, but you have to be careful about the intensity of the publicity, otherwise it will arouse public anger and really think that I am cheating on subsidies. I can't afford to just walk away." Li Weidong replied.

"Don't worry, the propaganda department has a special way to release information to the outside world. In this regard, it can specifically target overseas media. There won't be much public opinion in China." The other party replied.

Li Weidong continued: "One more thing. In order to develop sensors, the Special Economic Zone specially granted me a piece of land to build a science and technology innovation park. I plan to do something about the planning and package it as a real estate commercial project to the outside world. Through this

If this happens, the land management department will need to coordinate."

The other party nodded: "To perform a show, you have to do a complete set. You don't have to worry about this. I will report it to my superiors and wait for instructions from above before I say hello to the relevant departments!"

…

An inspection team from the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology stationed at the Puppy Sensor Company.

The next day, news appeared in the media that the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology was going to strictly investigate the use of high-tech project research and development to defraud state subsidies.

Although no names were mentioned, many people began to speculate as to whether the inspection team went to the Puppy Sensor Company and whether the Puppy Group was suspected of defrauding the country's subsidies.

Immediately afterwards, news appeared in several major foreign media that the Puppy Group defrauded state subsidies by developing sensors.

There are many media outlets in European and American countries that are very keen on reporting negative news about China, and sometimes even the smallest of things can be sensationalized into major headlines.

Such things as defrauding state subsidies under the guise of high-tech research and development are obviously very appealing to these media and they naturally have to report them in exaggerated ways.

Some domestic media also reprinted it, but at that time there was no such thing as self-media, and online media was mainly based on individual websites, which was easier to control. With the intervention of the propaganda department, the news about subsidy fraud did not spread in the country.

Come.

…

The whole world knows that the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong is indeed the largest intelligence collection center of the United States in the Asia-Pacific.

Since the early 20th century, Hong Kong Island has been the "Far East Intelligence Center" of the United Kingdom. During the Cold War, it was also known as the "Three Major Secret Service Centers" together with Berlin, Germany, and Istanbul, Turkey.

After the end of the Cold War, Lisbon in Portugal and Casablanca in Morocco replaced the latter two, but the status of Hong Kong Island remained unchanged.

The number of employees at the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong is said to be in the thousands, some to be in the thousands, and some to be in the tens of thousands. It is estimated that only the CIA knows the true number, but what is certain is that it is certainly higher than the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

More employees.

If it were just for the daily business of the consulate, it would naturally not require so many people, so everyone knows what these people do.

Some of the intelligence agents in the movie drive around in Aston Martins like James Bond, some wander around wearing human skin masks like Tom Cruise, and some lurk in the heart of the enemy like Sixth Brother.

No matter how bad he is, he is still like Lingling Qi, with melancholy eyes, sad stubble, and fresh pork kidneys.

But most of the real intelligence collection work is very boring. The daily work of many intelligence officers is like ordinary clerks, sitting at a work station and exploring useful information through newspapers, magazines and other public materials.

Nguyen Van Phuc is such an intelligence officer. At this time, he is reading newspapers in a certain room of the Consulate General.

Inadvertently, an investment advertisement caught Ruan Van Phuc's eyes.

"Investment invitation for the Special Economic Zone Science and Technology Innovation Park?" Ruan Wenfu picked up the newspaper, read it hastily, and immediately frowned.

"Looking at the investment content in the advertisement, there are shopping malls, apartments, office buildings, and ordinary shops. This is completely a commercial real estate project. Isn't it a science and technology innovation park?"

Ruan Van Phuc immediately sat down at the computer and searched for information on the Science and Technology Innovation Park in the database.

The CIA's intelligence database is still very powerful. Ruan Wenfu quickly collected relevant information about the Science and Technology Innovation Park. According to the information, this project was originally established for the purpose of sensor research and development, not a commercial real estate project.

"The information says that the Puppy Group wants to independently research and develop mid-to-high-end sensors, so the special zone has planned such a piece of land as a science and technology innovation park to attract relevant upstream and downstream companies. How can it now become a commercial real estate project?

?”

As an intelligence officer, Nguyen Van Phuc had the instinct to doubt everything and began to investigate relevant information about this project.

"The project developer is Dongshan Real Estate. Let me check this Dongshan Real Estate. Huh? One of the shareholders of Dongshan Real Estate is called Li Weidong. Isn't he the chairman of the Puppy Group?

A few days ago, some media said that the purpose of the sensor research and development of the Puppy Group was to defraud state subsidies. It seems that this science and technology innovation park also uses high-tech research and development to develop real estate! This also confirms that the purpose of defrauding subsidies is

Real news!”

Ruan Wenfu felt that he was really smart and could easily see through Li Weidong's intentions. And for this important discovery, he must write a report to his superiors!

…

Washington, DC.

There was a knock on the door, and the assistant walked into Congressman Wolf's office.

"Sir, Mr. Wharton from the Speaker's Office would like to meet with you!" the assistant said.

"Wharton? Senior advisor to Madam Speaker?" Wolf nodded: "Please come in, Mr. Wharton, and make a cup of coffee for Mr. Wharton!"

After a while, Mr. Wharton was invited to Wolfe's room. After the two exchanged pleasantries, Wolfe asked Wharton the purpose of his trip.

Wharton answered: "Congressman Wolf, I heard that you are planning to propose a new bill recently, which is to restrict scientific researchers in the field of sensors from going to work in China?"

Wolfe nodded: "Yes, it is urgent to prevent the outflow of scientific research talents in sensitive technologies. Especially the outflow to certain countries will affect our national security, so we must stop them as soon as possible!"

As Wolf spoke, he elaborated on the Puppy Group's aggressive recruitment of sensor research and development talents in the United States.

Wharton smiled slightly and said: "Congressman Wolf, many members of the House of Representatives have heard about the situation you mentioned, but some members think that this is just unfounded worry, and we should not focus on this kind of thing now.

superior."

"What does the speaker mean by telling me not to bring forward proposals in this area?" Wolfe asked immediately.

"The Speaker just doesn't want to waste the precious time of the members discussing some meaningless things." Wharton paused and then said: "I also have some information here, please take a look. But some of it was provided by the CIA.

, you need to keep it secret after reading it."

As Wharton spoke, he handed a folder to Wolfe. Wolfe opened the folder and took a closer look. He suddenly showed an expression of surprise, but there was also a hint of joy in the surprise.

"Is this sensor project using the name of technological research and development to defraud the country of huge subsidies? The science and technology innovation park is actually a commercial real estate project? Is there such a thing? Is the information accurate?" Wolfe asked.

"There should be no problem with the CIA's intelligence. Moreover, many media have recently reported on the matter of defrauding state subsidies, and I have also seen relevant news in newspapers." Wharton replied.

Wolfe looked at the information in his hand and fell into silence.

Wharton then advised: "Congressman Wolf, I know you want to hinder the progress of China's scientific research by restricting the outflow of talents, but now it seems that we do not need to do this at all.

This sensor R&D project is basically to defraud subsidies, and the science and technology park used for R&D is to develop real estate. So we can completely allow this sensor R&D project to continue.

As long as this project continues, a large amount of scientific research funds will be defrauded by companies. When the Chinese want to engage in sensor research and development in the future, they will lack a large amount of funds. This is the correct way to hinder the development of scientific research in China.

So I hope you can stop the proposal. Our current focus should be on more important aspects, such as economic issues, such as Afghanistan and the Middle East!

As members of the Democratic House of Representatives, we should unite together now and make some achievements together. Otherwise, we are likely to lose the majority position in the House of Representatives during the next election of the House of Representatives. Of course, in return, the Speaker said that he would support

What are your thoughts on the Aeronautics and Space Administration’s external cooperation?”

"I understand!" Wolfe nodded suddenly: "Go back and tell Madam Speaker, and I will comply with her request."

…

With the excuse of "cheating subsidies", the lobbying company hired by Li Weidong also began to take action, and achieved immediate results.

Those who can be elected to Congress are definitely not fools, and they cannot be deceived so easily, but as Congressman Douglas said, there are priorities.

The topic of sensor brain drain is obviously not as hot as economic issues and Middle East issues. After all, the time for discussion in the U.S. Congress is limited. For many congressmen, they also hope to discuss more hot topics in order to increase their reputation.

In addition to the personal factors of members, party factors are also very important.

The proposals of members of Congress often represent the policies of the party. If a member of one party proposes a new proposal, members of the other party will most likely block it. Even if they do not oppose it, they will add other content to it.

At this time, it is necessary for members of the same party to unite and deal with the outside world with the same hatred and hatred. This is also a way of power struggle between the Republican and Democratic parties.

In this case, based on the overall interests of the party, some members are bound to make compromises and conduct a series of exchanges of interests. Some unimportant proposals will inevitably give way to important proposals.

More than 6,000 words, thank you all for subscribing. There are probably five or six chapters left to end!