Siheyuan: I am a trader in both worlds!

Chapter 292 The First Test Between the Two Realms

"Stop wasting your time developing your own technology. From now on, we'll just pick up the leftovers and discarded junk you guys have already used?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Ling and Lao Luo's hearts skipped a beat.

She subtly scrutinized Ximen Lang again and again.

It was confirmed that Ximen Lang was simply relaying a message, and his stance was neither particularly indicative nor firm.

With years of tacit understanding, they only needed to exchange a glance to quickly analyze the ins and outs of the matter.

Then, it's also really sensitive, and really hard to say.

It could damage the relationship between the two sides and strain the relationship.

Therefore, the group decisively pushed out Bai Ling, who had the closest relationship with Ximen Lang and had even had close contact with him. Bai Ling then subtly expressed the attitude of the Beijing city world through jokes and banter.

"Wouldn't that mean I'd be begging on my knees?"

"This is something many people would love to kneel before but can't even get the chance!"

With a pure heart, Ximen Lang's eyes were naturally pure as well, and his gaze was even clearer. He didn't understand these complicated matters.

All he knew was that Bai Ling had quoted extensively from classical texts to support Rangxue's move, and he had to respond in kind, otherwise he wouldn't be worthy of being Rangxue's disciple!

Therefore, after conveying the words that Xia Yiyi had specially asked him to convey to Bai Ling and the others, Bai Ling directly said this, and Ximen Lang decisively replied that they should study the classics.

Bai Ling and Lao Luo immediately breathed a sigh of relief at his unreliable behavior.

Ximen Lang then continued.

"What do you think this is? This is a real warship with powerful cannons! And those phased array radars I brought back, do you think we really can't sell them? You're kidding, countless neighboring countries are just waiting for us to open the door so they can buy our stuff!"

"Then why don't you sell?"

"Isn't that obvious?! This is a genuinely valuable item! Such a national treasure, what if they buy it, mess around with it, and learn how to use it? Right? We have to consider all these aspects."

Bai Ling felt utterly contemptuous of their pretentious behavior, which was exactly the same as that of the Western world.

However, considering that later generations were indeed much more honest than the Western world, at least they would actually do things for people if they received benefits.

They'll let you know in advance if they can't do something, just like this non-sale phased array radar. They won't use it as a carrot tethered to you and leave you hanging.

That's truly remarkable.

He was completely open and honest with the people of Beijing, leaving no room for doubt.

So, in the end, Bai Ling didn't say anything.

Instead, he spoke frankly to Ximen Lang from the perspective of the interests of the entire city of Beijing.

“Ah Lang, it’s not that we don’t know the benefits of doing this, nor that we are ungrateful. It’s just that we have suffered far too much like this. You know exactly what kind of suffering we’ve suffered, I don’t need to tell you. We’ve really had enough of being controlled by others at every turn.”

"So, if possible, even if the cost is higher, and even if it's not that advanced, we want to keep these technologies in our own hands. To seize the initiative and control our own destiny. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

Simon Lang, who had never been fond of the Western world from the beginning, and even had reservations about the Russians who were currently locked in a fierce battle with the world of Beijing, was well aware of this.

"But the problem is that shipbuilding is different from other things. Its inherent nature dictates that it cannot be mass-produced! Take our place for example. With our industrial capabilities, we can produce a world-class fifth-generation fighter jet, the J-20, every three days!"

"But if we replace it with large warships that run at sea, even if our shipbuilding industry has taken a precipitous lead over the world and the speed at which we can build warships at a rate that makes the whole world envious, we still have to build them slowly, a dozen or a dozen at a time. We can't speed it up at all."

“Otherwise, with our super manufacturing capabilities—we have plenty of money, manpower, and technology—we would have crushed the whole world long ago. Why would we have waited until now? Don’t you think that makes sense?” When talking about not having enough money, Simon Lang decisively pulled out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes that had been packaged for almost a week and had barely been used.

Even Bai Ling, who doesn't smoke, shared a cigarette with Director Wang, thus making another contribution to the country.

Bai Ling rolled her eyes at the sight.

While puffing on his cigarette, Ximen Lang continued.

"The key point is that this isn't a particularly advanced warship; it would have been obsolete long ago in our country. If it were truly some incredible weapon of mass destruction, then there would be no question. Even if we don't have that many orders, we'd be willing to pay a bit more to build it."

"But that's not it. We have plenty of better ones. As soon as your research capabilities and technology improve, we can seamlessly replace them! Pick any 052, switch to any 054!"

"In this situation, it's not worthwhile to spend a lot of money and effort on independent research and development and building a production line for the 051. With that money, what can't we do? What's not more worthwhile than this? What do you think?"

It turns out that Ximen Lang meant this.

It's because it's not cost-effective to build it that he has some bias, not because he's truly leaning towards that side.

not worried.

Now, Bai Ling and the others were completely relieved.

However, it still served as a wake-up call for them, making them realize that future generations were not entirely without demands.

The question posed by Ximen Lang was a direct test!
And in any case, they must respond to this!

Thinking of this, Bai Ling decisively exchanged another glance with Lao Luo, who already had a clue.

With Lao Luo's approval, Bai Ling spoke up.

"That's not entirely impossible."

"Then I'll send that reply over there."

"but!"

After saying "but," Bai Ling continued.

"You know the current state of our shipbuilding industry; it's really tough. Compared to your advanced manufacturing sector, we're practically primitive! This opportunity is truly rare!"

"so."

"If possible, could you ask Xia Yiyi if the production line is fine, we can just leave it? But at least give us some blueprints so we can learn some technology."

"This is a good thing!"

He had no other hobbies but liked to encourage students to study, and Ximen Lang, who himself didn't study, would immediately get excited when he heard this.

"You guys really need to study this properly, otherwise you won't even understand how to operate it, and you'll just be watching the 055 and 052 tanks with frustration. Wouldn't that be frustrating? Wouldn't that be anxious? That's why I keep telling you, learn more, it won't hurt, you never know when you'll need it. See? I wasn't wrong."

Bai Ling was getting really anxious watching him go on and on, so she quickly put her hands together in a gesture of agreement.

"Boss, stop trying to persuade us. We'll learn, we'll learn right now! But it's this textbook..."

"Is that even a question? Of course, I'll handle it!"

(End of this chapter)