Siheyuan: I am a trader in both worlds!

Chapter 373 So what's the price? (Part 2)

The history of international students is truly long and rich.

As early as the Sui and Tang Dynasties, various foreign countries, especially those who were adept at acknowledging their patrons and living quite comfortably, had already begun to send envoys to Tang China in large numbers to learn our advanced experience and various technologies.

But it's because our ancestors were so incredibly wealthy!

Go back thousands of years
While not absolutely, at least for the vast majority of the time, we are number one among number one, the undisputed world number one!

By 1827, thanks to the destructive practices of the Qing dynasty that led to the exploitation of resources, we had already fallen far behind those who, in our memory, were still birdmen in the forest, speaking bird languages.

They've even left them far behind!
There was no other way but to put aside our inherent pride and arrogance as citizens of the Celestial Empire, and with the advocacy of Mr. Yung Wing and the support of Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang, we organized the first batch of 30 children to study in the United States, thus beginning the history of studying abroad.

then
The Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, a battle that will forever be etched in the memories of all Chinese people and become an eternal source of pain in their hearts, was about to begin.
This crushing defeat, which directly threw all the pride and arrogance of the Chinese people to the ground and trampled on at will, was like a slap that directly stung and woke up all the Chinese people, including every insightful person with a heart full of passion!
And then.
The enthusiasm for studying abroad reached its peak!

Guided by the idea of ​​learning from the barbarians to control them, a large number of students began to travel to foreign lands to study, hoping to achieve national self-strengthening and independence by learning the systems and technologies of other countries, thus embarking on the path of saving the nation from peril.

Even after entering the new society, and with our lives becoming so difficult and our poverty so extreme, we still haven't stopped learning from other countries' advanced experiences and pursuing independence and self-reliance.

They really scrimped and saved, cutting corners on every grain of rice they had!

Even after arriving, the funding for government-sponsored students studying abroad continued, and batches of students were organized to study abroad in other countries!
And the result, of course, is obvious!

To take a recent example, Bai Ling, an outstanding graduate of the intelligence program at Moscow Central University who returned after completing her studies, is the best example! (There are countless other examples like this, but I feel it's a bit sensitive, so I won't go into detail.)
However, the current external environment is simply too severe.

Not only are we irreconcilably opposed to the Western world led by the United States, but our relationship with our big brother Russia has also become delicate because we have always insisted on territorial integrity and sovereignty and refused to accept Russia's unreasonable and domineering interference.

Naturally, the situation for international students has become increasingly difficult.

Especially in important professional and critical fields involving military industry and nuclear technology, this is the hardest hit area!

First, they imposed all sorts of restrictions, refusing to teach anything of substance. Later, they went so far as to prevent you from even learning or touching anything!
Those who haven't graduated yet will be forced to graduate!

Then, with a bang, these important majors involving key fields, and even the door to studying abroad, were permanently closed to us without any time limit.

I can't go to the Russians' side, and I can't go to the Americans' side.

Do you think the world of Beijing is in a hurry?
Therefore, upon hearing that the future world was willing to accept students from the Four Nine Cities World to study in the future world, the Four Nine Cities World immediately showed great importance to this matter!

Therefore, it was clear that Bai Ling and the others were very interested in this matter.

Xia Yiyi didn't mince words and immediately introduced the generous treatment that this place could offer in the future.

"The exchange of students can bring us many benefits, such as promoting cultural understanding and integration, eliminating cultural misunderstandings and prejudices, enhancing friendship between the two sides, and promoting cooperation between us. I won't go into detail about these obvious benefits."

"You all know these things even if I don't tell you. I'll just tell you what we can offer. First of all, we will absolutely not impose any restrictions on you regarding your school or major!"

"Students from all universities and all majors, including key majors such as military industry and nuclear technology, are welcome to apply! And I can assure you right now that we will treat everyone equally and will not discriminate against you like those bastards in the West!"

"Secondly, there's the issue of compensation, which goes without saying! Although international students are an important source of revenue for many countries and regions, especially the so-called developed countries led by the United States, who demand higher and lower salaries and are more ruthless in their exploitation, we will never make money off you!"

"We'll treat them the same way our students do, with scholarships, grants, and all kinds of interest-free loans. Except for scholarships, which they have to earn themselves, we'll arrange everything else for them. We absolutely won't let you have any trouble with tuition and living expenses!"

He compared the future world with foreign countries where people often had to take on loans of tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, and explained the various free benefits to Bai Ling and the others in detail. This also indirectly illustrated the prosperity of the future world and the consistent emphasis on education.

This left Bai Ling and the others completely dumbfounded.

Then, Xia Yiyi continued.

"Another point is the number of students. We won't impose any restrictions on that either. As long as Ah Lang is capable and you can place your people in there, and the students you send are indeed excellent, just let them come. We'll accept them all! What do you think?"

What do you think?

With such generous benefits, you couldn't find another company like it even with a lantern!
Even the burly Hao Pingchuan was so captivated by the story that he couldn't help but feel a longing to go to the future to study and broaden his horizons!

What else can we do?!

Of course, they couldn't wait to make a decision immediately and finalize the matter, fearing that Xia Yiyi might change her mind, so they quickly settled the matter!
As for Bai Ling and the various concerns of the world of Beijing.
Although Bai Ling only inadvertently revealed a hint of worry, she did not actually say what she was worried about.

But who is Xia Yiyi?

As early as the moment they learned that Bai Ling already knew many secrets, Xia Yiyi's think tank had accurately grasped the pulse of Bai Ling and the world of Beijing and came up with a perfect solution.

That is.
“Just follow the model used by the North Korean students. Whatever they are like, you will be like them! We are only responsible for teaching and nurturing students. As long as you don’t break our laws, you can do whatever you want!”

As she spoke, Bai Ling explained the situation of the North Korean students in detail to Bai Ling.

The fact that Bai Ling had always been worried about—that they would have access to sensitive information and bring it back—was also subtly and overtly hinted at to Bai Ling.

They really put the interests of Beijing's residents in every aspect, and their considerations were incredibly thorough.

The thoughtfulness and generosity were so great that Bai Ling felt it was almost unreal.

It's clear that Xia Yiyi has considered and thought of everything.

It's true that the conditions Xia Yiyi offered were almost too good to be true; each one was so perfectly timed that they tickled the very sore spot in Beijing, making it all too dreamlike.

Based on the principles of "what you take, you must first give," "there is no hatred without a cause," and "there is no love without a cause," etc.

After calming her agitated emotions for a while, Bai Ling asked directly and decisively, "So... what's the price? What is the price?"

"You've given us so much preferential treatment. You can't possibly be helping us out of pity because you see us poor brothers struggling, and you're helping us selflessly without asking for anything in return, can you? We don't have that kind of face, and you're not that kind of benevolent!"

"So, just tell me straight, what exactly are your demands? What do you see in us, or what concessions are you going to make of us?"

Seeing that Bai Ling was indeed worthy of being his lifelong enemy, he realized that her guess was absolutely correct!

Although Xia Yiyi and others from later generations did indeed have designs on the world of Beijing, intending to gain more benefits for themselves through this method...
Even if Xia Yiyi is stupid and has low emotional intelligence, she would never say it so bluntly.

We have to take a roundabout approach!

Therefore, faced with Bai Ling's various precautions and vigilance, Xia Yiyi spoke up directly.

"Look at you, always thinking the worst of people! What you're saying is so awful! It makes it sound like we're inherently bad, like we're after your stuff! Can't we just be generous and lend a hand to our brothers?"

Bai Ling had been waiting all this time, just for Xia Yiyi to say this!
Therefore, Xia Yiyi started talking nonsense to him without any further explanation.

Bai Ling immediately seized the opportunity and chimed in.

"What? Show some generosity? Give a brother a hand? That's wonderful! Lao Luo, Lao Hao, hurry up and bow to our Yi Yi girl to thank her and the other side for their selfless help! Oh, and get the script ready for me too! Remember, it must be sincere, it must be profound, and it must make sure that Yi Yi girl feels our sincerest gratitude!"

Goodness, this is completely unconventional.

His shameless behavior left Xia Yiyi completely dumbfounded!
Especially after she saw the thick-skinned and ruthless Lao Luo and Hao Pingchuan, who were really planning to follow Bai Ling's wishes, bow to her, and then quickly put an end to the matter.

They just couldn't hold it in anymore!

"I dare not try to play any more roundabout tricks with Bai Ling," Xia Yiyi quickly changed the subject to stop her.

"No, no, no, please don't! We have demands, we do have demands! But don't worry, it's definitely not something that involves sovereignty or will put you in a difficult position! This is absolutely a mutually beneficial and great thing that will benefit both of us! You can rest assured!"

Bai Ling couldn't help but laugh at how hurried and flustered he was.

In fact, she was indeed amused by Xia Yiyi's ridiculous appearance.

Under Xia Yiyi's resentful gaze.

He started by cheerfully saying something.

"Who told you to talk nonsense with me? I already said we should learn from Ah Lang and say what we mean. You're still playing these fancy tricks and spouting this rubbish. Who else would I mess with if not you?"

Then, Bai Ling spoke.

"Alright, just tell us straight. What exactly is the price? Let us see for ourselves what this mutually beneficial deal you're talking about is all about, and what makes you so confident!"

Xia Yiyi was certainly confident!

Because her think tank had gone through the scenario again and again, and had repeatedly and unequivocally affirmed it.
"Even if the people in Beijing realize that this matter is somewhat inappropriate and could potentially create future problems for them, they cannot refuse!"

Since her top-notch think tank had said so, Xia Yiyi naturally wouldn't question them.

She was so confident that Xia Yiyi just told everyone about it.

Of course, in order to further lower Bai Ling and the others' guard, Xia Yiyi still pretended to sigh and complained to Bai Ling.

"Sigh, don't let our appearance fool you. Actually, our lives are very difficult and unsatisfactory."

This was completely unexpected by Bai Ling.

Bai Ling could hardly believe her ears and couldn't hold back any longer.

"Who? You? You're having a tough time too? Are you kidding me! You've gone from prey to predator, the Americans have to watch your backs, you're almost the world's superpower, and you're telling me you're having a hard time?! Do you think I'm a three-year-old?!"

Seeing that Bai Ling still didn't believe her, Xia Yi sighed.

"The boss is often just an empty shell. Every day when you open your eyes, 14 billion people are waiting for you to feed them! Plus, there are so many underlings to look after. How much of it actually ends up in our mouths?"

"Especially in recent years, not only here, but also where we are, the employment situation is under great pressure!"

"Add to that the various forms of suppression from the Western world, led by the US, and the constant attempts to make things difficult for you. And then there are the neighboring small countries that are always causing trouble, finding fault with you for no reason. Tell me, who wouldn't be happy about that?!"

This is not something Xia Yiyi is making up; it is a real problem that future generations are facing!

Bai Ling, who is lacking in everything, especially talent, wanted to slap Xia Yiyi across the face!
But upon closer examination of Xia Yiyi's subsequent words...
Yes, that means at least tens of millions more people will be unemployed every year, and there are still 14 billion people waiting to be fed.
Having gained a deeper understanding of the future, Bai Ling immediately believed Xia Yiyi's statement and denied the possibility that Xia Yiyi was trying to show off in a roundabout way.

However, I only believed it to a very small extent.

After all, even if life is difficult in later generations, it will still be much better than theirs!

They have no right to pity future generations!
Therefore, this wave of empathy only lasted for a moment before Bai Ling directly interrupted Xia Yiyi's long speech.

"Stop talking nonsense. No matter how hard your lives are, they're still much better than us, who can't even get enough to eat!"

"So don't expect me to empathize with you! Let's get straight to the point: what exactly are you trying to do, what can we get from you, and what price will we have to pay?"

(End of this chapter)