Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 213: Bargaining the price down to 10%, and still demanding a loan from the other party?
All the Davids were stunned.

1.3 kg! And that's with the helmet attachment included. Western military helmets, even without the attachment, would weigh about the same!
"That's impossible. Even American Kevlar isn't this light. What material do you use for your helmets?"

"Well..."

"Still keeping it a secret? If that's the case, then forget it. Since you're showing such a lack of sincerity, there's no need for us to continue cooperating." Caspi gritted his teeth. All he heard here was the word "secrecy," and he only found out after signing the contract.

Now, he's had enough.

"Well, it's fine to tell you. As you should know, Northwestern Polytechnical University has developed a carbon fiber material that is lightweight and high-strength. It's already being used in aircraft skin, engine blades, and even bicycles and fishing rods. So, we've also put it into pilot helmets," Qin Liang said.

If we keep talking about secrecy, these guys will probably go ballistic. So let's keep it simple and show off our strength.

"Carbon fiber?"

"Yes, the supersonic cruiser we are jointly developing with Boeing is intended to use carbon fiber materials extensively to reduce weight. This material can replace aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, and of course, Kevlar."

“That’s right, in this field, your Eastern countries are indeed very advanced.” Caspi nodded. “Now, I request to try on this flight helmet and experience it for myself before I can sign the contract!”

Qin Liang shook his head: "No way!"

"why?"

"No reason, it's simply not going to work. What we said last time was to let you see the results, not to let you experience it for yourself! If you like it, we'll sign the contract; if you don't, then we'll go eat in the cafeteria!"

David's military experts are very smart. If they sit in our cockpit, discover the secrets, and go back to do their own research, wouldn't we be left with nothing? How many secrets have we lost to foreigners when we cooperate with them?

“Okay, let’s sign the contract first,” Daniel said.

The results are so good, it's time to introduce it!
The contract details had been discussed beforehand. It was a fair and reasonable exchange of technology between the two parties, and the contract was signed quickly. David's experts finally obtained the Eastern technical data.

Model: Panda Eye Helmet Sight

Technical principle: photoelectric scanning positioning principle.

Detailed description: The helmet-mounted sight module is equipped with three LEDs. A corresponding measurement module is installed on the instrument panel in front of the cockpit. This module contains two small prisms that rotate in opposite directions, using triangulation to measure the pilot's helmet offset. It also works in conjunction with the fire control computer to orient the missile seeker towards the target…

It's that simple!
No wonder they wouldn't let me go up and take a look. If I had just sat down, I probably would have figured out the principle behind it soon!

In reality, this thing is based on the principle of the Russian Shchel-3UM helmet sight. The Russians installed it on MiG-29s and Su-27s and showed it off everywhere, treating it as their trump card.

In fact, after the reunification of East and West Germany, the MiG-29 was able to gain the upper hand in every confrontation with the F-16. The MiG-29 was repeatedly defeated in later years, not because it was inferior, but because its entire combat system was inadequate.

The technical principles are easy to understand. After Qin Liang returned and explained the technical principles, Zhu Qiu and his team set up a special team to study this technology. The shapes they have created are similar to those of the Russians!

It's just that our current electronic technology is too backward. If we live in a future world with all sorts of advanced sensors, we could make the back of a helmet into a series of fly holes, enough to terrify people with trypophobia. That would be truly high-tech.

Now, we can only use the old Russian technology route!

Russia's industrial level, especially its electronics technology, is significantly behind that of the West. However, Russia's integration capabilities are absolutely first-class. It is with its strong integration capabilities that Russia has produced weapons and equipment that are no less capable than those of the West.

Actually, the Russians' system originally included a small mirror, but this small mirror was only used to indicate that the target had been locked. It could have been improved to allow the prompt to be made in the headset, so the small mirror was removed.

Now, looking at the technical principles, Caspi couldn't help but sigh.

"Easterners are so clever!"

He had to admire how much more ingenious this device was compared to using small reflective mirrors! It took a different approach, had a simple structure, and produced excellent results!

"Thank you for the compliment," Qin Liang said with a smile. "Everyone, when it comes to doing business, you're all the smartest."

"Really? How do you say that?"

"We provided you with the technical data, which you were able to use to manufacture the product. We got your technical data, but we still have to purchase production equipment from you. So, we're the ones who are at a disadvantage!"

In fact, this was already part of Qin Liang's plan!

Northwestern Polytechnical University doesn't have a missile factory. Manually crafting prototypes and large-scale mass production are completely different things. To achieve a high enough pass rate, we really need to purchase production equipment from the West! However, once we have the first set, we can handle the rest ourselves.

Daniel smiled and said, “Please rest assured, we will provide you with a complete production line, from the guidance head to the propellant and the missile body assembly, for a price of only five hundred million US dollars. With the support of your Northwestern Polytechnical University, your Eastern Military Industry has already sold a lot of equipment. This mere five hundred million US dollars should not be a problem for you.”

The Asians present were stunned.

Five hundred million dollars!

Our selling price and profit are two different things. Even Factory 132 wouldn't dare to guarantee that they could come up with $500 million to make the purchase! Although Northwestern Polytechnical University has made a lot of money, it has also invested a lot, and it absolutely cannot come up with a small goal right now.

and so……

Qin Liang shook his head: "Your production line is worth at most fifty million US dollars. If you want to sell, then we'll settle on fifty million US dollars. If you don't want to sell, then forget it! We'll figure it out ourselves and build a production line ourselves. It'll only cost ten million at most."

Qin Liang cut the price down to 90%!
Is it necessary to haggle like this when doing business with the Davids?
On the other side, the Davids also gasped. This price would just allow them to make a small profit, but it certainly wouldn't be a particularly good deal... How did this young man calculate that?
“Mr. Qin, this price is too low, we…”

“This is already an astronomical price for us.” Qin Liang shook his head. “We’ll do it if we can, and we won’t if we can’t. Business isn’t about morality, it’s about integrity. Come on, let’s go to the cafeteria together, we’re all starving.”

"Mr. Qin, could you please add a little more for us?"

“No, this price is the best.” Qin Liang said, “Even at this price, we can’t afford it right now. We can only offer ten million at most. For the rest, we need your help to coordinate a loan from a bank in your David Country.”

Not only did they relentlessly drive down the price, but they also refused to pay anything upfront, even getting David Guo to provide a loan. This tactic... one has to admire Comrade Qin Liang's skill in getting something for nothing...

"That's impossible!" Daniel shook his head repeatedly. "You must pay the full amount!"

"Sigh, forget it then. I originally wanted to repay the loan by participating in your Lion fighter jet project and using our technical services. Since you don't want to cooperate, then forget it!"

"You? You want to participate in the development of our Great David Nation's most advanced fighter jet? You're not qualified..."

Caspi stopped abruptly at this point in his speech.

Do people from the East qualify?
Of course!
The Super-7 fighter jet from Factory 132 was modified with the help of Northwestern Polytechnical University. The modification was so successful that even the Mikoyan Design Bureau could not recognize it. It received a large number of orders at the Paris Air Show!

Boeing plans to jointly develop its latest passenger jet with Northwestern Polytechnical University. It is called the Super Cruiser. This is another big gamble for Boeing, with all its resources invested!
Needless to say, just take this helmet-mounted sight for example; it's absolutely innovative and could even completely change the landscape of air combat! "Sigh, what you're saying is a bit hurtful," Qin Liang shook his head helplessly. "I know your IAI company will seek cooperation with the US, but I have to say, if it's about conventional aerodynamic layouts, the Americans are about as good, but when it comes to canard aerodynamic layouts, they're far behind!"

Duck layout!

David was stunned when he heard this.

"How did you know?"

"In the 1960s, your fighter jets mainly relied on France. Later, due to the supply being cut off during the war, you began the plan to develop your own fighter jets. In 1975, your Kfir fighter jet finally emerged, fulfilling your dream of developing your own fighter jets."

Qin Liang didn't answer, but just talked on and on.

"However, the Kfir fighter jet is just a second-generation aircraft improved from the Mirage 5. Its performance cannot meet your needs. Therefore, you want to develop a new generation of aircraft. This year, you announced the Kfir fighter jet program, but the design was not made public. However... since your technology is based on the Mirage 5, any improvement will definitely be a large delta wing with canards in front."

They haven't released their plans because they haven't completed the project's research and development yet. The aerodynamic layout won't be finalized until 81; they're currently working on the basic parameters.

"I remember the Americans saying that the best canards are on enemy aircraft. They have no technical reserves in this field. Asking the Americans for help is like casting pearls before swine. Our Northwestern Polytechnical University has the richest technical reserves, and we have been researching canard configurations for more than ten years! We can design the most perfect canard aerodynamic configuration for you!"

When did Northwestern Polytechnical University ever study canard configurations? Old Song and his team have been working on it for over a decade! Wait, does Qin Liang mean he's going to take an outdated aerodynamic configuration from Old Song and sell it to David, and in the meantime, pay off his $40 million loan?
This ability to get something for nothing is truly admirable! Old Tu exclaimed with deep emotion.

"What kind of duck formation can you come up with?" Daniel asked.

Rafael only manufactures missiles; IAI, or David Aircraft Company, manufactures aircraft. However, they are all part of the same system and have had many exchanges with each other. Now, Daniel is full of curiosity.

"That depends on your needs," Qin Liang said. "Gaining air superiority and bombing ground targets, high-end and low-end, these are different, so our design solutions will naturally be different as well."

"So what do you think our needs are?"

"What you need to do now is develop a bomb truck with good mobility and strong penetration capabilities to replace your outdated A-4 and F-4 aircraft. Its primary mission is close air support, and its secondary mission is air defense interception..."

Daniel's eyes lit up.

Currently, IAI is conducting preliminary research on the project based on the Air Force's needs, which is almost exactly what this man in front of me said. He really knows David Hawk!

"However!" Qin Liang's change of topic drew a lot of attention: "Once the project begins, the Air Force will inevitably have higher expectations for this fighter jet. For example, its air combat maneuverability and air defense patrol capabilities must not be lower than the F-16, its external payload and ground attack capabilities must not be lower than the F-4 Phantom, and it must have comprehensive electronic countermeasures capabilities, upgrading it from a low-cost bomb truck to a first-class fighter jet that surpasses the F-16!"

Back then, the David fighter jet gained American support by claiming it was a low-cost fighter. However, as development progressed, its performance improved, eventually surpassing the F-16. This angered the Americans, who worried that if the Lion fighter jet succeeded, how would they sell their aircraft?
Under pressure, the Lion fighter jet project was never launched. Of course, the fighter jet itself also had major design problems. The Americans had never used canards before; in their eyes, the best canards were on enemy aircraft.

"I even speculate that your Air Force has long planned to develop a powerful fighter jet that surpasses the F-16, but that would arouse the suspicion of the Americans and would not receive their support. Therefore, you used a low-cost fighter jet as a pretext..."

"You're a devil!" Daniel's eyes nearly popped out of his head. This man in front of him seemed to know everything!
"If that's the case, then we absolutely cannot cooperate with the United States. As long as you keep demanding modifications to the technical specifications to surpass the F-16, the United States will definitely exert pressure and completely destroy your project! Choosing us means you won't face any pressure!"

"Could you elaborate on the plan?"

"To improve maneuverability, it is not enough to rely on canards to generate vortices; canards must also be used as control surfaces. In other words, you need to develop a fighter jet with a close-coupled movable canard configuration. Considering the difficulty of handling, it must be equipped with quadruple redundancy digital fly-by-wire."

When talking about these things, Qin Liang was spitting as he spoke.

"Regarding the engines, we'll start by using the spare engines from your F-15s and F-16s for test flights. Only high-thrust engines can meet your needs. As for airborne radar technology, you can seek suitable models in the United States or directly purchase our products."

"Finally, and most importantly, funding is crucial for the success of a project. Northwestern Polytechnical University's ability to control budgets is absolutely unparalleled. This forty million US dollars is more than enough for us to develop the most suitable aerodynamic design for you..."

“This project isn’t up to Raphael Company to decide; we need to go back and discuss it with IAI Company,” Daniel said.

Qin Liang finally relaxed. It was a success!

My maximum budget is ten million US dollars! That's painful enough! Northwestern Polytechnical University is still very poor; we need to use our resources wisely.

Once they go back and discuss it, they will definitely be able to attract IAI Company. Next, all they need to do is run the Lion fighter jet's design on the computer!
"Okay, that's enough for today. Now, let's go eat. We're starving..."

After lunch, David and his team, carrying documents and samples, hurriedly boarded their return flight; they couldn't wait a moment longer!

"Liangzi, do you want me to go to 611 with you?" Old Tu asked.

"Need not."

"I'm just killing time anyway..."

"Professor Tu, really, there's no need! A lot of the people from 611 are at Northwestern Polytechnical University! Besides, I probably won't need them."

“Alright.” Old Tu nodded. “Then let’s discuss the project for further improvements to Super 7…”

With the F404 already here, shouldn't the Super-7 also transform into the JF-17?
"There's no rush. Let's wait until the project in Shenyang is finalized before we talk about it, so they won't accuse us of stealing their business."

"it is good."

Eighty years have passed. When Qin Liang returned to Northwestern Polytechnical University, the campus was quiet. Was it... exam week again?

Qin Liang smiled. He had been putting on an act before, but now he was completely dropping the pretense. He never went to the classroom and never took the exams. As for his exam results... no one would dare to question them, right?

"Liangzi, you're finally back!" Director Luo greeted him. "Come on, let me show you our newly built apartment building! We're just waiting to distribute the keys. You can choose first, and then the others will draw lots."

Housing allocation!
Qin Liang frowned: "Director Luo, does Northwestern Polytechnical University have specific standards for its welfare housing allocation system?"

Many people envy the past, when jobs were secure and housing was allocated by the work unit—it seemed like a golden age. For some, it certainly was! Those with long-term experience received preferential treatment in everything they did. However, for others, it wasn't necessarily the case; they might have to wait in line for ten or twenty years to be allocated housing.

"Do you have any idea?"

"Well, there are only three ways to allocate housing: according to need, according to work, and according to making a scene," Qin Liang said. "No matter which one, it will satisfy the needs of some people while offending others."

In theory, allocation according to need is the best solution. Whoever needs a house should be allocated one. This is how the term "housing for basic needs" came about.

But... what does "need" mean?
Because the education system in the capital is better and there are more universities, my child needs to go to school in the capital. I need a house in the capital; it's a basic necessity! You have to allocate one for me!
Allocation based on need is theoretically the best, but it is also the most difficult to implement because defining what is needed is too difficult, and it can easily become a policy that fosters laziness, only feeding those who take advantage of loopholes.

Distribution based on who makes the most noise... cough cough cough, whoever makes the most noise is right, Qin Liang despises that the most.

Therefore, the best way is to distribute according to work. Whoever makes the greatest contribution should receive the treatment commensurate with their work!
　PS: The image above is from South Africa; it's just a small lens. The one below, which isn't mentioned in the book, is VR technology developed by the Americans back then. That's right, virtual reality technology. It's similar to helmet-mounted sights in later generations, but it's huge and very heavy, requiring a rope to suspend it to share the weight.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)