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

Chapter 545 Actors Mislead the Country; Science and Technology are the Primary Productive Force

"Alright, let's adjourn the meeting for today. Now... how about we go to Quanjude for lunch?"

"No, no!" Spielberg said, "Since we're at university, we should dine there and experience the atmosphere of an Eastern university!"

Back then, when the East had just opened its doors, Ben Ritchie visited Northwestern Polytechnical University and ate in the cafeteria. After that, the news spread and became the most anticipated event for all Americans visiting the East.

Although this is not Northwestern Polytechnical University, Beihang University is also a top-tier university, so of course we have to experience the cafeteria here!
"Ok."

Qin Liang picked up his phone and quickly sent a text message.

After picking her up from the airport, Yang Duo'er went back. After all, she didn't need to participate in this kind of professional conference. She was just waiting to have dinner together. Quanjude had already booked a private room for her. Now... she had to hurry back.

Beihang University, Canteen No. 6.

Similar to the canteen at Northwestern Polytechnical University, it's a separate place, much like a factory production workshop. It has a very high ceiling with steel beams overhead and square dining tables the size of eight immortals tables below. All the canteen windows were packed with people, especially one window where the queue stretched all the way to the door!
"What is this...? Is it delicious?" Spielberg asked with great interest.

"Ramen." Professor Pan introduced from the side: "Last year, one of the ten people who moved Beihang University was a ramen chef. Since then, there has always been a long queue at the ramen window."

Selecting the most touching people at Beihang University every year is a tradition of Beihang University. Now... Qin Liang also became interested. Could he also create a list of the top ten people who moved Northwestern Polytechnical University?
Just as I was deep in thought, a surprised voice suddenly rang out.

"Principal Qin?"

"Principal Qin is here!"

hula la...

A large crowd gathered around, including those who had just been queuing at the ramen window!
This scene...

Qin Liang was completely dumbfounded.

"Dear students, you..."

"President Qin, can Northwestern Polytechnical University expand its graduate enrollment? I want to apply for the aero-engine major at Northwestern Polytechnical University!"

"President Qin, I am pursuing my master's degree at Beihang University. Can I go to Northwestern Polytechnical University to pursue my doctorate?"

The teachers from Beihang University who came in with them all had mixed feelings. You are the outstanding students cultivated by Beihang University, the pillars of the country. Why do you like Northwestern Polytechnical University so much?

Beihang University is the most professional aerospace university!

"Principal Qin, I'm researching ramjet engines, and I've encountered quite a few problems when modeling the internal combustion process. Could you explain it to me?"

The student who was speaking even took out paper and pen!
"Dear students, I'm here today to accompany Mr. Spielberg, the famous Hollywood director, to our Beihang University for a meeting and a meal. You can ask these questions later; just send them to my email address!"

Qin Liang decided to change the subject: "Mr. Spielberg, he..."

Boos erupted.

"Hollywood directors, pick people to go to the Beijing Film Academy!"

"That's right, Beihang University is a technology-driven institution. Actors are a disservice to the country; science and technology are the primary productive forces..."

Everyone looked down on the foreigners, so Qin Liang could only look at the person next to Spielberg: "This is Kay Michaelson, the guy who can make rockets with his bare hands."

is it?

Soon, a group of students from the aerospace engineering department surrounded him.

Spielberg was left standing there awkwardly, then... Professor Pan finally reacted: "Mr. Spielberg, there's no one at the ramen window, let me take you to eat ramen, it's a specialty of Beihang University!"

"Ok."

The thought of being the center of attention in the United States made Spielberg feel incredibly conflicted about the cold reception he received.

This country doesn't idolize celebrities; it only pursues high technology. Such a country has a promising future!
When Yang Duo'er arrived, this was the scene she saw: Liangzi was surrounded by a group of people, Kay Michaelson was surrounded by a group of people, Spielberg... was quietly eating ramen accompanied by several teachers from Beihang University.

My idol is being neglected?

Sure enough, these people who study science and engineering don't understand Western culture.

But... the ramen smells so good, since there's no line, I'll go get a bowl myself!
Holding his ramen, I sat down next to Kay Michaelson and heard Spielberg start to complain quietly.

"The Eastern market is too closed off! You won't even release a Hollywood blockbuster..."

Movies are not just ordinary movies; they are a tool for cultural invasion!

In the East, for a long time, only domestically produced films were shown. These films were educational and allowed people to feel the warmth of the socialist family.

As for Western blockbusters? Sorry, we don't welcome your cultural exports!

This situation did not change until 85. In the latter half of the year, China Film Group Corporation purchased the 5 film "Superman" produced by Warner Bros. for $78. The following year, the film was released in theaters and caused an instant sensation.

Hollywood blockbusters are exquisitely produced with spectacular scenes; in comparison, domestic films are just a pile of garbage.

However, in the following years, very few Hollywood films were imported until 94, when ten films were imported at once, which was a big step forward.

Right now... the import of "Superman" hasn't even started yet!

Hearing his complaints, Yang Duo'er's eyes lit up: "Therefore, the film we are collaborating on this time is even more important. As long as it can be filmed, our Xigong will find a way to screen it in major cinemas in the East. This is a great opportunity for Hollywood to enter the Eastern market!"

Spielberg nodded: "Yes, this is a film we're collaborating on, it'll definitely be released in the East! Tomorrow, we'll go check out the filming location, and if everything's alright, we'll start filming within a month!"

"Yes, we will give you our full support. The script will be written within a week!"

"it is good!"

The matter was settled amicably!
By the time Qin Liang finished chatting with the students from Beihang University, it was already 10 p.m. He yawned and looked around the empty cafeteria. Spielberg was nowhere to be seen, and only Yang Duo'er was still waiting for him.

"It's another busy day. The students at Beihang University are so enthusiastic."

"Brother Liangzi, you have no idea how much the teachers at Beihang University look at you. They practically want to come up and beat you up."

"Really?" Qin Liang smiled. "Did they mention anything about a joint program with Northwestern Polytechnical University?"

"There really is one. A professor said that since students like Northwestern Polytechnical University so much, why not just change the name of Beihang University to Northwestern Polytechnical University Affiliated Capital Aviation College?"

"Cough cough."

This must be a joke. After all, the reputation of the Capital University of Aeronautics and Astronautics is much better than that of Northwestern Polytechnical University. Putting aside everything else, being located in the capital is its biggest advantage!

Anyone who has been to university knows that you can register your household registration with the school when you enroll. If you study at Beihang University, you can directly become a resident of the capital. Although you will have to wait and see your employment situation after graduation to decide whether to keep or leave your household registration, you are a true resident of the capital while you are in university.

This single household registration alone could attract countless people.

Now, if Northwestern Polytechnical University had a college in the capital... cough cough, wake up, stop dreaming. Get on the bus, let's go home!
My phone rang again on the way.

"Hello, what? Okay, I got it."

"Brother Liangzi, what's up?"

"People from the island nation are coming to discuss cooperation with Starship Corporation."

Yang Duo'er frowned: "These islanders are different from other people."

Kay Michelson has arrived, wanting to invest in Starship, bringing with him a fervent vision of space exploration. What are these island nations after? It's definitely our technology!

These days, islanders are quite wealthy, even wanting to buy out America. How could they not be rich? This is the era that all islanders miss the most!
Companies are chasing after graduates, offering them jobs. Graduation guarantees a 100% job offer, and some graduates even have multiple offers to choose from! Moreover, they can receive generous signing bonuses even before starting work.

Even just having an offer letter can get you a large loan from the bank, making it easy to buy luxury cars and houses!

Especially after the Plaza Accord...

Wait a minute, it seems like we're almost at the Plaza Accord! This is a major event in the second half of 85!
The next day, in the morning, at Beihang University, in the conference room.

Spielberg and Kay Michaelson are gone; what's sitting in the conference room today is a group of short guys.

Leading the group was Hideo Itokawa, the director of the Island Nation Space Science Research Institute.

This guy is very famous; in Japan, he's known as the father of space exploration and rocketry!

Hideo Itokawa graduated from Tokyo Imperial University and became a Doctor of Engineering at the University of Tokyo in 1949. In 1953, he went to the University of Chicago as a visiting lecturer and witnessed the rapid development of the American rocket industry, which inspired him to develop rockets in the island nation.

After returning, they worked at the Aeronautical Technology Research Institute of the University of Tokyo. In 1955, they developed the island nation's first rocket, nicknamed "Pencil," which was the kind you could hold in your hand; it was actually similar to one of our firecrackers.

By 1960, the latest K-8 rockets were capable of reaching altitudes of 200 kilometers.

The previous K-series rockets were sounding rockets and could not send payloads into space. Later, they began to cooperate with Nissan's aerospace division to develop the L-4S rocket. In 1970, they sent a 24-kilogram small satellite codenamed Ōsumi into space, making them the fourth country in the world with satellite launch capabilities.

This also marks the launch of the world's first satellite developed by a university group.

From this perspective, they are somewhat similar to Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU). However, their research and development capabilities are far weaker than NPU's!
In 1981, the Aeronautical Technology Research Institute was separated from the University of Tokyo and reorganized into the Space Science Research Institute.

The island nation's larger and more powerful liquid-fueled rockets are developed by the Space Development Corporation.

In 03, the Space Science Institute, the National Aeronautics and Space Laboratory, and the Space Development Corporation were merged into a unified space agency.

In 1964, the Science and Technology Agency of Japan established the Space Development Promotion Headquarters, which was renamed the Space Development Business Group in 1969. In early 1970, they began producing launch vehicles. Due to weak technological reserves, they adopted a "borrowing" approach, developing their NI rocket by imitating the Delta M rocket.

It was 32 meters long, weighed 90.4 tons, and could send a 1.2-ton payload to a low Earth orbit 200 kilometers away. It was decommissioned in 82 after seven launches.

The N-II rocket currently in service is 35 meters long, weighs 135 tons, and has a low Earth orbit payload capacity of 2 tons.

Although the East's rocket technology cannot compare with that of the United States and the Soviet Union, its low Earth orbit carrying capacity is already in the ten-ton range, far exceeding that of island nations.

However... at this time, the islanders were high and mighty.

"We have heard that you want to send humans to Mars, which would be a monumental feat in the history of human spaceflight. How could our island nation be left out? We are willing to contribute one billion US dollars in research and development funding!"

Compared to Kay Michaelson's millions, this billion dollars is an astronomical figure!

Keep in mind that this was in the 1980s, when the US dollar was still very valuable!
"On behalf of Starship Corporation, I thank you for your contributions to human spaceflight," Qin Liang said with a smile. "What are your requirements?"

“We need to own 51% of the shares, and the R&D headquarters needs to be located in our Space Science Institute…”

Before Hideo Itokawa could finish speaking, Qin Liang waved his hand to stop him.

"Stop, stop! If this is your condition, then there's no point in discussing it further. Let's end the meeting here." Qin Liang said, standing up. "You can spend the rest of your time exploring Beihang University. Since you've come all this way, you can't just go back..."

What do you mean?
The island nation's short-statured people were completely dumbfounded; they'd flipped the table at the drop of a hat!
"Mr. Qin, as far as we know, your project will burn through a massive amount of money, much larger than the American Apollo program. With your capabilities, you simply cannot support such a project! We are investing one billion US dollars... If you think that's not enough, we can invest another one billion!"

"It's not about how much money it costs." Qin Liang rolled his eyes at the other party: "You can ask around. NASA and the European Space Agency have both come here, but they all left empty-handed. Anyone who thinks that money can make them bosses and steal our technical secrets is not our partner."

"But we've given so much money, we should get something in return, right?"

"Great! When we fly to Mars, I'll be number one on the contribution list!"

"We don't want empty fame, we want real benefits!"

"In the space industry, we need contributors, not people who steal profits. Your attitude is wrong."

"What does this mean? We can only contribute money and won't receive any real benefits?"

"You deserve the worship of all mankind; your contribution to the journey to Mars is the greatest."

What a joke!
The thought process of islanders simply can't keep up.

In their eyes, I paid money and asked for the technology, wasn't that perfectly reasonable? And you gave me nothing but an empty title?
The island nation's economic boom is, of course, inseparable from their keen business sense, but now... this is completely out of step with their way of thinking.

"Principal Qin, without our funding, your plan to fly to Mars cannot proceed!" After finally realizing what was happening, Hideo Itokawa's attitude hardened.

"Really? Then we'll just have to wait and see." Qin Liang said with a smile, "Our Hollywood blockbuster about flying to Mars is already in preparation. Once this blockbuster is released globally, I believe that those who truly love space will come to invest in us. As for those who use investment as a pretext to steal our technology, they won't succeed!"

Fundraising? We have a secret weapon! After this blockbuster is released, people from all walks of life will come to donate! It seems like a lot for you islanders to donate a billion dollars, but if we can gather a hundred million people, and each of them gives us ten dollars, that's still a billion dollars!

The island nation's eyes widened. A Hollywood blockbuster, a propaganda campaign?

This... seems to actually be a possibility!
Seeing that Qin Liang was about to leave, Daishi Sekine, an engineer from the Space Development Corporation next to Hideo Itokawa, quickly spoke up: "Could your company sell us related products? For example, the eight-ton-class liquid oxygen methane engine that your company has already successfully developed? It would be even better if you could license us to produce it!"

The island nation's rocket parts are mostly purchased from abroad. Most of the parts for their liquid rockets are either bought from the United States or produced under license from the United States!
For example, their NI rocket's first stage uses the MA3-3 liquid oxygen/kerosene engine, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under license from McDonnell Douglas. The rocket's third stage uses the Star 37N solid rocket motor, manufactured by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries under license from Theocore Corporation, and the boosters are the Castor-2 solid rocket boosters, manufactured by Nissan Motor Aerospace under license from Theocore.

Only the LE-3 engine used in the upper two stages was independently developed by the Space Development Corporation, the National Aeronautics and Space Laboratory, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with technical guidance from McDonnell Douglas.

This is the island nation's first "indigenously developed" liquid engine, which uses nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine as fuel, with a vacuum thrust of only 5.5 tons and a specific impulse of 290 seconds.

Just by looking at it, you can tell how outdated the technology is!

Now, they want to invest in research and development to acquire world-class technology in one fell swoop. If they can't get it, they'll just buy it directly! In their eyes, anything that can be bought with money isn't a problem!
Qin Liang shook his head: "Impossible."

"why?"

Need I say more? Liquid rockets are rockets in peacetime, but in wartime they become ballistic missiles! Although they are not as technologically advanced as solid rockets, they are still usable!
Our Long March 2 rocket has a long history with the Dongfeng-5 missile, so we certainly cannot support the rocket industry of island nations! Even if we don't export advanced liquid oxygen methane engines, exporting outdated and toxic rocket engines is unacceptable.

"We only accept donations; we don't accept anything else," Qin Liang said.

He knew this would be the outcome, but he still had to come, because... that way he could better take advantage of the Japanese!

(End of this chapter)