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

Chapter 65: Ten thousand dollars instantly becomes one million dollars!

Director Luo's heart skipped a beat.

What does Shenyang Blower Factory have to do with us? There are plenty of departments across the country that need computers, and they're all coming to Northwestern Polytechnical University to freeload? Does Northwestern Polytechnical University owe you anything? Besides, this computer doesn't belong to Northwestern Polytechnical University. It was obtained from the Americans through a collaboration between Qin Liang and Professor Lin. If you're so capable, go and get one yourself!

Director Luo was annoyed. He turned his head to look at him, but could only force a smile: "Leader Ma, what brings you here?"

He's a leader from the machinery department who came from the capital! It's best not to offend these people if possible.

"Hey, I just heard that three computers have arrived!" Leader Ma said with a smile. "We only need one, and we'll keep two for you to do research! We are all one family in the country, and the development of the national industry is a unified whole. You must be mindful of the big picture and consider the overall situation!"

The message was clear: I'm definitely getting this computer!

Director Luo's mind raced. The only solution now was to go find Elder Lin! Only Elder Lin could drive away these freeloaders, but... contacting Elder Lin wouldn't be easy! No phone at Northwestern Polytechnical University could reach the capital; he'd have to go to the city's post office, and even then, there was no guarantee of getting through! And even if he did get through, it might not be immediately helpful—a distant solution couldn't quench an immediate thirst!
"The computer is back?" Just then, a voice rang out.

Qin Liang is back!
With IBM computers, we could finally get things done. As the saying goes, "A skilled craftsman must first have the right tools."

Leader Ma looked at Qin Liang: "This young man..."

"Hey, where did you come from, sir? Excuse me, please leave our computer room! Our computers are state-of-the-art equipment, and they must be kept extremely clean. Look at the dust on the soles of your shoes!" Qin Liang rolled his eyes at Boss Ma, then casually shoved him away.

For a moment, Boss Ma's mind went blank. He had never encountered a subordinate like this before!
Standing nearby, Mr. Ma's secretary immediately objected: "What's wrong with you, young man? How could you push our Mr. Ma..."

"What's wrong? Old Lin from the Air Force, I've had drinks at the same table with him, and he didn't act all high and mighty! A few days ago, Leader Liu from the electronics system came over and personally apologized to me! The higher the rank, the less pretentious they are. You guys... hehe!"

The secretary's face changed completely: "Which Leader Liu is apologizing to you?"

"Liu Gensheng."

The secretary froze on the spot. This was a top leader, absolutely! If a leader like this could personally apologize to the young man in front of him, what kind of airs was this "Boss Ma" putting on?

Director Luo was secretly delighted. He couldn't bring up these people himself, but Qin Liang was just a young upstart. He could use these leaders to bolster his image and give this Leader Ma a taste of his own medicine! We've seen it all!

However... this won't scare these people away. Director Luo knows Director Ma's personality well; he's dealt with him a few times before, and he's very difficult to deal with...

Leader Ma forced a smile: "Young man, you must be Qin Liang? I've heard of you. With your talent, you're sure to be a top performer in our industrial system. Several old men in the capital think highly of you..."

This was to tell Qin Liang that I came from the industrial system, and that as long as he studied science and engineering, his job assignment after graduation would be in a factory...

"From the capital?" Qin Liang looked Leader Ma up and down a few times, then shook his hand warmly: "Welcome, welcome! I knew that once we got the computer, many leaders would come to inspect it, but... you've come too early, the computer hasn't been installed yet! Please come back after it's installed! Director Luo, should we report this to the school office and ask the director of the school office to take Leader Ma out for a meal?"

"Okay, okay, Leader Ma, this way please." As long as we get the person to the school, we won't have to worry about anything else!
"Wait, I'm not here for an inspection, I'm here to get computers!" Seeing that he was about to be fooled, Leader Ma became anxious: "Old Luo, I'm not leaving until I get the computers today! I'm not going anywhere. If you don't let me into the computer room, I'll wait outside!" Qin Liang sighed. He had just heard Leader Ma's request outside, so he decided to play dumb, try to get backing, and hopefully scare the man away. However... a leader from the capital wouldn't be so easily fooled.

Professor Sha, who asked me to come with him, has already gone out to make a phone call, but it's uncertain when Elder Lin's support will arrive!

What's next?
Just then, Professor Liu and others entered, accompanied by several foreigners.

"Mr. Skyley, the machines have all been moved up. We'll leave the installation to you now!"

Once the machines were delivered, IBM engineers followed. They were experienced in selling machines all over the world.

They ignored the group of people arguing in the hallway, walked to the door of the computer room, put on shoe covers, and went inside.

Looking at the soles of his shoes again, it seemed that he really had made a mistake.
Several Americans went in, visually inspected the area, and then went to the window to test for any drafts.

After checking, Skyri nodded: "Yes, the environment here is perfectly suitable for installing our S/370 computer system. You need to settle the installation fee with us first."

Everyone present was stunned.

"Wasn't this machine a gift from AEROSPACE magazine?" Director Luo asked directly in English, standing at the door of the computer room.

“Yes, it was a gift from them, but they didn’t pay for the installation,” Skyry said. “In the United States, installation fees are settled by the customer on-site.”

"how much is it?"

"The installation cost is three thousand US dollars per unit. In addition, the installation process will take about a week, during which time you will also need to pay our travel allowance. In total, you will need to pay us ten thousand US dollars."

Forget about ten thousand US dollars, we don't have a single dollar on hand, that's foreign exchange! If it were RMB, everyone could chip in a few hundred yuan, but that's not enough!
How to do?
Director Luo looked at Qin Liang.

Qin Liang's eyes darted around: "What? The installation fee for one unit is over three hundred thousand US dollars, and for three units it's one million US dollars? Are you kidding me!"

Standing nearby, both Leader Ma and his secretary were shocked.

What? This thing costs money to install?
In his shock, Qin Liang turned to Leader Ma and said, "Leader Ma, didn't you just say you wanted one? As long as you cover the installation fee, we'll give you one for free!"

He spoke all of this in Chinese, but the Americans didn't bring a translator. Many of us here speak English, so communication isn't a problem. As long as Leader Ma and his secretary don't understand English, they won't be able to figure out the trick!

No matter how much experience you have in officialdom, it's useless! As my old boss said, knowledge is power!

(End of this chapter)