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

Chapter 66 scared away Boss Ma, so we'll handle it ourselves!

Leader Ma's face immediately turned ugly.

What a joke! The country's foreign exchange reserves are so small. If it were ten thousand US dollars, I might be able to find a way to help raise it. But this million US dollars... If I dared to ask for it, the president of the Eastern Bank would beat me out with a broom!
Seeing his hesitation, Qin Liang's tone became anxious: "Leader Ma, you're a high-ranking leader from the capital, this shouldn't be a big deal for you, right? You just said you know quite a few leaders in the capital, it's fortunate you came today..."

"Thank goodness what? If I had known it would cost money, I wouldn't have come!" Boss Ma was filled with regret.

At this moment, Director Luo also realized what was happening and quickly came over, whispering, "Leader Ma, you just said that all the people of the country are one family, and that the development of industry across the country is a unified whole. You really understand the big picture and consider the overall situation..."

At this moment, several foreigners also looked over. They could clearly see that Leader Ma was the highest-ranking leader present. Therefore, how much extra money they could make on this business trip depended on him!
Skyri smiled and then walked toward the door.

No, I absolutely cannot engage in conversation with foreigners, otherwise, as the highest-ranking leader present, I will have to take responsibility for this matter!

If we can't get a million dollars, we can't install the computer, and then we'll have to take the blame ourselves...

Thinking of this, Leader Ma made a quick decision: "Old Luo, you guys are busy, I'll be going now!"

gone?

"No, Mr. Ma, didn't you want computers..."

"No, we don't want it anymore!"

Leader Ma waved his hand and left without looking back: "I still have to inspect other units, so I'm leaving now. Lao Luo, come find me when you come to the capital!"

Okay, they've finally scared them away!

Director Luo breathed a sigh of relief. This Leader Ma values ​​his reputation a lot. Now that he's given up this time, he probably won't ask for it again in the future.

We have all three computers, but... how do we cover the $10,000 installation fee?

At this moment, seeing Leader Ma turn and leave, Skylar's face darkened: "These three machines are quite expensive. You accepted the donation of the machines, but you don't even want to pay the $10,000 installation fee? Is this the attitude of the East?"

If they don't pay, we absolutely will not install it!
"It's not that we don't want to pay, it's just not worth the price!"

Skylar looked at the young man who had spoken, his face darkening further. "What do you mean by 'not worth the price'? Do you Easterners even understand how powerful IBM is?"

Qin Liang rolled his eyes at him: "In 1934, IBM installed the first commercial processor for Peking Union Medical College Hospital in Beijing. This also marked your IBM's official entry into the East. In previous years, due to various reasons, we did not cooperate. Do you know what it means for you to stand here today?"

Skelly was taken aback.

Qin Liang continued, "This means that IBM is returning to our Eastern market! Our country has opened its doors, and we need a lot of computers. This is a blank market! There are so many computer manufacturers abroad, and you are the first! Is this the first impression you've left on us in the East?"

Skerry's expression changed. Indeed, the door to the East had opened, and IBM had high hopes for the Eastern market! This was untapped territory; whoever conquered it first would reap enormous profits!

"According to your theory, the customer is God. How can you be so condescending when facing God?"

Skyri's expression shifted several times before he finally managed a smile: "Yes, you're right. I apologize for my attitude just now."

The high and mighty foreigner actually apologized! Everyone was amazed; Qin Liang was truly remarkable, whether in his scholarship, creativity, or his ability to deal with foreigners!

"However, I am only apologizing for my attitude. The installation fee still has to be paid; it is our company's policy."

After Skyri finished speaking, he looked up at Qin Liang again.

This time, we're being a little nicer, but the installation fee is still necessary!
Qin Liang smiled and said, "Since you're asking for such an exorbitant amount, then we'll assemble it ourselves!"

Skerry was taken aback again. What? You Easterners assembled it yourselves? You don't understand our computers, what if you break it?
"Sir, you probably don't know this, but our System/370 is IBM's most modern computer, it..."

"Your IBM developed the System/360 computer in the mid-1960s. It was a groundbreaking achievement; its technological innovation and impact determined the development of computers for decades to come, and it is considered one of the three greatest achievements of the United States. The System/370 can be seen as its upgraded version..."

Skylar's face was full of pride, almost to the point of feeling smug. This computer was indeed groundbreaking, and Brooks, who was in charge at the time, even won the Turing Award... Wait, wait, this guy is praising IBM for some other reason!
"Sir, thank you for your praise of our product, but installation is still required. If you install it yourself and damage any parts, you will have to pay for the repair and replacement costs!"

"They're not that easy to break. Computers aren't delicate. What model did you send? If it's the 155 or 165, that's a whole server rack with 28 circuit boards inside. Just plug them in. If it's the 158 or 168, it uses multi-processor technology, so the number of circuit boards can be increased to 36. If it's the latest XA model, it has added extended memory, so there's one more circuit board. According to our agreement, you should send us the latest model, right?"

Skyri's eyes widened. What? You know so much?
As Qin Liang spoke, he put on his shoe covers and walked into the computer room.

Now, it's time to open the blind boxes!
The System/370 mainframe computer comes in a series of models, with vastly different computing capabilities. What exactly are the configurations of these three free computers?

Seeing that the box said System/370-VA, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This is the fastest computing model out of all 370s!

Sizzle... Qin Liang started unpacking the box!
At that moment, Professor Liu pressed Qin Liang's hand: "Qin Liang, are you... really confident?"

"Old Liu, let Qin Liang give it a try! If anything goes wrong, I'll take all the blame!" Director Luo said.

Since we can't get ten thousand dollars anyway, we might as well let Qin Liang give it a try. What if he succeeds? That conversation just now shows that Qin Liang is very familiar with this kind of computer!

The rustling sound continued. Qin Liang had already opened the first box, looked around, then touched the steel window a few times before unpacking the contents.

Whether someone is an expert or a novice can be seen from a small gesture. Qin Liang is eliminating static electricity!
By this time, Skyri had roughly figured it out: he might not actually earn that $10,000; this guy in front of him really knew what he was doing!

(End of this chapter)