Top Student at Their Peak-Chapter 928 - 332: This Is How Appropriation Should Be Used (Part 2)
Of course, these aren’t really big problems. The real issue is that as the empire is about to collapse, the wealthy magnates who depended on it think not of saving it, but of quickly reaping another round and then finding the next safe haven.
For example, recently in Huaxia and some neighboring areas, various asset prices have started to rise sharply.
Of course, this doesn’t mean the empire lacks visionaries wanting to change all this.
Like the one residing in the white house this time, who has introduced many measures, including a tech revival plan. But unfortunately, at the end of an empire, the damage brought by visionaries is often greater.
After all, reviving technology requires real money.
Just like a famous spokesperson from West University once said: "It’s the economy, stupid!"
All the problems at West University are actually economic. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚
But there’s no way, everyone who wants to achieve something and moves into the white house can’t do without the support of the wealthy.
Though he can turn his back on them after succeeding, those magnates will still teach him a lesson on life.
After all, even if you’re in the white house, advancing any policy requires passing through Congress; if the members aren’t aligned with him, even living there renders him powerless to do anything.
Even if some policies pass, their essence changes during execution.
So long as the magnates see business opportunities in policies, they mostly pass; otherwise, there’s endless bickering.
Just four years, then someone’s up next for the next round, continuing until the day the empire collapses...
If the one in the white house becomes too disobedient, he won’t last even two years.
After all, the mid-term elections decide the fate of the representatives. Removing all who support him and essentially turning him into a lone leader means a direct path to retirement.
So now, West University has truly entered a cycle where the more it struggles, the worse things get.
Anyone with insight can see where the problems lie, but no one can turn the tide.
Only those within understand the weight of vested interests.
More terrifying is this inherently loose organization automatically eliminates those unsuitable.
If someone suddenly awakens and feels something is wrong, the group naturally attacks them.
Moreover, they often strike harder at their own kind.
So in Zheng Xiweng’s view, there’s no need to stir things up at this stage.
Just quietly watch West University develop inertially.
If you want to do scientific research, just do it...
It’s just right to help aerospace teams secure more funding. Back then, the Star Wars were played this way, too.
"What? You don’t agree with my thoughts. I roughly understand their considerations above, but from my perspective, they’re just probing.
You need to keep drawing a bottom line for them, periodically reminding them which things can’t be touched, so they continue their internal consumption."
Qiao Yu spoke confidently.
Zheng Xiweng nodded and asked, "So how do you plan to do it?"
"Both Microsoft and Google have related research. Especially Microsoft Research Institute’s Type-Theoretic AGI Core research is a great help for general AI.
So, go make a call to Brad Smith and Google’s David Hopkins, telling them Xi Yu Technology needs all the research materials related to AI from Microsoft.
Have them summarize the materials and package them, licensing Xi Yu Technology for researching general AI.
They shouldn’t be able to invest money, manpower, and effort supporting optics coating projects without supporting the world’s AI technology development.
As a reward, when our general AI is indeed created, we can authorize them to use it at a price 20% cheaper than others.
Moreover, I feel there’s no need for companies like IBM to exist. Their presence is weak now anyway, and their business has shrunk considerably.
Announce publicly that after the authorization expires this year, Xi Yu Technology will not renew any quantum simulation technology authorizations with IBM. As for the reason... just make one up for me.
Oh, don’t mix up the order of these two things. But you’re smart and surely won’t mess up. Ah, and don’t blame me for having you do it.
You know, Xi Yu Technology is an empty shell company, can’t afford high-level people, who wouldn’t have the aura to negotiate. Can’t expect me to personally ask them for things, right?
It’s better to leave it to you; I’m more assured. You surely can hold down those slick operators. Plus, you can feign being an outsider; when they say it’s difficult, just say you don’t understand. Just look at the result, foreigners eat this up."
Zheng Xiweng curled his lips.
Why do such things always get pushed onto him? He’s not Qiao Yu’s personal secretary.
The key is directly going to people for research materials through such means...
Honestly, Zheng Xiweng feels a bit awkward to say it out loud.
Being alongside Qiao Yu for long, he certainly knows the research for these things is money-consuming. And it’s big money.
The more frontier the technology, the more so.
Scientists need support.
These scientists might not be demanding materially, but their research instruments and supercomputers are expensive.
Engineers need to be supported too, and they’re the main expense.
To turn an idea into reality requires the effort of thousands or even tens of thousands of engineers.
Even programmer salaries aren’t modest.
Almost all achievements come from successive trial and error.
All that trial and error are costs.
Now Qiao Yu stretches out his hand wanting to directly obtain them. No wonder he thinks this isn’t difficult...
For a moment, Zheng Xiweng even felt Qiao Yu’s demands were slightly excessive.
But thinking about these companies’ immense profits previously, it seemed justified.
After all, they made a lot of money before. It’s time to pay back.
Thinking like this, Zheng Xiweng easily broke through his moral compass, nodded, and replied: "Alright, I’ll arrange it later."
"Okay, arrange it as soon as possible, then our project can kick off. By the way, Richard and his eldest son’s comprehensive medical reports are out, right? Can their health endure the upcoming moon trip?"
"Yes, the results came out. The doctor says it’s entirely possible for now. But this isn’t the final result. We still need to see the effects of subsequent training. According to the space center, it requires assessment of not only physical fitness but also willpower."
Qiao Yu nodded, replied with a smile, "Yes, of course. It’s fine if the body’s okay. If Richard lacks willpower, there’s no way to count on him for any significant achievement next.
If it doesn’t work, switch to another group. But honestly, I’m quite optimistic about Richard and that Thomas. I believe they can pass the test. Why don’t we make a bet, with your monthly salary at stake? I bet they can!"
Zheng Xiweng firmly shook his head, said: "Sorry, I never bet with anyone!"
Upon hearing this, Qiao Yu sighed inexplicably.
"Your words remind me of someone. When he was like this, I was quite poor, and he was already a wealthy second generation.
Of course, that’s not the point. The point is, he’s the first second-generation rich I targeted on whom I didn’t manage to squeeze a penny! Later, he said he’d invest forty million in me when I no longer needed his money! Ah...
But it doesn’t matter anymore! Look, I was poor back then, he was an obscure rich second-gen. Now I’m wealthy too, and he’s still an obscure second-gen. This guy is destined to this fate his whole life."
Zheng Xiweng was silent. He certainly knew Qiao Yu was talking about Yu Wei.
He also knew even now, Qiao Yu and Yu Wei occasionally keep in touch.
Actually, having investigated Yu Wei, Zheng Xiweng always believed if this reclusive guy hadn’t crossed paths with Qiao Yu, he might well have become a mathematician.
After all, Yu Wei demonstrably possesses the two crucial traits of a successful mathematician!
Interest in mathematics, a wealthy family free from financial concerns.
What a pity...
