Chapter Sixty-Four: This Is AVIC International

That's right. Coming to the capital this time, I knew I had to bring something tangible. Now that the small turbojet was finalized, I decided to take it along. No matter how eloquent your words, nothing compares to presenting a real product. So, before leaving, I specifically asked the factory that made the prototype parts to produce another engine to bring with me, hoping it would prove useful during this trip to the capital. Now was precisely the moment for the small turbojet to shine. If it were another large military item, it wouldn't be possible to carry it around, but this little fellow was different. That was my advantage for this visit.

Director Bai walked to the table to explain the engine to Mr. Wu.

"Mr. Wu, this engine here is the core component we've prepared for the model aircraft described in our proposal. As far as I know, it is the first turbojet engine for a model aircraft in the world."

Pride welled up in him as he spoke. Though it was only for a model, it was still the first of its kind in the world. Anything that can claim to be the first is destined for fame.

Wu studied the engine on the table carefully, testing its weight in his hand. It didn't feel too heavy, but what he really wanted was detailed data.

"Well, tell me about this engine's performance. Let me see what this little fellow is capable of. It looks quite promising."

There was no fear of being questioned—only of being ignored. Now that Mr. Wu was interested, Director Bai hurried to promote the engine.

"Mr. Wu, the main designer of this engine is Yang Hui. He led the five new university graduates at our institute in developing it. So, it's best if he introduces it himself."

Knowing Yang Hui had a good relationship with Mr. Wu, Director Bai didn't hesitate to put Yang Hui forward.

"Oh, young man, I knew I wasn't mistaken about you. You've achieved results so quickly. Very good, now please give us the specifics."

As the actual leader of the project, Yang Hui was intimately familiar with every aspect of the engine's performance, and rattled off the data fluently.

"The engine has a diameter of 103 millimeters, an overall length of 273 millimeters, weighs 1,562 grams, produces 12.6 kilograms of thrust, reaches a maximum speed of 150,000 revolutions per minute, consumes 445 grams of fuel per minute, requires its first major overhaul at 25 hours, and runs on a gasoline-diesel mix..."

He listed all the specifications in one breath, giving Mr. Wu a preliminary impression. Now, Mr. Wu silently calculated some hidden figures that Yang Hui had not mentioned.

"Not bad at all. This engine has a thrust-to-weight ratio of 8.4, which is quite decent among engines. Most importantly, I can see the cost must be low. If an aircraft engine can match its peers in performance and still be made cheaper, that's an extraordinary achievement."

Seeing Yang Hui and his team bring such a high-tech turbojet down to earth for ordinary use was progress indeed. He felt a surge of satisfaction—if foreign companies saw the mystery of jet engines unveiled and made accessible to the public like this, their jaws would surely drop. Thinking of this, Mr. Wu was delighted; this was true progress.

"Indeed, Mr. Wu, our engine is extremely affordable. If it were expensive, no one could afford it. We're aiming for large-scale sales," Yang Hui replied.

Director Bai chimed in as soon as sales were mentioned, "With this finished, we plan to sell it directly overseas to earn foreign exchange. Our institute is strapped for cash; all our funds are tied up in the Turbojet-7 project, and even that's not enough."

Inevitably, the conversation turned to sales. Hearing this, Mr. Wu laughed—it was as if someone had delivered a pillow just as he was about to fall asleep.

"You want to sell abroad, right? Coming to me was the right choice. I'll submit a report to the higher-ups. You'll be allowed to keep sixty percent of all sales revenue, meaning the state will only take forty percent."

Mr. Wu eagerly explained the benefits Yang Hui would receive through his connections, but Yang Hui was clearly unimpressed. This project was funded through the institute's own efforts, not with state investment. How could the state still take forty percent? In later years, for projects funded by state-owned enterprises themselves, the state only required taxes to be paid—never a percentage cut. This was simply unacceptable.

"Mr. Wu, I must clarify that this project was funded entirely by our institute, without a single penny from government departments. It shouldn't be treated like previous trade projects where the state takes a share."

This caught Mr. Wu off guard. No institute had ever self-funded a project before, so he really had no answer. Such privately funded projects were still rare, and he might need to consult someone at Nanhai for guidance. For now, he could only set the issue aside and see if there were any other problems to address.

"This matter hasn't been decided yet, so I can't give you an answer right now. I'll ask the chief designer at Nanhai tomorrow. For now, are there any other issues?"

No one expected this would require the attention of the chief designer himself. Director Bai felt both anxious and pleased—the issue was serious, but given the chief designer's policies, there was a good chance things would work out. Still, there was another issue to resolve—the original reason for coming to the capital.

"Yes, we have another problem, which is the main reason we sought you out. We've completed our project design, but we have no production quota. When we tried to obtain one, the planning department required an order from an import-export company. We approached the China Aviation Technology Import and Export Company, but they refused, saying our product isn't an aviation product."

As soon as he finished, Mr. Wu understood. The aviation company refused to handle the export because they didn't consider it an aviation product, and they had come to him hoping for an opportunity, knowing he had some influence over foreign trade. But he himself had no direct authority—he could only secure special treatment after securing a foreign order.

"This is a tricky problem. Ultimately, you still need to go through the aviation technology company. I don't have the authority myself; I can only get you special treatment once you have an export order."

With these words, the office sank into gloom. The autumn wind seemed even chillier—they still couldn't avoid dealing with the aviation technology company in the end.

"Here's what I'll do: tomorrow I'll arrange for someone from the aviation technology company to join our discussion. They should give me some face. If all else fails, you'll have to register your model as a civilian product. But if you do that, you won't get any foreign exchange at all—it'll all be converted to renminbi. That's really the last resort."

Given the circumstances, Mr. Wu's proposal was the most feasible. Director Bai and Yang Hui had come to him because they had no alternatives; now everything depended on Mr. Wu.

...

"Xiao Jin, now that you're back, I've already found you a great place. Absolutely excellent."

The middle-aged man resembled Li Jin, who sat nearby—it was clear he was one of Li Jin's elders. Now that Li Jin had returned, this man had already chosen a new job for him, but was clearly building suspense.

Li Jin was curious to know what kind of good job his doting second uncle had found for him. He tried every persuasion, and finally got his wish.

"Ahem, your second uncle has some connections with the general manager of the aviation technology company. He's looking for a secretary now, so I recommended you. As the manager's secretary, you'll often travel abroad with him, experiencing all kinds of things you've never seen before. Get ready to broaden your horizons!"

Li Jin hadn't expected this. At first, he was reluctant about being assigned as a secretary, but it turned out to be a plum position.

Seeing his nephew's excitement, the second uncle was delighted. Wasn't life about helping one's family prosper? With no son of his own, his nephew was closest to him, so of course he had to take care of him. Feeling justified, he checked the time—it was about right.

"Alright, come with me, nephew. I've invited Manager Liu Da from the aviation technology company. You'll be working for him from now on."

After a hearty meal and plenty of drinks, Manager Liu, tipsy, was helped out by Li Jin.

"Ah, not bad, Old Li. Your nephew is... not bad at all. Don't worry, I'll take good care of him—your nephew is like my own."

And so, Li Jin unwittingly became someone's "nephew" all over again.

"A fine nephew indeed. Come to work tomorrow—I'll take you to negotiate a business deal."