Chapter 130: Terms of Cooperation

Crossing Over: Riding the Tide

“Mr. Wei! I remember that when we were in the laboratory, you told me you would provide technology rather than products. Why have you changed your mind now, offering products instead of technology? What we want is the technology, not the products!”

After hearing Wei Hua’s terms, Basha immediately saw the problem. If he supplied only products and not the technology, the Soviet space agency would remain under his control.

“I’m a businessman, so profit is what matters most to me. As far as the KGB is concerned, I’m the weaker party, which means I have to find a way to protect my own interests. To be honest, organizations like yours are not ideal business partners. But for the sake of profit, I’m willing to take the risk.

“The reason I’m offering you products instead of technology is to safeguard my interests. Otherwise, once you obtain the technology and tear up the agreement, there would be nothing I could do about it. I certainly can’t oppose the Soviet Union as a nation.

“I’ll provide you with solar cells, then use those products to exchange for goods within your country and resell them elsewhere. The price difference will be my profit. During this process, you can study my products and try to obtain the solar technology you want. Even if you cannot derive my technology from the products, I will gradually transfer the solar technology to you anyway. What do you think? With the Soviet Union’s scientific and research capabilities, I believe it should not be difficult for you to develop the technology from my products.”

“Let’s set aside for now whether we can derive the technology from Mr. Wei’s solar cells. According to your plan, how long do you intend to take to provide us with the complete solar technology?” Basha asked.

“My plan is to provide you with the entire body of solar technology within three years. Once you obtain it, I won’t interfere with how you use it. Even if your products end up competing with mine, that won’t be a problem.

“Let me tell you this as well: the American space agency also wants our solar-cell technology. However, we are providing them with products rather than technology, and we have no intention of giving them the technology. Our technology is protected by American patent law.”

“Mr. Wei, you know that I came only to hear your terms, not to give you an answer. I’ll have to report your conditions to the people at home, and that will take some time. I hope you can understand.”

Basha reflected for a moment before speaking.

“Of course. I’m in no hurry. This is no small matter for either side, so it’s better to proceed cautiously. I can wait patiently for your reply. And next time, you can come directly to my home to find me.”

“Then thank you, Mr. Wei.”

Basha and her two comrades left the Snow Pool Company together. They needed to relay the news to their superiors back home.

After seeing Basha and her two companions off, Wei Hua telephoned Bai Jianjun and invited him to Qiyuan that evening. Bai Jianjun naturally understood that Wei Hua had reached a decision regarding the solar cells, so he readily accepted the invitation.

That evening, Bai Jianjun drove to Qiyuan and met Wei Hua in his study. Ding Peng and He Xiaoya were there as well. Once Bai Jianjun had taken his seat, Wei Hua got straight to the point.

“I met with several KGB representatives from the Soviet Union today. They also want to obtain my solar-cell technology. I’ve tentatively agreed to cooperate with them and gradually transfer the technology over a period of three years. During those three years, they will purchase some of the solar cells manufactured by my company. In return, I will receive the right to conduct free trade within the Soviet Union.

“That right is what matters most to me. Our company’s solar-cell plant in the United States is already being prepared, but I can’t possibly supply the Soviet Union from America. Besides, our own country also needs solar cells, so I intend to establish another production plant here.

“My terms are that our cooperation with the country should follow the same arrangement as our cooperation with the Soviet Union: the solar-cell technology will be transferred gradually over three years. If you manage to develop it yourselves by studying my products during that time, so much the better. I will not interfere with the country’s research.

“I need to build a solar-cell production plant in the north, and I need the state to provide land and support. In addition, I must have my own rights to import and export. Without import rights, the goods I obtain from the Soviet Union in exchange will become smuggled merchandise, and I don’t want people causing me trouble over it.”

“I’ll report your terms to the authorities. I must also report your cooperation with the Soviet KGB. That is my responsibility, so I hope you won’t take offense, Brother Wei.”

“Don’t worry. I never intended to hide this from you. But we still need to keep it concealed from the Americans. I have no desire to be harassed every day by people from the FBI and the CIA.”

“That won’t be a problem,” Bai Jianjun assured him.

The news soon reached the authorities. The meeting was held once again in that same conference room at Zhongnanhai, but this time it was attended entirely by a group of military leaders.

The veteran general who had supported launching satellites for the Iridium company at the previous meeting laughed and said to the others:

“This young fellow is becoming bolder by the day. He even dares to provoke the Soviet KGB. How does he manage to be so fearless? Is the KGB really an organization one can afford to offend? Do you think the Soviets will agree to his terms?”

“Hard to say. But in my view, there’s an eighty percent chance they will,” one of the veteran generals analyzed. “In recent years, American space technology has advanced noticeably faster than the Soviet Union’s, and the Soviets are doing everything they can to catch up. Now this young fellow’s solar technology has become a prize coveted by both the Americans and the Soviets.

“In America, he is supplying only products. Given the relationship between his company and the American government, the space agency probably has no way around that. It will be extremely difficult for the Soviets to obtain the technology from the United States; obtaining it from within America is virtually impossible. Their only option is to find a way through Hong Kong, but Hong Kong is under British rule, and the Soviets probably have little influence there either.

“His terms are not particularly harsh, so I believe there is a very good chance the deal will succeed.”

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