49: Love knows no bounds; B2 bomber, I have a hallucination

Chapter 49: Boundless Love; B-2 Bomber, Am I Hallucinating?

It was exactly the same as the three previous times.

The screen was filled with densely packed compressed files, each with an astonishingly large capacity.

After a long period of silence, Zhang Yuli's fingers mechanically selected one of the compressed files to download.

The progress bar was moving rapidly; if the Xia Academy of Sciences didn't have a dedicated network line directly connected to Da Xia's network bandwidth server, it would probably take a while to download just this one compressed file.

Liu Zhixue pointed at the screen and, after a long moment of shock, said, "Did they really get the complete B-2 Bomber technology?"

"It's actually that simple... How much time has passed?"

Liu Zhixue remembered that it had only been two days since the Mysterious Organization sent an email saying they had a 'huge surprise' for Da Xia.

This isn't stealing technology; it feels as simple as going home for dinner.

None of them doubted the authenticity of even a tiny bit of the technology; such a doubt would be an insult to the 'Mysterious Organization.'

"It seems we have still greatly underestimated the capabilities of the Mysterious Organization."

Zhang Yuli exclaimed, "To describe their methods as 'supernatural' is perfectly fitting."

Previously, when he used 'supernatural' to describe it, he was merely expressing an incredible emotion.

But now, when he used this word, he truly felt that only immortals could possess such methods.

The B-2 Bomber could be called the most core top-secret of the Eagle Nation, and its numbers were only about ten more than nuclear-powered aircraft carriers.

In fact, the Eagle Nation had even dismantled the B-2 Bomber production line, and it would absolutely not be possible to have even one more in the future. 'Out of print' is a very apt description for it, unlike the F22, which is still in production and even undergoing upgrades and iterations.

Its rarity is no less than any of the Eagle Nation's nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. Under such circumstances, how could the Mysterious Organization manage to obtain the complete set of technical drawings from the Eagle Nation?

The difficulty of this is simply unimaginable for ordinary people.

This might require every single link in the B-2 Bomber R&D team, from top to bottom, to be infiltrated. What kind of terrifying method is this?

"Old Zhang, stop sighing over there," Zheng Lixing, standing beside him, grumbled, "The Mysterious Organization is still waiting for our reply."

"How much 'remuneration' do you think this complete B-2 Bomber technology is worth?"

"This..." Hearing this, Zhang Yuli was speechless. "I don't know either."

Who the hell knows how much B-2 Bomber technical drawings are worth? Just the research and development costs alone amounted to over 40 billion usd.

And that was over 40 billion usd in the 1970s and 80s; how many times would that inflate to in 2009?

After thinking for a moment, he typed out a line and replied.

'We are very satisfied with this big surprise. May we ask how much 'remuneration' your organization desires? We can meet all your demands.'

"Let them propose the amount themselves," Zhang Yuli took a sip of the tea by his hand and let out a long breath.

This time, he still didn't quote a precise price.

The reason was the same as the previous two times: he wasn't afraid of quoting too high a number, but rather, he was most afraid that the Mysterious Organization would find the 'remuneration' too little.

Therefore, whatever amount they wanted, if Da Xia could provide it, they certainly would.

Even if they directly asked for 10 billion or 20 billion usd in remuneration, Zhang Yuli wouldn't bat an eye. Instead, he would immediately report it for the highest-level approval of fund transfers and then transfer the money to them by any designated method as quickly as possible.

"This method is appropriate," Zheng Lixing agreed.

Now, they were just waiting for the Mysterious Organization's reply.

A few more minutes passed, and a new email arrived.

[I do not want cash or any equivalent remuneration. I still hope Da Xia will pay in another way.]

'May I ask what method that is? As long as it is within Da Xia's capabilities, we will give our full effort.'

After Zhang Yuli replied, he frowned and muttered, "Another payment method?"

"It won't be like last time, building another thousand schools in Northwest Province, will it?"

"Still building schools? Northwest Province currently lacks more teachers." Zheng Lixing shook his head, "Even if we built a few thousand more, it wouldn't be effective right now."

For basic education, school construction can only solve a portion of the immediate problems.

Even though Da Xia had already been improving the treatment of teachers in Northwest Province, as one of the least developed provinces, many teachers still went to teach in mountainous areas, and recruitment was not as simple as imagined.

You do provide a considerable amount of subsidies, even comparable to the salaries in many second-tier and even first-tier cities, but if there are no roads and no recreational activities, can you really demand that all teachers be 'saints' without desires? This is clearly unrealistic.

In the long term, it is always necessary to cultivate local teaching resources for healthy and robust development.

Soon, the email replied.

[I believe this B-2 Bomber technology can be exchanged for 5 billion usd in 'remuneration'.]

'Da Xia has no objections; 5 billion usd is completely acceptable.' Zhang Yuli quickly typed a line of text.

To be able to exchange B-2 Bomber technology for 5 billion usd? He would gladly do such a good deal a hundred times, until Da Xia's foreign exchange reserves were completely depleted.

"It seems the controller behind the Mysterious Organization is communicating with us now," Zheng Lixing guessed.

"It should be. The 'pronoun' in the email has changed again," Zhang Yuli nodded in agreement.

Previously, it had always been 'they,' but at the crucial remuneration stage, it changed to 'he.'

This aligns with conventional logical deduction; such matters could not possibly be handled by subordinates; they must be personally negotiated.

Immediately after.

[I hope Da Xia uses 5 billion usd as a learning subsidy plan for all primary and secondary school students in Northwest Province.]

[In terms of their accommodation, meals, clothing, etc., a partial reduction or exemption should be provided.]

[The entire amount will be a short-term plan, expected to last five years.]

[In the future, this plan will become a long-term plan, to be implemented nationwide.]

"Hiss... a subsidy plan for all primary and secondary school students in the entire province? And only for five years?"

Zhang Yuli gasped.

Although he had a vague guess in his heart about what this 'Mysterious Organization' intended to do, he had not expected their ambition to be so astonishing.

This was 5 billion usd, a massive sum of 35 billion yuan, all to be used to aid primary and secondary school students in Northwest Province?

"Old Zhang, I remember there are just over 6 million primary and secondary school students combined in Northwest Province, right?"

Zheng Lixing quickly calculated a detailed figure: "35 billion for five years, an average of nearly 1,100 yuan in subsidies per person per year?"

"This amount is quite substantial."

Given Da Xia's current prices in 2009, a daily subsidy of three yuan was already quite considerable. At that time, pork prices were generally just over four yuan per jin.

This money could allow many children to eat meat and drink milk for breakfast and lunch every day, with plenty left over.

'May I ask what method we should use for this aid?' Zhang Yuli didn't say much but replied silently.

After all, this form of aid naturally couldn't be carried out under Da Xia's name, otherwise, other provinces would have objections.

Northwest Province needs subsidies, but don't other underdeveloped provinces? Even Da Xia's southern provinces have large areas of underdeveloped regions.

Other provinces wouldn't know that all these things came from the 'remuneration' of the Mysterious Organization; they would only feel that Da Xia was being unfair.

So this time, they must have a justifiable method.

The reply came quickly.

[Then it can be called funding donated by a 'Kind Citizen,' with the full name 'Kind Citizen Student Subsidy Plan.']

Looking at this line of text in the email.

"Pfft, does this Mysterious Organization have a special fondness for the name 'Kind Citizen'?" Liu Zhixue twitched his lips.

How come he remembered that the first time they made contact, the other party also asked him to refer to himself as 'Kind Citizen'?

However, judging by their actions in these two instances, the Mysterious Organization certainly lived up to that title.

'We will quickly formulate a plan and implement your requirements as soon as possible.'

After Zhang Yuli replied, he sat in his chair and sighed, "It seems the leader of this Mysterious Organization has a deep affection for Northwest Province, and even a great fondness for all of Da Xia."

"It's our fault for not doing enough and letting these people suffer."

Didn't the education department notice that many students in Northwest Province were facing difficulties? Even Zhang Yuli, the president of the Xia Academy of Sciences, was aware of these situations.

But it wasn't that they didn't know these things; it was that they simply couldn't do anything. Northwest Province only had about 3 billion yuan in education funds per year, and many rural teachers' salaries were paid only once every six months. How could they provide subsidies?

Furthermore, how many impoverished mountainous areas are there across Da Xia? How many impoverished counties? Should they focus on one and neglect the others? Even Da Xia's southern provinces have large areas of underdeveloped regions.

"It will get better in a few years," Zheng Lixing patted his shoulder. "Once the fiscal revenue increases, there will naturally be money for subsidies."

Da Xia's fiscal revenue was not much at present, and being able to implement nine years of compulsory education was already the limit of what it could afford.

After all, besides education, aren't scientific research, the development of various industries, road construction, and various military projects and expenditures all important? Every single one is important, so Da Xia had to be meticulous with every single one.

However, the Mysterious Organization did not have these concerns, as these 'remunerations' were their own money, and Da Xia would have no objections to how they spent it.

"Little Liu, go inform the highest level first." Zhang Yuli thought for a moment, then continued, "I will prepare a preliminary plan in the next two days and submit it, then implement it according to the Mysterious Organization's requirements."

"Yes, President," Liu Zhixue nodded and quickly walked out of the room.

As the external liaison for the special secret group, his responsibility was to communicate upwards and downwards.

Watching his figure fade into the distance, Zheng Lixing suddenly remembered something: "Old Zhang, how should we deal with this B-2 Bomber technology?"

As mentioned before, the B-2 Bomber was simply too expensive.

Even if they gritted their teeth and managed to build it, Da Xia's current situation probably couldn't afford it. With a total military budget of only 400 billion a year, what were you doing playing with B-2 Bombers? Which Air Force unit could afford to support this demanding father?

Both of them were equally clear on this point.

"With the technology in hand, not developing it is definitely not an option," Zhang Yuli paused, "but we don't necessarily have to develop the B-2 Bomber."

"Oh? You mean?" Zheng Lixing's eyes lit up, "The H-20 that's about to be approved?"

Zhang Yuli nodded, "We'll take the best parts and make up for the shortcomings. This way, the H-20 project's R&D time will be greatly reduced, and the manufacturing unit cost can also be controlled."

"It's time for the H-20 project to be officially approved."

Absorbing the advantages of the B-2 Bomber to develop Da Xia's H-20 project would be the optimal choice.

"Then I need to quickly notify Duan Fei about this."

Zheng Lixing narrowed his eyes, a smile brimming on his face: "If he hears this news, he'll probably jump three feet high."

In Chang'an, the 603 Research Institute, commonly known as West Flight.

This is an important R&D and manufacturing base for Da Xia's bombers, transport aircraft, civilian aircraft, etc., and many bombers, including the H-6, are also research achievements of the 603 Research Institute.

At this moment, late at night.

A slightly thin, black-rimmed glasses-wearing middle-aged man had just woken up, startled by an urgent phone call, and wore a bewildered expression.

"General Zheng, what did you say? What bomber?"

He suspected he hadn't heard clearly, otherwise, how could something so preposterous happen?

"Duan Fei, hurry and come to Yanjing." Zheng Lixing's voice was filled with excitement: "This time it's not just about the H-20 Bomber, but also the B-2 Bomber. Take a special plane and come immediately."

"???"

Duan Fei suspected he had woken up too fast and was hallucinating; otherwise, how would he suddenly hear the name B-2 Bomber?

Should he go back to sleep? This dream was quite exciting.

(PS: The author is not from Northwest, so no need to guess. It's just that at the time, Northwest felt like the best entry point, which is why this location was chosen. Future developments will certainly be nationwide, but it needs to be gradual, just like national poverty alleviation, which has to be tackled one area at a time.)