531: Chapter 529 Human Trafficking Expert

"Good morning, Professor Brooks."

Brooks turned his head and was somewhat surprised to see Li Qing, who had come to receive them.

After all, how could such a busy person be out running?

But if he were here to poach him, that was absolutely impossible.

He was loyal to the United States.

"Mr. Li, are you also in the habit of running here?"

"It's not that I'm in the habit of running here, but rather that I'm in the habit of running 5km every morning. After all, work is too busy... but one cannot neglect physical exercise."

As a professional PR specialist, Li Qing had long made a habit of telling lies.

"I didn't expect you to enjoy morning runs as well. I thought you would need a couple of days to recover from the jet lag."

"I'm getting old, I can't sleep in," Brooks said, taking off his headphones without stopping his pace. "The environment in Shenzhen is better than I imagined; the air and greenery are quite good."

For the next while, the two ran side by side, chatting about everything from the weather to the city.

Under Li Qing's offensive, the conversation naturally drifted to the silicon-based chip project under review.

"The first step of the silicon-based chip project you submitted—creating the material—is truly a miracle."

"To be honest, our MIT laboratory is also working on this project, even three years earlier than you, yet our best result is only 76%. Actually, I didn't come here just to see if the project is worth investing in, but to see if this data has been padded."

After speaking, Professor Brooks continued running, while the thought in his heart about never developing his career in China had indeed begun to fracture.

"The data is absolutely authentic. Peking University has already submitted the data. When you go to Peking University, you can check their raw data at any time."

Seeing Li Qing's calm demeanor, Professor Brooks realized that he had already boarded a pirate ship...

"Peking University is one of our country's calling cards. There are many top-tier teams there, but due to funding issues, some projects indeed cannot develop. However, with us..."

Speaking of funding issues, a look of worry appeared on Professor Brooks' face. After all, even for him, this project would have its budget cut.

"I heard that this project team lacked a large sum of funds last year; otherwise, the results might have been even better. This year, in order to make a breakthrough, they went all-in with all their funds, just to achieve mass production sooner. But this reckless personality of theirs also..."

At this point, Li Qing switched to a very sincere tone, asking as if pleading:

"Mr. Brooks, may I ask, what is the probability of this project's success? If there really is no problem, we can invest a huge amount of funds so that they don't have to chase good projects anymore, and can just quietly focus on doing silicon-based semiconductors."

Brooks stopped for a moment, then quickly returned to normal.

Li Qing had keenly captured this; it seemed the other party was already tempted.

"This question requires a great deal of expertise. How about this: let's take a break first, and I will think it over carefully."

"Please."

As they spoke, a rest area appeared right in front of them, and the two walked over.

After resting for a moment, Professor Brooks replied:

"General Manager Li, I believe you already have the answer to this question internally... After all, your semiconductor strength is the best in the industry."

Li Qing shook his head at this: "Mr. Brooks, although we are very strong, that is the glory of the past."

"Our General Manager Shen said that no one can rest on the laurels of the past; we must always look forward. At the same time, even if one has the technology, one cannot be too arrogant."

"I don't know if you have heard a Chinese saying: 'Listen to both sides to be enlightened.'"

Listening to both sides to be enlightened, always looking forward—this instantly moved Brooks...

"This is also what your General Manager Shen said?"

"Yes," Li Qing nodded. "Our boss always says that as China Star's operations grow larger and larger, there are many projects he doesn't understand."

"But he said he is a person who understands technology. As long as a project passes our internal review committee, as long as there are results, funding is never a problem."

Hearing this, Brooks twitched again.

After all, his silicon-based chip project at MIT had been rejected for funding for two consecutive years.

The reason given was that it involved ultra-cutting-edge technology and no results could be seen within 10 years.

But in reality, the military was researching this project.

And what distressed him even more was that the three ethnic Chinese doctoral students he was supervising were forcibly transferred away by the university last year, and none of them were allowed to enter the project.

Watching Brooks, who was deep in thought, Li Qing continued casually:

"Actually, I have always felt it was a pity."

"You have been researching semiconductors for so many years, and silicon-based semiconductors are even more cutting-edge. It could even be said that you are the pioneer in this field, yet you are receiving such treatment today."

"If your theories had sufficient verification and an undisturbed environment, silicon-based chips might have been realized long ago."

He imagined it in his mind, and the sea breeze from the shore swept past his graying hair.

After a while, he sighed: "Silicon-based chips are next-generation technology; how could it be so easy to break through? Scientific research is not something you can do behind closed doors; it requires funding, a team, and supply chain cooperation."

"The current environment in the United States is becoming increasingly unsuitable for pure academic research."

"Then have you ever thought about changing your environment?"

Li Qing looked straight at him; after all, they were both smart people.

"Professor Brooks, let me speak plainly to you."

"This project has indeed been recognized by our big boss. He also believes that silicon-based semiconductors are the next generation and the best way to break through Moore's Law."

"We can prepare to build a brand-new laboratory centered around this project, with an internal rating of S+. We would like to invite you to join us as the Chief Scientist."

Brooks was obviously tempted, but he still shook his head immediately and bluntly refused:

"Impossible, Mr. Li."

"Thank you for your kindness, but I have lived in the United States for over 40 years. My career, my students, and my roots are all at MIT."

"It is impossible for me to leave the United States."

If it were an ordinary person, they would have likely retreated after being rejected so directly.

But Li Qing did not panic. After all, if such top-tier talent could be moved by just a few words, that would be suspicious...

After all, this was a treasure. If he agreed so easily, then he would have to wonder if he was a spy sent by the United States?

"I understand your feelings."

"But you should know better than anyone whether the current United States can still let you do research with peace of mind."

"You should also be very clear that having you join this investment fund project means that you have already been abandoned..."

Brooks glared angrily, wanting to curse, but... he also knew very well that Li Qing was right.

After all, what those people did when he came here was truly too much—all sorts of audits, all sorts of investigations... they might as well have put a tracker on his ankle!

This really made him uncomfortable. He had cursed those people at the time, but the other party had said that China Star was not a small enterprise, and they were doing this to protect his personal safety.

"To hell with personal safety!"

"That was clearly imprisonment."