Chapter 2327: Chapter 2329: Difficult to Negotiate Terms
The scholar’s words were very candid, and Feng Jun did not directly refuse him just because he wasn’t particularly respectful.
In fact, the scholar’s awareness was highly consistent with Feng Jun’s previous understanding—before he obtained the Stone Ring.
However, with just this theory, he couldn’t persuade Feng Jun to take action—you seek help from others, is it possible not to pay a price?
This person expressed that he was willing to pay money, and Feng Jun directly showed him out—allowing him to reorganize his... thoughts.
Is there anything more ridiculous in the world than trying to buy me with money?
This person was quite unwilling because he felt this was his utmost sincerity, or perhaps... joint inventor recognition?
He wasn’t sure if Feng Jun was interested in fame, but he guessed that Feng Jun probably wasn’t, otherwise the renowned "Cancer Care Center" wouldn’t still have so few people knowing who the boss behind it is.
This scholar thought he should find someone to ask, and coincidentally, Beauty Lin also wanted to know the result of their discussion.
If this person wanted to contact Feng Jun, he had to get her permission first; otherwise, he might not even enter the Cultural Town, and she was well aware of his intentions for this visit.
According to Beauty Lin’s analysis, Feng Jun might be able to help in this regard, and the scholar’s research project was also a topic of Guojia. If it could be solved, it would not only benefit the country but also be equivalent to her developing another of Feng Jun’s abilities.
So after applying to her superiors, she let the person in. Now that he was out, she certainly wanted to understand the result.
Both had their needs, so it was a good time for a chat.
The scholar’s research project should be confidential to Beauty Lin—at least the details needed to be kept secret. This wasn’t because his clearance was higher; the key point was that they were in different professions and did not fall under the same jurisdiction, so not all clearances could be shared.
But unimportant topics could still be discussed, so he told Beauty Lin about their conversation and expressed his doubts—whether Feng Jun was really uninterested in money, or if it was just a show. If not for money, what did he like, fame perhaps?
Society itself is a marketplace of fame and fortune; if not for fortune, isn’t fame the only thing left?
"You actually thought of inviting him to take action with money?" Beauty Lin’s mouth twitched, looking at him as if he were a fool. Didn’t the man plan to donate millions of tons of gold, and you still think about buying him with money?
However, this reason couldn’t be said out loud. She could only sigh helplessly, "If he wanted money, he could become the world’s richest man in a matter of minutes. No joke, really just a matter of minutes... It seems he doesn’t reject helping you?"
"The world’s richest man?" Obviously, the scholar’s focus was different from Beauty Lin’s. After being bewildered for a while, he actually nodded, "Yes, just as long as the Cancer Care Center’s business expands, once it’s public... the world’s richest man is within reach."
Beauty Lin rolled her eyes and spoke bluntly, "Why can’t you grasp the main point? I’m asking you questions!"
"Oh, right," the scholar finally responded, "He hasn’t explicitly refused to help, but he asked me to propose the conditions myself."
Beauty Lin’s eyes instantly lit up, "Didn’t refuse? That’s interesting..."
The scholar, speaking to himself, said, "All I can think of apart from fortune is fame. I’m here to consult Chief Lin about whether joint inventor recognition would move him?"
"How could it be possible?" Beauty Lin laughed and then shook her head, "Don’t even think for a moment that it could sway him. We also don’t want him to become too famous; that would make our task heavier. But since he hasn’t refused, I do have a small suggestion..."
The scholar listened for a long time, and not hearing more, couldn’t help but urge, "Please share, I’m listening."
"Are you planning to ask for a free vote?" Beauty Lin gave him an exasperated look, "I know you’re listening, but I’m also waiting for you to speak."
The scholar pondered for a moment and cautiously asked, "Does it require... spending money?"
"How rare that is," Beauty Lin answered bluntly, "So many colleagues contributed to his personality analysis; do you know how much manpower and resources that took? We also need to consider recouping some cost appropriately, right?"
"Money is negotiable," the scholar, despite currently facing a lot of pressure, still had some project funding, and if it really solved the issue, even paying himself wasn’t a problem. What concerned him was, "Personality analysis... can it truly help me?"
"There should be... absolutely no problem," Beauty Lin eventually chose an affirmative tone, "That person, how to say... holds himself in high regard, treasures his reputation greatly. For him, admitting he can’t help you isn’t embarrassing."
The scholar gritted his teeth, "Then please name a figure. It’s my first time sending money to a unit like yours in my life, not much experience."
"What sending money? How unpleasant that sounds!" Beauty Lin snorted, "It should be grateful for our help with your project..."
Three days later, the scholar asked to see Feng Jun again, saying he had thought of the conditions.
Feng Jun was too lazy to see him again—didn’t have that kind of time to waste, so directly said through the intercom, "Then state your conditions."
The scholar expressed that his research would first be applied in the military field, where there was not much profit—which was also the reason Guojia supported his project. When it further developed into civilian applications, then it would generate some profit.
He decided to prioritize patent authorization to Huaxia enterprises, and for foreign companies, they would charge a high fee for authorization.
While saying this, the scholar was a bit apprehensive—in the project’s deadlock, discussing patent fees seemed a bit far-fetched?
No matter how you listened, these conditions seemed unreliable, even felt like trying to swindle without investment.
But there was no choice; these were Chief Lin’s professional suggestions, and considering the personality analysis factor, the scholar decided to gamble.
Feng Jun actually quite liked these conditions, but... they weren’t enough, "So my efforts for Luohua went unrewarded?"
He wasn’t concerned about a small amount of money, however, some habits should not be indulged; not just anyone could come over, talking something about Guojia’s righteousness, and get free help.
Thankfully there was the personality analysis... hearing he wasn’t rudely rejected made the scholar feel a little optimistic.
Then he just needed to follow the proposal plan, "Of course, Luohua can’t labor in vain. We plan to invest a quarter of the patent authorization fees... no wait, not invest, to donate, donate to the Cultural Town to enhance the town’s image."
Feng Jun fell into silence and only after a long time did he say, "Chief Lin, how much did you get paid for these suggestions?"
Beauty Lin was eavesdropping happily; my suggestions were indeed useful. Suddenly hearing such a question, she was a bit stunned.
However, she was quick-witted, hesitated for a moment, and directly spoke on the intercom channel, "I’m not here, playing dead."
"This refugee," Feng Jun was also a bit amused. He could clearly tell these precise suggestions that suited him perfectly could absolutely not have been proposed by others, only possibly from Beauty Lin’s team—or someone related to her team.
What a joke, with the other party tirelessly profiling him, could he, as the subject, have no clue at all?
But honestly speaking, although he didn’t like having every aspect of his life observed, being given such advice at least showed sincerity. He preferred having someone dismissing certain blind opinions for him.
That’s why "catering to one’s tastes" is so important, because at least he’s willing to communicate more with people who understand.
As for the downside of "catering to one’s tastes," he’s obviously aware, but fortunately he isn’t a ruler, merely helping people deduce some things. Those he finds pleasant, he assists with deductions, those he doesn’t, he leaves aside—could he end up destroying the entire country and government?
Of course, he also had to emphasize, "Director Lin, let this slide this time, but if you meddle randomly again next time, I will be very angry... you also know my temperament, consider the consequences."
In recent days, he covertly observed the "portrait group," initially wishing he could take drastic action—how could a group of grown men study another grown man in such a bizarre manner?
But after watching for a few more days, he had to admit, professional is professional. He felt these men—actually two women were in the group—understood him better than he understood himself.
Frankly speaking, that feeling was hard to describe. When he saw some relatively negative evaluations about himself, he really wanted to say—I’m really not that kind of person.
But upon careful reflection, he couldn’t help but admit—I do indeed have such tendencies?
Analyzing oneself is inherently a painful process; seeing others help with the analysis is even more painful—so this is how exposed I am in front of you.
Hidden ugliness and insignificance revealed from the depths of the heart—freshly out of society’s young people might truly hope for others to point out their shortcomings to improve, but mature social adults already have their personas.
No matter how it is, Feng Jun’s impression of the portrait group tended to be positive, although he preferred not having this positive combination, but regrettably, their existence wasn’t dictated by his will.
He could certainly wipe out their group, but... the data was already uploaded, wasn’t it?
Moreover, could he really abandon the hometown that birthed and raised him? No!
After all, what people did was work and social responsibility, and had no personal targeting intent; it also had positive and active roles in maintaining social order, so how could he be ruthless?
So he could only casually issue a threat, though honestly, it wasn’t entirely off-the-cuff part-time—when they were right, he could tolerate it. If they were wrong... try it?
He believed Beauty Lin could understand—if you can’t understand my real meaning, wouldn’t your profiling team be utterly futile?
Of course, these are matters for later. Now, the problem is, the scholar came to the mountain gate with a container truck following him, "I need to see Elder Feng... I have an appointment."
