Chapter 109: Nothing More Than Passing Clouds

Unlike Liang Xiaofeng, Wang Ziqing and the others had witnessed Zhao Guoyang’s talent firsthand and were convinced he would never speak without cause.

Seeing Zhao’s sudden smile, Wang Ziqing cleared his throat and said, "Little Zhao, don’t just sit there smiling. Share your thoughts with us."

He then turned to Liang Xiaofeng, adding, "Old Liang, Little Zhao is the technical section chief at a state-owned machinery enterprise in our Jiangnan Province. It was my idea for him to attend this auto expo."

Wang Ziqing did not elaborate on the details, but his remark made it clear to Liang Xiaofeng: this young man was someone Wang held in high regard. Liang knew his old friend well; Wang was a prudent man who would never bring an inexperienced youth to such a high-profile exhibition for no reason. Since he had specifically called upon Zhao Guoyang, the young man must have some genuine substance.

With this in mind, Liang’s expression softened. He feigned warming his hands on his teacup and chuckled, "Indeed, Section Chief Zhao, since we’re chatting informally, feel free to speak your mind."

Zhao Guoyang’s gaze swept past Mo Xiaotian before he began. "Director Liang, regarding the matter of the technology share, I have a question first."

Liang Xiaofeng was momentarily taken aback, then nodded. "Go ahead, Little Zhao. Ask whatever you wish. I will answer what I can."

Calm and composed, Zhao Guoyang spoke in a measured tone. "I want to ask, Director Liang: what was the original purpose behind our national ministries and the Songjiang Municipal Government deciding to partner with Volkswagen?"

"Was it simply to act as contract manufacturers for the German empire to earn a meager wage, or was it to revitalize our Republic’s automotive industry?"

Without waiting for a reply, Zhao continued, "The answer, I believe, is obvious. If we only wanted to earn a bit of manual labor money, why would we insist on partnering with Volkswagen?"

"Companies like BMW, GM, and Chrysler are all major players we could have collaborated with. With our country’s low labor costs, which of these international giants wouldn't be eager to set up a joint venture here for production?"

Zhao paused, his eyes scanning the room. "Although I am not privy to the specific terms of the current agreement, I believe that the reason the state chose Volkswagen as our first partner must have involved concessions on their part regarding technology."

"In other words, this 20% technology share is likely an opportunity we fought hard to secure. If we abandon this share under the threat of the other party, we are effectively forsaking a golden opportunity to elevate our nation’s automotive manufacturing standards. If that happens, what is the point of this partnership at all?"

Zhao Guoyang’s words left Liang Xiaotian, who was sitting across from him, stunned. Though his rank was not exceptionally high, he had participated in the entire negotiation process between the Songjiang government and the Volkswagen Group and was acutely aware of the details. Undoubtedly, Zhao had struck at the heart of the matter, voicing the very concerns Liang Xiaotian had been harboring.

Zhao turned his attention to Mo Xiaotian and said coolly, "Researcher Mo just suggested that instead of haggling over technology shares, we should push for more equity. I am firmly opposed to that."

"In my view, even if the immediate financial gains are significant, they are nothing more than passing clouds compared to the overarching goal of improving our national industrial technology."

Zhao waved his hand with conviction. "The automotive industry is entering a period of rapid development. Based on current trends, cars will inevitably become common household items for the average citizen in the next ten to twenty years."

"If we don't seize this opportunity to improve our manufacturing capacity now, the cost in the future will be far greater than just a bit of equity."

Silence descended upon the room. Aside from Mo Xiaotian, everyone looked at Zhao as if he were an alien.

Having been upstaged and humiliated by Zhao Guoyang once again, Mo Xiaotian could no longer contain himself. He stood up, flushed with indignation, and snapped, "Zhao Guoyang! Stop grandstanding and misleading the leadership!"

"You’re just a fresh undergraduate. What do you know about the automotive industry? To spout such nonsense here... have you no regard for the positions of Director Liang and Director Wang?"

Zhao Guoyang could easily detect the attempt at provocation, but he held no regard for a petty character like Mo. He laughed, "Researcher Mo, is there something wrong with your ears? Did you not hear what Director Liang just said?"

"We are having an informal chat. Even if my words are unconventional, there is no need to frame me with such high-level accusations, is there?"

With that, Zhao sat back down, calm and poised, and said no more.

Stung by the rebuttal, Mo Xiaotian’s face turned bright red. He pointed a finger at Zhao, unable to find a retort.

Watching his disciple make a fool of himself, Professor Zhu Maotao said coldly, "That’s enough, Xiaotian. You should return to your room and rest."

In fairness, Professor Zhu had been more than patient. Despite his deep dissatisfaction with his student’s attitude, he had tried to save him some face. However, as the saying goes, "The dog bites Lu Dongbin, unable to recognize a good heart." Even though Zhu was offering him an exit, Mo perceived it as his teacher siding with an outsider.

Losing all reason, a crimson-faced Mo Xiaotian slammed his hand on the table, glared at Zhao Guoyang, and shouted, "Fine, I’ll leave! I’ve already fulfilled the requirements for your thesis anyway, so don’t trouble yourself with my affairs anymore!"

"And you, Zhao Guoyang, don’t think you’re so impressive just because you can spout some rhetoric. I’d like to see what kind of person you turn out to be in ten or twenty years!"

With that, Mo Xiaotian stormed out without a glance at anyone else.

Watching him go, Zhao Guoyang thought to himself, *What kind of person will I turn out to be? That is a question I would like to know the answer to myself...*

"Senior Brother Mo, Senior Brother Mo..." Zhao Siyan tried to call him back, though she disagreed with his outburst, out of their shared hometown and academic ties. But Mo was determined to burn his bridges, and her calls went ignored.

His departure left the room in an awkward silence. Professor Zhu, having been openly challenged by his star student, saw his expression shift from pale to livid. Liang Xiaofeng, despite wanting to praise Zhao Guoyang, remained silent out of respect for Professor Zhu.