Link was taken around the lab for a week before heading to Benis' office, which was less than ten square meters.

After listening to the introduction of the laboratory, he couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Benis, please forgive my offense. If I invest in your company or lab. Can you find enough manpower to complete your experiment?" he said after a pause. "I don't know microbiology though. But I know that the most important thing is to be experimental. You know, dollars can buy more advanced equipment, but if you don't have enough people to operate it, those devices will just sit rusty. ”

Florin Benis, who seemed to have been prepared for this question, replied: "Yes, Mr. Hans. Your concerns are well founded. Actually, I know quite a few experts in microbiology. American, European. And their students. They are scientists who have been persecuted for opposing the unbridled use of GM technology. Most of them were interested in my research direction. In fact, I received a lot of help and support from them for my research. ”

"Is it possible for them to come to work?"

"As long as there is enough research funding, I think they will be willing. We are like-minded scientists. They all believe that until it is confirmed that GMOs are not harmful to humans and the global environment, human beings should not use genetically modified technology in agriculture. ”

Lorraine Benis continues: "The current genetically modified agricultural crops are partly designed to increase yields or to modify certain components of food according to human needs. A considerable part is also used to control pests and diseases that are becoming more and more resistant. But genetically modified technology simply cannot keep up with the evolution of pest and disease resistance. Many of the crops that have been modified using GM technology are still threatened by the diseases they claim are resistant to. That's what we're looking at. That's a huge market as well. You know, we're working on microbial control techniques for wheat and corn pests and diseases. ”

Link listened to him and asked a new question: "We all know that biological evolution is largely guided by external factors. The reduced resistance of genetically modified crops to bacteria and viruses is also due to this reason. I think that's because the crops are more genetically selective for disease-causing microbes and bugs. For example, when a bug is faced with a highly resistant crop, the insect with poor stress resistance will die, while those that survive are strong stress resistant. I think the microbial control that you're working on, the same problem will eventually arise. ”

Florin Benis did not refute his words, but on the contrary agreed with him: "Mr. Hans, you are absolutely right. Our products do kill certain disease-causing microorganisms. However, individuals who are more resilient to stress will definitely be selected. It is likely that the new individual bred by such an individual will be more resilient to stress than its parents. And it will be passed down from generation to generation. That would make the technology we worked out worthless. ”

He looked Link in the eye and continued, "However, our research will not stand still. Our plan is to grow highly infective, single-targeted microorganisms. And we have achieved certain results in this research. ”

When Link heard this, he said, "I think there must be some difficulties in it!"

"Yes. We did have a hard time. Florin Benistein admitted. "The more we study, the more funding we need. He said and glanced at Jessica. Go on. "Until then, Jessica's mom can sponsor me to continue my research. But now I need more money. I need at least fifteen million dollars in research funding right now. And it's just funding for research on basic theories. If you want to apply these theories. At least $50 million is needed. ”

Link didn't expect him to be so straightforward, but he couldn't just get hot because of the other party's honesty. He's not so hot-blooded anymore. He thought for a moment and asked, "Fifteen hundred U.S. dollars." Including the pay to hire more scientists?"

"Nope. It's just me. But including the pay for the four research assistants I need. ”

When Link heard this, he shook his head and said, "That's too expensive. Florin, I would like to admit that your research is interesting and promising. But you can't deny it either, there's a lot of risk. Your research has not yet formed a systematic theory, and this is the first one. Second, there is the risk of the market. You know, most of the seeds these days are genetically modified seeds. The seeds of the United States are already oligopolized. They can use seeds to blackmail farmers into using the pesticides they produce, not your microbes. ”

Benis was just a researcher after all, and if he was asked to introduce microbes, maybe he could go on and on all day. But it was a bit difficult for him to engage in business negotiations.

As his daughter, Jessica and understood her father's weaknesses. She interjected, "Link, any investment is risky. ”

"So we need to circumvent, don't we!" Link didn't relax just because Jessica was a beauty. "And your lab needs too much money, and the stakes are even greater. ”

"The greater the risk, the greater the benefit. It's a business mantra!" Jessica didn't budge. "You know, the whole world is talking about the dangers of misuse of GMO right now. The world has noticed that the indiscriminate use of pesticides does not deteriorate the ecological environment. In such an environment, our technology has great prospects. I don't think you can deny that. Florin was a great scientist and he was my pride. His research is already well grounded. Now all he needs is that damn money. As long as he has the money, he can continue to talk about delving into his research. We all believe that he will succeed in the end. That's the basis of the whole plan. With this foundation in place, the rest is to look at the business operations. ”

Link is really optimistic about this project, and what he just said is just that he wants a more favorable cooperation plan.

"Yes, if this project is carried out, the follow-up input dish is the highest. It takes money to promote, and it also needs money to fight the agricultural giants. ”

Floring said, "Mr. Hans." I see what you mean. But I will say that my experiment will require at least fifteen million dollars to be possible. And there is also the risk of failure. ”

"That means there might be additional funding for research?"

"That's right. Benis said with a wry smile. "No experiment is guaranteed to be successful. We scientists can only consider the most thoughtful conditions and then carry out experiments according to the set steps. Then I hope that the results of the experiment will be as I expected. In fact, I would prefer to have more scientists in research. The collision of ideas between peers makes it easier for us to be inspired. ”

Speaking of which, Link would be a bit too much to ask any more questions about risk. He nodded and said, "I can understand." I remember when I was in high school, I did an experiment to grow freshwater algae and it failed. Because I didn't think about a certain element. I think the research you did was far more complex than what I was doing at the time. ”

"So what? Link, $100 million is our minimum funding plan. That's not just for research. It is also for the early promotion and construction of the production plant of the whole cooperation project. Jessica looked into his eyes, her eyes full of seriousness. "We are confident that we can do this project well. We're just short of money. ”

Link thought about it for a long time and said, "I can invest $100 million in this project." But how do we divide the equity among each other?"

"Maybe you'd like to hear from me. ”

Feng Zi nodded.

Jessica looked at Florin before she looked at Link and said, "We're taking a stake in technology, which is 40 percent of it." ”

Link was stunned for a moment, then asked with a smile, "Are you serious?"

"Yes, we all think that Florin's research is worth 40% of the shares!" Jessica said in a tone that seemed to intensify. "In the early nineties of the last century, biopolymer technology has long been the current agricultural giant. I think Flolin's research is more promising than the polymer technology of the past. ”

Link shook his head with a smile and said, "But the investment is definitely greater." Florin said the same. He needed more money for basic research. Don't forget that no matter how basic your research is, you are also studying individual organisms, not representing the entire biological population. You can study one of a certain type of organism, but in order to form a patent system, you need to study most of the species of the same species. That's how to stop other competitors. There must be a lot of money needed. ”

He didn't wait for Jessica to speak: "How did you calculate the other $100 million? How big of a factory are you going to build? And how long will it take Florin to complete the basic research?" You know, he's just one person, yes, and four research assistants. It's also a risk. Those agricultural giants can gather ten, or even a hundred, scientists to study. Their research doesn't even have to go deeper, just apply for a patent. ”

"I have to say," said Flolin, "Mr. Hans, that you know a lot about the study of microorganisms, at least in business. We really need more scientists to get involved, so that we can get ahead of the curve before anyone else finds out that our research has real value. If I could, I could invite at least ten scientists to work. ”

"But there will be a significant increase in funding. ”

"Of course it is. That might cost $100 million, or more. But we can complete basic research in a shorter period of time and study more microbial species laterally. And we really need experts in agriculture, but also in viruses, fungi and zoology. ”

Link thought for a moment and said, "The factory can be built a little smaller for the time being." I can invest 120 million and I want to take 75% of the shares. ”

Jessica sat up straight with a strained waist and exclaimed, "That's too hard for us, Link!"

"I don't think so. ”

Jessica interrupted him, "No, your conditions are harsh. Although capital is important. But capital is not fundamental. I know that venture capitalists always like to put in a little bit and then take the majority of the shares. But you also have to know that most of those venture capital investments are actually projects that are derived from mature basic technologies. And our project is brand new. Also, we don't require you to recycle your shares after the company goes public. You can't look at this investment through the eyes of a capital venture capital. ”

"You're right. But I'm not looking at this investment with the eyes of a normal venture capitalist. Otherwise, I would have invested a maximum of 10 million dollars, and I would have to take more than 50% of the shares. Link said with a smile. "Now, I'm investing 120 million dollars, 25 percent of the shares are worth more than 30 million dollars, and 25 percent of the proceeds. I can't think of anything harsh in it!"

Jessica was about to retort, but Florin spoke before she did, saying, "OK! Mr. Hans, I agree to your terms!"

"Daddy!"

Jessica has to say more. Florin interrupted her with a wave of her hand, "So when will Mr. Hans be able to inject money into the company?"

"I needed a detailed cooperation plan. I think we need to talk about the management of the company in the future. Also, I want to see that your lab can really invite more scientists. ”

"You'll see!" Florin stood up and held out her hand.

The two shook hands together, and a preliminary agreement was reached. If this project can be successful, then they will be ahead of the world.