The Soviet Union attached great importance to higher education, and St. Petersburg University and Moscow State University were among the best universities in the Soviet Union, and no matter how difficult the economy was and how tight the materials were, they would try every means to ensure the normal operation of several key universities, such as giving priority to the supply of food and daily necessities that were in short supply to the market.

Many students from difficult families naturally choose to stay in school in order not to increase the burden on their families. And those students who are keen on pursuing freedom and democracy like to use the school as a base camp for "inverted G".

So it's summer vacation, but there are no fewer students in Peter's campus.

There are no teaching tasks, so you can have a lot of time to do what you love.

Dozens of professors from the departments of mathematics-mechanics, physics, and chemistry, encouraged by the three chairmen of the departments and financially supported by the charter of visiting scholars, devoted themselves to the "high-tech" cause.

Mathematical and physical talents need to be recruited, and experts with experience in large-scale engineering are indispensable. In order to be in line with international standards, the eight immortals even crossed the sea and displayed their magical powers, and through various connections, they actually opened the second entrance in the Soviet Union to be connected to the international "USENET" electronic bulletin system, after the Kurchatov Institute, which specializes in nuclear technology.

It was the earliest application of the Internet, with the ability to publish and share files between computer users around the world, and even to send and receive e-mails using Lotus software in the UK.

In order to improve work efficiency, many scientific research units in the Soviet Union knew how to use this network interface to communicate with foreign scientists, but this was the first time in St. Petersburg.

Professors Ivanovich, Yevgeny, Gregory, Peshkov and their assistants were excited, but when they connected to it, it was like a nouveau riche who had just bought a big brother. Dozens of people were in a hurry in the computer room. I don't know who to talk to.

Professor Yevgeny thought directly of the statutes. Full of expectation, he said, "Zhang, do you have a laboratory, or you can show us a demonstration." ”

The purpose of the NB laboratory is to label the NB Electric Group as a high-tech one.

As early as a year ago, the Hong Kong NB Laboratory and the Berlin NB Laboratory successively opened the "USENET" electronic bulletin system entrance. In order to enable the new management team headed by Wu Jinhua to carry out its work better, it also spent a huge amount of money to invite the American All-View Company to build a set of video and telephone conference system.

It's just that the charter is accustomed to the real "information superhighway" and is not very interested in such a primitive application. In addition, the whole is running outside, and there are so few entrances to the system. I don't have much chance of using it if I want to.

Isn't it just sending an e-mail, which is a piece of cake for the charter, smiling at Professor Yevgeny, sitting down in front of the computer and expertly typing on the keyboard.

The advantages of the Reborn are self-evident, and everyone in the computer room does not spend as much time using the computer as he alone. Looking at his nimble hands, Professor Ivanovich couldn't help but nod slightly.

The time difference between St. Petersburg and Hong Kong was 5 hours, and the Systems Engineering Laboratory happened to be working at this time, and the charter was sent in front of everyone with a few words of greeting in a text.

"Jiang Meimei, a female colleague of mine."

"Will she reply?"

"It may take a while."

After waiting for about ten minutes, the system prompts that there is a new email. The charter clicked on it and said with a smile: "Here it is." ”

You don't have to call to get in touch with foreign countries. Although it was not the first technology, the crowd cheered. However, when they read the content, they couldn't laugh anymore, and the Hong Kong female researcher expressed doubts about the quality of Russian programmers, and strongly recommended that the charter set up software development centers in the United States or India, rather than the politically unstable St. Petersburg.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Dr. Jiang Meimei is a distinguished computer application expert who has just stepped down as the Acting Director of the Systems Engineering Laboratory in Hong Kong and is fully responsible for the Group's software development related matters as the Director of Software Technology of the Technology Department of NB Electric Group. As a technical executive of the group, it is normal for her to have such doubts, after all, she has never been to the Soviet Union. ”

The charter explained with a smile, and then replied: "Dr. Jiang, the Soviet Union once competed with the United States for hegemony in aerospace and nuclear weapons, not by advanced technology and technical means, but by an excellent project portfolio to achieve the optimal layout of the structure to make up for its own disadvantages.

I have reason to think that Russian programmers are not mere programmers, but brilliant mathematicians and scientists. They have extraordinary problem-solving skills, a solid foundation in mathematics and science, and a desire to conquer difficult problems, not just study the specifications of a problem.

They are good at solving complex large-scale technical problems, they don't simply follow the crowd, and their greatest characteristic is creativity. So you can put your plan into practice with confidence. ”

Very high rating and very objective.

As the largest shareholder of NB Electric, his attitude is the attitude of NB Electric Group, and Professor Peshkov, who is really ready to do a big job, can't help but blurt out: "Zhang, we will prove all this you say." ”

"Professor, I'm sure you're going to surprise the whole world." The charter glanced at his watch, and then said: "Gentlemen, it's time for afternoon tea, everyone has worked very hard these days, and I have a treat today." ”

Professor Ivanovich also did not want to let the atmosphere go down, and asked casually: "What's good?" ”

"Authentic Black Forest beer from Leipzig from NB Airlines, as well as sausages, Red Square, cheese and dumplings made by my fiancée. Of course, fruits are essential. ”

"Guys, what are we waiting for?"

At the command of Professor Ivanovich, everyone cheered and walked towards the small garden. Frank Estner, a former East German diplomatic courier, was clearly prepared, and the three tables were piled high with a variety of foods, both flavorful and mouth-watering.

"Oh my God, German sausage."

Professor Yevgeny grabbed one and took a bite of it, saying to himself: "It would be better if there was a glass of vodka, today is a good day, I really want to have a drink." ”

"I have it in my office," Professor Gregory said, looking back, "Joey, go and get me those bottles." And caviar in the cupboard. ”

In St. Petersburg, where food is scarce. It's so hard to eat so much deliciousness!

One professor said with deep feeling: "This morning the students were in the auditorium discussing the issue of food. It should be a bread problem exactly. There is a queue all over the city, like three years ago when I bought sausages, and if I can't get food from somewhere, there will be a famine next month. ”

As soon as his head opened, he was out of control.

"There's a rush of vegetable gardening everywhere right now, and people know they're on their own, and after work, they're carrying shovels and nail rakes. Go straight to your little vegetable patch. While this is not a complete solution, it is a remedy for the likely famine. ”

Professor Peshkov shook his head and sighed: "It seems that the republics can barely feed themselves in Kazakhstan and Ukraine, and St. Petersburg wants bread, which looks like a myth." ”

"I went to see Fedorovich last night, he was not well yet, and asked me to buy him some bread. Yevgeny and I drove all over St. Petersburg, and the bakeries were either closed or completely empty, which was probably unprecedented in the entire history of St. Petersburg – even in the most famine years. ”

"Man cannot starve to death. The government must import food. ”

"Come on, my dear Ivanovich."

Professor Yevgeny put down the cheese and shook his head, "The whole world knows that we have no ability to pay. No one would give a loan, and Gorbachev pinned his hopes on Lu Taiyu, it was a joke, why did the South Koreans lend him money? Kuwait also refused, although it was grateful for his support for their opposition to Iraq. Saudi Arabia is the only reliable one, and if the $1.5 billion aid arrives in time, it may be able to solve some problems. ”

The charter secretly said: 1.5 billion US dollars, it is already very good to get 500 million. At the current rate of exchange, and the appetite of the Saudi elite, it is likely that not a penny will be given.

He had very mixed feelings about the Russian nation and the Russians in front of him.

They are very hospitable, even if you are an uninvited guest, they will treat each other with respect and will immediately prepare a table of delicious food for you, whether you have already eaten or not. Any event or anniversary will be a reason for them to invite you to drink and eat.

They don't seem to have a concept of time at all, and they themselves admit that they are an inert people, often curled up in their couches and meditating, expecting miracles to come, believing that everything in the world has its own God's arrangement.

They are frank and honest by nature, and they treat people and things with sincerity. When I love you, I have a lot of blood; When I hate you, I am filled with righteous indignation. It's a bit of a "dare to love and dare to hate" meaning. Before leaving, Dr. Klinsmann's description of the Russian character really gave him a little creepy. The doctor said that the Russians will cut off your head in a fit of rage, and then lie on your grave, crying to death, sincerely begging your forgiveness.

At the same time, they are not misers, they have a proverb that means that as long as they are friends, they can take off the last shirt to you. This quote fully outlines the wild generosity of the Russians.

In St. Petersburg, even people who drink hard share vodka with others. It's true generosity, he takes a few sips, then reluctantly shoves the bottle into your hand, licks his lips, and watches you drink it all with a blank but satisfied look.

But when they see strangers, one of their favorite questions is: Where are you from? Since ancient times, heroes don't ask where they come from, but Russians have to figure it out.

Combined with their history and the influential anti-Chinese incidents that occurred in later generations, the charter has reason to believe that this is a manifestation of their emphasis on blood. The theory of descent, once developed to the extreme, is racism, and if this sentiment is stimulated and escalated, it will go to extremes and evolve into violence.

Therefore, the charter has always been cautious in dealing with Russian politicians. And they can't be friends who can trust each other, like their good neighbor Angela.

After a few glasses of wine, the professors chatted about the turbulent political situation.

As a sign of politeness, Professor Yevgeny deliberately spoke English: "The original problem was that Yeltsin had always disagreed with the establishment of a union tax, without which the union institutions would have been placed in the position of begging from the republics and would have difficulty fulfilling their responsibilities." Finally, a compromise was found, and Yeltsin withdrew the last objection. ”

One professor asked curiously, "What's the solution?" ”

"It is by means of a fixed rate that a uniform law on the taxation and collection of the Union has been established, but this rate is to be negotiated with the republics on the basis of the terms of the Union's expenditures, and the supervision of the expenditures of the Union's budget is the responsibility of the participants in the agreement. and not directly levied by the Union. ”

"So the treaty of the new alliance will be signed soon?"

"God knows what will happen to the Dao."

"Chapter. What do you think? ”

Afraid of what comes. Professor Ivanovich actually asked about politics, and after pondering for a moment, he said perfunctorily: "Professor, I am not very interested in politics, but I am confident in the future. ”

As soon as he finished speaking, two short men came over silently.

Never before, Frank Estner and Jan Joseph didn't dare to be careless, and picked up a stainless steel dinner basin. Quietly walked up to the two of them.

The head of the Leningrad City Committee on Foreign Affairs, Xiaopu, and his assistant Xiaomei, the future president and prime minister of Russia, knew by the charter, and Professor Ivanovich also knew him, except for the two of their bodyguards, everyone here knew him.

Acquaintance does not mean welcome, especially Comrade Xiaopu, who is still a KGB spy to this day, but also served as the assistant to the rector in charge of international liaison at St. Petersburg University before going to the city government to help his teacher Sobchak.

And according to convention. The officers who held this position were all from the KGB and were reserve talents. They worked in a dual capacity as university leaders and KGB officers.

Professor Ivanovich frowned and asked in Russian: "Mr. Vladimir, you are not in the Smolny Palace to deal with the affairs of the city government, what are you doing here?" ”

"Professor, I'm here to find Mr. Zhang."

Xiao Pu replied expressionlessly, then stretched out his right hand and said in standard German: "Vladimir, director of the Foreign Affairs Committee." Mr. Zhang, I have frightened you and your wife yesterday afternoon, and allow me to express my sincerest apologies to you on behalf of the city government. ”

Russia's future number one capable man, wrestling and showing his muscles, driving fighter jets, riding motorcycles, shooting tigers with guns, and leading big black dogs to meet foreign heads of state. After being in power for many years, his strong image in the political arena has not changed, and the three presidents have shown the style of a political strongman, which made the post-90s beautiful girls scream: If you marry someone, you have to marry someone like him!

What's more, in 2010, the little girl at Moscow University also made a wall calendar with nude photos and gave him a birthday gift, which shows that the Russian people highly recognize his masculine charm.

But now, he's an insignificant little person. At least for this stormy red empire, he has not even the slightest influence.

"Mr. Vladimir, it's an honor to meet you." Charter, smiling and holding his hand, motioned for Frank to come over in two chairs.

It was not so difficult to deal with, Xiaopu felt that the trip was worthwhile, and introduced on the side: "Dmitry, my colleague. ”

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Dmitry."

The literary quality is polite, like a scholar, if there is a choice, the charter hopes to deal with Xiaomei in the future, rather than Xiaopu.

Professor Ivanovich was good friends with their teachers, but he did not have any affection for them, especially Xiaopu. Seeing that they were coming for the charter, he simply got up and said: "Zhang, you talk, let's go to the computer center first, remember to go to my house for dinner in the evening, by the way, you must bring Xia with you." ”

"Okay, we'll go."

Looking at their departing backs, Xiao Pu said meaningfully: "Mr. Zhang, it seems that you are very popular in Shengda. ”

"If a professor goes to the NB lab for an exchange, my colleagues and I will be very welcoming to him." The charter smiled and looked back, "Mr. Franck, please clean up here and find something to eat." ”

"No, we'll leave in a moment."

Xiao Pu glanced at the two bodyguards curiously, then sat down and said, "Mr. Zhang, we don't know anything about your arrival, otherwise something like yesterday would never have happened." ”

The charter waved his hand and smiled casually: "It's all over, and I didn't suffer any losses, let alone injuries." I also want to trouble the two of you to make a trip yourself, it's a bit of a shame. ”

"You're a guest, that's what we should do, and in fact we don't do a good job on a lot of issues."

Xiaopu took a stack of documents from Xiaomei's hand and continued with a sincere face: "In order to ensure your safety during your stay in St. Petersburg, Mr. Mayor has specially issued three permits for foreigners to carry guns, and has communicated with the powerful department on this issue. ”

The charter knowingly asked, "Is this what Monsieur François asked?" ”

"But we think it's necessary."

"Yesterday was just a case, and I don't want to embarrass you and Mr. Mayor because of it."

"Guns can't solve anything. But for peace of mind. ”

The charter took over the certificate. Nodding, "Okay." I accept your kindness and that of Mr. Mayor. ”

Xiao Puri had a great opportunity, and it was not as simple as just sending documents here, so he looked around and asked with interest: "Mr. Zhang, I heard Vice President François say that you plan to build a software development center in St. Petersburg?" ”

Sobchak was a romantic idealist who boasted of making St. Petersburg a center of tourism and science and technology. With one move, the two future presidents really took the bait.

The charter cherishes the status of a visiting scholar. He didn't like to be seen as a mercenary businessman, so he immediately shook his head and said, "Proposal, to be exact, because I have always rarely cared about the affairs of the group." ”

After doing some research before coming, Xiaopu clearly understood that the young man in front of him, as Vice President François said, had great achievements in the field of quantum mechanics.

Human energy is finite, and once you focus on science, it means that you can't have so much time and energy to deal with business.

Xiaopu didn't think he was pretending to be high, after all, those professors just now were not so easy to fool, if they didn't have real talents. It is difficult to be respected at this best university in Russia, so he laughed and said: "But as the largest shareholder of NB Electric Group." Your decision is final. ”

"Yes, but I also have to respect the opinions of the executives of the group and European companies."

"So do you think this project can be put into practice?"

"There's no doubt about it."

"Mr. Vladimir, Mr. Dmitry, although I have only been here for a few days, I already like the city and this university. The students, in particular, are very good, and I think they should be given an opportunity to use their imagination, enthusiasm and creativity to bring innovation to the art and make a difference in the world from now on. ”

"Have you ever wondered how you can make this happen?"

"I just made a suggestion, and the specific program is being studied by the Group's Technical Department and European companies. Perhaps the two of you don't know very well that we have always spared no effort in our investment in technology. If nothing else, the group should be able to raise a sum of money for the establishment of the NB Software Lab in St. Petersburg. ”

The last thing St. Petersburg needs is a laboratory, and if it is really focused on research, the city government will control who collects taxes, let alone provide jobs.

Somewhat different from what he imagined, Xiaopu couldn't help but ask, "Laboratory?" Mr. Zhang, wouldn't it be better to set up a company? ”

"I'm sorry, but I'm in the lab every day, so I want to name it after whatever I do. Mr. Vladimir, you are right, it is more appropriate to open a company, after all, there must always be a return on investment, otherwise it will become a bottomless pit like the NB Lab in Hong Kong and the NB Lab in Berlin, and it will only benefit a very small number of people. ”

Scholars are much easier to deal with than businessmen, and Xiao Pu was in ecstasy, and said in a hot voice: "We may be able to form a joint venture together." ”

"A joint venture with the city government?"

"The city government is carrying out privatization reforms, Mr. Zhang, I mean your group with St. Petersburg entrepreneurs or joint ventures. Frankly, the city government was in dire need of a joint venture. Just as the City of Berlin welcomes your group to invest in the Berlin waste-to-energy plant, it will attract more foreign investment. ”

The charter will ask suspiciously: "Mr. Vladimir, is there not a single joint venture company in St. Petersburg?" ”

Xiao Pu nodded his head and smiled helplessly: "No, despite all our efforts, so far no foreign company has come to invest. ”

Xiaomei took over the conversation and said with anticipation: "Mr. Zhang, if your group can set an example, then your group will definitely be able to enjoy a series of preferential policies given by the municipal government. ”

Having been amused, Harois smiled and said, "There is a discount, I think Monsieur François will definitely be interested in it." ”

There is a way to do things, Xiao Pu joked uncharacteristically: "Monsieur François is very difficult, Mr. Zhang, we prefer to deal with you." (To be continued......)