Ecen if Jasper had not gifted Hoofmorn University such an unrefusable present, Mr. Marshman would still have welcomed Jasper grandly on behalf of Old Master Law’s introduction and Jasper’s strengths.
However, such a grand greeting would only be out of common respect.
After all, Old Master Law had put in a word, and Jasper was no longer the nobody he once was.
As the owner of JW Capital and its subsidiaries, Jasper was quite a formidable man.
However, Jasper did not want a courteous greeting for the sake of respect.
Jasper hoped to establish an even deeper relationship with Hoofmorn University so that it could become a place that nurtured JW’s future talents.
“Mr. Marshman, Department Chiefs, since we’ve already brought up the matter, then allow me to go straight to the point.”
In the small meeting room in Hoofmorn University’s administrative building, Jasper cleared his throat in front of a group of professors and cleared his thoughts before he started slowly.
“You are all experts in your academic fields, so I won’t make a fool out of myself by introducing what the stepper does and how important it is. I trust that all of you know it better than I do.
“Its importance is the reason why the West has imposed a major blockade on this technical project, preventing it from reaching our shores for the past few decades.
“But does this mean we’ll have to sit and wait for the West to overpower us just because they’ve sealed off the technology?
“No!
“Coincidentally, my JW company has business in just such a field.
“Therefore, my idea is to build my own team and try to achieve a breakthrough on the stepper’s manufacturing technology. This will need more than an astronomical amount of funds, but also the technical support from the best research team in the country.
“This is why I came to Hoofmorn University today.
“Hoofmorn University had received a stepper a few years ago, and had also published the most research findings on the stepper. This is why Hoofmorn University will be the best partner for me.”
While everyone in the room had already expected the contents of Jasper’s speech, they still found themselves excited by the man’s words.
“You’re right, Mr. Laine. If it’s possible, then we are very willing to provide you the support you need.
“But the issue is that such a large research project will require funding of at least tens of billions. Moreover, there’s no certainty that we will produce results either.
“All the time, money, and effort will be for naught if we fail. This isn’t something ordinary people can afford.”
The one who said this was a professor of Hoofmorn University’s digital information field. He had voiced out what almost everyone was thinking.
While it would be great news if someone was willing to fund their research, the issue was with just how large the research project would be. Not only was this a huge project that would cost a lot of money, but its chance of failure were extremely high too.
“I understand. Research isn’t easy and it’s filled with obstacles, after all. To be honest with you, I’ already prepared myself for failure before I made this decision.”
Jasper’s firm gaze swept over everyone in the meeting room before he continued decisively, “I’ll invest at least 20 billion within one year. In return, I want a team of the best technicians in the country who will research and domestically develop a stepper without fear of repercussions!”
20 billion!
The meeting room was in an uproar after they heard the figure.
While everyone seated in the room was an academic expert, they were still financially normal people who lived on a monthly salary. They might have made more money than other families, but their hearts still shook in excitement when faced with the prospect of 20 billion.
“20 billion. That’s enough to fill this meeting room, isn’t it?” Someone whispered.
While opinions flew about, Patrick turned to look at Jasper and asked, “Jasper, are you coming up with this funding yourself, or are there other financers?”
Jasper replied, “JW will shoulder the full burden of the project. There will not be any other sources of funding, so I will be the only one in charge of the project.
“The research team will hold the highest priority within the entire company. All resources and funding will be prioritized for them and they are not to be interfered with by any administrative offices.”
Partick arched his brow at what Jasper said. “Jasper, you have to think carefully. This is 20 billion. If the research fails…”
“If it fails, then JW will face the risk of going bankrupt,” Jasper finished Patrick’s sentence.
“Let me be frank with all of you. JW’s currently has a very tight cash flow, and while it won’t affect day-to-day operations of the business, suddenly taking up such an important research project will surely place the company in a severe financial crisis.”
Jasper pondered over his next words for a moment before he continued, “But as far as I’m concerned, companies are like men, and there are some things we should and should not do. No matter how difficult, if it’s something that should be done, then I’ll get it done as soon as possible. The current predicament JW is facing is an experience it has to undergo in order to grow.
“Mr. Laine, have you considered funding research after some time, perhaps once your company’s financial situation is stable and you have the funds comfortably available?” A macroeconomics professor asked
Jasper chuckled and replied, “Following the basic rules of economics, that would be the smart thing to do. But how long am I supposed to wait?
“Time is of the essence, and we’ve already spent too long waiting about. There’s not much time left, so someone has to rush up there a seize the opportunity be the horns!
“If no one else is going to do it, then I will! JW will!”
There was still something Jasper had not said. If possible, he really did not want to tackle this project with the risk of JW going bankrupt and shutting down.
However, this was already the 2000s, and the age of smartphones was on the horizon. Apple’s first-generation smartphone was already in development.
If Jasper wanted a piece of the smartphone market pie in the future, then he had to hold on tight to its core technology and not let go.
More importantly, the stepper would lead to more than just the breakthrough of mobile phones. The stepper was a key component for cutting-edge production in the integrated circuit manufacturing field.
Any device relating to electronics, like computers, mobile phones, and high-end appliances, relied on the operation of an advanced integrated circuit. It would not be an exaggeration to claim that this circuit was of national importance.
This was also a major piece of technology in Jasper’s plan for his JW business empire. Hence, he could not afford to wait.
The longer he waited, the larger the gap between technology in and outside the country would grow. This would make it even more difficult to narrow the gap, much less surpass them.
However, these were not things he could say out loud.
Even so, Jasper was met with a thundering round of applause that resounded throughout the meeting room once he had finished speaking.
Regardless of his innermost thoughts, the experts and professors in the room had been impressed by Jasper’s strong will and courage.
“Mr. Laine… you are indeed a promising man. Bold and patriotic!”
