"Ah, you didn't know? Our West Continent Institute of Technology is now a subsidiary of the Tian'ou Group.
Not only do we not get any research funding, we even have to make money and hand it over to the Tian'ou Group."
Hearing Sun Xingxue's words, Lin Lan finally realized—he had been misled by the inertia of his Bluestar mindset.
The West Continent Institute of Technology had clearly become a for-profit tech company after being taken over by the Zhu Hai Commercial Association from the scientific institutions of the Orland Federation.
After Battleaxe Military Industries went independent, it effectively became a subsidiary of the Tian'ou Group.
As a subsidiary of a conglomerate, of course, it had to generate profit and turn in money.
"Then how do you all make money?"
Having sorted out his thoughts, Lin Lan turned to Sun Xingxue and asked with a serious tone.
"Our main source of profit is developing ship equipment, which we sell to the Navy Department at the Ship Equipment Product Fair."
"Besides that, we also sell newly developed patents to the Tian'ou Group in exchange for a share of the profits."
"But that money is just a drop in the bucket for our research.
Sometimes we can't even pay the researchers' salaries, which is why many research talents fresh out of university end up going to Battleaxe Military Industries."
As Sun Xingxue said this, Tian Ming beside him had already lowered his head in shame.
Back when he graduated, he had chosen Battleaxe Military Industries precisely because the West Continent Institute's salary was too low.
After hearing Sun Xingxue's explanation, Lin Lan finally understood why the West Continent Institute of Technology was located in such a remote area.
And he also finally understood why the conditions here were so abysmal.
So this institute, which was supposedly so important to the Orland Federation, not only had no research funding but even had to generate profit for a conglomerate?
What kind of situation was this? As a transmigrator from Bluestar, Lin Lan had never seen anything like it.
Doing research for the sake of profit—how could anything good come of that?
"To build this institute, my mentor even sold off his property and moved here, using all his savings to make up for the funding shortfall."
"Xiao Tian, you're airing out my dirty laundry now."
Sun Xingxue gave Tian Ming, who had interrupted, a dissatisfied glare and said calmly:
"For the sake of helping Orland reclaim its oceans, this meager contribution of mine isn't worth mentioning."
"But I do pity the young researchers still working here. They gave up the chance to earn big money at other conglomerates and have devoted their youth and energy to Orland's future."
"I'm already old. Orland's future belongs to you young people. But as long as I'm still here, you don't need to worry—just devote yourselves fully to your research."
"Especially you, Xiao Tian. As one of the best among the younger generation of researchers, I hope you truly change your ways.
Don't let yourself be blinded by empty fame and power again."
Listening to the exchange between the two, Lin Lan looked at the elderly institute director with a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Even though he wasn't truly from Orland, as a native from Bluestar, he had grown up immersed in the belief that "science and education rejuvenate the nation."
So Lin Lan made a silent decision in his heart, pulled out his phone, and dialed Jian Qian'ou.
"Hello? Yes, it's me."
"Starting today, you must allocate ten percent… no, twenty percent of your annual net profit to the West Continent Institute of Technology as research funding."
"Yes, that's what I mean. I'm informing you, not asking for your opinion."
After giving the order, Lin Lan hung up before Jian Qian'ou could say more.
Jian Qian'ou was a smart man—Lin Lan believed the old fox would quickly work out the implications and analyze the pros and cons.
"Mr. President, who were you just calling?"
Hearing Lin Lan speak so forcefully, Sun Xingxue asked cautiously.
"Heh, no need to worry, Mr. Sun. Just a trivial bit of work arrangement."
Lin Lan gave a faint smile and then said:
"By the way, take me to copy a set of data from your research archive. I assume that's within my authority, right?"
"Of course. All achievements in the archive are the property of the Tian'ou Group. As President, you certainly have the right to copy them. This way, please."
Sun Xingxue was still wondering who Lin Lan had called earlier, but no matter how he thought about it, he couldn't figure it out.
So he simply gave up guessing and led Lin Lan and his group back to the elevator, going straight to the sixth floor.
This floor was the highest point of the institute's building complex.
Compared to the skyscrapers in Yunhai City's downtown that easily reached twenty stories or more, this place looked pitifully modest.
The empty hallways and locked offices made it obvious this was the administrative area of the institute.
"Akashi, you and Mr. Sun go copy the research archive. You know what we need."
After stepping out of the elevator, Lin Lan spoke to the cunning merchant Akashi.
He wasn't particularly interested in Orland Federation's general research—what he needed most was technology for oil exploration and extraction.
Getting oil from the Tian'ou Group could never compare to directly exploiting it himself using the Port Area's power.
Not to mention, if he went to the Natlan Empire or the Teaching Nation in the future, those countries didn't even use oil.
Transporting oil by sea from Orland would be far too troublesome—it'd be better to build an oilfield wherever he went.
That way, he and the shipgirls wouldn't have to worry about oil shortages.
"Leave it to me, nya~"
The cunning merchant had already prepared an external hard drive for data storage. With Lin Lan's order, she headed into the office corridor alongside Sun Xingxue and Tian Ming.
Through the corridor windows, Lin Lan looked up at the sky outside.
Thick gray clouds had completely overtaken the sky, casting Yunhai City into darkness.
Cold winds slammed against the building's walls, whistling through the cracks in the windows, creating an oppressive atmosphere.
"Commander, why did you ask Tian'ou Group to fund this institute just now?"
Seeing Lin Lan gazing silently and solemnly out the window, Ulrich walked up beside him and asked softly.
"Ulrich, have you realized? The Sirens gave the Orland Federation counterfeit Wisdom Cube. They must have known long ago that Orland would study Core technology and Core energy."
"To expose what the Sirens are really up to, pushing Orland to speed up its research might be the quickest way to force them to show their hand."
Hearing Lin Lan's analysis, Ulrich nodded, and Agir beside them also looked at Lin Lan with admiration.
As expected of their commander—he had considered so much. So it turns out he's not just loafing around at the Port Area after all.
"And besides, this way… who knows, maybe in the future we can get some new partners for Sui Qiong, right?"
Lin Lan smiled at Sui Qiong, who had remained silent. Though the shipgirl didn't really understand what Lin Lan meant, she still smiled and nodded.
Whatever the commander says is always right.
Soon, Akashi returned with Sun Xingxue and Tian Ming. The mischievous merchant gave him a sly smile and an "OK" gesture.
Now that they had acquired what they came for, it was time to leave.
It was just past four in the afternoon—still in time for dinner made by Roon.
So, as Lin Lan chatted warmly with Sun Xingxue about the topic of technological development, the group arrived at the main gate of the institute.
Of course, Lin Lan didn't forget to tell Sun Xingxue that the rules for the ship equipment product fair the day after tomorrow would be changed, and that he would personally be in charge on site.
Naturally, Sun Xingxue had no objections to Lin Lan's request and agreed cheerfully.
He had already gathered from Lin Lan's tone and the topics of their conversation that this young president of Tian'ou Group placed great importance on scientific research.
Although the profits from the ship equipment product fair were astronomical to ordinary people, someone in Lin Lan's position probably didn't care about that at all.
After exchanging phone numbers with Sun Xingxue and telling him to contact him if there were any difficulties or needs, Lin Lan and his group bid farewell to the two men and left the West Continent Institute of Technology.
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50 advanced chapters on p@t re on (.) com/SenatusTheta
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