"What? This… can we really do this?"
"Principal, if we do this, won't the education department be dissatisfied with us?"
Zhao Longfei bit down on his cigar, "Dissatisfied?"
"What right do they have to be dissatisfied? I'm the one who's dissatisfied," Zhao Longfei took a deep inhale, exhaled a smoke ring, and looked indifferent, "Every year, how many research results does our university submit to the education department? The entire United Government, and even the United Military's equipment and weapons, are all provided by us universities."
"Harrison, Lister, you two led the research on the bioenergy system and handed it over to the United Government. Did they ever reward you with a single copper coin?"
At the mention of this, the two of them were also quite dissatisfied.
They had exhausted their minds and efforts on research, promised rewards, but in the end, they were only given a few banners and medals—essentially working for free. Even the research costs had to be covered by themselves.
Zhao Longfei continued, "But what about those newly established research institutes? A bunch of professors with nothing but empty reputations, who haven't done a thing, yet each of them was given several gold coins as a settling-in allowance right away. Not to mention other benefits."
"If it weren't for the fact that everyone's research teams are based in the university, they'd probably have all left for the research institutes by now."
Harrison and Lister remained silent.
Zhao Longfei wasn't wrong.
If most of their research results weren't tied to South Glory University and too difficult to relocate, even they would be tempted by the conditions of the research institutes.
"I understand that the United Government wants to develop its own technology, but they're being way too greedy about it."
"If those research institutes were even slightly competent, that'd be one thing. But up to now, I haven't seen them produce any noteworthy results. In the end, they still rely on us universities!"
"They expect universities to starve and still produce milk, while letting the research institutes enjoy the milk and then take a dump. What kind of logic is that?"
Lister said, "It's not that the professors in the research institutes are weak."
"It's mainly because the technology we develop in universities can be kept to ourselves. But anything researched in the institutes has to be handed over. Since they can't keep anything for themselves, of course they're not motivated to research seriously."
"Then just shut down the research institutes. What's the point of maintaining such a massive leeching system?", The more Zhao Longfei spoke, the angrier he became.
"How much funding does the education department allocate to us each year? The salaries of our faculty and staff are entirely reliant on student tuition. And on top of that, the department frequently delays payments, with funding decreasing year by year. Every time Secretary Lin asks, they just say the budget is tight."
"Budget is tight? Ha! And yet, those research institutes are drowning in wealth. Even a lowly assistant researcher can afford two or three apartments in the top ten districts."
"For what reason?", Zhao Longfei slammed his fist on the table so hard that the whole room trembled.
The principal's secretary, Lin Yaman, reminded him.
"Principal, be careful. If you demolish this building, we won't have the money to fix it."
"Got it."
Zhao Longfei took a deep breath and continued, "You all know that the university guesthouses were originally planned to be laboratories for you guys. But because of budget shortfalls, we couldn't even afford student scholarships and faculty stipends, so we converted them into accommodations to make some extra cash by renting them out."
"I'm a university principal, but I spend my days penny-pinching like an accountant. Damn it, even saying this out loud feels humiliating."
"Now, every day, a bunch of nouveau riche are living in the guesthouses, driving their luxury cars in and out, turning the campus into a mess. Research isn't progressing properly, god hunters are getting their way through connections—at this point, what's the point of this university even existing?"
"Forget all that. But now, even something as basic as sequence potions has to be approved by the United Government?"
"To be honest, I really regret not joining those old guys from North Glory University in their rebellion back then!"
Harrison quickly responded, "Principal, North Glory University is gone now. You should watch what you say… watch what you say…"
"Watch what I say my ass!"
"Harrison, that student of yours from Florence—he was doing well in research under your guidance. But once he started leading his own research, all he does is repeatedly study Doom Fate Octopuses and theoretical models, without conducting a single experiment."
"Does that kind of research make any sense? Does he not realize there's no future in it?"
"It's because he has no funding!"
Harrison clenched his fists at those words.
Zhao Longfei ran a hand over his scarred head and snorted.
"I've had enough."
"Xiao Zhigang, let whoever wants to play servant go ahead."
"Teng Wan, Xin Li, Zhang Yuan—five professors combined cost more than the education department's budget for decades!"
Zhao Longfei opened his computer and glanced at the chat group for university leaders.
The last message was still from the president of West Pillar University: [The petition to the education department has been sent.]
It had been nearly an hour since the department rejected their request.
No one in the group had said a word.
The silence was suffocating.
"No one's saying anything? All waiting for someone bold enough to step up first?"
Zhao Longfei sneered, biting down on his cigar.
"A bunch of cowards."
"The deaths of those North Glory University people completely shattered their spines."
"If no one else is stepping up, then I'll start."
"Lin Yaman, send a message on behalf of South Glory University to the education department and the other universities."
"If the education department agrees to allow early special admissions, then we'll let things be."
"If they refuse, then this year, South Glory University will withdraw from the education department's special admissions program and conduct our own admissions independently."
Lin Yaman adjusted her glasses and said calmly, "Principal, you need the approval of the other board members."
"Oh, right. My opinion—does anyone object?"
Professor Lister wanted to say something.
But when he met Zhao Longfei's fierce gaze, he shut his mouth.
Forget it.
Let it be.
Zhao Longfei said, "No objections? Then go ahead."
"Understood, I'll send the message now."
The other universities read Zhao Longfei's message in the group.
———
[West Glory University Principal's Office]
"Principal, Zhao Longfei is stirring up trouble. How should we respond?"
A thin man replied, "Stirring up trouble? No, this is a justified fight for our university's rights!"
"Send the exact message Zhao Longfei sent to the education department. And inform the group."
"Yes."
———
[East Glory University Principal's Office]
A charming woman glanced at Zhao Longfei's words and smiled.
"Secretary Liu, copy Principal Zhao's message and send it to the education department in East Glory University's name. Then forward it to the group."
"Understood."
———
[Central Glory University Principal's Office]
An elderly man with a long beard sighed deeply.
His assistant asked, "Principal, the other three universities have all sent their messages. Should we send ours too?"
"Sigh… I still feel guilty for not saving Li Tianming back then."
"Well, since everyone's getting involved, I suppose this old bag of bones will join in too."
"Send Zhao Longfei's message to the education department. And send a private email to Secretary-General Gu in my name."
"What should the email say?"
"Just a sob story. Explain how difficult things are for our universities and hope he will sympathize with his alma mater's struggles."
"Yes!"
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