Chapter 1673: Chapter 1677: I’ll Support Them! (Third Update)
Zhang Mu is not someone who likes to speak with sarcasm.
He speaks frankly and sincerely, and his behavior is like that of someone doing scientific research, without too many complex thoughts.
"The group of people I have under me are relatively young, all in their thirties, but these days, seeing the people I personally selected applying to transfer out, it makes me feel very troubled inside."
Yang Lan couldn’t help but ask, "Professor Zhang... why?"
Zhang Mu sighed, "I won’t talk about the leadership issues, as you already know. This research institute’s project has been running for five years, but it’s changed three deans, two secretaries, and it’s unclear how many miscellaneous committee members."
"I’ll just talk about the objective reasons. I also talked to everyone these days, and in summary, there are just two main points."
"The first is housing. The capital’s primary schools are still under a zoning system. You all know, in the past, the children of Academy of Sciences employees had an advantage in education. Those excellent primary schools in Zhongguancun used to be our affiliated schools. Adults working here naturally had their children arranged to go there."
"And honestly, I’m not being biased, but which school teacher wouldn’t like children from our families? There’s a reason these schools can become prestigious."
"But now, these primary schools, district housing and such, have caught the government’s attention, do you understand the Matthew effect?"
"However, starting this year, those affiliated schools are now under the education committee’s management, unrelated to the Academy of Sciences. Such valuable positions are now used by the government to improve districts by compensating less-performing schools..."
"You also know, how many of us in research are actually rich?"
"These parents are young, different from the past group. They pursue better educational resources for their children and could easily join private companies for hundreds of thousands a year, whereas here they only get a hundred twenty thousand a year. No one is foolish!"
"Moreover, the Tethys Lab is recruiting over there. Many of our key members have gone, earning over 200,000 US Dollars a year, equivalent to a million annual salary, with the prospect of a Nobel Prize, achievements, and money. Who would want to stay?"
"The second point is still the research environment, which is more complex due to deeply entrenched nepotism. I can’t articulate it well. It’s not just me; even Dean Qi Lianshan is powerless."
Listening to all this from Zhang Mu,
Chen Cang and his two companions understood a lot.
If these people really wanted to resign, it’s simple.
Because they are talented, even without going abroad, they could easily find a pharmaceutical company with an annual salary around 500,000.
If they stay here and can’t get the research resources they want, they’re unable to advance their titles. Without titles, there’s no research funding, and without funding, there are no achievements...
This is already a perfect vicious cycle.
So, what is the point of staying?
Chen Cang spoke from his heart.
Discussing ideals without addressing compensation doesn’t work in this era; it’s almost like being a rogue.
A while ago, the capital of a major coal-producing province was criticized online for wanting to recruit 2,000 master’s degree holders.
Why?
Talking about ideals and creating a perfect scenario, but without considering if talent can not only be attracted but also retained.
It’s not that you can’t talk about ideals.
As long as you provide the most equitable development environment for the talent.
But, the more that exists in these places, the more...
Say too much, and it would all have to be censored.
For a moment, everyone fell silent.
Zhang Mu sighed, "They told me: Teacher, I may not be able to stay content with little. If it were just me, I definitely could, but I have children, a wife, and parents. If I don’t leave, what will happen to my child in the future? I have to consider his long-term future, and I still have to fulfill my filial duties to my parents. I’m sorry... Teacher!"
When Zhang Mu said this, tears filled his eyes.
He sighed, "At that time, I said, family is what’s most important. I support your choice. When you get to the new place, give me a call, I’ll look after you there."
"I said, even if we’re not working together, we’re still colleagues, and we can still collaborate in the future work."
"These children were all interviewed and recruited by me personally. Now seeing each of them leave, facing their tears, I’m helpless."
"In the end, I’m just an impoverished professor."
After hearing this, Chen Cang was silent.
Yang Lan and Qi Kai were deeply moved.
As deans and professors, they too knew what it was like when they saw students switching fields.
Chen Cang suddenly recalled eating roast chicken at Qi Kai’s research institute, where Qi Kai said, "If the research doesn’t work out in the future, we can switch to roasting chicken. We might earn even more."
Clearly, they are top-tier talents.
Yet they cannot live a decent life.
Who can understand this helplessness?
Chen Cang didn’t notice before.
At this moment, he realized that his path had been too smooth!
If he needed a project, he got it.
If he needed funding, he received it.
The only bit of dissatisfaction he encountered was quickly resolved by the leaders stepping in.
Perhaps...
What he saw today is the real truth of scientific research?
Qi Kai asked, "Professor Zhang, then... where are you going?"
Zhang Mu smiled, "While I still have some value, I’ve joined a friend’s pharmaceutical company as the chief engineer to earn some money for retirement. My child is also about to get married, and housing in the capital is not cheap. He has no chance to get housing allocation."
Saying this, Zhang Mu sighed, smiled, and said, "So, your visit today has really made everyone disappointed."
"Come, let’s have some tea!"
With that, Zhang Mu poured tea for the three of them.
In this winter, holding the warm stomach tea in his hand, drinking a lot, Chen Cang’s stomach felt cold.
He only had one thought at this moment!
To find the big leader.
To tell him about this story.
But such deep-rooted issues are not built up overnight.
At this moment, Chen Cang suddenly felt his own insignificance.
But, looking at Professor Zhang Mu like this.
Chen Cang impulsively said, "Professor Zhang, can I hire you and your team?"
Hearing this, everyone was stunned.
Is he joking?
Zhang Mu looked at Chen Cang, somewhat moved.
But he smiled faintly, "Right, I forgot to ask what you all are here for!"
"I’ve been caught up in talking, Professor Chen, what brings you here today?"
At this time, Chen Cang was truly fired up.
He directly said, "Professor Zhang, I would like to invite you to join us in tackling Parkinson’s disease."
"We already have research results!"
"We had a major discovery, and since you’re already working on Alzheimer’s drug development, we’re actually on the same route!"
"Join us!"
Hearing Chen Cang’s words, Zhang Mu was indeed tempted.
Seeing this, Chen Cang said, "Is there a possibility not to leave?"
Before Zhang Mu could respond, a man walked in from behind and said calmly, "Not leaving... will you support them?"
Without turning his head, Chen Cang directly said, "I’ll support them!"
...
PS: The third update delivered, more to come in the evening, asking for some votes.
Thanks to "Jie Jie Bu Er" and "Deng Zhaohong" for their generous reward of 50,000, thank you!
It’s been a while since a reward... thanks to the bosses for the chicken leg.