Free Web NovelChapter 281: Chapter 212: Next Time, I Want to Sit on the Rostrum
In fact, he’d even considered asking Lin Chu to come over and provide some sort of endorsement.
After all, Lin Chu was a prominent figure. Principal Hao had even specifically asked about him before, thinking it was a great sign. Having an entrepreneur of his caliber join Peking University’s MBA program indicated its growing influence in recent years. Objectively, while Peking University’s MBA was top-tier in terms of prestige, it was still a notch below Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business and Tsinghua. Its alumni association wasn’t as powerful, either.
But on second thought, if Principal Hao were to refuse, it would be a huge loss of face for Lin Chu, and there would be no room left for negotiation. So, for the time being, Kong Qi abandoned the idea.
’First, I’ll test the waters and see what Principal Hao thinks.’
"Alright, go ahead and speak."
Hao Wenhua seemed quite approachable, speaking with a warm chuckle.
"It’s about our student, Lu Ming. He’s had an idea..."
Kong Qi proceeded to lay out Lu Ming’s idea for Hao Wenhua in its entirety. He focused on it as a new path for the MBA program, an innovative model, and the potential benefits it could bring in the future.
He knew that as a relatively young vice principal, Principal Hao was known for being forward-thinking, not traditional or conservative. Compared to tradition and precedent, he placed a much higher value on results.
"Oh? That’s a great idea. They did a stock market simulation before, right? But it doesn’t seem like they got anywhere with it. If you ask me, what’s the point of something virtual? If you’re going to do something, do it for real. This is an excellent idea. I support it. A few hundred thousand in startup capital is no skin off our backs."
"However, have you decided on the specifics? What kind of project will it be?"
Hao Wenhua’s gaze fell on Lu Ming as he asked, his tone still just as warm.
Lu Ming...
’He was quite surprised.’
He hadn’t expected the principal to be so supportive; he’d already been preparing to lobby people behind the scenes.
But his surprise was quickly followed by awkwardness.
The specifics of the business model were still completely up in the air.
But the principal was waiting for an answer, and saying he wasn’t prepared would make him look like a total amateur.
His mind raced. Forcing himself to appear calm, Lu Ming spoke with a confident tone.
"I plan to build a business around disseminating the content of our MBA courses. The model has three parts. First is low-cost online distribution. We’ll take the more accessible parts of what we learn, package them, and sell them cheaply via livestreams. We’re talking a unit price of maybe a hundred yuan or so. The main goal here is to push volume and build influence."
"The second part is to act as a corporate think tank. Once we have a large user base, there will inevitably be a demand for practical, real-world problem-solving. It’s like a business consulting model. When a client company faces a problem, we can use it as a case study for discussion. If we don’t know the answer, we can ask our professors. This essentially becomes a paid membership service, doesn’t it?"
"The third part is for even more high-end members. They can just enroll in the actual courses. By then, we can leverage the alumni network and act as an intermediary platform connecting companies with talent, technology, and capital... Once the model is proven, we’ll be able to make money one way or another."
Lu Ming had been hearing Lin Chu and Liu Junfeng talk about their private boards every day. He’d picked up the concepts just by listening.
Now, he was just applying what he’d learned, slightly modifying their model and applying it here.
Kong Qi: ?
He was stunned speechless.
’This is his plan?’
Hao Wenhua was also a little taken aback.
Inwardly, however, he was a bit exasperated.
He’d never imagined this student’s plan was to essentially fleece the Peking University MBA program!
Of course, the MBA courses at Peking University were undeniably valuable.
It was just that none of the professors had the time or energy to engage in this kind of mass-market education.
Breaking down valuable knowledge and selling it piecemeal was, frankly, a stroke of genius.
The subsequent business path he outlined was also logical.
Although the conversion rate would be an issue—in fact, the biggest challenge—that was precisely what would make their work valuable.
If they really managed to pull it off and build a certain level of influence, they would effectively become an external affiliate of the Peking University MBA program.
"Alright, Lu Ming, your idea has convinced me. You can go ahead and get started. However, the university doesn’t have the spare resources to offer support at this time. But, you can use the Peking University MBA name. Let’s have a gentleman’s agreement: you have two years. After you graduate, if you haven’t produced any significant results, we’ll revoke the privilege. Is that acceptable?"
Hao Wenhua said with a beaming smile.
He didn’t play hard to get; he just agreed outright.
Lu Ming sniffled.
’Holy shit?’
’That easily?’
’Peking University... damn, they’re incredible!’
’Who said they were conservative?!’
’They’re clearly so open and inclusive!’
"Yes, of course! Thank you for your support, Principal Hao. I definitely won’t disappoint you. And Teacher Kong, thank you for your support as well."
Lu Ming’s face broke into a wide grin as he offered the requisite pleasantries.
Kong Qi gave him a long, meaningful look. He pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and then turned to Hao Wenhua. "Principal, I’d like to apply to join this project. After all, someone needs to supervise their operations to prevent any overly aggressive or unnecessary actions. I’ll also need to communicate and coordinate with the professors. If any of them are particularly territorial about their work, I’ll need to be there to mediate."
’Isn’t that exactly what a counselor is for?’
’Kong Qi also realized something else. The professors’ lectures, the "copyright" for the course material... strictly speaking, all that knowledge is intellectual property.’
’But the students have already paid their tuition, same as with any university education. You definitely can’t charge them for it.’
’They wouldn’t be able to afford it anyway.’
’Their startup capital is only a few hundred thousand.’
’So, during the distribution process, I’ll have to help them navigate these issues as much as possible.’
’As long as they aren’t just selling the professors’ course materials directly—if they’re summarizing their notes, adapting the content, and adding their own insights—there probably won’t be a major issue.’
Hao Wenhua gave him a thoughtful look. After a moment, he smiled. "Alright, I approve. You can join. But the same two-year limit applies to you. Once this cohort graduates, you must exit their project."
Of course, there was another sentence Hao Wenhua left unsaid—if the project really takes off, he was free to resign from the university.
But saying something like that was naturally unbecoming of a principal.
Kong Qi was his trusted subordinate. It was only right to give him an opportunity, and to respect whatever choice he made.
The higher education sector was fiercely competitive these days, with a strict "up-or-out" policy. Giving him a potential escape route wasn’t a bad thing.
"Understood. Thank you, Principal Hao."
Kong Qi immediately understood the unspoken implication and replied with immense gratitude.
’And just like that, it was a done deal?’
...
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