Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 232 Old Yan comes to the door and agrees to the conditions (Subscription Request)
"Fengnian, I have made tea, can you bring it in?"

Zhou Yan heard someone knocking on the door. Because they might be discussing something important, Zhou Yan knocked on the door first to ask.

"come in."

After Zhou Fengnian answered, Zhou Yan brought two cups of hot tea and a plate of prepared pastries and placed them on the table.

Zhou Fengnian immediately introduced: "My colleague, Lao Yan, the secretary of the computer factory, was the one who brought me to the Computer Research Institute before. This is my wife, Zhou Yan."

Zhou Yan smiled and greeted, "Secretary Yan, Fengnian is well taken care of by you in the factory."

Yan Zhengzhi quickly said: "No, in fact, I learned from your wife. Fengnian is much more sensitive than me in computers. We take care of each other."

"Then you guys chat, I'll go out first."

Zhou Yan didn't stay long. After saying a word, she left and closed the door.

Yan Zhengzhi couldn't help but say: "Fengnian, you married a good wife."

Zhou Fengnian smiled and said, "It's all the same, Old Yan, your wife must be very virtuous, otherwise how could we focus on research."

"makes sense."

Yan Zhengzhi then said to Zhou Fengnian without making small talk: "Xiao Rizi came to our house again yesterday and agreed to our rather demanding conditions and signed an agreement to purchase the supercomputer, but he had some requirements."

After Yan Zhengzhi finished speaking, the room was quiet for a while before Zhou Fengnian spoke up: "The Japanese agreed to even such a request. They must have felt that they could gain huge benefits from the supercomputer, so they were willing to accept that request.

As for the two thousand personal computers that were added, they probably wanted to make money while doing research. After buying them back, they could sell them under a new guise and make a profit."

Yan Zhengzhi was surprised and said, "They want to be middlemen? Is it worth it to go through such a big detour?"

"Although I always think that the first generation of personal computers we made were not good and the systems and programs were not perfect, it was a milestone for them."

Zhou Fengnian explained that he was comparing it with the big-head machines from the 1990s, but it was only the end of 1971.

He is not bragging. Even if Amei can produce personal computers now, they will be products with simple functions and backward performance.

If it weren't for China's personal computers, Ame could claim that their computers were the most advanced in the world.

But once there is a comparison, Amy's computer will appear to be a clown.

Zhou Fengnian is so confident. He is familiar with the complete development context of computers and future technologies. The only thing that restricts him now is the problem of materials and electronic components.

If he puts all his efforts into developing electronic components related to personal computers, then perhaps the big-headed machines of the 1990s could appear in this era.

Once it appears, it will be a dimensionality-reduction blow to computers in other countries.

"The Japanese probably want to imitate our computers and then compete for the markets in other countries. They bought so many at once, maybe they're worried that we'll sell them to other countries."

Zhou Fengnian speculated, "This nation is always so shady. We can sell them, but it's best not to lower the price by a penny. They can make money from outsiders, but don't try to take advantage of us."

Yan Zhengzhi simply ignored the dislike for the Japanese in Zhou Fengnian's tone. At that time, many people hated the Japanese, and he was no exception.

Across the country, there are probably not even enough people to fill an entire village who don’t hate little devils.

"It's a good year, but our production can't keep up."

"Don't worry about that. I've thought about it. The only things that limit production efficiency are integrated chips and three other electronic components. Among them, integrated chips are the most important and they also limit personal computer production efficiency."

Zhou Fengnian paused for a moment, then reminded, "Do you still remember the first projection lithography machine?"

Yan Zhengzhi suddenly recalled and said, "You mean that one? But that's their honor. Can we borrow it?"

"What do you mean by their honor? That is our honor. We developed and manufactured it!"

Zhou Fengnian retorted: "Whether it succeeds or not, we will report it to the higher-ups. Anyway, we have a way to improve production efficiency. Whether we use it or not is up to the higher-ups."

“That’s what you said.”

"As for the other three types of electronic components, let them expand their staff. As long as the overtime compensation is not delayed, the workers in other factories are more willing to work overtime than you and I."

After Zhou Fengnian finished speaking, he immediately warned: "Talk to the leaders about this, and don't tell them that it was us who said it. Let them decide how to do it and whether to do it or not."

Forcing workers to work overtime is a prerequisite for exploiting the workers, but they cannot say anything about it anyway.

Again, they have a way to solve it, but the leader has to give the nod whether to do it or not.

"You still have a solution. Fortunately, I came to you. Otherwise, I would not have thought that the lithography machine would just be gathering dust there. It should have been given to us long ago."

Yan Zhengzhi nodded and said that he would tell his leader about this matter when he returned.

Zhong Xingling and others came to the computer factory, and the Microelectronics Research Institute was half abandoned. Although the remaining people were still doing research, they had not come up with anything.

They know the reason very well, but now they need the lithography machine, so it would be better for them to be sensible and hand it over voluntarily.

Afterwards, Yan Zhengzhi talked to Zhou Fengnian about the downgrade of the supercomputer. Zhou Fengnian did not say it explicitly and said he would talk about it after Xiao Rizi signed the contract.

Anyway, there is still some time, at least until the end of next year before we start manufacturing the supercomputer needed for daily life, and he can just make changes then.

After they had almost finished talking about the matter, Zhou Fengnian invited Yan Zhengzhi to stay for dinner, but Yan Zhengzhi shook his head and refused.

His wife was still at home, and he had to report to his superiors when he returned, so he really had no time; if he was alone, it would be fine for him to stay and have a meal.

Finally, when it was time for dinner, Yan Zhengzhi got on his bike and left. He had to report to his leader quickly, so eating was secondary.

"San'er, why don't you keep your colleague here?"

After Zhou Fengnian came back from sending the person away, Zhou Fugui came over and asked.

"Yes, but he didn't. He has something else to do later, and he has relatives at home."

Zhou Fengnian asked, "Is lunch ready?"

Zhou Fugui glanced back and said, "It's almost done. They've started to tidy up the table."

With more people in the family, cooking is hard work. Now two tables are not enough, so a small table is prepared for the children. If there are more people in the future, it will be difficult to celebrate the New Year in the Zhou family's old house. Even if such a big table is set up, there will not be enough room for people to live.

During the Chinese New Year this year, all the people continued to hear good news on the radio, such as what achievements have been made and how the economy has developed this year.
Zhou Fengnian was not sure about the rest, but the export orders had indeed increased; China was now quietly gaining the reputation of an industrial power in the international community.

Even if countries like Aramco do not admit it, in the eyes of Central and European countries, China is an industrial power. The machine tools and automobiles they export have very good performance.

Now the country is considering exporting fine steel. The quality of their fine steel is also first-class in the world. After seeing the quality of their fine steel, some countries will definitely consider importing it.

After all, the technical equipment developed by Zhou Fengnian are world-class, so the quality of the fine steel produced is naturally guaranteed.

After the restructuring, the rolling mill removed a large amount of parts processing and shifted its focus back to steel rolling. Now the Third Rolling Mill has become a key plant of the Ministry of Metallurgy.

Unlike what Zhou Fengnian knew, Li Huaide is not launching any campaigns now and still holds all the power, because the steel rolling mill now has a reputation as a domestic steel star.

While listening to the radio, Zhou Fengnian thought to himself that he had achieved some success in the past ten years.

Ten years ago, domestic exports relied on traditional handicrafts such as embroidery and porcelain, but now they export large quantities of industrial products such as machine tools and automobiles.

Foreign exchange has also increased from just over 100 million six years ago to 400 to 500 million US dollars now.

Next is the third industrial revolution, and Zhou Fengnian has to make China the center of the information revolution.

The next twenty years from now will be used to "practice basic skills" and continue to improve technology. After entering the 1990s, we will start to take the lead.

In the future, Zhou Fengnian will have to plan artificial intelligence and various future developments while he still has plenty of energy.

He felt that his skills would have a qualitative leap after breaking through level ten, and by then he might be able to develop artificial intelligent life similar to the Terminator.

However, this kind of research definitely requires more than one level 10 skill. It may require seven, eight or even more than a dozen level 10 skills to work together to produce it.

Now Zhou Fengnian is still thinking about making China the world's number one in all aspects.

Thinking of this, Zhou Fengnian put his daughter down in his arms, stuffed a piece of candy into her mouth, and walked towards the study.

Zhou Weitian, who was caught playing chess nearby, saw this and immediately whispered, "Dad, my niece is unhappy. I have to go and comfort her."

Zhou Fugui turned around and saw Zhou Yiyi eating candy unhappily, and immediately asked, "Where's San'er? Wasn't he holding my granddaughter and watching just now?"

"The third brother probably went to the study. He's been so busy lately that he almost has to live in the study."

"This kid, he doesn't know how to take a rest during the New Year, and he's in such a hurry these few days? Don't move, and don't move the chessboard."

Zhou Fugui saw that his eldest son wanted to destroy the chess game, so he scolded him sternly. Then he went over to pick up his granddaughter and coaxed her slowly. After telling her that he would go out to buy food later, he finally made Zhou Yiyi happy.

Zhou Yiyi will also go to school next year, but she is spoiled too much at home, so she will need her three brothers to take care of her when she goes to school.

After a while, Zhou Yan came over and found that her daughter was being pampered by her grandfather. She immediately asked, "Dad, where is Fengnian?"

"In the study, he left suddenly just now. Daughter-in-law, please persuade the third son not to be so busy during the New Year."

Zhou Yan laughed helplessly and said, "Dad, how can I persuade him? He agreed to it, but he started thinking about it when he lay on the bed. But I won't let him stay up late. I will send him to bed when it's time."

------

On the third day after the New Year, after Zhou Fengnian’s suggestion, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building immediately made a decision after discussion.

They agreed to the cooperation plan from Xiao Rizi, which was a cooperation plan signed between several large local companies and Hua Xia.

Let China introduce the first batch of eleven technologies and equipment, and at the same time, China's electronic computer factories will give priority to delivering daily personal computers.

After the second batch of the remaining eleven technical equipment were introduced, China delivered them and built a supercomputer in Xiao Rizi.

However, Xiao Rizi must make good arrangements for the people who are guarding the computer room and must not allow the people they send to guard the computer room to get injured in any form or under any excuse, otherwise all future cooperation will be cancelled.

Originally, they were at a disadvantage when they introduced Xiao Ri Zhu's technology and equipment; they had no confidence to ask for technical support from others.

But Xiao Ri is also eyeing their supercomputers, so both sides have demands on each other and are in an equal negotiating position.

What's more, the importance of supercomputers far exceeds that of the technical equipment that supports our daily lives, and the importance of the two is worlds apart.

Xiao Ri also did not want to disrupt the cooperation, so after receiving the first batch of personal computers, they immediately stepped up their research.

But they were stuck in two areas. First, they were unable to produce integrated chips of this specification for the time being.

The second is that they don’t understand how the operating system works. Even ordinary computer engineers don’t have any knowledge of this.

Before they had a clear understanding of the technology, Xiao Rizi dared not break the cooperation, and if they breached the contract, it would damage Xiao Rizi's international image.

After this gets out, anyone who cooperates with them in the future will have to be careful; if they can breach the contract by cooperating with a country like China, then wouldn’t it be easy for them to bully a small country like them, right?
No organization would easily breach a contract unless it is absolutely necessary, as the subsequent consequences would be too serious.

Their life is indeed cheap, but they are not stupid. They would rarely do such self-destructive things unless it is absolutely necessary.

If they really succeed in making it, and end up with a downgraded supercomputer after all the effort, the loss they suffer will definitely be greater than what they gain.

The two ministries also told their superiors about speeding up production efficiency and proposed moving the lithography machine at the Microelectronics Research Institute to the electronic computer factory.

Concentrating resources and production can also help the country earn foreign exchange.

The leader agreed without much thought, and at the same time gave an order to the Microelectronics Research Institute to send the lithography machine over as soon as possible.

The people at the Computer Institute and the Microelectronics Institute were naturally unwilling to do so. This was also a proof of their honor, but they really didn't have any research projects.

One third of the previously strong scientific research team left, and one third of them resigned. The remaining ones are honest and obedient, but they have no independent scientific research capabilities.

The lithography machine has not been used for a long time.

Although they were unwilling, they knew the order from above was reasonable and they had no power to refuse. So on the first day of work after the New Year, someone came to deliver the lithography machine away.

At the same time, the electronic computer factory also found ways to recruit some people. In addition to apprentice porters who could ease production, the most important thing was to find some technically savvy people from the countryside where they worked.

It just so happened that after Zhong Xingling and his men turned over, the vacant space where they were working was vacated, which was just right for these people to use.

(End of this chapter)