Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 390 Shift in Approach to China
"Director Liang, I have a question for you. Has Shanghai recently applied to build a supercomputer?"

"Yes, boss, we're already making arrangements. They're the next ones after that, and it's expected to take eighteen months."

Liang Yongsheng reported to Zhou Fengnian that although Zhou Fengnian had left the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building and was no longer his direct superior, Liang Yongsheng still dared not slack off in the slightest and was very respectful.

"I see. I might have to go to Shanghai on business in a while, and I'll need the supercomputing center then. So, Director Liang, are we currently short-staffed? And could we speed up the construction process?"

Although Zhou Fengnian's tone was inquiring, Liang Yongsheng immediately understood and respectfully replied to the person on the other end of the phone.

"Don't worry, sir. I'll arrange this. With enough manpower, the installation time can be shortened even further. Besides, supercomputers are constantly being produced."

As for whether there are enough people, that's naturally up to Liang Yongsheng, the factory director.

Let's stop elsewhere for now and head to Shanghai to catch up on the construction schedule.

The Shanghai Supercomputing Center, which was originally scheduled to be two places behind, will apparently be two days behind.

After calculating factors such as site selection, equipment production time, and construction, Liang Yongsheng smiled and said to Zhou Fengnian, "Boss, I just calculated that it will take about twelve months, or one year, to establish a supercomputing center in Shanghai."

Actually, Suzhou and Hangzhou already have one, so building another one in Shanghai would be a bit wasteful, since they are so close to each other.

However, the universities and research institutes in Shanghai had the funds, and they pooled their resources to cover almost all the costs for the supercomputing center, so they didn't need any subsidies from Shenzhou Computer Factory.

Since it wouldn't use up the subsidies from Shenzhou Computer Factory, Liang Yongsheng agreed after a little consideration.

He just didn't expect that Zhou Fengnian would speak up for the construction project of the supercomputing center in Shanghai, so he definitely had to cut in line.

After hanging up, Liang Yongsheng dialed the planning department again: "Section Chief Wang, this is Liang Yongsheng. Could you come over here? I have something to arrange for you."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Fengnian called Qian Zhi over and said to him, "Qian Zhi, I may need to travel to Shanghai frequently for scientific research in the near future, and you'll probably have to come with me then."
The dates aren't confirmed yet, but it'll probably be around the middle of next month. I'll probably be staying for ten to twenty days each month. Make sure you settle things at home first.

He has more to do than just this. There are research projects to develop in the institute, as well as semiconductors, computers, and many other things that Zhou Fengnian needs to worry about.

However, Zhou Fengnian also needs to be in charge of biomedical research and development in Shanghai, so he needs someone who can help him organize things and report on key points.

Qian Zhi, as the secretary, bears a great deal of responsibility.

However, serving as Zhou Fengnian's secretary comes with considerable power and responsibility, as Zhou Fengnian often delegates authority.

"Yes, sir, I understand."

Qian Zhi immediately said, "I will make arrangements at home before I leave."

"Yes, try to familiarize yourself with the tasks of a secretary during this time, and ask questions if you don't understand something."

Zhou Fengnian paused for two seconds, then continued, "Our domestic telecommunications services are also developing. Before long, communication between provinces will be possible, and then even people in Shanghai will be able to contact people in Beijing using their mobile phones."

Upon hearing this, Qian Zhi smiled and said, "That's great, boss. Cell phones are so convenient, they feel much better than telephones. Aside from being a bit expensive, I would also like to buy one for my family."

He knew that his superior was reminding him that he could use his mobile phone to contact his family after arriving in Shanghai.

Being Zhou Fengnian's secretary was incredibly lucky for him; the leader even provided him with a cell phone and applied for a communication subsidy from the institute.

Otherwise, with his meager monthly salary, how could he afford a cell phone? This one costs several thousand yuan; with a little extra, he could buy a car.

"It won't be cheap when it first comes out, since the domestic supply is very limited. But it will gradually become cheaper in five years. Okay, go ahead and give this to Deputy Director He of the Semiconductor Research Institute. It's quite important."

"I understand, boss."

After receiving the documents, Qian Zhi took his leave.

After leaving Zhou Fengnian's office, Qian Zhi went to the institute's office and said to one of the people there, "Xiao Hai, take this and run a errand for me."

Before he could finish speaking, Qian Zhi suddenly remembered that his boss had said the document was very important. So he glanced at his schedule for the day, then waved his hand and said, "Never mind, I'll go."

The clerk named Haisi said somewhat blankly, "Oh, then Director Qian, please let me know if you need anything."

"Row."

After Qian Zhi finished speaking, he picked up the documents and prepared to ride his bicycle to the semiconductor research institute. He had nothing to do in the afternoon, so he felt at ease making the trip.

After Qian Zhi left, Li Jie, sitting at another desk, snorted and said, "He's gotten all high and mighty just because he's become a leader's secretary."

The sound was quite loud, but everyone else in the room lowered their heads and pretended not to hear it. After all, neither of them could afford to offend the vice dean's secretary nor the other's uncle, who was the director of the general office.

After Qian Zhi left, Zhou Fengnian also got busy with his work.

Following the small success, two European countries also came to Zhou Fengnian wanting to purchase chips. What Zhou Fengnian just sent to Qian Zhi was his opinion on how to handle the situation.

We can sell, but we have to exchange it for something else, whether it's the technology or production lines they lack, or other resources, or at a high price that they can accept.

Only China can manufacture the most advanced chips; even America can't compare to them in this regard.

They hold all the pricing power. They can buy low- to mid-range chips from other countries, but only China can produce high-end chips. You can buy them, but be prepared to be ripped off.

Those who wanted to buy things were ripped off, not only spending a huge amount of money but also investing billions of dollars and opening up the telecommunications market.

However, they also obtained a continuous purchase agreement, which will allow them to enjoy China's high-end chips for the next ten years. Furthermore, if there are any further breakthroughs, they will have the right to negotiate further purchases.

Now two European countries have also approached him, and Zhou Fengnian's solution is to try his best to negotiate the telecommunications business market.

According to the communications business division's plan, there are no immediate plans to develop communications services in Europe, but since they've come to us, we'll give it a try.

If there's a plan, they can take it over directly, even if it's just opening up a few cities and regions. As long as there's one opening, they can gradually nibble away at the territory.

Their growing strength has given the Russians a sigh of relief.

If we say that in the past two years, America's vigilance towards Russia and China was 60/40, with Russia consuming 60% of America's energy.

But now the situation has completely reversed, with Amei even spending 70% of her energy trying to suppress their development.

Russia's strength lies mainly in its military; its light industry is a mess, and its heavy industry, while still powerful, is now much less formidable, though completely under America's control.

In other words, nuclear warheads are somewhat uncontrollable, but the Russians are no longer qualified to be America's adversary.

But the rabbit is different; in America's eyes, this country is truly an 'all-rounder'.

In the military, heavy industry, light industry, and agriculture, there seems to be no obvious weakness, and in many high-end technologies, we have surpassed them.

This is still not the full potential; China has too much manpower.

A significant portion of it has not been converted into industrial productivity. According to their estimates, once China's full potential is unleashed, it will be terrifying.

They've gotten stronger every year since they changed, becoming the undisputed number one in the computer market, a pioneer in semiconductors, and in various other technologies.
The decision within Amy has changed, and it's a change that almost everyone agrees with.

The friendship had lasted less than ten years when their rapid growth forced Ami to change.

The last time we provided weapons support to the South Vietnamese was a test, but unfortunately the test failed.

Unfortunately, they were too disappointing; even Amei wanted to curse them out. They didn't gather much intelligence and wasted hundreds of millions of dollars worth of equipment.

They were aware of these situations, and Zhou Fengnian now had access to these matters, which would be revealed to him by his superiors.

Although he hadn't reached that level yet, Zhou Fengnian hadn't missed any of the information he was supposed to get. Sometimes, his superiors would call him over to talk about these things and ask him for his opinion.

However, Zhou Fengnian's statement is basically consistent: it takes time to develop, and they may catch up with Ami, but they may be able to overtake them in no more than 20 years.

He has many good ideas in his mind, but it would take too long to fully realize them, so long that Zhou Fengnian himself didn't even have the confidence to live that long.

The technical knowledge gained from just two level-ten abilities could advance China's technology by fifty to one hundred years, especially in the area of ​​'computing terminals'.

If this can be achieved, then this computing terminal could enable humanity to continue evolving, and even space colonization would not be difficult.

It just takes time to implement.

Zhou Fengnian is just one person. Even if he keeps training students, he is only confident that he can accelerate China's technological development by three times.

To achieve in ten years what took thirty years to accomplish.

That would still be far from fully realizing the technology in his mind. Zhou Fengnian sometimes thought about this, what if he didn't develop the technology to that point by the time his life ended?
That would be a waste, considering how high his skill level is.

------

"Dad, Mom, I'm back."

During the weekend break, Zhou Xianyang's voice suddenly came from the front yard, and then Zhou Linlin, who was doing her homework in the middle yard, saw her older brother carrying large and small bags as he walked in.

Zhou Linlin, who loves gifts, immediately stepped forward and asked with a grin, "Brother, you're finally back! Did you bring me a gift?"

"I brought it. You can open it yourself and take whatever you like."

Zhou Xianyang said generously, then placed the bags and packages on the stone table in the middle courtyard and asked, "Where are Mom and Dad?"

Without looking up, Zhou Linlin said, "Mom went to Grandpa and Grandma's. Dad left after breakfast this morning. I don't know where he went."

"Dad's probably working overtime again."

Zhou Xianyang, remembering that he still needed to deliver something to his mother-in-law Bai Yujie, said to Zhou Linlin, "Tell Mom when she gets back that I'm going to see her. I'll come home for dinner tonight."

After saying that, Zhou Xianyang turned and left, as he still had other gifts in his car to give away.

(End of this chapter)