Rebirth in 1960, My Industrial Age

Chapter 400 Helping Each Other
Wang Hai was considered You Lijun's former subordinate, but this time he was prevented from being promoted in the Ministry of Foreign Trade, so his chances of promotion were almost nil.

If he wants to get promoted, he can only be transferred to another place first and then find a way; however, You Lijun doesn't have that much ability, and there are quite a few deputy positions at his level across the country.

Aside from his own small circle of territories, who else recognizes You Lijun? Even those with some connections can't be persuaded with just a few words when it comes to the transfer of high-ranking officials.

Yu Hai's compromise with Zhou Fengnian this time was also because he was a little afraid of Zhou Fengnian. Bai Kang told Zhou Fengnian that Yu Hai seemed to have inquired about Zhou Fengnian's past and made the decision after careful consideration.

After all, in Yu Hai's view, it would be strange if Zhou Fengnian didn't keep an eye on the Ministry of Foreign Trade because You Lijun had caused discord between Zhou Fengnian and his son.

If this isn't resolved, what if, during a major conference in the future, his foreign trade department raises a matter that's neither feasible nor feasible, and Zhou Fengnian shakes his head and rejects it?

Moreover, Zhou Fengnian was already at the same level as him in his forties, and he might even be in that group of people's meetings ten years from now. Why would he provoke such a person for You Lijun?

Besides, he came to the Ministry of Foreign Trade to take You Lijun's position, so there's absolutely no need for us to stand up for him.

After weighing the options, Yu Hai made this decision and subtly revealed it to Bai Kang, telling him that Wang Hai had little hope of being promoted next time, and certainly no hope at the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

If You Lijun were truly powerful, he could transfer people to other places and then go through the proper procedures for them.

"Alright, I'll approve it for him tomorrow or the day after. This matter has implicated Comrade Yu Hai."

After Zhou Fengnian finished speaking, he looked at Bai Kang and continued to ask, "What kind of person is he?"

Bai Kang said, "He has a little selfishness, but he is generally selfless and no different from most people. I should go and apologize to him another day, otherwise I will be in the wrong once he realizes what's going on."

"It's a bountiful year; you must bring me some of your fine tea. I'll give it to you as a gift another day."

Zhou Fengnian enjoys drinking tea, especially fine tea; his tea is definitely presentable enough to be given as a gift.

"Okay, I'll have Xianyang pack one for you later."

After Zhou Fengnian finished speaking, he looked at Zhou Xianyang and asked, "What brings you here, kid? You're definitely not just here to freeload. If you have something to say, say it before we start eating."

"Hey, it's nothing, I can handle it."

"Let's go eat then."

"Of course, it would be even better if you could help me think about it."

Zhou Xianyang changed the subject faster than a racing car drifting around, pressing Zhou Fengnian back into his seat and continuing, "Besides the newly opened electronics factory, I also wanted to open a communications equipment factory, but after going to the wireless communications factory, I had no hope of buying a production line at all."

"The Fourth Ministry of Machine Building makes money off this. If I were still in the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building, I wouldn't give it to you either. What are you thinking?"

Zhou Fengnian glanced at his son, then continued, "It's not that no one had bad ideas about Shenzhou Computer Factory before, but we all rejected them."

The telecommunications business is now the next Shenzhou Computer Factory, and the wireless communications factory is there to protect and support the telecommunications business. Anyone thinking of poaching them is dreaming. Even if you called Pan Heng, it wouldn't work.

Zhou Xianyang sighed and said, "It's just as you said, Dad. If I poach a few technicians, the factory manager of the wireless communications plant can pretend he doesn't see it, but it's impossible to poach production line workers on a large scale."

"Complaining to me about this is useless, and didn't I already tell you, why don't you go abroad and see for yourself?"

Zhou Fengnian pointed out, "Those foreign telecommunications equipment companies still have a strong technological foundation, and although their technology is a bit behind now, they are by no means inferior in other aspects."
"If you have the ability, talk to them about a joint venture, get them to set up factories and parts companies in China. I can use my connections to give you the technology, and maybe that way I can help your brother Yuhao again."

Upon hearing this, Bai Yuhao's eyes lit up. He had already taken office with authority over a comprehensive electrical appliance factory worth 20 million yuan. If he could get another joint venture factory, he would be truly remarkable.

He might be promoted to the Standing Committee within a year, and then to the full committee within a few years.

Foreign telecommunications equipment companies are indeed good; what they lack is digital communication technology, which is easy to improve. If Zhou Xianyang can secure a joint venture factory, then Zhou Fengnian can use his connections to provide him with digital mobile phone technology.

Foreign telecommunications equipment companies use their technology, so the mobile phones they produce must conform to their communication standards, and the subsequent telecommunications operation is the main source of revenue.

By giving up a portion of the mobile phone market, they can gain a larger share of the communications business market; no matter how you look at it, they won't lose out.

"If I can negotiate a deal, I'll use my connections to get you the technology. Dad, something doesn't sound right to me. Why are you being so agreeable? Are you trying to scheme against me?" Zhou Xianyang immediately became alert. Based on his deduction, his father shouldn't be so easy to talk to.

"It's up to you whether you want it or not. If you do, then use these terms to negotiate joint ventures with foreign telecommunications equipment companies. If not, then go for your consumer electronics business; that market isn't small either."

"If you're thinking about this, take some things to Director Ding. He's been implicated this time, so it'll be much easier if you go and apologize to him."

After Zhou Fengnian finished speaking, he stood up, turned to Bai Kang and said, "Let's eat first, Brother Bai. Master Yang must have finished cooking by now."

"Come on, Fengnian, I've always envied your family's chef's skills. Your sister-in-law's cooking is nowhere near as good as Chef Yang's."

Zhou Fengnian laughed and said, "In a few years, you'll be able to work as a chef too."

Bai Kang said, "That will take a long time."

After the two left the study, Zhou Xianyang was still pondering what secrets his father might have hidden in asking him to discuss joint ventures, but Bai Yuhao patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't think about it anymore. Uncle Zhou won't hurt you. Listen to him, you won't go wrong."

This was Bai Yuhao's thought. He grew up listening to his father and uncle. His relatives all wanted what was best for him and never had any intention of harming him.

That's why he was able to become the deputy mayor of a city at the age of thirty-three.

"Yeah, that's true. I just can't figure it out and I'm a little resentful. He's always so mysterious."

Zhou Xianyang sighed, stood up, and then left the study with Bai Yuhao to have dinner.

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A few days later, Director Ding came to the Academy of Sciences to see Zhou Fengnian again.

Zhou Fengnian approved the technology transfers readily this time, and even provided development prospects for the next few years for some of the technologies. However, two of them were unacceptable, as they would not be very effective and would cause large-scale environmental damage, so Zhou Fengnian rejected them.

This is within the normal range, and the reasons given are sufficient; even if Director Ding sees it, he can't say anything.

Moreover, he was grateful to Zhou Fengnian, otherwise, if something happened in the future, it might be traced back to him.

Since Yu Haidu had taken action to subdue the person You Lijun valued, Zhou Fengnian naturally had no excuse to cause trouble.

Otherwise, he could go directly to Dean Wu, who would then have to talk to Zhou Fengnian.

Now that he doesn't have those trivial matters, Zhou Fengnian can devote all his energy to scientific and technological research and development.

Although China ranks among the world's leaders in several fields such as computers, it lags behind in other areas.

Zhou Fengnian is helping out as much as he can now. His abilities have improved, and it would be a waste if he didn't put them to use.

On the other hand, Zhou Xianyang also decided to listen to Zhou Fengnian, but he had to investigate first before doing anything.

However, it's better to find someone in Hong Kong for this kind of thing. They have professional research companies, and you can get the information for a little money.

Communication is much more convenient now. Although mobile phones can only make calls to neighboring provinces for the time being, telephones are already quite advanced, and it is not a problem to make a call to the special economic zone in Guangdong.

In two years, the domestic communication environment will improve significantly. At that time, a single call from Beijing will be able to reach the Guangdong Special Administrative Region, or even directly Hong Kong. It's just that the call charges will be a bit expensive.

One phone call was made, and they quickly took over the task.

There aren't many companies making communication equipment these days; if you really think about it, there are only a handful. I estimate they'll send it to Zhou Xianyang in a few days.

However, he could prepare in advance, so Zhou Xianyang followed his father's advice, brought some gifts, and after finding out the home of Director Ding of the International Economic and Technological Exchange Center, he went to visit him.

(End of this chapter)