Live Stream 1980: Netizens Teach Me How to Make a Rocket by Hand

Lin Xi's finger slammed heavily on the "big horn" on the blueprint.

"This thing is technically called a 'directional radiative thermal energy concentrator'."

Lin Xi spoke with a straight face, each word more hardcore than the last, leaving everyone stunned:

"The core technology adopts the 'parabolic reflection principle' of the fairing of our Red Star 2 satellite."

"Through a specific curvature design, the infrared thermal radiation beam can be focused with high efficiency."

"It can create a temperature similar to direct sunlight within a three-meter radius."

The four people inside the room were completely bewildered, finding the explanation impressive but not entirely clear.

"Stop, stop, stop!" Sun Erga scratched his slicked-back hair:

"Manager Lin, can you speak like a normal person? What exactly is this for?"

"For keeping warm," Lin Xi said succinctly. "Commonly known as a mini heater."

"Hey! To warm up?" Sun Erga said, a little deflated.

"Although our base is cold, at least we have central heating."

"At the very least, there's a coal stove; who would waste money on this thing?"

"Heating?" Lin Xi sneered.

"You've touched the radiators in our dorm building, haven't you?"

That's lukewarm water. The room temperature is at most twelve degrees Celsius.

"Wearing a cotton-padded coat indoors is cumbersome, and taking it off will cause you to catch a cold."

"Moreover, the heating is turned off in late February every year."

"But the late spring cold snap in the Northwest can freeze people until April. I don't need to elaborate on how that feels, do I?"

Liu Guihua nodded in deep agreement.

Every year during the period when the heating is turned off, it's so cold it really hurts to the bone.

"As for the coal stove..." Lin Xi pointed to the large, smoking appliance in the room.

"Not only was it smoky and fiery, but we also had to empty the ashes from the furnace every day."

"The most crucial point is—it's easy to get killed."

"Which winter at our base hasn't seen several people evacuated due to carbon monoxide poisoning?"

Everyone fell silent. This was indeed a sore spot, hit right where it hurt.

But Sun Erga still shook his head:

"There are pain points, but getting people to actually spend money... is difficult."

"Buying coal is troublesome, but it's a necessity for daily life."

"Buy appliances? Once you plug them in, the meter goes on and on like a whirlwind, who can stand that?"

Lin Xi's lips curled up slightly; this was exactly what she had been waiting for.

He leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as if revealing some earth-shattering secret:

"Have you forgotten the rules of our base?"

"Buying coal briquettes was something the workers had to pay for themselves."

"But the electricity bill..." Lin Xi tapped the table, "...that's a 'lump-sum' fee for the entire base!"

"No matter how you use it, you won't have to pay a single extra penny!"

boom--!

These words were like a bolt of lightning, instantly cleaving through the fog of confusion in everyone's minds.

Sun Erga slapped his thigh hard, the sound of which even made it hurt: "Holy crap!"

"Holy crap!" Even Wang Yu, who only knew how to tinker with electronic components, couldn't help but exclaim.

In the state-owned enterprise compounds and bases of that era, electricity meters were not installed in households.

Electricity use was indeed a welfare-oriented "iron rice bowl" system.

"This...this is basically getting something for free!" Sun Erga's eyes gleamed with greed.

Looking at that simple "little sun" on the drawing, it was as if I saw a golden God of Wealth.

"If I buy this, the heating is free?"

"Then who would be foolish enough to buy coal briquettes and inhale coal smoke?"

"Manager Lin, you're truly amazing!" Sun Erga gave a thumbs up, genuinely impressed this time.

"This isn't selling appliances, it's ripping off the farm!"

The live stream chat exploded at this point.

[Wow! I thought the streamer was doing some business, but it turns out he was exploiting a bug!]

[The scope has been broadened! We've only considered the first level, but the host is already at the atmospheric level!]

[Answerer, you've spotted a blind spot! In the 80s, state-owned enterprise compounds only paid a symbolic few cents per month—that's really true!]

This is what they call: If I only care about the electricity cost, I can bake the Earth dry!

Lin Xi smiled slightly, concealing his merits and fame.

This is exactly the effect I wanted.

Whether it's 1980 or 2025, no one can resist the temptation of "getting something for free".

"Alright, now that we've got the idea, let's get started."

Lin Xi stood up and acted swiftly and decisively:

"Sister Liu, you stay here and watch the house. While you're at it, tidy up the place. This will be our storefront from now on."

"Erga, go to the convenience store and buy two packs of 'Daqianmen' cigarettes, with filters."

"Huh? We're smoking this much?" Sun Erga was taken aback.

"These aren't for you to smoke, they're for the people doing the work." Lin Xi put on his military overcoat.

"After we buy it, let's go to Workshop Five and take over the site!"

……

Half an hour later.

The tall, red-brick factory building of Workshop 5 came into view of the four people.

The door was tightly shut, the red paint was peeling off, and most of the window glass was broken.

There was a 28-inch bicycle parked at the entrance.

A middle-aged man wearing a gray Zhongshan suit and carrying a briefcase was standing there, stamping his feet and panting, looking impatient.

"Hey! Isn't this Officer Zhao?"

Sun Erga immediately put on a smiling face and jogged over to greet him.

He skillfully opened the newly bought pack of "Da Qianmen" cigarettes, pulled out one, and handed it over.

"It's so cold outside, I'm so sorry to trouble you!"

"Here, have a smoke to warm yourself up!"

Officer Zhao glanced sideways at the cigarette and snorted.

I reluctantly took it and tucked it behind my ear, without touching it.

He looked this group of "ragtag soldiers" up and down:

A young, unfamiliar face, a sleazy hoodlum, a big, dumb laborer, and a dull-witted bespectacled guy.

"Hey Sun Erga, are you guys at the service center just bored out of your minds?"

Zhao's tone was full of sarcasm.

"Why bother coming to this abandoned workshop to mess around when you could be doing proper repairs?"

"Do we also need to acquire fixed assets?"

"With just your few pieces of meat?"

"Let me make this clear from the start: everything inside is accounted for. If even a single screw is missing, I'll hold you responsible!"

He patted the briefcase he was carrying, making no move to take out his keys.

Sun Erga's smile faltered; he felt like he was being verbally abused.

Lin Xi remained silent, coldly observing the scene.

This is a classic case of "It's easier to see the King of Hell than to deal with his underlings."

Only then did he slowly step forward and stand in front of Sun Erga.

He neither offered a cigarette nor offered a forced smile.

Instead, he pulled out a red-headed document with the words "Command Center" printed in bright red, along with a set of brass keys that symbolized absolute authority.

"You're Officer Zhao, right?"

Lin Xi unfolded the document and held it up in front of the other person.

"Read the words above carefully."

"Full responsibility. Allocation of supplies. Special approval for pilot program."

"And this bunch of keys." Lin Xi shook the heavy bronze keychain in his hand.

"Splash—"

The crisp metallic clanging sound was particularly jarring in the cold wind.

"This was given to me directly from headquarters."

"Actually, I didn't need to wait for you to open the door. I called you here just to give the supplies department face and go through the motions."

"Or do you want me to report to headquarters that you...have objections to this decision?"

Zhao's expression changed instantly.

Although he was just a junior staff member, he recognized the signature on it and the master control key that was only available in the core workshop.

Approved personally by Qian Xuesen? Directly under the command of the General Headquarters?

This isn't a junk collector, this is an imperial envoy!

"Oh my, this...this must be Manager Lin, right?"

Zhao's cold face instantly thawed, and he smiled even more obsequiously than Sun Erga, his back immediately bending low.

"I'm so blind! I'm really so blind!"

"Since we have the documents, let's take stock now! We must cooperate! We must fully cooperate!"

He frantically reached for his keys, nearly dropping his briefcase in the process.

"I was just joking with Erga. Please don't hold a grudge, don't take it to heart! Please don't!"

Sun Erga watched in stunned silence.

Cool!

That was fucking awesome!

It still has to be our Manager Lin!

That slap was fucking loud!