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

January 1981, Space City.

The Dongfeng Auditorium was exceptionally lively.

Hundreds of people were crammed onto long wooden benches, the smells of dry tobacco and old cotton clothes mingling together, making their eyes sting.

A red banner with white lettering was strung above the platform:

"Red Star Labor Service Center 1980 Annual Summary Meeting".

In the very center of the first row, Mr. Qian, wearing his faded military overcoat, leaned on his cane and closed his eyes to rest.

On the left is Zhang Zhengguo, deputy commander of the base, and on the right is Wang Bin, director of the power room.

The people sitting in the back rows were all the "big shots" who had dealt with Hongxing Factory that year—the factory director of Micro Motor Factory 702, the general manager of Plastics Factory No. 3, Manager Sun of Dongfeng Department Store...

"Feed? Feed?"

Lin Xi flicked the microphone twice with her fingers, and a sharp "sizzle" broke the noise in the auditorium.

He walked onto the stage, his dark blue overalls neatly washed, the pen on his chest reflecting a cold light.

"Distinguished leaders, comrades."

Lin Xi didn't bring any notes; she rested her hands on the podium and glanced at the audience.

"I'll skip the platitudes and empty talk and get straight to the point."

A burst of good-natured laughter erupted from the audience. This Manager Lin, he's got it all figured out!

The live stream screen unfolded before Lin Xi's eyes, and the chat was already flooded with comments:

[Here it comes! Time to show off!]

[High-Energy Warning! Non-combatants, please evacuate immediately!]

[I bet five cents that these veterans in the audience won't have enough nitroglycerin pills.]

Lin Xi's lips curled up slightly as she extended a finger:

"The first item concerns the 'Red Star Gentle Breeze' series of products."

"As of December 31st."

Lin Xi's tone was flat.

"In the domestic market, a total of 250 million fans and related products were sold through Dongfeng Department Store and provincial supply and marketing cooperatives."

"In overseas markets, we delivered 100 million orders this year. Next year, orders, including those from Sears, have already exceeded..."

150 million units.

"A total of five million units."

boom--!

It was as if a bomb had been dropped into the auditorium, causing an immediate uproar.

Five million units?

"Quiet."

Lin Xi gestured with his hand, not giving everyone time to process what was happening.

He turned around and wrote two large characters on the blackboard: 【Authorization】.

"The second point is technology licensing and industrial development."

"This year, we not only manufactured them ourselves, but also led our sister companies to manufacture them."

"Eighteen large state-owned factories, including Huasheng Factory and Hongfeng Factory, have seen a significant increase in revenue through our 'patent licensing + OEM' model."

"Some factories have been revived, and the technology and equipment of almost all factories have been upgraded to a higher level."

The factory managers sitting in the back row looked at each other, their faces showing a mixture of shame and gratitude.

They looked down on Lin Xi at first, thinking he was a "speculator".

As a result, now everyone in the factory, young and old, receives bonuses based on orders from Hongxing.

"The third item." Lin Xi's voice suddenly rose.

"And also the most important one."

"Micro-motors and rare earth strategy".

He looked in the direction of Old Qian, whose eyes were still closed, but whose fingers, holding a cane, were gently tapping out a rhythm.

"We rely on Professor Xu's team's rare earth separation technology, as well as our NdFeB patent fortress."

Lin Xi paused, a sharp smile curving his lips. "We have successfully taken control of thirty-four international giants, led by Polan and Philips."

"Just in the niche market of razors."

"Just the patent licensing fees alone..."

Lin Xi stopped.

The entire room fell silent. Not even a breath could be heard.

Everyone stared at Lin Xi's lips, waiting for that number.

"This year's revenue is $180 million."

"Projected revenue for next year..."

"$1000."

"Moreover, this is net profit."

crunch--

The factory manager of the micro-motor factory suddenly sprang up as if he had a spring in his backside, and his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

US dollars? Ten million? Or net profit?

This isn't printing money, this is outright robbery!

Lin Xi dusted off her hands with chalk dust and gave her final concluding remarks: "In conclusion..."

"Red Star Labor Service Center, in 1980."

"Domestic revenue reached RMB 520 million."

"To achieve export earnings..." Lin Xi took a deep breath, his voice echoing in the empty auditorium, "1800 million US dollars."

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

At that moment, time seemed to stand still.

What does $1800 million mean?

In 1980, the country's foreign exchange reserves were extremely tight, and every penny had to be stretched to its limits.

A brand new Boeing 737 costs about the same.

In other words, the Red Star Service Center earned enough money for the country to buy a large airplane in just one year!

As for the 520 million RMB?

The Lanzhou Textile Factory, with 10,000 employees, could only hand over 10 million yuan a year after working themselves to the bone.

Hua Sheng, a proud son of Shanghai's light industry, contributes 800 million yuan annually.

And this service center, which was seen as a "garbage dump" and "sewer" a year ago, has done something so big?

For a moment, everyone was a little overwhelmed by this information.

"at last."

Lin Xi closed the folder, revealing her signature harmless smile.

"The path of transferring aerospace technology to civilian use can be considered..."

"It seems to be showing initial results."

puff--!!!

Zhang Zhengguo, who was drinking water, spat out a mouthful of tea.

Initial success?

You call this initial success?!

If you want to "achieve great things", do you have to buy up the Federal Reserve?

The live stream chat went completely crazy:

Versailles! This is the pinnacle of Versailles!

[Mr. Zhang: Listen to this, is this even human language?]

[Qian Lao: Let's tone it down a bit, I'm afraid their hearts can't take it.]

Is this the legendary "Jack Ma regrets creating Alibaba, but Lin, the factory manager, sees initial success"?

[1800 million US dollars! In terms of purchasing power, that's billions! This streamer is incredibly wealthy!]

A full minute passed.

Thunderous applause erupted like a tsunami.

Sun Erga clapped wildly until his hands were red, and tears and snot streamed down his face.

This year has been incredibly difficult.

From being treated as a fraudster to being treated as a spy.

And today, they have finally stood up straight!

Zhang Zhengguo stood up, gestured for everyone to be quiet.

The usually stern deputy commander-in-chief now had an undisguised flush on his face.

"Comrades, the numbers are shocking."

Zhang Zhengguo took the microphone, his voice steady and powerful, "But this is not just a matter of money."

He pulled a stack of documents from his pocket; they were official documents from the capital.

"That year, letters of commendation from the Ministry of Machine Building, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, the Resource Department... came like snowflakes."

"Especially the rare earth strategy."

Zhang Zhengguo's eyes gleamed as he scanned the entire room:

"In the past, we were the 'blood bank' of Western countries, and they could set whatever price they wanted."

"Now? We are the 'dominant force' that holds the power to set prices and can hold others by the throat!"

"This is a strategic turnaround!"

"All of this stems from that decision to 'not do one's proper job' back then."

Zhang Zhengguo looked at Lin Xi, his eyes full of admiration.

"It stems from Comrade Lin Xi's courage and vision."

The audience erupted in applause once again.

For a full three minutes, no one stopped!