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

These days, the country is having a really tough time. Who isn't feeling resentful?

People in the aerospace industry are all patriotic. Seeing the country turn the tide brings them a hundred times more excitement than making money themselves!

Standing below the stage, Wang Bin looked at the excessively young figure on the stage and felt his cheeks burning.

A year ago, he even arrested this kid as a spy.

Who would have thought that this kid's brain wasn't filled with explosives, but with a money-printing machine?

"alright."

Old Qian, who hadn't spoken until now, suddenly opened his eyes.

He tapped the ground lightly with his cane.

Du, du.

The sound wasn't loud, but it seemed to have some kind of magic, instantly turning the bustling auditorium into a pin drop.

Old Qian slowly stood up, and Lin Xi quickly went over to help him.

"Kobayashi, you've fulfilled your pledge."

Old Qian's voice was still hoarse, but his eyes, which had seen countless storms, were full of smiles.

"Not only did we finish it, we did a fantastic job! We did such a job that even the foreigners have to look up to us!"

"Since you've accomplished it, the organization can't be ambiguous about what it promised you."

Mr. Qian took a red-headed document from the guard and solemnly read it aloud:

"With the approval of higher authorities, effective immediately, the Micro Motor 702 Factory, Dongfeng Plastics Factory No. 3, and Hongxing Labor Service Center under the base will be merged."

"Establishment of Red Star Technology."

"Administrative level: directly under the Northwest Base of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry."

Mr. Qian paused for a moment, then scanned the room with his gaze: "Comrade Zhang Zhengguo will concurrently serve as General Manager."

"Comrade Lin Xi..."

Everyone’s heart is raised.

He was promoted to the rank of section chief and appointed as the executive vice president of Hongxing Technology, in charge of the company's daily research and development and operations.

coax--!

The bottom part exploded.

Although it's just a deputy position, and nominally a section-level position, who can't tell the weight of those words?

This is about "hosting a show"!

If Lin Xi didn't look so young, the base would probably have given him a division-level position.

This is not just a promotion, but a sign of being highly regarded.

The two factory directors, one from the micro-motor factory and the other from the plastics factory, exchanged a glance, shook their heads with wry smiles.

Alright, from today onwards, I have to call this young man in his early twenties "leader".

You disagree?

nonexistent!

After so many "technical exchanges" and "bonus bombardments," who dares to disagree?

"in addition."

Instead of sitting down, Mr. Qian dropped a final bombshell.

"Red Star Technology will establish the 'Red Star Laboratory'."

"In addition to the company's own personnel, the laboratory has priority in requisitioning personnel."

"We can draw on key technical personnel from various departments of the base to participate in..."

Old Qian gave Lin Xi a deep look and uttered those words:

"Research on key projects for military-to-civilian conversion."

Boom!

Lin Xi's heart skipped a beat.

He knew that this was the greatest reward Qian Lao could give him.

It's not an official position, nor a title.

It's people!

They are the most advanced, intelligent, and hardcore brains of this era!

This means that he can finally legitimately assemble the brightest minds of our time to tackle even more outrageous future technologies.

......

The meeting concluded in a cheerful atmosphere.

Lin Xi was surrounded by a crowd, and even Sun Erga, who had wanted to offer him a cigarette, was pushed three meters away, grinning foolishly.

Having finally broken through the encirclement, Lin Xi went to the steps outside the auditorium for some fresh air.

Late at night.

In the Gobi Desert of Northwest China, the cold wind howls.

Above us was a dazzling starry sky, and beneath our feet was solid frozen soil.

"What? You're satisfied with that?"

Zhang Zhengguo appeared behind him without him noticing and offered him a cigarette.

Lin Xi took the cigarette, tucked it behind her ear, but didn't light it.

"Mr. Zhang, is this what you call satisfaction?"

Looking at the vast starry sky, Lin Xi's lips curled into an ambitious smile. "This is nothing."

"1800 million, that sounds like a lot."

"But it's still a long way from my goal!"

Zhang Zhengguo was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "I love your wild side!"

"By the way, Mr. Zhang," Lin Xi said, her tone shifting abruptly, her eyes becoming incredibly sharp.

"I've decided on my goals for 1981."

"Relying solely on the Northwest isn't enough; I need... to leverage Hong Kong!"

......

The land of cherry blossoms, Tokyo, the headquarters of Gekitachi Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

"Baka yarou!"

Kenichi Tanaka angrily slammed the financial report in his hand onto his desk, his chest heaving violently.

The office, which originally symbolized "craftsmanship," was now in a mess due to the owner's loss of composure.

"President... of the company..."

The secretary bowed deeply, cold sweat pouring down his forehead.

"China's latest rare earth export order has been officially issued."

"They refuse to export any mixed concentrates; all rare metals must be separated through their 'special process' before they can be purchased."

"And the price?" Kenichi Tanaka asked through gritted teeth.

"Neodyne, $1000 per kilogram."

The secretary's voice trembled, "It's dozens of times more than before."

Kenichi Tanaka slumped into his swivel chair, staring at the relief on the ceiling, his mind racing.

This isn't just a price increase; it's outright robbery! They're sucking the marrow dry from their bones!

"The previous contract... stipulated that Red Star would pay an $8 licensing fee for each razor."

"Because we wanted to get the authorization first, we paid double..."

Tanaka closed his eyes in pain, his fingers gripping the handrail tightly.

"Plus the cost of these damn neodymium magnets, we have to send $13 to the Chinese before each machine even leaves the factory?"

"Yes, President...and their raw material costs are practically zero."

This is hardly business.

This is blatant bloodsucking!

Six months ago, they still thought China was a technological wasteland that could be harvested at any time.

What now?

The young man named Lin Xi held a sickle to their necks and asked with a smile: "Want to live? Hand over your savings."

"Sign it."

Kenichi Tanaka seemed to age ten years in an instant, his eyes unfocused.

"We have no other choice but to accept it."

"If we don't sign, Paulaner and Philippe will immediately devour our market."

"At that time, the razor business will be completely gone."

This profound sense of powerlessness is like an invisible noose, slowly tightening.

......

At the same time, in Frankfurt, Germany.

Braun CEO Olsen stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, the cigar between his fingers burned to the end.

"President, Philips and Yue Li have both made moves."

The assistant whispered, "If we hesitate any longer, there won't be any place for Polon on the high-end shelves next year."

Olsen remained silent for a long time before stubbing out the half-smoked cigar in the ashtray.

"Keep an eye on that Red Star Labor Service Center, and keep an eye on that man named Lin Xi."

Olsen's voice was as cold as a knife.

"Such a groundbreaking technology could never have appeared out of thin air."

"If he makes any new move, even just an idea, we must seize it immediately!"

"Even if... we have to sign another unequal treaty?" the assistant asked cautiously.

"Our current predicament is because we were a step too late," Olsen said, turning his head.

"In this business battlefield, being slow is the original sin."

……