1950s: After transmigrating into a capitalist, I relied on military industry to achieve a comeback.

Lin Jiaoyue was waiting for these words.

Her almond-shaped eyes, which usually seemed somewhat languid, were now completely devoid of any nonchalance, leaving only absolute calmness and sharpness.

"Okay, then I'll get straight to the point." She pushed the sheet of paper filled with terms under Director Zhang's eyes. "I need an unprecedented team. To put it bluntly, I need the very best."

"For the physics team, I need Professor Qian, one of the 'two Qians'. His achievements in theoretical physics and solid-state physics are currently unmatched in China. As for the most fundamental theoretical models, no one in China can build them except him."

"Hiss—no…you mean the living Buddhas of the Academy of Animal Sciences?" Director Zhang gasped, subconsciously touching the cigarette case in his pocket. "Those guys, the bosses treat them like precious treasures…"

Lin Jiaoyue didn't follow up on his words; without even blinking, she continued reporting:

"Chemistry team, I need Professor Hou from the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Only this founder of the chemical industry can handle the purification of various high-purity chemical reagents."

Director Zhang's hand, which had just reached for a cigarette, froze in mid-air.

"Wait a minute? Old Hou? That old man is working day and night with his men to produce fertilizer! That's the lifeblood of all the people in China. You're going to pull people out now?"

"In the materials group, there's Academician Li Xun from the Ministry of Metallurgy. For monocrystalline silicon and special alloys, no one else can do it."

Lin Jiaoyue didn't stop; her speech wasn't fast, but it was like a dull knife, each sentence cutting into Director Zhang's flesh, causing him pain.

"The equipment team is led by Director Wang of the Optical Research Institute. No one in our country, besides him, could lead the development of such a top-tier precision optical instrument as a lithography machine."

Suddenly, no one spoke in the room.

Only the old clock on the wall ticked away.

Director Zhang didn't actually light the cigarette in his hand. The matchbox was right next to him, but he crumpled the cigarette between his fingers, and the tobacco fell onto the table.

Any one of these dozen or so names is a towering figure in their respective fields, whose influence can shake the entire industry.

"Jiaoyue..."

Director Zhang's voice was a little dry. He licked his chapped lips and looked up at her again:

"You're not just calling in people, you're... you're wiping out the 'founding fathers' of our country's scientific community! You're pulling them all out to work on this... this 'Loongson' chip? Do you think the top military leaders will agree to that? This is draining the foundation of every front!"

"They will agree." Lin Jiaoyue looked directly at him, her tone unwavering.

"Because I will make them understand that the value of this 'Dragon Core' is a hundred times greater than that of one or two new weapons. It is the cornerstone that will determine the industrial backbone of our country for decades, even centuries to come!"

"In addition to these national treasure-level masters, I also need a group of 'craftsmen'."

Director Zhang was still reeling from the list he had just seen, and he blankly looked up.

"I need the best glassmakers in the country to help us make quartz crucibles and all kinds of specialty glassware."

"I need the most steady watchmaker in the country to help us process and assemble those precision parts in the lithography machine that are finer than a hair."

"I also need to go to major textile factories and transfer a large number of the most discerning and patient female workers to be responsible for the most delicate chip packaging and bonding processes."

Lin Jiaoyue took a deep breath and placed her hands on the notebook.

"In short, Director Zhang, this is a mega-project that requires the combined efforts of the entire nation, the gathering of the most brilliant minds, and the most skillful hands to complete. It is unprecedented, and it may not be repeated for a long time."

Director Zhang fell completely silent.

He looked at the slightly slender girl before him. He had always thought of her as a genius, a lucky charm who could help the country build missiles. But only now did he realize how shallow his understanding of her had been.

What she wanted was never to make repairs, solve one or two bottleneck problems, or even just a few impressive weapons.

From steel to agriculture, and now to what sounds like a fantasy—"semiconductors"—...

Every move she made was precisely aimed at the weakest and most vulnerable part of this impoverished country, the one most in need of rebuilding.

She is personally building a complete, advanced, and self-evolving modern industrial system for this country!

"call--"

After a long while, Director Zhang exhaled a long breath, as if to clear away all the shock and doubt that had accumulated in his chest.

Without further hesitation, he grabbed the list on the table, which could be described as the "most luxurious in history," carefully folded it along the creases, and placed it close to his body into the breast pocket of his military uniform, giving it a couple of forceful pats.

"I'll get the people! I'll approve the funding! I'll fight for the policies!"

Director Zhang's voice was deep and resonant, but a fire blazed in his eyes. "Even if I have to wear down the threshold of the Central Military Commission compound and pluck all those generals' beards bald, I will make sure this 'Loongson' project is established!"

He suddenly stood up, bracing himself on the table, and looked at Lin Jiaoyue with an extremely imposing gaze, his tone more solemn than ever before.

"The work base will be located on the third basement level of Institute 909! It's the safest and most secretive place. Starting tonight, that area is a top-level national restricted zone. Anyone who dares to approach, except for those on your list, will be subject to immediate shooting by the security department!"

"And you, Comrade Lin Jiaoyue." Director Zhang straightened up, his voice echoing in the hall, "I now, on behalf of the Ordnance Industry Bureau, officially appoint you as the chief designer and chief technology officer of the 'Loongson-1' project!"

He stared into her eyes and uttered the last half of his sentence, enunciating each word clearly: "You will have absolute veto power over all technical issues and personnel changes related to this project!"

This level of authority is far too heavy, even more so than when the "Dongfeng-1" missile was built. It's tantamount to the nation placing the entire future of the semiconductor industry entirely on her shoulders.

Lin Jiaoyue did not refuse. She pushed back her chair, stood up straight, met Director Zhang's gaze, and solemnly raised her right hand to give a standard military salute.

"We guarantee the mission will be completed."

The sound was not loud, but it was crisp and clear, without a trace of tremor.

Outside the window, the night wind of Beijing rustled through the branches of old trees in the hutongs, the darkness so deep it seemed impenetrable. But in this small dining room, a new star was quietly rising.

It may be faint now, but one day, the light and heat it emits will completely illuminate the night sky of this ancient country.