Scholars in the courtyard.

Chapter 2917 The Increasingly Familiar Computer

That evening, Yang Xiaotao kept his promise and prepared a sumptuous dinner at home.

Old Ye, Lao Dao, and their close comrade-in-arms, Old Yu and his family, a dozen or so men, women, and children, sat around a large table.

"You two should just move out on your own from now on."

Cui Ping sat down next to Ran Qiuye and spoke to Yang Xiaotao and Yu Zecheng.

Yu Zecheng smiled but didn't dare to reply, while Yang Xiaotao shook his head, "Cuiping, we can't condemn this matter outright!"

“I only disappear for a while occasionally, unlike your husband, who is away from home most of the time, making it seem like you're renting a place!”

Yang Xiaotao lit the fire, and Yu Zecheng, who was standing to the side, was so angry that he wanted to explain but shook his head repeatedly at Cuiping, which made everyone laugh!
That's just how my husband is!

Cuiping, holding her daughter, glanced at Yu Zecheng, then looked at Yang Xiaotao and said, "Why don't you do me a favor and arrest him and take him to the Ninth Department? You don't need to give him any position, just give him some food!"

Yang Xiaotao tapped his chopsticks together and exclaimed, "That's perfect!"

"Old Yu, from now on you're with me!"

"If the two of us team up, we'll be invincible!"

Yu Zecheng glanced at Yang Xiaotao and felt that this guy was really a scumbag!
"Go to hell, you're exploiting me!"

"Thank you!"

Everyone laughed again!
"Where did you go for the Dragon Boat Festival?"

Yang Xiaotao glanced at Duanwu, who was shoveling rice into his mouth, and casually asked.

"Dad!"

Upon hearing the question, Duanwu finished the rice grains in her mouth and immediately said happily, "I'm going to find my uncle with Uncle Fat!"

"My uncle said the game research institute has designed a new game, and we're going to help test it."

Duanwu spoke happily, appearing quite proud.

He didn't notice that his friends at the dinner table were looking at him with disdain.

This is the downside of 'eating alone'.

However, Duanwu was completely unaware of this and continued to happily talk about the new game.

"Oh, right, Dad, I saw Uncle Fatty install a big TV thing. He said it was a computer."

"That kind of computer with a TV screen!"

"Dad, you're amazing!!!"

He even gave a thumbs-up as he spoke.

Yang Xiaotao glanced at Duanwu, but wasn't impressed by Duanwu's thumbs-up. Instead, he turned his head to look at Old Ye!
Then Old Ye chuckled, "I was planning to give you a surprise tomorrow, but this little traitor leaked it!"

Upon hearing what Elder Ye said, Yang Xiaotao immediately became overjoyed, "You really made it?"

Old Ye nodded, "It was finished yesterday, and Director Han and his team have been testing it for two days!"

"Go and see if it meets your requirements tomorrow."

Yang Xiaotao immediately put the glass down in front of him, and Miao Miao quickly picked up the wine bottle and filled it up.

Then he filled the cups for the old Taoist priest Ye and the others.

"This is a real treat! We have to have a drink!"

Old Ye and the others raised their glasses, and Yang Xiaotao said happily, "This is just an early celebration. We'll have a proper celebration tomorrow if we succeed!"

Dry!
Inside the room, wine glasses clinked together, and a few soft laughs filled the air.

After resting at home for a night, Yang Xiaotao, feeling refreshed, couldn't wait to drive to the Ninth Division.

He really wants to take a look at the computer we talked about last night.

I want to see if it's the kind of computer I've been looking for.

Although Mr. Ye's description suggested that the machine did indeed meet his requirements, Yang Xiaotao dared not draw any conclusions without seeing the actual product.

"Hopefully it's Dawn One, not Nine Machines Two."

After Yang Xiaotao finished speaking, Old Ye shook his head in the back seat.

To be honest, he thought the No. 9-Machine No. 1 was already quite good, and it was widely used in various fields in China.

Even with this decent computer, Yang Xiaotao was still not satisfied.

I really have no idea what kind of computer he wants.

The car quickly arrived at the Ninth Department, and Yang Xiaotao got out and walked briskly towards the research institute.

At this moment, in the computer research institute, Han Sanfeng, Lu Tao, Shu Xingbei, Wang Kun, and others were watching a device the size of two television sets.

"Director, I feel that this machine's basic capabilities are not even as good as the No. 9 Machine No. 1."

"At the very least, the effect after connecting an external punch is very good."

Wang Kun looked at the computer in front of him. After two days of experimentation, he had figured out its basic performance. But apart from having more storage and processing speed than the Nine Machines No. 1, there wasn't much else.

Han Sanfeng reached up and touched her chin, somewhat confused by what Wang Kun said, and remained silent.

"Director Han, you're saying we went through so much trouble and used up so many materials, and this is all we got? This..."

"What if Director Yang finds out about this?"

Lu Tao swallowed hard, feeling uneasy.

Last time, because of the loss of the computer by the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry, everyone was worried that Yang Xiaotao would be implicated, so they spontaneously focused their efforts on researching a new generation of computers.

The intention was to use this method to protect the Ninth Division and prevent it from being attacked.

Fortunately, nothing went wrong in the end, and the computer was successfully recovered without any damage.

However, the members of the Nine Divisions did not give up. They had already embarked on the research path, and stopping or slowing down would only cause greater losses.

So everyone continued their research according to the plan.

Yang Xiaotao neither explicitly supported nor opposed this.

But now, the computer has been built, yet it doesn't possess the corresponding capabilities.

How am I supposed to explain this to Director Yang?
Cough
Lu Tao coughed twice, feeling he had to express his opinion, otherwise the researchers' enthusiasm would be gone if they kept talking.

"Let me say something about this."

Lu Tao drew everyone's attention and said, "According to Director Yang's design, the current computer can only be considered a semi-finished product."

"Semi-finished product?"

"We've been working on this for almost a year, and it's only a half-finished product?"

Liu Yongqiang stared wide-eyed in disbelief.

Lu Tao nodded, "Yes, according to Director Yang's design, what we're making now is only a semi-finished product."

"In Yang's terminology, this part that has been made is called 'hardware'!"

"There's also a part called 'software,' which we're still working hard on."

After Lu Tao finished speaking, Han Sanfeng and the others exchanged glances, and then glared angrily at Lu Tao.

They only found out about something so important now.

Seeing everyone looking at him, Lu Tao felt a chill run down his spine and quickly raised his hand, saying, "This matter was overseen by Director Yang." "Director Yang said that the supporting software should be developed based on the hardware, which is why he didn't mention it."

"We were thinking of confirming with Director Yang before discussing this matter."

"We were just being careful and didn't mean to hide it from everyone."

Lu Tao was explaining the progress, while the chubby guy in his group shrank back and hid to the side. He figured he could handle this himself and there was no need to involve others.

Just as the atmosphere in the research institute was tense, the door was pushed open, and a familiar voice came through.

"Everyone is there."

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone turned around and looked at Minister Yang as he walked in.

Lu Tao quickly pushed through the crowd, "Minister Yang, you've arrived."

When Han Sanfeng, Wang Kun, and the others saw that it was Yang Xiaotao who came in, they all relaxed their expressions and greeted him with smiles.

"Minister Yang."

Yang Xiaotao waved his hand, then focused his gaze on the computer surrounded by the crowd.

"This was just made?"

Yang Xiaotao walked up and examined it carefully; it had a bit of a modern computer feel to it.

Han Sanfeng stepped forward and replied, "That's right, Director Yang, this is the computer we made."

"Based on our research and development needs, we have made breakthrough progress in storage by using integrated circuits."

"Furthermore, in accordance with your requirement for an eight-bit microprocessor, we have made improvements, replacing all of the original five thousand-plus transistors with integrated circuits."

"Also, this calculator's clock speed is around 1500kHz, which meets your requirements."

Han Sanfeng spoke softly, her eyes still fixed on Yang Xiaotao's expression.

The people around watched carefully, after all, the thing they made was somewhat 'less than satisfactory'!

Especially now, Yang Xiaotao's expression clearly shows that the other party is full of expectations.

If they return disappointed, they will lose face big time.

Yang Xiaotao was unaware of what the people around him were thinking; at that moment, his gaze was fixed solely on the computer in front of him.

The computer in front of me had a sense of familiarity from a later era.

The biggest change in this one compared to the mini PC I bought is that it has a screen.

This is the biggest progress.

Where's the keyboard?

"Where's the mouse?"

Yang Xiaotao asked Han Sanfeng, who immediately took out a replica keyboard and a wooden mouse from behind her.

This thing was specially made by the research institute at Yang Xiaotao's request.

For the research institute, these are not problems.

Soon, with Lu Tao's help, the mouse and keyboard were connected, and then the computer was started.

Everyone's hearts were in their throats.

Soon after, the computer started making a running sound.

Then Yang Xiaotao saw that a layer of snowflakes first appeared on the screen, and after a period of adjustment, a blank screen appeared.

A completely blank screen.

Yang Xiaotao stared blankly at the screen.

People around Yang Xiaotao stared in disbelief.

Old Master Ye, who was about to walk in from outside, saw this scene and immediately turned around and left.

Computers are definitely not his area of ​​expertise, so it's best not to get involved.

The computer research institute was completely silent.

After a moment, facing the blank screen, Yang Xiaotao twitched his lips, then took a deep breath and said, "Well done."

Upon hearing this, instead of feeling relieved, everyone became even more tense.

They were afraid that Yang Xiaotao would say again, "Don't do it next time."

Fortunately, Yang Xiaotao was a staunch supporter of computer research. After offering his encouragement, he got up and discussed the next steps for improvement with everyone.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but when they heard Yang Xiaotao's further demands, they broke out in a cold sweat again.

According to Lu Tao's account, they had completed the hardware and were now halfway through the mission.

Next comes the software issue; they can focus their attention on their original research.

But who would have thought that, according to Yang Xiaotao's account, there was still so much work to be done.

So what kind of computer do they use?

It took a lot of manpower and resources to complete only one-third of the work?

However, seeing the expression on his subordinate Yang's face, he seemed satisfied, and only then did he calm down and listen carefully.

After Yang Xiaotao determined the next research direction, he encouraged them, saying, "I am very surprised that you have been able to do this."

"Especially since our research is entirely independent, this is even more commendable."

"So I hope everyone can keep up the good work and overcome the difficulties as soon as possible!"

After he finished speaking, applause broke out, and he left the computer research institute.

Lu Tao and Xiao Pang also left with Yang Xiaotao.

"Next, we need to accelerate the development of the supporting software; this is crucial!"

Yang Xiaotao gave them his instructions, and Lu Tao knew it was time for them to work hard.

After returning to the research institute, Yang Xiaotao headed towards the office building.

Meanwhile, Li Hongfeng and others, having learned of Yang Xiaotao's return, were waiting in the office.

So, as soon as he returned to his office, Li Hongfeng pulled him into the conference room.

In the conference room.

Looking at the solemn expressions of the people around him, Yang Xiaotao glanced at Li Hongfeng, then at Lao Hong, and finally at Chen Gong's listless appearance. He felt as if something important had happened during his absence from the Ninth Division.

But even though our own people weren't in the Ninth Department, they still did a lot of work there.

Those two lovely secretaries were delivering things twice a day.

I haven't noticed anything happening in the Ninth Division.

"Old Li, what's wrong with everyone?"

"Why are you all so listless? This isn't the work attitude of our Ninth Department."

Yang Xiaotao asked directly.

As a result, Li Hongfeng said to Chen Gong, "Director Chen, why don't you say it?"

Chen Gong sighed upon hearing this, then looked at Yang Xiaotao and said, "Minister Yang, our resources are almost depleted."