The train driver in the courtyard

"Red Star Computer!"

Thomas Watson Jr.'s eyes turned red when he looked at the computer in front of him, which was only the size of two wardrobes.

It's fine that Red Star computers run fast.

Even installing a DOS system is fine.

The key point is, why is this thing so small?

You should know that the 7090 computer is nearly ten times smaller than a vacuum tube computer, but it still requires more than ten wardrobes to fit it.

"Hey, what is this?" Thomas Watson Jr. saw a wooden board-like object next to the wardrobe and picked it up curiously.

There are plastic buttons embedded on the wooden board, and they feel pretty good to the touch?
"Boss, this is a keyboard. It is said that you can use the keyboard to input text and communicate directly with the computer."

boom!
Thomas Watson Jr. was stunned again.

"Keyboard! How can I type on such a wooden board? Open it quickly, I want to try."

Later, Thomas Watson Jr. witnessed the magic of the Red Star computer again. It was very simple to start up, with only two steps.

One step is to plug in the power supply, and the second step is to flip the power switch.

Biu
The screen flashed twice, a dim light appeared, and the system entered the DOS interface.

Thomas Watson Jr. couldn't wait to pick up the keyboard and pressed a few keys on it. A line of strange characters appeared on the keyboard.

"What is this? Why isn't it a letter?"

The assistant handed over a user manual and said, "President, this keyboard uses pure Chinese, which means that only Chinese characters can be input. This is the input method. Please try it."

Thomas Watson looked at the manual, then looked at his assistant, and said quietly, "Do you think I am someone who understands Chinese?"

assistant:"."

After a while.

Zhou Liang, a Chinese employee in the business department, received a notice from the president's assistant, asking him to report to the president's office immediately.

Seeing Zhou Liang being directly invited by the president's assistant, the staff in the department all showed envious looks.

Here, only senior executives are qualified to talk directly to the president. Even managers of their departments can only report to their superiors.

If he were noticed by the president, Zhou Liang might be able to soar to fame.

Zhou Liang is a second-generation Chinese. Although he has long been integrated into this place, he is still not very popular and has always been unknown in the department.

Now that he was summoned directly by the president, he was filled with anxiety.

Step into the office.

The smooth floor, the luxurious chandelier, the Italian handmade cowhide sofa...all of these made Zhou Liang feel uneasy. He didn't even dare to raise his head after entering.

"Dear Zhou, don't be nervous." Thomas Watson Jr. stood up and signaled his assistant to bring a chair to Zhou Liang and asked him to sit down.

If Zhou Liang didn't know Thomas Watson Jr., he would think he was a considerate boss.

But not long ago, he witnessed a supervisor being kicked out by Thomas Watson Jr.

At this moment, facing the warm-smiling Thomas Watson, Zhou Liang became even more nervous.

"President, are you going to fire me?" Zhou Liang's voice trembled a little.

Thomas Watson Jr. looked up at his assistant and frowned: "Didn't you tell him why?"

The assistant muttered to himself, "How could I dare to do that without your order?" But he nodded quickly, "It was my mistake."

"It was indeed your mistake." Thomas Watson Jr. looked at his assistant with a cold look, and the assistant felt a chill on his back.

He knew that it was useless to explain at this moment, so he could only stand aside with his head down.

When Thomas Watson Jr. looked at Zhou Liang again, there was a warm smile on his face, and he was like a completely different person.

"Dear Zhou, I need your help today. You see, this thing is called a keyboard, and it was invented by you Orientals.

You Orientals, although you are relatively short, you have a decent IQ and can always come up with these weird things. Ahem, I have gone off topic. Now tell me how to use this keyboard."

Looking at the keyboard, Zhou Liang finally understood why the always aloof president would meet him in person.

He picked up the instruction manual and read it for a while.

The manual records in detail a pure Chinese input method called "Cangjie".

This input method is like a mystery to people who don't understand Chinese.

Fortunately, although Zhou Liang is a second-generation Chinese, he has received a complete Chinese education since childhood, so he understood it after just a short while.

"President, you see, this character represents Zhou, which is my last name. It can be composed of two"

Zhou Liang explained the "Cangjie" input method in detail.

Thomas Watson Jr. listened to it in vain.

He doesn't understand.

That's really incomprehensible.

"Well, you do it for me now."

Thomas Watson Jr. handed the keyboard to Zhou Liang.

Zhou Liang took the keyboard and tapped on it a few times.

Although this was his first time using a keyboard, it was also his first time to come into contact with the "Cangjie" input method.

However, since this keyboard was originally designed according to the needs of Chinese input, the "Cangjie" input method was improved by the master of Chinese studies at Jingcheng University and Li Aiguo with reference to later input methods.

For people who know Chinese, it is very easy to get started.

After a while, Zhou Liang started typing skillfully, and the sound of keyboard tapping continued.

Hearing this sound, Thomas Watson Jr. felt even more depressed.

This input method is at least a hundred times faster than the punch input method used by the 7090 computer.

This is a complete dimensionality reduction attack!
Thomas Watson Jr. knew he had met his match this time.

But admitting defeat is not his style.

"As long as there is still a glimmer of hope, we can't give up."

Thomas Watson Jr. knew that to beat your opponent, you had to understand your opponent.

The look he gave Zhou Liang became softer.

"Dear Zhou, how do you feel about this input method?"

"Feeling." Zhou Liang raised his eyelids, thought for a moment, and said, "I feel like it's reading out what's in my mind. Yes, yes, that's right. I think anyone who understands Chinese can use this input method directly."

"Know Chinese. Dear Zhou, I have admired your culture for a long time and have long wanted to learn Chinese. Can you be my teacher?" Thomas Watson Jr. said with a smile.

Faced with such a request, Zhou Liang naturally could not refuse.

Later, he also figured out why Thomas Watson Jr. attached so much importance to the keyboard and why he wanted to learn Chinese.

"It turns out that our country has produced such advanced computers and developed such advanced input methods."

After returning to the department, colleagues came to congratulate Zhou Liang.

Zhou Liang was a humble person. After thanking them one by one, he left the big office with his office supplies and went into a separate office.

The colleagues behind me murmured quietly.

"Why is Zhou suddenly valued by the president?"

"I heard that the president wants to learn Chinese. Recently, a new type of computer was released in the East. I heard it's pretty powerful."

"This kid is really lucky."

Those colleagues used to mock Zhou Liang because of his Chinese identity.

Now people envy him because of his Chinese identity.

Zhou Liang was cheered up when he heard the discussions behind him.

This was the first time in all these years that he felt proud of his identity.

"The motherland is so great. No wonder dad always asks us not to forget our roots."

three days later.

Before Thomas Watson Jr. could figure out Chinese, brand new Red Star computers were already on the shelves of major department stores in New York.

The price of the Red Star computer was only one-fourth of that of the 7090, at yuan (equivalent to million yuan).

Features like one-fourth the price, three times the speed, convenient interaction, and intuitive display were bound to make Red Star Computer a huge success in North America.

"The transistor revolution in the vacuum tube era, the mysterious laboratory in the East developed a three-times-fast "red abacus""

"Three-day legend! Orientals conquered Silicon Valley with Chinese programming, and executives ordered translation software overnight"

"Two Hundred Thousand Dollars to Buy the Future! A Red Storm Appears in Department Stores"

From the 38th Parallel to the Transistor Front: Eastern Computers Have Occupied Macy's

"Three times the speed + one quarter the price, Eastern black technology has forced the international Shangye Machinery Company into a desperate situation"

The price of $200,000 is already considered a sky-high price.

But in that era, computers were large-scale productivity tools, and Red Star computers sold more than 300 units on the first day of release alone.

After seeing this number, Thomas Watson Jr. could no longer sit still and called a special meeting internally.

"What a bunch of idiots! How did Red Star Computer enter our market so easily? Don't you have any idea to stop it?"

The so-called blocking naturally involves using some tricks outside the game.

For example, doing some tricks at places like customs and docks.

Although this method is not open to the public, it is the most effective.

As the saying goes, if you want to crack a computer password as quickly as possible, it’s not about using high technology, but about beating up the computer administrator.

An executive stood up and reported: "President, we have made arrangements in advance, but the ones responsible for selling Red Star computers this time are Hextech Technology and the Huo Group in Hong Kong City, and they also have deep connections here.

Especially Hextech, relying on the exclusive agency rights of the Warm Patch, has a good relationship with many congressmen.

The Huo Group has extensive connections in the dock area."

"The Orientals are well prepared!" Thomas Watson pinched his brows and continued to ask, "How is our order situation now?"

Another executive stood up trembling with fear: "Several laboratories have canceled their orders, and all our orders from trading companies have been cancelled. Currently, we only have orders from the military."

When Thomas Watson Jr. heard this, he felt dizzy and almost fainted on the ground.

He spent a lot of money to develop 7090. If the sales were not good, the International Shangye Machinery Company might go bankrupt.

He managed to hold onto the table and managed to hold on.

"Have you investigated the details of Red Star Computer?"

Since we can't solve the problem of the Red Star computer, then we should solve the person who created the Red Star computer. This is the inertial thinking of big capitalists of this era.

"We have already found out." The executive stood up and reported: "According to the information sent back by our people in Hong Kong City, the Red Star Computer was developed by the Red Star Computing Institute in Beijing, and the developer is Li Aiguo."

"Li Aiguo? Is he the guy who tinkered with the memory device?" Thomas Watson Jr. widened his eyes.

After getting the confirmation, Thomas Watson sighed and sat down in the chair.

"Does this guy have a grudge against me? Why is he targeting me?" Thomas Watson Jr. calmed down and continued to preside over the meeting.

“How is the disassembly going, and can we replicate it?”

"We have organized our best engineers to dismantle the Red Star computer. The internal structure is complex and very difficult. Most importantly, it uses a chip called the 4004 processor. This chip is about two generations ahead of ours and there is currently no way to prevent it."

This answer did not surprise Thomas Watson Jr. After all, the other party dared to sell such advanced equipment abroad, so they must have been prepared.

"Is there no other way to deal with this crisis?" Thomas Watson Jr. looked around.

All the executives lowered their heads.

At this moment, a hand was raised high.

"President, we currently have two response strategies."

Thomas Watson Jr. glanced at the man.

The man's name was Peter. He did not graduate from a prestigious school, but was promoted to a senior executive because he was particularly skilled in problem solving.

Over the years, Peter has helped Thomas Watson Jr. solve big problems using some special methods.

Thomas Watson Jr. nodded, motioning for him to continue.

Peter stood up: "We have two ways to deal with it."

"The first is to get the complete chip blueprints and production process, so that we can manufacture processors with the same performance parameters, and Red Star Computer will not be able to pose a threat to us."

As soon as these words were spoken, the faces of the executives present changed slightly.

"How is this possible? The blueprints and production processes are top secret documents. Besides, they are still in Dongda. Who can get them?"

Everyone thought Peter's method was nonsense.

Thomas Watson Jr. already had an idea in his mind, but it was not convenient to reveal it now.

He pressed his hands down to quiet everyone down, and continued to ask: "What about the second method?"

Peter puffed out his chest: "Special import fees!"

"Special expenses?" The executives still looked confused.

Peter explained without waiting for Thomas Watson to ask, "What we can be sure of now is that all Red Star computers are produced by Dongda and exported from Gangcheng to us. We only need to increase the special import fee for Red Star computers, which will greatly reduce the opponent's profits. I believe we will win this war without fighting."

Using special fees to block the sale of a product in the market is a tactic often used by Xiaomeijia.

For example, the McKinley Tariff Act of 1890.

That year, Xiaomei's family was in the depths of the "Great Depression" and the economy was so depressed that it made people miserable.

At this time, Xiaomei's family decided to go on a killing spree and use special funds to save the troubled agriculture.

Maple Leaf was the first to step forward and impose taxes on Meijia's products, followed by Gaul, John Bull, Xiaode and other companies who also increased their special fees on Meijia's products.

This series of special fee retaliation actions seemed to open Pandora's box, and global trade entered the "special fee highland".

In this way, the American family, which originally planned to "save the domestic economy through special expenses", ended up poking a big hole in itself - global trade shrank sharply and the world economy collapsed.

The Smoot-Hawley Act of 1930 significantly increased special fees on imported goods, especially industrial products from rival countries.

Many countries took retaliatory special fee measures against Xiaomei, causing Xiaomei's imports and exports to drop by more than 50%.

The result of raising special fees did not bring a "golden age" to the Xiaomei industry, but instead triggered retaliatory actions from other countries, making global trade more tense.

What’s worse, in the absence of external competitive pressure, Xiaomei’s industry has become increasingly inefficient, lacking innovation momentum, and its industrial structure has fallen into a “bottleneck.”

Although these two special expense wars failed to promote the economic development of Xiaomei's country, the initiators of the special expense wars held high the banner and won votes.

Of course.

Unlike the previous two special fee wars, this time the special fees are only increased for specific products.

"That's a good idea."

"That's right. Now Dongda's products are known as Hong Kong City and often appear in our market."

"They are trying to make money from us!"

“We are here to protect ourselves.”

Executives at International Shangye Machinery thought this was a good idea.

But turning this method into actual action is not an easy task.

In particular, the power to levy special fees lies in the hands of the members of Congress.

Thomas Watson Jr. quickly showed what he could do.

A few days later, an article titled "The Red Star Computer Conspiracy" appeared in a Wall Street newspaper.

The article analyzes Red Star Computer's profits in detail, for example, the chip processor is made of sand and costs only a few cents.

Things like memory and power supplies are all scrap metal, worth a few dollars at most.

In total, a Red Star computer costs less than five dollars.

Now the price is as high as $200,000.

Just for a Red Star computer, Dongda earned a total of 199,500 US dollars from Xiaomei's family.

This method of calculating accounts simply shocked the scientists and professors who were engaged in computer research in Xiaomei's family.

This is not nonsense.

But those rednecks in Xiaomei's family who like to drive big pickup trucks believe this.

When they heard that someone was making money from them, they were as angry as if someone had robbed their pickup truck.

Subsequently, a civil group called "Boycott Red Star Computer" was established.

The group drove a pickup truck, pulling a cardboard box symbolizing the Red Star computer, and began to tour around.

Why a cardboard box? I don't have that much money.

Do you really think that these people don't work, run around everywhere, and can still stay in hotels and eat hamburgers, all relying on their enthusiasm? There must be financial supporters behind them.

The methods used by this group of people are also varied.

They were either smashing cardboard boxes or setting fires. If you didn't know what was going on, you would think it was a circus performance.

But it must be said that the performance was very good.

Soon, the boycott of Red Star became popular, and rednecks from all over the country expressed their support.

Television stations across the country also began to conduct follow-up interviews on the "Boycott Red Star" campaign.

The initiator, who had never appeared before, stood in front of the camera, waved the American flag, and shouted: "More than a decade ago, that place was still a ruin, and they would shudder when they heard our voices.

Now, they are starting to exploit us!

Today, please stand with me, boycott Red Star Computer, and make Xiaomeijia great again! "

Zhou Liang stood in the crowd, looking at the guy who claimed to be a farmer, scratching his head: "Isn't this guy Peter, an executive of our company? His father is a banker and has never done farm work in his life. How did he become a farmer?"

When he was away from home, he gave himself an identity, and Farmer Peter quickly achieved success with his perfect image and inspiring slogans.

The slogan "Boycott Red Star Computer and make Xiaomeijia great again" spread throughout Xiaomeijia in a short time.

Generally speaking, the gentlemen in Congress would not care about such trivial matters.

Although Red Star Computer had huge sales, they did not take it seriously.

However, a few congressmen suddenly initiated a bill.

The bill calls for a fifty percent special fee to be imposed on Red Star Computers.

The proposal has been put forward and has attracted the attention of many people.

"Red Star Computer, what is this? Why is it charged a special fee?"

"Oh, the guy who built this thing is in big trouble. With a 50% special fee, can he still make money?"

"It seems that Red Star Computer is going to be driven out of the market here."

Hextech and the Huo family have been keeping an eye on Red Star Computer's sales efforts at Xiaomei's home.

Seeing the sales volume climbing steadily, it won’t be long before we can monopolize the market.

After the special expenses incident, the situation took a turn for the worse.

Both families were shocked when they heard the news.

Yang Jizong immediately contacted Xiao Huo, and after the two discussed it, they found that there was no suitable response strategy.

After all, Xiaomei's family is determined to collect special fees, and Hextech's connections in Xiaomei's family are of no help.

The Huo family is even more out of reach.

The two decided to return to the mainland to discuss the matter with the relevant departments and Li Aiguo.

Li Aiguo didn't know that Red Star Computer had caused such a big commotion in Xiaomei's house. He was happily drawing blueprints at home at this time.

"Brother Patriot, someone is looking for you outside."

Xu Damao rushed in from outside and pointed outside the door.

Li Aiguo put the drawings into the drawer, walked out of the door, and saw two comrades wearing black Zhongshan suits.

The two comrades handed over their work permits and said, "Comrade Patriot, there is a meeting that requires your participation."

Li Aiguo looked at the ID and nodded: "Wait a moment."

Li Aiguo entered the house and told Chen Xueru not to cook for herself at noon, then followed the two comrades into the car parked outside the door.

Xu Damao watched the car speeding away and couldn't help swallowing his saliva: "When can I ride in a car like my patriotic brothers?"

"It's just a car, what's the big deal?" Jia Dongxu pointed at Bang Geng who was playing with ants nearby and said, "My son is going to do big things. He will definitely be able to buy a bigger car in the future."

"Isn't that so, son?"

"Yeah." Banggeng raised his head and wiped his nose.

Xu Damao: "."

****
"So Xiaomei's family is going to charge a 50% special fee?"

Li Aiguo felt that Xiaomei's family's behavior was very familiar, but he couldn't remember when and where it happened.

“There has been no vote yet, but given the current situation, the passage of the bill is a foregone conclusion.”

Xiao Huo recounted what had happened in Xiao Mei's family recently.

Li Aiguo felt that the things that happened in Xiaomei's family seemed to have been seen somewhere before, but he couldn't remember where exactly.

The leader looked through the documents and said worriedly, "Red Star Computer has only been selling in Xiaomeijia for a month, but it has already earned 50 million US dollars in foreign exchange. If we withdraw from the Xiaomeijia market, the loss will be particularly large."

These days, the country is in a state of disrepair and urgently needs foreign technology, equipment and materials for construction.

All of these things require foreign exchange to purchase.

Xiao Huo and Yang Jizong both turned their eyes to Li Aiguo.

"Patriotism, what do you think?"

(End of this chapter)