Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2599 The Empress's Beginning (Bonus chapter for reader hellcat1985 million reward!)
Everyone has their own information cocoon.

Even as a marshal, Kozverev had things he didn't understand. Although he greatly admired Western electronic technology, he had no idea why it was so advanced.

Or rather, the root of its advancement. In his view, Western advancement was merely a matter of historical inertia. As for anything else, he knew absolutely nothing.

So when he learned from his daughter that SEA had tens of millions of electronic computers, he was immediately speechless with astonishment.

"How could they possibly have tens of millions of electronic computers?"

“This is normal!”

Natasha looked at her father and said:

"They have always been at the forefront of popularizing computers. More than a decade ago, their schools already had computers and students began taking related courses."

Kozverev waved his hand at his daughter's words and said:
“I know that our school has this course too; all schools have computers.”

“This is different, Father.”

Natasha said:
"Yes, we, like them, equipped universities and secondary schools with computers, which became teaching tools, but then what?"

"Then?"

Kozverev asked in confusion:

"What do you mean by saying this?"

"It was after they left school,"

Natasha continued:

"Here, if you want to use a computer, you have to be an engineer. Only then can you use it at your workplace. But the Western concept of developing personal computers is aimed at ordinary consumers, not computer scientists or engineers. The environment for introducing personal computers is very different, and the target audience is also very different. Therefore, our computers are concentrated in research institutions and schools, and there is almost no presence of them in the general public."

His daughter's explanation made Kozverev frown. He silently lit a cigarette, took a puff, and said:

"So, they have tens of millions of computers, while we only have a few million... But why do they need so many computers? Just for playing games?"

"It's not just that."

Natasha shook her head and said:
"They can use computers to chat, go online, and communicate. Of course, for ordinary people, the most important thing is playing games. They are willing to spend a lot of money and time on entertainment, which is indeed a waste of time and energy. But Father, on the other hand, the popularity of video games has promoted the development of their electronics industry."

Although she knew her father didn't understand the market, or rather, very few people in the entire Soviet Union understood the market—after all, that was over 60 years ago—Natasha still gave a simple explanation.

"In Western countries, their products are often designed around customer preferences and inclinations. Just like games, from the most basic arcade games to today's electronic computer games, from 2D graphics to 3D graphics, from LAN games to internet games, this entire process has gone hand in hand with the development of chip technology. The two going hand in hand is a case of the market stimulating technology, and technology in turn promoting the healthy development of the market."

With market demand, companies are willing to invest more in hardware research. Moreover, looking at computers here, they are used for scientific research; only scholars need them, and only scholars can obtain them. But in SEA, everyone can buy one and use it to play games, browse the internet, chat…

Listening to his daughter's description, Kozverev seemed to understand why the Kremlin had lost interest in promoting electronic computers. Other factors were at play—computers are communication devices; you can easily store, transmit, copy, print, and distribute information. This means that computers are autonomous communication tools, free from official control.

As a result, the government was naturally unwilling to allow personal computers to enter the hands of the general public. Another problem was that personal computer manufacturing required a consumer-centric industry to drive it, but this was clearly not a priority for the Soviet Union.

"So, they have tens of millions of electronic computers, and millions of computers are being updated and replaced every year. This naturally attracts many companies to invest in the research and development of computers. They call electronic computers 'computers'."

In this process, more and more advanced computer processors were developed, which naturally propelled their electronic technology forward.

This is the reason for the strength of electronic technology in the Western world—it is driven by the market.

"This……"

After taking a drag of his cigarette, Kozverev said:

"This doesn't seem to suit us; the authorities may not be happy to see people owning computers."

Hearing her father's assessment, Natasha shook her head and said:
“That’s different, Father. If we want to catch up with them in this field, we must popularize computers, we must make them accessible to the public, and we must use demand to stimulate the development of related fields. Moreover…”

Looking at her father, Natasha said:

"This is also my plan. If I go to Ukraine, I will promote the development of the computer industry there and transform it from a production tool into a common consumer product."

His daughter's decision made Kozverev frown, and he asked:
"Why do this? The Kremlin probably won't like your choice."

“That’s not important, Father. Compared to any other mature industry, computers are currently the most backward industry in our country, but also the easiest to achieve results in. If I want to stand out in Kyiv, I must take a different path from others.”

As she spoke, Natasha's blue eyes stared directly at her father.

"In Ukraine, it's either heavy industry or agriculture, and both of these sectors have their deeply entrenched interest groups. How could an airborne soldier possibly gain a dominant position in either of these sectors? In contrast, the computer industry there is just one of the least noteworthy industrial sectors, but the market and power it possesses are enormous."

if……"

Looking at her father, Natasha said:

"If I can drive the development of this industry and create our own 'Silicon Valley' in Kyiv, then my achievements will surely attract the attention of the Kremlin, which will be my most powerful card in returning to Moscow."

Looking at his daughter, Kozverev pondered for a moment, then said:

“Nasha, my daughter, it seems you have indeed grown up…”

As he spoke, Kozverev was filled with emotion. His little angel was no longer the innocent little angel she once was; she had her own thoughts and plans.

"Yes, ... I'm already a mother."

When talking about her changed identity, Natasha's face was filled with loving kindness, the love a mother has for her child.

Kozverev laughed at his daughter's expression, but after a moment's thought, he asked again:
"Actually, I've always... wanted to know who he is."

Natasha was taken aback by her father's question, and just as she was about to speak, Kozverev said:

"I know he's not Russian. You must have met him when you were abroad, right? In SEA? And later, when you were working in France, you even lived together for a few years, right?"

Natasha was taken aback by her father's question. She asked:
"Father, you, you know..."

"I do not know."

Kozverev shook his head and said:
“I don’t know who he is, but I heard Andrei say that he…missed his father. And then I learned from him that you two had lived together.”

Well, kids never keep secrets.

When Natasha didn't know how to answer, Kozverev continued:

“It’s nothing. So many years have passed. For me, it’s not unacceptable. But you have to understand that when you choose this path, some things have to be your secrets. You can’t let anyone know that Andrei’s father is a Westerner, understand?”

Her father's reminder made Natasha nod, and she said:

"I understand, Father."

Kozverev nodded in satisfaction at his daughter's answer. After thinking for a moment, he added:
"By the way, are you going to SEA for business negotiations next week? I think you should take Andrei with you. It's okay to miss a few days of classes. Children... always need their fathers."

Kozverev then did not continue the conversation, nor did he even inquire about Andrei's father's identity. After all, for him, his daughter and grandson were the most important things, and his biological father was not so important.

“I know, I will take him with me…”

After thinking for a moment, Natasha added:

“I’m considering whether to send Andrei to secondary school abroad. I think he should have a fuller understanding of the West. Only with a better understanding can we defeat our opponents in future competition.”

Kozverev frowned at his daughter's idea. He adored his grandson and sending him abroad to study meant they would be separated.

"So... what are your plans?"

Natasha nodded and said:

"I believe that strengthening exchanges with Western countries is an unavoidable matter in the future. After all, we always need to understand our opponents. Sending Andrei to study in the West will also give him an advantage over others in the future."

All parents plan for their children's future, and Natasha was no exception. Listening to his daughter's plans, Kozverev thought for a moment and then said:

"This could become Andrei's advantage, or it could become his disadvantage. You need to think it through before making a decision."

Natasha nodded and said:

“I have made up my mind, Father. This is the most advantageous option.”

"So, have you decided which country you want to go to?"

“SEA…”

Kozverev was taken aback by his daughter's answer, then smiled. Okay, he understood... Natasha wasn't just trying to let her son understand the West; she was also trying to help her family.

(End of this chapter)