Go back in time and be a chaebol

Chapter 2665 The Big Brother's Change (Third Update, Please Subscribe)

The air conditioner in the office was humming loudly. Although the air conditioning was strong, the temperature in the office felt a bit stuffy, to the point that the marshal even felt some sweat on his back.

The sweat wasn't from the office temperature, but from... reality!
After releasing the intercom, Ustinov leaned back in his chair and fell into deep thought once again.

No more than two minutes after the call ended, the valve was opened again. This time, it was Kozverev who walked in.

Ustinov remained leaning back in his chair, his eyes still closed. He was still deep in thought, seemingly weighing something.

When Kozverev entered Ustinov's office, he could immediately tell that the Marshal was making a crucial decision. Therefore, he didn't speak immediately, and only after a long while did Ustinov open his eyes and look at him.

"Ah, you've arrived. Please have a seat!"

It was only at this point that Kozverev spoke:
"Comrade Marshal, you wanted to see me?"

Ustinov looked at Kozverev, who had been inside for an unknown amount of time, and then said:

"This is the report you sent me a few months ago. I've been looking through it ever since. I'm wondering why Western electronic technology has managed to leave us behind?"

Ustinov's voice wasn't loud, but there was a hint of confusion in his tone.

"The current situation is very tense. Western countries have not only surpassed us in electronic technology, but have also left us far behind in electronic jamming technology."

On the battlefield, our anti-aircraft missiles couldn't intercept their aircraft, and our radar was rendered useless. Do you know what that means if war breaks out?

Nodding, Kozverev responded solemnly:
"Comrade Marshal, this is the reason I submitted this report. Our backwardness in electronic technology has directly led to our backwardness in related fields. The core reason why Western countries are able to lead us in electronic technology is only one thing—market demand."

He paused, then uttered a seemingly ordinary yet astonishing number:
According to the report, more than 3000 million electronic computers have been widely used in Western countries, in office work, factory production, school teaching, hospital treatment, and even in the daily lives of ordinary families.

This enormous market attracted Western capitalists who saw huge profits to invest in research and development. To seize market share, they had to continuously improve integrated circuits and optimize computing speed, leading to rapid technological iteration in this competitive environment.

These data come not only from Natasha's analysis, but also from the analysis of experts and scholars.

"And what about us?"

Kozverev's voice lowered slightly, tinged with a hint of helplessness:
"The Soviet Union had less than 100 million electronic computers in total, and more than 90% of them were concentrated in the military and a few research institutions."

Demand is strictly limited to specific areas, and manufacturers have no incentive to improve their technology—anyway, the military and research institutions can absorb whatever they produce, so why waste manpower and resources to develop new technologies?
This is the root cause of our backwardness: not a lack of R&D capabilities, but the depletion of demand.

Listening quietly, Ustinov unconsciously tapped his thumb on the table, a habit he had developed over the years, a small gesture that would appear when making important decisions.

After a long silence, he looked up at Kozverev, his gaze sharp as a knife:

"So, according to you, if we loosen restrictions and allow citizens to freely buy and sell electronic computers, and even permit the use of the internet, we can stimulate market demand and thus improve our electronic technology?"

When he first saw this idea in the report, as the Minister of Defense, he almost instinctively rejected the possibility. However, at this moment, he finally blurted it out, with a hint of relenting.

Because what needs to be released is not just the computer itself, but a communication tool.

Kozverev nodded without hesitation, a glint of light flashing in his eyes:
"Yes, Comrade Marshal. The power of the market is irreplaceable. As long as there is huge demand, enterprises will inevitably try their best to improve product performance and optimize quality in order to survive and compete."

These technological breakthroughs in the civilian sector will ultimately benefit the military—many core technologies are not differentiated between military and civilian applications, and the maturity of the civilian market will provide the military with more advanced basic components and more efficient research and development approaches.

Theoretically speaking, this idea is definitely a Western theory, but at that time no one cared about that at all.

"But there's a prerequisite."

Kozverev then changed the subject, his tone becoming serious.

"We must open up some of our existing technologies to civilian companies. After all, the military's electronic technology is far more advanced than that of civilian companies."

If we keep core technologies in our own hands, civilian enterprises will have to start from scratch and will never be able to catch up with the West.

Seeing the concern in Ustinov's eyes, he added:

"As for the issue of secrecy, our current electronic technology lags behind the West by at least 5 to 10 years. What we consider 'advanced technology' is no secret in the West."

At this point, he gave a self-deprecating laugh:

"Should we keep outdated technology secret?"

This self-deprecating remark didn't sound like a joke at all; instead, it made the atmosphere in the office even more oppressive.

Ustinov's face showed a complex expression, and he slowly nodded:
"Advanced technology certainly needs to be kept secret, but backward technology needs to be kept secret even more."

He paused, his gaze drifting to the window. The summer sun shone brightly, and people strolled along the riverbank in its warmth—this peaceful life was precisely what they had sworn to protect. "We can't let the enemy know how far behind we've fallen, otherwise they'll only become more emboldened. Don't you think so?"

Ustinov's rhetorical question silenced Kozverev. He knew Ustinov was stating a basic truth—deterrence comes not only from strength but also from the opponent's perception of that strength. Acknowledging weakness can sometimes be more dangerous than weakness itself.

Only the two of them could be heard breathing in the office; the occasional car horn outside the window seemed exceptionally distant.

After a moment, Ustinov withdrew his gaze, his tone becoming heavy and resolute:
"But now, we can no longer hide it. Whether it's the Middle East battlefield or the current war in Southeast Asia, Western electronic technology has taught us a heavy lesson."

Their electronic jamming can render our air defense systems useless and leave our allies vulnerable to attack. If we don't catch up soon…

He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing, as if it would take immense courage to utter the words that followed:

"We may very well be facing a war that we simply cannot win. A war in which we are powerless against a technological gap."

“So…” Ustinov tapped the report lightly with his fingers, making a crisp sound. He looked at Kozverev and then said:

"I will personally deliver this report to the Kremlin and seek approval from the highest leadership. We must open up the civilian electronics market and promote technological innovation."

He stood up, walked to the French windows, and looked at the young people strolling along the riverbank, watching the girls' pretty skirts flutter in the wind.

At that moment, he understood why the Ministry of National Defense building was built here, and why a park was built on the other side of the river.

It serves as a constant reminder to everyone what they are here to protect.

What they are protecting is not the name "Soviet Union," but the lives of the more than 200 million citizens living here. They are ensuring their lives are not disrupted by war.

And so, his voice became even heavier:

"I hope we still have time, and I hope we can truly catch up. Otherwise, everything we are protecting may vanish in the face of such a gap."

Ustinov's words filled Kozverev with mixed emotions. Ever since that deep conversation with his daughter, he had been urging the military to share some technology, but it wasn't enough for him alone.

Ustinov's decision will fundamentally change everything, though the obstacles it faces are unimaginable—the constraints of secrecy, the opposition from the military-industrial complex, and the fear of "Western infiltration" could all kill the plan.

But he also knew that this was the only way for the Soviet Union to escape its technological backwardness. At least for now, it was the only option.

He thought for a moment about Ustinov's decision, and then said:

"I support your decision, Comrade Marshal. I believe it is the best option for us at present."

Ustinov didn't turn around, but simply nodded slightly. After a moment, he said again:

"Sergei, I heard Natasha is going to Ukraine, is that right?"

There are no secrets in Moscow, at least not to the higher-ups.

Hearing Ustinov's question, Kozverev nodded and replied:

"Yes, it should be in a month or two, and I may be in charge of some industrial matters."

Ustinov nodded slightly, and then said.

"If it's convenient, let her take charge of this matter. After all, she's our own child, and that makes us feel more at ease."

"I understand."

Hearing the Marshal's decision, Kozverev knew that his goal had been achieved. Of course, he also knew why the Marshal had made this decision, because he was the deputy minister in charge of military industry, and Natasha was in charge of this matter. As a father, he naturally wouldn't make things difficult for his child.

Moreover, because Natasha has a marshal father, no one will create obstacles for this matter.

It's fair to say that, realistically speaking, there was no better candidate than Natasha in all of Moscow.

On this day, at this very moment, amidst the shadow of the Cold War and the reality of technological disparity, they made an unexpected choice in order to survive.

The report, which had received the Marshal's support, was about to be sent to the Kremlin, and this report, to some extent, might even determine the future fate of the Soviet Union.

At this moment, however, no one knew the deeper meaning behind it. For Moscow at this time, the most important thing was still to welcome the Rising Dragon envoy's visit. After all, Moscow needed to show its respect for its allies with a grand welcoming ceremony.

But this obviously cannot change the reality—Rising Dragon is heading towards its doom.

(End of this chapter)