The Red Era, the Opening University Speech

Chapter 286: The 30 Billion Dollar Market

After entering the laboratory, I took a quick look.

Soon I saw a color LCD TV that was placed on the laboratory table and had been mostly assembled.

Unlike bulky black and white TVs, its overall size is not huge.

But the screen is 17 inches, far exceeding any TV currently available in the country.

"Okay, okay!" Li Mu looked at the color LCD TV and became happier and happier.

As for not reaching the theoretical maximum size of 18 inches, this is not a problem at all.

The bigger the screen, the better. If there are no programs of corresponding specifications, it will be useless even if it is 180 inches.

For example, the TV programs in China right now are in black and white. Even if we have color LCD TVs, they cannot be used in China for the time being.

It will take quite some time to develop before it can be perfected.

But that’s all for later.

Li Mu looked at Wu Xi, who was waiting for his order.

He immediately said: "Let's start the test!"

After power is turned on, noise begins to appear on the LCD screen.

Not long after, with the help of the researchers, domestic TV channels were connected.

When the clear image appeared in front of everyone, everyone couldn't help but cheer loudly.

Although domestic TV stations did not have color programs at that time, Wu Xi and others had already thought of a testing method.

They encoded a color picture signal developed by the software development department and input it into the color LCD TV.

Colorful blocks immediately appeared on it, clearly distinguished from large to small.

"No problem, it completely meets the design standards!" At this moment, Wu Xi finally couldn't help but shout out.

The entire color LCD TV development team also cheered.

Li Mu clapped his hands and congratulated them, "Congratulations! The emergence of color LCD TVs is of great significance!"

Although in his eyes, this color LCD TV still has many shortcomings and is far from being as advanced as those in later generations.

But in this era, it is no exaggeration to say that we are 10 years ahead of the world.

Moreover, its appearance represents that liquid crystal technology has matured and can be fully applied to the manufacture of computer liquid crystal displays.

At this rate, it won’t take a few years for displays to enter the color era.

This is undoubtedly extremely beneficial to the development of Xia State.

"Yes, Consultant Li is right. Congratulations to you." Wu Youxiang and Wang Shoujue also offered their congratulations.

Wu Xi quickly said, "It's all thanks to Consultant Li's good guidance. We are just doing research according to his plan."

"Yes, that's right!" The other researchers nodded in agreement.

Professor Kuang, Professor Lei, and the experts and professors sent from the Materials Research Institute to provide support, also smiled and gave the greatest credit to Li Mu.

The old tradition reappeared, and everyone couldn't help laughing.

Only Li Mu looked helpless.

……

Afterwards, everyone went to the cafeteria for a small celebratory banquet.

Wu Youxiang stayed with them for a while and chatted with Li Mu about the price.

Of course, you’re welcome to sell to foreigners.

Li Mu directly quoted a price of 400M dollars.

Wu Youxiang was shocked and said quickly, "400M knife, that's 800 yuan, but our cost is less than 110 yuan, and it can be reduced to about 90 yuan after skilled production!"

"Just agree with my price. It will definitely sell. One unit overseas costs over a thousand dollars now." Li Mu replied with a smile.

In the mid-60s, the price of a color TV in the United States was between 500 and 1000 US dollars.

He only earns more than 700 yuan, which can be considered quite conscientious.

Wu Youxiang had already lost the ability to think, and could only nod his head repeatedly, saying, "Okay, okay, I'll do as you say."

……

Afterwards, Wu Youxiang took the sample of color LCD TV and hurried to the Chinese Academy of Sciences to submit his results.

After listening to his instructions, Guo Mo looked at the 17-inch color LCD TV, which was completely different from the traditional bulky black and white TV, with his eyes shining. He said:
"This TV will definitely sell well overseas!"

"I thought that after the establishment of the semiconductor group, you didn't do much product research and development."

“I didn’t expect it would turn out to be such a big deal!”

He obviously also saw the value of color LCD TVs.

There is a huge difference between black and white TV and color TV.

As long as conditions permit, most people will choose to buy the latter.

And in the world market, there are very, very many people who meet this condition.

"It is indeed a big thing. Li Mu said that once it appears on the international market, it will definitely surprise the TV manufacturers in OM country." Wu Youxiang said with a smile.

This inference was quite bold, and both he and Guo Mo thought it was very reasonable.

But there are problems too.

Guo Mo suddenly thought of something, frowned, and said, "If we offend so many TV manufacturers at the same time, I'm afraid our life will be difficult."

A big tree attracts the wind and a tree stands out in the forest. It is a very simple truth.

If color LCD TVs can really beat all TV manufacturers in the world market in all aspects and grab the profits that originally belonged to them, they will inevitably be severely targeted.

"So Li Mu also said that he should ask Mr. Xiao He from Hong Kong to come over again and discuss this matter with him." Wu Youxiang continued.

Guo Mo was relieved and said, "That's good. I will notify the First Ministry of Machine Building and the Foreign Trade Commission right away."

Having said that, he immediately picked up the phone and made a call.

……

Not long after, Leader Qiu and Dong Huaxing drove to Guo Mo's office one after another.

As soon as they entered the room, they couldn't wait to ask, "Is the color LCD TV really a success?"

"How can this be false? Director Wu came here personally to say it." Guo Mo made a cup of tea for the two of them and said with a smile.

After getting the confirmation, Leader Qiu raised his hand, and slammed the table with joy.

Dong Huaxing couldn't help but waved his hands vigorously.

"Is it necessary to be so happy?" Guo Mo asked doubtfully.

Without waiting for Leader Qiu to speak, Dong Huaxing said:
"Old Guo, you don't know how popular TV sets are overseas now."

"Take M for example. We did a survey when we were working on semiconductor televisions. They have an average of more than 300 televisions per thousand people, and the total number of televisions is nearly million."

"Thirty million, even if only half of them buy color LCD TVs, our foreign exchange will be in the hundreds of millions, not to mention the markets of other OM countries!"

"So many!" Guo Mo was also shocked when he heard the number.

He remembered Wu Youxiang's offer just now.

The reference price given by Li Mu is 400M dollars per unit. If calculated based on this price.

Just half of the market of Emperor M, that’s a full 60 billion M dollars!

You know, the country's current M knife reserves are only a little over 3 million.

Leader Qiu continued:
“It’s not just foreign exchange earnings, but also upstream and downstream factory construction.”

"To meet the huge foreign market, the production line of color TVs must be increased, and increased in large quantities."

"My initial estimate is that we will need to add at least 50 large factories with thousands of employees upstream and downstream!"

His tone was full of excitement.

Although these factories cannot be built in one go, this does not affect their value.

On the contrary, the continuous establishment of factories will make people more and more confident in life. Hearing this, Guo Mo also took a breath and said quickly: "Then what are we waiting for, hurry up and take action!"

"Just let me know if you have any requests, I will fully cooperate!"

……

After agreeing on the plan, Guo Mo, Leader Qiu and Dong Huaxing quickly took action.

The Chinese Academy of Sciences quickly issued an order to the Semiconductor Research Institute to set up a special color LCD TV industrialization technology team.

After Leader Qiu returned, the First Ministry of Machine Building immediately began planning to build a factory and set up a production line.

It doesn’t matter if there is no production line for color LCD TVs. We can first train workers who can skillfully produce semiconductor TVs.

Dong Huaxing sent a telegram to Hong Kong.

He Zhenhua, who was feeling miserable, had just got off the boat and had no time to catch his breath when he was called over by his father and asked to go to the mainland again.

For the first time, he felt that it was not a good thing for Li Mu to be too talented.

But it is impossible not to go, as so many Hong Kong families are keeping an eye on them.

Now the He family dares not make any mistakes, for fear that the mainland will think they have ulterior motives and support a new family on their side.

……

Over here, inside the Semiconductor Research Institute.

While Li Mu was having a celebration banquet with Wu Xi and other members of the color LCD TV development team, he told them about the future research direction of TV technology:

"If each liquid crystal pixel is driven by a thin-film transistor integrated behind the pixel, the screen information can be displayed at high speed, high brightness and high contrast..."

When everyone was listening attentively, suddenly, Wu Youxiang hurried back.

He had just arrived at the institute when he heard Guo Mo calling. Without even a sip of water, he came to find Li Mu and said, "President Guo asked us to immediately set up a color LCD TV industrialization technology team and cooperate with the First Ministry of Machine Building to build a production line as soon as possible."

"Are you in such a hurry?" Li Mu was stunned and asked puzzledly.

When the product was successful in the past, there were people who provided technical guidance, but now even the factory hasn’t been built yet.

Wu Youxiang took a deep breath and said, "Of course we have to be anxious. According to the estimates of the Foreign Trade Commission, the market value of color LCD TVs is extremely high, with a market value of at least 30 billion US dollars!"

This statement surprised everyone.

30 billion, and it’s the market for M knives!
"I have no objection. Wu Xi and the others are fully capable of completing this task. However, I think it would be better to give them half a day off so that they can rest before starting again." Li Mu was not too surprised.

The figure of 30 billion is probably derived from the combined market size data of foreign televisions.

But it is not easy to completely occupy this market.

Not to mention how long it would take them to produce so many color LCD TVs.

Such huge profits will definitely attract the covetousness and ill intentions of many people.

Just when Li Mu was thinking secretly.

Wu Xi immediately said: "We don't need to rest, Consultant Li, we can go to the First Ministry of Machine Building now!"

"That's right, we can go there now!" The faces of other people in the color LCD TV development team were also full of excitement.

With a market worth 30 billion US dollars, they would be willing to work until death, not to mention having to work harder.

Seeing their flushed faces, Li Mu knew that he could not persuade them, so he just let them go.

However, in order to prevent them from damaging their health due to their research work, he said to Wu Youxiang, "Director, please tell Leader Qiu to keep an eye on them."

"Don't worry, with your example, Leader Qiu will definitely pay attention to their health!" Wu Youxiang said with a smile.

Li Mu rolled his eyes: "Is this hurdle impossible to overcome or what?"

This made everyone burst into laughter.

……

Afterwards, Wu Xi quickly took his men to the First Ministry of Machine Building.

Li Mu and Wu Youxiang talked for a while, then stood up and left, preparing to visit the laboratories of various research groups.

If nothing else, he planned to go home and rest.

Just after washing the lunch box and walking out of the cafeteria.

Suddenly, a message alert sound rang in my mind.

The moment he heard the message alert, Li Mu quickly opened the chat page.

Ask: "Lee, my research is finally complete!"

Seeing this news, Li Mu couldn't hide his excitement.

“Congratulations! Now you’ve taken another step towards becoming a BOSS.” He replied while returning the lunch box to the lady in the cafeteria.

Then I came to my office.

Ask said modestly: "I just completed a small project. It's too early to become a boss."

"By the way, Li, will my coming so far in advance affect your schedule?"

"If you don't have time, I can go to Boston later."

"It's okay. It doesn't affect me. I'm not busy recently. Just tell me before you go and I'll try to arrive on the same day as you." Li Mu replied quickly.

He couldn't wait for Ask to go to Boston immediately.

Ask replied: "That's great, I'll leave tonight and explore the way for you first, and I'll be your tour guide when you come over."

"Li, when we meet, I will definitely thank you for your help."

"Wait, you're leaving overnight, aren't you trying to hide from that rich little woman?" Li Mu couldn't help feeling a little guilty when he saw Ask's message, so he could only change the subject.

Ask said embarrassedly, "That's the reason. Although she assured me last time that she was back, I checked her social media and she still hasn't left."

"I think I might as well just pretend I don't know and go straight to Boston."

"It's a good plan, but what if she continues to look for him? You will be in a very passive position." Li Mu thought for a while and said.

Although he had let down Ask's friendship, he would at least try his best to bring the two together in terms of their love.

Ask scratched his head in annoyance: "I..."

This sentence made Li Mu's eyes light up slightly, and his brain started working rapidly.

He keenly noticed that Ask's attitude had changed.

In the past, whenever the rich woman pestered him, Ask would talk about his daily life, but this time, he rarely brought it up.

"But there's no way to be sure!" Li Mu sighed and gave up the radical method in his mind.

Exposing it now may not necessarily bring the two of them together, and may even backfire.

It would be better to let Ask be changed imperceptibly.

Thinking of this, he continued:
"Don't bother with me, just bring her here with you."

"With my charm, I can win her over in a few days."

"When the time comes, she will separate from you without you having to tell her."

After the message was sent, the "Inputting..." on Ask's side hung up for a long time before replying: "Is this...appropriate? Will it be too much trouble for you?"

"Why, you can't bear to let go?" Li Mu teased.

You can choose not to expose it, but you can also use some tricks.

Ask said:

"How is that possible? I don't like her!"

"No more talking, I'll go buy the tickets now!"

"When she leaves, we must play the game for three days and three nights!"

After saying that, he logged off at the speed of light.

This reaction made Li Mu a little unsure whether he was anxious or not.

(End of this chapter)