My Lord, you need to stand up!

Chapter 368 Two and a Half Skys, That's What's Meaningful: Covering Up the Sky and the Sun
The core element is definitely not the game.

If the Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry hadn't insisted on merging the Southwest Computer Research Institute with the Xishan General Factory...

This ensured that Wei Dong would never get involved in the computer industry, nor would he ever look at that Apple computer at the World Expo, and therefore would never have any connection with Steve.

However, the idea of ​​pursuing the path of learning machines was confirmed before the World Expo.

Even if Wei Dong remembers that learning machines in the 1990s seemed to be just a flash in the pan, in the economically impoverished 1980s, when many young people could only rent comic books from street book stalls, this transitional product could definitely enlighten many people about basic computer knowledge.

Because that's exactly what the Apple II served: "This $1300 entry-level personal computer was reportedly standard equipment in half of Citibank's primary and secondary schools across the country. There's a saying that you have to win at the starting line. In the early days of the computer age, this was the starting line."

The city officials nodded solemnly: "So what kind of support do you need?"

No one expected Wei Dong to say, "First, I need the city to help cover up this real purpose..."

Everyone present was shocked. Was this really necessary? You've already pulled those construction troops out of the mountains; that phase is over, isn't it?

There are definitely people whose reactions are written all over their faces.

Wei Dong didn't consider it a big secret: "This machine sells for four thousand in Japan, and for about four or five thousand in Hong Kong. But by the time it reaches Shanghai, the price is already over twenty thousand. From what I understand, the import tax rate is about 30% to 50%. The profits from this kind of business are skyrocketing. These are probably the people who least want to see domestically produced computers dominate the market, so there's no need to provoke them. We also can't let foreign countries know that we're secretly developing and catching up. So this has to be a very ordinary, low-end learning machine. You should all be dismissive of it and not talk about its great significance all the time..."

There were about five or six people present, and their expressions were extremely strange!
I wanted to laugh, be serious, and also feel a mix of amazement.

Currently, there are very few channels for commercial imports. Apart from Shanghai having a tiny bit of import authority, most imports have to go through Hong Kong.

Since before the liberation, Hong Kong has been the only channel for importing goods, and in fact, it has never been interrupted.

So, those who can get computers sold in mainland China, can they be ordinary people?

At such a young age, he already knows how to protect himself and avoid the superficial while focusing on the real. Coupled with his business acumen and technological foresight, his future is simply limitless.

The Secretary-General helped to smooth things over: "Overall, it's a good thing, but we also need to see what kind of impact it will have. Good things that benefit the country and the people can't be kept secret. What else?"

Wei Dong then opened the game console, which wasn't even screwed in, and pointed out two or three circuit boards connected by wires inside: "We've disassembled it in Japan. Overall, it seems that apart from the core 6502 chip, which we can't produce ourselves, we can do everything else as independently as possible. So we've signed an agreement with Apple to import hundreds of thousands of units annually, and we're striving to deliver hundreds of thousands of learning machines to primary and secondary schools and universities at a very low price by the end of this year, truly laying the foundation for starting education from children."

Given that Wei Dong was among the first batch of private entrepreneurs, no one even had the concept that unscrupulous merchants would take advantage of the situation to make a fortune.

They thought his actions were perfectly reasonable and nodded as they passed the pile of circuit boards around in front of them.

I'm a little surprised. The computer that's been touted as something amazing is actually so simple.

Wei Dong pointed to the 6502 chip, which looked like an iron centipede: "So the second point of support I hope to receive is to gather as many domestic electronic research units that are currently facing difficulties in this area as possible, based on the Southwest Computer Research Institute of the Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry, to participate in overcoming the difficulties. If one day it is said that it will cost hundreds of millions to produce this chip, then we will not be left behind."

The meeting held by the Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry before I went abroad made it very clear that research institutions were so poor that they had no rice to cook.

With even basic living becoming a problem, and institutions desperately trying to shift their production to civilian market-oriented products and find their own way to survive, there's no point in even thinking about systematically persisting in scientific research.

Thirty or forty years later, similar comments can be seen everywhere online. It was only a little bit, just one or two steps away, that his bones were completely broken in the 1980s.

The idea that "buying is worse than researching" has completely destroyed research and development capabilities.

After ten or twenty years, when they finally caught their breath and had some money to start their research again, all their previous research had been interrupted.

Without anyone to rely on and without any foundation, starting from scratch meant being left far behind.

The expressions on everyone's faces turned serious, and they began to grasp the implications of this war: "Will it cost hundreds of millions?"

Wei Dong then used his knowledge of internet common sense from 30 or 40 years in the future: "This chip is called an integrated circuit. I don't understand what kind of transistors are inside, but now they are measured in micrometers. This one seems to be 0.3 micrometers. We can only achieve 0.5 micrometers at most. Citibank and Japan have already reached 0.1 micrometers. There is a lithography machine technology that is very important here. There is also a unit of measurement called nanometer, which is much smaller than micrometer. That is hundreds, thousands, or tens of thousands of times more complex. When European and American countries develop to that level, we will have no choice but to obediently pay for the chips they set. They can set the price as high as they want, and they can hold us back as they please."

Wasn't this the last battle that Wei Dong heard about?

"Because this is no longer a scientific principle that can be solved by sheer manpower and the saying 'where there's a will, there's a way.' Only through continuous investment in research and development can we preserve this spark of scientific research with the support of Jiangzhou City. Even if my personal and corporate capabilities are limited, I will try my best to keep up with the world's advanced level and wait for the national team to return."

If he pats his chest and says he can definitely do this or that, it probably will obscure the difficulty of the task.

The more cautiously you speak now, the more respect you command. "So... how confident are you in doing this?"

Wei Dong shook his head: "I don't know, I don't understand either, but everyone has a responsibility, so there's no need to worry about whether we can succeed or not, just do it."

Everyone looked at the several personal computers on the table in front of them, a testament to the pinnacle of technology, and then at this energetic young man.

They looked at each other and smiled: "Good, Xiao Rang's stance and determination make him the most trustworthy warrior. Jiangzhou City will fully support you!"

“Yes, I’m here to talk to the relevant ministries about this. I heard about the news at a previous meeting, and it was shocking, but it seems that no effective reform plan has been seen. Weidong’s plan is highly feasible.”

"It's a good way to combine scientific research with commercialization and use the market economy to support the research of the computer industry. I think it's a good idea. The education department of Jiangzhou City is looking forward to your prototype. Hahaha, I also want to learn computers with the children and catch up with this era."

"Thank you, Comrade Xiao Rang, for making such a comprehensive contribution. The industrial departments of Jiangzhou City will assist you in completing this series of tasks."

Wei Dong was asked not to discuss the game-related elements involved, and then he began to recount the details of his trip to Japan: "The people we should truly thank are the ordinary people who work hard every day. Their hard work and diligence are the reason why reform and opening up are getting better and better. Therefore, we should also allow everyone more relaxation and leisure time and a better material life after work. I also gained a lot from my trip to the zoos and amusement parks in Japan and the United States. I would like to ask all the leaders to take some time during the May Day holiday to come and guide our work..."

To be honest, it might be a bit difficult for Wei Dong to flatter and fawn over others; he's not that good at it.

But having spent forty years in government agencies, I've become too familiar with the terminology used within that system.

Back in the 1980s, things hadn't reached the point where every word was carefully considered and every step was fraught with tension; everyone found it quite pleasant to listen to.

He listened with even greater interest as he explained the ins and outs of the colorful jeans: "This is a very rare blue-chip stock. Most Hong Kong businesses are mainly engaged in OEM manufacturing. Even now, processing of imported materials in eastern Guangdong can only earn a little labor cost. But these colorful jeans are a top-quality export product that Mr. Qin sold at brand price in Citibank back in the 1970s. That's why we can follow this line to strive for a million dollars in gross profit every year, and then convert it into valuable chips to be brought back to China. We can then try to resell the learning machines to the European and American markets at appropriate prices. This is a virtuous cycle."

Now everyone knows him well: "As for the photos, didn't you take a lot of photos during your inspection trip to Hong Kong? You must have a lot of valuable experience to share with various departments. You don't have the energy to host and lecture people from all over the country, but you can still hold a training and exchange meeting for leaders at the city bureau and district levels to share the advanced inspection content with everyone."

Wei Dong thought about it and said, "I haven't even had time to develop the film yet. I also bought a video camera this time and filmed a lot of valuable footage. Once I've organized it, I'll definitely share it with everyone without reservation."

So in the end, even corn bioengineering was only briefly discussed, and no one in Jiangzhou spoke up about supporting Shangzhou's development of agricultural and sideline bio-industries.

I'm very satisfied that this place has such advanced high technology as the computer industry.

So, the report was given a little after eight o'clock, and it was almost eleven o'clock before Wei Dong was finally sent out. Dong Xueqing had already fallen asleep in the back of the van with her niece in her arms.

Dong Xueying, however, sat in the second row, knitting silently by the dim light of the streetlights outside.

Seeing that Wei Dong was being helped out by several guards to carry out his computer, game console, and other items, he quickly opened the sliding door to express his gratitude.

The family can finally go home.

Of course, we're not talking about business right now, but just gossiping about Chi Shiming's partner: "Last time you said his partner was shrewd and cunning, I never expected her to be a woman, the two of them must be... hehehe."

"What, are you looking down on women?"

"Haha, no way! Look at our family, you're the one holding the fort. Have you tried on your new clothes? Come on, come on, I even bought you a few more. It was so hard to sneak them into my bag without anyone knowing..."

Dong Xueying immediately recognized what kind of clothes they were, and her knitting movements immediately became riddled with mistakes, the knitting needles were getting hot.

With a nasal, disdainful tone, she said, "All you ever think about is this kind of thing..."

Then, realizing that his tone might be a bit too licentious, he quickly shut up.

Wei Dong felt like he was about to catch fire. If his sister-in-law hadn't been in the car, he would have definitely found a corner to test the power of the lace lingerie.

Just as she reached out to warm up the clothes, she suddenly felt Fengchu's sleepy body squeeze out from between the seats in front of her and lean against her: "What new clothes? I want some too..."

Even without opening her eyes, her innocent and adorable youthful charm was a stark contrast to her sister's, like two completely different worlds.

Just thinking about it makes Wei Dong feel like his life is going to be too difficult.

Dong Xueying, however, leaned against the car door, comfortably watching the two people snuggling together, and her knitting rhythm became light and skillful again.

(End of this chapter)