A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

Compared to the French's lament, the Russians weren't as conflicted. Perhaps they'd had too much "life-giving water" (a metaphor for their financial resources), because they didn't haggle too much with our foreign trade department personnel and readily signed the terms for the imported computers, which greatly reduced China's repayment pressure this year.

"Your Excellency, didn't you say that vacuum tubes are the eternal brilliance? Why do we still need to import transistor computers from the south?"

"Tsk, isn't this the Academy of Sciences' plan to build OGAS? What a brilliant plan! It's just that the plan is too massive and requires a lot of computers. Luckily, our comrades in the south have some cheap ones, so let's use them for now!"

"OGAS? I don't know how the National Economic Council approved such an absurd plan! Just the first level alone requires a computer terminal!"

"Didn't we criticize 'cybernetics' as a bourgeois pseudoscience in the past?"

"Oh, our leader, who loves growing corn, thinks this plan can achieve better resource planning, so let's give it a try. After all, the computers from our friends in the south are much cheaper than the 'Minsk' computers from the Technical Committee..."

"Is it really cheap when it already accounts for 40% of their repayments?" Sergeyev frowned in dissatisfaction.

"Hey, think about what we're giving them—just some scrap metal left over from World War II. Its actual value isn't even enough to cover the cost of dismantling it..."

The minister kindly helped his colleague answer the question, then started rummaging through the messy table: "Hey, where did that report go?"

Ah, that's really true. The Russians' OGAS has a fancy name: National Economic Accounting, Planning and Management Information Collection and Processing Automation System.

A pyramid-shaped three-tier network structure was adopted to address the data transmission and processing needs at different levels.

Yes, that's right. Doesn't this look like a rudimentary form of the internet? You have to admit, the Russians really have some depth. But this grand project was ultimately ruined by their own actions; it's truly ironic...

However, it must be said that if this grand plan were actually implemented, their disintegration could be brought forward by about twenty years. According to estimates, the cost of building such a network would reach 1600 billion rubles, which is about 2.1 trillion US dollars today!

This is more than their atomic bomb program and space program combined...

“Hmm…found!” Minister Petrov raised an eyebrow and tossed a document to Sergeyev: “Comrade, watch your words and actions. Even if you’re in Lubyanka, you can’t go too far. Before you deny the leadership’s decision, get this matter sorted out first…”

Sergeyev's cold face twitched. "The Indian arms procurement plan?"

"Hmm, recently they've made a request to us to purchase An-12 transport aircraft, as well as some equipment for road construction."

"I heard they want to use this equipment for road construction on the northern border. Ah, road construction on the border, that's really interesting. You handle it; the road construction equipment can be sold at a discount, but you should really think about the transport planes..."

"Transport planes and road construction equipment again. Are they... trying to provoke their comrades in the south?"

"Ha, I didn't say that. You know, nobody can figure out what they're thinking. Go, go. Stop focusing on the alliance's internal affairs, go and compete with the bald eagle. The arms trade is where the real money is, and we need this pawn..."

Hearing that they were to confront the Bald Eagle head-on, Sergeyev's eyes lit up: "Yes!"

Watching Sergeyev walk away, the minister poured himself another glass of water of life.

"Heh, debts and all that, those are all paid to the national bank. As for the projects of the National Materials and Technology Supply Committee, heh heh heh. Do you think those old men would actually put a cold, impersonal machine on their heads..."

"Bureaucrats... they won't relinquish their power, and neither will I. So, unreliable transistor computers are the best choice..."

After thinking for a moment, the minister picked up the phone on the table again: "Hello, urge the comrades in the south to send the computers over as soon as possible. Tell them that if they arrive a day earlier, I can send them an extra trainload of corn according to the schedule..."

"Wah wah wah," someone was saying something on the other end of the phone.

"I don't care, don't worry. I heard they've been grinding up corn stalks to feed their people lately. They'll fight tooth and nail for this food. We have way too much corn this year..."

"Hmm? What new technology? A modem? Can it compare to our broadband communication channel technology?"

The phone call continued with more chatter, and the minister, somewhat impatient, picked up his pen and tapped it on the table.

"Alright, that little bit of transmission speed isn't worth our purchase. Even if our broadband technology is still in the laboratory stage, outdated technology is worthless! Remember, the debt belongs to the entire alliance! We can't afford to waste it!"

After refuting the other side with righteous indignation, the minister hung up the phone, still somewhat indignant: "Tch, repaying the debt with supplies? Our friends in the south are really stubborn. If you had just taken some gold and walked around the Klinsburg Palace..."

……

On the other side, Lao Wang dragged Jiang Xia to the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications building.

Well, didn't Minister Wang from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications just tell Jiang Xia to come and see the newly built "space division switch"?

"Hey, wasn't the appointment with the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications for the day after tomorrow? Isn't it a bit inappropriate to launch a surprise attack today?"

"Idiot! What good will it do you to go back to the factory now? The warehouse that exploded is still being cleaned up, and the staff is still being checked. You won't be able to do anything even if you go back."

"Didn't they say it was a dust explosion? Don't make such a big deal out of it."

"Safety first. This is a strategically important area around the capital. Are you playing house?"

Jiang Xia scratched his head. "That's true. With so many senior officials here, there has to be an explanation for this kind of thing. Not everyone has to be investigated. It's bound to happen sooner or later. Should I investigate them first and get it over with sooner?"

"Ah...that's right. Let's go check on my dad's machine first, then we'll go back and clear our names..." Old Wang smiled maliciously.

Imagine the questions the staff asked Xiao Dai Mao: What did you do yesterday? Where did you go?

With an innocent look on his face, the little tuft of hair uttered a string of "various based on...", and oh, it was just so beautiful...

If he gets caught in the rain, he'll tear anyone else's umbrella to shreds—that's just like Lao Wang's style!

When they arrived at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, the space division switch they had researched was naturally without any problems. Although the number of lines was not yet very large, and the physical contact parts were based on a crossbar switch, it was still possible to make calls smoothly and directly after using a telephone with a dial pad.

"Jiang, we have partially realized the functions of an air separation unit based on the foundation of the cross-type mill. However, the production volume of the corresponding components is not high enough yet, and we haven't even started researching the multi-stage switching matrix..."

"It's alright. Space division has a control feature where a single-stage switching matrix routes signals through an n x m crossover matrix. If needed later, we can cascade multiple single-stage switching matrices into a multi-stage switching matrix to achieve the desired scale..."

perfect!

The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications' air separation switch is ready for the relevant acceptance team to conduct project acceptance. So why is Minister Wang in front of me somewhat unhappy?

"Minister Wang, this project is done? Why aren't you all cheering?"

The group exchanged glances. "Jiang Gong! We want to play with remote computer networking!"

"Yes, yes, transferring huge files is so convenient and wonderful!"

Jiang Xia scratched his head: "It's not impossible. After using space-division switches, link congestion will be almost gone. Our current telephone network should be able to conduct calls and data transmission simultaneously..."

"Hmm! So, Engineer Jiang supports our plan to establish a rapid information transmission system between major cities?"

"I support it!"

"Alright! Let's tentatively set it at eight cities, two 'Big Yellow' trucks per city. That's not an unreasonable request, is it?" Minister Wang took over the conversation with a broad smile, while simultaneously kicking aside Old Wang, who was about to say something.

"Hmm, not excessive."

"Then, could you help Uncle Wang apply for a computer allocation?"

Jiang Xia lowered his head and thought about Dr. Lan Ying's production plan. The transistor production capacity of the electronics factory should have increased significantly now, so fulfilling the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications' idea of ​​making it easier for the public to send "telegrams" shouldn't be a big problem.

"Okay, but do I need to sign this? You're a minister..."

“Hey, you’re the chief designer. I can’t overstep my bounds.”

"All right!"

After signing a certain indenture—oh no, a certain equipment order—Jiang Xia and Minister Wang politely took their leave.

Only after stepping out of the equipment room did I suddenly hear the people inside start cheering loudly.

"I can use chickens to lay eggs again... *burp*"

Jiang Xia turned around suspiciously and saw a young man being gagged by a group of people.

"Tsk, that's weird... The researchers at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications seem to have a rather long reaction time..."

Ha, Old Wang next to him suddenly felt a sense of intellectual superiority. Just as he was about to say something, he was kicked away by the quick-witted Minister Wang.

"What do you want to say?"

"No... Dad, do you want ambergris?"

"Hmm, think about the virtues of our predecessors on the covert front..."

"Yes, Father, I understand. Goodbye, Father. I won't be back before the New Year..."