A nation's industrial development begins with junior engineers.

Just as Jiang Xia brushed past someone.

Minister Xia quickly composed himself, slammed the radio back onto its base, moved the radio under his seat, and even kicked it a little further in.

He put on a cold, businesslike expression and looked up at the door.

The next second, with a loud crash, the office door was violently kicked open. The door slammed against the wall and bounced back half a foot, wobbling open and exposing the scene inside to the corridor without reservation.

Minister Wang of the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building stormed in angrily, and what was even more comical was that he was dragging a "sidekick" behind him.

It was Secretary Lin who had tried to stop him but failed and was forcibly dragged in. The latter looked embarrassed, and his hair was a little messy.

"Xia Heizi! You're so unfair! Are you trying to reach into my pot and steal some meat again?!"

Minister Xia slowly stood up, first glancing at the open door and seeing several heads peeking out in the corridor, before going around to the desk and steadying the embarrassed Secretary Lin, who had almost been dragged in, and gesturing for him to stand aside.

Damn it, this guy from Jiangsu, it's all because the food has been so much better lately, he walks like a tank, no wonder Xiao Lin couldn't stop him.

"Old Wang, what are you saying? What do you mean by 'fighting for meat'? We're all doing this for the revolutionary cause, why are you making such a big deal out of it? Sit down, sit down and talk. Getting so angry will hurt your liver."

Minister Xia put on an innocent smile and casually pushed his untouched cup of tea on the table forward.

"Sit my ass!"

Minister Wang cursed under his breath, but his body betrayed him. He walked to his desk, grabbed the cup of tea, gulped down several mouthfuls, wiped his mouth, and slammed the cup down with a bang, his finger nearly poking Minister Xia's nose.

"Stop giving me that bureaucratic nonsense! I heard everything clearly from next door! Your loud voice can't be muffled even through two walls! Did you talk to the chief engineer of our Ministry of Machine Building about building a new computer factory? And you call that a 'departmental decision'? Xia Heizi, where's your face?! Since when has your Ministry of Machine Building ever been able to decide things for our electronics sector?"

"Oh, you have sharp ears." Minister Xia raised an eyebrow, not bothering to hide anything, and sat down in a chair, saying slowly, "Building a new computer factory is a big deal. What's wrong with me giving him a heads-up? Besides, computer production depends on equipment, right? The Hongxing Comprehensive Machinery Plant belongs to our First Ministry of Machine Building. Your Fourth Ministry of Machine Building is only responsible for research and development. As for production, it's naturally our responsibility to take the lead."

"Bullshit!" Minister Wang snapped, taking two steps forward. "This computer project was proposed by our chief engineer, and his current research and development work is under the overall coordination of our Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry!"

"Before saying all this, why don't you move out of my building first!" Minister Xia leaned back in his chair with an air of nonchalance and retorted slowly.

"The new factory was built to support the research and development results, so why should it belong to you? Besides, the electronics industry is the territory of our Fourth Ministry of Machine Building, while your First Ministry of Machine Building is in charge of heavy industry. Don't pretend you don't know!" Minister Wang said somewhat anxiously.

"Then move out!" Minister Xia scoffed. "You're always using my heater, saving on heating bills in winter. Aren't you ashamed?"

"You!" Minister Wang blushed, speechless for a moment.

Lin, the chief secretary standing to the side, had a ferocious expression, barely suppressing his laughter...

o(╥﹏╥)o！

It's really hard not to laugh!

……

Minister Xia's gesture of instructing Minister Wang to relocate was not an act.

Originally, according to the normal historical trajectory, emerging electronic industries such as computers should indeed have been under the jurisdiction of the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry at this time.

But Jiang Xia, like a butterfly flapping its wings too fiercely and too fast, managed to make the higher-ups see the urgency and huge potential of the independent electronics industry through a series of dazzling operations and frighteningly forward-looking ideas, thus "spurring" the formal establishment of the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry and related arrangements to be brought forward quite a bit.

This resulted in the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building being established ahead of schedule, starting from scratch.

They were short of both money and manpower. Their biggest trump card was the "Big Yellow" series of computers that Jiang Xia had previously developed, as well as the five-year development plan for computer technology that was highly valued by the top leadership and drafted with Jiang Xia's participation.

But as good as it is, the cost of making a single "Big Yellow" computer is still an unbearable burden for our country at present.

Not to mention the subsequent investment in research and development and production.

In order to use the limited funds wisely, the thrifty Minister Wang slapped his thigh and said: "Anyway, there aren't many administrative staff in the ministry at the beginning, so why rush to find a place to build a new place?"

The Ministry of Machine Building is spacious and is an important partner in the "Big Yellow" project. More importantly, the personnel and organizational relationships of Jiang Xia, the "little rooster" who lays the most golden eggs, are still firmly in Minister Xia's hands.

Everyone here is a social climber, and Minister Wang knew there was no chance of getting the person, so he didn't bother making a fuss.

So, Minister Wang, with perfectly legitimate reasons such as "close collaboration is needed for work" and "it is convenient to contact key technical personnel Comrade Jiang Xia nearby," forcibly "borrowed" several sunny offices in the First Ministry of Machine Building and hung the sign of the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building on their door.

This has attracted a lot of gossip, with some saying that the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building might have been "led" by the First Ministry of Machine Building.

This action also made many cadres in the First Ministry of Machine Building murmur among themselves, wondering if their minister was being too easy to talk to.

Minister Xia was quite magnanimous about this. Firstly, he had to give face to his old comrade-in-arms. Secondly, he knew that if he didn't give him some face, and if Minister Wang relied on his old friendship with the Red Army to go to the old men and complain all the time, he might actually get rid of the little rooster!

As for gossip, saying that the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building was "led" by the First Ministry of Machine Building?

Hey, the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building, from top to bottom, didn't care at all!

For these pioneers of the new department, what's more important than saving face?

Hogging office space?

They blatantly and shamelessly take advantage of others!

Moreover, in terms of personnel arrangements, Jiang Xia was the chief engineer of the computer development outline planning, and his personnel file was indeed in the Ministry of Machine Building.

So, if you look at it that way, it seems plausible that he was led astray...

It's good to be led!

The First Ministry of Machine Building was a large and powerful organization; if someone tried to get involved, they'd end up with oily hands—only a fool wouldn't recognize that!

face?

If you're thick-skinned, this thing doesn't matter at all!

"Move! I'll move tomorrow! No, I'll move this afternoon! So I don't have to put up with your attitude, Xia Heizi!"

Minister Wang pointed his finger like a sword at Minister Xia's nose: "One thing at a time! The office is the office, and the new factory is the new factory! Don't confuse the two! The construction of the new factory must fully consider the characteristics of our electronics industry, and the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry must oversee the technical route! This is a matter of principle!"

The two started arguing again in the office, their voices rising and falling.

Minister Xia insisted that "manufacturing is the core business of the machinery industry," while Minister Wang insisted that "research and development and production must be integrated."

As the argument dragged on, Minister Xia seemed to grow weary. He picked up his teacup, glanced at Minister Wang, who was still giving a passionate speech, and subtly raised an eyebrow, glancing at the door that remained open.

He pursed his lips, giving off a "you'll see" look.

Then, spitting out tea leaves, he muttered under his breath, "That's enough. I'm tired. I'll go get rid of this..."

Minister Wang nodded in understanding, then turned and looked at him coldly.

Ok!

Outside in the corridor, several heads were pressed against the door, listening intently.

Caught off guard by Minister Wang's sudden glance and stare, those heads shrunk back with astonishing precision and speed.

"What are you looking at?! Have nothing better to do than this?!" Minister Wang's anger immediately found a new outlet, and he yelled at the door, "Get out! Go do what you're supposed to do!"

Yo……

That roar could probably be heard by half the building.

If someone else were to shout like that in a ministry, it might be inappropriate, but this Minister Wang is a veteran who has been carrying a radio since the Red Army days, ensuring communications amidst gunfire. He has risen from the battlefield to the government, and his experience is as tough as his temperament.

A series of slightly hurried footsteps sounded outside the door and quickly faded away.

Minister Wang, grumbling and cursing, went over and slammed the door shut, finally isolating the inside from the outside.

The room fell silent, with only the slightly heavy breathing of the two old comrades remaining.

"Damn, I'm so tired..." Minister Xia slumped back without any regard for his image, collapsing onto the sofa in the reception area, even putting his legs up, looking utterly exhausted.

Unexpectedly, Minister Wang also came over and unceremoniously plopped down on the armrest of the sofa. He even pressed his smelly feet, which were wearing liberation shoes, directly onto Minister Xia's stomach and bounced them around in a show of defiance.

"Hey! You old bastard, you're really pushing your luck!" Minister Xia groaned as he was pressed down. He tried to push Minister Wang away, but Minister Wang was strong and had a malicious intent, so he couldn't push him away for a moment.

Minister Xia rolled his eyes and decided to let him be.

He turned to Secretary Lin, who had finally recovered from the "pain mask" and was quietly stretching her waist, and said:

"Xiao Lin, tell me, what's the latest news from Lao Xiao's side? Especially those two guys who 'arrive before the orders arrive,' have they stirred up some trouble again?"

Seeing that he couldn't move those big feet, Minister Xia let it go and turned to Secretary Lin.

Finally recovered, Secretary-General Lin straightened up and said, "Yes, their naval base held a meeting to resolutely implement... and strengthen ideological work!"

"groove!"

Upon hearing this, Minister Wang slapped Minister Xia hard on the stomach. "What's the point of the army if they don't do training? What's the point of research units if they don't do research? It makes me so angry! I really want to shoot those bastards who aren't doing their jobs!"

Minister Xia groaned as he was slapped, glaring at his old comrade-in-arms—this bastard has a broken palm, hitting someone hurts.

"Hmph, you think only Old Xiao has it? I have it here too." Minister Xia rolled over, dodging his restless hands.

Minister Wang sat up straight, his brows furrowed: "No wonder you specifically dragged me into this charade today... You wanted to use our argument to divert some people's attention to the departmental conflict?"

"You've been clever this time." Minister Xia nodded, then lowered his voice, "Do you believe that the moment you move out of this building, someone will try every means to plant their own people in, or find all sorts of excuses to come and guide the work?"

"No, our second-generation Dahuang computer has passed testing and its performance is far superior to similar foreign products. Even the elders personally inquired about this matter and instructed that we 'seize the opportunity and develop it vigorously.' Would they dare to obstruct it at a time like this?" Minister Wang was still somewhat puzzled.

Minister Xia sneered, picked up his now-cold tea and took a sip: "Didn't you hear the full name of the meeting that Xiao Lin said? 'Strengthening Ideological Work within the Unit'..."

That sounds right, but think about it, what does "strengthening" even mean? Who will "strengthen" it? How will it be done? Pshaw! If they really interfere, we won't be able to get anything done; we'll just be writing reflections all day."

Minister Wang fell silent, his thick fingers tapping on his knees. He recalled some rumors he had heard recently: certain departments had indeed used this pretext to place many idle people in several key projects, making it difficult for the cadres in charge of technology to act effectively.

A storm may begin with a ripple on the water, but some things, though unseen and intangible, can be more suffocating than real battles.

"So what do we do?"

"Let them keep arguing..."

Minister Xia lay back down, closed his eyes, and said, "Departmental disputes and territorial disputes are the obvious conflicts. It's better for them to think that we're fighting tooth and nail over credit and projects than for them to realize that we're working together to push something forward."

"But this isn't a long-term solution!" Minister Wang said anxiously.

"Do you know what the international reaction was after the results of the second-generation 'Big Yellow' test were released? News came from Mulan that several countries were privately inquiring about the price, with France and the United States even asking for exorbitant prices! Even the first-generation 'Big Yellow' is being targeted again. This is all foreign exchange! Real foreign exchange!"

"We don't sell the second-generation Dahuang, we sell the first generation!"

"We must expand production! We can't let the small factory at the Computer Institute keep tinkering away! Jiang Xia is right, the sooner we roll out computers, the better it will be for us!"

Minister Wang was getting a little anxious, and he started patting his belly with both hands like a seal.

However, he was photographing Minister Xia...

Minister Xia's face contorted in pain from the slap, his wrinkles deepening: "Why the hell are you slapping yourself?!"

"Openly repair the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass! You idiot! Did you lose all your military shrewdness?"

"Huh?" Minister Wang stopped what he was doing and looked at him in confusion.

"I'm planning to build a computer factory in your hometown..."

Changzhou?

“No, Wuxi.” A glint of light flashed in Minister Xia’s eyes. “I’ve already found a location and have a preliminary plan. The factory’s code name… will be ‘742’.”

Minister Wang pondered for a moment, then suddenly realized: "Hey, Xia Heizi, your layout is brilliant!"

It's indeed a good idea. Building a factory there would allow them to escape the turbulent changes of Beijing, and Su Daqiang already has several representative electronics manufacturing plants.

Not to mention the local Suzhou Radio Factory, even the two numbered factories in Nanjing were quite capable.

"Nanjing 772 makes vacuum tubes and supported the development of the first domestically produced five-tube radio. It shouldn't be a problem to entrust them with making computer monitors. Nanjing 714 makes radios, so entrusting them with integrated circuits shouldn't be a problem either..."

Minister Wang counted the number of factories under his command on his fingers and was extremely satisfied with Minister Xia's arrangement.

“Wait a minute,” Minister Wang suddenly remembered something, “the preparation plan for Factory 742… isn’t that the point that Jiang Xia mentioned in his ‘Several Suggestions on the Layout of the Electronics Industry’ last year?”

Minister Xia smiled and nodded: "That kid has a sharp eye. He saw six months ago that the area was suitable for building an electronics industry base. After the report was submitted, I kept an eye on things and got the approval for the preparation first. Originally, I wanted to wait for the right time to start, but now it seems that the time is just right."

“You have your brilliant plan, and I have my countermeasures!” Minister Wang laughed, finally removing the biggest obstacle in his mind regarding the location and strategy for building the factory.

He let out a long sigh and leaned back on the sofa, relaxing. But his relief lasted only a couple of seconds before another, more crucial question surfaced in his mind.

"The factory location and strategy are settled, that's a good thing. But... where are the people?"

Minister Wang leaned forward: "This kid is now the target of everyone's criticism. He spearheaded the development of both the first and second generation of the 'Big Yellow' project, and he was also the chief drafter of the Five-Year Plan. Anyone who wants to reap the benefits will target him first."

Or... how about... appointing him as the chief engineer of Factory 742? Ostensibly, it would be a reassignment for training, but in reality, it would allow him to escape the murky waters of Beijing.

"You wish," Minister Xia shook his head directly. "This kid has more to his name than you do. If your Fourth Ministry of Machine Building dares to issue this transfer order, you could issue it in the morning and someone would be blocking your door by noon, believe it or not."

Minister Wang was taken aback: "That serious? What else... what else was he involved in?"

Minister Xia didn't answer directly, but instead brought up another matter as if it were a casual conversation: "This morning, Jiang Xia got a few new outfits. Do you know who sent them?"

"Who?" Minister Wang asked, puzzled.

"Hehehe... It cannot be said, it cannot be said."

Minister Xia's lips curled into an indescribable smile: "I'd love for those people to try and touch him..."

"Let's try... what will happen?"

"What can we do?" Minister Xia repeated.

"If we make a move, perhaps... many of our current troubles will no longer be troubles."

"Alright, get out of here! I have things to do!"

Minister Xia kicked Minister Wang to the ground.

"Remember to slam the door loudly, and keep arguing tomorrow!"