Chapter 197 Recharging the Backbone

The air in the room instantly froze.

Everyone's hands holding the envelopes froze in mid-air, as if they were holding hot potatoes.

They didn't know whether to put them down or keep holding them.

Lin Xi's smile faded slightly.

He walked over to Director Zhu.

Lowering his voice, he took a document from his bag and placed it gently on the table.

"Sister Zhang, don't be in such a hurry to label us."

"This is the 'Special Technical Inspection Subsidy' application form stamped by the Finance Department of Red Star Technology."

"It has already been filed with the Hong Kong Foreign Exchange Bureau and reported to the Ministry."

"The standard is 10 US dollars per day, for a total of 10 days."

"The money comes from the accounts of Red Star Technology's overseas subsidiary, so it doesn't use a single cent of the country's foreign exchange. It is completely compliant."

Lin Xi turned around and looked at those faces, which were slightly panicked but filled with expectation.

His voice became low and sincere.

"I know, discipline is iron."

"But we are also human."

"Everyone has parents, siblings, wives, and children at home."

"It's not easy to go abroad; who doesn't want to bring back some foreign goods?"

"I also know that with the meager subsidies in your pockets, you wouldn't even dare to buy a bottle of mineral water in Germany."

"We are going there to showcase the industrial strength of China."

"I don't want to see our experts cowering in front of foreigners because they can't afford a piece of bread."

"Giving this money to everyone isn't for enjoyment."

"It's to help you stand a little straighter."

"This money is to recharge the backbone of our Chinese industrial workers!"

The livestream chat was flooded:

【Tearing up! This is the real logistics minister!】

【Many times it really is like this; a single penny can stump a hero.】

【The experts of that era suffered too much; this move by General Manager Lin warmed my heart.】

【Secretary Zhang: The longest road I have ever traveled is Lin Xi's schemes.】

The private room was deathly silent.

Only Lin Xi's voice echoed.

Tu Zhi lowered his head, tears dripping onto the envelope.

Even the usually stern Director Zhu turned around and gently wiped the corners of his eyes.

In this era of material scarcity.

This one hundred dollars bought not just goods, but the dignity of being a craftsman of a great nation.

Secretary Zhang looked at the document, then looked at Lin Xi's open and honest eyes.

For a long time.

She sighed deeply, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

"...Since the procedures are compliant."

Secretary Zhang's voice was a bit hoarse, "Then... keep it."

She suddenly looked up, her gaze becoming sharp again,

"But there is one condition!"

"If you drop the ball on work when we get to Germany."

"I will hold you solely responsible!"

"Yes!"

This time, the response was deafening.

The light in everyone's eyes was brighter than the crystal chandelier overhead.

Lin Xi smiled faintly and raised his teacup.

"Everyone."

"Eat well and drink well."

"Once we arrive in Hanover, the real hard battle begins."

Outside the window, the night in Victoria Harbour was deep and bright with lights.

But inside this private room, a team truly "armed to the teeth" was ready to set off.

Japan, Aichi Prefecture.

Inside the industrial park in Oguchi Town, cherry blossoms were fluttering.

This was the headquarters of Yamazaki Iron Works.

In the conference room, President Yamazaki was not sitting in the main seat.

Instead, he stood with his hands behind his back in front of the huge, newly unveiled logo.

Orange font, sharp lines, reading "Mazak".

"Gentlemen,"

Yamazaki's voice was not loud, but it carried authority.

He turned to look at the executives on both sides of the long table,

"From today on, forget the name Yamazaki Iron Works."

"That is the past tense of a small workshop in the countryside of Aichi Prefecture."

"From today on, the three words 'Mazak' will rule the world."

The conference room was silent.

The twenty-plus executives present were all wearing uniform dark gray suits.

Sitting straight, like soldiers waiting for inspection.

Yamazaki Taku traced a line in the air, pointing towards the other side of the Pacific Ocean:

"Our goal is very clear."

"Use the generational gap in numerical control technology."

"Within five years, sweep those arrogant machine tool companies from the Lighthouse Country into the dustbin of history!"

This was not just commercial ambition.

It was also a microcosm of this island nation's attempt to conquer the world through economic means after the war.

However, Yamazaki Taku's tone suddenly shifted.

"But before conquering that elephant."

"We must first clear out the weeds in our backyard."

Slap.

A sales report was slammed onto the table by him.

Yamamoto Ichiro, who had been sitting at the end of the table with his head bowed, trembled.

Cold sweat instantly slid down his forehead.

"Yamamoto-kun."

Yamazaki Taku did not roar; this calmness was even more suffocating,

"At this time last year, you swore to me."

"The Chinese market is our most stable dumping ground."

"It is a landfill used to digest obsolete technology."

"Then, can you explain."

"Why this company called Red Star Technology."

"Has disrupted our plans?"

Yamamoto Ichiro stood up abruptly.

He didn't dare to wipe his sweat, just bowed at a ninety-degree angle, his voice trembling:

"President! Sumimasen! This is my dereliction of duty!"

"But... but Red Star Technology is just too cunning!"

"They created a modification kit and used an extremely low price..."

"Enough."

Yamazaki Taku interrupted him coldly,

"I don't need to hear the process."

"Tactics like modification kits show that the opponent is very smart and knows how to avoid the strong and strike the weak."

"If we let them complete their initial accumulation."

"And they have funds to conduct R&D."

"Then this will no longer be a weed."

"But a malignant tumor that could grow into a towering tree."

He walked over to Yamamoto Ichiro.

Looking down at this former capable subordinate.

"This Hanover Fair is not just a trade show."

"I have decided."

"To release the QT 10, which the R&D department has been secretly polishing for three years, ahead of schedule in Hanover."

Upon hearing the words "QT 10", the executives present let out a suppressed gasp.

That was Mazak's trump card for benchmarking against top European and American products.

"President, using the QT 10 to suppress a Chinese company."

"Isn't it... too much of an overkill?"

A director asked hesitantly,

"That is meant to deal with the Germans and the people of the Lighthouse Country."

Yamazaki Taku adjusted his tie, his gaze deep:

"Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit."

"I want to be under the global spotlight."

"Use an absolute technological gap to completely crush whatever fame Red Star Technology has."

"I want everyone who tries to buy Chinese machine tools to know."

"Cheap goods are, after all, just cheap goods."

He patted Yamamoto Ichiro's stiff shoulder:

"Yamamoto-kun, this Hanover is your last chance."

"I want to see Red Star Technology completely crushed."

"If you can't do it, you can stay in Germany and wash dishes."

"Hai!"

Yamamoto Ichiro roared hysterically.