Chapter 62 Zhang Zhengguo's Rampage

China, Imperial Capital.

Sanlihe, Seventh Ministry of Machine Building Industry Building.

A high-level closed-door meeting was in progress.

The specifications of this meeting were extremely high. Besides the host, the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building Industry (Aerospace), there were representatives from the First Ministry of Machine Building Industry (Mechanical Industry), the Ministry of Light Industry, and even the Ministry of Foreign Trade attending as observers.

The meeting had only one theme: The Red Star Phenomenon.

"Let's look at the data first."

Vice Minister Guo of the Seventh Ministry, who was presiding over the meeting, tapped the table, his tone carrying an irrepressible sense of pride.

On the documents distributed to everyone, a red trend chart was as steep as a rocket taking off.

"As of the end of July, aided by the reverse momentum of the 'counterfeit scandal' in the international market, overseas buyers' trust in the 'Red Star' brand has reached its peak."

"Orders that were originally snatched away by Japanese goods have all flowed back, with additional orders being doubled."

Vice Minister Guo paused, scanned the room, and then slowly uttered a number:

"Currently, the total number of foreign trade fan orders held by the Red Star Service Cooperative has exceeded..."

"One million units."

*Whoosh—*

Even though the big shots present had heard rumors long ago,

when the figure of 'one million units' was confirmed, the sound of collective gasps still filled the meeting room.

One million units!

What kind of concept was this?

At the current average price of 30 to 35 US dollars, that was over thirty million dollars in foreign exchange!

In this era, how much were the country's total annual foreign exchange reserves?

This single 'Service Center' that wasn't even sticking to its proper business almost matched the foreign exchange earning capacity of several large oil fields!

"More importantly, this money wasn't earned by Red Star alone."

Vice Minister Guo turned a page.

"According to the 'technology licensing + OEM' model proposed by Lin Xi,"

"the currently participating Hongfeng Machinery Factory, Huashang Factory, and the four pilot plants that joined later are all seeing record profits."

"Hongfeng Factory paid out double salaries last month and even built a new bathhouse for its workers."

"Huashang Factory saw growth in both revenue and profit; they not only paid off their loans but also imported two Germanic coating lines."

"Because they have money now, these factories are all frantically updating their equipment."

Vice Minister Guo pointed to a report.

"Data shows that within these six months, the demand for precision injection molding machines and high-precision mold steel in the Yangtze River Delta region has skyrocketed by 300%."

"SOP standardized operating procedures are spreading throughout the entire mechanical system."

"Nowadays, if a factory director can't toss out a few new terms like 'yield rate' or 'tolerance control,' they'd be too embarrassed to greet anyone outside."

"Comrades."

Vice Minister Guo took off his glasses and wiped them with emotion.

"Is this just making fans?"

"This is laying the foundation for our industrial base!"

In the meeting room, everyone's expressions became complicated.

Especially Vice Minister Liu of the First Ministry, who was sitting to the side.

Looking at the report in his hand, his heart felt both envious and restless.

He was in charge of the mechanical industry; originally, things like fans, machine tools, and civilian manufacturing were his private domain.

And the result?

The spotlight had been stolen by a bunch of rocket scientists!

And they stole it so beautifully, leaving everyone speechless.

"Ahem."

Vice Minister Liu cleared his throat, clinking his teacup lid loudly.

"Old Guo..."

He looked toward Elder Qian, who had been sitting in the corner drinking tea with a smile.

"This data is indeed beautiful; we all need to learn from the Seventh Ministry."

"However..."

Vice Minister Liu changed the subject, leaning forward slightly.

"I'll also say a fair word."

"This Lin Xi, this young comrade, is indeed a talent."

"But, keeping him in that..."

"What Service Center? Isn't that a bit of a waste of talent?"

"You guys do aerospace; that's high-tech, the sea of stars."

"Making fans, handling light industry, doing marketing—these are the strengths of our First Ministry and the Ministry of Light Industry."

"How about this."

Vice Minister Liu had a sincere expression of 'I'm considering the nation's interests'.

"Transfer Lin Xi to our First Ministry."

"I'll directly give him the position of Director of the 'Civilian Product Development Center'!"

"Let him specialize in this military-to-civilian conversion and promote that Red Star model of his nationwide!"

"I think that works!" the representative from the Ministry of Light Industry immediately echoed.

"We'll give him whatever people or factories he needs; it'll definitely be better than being out there in the Northwest Gobi Desert!"

*Thud!*

A crisp sound rang out.

The teacup in a hand was slammed heavily onto the table.

Before Elder Qian could speak, Zhang Zhengguo couldn't contain himself; his eyebrows were bristling at this moment.

"In your dreams!"

Zhang Zhengguo didn't bother with being polite anymore, pointing right at Vice Minister Liu's nose and cursing,

"Liu Big-Head, don't you dare try that with me!"

"Want to pluck the low-hanging fruit? Not a chance!"

"What do you mean 'not sticking to proper business'? What do you mean 'waste of talent'?"

"The aerodynamic layout of those fan blades is the NACA4412 airfoil!"

"That's aircraft manufacturing technology! Does your First Ministry even understand it?"

"The precision of those molds was hand-crafted by an Eighth-Grade Fitter!"

"That's the craftsmanship used for making missiles! Does your Ministry of Light Industry have that?"

Zhang Zhengguo stood up, his beard shaking with rage.

"Lin Xi is one of our Seventh Ministry's people!"

"Every penny he earns is what we're going to use to build wind tunnels and develop supercomputers!"

"You want to poach him? In your dreams!"

A wave of awkwardness washed over the meeting room.

No one expected Zhang Zhengguo to get so angry over a young man.

Vice Minister Liu didn't get angry; instead, he gave a chuckle.

"Old Zhang, don't get so excited. I'm just eager to cherish talent."

Vice Minister Liu pursed his lips.

"But you have to admit, letting a young fellow hold the title of 'Deputy Manager of a Service Center',"

"dealing with foreign devils on big business worth millions or tens of millions—it really isn't proper."

"If the title isn't right, the words won't carry weight."

Zhang Zhengguo slowly sat back in his chair, his anger dissipating.

Elder Qian, meanwhile, was thinking: true.

The speed of this kid Lin Xi's growth was too fast.

So fast that the existing system could no longer contain him.

Deputy Manager of the Service Center—to put it bluntly, it was just a position for a worker acting as an official; it didn't even count as a proper section-level post.

Before, it was small-scale and no one noticed.

Now, holding tens of millions in foreign exchange and mobilizing so many industrial resources,

clinging to that title would indeed make him vulnerable to criticism and make it easy for old foxes like Liu Big-Head to find loopholes.

"This kid..."

Elder Qian cursed inwardly, "In just half a year, he's given me such a big headache."

But he knew in his heart that this problem had to be solved.

Not only did it have to be solved, but it had to be solved beautifully, in a way that would shut everyone up.

Elder Qian looked up, his gaze sweeping across the big shots present, a flash of determination in his eyes.

"You're right, if the title isn't right, the words won't carry weight."

Elder Qian spoke slowly, his voice not loud but resonant.

"Since the temple of the Service Center is too small..."

"then we'll build him a grand stage."