Made in China!

"Something even bigger?" Zhang Zhengguo's heart skipped a beat now whenever he heard those words.

Lin Xi stood up and walked to the world map on the wall.

Smack!

His finger jabbed heavily at Baotou, Inner Mongolia.

"The core raw material for neodymium iron boron is neodymium (Nd), found in rare earths."

"In the current international market, because neodymium hasn't been applied on a large scale, it's treated as waste slag from steel smelting, so the price is cheap."

"Japan's Sumitomo Corporation is frantically importing rare earth ores from us at low prices under the guise of clearing industrial waste."

He stared at the two big shots, the previous playfulness gone from his eyes, replaced by the look of a young tiger protecting its food:

"Director Zhang, Elder Qian."

"What we need to do isn't hide the formula, but control the raw materials."

"Director Zhang, please give the Ministry of Foreign Trade a call."

"Tell them..."

Lin Xi paused, his tone turning grim:

"To coordinate with the strategy for the upcoming Canton Fair."

"From today onwards, suspend all export approvals for rare earth ores containing 'neodymium'."

"Make up any reason—equipment maintenance, environmental inspections, or even say the roads there are blocked."

Zhang Zhengguo was stunned, his mouth slightly agape:

"Will that work? The Ministry of Foreign Trade is still counting on selling dirt to earn foreign exchange."

"Just tell them."

Lin Xi raised a finger and wagged it in the air:

"Just stop for two months."

"By the end of the year, I'll make the price of this pile of dirt higher than they can imagine!"

Elder Qian slammed his teacup down, his eyes like torches as they swept toward the map.

As a strategic scientist, he instantly understood Lin Xi's layout.

First, create the product to ignite market demand.

By the time manufacturers worldwide realize that 'neodymium iron boron' is a necessity for making high-performance motors and want to follow suit with imitations...

They'll turn around only to find the raw material faucet has been welded shut.

What kind of despair would that be?

That would be industrial-grade suffocation!

"Call them!"

Elder Qian slapped the table, sending tea splashing everywhere.

His usual elegance vanished, replaced by a ruthless decisiveness.

"Old Zhang, call them now!"

"Immediately! Right now!"

"If the Ministry of Foreign Trade has any objections, tell them to come find me directly!"

Zhang Zhengguo took a deep breath and, no longer hesitating, grabbed the red secure phone and quickly dialed the number.

"Hello, Ministry of Foreign Trade? This is Zhang Zhengguo from the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building Industry."

"Yes, there's an urgent coordination matter."

"Regarding rare earth exports... what?"

"You need a reason? Why so many questions!"

Zhang Zhengguo glanced toward the window. Lin Xi was standing with his hands behind his back, looking at the yellow sand outside. That silhouette actually gave off the aura of a commander strategizing behind the scenes.

Zhang Zhengguo gritted his teeth and roared into the receiver a sentence worthy of the history books:

"There is no why! This is—"

"A national strategic reserve!!"

Click.

The phone was hung up.

Lin Xi looked at the yellow sand of the Northwest outside the window, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

At this moment, Hans and Vandersa, far away in Europe raising their glasses in celebration, had no idea.

The backbone of the industrial empire they took such pride in had already been quietly removed by a young man from the East.

"Besides patents and raw materials,"

Lin Xi turned around, the killing intent instantly dissipating as he reverted to his cheeky junior persona.

"Director Zhang, our production capacity needs to keep up too."

"The capabilities of Hongfeng Factory and Huashang Factory don't match the needs for the shavers."

"My network is narrow. Do you think you could take the trouble to bring in a few more brother units?"

Zhang Zhengguo rubbed his throbbing temples, looking at the kid with annoyance.

This wasn't giving him trouble; this was giving him a favor to hand out.

With such a great product, orders would definitely explode at the Autumn Canton Fair.

Those partner factories were having a hard time these days.

Right now, those military-to-civilian factories were worried about having no work to do; Lin Xi was pointing everyone toward a golden path.

Who wouldn't want to do this?

This kid saw through things too clearly!

Director Zhang laughed and scolded, "You little rascal..."

"Fine, I'll make the calls. You handle the follow-up coordination."

"Understood! Thank you for your hard work, Director Zhang!"

"Oh, right, Elder Qian." Lin Xi suddenly remembered something.

"On our [red star whirlwind] packaging, besides the logo, we need to add another line of text."

"What words?"

"Made in China."

Lin Xi spoke each word deliberately, his expression more solemn than ever before.

"Not 'Made in PRC,' nor any other abbreviation."

"Just these three words, printed in the most prominent position."

"Starting today, I want these words to no longer be a label for cheap street goods, but rather—"

"A synonym for industrial luxury."

Boom!

As soon as these words were spoken, it was as if a thunderclap had struck the narrow office.

Those weren't just three English words.

That was a totem.

That was the backbone that several generations had wanted to straighten but couldn't!

Elder Qian's fingers trembled slightly, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the tabletop.

As a scientist who had lived through those impoverished times, he understood this longing all too well.

The days of being choked, of being mocked for not even being able to make matches, and of being treated as a dumping ground for markets had lasted too long.

"Industrial... luxury..."

Elder Qian murmured to himself, his eyes actually reddening slightly.

"Good! Good lad!"

"What a 'synonym for industrial luxury'!"

Zhang Zhengguo felt his scalp tingle; a current of electricity shot from his tailbone straight to the top of his head, giving him goosebumps all over.

He looked at the excessively young face before him.

He suddenly felt that this seemingly cynical kid had a tiger hidden in his chest.

At the same time, the virtual light screen in Lin Xi's vision, which only he could see, completely exploded!

Bullet comments flooded the screen like a waterfall, densely covering his entire field of vision.

[Holy crap! Everyone stand up! This is so hype!]

[This is our "Made in China"! I'm in tears, guys. Who understands the weight of this moment!]

[I used to think buying a pair of Nikes was a big deal, but now? Sorry, if it's not Manufactured in China, I'm not buying it!]

[The Streamer's vision has really expanded! He's directly defined these three words as the jewel in the industrial crown!]

[Elder Qian's gaze is killing me! The older generation of scientists really have national honor etched into their DNA. I'm crying, I'm really crying.]

[I work in foreign trade. Foreigners used to look down on our labels, but now? Slap a Huawei or DJI on the table, and they'll be begging us for goods! This is a divine prophecy from the Streamer!]

[The formula is locked: Made in China = Industrial Versailles! I've swallowed the key!]

Lin Xi looked at the rapidly passing bullet comments, seeing the pride and resonance of his compatriots from decades in the future, and his own blood began to boil.

The road ahead might still be long, with countless technological blockades and trade barriers to face.

But at this moment, the spark had been lit.