Chapter 2804
Sorry, we refuse
Chapter 2804 Sorry, we refuse
On the other side, after leaving the grand hotel, Old Chen looked serious.
Beside him, Secretary Guo asked cautiously, "Sir, where are we going?"
Old Chen tightened his coat, then looked at the sky and said, "It's going to snow."
Secretary Guo looked up at the sky; it was indeed a bit overcast. "The weather forecast says there's no snow, and the earliest it will be snowing is tomorrow."
Old Chen shook his head, "Life is unpredictable and ever-changing."
They then got on the bus.
"Let's go to the Ninth Division."
Nine parts!
Yang Xiaotao sat opposite Old Chen, listening to Secretary Guo explain the situation.
Old Chen stood by the window, holding a teacup. Snowflakes were already falling outside, and the wind was blowing, making a pattering sound as they hit the windowpane.
"Minister Yang, this is what they mean."
After Secretary Guo finished explaining the situation, Yang Xiaotao's good mood vanished, and he slammed his fist on the table in anger, demanding, "What does this mean?"
"If the deal falls through, they'll come and rob us."
"Threat? Moral blackmail?"
"Damn it, do they really think we have to give it to them just because they want it?"
He knew that the Alliance had sent someone, and he also knew that the person who came was Pavel, who had made the nuclear power plant deal last time.
But who would have thought that this guy would insist on having the high-purity silicon extraction technology?
Moreover, he repeatedly clamored that he must get it.
Otherwise, measures will be taken in other areas.
Where did they get the courage?
Old Chen turned to look at Yang Xiaotao, "The Alliance is having a tough time."
Suddenly, Old Chen said something that left Yang Xiaotao completely baffled.
"Boss, why are they having a hard time?"
Old Chen walked to Yang Xiaotao's desk with his hands behind his back, glanced at it, and then said, "The United States is starting to develop, but they haven't even crossed the threshold yet. Do you think they won't be anxious?"
"Furthermore, they have internal contradictions due to food shortages, and they are now relying entirely on superficial achievements to maintain their position."
“Once the alliance is nominally damaged, the internal conflicts will be difficult to suppress.”
"That's why they are so eager to find a solution."
Hearing what Old Chen said, Yang Xiaotao understood somewhat.
"You mean, their solution is to go to the moon?"
"And then use that to divert attention from internal conflicts?"
Old Chen glanced at Yang Xiaotao, then nodded.
This kid gets it right away.
Seeing Old Chen nod, Yang Xiaotao became even angrier. "It's their business if they want to move. What does it have to do with us?"
"Just because they need it more doesn't mean we have to give it to them."
"Is it even human to transfer your own misery onto others?"
Yang Xiaotao muttered something, but Old Chen pulled a book from the bookshelf, glanced at it casually, and then asked, "So, you disagree?"
Yang Xiaotao nodded. "Of course I disagree."
"Giving this stuff to them might not be a good thing for us."
Old Chen glanced at Yang Xiaotao again, then nodded, put down his book, and prepared to leave. "There's a big meeting tomorrow, remember not to be late."
After saying that, he walked out.
Yang Xiaotao realized what was happening and hurriedly went out, "Boss, what meeting is this? I didn't receive any notification."
"Didn't I tell you myself?"
After saying that, he walked down the stairs.
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiaotao's face fell. "We still have to go."
After leaving the Ninth Division, Old Chen traveled to several other places.
In some places, they only stopped and said a few words.
In some places, however, they talked for quite a while.
When we finally left the West Garden, the sky was filled with heavy snow. The car left deep tire tracks in the snow, but the people inside were fast asleep in their seats.
As night fell, the city of Beijing fell silent due to the arrival of the heavy snow.
However, inside Institute 701, the busy people took off their coats, looked at the telegrams in their hands, and were excited.
'Fool System!'
"Damn it, it's happening again."
Zheng Qiang, wearing large-framed glasses, looked at the telegram in his hand, his expression suddenly becoming excited.
Song Tao, who was delivering the telegram, was startled by the middle-aged man in front of him.
He was only ordered to deliver a telegram that needed to be deciphered.
Of course, this telegram came from someone they were particularly close to.
Even if this person stayed in the restaurant the whole time without taking a single step out.
However, they still dared not be careless, because the person they were in contact with was Yang Xiaotao.
In particular, after learning from his superiors that this man was a businessman from the United States, but with considerable influence behind him, and that he had recently reached a large-scale trade agreement with the country for supplies.
However, the investigation into this person will not be relaxed; on the contrary, they must be even more vigilant about such a windfall.
"Director Zheng, we need to get the information as soon as possible."
Seeing Director Zheng's happy expression, Shen Tao didn't forget to remind him.
"Don't worry, we will finish it as soon as possible."
With that, Director Zheng picked up the cotton-padded coat from the table and walked out.
"Don't wander around here, just wait here."
After saying that, he ran into the snowstorm.
Seeing this, Shen Tao knew the rules here, so he sat down on a chair and waited patiently.
Director Zheng walked quickly to the back with the telegram that needed to be deciphered, passed through a door, walked through a corridor with guards every three or five steps, and finally stopped in front of a warehouse.
The security guard immediately opened the door when he saw that it was Zheng Qiang.
Director Zheng pushed open the door and entered, and then saw neatly arranged tables in the warehouse, with a person organizing documents in front of each table.
On a small cart to the side were envelopes.
If you look closely, you can see that these envelopes come from all over the country; they're found everywhere.
Amid the crowd, staff members would occasionally collect the deciphered telegrams and then send out new ones.
The entire process is simple and quick.
Director Zheng walked to the front of the platform and suddenly clapped his hands loudly, attracting everyone's attention.
"Comrades."
"The Fool System has been activated again!"
He raised the coded telegram in his hand and said, "Our challenge has arrived."
Instantly, the venue fell silent.
But the next second, the entire venue erupted in cheers, the shouts nearly lifting the ceiling off the building.
"Director, quickly assign tasks."
"Yes, Director, we need to hurry."
The crowd below urged him on, and Director Zheng knew that every second counted, so he nodded and said, "Everyone, put aside your current work."
"This time, we need everyone to participate and complete the task in the shortest possible time."
"Do you have confidence?"
"Have!"
The shouts nearly blew the roof off.
"All team leaders, come and receive your tasks. Everyone, get ready in five minutes."
As soon as he finished speaking, several groups quickly stepped forward.
Some people even rushed outside.
Five minutes later, everyone in the warehouse had arrived.
On the table in front of each person was a star calculator.
A hint of anticipation flickered in the crowd. "Comrades, let's see if this fool has actually become smarter."
Director Zheng laughed heartily, and everyone below also smiled, their faces filled with competitive spirit.
The night passed.
After the heavy snow, the entire city of Beijing seemed to have been enchanted, transformed into a world covered in silver.
The sun, too, was blinded by the silvery-white reflected light and hid intermittently behind the clouds.
The streets and alleys were covered with a thick layer of snow. The pure white snow was like a soft blanket spread on the ground, without any impurities. People couldn't bear to step on it, for fear of disturbing its purity and beauty.
Occasionally, a few early risers, dressed in thick cotton coats, hats, and scarves, leave deep footprints in the snow, as if drawing unique patterns on a white canvas.
Inside the courtyard, the sky above was a deep, jewel-like blue, and sunlight streamed through the clouds onto the pristine white snow, so dazzling it made one's eyes water.
In the courtyard, the snow began to melt slowly under the sunlight. The snow on the eaves turned into drops of water, which dripped down the eaves and made small pits on the snow on the ground, making a dripping sound, as if it were a beautiful musical note played by nature.
The large locust tree in the middle has grown quite a bit taller over the years, and its outstretched branches almost cover half of the courtyard.
At this moment, the snow on the trees slowly trickled down the trunks, forming small streams of water. Every now and then, a palm-sized chunk of snow would shake off from the branches and fall silently onto the snow-covered ground, as if adding a unique surprise to this white world.
crunch
The door opens.
Yang Xiaotao tightened his collar, picked up a broom from the corner and began cleaning the yard. The swishing sound broke the silence as people came out of their houses, exchanged smiles, and continued working.
Yang Xiaotao only stopped working after clearing a path a meter wide in the yard.
Back inside, Ran Qiuye had already prepared the meal and was ready to eat.
Several children were still sleeping in bed.
Neither of them cared.
Consider it an early Lunar New Year celebration for the children.
After all, this child has been studying for a year and deserves a rest.
But these adults still have to say goodbye to their warm beds in order to make a living.
He picked up the bowl and took a sip of porridge.
What time did you go to sleep last night?
Ran Qiuye peeled an egg for Yang Xiaotao and put it in a bowl. Yang Xiaotao picked up some kimchi, took a bite of the cornbread, and then said, "I was busy writing a report last night, so it was a little late."
"Twelve o'clock, perhaps."
Yang Xiaotao said it casually, and Ran Qiuye snorted coldly.
Twelve o'clock?
She waited until 1 a.m. last night.
Finally, I was so tired that I went to sleep.
As it turned out, nothing happened last night.
Yang Xiaotao lowered his head and ate his food, understanding his wife's thoughts.
Unfortunately, I had the will but not the ability.
You can't farm every day.
Can't the oxen take a break?
It's all Xiaowei's fault, really.
If she hadn't intervened and made Ran Qiuye's physical abilities far beyond those of ordinary people, would Yang Xiaotao have lost?
Unfortunately, in this respect, as long as the two people are of similar physical ability, it is always the ox that plows the field that suffers.
"I have to go to a meeting today, and I might have to say a few words on stage. I spent all night writing this, so why don't you ask Teacher Ran to check it out for me later, so I don't make a fool of myself?"
Yang Xiaotao quickly tried to change the subject, but Ran Qiuye snorted coldly.
Because this "Teacher Ran" is only used at specific times.
Just like how she called Yang Xiaotao "big brother".
"I'll go take a look at it for you in a bit."
After Ran Qiuye finished speaking, she continued drinking her rice porridge, while Yang Xiaotao finished his egg in a few bites and then went to the side to boil water in preparation for scalding the well.
After Ran Qiuye finished reading Yang Xiaotao's speech and pointed out a few grammatical errors, there were basically no problems.
So Yang Xiaotao took the revised manuscript and left the courtyard.
They drove all the way to the Ninth Division, then picked up Li Hongfeng, and the two of them took a car to the Great Hall of the People.
Li Hongfeng was very happy on the way.
Because in the past, there were no strict requirements on who could attend or not attend these meetings.
Therefore, he was the first representative sent by the nine ministries.
As for Yang Xiaotao?
This guy has a whole bunch of reasons, but he just won't go.
To everyone's surprise, they actually participated this time on their own initiative.
That's strange!
Seeing the confusion in Li Hongfeng's eyes, Yang Xiaotao then explained.
Upon learning that it was Mr. Chen's personal request, his smile became even brighter.
If Yang Xiaotao went, why did he have to invite me along?
The two chatted as they arrived at the Great Hall of the People, where they saw groups of people walking in twos and threes.
Yang Xiaotao had seen this kind of scene before and was not surprised.
Upon entering the Great Hall of the People, staff members led us to our seats.
At first glance, I saw familiar faces on both sides.
Old Xia and Liu Huaimin from the First Ministry of Machine Building, Old Zhang and Zheng Shuangyan from the Third Ministry of Machine Building, Old Xu from the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building, and Old Wang from the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building.
There were other people as well, and Yang Xiaotao had met and greeted them all.
The group chatted at the front, and soon more people came into the hall. Gradually, more and more people arrived, and the entire hall was almost full.
After waiting for a while, several people came out from the stage.
Yang Xiaotao looked up but didn't see Old Chen, and was speechless.
This person came, but the others are nowhere to be seen. What kind of situation is this?
Soon, everyone arrived and took their seats, and the meeting began.
After the meeting started, Yang Xiaotao regretted coming here.
Holding a meeting here is incredibly boring.
The meeting started, and the procedures were basically the same.
First, the leader spoke.
Let's go by position, the senior ones first, then the juniors.
In the end, it all boils down to just a few sentences.
After we've finished speaking, let's summarize.
The first point is to review the achievements made.
The second point is to focus on the present.
The third point is looking to the future.
Yang Xiaotao was getting drowsy listening downstairs. After the people upstairs finished speaking, more than an hour had passed.
After the person above finished speaking, they asked the people below to stand up and share their feelings.
Old Xia spoke first, followed by Old Zhang, Old Wang, and the others.
Yang Xiaotao was also called up and said a few words, but after he sat down, he was even more puzzled. Where did Old Chen go?
At that moment, Old Chen was sitting opposite Pavel in the Grand Hotel.
Both of them had solemn expressions, and neither of them took the initiative to speak.
Finally, Mr. Chen glanced at the time and sighed softly, saying, "Mr. Pavel, I'm very sorry."
The voice paused, but Pavel's expression remained unchanged.
It was as if he had foreseen this situation.
Mr. Chen continued, "After several discussions, we have ultimately decided to refuse your request."
Pavel remained unmoved, but a glint of cunning gleamed deep within his eyes.
Only at the very end did he sigh in disappointment, "Chen, you made a wrong decision."
Old Chen smiled and shook his head, "Let's settle this with time."
Pavel said nothing more, stood up and reached out his hand.
Old Chen grasped it.
Happy New Year to you all.
"Thank you!"
After saying that, Pavel turned and left, and soon after, he left the restaurant.
Finally, on the newly cleared runway, a fox transport plane slowly took off and headed north.