Chapter 2808
Each generation has its own battles
Chapter 2808 Each generation has its own battles
Laughter emanated from inside the room, leaving Yang Xiaotao and Old Chen surrounded and unable to express their suffering.
Especially Yang Xiaotao, after all, Old Chen's status is what it is, and besides, he has been trained over the years and is already used to these old brothers.
Although Yang Xiaotao had developed a thick skin, he was utterly powerless in this situation.
The key issue is that he doesn't even have any help here, and his own allies are just sitting there drinking tea with their heads down, as if the Nine Departments are none of his business.
So, under Mr. Peng's persistent questioning, Yang Xiaotao had no choice but to answer every question.
"So, you got your hands on ten computers?"
Yang Xiaotao nodded, "Yes, ten small computers from the United States, but these should be the ones they've phased out, not the latest models."
“Our ninth department is also developing minicomputers, and these ten units will speed up the research process.”
Peng nodded in agreement, then, as if remembering something, asked in a serious tone, "If you're going to do this research, is five platforms enough?"
Yang Xiaotao felt bitter inside. He knew this would be the outcome, but could he refuse?
Looking at President Peng's serious face, he gritted his teeth, nodded, and said, "Yes!"
Peng nodded in satisfaction, then explained to the others, "I learned some information from Institute 701."
When the topic of Institute 701 came up, everyone in the room became serious.
The incident with the Starlight Calculator had given Yang Xiaotao an idea of what the 701 Research Institute did. Now, hearing what Boss Peng was saying, he guessed that the computer was for their use.
“A few days ago, it must have been Dawson from the United States who sent a telegram back home, but our comrades spent the whole night trying to decipher it, even using calculators, but they still couldn’t crack it.”
"In the end, we discovered that their 'Fool's System' had been reinforced with a triple password, which means that their computing power had exceeded the limits of human computing."
"Although it was eventually solved, the information had already been stored for eighteen hours."
"This shows that we need faster computing power to cope with the increasingly severe situation."
After Mr. Peng finished speaking, Yang Xiaotao immediately shook his head, which surprised Mr. Peng.
Then Yang Xiaotao said, "President Peng, if we use it for this, you might be disappointed."
President Peng looked at Yang Xiaotao, waiting for Yang Xiaotao to explain.
"President Peng, this type of small computer is called the PDP-8 small computer. It was developed a long time ago, and its computing speed is considered good if it can reach 10,000 operations per second."
"Of course, it's much faster than our calculators and faster than ordinary transistor computers, but compared to their speed of millions or even tens of millions of calculations per second, it's far behind."
"Maybe we could cope if we increased the quantity, but five or ten units are not enough right now."
Upon hearing this, Peng and the others immediately understood what Yang Xiaotao meant: simply having a few small computers wouldn't be enough.
This disappointed Mr. Peng.
The uncle standing nearby spoke up, "You just said you wanted to make your own computer. Does that mean that once you make it, you'll be able to catch up?"
Peng also looked over, but saw that Yang Xiaotao was still shaking his head, and was immediately puzzled.
Then Yang Xiaotao continued, "It still doesn't work. This isn't how you calculate it."
"It's not that ten computers capable of 10,000 operations per minute can be equivalent to one computer capable of 100,000 operations per minute."
"This is a qualitative difference, not a quantitative one."
"Besides, as Mr. Peng said, the other side is constantly developing. Now that they can produce computers that can perform millions of calculations per second, they might be able to produce computers with hundreds of millions of calculations per second. Are we supposed to prepare hundreds or thousands of computers?"
"That's unrealistic and impossible."
Hearing Yang Xiaotao say this, everyone understood the difference, which could not be compared simply in terms of quantity.
"You mean, developing more advanced computers?"
Old Xu suddenly spoke, and everyone immediately came to their senses and looked at Yang Xiaotao.
Under everyone's gaze, Yang Xiaotao nodded, "Yes, if the other side can design and manufacture more advanced computers, why can't we?"
"Our current mainframe computers have reached a speed of 200,000 tests per second, and this is just a small step in the development process. We will continue to improve and do even better in the future."
"Furthermore, these small computers will continue to develop, and in the future, if not reach the level of the United States, they will certainly come close."
Yang Xiaotao spoke with absolute certainty, and Old Chen seized the opportunity to say, "This year's white paper from the nine ministries includes a computer construction project, and they're already doing quite well."
"The Chinese Academy of Sciences' computers are still stuck at the 100,000-operation time limit. It is already quite remarkable that the Ninth Division was able to achieve a breakthrough first."
These were Old Chen's honest thoughts. When other departments asked him for money, he would always ask when the results would be available, but no one dared to give a specific timeframe.
Only nine parts, which were said to be two years, were actually completed in two years.
One-third of the three-year plan for computers has now passed, but the achievements are undeniable.
The computing speed of 200,000 operations determined the future direction of computer development: integrated circuits.
Everyone nodded, and President Peng looked at Yang Xiaotao with great anticipation, "Then how about this, I don't need these five units, you keep them and study them as soon as possible, the sooner the better."
"Strive to build a computer capable of producing millions of computers, so that our comrades can lose less hair."
After listening to what Peng Zong had to say, Yang Xiaotao sighed, "That's easier said than done."
He then looked at Uncle Qing and the others, "Now everyone in the world knows that computers are made with integrated circuits, but why can't we keep up with the speed of the United States?"
"Yes, one is a technical issue, that's for sure. Many countries don't even know what a computer is anymore."
"Is the alliance's technology bad? Even if it is, how bad can it be?"
"So, another reason is good funding."
"That is, money."
"Manufacturing high-purity silicon requires money, turning high-purity silicon into semiconductors also requires money, and researching the core equipment for semiconductor manufacturing also requires money."
"Moreover, this money requires long-term investment and may even be wasted."
"Under such circumstances, who can keep pouring money into this bottomless pit?"
When Yang Xiaotao finished speaking, everyone fell silent.
The situation domestically is even worse than in the league.
There's no extra money to throw in.
Yang Xiaotao picked up his teacup, took a sip of tea, and then looked at President Peng and said, "President Peng, we have increased the performance of the computer to a speed of 200,000 calculations. This small improvement alone has cost us nearly half of our production profit from last year."
Old Chen spoke again, "Last year, the nine departments received a total of one billion yuan."
After the two finished speaking, the whole room fell silent.
Old Su took a deep breath and looked at Old Xu beside him. Old Xu nodded, confirming that the unit was 'hundred million'.
Mr. Peng and Mr. Liu were standing close together, and at that moment they both thought of the same ship: the Han Gaozu ship.
At this moment, Elder Qing broke the silence, looking at Yang Xiaotao and saying, "Having spent so much money, do your Ninth Division still plan to continue the research?"
"Why not continue?"
Yang Xiaotao's expression was very serious. "Just because you spent so much money, you're going to give up?"
"Impossible. Even if it means investing all our money and selling everything we own, we will keep going."
"why?"
When asked by his uncle, Yang Xiaotao took a deep breath and then solemnly replied, "It's because the United States is in front."
"He is the goal we are striving to achieve."
"Although we are still behind now, the goal is there, so why don't we chase it?"
"If we don't pursue it now, are we going to let our sons and grandsons do it?"
Yang Xiaotao took a deep breath and then looked at President Peng. "I remember President Peng saying something."
Mr. Peng, look over here.
"You said that your generation is covered in blood and mud, so you should fight this battle!"
After Yang Xiaotao finished speaking, General Peng sighed deeply, "Faced with the enemy's iron torrent, we had no guns, no cannons, and not much to capture."
"But what we have is flesh and blood, and an unwavering will."
"And it was this indomitable will that sustained us, enabling us to walk step by step and achieve victory."
Yang Xiaotao nodded firmly, "Yes! We won with willpower and at the cost of blood."
"So I don't want future generations to continue to pay the price in blood and use their willpower to clash with steel!"
Peng seemed to understand Yang Xiaotao's meaning, and looked up in a daze. Yang Xiaotao replied seriously, "Let us also have an iron torrent, a sharp sword, and advanced weapons and equipment."
"This is the war that our generation will have to fight."
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Old Liu suddenly clapped his hands, a smile appeared on his lips, and his eyes behind his glasses became a little moist.
"Each generation has its own battles to fight."
Qing Lao nodded, feeling even more satisfied.
At the very least, Yang Xiaotao has found the goal for his generation and the path forward.
Old Xu laughed heartily, "Now that you mention it, I really want to see our steel torrent, our sharp swords cutting through the sky."
Old Su leaned back in his chair. "I'd like to see if those people have the same strong will as us."
As they spoke, they all laughed.
"I said, since it's a happy day for us, let's talk about something cheerful and change the subject."
The eldest uncle spoke first, and even took two packs of cigarettes from the bookshelf and placed them on the table, saying generously, "Come on, let's smoke. These are the best cigarettes I've been treasuring for a year."
Upon hearing this, Old Chen immediately picked it up and skillfully unpacked it, showing no signs of being someone who neither smokes nor drinks.
Old Chen handed out cigarettes to the group, then smiled and said, "I have something to tell you that makes me happy."
Then he just kept talking, "The Alliance sent people a while ago."
After Old Chen finished speaking, Old Su asked curiously, "They just left like that?"
"This isn't like them."
Old Xu frowned as well, “Since they’ve come to ask for it, it means they value this technology very much. As you said before, they seem determined not to give up until they get it.”
"They just left like that, something's not right."
Upon hearing their story, Yang Xiaotao immediately asked, "Could it be that the two leaders know about the United States?"
Yang Xiaotao's reminder made Old Chen's cigarette tremble, which was between his fingers, before he stubbed it out hard. "Possibly."
"They're all staying in fancy hotels; it's hard to guarantee we won't run into each other these days."
"This was my mistake; I should have separated them."
Old Qing waved his hand, saying, "I know, I know. We're just doing business. Is there anything else we're up to?"
"It would be worse to try to cover it up."
Old Liu nodded in agreement, "It depends on how they interpret this matter. Anyway, we have nothing to fear from the shadows cast by our upright character."
The uncle also raised his hand and pointed in the air, saying, "What you say makes sense. We don't need to get involved in this matter anymore; it's just normal trade."
"As for how they interpret it and what they want to do, that's their problem."
"We still need to focus on doing our own thing."
Yang Xiaotao nodded, then said with some worry, "I'm just afraid something might happen to this batch of goods."
"We've wasted our time."
Old Su waved his hand, "No, that's impossible. So much cargo would require at least three cargo ships. It would be very difficult to intercept it without making a sound."
"Moreover, the alliance also needs to consider the impact, especially when the situation is unclear, they will not act recklessly."
"at most."
Mr. Su stopped halfway through his speech.
Yang Xiaotao was listening intently when Elder Su stopped talking, and he immediately asked anxiously, "Sir, at most what?"
Old Su looked at Old Chen and Old Qing, and they both nodded. Then he said, "At most, there are people who sabotage the deal, so the deal cannot be completed."
Yang Xiaotao gasped.
"Isn't this just a case of dealing with the person who created the trouble when you can't solve the problem?"
Old Su nodded in surprise, "That's a very apt summary."
Yang Xiaotao smiled, then looked puzzled, "So, doesn't that mean I'm in a lot of danger?"
The uncle nodded, "Anyway, we should be careful these days, at least until the transaction is completed."
Yang Xiaotao nodded, "Alright then, I'll stay in the courtyard house from now on, it's the safest place."
As soon as he finished speaking, Old Chen clicked his tongue twice, "Why don't you say you live in the office? It's safer there."
Yang Xiaotao shook his head, "No, there are too many people there. The courtyard house is less crowded, so it's safer with fewer people."
"Stop talking so much."
After Qing Lao said something, Yang Xiaotao immediately sat up straight and dared not say anything more.
After chatting for a while, Yang Xiaotao asked Xiaopang to come in and serve tea and water. Then he went to the kitchen, looked at the prepared ingredients, and started rolling up his sleeves.
"Brother Tao, you're going to show off your skills again!"
Seeing Yang Xiaotao walking over at the kitchen door, Deng Jia Xiaolin immediately greeted him with a smile.
Yang Xiaotao raised his head proudly, "Of course! Governing a large country is like cooking a small fish. If you can't even handle this little thing in the kitchen, how can you govern the country and bring peace to the world?"
"Forget it, just get on with the help."
Sister Zhuo chimed in with a sarcastic remark, adding, "But your kitchen skills are really impressive. Have you thought about passing them on?"
Yang Xiaotao shook his head, "I haven't thought about it. It's mainly because training apprentices takes too much time. I don't have the time."
Sister Zhuo shook her head regretfully, "If all else fails, teach the children in the family. Having a skill won't hurt them in the future."
Yang Xiaotao walked to the stove and started cooking. He turned around and smiled, "This doesn't need to be taught. My family members are all foodies, and they've already started figuring it out."
“I think if they’re already thinking about this, they must be interested. Let them learn it themselves, and see how much they learn.”
The older sister was talking to Ran Qiuye, and she found Yang Xiaotao's words quite novel, saying, "That's actually a good idea."
"These days, the more you ask a child to do something, the more they do the opposite. They're not as easy to discipline as they were when they were little."
Yang Xiaotao turned around and smiled, "He still needs to be taught a lesson. Let his dad beat him up, and everything will be fine."
Hearing this, the eldest sister smiled, and Ran Qiuye also felt a little awkward.
Yang Xiaotao didn't take it seriously and continued cooking.
(End of this chapter)