Chapter 2827
Every step is a step.
Chapter 2827 Every step is a step.
During the Qingming Festival, it was still a bit chilly in the mornings and evenings, and many people were still wearing long sleeves when commuting to and from get off work.
But right after May Day, the weather in Beijing became unbearably hot.
Now that it's June, the heatwave is more like a pot of boiling syrup, thickly coating every inch of people's skin. When you're in it, what you breathe into your lungs isn't oxygen, but scorching sparks.
If it weren't for the prevailing social norms, there would probably be a lot of people going shirtless in the streets.
Department Nine, Logistics Warehouse.
Since returning from Dengzhou, Chen Gong has been busy with logistical work.
Nowadays, with the Ninth Department's income increasing, logistics matters have become more complicated.
At this time, Chen Gong would sit on the bench at the entrance of the warehouse, looking at the familiar iron gate in front of him, and feel nostalgic for the days at the steel rolling mill.
Back then, steel rolling mills didn't have so many problems.
Each inventory check only requires a review at the end of the month and a signature.
Because there's only so much stuff in the warehouse, you can tell at a glance.
It's incredibly easy.
And back then, the regulations weren't so strict.
Some things, if you take them home and use them, are fine as long as no one questions them.
Even the security department turns a blind eye; nobody bothers with this.
But things are different now.
You have to pay attention to everything and be careful about everything.
Unlike now, people don't even dare to lie down to be lazy.
If the security personnel dare to shirk their responsibilities, they'll probably be fired immediately.
However, although he is now working hard both mentally and physically, he has an inexplicable drive, as if his career is experiencing a second spring, and every day is incredibly fulfilling.
Sitting on the bench by the door, I looked at the sun, then leaned into the shade by the wall, fanning the materials in my hands vigorously, creating a cool breeze.
“This is a day when you should be sitting in the office. How can you work like this?”
Chen Gong wiped the sweat from his forehead and muttered to himself.
There's nothing else to it; the office either has an electric fan or air conditioning, so it's cool and comfortable.
Unlike now, it's not only hot, but it's also so hot that it makes my whole body feel uncomfortable.
However, now we need to conserve electricity. Except for special departments that are allowed to turn on the air conditioning, everyone else has to use it sparingly.
"Just bear with it a little longer, things will be better next year!"
Chen Gong muttered to himself, thinking that once nuclear power is up and running next year, their electricity supply will be plentiful, and they won't have to live in such a shabby state anymore.
As he was talking to himself, Officer Yu, who was conducting the investigation, came out wiping his face with a towel, followed by seven or eight other people.
"Director, everything has been checked, and there are no problems."
As the officer spoke, sweat dripped down his face.
Chen Gong took the investigation form, glanced at it, and then checked it in his mind to make sure the numbers were correct before standing up and saying, "Okay, comrades, you've worked hard!"
"Officer Yu, go to the canteen and get two watermelons in a bit."
"Hey, good!"
As Officer Yu spoke frankly, the people helping him behind him immediately cheered.
This is also an internal benefit of the Ninth Department.
Just as the group was having a good time, a person walked out from the sun not far away.
The group looked over and saw that it was Xiao Li from the logistics office.
"Director, Director!"
Xiao Li ran over quickly, his jacket soaked with sweat, and he was panting heavily as he spoke.
What are you doing? Speak slowly!
Chen Gong calmed himself down and spoke in a solemn tone.
Xiao Li quickly took a deep breath and said, "Director, Director Yang called and asked us to send another batch of Arctic Ocean soda!"
"Can't Old Yang be a little more efficient?!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Gong muttered something, then asked, "What's the score over there?"
Did we win?
Xiao Li smiled upon hearing this, "We won one match, but the second one is still going!"
"However, the teams from Shanghai are no match for us at all."
"Only the Bayi team can put up a fight against us!"
Xiao Li said this with a smug look on his face, and everyone else smiled as they listened.
Chen Gong was naturally asking about the volleyball league.
Today is the day of the Ninth Women's Volleyball Team's match against the Shanghai Women's Volleyball Team.
The day before, Bayi team played against Chang'an team, and Bayi team, with their tough style, cleanly and efficiently sent Chang'an home.
The Workers' Stadium was packed with people for that game.
Even the radios broadcasting the message were packed with people.
Of course, as the organizer of the event, the Ninth Division also benefited greatly from it.
Today, it's another big battle between Beijing and Shanghai.
It's a pity that the loudspeakers in the nine stations weren't broadcasting live, otherwise there would be no need to ask here!
"Old Li is such a busybody!"
Chen Gong felt a lot of resentment when he thought about how Li Hongfeng had stopped the propaganda department's live broadcast on the grounds of disrupting work order.
Listening to the radio makes it hard to concentrate on your work!
"How much?"
Chen Gong wiped his cheek and casually asked, "I want a hundred boxes!" Little Li quickly replied, "A hundred boxes!"
"One hundred boxes?"
Chen Gong was surprised, then looked at the sun and nodded, "Alright, have him fill in the form later!"
After finishing his sentence, Chen Gong was about to head to the next warehouse for inventory, but Xiao Li was still standing there. "Is there anything else?"
Xiao Li nodded and then said, "Director, Secretary Liu brought the order!"
"Yes, yes, another note from Director Yang has arrived!"
After Xiao Li finished speaking, a wry smile appeared on his face.
For the past three months, every time they received a note from Director Yang, the people in their logistics department would feel a toothache.
At first, I didn't think much of it.
After all, such losses are nothing to the large and powerful Nine Departments.
But who would have thought that a batch of supplies would be needed in just one or two days? Gradually, Chen Gong sensed that something was wrong.
A month later, Chen Gong, seeing the sudden increase in resource consumption, almost thought that a giant rat had appeared down below.
But after careful examination, it was confirmed that everything was Yang Xiaotao's note.
So he went to find Yang Xiaotao, but before he could say two words, Yang Xiaotao cut him off because of his research needs.
There's no other way but to continue.
A month later, he discovered that he was consuming even more than the previous month, and he couldn't sit still any longer.
So they went to the research institute together with Li Hongfeng, Lao Hong, and a few others.
As soon as they entered the research institute, they saw a busy crowd and Yang Xiaotao and Han Sanfeng having a discussion.
Calling it a discussion is a bit of an understatement; it would be more accurate to describe the scene as a debate.
Because the debate wasn't just between the two of them, but also involved key personnel in the project.
Everyone is expressing their opinions and stating their thoughts; everyone wants to do things their own way and wants others to adapt to them.
It was on that occasion that they witnessed what academic debate truly meant.
I witnessed firsthand how these intellectuals would say anything for the sake of truth, not even giving Yang Xiaotao any face.
So, the group watched a show, ate a bunch of gossip, and then sheepishly returned to their office.
According to Li Hongfeng's instructions, let them do whatever they want.
Another month passed.
Seeing that the warehouse was being emptied faster than the inflow of goods, Chen Gong felt uneasy.
Let's not let this project drag down Department Nine.
That's why Chen Gong and the entire logistics department were somewhat worried when they heard about Yang Xiaotao's note.
"How much this time?" Perhaps he was too nervous, Chen Gong didn't realize that his voice had changed.
Xiao Li swallowed hard, then said, "According to Director Yang's note, the minimum is one million!"
Chen Gong felt dizzy; it was too hot that day, he must have heatstroke.
"Director, Director!"
Officer Yu quickly stepped forward to help him up, but Chen Gong waved his hand and then sighed, "Arrange for someone to deliver it to them!"
"No, arrange the procurement immediately. No, we can't delay Director Yang's business."
Xiao Li opened his mouth, then nodded and ran back.
After everyone left, Chen Gong said to the staff, "You guys continue, I'm going to the office building!"
The officer nodded and then walked towards another warehouse.
Chen Gong sighed and walked towards the research institute.
Inside the research institute, Yang Xiaotao rubbed his temples, his expression serious.
The key members of the project team, including Ye Lao, Han Sanfeng, Lu Tao, and Liu Qijian, sat solemnly and silently in front of him.
The air conditioner on the wall was blowing cold air, creating two different worlds inside and outside the room.
But the group of people were actually quite agitated.
It's been three months.
It's been three months since the project was initiated, and there's been absolutely no progress.
No, if we're talking about progress, then there has been.
At the very least, we've figured out the structure of the minicomputer, its working principle, components, and operating mechanism.
If we really wanted to do it now, even a small group of people could create a knock-off.
But what they want to make is a better computer.
If this were a knock-off, would it need to be done like this?
The group remained silent, none of them in the mood for smoking.
Yang Xiaotao leaned against the table with his arms crossed, his face ashen.
They overestimated their own abilities, or rather, underestimated the difficulty of using computers.
"Minister Yang, should we slow down the pace?"
While others hesitated to speak up, Elder Ye had no such concerns and took the lead in saying, "Besides, didn't we set a small goal? I think we can complete the small goal first."
"This way, we can give our superiors an explanation, and our comrades can also be more motivated and boost morale."
Yang Xiaotao took a deep breath, then exhaled, without saying a word.
After Elder Ye finished speaking, Han Sanfeng nodded in agreement, "Director Yang, I think what the dean said makes sense."
"We're feeling our way across the river, but we can't all be doing it ourselves. If you say one thing and I do the next, how are we supposed to get anywhere?"
Instead of splashing around aimlessly in the water, let's find an island to rest on, see the direction clearly, and then continue on our way.
"what do you think?"
Although the others did not express their opinions, their expressions were the same.
They did a lot and completed their phased tasks, thoroughly studying the PDP-8 computer.
However, when they went into more depth, they hit a wall.
Yang Xiaotao listened silently, head bowed and saying nothing.
But in his heart, he was thinking about how to solve the current predicament.
Initially, Yang Xiaotao wanted to create a computer that could be used by pagers, based on a minicomputer.
It can execute simple instructions and transmit information.
Yang Xiaotao's design for this was an early form of small integrated circuit computer.
The requirement is simple: it needs to be able to type and relay information.
Even such a simple requirement is incredibly difficult to fulfill.
Only then did Yang Xiaotao understand why, in the process of transitioning from second-generation to third-generation computers, so many countries conducted research, yet in the end, only the United States succeeded.
Because every small step in this research requires the support of thousands of people and massive amounts of funding.
Without the system's help, Yang Xiaotao wouldn't even have the confidence to catch up.
However, even with the system's help, Yang Xiaotao cannot reach the top in one step; he still needs to climb one step at a time.
But Yang Xiaotao was still unwilling to give up.
Because he knew in his heart that this was an opportunity for China's computer industry to catch up with the world's development.
It is also the best opportunity to close the gap with the United States.
If we don't seize this opportunity, the gap will only widen in the future.
Therefore, he needs to seize this opportunity.
Moreover, Yang Xiaotao was also vaguely worried that if this anger was released, the morale of the people who had been so hard-won would fall apart.
If people's hearts are lost, it will be difficult to lead the team.
Even in the future, it will probably be difficult to find such an opportunity again.
Yang Xiaotao remained silent with a cold expression.
The people below dared not utter a sound, and the room was eerily quiet.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Everyone turned their heads, secretly relieved.
In such a tense atmosphere, no one knows what will happen.
But it certainly won't be a good thing.
The chubby boy near the door immediately stood up, opened the door, and saw Chen Gong standing at the doorway.
"Director Chen, come in quickly."
The moment Chen Gong opened the door, he saw the scene inside; a group of people sitting there were definitely going to have a meeting.
Before he could even say he was leaving, Little Fatty grabbed his arm and warmly welcomed him in.
Chen Gong remained silent, but obediently went into the house.
"Oh, it's so cool here."
Chen Gong sensed that the atmosphere in the room was not normal, so he smiled and spoke to ease the tension.
Han Sanfeng immediately stood up. "Director Chen is joking. If we don't turn on the air conditioning on a day like this, all the machines in this room will stop working."
Chen Gong laughed heartily, "Yes, yes, just like the situation in the workshop. I just came out from the engine room, and even with the air conditioning on, it's not cool at all."
After speaking, Chen Gong looked at Yang Xiaotao.
At this moment, Yang Xiaotao's face returned to calm, and he even forced a smile.
"Minister Yang, I need to talk to you about something."
Chen Gong spoke politely to Yang Xiaotao, who nodded and then said to everyone, "In that case, Elder Ye, please help preside over the task, let's have a vote by raising hands, and just give me the result."
After that, he walked out.
Ye Lao, Han Sanfeng, and the others were surprised by Yang Xiaotao's words. It wasn't until he left that they came to their senses, looked at each other, and were at a loss for words.
Yang Xiaotao breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the house. In that situation, if he had continued as forcefully as before, the people present probably wouldn't have gone against his wishes.
But that's not what he wanted.
Fortunately, Chen Gong arrived at this moment, giving both sides a way out.
"Old Chen, what's going on?"
Yang Xiaotao walked to the window in the corridor and asked casually.
Chen Gong also noticed that Yang Xiaotao's expression was off. He considered whether to speak up or not, but when he thought about the situation in the past three months, he realized that money was being spent like water.
With that thought in mind, Chen Gong had no more worries and said, "Minister Yang, I've come to report on this quarter's expenditures."
When Chen Gong spoke, Yang Xiaotao was taken aback. Usually, these kinds of things were discussed at the regular meetings.
Why was there a separate report this time?
Then I figured out what was going on; I guess this time was different.
"You said."
Chen Gong nodded. "In the past three months, our headquarters' expenditures have increased by 220 percent compared to usual, much of which is due to the purchase of raw materials from various factories."
"In addition, according to information gathered from various locations, the progress of raw material supply and changes in the working environment have also affected the work."
"Finally, our procurement is also under pressure. With such rapid consumption, the warehouse simply can't keep up with the demand."
(End of this chapter)