Chapter 74: The Prime Minister’s Astonishment

Indeed, the news Lin Feng revealed was so sudden that the Prime Minister and the others found it hard to accept at first. It was only after the Prime Minister had gathered his composure and taken his seat again that he resumed questioning Lin Feng, saying, "What you just said doesn’t convince me. How can you be so certain that by next June you’ll have new products ready for market? As far as I know about your company, you do have an R&D department, but it hardly participates in developing new products. Besides, I’m aware that you recently acquired a plot on the outskirts of Zhahai to set up a secret laboratory, but that lab is still under renovation. It won’t be operational until next year at the earliest. Are you really saying you can develop high-definition displays and hard drives, and have them in practical use, all within six months of the lab’s completion?”

Apart from Xia Ruoxi, who knew the inside story, everyone in the conference room agreed with the Prime Minister’s skepticism. The nation had invested vast sums in these technologies every year, but even after all these years, while some achievements had been made, there was still a considerable gap compared to foreign products. No one believed Lin Feng’s claims.

Seeing the disbelief on everyone’s faces, Lin Feng realized that unless he revealed something more, he wouldn’t be able to extricate himself today. Since these things would be made public once the products launched next year anyway, it was only a matter of time. Thus, Lin Feng explained once more to the Prime Minister, “Grandpa Zhu, it seems you’ve looked very thoroughly into my background—even my attempt to quietly set up a research center in the suburbs didn’t escape your notice! Please, could you stop investigating me so closely in the future and leave me a few secrets? You’re right about the lab; it won’t be operational until next year. As for why I’m so confident we’ll have new products ready for market by next June, it’s because we already possess the complete technical documentation for next-generation high-definition displays and hard drives. These new products will be more advanced than anything currently available internationally. Once my lab is up and running, I’m convinced our researchers will quickly deliver finished products.”

“What? You actually possess such technology, and it’s even more advanced than what’s available abroad! I… I truly can’t see through you any longer. No wonder you’re so confident about integrating these into your second-generation computers next year. This really is excellent news! Very good, Lin Feng—I knew I wasn’t wrong about you.” The Prime Minister was visibly excited as he praised Lin Feng.

“It’s good enough that you believe me now, Grandpa Zhu. It’s not that I’m unwilling to do business with the state—it’s an honor for our company to work with the nation—but my concern is that if I sell you the first-generation computers now, once the second-generation ones come out, people will criticize me for it,” Lin Feng replied, seeing that the Prime Minister was now convinced.

“Alright, then I won’t pressure you further. Get your new products ready first, and when you’re ready, my people will negotiate with you. Lin Feng, you’ve done an excellent job. Your company has truly surprised me. For years, operating systems, displays, hard drives, and other electronic components have consumed a huge portion of our country’s import resources, and these are all high-tech items. Our technological strength is limited, and even when we can buy these products, we can’t always understand them thoroughly. We’ve always worried that foreign countries might have hidden something inside, potentially threatening our national security, so we use them with constant anxiety. Now, thanks to your efforts, there’s hope of closing this gap. Thank you for developing these products.” The Prime Minister spoke with deep emotion.

Lin Feng chuckled. “Grandpa Zhu, there’s no need for thanks. I’m just a businessman. I developed these products to make money, not out of any lofty ideals or patriotic fervor. You’re giving me too much credit.” He quickly deflected the Prime Minister’s gratitude.

The Prime Minister saw Lin Feng’s sly expression and wouldn’t let him off so easily. He probed, “Whatever your original intentions, your actions have greatly aided the nation, and for that, the country must thank you. There’s no need to be modest. Everyone has their secrets, and I won’t press you about the origins of these technologies—after all, even if I did, I doubt you’d tell me. But I have to ask: since you have advanced technology for operating systems, displays, and hard drives, do you have anything else? If you don’t have time to develop it yourself, perhaps you could sell the technology to the state?”

As expected, Lin Feng had anticipated this question as soon as he revealed the displays and hard drives. He had already thought of a way to respond, so when the Prime Minister asked, he answered half-truthfully, “Grandpa Zhu, do you think such technologies are as common as cabbages, just lying around for anyone to pick up? I’m already lucky to have these few. I had to pay a hefty price to get them.”

“You little fox! I might have believed that before, but after seeing how easily you tossed out a few cutting-edge technologies, I’d be a fool if I believed you now! Fine, if you don’t want to say more, I won’t press. But remember—you are Chinese, and your family is one of the great Chinese families. You must contribute more to your country! Our nation started late; we’re far behind in many areas of technology and need the efforts of young people like you. And your products should be sold to the state at a reasonable price!” The Prime Minister admonished Lin Feng earnestly.

“Uh, Grandpa Zhu, I’m just a humble businessman. If you heap such weighty expectations on me, I can’t bear it. There are plenty of talented people in our country—they don’t need me!” Lin Feng hastened to excuse himself, not wanting to tie himself too closely to the state. He worried that otherwise, everything he developed might be requisitioned without compensation—then who would he turn to for justice?

“Sigh, you rascal, always so slippery! If you were my grandson, I’d have straightened you out by now!” The Prime Minister, a bit exasperated, chided Lin Feng.

Lin Feng could only smile helplessly at the Prime Minister’s words. He dared not contradict him outright and could only complain, “Grandpa Zhu, it’s easy for you to say—you’re not the one responsible for feeding everyone in my company.”

“Oh, stop pretending! Everyone knows your company’s products yield enormous profits. Would it kill you to do something for the country?” the Prime Minister retorted, clearly displeased with Lin Feng’s feigned grievances. The nation had so many expenses, especially for high-tech items, which were always exorbitantly priced. Wherever savings could be made, they must be made.

“Alright, I can’t win this argument. Do you have any other business?” Lin Feng changed the subject, turning to the Prime Minister.

“I did have more to discuss, but your plans have upended the rest of my agenda. There’s plenty of time ahead. I’m sure I’ll be dealing with you and Ruoxi often in the future. Let’s wait until your second-generation computer is launched before we talk further.” The Prime Minister thought for a moment. Now was not the best time to continue the discussion; he felt it would be more effective to talk further once Lin Feng’s next products were on the market.

“Very well! Grandpa Zhu, if there’s nothing else, we’ll take our leave. You must be busy, and I’d hate to delay your work any longer,” Lin Feng said, rising to end the meeting since the Prime Minister didn’t seem inclined to continue.

“Hold it! What’s your hurry? Sit back down—don’t you see Minister Xie is still here? He has business with you as well. Why else do you think he’s in this meeting? Minister Xie is the Defense Minister; his time is extremely valuable!” The Prime Minister stopped Lin Feng, rebuking him for his lack of tact.

Lin Chuan and Xia Ruoxi had thought they could leave, but it now appeared that even the Defense Minister had matters to discuss with Lin Feng, which astonished them further.

Once Lin Feng was seated again, he couldn’t help but wonder when he had become entangled with the Ministry of Defense. He asked the other elder, “Hello, Minister Xie, is there something I can help you with?”

Minister Xie, having witnessed Lin Feng’s relaxed conversation with the Prime Minister, now found him rather formal. With kind humor, Minister Xie said, “Just now you were chatting away happily with Prime Minister Zhu; why so serious with me? I was in the same class as your grandfather back in the day—he was class leader in one unit, I was in another. No need to be so formal; just call me Grandpa Xie.”

Lin Feng was never one to stand on ceremony. He immediately followed suit, “Alright, Grandpa Xie, then I won’t stand on ceremony. What can I do for you?”

Minister Xie had always served in the military and was used to straightforward dealings. Lin Feng’s character suited him well, so he replied bluntly, “I was going to speak with you privately, but when I heard the Prime Minister was meeting you, I joined him instead.”

“Ah, Grandpa Xie, I’m just not sure how my commercial company could be connected to the Ministry of Defense. So what exactly do you need from me?” Lin Feng asked, puzzled.

“How could there not be a connection? The connection is huge! For example, your operating system—the military needs that. Your computers, too. And your soon-to-be-developed hard drives and high-definition displays—those are immensely valuable for military use!” Seeing Lin Feng’s confusion, Minister Xie smiled as he explained.

But Lin Feng was still puzzled and pressed further, “Grandpa Xie, I know you need these products, but couldn’t the military or the state just purchase them directly? Why meet with me in person?”

“You’re right, I could simply authorize the military to procure your products. But there are important details I want to discuss with you face-to-face. Take the operating system, for example. The military is a highly confidential institution. I’d like to ask if you could set up a dedicated server just for us, so that all military information is uploaded only to that server, inaccessible to outsiders,” the Minister requested.

“Oh, Grandpa Xie, that’s easy to arrange. I’ve already told the national computer experts that if the state uses my system, I can provide a dedicated server for them. If the military wants to use it too, I can certainly provide a separate server for the military as well!” Lin Feng replied without hesitation, since the request was simple to fulfill.