The development of things at the Computing Institute was somewhat beyond Li Aiguo's expectations.
"Computer Trends" is just a niche journal in China, and ordinary people will not notice it at all.
But on the American side.
The computer industry is developing vigorously, and the prospects of the computer industry have been optimistic by the majority of investors.
In the capitalist world, those capitalists are like flies, able to smell the To the location of the smelly meat.
Even though the domestic and foreign servers are not yet connected, those well-informed capitalists are always paying attention to the trends of the flower growers.
The emergence of a supercomputer with 50,000 operations per second and a memory of up to 72K quickly attracted the attention of the computer and investment circles in the United States.
However, they all expressed doubts about the performance of the 103 tube computer.
After all, the basic conditions of flower growers are notoriously poor. In the eyes of the United States, there is no soil for developing computers.
A journalist with good intentions interviewed Thomas Watson Jr., the legendary president of International Business Machines Corporation (IBM).
Thomas Watson Jr. is the son of Watson Sr.
In the early 1950s, with the help of Dr. Howard of the Naval Ordnance Bureau, Watson Sr. built the famous MARK computer in the laboratory of Harvard University, which made International Commercial Machinery Company a leader in the computer field. status.
But with the development of technology, the technology that Old Watson took out from the Naval Ordnance Bureau has become outdated, and International Commercial Machinery Company has also begun to decline.
Old Watson was even ready to give up the International Shangye Machinery Company and continue the family business to concentrate on the production of machine guns, sights and other arms.
[Yes, many multinational companies in later generations actually started by relying on arms.
For example: Fiat makes naval guns, General Electric makes submarines, L'Oreal makes chemical weapons, Toshiba makes missiles, Mitsubishi makes tanks, HP makes fighter jet engines, etc.]
Thomas Watson Jr. is here When the International Commercial Ye Machinery Company was in crisis, he served as president.
He had a keen eye on Wang An's magnetic core memory and offered a high price of two million US dollars.
After Dr. Wang An agreed, he used Dr. Wang An's background to make a fuss and intimidate and induce him.
Thomas Watson Jr. finally paid only half a million dollars to obtain the patent for magnetic core memory.
Relying on magnetic core memory, International Commercial Machinery Company regained its strength.
So Thomas Watson Jr. panicked after reading the report on the 103 tube computer.
But you have to force yourself to be calm.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible! The most advanced computer in the world is here with us."
"But although Easterners are poor, they never like to exaggerate. They even regard humility as Glory." The reporter refused.
Thomas Watson Jr. glanced at the reporter, this guy must have been sent by a competitor to cause trouble.
Of course, Thomas Watson Jr. also has his own reasons.
“Our International Shangye Machinery Company controls the patent of magnetic core memory. The capacity of our magnetic core memory is only 36K. Do you think the magnetic core memory capacity of Oriental people can reach 72K?”
Having mastered the core technology, Thomas Watson Jr. is indeed confident.
As soon as the report was released, the discussion about 103 tubes in North America quickly decreased.
Investors and computer experts all feel that Easterners have become as cunning as them.
But two days later, the "Electronic Computer News" spread from the East announced another blockbuster news.
In the Huahua family’s computing office, a consultant named Li designed a high-level programming language.
That language can automatically run programs, directly manipulate machine characters, and can also write games.
That language has a strange name, it’s called ㄅㄛ language.
ㄅㄛ is a strange character even among Chinese characters, and most Americans don’t recognize it.
The reporters found people who have worked in the Mainland to find out that this is a phonetic symbol that reads BO (啵).
It’s just that foreigners’ tongues are thicker and they cannot pronounce the subsequent O sound.
In the end, the reporters and computer experts simplified BO, leaving only B to speak.
ㄅㄛ language has changed to B language again.
The flower grower introduced the B language in detail in "Electronic Computer Dynamics" and published the programming specifications of the B language.
A small game called Fighting the American Emperor's Plane was even compiled in B language.
The magazine is also equipped with more than a dozen photos of the operation of the American aircraft game.
Because there is no display screen, after the program is run, the display lights composed of electronic tubes on the console will flash rhythmically according to the program, forming an airplane.
Although it is very abstract, it does look like an airplane.
Under the aircraft, there is a "gun barrel" composed of five electron tubes.
The operator can issue instructions to operate the barrel to fire bullets.
There are a total of sixteen operational photos. The staff of the "Computer Dynamics" magazine have made careful arrangements. If you flip through them quickly, you can see the entire process of firing cannonballs from the gun barrel and destroying the aircraft.
Further flipping through the pages of the book and watching the footage of US aircraft operating like a movie, Thomas Watson Jr. felt that something was serious.
To be able to run such a complex game program, the storage capacity of the magnetic core memory must be far more than 36K.
What's more serious is that the B language released by Flower Planter crushes the Fortran language released by International Commercial Ye Machinery Company last year in terms of structure and function.
“This Li Aiguo is definitely here to cause trouble!”
Little Thomas Watson’s eyes burst out with murderous intent.
******
The emergence of the game "Playing the American Emperor's Plane" caused a sensation far beyond Thomas Watson's expectations.
Computer experts have compiled many computer games these days.
But those games are static games.
To fight the American plane, players can control it to fire shells and destroy the plane.
For a time, the game of playing the American Emperor appeared in various newspapers in the United States, among which the 103 tube computer of the flower grower was inevitably mentioned.
A reporter with good intentions stood up and spoke again: "The East can come up with this kind of game. We here invest hundreds of millions of dollars every year, but nothing comes out. Isn't this suspicious?"
The computer experts were startled and quickly expressed their grievances: "The East can develop a plane to defeat the American emperor because it has a 103 tube computer, a memory that can store 72K data, and a Japanese language."
The mischievous reporter asked: "So it's all the fault of the International Commercial Machinery Company!"
For a time, the stock price of the International Commercial Ye Machinery Company plummeted (International Commercial Ye Machinery Company was listed in 1911).
Thomas Watson Jr. held several meetings in succession. After learning that Hex Technology had applied for a patent for an improved memory and the copyright to the American Airplane game. A solution was eventually agreed upon.
"Immediately contact Hex Technology, a flower grower in Hong Kong City, and buy the patent for an improved memory model from them."
Li Aiguo came back from driving and was about to go back after a regular meeting. He just walked to the machine maintenance department Duan was stopped at the door by the guard.
"Li Dache, wait a minute, there is your confidential phone number in the section."
The Qianmen Locomotive Maintenance Section is a key unit in these years. In order to prevent Dieter from eavesdropping, the telephone exchange Specially arranged confidentiality lines.
The telephone is placed in a dark hut.
On weekdays, an old man who walks with a limp is in charge.
The uncle is in his sixties and his calf was pierced by a bullet when he was a child. He used to be responsible for weapons maintenance in the Armed Forces Department.
This man has a problem and doesn't sleep all day long.
Even if you fall asleep, as long as there is the slightest sound, you will wake up immediately.
Keeping a confidential phone call requires vigilance, so Minister Niu arranged for the uncle to stay in the hut.
This can be considered as a matter of talent.
My uncle also has a problem, that is, he is too old-fashioned.
Even though Li Aiguo had been to the hut several times, he still kept a straight face and stretched out his hand from the small window at the door.
"Boy, ID!"
After verifying the ID, the uncle opened the iron door and walked out.
"Li Dache, go answer the phone. When you answer the phone later, I will tell you about my little life on the battlefield."
The old man also has a problem, that is, he likes to talk about the past.
Usually the people who answer confidential calls are Duan Chang Xing and the other leaders. They are too busy with work and have no time to listen to stories.
Li Aiguo is interested in the past and is a good listener.
When you don’t need someone, call them kid.
When you need someone, call them Li Dache.
So powerful.
Li Aiguo doesn’t care.
This kind of old comrade looks ugly, and his resume is scary.
Even if you see Minister Niu, you can still call him "Xiao Niuzi".
After the old man walked out of the house, he took out his pistol, loaded it, and stood guard outside the door.
After the iron door was closed, Li Aiguo walked to the table and picked up the red telephone.
"This is Li Aiguo from the Qianmen Locomotive Depot."
"Please wait a moment, the call is being transferred."
A rough man's voice came from the other side.
A moment later.
Yang Jizong’s voice came from the receiver.
“Brother Patriot, you are getting rich, we are getting rich!”
“General Manager Yang, you are the general manager of Hex Technology, and you are going to lead Hex Technology to become a world-class technology company. Men, please pay attention to your image.”
“Ahem, Brother Patriot, have you heard of International Commercial Machinery Company? This is a large computer company from the United States, and now they want to buy our magnets. Core memory patent. The asking price is US$2 million.”
When he heard about International Shangye Machinery Company, Li Aiguo was very happy. This is a big fat sheep.
But when he heard the $2 million, Li Aiguo frowned.
When International Shangye Machinery Company purchased the magnetic core memory patent from Wang An a few years ago, the asking price seemed to be US$2 million.
Is the president of International Shangye Machinery Company too low-educated, lacking imagination, and only knows 2 million US dollars?
“Four million dollars.”
“What?!” Yang Jizong’s surprised voice came from the other side of the phone.
Li Aiguo took the microphone and said solemnly: "You told International Commercial Ye Machinery Company that to purchase the patent, you need four million US dollars. This money also needs to be paid in one time." There was silence on the other side of the phone.
Obviously Yang Jizong was also shocked by this astronomical figure.
However, Yang Jizong is only a nominal general manager, and the real controller of Hex Technology is Li Aiguo.
After a moment, Yang Jizong reacted and said: "I will notify the International Shangye Machinery Company now."
Hang up the phone.
Li Aiguo walked out of the dark room with his hands behind his back and handed the old man a cigarette.
"Uncle, come on, I want to hear how you spent your childhood."
******
"What! Hex Technology The asking price is US$4 million?”
After receiving the news, Thomas Watson Jr., the president of International Shangye Machinery Company, slammed the table and his eyes widened: “Hex Technology really feels that its magnetic Is the memory worth that much? They are blackmailing us."
An assistant rolled his eyes and lowered his voice and said: "Maybe we should agree first, and then do what we did with Wang An Computer Company."
As he spoke, he raised his palm and made a gesture of killing the chicken.
Peter, the manager in charge of the negotiations, quickly shook his head: "Hex Technology requires us to pay four million US dollars in advance before they will transfer the technology patent to us."
"Too cunning. These Orientals are so cunning!" Thomas Watson heard this and banged the table.
Peter was speechless for a while.
If you hadn't used tricks to deal with Wang An Company back then, would Hex Technology have been so vigilant?
Just as the manager responsible for negotiations, he still needs to make suggestions.
"It is said that Hex Technology is the property of the Yang family. How about we find connections with the Hong Kong City and communicate face-to-face with the Yang family?"
"No need. A while ago, Hong Kong News came from the other side of the city that the Yang family’s internal rectification has been completed. Now everyone in Hong Kong knows the Yang family’s position.”
Although Thomas Watson Jr. has a bad character, he is a good person. Very astute person.
And after getting involved in the family business, he used the Watson family’s many years of connections to establish connections with some big shots in Laos and the United States.
Only by relying on well-informed information can one rise among many technology companies.
“But magnetic core memory is really important to us. If it is taken away by competitors, our products will become second-rate products.” The manager reminded.
Thomas Watson Jr. had a smile on his lips: "Not buying patents does not mean that you cannot make improved magnetic core memories."
As soon as these words came out, Peter's face turned pale.
He understood that Thomas Watson Jr. was prepared to "steal" technology.
Of course, Thomas Watson Jr. would not call it "stealing", but "borrowing".
Get the original technology and make some slight changes to make it your own patent.
This was the trick used against Wang An Company back then.
“It’s just that we already got the magnetic core memory from Wang An Company back then. Now the 103 tube computer is still in the mainland, what can we do.”
“Dear Mr. Peter, I hired you to be the The manager in charge of the negotiation is not asking you to ask questions to me." Thomas Watson Jr. interrupted him, stood up, put his hands on the table, and stared at the manager: "Now that negotiation is impossible, then you. You can leave, thank you for your contribution to our International Shangye Machinery Company."
"Leave?" Peter was stunned for a moment before he understood what Thomas Watson meant.
This is about killing the donkey.
He shook his head with a wry smile, returned to his office, and left holding the cardboard box.
Little Thomas Watson stood on the building, watching Peter's figure staggeringly disappear into the heavy rain, with a smile on his lips.
He turned back to his assistant and said: "Tomorrow, a notice will be published in the Wall Street Journal. The content is that Pete, the company's manager in charge of negotiations, inadvertently misunderstood the board of directors during the negotiations with Wang An Computer Company. The intention was to have a negative impact on the relationship between the two companies.
The company will never tolerate such a person with no business spirit, so Peter has been fired."
"Yes!" The assistant couldn't help but shuddered, turned around and left.
Wait until the office door is closed.
Thomas Watson Jr. sat back at the mahogany desk, picked up the gold-plated phone on the table, and dialed a number.
“Hey, is this Uncle Jefferson? Recently, we jointly opened a new major with Harvard University, specializing in computers.
I remember that cousin Mike seemed to like computers very much, and he was very fond of computers. Talented.
Our company likes such talents, so we decided to provide cousin Mike with a full scholarship."
"What? Cousin Mike likes finance and plans to work on Wall Street in the future. ? That’s okay, we also have a cooperative relationship with Duke University and can also provide scholarships.”
"Okay, okay, I'll fly to meet you right away."
After hanging up the phone, Thomas Watson Jr. picked up the phone again and contacted his assistant.
"Get the private jet ready immediately. I'm going to Langley, Virginia."
Half an hour later, a Cessna 172 belonging to the Watson family left the ground and headed towards Fly to Langley, where the old American intelligence base is located.
Standing among the white clouds, looking through the window at the pedestrians who were as small as ants underground, Thomas Watson Jr. took a sip of wine.
The bitter taste exploded in the mouth, but then it became extremely sweet.
"Since you can rob it, why spend money to buy it?"
******
Thomas Watson Jr. is busy contacting Hex science and technology.
In a two-story laboratory located at the corner of Clarendon Street and Columbus Avenue in Boston, Dr. Wang An is listening to a report from the financial staff.
"What?! After paying 450,000 U.S. dollars, International Commercial Ye Machinery Company actually wants to delay the payment?"
"International Commercial Ye Machinery Company said that there was a problem with the patent we sold them, and Their financial situation is not very good, so they postponed the accounting period for three years."
The financial staff said cautiously.
"Extremely shameless! Thomas Watson Jr.'s behavior has completely violated business ethics." Dr. Wang An, who has always believed in traditional culture, swore at this time and slammed his fist on the desk. Looks angry.
No wonder he is so angry. International Commercial Machinery Company was a rogue when it purchased the core memory patent, and now it is defaulting on its debt.
"They are not businessmen, they are robbers, filing lawsuits! We want to file a lawsuit with International Commercial Machinery Company." Dr. Wang An took a deep breath and gritted his teeth.
The Finance reminded: "Doctor, International Commercial Machinery Company has a very good relationship with the Navy, and they also have a very good relationship with those congressmen, if there is a lawsuit"
Finance did not continue talking, and Dr. Wang An also understood.
The reason why International Shangye Machinery Company was able to forcefully purchase his patent at a low price was because they were local snakes.
Dr. Wang An felt a sense of powerlessness.
At this moment, there was a knock on the door outside the conference room.
The finance department was stunned for a moment. Dr. Wang An had a bad temper. During meetings, he usually didn't dare to have anyone knock on the door.
Dr. Wang An was stunned for a moment and shouted, "Come in."
I saw a young man walking in with a newspaper and a report.
This young man is very strong, not like a researcher, but more like a boxer.
He has a thick head of hair that makes Dr. Wang An jealous.
Dr. Wang An has the ability to remember anyone he meets.
This new employee named Chambers is the sales specialist in charge of Wang An Computer Company's business in Asia.
"Chambers, you flew back from the port city, what's the matter?"
"Something may have happened at the International Commercial Ye Machinery Company, I think you should know. ”
Chambers placed the newspapers and reports in front of Dr. Wang.
Then he took a step back and stood quietly aside.
Dr. Wang An picked up the newspaper and read it a few times.
He already knew the news in the newspaper. It was the 103 tube computer and the American plane game that were the most popular in the computer field recently.
Dr. Wang An picked up the report again, glanced at it twice, and suddenly became excited.
"Improved model of magnetic core memory. Now what the International Commercial Ye Machinery Company has stolen from us may really become a pile of garbage."
Dr. Wang An understands , in the computer field, lagging performance means worthlessness.
"Which company owns the patent for the modified magnetic core memory? Do I need to contact them immediately?"
Chambers kept his head down, and only raised his head after being asked Looking at Dr. Wang An: "The patent owner is Hong Kong City Hex Technology. Hex Technology's apparent controlling shareholder is the Yang family of Hong Kong City, but behind it is a mainland man named Li Aiguo."< br>
“Our own people have developed an improved magnetic core memory!”
When Wang An learned the news, he sighed in his heart, there is reincarnation in the way of heaven!
International Shangye Machinery Company took away his patent, and now his family members came forward to give International Shangye Machinery Company a slap in the face.
The depression that had been weighing on Wang An for a long time finally disappeared.
Relieve your anger!
"Dr. Wang An, I know you have connections with the mainland.
If magnetic core memory can indeed have 72K storage capacity, it will change the current computer market.
So I suggest you contact the mainland. "
Chambers said methodically like a cold robot.
"Yes, yes, the mainland has made such great achievements, and those of us overseas are also proud. I will contact the mainland immediately."
Dr. Wang An realized This is a good opportunity for Wang An Computer Company.
As long as the patent for the improved magnetic core memory is obtained, the patent in the hands of International Shangye Machinery Company will become useless paper.
After returning to the villa, Dr. Wang An had a phone call with the comrade in charge of North America.
Dr. Wang An had already made a name for himself in North America at this time, and he was devoted to the motherland. He was one of the people on the list.
After receiving the call, the staff in charge of the North American business did not dare to neglect and quickly sent the news home.
"What? Dr. Wang An is interested in magnetic core memory and wants to purchase a patent license?" Vice President Zhang of the Academy of Sciences was a little surprised when he heard the news.
At the same time he also became excited.
There are very few patented equipment that can be sold in China, let alone high-tech equipment such as computers.
It’s just that Hex Technology is not managed by the Academy of Sciences.
“It’s just that the patent rights of the magnetic core memory are in the hands of Li Aiguo, and are handled by Hex Technology in Hong Kong City. If necessary, we can help Dr. Wang An and Comrade Li Aiguo match up.”
< br>Vice President Zhang quickly came to his senses and replied to his superiors.
(End of chapter)