Chapter 144: Who Do You Think You Are

When they saw the workers skillfully operating various equipment, saw small, exquisite vacuum tubes being conveyed from the end of the production line, and saw them all light up after testing, the entire visiting delegation fell silent.

The old academician's hands were visibly trembling; he wanted to record something, but found he could not hold his notebook steady.

"This... how is this possible?" a middle-aged expert finally broke the silence. "Our Academy of Sciences has researched this for three years and still hasn't fully mastered the manufacturing process for vacuum tubes. Your factory... how did you manage it?"

His tone carried a clear sense of disbelief, even a hint of suspicion.

Li Mingyuan looked at him calmly: "It's very simple. We improved the process, increased material purity, and optimized the structural design."

"Talk is cheap," that expert sneered. "Can you dismantle one on the spot for us to see? I want to see if you truly have the technology or if you just stole samples from somewhere."

The surroundings suddenly went quiet, and the air seemed to freeze.

Minister Zhao's expression turned ugly, and just as he was about to lash out, Li Mingyuan reached out to stop him.

"Of course," Li Mingyuan said with a smile. "Not only can I dismantle one, I can also make one on the spot for you to see."

He walked to the production line, skillfully took various materials and tools, and began the vacuum tube manufacturing process in front of everyone. His technique was extremely proficient; every movement was clean and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

From the blowing of the glass tube to the precise positioning of the electrodes, and then to the vacuum extraction and sealing, the entire process was like flowing water, elegant to the point of being art.

When Li Mingyuan completed the final step and connected the self-made vacuum tube to the testing equipment, and the blue light shone steadily, the skeptical expert was already dumbfounded, his expression as if he had seen an alien.

"I..." the expert opened his mouth, but could not speak.

The old academician walked forward, carefully picked up the vacuum tube Li Mingyuan had just made, and examined it closely, his eyes filled with awe.

"It's incredible," the old academician's voice was somewhat choked. "This precision, this craftsmanship... I have visited the most advanced vacuum tube factories abroad, and they don't have such proficient technology!"

He turned to Li Mingyuan and bowed deeply: "Chief Engineer Li, I apologize for my skepticism just now. Your achievement is not only the glory of the Rolling Mill, but the pride of our entire country!"

This statement caused the entire atmosphere to change.

Other experts also gathered around, asking about technical details all at once.

Li Mingyuan answered them one by one, neither showing off nor being secretive, displaying the demeanor of a true expert.

The news continued to spread, and just one week later, the Rolling Mill welcomed an unprecedented lineup—delegations from the Military, the Academy of Sciences, and the Ministry of Industry visited simultaneously, all for the sake of this vacuum tube production line.

In the conference room, the air was almost frozen.

The representatives of the three parties sat on each side, their eyes filled with vigilance and a sense of competition.

The Military Representative was a stern-faced general; he was the first to speak, his voice loud and forceful:

"According to instructions from superiors, vacuum tube technology is a strategic material, and the Military has priority usage rights. We demand that the technology be transferred to military factories immediately and managed uniformly by the Military!"

The old academician from the Academy of Sciences immediately retorted: "Vacuum tubes are basic scientific research equipment, and various research units are in urgent need of large quantities. Handing the technology over to the Military for monopoly will seriously hinder the progress of our country's scientific research!"

The representative from the Ministry of Industry emphasized: "Vacuum tubes are key components for industrial development. Civilian industry has a greater demand, and the needs of national economic construction should be met first!"

The three parties argued without reaching a conclusion, and the temperature in the conference room seemed to rise by several degrees.

Minister Zhao sat to the side, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead; the situation had already exceeded his control.

Finally, everyone turned their gaze toward Li Mingyuan at the end of the conference table.

"Chief Engineer Li, what is your take?" the three representatives asked almost simultaneously.

Li Mingyuan looked around and said calmly: "I believe the technology should remain at its place of origin. The Rolling Mill has the capacity to continue increasing production to meet the needs of all parties."

As soon as these words were spoken, the representatives of all three parties frowned.

"Impossible," the Military Representative slammed the table and stood up. "National defense needs must be prioritized!"

"Scientific research cannot afford to wait either!" the Academy of Sciences representative retorted.

"What about civilian industry? Should we let factories across the country stop production and wait?" the Ministry of Industry representative was not to be outdone.

The argument erupted again, even more intensely than before.

This time, the focus was all on Li Mingyuan.

"Chief Engineer Li, who do you think you are?" the Military Representative said coldly. "This is not something you can decide alone!"

The Academy of Sciences representative followed up: "The technology belongs to the country, not to an individual. You have an obligation to cooperate with the decisions of your superiors!"

The Ministry of Industry representative was even more direct: "If you refuse to cooperate, it may be seen as an act of hindering national construction!"

The atmosphere in the conference room was already tense, and Li Mingyuan had become the target of everyone's criticism.

Li Mingyuan stood up slowly, and the room suddenly went quiet. Everyone stared at him, waiting for his response.

"Respected leaders and experts," Li Mingyuan's voice was not loud but very firm, "the vacuum tube is just the beginning, not the end."

He took a small black object smaller than a thumbnail from his pocket and placed it in the center of the table:

"Do you know what this is? This is a transistor. It will replace the vacuum tube in the future and completely change the face of the electronics industry."

Everyone present looked at the small thing in confusion; clearly, no one knew what it was.

"I can share the vacuum tube technology for free, but there is one condition—the Rolling Mill must retain the right to continue research and development. Because what I am going to do next is a technology a hundred times more important than the vacuum tube."

He looked around, his gaze firm: "If you all only stare at the vacuum tube before you, you will miss a broader future. What I need is not to fight over existing achievements, but support for the next step of research and development."

"Arrogant!" the Military Representative scolded angrily. "You, a mere engineer, dare to point fingers at state organs?"

"Ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!" a young expert from the Academy of Sciences could not help but speak up. "A technical hurdle that hundreds of experts at the Academy of Sciences couldn't overcome, what right do you have to say you can do it?"

The Ministry of Industry representative sneered: "Young man, don't let a few successes go to your head. Do you know what 'arrogant soldiers will be defeated' means?"

Facing the siege from the three parties, Li Mingyuan maintained a detached calmness, only gently tapping the small transistor on the table:

"You may question my attitude, but history will prove my choice."

The atmosphere in the conference room had dropped to freezing point, and everyone glared at this "unappreciative" young engineer.