Chapter 390: Large-Scale Steel Exports

Rocket supervisor Shimite raised a concern: "Doctor, frankly speaking, completing all tests within three months is almost impossible."

"Then change the test plan," Bulaide said decisively, "simplify the system and reduce potential points of failure. Shift the rocket design to more mature technology, even if it means sacrificing some performance. The key is to ensure the first launch is a success."

"The first satellite might only work for a few days, or even just a few hours," satellite system supervisor Wilson warned.

Bulaide smiled slightly: "As long as it can emit a signal for the whole world to hear, even if only for one minute, our goal will have been achieved."

He picked up a piece of chalk and wrote a date on the blackboard: "July 15th, this is our launch window. Gentlemen, history will remember this day—the day the Star-Spangled Country conquers space!"

……

The meeting lasted for a full four hours, with experts from the Military Department and the Academy of Sciences engaging in intense discussions surrounding Li Mingyuan's three major technological proposals.

Arguments rose and fell, with doubts and support intertwined, but as Li Mingyuan answered various technical questions one by one, the voices of opposition gradually diminished.

"I think we can start with the chip production line; this is the foundation of foundations," Director He suggested,

"The satellite program can wait; after all, it is too advanced."

Minister Zhang nodded: "Chief Engineer Li's vision is indeed inspiring, but we must consider the issue of resource allocation. Long Country has just experienced a war and everything is waiting to be done; how to balance people's livelihoods with these high-tech projects is a difficult problem."

Li Mingyuan listened quietly, his fingers tapping lightly on the tabletop.

He understood the reasonableness of these concerns, but he also knew the true threat facing Long Country—the Star-Spangled Country's "Clock Rollback" plan.

If they could not achieve technological leadership as soon as possible, history might change again.

Just as the discussion was about to enter a white-hot stage, Li Mingyuan suddenly raised his hand to signal:

"Leaders, experts, before discussing these three high-tech projects, I would like to propose a suggestion that may be more urgent and practical."

The conference room went quiet, and everyone's gaze focused on him.

"I believe Long Country should immediately launch a large-scale steel export plan."

This sentence exploded in the conference room like a bomb.

The attendees looked at each other, their expressions shifting from confusion to surprise, and then to disbelief.

"Export steel?" The Military Department representative frowned, "Chief Engineer Li, our own infrastructure and military industry are in urgent need of steel; how can we talk about exporting?"

Director Wang of the Ministry of Foreign Trade shook his head: "The current international situation is tense, and all countries are rearming. Steel is a strategic material; what country would be willing to export it on a large scale?"

"Furthermore," Director He also raised a doubt, "our steel production is limited, and the quality is not as good as that of the Star-Spangled Country or Beijixiong Guo; what do we have to compete in the international market?"

Li Mingyuan was unhurried; he took a stack of new blueprints out of his briefcase and signaled for his assistant to distribute them to the attendees.

"Please look at this," he said, pointing to the blueprints, "this is our 'Top-Bottom Combined Blowing Converter' production process. Combined with new continuous casting technology and oxygen top-blowing technology, it can increase steel production efficiency by at least 300%, while significantly reducing energy consumption and improving steel quality."

"According to this process, theoretically, each converter can have an annual capacity of 300,000 tons, which is five times that of the most advanced current Open-Hearth Furnace!"

"Moreover, the construction cost is lower and the footprint is smaller. If we build 30 such converters within a year, the annual output can reach 9 million tons; if we build 100 within three years, that would be 30 million tons."

"30 million tons?" Almost everyone gasped.

This figure was simply astronomical, equivalent to one-fifth of the world's total steel production at the time.

Director Chen of the Ministry of Industry was the first to react:

"Even if the technology is feasible, where would we get so many resources to build so many steel plants? Coal, iron ore, technical personnel... everything is a problem."

Li Mingyuan was well-prepared: "On the contrary, now is the best time for Long Country to develop its steel industry. First, the Star-Spangled Country's reparations can provide us with sufficient funds; second, the armistice agreement stipulates that the Star-Spangled Country must provide us with raw materials, including coal and iron ore, at 30% below market price; third, in terms of technology, we have enough engineers, we only need training and improvement; fourth, the international market is currently in urgent need of reconstruction, and the demand for steel is huge."

He picked up the chalk and quickly drew several curves and numbers on the blackboard:

"According to my calculations, the global steel market needs about 50 million tons annually, with current supply at about 40 million tons, leaving a gap of 10 million tons. Beijixiong Guo is busy with its own reconstruction and has limited capacity; the Star-Spangled Country is constrained by the armistice agreement and needs time for its military industry to transition to civilian use; various countries' post-war infrastructure has been severely damaged, and capacity recovery is slow."

He turned to the crowd, a confident light flashing in his eyes: "This is our opportunity—to fill this 10-million-ton market gap. As long as we are the first to adopt this advanced steel production technology, we can capture the international market with lower costs and higher quality."

The atmosphere in the conference room changed subtly; people began to discuss in low voices, some nodding, others still showing doubt.

Director Zheng of the Resources Committee asked: "Chief Engineer Li, even if we can produce so much steel, how can we guarantee sales? International trade is a complex political game, not just a matter of quality and price."

Li Mingyuan was confident: "First, we can export to its allies through Beijixiong Guo's relationship network; second, Sun Country and Taiji Tiger are rebuilding and are in urgent need of large quantities of steel; third, many newly independent countries are undergoing industrialization; their demand for steel is extremely urgent, and they have no political bias."

He walked to the map and pointed to several regions: "These areas, the emerging countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, will be the main battlefields for future industrialization and our most important markets. As long as we can provide stable, high-quality, and reasonably priced steel, they will choose us over the Star-Spangled Country."

Director Wang of the Ministry of Foreign Trade was thoughtful: "This is indeed an opportunity, but to leverage the international market, we need to establish a complete foreign trade system, shipping network, settlement system... none of these can be solved in the short term."

"Precisely because of this, we must act immediately," Li Mingyuan said firmly, "once the opportunity is missed, it will be very difficult to catch up."

Minister Zhang was silent for a while, then asked: "Chief Engineer Li, you have convinced me regarding the technical feasibility, but I have one more question: what is the connection between steel exports and the three major high-tech projects you proposed earlier?"

Li Mingyuan revealed a mysterious smile: "Minister Zhang has hit the nail on the head. These two things seem unrelated, but in reality, they are inseparable."