Chapter 557: This Is a Bit Too Big

Seeing Lu Cheng stand up, with a rare serious expression, Tang Qiusheng also felt curiosity.

"Then tell me, which product can earn valuable foreign exchange."

After finishing changing the two children's diapers last night, Lu Cheng kept leaning against the headboard without sleeping, his mind replaying which product from his previous life emerged only later.

Only in this way can we quickly capture the market before other countries manage to produce it.

Having lived a second life, Lu Cheng, relying on prophetic memories, naturally knows which product does not exist now, but because of material and R&D constraints, it would still be hard to produce.

So this product cannot be set too far ahead of the current era, otherwise it would be unrealistic.

Until dawn struck, he thought of a product from the 1980s that was only gradually becoming common abroad.

"Induction Cooker." Lu Cheng blurted out the product.

This is what he came up with after exhausting his mind, combining domestic and foreign conditions—a product suitable for production right now.

"Induction Cooker?" Tang Qiusheng had never heard of such a thing.

"Yes, Director Tang, an Induction Cooker is used for cooking, just as we now cook using a coal stove, which is very inconvenient, but an Induction Cooker runs on electricity; wherever there is power, it can be used."

Lu Cheng said, gesturing the dimensions.

Tang Qiusheng thought it rather interesting: "If electricity can cook, that's indeed convenient. Hey, how did you know about this thing?"

Lu Cheng tossed out a casual excuse: "I read it in the Newspaper. Currently, the Induction Cooker already has a prototype in America, but the reason it hasn't become widespread, we can guess, is definitely because a certain component used in it is too expensive."

Tang Qiusheng nodded; the high price of such a product must be linked to the raw materials it uses.

If the raw material is difficult to produce or to mine, then the final product's price will inevitably be very high.

"But… you just said America already has it, and even they can't lower the cost; how could we possibly manage it?"

After all, America's technological level is far higher than China's, so Tang Qiusheng's remark is quite natural.

Lu Cheng knew that in the early 1980s, Induction Cookers would quickly become common abroad; widespread adoption indicates lower prices, making them affordable to the masses.

It also indirectly shows that the component previously used in Induction Cookers must now have a cheaper substitute.

Lu Cheng's deduction was based on his previous life's memories, but he couldn't say that to Tang Qiusheng.

"Director Tang, I've learned from the Newspaper that Induction Cookers aren't technically difficult; if we put in the effort, we can definitely develop a substitute.

My classmates, each of them is sharp‑witted."

Tang Qiusheng believed this, thinking that even a major project like the New Type Internal Combustion Engine could be gradually tackled by Lu Cheng's classmates together with the Railway Institute, so a small Induction Cooker is indeed no big deal.

"Mm, the product now exists, and I also trust what you said; we can …"

"Induction Cooker," Lu Cheng reminded.

"Right, Induction Cooker! Even if we can produce it cheaply enough for ordinary people to afford and buy, how will we earn foreign exchange from it later?"

"If we hand it to another factory, which is outside our jurisdiction, their export earnings of foreign exchange wouldn't concern us at all."

By now, Director Tang finally began to show some interest.

Lu Cheng sat down and said, "I've already thought this through; we definitely can't give it to another factory. If we produce it, we must build the factory ourselves."

Tang Qiusheng exclaimed in surprise, "What are you joking about? This is the National Railway, not the One Machine Department; how could we set up a civilian‑production factory?"

"Director Tang, I've also thought of a solution: we don't need to build a factory ourselves; let my sister's Department Store Cooperative affiliate with our Railway Department, becoming a small enterprise under our Railway Department, produce it, and then remit the profits to us."

Under the current planned economy, individuals cannot engage in commerce, and enterprises cannot operate outside the organization; overall, procurement and distribution remain centralized.

The only way for my sister to increase her income is to affiliate with another enterprise, a method many will adopt in the coming years.

Lu Cheng knew that affiliating with another enterprise carries risk; with Reform and Opening Up, the system loosens, turning into a market economy, which will spawn a group of tycoons.

However, many of those tycoons exploit loopholes in the reforms, short‑selling companies, and will later be liquidated and jailed.

Lu Cheng cannot let his sister take that path; only by relying on the state, giving back to the state, and becoming a red enterprise can the Lu family's ship sail steadily on the sea.

So currently affiliating with the Railway Department is the first step in strengthening the Lu family.

However, after hearing Lu Cheng's words, Tang Qiusheng hesitated.

"No wonder you just said let us initially get in touch with your sister; so this was your consideration."

Lu Cheng nodded, "Indeed, Director Tang, my sister will handle the management; our Railway Department will merely serve as the host, and we won't have to worry about anything else. When foreign exchange is earned, most of it will be remitted back, making it entirely worthwhile."

Seeing Tang Qiusheng remain silent, he sat there first nodding, then shaking his head, leaving Lu Cheng clueless about what it meant.

"Director Tang, I know you have reservations, but if there's a way to earn foreign exchange, it would not only strengthen our Railway Industry but also increase the nation's foreign‑exchange reserves. Such a beneficial move, I think, is worth trying."

Tang Qiusheng was indeed moved by the argument; when he looked back at Lu Cheng, his gaze grew complicated.

Ah, how much stuff do you have packed into that head of yours? It feels like making you a Junior Police Officer has really put you at a disadvantage.

I think, if not, we could swap places; if that still doesn't work, let the Minister swap with you.

Lu Cheng quickly waved his hand: "Director Tang saying that really flusters me. Yes, I have the potential to become a Minister, but I'm still young."

Tang Qiusheng laughed: "Heh, you actually dare to agree!"

Seeing the other side smile, Lu Cheng seized the moment to ask, "So, Director Tang, did you agree?"

"The soy‑sauce matter can be agreed to, but the thing you mentioned about building a factory to earn foreign exchange is too big and not under our department's jurisdiction; my agreement would be meaningless."

The first move for the Lu family was still about to be taken, but it ended up dying halfway.

It turns out the existing policies and system impose limits.

Lu Cheng was about to be disappointed, but Tang Qiusheng couldn't resist the lure of earning foreign exchange; after a moment of thought, he said.

"How about this: I can submit your idea upward; whether it can be realized depends on the higher‑ups' decision."

Hearing Tang Qiusheng loosen up, Lu Cheng immediately stood, his hands clasped excitedly: "Director Tang, I thank you on behalf of our nation's Railway Industry…"

Director Tang brushed his hand away disdainfully: "Go, go, go, I don't need your thanks; you really think you're a Minister!"

"No, no, I was just a bit excited…"

Regardless, Lu Cheng was strategizing for the Railway Industry's development, and Tang Qiusheng was still very satisfied.

"This matter can be postponed; for now, what you need to do is rush to develop the New Type Internal Combustion Engine."

Lu Cheng understood Tang Qiusheng's meaning; Captain Lei didn't have much time left.