At a time when Cisse vowed to revive American manufacturing, Lin Zhenhua and his old friend Ford were sitting in an office building attached to the Navy by the Huangpu River, signing an agreement for the United States to import two experimental helium turbines from China.

As a key equipment in the fourth generation of nuclear power, helium turbines are currently only manufactured in China. The United States is planning to develop fourth-generation nuclear power technology, and the helium turbines it needs can only be imported from China. According to Ford, if the two experimental units are running satisfactorily, it is possible that the two sides will have to sign a longer-term contract in the future.

"Lin, I really didn't expect that the company under your command would develop to such an extent, and the cutting-edge technology such as helium turbines was actually developed by your company, which really surprised me. I remember when I met you more than 20 years ago, you were just a ...... By the way, you said you were just a porter back then. ”

Ford finished signing the main documents, asked his subordinates to complete the signing of other documents, and then walked to the window of Linjiang with Lin Zhenhua with a cup of coffee, looked at the scenery outside the window, and chatted with gossip.

Lin Zhenhua laughed and said, "Ford, don't just talk about me. More than 20 years ago, weren't you just a small technician? But now that you're the undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, to be honest, you've made a big transition, right? ”

"Thanks to your help." Ford said.

Lin Zhenhua met Ford in the early 80s of the last century, when Ford, as a technician of Spischer, instructed the use of CNC machine tools at the Jiangnan Petrochemical Machinery Factory. Lin Zhenhua relied on the knowledge he had in later generations to knock out a sum of money from Spischer Company and found the first pot of gold after the crossing. It was in this incident that the two began to form a relationship.

Since then, under the instigation of Lin Zhenhua, Ford has gradually changed from a pure technician to an agent of GCA in overseas markets, helping GCA to match and facilitate many transactions. I also earned a lot of commissions for myself. After tasting the sweetness, Ford simply abandoned his profession and became a congressman, playing a lot of roles in American trade affairs with China, especially in promoting the American Agricultural Association's export of wheat and soybeans to China.

As a result of these achievements, he was favored by the previous president and arranged for him to become a deputy minister of the Ministry of Commerce, realizing the transformation of his role from a parliamentarian to a government official.

Ford knows it. I was able to go so smoothly in my career. It is inseparable from Lin Zhenhua's support. Many of his achievements in trade with China have benefited from a good relationship with Lin Zhenhua. He has always believed that Lin Zhenhua is the person who has helped his career the most.

Hearing Ford's thanks, Lin Zhenhua waved his hand and said, "Everyone is a friend, and what do you say about helping or not." Let's be honest. Your position in the Ministry of Commerce is still very beneficial to our cooperation. By the way, will your position be affected by this change of president in the United States? ”

Ford smiled mysteriously and whispered, "Lin, we're old friends, and I'll tell you the truth, if Cisse can be elected this time, I will become the secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce." He's already talked to me. He is very optimistic about my experience in the manufacturing industry and hopes that this experience will help him in his administration. ”

"So, Cisse really wants to make a fuss in the manufacturing industry?" Lin Zhenhua asked. Many media in China have also hyped up Cisse's election platform, and even Ping Tuzi's theory of China's rust has been popularized by many people.

It seems a bit presumptuous for Lin Zhenhua to raise this question directly to the future US Secretary of Commerce. But Mr. Lam's relationship with Mr. Ford is more than diplomatic and business-like. You know, Ford still holds the original shares of Hanhua Machine Tool Company, which belongs to one of Lin Zhenhua's partners, what can not be said between them? …,

"That's true." "Cisse offered to revive U.S. manufacturing. His campaign has taken this as a very important weight, believing that the proposal can appeal to a significant part of the American people. At the same time, it can also win him the support of manufacturing groups. ”

"Is it a campaign slogan, or is it a plan to be implemented in the future?" Lin Zhenhua asked.

Ford laughed, "Lin, it seems that you still know a lot about our American campaign politics." ”

Lin Zhenhua said: "Saying one thing and doing another, isn't this what your country's presidential candidates are used to?" This is not something I have concluded, and it is often said in your media. ”

"Yes, yes." Ford nodded, "Our president will always say that this is for the needs of the election, and I have to say that, but whether or not I want to do it in the end is another matter." However, Cisse is not talking about the revival of the manufacturing industry, as far as I know, he does have this intention, which is also his long-standing ideal. If he could be elected, I think he would do it. ”

"He's going to be elected." Lin Zhenhua said, "In other words, the United States is indeed going to launch a plan to revitalize the manufacturing industry." ”

Ford looked at Lin Zhenhua in surprise and asked, "Lin, why are you so sure that Cisse will be elected?" By the way, I remember many years ago, you were paying attention to Cissé, when he was running for Congress, you also gave him money, could it be that at that time you believed that he could be elected president of the United States? Oh, cake seller, can I think you know traditional Chinese witchcraft? ”

"Hehe, that's just a coincidence." Lin Zhenhua hurriedly covered up, he found that after he crossed over, a lot of history has changed, but there are also many things that have not been changed. For example, Cissé did run for the 56th president of the United States, and if nothing else, he should be elected.

Ford is not a superstitious person, he said that Lin Zhenhua understands witchcraft, which is just a joke. After a few words of laughter, he returned to Lin Zhenhua's question, shook his head and said: "Although Cisse has such determination, I am not optimistic about it. I don't think the U.S. has any hope of reviving manufacturing. ”

"Why?" Lin Zhenhua asked curiously, the person in front of him is the future US Secretary of Commerce, an important member of Cisse's ruling team, but he is so unoptimistic about Cisse's plan.

Ford said: "Lin, I'm a technology person, and I know that manufacturing can't be stimulated by one or two empty plans, it needs a market and money. Now that the Chinese have occupied the global industrial market, American companies cannot compete with Chinese companies in terms of cost. This determines that there is no room for development in the manufacturing industry in the United States.

In addition, Cisse proposes to compete with China in wind and solar power, and to develop the best technology. But technology needs to be funded, and I don't think Congress will agree to allow him to allocate enough money to support both industries. Therefore, even if he had such determination, he would not have the strength to accomplish the goal of reviving the manufacturing industry. ”

Lin Zhenhua smiled dumbly: "Ford, if Cisse knew that you were so ambitious about him, would he still let you be the Secretary of Commerce?" ”

Ford shrugged. Said: "These words. I won't say anything to him. Lin, we're friends, that's why I'm telling you this. I think. The United States has passed its heyday, and it is time to cede the stage to emerging powers. The United States only needs to maintain its existing industries, which is enough for the American people to live very richly. I believe that cracking down on the bandits on Wall Street is better for the welfare of the American people than reviving manufacturing. …,

In order to compete with emerging countries for the dominance of the industry, it will require the people to be willing to endure hardships and be willing to put in more efforts than before. But in the United States, I'm sorry, but there aren't many people willing to do that. ”

People like Ford can be regarded as carrying out the spirit of pragmatism in American society to the extreme, and they don't care whether they are patriotic or not, they just care about how much benefit they can get. Reputedly. This is also the philosophy of Western philosophy: everyone for himself, God for everyone.

In fact, not only in the United States, but in China, this kind of self-supremacy is gradually occupying the mainstream, everyone is more concerned about their own gains and losses, and the country no longer blindly requires the people to "contribute". Speaking of which, this can be regarded as a kind of progress. A society. We can't always ask the people to contribute, and the purpose of development is ultimately to let the people live a good life.

"Ford, thank you for your candor." Lin Zhenhua said.

Ford continued: "I know more about the current state of manufacturing in the United States than Cissé. America's technological superiority has been formed over the past 100 years, in the words of you Chinese. It is the emaciated camel that is bigger than the horse. But when it comes to emerging industries, the U.S. doesn't have a clear advantage. For example: In the fourth generation of nuclear power technology, China has gone ahead of the United States. Helium turbine technology, you've put it into practice, but in the U.S., it's not even successful in the lab. ”

"Oh, yes!" Hearing Ford's words, Lin Zhenhua remembered one more thing, he quickly pulled Ford to a soldier in a Navy uniform, and said: "Ford, I remember, there is still a very important document between us that has not been signed. This is Mr. Chang Qingbo, the technical representative of the military, and this document needs to be signed between you and him. ”

"The military?" Ford was a little puzzled, "Why does the cooperation between us involve the military?" ”

Chang Qingbo smiled and said, "Mr. Ford, it is precisely because the cooperation between you and Chairman Lin does not involve the military that there is a document that you need to sign, please see ......."

As he spoke, he handed a few pages to Ford, who took it and looked at it, and couldn't help but laugh, it turned out that this was a letter of commitment, and the content was written a lot, and it boiled down to one meaning: the United States promised not to use the helium turbines purchased this time and the technology formed therefrom for military purposes.

"Uh...... Is this necessary? Ford looked at Lin Zhenhua and asked sneeringly.

Chang Qingbo said: "Mr. Ford, please don't mind, this is just a routine." You know, when we import equipment from your country, we have signed at least hundreds of such commitments. ”

When Chang Qingbo said this, he was also very emotional. In the past, when China brought technology from the West, which time did Western manufacturers not attach such requirements? In order to prevent the Chinese from using advanced equipment imported from the West for military use, Western companies have even forced automatic recorders and GPS positioning systems to be installed on these equipment. They will often come and check to see if the equipment is processed for military purposes and whether it has been moved to other places.

If you are not as skilled as others, you can only accept this kind of insulting clause. Now, it is finally the turn of the Chinese to get the Americans to sign such a pledge.

Hanhua's development of helium turbines was first used as power for domestic nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, so it belongs to military technology. However, the helium turbine that Ford came to purchase this time is used in the fourth generation of nuclear power, and it has nothing to do with the military. The nuclear power technology of the US aircraft carrier is already mature, and it is impossible to replace the helium turbine for some time to come, so the Chinese side asked Ford to sign a letter of commitment that the equipment will not be used for military purposes, which has no practical significance. …,

However, even if it is disgusting, Lin Zhenhua has to do it. After so many years of grievances, I finally have a chance to take a bad breath, why not do it? You must know that on international issues, Lin Zhenhua has never been a broad-minded person. He himself often said that in dealing with imperialist countries, we should not treat the good as the small, and do not take the evil as the small...... I don't know if Liu Da'er will come over to settle accounts with Lin Zhenhua when he sees his famous words being distorted like this.

"Ford, I remember you said that these devices won't be used for military purposes, right?" Lin Zhenhua was beating a side drum on the side.

"That's true." "We're just going to use them for civilian nuclear power." Besides, we have no intention of using helium turbine technology in the military at all. ”

Lin Zhenhua said: "In this case, what's the difficulty for you to sign this letter of commitment?" ”

"There's nothing to worry about." Ford sighed, and the boss reluctantly took a pen, signed his name on the pledge, and said, "I just think that such a pledge is unavoidable...... Well, I guess I'm the first U.S. commercial representative to sign such a pledge, right? ”

"I'm sure you won't be the last." Lin Zhenhua smiled and took the letter of commitment back and handed it to Chang Qingbo.

"Lin, this is not the way to treat friends." Ford grumbled aggrievedly.

Lin Zhenhua patted Ford's shoulder and said, "Ford, you're thinking too much, it's not for you to see, this is a congratulatory gift for Cisse." Perhaps, he was stimulated by this incident and could be even more angry. ”