Steal the enemy's base at the start and build a technological empire.

Chapter 166 Three Gold Project

3 PM, Municipal Party Committee Family Compound.

Ling Yun carried a box of tea upstairs. Her uncle, Ling Jun, lived on the second floor; the door was ajar.

"Uncle."

"Come in." Ling Jun was looking at documents in the living room, wearing reading glasses.

Lingyun placed the tea leaves on the coffee table.

"West Lake Longjing tea, a friend brought it for me."

"Sit down." Ling Jun took off his glasses. "When did you get back?"

"I just arrived yesterday." Ling Yun sat down. "I have something I'd like to ask you."

"explain."

"What is the current progress of the government's 'Three Golden Projects'?"

Ling Jun glanced at him, then got up and went to the study. When he returned, he was carrying several official documents.

"See for yourself. Don't ask about classified information."

Lingyun took the document.

The first document is the "Report on the Construction of the 'Golden Bridge Project' by the National Informatization Leading Group," dated December 1996.

Abstract: The Golden Bridge Project has completed the construction of the national public telecommunications network backbone, covering 30 provincial capitals. The next step is to promote the construction of prefecture-level nodes, with the goal of achieving access for cities at the county level and above by the end of 1998.

The second document is the "Summary of Pilot Work of the Golden Customs Project", dated March 1997.

Abstract: Pilot programs have been implemented in customs, tax, and foreign trade departments. Electronic data exchange for import and export declarations and tax invoices has been achieved. The next step is to expand the pilot program.

The third document is the "Gold Card Project Promotion and Implementation Plan", dated June 1997.

Abstract: A pilot program for interbank card interoperability is being implemented in twelve cities. The plan is to expand this to major cities within three years.

After Lingyun finished reading the document, he handed it back.

"Infrastructure construction phase," he said.

"Right." Ling Jun put his glasses back on. "Build the roads first, then drive the cars. Data can only flow once the network is connected."

"What technology was used?"

"The equipment is mainly imported," Ling Jun said. "We use Ericsson and Cisco switches, IBM and HP servers, and Oracle databases. Domestic technology can't keep up."

"What about the operating system?"

"Primarily Windows NT, with some Unix systems."

Ling Yun remained silent for a while.

"Uncle, I have a concern."

"explain."

"Currently, the foundation of the government system, from hardware to software, is all from foreign companies. Switches, servers, operating systems, databases... everything is in their hands. What if one day they refuse to sell it, or they leave backdoors?"

Ling Jun put down the documents.

"This issue has been raised by others. But the reality is that domestic technology is indeed lagging behind. Without imports, the system cannot be built."

"It can be used, but we can't rely on it," Ling Yun said. "We should simultaneously promote domestic alternatives. Even if the performance is slightly inferior, we should get it working first, and then gradually optimize it."

Do you have any specific ideas?

"Yes." Ling Yun sat up straight. "In terms of hardware, Xinghuo Electronics Factory can produce domestically made complete machines, and their performance can meet office needs. In terms of software, Xingchen System has a server version that can replace Windows NT. As for databases... there are several companies in China that are working on them, and we can invest in and support them."

Ling Jun looked at him.

"Is the system you made actually usable?"

"It works," Ling Yun said. "We'll use the Xingchen system to bid on the Jiangsu Province university computer classroom project. If we win the bid, that will be the best proof."

"Universities and governments are different," Ling Jun said. "Government systems have high requirements; stability, security, and compatibility are all essential."

"So we need a pilot program," Ling Yun said. "We'll select a non-core business system, replace it with a domestically developed solution, run it for a year, and if there are no problems, then we can roll it out."

Ling Jun thought for a moment.

"Write a report. Clearly state the problem, provide specific solutions, and make sure the case studies and data are solid. I'll submit it for you."

"it is good."

"The key point is to clearly explain the risks," Ling Jun said. "We can't just talk about technology; we need to talk about national strategic security. Many people still don't realize the seriousness of this issue."

"clear."

Ling Jun got up and poured tea.

"How long are you staying this time?"

"About two weeks. I need to finalize the university project and meet with a few people."

"Whom are you going to see?"

"Ni Guangnan," Ling Yun said, "the chief engineer of Fantastic Computers. I'd like to invite him over."

Ling Jun paused for a moment.

"Old Ni? He's a top-notch tech expert. Would he even come?"

"We're in talks. He doesn't want to retire; there's a place for him to contribute here."

"If we can really get them here, that would be great." Ling Jun pushed the teacup towards them. "Spark Technology isn't very well-known right now, but they're doing visionary things. If they keep at it, they'll amount to something."

"Thank you, Uncle."

After finishing his tea, Lingyun prepared to leave.

As he reached the door, Ling Jun called out to him.

When can I get the report?

Three days later.

"Okay. I've made an appointment with the director of the Provincial Information Office for dinner next Wednesday. You can come along."

"OK."

After leaving the municipal party committee's residential compound, Zhao Hu drove over.

"Mr. Ling, where are we going?"

"Go back to the company. Have Weiguo and Lingling come over for a meeting."

Back in the Xinghuo Electronics Factory office, Zhao Weiguo and Chen Lingling were already waiting.

"Have you submitted the tender documents?" Ling Yun asked.

"We've submitted it," Chen Lingling said. "As required, we provided a prototype and technical solution. The evaluation panel will open the bids next Wednesday."

Who are our competitors?

"There are three main companies," Zhao Weiguo said, flipping through his notebook. "Yixiang Computer, Lenovo, and Founder. They all use imported components and Windows systems, and their prices are about 20% higher than ours."

"What about the skill score?"

"Technology accounts for 60%, and price accounts for 40%," Chen Lingling said. "Our advantage lies in localization and customization, while our disadvantage is brand awareness."

"Is there a list of judges?"

"Yes." Chen Lingling handed over a piece of paper. "Five judges: the director of the Information Center of the Provincial Department of Education, the director of the Procurement Department of the Provincial Department of Finance, and the directors of the audio-visual education centers of three universities."

Ling Yun glanced at the list.

"My uncle has arranged a dinner with the director of the provincial information office this Wednesday. I'll mention this project, but I won't directly interfere."

"clear."

"Weiguo," Lingyun said, "if we win the bid, can production keep up?"

"Yes, we can," Zhao Weiguo said. "The new factory will start production at the beginning of next month, with a monthly capacity of 5,000 units. We can finish 300 computers in a week."

"Quality must be guaranteed," Ling Yun said. "This is a model project; there can't be any problems."

"I'll oversee it personally."

"Lingling," Lingyun said, looking at Chen Lingling, "prepare a detailed implementation plan. This should include equipment delivery, installation and commissioning, teacher training, and post-installation maintenance. It should be detailed down to each day."

"OK."

"In addition," Lingyun said, "I need to write a report on government information security. Lingling, can you help me collect information, especially the technical architecture of the 'Three Golden Projects' and cases of domestic substitution?"

What documents are needed?

"The technical solutions, equipment list, and supplier information for the Three Gold Project. Which domestic companies are making related alternative products, their technical level, and market application status."

"I'll check right away."

After the two left, Lingyun opened his laptop.

He began writing the report outline.

Title: Suggestions on Promoting an Independent and Controllable Technology System in E-government Construction

Divided into three parts:

I. Current Situation and Risk Analysis

1. The current level of dependence of government systems on foreign technology

2. Potential risks: supply chain security, data security, technology blockade

3. Typical Cases (International Cases May Be Cited)

II. Feasibility Analysis

1. Current Status of Domestic Technology: Hardware, Software, and Networks

2. Alternative Solution: Gradual Replacement Path

3. Cost-benefit analysis

III. Policy Recommendations

1. Establish an independent and controllable technology standards system

2. Establish a special support fund

3. Carry out pilot demonstration projects

4. Strengthen talent development and international cooperation

He wrote for an hour, and the basic framework was complete.

Then I called Ni Guangnan.

"Chief Engineer Ni, it's me, Ling Yun."

"Mr. Ling, I'm still considering it."

"I need your help with something," Ling Yun said. "I'm writing a report on government information security and technological self-reliance. You're an authority in this field; could you give me some guidance?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Who is this report for?"

"Submit it to the relevant national departments."

When do you need it?

Within three days.

"Send the outline to my email," Ni Guangnan said. "Let me take a look."

"Thank you, Chief Engineer Ni."

After hanging up the phone, Lingyun sent the outline over.

Half an hour later, Ni Guangnan called back.

"I've read the outline. It's missing a crucial point: ecosystem building," he said. "Technology alone isn't enough; there also needs to be users, applications, and services. It needs to clearly explain how to build an application ecosystem for domestically developed technologies."

"You're right." Ling Yun noted it down. "How about you take care of writing this part?"

"...Okay," Ni Guangnan said. "I happen to have some ideas. I'll send them to you tomorrow."

"Thanks."