The rise of a great power: starting with military industry

Chapter 100 Rapid Progress

How valuable is foreign exchange?

Just look at the import and export situation.

In 1978, China's total import and export volume was US$206.4 billion, with exports of US$97.5 billion and imports of US$108.9 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of US$11.4 billion.

At the end of 1978, foreign exchange reserves were only US$1.67 million.

You should know that these foreign exchange reserves are not all US dollars, but include gold, US dollars, British pounds, Japanese yen, francs, marks, Hong Kong dollars, etc.

This means that only companies can exchange foreign currency, while it is almost difficult for individuals to exchange foreign currency.

The exchange rate set by the bank can often be doubled on the black market.

But Liu Tao's family could actually afford 80,000 US dollars to buy a courtyard house. At a time when even a "ten thousand dollar household" was a rare thing, you can imagine how shocking it was.

Zhu Xiongxin thought he was a person of status, but if he was asked to exchange dollars, he estimated that he would not be able to exchange even ten dollars.

Gradually, they also found out that the money was actually rewards from various departments at all levels for Liu Tao's scientific research achievements.

Even the 80,000 US dollars that could be exchanged were exchanged by Liu Tao through his own ability.

Zhu Lin's beautiful eyes moved, and she suddenly realized that she didn't know much about Liu Tao.

No wonder Liu Tao has been spending money lavishly these days without feeling any regret at all. It turns out that Liu Tao is so good at making money.

"People say hard work makes you rich, but in fact scientific research can also make you rich!" Zhu Xiongxin couldn't help but sigh.

The more she looked at Liu Tao, the more satisfied she was. She didn't have to worry about her daughter suffering if she married him.

They ate and drank until after nine o'clock, when they finished their meal. Liu Tao went out early to pay the bill.

"Brother, my sister-in-law is as beautiful as a fairy." Liu Ziyu said, holding Liu Tao's hand.

Liu Tao said proudly: "Well, I have a good eye! To be able to catch my eye, it is not just anyone."

Beauty lies in the bones, not in the skin. A woman will still be a beauty even ten or twenty years later.

Anyway, Liu Tao estimated that he would never forget Zhu Lin's tender eyes.

"My dear daughter is working at the Academy of Medical Sciences, and you are in Yunnan Province. It's not a good thing for us to live apart from each other!" After Chen Fang's joy, she looked worried.

At the Academy of Medical Sciences, Zhu Lin's job as a scientific researcher is undoubtedly a high-end profession and a stable job.

Moreover, many people may not be able to get this iron rice bowl even if they try their best.

No matter how capable Liu Tao is, he is in Yun Province, thousands of miles away, making travel inconvenient.

Liu Tao didn't care at all. "What's the big deal? I go back to Beijing every one or two months. It only takes a few hours to get there by plane."

"Depending on the situation, it would be great if Linlin could come to work in our unit's hospital." Liu Tao also had some thoughts on this matter.

He is different from others. It is difficult for others to take a plane, so they may not be able to see each other once a year. But he is different. He can go back to Beijing once every one or two months and stay for a week each time.

Moreover, we can slowly do ideological work on Zhu Lin in the future and get him to go to Panshan Machinery Factory.

Or after a few years, when Panshan Machinery Factory has grown stronger, it can set up its headquarters in Beijing. Or when Panshan Machinery Factory is on the right track and no longer needs Liu Tao, he can also go to Beijing.

There are definitely problems, but there are definitely more solutions to them.

The next morning, Liu Tao followed his parents to the unit.

He finally got a reply.

"The higher-ups are very interested in what you mentioned, and there will be special people working on this matter next," said Wang Baoguo.

Liu Tao asked curiously: "Which department are you from?"

"Special department." Wang Baoguo said four words and said nothing more. Liu Tao understood immediately.

Yes, it is most appropriate for special departments to do this kind of thing.

Both the Ministry of State Security and the Intelligence Department of the General Staff are suitable for this task.

"Okay, I'll go back to Yun Province tomorrow." Liu Tao said with a smile.

Now that this matter has been resolved, there is no need for him to stay in Beijing any longer and he can return to Panshan Machinery Factory as soon as possible.

"Well, the working group will go back with you then." Wang Baoguo nodded.

Afterwards, Liu Tao contacted the working group and purchased a plane ticket.

There happens to be a flight to Queensland tomorrow morning, so there is no need to wait any longer.

Liu Tao thought about it and decided that he had never been to Zhu Lin’s workplace, so he might as well go this afternoon to give her a surprise.

Of course, he wouldn't leave empty-handed.

He went to the century-old store and bought some pastries and snacks.

It cost a total of one hundred yuan, which is almost two months' salary for many people.

Then I took a bus to the Hua Xia Academy of Medical Sciences.

Many people may be unfamiliar with the name "Hua Xia Academy of Medical Sciences". If you say "Union Hospital", most people will suddenly understand.

Peking Union Medical College Hospital was founded by the Rockefeller Foundation of the United States in 1917, while the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences was established in 1956. It is the only national-level medical science academic center and comprehensive medical science research institution in China. Both of them implement a unified school and college management system.

Liu Tao's arrival gave Zhu Lin a big surprise, but also made the boy feel very indignant when he saw Liu Tao.

After all, Zhu Lin is the most beautiful one in their entire hospital. Now she is being pursued by a man from outside. Naturally, they feel very uncomfortable.

All the boys who had had feelings for Zhu Lin before felt very uncomfortable.

Just by acting a little bit later, Zhu Lin already had a partner.

In this way, Liu Tao expressed his sovereignty over Zhu Lin at the China Academy of Medical Sciences.

In this era, dating is a very serious matter. Just as the great man said, dating that is not for the purpose of marriage is hooliganism. If a boy is dating a girl but does not want to take responsibility, the girl's parents will be angry and call the police, then it will be easy to charge him with hooliganism.

Similarly, if a man and a woman are already in a relationship and a third party comes in, the third party can easily be charged with hooliganism.

The most serious crime of hooliganism is to eat peanuts.

After waiting for a while, it was time to get off work.

Liu Tao helped take the things to Zhu Lin's dormitory. In order to make it convenient for commuting to and from get off work, Zhu Lin usually lived in the dormitory.

As a very good unit, the dormitories here are quite good, with two people in a dormitory. Zhu Lin lives with a girl who is two years younger than him. She is also a local. She used to go to the countryside in Shaanxi, and was later recommended to a university. She just arrived at the China Academy of Medical Sciences this year.

It goes without saying that this girl named "Li Qiuya" has an extraordinary background.

Few people from ordinary families could enter such a good unit, especially during that decade.

Li Qiuya was very surprised to see Liu Tao, because she knew that when she was chatting with Zhu Lin not long ago, Zhu Lin said that he didn't have a partner yet. How long has it been since he found one?

And judging from the way Liu Tao is dressed, he is a cadre!

It's rare to be a cadre at such a young age.

When Zhu Lin took out some pastries to share with Li Qiuya, Li Qiuya smiled so much that her eyes narrowed.

There are few girls who don’t like cakes!
(End of this chapter)