enjoyebooks Chapter 63 Uncle's Guidance
Chapter 63 Uncle's Guidance
The Soviet-style buildings in the municipal party committee's residential compound were exceptionally quiet in the night, with only a few windows still lit. Ling Yun, carrying gifts she had brought back from America, knocked on her uncle Ling Jun's door.
It was her aunt who opened the door. When she saw Lingyun, a kind smile appeared on her face: "Little Yun, you're here? Come in quickly, your uncle is in the study."
Inside the study, the light was soft. Ling Jun, wearing reading glasses, was reviewing documents under the desk lamp, with a cup of strong tea and an open copy of "Selected Works of Mao Zedong" beside him. Upon seeing Ling Yun, he took off his glasses, rubbed his temples, and a tired but gentle smile appeared on his face.
"You're back? How was your trip to the US?"
"Uncle," Ling Yun said, placing the gifts aside and sitting down in the wicker chair opposite the desk, "I've had a very fruitful time, and I was just about to give you a detailed report."
He didn't hide anything, explaining the main plans for his trip to the United States: how to establish IceCloud investment company in Silicon Valley, how to accurately buy Yahoo stock at the bottom, how to acquire Alienware, which was on the verge of bankruptcy but had great potential, and retain its founding team, and... the operating system development that he valued most and had already begun.
"Operating system?" Ling Jun's previously tired eyes suddenly sharpened, and he leaned forward slightly. "Tell me in detail."
Ling Yun then revealed the details of his unsuccessful meeting with Linus and his decision to start his own secret research and development project, "StarOS." He emphasized the importance of independently controlling core technologies and their strategic significance in future competition in the information industry.
Ling Jun listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping lightly on the pages of "Selected Works of Mao Zedong" until Ling Yun finished speaking, after which the study fell into a brief silence.
"Take control of the operating system ourselves..." Ling Jun slowly repeated the sentence, looking at Ling Yun with deep eyes, "Your idea is very bold and visionary. From the perspective of our country and our own security, I completely agree. Only by mastering core technologies can we avoid being controlled by others."
Ling Yun was overjoyed; gaining recognition from his uncle was of great significance.
However, Ling Jun abruptly changed the subject, his tone becoming deep and sharp, posing a question that Ling Yun had not yet considered:
"But Xiaoyun, think about it from a different perspective. You believe that what you control is safe and reliable. Then, for the US government and those Silicon Valley giants, do they really feel comfortable with you, a company with a Chinese background, possessing core operating system technology that could have far-reaching consequences?"
"..." Ling Yun was suddenly stunned, as if struck by lightning, and was instantly speechless.
His focus has always been on overcoming technical hurdles, building an ecosystem, seizing market share, and avoiding being held hostage by foreign giants. However, he has never truly considered the perspective of the US government and capital to examine the potential alarm and reactions that "Lingyun's mastery of the operating system" might provoke.
Ling Jun didn't rush him to answer. Instead, he picked up his teacup, blew away the foam, and continued to guide him slowly and methodically:
"You yourself are unwilling to fully rely on Linus's Linux because you don't trust it. So why should the Americans trust you? Why should they sit idly by and watch an operating system closely linked to Chinese capital potentially infiltrate their key areas, or even the global market, in the future?"
"Look at Linus," Ling Jun gestured with his chin, as if pointing to distant Finland. "His approach may seem idealistic, but isn't it also a kind of wisdom for surviving and developing in the cracks? He completely open-sourced Linux, attracting global developers to participate, allowing the technology itself to transcend national, racial, and political barriers, becoming a 'universal' project. In this way, it will be difficult for any single country, including the United States, to easily stifle or seize it completely. Because its roots have spread all over the world."
He added meaningfully, "Of course, you mentioned that he has also had some controversial actions, which illustrates the complexity of the intertwining of ideals and reality. Open source is his best shield, because Finland cannot protect him, nor can it protect Linux."
Ling Yun fell into deep thought. His uncle's words were like a key, unlocking a door in his mind that had never been opened before. He realized that technology itself might be borderless, but the controllers and application scenarios of technology were deeply imprinted with the traces of nations and capital. His previous plans were more from a commercial and technological perspective, lacking higher-level political and strategic considerations.
"Then we..." Ling Yun looked up, his eyes filled with confusion and searching, "How should we deal with this? What if we are suppressed..."
"Our country now emphasizes 'keeping a low profile and biding our time'," Ling Jun said in a low voice, but each word carried immense weight. "We should focus on developing the economy, avoid being the first to act, and refrain from actively challenging the existing international order. Under this background, it's impossible to give you, a private enterprise, too much overt, official support, especially in sensitive areas like operating systems. Everything depends on your own efforts and how you navigate the situation."
He noticed the thoughtful look and a hint of hesitation in Ling Yun's eyes, and gently pushed the copy of "Selected Works of Mao Zedong" in front of him.
"If you feel hesitant and don't know which way to go, read this book more." Ling Jun's finger paused heavily on the five words on the cover: "'Make more friends and fewer enemies.' This is a wise saying."
"Your operating system doesn't necessarily have to be completely open source like Linux; that's Linus's path. But can you find a way to maintain control over the core direction and key technologies while uniting as many forces as possible? For example, attracting international capital? Attracting top technical talent from outside the US? Or, adopting a more open strategy in certain non-core modules and application ecosystems, allowing more people, including overseas developers, to benefit and thus form a community of shared interests?"
Ling Jun guided him step by step: "You need to make this system look less 'Chinese' and less 'lofty,' and more like a 'globalized' technological product. This will make others hesitant to attack you, as it will involve too many of their own interests. Understand?"
In the study, the lamplight bathed the uncle and nephew in its glow. Ling Yun looked at the yellowed copy of Mao Zedong's Selected Works, recalling his uncle's words, "Make as many friends as possible," and then thought of the survival wisdom behind Linus's open-source strategy, as well as the nation's grand strategy of "keeping a low profile and biding one's time"...
The somewhat chaotic development path of the operating system in his mind suddenly became clear and three-dimensional, as if illuminated by a strong light.
Simply relying on closed development and technological barriers might guarantee temporary control, but it could also make one a target for isolation and attack. How can we find a delicate balance between independent control and open cooperation? How can we leverage broader resources to protect our core strategies? How can we integrate the "Star System" into a larger narrative context to reduce its political sensitivity?
These are all key points that he needs to think about and plan for in depth next.
"Uncle, I understand." Ling Yun's eyes regained their firmness and clarity, the slight confusion from before vanished. "I know what to do from now on. The technology needs to be mastered, but the methods and strategies require deeper consideration."
Ling Jun watched as his nephew quickly digested and grasped his advice, a gratified smile spreading across his face. He put his reading glasses back on and picked up his pen:
"Good that you understand. The road ahead is long, proceed with caution. Go on."
"By the way, Uncle, the district party secretary went to inspect the electronics factory today. Before he left, he said, 'You have high expectations for me.' I didn't quite understand what he meant."
"Oh? He's well-informed. Don't worry too much. Just focus on running your business well and maintaining your momentum. Whether I'm in Jinan or not, no one will make things difficult for you."
"Uncle, what position are you being transferred to?"
"It's not decided yet, but it's most likely to be Weicheng. Take this copy of Mao's Selected Works back and study it carefully."
"Okay, Uncle!" Ling Yun stood up, picked up the copy of "Selected Works of Mao Zedong," and turned to leave the study.
A cool night breeze brushed against his face, but it made Ling Yun's mind exceptionally clear. He already had a clearer and more ambitious vision for the future of the operating system. This was not just a battle of technology, but a contest of strategy and wisdom.