Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Capital City, Quanjude.

"Come, President Qin, the Peking duck here is the most authentic. Please, try it." Watching the sliced Peking duck being placed on the table, Shen Hua said to Qin Yang, his respectful manner making it seem as if Qin Yang's status was much higher than his own.

"Thank you, Bureau Chief Shen. Please, don't be so polite. Let's eat together. Do you know the quickest way to eat Peking duck?"

Shen Hua was curious: "How do you eat it?"

"Let me show you." As Qin Yang spoke, he grabbed a spring pancake with his left hand and held it to his mouth like a curtain, his mouth opening into an 'O' shape. With his right hand, he used chopsticks to pick up a piece of crispy-skinned, tender duck meat, dipped it in sauce, and then stuffed it directly into the spring pancake, following up by shoving the pancake into his mouth, chewing heartily.

"Good, Yangzi, after drinking this glass, we, this old and young pair, will be good friends, a friendship that transcends generations," Shen Hua said, "If I weren't too old, I would really want to become sworn brothers with you."

"That won't do. We don't do that anymore these days," Qin Yang said, "However, I appreciate your sentiment, Old Shen. Come, let's have another toast."

After three glasses of wine, the relationship between the two became even closer.

"Yangzi, I'm much older than you, and I have some heartfelt words to say. If you don't like hearing them, then just pretend that your old brother is farting," Shen Hua finally began to get to the point.

"Old Shen, how can you say that? You're giving me well-intentioned advice, how could I possibly complain? As the saying goes, honest advice is hard to swallow. Although I, Qin Yang, have made a name for myself in the capital by arguing with people, that depends on the person. I know who is good to me and who wants to mess with me. Go ahead and speak."

"Yangzi, I heard you want to support the Y-10 project? That's a hot potato. You'd better not get involved, or you might get yourself into trouble."

"Old Shen, what exactly is going on?" Qin Yang said, "I just don't understand. The Y-10 is our country's most advanced large passenger aircraft. Put it anywhere in the world, and there are only a few who can build aircraft of this level. Shouldn't this project be our country's key project? How did it become something that nobody loves?"

"Advanced? Where is it advanced? Yangzi, you probably don't know, our Y-10 is actually just a reverse-engineered copy of the Boeing 707."

"A reverse-engineered copy is still good, isn't it? Doesn't our country's industry start with reverse-engineering?"

"The Boeing 707 was developed by Boeing in the 1950s. Now it's already the 1980s, and it's long outdated. Our reverse-engineered Y-10 is at least twenty years behind. What's the use of developing it? Besides, we've only built the shell of this Y-10. The engines, avionics, and even the landing gear are all using Boeing 707 spare parts from civil aviation. It's an exaggeration to say that we developed it ourselves."

"Oh, so that's how it is. However, even if it's outdated, it's still made by us, isn't it? If some parts can't be produced, we can wait for future technological advancements. There's no need to kill it with one blow, right?"

"We already have a better choice now." Shen Hua looked around. After all, this wasn't a private room, and he had to be careful with his words. He lowered his voice: "Actually, we are negotiating with McDonnell Douglas to introduce their MD-82 passenger aircraft. By assembling this aircraft, we can directly connect with the world's advanced level. Therefore, there is no need to develop the Y-10 anymore!"

"Assembling and self-developing are different."

"That's right, assembly is just the first step. With the experience of assembly, we can then jointly develop with McDonnell Douglas or other companies, and finally achieve independent research and development. This way, we can take a more stable path."

In fact, if these three steps were really taken, it wouldn't be bad. The problem is that it's too idealistic to build your own development on the basis of someone else's help. Why would others help you? To cultivate a powerful competitor? Foreigners also understand the principle of teaching an apprentice and starving the master. Wouldn't it be better to play you to death and then just buy their planes?

"I see," Qin Yang nodded. "I understand. However, are the talks with McDonnell Douglas going smoothly? I have a lot of experience dealing with foreigners. I must help with this."

Help? Is help needed for this kind of thing? McDonnell Douglas wants to open up our market, they have to beg us, okay? Shen Hua invited Qin Yang to dinner just to stop Qin Yang from supporting the Y-10. He didn't expect Qin Yang to make even more demands.

"No need, Yangzi, you're already very tired managing the military industry," Shen Hua said, "You have to preside over the work of Factory 960, be the boss of Fangbei Company, and participate in the development of the third-generation tank. Where would you have the energy to manage our civil aviation affairs? We won't bother you."

"No matter how busy I am with work, it can't compare to the major affairs of our civil aviation. Don't worry, as long as I go to talk, I guarantee that McDonnell Douglas will agree to produce their most advanced aircraft here!"

"No need, how could we possibly do that?"

"Old Shen, are you looking down on me? You just said that if it weren't for the age gap, we could even become sworn brothers. Are you still treating me like an outsider now?" Qin Yang's face darkened.

Shen Hua looked conflicted: "Of course not, I'm just afraid of causing you trouble."

"What do you mean by causing trouble? These are all things that should be done. Moreover, I also want to ask you, Old Shen, to help me with a favor. You help me, and I'll help you, so we don't owe each other any favors."

What favors! Shen Hua secretly cursed himself for messing up this time, but he still had to put on a concerned face: "What favor? Tell me, if I can do it, I definitely won't hesitate!"

"You also know that I have a mortal enemy in the capital, Wang Hai. He actually scrambled to compete with me for the position of grandson-in-law of the Nie family! Hmph, although I sent their whole family in, I missed his father, Wang Chongming. Now, that guy has been constantly causing me trouble. I want you to collect some dirt on him and find a way to get Wang Chongming in too."

Help frame someone? Shen Hua reacted: Qin Yang is warning him. Qin Yang has a backer. Helping your civil aviation is giving you face. Don't be ungrateful!

If Qin Yang participates, then Old Nie will nod. If Old Nie nods, the military will also look down on the Y-10. Then the Y-10 project will be completely ruined!

Only when the Y-10 project is ruined can the MD-82 be introduced. Therefore, Qin Yang must be asked to take action!

"Okay, I will definitely help you with this favor, and please help us with the introduction of the MD-82 in civil aviation."

"Okay, leave it to me. When you go abroad to talk to McDonnell Douglas, call me. I'll go with my wife and guarantee success."

Shen Hua nodded: "Okay."

So Qin Yang originally wanted to take this opportunity to go on a trip abroad! Although Qin Yang has been abroad many times, it was all for business and he didn't have time to enjoy the beauty of the free world. Then I'll create this opportunity for him!