Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Xu Zhiqiang was really anxious.

Factory 960 had bullied them several times, and they had to get their revenge! Now, Factory 960 was just a third-tier factory, easy to manipulate, especially since Factory 296 was a major player in the industry.

If Factory 960 became a subordinate production factory of Institute 208, then it would no longer be a small third-tier factory to be bullied, but an equal!

Seeing Factory 960 about to latch onto a powerful backer, Xu Zhiqiang couldn't help but speak up.

"No, why not?" the pretty boy asked.

Qin Yang didn't recognize this pretty boy, but he could roughly guess that the pretty boy was ostensibly unrelated to Institute 208, so as not to make Institute 208 look too greedy.

Throughout history, no usurper has ever taken the throne proactively; they have all been urged by people around them, declining several times before finally complying with the will of heaven.

Moreover, even if Institute 208 didn't succeed in the end, it wouldn't damage its relationship with Factory 960. They would still be in the same system, seeing each other often.

"Because it doesn't conform to the usual practice of separating factories and research institutes, and there's no need for it!" Xu Zhiqiang's answer was straightforward.

To develop weapons and equipment, you need both specialized research institutes and production factories. So, what should be the relationship between research institutes and production factories?

This question had been explored in China for many years, with factories and research institutes separating and merging repeatedly.

The most crucial instance was on February 17, 1965, when the higher-ups made the "Decision on Merging the Sixth, Seventh, and Tenth Research Institutes of the National Defense * with Production Departments," merging the three research institutes under the National Defense * with the Third, Fourth, and Sixth Ministries of Machine Building, historically known as the "Ministry-Institute Merger."

According to the narrative at the time, this was "beneficial to production, and also beneficial to scientific research; beneficial to imitation, and also beneficial to self-development; beneficial to the present, and also beneficial to the long term."

Under the planned economic system at the time, there wouldn't be any problems, since everyone was paid by the state.

However, after the reform and opening up, when the planned economy turned into a market economy, the situation changed.

Research institutes only do research, and their funding comes from higher-ups.

If the higher-ups don't allocate funds, then the research institute is just a powerless government office.

And if the research institute develops advanced equipment and directly hands it over to a factory with no vested interest, what benefits does the research institute get?

Why should the factory be able to produce and make money from the research institute's achievements, while the research institute is penniless?

This situation occurred frequently in various industries.

For example, in the aviation industry, Factory 132, which produced J-7s for foreign trade and export, lived very well, while Institute 611, which designed the J-10, was struggling.

There were even tales of Old Song selling noodles to make up for funding.

By the late 1990s, the two sides combined to form a group, integrating research and production, and Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group began to take off.

"So far, we haven't had any examples of factory-institute integration. Even if there are, it should be like in 1965, with the research institute being delegated to the production factory as an appendage, rather than being led by the research institute!" Xu Zhiqiang continued to state his opinion.

"Hmph, you Factory 296 are a production factory, of course you would think that way. Are you trying to merge with Institute 208?" The pretty boy was very clever.

Although he didn't know why a wild card had appeared, he immediately began to retort.

"Us? Our Factory 296 has its own gun research institute affiliated with the factory, which is no worse than Institute 208." Xu Zhiqiang glanced at the other party with disdain: "We are just discussing the matter as it stands!

To talk about scientific research strength, factories are not necessarily worse than research institutes. Factory 960 has good R\u0026D strength.

The experts at Institute 208 find this 25-kilogram machine gun very difficult, but it can be easily developed at Factory 960!"

Qin Yang sat there and chuckled inwardly.

This Xu Zhiqiang was constantly saying good things about Factory 960.

If people didn't know better, they would think that Factory 296 and Factory 960 had a great relationship.

In reality, it was just to trip up Factory 960.

On the one hand, they wanted to prevent Factory 960 from latching onto a powerful backer, and on the other hand, they wanted to throw the hot potato to Factory 960, waiting to see Factory 960 make a fool of itself.

"The matter of factory-institute merger will be discussed later. The topic of this meeting is to discuss the development of a new heavy machine gun." Leader Fang quickly brought the meeting back to the topic: "Engineer Qin, does your Factory 960 have this R\u0026D strength?"

"Not currently." Qin Yang answered straightforwardly.

"How could that be? The Type 80 sniper rifle developed by Factory 960 is even more powerful than the old Maozi's SVD.

As long as you take action, you will definitely be able to do better than the old Maozi's machine gun." Xu Zhiqiang was feeling pleased, reveling in this feeling: "Engineer Qin, your Factory 960's technology is the strongest in our system, so don't be modest.

Excessive modesty is pride!"

Leader Han frowned and looked at Xu Zhiqiang.

After the last incident, he had a good impression of Factory 960.

Now, Xu Zhiqiang's words seemed to have hidden meanings!

"Engineer Qin, you just said that you don't have it now, are there any difficulties now?"

As the highest leader on the scene, Leader Han had not spoken until now.

Now, his first words gave everyone a strange feeling: Leader Han seemed to value Factory 960 very much!

"Yes, Leader Han, our Factory 960 has encountered huge difficulties." Qin Yang said: "Our factory is located in the deep mountains, the transportation cost is high, and the workers' minds are unstable, always wanting to return to the big city.

So our factory is actively looking for a suitable site to relocate our factory. Since we are the Capital First Farm Implement Factory, we need to find a suitable place near the capital to build a factory, so that we can develop and grow better."

"Hmph." The pretty boy was just about to say something when he sensed that the situation was not good.

He looked up at the podium, and Leader Han was giving him a stern look.

Stared at by Leader Han's eyes, he immediately lowered his head and dared not say anything.

"Then have you found a suitable site?"

"Yes, after our unremitting efforts, we finally found a淘汰 abandoned steel mill near Shahe.

We hope that the higher-ups can give us the three hundred acres of land there to build a factory. We only need the approval from the higher-ups, not a penny. Our factory will pay for the construction of the factory building and complete the relocation work." Qin Yang said: "Only after completing these things can we start new R\u0026D projects."

"Does this factory relocation have anything to do with R\u0026D?" Leader Han continued to ask.

Xu Zhiqiang had a strange feeling in his heart.

Originally, he intended to坑 harm Factory 960, but now, how did it become like helping the other party?

"It's related." Qin Yang nodded: "If we want to achieve a 25-kilogram heavy machine gun, then we need special metals."

"Is it aluminum alloy? If it is this kind of metal, we can ask the relevant departments to help with processing." Old Duo opened his mouth.

It seemed natural to use aluminum alloy instead of steel to make the machine gun lighter.

"Not only aluminum alloy, but also other special metals and composite materials. We now have two options." Qin Yang said: "First, we can use titanium alloy to make our heavy machine gun a powerful weapon for mountain warfare."

Titanium alloy!

Everyone's face changed.