Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

"Hmph, doesn't know what's good for him." Zhu Guohua left these words and walked away without looking back.

"Director Duo, we can't afford to offend someone like him," his subordinate said with some worry.

"Hmph, relying on the merits of the older generation to throw their weight around, what's so impressive about that?" Director Duo didn't care. "People like that will stumble sooner or later. Don't associate with him, lest you be implicated in the future."

"Director Duo, that Engineer Qin's words are really strange. Can he really make a heavy machine gun weighing twenty kilograms?" The technician quickly changed the subject.

"Our army needs this kind of heavy machine gun. I hope he can make it," Director Duo said. "That would be bringing glory to our country."

As they talked, time slowly passed, and finally it was time for dinner.

Director Duo had originally planned to say a few words to Qin Yang, after all, Institute 208 had also played an inglorious role in this matter. However, he didn't see Qin Yang's figure, nor did he see Leader Dong's figure.

"Where did Engineer Qin go? Isn't he eating with everyone? This is a good opportunity for communication," Director Duo said with some emotion.

"You don't know?" The person sitting at the table next to him turned his head. "Leader Dong took Qin Yang to apply for foreign exchange with the higher-ups. I heard that they plan to import equipment. Their Factory 960 has seized the opportunity this time and is making a killing."

Amidst the envy of the crowd, Qin Yang, led by Leader Dong, had already arrived at the relevant higher-level unit.

"Please wait a moment, Leader Wang is talking with Leader Rao." Secretary Song led the two to the reception room and poured them water.

These leaders are all very busy. Without an appointment, even meeting them is difficult, so the two could only wait.

Who would have thought that just as they sat down, someone in the office next door slammed the table fiercely.

"Outrageous! They're taking us for granted! Do they think we have to buy Benz heavy trucks?"

Leader Dong's face showed a helpless expression. "Alas, it seems they're worried about the lack of light and heavy vehicles again."

For a long time, the country only had the old Jiefang truck, lacking light trucks, and also lacking qualified heavy trucks. The latter problem was the most serious. After all, some heavy equipment, such as 152mm howitzers, could only be towed by heavy trucks. The conflict on the southern border this time, although a large number of Dongfeng 240s were used, was still not enough.

The existing heavy trucks in China all have problems. Dongfanghong, Huanghe, and Hongyan all have constant minor issues. The country urgently needs advanced heavy trucks!

In the late 1970s, the country intended to establish Sanqi specifically for the production of heavy trucks. After some investigation, they recognized the Benz NG80 heavy truck. After all, Benz is a well-known automobile brand, and they do indeed have some skill in heavy trucks. The NG80 heavy truck, built at a cost of several billion marks, represents the highest level in the heavy truck industry.

After taking a liking to it, they began to negotiate the issue of introduction. Unfortunately, Benz heavy trucks are high and mighty.

The motherland lacks foreign exchange and cannot continue to import trucks, so they hope to introduce technology for production. However, Benz trucks are not worried about sales, so why should they export technology to the East, and possibly cultivate a competitor?

The matter was deadlocked.

"Hmph, they even want us to import 50,000 trucks first before considering technology transfer. How much foreign exchange would that cost? Don't say we don't have that much foreign exchange, even if we did, we couldn't waste it like that!"

A few minutes later, the sound of the door opening and footsteps came from next door. After a few more minutes, the secretary came to call the two in.

Leader Wang sat in his chair, still annoyed by the previous matter. Seeing Leader Dong bring in a young lad, he was a little curious. "Old Dong, what are you doing bringing in someone who hasn't even grown his hair yet?"

Leader Dong secretly lamented in his heart that the timing of this visit was not right!

Qin Yang said casually, "Of course, it's to bring you money, do you want hundreds of millions of US dollars in foreign exchange?"

Leader Wang was stunned for a moment. "Are you serious?"

"That's right, Leader Wang, let me report this matter to you. This young comrade is named Qin Yang, from Factory 960. They..." Leader Dong was very excited and immediately gave a simple introduction.

Leader Wang put down his previous displeasure and listened carefully to the report, nodding as he listened. "Good, good, this is a good opportunity for us to earn foreign exchange, but this matter must be done more discreetly... Since it was Xiao Qin who contacted them, then Xiao Qin will continue to contact them and do the follow-up work. Do you have anything else?"

In fact, this matter was not the main point. They were mainly here to apply for foreign exchange to purchase equipment, but if they had asked for money as soon as they came up, they would definitely have been kicked out by Leader Wang. The atmosphere was much more harmonious now.

Just as Leader Dong was about to mention buying equipment, Qin Yang interjected again, "Leader Wang, when we were drinking tea next door, we heard the harsh conditions proposed by Benz. There are many manufacturers that can produce heavy trucks, why should we hang ourselves on the Benz tree?"

Leader Dong frowned again. Qin Yang, you reckless youth, don't say what you shouldn't say, don't interfere with what you shouldn't interfere with. The introduction of heavy trucks is a matter for the First Ministry of Machinery, and has nothing to do with our Fifth Ministry of Machinery. What qualifications do you, a greenhorn, have to interject?

"Do you have any suggestions?" Leader Wang was not angry. Since Qin Yang was capable of obtaining foreign exchange, it meant that he was very familiar with the situation abroad, perhaps he could provide a good solution?

"Actually, we are already at a disadvantage by rushing to other people's places to investigate, and we have repeatedly chased after Benz for cooperation, so of course they are taking us for granted," Qin Yang said. "This kind of introduction project needs to be done in a different way."

A different way?

Leader Wang's eyes lit up. "Go on!"

"We should use a bidding method. Any heavy truck that wants to enter our market must come here to bid," Qin Yang said. "Whether it's Benz, General Motors, Renault, or Steyr, they have to send us a batch of sample vehicles to test here to see if these vehicles are suitable for our domestic market. If possible, we can also ask a batch of units to test them. After we are satisfied with the test, we will continue to discuss the conditions. If the conditions are suitable, we will proceed to the next step."

"That's right, this idea is brilliant. In this way, we will take the initiative!" Leader Dong instantly reacted and praised Qin Yang's method.

"Xiao Qin's method is good, simple and straightforward, turning passivity into initiative. Your Factory 960 can sell equipment because of young people like you who are quick-witted!" Leader Wang nodded. "Since you proposed it, then you should participate in this project!"

What?

"Leader Wang, our Factory 960 has very important matters, and I have already made a military pledge at the meeting. If I delay the time..."

"What matter could be more important than our heavy truck introduction project? Your Factory 960 can't function without you. Introducing heavy trucks is a national project. Letting you participate is a sign of our importance to you. What, are you unwilling?"

Qin Yang was speechless. What is this called? A higher official can crush you to death! Now, it's not just one level higher. The positions of myself and the great leader in front of me are as different as heaven and earth. With just one sentence, I have to obediently agree and pretend to be happy.

"How could that be?" Qin Yang said, "I feel very honored to be able to contribute to the industrial development of the motherland."

"That's almost the right awareness. By the way, did you have anything else to ask me when you came?"

"Leader Wang, Factory 960 plans to import several pieces of equipment. Leader Fang and Leader Han in our system both believe that these introductions are necessary. We hope that the higher authorities can approve them as soon as possible. We need to complete the process as soon as possible. The frontline troops urgently need this equipment to produce weapons..." Only then did Leader Dong take out the documents signed by Leader Fang and Leader Han.

Following the formal procedures would definitely not be on time, so Leader Dong came to seek an audience with Leader Wang to take a shortcut.

"Okay, put this document down." Leader Wang nodded.