Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Workshop No. 2, Workshop No. 3, the family compound… The Capital Agricultural Implement Factory was being built at an incredible pace. In the final few weeks, buildings were constantly being topped off. A modern factory was actually being constructed in this way.

In this era, elaborate decorations weren't pursued. Whitewashed walls, cement floors, wooden frames for the doors and windows—as long as people could move in, that was enough. So, as long as the main structure was topped off, it was practically considered complete.

When Wang Jinlai arrived at the Capital Agricultural Implement Factory, he saw a bustling construction scene.

“Factory Director Zhou, the speed of your construction is too fast! Back when we were engaged in the Third Front construction, I never saw anything this fast!” After Wang Jinlai saw Zhou Yongfei, he couldn’t help but chat with him.

Zhou Yongfei had visited the Capital Steel Factory many times for this piece of land, and that's how he got to know Wang Jinlai.

At this time, Zhou Yongfei was also very proud: “That’s for sure, Director Wang. This is the charm of the market economy!”

Market economy? What relationship could this have with the market economy? Wang Jinlai was a little curious.

“Director Wang, look at these construction workers. Most of them have come from the surrounding rural areas. Each skilled worker gets one yuan per day, and each unskilled worker gets fifty cents. They get paid every day after work, so they're very motivated!”

Wang Jinlai instantly understood.

Workers could earn dozens of yuan a month, but people in the countryside earned very little, some even earning only dozens of yuan a year. Now, the Capital Agricultural Implement Factory was being built so quickly entirely because of the stimulation of money!

The construction materials needed were being coordinated with the help of Leader Dong, which wasn't a problem. The key was labor!

There's strength in numbers! Now, the problem of labor could be solved with money! Building this factory in three months was indeed mainly due to the market economy.

“By the way, Factory Director Zhou, the reason I’ve come this time is to discuss the electro-slag remelting steel.” Wang Jinlai explained his purpose.

“You’ll have to find Section Chief Qin for that,” Zhou Yongfei said. “I’m only in charge of construction here, not research and development.”

“Factory Director Zhou, that Qin Yang hasn’t even grown all his hair yet, and now he’s become a leader in your factory! Are you just taking orders from such a young kid?” Wang Jinlai couldn’t help but say, “You guys…”

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Yongfei’s face darkened: “Director Wang, if you have something important to do, go do it. If you don’t, then don’t stand here talking nonsense! If someone else hears what you just said, you might get beaten up.”

Wasn't this obviously stirring up trouble? The Capital Agricultural Implement Factory was now united from top to bottom! Everyone knew that the factory was able to move here and offer first-class wages and benefits because of Qin Yang! Anyone who dared to speak ill of Qin Yang here was just asking for trouble.

Zhou Yongfei and Wang Jinlai weren’t close. Wang Jinlai had made things difficult for him many times in the past. Now, he was just trying to maintain appearances. Wang Jinlai’s words had touched a nerve.

Wang Jinlai smiled sheepishly: “Okay, okay, I was just talking too much. Section Chief Qin…”

“Section Chief Qin is out on business. Come back another day,” Zhang Chao said with a dark face as he happened to pass by.

“I don’t know.”

At this time, Qin Yang was hosting a farewell banquet for Zerrafikus at a small restaurant.

“Our friends, congratulations! The bidding process went too smoothly! After you return this time and report to the government, you should come back to formally sign the contract!” Qin Yang raised his glass with a smile: “You defeated Mercedes-Benz and achieved a brilliant victory!”

Zerrafikus also raised his glass: “Qin, this is all thanks to your good work. You are a good friend of our Steyr company!”

The two drank it all in one gulp. Zerrafikus thought of something and continued, “Oh, yes, the doorman of our company also asked me to thank you on his behalf.”

The technical consultant sent by that Steyr company was actually the doorman of the Steyr company! He was very happy to have a business trip to the East, all expenses paid. If they really hired a technical person, there wouldn’t be much of the $30,000 left.

Qin Yang smiled: “I also have to thank you for giving me my first overseas deposit.”

The money went into Zerrafikus's hands, split fifty-fifty, and according to Qin Yang's request, was directly deposited into a Swiss bank account.

“Qin, if you have the opportunity to go to Europe in the future, I will treat you to a big meal!”

“I’m also looking forward to it. In the future, we will definitely visit and inspect the Steyr company.”

“By the way, I heard some time ago that you like to listen to music. I have something here that I hope you will like.”

Its appearance was rectangular, with a silver case and buttons on the side! Through the transparent plastic, you could see the two reels inside.

TCM-100! Qin Yang recognized this antique music device at a glance.

It is generally believed that Sony’s first Walkman was the TPS-L2 launched in 1979. In fact, it was just a simplified version of the original TCM-100. The current TPS-2 hasn’t become popular yet, and the TCM-100 is more common.

“Thank you!” Qin Yang took it.

After the meal, Qin Yang saw Zerrafikus off and also saw Zhang Chao waiting outside.

“What’s wrong?” After seeing Zerrafikus off, Qin Yang asked.

Zhang Chao was very excited: “Yangzi, just as you predicted, people from the Capital Steel Factory came to us on their own initiative, and they seem to be very anxious!”

“Let them cool off for a few days first.” Qin Yang was sitting tight: “By the way, Chaozi, don’t you like listening to music? I have something good here.”

“Oh?”

The next day, Wang Jinlai visited again, but Qin Yang was still not there!

On the third day, Wang Jinlai finally became anxious. He waited at the construction site all day, but no one came back even when it got dark.

On the fourth day, Wang Jinlai finally met Qin Yang.

“Engineer Qin… Section Chief Qin, I’m very happy to see you.”

“Director Wang, just say what you need to say directly. I’m very busy.”

“Section Chief Qin, I’ve come this time for the electro-slag remelting steel equipment.”

“What, have you already smelted qualified steel?” Qin Yang’s face showed excitement: “That’s really great. In another ten days, our factory will be completely completed! I made a military pledge at the beginning, and the research and development time is very tight! Don’t hold me back!”

“Section Chief Qin, we don’t want that equipment anymore. We’ll return it to you.”

“What? How can that be? You took the equipment away in front of Secretary Song. Now you’re returning the equipment. Wouldn’t that make me, Qin Yang, look too petty? No need, no need!”

“Section Chief Qin, we are sincere. We are canceling our transaction. We will send the equipment back, and you send the money and steel back to us.”

“Director Wang, are you joking?” The expression on Qin Yang’s face became serious: “We’ve already spent that money, and we’ve used what we needed of that steel, and sold what we could sell. There’s nothing left. Now, you actually want us to send the money and steel back? What am I going to give you?”

Wang Jinlai was dumbfounded.

The money was spent, and the steel was used up!

“In front of Secretary Song, our agreement was very clear: the money and goods were cleared, and there would be no further changes!” Qin Yang’s tone was stern: “You wanted to intercept our equipment at the beginning, and we accepted it. We couldn’t win against you. But what about now? You want to return it again? After all this trouble, you just made a fool of yourselves? Director Wang, please go back!”

“Section Chief Qin, let’s talk it over.” Wang Jinlai’s tone was very sincere: “I know this matter made you very uncomfortable, but we will both be factories in the capital in the future. We are brother units, and we should take care of each other.”

“You know about brother units too?” Qin Yang rolled his eyes at him: “When you intercepted our equipment at the beginning, did you treat us as brothers? Brothers are supposed to take a knife for each other, but you stabbed your brother twice?”

“Section Chief Qin, is there no room for discussion on this matter?”

“No, there isn’t. The money and steel are all gone. Even if you send the equipment back, I don’t want it! I don’t want it even if you pay me extra! Hmph, I’m going to act according to the original agreement now. When you can’t produce qualified steel and delay our light machine gun research and development project, let’s see how you explain yourselves!”