Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Overhead, the sun blazed, making it hard to believe it was still winter. A pickup truck sped along, with only a single row of seats, so only the local driver sat in the cab. In the back, the three passengers swayed with the truck's bumpy ride.

"Engineer Qin, according to the higher-ups, we're here in Iran as carpet merchants. Actually, we only needed to go to a coastal city. Why did you choose Isfahan, which is inland?" Lin Heping asked Qin Yang, curious.

"Guess."

"Just tell me."

"Isfahan has the Eighth Tactical Fighter Base, equipped with F-14 Tomcat fighters imported from the United States. President Qin is probably going there for those fighters," Nie Xiaoqian interjected.

As soon as she stepped onto Iranian soil, Nie Xiaoqian put on long sleeves and pants, and wrapped her head in a scarf. Even though she wasn't a local, she had to respect local customs to avoid trouble.

In this scorching heat, the clothes protected her from direct sunlight, but she couldn't avoid sweating. She'd have to take a shower at night.

Thinking of showers, Nie Xiaoqian remembered her experience with Qin Yang, and her heart started to beat uncontrollably again.

Hearing Nie Xiaoqian's words, Qin Yang was curious, "Xiaoqian, how did you know?"

Ever since that incident, Qin Yang started calling her Xiaoqian. Nie Xiaoqian was initially dissatisfied with this change in address, asking Qin Yang to call her Teacher Nie or Translator Nie, but Qin Yang insisted, so she had to accept it and had gotten used to it.

"You never tell anyone your plans, so I have to prepare in advance. When you said you wanted to come to Isfahan, I already guessed what you were up to."

"Alas, I'm just afraid you'll all say I'm daydreaming if I tell you," Qin Yang said. He heard the roar of a plane overhead, and they all looked up at the sky.

A beautiful fighter jet appeared in their view.

Domestic fighter jets have very simple designs, like a pencil with rulers stuck on both sides for wings. You can easily see the different structures like the fuselage, wings, and tail.

But the plane in the sky was much more complex in design.

The entire aircraft was very large, like an eagle spreading its wings. Although it didn't use blended wing-body design, it had a very streamlined shape, a pointed nose, rectangular air intakes on both sides, wing boxes extending outwards, swept wings, and twin engines with twin vertical tails, typical of a heavy fighter. The two engines were widely spaced to prevent one fire from affecting the other.

Just as it flew over their heads, suddenly, the flames from the tail turned red. It had engaged the afterburner! The fighter began to accelerate, and the wings began to rotate backwards, like a Transformer. This scene made everyone who saw it feel excited. Beautiful, so beautiful!

"Its wings can actually move?" Lin Heping was also surprised.

"That's right, variable-sweep wings, the most popular aircraft design in the sixties and seventies." Qin Yang was also very moved. If you've seen the movie "Top Gun", you'll become a fan of the Tomcat fighter, and Qin Yang was no exception.

Having come to this world, he had to see it with his own eyes. Of course, there were more things waiting for him to do.

The pickup truck continued to drive in the desert. That afternoon, they finally arrived in Isfahan.

"This is it. This is where the best carpets in all of Persia are produced." The driver took the money and enthusiastically introduced, "This is Rostam Pour, the head of the carpet factory."

"Hello." Qin Yang extended his hand and shook hands with him. "We come from the East and want to buy the best carpets in the world."

"Of course, please come with me." Rostam Pour glanced at Nie Xiaoqian, who was helping with the translation, and nodded. "You're doing a good job. Some foreigners come here and want to bring their revealing behavior with them. Last week, someone was taken away by the morality police and given fifty lashes."

"Of course, we will respect your traditions," Qin Yang said.

Various beautiful carpets appeared before them. Qin Yang spoke eloquently about the advantages and disadvantages of various carpets, surprising Nie Xiaoqian. How could he know so much?

Unknowingly, the sky darkened.

"You've purchased a hundred of our carpets at once, a truly excellent customer. Would you like to stay at my house tonight? Tomorrow, we'll load them onto your truck and send you off." Rostam Pour extended a warm invitation.

"Of course, but my wife has to stay with me."

Wife? Who's your wife? Nie Xiaoqian glared at Qin Yang. Qin Yang's eyes held an unquestionable look: This is to protect your safety!

So, Nie Xiaoqian could only translate accordingly.

"Of course."

When the group arrived at the hospitable Rostam Pour's house, dinner was already on the table. A burly man had just returned, his one-piece flight suit so conspicuous.

When she saw this person, Nie Xiaoqian finally understood. Qin Yang's real intention was elsewhere!

In the past, selling arms could be done through official channels. After all, China and Iran established diplomatic relations in 1971. Because they had a common enemy to guard against, they came together. There were even exchanges as late as 1978. As a result, the new government came to power and regarded China as a country that supported the old government.

They could only come in through private channels. But this Qin Yang clearly knew something, and under the guise of buying carpets, he easily got in touch with the Iranian Air Force!

How did he know?

Nie Xiaoqian was full of curiosity. She had only found out that there was an air base here, but Qin Yang actually knew that the son of a carpet factory director here was serving in the air force? Now is a time of war, this pilot should not have the opportunity to go home usually, how come he is back today at such a time?

"Hashim, today is your birthday, and we have guests at our house. Let's eat together, you are all young people, you must have something to talk about."

Birthday! Qin Yang chose this time for a reason. Hashim al-Araji, Iran's top ace pilot, is currently training students in Isfahan, so he will be spending his birthday at home!

Lin Heping was ready. Although they were deep in the Iranian interior, it would be difficult for them to escape if a conflict occurred. However, Lin Heping would never let anyone harm Qin Yang and Nie Xiaoqian. This was his mission!

"I heard that you are just a soldier, a controllable person who doesn't talk nonsense. Why are you suddenly so enlightened?"

Nie Xiaoqian was a little nervous. Did this need to be translated? Wait, no, this was said in English!

Qin Yang didn't want to embarrass Nie Xiaoqian and switched to English. The person in front of him had been trained in the United States and was fluent in English.

"How did you know?" Hashim al-Araji's face became even more gloomy.

"Because those who can continue to stay are controllable people who don't talk nonsense," Qin Yang said. "Don't be hostile. Sit down, let's eat together and talk about some business. I am the general manager of a foreign trade company, and I am responsible for many import and export businesses. If you need anything, I can help."

"We need fighter jets. Can you get them?"

"Tomcat fighter parts are currently difficult, but we have as many MiG-21 fighter jets as you want."

Tomcat