Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

In the middle of the night, another heavy snow fell, with snowflakes fluttering down from the sky, turning the whole world into a silver-clad scene of enchanting beauty.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, and the New Year was just around the corner.

Inside the conference room of the Capital Farm Implement Factory, everyone was in high spirits.

“Yangzi, you were away on a business trip and missed our system meeting, but our Factory 960 really stole the show this time! The higher-ups awarded ten prizes, and we got eight of them, with five of them being first place!” Zhu Zizhong said excitedly, “This meeting was practically held just for our Capital Farm Implement Factory!”

Everyone was beaming with joy, but Qin Yang remained calm. If he weren't so young, he would have said, 'Look at your lack of ambition. You're so happy with just this little achievement? What's the use of awards? They need to come with bonuses!'

“Because our factory's performance has been outstanding, the higher-ups have decided to transfer me to the Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry. The transfer order should be issued after the New Year,” Zhu Zizhong said. “The candidate for the new factory director is Old Qin. Yangzi, your position will also be elevated by one level, making you the deputy factory director.”

Hearing this, Qin Yang was somewhat surprised: “Factory Director Zhu, better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. What's the point of going to that kind of department? You won't be as comfortable as being the top dog in our factory. We still need you to steer the ship.”

Zhu Zizhong smiled: “My rank has been raised by two levels. What more could I ask for? Yangzi, your Uncle Zhu wants to have a taste of being a big official. Are you not going to let me?”

Qin Yang knew that Zhu Zizhong was doing this partly to get a promotion, but also to make room for the Qin family. Just ten months ago, Qin Yang was just an ordinary, good-for-nothing second-generation factory kid, and now he was already the deputy factory director. His rise to prominence was fast enough.

“What did you say? Give the employees an extra two months' salary?” Qin Baoguo said in surprise. “Do you know how much money that is?”

In this era, the benefits of state-owned enterprises were good. They would distribute rice, flour, grain, and oil for the New Year, but that would only amount to ten or twenty yuan. Now, the salaries at their Factory 960 were already quite high, with some earning over a hundred yuan a month, more than half as much as other factories. If they were to give out an extra two months' salary, wouldn't that make other factories green with envy?

“We'll announce to the public that it was Factory Director Zhu who made the decision. Factory Director Zhu is about to get promoted, so let everyone remember him fondly,” Qin Yang said.

Qin Baoguo had nothing to say. Anyway, Qin Yang earned all the money, so he could spend it however he wanted.

“Also, Brother Lin's wedding will be held before the New Year. If any other workers in our factory are planning to get married at the end of the year, we might as well hold a joint wedding to liven things up,” Qin Yang continued.

“Lin Heping is the link between us and the military, and his wife is Old Wang's daughter, so the wedding should definitely be a lively affair,” Zhou Yongfei also said.

Bang! Just then, the door was pushed open.

“Chaozi, why are you so late? Quick, come sit down and join the meeting. Today's meeting involves a lot of money, and we need you…” Qin Yang's words were interrupted by Zhang Chao.

“Yangzi, two Frenchmen have come to the factory gate, saying they want to see you!”

Zhang Chao knew there was a meeting, but he had just heard about the situation at the gate. The foreigners were speaking gibberish, and no one could understand them! He went to the gate himself, quickly arranged for someone to receive them, and then ran to find Qin Yang.

“Frenchmen? They're here so quickly! They've taken the bait!” Qin Yang said. “Since we have distinguished guests, let's adjourn today's meeting for now. I have to go entertain the guests. By the way, Chaozi, call Teacher Nie over.”

“Okay, Yangzi, you go ahead,” Zhu Zizhong said with a smile.

In fact, the main topic of this meeting was to inform Qin Yang that Old Zhu was leaving. Qin Yang was always very busy and often didn't come back to the factory, so they were already used to it. Besides, the visitors were Frenchmen, so it must be something important.

In the conference room, two tall foreigners sat there, chattering to each other, their eyes constantly looking towards the door.

Soon, a man and a woman came in, both very young. However, the two foreigners did not dare to underestimate them and quickly stood up.

“Excuse me, are you President Qin?”

“That's right, it's me,” Qin Yang said. “This is my translator.”

Calling Nie Xiaoqian over was, of course, to use her as a free translator. Although Qin Yang knew foreign languages, he couldn't know them all, especially the most difficult language in the world, French. Nie Xiaoqian had to be put to use.

“President Qin, we can both speak English and can communicate in English,” the visitor said. “Let me introduce myself. My name is Thomas, from Thomson-CSF of France. This is our company's overseas sales manager, Mr. Raphael.”

English communication? Nie Xiaoqian blinked: “Then can I leave?”

“No, in case there are any communication problems, we still need to use French,” Qin Yang shook his head, then reached out his hand. “Welcome to both of you. I wonder what brings you here?”

“These days, we have been on a business trip in Malaysia and heard that President Qin refuted the British Sea Dart system at the Navy's hearing. We rushed over. President Qin, your analysis is correct. The Sea Dart system is already outdated and cannot adapt to modern naval warfare at all,” Raphael said. “Your side should choose our Crotale missile. That is the wisest choice.”

“Gentlemen, have you come to the wrong person?” Qin Yang said. “You should go to the Navy to promote your product. Why did you come to me? I'm not familiar with the Navy! You should know that our Capital Farm Implement Factory makes farm implements.”

Not familiar? After arriving, they had already obtained first-hand information. Although it was not complete, they could still know Qin Yang's energy. He could directly enter the venue at that meeting, then refute the British to the point of being speechless, and finally leave gracefully. Could he be an ordinary person?

Moreover, they heard that after the meeting, the Navy leaders invited Qin Yang to dinner, and Qin Yang recommended their Crotale missile!

They had come precisely because they knew this news.

“President Qin, we will not mistreat those who help us promote our products,” Raphael said, glancing at Nie Xiaoqian. “May I ask if we can discuss confidential business matters here?”

“Of course, she is my secretary and also my closest person,” Qin Yang said.

The other party smiled: “President Qin, as long as you help us promote our products, we are willing to give you two percent of the cost as an introduction fee.”

Two percent, a bribe? Nie Xiaoqian understood. Qin Yang asked her to come over to be a witness! Qin Yang could make money, but he wasn't greedy for money. If this money was handed over in the end, there would be no problem.