Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

The capital was filled with the crackling sounds of firecrackers, and the atmosphere was festive, making any area without firecrackers seem relatively quiet.

Sanlitun, inside a certain yellow two-story building.

"Smith, your work has been successfully completed. If it weren't for the Chinese New Year, you wouldn't have had the chance to stay here and experience it. This is the Eastern version of Christmas, and the atmosphere is even more lively," Steven said.

Smith stood in front of the window, looking at the Union Jack fluttering below: "Interesting? I don't find it interesting at all. I've had enough of this place. Every extra day is torture. I can't wait to return to Great Britain immediately!"

Smith's dissatisfaction was understandable. As a technician from the Royal Ordnance Factory, he used to be an authority figure in front of the Easterners. However, after the incident with the insulating sleeve for the gun barrel was exposed, the way those Easterners looked at him changed.

In his subsequent work, he could no longer experience that feeling of superiority. He clearly felt that the Easterners no longer trusted him.

What was the point of him staying here? Fortunately, the work was finally over, and he could leave!

However, when he thought about the generous travel allowance, he felt a little regretful.

"Hey, have you guys heard?" Just then, another person walked in: "The Easterners seem to be developing a third-generation tank!"

"Michael, your information is too slow," Steven looked at the person who came in. "As a diplomat, you're not qualified. This is no longer confidential information. How come you're only finding out now?"

"No, no, in the past, those tanks developed by the Easterners didn't meet the standards of a third-generation tank at all; they were only second-generation tanks. Now, the Easterners have finally decided to develop high-standard tanks. For example, in terms of the power system, they plan to use a 1200-horsepower diesel engine," Michael said. "The most advanced diesel engine they've had access to before was less than 1000 horsepower."

"How is that possible? They simply don't have the research and development capabilities themselves. Currently, the most advanced tank diesel engine in the world is our Perkins engine," Smith said. "We are the only supplier who can provide the East with this level of tank engine!"

"Yes, this is an opportunity for us!" Michael said. "Over the years, the East has purchased a lot of things from us, including Spey engines, L7 tank guns, and so on. Now, we also have cooperation with them in the aviation field. If we win the tank order, it means we can make a big profit again!"

"That's not necessarily the case. What the Easterners want is technology. The outdated Spey engine is fine, but the Perkins engine technology should definitely not be exported," Smith said.

"If they are willing to purchase three hundred engines, then even exporting the technology can be considered," Michael said. "This project is being handled by the 201 Institute. What do you say, should we take advantage of the New Year to pay them a visit and discuss the intention to sell?"

"Good," Steven nodded. "It's New Year's now, and visiting each other is popular here. I'll go to the 201 Institute for a 'door-knocking visit', but I'll have to prepare a gift."

"Gentlemen, why are you in such a hurry? Wouldn't it be better to wait for the Easterners to take the initiative to come to us?" Smith couldn't help but say. Do we need to eagerly go to their door to promote ourselves? Now it's the Easterners who need their technology! Taking the initiative to go to their door is too demeaning. He had to stop them from doing such a thing.

Hearing this, the other two were a little speechless. That's right, there's no need to be so anxious!

Bang! Just then, the sound of a firecracker came from close range outside, and the glass was shaking. Everyone looked out the window.

They didn't see anyone setting off firecrackers, but a Hongqi sedan passed by on the street below. In the dead of winter, the person sitting in the back seat actually opened the window, exposing his arm, holding a cigarette in his hand, looking very uncouth.

Smith glanced at it with disdain, then became surprised: "I'm not mistaken, am I? That person seems to be…"

"That's right, that person is Qin Yang, the young general manager of Fangbei Industrial Company," Michael said.

"This Qin Yang has a good relationship with the people at the 201 Institute. He's running here even during this holiday, could it be for the third-generation tank? Quick, check the videotape of the camera device at the entrance to see who else is in the car!"

The surveillance television screen clearly showed a familiar person sitting in the front of the car: Old Zhu, the most prestigious person in the 201 Institute!

"It seems that they may be going to Germany to discuss the tank diesel engine!"

"Germany doesn't have a 1200-horsepower diesel engine at all, and Germany can't possibly export their tank diesel engine to the East. The Easterners only bought back ten civilian 8V331 diesel engines when they went to Germany for inspection a few years ago! And they didn't even include the radiators!" Smith said. "I don't believe they can really buy the Leopard 2 engine."

"No, now that they've taken action, we can't fall behind. We'll visit the 201 Institute tomorrow!" Michael said anxiously. "Smith, you should also have a good relationship with them. Let's go together!"

Who would have thought that there would be other competitors? No way, absolutely not!

More than ten minutes later, Old Zhu and Qin Yang came out from inside.

The tall German also saw them off.

"Gentlemen, we will carefully consider your purchase application. Please wait patiently for our reply," Bachmann said. "We look forward to a pleasant cooperation."

"Yes, we also look forward to it very much."

The two got in the car and drove out of the courtyard. Old Zhu finally spoke up and asked.

"Engineer Qin, will this make the British take the bait?"

"The timing is so coincidental, they should be able to see it clearly, and they should take the bait. Moreover, our visit to the Germans will definitely spread. However, even if the British don't take the bait, it doesn't matter. If we want to develop advanced technology, we must purchase advanced machine tools."

Of course, they didn't come to talk about the MTU diesel engine, but to tell the Germans that they wanted to purchase professional CNC machine tools. As for the purpose of their purchase, the Germans could guess.

Watching the car leave, Bachmann's adjutant Otto walked up: "What do the Easterners want to do by purchasing these equipment? Are these equipment that are not allowed by the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls?"

"I don't know, but it's very strange. Normally, this kind of procurement should be the responsibility of their commercial department, they shouldn't be coming forward. Perhaps they are very anxious and unwilling to go through the complicated process? Whether it can be exported or not is not up to us, let's wait for the approval of the higher-ups."

The two were confused at this time. It wasn't until they heard the news that the British had visited the 201 Institute that they realized: Not good, those damn British are going to steal our business!

The scene of Bachmann personally seeing off Old Zhu and General Manager Qin getting into the car was clearly seen by someone with ulterior motives. The news reached Michael's ears, and he became even more impatient: "We must pay a visit now!"