Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Michael turned his head and looked at Qin Yang, a complex expression flashing in his eyes: "President Qin, we've already inquired. The French haven't contacted you, nor do they plan to send their diesel engine over for you to test!"

Everyone present was shocked. President Qin had initially tricked the British. Now the game was about to be exposed!

Amidst the shock, Qin Yang chuckled: "You went to the French to inquire? If the French asked you, would you tell them the truth?"

This counter-question left Michael speechless. Although NATO was united, there were too many conflicts between them. The British and French often undermined each other for arms exports. It was entirely possible the French had lied.

Could they have been fooled by the French?

"You're quick, but the French aren't slow either. Before long, the French will send their high-power diesel engine over to be installed on our tractors. The testing ground certainly won't have just your engine! Although their diesel engine can only output a maximum of 1,100 horsepower, we can't just look at the specs. We have to see the actual performance. If it performs well..."

"Impossible! Our Perkins engine is the strongest tank diesel engine in the world!" Christopher said, "As long as we complete the matching, we'll definitely satisfy you!"

When it came to tank diesel engines, they were very confident. They might not be able to beat the Germans, but surely they could beat the French?

"Good, then let's begin," Qin Yang said. "We'll bring the tractor over now."

Tractor? Where do we have a tractor? Everyone present frowned. This was too rushed. They had just received the tank engine and were planning to take it apart and study it when the British arrived.

They came so quickly that everyone was unprepared. Tractors and the like were just words.

President Qin, aren't you being too hasty?

"President Qin, we..." Before Old Zhu could figure out what to say, Qin Yang interrupted him: "That 1224 tractor we were researching earlier, is it still here? The one I drove out last time."

1224 tractor? That was a 1224 tank, wasn't it? Only Qin Yang could so brazenly call a tank a tractor! Old Zhu frowned, but if it was for trial installation, that tank was indeed suitable.

Factory 617 had gone back to build the 1226 tank. This 1224 tank hadn't been taken away and was still here for testing. Fortunately for this coincidence!

It originally had an 8V331 engine, but the German engine was too large. If they used the British engine, with a longitudinal layout, it might really fit. Currently, only that tank was relatively suitable. After all, the third-generation tank was still on the drawing board, and among the second-generation tanks, only that one was relatively modern.

During the engine modification, the British would be present the entire time. They couldn't reveal the advanced third-generation tank.

"Forget it, I'll go drive it myself," Qin Yang said, striding outside. "You guys continue researching the engine here."

Michael's eyes darted around: "We can come along to help."

"Sorry, the warehouse where our tractor is located has a very high security level," Qin Yang said. "So you can't go there. Please wait patiently here."

This wait lasted two or three hours. Even Old Zhu was curious, wondering what Qin Yang was up to. They couldn't leave the British to help Qin Yang, so they could only wait.

Just as the sun was about to set, the roar of an engine finally came. From the sound, they could tell it was the most common domestic 12150L engine.

Everyone went outside and saw a uniquely shaped vehicle with five pairs of road wheels driving over. It had no turret, a machine gun mounted on the front, and equipment like a crane arm on the back. At a glance, one could tell it was the Changjian's Type 73 tank recovery vehicle.

After tanks were equipped by the troops, various needs arose. For example, what if a tank needed repairs in the field and required a crane? Conventional wheeled vehicles couldn't get there. It was best to have a tracked vehicle with the same chassis!

Looking at this vehicle, Old Zhu was a bit confused: What did this mean? Wasn't Qin Yang talking about the 1224 tank? Why did he bring this tank recovery vehicle over? Was he going to modify it on this? There wasn't enough space!

Wait!

Someone noticed something: "There's another one behind that tank recovery vehicle!"

The tank recovery vehicle was towing another tank, but the turret of that tank had been removed, so it was hidden behind the tank recovery vehicle, and everyone hadn't noticed it at first.

Old Zhu immediately realized: Although the 1224 tank was outdated, it was still painstakingly developed by them and couldn't be leaked. So, Qin Yang had removed the turret.

No, it wasn't just the turret that was removed, but also the engine. Otherwise, Qin Yang could have just driven it over. Why use a tow truck?

With the turret and engine removed, only a tracked chassis remained. If you said it was a tractor chassis, no one could really say anything.

But, President Qin was too awesome, right? Even with help, it wasn't easy to create this in such a short time!

Qin Yang had become a celebrity. Everyone at Institute 201 knew him, and later, under Old Zhu's recommendation, he became the deputy chief designer of the third-generation tank. So, when Qin Yang gave orders here, someone really had to listen.

At this time, Qin Yang poked his head out from behind: "I've brought the tractor chassis over. You guys can study how to modify it!"

Outsiders watched the excitement, while experts watched the details. Christopher immediately noticed the special features of the chassis behind: "It has six pairs of road wheels?"

"That's right, this is a brand new tractor chassis we developed, using a six-pair road wheel design, so the power compartment in the back is larger. We estimate we should be able to fit the Perkins engine in," Old Zhu said very satisfied: "Let's start now!"

"No, it's quitting time now. We'll install it tomorrow," Christopher said, looking at his watch. "You're not allowed to touch the engine either! I'm going to put on a few seals!"

Obviously, he was prepared. It wasn't appropriate to install closed-circuit television on-site, but putting on seals was no problem. Let's see who dares to break the seals and take it apart to study!

Qin Yang's expression also became serious.

"Mr. Michael, if you don't let us touch this engine, can you take responsibility if something goes wrong during the modification process?"

"How could something go wrong with our engine?"

"What if it does?"

"If it's really the engine's problem, of course we can take responsibility. Just kidding, how could an engine that's heavily equipped on our Challenger tanks have an accident?"