Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

"Old Wang, what brings you here?" Wei Man asked, surprised to see Wang Liqun standing before him amidst his busy work.

"I heard you've successfully developed a brand-new type of ammunition. The higher-ups sent me to take a look. If there are no issues, we'll take it to the national proving ground for professional testing," Wang Liqun said. "If the test results are ideal, the army might place an order for ten thousand shells to send to the southern front, catching the enemy off guard."

The Type 66 howitzer is the country's main long-range attack force, but it was copied from the old Maozi's howitzers. So, the enemy also knows the performance of this gun, especially its maximum range of only 17 kilometers. As long as they are more than 17 kilometers from the front line, they are safe. Therefore, their rear command is usually located about twenty kilometers from the front line, completely safe.

Once these new shells are sent to the front, they can hit 23 kilometers, instantly turning the enemy's command post into rubble, leaving them completely disoriented.

"Rest assured, leaders from above, there's definitely no problem with the shells we've developed," Wei Man said. "Since the higher-ups want ten thousand rounds, we'll speed up production. That way, by the time the testing is complete, the shells will be almost ready, and it won't delay their use on the front lines."

"Old Wei, you guys are taking a rather large stride," Wang Liqun said. "I advise you to be more cautious."

"Cautious about what? If we don't cook the rice until it's done, there could be changes at any time," Wei Man said. "Come on, I'll take you to see the production line."

The manufacturing of the shells starts with the rough steel blanks. After heating, they are stamped multiple times to form the corresponding shape. To produce large quantities of shells, Factory 9123 also used special stamping dies. After all, this shell has a different shape than before, and the dies had to be re-procured.

The stamped shell casings are then sent to machine tools for machining. After a series of processes, they finally become shiny shells. Watching the last process: several old workers using screwdrivers to tighten four protrusions, Wang Liqun spoke again: "Old Wei, are you sure this is okay?"

The prototype shell in front of him was a complete replica of the 960 Factory's product. Back then, Wei Man was only focused on surveying and mapping, while Wang Liqun mainly looked at the appearance. He clearly remembered that the four protrusions on the 960 Factory's prototype shells were definitely not screwed on. The shell in front of him imitated the appearance but did not replicate the essence. Is this feasible?

"Of course, there's no problem, Old Wang. I know what you're thinking, but what can we do? Our ordnance factory in this remote mountain valley is like an unloved stepchild, incomparable to large factories like 5103 and 724. We can only find our own way out. Succeed or die trying!"

After speaking, Wang Liqun looked at Xing Fubin, who was walking over: "Old Xing, the higher-ups are going to place an order for ten thousand rounds. Let's hurry up and produce them. Also, move out a few boxes of our finished shells. I'll take them to the national proving ground for testing."

Xing Fubin nodded: "Okay, then let's borrow another sum from the bank to continue purchasing raw materials. The previous raw materials were only enough to produce one thousand rounds."

These people's thinking was very simple: produce the things before Qin Yang could react. Once the fact was established, it would be useless for Qin Yang to protest.

But there was a risk in this!

However, Wang Liqun had no other choice. He had said all he could. What else could he do?

National Proving Ground.

"Engineer Wei, did you guys invent this shell? I heard that Factory 960 pioneered the jujube pit shell!" Yang Zhenhua, the head of the proving ground, said. This shell was of great importance, and the higher-ups had repeatedly instructed him, so Yang Zhenhua dared not neglect it. However, he still had to make some sarcastic remarks.

The matter had already spread, and Factory 9123 couldn't hide it even if they wanted to. However, Wei Man was not ashamed at this time. After all, this was Factory 9123's only way out.

"Can't we develop shells with the same appearance?" Wei Man said. "It's our ability to make this kind of shell! Has the proving ground been cleared? Let's begin! We'll finish the testing project as soon as possible so we can sign the contract with the military."

The factory's production funds were all borrowed. Even if the interest rate wasn't high, a lot of money meant a lot of interest! Everyone was uneasy and wanted to finalize the deal as soon as possible, then get the money from the military to pay off the debts!

"Attention, clear the proving ground, prepare for the test firing!" Yang Zhenhua issued the order.

It was difficult to find a proving ground with a range of dozens of kilometers. The military had done a lot of preparation work when testing cannons near the capital, but the national proving ground was different. This was the Gobi Desert, full of uninhabited areas. After a simple cleanup, they could start the test firing.

"Attention, prepare to fire!" Yang Zhenhua personally commanded.

"Fire!"

Boom!

Flames rose from the muzzle, and the shell appeared in front of the fireball, flying out.

Wei Man plugged his ears with his fingers, which would make him feel better. He said confidently to the people who had come with him: "Old Wang, did you see that? Our shells are just as good as the shells developed by Qin Yang!"

"Report, no target found at the predicted impact point," a voice came from the radio at this moment.

No matter how powerful the shell was, it couldn't fly thirty kilometers. Could it be that the shell flew closer?

Impossible, absolutely impossible! Wei Man was confident that he was capable in surveying and mapping imitations. There was absolutely no problem with the appearance! For shells, the most important thing was the appearance. As a professional shell manufacturing factory, their workers' skills far exceeded those of Factory 960.

"Group Two reports, target found!"

"Where is it?"

"About five kilometers from the cannon! Exact data is being measured."

Hearing that Group Two had found the target, Wei Man's mind buzzed. Group Two was searching inward! Now, hearing the number five kilometers, he was even more dumbfounded.

"Impossible, you must be mistaken. How could our shell fly five kilometers under full charge?"

"Engineer Wei, are you questioning the work standards of our national proving ground?" Yang Zhenhua glanced at him.

"Of course not."

"The distance of five kilometers is not far. We can go take a look," Yang Zhenhua said.

Two sidecar motorcycles started and quickly saw the place with the red flag planted. A shell was stuck in the mud there, its rear facing the sky, revealing its special tail. Several target reporters were busy measuring the exact distance.

Wei Man's heart turned cold. Before the sidecar motorcycle had come to a complete stop, he jumped down and quickly ran over, circling the shell halfway, and then saw the problematic place: one of the four protrusions was missing! The screw was also gone.

"It shouldn't be! Even if something is lost, it shouldn't fly this close," Wei Man was very suspicious.

"If I'm not mistaken, the shell probably rolled over here," Wang Liqun said. "I suggest using a high-speed camera to record the second test firing!"