Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Having obtained the design blueprints, Wang Chongming didn't return to the military academy. He called in sick and took a train late at night, rattling and clanging as he left the capital.

Shanxi, deep in the mountains, Zhangjia Cliff.

Here lies a mountain valley stretching 7.5 kilometers, where many red-brick workshops are hidden beneath lush, green trees. At the entrance to the impregnable valley hangs a weathered and dilapidated sign: Capital Great Wall Machinery Factory.

The Capital Farm Implement Factory isn't in the capital, and neither is the Capital Great Wall Machinery Factory. Moreover, it's hundreds of kilometers further from the capital than the Capital Farm Implement Factory!

This Great Wall Machinery Factory is, of course, just a front. Within the military industry, it's known as Factory 187, and their main product is the 37mm anti-aircraft gun.

During its peak, this factory employed over ten thousand people. But now, with the nation's economic transformation, this third-tier military factory in the remote mountains naturally faces a crisis of survival.

The factory director's office.

"Director Wang, what wind has blown you here?" Factory Director Fan Tongyu greeted him warmly.

After a bumpy journey, Wang Chongming was exhausted, but the other man's attitude pleased him. Since returning to the capital, few people had shown him such respect. He felt a surge of satisfaction, knowing his trip hadn't been in vain!

"Director Fan, your factory's situation hasn't been good lately, has it?"

"Indeed, Director Wang. How many of our third-tier military factories are doing well? Factory 960 is an anomaly."

"I have a brand-new anti-aircraft gun design here. As long as you manufacture according to this design, I guarantee your factory will be profitable and grow stronger." Wang Chongming pulled out the blueprints.

Fan Tongyu was excited: "Really? That would be wonderful! Let me take a look."

He took the blueprints, his excitement palpable. However, after only a few glances, his expression turned grim.

"What's wrong?"

"Director Wang, we can't produce this type of anti-aircraft gun!"

"What's the matter? You produce 37mm anti-aircraft guns, don't you? What difficulty is there in switching to 35mm guns?"

"This anti-aircraft gun is designed with a very high chamber pressure, requiring advanced electroslag remelting steel. Currently, only the Second Machine Factory in our country has this equipment," Fan Tongyu said.

"Only the Second Machine Factory has it?"

"That's right. Factory 960 has it too, but there isn't a third one."

A wasted trip? Wang Chongming sighed and stood up.

The Second Machine Factory.

"Old Wang, what brings you here?" Zhuang Shuren was very surprised to see Wang Chongming.

"What? Am I not allowed to come?" Wang Chongming was a little annoyed. He used to be called Director Wang, but now it was just Old Wang? Indeed, when people leave, the tea cools.

"That's not it. Old Wang, what's the matter?"

"I'm now engaged in scientific research in the capital. Recently, I came up with a design for an anti-aircraft gun and plan to give it to your factory for production. We'll leave the army's field air defense to you."

"Anti-aircraft gun? Our own anti-aircraft guns do have problems. The Type 59 57mm anti-aircraft gun has a slow rate of fire, the 37mm has a poor trajectory, and the 23mm has weak firepower. We should have had an advanced anti-aircraft gun long ago. Let me take a look."

Wang Chongming handed over the drawings. He knew this was a freebie and he wouldn't get any benefits from it. But even if there were no benefits, he would still do it. He just couldn't swallow this humiliation!

Zhuang Shuren shook his head: "Forget it, Old Wang. Take this drawing back."

Seeing Zhuang Shuren return the drawing, Wang Chongming was surprised: "Old Zhuang, this is the most advanced 35mm anti-aircraft gun, with a fast rate of fire and strong firepower. It's the weapon and equipment most urgently needed by the army! As long as you can produce it, the army will need to purchase at least several hundred units."

"Who dares to snatch meat from Factory 960's mouth? Old Wang, are you trying to harm us?"

Wang Chongming's face darkened: "Old Zhuang, how much business has Factory 960 stolen from you? They've even taken the tank guns! You really have no backbone! I misjudged you! Since you don't want to seek revenge, I'll go find someone else!"

Wang Chongming angrily stood up and walked out, but his movements were slow. He was waiting for Zhuang Shuren to stop him, but instead, he heard something else.

"Old Wang, go ahead. I won't tell Chief Engineer Qin that you got the drawings. However, I advise you not to mess with Factory 960."

Hmph! Wang Chongming strode out: "You don't cherish the good stuff I gave you, so I'll go find someone else!"

Although he spoke harshly, Wang Chongming already knew that he had completely miscalculated.

Ordinary military factories don't have the production capacity, and those with production capacity will recognize that the design drawings came from Factory 960. They've been scared out of their wits by Factory 960, afraid that there's a problem with these drawings and they'll be tricked in the end!

After all, such things have happened more than once. Who dares to snatch meat from Chief Engineer Qin's mouth? Aren't they afraid of breaking their own teeth?

Wang Chongming was dejected. He had been running around for several days, but it seemed like he hadn't accomplished anything. The drawings were in his hands, but they were meaningless! A pointless endeavor?

Factory 960.

A large tracked chassis slowly drove down from a trailer, with several people directing it nearby.

"Director Xu, you came in person?" A voice rang out.

Xu Jianshe turned his head and was immediately excited when he saw Qin Yang's figure: "Chief Engineer Qin, I heard that Factory 960 needs a 321 chassis, so our First Machine Factory of Harbin immediately made it a top priority! This one was just produced off the production line and we brought it to you. I also brought some technicians to help you out, even if it's just to lend a hand."

Without Chief Engineer Qin, the heat dissipation problem of their 321 chassis would have been delayed, which would have delayed the army's equipment. Not to mention that Chief Engineer Qin later helped them solve the project of increasing the range of the howitzer. Now that Chief Engineer Qin said he needed a chassis, they naturally had to cooperate as soon as possible.

"Well, that's good. I really need your help next," Qin Yang said: "Time is tight and the task is heavy."

"Chief Engineer Qin, we are capable of fighting tough battles!"

While Factory 960 was busy with research, Wang Chongming, exhausted, returned to the capital. On the way, he only thought of one last solution.

"Old Huang, we've all been deceived by Qin Yang!" As soon as he entered the door, Wang Chongming opened his mouth in a hoarse voice.

He had lost a lot of weight in the past few days, and only his eyeballs were still moving, indicating that he was a living person.

"How have we been deceived?" Leader Huang didn't rush when he heard Wang Chongming speak ill of Qin Yang. He knew the inside story, so he just had a wait-and-see attitude.

"What Qin Yang is going to make for us is just a towed anti-aircraft gun. What the army needs is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun that can move cross-country with the tank units! Qin Yang is just bragging! He said within a month, but if he wants to make a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, a year wouldn't be enough!"

"Is that so?" Leader Huang's attitude was still unhurried.

"That's right, you should go take a look quickly. If they are dragging their feet, then urge them on."

"It's not urgent. We agreed on a month, and it hasn't arrived yet."

"If we urge them on when it arrives, won't it be too late?"

"It won't be too late, Old Wang. You don't know, Qin Yang is not good at other things, but he is best at creating military miracles for us. What you see is a towed artillery, but when it's time to show it off, it might turn into a self-propelled artillery?"

"How is that possible? Even if Qin Yang is a Monkey King with seventy-two transformations, it won't work! It's not easy to put an anti-aircraft gun on a tracked chassis. Didn't our 301 fail back then? If Qin Yang can't make it and delays the army's use, then that's a crime!"