Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

Capital city, an office within the aviation industry system.

"This is outrageous! It's practically a rebellion! As the head of an important department within our system, he's actually refusing to comply with the higher-ups' orders and openly resisting the arrangements made by his superiors! If this were in the past…"

"He's a perfect example! We need to initiate disciplinary procedures and arrest Lao Lu! Does he really think he can do whatever he wants at Factory 320?"

"Alright, everyone, stop talking."

Leader Wang helplessly rubbed his forehead. "We absolutely cannot escalate the conflict any further. We need to think of a solution. It seems we were too simplistic in our thinking. I don't know what Lao Lu is thinking. Coming to the capital to work – so many people would kill for that opportunity, and he's actually putting on airs!"

Their plan was perfect: transfer Lao Lu to the capital for a promotion, and transfer Lao Li to take charge of the J-11's reverse engineering. This way, things would naturally progress, and the relevant technology would end up in Shenyang, allowing both factories to produce together and provide advanced fighter jets for the navy and air force.

Wasn't this a win-win situation?

Who knew that Lao Lu would openly defy orders!

"Leader Wang, Elder Lin is here!" A deputy ran over to report.

"Please, invite Elder Lin in!" Leader Wang forced a smile. "Let's go see what instructions Elder Lin has for us."

In the reception room, Elder Lin sat on the sofa, his face stern.

"Elder Lin, what brings you here?" Leader Wang asked with a smile. "You could have just called. Was there really a need to make a special trip?"

"I heard you're planning to transfer Lao Lu away?" Elder Lin said. "Lao Lu is the person in charge of the Qiang-6. He's been working on variable-sweep wings. Right now, the air force's most important task of reverse-engineering the Tomcat fighter jet can't be done without Lao Lu. What are you trying to do?"

"Elder Lin, don't be angry. Let us explain slowly. Lao Lu is indeed an outstanding talent in the research and development of variable-sweep wings. Over this period, he has already reverse-engineered many components, exporting a large quantity to Iran. This project is a key profit-generating project for our aviation industry system. Lao Lu going to AVIC is to be in charge of this project. After all, we can't build fighter jets without money."

Leader Wang said, "Although the positions are different, they are both for the sake of this project."

"So you transferred Lao Li and the others from Shenyang?"

"With Lao Lu coming to the capital, Factory 320 still needs someone to be in charge. Lao Li is the deputy chief designer of the J-8 and is also a veteran with rich experience. Transferring him from Factory 112 to Factory 320 is actually a demotion, but Lao Li didn't complain at all. He left as soon as he received the transfer order. This fully demonstrates Lao Li's awareness."

Leader Wang patiently explained, "Of course, we can understand Lao Lu's current emotional state. He's just reluctant to leave. We won't pursue his responsibility for disobeying the transfer order. We believe that once Lao Lu thinks it through, he will definitely consider the big picture. No matter where he is, he's contributing to the development of our aviation industry."

Leader Wang had already prepared for Elder Lin to blow his top, even figuring out how to dodge the teacup Elder Lin might throw. However, strangely, Elder Lin didn't get angry, but changed the subject.

"Regarding Base 011, what are your plans for handling it?"

"We don't have any plans yet. Base 011 is also the most troublesome project for us. It was just built, and before we could even use it much, it's going to be abandoned. Currently, our system can't accommodate too many people, so we can only rely on them to be self-sufficient."

"In other words, you don't have the ability and want to abandon Base 011? Do you have any thoughts of selling this base? Or even just selling a portion of it would do."

Base 011 is a memory that many veteran military industrialists find hard to forget.

During that special period in those years, the country began to lay out the Third Front bases. Factory 960 was in the mountains near the capital, which could only be called a small Third Front. The real large Third Front was on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.

Guizhou was the focus of the Third Front construction at that time, and three key bases were built in a triangular shape: the 011 Aviation Base, the 061 Aerospace Base, and the 083 Electronics Industry Base.

In that era of good people and good horses going to the Third Front, countless people responded to the call and came to the mountains of Guizhou to engage in construction and production. The three major bases were almost all completed by 1976.

And then what?

Then the country began to shift its focus. Developing the economy was of course most suitable for first-tier large cities. Third Front bases had inconvenient transportation, high production costs, and couldn't retain talented people. They were on the verge of collapse.

The 011 Base, which was under the responsibility of the aviation industry, was also the same. After this base was completed, it mainly produced the J-6, but this aircraft was already outdated. Now even Factory 112 can only produce the last batch, and then it will be discontinued. What can Base 011 do?

The aviation industry system didn't know how many meetings it had held to discuss the future of Base 011, but there were no results. After all, finding a way out for tens of thousands of people there was not that easy.

"Sell it? Who would buy it?" Leader Wang asked.

"Factory 960," Elder Lin said. "They are a model of Third Front military industry transformation. They also have sympathy for the Third Front military industry. Now they have the ability, so General Qin plans to do everything possible to help Base 011. This can also solve your problems and can be said to be a win-win situation."

Leader Wang subconsciously wanted to nod, but years of experience told him that there was something fishy about this!

"Elder Lin, this matter is of great importance. We need to hold a meeting to discuss it. You didn't come here just for this matter, did you?"

When the time comes, Lao Li will still be able to take over everything.

But now, there has been a change.

In three days, Factory 960 will start construction of an aircraft manufacturing plant. Lao Lu and the entire Tomcat fighter jet reverse-engineering team will resign from their units and join the newly established Third Factory of Factory 960!

Even if Lao Li enters Factory 320, he won't get anything!

Can they stop Lao Lu and the others from transferring the technology? Of course not!

The Tomcat prototype was created by General Qin, and the reverse-engineering funds were provided by the air force. They are fully qualified to take all the technology with them!

Factory 112 can't be saved, Factory 320 will also be finished, not to mention Base 011. A private aviation industry giant will emerge in the country, just like Factory 960's current position in the army's weapons industry.

"That's right, fighter jet research and development is related to national secrets and must not be handed over to private aviation enterprises!"

"These things have nothing to do with you. As long as the old leader agrees, then this enterprise can be started," Elder Lin said. "Since state-owned enterprises are not up to par, then we can only rely on private enterprises. Hmph, they have no ability themselves, but they always want to grab what belongs to others. Can our air force entrust the hope of its main fighter jets to such unambitious units?"