Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

The meeting had already ended, and it was still early for dinner. Qin Yang followed Director Dong to his office.

Director Dong was in charge of the overall relocation of Factory 960, and they needed to discuss the next steps in detail. Three months was too tight! In the past, it would have taken two or three years!

Director Dong personally poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Qin Yang.

"Little Qin, you're too young. Some people are indeed making trouble behind your back, but the leaders are watching. Saying things like that might make things difficult for them!"

Now, Director Dong's attitude was more like that of an elder than a superior, and Qin Yang felt a warmth in his heart.

"Director Dong, I'm just a hothead. If someone dares to slap me, I'll return two slaps." Qin Yang said, "By the way, what's the identity of that pretty boy?"

It wasn't that Qin Yang didn't understand social graces; he was doing it on purpose. He had to let everyone know that there would be serious consequences for anyone who dared to hinder Factory 960! Moreover, as a military industry expert who had transmigrated, he knew all kinds of people. Since he didn't recognize the pretty boy, then this guy must be an unknown.

"He's the grandson of a certain leader. He's usually a bit frivolous, and this time he should learn a lesson. Don't worry, besides me, Director Fang and Director Han will also protect you. Okay, tell me what you need."

"After the land approval comes through, we'll need various building materials. Building the factory buildings within three months shouldn't be a problem. We'll also need to reconnect the power lines and need two 500-kilowatt transformers…"

"Wait!" Although Director Dong wasn't a professional in this area, he remembered very clearly that the transformer stolen from the Shahe Iron and Steel Plant was 100 kilowatts. Iron smelting was a huge consumer of electricity. A military factory only operated a few machine tool equipment, plus lighting. Even if the area was expanded, a 200-kilowatt transformer should be enough.

Qin Yang actually wanted 500-kilowatt transformers, and two of them! What did he want to do?

"Do you really need that much electricity?"

"If we were only producing the previous products, one 500-kilowatt transformer would be enough. But if we're going to build lightweight heavy machine guns for the troops to use in mountainous areas, then we'll need more electricity."

"Why?"

"Because we need to use special steel. Otherwise, we simply can't achieve the weight reduction goal. If we don't use titanium alloys, we'll have to use our own smelted special steel. For example, in the manufacturing of gun barrels, we need to use electroslag remelted steel." Qin Yang said, "The supporting equipment also needs to be imported from Europe. Aren't we working on Project 37 now? Just help us bring one back along the way. It doesn't need to be too big for making guns, just a small piece of equipment will do."

Director Dong was immediately overwhelmed. At the meeting, Qin Yang had clearly stated: overall relocation of the factory, installation of equipment in place. At the time, everyone thought it meant installing the original equipment of Factory 960 in place. Who would have thought that they would actually be buying new equipment, and what's more, it wasn't available domestically and had to be imported from abroad!

And he wanted them to take advantage of Project 37 to help buy one? He really had a big appetite!

After the country opened its doors, it realized the huge gap between itself and the advanced level of the world, and decided to quickly improve its own level through introduction. There were many cooperative projects in the military industry. The Air Force had the improvement of the J-7 and J-8, the Navy had the 051S, and the Army planned to introduce the NATO standard L7 tank gun.

The L7 tank gun was a new type of rifled gun developed by the British Royal Ordnance Factory to resist the rolling armored torrent of the Soviets. It had great power, high precision, and long range, and became the NATO standard tank gun. It adopted a series of advanced processes, including electroslag remelting and barrel self-tightening. It weighed only 1.28 tons, which was much lighter than the domestic 59 tank gun's weight of 1.95 tons, but its power was two or three times higher.

On March 7, 1978, China also began negotiations with the United Kingdom to introduce this advanced tank gun. Afterwards, the L7 tank gun gained new life in the East, and was even used until the twenty-first century.

However, the introduction project took a long time. The British were also cunning. In order to avoid stimulating the Soviets, they only exported the technology of the L7, but what about production? You guys figure it out yourselves!

In Qin Yang's plan, once Factory 960 completed the relocation, it would be time for a major undertaking. Electroslag remelting was just one of the projects, and there were also aluminum alloy processing, composite material production, and so on. All kinds of projects required sufficient power and advanced machinery and equipment. Now that he had brought out a major project worth tens of billions of US dollars, could the higher-ups not support him?

While Qin Yang and Director Dong were reporting on their work, the others were also discussing in groups of three or five, waiting to eat before leaving.

Director Duo looked at the few people he had brought with a dark face.

"Factory 960 is going to relocate, and you created obstacles for them?"

The few people lowered their heads, not daring to say anything. Looking at their expressions, Director Duo understood.

"You guys are really confused! Even if it's no longer the era of the whole country working as one, the various military factories and research institutes have to compete fairly. Using these crooked methods, will you still have the face to stay in the system in the future?"

"Director Duo, our Institute 208 is the leader in the industry, with the strongest research and development capabilities, but what about now? The development of the Type 81 rifle was snatched away by Factory 296, and the research and development tasks for sniper rifles and small-caliber bullets were snatched away by Factory 960. They are slapping us in the face!" a technician said.

"If you're afraid of being slapped in the face, then let's fight for it and develop an advanced gun to let the people in the system know our strength! Instead of relying on crooked methods! Seeing that others have good things, you use tricks to snatch them away. You're really something!"

"Director Duo, are you blaming me?" At this time, the pretty boy walked over: "Times are changing. If the research institute doesn't have subordinate factories, then it will suffer in the reform. If our Institute 208 can merge Factory 960, then we can develop by leaps and bounds in the future! Now we must find a way to prevent Factory 960 from relocating and developing…"

"Zhu Guohua, our Institute 208 has nothing to do with your Capital Steel Factory. You should still do your own job well in the future!" Director Duo said with a dark face.