sbdcsierra Chapter 1409 5000 Gas Cylinders
Chapter 1409 5000 Gas Cylinders
Chapter 1409 5000 Gas Cylinders
"Sir, a guest is waiting for you in the meeting room."
Zhang Enyuan walked in and reported, "The other party claims to be your old comrade-in-arms..."
"Is it Deputy Regiment Commander Chu who's here?"
Upon hearing his report, Li Xuewu quickly put down his pen, stood up, and said, "I'll be right there."
"Sir, the other party didn't come alone." Zhang Enyuan approached Li Xuewu and whispered a reminder, "It seems there are also guests from Beijing. They didn't introduce them, Vice Chu..."
"I know, they must be guests who came after the batch of equipment we sent out." Li Xuewu said with a smile as he walked outside. "This is what they call 'you reap what you sow.' Go and call Director Yuan and tell him it's time for the autumn harvest."
"Okay, I'll go and invite Director Yuan right away." Zhang Enyuan seemed to understand what was going on, and replied with a smile. After seeing Li Xuewu out, he went to find Director Yuan Dehua, who worked at the weapons manufacturing plant.
You won't find the Red Star Weaponry Factory even if you search through all the newspapers and the entire industrial area of the Red Star Steel Group.
This factory is hidden from the outside world, it is kept secret, and it is in a state of "no such person can be found".
The actual production address is only visible in internal documents of Hongxing Steel Group and in organizational charts distributed to a certain extent. It is located within the Steel City Hardware Manufacturing Plant.
That's right, the Steel City Hardware Manufacturing Plant has a very large factory area, and there are even factories within factories, which are completely independently managed.
Without someone from Hongxing Steel Group to guide you, you wouldn't even be able to find the gate of the Hongxing Steel City Weapon Factory.
The reason for placing the weapons factory inside the hardware manufacturing plant was not only due to the need for manufacturing and secrecy, but also because it affected the foreign trade of the Hongxing Steel Group.
Li Xuewu put forward this view when managing foreign trade and economic work: in foreign trade and international trade activities, there should absolutely be no overlap between the brand and actual production location of civilian hardware products and the brand and production location of weapons. Hongxing Steel Group is merely an enterprise with the capability to produce hardware equipment; it shouldn't be concerned with any specific hardware products.
There will always be saints who can't see reality and just demand that you act like them.
Perhaps they have already seen reality, or perhaps they have been tormented by reality to the point of exhaustion due to certain personality traits and overly idealistic attitudes. They hide in a corner and fantasize about living in a utopian world, unable to tolerate even the slightest flaw. Otherwise, they will react by expressing their dissatisfaction, or even exhibit animalistic aggression.
Any element that is emphasized beyond its normal range will become a symbol of extremism, such as environmental protection, fairness, or gender. Have you heard of the Walmart plastic bag man?
A normal person's worldview is a combination of many complex elements in a state of dynamic equilibrium. It is a positive outlook on life and a relatively conservative set of values.
Is there a relationship between business operations and people's worldviews?
The relationship is extremely important. Industrial production requires workers, and the workers' worldview directly affects productivity.
A company's products need to be sold to the market, and the market is precisely the purchasing power of countless people.
Therefore, Hongxing Steel Group's products are only sold to the corresponding markets. Specific products, such as weapons, are almost never released to the public and are even managed in secrecy.
It has an independent steel mill, convenient supply of raw materials such as non-ferrous metals and special steels, a modern rolling mill with excellent technology reserves as support, and a professional research institute as guidance.
Hongxing Steel City Weaponry Factory has a wide range of products, but they are mainly infantry and light weapons. Products with independent research and development attributes are all concentrated on auxiliary equipment, such as mess kits, daggers, gear, hanging equipment, etc.
The Type 66-6 sniper rifle produced by Hongxing Steel City Weaponry Plant has received very positive feedback both domestically and internationally.
When the SVD was deployed in North America and even showcased to the world, some jokes arose. The markets that Art and his friends were expanding into did not recognize the SVD and called it a counterfeit.
Yes, that's right. The Red Star Type 66-6 sniper rifle appeared on the international arms trade market earlier than the SVD.
This is absolutely unreasonable! These two sniper rifles look very similar when placed side by side, but there are very obvious differences in their manufacturing process and materials.
The SVD is considered a precision rifle in Northern Russia, and its cost is not low; even if it were to be adopted, it would still be quite expensive.
However, on the international arms market, the Red Star 66-6 sniper rifle clearly shows that all parts are marked with symbols indicating special materials.
This is alloy steel, that is alloy aluminum, it's all clearly stated, even the scope is marked with a special introduction: the Red Star 66-6 sniper rifle uses optical glass, the surface scale lines are made with the most advanced etching process... and so on.
Anyone unfamiliar with the technology, upon seeing this and comparing it to the SVDs circulating in the market, would immediately feel that the Type 66-6 is more professional, more advanced, and more combat-ready than the SVD.
If you ask someone knowledgeable, or an SVD engineer, to see that these two guns are no different, they are made from the same mold.
If he wants to say that the Type 66-6 sniper rifle is garbage, he has to admit that the SVD is also garbage, and he certainly can't admit that the materials and manufacturing process used in the Type 66-6 are worse than those of the SVD.
It is clear that Hongxing Steel City Weapon Manufacturing Plant has taken a different path from ordinary weapon manufacturing plants. It adopts more refined production and manufacturing processes, emphasizes the concept of special equipment, and aims to unleash the maximum potential of weapons.
Comparing industrial products with handcrafted items is simply unfair. To use a scope as a method of judging quality is an insult to the SVD design team.
why?
Because the SVD's scope also uses optical glass. What scope doesn't use optical glass and employ a cheap manufacturing process like etching?
Should this be emphasized?
Indeed, judging from the product introduction of the inhumane Red Star Steel City Weaponry Factory, this feedback is necessary. The West Asia and Africa regions have already concluded that SVD shamelessly copied the Type 66-6 sniper rifle, and not even finished copying it.
You dare say the Type 66-6 sniper rifle is a copy of the SVD? Then take a look at the systematic equipment and attachments used with the Type 66-6 sniper rifle; that serves as evidence.
What is the biggest advantage of Red Star brand weapons?
It is not just about excellent manufacturing processes and material quality, but about the composition of mature and excellent individual soldier system equipment, and the connection between individual soldier systems, vehicle systems, and other combat systems.
Hongxing Steel City Weaponry Factory provides all the equipment solutions a soldier needs, including socks and underwear, protective underwear, and abrasion-resistant combat and training suits.
These supporting equipment pieces include hooks and small hardware accessories for mounting in key locations, which are perfectly suited to combat needs and are designed as a systematic and integrated system.
While Art and his friends were making their big purchase, they also ordered a lot of these auxiliary equipment. Anyway, it didn't cost much, and when combined, they looked like the original.
Desert sets, jungle sets, and so on, have shown the international trade market what social complexity truly means.
You bought the desert outfit, so aren't you going to get a jungle outfit too? What if you suddenly switch from a desert to a jungle environment?
Okay, you've bought a full set of terrain equipment, how about a combat jeep that's even better suited for special operations?
Cheap and durable, with multiple paint effects, so you won't feel bad if you lose it. Everyone else has four wheels, while you're on two legs; you can't even run away as fast as them!
What? You're saying the enemy's firepower is too strong, and we can't break through?
How about we consider purchasing five-piece gas cylinders from Hongxing Hardware Factory? They're great for getting rid of anyone except for cooking; the effect is fantastic—the enemy screams, and you cheer.
Why are so many people disgusted by heretical practitioners?
The current Hongxing Steel City Weapon Factory is somewhat following the path of unorthodox cultivation, always finding alternative ways to achieve unexpected results.
***
"Oh my, it's been so long since I've seen my old comrade!"
"Hahaha--"
As soon as Chu Nanfang saw Li Xuewu enter the room, he stood up with a smile and took the initiative to come over and shake hands.
Li Xuewu was also very happy, and shook his hand, saying, "I was just wondering if you could pass through Steel City."
"Unfortunately, Comrade Shen Fang really wanted to come, but he suddenly had a mission, and he even complained to me about it."
Chu Nanfang smiled and patted Li Xuewu's hand, saying, "Well, he specifically asked me to give you his regards."
"Okay, okay, thank you, old comrade."
Li Xuewu smiled and let go of his hand, then looked at the people who had stood up behind him.
"I was so busy greeting people that I almost forgot to introduce myself."
Chu Nanfang turned around following his gaze and introduced with a smile: "This is Director Liu of the General Armament Department, and this is Director Zhao of the Garrison Equipment Department."
"Hello, Director Liu, hello, Director Zhao." Li Xuewu smiled and extended his hand to shake hands with both of them.
At this moment, Chu Nanfang introduced, "This is Comrade Li Xuewu, whom our Regiment Commander Qi introduced to you two."
"Famous, renowned far and wide." Garrison Commander Zhao nodded with a smile and said, "I've heard of him before."
"You're too kind, please have a seat."
Li Xuewu smiled and gestured towards the sofa, inviting the three of them to sit down and talk.
Director Zhao and Director Liu sat together, while Chu Nanfang sat opposite Li Xuewu. Teacups were placed in front of each of them. Office Director Sun Jia had been keeping them company.
At this moment, Sun Jia had already nodded and said goodbye, saying that she had to go prepare for the welcome banquet.
"Just now in the car, I was telling the two leaders that in Northeast China, there is only one place I recognize, and that is the Red Star Factory." Chu Nanfang, acting as the middleman, took the initiative to speak up: "Wherever the Red Star Factory is, that is our logistics supply station."
"This is something that many of our brother units must envy." Director Zhao smiled and glanced at Director Liu, then looked at Li Xuewu and said, "Thank you to Hongxing Factory for your help and support in the garrison construction."
"You're being too polite. Please have some tea." Li Xuewu gestured to the tea table, saying, "Comrade Nanfang and I are comrades-in-arms and have a very deep bond."
He then gestured in Chu Nanfang's direction and introduced, "Although we have met very little in the past two years, we have been keeping an eye on each other, especially the Red Star Factory and the Third Regiment of the Guards, who have been helping each other."
"Yes, yes—" Director Zhao nodded earnestly in agreement with Li Xuewu's words, but occasionally glanced at Director Liu, who had not spoken, as if they were communicating about something.
They all understood what Chu Nanfang meant. They were surprised that Li Xuewu, who was so much younger than Chu Nanfang, could speak so profoundly. He was truly remarkable.
The three men reacted differently to Li Xuewu's remarks about not having been in contact with the Third Regiment for a long time and their "comradeship," but it was clear that the effect was quite good.
"Did you just get back from Harbin?" After exchanging a few pleasantries, Li Xuewu asked, "Are you feeling better now?"
Considering Li Xuewu's special status, coupled with the support and performance of Hongxing Steel Group in this matter, the three of them did not seem to be avoiding or concealing anything.
Chu Nan gave Li Xuewu a brief introduction.
"The situation has stabilized somewhat now, and the enemy has sensed our determination and attitude."
Chu Nanfang said, "Currently, the two sides are still in a stalemate. It is hard to say whether other situations will arise next, but we have made active preparations to deal with various complex situations in which we will fight."
"I still want to thank you for providing this batch of equipment," Director Zhao said, taking the initiative to speak. "The initial battles were very difficult, and we must admit that we were not prepared."
“Especially anti-tank weapons.” He said with great regret and seriousness, “Our 75mm recoilless rifles, 85mm cannons and Type 56 rocket launchers are all unable to effectively penetrate the frontal armor of the T-62.”
"I participated in the second and third counterattacks," Chu Nanfang nodded and said, "When dealing with the enemy's tank attacks, we could clearly feel the impact and setbacks."
"It should be emphasized here that the equipment provided by the Red Star Factory is lightweight and easy to use, especially the heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft machine guns."
He looked at Director Zhao and Director Liu and said, "The Type 68 120mm mortar and the Type 67 light and heavy machine gun perform very well on the battlefield and meet the standards for infantry to carry."
"The Type 68 anti-aircraft machine gun, when paired with the Tundra multi-terrain vehicle, performed even better on the battlefield."
Chu Nanfang turned to Li Xuewu and said, "Whether it's mobility or striking capability, it's quite practical."
"The only drawback is that the quantity is too small. If we can configure it according to the equipment list of the combined arms battalion you provided, our regiment can achieve even better results."
"Hehe—" Director Zhao chuckled as he looked at his somewhat excited expression and said, "You haven't had enough yet?"
After saying that, he looked at Li Xuewu and asked, "I heard that the Tundra is a project that our factory is currently developing?"
"That's right, Director Zhao."
Li Xuewu first looked at Chu Nanfang, then nodded to Director Zhao and introduced, "Currently, our factory has several special projects, and Tantu is one of them. The main research and development force is the technical engineers from our factory's Science and Technology Research Institute and Light Armament Institute."
“Hmm—” Director Zhao nodded, glanced at the silent Director Liu, and then continued to ask, “How long until this car goes into mass production?”
"It's hard to say yet, after all, many features are still in the research and development and adjustment stage." Li Xuewu wasn't just making things up; the other party wasn't someone who could be dismissed with a few words.
"Components such as the engine, transmission, and housing structure still require further verification."
He answered Director Zhao's question, then looked at Chu Nanfang and asked, "How effective were those two helicopters?"
"It's very useful and has really helped us a lot, especially in terms of confidence."
Chu Nanfang said very sincerely, "According to the comrades who participated in the first counterattack mission, their hearts sank when the enemy helicopters flew overhead."
"But when we got up there, the two accompanying helicopters took off, and the cheers from the crowd were very enthusiastic."
He nodded and said, "Because we have equivalent helicopters and rapid-response anti-aircraft machine guns, the enemy's helicopters no longer dare to cross the line at will."
"Mi-2s, huh?" Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow slightly and asked, "How many did they deploy?"
"It's a Mi-2, at least eight of them."
Chu Nanfang thought for a moment, then nodded and replied, "We only saw it from a distance at the scene. The other party didn't come close, so we couldn't see it very clearly."
If the KH-4 produced by the Red Star Factory looks like a dragonfly, then the Mi-2 looks like a green fly.
"In my opinion, the helicopters produced by the Red Star plant are no weaker than the Mi-2, especially in terms of maneuverability."
Chu Nanfang said earnestly, "Although there are differences in the number of people they can carry, their strength should not be underestimated."
Director Zhao and Director Liu exchanged a glance. They did not raise any objections because there was currently a lack of available reconnaissance helicopters in China.
If you're talking about the Z-5, it still has a certain gap compared to the Red Star KH-4 model, specifically in terms of maneuverability, which is a critical parameter for helicopters, as Chu Nanfang just mentioned.
"I heard that the Hongxing Factory can produce helicopters with even better performance?" Director Zhao asked this question.
Li Xuewu stated frankly, "That's right. Currently, Steel Aircraft has three types of helicopters in production: the KH-4 model imported from Japan, the Jaguar transport helicopter imported from France, and the Ark-3 attack helicopter."
He sat up slightly, nodded, and continued, "According to the plan, the KH-4 model is expected to be mass-produced by the end of the year, while the Jaguar and Skylark will probably have to wait until next year or even the year after to achieve mass production."
"That's already very good." Director Zhao raised his eyebrows in surprise, and when he looked at Director Liu, there was a hint of joy in his eyes, as if he was surprised or delighted.
"Hmm, how's the performance?"
This was the first time Director Liu had asked a question. His voice was very gentle, as he always had been.
Li Xuewu thought for a moment before answering: "The Jaguar is a twin-engine medium-sized multi-purpose transport helicopter with a single rotor. It can carry 16 people and has a range of 572 kilometers."
"The Araucer attack helicopter is equipped with a built-in 7.62 mm machine gun or a 20 mm MG51/20 cannon, and can be externally mounted on up to four bay pylons."
He looked at Director Liu and said, "It's no problem to carry four AS11 or two AS12 missiles; that's standard equipment."
"Does it have any special effect against tanks?" Director Liu narrowed his eyes slightly and added, "For example, against a T-62?"
"Because we haven't mass-produced this model yet, what we have at the moment are experimental units, so we can't make comparisons."
Li Xuewu spoke cautiously: "If we're talking about the AS11 or the larger AS12, then using it as a can opener should be their intended purpose and use during the design process."
"I can't say how effective it will be right now, but we are developing a multiple rocket launcher that is based on the AS11."
"Is it a weapon for striking ground targets?" Director Zhao asked, opening his eyes wide. "How effective is it? Has it been tested?"
"It's still in the research stage, so I can't say for sure yet." Li Xuewu smiled first, then turned to Chu Nanfang and asked, "Have those gas cylinders we sent over been put into use?"
"Oh, you mean this—"
When Chu Nanfang heard him ask about this, his eyes lit up, and he smiled and said, "It's a bit special, but it works very well."
"As long as it works, that's fine. This is also drawing on a wide range of sources, borrowing ideas from foreign trade." Li Xuewu explained to Director Zhao and the other two with a smile: "A foreign businessman ordered 5000 gas cylinders from us. At first, we didn't know what they were going to use them for."
"Until later..."
"Hehehe—" A soft laugh rang out in the meeting room, and even the usually stern Director Liu chuckled.
-
Chu Nanfang and his two companions arrived suddenly and left just as decisively, without staying for a meal at the metallurgical plant.
Li Xuewu didn't pay too much attention to the sudden visit of these people. However, a few weeks later, when he heard that the T62 whose tracks had been blown off had been towed back, the relevant data parameters were sent to the light infantry station by a special person.
It's really hard to say about this. T-62, what's the point of sending this data to the light infantry research institute? The light infantry research institute doesn't conduct research on related projects, unless it's a case of using one's own spear to attack the enemy's shield.
When the light infantry station called, Li Xuewu had already figured out their purpose and intentions; this was a way of returning the favor.
On April 2, China's first 4-ton oil tanker, the "Daqing 27", was launched.
On April 3, China successfully designed and manufactured its first new type of large liquid nitrogen tanker, reaching the world's advanced level.
On April 5, China successfully manufactured its first aluminum pressing mold, filling a gap in industrial production.
On April 6, a gear hobbing hot rolling mill with world-class advanced technology was manufactured in Shanghai.
On April 9, the Fifth Machine Tool Plant in Shanghai successfully trial-rolled a cuttingless cold-rolled secondary lead screw with world-class advanced technology.
On April 10, China successfully trial-produced its first advanced Shaoshan-type high-power semiconductor mainline electric locomotive.
On April 11, a domestically manufactured automatic pipe cutting machine tool with internationally advanced technology was successfully developed.
On April 12, Fengcheng Machinery Plant of Hongxing Steel Group announced the successful trial production of the first CNC lathe in China with high-precision machining performance.
……
On Sunday, April 13, Li Xuewu, head of the Liaodong Industrial Leading Group of Hongxing Steel Group, secretary-general of the group, and director of the metallurgical plant, participated in a tree-planting activity organized by the leading group office. He gave a brief speech at the event, in which he proposed a goal of planting 4 trees in three years.
On the same day, Li Xuewu first proposed the goal of Hongxing Steel Group to create an ecological industrial model in the Steel City Industrial Zone when he participated in a symposium of municipal industrial enterprises organized by the Steel City Industrial Group.
As the head of Gangcheng Industry, Wang Lu had visited the Liangmahe Ecological Industrial Zone in Beijing. When she heard Li Xuewu's speech about creating an ecological industrial model in Gangcheng, she was naturally pleased, since it was a soft investment.
Ecological investment is still a relatively new concept in this day and age, and most people don't really understand it.
To put it simply, money should be used wisely, such as for industrial development.
For companies like Hongxing Steel Group, spending huge sums of money on flowers, plants, and green hills is seen as wasting money on the handle, back, or even tassel of a knife.
It's purely because they have money to burn.
On the same day, Li Xuewu, representing Hongxing Steel Group, officially reached an agreement with Gangcheng City, and Hongxing United Energy Development Corporation Mining Company completed the acquisition of seven more coal mines.
Including this acquisition and the previous merger, the mining division of United Energy Corporation has already achieved a certain scale in the coal industry in Liaodong.
With more than nine coal mines under its umbrella, the integration will eventually form a new pattern of mineral development in four major coal mining areas.
In his speech at the signing ceremony, Li Xuewu stated that Hongxing United Energy Corporation will increase its investment, actively promote the precise allocation of project construction funds, and cooperate with Hongxing United Construction Corporation to construct and upgrade the four major coal mining areas.
Xu Ning, Vice President of United Energy Development Corporation, spoke at the meeting, specifically mentioning the goals of new equipment, new machinery, and new processes, and emphasizing the mineral linkage trading platform.
The platform was prepared and built by the Tianjin Trade Management Center of Hongxing Steel Group Sales Corporation, and is dedicated to serving the development, trade and cooperation of domestic and foreign mineral resources.
The mineral resource linkage trading platform proposed by Xu Ning has certain integration advantages for coal resources. Once sales channels are opened, the entire industry, from sales to production, will be revitalized.
Gangcheng City also hoped to see this outcome, as the integration of coal resources had become an urgent matter. Both the repeated emphasis and demands from higher authorities, and the recurring accidents in coal mine management and operation, all catalyzed this cooperation with Hongxing Steel Group.
Some say that Hongxing Steel Group got a great deal because at that time, coal was in high demand and the coal mines sold by Gangcheng City, although small, were all good mines.
They just couldn't have imagined that if it weren't for Hongxing Steel Group stepping in, who would have the capital and ability to integrate these coal mine resources, and how would they properly resettle and reorganize the mine workers in accordance with the requirements of the steel city?
The introduction of Hongxing Steel Group to integrate small coal mines in the city is in line with the specific requirements of higher authorities for this work. Moreover, this is not the first time that Hongxing Steel Group has invested in Liaodong, and the relevant acquisition and integration of mineral resources is proceeding in an orderly manner.
United Energy Development Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hongxing Steel Group, while its subsidiary, Hongxing United Mining Company, is the joint venture company with multiple partners.
Hongxing Steel Group holds only 35% of the shares in the company, Santayah Group holds 25%, and the remaining 40% is held by development capital introduced and brought in by Hongxing Steel Group.
Hongxing United Mining Company has three subsidiaries: United Mining Metals Branch, Coal Branch, and Non-metallics Branch.
Because of his training experience in Gangcheng, Xu Ning was in charge of the business of United Mining Company and was a deputy general manager of United Energy Development Corporation.
His abilities are indeed outstanding, especially his choices and actions on several major issues, which earned him Li Huaide's trust and support. It was Li Huaide who promoted him all the way up.
Xu Ning is a few years older than Li Xuewu. With Li Xuewu leading the way, the younger generation in the group are quite ambitious and no one really criticizes them. However, there are always some sour remarks.
"Would you like me to give you a ride?"
As they emerged from the city hall building, Xu Ning smiled and looked at Li Xuewu, asking, "I'll visit you tonight, do you have time?"
"Forget it, I know you're busy."
Li Xuewu smiled and waved his hand, saying, "We'll talk about it when we have time. You should finish integrating these resources first."
He nodded to Xu Ning and emphasized, "Mineral cooperation has certain unique characteristics. We must communicate and exchange ideas with local authorities frequently, handle issues properly, and avoid being impatient."
"Boss, Director Zhang Jing has informed us." At this moment, Zhang Enyuan walked over, whispered a message in Li Xuewu's ear, and then opened the car door.
"If you have something to do, go ahead and do it." Seeing that he really had something to do, Xu Ning nodded and said, "I'll report to you after I'm almost done here."
"The weapons manufacturing plant got a big order," Li Xuewu whispered to Xu Ning, then patted his arm, shook hands with the city government officials, got into his car, and left.
Xu Ning left later, and he was very grateful for Li Xuewu's explanation, which showed that he was not treated as an outsider.
Although he was also concerned about the group's development, it was not part of the manufacturing industry system after all, and even the United Energy Development Corporation was not under the jurisdiction of the Industrial Leading Group in Liaodong.
Ji Jiuzheng attended the meeting convened by Li Xuewu because Li Xuewu held the position of secretary-general.
Furthermore, since United Energy Corporation's business is currently mainly located in Liaodong, it is essential to maintain close contact and cooperate with them.
If Li Xuewu gave him any instructions, he would certainly do his duty without hesitation, and would even be willing to take the initiative to get closer to Li Xuewu.
The old leader still cared about him and valued his growth. He did not want him to neglect his duties for personal reasons and politely declined his statement.
As for Xu Ning, his gratitude and support for Li Xuewu were beyond question. Now, the leader's attitude made him even happier and more moved. He didn't need to express his opinion; he would just keep some things to himself and let his actions speak for themselves.
-
"Hmm, a 100mm smoothbore anti-tank gun..."
Li Xuewu looked at the document Yuan Dehua pointed to, and while thinking, read aloud: "105mm recoilless rifle..."
"What do you mean by rocket launcher and anti-tank missile? Do we have these?" He looked up at Yuan Dehua and asked, "How come I don't know about them?"
“You really don’t know, even I don’t know.”
Yuan Dehua gave a wry smile, pointed to the two items in front of him, and said, "We don't have these."
"You dared to accept other people's orders without them?" Li Xuewu asked, both amused and annoyed. "What were you thinking?"
"You've hit the nail on the head again!"
Yuan Dehua looked completely wronged and spread his hands, saying, "This wasn't chosen for me; it was just sent to me directly, without a delivery date marked."
"Really?" Li Xuewu looked at the documents on the table carefully and couldn't help but laugh out loud. "It really is."
"Judging from this..." Yuan Dehua blinked and asked, "Is it giving us a chance?"
He used to work on the front lines, always calibrating the work line with one eye, which led to the habit of squinting. The more complicated his mood, the more he'd squint. He just wouldn't pout, otherwise he'd look like Zhao Si (a character from a Chinese folktale known for his shrewishness).
"This is our chance, can you seize it?"
Li Xuewu put down the documents in his hand, looked Yuan Dehua up and down and asked, "Let me tell you, when I saw them last time, I wasn't bragging about us, I was telling the truth."
"Hey, do you think I'd misunderstand you?"
Yuan Dehua was both excited and nervous as he reached into his pocket for a cigarette, then realized he was in Li Xuewu's office.
I don't know who spread the rumor, but it's said that Li Xuewu doesn't smoke and doesn't like others smoking in front of him, so there's much less of a smell of smoke in the office, which makes the female colleagues very happy.
"Go ahead and smoke, it's okay."
Li Xuewu took a pack of cigarettes out of the drawer and threw it on the desk; it was left there by Zhang Enyuan.
He also has guests coming to his office, so cigarettes are a must, even though he himself absolutely doesn't smoke.
"Never mind, let me get to the point."
Yuan Dehua actually wanted to smoke, but he managed to restrain himself. He rubbed his calloused hands on his pants and said cautiously, "We are still researching anti-tank missiles. I estimate that they will be ready next year."
“Anti-tank guns, huh—” He hesitated for a moment and said, “We really don’t have any related research projects.”
“Then let’s not study it.” Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said, “You can’t possibly come up with all the other party’s satisfactory requirements and answers. You understand the principle of moderation, right?”
“I understand what you mean, that’s what I’m hesitating about.” Yuan Dehua looked at him cautiously and said softly, “If we report the research results, will it still be ours? Can we still put it into production in our factory?”
"Well, what you said makes sense."
When Li Xuewu heard him say this, he was pleased to see that the principle of technical confidentiality, which was emphasized by everyone in the group, had taken root in people's hearts.
"But what if you can't produce enough capacity?"
He moved the documents around and said seriously, "There are certain standards for weapons procurement, and production capacity is also a factor."
"No matter how good your equipment is, if you only make two pieces a year, no one will want your equipment. That's the principle."
"What if we also increase production capacity?" Yuan Dehua asked tentatively. "I see there's a vacant lot behind the hardware factory. If we could have it..."
"Giving you any amount of money is pointless."
Li Xuewu shook his head slightly and said, "The idea of trying to achieve saturated supply and holding onto research results indefinitely could bankrupt our group."
He tapped the table with his finger and said, "After all, the group can't put all its resources into weapons production. What will happen to the equipment and workers if the project is adjusted?"
"The mentality of pursuing militarism is unacceptable in the operation and management of a group, and we must not put all our eggs in one basket."
“Then—” Yuan Dehua asked in distress, “This won’t work, that won’t work, we didn’t want to…”
"Let's try a different approach—"
Li Xuewu stretched out his finger and circled it above his head, then looked at Yuan Dehua and said, "Once the anti-tank missile is developed, we should generously share the results."
"Huh?—" Yuan Dehua looked at him in surprise, "Didn't you say you were going to...? Why are you sharing it on your own initiative?"
"Do you think you can keep them if you don't share?" Li Xuewu glanced at him and explained, "Being more proactive allows you to negotiate terms."
"Negotiate terms? What terms?"
Yuan Dehua realized that the secretary-general had planned this all along, so he became serious.
Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Hongxing Steel Group can authorize all domestic weapons manufacturing plants to produce this equipment free of charge, but it cannot be exported."
"In other words, only Hongxing Steel Group is qualified to handle the foreign trade of this equipment."
He tapped his finger on the table and said, "As long as we can keep this requirement, we'll make a profit."
"Do you only do foreign trade? This—"
Yuan Dehua was still somewhat reluctant and gently reminded him, "We've already invested over 200,000 yuan in this project."
"What are you afraid of?" Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, "As long as it's profitable enough, that's fine. Do you really think it's a treasure trove?"
"If you trust me, put down your burdens, go back and organize production properly, and actively connect with the project to get it implemented."
He pushed the documents Yuan Dehua handed him back, saying, "Just choose one from these to produce. They won't let us lose money. It wouldn't look good if we asked for too much."
"Okay, I'll go back now."
Yuan Dehua reluctantly picked up the document and left Li Xuewu's office, looking back every few steps.
Zhang Jing walked in with a smile and said, "Director Yuan is quite adorable, isn't he, sir?"
"Heh—" Li Xuewu chuckled, tidied up the documents in his hand, and said, "You mean to say it's naive, right?"
“That’s not what I meant,” Zhang Jing said, standing beside the desk. “I just think that Director Yuan is a talented and reliable person, and someone who deserves to be trusted.”
"Hmm, you accepted the chicks that Director Yuan gave you?" Li Xuewu glanced at him and asked, "Why are you speaking up for him?"
The "sending chicks" meme is a recent phenomenon. It refers to a problem uncovered during an audit by a disciplinary inspection team that followed clues provided by the audit team.
The deputy director of the third warehouse of steel auto parts liked to give the leaders chicks, which were all raised by his mother-in-law.
You can't ask someone for a favor without something in your possession. Giving other things as gifts isn't very practical, but this chick is so practical. It lays eggs and you can eat meat, so it's a really substantial gift.
Over time, everyone started calling him Director Chicken.
What could he possibly need the leader's help with? It's obvious if you think about it: it's nothing more than advancement or regression.
Striving upwards is progress, while having unclean hands is regression; it's really just these two things.
When the disciplinary inspection team found out about him, they found it funny. It really proved the saying that petty thieves are cowards.
This guy only ever handles small gadgets, which don't fetch much money. It's only because the Red Star Antelope sold well that the parts are worth a little money; he really doesn't have much left.
But as time went on, more and more problems arose, and they became bigger. Zhang Jing was recently dealing with this case, which involved many people from several factories, with the steel and gas factories being the most affected.
Whoever ate someone else's chicken has to spit it out, feathers and all, because they were greedy.
The joke about "acquiring someone else's chicks" spread throughout the organization, and everyone used it as a joke.
"Hey, how could I dare? This is just what I felt." Zhang Jing smiled and then bowed slightly before quietly reporting to Li Xuewu, "Deputy Factory Director Yin has asked for leave to return to the group company."
(End of this chapter)