Scholars in the courtyard.

Chapter 2929 Arms Profits
1972 2 Month 7 Day.

Northwest, Suzhou, satellite launch center.

As the jeep drove along the inner road, it was met with a head-on blast of cold wind, leaving tiny grains of sand on the windows, causing the people inside to squint involuntarily.

"Old Ran, it's been almost two years since we last saw each other."

In the co-pilot's seat, Gu Qiwen, the head of the launch center, spoke to Ran's father in the back seat.

"Yes, the last time we met was when we launched a rocket, and we only had a brief encounter."

Ran's father sighed as he recalled the past.

"It feels like just yesterday."

"How's the construction going over there? I heard they're using computers for calculations and command. What's the specifics?"

Gu Qiwen inquired about the situation at the Xizhou Launch Center.

Ran's father did not intend to hide it. Although their functions overlapped somewhat, they were actually complementary.

It's all for the sake of revolution and construction; there's no need to be so attached to our own past achievements.

After a moment of contemplation, Ran's father began to talk about the situation at the Xizhou Launch Center.

"We didn't consider this when we were building the launch center. Later, the Ninth Department established the Computer Research Institute, and that's when we started planning for it."

"But as you know, computers back then were bulky, consumed a lot of electricity, and had poor processing speeds, making them somewhat unsuitable for aerospace applications."

"So initially many comrades felt it was unnecessary, until the Ninth Department purchased some small computers from abroad, and then we officially started using them."

"Later, the Ninth Division developed our own domestically produced minicomputer, which ensured the quantity and accelerated the construction speed!"

After Ran's father finished speaking, Gu Qiwen hurriedly asked, "How effective was the computer?"

Upon hearing this, Ran's father took out a red notebook from his briefcase and handed it to Gu Qiwen, who took it and hurriedly opened it to look at it.

Upon seeing this, the driver voluntarily slowed down.

Since there was still plenty of time before launch, he wanted to hear about what was going on inside.

As Gu Qiwen looked at the data recorded in his notebook, Ran's father continued to explain, "According to our calculations, by using computers, we can reduce the 300 testing preparation steps to 81. The time for issuing instructions and the operation time can be shortened from the original eight minutes to eight seconds!"

"How many?"

Gu Qiwen, who was looking through the records, suddenly looked up, as if he were listening to a joke.

Eight seconds!

Ran's father repeated it again, his face full of certainty.

Gu Qiwen almost dropped the notebook in his hand, still unable to believe it. "Old Ran, you, you're not joking anymore, are you?"

"This is launching a satellite, not just firing a mortar and throwing something into the barrel and that's it."

“We’re doing research here, talking about science, not myths.”

Ran's father took the notebook back from Gu Qiwen, sighed, and said, "I knew you wouldn't believe me."

"But it is what it is."

After putting the notebook back in his bag, he said, "We used ten 'Nine Machines No. 1' machines, and the calculation speed reached 200,000 calculations per second, which is something that cannot be achieved by simply adding more people."

"Old Gu, I think that computers will play a pivotal role in the aerospace industry in the future."

Gu Qiwen opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head helplessly, "I knew it, the gap between us is widening little by little."

Upon hearing this, Ran's father laughed and said, "What's the big deal? You can just apply to your superiors for a few computers later. It's not a difficult thing."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qiwen could only manage a wry smile.

It's not a difficult task.

It's easy for him to talk when he's not the one suffering.

You are Yang Xiaotao's father-in-law from the Ninth Department, and you also have the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building behind you. What about us?
We submitted a report, but it hasn't been processed yet.

Thinking about this makes me even more heartbroken.

"Uncle Gu, if you have any difficulties, we can help you."

When Ran Xinrui was young, she learned some skills in judging people and dealing with situations from her brother-in-law Yang Xiaotao. Old Ran was a bit straightforward and didn't take it seriously.

But she could still see the other person's difficulties, so she asked.

Gu Suo's gaze lingered for a moment, then turned to the girl beside Ran's father, Ran Xinrui.

"I never imagined your second child would grow up so big, and I never expected him to follow in your footsteps. I'm truly envious, Old Gu."

Hearing this, Ran Xinrui smiled, while Old Ran felt extremely gratified.

My second daughter, thankfully, wasn't led astray by my eldest son-in-law and has finally followed him onto the 'right path'.

"As long as the child is happy, haha, hahaha~"

Ran's father smiled, but Ran Xinrui whispered, "Uncle Gu, if you want a computer, you can just ask my brother-in-law. He's a very easy person to talk to."

“If we had followed the normal procedure, he might not have known about this.”

"Also, the nine researchers who came this time are my brother-in-law's men. You can mention it."

Ran Xinrui gave soft instructions, and Gu Qiwen's eyes lit up. "Good, good, good."

"Old Ran, your daughter is much better than you."

Mr. Ran didn't understand what it meant, but hearing the other party praise his daughter was definitely a good thing.

Then they both laughed.

Of course, there was one more thing Gu Qiwen didn't say: the person your eldest daughter married is even more enviable.

Everyone knows how capable the Ninth Department is now.

To put it bluntly, the Ninth Ministry deserves more than half the credit for the establishment of the Seventh Ministry's launch center.

As for the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building, all they really did was send people.

The reason their Suzhou launch center has been able to hold on until now is because of the continuous support from higher-level leaders, and most of this support comes from the Ninth Department.

Although he didn't want to admit it, that was the reality, and he genuinely envied Lao Ran.

She gave birth to two wonderful daughters.

"Old Ran, after this launch, are we going back to Xizhou or Beijing?"

"It must be Beijing. I've been away for two years, I need to go back and take a look!"

"That's true, it's been two years, and the family should be thinking about it by now."

Mr. Ran smiled, and the car continued driving forward.

Behind them was a convoy of armored vehicles.

In the front seat of the car, Shu Xingbei was checking data with Wang Can to ease his nervousness.

"Teacher Shu, I'm all set!"

Wang Can spoke earnestly, and Shu Xingbei put his notebook down and nodded, "I'm fine with this too."

"As long as the rocket is fine, our satellite will be fine."

"As long as the satellite is working properly, the satellite phone will also be working properly."

Shu Xingbei repeated the phrases like he was reciting a tongue twister, but the people in the car didn't seem to get annoyed.

Xu Yuanshan, who had come along specifically for this occasion, slapped his thigh and laughed, "I'm telling you guys, don't put too much pressure on yourselves."

"This 'Magic Lamp' satellite is just an experiment for us."

"Before we left, Minister Yang said that no matter whether we succeed or not, as long as we take this step, it is a victory for us."

"To put it bluntly, we failed this time, so let's learn from the experience and try again."

"Of course, I still hope for success."

"After all, this is a project worth hundreds of millions. If it succeeds this time, Director Yang said that the department will be awarded a second-class merit and everyone will receive a bonus."

Xu Yuanshan spoke for a while, and everyone in the car smiled.

Shu Xingbei rubbed his cotton-padded trousers and asked with a smile, "Director Xu, we can forgo the welfare benefits, but could you help us apply for a few computers?"

Xu Yuanshan immediately shook his head upon hearing this, "No, everything else is fine, but before I left, Minister Yang specifically instructed me that this is unacceptable."

Shu Xingbei scratched his head in disappointment, "Minister Yang is truly a prophet."

Everyone laughed as he spoke.

"Alright, let's move into the launch site immediately. I'll just repeat the rules one more time."

Xu Yuanshan spoke again, and everyone in the car immediately became serious.

Four Nine Cities.

The atmosphere of the Little New Year has already begun. Inside and outside the alleys, in the courtyards, and in the siheyuan (traditional courtyard houses), firecrackers have started to pop and crackle. Even in Jiubu, the sound of firecrackers can still be heard in the air.

"Your Highness, this is our memorial hall."

Yang Xiaotao walked at the front, followed by the prince who had flown in from the desert, and Faisal, who had just signed an agreement with Yang Xiaotao.

On the other side were Mr. Chen and Mr. Peng, who were accompanying them.

Then came Old Wang from the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry and Li Shengli, who accompanied him.

The group came to Beijing ostensibly for satellite launch matters.

But secretly, they came to buy airplanes.

Yang Xiaotao hadn't expected that Old Chen would arrange the meeting at the Ninth Division. By the time he received the news, the convoy had already appeared at the door.

In the end, Liang Zuoxin had to deploy his rapid reaction squadron to impose martial law along the route before they could lead the person to headquarters.

Then, at Mr. Chen's suggestion, we visited the memorial hall here.

Yang Xiaotao had no choice but to temporarily act as a tour guide.

There are some things I'm a little embarrassed about.

After all, he was involved in many aspects of this, and he couldn't very well tell outsiders, "I did this."

"I made this too."

"I made this myself."

"I didn't do it, but I led the team to do it."

If he were to say that, he would probably feel bad himself.

Fortunately, this wasn't a real visit; it was more of an opportunity to discuss related matters.

"These are some of the products we produced after becoming a machine factory. The next step forward is when we become the products of the Ninth Ministry of Machine Building!"

Yang Xiaotao introduced the aircraft and then led everyone to a model of the Baiju fighter jet. Everyone stopped to listen as Yang Xiaotao explained, "This aircraft is our first-generation Baiju fighter jet."

"This is the result of the hard work and dedication of all the workers in Department Nine under the leadership of General Manager Peng."

Yang Xiaotao explained from the side, basically downplaying and emphasizing his own contributions.

But both Old Chen and General Peng knew that General Peng was just a figurehead commander at the time, and the one who actually did the work was Yang Xiaotao!
However, it's already quite impressive that a young person can be so humble.

The prince's eyes lit up as he looked at the white horse fighter jet.

Even a scaled-down model can still convey the beauty of that bursting power.

Internationally, the reputation of Baiju is undeniable; it is undoubtedly the king of high-altitude and high-speed vehicles.

At a speed of Mach 3 and an altitude of 30,000 meters, it would be very difficult for even a missile to hit it.

It's important to know that at altitudes above 20,000 meters, the thin air and lack of oxygen can affect the accuracy of missiles. At 30,000 meters, especially with high-speed aircraft, it becomes even more difficult for missiles to hit their targets.

It is said that the alliance tried using the latest SAM missile, and the result was that the ten missiles launched could not even hit their MiG-25, let alone the higher and faster White Horse.

The key point is that this is only the first generation of White Horse; there's a Blue Horse coming later.

This thing was launched across most of the globe using refueling aircraft.

If this were hung with China's little cutie, then...
There are several places in the world that I can't go to.

Not afraid?
Moreover, given the Chinese people's virtue of concealing their shortcomings, who knows if there will be even better ones to come?

"Mr. Chen, how much would you sell this for?"

The prince struggled to look away from the white horse, his eyes filled with sincerity.

Old Chen knew the other party would ask this question, but he had already discussed it with his superiors.

Both the white horse and the blue horse are not for sale.

It will not be sold to outsiders for at least the next thirty years.

Old Chen gave an apologetic smile. "Your Highness, I'm very sorry."

"We cannot sell it to outsiders."

"It will not be sold to any country."

Old Chen repeated, and Faisal translated it from the side, the prince still wouldn't give up.

"One billion, one billion US dollars per unit."

"We only need four."

"And it will absolutely not be leaked; this can be included in the contract."

Faisal preached about 'conscience' word by word, and Yang Xiaotao, standing to the side, almost clutched his chest and agreed.

Four billion.

He only managed to get a 2 billion yuan loan by mortgaging his shares in Great Wall Group, and that loan still has interest.

Not only is it time-consuming and laborious, but you also have to worry about unforeseen circumstances, fearing that you might lose everything.

But now, a single white horse can sell for a billion.

If I had known, I wouldn't have borrowed any money at all.

Yang Xiaotao wanted to cover his chest, but Old Wang at the back of the line was already covering his chest.

He remembered that these guys had initially offered 80 million to buy the Baiju J-10 fighter jet.

Unfortunately it was rejected.

This led to the modification of the J-8, the Desert Eagle.

Unexpectedly, the issue has been raised again, and this time the offer is for one billion.

That guy is damn rich.

If he could make the decision himself, he would have liked to agree to it.

unfortunately
"terribly sorry!"

Old Chen continued to smile, but his heart was also clenching.

This is too much of a conscience for him to bear.

In other words, from a safety perspective, President Peng remained calm and resolute.

"That's such a pity."

The prince understood what the other party meant, but he still sighed inwardly.

He bought it for no other reason than to tell those 'bad kids' around him that he has a powerful guy and they'd better not mess with him.

To put it bluntly, it's used for deterrence.

But he also understood that this kind of thing wouldn't be sold easily.

Like the Blackbird of the United States.

Even though he was badly beaten by Bai Ju, he was still not for sale.

"Chen, since we can't sell the White Horse, we'd like to buy the Desert Eagle. Is that possible?"

Faisal relayed the prince's message again.

Old Chen and President Peng exchanged a glance, while Yang Xiaotao and Old Wang, standing to the side, had a glint in their eyes.

They had already guessed the purpose of the visitor when they received them.

I just didn't expect them to be so decisive.

Moreover, they spared no expense in purchasing the white horse.

This shows that the situation there is far more serious than they realize.

However, the more severe the condition, the more expensive the oil!

"no problem!"

"We are very happy to maintain our friendly relations with you."

With Elder Chen's enthusiastic agreement, the prince also showed a delighted smile.

As a result, another order for one hundred Desert Eagles was placed at the original price.

Behind him, Yang Xiaotao gestured a "two" to the heartbroken Old Wang, meaning two billion.

Old Wang took a deep breath, not wanting to pay any attention to Yang Xiaotao.

He was overjoyed when he heard that they were going to purchase 1 billion yuan worth of Thunderbolt and Lightning Missiles.

Seeing Yang Xiaotao's ambiguous smile, I suddenly remembered that the missile engine cost nine dollars.

I instantly regretted not being able to make an engine back then.