In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 223 Abnormal! This is too abnormal! Could it be terrorists trying to scam us for weapons?

"Professor Zhai, don't worry, Principal Li has arranged everything. Even if there are problems, he will take the responsibility."

Seeing Zhai Xinguo's pale face, Xie Wei offered him irresponsible words of comfort.

Xie Wei was unsure whether Li Rui would take responsibility if something really went wrong.

However, he was certain that Zhai Xinguo and Tang Daoxian, who were merely technical professionals responsible for technology development, would not bear any responsibility whatsoever; Xie Wei and Wang Zheng would not either.

"But……"

"There are no 'buts', just do as required. We don't even know the specifics yet."

Xie Wei didn't want to explain too much.

Since Li Rui had made all the arrangements and the time was so tight, he must have had some concerns.

Seeing that Zhai Xinguo still looked worried after he had said that, Xie Wei knew that if he didn't dispel his doubts, there would be no peace on the journey. So he simply said to him seriously:
"Professor Zhai, think about it. If our rocket launcher could easily destroy a Type 59 tank with a single shot from the front, would the military allow us to export it... and how many would the military equip? The rocket launcher and rifle grenade projects have cost more than 400 million yuan in total, not including the development of new explosive formulas, etc..."

"..."

Zhai Xinguo fell silent.

The research funding for rocket launchers was all self-raised. Even after the initial successful development, when the military took a batch for testing, there were no orders or funding for continued improvement.

"Wouldn't this harm national interests?"

As the staff arranged by Factory 122 loaded several boxes of weapons into the Y-11 aircraft, the pilots of the Y-11 also boarded the aircraft and began pre-flight checks.

He never imagined that his first time on an airplane would be under such circumstances.

"Not selling them is what harms the country's interests! Everything is giving way to economic infrastructure development, and military funding is constantly being cut. If we can't raise the funds ourselves to continue research, military technology research will come to a standstill..."

Xie Wei was speechless.

Disposable rocket launchers, especially the most powerful thermobaric type, were not included in the scope of this demonstration to foreign clients.

Even regarding the armor-piercing variant, Xie Wei didn't mention the tandem warhead.

The current armor-piercing models are definitely capable of hitting the T-72, but hitting the M1 and Leopard 2 would probably be a bit of a stretch.

"Another major advantage is that, given that our rocket launchers can easily destroy the armor of Type 59 and even Type 69 tanks, how strong are the armor-piercing capabilities of Soviet and American anti-tank rocket launchers? How could the people at the tank design institute not consider how to increase defensive capabilities?"

Xie Wei emphasized that foreign countries are more advanced than domestic ones.

In fact, if we disregard anti-tank missiles and only consider anti-tank rocket launchers, the armor-piercing model developed by Zhai Xinguo and Tang Daoxian could already be considered the world's best armor-piercing rocket launcher.

Xie Wei can't say.

Only in this way could Zhai Xinguo and Tang Daoxian frantically improve the performance of their current rocket launchers in order to narrow the performance gap with similar weapons from abroad.

They wouldn't know that the actual performance of anti-tank rocket launchers used abroad isn't as impressive as claimed, nor would they know that the armor protection of foreign tanks isn't as strong as publicly stated.

Hearing Xie Wei say this, Zhai Xinguo, who was worried, could no longer refute him.

Just then, Wang Zheng called the two of them to board the plane.

Unlike large aircraft, the cargo hold and passenger cabin of the Y-11 are not separated. There are two foldable simple chairs on each side of the cabin, and boxes containing rocket launchers and sniper grenades are fixed in the middle.

Seeing this scene, Xie Wei's lips twitched several times.

If a problem arises...

I don't even want to think about it.

But this time he couldn't refuse; Old Man Li specifically asked him to go.

"These four foldable simple chairs were originally included and are equipped with detachable seats. The screw holes on the deck are for installing the seats and securing cargo... When not carrying cargo, as long as the seats are installed, it becomes a passenger plane... It's very convenient."

Seeing Xie Wei's expression, Wang Zheng assumed he was dissatisfied with the conditions in the cargo hold.

"That's good, it increases the utilization rate of the aircraft..."

Zhai Xinguo nodded as he introduced Wang Zheng.

If it's just for passengers, then the plane the school bought is a huge waste.

The school has many research projects, and sometimes the inability to transport some key components and equipment to the school in a timely manner can affect the project progress. With airplanes, a lot of time can be saved.

"That's for sure! Before, when I went to the Gobi Desert in Northwest China, even with constant train changes, it would take more than half a month by train. By plane, even if I needed to refuel several times and the plane needed maintenance, it only took a little over two days..."

Wang Zheng is the most qualified to speak on the time that airplanes can save.

Xie Wei glanced at Wang Zheng when he heard what he said.

Compared to the speed of a train, which is only tens of kilometers per hour, and considering the time it takes to stop and yield to other trains during its journey, the Y-11 is indeed much faster.

With a maximum flight speed of only 220 kilometers per hour, the Y-11's cruising speed is less than 200 kilometers per hour. It is not only slower than high-speed rail decades from now, but it can't even keep up with bullet trains.

But what could he do?

"This plane's range is still too short. When our school-enterprise cooperation office has more money in the future, we'll just buy a plane that can fly anywhere in the country on a single refueling..."

Wang Zheng said through gritted teeth.

He then looked at Xie Wei.

"When we have the resources in the future, we will definitely develop aircraft that can fly faster and have a longer range. However, when transporting military equipment, we should separate the people from the cargo."

Xie Wei looked at the box in front of him and said with a heavy heart.

It's full of high explosives.

Although explosion-proof measures were taken into account during transportation during the design phase, what if...?

"Om~"

The propellers on the wings began to spin, and the plane began to vibrate slightly.

The plane, which had been stationary, began to taxi and soon took off.

"Don't be nervous, our plane can't fly too high."

Seeing Tang Daoxian, who was flying for the first time, gripping the sides of the seat tightly with both hands, his eyes closed, and his face pale, Xie Wei sighed.

No matter how low you fly, if you fall, there's little chance of survival.

If time weren't so tight, Xie Wei really wouldn't have taken a plane.

Especially these days, domestically produced light transport aircraft.

Xie Wei didn't know who determined the flight route, nor did he care to ask. Anyway, with Wang Zheng following along, he didn't need to worry about it at all.

He had made up his mind that after this, he would never take the Yun-11 unless absolutely necessary. Not only was it slow, but it also made people worry.

The key is that he cannot express his worries; even when he is worried, he has to pretend to be calm.

The plane landed at Liaotong Airport, which opened in 59, and after refueling, it took off again with almost no delay.

Before dark, the plane refueled at a makeshift airfield in the grassland and took off again, landing at Erliban Airport in the evening.

Several middle-aged men dressed in Type 65 military uniforms, led by an officer, were already waiting for Xie Wei and his group.

Behind them were two 212 jeeps and a Jiefang truck.

Looking at the group, Xie Wei couldn't help but wonder about their identities.

Judging from their attire, they were undoubtedly military personnel.

But looking at their attire, the leader was in his early forties, wearing a four-pocket officer's uniform, while the others were all in their early thirties, dressed as ordinary soldiers. This was a bit odd.

An ordinary soldier in his thirties?
Even in this day and age, it wouldn't exist.

With a large population, since the establishment of the conscription system in 55, it has become virtually impossible for the military to have conscripts in their thirties.

78年部队更是恢复了55年的规定：陆军部队的战士3年，空军、海军陆勤部队和陆军特种技术部队的战士4年，海军舰艇部队、陆军船舶分队的战士5年。

The youngest of these people must be in their mid-thirties, right?

Xie Wei was confused by the other party's identity.

"Comrade Xie Wei, hello. I am Qin Weidong. Principal Li instructed me to lead the team to pick you up."

Just as Xie Wei was pondering where the other party came from, the middle-aged man in the leader's uniform with four pockets extended his hand to Xie Wei.

What arrangements were made by Principal Li?
Xie Wei squinted, staring at Qin Weidong in front of him.

The doubts only deepened: the other party only introduced their names, but did not mention their identities.

Because he questioned the other party's identity, Xie Wei did not reach out.

Zhai Xinguo and Wang Zheng watched Xie Wei's actions with a sense of bewilderment: Is Xie Wei really that lacking in manners?
"This is a note written by Principal Li."

Seeing Xie Wei squinting, Qin Weidong was not displeased by Xie Wei's rudeness. He simply took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Xie Wei.

As soon as Xie Wei unfolded the paper in front of the other party, he saw that the heading on the paper read "PLA National Defense Science and Technology Committee"!
This only deepened my confusion.

Principal Li was from the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry. When did he get involved with the National Defense Science and Technology Commission of the military?

Despite the doubts, the above was Li Rui's note, a single sheet of paper that simply read, "Give the things to them and let them do as they say!"

The document was signed by Li Rui and stamped with Li Rui's personal seal.

Xie Wei was familiar with Li Rui's notes and personal seal, and even the tone of voice confirmed that it was indeed Old Man Li.

There was no date after the signature.

Qin Weidong didn't urge Xie Wei. He waited until he finished reading the contents, staring at Xie Wei and waiting for his reply.

"The items are on the plane, a total of 4 boxes."

As soon as Xie Weigang finished speaking, Qin Weidong waved his hand, and several of his men in their thirties quickly headed towards the cabin.

What are our arrangements?

Xie Wei asked Qin Weidong.

"Principal Li said that if you arrive before him, we should arrange for you to stay at the guesthouse and wait for him there..."

Qin Weidong showed no other expression, staring at his men who were moving things, and casually answered Xie Wei's question.

"..."

What can Xie Wei say?
So they simply stood aside and waited quietly for the other party to settle them in.

That old guy Li Rui has made this whole thing a bit mysterious.

Especially the way these people in front of me are dressed.

The other party didn't look like an active-duty soldier either; after all, you don't see conscripts in their thirties in the military.

In the era before the military rank system and the existence of technical non-commissioned officers, if a soldier could not be promoted to officer, the only option was demobilization.

The large population base, coupled with the lack of sufficient job opportunities, means that the military cannot have ordinary soldiers who serve for more than ten years.

"Squad leader, where are we?"

Seeing that the other party didn't introduce themselves before loading the equipment they brought onto the Jiefang truck, Tang Daoxian finally couldn't help himself.

"Wait for their arrangements."

Xie Wei couldn't explain it either.

Li Rui is such a mysterious old man, what could I possibly know?
"Comrade Xie Wei, let's go. They'll deliver the things first, and I'll take you to the guesthouse..."

After Qin Weidong's men loaded all the boxes onto the truck bed, he called Xie Wei and the others to get on the truck.

Zhai Xinguo wanted to remind Xie Wei that he should at least get the other party to write a note.

We don't want to run into problems and not even know who the other party is.

Xie Wei stopped Zhai Xinguo from speaking, as he already had a vague guess in his mind: Old Man Li's future work might be at the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense!

This organization was established in May 1982.

Before any organization is established, it needs to make preparations.

reason?

PLA Defense Science and Technology Committee!

At the very least, the presidents of key universities under the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry should have used work notes with the "Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry" heading.

The so-called guesthouse was just a few rows of ordinary bungalows in the suburbs of BT City, without even a sign.

The conditions were, of course, excellent.

Qin Weidong settled the group in the guesthouse, told Xie Wei to contact the guesthouse if he needed anything, and then took his leave.

"Xie Wei, will there be any problems? We're here to participate in live-fire testing..."

Professor Zhai finally couldn't hold back any longer.

He was already worried before he came, and now everything has made him even more worried.

Where can I find a test like this?

"What if we lose these rocket launchers and grenade launchers..."

Professor Zhai's concerns seemed insignificant to Tang Daoxian, who knew nothing about the matter. He even thought his advisor was overthinking it: "Advisor, it's not that serious, is it?"

"There are too many abnormalities in this!"

Wang Zheng's brows furrowed, his gaze fixed intently on Xie Wei.

If something goes wrong, this will be a huge problem!
"Don't worry, there won't be any problems. Old Li will find out when he arrives tonight... Qin Weidong and the others are from the military, although I don't know why they're still ordinary soldiers despite their age..."

Isn't Xie Wei worried?

I'm not worried at all.

These days, you need a letter of introduction to go anywhere, and information doesn't travel as fast as you might imagine. It's not like terrorists could impersonate military personnel, trick them into handing over rocket launchers and grenade launchers, and then ambush a Thai inspection team that came to buy equipment!

Xie Wei's doubts were no less than those of Zhai Xinguo and the others.

The guesthouse served them hand-pulled mutton for dinner, but since Qin Weidong and the others didn't show up, none of them had an appetite.

Even Xie Wei only hastily filled his stomach and couldn't remember what the hand-pulled mutton tasted like.

Although he wasn't worried, he was still afraid!
It wasn't until after 10 p.m. that Xie Wei heard the sound of a car engine outside the guesthouse. When he came out and saw Li Rui getting out of the jeep, his heart, which had been pounding, instantly relaxed.

"Old man, what exactly are you doing?"

Upon meeting, Xie Wei disregarded manners and questioned Old Man Li with a dark expression.

(End of this chapter)