In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 254 Iraqis with no interest in tanks "accidentally" discover long-range artillery launchers

Xie Wei didn't care whether Wang Zheng understood investment and finance.

Wang Zheng's lack of understanding is actually a good thing for Xie Wei. Because he doesn't understand, he'll obediently follow Xie Wei's instructions when investing. If he did understand, he'd probably think Xie Wei, an outsider, is instructing an expert, and wouldn't be so compliant.

Xie Wei was also an outsider, but he had a grasp of the historical trajectory. As long as his subordinates listened to him and had professional knowledge, even if he couldn't make huge profits every time, he would at least be able to keep up with the international situation.

"Alright, go back and rest. I still need to figure out if I can sell the tanks to the Iraqis ahead of schedule tomorrow."

Xie Wei immediately ordered them to leave.

Left with no other choice, Wang Zheng could only leave with a heavy heart.

"Wang Zheng acting as the middleman is the best outcome. He doesn't understand, and neither do I. As long as he follows my instructions and has his professional staff operate accordingly, and there are a few successful cases, those professionals won't dare to question the mysterious figure behind Wang Zheng..."

Xie Wei secretly pondered the matter again and, finding no problem, breathed a sigh of relief.

In the 1980s and 90s, there were too many opportunities in the international market.

We can't let international capital exclusively make money off Chinese people, can we?
The next morning at nine o'clock, Xie Wei, as the main escort, led General Abdullah and his entourage to visit the school's facilities that were open to them.

General Abdullah and his entourage showed little interest in the school's civilian technology research projects.

They came seeking advanced yet inexpensive weapons and equipment that could significantly enhance the combat effectiveness of their troops!

It wasn't until they entered the tank workshop that the Iraqi delegation members became truly interested, and they were even more excited after hearing Xie Wei's introduction of the tank's performance.

However, when Xie Wei said that all the technologies were still in the research and development stage, and that the tanks that had excited them were still just blueprints, and that the samples displayed in the workshop were just for show, they were greatly disappointed.

"Thank you. If it's just these projects that are currently under research, I don't think it's necessary to waste time."

Seeing the general's great disappointment, and that Harbin Institute of Technology had not brought out any equipment that would catch everyone's eye like a rocket launcher during the entire visit, Lieutenant Colonel Yitzhak, who was already uninterested in armored forces, impatiently voiced his opinion.

Abdullah and other members of the delegation met with Yitzhak to express their dissatisfaction, but there was no response.

"This is not a waste of time. Although it is still in the research stage, our prototype will be successfully manufactured in a year at most..."

Xie Wei was unhappy.

Damn it, the Soviet Union's expensive, shoddy T-72 couldn't even withstand a single rocket launcher, yet they were eager to buy it.

Could it be that the order for 600 stripped-down T-72s has already been given to the Soviet Union?
"Then let's wait until we succeed! If there's nothing else, we should sign the contract as soon as possible and then leave."

Abdullah also expressed his dissatisfaction.

What good is a tank that's just a blueprint, no matter how advanced its performance description is?

Moreover, it is a globally recognized fact that China has a poor industrial base, backward technology, and its weaponry is far behind that of other countries.

"General, what kind of weapons and equipment do you need? If you have a direction, perhaps..."

Xie Wei was unwilling to let the fat sheep go so easily.

If your knife isn't sharp enough in the rocket launcher trade, you can take the opportunity to make a few more cuts.

"As long as it's powerful enough and easy to operate, money is no object!"

Abdullah said calmly.

Ultimately, the only high-powered weapons China can attract them to are the Dongfeng missile and the nuclear bomb. Even if the price is outrageously high, they are willing to buy them as long as the other side is willing to sell.

Although the Soviet Union has not yet started negotiations with the West on the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, missiles with a range of thousands of kilometers are strategic weapons, and countries capable of manufacturing them are unwilling to sell them.

The nuclear non-proliferation treaty was adopted by the United Nations in June 1968. China is the only country in the world that possesses the technology to manufacture nuclear weapons but has not yet joined the treaty…

The general believes the president would be willing to buy it, no matter the cost, as long as China is willing to sell.

Then, coupled with the Dongfeng missiles with a range of 3 to 5 kilometers, Iraq could dominate the entire Middle East.

Unfortunately, China won't sell it.

"General, strategic weapons are not for sale, and we do not have these weapons and equipment."

Xie Wei refused without even thinking.

The technology for the Dongfeng missile can be developed in schools with some simple steps, but as for the nuclear bomb... Xie Wei only knew that the school's atomic energy major was a traditional strength, but he didn't know if they had the technology to manufacture nuclear bombs.

So what if we have it?

We can't sell it!

The military and defense industry are not yet desperate for money; even medium-range strategic missiles like the Dongfeng-3 are not on the sales list, let alone mushroom bombs.

"Then there's nothing we can do..."

The Iraqi shook his head, his face full of disappointment.

Zhang Mingqiu, Liu Debao, and the others, who had been merely playing a supporting role, couldn't help but panic upon seeing this: Wasn't Xie Wei planning to sell the 150mm long-range rockets to the other party? He could have brought it up at this point!
Although it cannot compare to strategic missiles with a range of hundreds or thousands of kilometers, a range of 150 kilometers plus a warhead of 420 kilograms is enough to satisfy the opponent's demand for "great power".

This thing can definitely fetch a high price. One rocket could easily sell for at least $6 to $8!
That's equivalent to the price of dozens of rocket launchers.

The key is that for rocket artillery to demonstrate its power, it must fire in salvos. Each rocket launcher vehicle carries eight rockets. Even if only one battalion is equipped with them, that would be 12 long-range rocket launcher vehicles, firing 96 rockets in a single salvo, which would cost millions of dollars!

Xie Wei actually gave up such an opportunity; how could they not be anxious?
"Xie Wei, don't we still have long-range rocket artillery?"

Zhang Mingqiu was really anxious.

The long-range artillery test has lasted for nearly a year. Although the various performance parameters are still somewhat different from the design specifications, the main issue lies in the accuracy of the strike.

Long-range saturation attacks don't require much consideration of accuracy.

"What long-range rocket launcher? Principal Zhang, were you drunk last night and still haven't sobered up?"

Xie Wei's face turned ugly.

They firmly denied that the school possessed any long-range rocket artillery.

This wasn't a pre-arranged tactic they used to attract each other.

"Oh? The long-range artillery testing team will be back tonight!"

Zhang Mingqiu was furious.

What happened to Xie Wei?

Is it because the Iraqis are not interested in the tank project that they are not even selling rocket launchers?
Ultimately, tanks were a project of the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building, while rocket artillery belonged to the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building. The ministry had made a request—to take advantage of the opportunity to secure more export orders for the ministry and then export them!
Rocket artillery was not equipped by the military; it was primarily intended for export.

"Principal Zhang!"

Xie Wei's face turned ugly. He disregarded the fact that the other party was his superior and reprimanded him with a dark expression.

Zhang Mingqiu was reprimanded by Xie Wei and lost face, but because foreign friends were present, he did not retaliate, remaining silent with a dark expression. This situation was naturally noticed by General Abdullah and others.

When asked to translate, the translator clearly knew that what Principal Zhang was talking about was definitely no small matter, so naturally there was no translator; he simply made up an excuse to send General Abdullah away.

It was almost noon. The original plan was to visit the school in the morning and discuss the details of the contract in the afternoon. So, instead of entertaining the other party at the Northern Building, we arranged a meal of Northeastern cuisine with local characteristics at the school cafeteria.

The ingredients are still various birds and beasts, and they even served a braised bear paw!
While Xie Wei had his fill, he once again lamented why Xie Rou hadn't returned sooner...

Such special meals are becoming increasingly rare.

Once the Wildlife Protection Law is enacted, there really won't be anything left to eat.

After the meal, the school arranged for them to rest at a guesthouse.

"Principal Zhang, I'm so sorry about this morning..."

Before Zhang Mingqiu could get angry, Xie Wei took the initiative to apologize with a smile.

"There's nothing to apologize for. After all, I'm the principal, and I'm the one taking the blame for you!"

Ah!
Principal Zhang is quite resentful.

Not only Zhang Mingqiu, but even Liu Debao looked displeased.

Anyone would lose face if they were scolded by a student who was only at the lowest administrative level.

Thinking about how Xie Wei was always protected in his daily life, and how this guy treated his superiors like this, whether he was an accompanying cadre from the Ministry of Commerce, the military, or an international friend, how could he possibly save face?

"Principal, this happened so suddenly, I really have no choice..."

Seeing Zhang Mingqiu's resentful expression, like a widow waiting for her husband after her wedding, and especially seeing that even the mild-mannered Liu Debao looked unhappy, Xie Wei dared not continue to keep them in suspense. He hurriedly explained, "I originally thought they were interested in tanks, and that we could then use rocket artillery long-range support for armored group operations to sell them..."

"What? Using this method to pique their curiosity? Xie Wei, do you think they're stupid?"

After hearing Xie Wei's explanation, Zhang Mingqiu almost laughed out of anger.

It's so obvious, how could they believe it?
"Principal, they're not stupid! On the contrary, they're very smart. Leaders, do you really think there's not a single person in the Iraqi delegation who understands Chinese? If we were going out to negotiate, wouldn't we bring our own translator?"

Xie Wei shook his head with a serious expression.

Is Saddam Hussein stupid?
Not stupid.

Otherwise, it would have been impossible for an ordinary person born in a small village to become the president of a country.

His capable subordinates are no fools either.

Both shook their heads, indicating they didn't believe that the other team didn't have a single Iraqi who understood Chinese.

"The whole world knows that our industrial base is weak and our technology is backward, but our backwardness does not include aerospace technology and nuclear technology..."

Xie Wei's explanation made it clear to the two of them immediately.

China's aerospace and nuclear industries did start much later than the international community, but the bigwigs who returned from abroad are all world-class experts.

Especially Qian Xuesen, an aviation expert who was worth five of the most elite divisions in the United States!

Moreover, there are also outstanding students of Theodore von Kármán, such as Qian Weichang, Guo Yonghuai, and Lin Jiaqiao…

······
"General, they were arguing about whether it was a rocket launcher, but I think that thing must be very advanced..."

The conditions inside the guesthouse were not very good.

The school's guesthouse was not originally authorized to receive foreign guests, but because the contract details needed to be finalized in the afternoon, the school went through a series of procedures to arrange for the group to rest temporarily at the guesthouse.

Abdullah and his entourage did not rest.

Instead, they discussed news they had overheard unexpectedly.

Yitzhak actually speaks fluent Chinese, but he never showed it from the beginning.

"Rocket launcher?"

Abdullah frowned. "We're not lacking in rocket launchers! We also have plenty of the Soviet Katyusha rocket launchers..."

"General, although China's industrial base is weak and its technology is backward, it is not far behind the world in rocket technology... They are poor, and missiles are too expensive... Rocket artillery can effectively enhance the combat effectiveness of the troops... Especially the long-range rocket artillery they mentioned, it is definitely not conventional rocket artillery..."

Having learned Chinese, Yitzhak, who certainly has some understanding of China, stated firmly, "They seem very worried that we will find out."

"Long-range rocket artillery?"

"If it has a range of over 100 kilometers and immense destructive power... I think it could be used to replace our Scud-A missiles... Damn the Soviets, the missiles they developed in the 1950s are not only extremely complex to operate, but also incredibly expensive..."

Yitzhak looked serious.

Iraq, which purchased most of its weapons and equipment from the Soviet Union, also had a missile force, but the missiles it possessed were not very advanced—the Scud-A with a range of 130 kilometers and the Scud-B with a range of 300 kilometers.

The Soviets not only demanded high prices, but also controlled the quantity.

The Scud A missile, with a range of 130 kilometers, is priced at $22!
If China has a long-range rocket artillery alternative, it will effectively enhance the combat effectiveness of its missile forces.

"Don't rush. Didn't they say the long-range rocket artillery test team would be back tonight? Let's wait and see..."

Abdullah was also very tempted after hearing this.

Rocket artillery is not missile.

It's not as accurate as a missile, but it's much cheaper.

In the event of large-scale saturation bombardment, what level of accuracy is required?
In the afternoon, General Abdullah, citing illness, requested to return to the Northern Building to rest, leaving Yitzhak and Faisalman, along with other members of the delegation, to discuss the details of the rocket launcher transaction with relevant personnel from Harbin Institute of Technology.

The negotiations slowed down due to the deliberate delays by Yitzhak and others, continuing until very late.

As a result, when the staff reported to Zhang Mingqiu that the rocket artillery test team was about to enter the school, Yitzhak also heard it, and without continuing the negotiations, he immediately proposed to leave.

So, as soon as the Iraqis arrived at the school gate, they saw a convoy covered in tarpaulins and covered in sand entering the school.

In the middle of the convoy, a special vehicle, though covered by a tarpaulin, stood out from the rest of the convoy.

Ignoring all manners, Yitzhak got out of his car and blocked the way for the convoy...

"Lieutenant Colonel, it's getting late, let's hurry back to the hotel..."

Yitzhak's actions greatly displeased Xu Minsheng, the military's designated escort. The convoy that entered the school did so at night, and the outside was completely covered by tarpaulins, clearly for the sake of secrecy.

The Iraqis in front of us were so shameless as to stop the convoy.

(End of this chapter)