In 1978, I was admitted to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 277 Refusing to use Harbin Institute of Technology's technology but wanting a bigger share of the profits? Dream on!
"Three units? Just let Changzheng Machinery Factory be in charge."

Minister Zheng looked at Liu Debao with a serious expression.

Changzheng Machinery Plant was a key unit under the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry and one of the factories with the strongest machining capabilities. Its main production task was the core components of strategic missiles and carrier rockets, and it also had strong assembly capabilities.

"Sir, the Changzheng Machinery Plant already has a heavy workload. Adding the previous rockets, the total number is close to 8000. If the Changzheng Machinery Plant is the sole producer, even if we start expanding production capacity now, it will still take more than six years to complete the delivery..."

Liu Debao answered hastily.

He hadn't expected that Minister Zheng had contacted him about this matter.

During this period, Liu Debao contacted many units with the capability to process rockets, hoping that more units would participate in the production of the 150mm long-range rockets. The leaders of Changzheng Machinery Factory approached Liu Debao and proposed that they could increase their production capacity and give all the orders to them.

After assessing the delivery time of the increased production capacity at Changzheng Machinery Plant, Liu Debao refused.

Unexpectedly, they contacted the ministry.

"Tongjiang Machinery Factory produces launch systems, and Changzheng produces rockets. Both factories are part of Base 062, so they are close to each other and production coordination is easy."

Minister Zheng couldn't quite understand Harbin Institute of Technology's thinking. "You all know how important these two factories are. The projects and funding allocated by the Ministry are currently insufficient to support their development... With these orders, all relevant units in the 062 base will have funding for technological upgrades. Good resources should be used where they are most needed. Spreading your resources across other factories may allow them to develop, but ultimately it's better to concentrate your efforts on developing just one..."

Minister Zheng looked serious, hoping Liu Debao would change his mind.

As a superior, he could also make forceful demands. In order not to dampen the enthusiasm of the heads of subordinate units, Minister Zheng specifically sought out Liu Debao to understand the situation.

"Sir, the Long March Factory primarily produces carrier rockets, but also undertakes strategic missile production tasks... At its current capacity, even operating at full capacity, it can only produce a maximum of 800 missiles per year, unless other production tasks are squeezed out..."

The reason wasn't something Liu Debao came up with on the spur of the moment.

When Xie Wei suggested contacting multiple schools, Liu Debao, Zhang Mingqiu, and other school leaders opposed it.

But no one could object to Xie Wei's reasons.

"It's definitely not feasible to crowd out other production tasks. But we can expand production capacity."

Minister Zheng frowned.

The Changzheng Machinery Plant was originally established to produce the Changzheng carrier rocket. The carrier rockets used earlier shared most of the same technology as intercontinental strategic missiles, so the production line did not even need to be adjusted.

In this way, the production tasks of the Changzheng Machinery Plant are not only the Changzheng series of carrier rockets, but also ballistic missiles that use liquid fuel.

Before Minister Zheng could continue to persuade him, Liu Debao added again:
"Leader, while it's true that the production tasks of the Changzheng Factory cannot be squeezed out, there are other considerations. The 062 base is located in the hinterland of Southwest China. The Changzheng Factory and Tongjiang Factory are both key projects of the Third Front construction. These factories, located in mountainous areas, would require higher costs to expand, not to mention that the surrounding terrain makes expansion very difficult... Xie Wei said that the rocket launchers sold to Iraq were just the first order. With such a large quantity, as long as a breakthrough is achieved on the battlefield, orders will continue to pour in... In fact, customers who come to inspect may even request to visit the factory..."

To avoid being interrupted by Minister Zheng, Secretary Liu spoke quickly.

The three lines were chosen for their long locations for safety, and the original designs were all very large-scale. Expanding them after construction was not an easy task.

When discussing business with international clients, it is essential for them to visit the production facilities.

The Changzheng Factory is also producing strategic missiles and carrier rockets, which makes it easy for secrets to be leaked.

"Having more companies produce it means distributing the limited resources more widely!"

After listening, Minister Zheng remained silent for a moment, unable to find a reason to refute it, and also felt somewhat distressed because he could not concentrate funds to improve the strength of a core factory.

"A monopoly is not conducive to competition. Harbin Institute of Technology is just a place to train talents and conduct some research projects for the ministry. The ministry is the core of aerospace-related technology research and development and manufacturing... If the supporting facilities can't keep up, it's useless to design something that can't be produced!"

Liu Debao said with great sorrow.

Next, he briefed Minister Zheng on the current status of some school projects, noting that many research projects were stalled due to supporting constraints.

Many projects that the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry has cancelled are also due to inadequate basic infrastructure.

"Ah~"

Minister Zheng sighed and didn't say anything more.

After being transferred to the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry in 77, in order to fully grasp the work, he traveled over mountains and valleys every day to visit various remote factories and laboratories to understand the situation.

In 79, Minister Zheng also presided over the research and development of key weapons and equipment such as the Dongfeng-5, which made him more aware of the problem of insufficient foundation in the entire aerospace system.

"Boss, you're busy with work, so I won't bother you any longer. I have an appointment with people from Jiangshan Machinery Factory to discuss cooperation..."

While speaking, he observed the leader's reaction.

Jiangshan Machinery Factory, codenamed Factory 5133, was a major domestic manufacturer of the Type 63 rocket launcher and was under the jurisdiction of the Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry.

"Go!"

Minister Zheng did not dwell on Liu Debao's attempts to discuss cooperation with people from the Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry.

Although he hoped that all business would remain in the production of the subordinate units of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry, he could not ignore the delivery time required by customers.

The Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry was also a state-owned unit.

"Secretary Liu..."

As soon as Liu Debao stepped out of the office building, he was stopped by several cadres waiting outside.

These are leaders from the Changzheng Machinery Factory; they came here for a meeting.

“I have explained the situation to Minister Zheng, and the leadership has agreed that the Changzheng Machinery Plant will only take on the production order for 2500 rockets.”

Secretary Liu had no good feelings towards the people in front of him.

Changzheng Factory is currently one of the better-off units in the entire Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry, with a full order book.

"This is far too little. We need more production orders to improve our production technology..."

Deputy Factory Director Fan Zhiyong frowned and said, "I don't expect you to hand over all the production to us, but at least give us half!"

“Secretary Liu, it’s not that we’re greedy. The factory is currently preparing to produce more advanced launch vehicles and important models, and the ministry doesn’t have any more funding to support us… This batch of processing orders can solve a large part of the problem…”

Seeing Liu Debao frown, factory manager Zhao Yan hurriedly offered an explanation.

Without sufficient funding from higher authorities, upgrading the entire production line is no easy task.

Liu Debao neither confirmed nor denied the allegations.

There are only so many orders. If Changzheng Machinery Factory gets more, other factories will get less.

As for Changzheng Factory, the possibility of expanding its production capacity in the short term is not very high.

It was originally built for the production of strategic missiles and carrier rockets.

In any case, the government cannot refuse to provide development funds.

Liu Debao neither confirmed nor denied the two men's statements.

"We're really not doing this for ourselves. The entire 062 base has just been built and put into operation, and there aren't many launch vehicle missions to begin with, not to mention that the country doesn't plan to equip itself with that thing on a large scale..."

Seeing Liu Debao's amused expression, Zhao Yan hurriedly tried to explain.

"If a customer requests a visit, can your factory accept it? Director Zhao, Deputy Director Fan, the Changzheng Machinery Factory is indeed quite large, and it's currently operating at almost full capacity. Producing 800 rockets a year is the limit... If we expand production capacity further, what will we do with the idle capacity if there are no orders?" Liu Debao asked the two men with amusement.

"We will solve these problems and will definitely complete the production tasks strictly according to quality and quantity requirements..."

The production of a single long-range rocket can generate tens of thousands in profit in the initial stages.

Once the production process is mature, profits will increase significantly.

The funding allocated by higher authorities for producing a strategic missile is only tens of millions; while the funding for producing a launch vehicle is even less.

Changzheng Machinery Factory will certainly not be allowed to enter the civilian product sector at present.

Other factories at Base 062, because their military products are not considered too sensitive, have begun to explore the civilian product sector, and their businesses are thriving.

As leaders of the Changzheng Factory, they saw this and were deeply concerned.

Intercontinental ballistic missiles are produced in limited quantities, only a few per year, and higher authorities would never approve an increase in production; the production of launch vehicles is even less guaranteed, and will only be determined after the country has a launch mission.

How many times does the country launch a rocket in a year?
"Secretary Liu, are you done with your work?"

Not far away, a thin cadre in his early fifties, wearing a faded Zhongshan suit, greeted Liu Debao.

"Director Sun, didn't we agree to talk at the guesthouse? Why are you here?"

Upon closer inspection, Liu Debao realized that the other party was Sun Maocheng, the factory director of Jiangshan Machinery Factory, who was supposed to be waiting for them at the guesthouse.

The Type 63 rocket launcher has fierce firepower and a lot of export orders, but because its technology is not very advanced, there are many factories capable of producing it.

In addition, all factories were operating at full capacity and had a considerable amount of reserves.

Jiangshan Machinery Factory does not have many production tasks.

As a professional rocket artillery manufacturing plant, this was one of the contract manufacturers designated by Xie Wei.

Unfortunately, Xie Wei was not familiar with the various military factories that used code names these days. Jiangshan Heavy Industry happened to be the factory that Xie Wei knew: PHL-03 Long-Range Rocket Launcher!
Therefore, Xie Wei naturally wanted to help speed up the research and production of long-range rocket artillery for the PLA's own use.

During the development of the PHL-03 long-range rocket launcher, due to difficult conditions and a lack of funding, Jiangshan Machinery Factory did not have a large computer, and the theoretical calculations alone took four years; there was no specialized equipment for processing large-caliber launch tubes, and it took three months to manually manufacture the launch tubes...

Therefore, from the start of research in 89 to the finalization in 03, the PHL-03, a long-range rocket launcher with a range of 70 to 150 kilometers, took 14 years to develop.

With sufficient funding and equipment, and with the technology of Harbin Institute of Technology as a foundation, it should only take half the time to develop a rocket artillery system like the PHL-03 long-range artillery.

Starting now, the PLA should be able to equip itself with these by 90.

When the "land artillery is put on ships", the PLA will at least not need to put howitzers on the decks of ordinary ships!
The idea is that simple.

Although, given the current development, it is unlikely that the situation of "land-based artillery on ships" will ever occur again, and even the process of "ship-based artillery on land" can be accelerated.

The army needs more ferocious firepower to alleviate the anxiety caused by insufficient firepower.

"Gentlemen, let's talk again when we have time. I have an appointment with Director Sun and the others from Jiangshan Machinery Factory..."

Liu Debao greeted Zhao Yan and the others, then went straight to meet Sun Maocheng.

"People from Jiangshan Machinery Factory?"

Fan Zhiyong frowned as he looked at Sun Maocheng, who was wearing a tattered coat. "Isn't Jiangshan Machinery a factory under the Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry? Does Liu Debao have absolutely no regard for our shared system?"

"Let's wait and see. I'll go find Minister Zheng to get some information about the situation."

After exchanging pleasantries with Sun Maocheng and the others, the group headed straight for the guesthouse.

Sun Maocheng and several leaders from the factory came to the Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry to ask for projects and funding, but the leaders of the Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry had no projects to give them, let alone funding.

Thanks to his relationship with Li Rui, the leaders of the Fifth Ministry of Machinery Industry pointed out a clear path for Director Sun—Harbin Institute of Technology had sold a large batch of long-range rocket launchers, and the order for rocket shells was huge. They could take advantage of the processing capacity of Jiangshan Machinery Factory to allocate a batch of production tasks.

After hearing that the profit from producing a single rocket could reach tens of thousands, Director Sun stopped blocking the office doors of the ministry leaders.

"To the guesthouse?"

On the way, Sun Maocheng asked Liu Debao.

"???"

This question left Secretary Liu completely baffled.

Where else can we talk if not at the guesthouse?
Jiangshan Machinery Factory is located far away in Hubei Province, while Harbin Institute of Technology is in Northeast China.

"Let's not go there, the guesthouse is too crowded, let's find another place."

Sun Maocheng said awkwardly.

After Sun Maocheng's explanation, Liu Debao finally understood the reason: even though a fairly large-scale self-defense counterattack was fought on the southwestern border, consuming a large number of artillery shells and rockets, with nearly twenty years of saturated production, the current domestic ammunition reserves were not enough to last for decades...

As reform and opening up progressed, the need for funds for economic infrastructure construction increased, while military spending was further reduced, which led to a further reduction in military industrial orders.

Now, almost all the guesthouses in the capital are full of leaders and cadres from various units who come to ask for projects and funding.

Sun Maocheng was worried that other units would take away his business, and he was also worried that the leaders and cadres of the factories under the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry would be dissatisfied, which would ultimately lead to them not getting processing business.

"In that case, let's go to Principal Li's office."

Liu Debao thought about it and realized that was indeed the case.

Before that, he went to Norinco, which was established this year. Norinco also has a unit that produces rocket artillery. He had already reached an agreement with them that Norinco would produce 2500 rockets first.

Although Li Rui has not yet stepped down as president of Harbin Institute of Technology, he is no longer under the jurisdiction of the Seventh Ministry of Machinery Industry, but belongs to the military system.

Therefore, Principal Li had no problem deciding which military factory to contract for production.

"You have the nerve to ask them why they don't give you more business! I heard that the sales staff from Harbin Institute of Technology tried to sell you CNC systems produced by Hongguang Machinery Factory, and you just refused?"

Minister Zheng looked at Zhao Yan with a stern face.

"Minister, isn't Harbin Institute of Technology a school? Where did these salespeople come from? It's clearly Hongguang Factory's salespeople who, knowing we have a partnership with Harbin Institute of Technology, are using the university's name without authorization!"

They are not part of the same system.

The purchasing department of Changzheng Machinery Factory didn't even give a second glance to the CNC system salespeople from Hongguang Factory.

They had looked into the CNC machine tools at Hongguang Factory, and found that the system was not very stable and could not compare with the imported CNC machine tools allocated to them by the Ministry!
"You don't even pay attention to this kind of news? Hongguang Factory was the first factory to cooperate with Harbin Institute of Technology. Hongguang Factory's rice cookers and CNC systems all come from Harbin Institute of Technology... The switches in Rongcheng are also from Harbin Institute of Technology... You refuse to support Harbin Institute of Technology's technology and products, but demand that they give you more profits. Comrade Zhao Yan, do you think that's appropriate?"

Minister Zheng asked Zhao Yan with a stern face.

"..."

Factory Director Zhao was dumbfounded.

(End of this chapter)