Forged in the fires of war: The Qi family's generals rewrite the fate of eastern Hebei.

As a heroic regiment that made outstanding contributions in the Battle of Balihe Dongshan, the 122nd Regiment has received high praise from the Party Committee of the Army, the Party Committee of the Military Region, and the General Headquarters.

Post-war rewards are commonplace.

The 122nd Regiment received praise from headquarters and was awarded the honorary title of "Heroic Regiment of Balihe Dongshan". The entire regiment was awarded a collective first-class merit.

As the regimental commander, Fang Zhenhua immediately distinguished himself in this battle and was awarded the First-Class Heroic Model Medal.

His list of merits was finally completed with the last piece of the puzzle: the First-Class Hero Medal, which Fang Zhenhua had longed for for a long time, and finally received on the battlefield.

At the headquarters of the 122nd Regiment, Liu Xudong found Fang Zhenhua, who, as the regiment's political commissar, had also received a second-class hero medal.

It can be said that his path to advancement has been successfully extended by this medal of honor, and as for the other half, Fang Zhenhua will have to put in some effort.

"Old Fang, I won't say anything more. Thank you this time."

"Political Commissar! Without everyone's concerted efforts, how could we have achieved victory at Balihe Dongshan? We are a collective, and unity is strength!"

Yes! Unity is strength.

"I have connections for you. The division is going to promote a deputy political commissar soon, and your chances of success are pretty good."

"how about you?"

"Me? My future doesn't lie in the military region."

Fang Zhenhua smiled slightly, but he wasn't lying, because his future would naturally be arranged by someone else.

The capital city, the Liu family study.

Ever since Fang Zhenhua's pre-battle speech was broadcast on television, the entire capital and even the whole country have been in an uproar.

The major families in the capital were all sighing with admiration, marveling that Liu Zhongming had found another good son-in-law.

When news of the victory at the Battle of Balihe Dongshan reached Beijing, this atmosphere reached another peak.

Even the younger generation of the major families in Beijing gave Fang Zhenhua a nickname.

It's called the "Tiger of Balihe".

The fact that a single regiment could withstand an attack by five enemy regiments is an unprecedented and extremely rare feat.

As Fang Zhenhua's father-in-law, Liu Zhongming was even more flattered. Various leaders praised Fang Zhenhua in front of him on more than one occasion, making him extremely proud.

After returning home, Liu Zhongming couldn't help but hum a few excerpts of Peking Opera while handling government affairs.

Seeing this, Pei Yihong couldn't help but smile and ask.

"Commander, it seems you've been genuinely happy lately!"

"Hahaha, Zhenhua has made me proud, how could I not be happy?"

"Your judgment is truly excellent, Chief. First Mengsheng, then Zhenhua—these two sons-in-law are unparalleled in the entire capital."

"Yes! Zhenhua played well this time, and Meng Sheng also performed well. If I remember correctly, Meng Sheng is now a deputy division-level cadre, right?"

"It seems that it's time to put that previous plan into practice."

"Commander, are you really sure? This is no small matter. We'll probably have to discuss it with the Ministry of Ordnance Industry. Also, if the higher-ups don't agree, things might not go smoothly."

"I am confident in the leadership above. This time, the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense and the Ministry of Ordnance Industry are leading the effort, so we are very confident. Moreover, this is a great thing that benefits the country and the people, so the leaders will agree."

At this point, Liu Zhongming couldn't help but sigh.

"Yihong, I really can't bear to see so many scientists without jobs, and I can't bear to see so many of our projects abandoned, so I must get this done."

"Moreover, I have already decided that I will include Meng Sheng and Zhen Hua in the project. If this can be accomplished, we will have enough foreign exchange to prevent more scientists from losing their jobs and to protect our project."

Pei Yihong also sighed inwardly. The leader, sitting in his current position, needs to be responsible for the entire national defense cause.

Therefore, Pei Yihong, his chief secretary, was very clear about his difficulties.

However, this matter is far from simple, because it involves going abroad, and the more secretive it is, the better.

"Alright, as long as the leader agrees, I'll contact Lao Gao immediately and have him transfer Meng Sheng and Zhen Hua back to headquarters."

"Ichihiro! If it's feasible, you should come along this time too."

Pei Yihong's face showed a look of shock. He really didn't expect that he was involved in this matter.

"Sir, should I go? Is it appropriate for me to go? And what will happen to your work if I leave?"

“Yihong, I know your abilities. It’s a waste of your talents to stay by my side as my secretary. There are much more opportunities for you outside. If you can accumulate enough achievements in this matter, it will be entirely beneficial to you.”

"Commander, I never thought of leaving you."

“Yihong, I know your potential very well. You are even more outstanding than Anguo. As long as you are given enough opportunities, you will definitely be able to rise to prominence.”

Pei Yihong's voice was already choked with emotion.

"Alright, I've always treated you like a nephew, so naturally I hope you can succeed. But there's no rush now. Let me resolve this matter first."

Pei Yihong nodded without saying anything.

Over the next few days, Liu Zhongming worked tirelessly on this matter. He reached an agreement with the Ministry of Ordnance Industry, and after reviewing Liu Zhongming's plan, the higher-ups also felt that it was worth a try.

Thus, this key project was definitively named "Spark" and classified as top secret.

After the leader nodded, Liu Zhongming immediately contacted Gao Dengkui.

Currently, Gao Dengkui is in charge of the headquarters' daily operations, and according to reliable sources, he will take over once the chief of staff retires.

The Gao family is about to rise to power.

As the vice president, Gao Dengkui was also aware of the "Spark" plan, so he was not surprised at all when Liu Zhongming wanted to include Zhao Mengsheng and Fang Zhenhua in the plan.

However, Gao Dengkui still asked with some doubt on the phone.

"Old Liu, the Spark Program is a key program of your Science and Technology Commission. Who are you planning to assign to it?"

“Gong Kaichen, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Machinery Industry, Zheng Bingyi, Director of the Scientific Research and Technology Department of the Ministry of Ordnance Industry, my secretary Pei Yihong, and my two sons-in-law.”

"The Ministry of Machinery Industry got involved too?"

"This was personally designated by the leader."

"But with only five people, wouldn't that be too few for the Middle East?"

"I believe them."

"Alright then! Since you've already made the arrangements, I'll take charge of mobilizing the personnel. Your son-in-law's military achievements are enough; a promotion isn't unreasonable."

On June 23, the transfer order from headquarters was issued to the military region, and then passed down from the military region to the 122nd Regiment.

Comrade Fang Zhenhua was relieved of his post as commander of the 122nd Regiment and transferred to the Third Bureau of the Second Department of the General Staff as deputy director.

Chapter 48 Spark Project

The Second Department is responsible for collecting and analyzing domestic and international intelligence, while the military intelligence personnel dispatched to meet the needs of military strategic intelligence are subordinate to the Third Bureau.

The core of the "Spark Program" was to earn more foreign exchange for the country by exporting large quantities of arms during the Iran-Iraq War.

Shadama is rich, with a group of brothers supporting him. Huo Meini is not poor either; she relies on selling oil and her family's wealth, making her a nouveau riche as well.

So the Spark Program was intended to sell arms to both ends. At the same time, the world is not so peaceful now. Besides Iran and Iraq, Africa is also in chaos.

Therefore, it is necessary to open up foreign arms channels to ensure that my country's weapons and equipment can sell well all over the world, so as to achieve the goal of supporting the domestic economy. This is not something to be forced, but rather to earn as much foreign exchange as possible.

This is the first task of the Spark Program.

As for the second task of the Spark Program, foreign countries are indeed far ahead of my country in the field of military technology, so obtaining as much military technology intelligence as possible from abroad is the core of the second task.

However, compared to the first task, the second task is more flexible and does not have specific KPIs set.

To put it bluntly, in Liu Zhongming's view, completing even one part of the second task would be a bonus.

Fang Zhenhua only learned about the core of the Spark Program and its members after arriving in Beijing.

Aside from him and Zhao Mengsheng, the rest, whether it's Gong Kaichen, Zheng Bingyi, or Pei Yihong, are all other people involved.

They all rose to high-ranking positions in the future, which presented Fang Zhenhua with an important opportunity to expand his network.

To put it bluntly, the three of them were just ordinary leading cadres. When they arrived abroad and faced such a complex situation, Fang Zhenhua, a first-class combat hero, was definitely their most important source of reassurance.

Although the Spark Program execution team was headed by Gong Kaichen, Fang Zhenhua believed that once he arrived abroad, the team would gradually revolve around him.

Because I am familiar with the course of history, I view these issues from the perspective of an omniscient and omnipotent being.

However, if we can really get a firm grip on this task force, things will get really interesting in the future.

It is unlikely that Fang Zhenhua will follow the government route in the future; he will most likely remain within the military faction. Therefore, he will need strong allies within the government.

Gong Kaichen, Zheng Bingyi, and Pei Yihong are undoubtedly the most promising talents.

Besides Zheng Bingyi, Pei Yihong was his father-in-law's secretary, making them natural allies.

As for Gong Kaichen, Fang Zhenhua was surprised to discover that he and his teacher Fang Yingda were actually brothers, one taking his father's surname and the other his mother's surname.

The relationship was instantly strengthened, and there was no doubt that a small political group was emerging.

The capital city, the Liu family.

Based on his battlefield achievements and the support of his family, Zhao Mengsheng rose through the ranks six times in five years and is now the director of the Third Bureau.

The speed of this promotion is terrifying, but it is understandable.

Because Zhao's father was the commander of the military region, his rank was high, and since Zhao's family only had one son, resources were naturally poured into him.

In addition, Zhao Mengsheng has played the entire game since 79. He is a college graduate and a former political commissar, so he is very popular with the old leaders.

However, compared to Fang Zhenhua, Zhao Mengsheng's speed is not considered very fast. After all, Zhao started as a company instructor, while Fang Zhenhua was just a soldier.

However, their situations are not quite the same, so it's not appropriate to compare them directly. But among the second generation, they are both outstanding individuals.

At this moment, in the Liu family study, besides Zhao Mengsheng and Fang Zhenhua, Pei Yihong was also present.

As for Liu Zhongming, he received a last-minute notice to go to the sea.

The three of them stayed in the study until after 3 p.m. before Liu Zhongming finally returned.

He went straight to the study, put down his briefcase, and plopped down in a chair.

As the eldest son-in-law, Zhao Mengsheng was the first to ask.

"Dad, what's wrong?"

Liu Zhongming rubbed his temples, and only then did he come back to his senses when he heard Zhao Mengsheng's question.

"Oh! It's nothing serious, but there's been a small problem with Project Spark."

"Dad, what's the problem?"

Fang Zhenhua couldn't help but ask.

"I'm afraid your task force will need to set off for the Middle East as soon as possible."

"Dad, why are you in such a hurry?"

"We have a shipment of weapons that encountered a problem with Saddam Hussein, and we urgently need your help to resolve it. Also, there's something else..."

"Dad, what's wrong?"

"The Spey engine is a real worry for me. Although the engine has been initially localized, the aircraft project has been cancelled and there's nowhere to use the engine. The project has been shelved. It was such a good project. It breaks my heart to see it like this."

Fang Zhenhua had some knowledge of the Spey engine in his previous life. In this day and age, the Spey engine is of great help to my country's aero-engine industry.

However, due to various reasons, the engine was eventually shelved, and by the time it was taken out again, it was completely outdated.

Suddenly, Fang Zhenhua thought of something: in Persia these days, F-14 fighter jets are basically unable to take off because of the United States.

Is it feasible to use funds from Persia to restart the research and development and production of the Spey engine?

After thinking about it, Fang Zhenhua felt it was feasible, because the TF30 used in the Tomcat fighter jet actually belonged to the same generation as the Spey engine.

Thinking of this, Fang Zhenhua couldn't help but say.

"Dad, I looked at a lot of intelligence during the third round. I think we can give the Persian side a try."

"How do you want to try?"

Fang Zhenhua organized his thoughts for a moment, and then spoke.

"Their Tomcat fighter jet has an engine replacement problem. If our researchers use Persia's funds to replace the Tomcat's Spey engine, it might be a feasible approach."

"In that case, we'll have the funding, and the Spey project won't have to be put on hold."

Liu Zhongming asked with some skepticism.