Chapter 89

"Solution?"

"Solution!"

"What is a solution?"

In a rather spacious meeting room, with a "national map" covered by a red curtain hanging on the back wall, a group of people who looked somewhat elderly were in a meeting. They each held a document in their hands but suddenly asked the low-profile Secretary Huang, who was standing at the door, in confusion.

"According to Comrade Hu Wenhai, a solution refers to a systematic plan and proposal tailored to the specific circumstances of a client, aimed at solving a problem or meeting a need."

"Hmm, this definition... is quite interesting!"

"Yes, it seems we haven't been very smart in business. We've taken many detours. The same thing, when sold as goods, is just a pile of iron. But if we follow this solution, it becomes a package deal, selling wisdom instead."

"Good, but what interests me more is the verification of this information warfare concept by the Iraqi side. If this idea can be realized, it will certainly have a significant impact on current military thought."

"Then, let's see if we can get the Iraqis to clear the minefield for us."

...

In the meeting room of the Second Department of the General Staff, which had been bustling with people, only Hu Wenhai, Lin Qianjun, and Zhai Youjiang remained.

"Hey, you! Yes, Xiao Zhou, right?" Lin Qianjun opened the meeting room door, scanned the corridor, and grabbed a tall, handsome young man with a commanding presence, trying to recall his information.

Lin Qianjun often visited the research institute of the Second Department of the General Staff. Sometimes, the equipment procurement of the General Logistics Department required a certain level of foresight, which inevitably involved dealing with these research institutes that studied the forms of warfare.

Fortunately, Lin Qianjun had some impression of Xiao Zhou, who was responsible for opening letters in the institute—don't underestimate this job; it required a clear background and political reliability.

"Director Lin!" Xiao Zhou saluted, but before he could finish speaking, Lin Qianjun pulled him into the meeting room. "Xiao Zhou, I have an important task for you!"

"Yes, I will complete the task!" Xiao Zhou stood at attention and answered with high spirits.

"Good, I order you—" Lin Qianjun grabbed a cloth and handed it to Xiao Zhou, saying seriously, "to wipe all the notes off this whiteboard and not to leak any information to anyone!"

"Ah?" Xiao Zhou held the cloth in a daze as Lin Qianjun, Hu Wenhai, and Zhai Youjiang left the meeting room.

Lin Qianjun led the way out of the meeting room, walking down the corridor as if it were nothing. After a few steps, he suddenly seemed to realize something, slapped his head, and said regretfully,

"Mr. Hu, I noticed you didn't eat much on the way here. I happen to have a voucher for Lao Mo. Would you like to go? Oh, and Mr. Zhai, would you like to join us?"

Zhai Youjiang looked at Lin Qianjun with deep meaning, shook his head, and chuckled, "I have something to do in a while, but I can't miss Director Lin's treat! How about this: you two go ahead, and I'll join you at Lao Mo after I finish my business."

"Uh—" Hu Wenhai was about to say something, but Lin Qianjun quickly nodded and smiled, "Alright, then it's settled. I'll wait for you at Lao Mo with Mr. Hu. We'll meet there!"

"Good, we'll meet there!"

Hu Wenhai blinked, wondering if he had been "agreed" to this.

Lao Mo, commonly known as the "Moscow Restaurant" in the capital, has a long-standing reputation. The prominent "1954" sign on its door reminds guests of its long history.

Originally established in 1954, this Western restaurant was specifically for Soviet experts aiding China. Although the Soviet experts are no longer around, Lao Mo has become a legend in the capital.

However, it was still the 1980s, and without some organizational connections, it was not easy to enter Lao Mo. Even during the most difficult times for state-owned enterprises, Lao Mo remained a highly profitable unit. In the future, when the novel "Bloody Romance" became a sensation, it would become a sacred place representing a "wanderer's" sentiment.

Eating a meal here was a matter of great prestige for the people of the capital at that time.

"The state has decided to form a project team led by Beihang University to gather national resources to tackle the technologies involved in the F-14."

Lin Qianjun, not very skilled with knives and forks, fumbled with them. He had used them a few times during his business trips to the United States, so he had some experience and didn't make the plate squeak. However, his pained expression while eating suggested that the consumption at Lao Mo was quite shocking.

"Hey, Director Lin, is it okay to tell me this?" Hu Wenhai had no psychological burden. Although Russian cuisine was not his favorite, he had come here a couple of times before his rebirth, which was a way to indulge his sentiments.

He was a fan of Du Liang.

"Hehe, what's the problem? Others may not know, but I know the weight of Mr. Hu in this matter." Lin Qianjun sipped his wine lightly and laughed self-deprecatingly, "To be honest, the organization intends to assign me to the project team, but you know the current climate. The investment in military industry is getting worse. Mr. Hu might think I have some personal motives, and I won't deny it. After all, who doesn't want to advance in their career?"

At this point, Lin Qianjun sighed and said with a complex expression, "The state has entrusted me with such an important task, so I should do it well. But the difficulties are real. Without money, research cannot proceed smoothly. If I take on this task, it will affect my career, which is my personal motive. But it's not good for the country either."

"So, what's your idea, Director Lin? I don't need to say it, but you should know that I have a withdrawal limit of over 20 billion. Throwing this money into the F-14 project? To be frank, it's like a drop in the bucket, right?" Hu Wenhai was not angry. Lin Qianjun was being open and honest, not using his authority to force him. Besides, he didn't have the power to swallow this money. If the leaders had intended to, Secretary Huang wouldn't have given him the money in the first place.

Sure enough, Lin Qianjun waved his hand and laughed awkwardly, "Mr. Hu, you misunderstood. The state project cannot be funded by you alone, and it cannot force you to do anything."

"Let me put it this way—" He struggled to express his thoughts, "This is just a personal request, not the state's intention, and certainly not, what's the term, moral coercion!"

"I'll take the liberty of calling you 'little brother' here." Lin Qianjun took a sip of wine, feeling a bit reckless. He was more than a decade older than Hu Wenhai.

"Just consider it a request from a friend. I have seen your ability to make money with my own eyes. If you can show me a way, I will be eternally grateful!"

"Alright, I understand!" Hu Wenhai quickly stopped Lin Qianjun's plea. It seemed that he rarely made such requests, and his performance was no better than those workers who, for the first time, carried cans of food to the factory manager's door to get an apartment.

Hu Wenhai thought for a moment, and to be honest, he was not only not troubled but also somewhat excited.

The F-14 domestication project, as a cat party member, how could he not be interested? In other words, the F-14 is a treasure trove of technology. Domesticating the F-14 would be like advancing China's industrial system by two levels.

Hu Wenhai was right. A mere 20 billion would not even make a ripple in the F-14 domestication project. For example, the electron beam welding technology used for the titanium alloy wing box of the F-14, which he knew very well, shares many techniques with chip production.

The wing box of the F-14 is its technological gem, known as the strongest part of the Tomcat. There have been multiple accidents where the entire aircraft disintegrated, but the wing box remained intact.

The electron beam welding facility is as large as an aircraft assembly plant, but its internal cleanliness requirements are even higher than those for chip production. The welding space is a nearly 30-cubic-meter steel chamber that must be evacuated to a vacuum and operated remotely. Even without considering the electron beam welding technology itself, its auxiliary technologies are already daunting.

However, if the F-14 domestication project can proceed smoothly, it will become a powerful engine for the upgrading of China's industrial system.

Just the technology transfer alone involves interests that could shock anyone.

In simple terms, if China can produce a domestic F-14, it means its industrial capability is equivalent to that of the United States in the 1970s. Oh, it doesn't seem that impressive, just the 1970s level of the United States—don't forget, the United States had already landed humans on the moon in 1969! In 2015, could the United States do it again on its own?

After the 1990s, Americans shifted to finance and electronics, and in terms of industrial capability, they declined compared to the 1970s and 1980s!

If China can produce the F-14, it is not far from landing on the moon.

Hu Wenhai smacked his lips and took a deep breath, "I have a few conditions. If the organization agrees, I will do my best to help solve the funding for the F-14 project."

"Mr. Hu, please speak." Lin Qianjun felt relieved and unconsciously used a respectful title.