Chapter 93

"Old Kong, you know that the F-14 introduction project is now being handled independently by the Air Force. This is inappropriate, isn't it? Now they are even forming a national team to study the domestic production of the F-14, using our aviation industry department's people, while excluding us from the introduction of the F-14. What is this? If every unit can handle imports and exports on their own, we might as well dissolve our China Aviation Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC)!"

The visitor had been sitting on the sofa for nearly two hours before finally meeting the Old Kong he had been talking about.

Old Kong was half-reclining in a rocking chair, wearing a casual buttoned-up half-coat. He held a steaming purple clay teapot in one hand, sipping from it occasionally and then closing his eyes in satisfaction, as if he were asleep.

The person CATIC sent today was carefully chosen. He held a position within the company that was not very involved in daily operations, but he had a distant relationship with Old Kong, making him more suitable for this kind of probing.

"Old Kong, you know how significant it is to introduce a fighter jet. The introduction of the F-14 to China will have a huge impact on our existing projects! Forming a national team by drawing key personnel from various companies will affect the overall situation! The Air Force only cares about using the planes, do they know how complex our aviation industry department's work is? Moreover, introducing the F-14, such a major national affair, and involving a teenager, is this just a game to the Air Force?"

"What about this Hu Wenhai? I don't know where he got that Viagra patent, but it's just a stroke of luck. Does he really have any ability? I heard that someone in the country is preparing to sue him, saying he stole the technology. Old Kong, you've been in research all your life. Inventing a new drug is a huge undertaking; how could one person suddenly come up with it? There must be something fishy going on."

"Alright—"

Old Kong, half-reclining in the rocking chair, placed the purple clay teapot on the low table beside him and finally opened his eyes. He spoke neither too fast nor too slow, with a calm and composed demeanor.

"Do I not know what you're up to?"

"Old Kong..."

"Enough!" Old Kong's voice became a bit stern. "An ordinary civilian has brought in at least two squadrons of advanced American fighter jets for the country, and now you want to take him down? If you keep this up, hum, are you not afraid that a Chang Siye will appear in the teahouse?"

"Old Kong, you make it sound so serious..." The visitor muttered a defense, then, under Old Kong's gaze, obediently closed his mouth.

"As for the F-14 introduction issue, I think the military has indeed lacked consideration. Introducing fighter jets is a big deal, and the introduction of the F-14 cannot be entirely decided by the military."

"Right, right!" The visitor nodded excitedly, his eyes wide. "A billion-dollar deal, completely operated by the military, who knows what problems there might be? I think kickbacks and corruption are inevitable, and it must be thoroughly investigated!"

"Don't have preconceived notions; that's not the right attitude for work." Old Kong rebuked him calmly, then continued, "CATIC's work also has its shortcomings. Why didn't you take the lead? Our national defense definitely needs advanced fighter jets like the F-14, but you failed to bring them in. That's the key issue!"

"Yes, our work was not thorough enough," the visitor said, sounding aggrieved. "We have evaluated the F-14, and its introduction will have a significant impact on our current research projects. Some projects might be canceled, and some already canceled projects might have to be restarted. This would be chaos. Furthermore, if this precedent is set, what if other systems start importing planes on their own? What would be the point of CATIC?"

"Hmm—"

"You have a point," Old Kong nodded, his face expressionless. "Since there are rules, they should be followed. CATIC has an advantage in the import and export of aircraft, so it should be utilized. The military should focus on military matters. If you want to handle the F-14 introduction, remember, you must do it well!"

"Yes, yes!" The visitor nodded vigorously, thumping his chest. "We will definitely do a good job with the F-14 introduction!"

...

The General Armament Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) would not be established until 1998. Currently, all equipment procurement and research and development for the PLA are handled by the General Logistics Department.

No. 22 Fuxing Road is where Lin Qianjun works. Now, as the former office director, Lin Qianjun has finally made it. As the key figure who facilitated the introduction of the F-14 to China, it is said that even the top leader remembers his name.

With such a significant achievement, his position is bound to change. The department currently has two options for him. One is to join the F-14 domestication project, which is somewhat like a scholar in ancient times being assigned to compile history, such as the famous Ming dynasty minister Fang Yingwu's father, who was assigned to the compilation team in the Hanlin Academy and thus achieved a great leap forward.

The other option is a straightforward promotion, as the deputy minister of the General Logistics Department's Health Department is nearing retirement, and this position is suitable for his resume.

However, what was supposed to be a difficult choice for Lin Qianjun has left the department in a bind. Hu Wenhai's three demands are all difficult to handle. The third demand is relatively easy, as the military has plenty of supplies to support a private enterprise.

The second demand is also reasonable; it makes no sense for an individual to fund national military research. Handing over the civilian patent is fine as long as it does not affect the production of military equipment.

But the first demand is tricky.

Taking food out of CATIC's mouth involves too many considerations and requires careful deliberation.

Indeed, it has been over half a month since Lin Qianjun relayed Hu Wenhai's demands, but the higher-ups have not yet made a decision. The plan to form a national team for the F-14 domestication project has also been affected by various factors.

Thus, the enthusiasm of the General Logistics Department and the Air Force, which had been high, has waned. While they still have high hopes for the F-14, their expressions have become more serious.

"Director Lin, Director Lin!" Liu Ziyuan, an office clerk, panted as he ran in, looking for Lin Qianjun.

"Xiao Liu, you've been working for over a year, and you still can't get rid of your impatience!" Lin Qianjun pushed open the door to his office, still showing signs of his afternoon nap.

Liu Ziyuan quickly stood at attention and said anxiously, "Director Lin, CATIC people have arrived, and the minister has asked me to notify you to go over there!"

"CATIC people?" Lin Qianjun was taken aback. Has the higher-up made a decision on Hu Wenhai's demands? But why did he not hear anything before?

"Yes, in the minister's office," Liu Ziyuan nodded forcefully.

Lin Qianjun nodded blankly, returned to his office to tidy up his appearance, and arranged the next steps of work before heading to the minister's office.

The General Logistics Department's Finance Department is a second-level department under the General Logistics Department. Just from the name, one can tell it is a powerful department. Of course, there are no non-powerful departments in the General Logistics Department.

As a powerful department within a powerful department, the Finance Department's location is also excellent. Looking out the window of the office building, one can see the spacious parade ground of No. 22 Fuxing Road. In the future, this land outside the Third Ring Road would be worth billions of RMB.

Of course, in the 1980s, the land in the capital was not so valuable. No one could have predicted how high the land prices in the capital would rise—Nobel Prize money would only be enough for a down payment on a house.

Lin Qianjun stopped at the door of the minister's office, tidied up his appearance one last time, and then gently knocked on the door.

After hearing a calm "Come in" from inside, Lin Qianjun skillfully pushed open the door and walked in with his head held high.

"Reporting, Lin Qianjun is here!"

"Director Lin, these are CATIC staff members. Please arrange the handover of the F-14 introduction work to them."

Lin Qianjun, still saluting, was taken aback and asked, "Minister, what do you mean?"

The minister, expressionless, said, "It means that the F-14 introduction work is no longer under our jurisdiction and will be fully handled by CATIC."

"Is this... are we just handing it over to them?" Lin Qianjun asked, disbelieving.

"Ha ha, Director Lin, right?" The CATIC staff member smiled. "We have rich experience in aircraft imports. Rest assured, the F-14 introduction will not be affected!"

Even with Lin Qianjun's composure, he could not hold back his anger and shouted at the minister, "But Minister, why?"

"This is an order, execute it!" The minister waved his hand, his voice tinged with helplessness.

"Yes!" Lin Qianjun gritted his teeth and responded.

Lin Qianjun sought permission and then grabbed the phone on the minister's desk to make a call. The CATIC staff members exchanged glances and smiled smugly.

After all, the military currently lacks the capability to import aircraft and mobilize the domestic aviation industry to form a national team...

Not long after, the door to the minister's office was knocked on again. This time, it was an old acquaintance, Zhang Tianqiao, who had traveled to the United States with Lin Qianjun and shared a room with him.

He first saluted the minister, then, without looking at the CATIC staff, handed the file to Lin Qianjun and left the minister's office without a word.

As the guardian of all the secrets in this building, Zhang Tianqiao always behaves this way, no matter who he is dealing with.

Lin Qianjun weighed the file in his hand and, with a strange expression, handed it over.