Chapter 10

The 118th Regiment's base is located in the Fennan District at the southwestern corner of the city. In the late 1980s, large-scale urban infrastructure construction had not yet begun, and there were no buildings around the base, only farmland. It was winter, and the vast white snow-covered land stretched endlessly. From a distance, one could see the three-story terminal building of the 35157 airport.

In Liang Yuan's original plan, he intended to find the railway maintenance factory under his father's jurisdiction and create a simple, rudimentary sample that could demonstrate the principle of the air conditioner fan. The 1987 National Youth Science and Technology Competition was not as advanced as in later times, with entries like solar-powered robots and large-scale automated feeding systems for farms. Due to the overall backwardness of China's industrial level at the time, the usual competition projects were mostly assembled mineral radio receivers, various radio devices, various air and sea models, and chemical product extraction plans with practical significance. Most of the competition projects revolved around these categories. With the level of Liang Yuan's air conditioner fan invention, even a rudimentary sample had a good chance of sweeping the competition. After all, his invention had the potential to create an entirely new industry.

Then, after his father was promoted to section chief in May, Liang Yuan planned to persuade Comrade Lao Liang to integrate all the large collectives and third-party companies under the railway section, organize the production of mature commercial products, and use this to create a substantial slush fund for Comrade Lao Liang. After all, a leader who could lead the workers to prosperity was a good leader. Otherwise, even if one was as clean as water, the workers would still curse if they couldn't even get a taste of meat.

Unfortunately, Ning Wanjia's not-so-coquettish glance completely ruined Liang Yuan's carefully prepared plan.

The taxi stopped at the entrance of the airport. After paying 7 yuan for the fare, the three of them got out of the car. Just as they got out, Ning Lei's driver, Zhang Zhi, walked over and said to Ning Wanjia, "Jiajia, the regiment commander is waiting for you at No. 5."

After Zhang Zhi greeted the airport guards and registered, he led the three into the 35157 airport. The entire airport was empty, with no planes taxiing on the runway. On the southwest corner of the airport's apron, one could see 5 or 6 planes covered with canvas, but their models were unclear.

Zhang Zhi led the three past the terminal building and toward a semi-subterranean structure with a semi-circular roof to the east.

When they arrived near No. 5, Liang Yuan realized that No. 5 was a large, semi-concealed hangar. Walking inside, Liang Yuan estimated the hangar's size and thought it could easily accommodate the Su-27 fighters that the Air Force would import five years later. If it were to house the current J-7IIM fighters of the 30th Air Division, it could fit two. Building such a large hangar, could it be that the 30th Division was going to be equipped with the J-8? Liang Yuan speculated. Seeing Ning Lei standing in the middle of the hangar, looking excited, Liang Yuan couldn't bear to think about how disappointed Ning Lei would be when he discovered the various quirks of the "Eighth Master."

Sometimes, ignorance is a kind of happiness.

"What are you two girls doing here?" Ning Lei affectionately patted the two girls hanging on his arm. The two girls said in unison, "It's Xiao Yuan who wants to come." Liang Yuan scratched his head, smiled innocently, and said, "Uncle Ning, I'm preparing to participate in the National Youth Science and Technology Invention Competition. The invention is already designed, but I still need a sample. You know the poor repair factory at my dad's unit; the technical level is not good, and the equipment is terrible. Now I can only turn to Uncle Ning for help. The equipment and technical level of the 95257 factory under your regiment are much better than those at my dad's place." Liang Yuan quickly defamed his father's future subordinate, whom he had once looked up to.

"Hmm, Xiao Yuan has come up with something impressive. I know the repair factory at your dad's unit; you can't just defame it. Tell me, what exactly do you want from Uncle Ning's side?" Ning Lei immediately exposed Liang Yuan's ulterior motives.

"Hehe, Uncle Ning has keen eyes and a clear mind." While showering Ning Lei with flattery, Liang Yuan explained the concept of the air conditioner fan and then drew a rough diagram of its components and the finished product on a piece of paper. Ning Lei examined it carefully and patted Liang Yuan's shoulder, saying, "Kid, this time you've done well. I'll call the factory manager of 257, and you can talk to him directly. But you're not being honest. Although it would be a bit troublesome to make this thing at your dad's unit, it's not impossible. Could it be... you want to mass-produce it?"

Liang Yuan feigned surprise, and the two girls giggled.

In fact, the 95257 factory was not just a little better than the railway maintenance factory for mass production. In 1987, the equipment of military enterprises was top-notch in China, and the procurement channels of the military were far more extensive than those of the railway system. From a purely commercial perspective, the 257 factory's quality control, parts procurement, and mass production capabilities were far superior to those of the railway maintenance factory.

"Uncle Ning, I plan to pay for the custom-made product here." Liang Yuan said earnestly.

Ning Lei was slightly taken aback and then laughed, "Aren't you afraid your dad will label you as a capitalist and subject you to people's democratic dictatorship?" "Uncle Ning, you know, the iron fist of dictatorship in our family is in my mom's hands."

"Alright, you're a crafty kid, but let me tell you, the 257 factory doesn't have much work right now, and it's quite difficult. Most of the workers are family members of the military. If you succeed with this, don't let others criticize Uncle Ning."

"Uncle Ning, rest assured, the sugar-coated bullets will be more than enough." Liang Yuan said with a grin.

Seeing a communications soldier running over, Liang Yuan and the two girls tactfully left. Ning Lei arranged for Zhang Zhi to take the three to the 95257 factory, located near the northern outskirts of the base.

The 95257 factory is the internal name used by the Air Force. Externally, it is known as the ChenGuang Machinery Factory. The factory was established in the 1950s and was responsible for producing common parts for the J-6 fighter and ground support equipment for the Air Force. Due to the large number of J-6 fighters in China, the ChenGuang Machinery Factory had a good run in the 1960s and 1970s.

After the reform and opening up, the Air Force's aircraft became outdated, and the production of the J-6 ceased. New fighter jets had not been successfully developed, and the focus of the national economy shifted. As a result, the 257 factory faced significant difficulties, barely maintaining itself by securing some minor maintenance work through persistent efforts within the military district. Workers could barely receive one month's salary for every three months of work, with the rest of the wages owed.

The 30th Air Division also wanted to transition from military to civilian production, but unfortunately, there was no technical source in China, and the 257 factory lacked the funds to introduce technology, making the transition unsuccessful. In the context of the time, thousands of military enterprises across the country were attempting to transition, and most were eliminated or merged by the market, with only a few well-known brands like Changhong and Panda surviving. This reflects the severity of the pain of reform at the time.