126: Chapter 126 Meeting the Big Shot Again

"The Air Force? Since you're here, I thought it was some kind of land-based anti-terrorism military exercise or something."

Chu Ge replied thoughtfully.

"Mhm, there are many such military exercises. The current international relations are a bit unpredictable and treacherous, so this is just some interaction between friends. This time, there are mainly a few observing countries from West Asia and South Asia. They've all been looking to upgrade their Air Force's fighter jets recently, so this is a sort of exchange and display. Russia is promoting their fighters, and we're promoting ours."

Commander Leng was quite forthcoming, spilling everything to Chu Ge in detail.

Chu Ge came to a sudden realization and nodded. This military exercise was indeed worth watching; he was just about to start working on the aerospace carrier's carrier-based aircraft module, which was a massive system.

Taking this opportunity, Chu Ge could understand the current level of mainstream fighter jets on Earth.

"Russia is here too? Did they bring their most advanced fighter jets?"

Chu Ge knew a bit about these international relations. Several of China's aircraft were derived from Russia's Sukhoi; they seemingly only had production licenses but no sales rights, even though they had been modified so much that even their own mothers wouldn't recognize them.

"Probably still the same old stuff. Russia's stealth fighter progress hasn't been very smooth, likely due to a lack of funds. So, I reckon they've brought everything they can sell this time."

Commander Leng's words revealed his confidence in their own equipment.

Chu Ge nodded upon hearing this. In the field of fighter jets, China had indeed overtaken the others; their avionics, radar, and weapons were all more advanced than Russia's.

Even the weakest link, aero-engines, had been catching up in recent years.

"Then, won't there be a conflict between the two? At the end of the day, it's still business. When two parties sell things in the same market, no one can guarantee there won't be some friction."

"How could that be? We checked in with Russia before the exercise. They're promoting their twin-engine heavy fighters, and we're promoting our single-engine JJ-10c. It's a friendly cooperation, honest business for all, haha."

"Ah? That's possible? But it is indeed a good method. Since customer needs are different, they'll naturally be diverted. It sets an example; after all, the combat uses for single-engine and twin-engine fighters are different, and a mixed configuration is the most reasonable. Who's to say a country that originally bought twin-engine fighters won't suddenly realize they also need a flexible multi-role light fighter like the JJ-10c?"

Chu Ge didn't know if it was thanks to the benefits of the gene reagents, but his mind was much sharper now. With just a little hint from Commander Leng, he understood everything.

"Academician Chu truly lives up to being the youngest Academician; your brain is really sharp."

"No, no, Commander Leng is also impressive. As a dignified Army Commander, you know the affairs of the Air Force like the back of your hand."

"Haha, that's because Deputy Commander Ran just told me all this yesterday."

"Uh, alright then."

"Haha."

While Chu Ge and Commander Leng were "encouraging" each other in the car, the convoy arrived at its destination. Chu Ge stepped out and looked at this unfamiliar airport with some confusion.

"This is our military backup airport. It's usually not used unless there are special circumstances, like today's. After all, it's not an airshow, so there needs to be some privacy. We wouldn't want to let them use our regular Air Force bases; even with friends, there has to be a limit, right?"

Commander Leng saw Chu Ge's confusion and walked up to explain.

Chu Ge nodded and looked at the temporary viewing stand on the apron. There were already many people there, including quite a few foreigners. They were wearing sky-blue military uniforms and were likely military attachés stationed in China or senior officers for this joint exercise.

Commander Leng led Chu Ge toward the viewing stand. Chu Ge saw a large white tent built next to it, open on all four sides, likely for shade. The sun in the Northwest was quite harsh at this time.

Inside the tent were various fruits, desserts, and drinks; Chu Ge even saw champagne.

"The exercise process is quite long. If you get tired or hungry, you can go over there to grab a bite or a drink."

"Okay, Commander Leng, you've thought of everything."

"Haha, they are guests after all, and they're here to open their wallets, so we should show proper courtesy. Since our country is a land of etiquette... when friends come, there is good wine..."

Commander Leng didn't finish the sentence, instead pointing at the groups of foreigners over there.

"Academician Chu, come, let me introduce someone to you."

Saying this, Commander Leng led Chu Ge onto the viewing stand. On the stand, a Chinese general in a blue lieutenant general's uniform was chatting and laughing with a group of foreign military attachés.

When he saw Commander Leng coming up, he first smiled slightly, but then his expression visibly froze when he looked at Chu Ge, though he quickly returned to normal.

After shaking hands with the foreign officers, the general walked quickly toward Chu Ge and the others.

"Chu Ge, Academician Chu, what wind blew a great deity like you here?"

Deputy Commander Ran spoke while sizing up Chu Ge carefully, a warm smile always in his eyes. Chu Ge felt the general before him was somewhat similar to Academician Chen.

"Commander, you know me?"

"What are you saying? Is there anyone in our entire military who doesn't know you now? If there is, it means they aren't qualified to be a soldier."

Deputy Commander Ran said seriously.

"My mistake, Commander Ran. I arrived yesterday and went to the Weapon Experiment Base over there. There are a few pieces of new equipment that need to be tested here."

Chu Ge craftily shifted the focus. Sure enough, Deputy Commander Ran understood instantly and shot a glare at Commander Leng.

Commander Leng chuckled, pretending to greet the surrounding foreign attachés. He knew that even without Chu Ge "selling him out," a lecture was inevitable from the moment they appeared together.

"Come, Chu Ge, let's talk while we walk."

Deputy Commander Ran beckoned to Chu Ge. The three of them walked along the runway while chatting, gradually leaving the viewing stand behind. Deputy Commander Ran looked around; seeing no one else but the soldiers on guard, he finally asked the question he wanted to ask.

"Academician Chu, is your equipment testing finished?"

"Mhm, I expect the Individual Soldier Systems will finish testing today. However, the main event is the aerospace carrier's Electromagnetic Railgun. I reckon today might not be enough; it'll probably be scheduled for tomorrow."

Chu Ge thought for a moment. The Electromagnetic Railgun required pre-defining the impact points and then clearing that area, finding a suitable time slot, and since there were many models, the testing speed would be slower. Moreover, the equipment hadn't even arrived at the experimental base when Chu Ge left.

"That's good, at least there's something to look forward to, and it's the grand finale. The main gun of the aerospace carrier... it's truly something people dream about. Oh, Chu Ge, I remember the aerospace carrier has another set of strategic weapons?"

"Commander Ran, the Array Phase Cannon is still under development; it's not part of this equipment test."

Chu Ge scratched his head after speaking.

"Oh, I see. That's normal. The more powerful a weapon system is, the harder it is to develop. Don't rush, Academician Chu. Also, it's a deal then—for tomorrow's railgun test, you have to wait for me."

"No problem, Deputy Commander Ran."