Chapter 394 My Dear Minister Liu

The young factory director in Baishui City was immersed in the joy of self-satisfaction.

Meanwhile, far away in the Ministry of Military Industry building in the Imperial Capital, the old comrade was witnessing a completely different scene.

Inside the spacious office.

Watching the barrage of comments scrolling rapidly down the computer monitor like a waterfall.

Watching those scientific research Experts and old comrades from the military region in the livestream, who had completely abandoned all shame over a metal frame that hadn't even entered mass production yet.

They were even bickering recklessly on the public screen like street vendors.

Things like "My wife can step aside," or "According to seniority, I'm your senior brother."

These national treasure-level figures, who were usually prestigious and spoke in a slow, measured manner in academic lecture halls, had completely discarded their decorum at this moment just to snatch a prototype of the individual exoskeleton.

Liu Jianguo, sitting in front of the screen, was completely stunned.

His facial muscles had stiffened, as if he were wearing an expressionless mask.

His hand, holding a teacup, paused in mid-air, failing to bring it to his lips for a long time.

This highly shocking scene caused his brain to momentarily shut down.

Afterward.

He recalled what had happened a few days ago.

Specifically, the scene where Li Jiajun had introduced this item while reporting on the project's progress over the phone.

Every word from that phone call now resurfaced in the depths of his memory as if carved by a knife.

...

How sincere and simple the young man's tone had been back then.

Li Jiajun had sworn at the time on the phone:

"First is the issue of the firefighters' physical stamina."

"To solve the stamina issue, I specifically designed a set of metal frames that can provide hydraulic assistance."

Liu Jianguo recalled these words, feeling a wave of dizziness.

Upon hearing this description at the time.

The images that filled Liu Jianguo's mind were of firefighters wearing heavy fireproof suits, carrying heavy water hoses and cumbersome demolition tools, struggling to climb stairwells—a truly touching scene.

He had thought that equipping firefighters with a set of metal frames to save some energy was a very thoughtful and reasonable piece of civilian auxiliary equipment.

It was practically a great invention that would benefit society.

However.

Look at those parameters on the screen now!

Things like a maximum high-torque load of three hundred kilograms, ant-bionics transmission ratios, and those incredibly demanding power stability figures!

Look at those Experts in the military industry who had lost their minds over these figures.

Liu Jianguo felt his heart go numb.

A sense of powerlessness rushed straight to his head.

'Is this meant to help firefighters carry water hoses?'

'This is meant to let infantry carry heavy machine guns and massive amounts of ammunition while charging through the mountains!' he thought.

This huge cognitive gap made the Old Minister unable to remain calm any longer.

Liu Jianguo let out a desperate scream in his heart:

Damn it!

Why didn't you tell me on the phone that this was a military individual exoskeleton?

You call this thing that can change the nature of land warfare an auxiliary piece of equipment?!

...

Just as Liu Jianguo was seriously questioning his life, feeling that his intelligence was being relentlessly rubbed into the ground by a young man in his early twenties.

On the quiet desk.

The smartphone he had placed by his side suddenly began to vibrate continuously.

"Buzz, buzz, buzz—"

The vibration pulled him back from his despairing thoughts.

Liu Jianguo sighed and put down the tea he hadn't taken a sip of.

He picked up the phone and unlocked the screen.

He opened WeChat and took a look.

It was the person in charge of the fire procurement department from a certain province, the one who had just been desperately shouting "This servant cannot do it" regarding the armored vehicle.

This guy had sent another WeChat message.

Looking at the text popping up on the screen, Liu Jianguo's originally stiff expression became even more peculiar.

This time, the other party's tone had done a complete 180-degree turn.

There was none of the sense of collapse from before, as if he had been driven to the edge.

Instead, every line was filled with undisguised flattery.

The message read:

"Director Liu, my dear Director Liu, our fire procurement department can take this!"

After this line, there were even three emojis of hands pressed together in gratitude.

...

Looking at this message filled with fawning intent.

Liu Jianguo rolled his eyes, speechless.

These local procurement officials changed their faces faster than turning a page.

However, after a moment of thought.

He quickly understood why the other party suddenly dared to accept the order again.

That 125mm caliber armored vehicle from before was indeed too flashy; if they bought it, they wouldn't dare drive it on the streets, making it a pure hot potato.

However.

This individual exoskeleton was different.

It was small in volume and easy to put on and take off.

Most importantly, this thing wasn't just a divine tool in the military; it was also a real, effective rescue tool in the fire department!

With this thing, a firefighter could carry hundreds of catties of demolition equipment alone, or easily carry two or three trapped civilians out of a fire.

Its practicality was maxed out, and it was completely compliant.

Who wouldn't be envious when seeing such a good thing?

...

Although he understood the other party's psychology.

Liu Jianguo still couldn't help but sneer in his heart:

'So you want this good thing now.'

'But it might not be your turn!'

He raised his head and looked at the computer screen again.

On the public screen of the livestream, those bigwigs from the military research institutes were still fighting over the ownership of the prototype.

Those accounts with military backgrounds were even arrogantly shouting slogans like "Prioritize equipping the troops at all costs."

The situation was very clear.

Once this kind of top-tier technology, which could fundamentally change the landscape of individual combat, was exposed.

It would definitely be prioritized for the military, who were watching eagerly.

This was a major matter concerning the improvement of national defense power.

A provincial-level fire department, facing this group of wolf-like military personnel, simply didn't have the rank to compete!

They would have to wait in line just to get a sip of broth.

Thinking of the other party's evasive face from earlier.

Liu Jianguo held his phone, shaking his head while continuing to complain in his heart.

Besides, what you said before was so unpleasant.

You even dared to play with references from Empresses in the Palace, saying things like "This servant cannot do it."

Now that you've taken a liking to it and know it's a good thing.

You finally remember that I am your dear Director Liu?

Too late!

...

Just as Liu Jianguo was holding his phone, thinking this in his heart.

And even planning to edit a teasing message to reply with.

Suddenly.

"Ding dong."

This crisp system notification sound seemed exceptionally loud in the office.

At the very top of the phone screen, a special WeChat notification popped up.

It was a contact for whom he had specifically set a high-priority notification.

The name of the sender made Liu Jianguo's finger freeze for a moment.

It was a WeChat message from the Old General of the General Armament Department.

At this critical juncture, the Old Chief sending a message was definitely not to praise him for his efficiency.

Liu Jianguo took a deep breath, feeling his heart skip a beat.

He extended his slightly trembling finger.

He tapped it to open it.

There was no long lecture or angry voice message in the chat box.

Only a short sentence.

The Old General asked in WeChat:

"Little Liu, is this how you get fire equipment for me??"

Looking at this question with two glaring question marks.

Liu Jianguo felt his back instantly drenched in cold sweat.