218: Vote for new equipment, what the hell is this Gundam?

Chapter 218: Voting for New Equipment – What the Heck is a Gundam?

Comparing products from Julong Steel itself is meaningless.

"I'll go back and ask those rascals in the workshop. Young people, you know, they definitely have more ideas than an old man like me," Ma Quanlin said.

Lu Shenwei reminded him, "And about the powered armor, don't let Wang Jiawei rush us again."

"The second round of testing is complete, and the third round will start tomorrow. It will definitely be delivered by the end of the month," Ma Quanlin said confidently.

Wang Jiawei added 30 million yuan and asked to speed up the progress. This was the first time he had seen such a friendly client.

Nifeng Express, Beijing Headquarters.

Wang Jiawei instructed, "Notify all major media outlets that our Group will showcase a new generation of powered armor by the end of the month!"

"President, Director Lu agreed?" Assistant Chen asked.

Wang Jiawei rolled his eyes, "How could he not agree? We transferred 30 million yuan to him."

It's strange, Julong Steel, a semi-military enterprise, doesn't focus on making money from the Army but constantly thinks about fleecing private enterprises.

Wang Jiawei had no idea that Lu Shenwei originally planned to make money from civilian technology to subsidize military equipment research and development.

"Ah? 30 million? Will it work?"

"Who cares if it works or not, just get the news out. The stock price has fallen so much."

That afternoon, Nifeng Express's official website and the major media outlets it contacted released the news.

However, after the market opened in the afternoon, Nifeng Express's stock price not only didn't rise but fell by two points.

"There's a limit to crying wolf, isn't there? Do they really think shareholders are fools?"

"Wang Jiawei has run out of ideas. He's used up his tricks and is trying this one again."

"How long has Nifeng Express been talking about powered armor? It's never appeared, and now they say by the end of the month. Do you think I'll believe it?"

"Shareholders aren't fools. Every time we try to buy at the bottom, we end up buying at the waist. I won't believe it anymore."

In the Nifeng Express President's office, Wang Jiawei's brows were deeply furrowed.

"What's going on? We clearly issued an announcement. Didn't the media contact us?"

Xiao Chen, the assistant, panicked, "They've all been contacted. Fifteen of the top trending searches are ours, but the stock price just isn't moving."

"How is that possible! It always worked before."

"President, perhaps we should ask Julong Steel to issue an announcement and see."

"Director Lu has already helped us so much; let's not trouble him again."

Every time they asked Lu Shenwei for help, it cost tens of millions or even hundreds of millions, and the old guys on the board had strong opinions.

"The stock price is still falling."

"Hold on, initiate a reverse repurchase. The more it falls now, the more we'll earn later!"

Wang Jiawei's palms were sweating. This was the only reason he could use to convince himself.

The Double Bone Dragon, which could be converted into a bomber, would surely usher in a new era for Nifeng Express. As long as they endured the darkness before dawn, Nifeng Express would stand at the forefront of the tide, its status only slightly below that of the Green Hat Big Brother.

And with only sixteen days left until the end of the month, how much more could the stock price fall?

Just as Wang Jiawei was envisioning a bright future, the stock price dealt him a painful blow.

Nifeng Express suffered four consecutive drops, and the trend towards hitting rock bottom became increasingly evident.

Despite his continuous efforts to persuade old shareholders to buy back shares at the bottom price, the results were minimal.

Some influential shareholders even proposed re-electing the Nifeng Express board of directors and removing him from his position as president.

Of course, all of this had little to do with Julong Steel, which was busy rushing to meet deadlines.

Julong Steel Plant, traditional steel production workshop.

Ma Quanlin gathered the young workers for an informal discussion about what equipment the Army needed.

"Those of you who are pseudo-military fans in our workshop stay; others who want to listen can listen, and those who don't like it can leave."

After Ma Quanlin finished speaking, only a few workers left.

"Factory Director, just tell us what you're looking for? It's not like the factory is organizing a wife distribution, is it?"

"Hahaha! Distribute wives, that's great! I'll apply for two."

"Look at you, so capable. Two old women will tire you out!"

"Sitting on rare earth, can you handle it?"

Ma Quanlin raised his hand and laughed, "Everyone, be serious. What we're talking about today is important."

"You're looking for us hot-blooded young men; besides matchmaking, what other important matters could there be?"

"Exactly, exactly. I'll apply for one with a big butt, good for childbearing."

"I want to ask everyone, if we were to design a new piece of equipment for the Army, what aspect would the Army want most?" Ma Quanlin asked.

"Fire support type? Or reconnaissance and strike type? Or support and supply type?"

"Any type is fine. Everyone speak freely. If anyone's answer is adopted by Director Lu, there will be a cash reward!"

"Factory Director, I don't want a reward. Can you give me a wife?"

"Give you a fart! Hurry up and speak!"

Everyone immediately started chattering, some saying that firepower was king, others that supply support was important.

After more than ten minutes of discussion, the young men finally reached a consensus and voted for what they considered the most suitable answer—Gundam!!!

No man can refuse the temptation of a Gundam. If he refuses, the other option must be two Gundams.

"What the heck is a Gundam?" Ma Quanlin asked, puzzled.

"It's a humanoid mecha, about twenty or thirty meters tall."

Ah?

This... even if the Army really wanted it, our Julong Steel Plant would have to be able to build it first.

"That's too outrageous. With our current technological level, don't even think about it. Change it to something else," Ma Quanlin said with a dark expression.

If they really did create a Gundam, would it be considered Army equipment or Navy equipment? After all, Gundams can fly too!

"If Gundam isn't possible, how about a modified Type 59? Let the Type 59 fly. Army soldiers would definitely like that."

The military once estimated that there were at least six thousand Type 59 tanks that had been retired and sealed but were still operational.

If these old pieces of equipment could be put to use, the Army Old Big Brother would wake up laughing in his dreams.

"Modifying old Type 59s is the First Factory's business; we won't get involved. Think of something else," Ma Quanlin rejected.

"Factory Director, actually, our current Army equipment is already very strong. If we want to improve it further, we can only consider increasing firepower."

"That's right, increased firepower. The Army Old Big Brother suffers most from firepower deficiency phobia."

Ma Quanlin frowned, "Increased firepower? Isn't that Two Artillery's business?"

"I'm talking about individual Army equipment. The strongest individual weapon we currently use is the rocket launcher, but it can only carry a few rockets at a time and is very heavy."

"Improving the rocket launcher? That's an idea," Ma Quanlin mused.

"You guys think about it some more; I'll also ask the Chairman for his thoughts."

When Ma Quanlin found Lu Shenwei, Zhou Cun was reporting on the progress of the unmanned vessel project.

"The design verification has been completed, and assembly of the prototype vessel will begin early next month."

Lu Shenwei instructed, "This vessel is for the Coast Guard and Fisheries Administration, so make sure it's sturdy."

"Don't worry, the materials will definitely be the best," Zhou Cun guaranteed.

Seeing that the unmanned vessel's research and production were about to yield results, Zhou Cun's hanging heart finally relaxed a little.