15: Give the Monkey Kingdom a military lesson!

Upon learning that his application for a personal First-Class Merit was approved by the Military Department, Peng Lin did not let the honor go to his head.

After his conversation with Chief Engineer Gu, he worked to calm himself down and returned to his work.

The successful trial production and verification of the domestically produced coaxial counter-rotating dual-rotor helicopter meant that mass production was next.

Peng Lin, in collaboration with the Process Research Institute and the Metrology and Testing Center of the Technology Research and Development Department, began to focus on solving the production process issues for the imitation parts.

During the production of the prototype, the various components of the imitation helicopter could be manufactured by hand using machine tools and equipment.

But for mass production, that method would be too inefficient.

Moreover, it couldn't guarantee the yield rate of the produced components.

Therefore, regarding the production of these components, Peng Lin and the Process Research Institute within the factory began to formulate and develop unified production process standards.

For some common components, the Changhe Factory could directly order and procure them from other military factories in the country.

However, core components such as engines, main rotors, and drive shafts had to be produced within their own factory.

This ensured absolute compliance with production processes and product quality standards.

Of course, other factories in the country currently lacked the relevant technology to produce these core components.

In addition, Peng Lin was also concerned about the trial production of the Individual Thermobaric Weapon.

Amidst this busy schedule, half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

It was now June 1978, and Peng Lin had been at the Changhe Factory for three and a half months.

The weather was gradually becoming hotter.

In the morning, Peng Lin got up early and went from his dormitory to the office.

This was because the Individual Thermobaric Weapon had finally been successfully trial-produced the previous night.

Today, he and the technical backbone involved in its manufacturing from the Military Industrial Design Institute were preparing to go to the firing range for a test shot.

Walking along the road, Peng Lin noticed that the Changhe Factory was unusually lively today.

The surrounding roads had not only been swept exceptionally clean, but every worker's face was also beaming with excitement.

If one listened carefully, they could even faintly hear the sounds of gongs and drums.

"Uncle Qi, is today a festive day?"

Peng Lin found a familiar worker on the road and asked curiously.

"A notice just came down this morning: General Xu Liyou is coming to inspect our Changhe Factory."

"Now the workers are voluntarily cleaning the factory premises."

"They'll go to the workshop to work after they finish cleaning."

The worker uncle smiled when he saw Peng Lin.

Although the Changhe Factory was a national model military factory and had hosted many high-ranking officials and leaders for inspections, this was the first time a founding general had personally come to visit.

Therefore, everyone was exceptionally excited.

"General Xu Liyou is visiting the Changhe Factory today?"

Upon hearing this news, Peng Lin instantly understood what was happening.

General Xu Liyou had already been internally designated by the Military Department as the overall commander for the operation against the Yue Hou Country, and his schedule was extremely tight.

Coupled with safety considerations, it was not surprising that the notice of his visit to the Changhe Factory only came down that morning.

Peng Lin quickened his pace, heading towards the main gate of the Changhe Factory.

Along the way, he saw Director Feng of the Military Industrial Design Institute, who was walking towards him.

Director Feng Zhenhua immediately approached Peng Lin excitedly upon seeing him.

He then placed a large red flower on his chest.

"I was just about to look for you!"

"General Xu Liyou and the people from the Military Department have already arrived and are waiting for you!"

He pulled Peng Lin along, talking as they walked.

When the two arrived at the main gate of the Changhe Military Factory, the roadsides were already crowded with people.

In the center of the gate, there were teams playing gongs and drums, and performing dragon and lion dances.

"First-Class Merit recipient Peng Lin has arrived!"

Director Feng Zhenhua shouted loudly.

After his shout, the drum team waiting at the main gate of the Changhe Factory immediately began to play.

And in front of the dragon and lion dance, two soldiers in military uniforms appeared, carrying a plaque that read 'Home of the First-Class Merit Recipient' and walking towards him.

As the lion dance team advanced, the plaque was eventually carried in front of him.

At the same time, Chief Engineer Gu and the people from the Military Department also accompanied an old man in a military uniform, about seventy years old, who stood in front of him.

Although he had never seen General Xu Liyou in person, Peng Lin had seen relevant portraits and historical records.

"Greetings, Commander!"

Peng Lin stood at attention, saluted, and shouted.

Compared to the photos he had seen before, General Xu Liyou was much more amiable than he had imagined.

General Xu Liyou had participated in the Anti-Japanese War and the Liberation War, and after the founding of the People's Republic, he went to the peninsula to participate in the Anti-Eagle War, fighting countless battles throughout his life.

As the saying goes, a high monk has no incense smoke, and a general has no sword aura.

This saying means that a truly enlightened high monk is just like an ordinary person; he does not carry the scent of incense from a temple.

And a true general does not exude bloodlust and a murderous aura.

Because truly top generals and marshals command large army groups, focusing on strategy and diplomacy, and are usually scholarly generals with exceptional knowledge and military prowess.

Peng Lin felt precisely this kind of impression from General Xu Liyou.

"You must be Comrade Peng Lin, who designed the Sniper Grenade and the domestically imitated Chinook Helicopter, right?"

"Indeed, heroes emerge from the young!"

General Xu Liyou exclaimed admiringly upon seeing Peng Lin.

Although he had long known that Peng Lin had just graduated from a worker-peasant-soldier university and started working, he was still very pleased and surprised when he actually saw this young face.

"If the country can produce more such young military industrial and scientific talents, then the true revitalization of the nation and its people will be truly promising!"

After speaking, he personally pinned a First-Class Merit medal on Peng Lin's chest.

"Comrade, this is the 1000 yuan reward given to you personally by the Military Department for your First-Class Merit."

"Merit should be rewarded; I hope you continue to strive for excellence!"

At the same time, General Xu Liyou handed the First-Class Merit certificate and the cash reward to Peng Lin.

Peng Lin looked at the First-Class Merit certificate and 1000 yuan in his hand, greatly surprised.

One must know that this was the late 1970s, when the average monthly salary was only a few tens of yuan.

This 1000 yuan reward was definitely a huge sum of money.

Moreover, as far as he knew, in this era, a First-Class Merit didn't seem to come with such a high reward, did it?

"According to national regulations, a First-Class Merit reward is only 100 yuan."

"The other amount is General Xu Liyou's personal allowance to reward you."

Chief Engineer Gu, noticing Peng Lin's confusion, explained from the side.

However, upon hearing Chief Engineer Gu reveal the truth, General Xu Liyou glared at him.

"Young people need to establish families and careers; there are many places where money is needed."

"The country cannot let you young people only contribute without giving appropriate rewards."

"This is my encouragement to you on behalf of the country, to have fewer material worries so you can devote more energy to your work."

General Xu Liyou spoke with caring words, just like an elder in the family.

"Thank you, Commander!"

Peng Lin again stood at attention, saluting with utmost sincerity.

He had never expected that General Xu Liyou would use his personal allowance to give him a reward.

The selfless spirit of the older generation of revolutionaries for the country, for the family, and for young people truly inspired respect.

"Let's go, let's visit your Changhe Factory."

"Especially to see the new Sniper Grenade developed by Comrade Peng Lin, and also the world's most advanced coaxial counter-rotating dual-rotor heavy transport Chinook!"

"I've come up with several tactics recently for these two weapon systems."

"Today, we'll test them out and give the Viet Cong a good military practical lesson!"

General Xu Liyou patted Peng Lin's shoulder and spoke again.