138: Military Region Science and Technology Progress Award? Competing with yourself?

Chapter 138: Military Region Science and Technology Progress Award? Competing with oneself?

"Director, I asked our soldiers who were there for the fun. Director Lu didn't refuse at the time, so we didn't drive him away," the staff officer reported truthfully.

Xu Lei thought for a moment and then called Lu Shenwei: "You're being used for traffic, kid."

"You saw the news too? That's great."

"That's great? This guy is using our Air Force as a backdrop, and you're still grinning like an idiot," Xu Lei said with a dark expression.

He had always disliked being fooled and especially disliked others piggybacking on the Air Force's reputation.

Over the years, very few units had been granted friendly cooperation status by the Air Force; Julong Steel was the only one in five years.

Nifeng Express had some nerve to dare to piggyback on the Air Force's traffic.

"How can I not be happy? Nifeng Express gave me 300 million; otherwise, I wouldn't have given him the photo."

Lu Shenwei looked proud, and Xu Lei was surprised.

"You're ruthless. You're charging them 300 million just like that? Does Nifeng Express's money grow on trees?"

Lu Shenwei chuckled: "Not exactly. Nifeng Express has a request for our steel plant, which is why they're willing to pay that much."

"It's good to get money, but you also need to be careful not to be used as a pawn," Xu Lei reminded him.

Lu Shenwei casually replied: "Don't worry, there aren't many who dare to scheme against us anymore."

It was a joke; Julong Steel was now a friendly cooperation unit for all three military branches. Anyone with a brain would want to build a relationship with Julong Steel.

"There's one more thing I need to tell you first. The higher-ups are preparing to award you the Dragon Xia Military Region Science and Technology Progress Award," Xu Lei suddenly said.

Dragon Xia Military Region Science and Technology Progress Award?

Lu Shenwei had only heard of the National Science and Technology Progress Award, which was quite significant and the highest award in Dragon Xia's scientific field.

"This award is evaluated by the major military regions. As far as I know, only one piece of equipment from the Navy can compete with your Liuguang Coating," Xu Lei said casually.

Lu Shenwei asked: "The Navy? Has the Navy launched new equipment again?"

"The Navy's development hasn't been slow these past two years, so it's not surprising to have new equipment," Xu Lei said.

Lu Shenwei smiled. With the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Artillery's obsession with the Liuguang Coating, how could he lose?

"Don't worry, "Liuguang" will definitely take first place."

"I believe that, but we also can't underestimate the Expert of the Navy," Xu Lei said.

Initially, to get the Liuguang Coating reported for the Science and Technology Progress Award from the Air Force, he had specifically called Chen Guang of the Western Theater Command.

Unfortunately, Chen Guang was stubborn and wouldn't give face at all.

In the end, it was an Air Force big shot who intervened before Chen Guang was willing to concede the favor.

"By the way, leader, what did the Army report?" Lu Shenwei asked curiously.

Xu Lei awkwardly said: "The Long Mao Miniature Infantry Fighting Vehicle and the Dragon Eagle Swarm Drone, both are flagship products from your factory."

Uh...

Lu Shenwei was speechless, but then he heard Xu Lei say again: "It's gone crazy in the major military regions. They're saying that this year's Military Region Science and Technology Progress Award is just Julong Steel challenging the equipment research and development departments of the four major military branches."

"Cough, cough, you must explain for us. We're not that powerful," Lu Shenwei said awkwardly.

It was a joke. If Julong Steel unfortunately swept the top three Science and Technology Progress Awards, wouldn't the leaders of the equipment research and development departments of the four major military branches eat him alive? Where would the military industry big shots put their face?

"Where there's a will, there's a way. Don't worry, the Air Force will definitely fully support you," Xu Lei promised, patting his chest.

Lu Shenwei nodded, ended the call, and immediately called Gu Ming.

"Director Gu, would it be convenient for me to inquire what content our Navy reported for this year's Science and Technology Progress Award?" Lu Shenwei went straight to the point.

Does this kid know that we reported Julong Steel's arresting gear technology? He's well-informed.

Gu Ming chuckled: "You'll know when the results come out, won't you?"

Inconvenient to say? It must be classified information. Forget it, I won't pry.

Lu Shenwei changed the subject: "I was just asking casually. Next month, I'm going to Jiangbei City. Have you made arrangements with Dalian Shipyard?"

"I've already contacted them. I'll check my schedule and accompany you," Gu Ming mused.

Lu Shenwei quickly said there was no need. He didn't think he had enough face to have a Navy equipment big shot accompany him on a visit.

Liuguang Coating, Long Mao Miniature Infantry Fighting Vehicle, Dragon Eagle Swarm Drone—as long as one of them wins an award, Lu Shenwei would be grinning from ear to ear.

For the next half month, Lu Shenwei was busy on one hand verifying design plans with the design unit and on the other hand haggling with the construction unit to lower the project cost.

During this period, Chen Guang called to inform Lu Shenwei that the higher-ups intended to strictly control the production of Julong Steel Pipe and steel cylinders but relax control over Longying Drone, and also hoped that Julong Steel could accelerate its overseas market expansion.

"Why did the higher-ups suddenly start controlling again? Is there a new situation?" Lu Shenwei asked.

"It's because your products are causing a situation."

Chen Guang chuckled and sent a picture. Lu Shenwei was stunned when he saw it.

Which genius came up with this?

A battle-scarred longmao agricultural vehicle stood in the yellowish Desert, with over a dozen Julong Steel Pipe welded launchers placed horizontally in its rear bucket, and large-caliber rockets modified from Julong Steel cylinders inserted into the launchers.

Several masked warriors stood beside the agricultural vehicle. Although their faces couldn't be seen, Lu Shenwei could see anger and hope in their eyes.

"Leader, this has nothing to do with our steel plant. It was entirely done by Folk Master (folk masters)," Lu Shenwei quickly explained.

Chen Guang casually said: "Our Dragon Xia loves peace, and supporting acts of war is not advisable."

Lu Shenwei hurriedly nodded. How could he know that the higher-ups thought the combination of steel pipes and gas cylinders had insufficient power and that the hit rate was purely by chance?

If the Desert Camel resistance fighters were to switch to Longying Drone, their combat effectiveness would significantly increase.

"Remember what I said. Don't fail to set up overseas sales points within half a year," Chen Guang instructed.

Lu Shenwei scratched his head: "But leader, our drones were previously controlled."

"Why are you so rigid? Can't you export parts and assemble them overseas?"

Prostitution is illegal, but getting something for free isn't.

Lu Shenwei was good in every way, except his mind was too rigid, and he was too timid.

"Uh, is it okay to do it this way?" Lu Shenwei asked.

Chen Guang reprimanded: "Do you want me to be even more explicit?"

"No, no, I'll arrange someone to do it right away."

Lu Shenwei hung up Chen Guang's call and immediately found Zhou Cun to make arrangements.

"Chairman, didn't we discuss opening a branch company in East Siberia before? Why did it suddenly change to Hong Kong?"

"Hong Kong is the financial and economic center of Blue Star. Our steel plant's products are easier to trade there," Lu Shenwei said casually.

Earlier, they had set up an overseas petition website, and many foreigners left messages hoping that Julong Steel could open overseas branch companies.

Half a month later, Julong Steel Hong Kong Trading Company was established, with Zhou Cun serving as the company's legal representative, responsible for global sales and services.

And on the second day of the company's establishment, Desert Camel Company came knocking, having caught wind of it.