183: First Prize? Too advanced to display?

Hearing Xu Lei say this, Lu Shenwei was stunned for a moment. Could it be that the Air Force still had an ace up its sleeve?

Before he could even ask, the General presenting the awards on stage announced in a clear voice: "The new material technology from a certain Air Force equipment department has won the First Prize of the All-Army Scientific Progress Award. Please have the winning unit collect the award after the meeting."

The photo displayed on the big screen was still labeled "Too advanced to display."

"Another expert? Is the Air Force also launching a satellite?"

"The Air Force is hiding things pretty well, two first prizes."

"In previous years, there were at most two first prizes at the commendation meeting. Now it's even better: two for the Air Force and one for the Navy."

"Is there an explosion of new technology? That's too exaggerated."

"Both are to be collected after the meeting. It's so mysterious; I wonder which unit is so lucky."

"Don't ask around about this. It's top secret!"

Lu Shenwei asked curiously: "Director Xu, what did you report?"

"You'll know soon, very soon."

Still keeping it under wraps at this point?

Lu Shenwei rolled his eyes at him, and the General went up on stage to announce the successful conclusion of the commendation meeting.

The soldiers left the venue; those who won were beaming with joy, while those who didn't hung their heads.

Lu Shenwei got up to leave with Xu Lei, muttering, "Are the other two first prizes really that mysterious?"

"Stop thinking about it. You'll know later."

That evening, Xu Lei arranged a grand farewell banquet for Lu Shenwei. However, to Lu Shenwei's surprise, there wasn't a single familiar face at the banquet, and everyone was a female officer.

"Director Xu, what's the situation tonight?"

"The female officers who admire you, Director Lu, are here to test your quality. What, are you scared?"

"What does a grown man like me have to be afraid of? The problem is, aren't there too many female officers here?"

Many female officers came forward to chat, and Lu Shenwei could only struggle to cope.

Even though he was drinking red wine, Lu Shenwei was drunk within three or four rounds.

"Director Xu, this Director Lu looks like a novice."

"You all, don't be too outrageous. How did you get Director Lu drunk after just a few words?"

"Who knew he had such a low tolerance? Three cups, at most three cups of red wine and he's out."

"You all... never mind that. How do you feel about him?"

"His looks are impeccable, but he feels a bit reserved."

Xu Lei thought to himself: It would be strange if he weren't reserved with dozens of women surrounding him!

"If any of you think Director Lu is good, go register with me later so I can help you set it up," Xu Lei said casually.

That didn't just settle things; it caused an instant uproar.

"Director Xu, send me Director Lu's contact information. I can chat with him myself."

"Exactly, does this need your interference?"

"Just leave the phone number. It would be best if you gave it to me in a moment."

The female officers chattered away, and Xu Lei muttered: "So proactive?"

The assistant whispered: "Director, a handsome young man like Director Lu, who is wealthy, has correct values, and is humble, is a rare commodity nowadays."

"They are usually not on the market. Don't look at these female comrades acting reserved during mixers; that's just because they haven't taken a fancy to our big-headed soldiers."

Xu Lei thought about it, and it really was true.

"You've got a point, kid. First, take Director Lu back to the guest house."

"Ah? Do I need to take him?"

"If you don't take him, who will?"

The assistant pointed into the distance, and they saw a few female officers surrounding Lu Shenwei and helping him leave.

"Forget it, they really don't need you," Xu Lei said helplessly.

The next day, as soon as Lu Shenwei woke up from his hangover, he wanted to leave, and no amount of persuasion from Xu Lei worked.

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

If I don't leave now, your Group of female officers will devour me.

I didn't check my phone for just one night, and my contacts list grew by dozens of "intimate sisters." Who could handle that?

"No, really, there are still many things at the factory waiting for me to handle."

Lu Shenwei politely declined and took the noon flight back to Qinchuan.

Almost at the same time he landed in Qinchuan, Dragon Xia's noon news special reported on Dragon Xia's first major industrial survey and the All-Army Scientific Progress Award commendations.

[ @Brother Qi, this is so huge! Julong Steel is going to take off! ]

[ Have you all watched the noon news? Julong Steel is really awesome this time! ]

[ Three third prizes, one second prize. Has the Ordnance Group ever been this fierce? ]

"Honestly, although I expected it, I was shocked when the results came out. Julong Steel is awesome PLUS!" Brother Qi exclaimed.

[ Swarm drones, dragon cat micro-infantry fighting vehicles, big broadswords—each one is more awesome than the last! ]

[ Last year, when we cracked the third brother's head, I was still wondering, if it wasn't cold weapons provided by Longquan, who could it be? I didn't expect it to be Julong Steel! ]

[ Speaking of which, Julong Steel's wolf mace and big broadsword are really outrageous. Can a steel mill make these things too? ]

"There isn't much technical content in making broadswords and wolf maces. The key to winning the award is the multi-functional shovel produced by Julong Steel. That thing isn't something just any steel mill can make," Brother Qi said.

[ Combining functionality and combat effectiveness, honestly, it takes some brains. ]

[ It is said that the industrial survey has been going on for more than two years. Why are they only picking on Julong Steel? ]

[ longmao agricultural vehicle: I have borne the weight I should not have borne! ]

[ Hilarious. Speaking of which, the longmao agricultural vehicle has quite a few modifications, like micro-infantry fighting vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and even aircraft carrier tractors. It's just too outrageous! ]

"Regarding these products from Julong Steel, if you ask me, the one with the highest gold content is indeed the longmao agricultural vehicle. An aircraft carrier tractor isn't something you can just modify and use; this second prize for scientific progress is well-deserved," Brother Qi affirmed.

[ The aircraft carrier tractor only got a second prize? How powerful must the first prize be? ]

[ This year's first prize is also outrageous: irregular motion missiles! Only the name is known. ]

Brother Qi commented: "Hypersonic waverider missiles, dedicated for 'kicking down the door.' Even the Russian S500 and the American Patriot defense systems can't stop them."

[ Is it our own original creation? The Americans probably don't have it yet. ]

[ Not probably, it's certain they don't! ]

[ After "crossing the river by feeling the Americans" for so many years, we finally made the Americans go bald. ]

[ Hilarious, the Americans are crying in the bathroom. ]

[ Americans: I just drew a PowerPoint; how did you actually make it? ]

"Actually, I'm more curious about what the last two 'too advanced to display' technologies are," Brother Qi said casually.

[ Could it be the 99G improved version? ]

[ Don't mention it; mentioning it is going against the Army big brother! ]

[ Unless the 59 magic modification takes off, it's too hard for the Army to win a first prize. ]

[ 59 takes off? Are you trying to laugh me to death so you can inherit my assets? ]

[ The Air Force's first prize is hard to guess. Could it be that the Navy's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is about to emerge? ]

[ Nuclear power is still early. The tender documents only came out last year; it can't be that fast. ]

[ Unmanned underwater vehicles? Or a brand-new avionics system? ]

While the netizens were debating, Lu Shenwei landed in Qinchuan.