215: Wandering on the Blue Planet? The film industry is also an industry!

If the Army wants to win the championship next year, there's a fifty-fifty chance they'll have to look to Julong Steel.

Of course, some of it was their own fault; they were the ones who made contact with Liuguang Coating first, yet the Air Force ended up taking it to apply for the grand prize.

Lu Shenwei couldn't refuse, so he had to send Zhou Cun back first and follow Chen Guang to the firing range.

They say men love playing with big, black, and thick things, but Lu Shenwei was an exception.

He liked designing equipment, but he wasn't used to riding in armored vehicles.

The Type 99G tank was speeding across the training ground, jolting Lu Shenwei until his stomach was churning.

"Director Chen, how about... *retch*... let's stop here for today. I appreciate your kind intentions," Lu Shenwei said, fighting back nausea.

Chen Guang chuckled, "The dignified director of a Dragon Xia civilian equipment factory, and you can't even handle this little bit of bumping?"

"*Cough, cough*, as you said, I'm civilian equipment, my physique is definitely not as good as soldiers who train year-round."

Lu Shenwei leaned against the tank track and retched.

"If you have something to say, just say it. Director Xu isn't here right now."

Chen Guang said sheepishly, "You saw right through me. Alright, this year the Navy and Air Force's Two Artillery both made a showing at the All-Army Technical Progress Awards, and the leaders are very dissatisfied with our Army."

"So I want to scavenge some things from your factory to see if we can take home the first prize for scientific and technological progress next year."

"Just this?" Lu Shenwei widened his eyes.

"Yeah, just that."

"You should have said so earlier. Was it necessary to go through so much trouble to get me to the training ground?"

Lu Shenwei gulped down some hot water, feeling a little better in his stomach.

"I was afraid Xu Lei would mind, so I brought you to the firing range to experience military life and chat about this at the same time," Chen Guang explained.

Lu Shenwei didn't mind, "Whatever technology of ours you have your eye on, just say the word."

"Alright, I'll think about it," Chen Guang said happily.

The higher-ups had repeatedly issued strict orders prohibiting interference with the independent research and development of the Julong Steel Factory, and Chen Guang dared not touch that high-voltage line.

Ever since Julong Steel produced the Double Bone Dragon ultra-long-range bomber, the higher-ups' regard for Julong Steel had been further elevated.

Anyone who was not a Julong Steel worker was strictly refused entry to the factory area to prevent interference with Julong Steel's normal production order.

Chen Guang had even specifically asked the higher-ups why they didn't nationalize Julong Steel; wouldn't it be better to turn it into a military factory?

Director Lu would be willing, the factory workers would be even happier, and the Navy, Army, and Air Force would all be willing to foot the military budget.

But the Great Leader told him that Julong Steel was a symbol of the independent development of Dragon Xia's private enterprises and a model of an excellent private enterprise.

Julong Steel must never be nationalized, and it must not be directly turned into a military enterprise.

Of course, no one was allowed to point fingers at Julong Steel's development or affect the autonomy of Julong Steel's equipment manufacturing.

Lu Shenwei spread his hands, "If it's just this, if you had said something to my face, would I have refused?"

"You might not know as much about your factory's situation as I do," Chen Guang said in a low voice.

Lu Shenwei was puzzled. What did that mean?

I am the chairman of Julong Steel, after all; how could I know less than you, Director Chen?

Although Lu Shenwei pressed for the reason, Chen Guang did not explain.

"If you won't say it, that's fine. What are that group of people across from us doing with the green screen and cameras? Shooting a promotional video for the training ground?" Lu Shenwei asked, pointing into the distance.

Chen Guang looked into the distance, "Them? They're a film crew. They pestered Xu Lei for days to film planes, and Xu Lei got so annoyed he sent them here."

Chen Guang conveniently arranged a few old Type 80 main battle tanks and armored vehicles, and the whole crew was overjoyed.

"The higher-ups said it's a patriotic propaganda film and asked us to provide some support. If the movie is shot well, we can later attach the name of the Western Theater Command to it," Chen Guang explained.

Shooting a movie? Lu Shenwei became interested as soon as he heard that.

"Can I go over and take a look?" Lu Shenwei asked.

Chen Guang lifted his wrist to check his watch, "Sure. Little Zhao, accompany Director Lu."

"I have a meeting, so make sure to take good care of Director Lu."

"Director Chen, you go ahead and get busy. Comrade Little Zhao doesn't need to accompany me," Lu Shenwei said politely.

Chen Guang gave one more instruction and turned to leave. Little Zhao drove the off-road vehicle, carrying Lu Shenwei straight to the filming location.

On the filming set, Fan Guo had a gloomy face. He had finally managed to borrow infantry fighting vehicles and tanks.

But the actors just couldn't get into character, and after filming several times, the results were still no good.

"What is wrong with you all? None of you are paying attention. How much time are you going to waste if this keeps up?" Fan Guo said angrily.

He had put everything he had into this, selling his own house to make the movie, but the filming process was far more difficult than he had imagined.

"Director, it's not that we aren't getting into character. Just listen—the rumbling of the tanks all around, and the constant cannon fire."

"Exactly, Director, this crappy place even ruined my nails."

Fan Guo's face darkened upon hearing this, "None of you want to film? I begged and pleaded to borrow this venue and these props, and you're telling me you don't want to film?"

Little Zhao parked the car, and Lu Shenwei rolled down the window to watch the drama unfold.

He hadn't watched many movies in his past life, so getting to see a live shoot this time was quite novel.

"Director, how about we try one more time?" a female actress advised softly.

Fan Guo suppressed his anger, "One more time! We are shooting a sci-fi film, not a teen drama, understand? If you don't pay attention again, I'll replace all of you!"

"Understood..."

The group replied listlessly. Just as Lu Shenwei got out of the car, a crew member stepped forward and said, "This is a film set, please leave if you are unauthorized personnel."

Soldier Little Zhao got angry as soon as he heard this, "What are you saying? This is our training ground!"

Seeing someone coming, Fan Guo trotted forward.

"My apologies, sirs. I am the director, Fan Guo. Feel free to watch whatever you like," Fan Guo said politely.

Lu Shenwei asked curiously, "What kind of movie are you shooting?"

"A sci-fi film. We're borrowing our training ground and equipment. It's adapted from a novel, nothing famous," Fan Guo said with an apologetic smile.

Lu Shenwei stepped forward, "The filming conditions are very rudimentary. Are there no investors putting up money?"

Seeing Lu Shenwei in casual clothes with a soldier accompanying him,

Fan Guo's mind became active, "I don't mind you laughing at me, but to make this movie, I poured in all the money I earned from the last teen drama I shot."

"Unfortunately, it still wasn't enough, so I sold my own house, barely managing to pull together this film crew."

"Is making movies profitable?" Lu Shenwei suddenly asked.

Upon hearing this, Fan Guo immediately replied, "It's profitable! As long as you can help me pull in sponsorship, I'll give you at least five percent."

"If you can't pull in investment or sponsorship, that's fine too. If you help us solve the filming equipment problem, you can still get a cut of the profits."

Lu Shenwei asked, "How much money have you invested so far?"

"I have already invested over 60 million, but the filming progress is only one-quarter complete."

Fan Guo said honestly and handed over the script, "Take a look, this is our script and the novel we're adapting."

Hmm? wandering blue star?