Chapter 179 A Lot of Trouble

"Look at what you said. You also said that you came to me because it was difficult.

Now that you've asked, can I still refuse?

But let me make it clear first, the time cannot be too long, as Luoqi has to start production in May.

Also, I will probably get the marriage certificate in May.

As long as it can be done before May, we can discuss it.”

Fang Xiang looked at Mr. Meng's twinkling eyes and nodded without hesitation.

"Okay! I won't say more until you finish your work in the capital.

Give me a call and I'll help you arrange the rest."

Mr. Meng slapped his thigh, and his excitement was hard to conceal between his words.

"Alas, you got there first after all."

At this time, Mr. Hu sighed leisurely.

"Why are you in such a hurry? There's no sign of your matter yet.

Even if Xiao Fang agreed, it would not be implemented for a while. "

After hearing what Mr. Hu said, Mr. Meng snorted.

"What's going on?"

Looking at Mr. Meng and Mr. Hu playing charades, Fang Xiang felt a little curious.

"Well... you'll know it sooner or later anyway.

So, Xiao Liu, stop the car and help us keep watch."

Mr. Hu waved his hand and asked the driver to get off the car.

It seems that this is a highly confidential news.

"Mr. Hu, can I listen? If it's inconvenient, you don't have to say it."

Fang Xiang reacted immediately and added quickly.

"It's okay, your confidentiality level is almost the same as mine now.

Moreover, you will most likely be indispensable in this subsequent project.

There is nothing to keep secret from you."

General Hu lit the cigarette that he had been holding in his hand for a long time. After a large spark flashed, he spoke.

"The LT665 engine you modified last time, isn't it? The Sixth Machine Department is taking one away.

They have been doing testing for the past few months and I heard the response has been very good.

It can be used on small ships on a large scale.

Then, the Fifth Ministry of Machine Building also heard about it and came to our Ordnance Department and Logistics Department.

Ask if this LT665 can be assembled on 59.

At that time, I spoke too quickly and said that 59 was a bit behind.

Then this aroused the interest of a large group of people.

This topic has been discussed several times internally among several departments recently.

Nowadays, the talk of developing the next generation of tanks is almost unstoppable.

Look, even Lao Meng from the Seventh Ministry of Machinery has heard about it."

Mr. Hu was talking while smoking, and soon the car was filled with a thick smell of smoke.

"So, you want to design a new tank engine?"

Fang Xiang understood and continued.

“Yes, but the development of new tanks is also a big project.

The country is spending money everywhere right now, so I think the production of this new tank will probably be delayed for a while.

But if you have time, you can think about this.”

Mr. Hu nodded, but also told the unspeakable secret behind it.

"Mr. Hu, you have overlooked a key point.

The difficulty of the new tank may not lie in the engine, right?

The problem with the gun barrel is more difficult than the engine!"

Fang Xiang shook his head and said that in later generations, the sophistication of the gun barrels far exceeded the domestic industrial standards.

As a result, several development projects had to be delayed, abandoned halfway, and discontinued one after another.

"Barrel?"

Mr. Hu was stunned, as if he was thinking about this question.

"The engine is actually just a layer of window paper, which can be broken with a poke.

But the gun barrel requires high-strength, high-temperature resistant alloy material.

Moreover, drilling the inner hole of a gun barrel is several levels more difficult than machining an engine.

Don't wait until everything is ready except for a cannon barrel, wouldn't that be a waste of time and money?"

Fang Xiang was well aware of how difficult it would be to produce tanks in the future.

Otherwise, why was 59 used until the 90s?

Even when Type 99 came out, it was jokingly called Type 59 modified by military fans.

Even until the 99A, it is still affectionately called the 59 magic modification by military fans.

“To put it more bluntly, the alloy materials needed for gun barrels are also needed in aerospace.

Although the directions and details are different, the general direction is the same.

But the processing difficulty is different. The processing difficulty of aircraft parts is relatively easy.

But the gun barrel must be formed in one piece. If the drilling fails once, the entire tube will be wasted.

Given our country’s industrial strength, I’m afraid we won’t be able to produce gun barrels larger than 100mm in a short period of time.”

Seeing that Mr. Hu had been silent for a long time, Fang Xiang decided to just say it directly.

Although developing new tanks is a good thing, it must also be considered in conjunction with domestic industry.

It is easy to draw a picture, but it is useless if you cannot produce it.

"Are you sure about this?"

Mr. Hu hesitated for a long time and was still half-believing and half-doubting.

Although he is a big shot, he really doesn't understand technical issues.

"Then you can ask a few domestic material experts and you will know."

Fang Xiang shook his head. It seemed that Mr. Hu’s attitude represented the thoughts of most other people.

Everyone thinks this problem is too simple.

However, his influence is insignificant and I am afraid he cannot stop it.

“If you just need an engine, it’s not a big problem.

Please send me the indicators later and I will take a look at the situation.

If I'm sure, I'll draw one for you. It's not difficult."

But after thinking about it, I realized that what I said was too discouraging.

I simply added another sentence.

"Okay, I'll ask first.

In addition, the Sixth Ministry of Machine Building is also looking for you.

Give me a call before you leave Beijing and I'll help you make an appointment."

Mr. Hu looked embarrassed, and it seemed that he was half-believing and half-doubting what the other party was saying.

But I guess they will know when they hit a wall.

Then suddenly the Sixth Ministry of Machine Building was mentioned again.

"Shipbuilding Industry Department? Engines too?"

Fang Xiang was stunned for a moment.

“Yes, they said your LT665 engine is too small and can only be used on micro-sized ships.

Last month, in February, the Sixth Ministry of Machine Building was preparing to start developing the first domestically-made submarine.

If you don't delete the diesel engine, I guess they will find you.

But let me make it clear first, I didn’t recommend you or mention you in this matter.

They asked me.

I didn’t make any promises, I just asked for them.”

Mr. Hu had just said a few words when he noticed Fang Xiang’s eyes widened.

He immediately defended himself.

"Okay, I understand. If you have anything else to say, please tell me..."

Fang Xiang was helpless. Submarine engines were something that required a very high level of expertise.

I really don’t understand.

“No, that’s all.

As for Lao Zhao, that's his business, and he will definitely look for you later."

Old Hu chuckled and said that it was okay, but what he meant was that there must be Old Zhao from the Third Ministry of Machine Building.

"Okay, I see."

Fang Xiang shook his head again. He had already prepared himself mentally for the Third Ministry of Machine Building.

With such a large number of drawings coming this time, they will definitely need to study them for a while.

Although Professor Li is the overall person in charge of this project, he will definitely be consulted.

But for the time being, there is definitely nothing for me to do until they finish digesting the drawings.

"Let's go, I'll take you home first."

Mr. Hu smiled and greeted the driver who was on guard outside.

Then he started the car again.

Soon, it disappeared into the night.