What the hell is a private enterprise?

Chapter 328 A Small Favor

"Naming? My suggestion?"

Old Zhang suddenly called, actually to ask about the naming of the battleship.

The nationwide public certification event concluded at the end of last month, and the name of the Type 011 aircraft carrier was no longer in doubt.
Aircraft carriers are warships that are certain to be vigorously developed and prepared in large numbers for the future. Internally, there has long been a preference for naming them after provinces, and the voting results have mostly focused on provinces and cities. Currently, the most likely candidate to be named after a province is the "Guangdong Province".

But battleships are different; this is the only battleship in the country, and likely the only one in the future.

Naming them after battles, famous mountains and rivers, well-known events, and famous figures, each has a large following, and even the rules of the Seven Towns and Eight Distant Places have quite a few fans.

Intense discussions are taking place within the Navy, and no conclusion has been reached yet.

Tang Wen thought for a while:
"Why not name it after a dynasty? Xia, Qin, Han, and Tang are all good choices. They also have decent meanings and the single characters have a higher level of sophistication."

"Is a battleship positioned higher than an aircraft carrier? That feels a bit strange."

Old Zhang felt that something was wrong.

Tang Wen: "The refitted battleships have crews longer than aircraft carriers, and they also have highly information-based systems and sizable air squadrons. They can serve as main battleships, and their role is not much less important than that of an aircraft carrier battle group."

Old Zhang thought carefully about the modification plan that Gaijin had proposed for the Yamato, and it seemed that it was indeed similar.

However, to make so many leaps, at least several modifications would be needed.

"Okay, let me ask you another question. Are there any naval guns larger than the 460mm? The North said that the original naval guns that fired rockets were a bit small."

460 is small? This is more like a medium-sized missile caliber.

However, Tang Wen certainly wouldn't let the business opportunity slip by; cannon barrels were a shipyard's specialized job.

"We have 510mm 45-caliber guns in stock, the kind used in the super-large and planned projects. We also have British 508mm gun barrels, and we can also order larger ones."

Old Zhang: "How big can it be? Of course, it would be best to have a larger caliber and the longer the barrel, the better."

"How about 510 mm 60 caliber? Just lengthen the barrel of the super-Yamato, the main factory may make it 32 to 33 meters."

"Making it a twin-mounted design, even larger than 80 or 100 calibers, would be fine, but the turret weight would probably exceed the limit."

Tang Wen glanced at the required experience points and confirmed that it wasn't too difficult.

"That's enough, that's definitely enough."

This answer far exceeded Lao Zhang's expectations. A 510mm 60-caliber naval gun, it's probably impossible to hit a single 300-ton gun. It's practically a superhuman manufacturing capability.

The two quickly moved on to the 002 aircraft carrier, which is nearing completion after several months of modifications and is expected to be ready for sea trials in May. The 001 battleship, on the other hand, will have to wait, with the goal of being ready to sail in June.

Then came the training of the carrier-based aircraft force. During Tang Wen's trip to the United States, McDonnell Douglas had agreed to give away two T/A4J finished products free of charge, as well as provide its airframe design data.

The modification project was still taken over by Hongdu. With the original factory data, there would be fewer problems. The first domestic version of the A4 trainer aircraft was modified in April.

Of the remaining 14 A4Es that Tang Wenla brought to the Greater Bay Area, the Navy first purchased 4 original versions to give to elite pilots for trial use, and then purchased another 4 to convert into two-seat trainer versions for training purposes.

As for the first Type 055 hull to be delivered, it was towed to the nearby Huangpu Shipyard at night and began intensive outfitting work. It should be able to make its appearance in time for Hong Kong's return to China.

At the end of the conversation, Old Zhang asked again:

"If an economic crisis comes, how do you hope that the mainland will provide assistance to Chinese businesses in Southeast Asia?"

This was the price the navy paid for acquiring two large ships at a low price, and they remembered it very clearly.

Tang Wen countered, "What do you think is the most appropriate course of action?"

Old Zhang: "You certainly don't lack money, so the only thing left is security. In the second half of the year, China will be able to assemble a fleet for a friendly visit, and can also stabilize the local economy by purchasing raw materials. We will use both soft and hard tactics."

"This is only a temporary solution; I actually have a better way."

Tang Wen: "For example, recognizing the citizenship of Chinese Americans as it has done decades ago."

"No, no, no, this is too... My phone is out of credit, goodbye!"

Old Zhang immediately sensed a whole host of troubles behind this and quickly hung up the phone. Tang Wen, left alone, was also having a headache; simply sending out a fleet would only hold out for a while at most.

The impact of the economic crisis will last for at least several years. Can the visiting fleet be maintained for an extended period?

However, if we stand idly by and watch Chinese merchants suffer losses, the mystique of the Nanyang organizations will be greatly diminished, which in turn will affect Gaikin's future.

After much thought, Tang Wen realized that he still had to rely on himself.

To be precise, we have to rely on One Piece.

……

The relocation of the aviation machinery factory is about to begin, and the location has been confirmed as Echeng, but the location of the final assembly plant has not yet been determined.

McDonnell Douglas has already begun preparations and agreed to Tang Wen's request to dismantle one of the production lines. Tang Wen has also begun to investigate suitable locations for the new site.

In terms of transportation convenience, Zhongshan and Dongguan are close enough to Echeng and convenient for sea transport.

These cities are separated by water and look quite similar.

Since geographical location doesn't make a huge difference, the only things that can be affected are policies and the environment. Tang Wen sought Gao Yuliang's opinion.

"An aircraft assembly plant? It must take up a huge area, right?"

"It's not small, but much smaller than an airport. However, considering future expansion, the cheaper the land price, the better, but convenient transportation is essential."

Gao Yuliang stroked his chin and replied:
"If that's your opinion, I suggest choosing Guangzhou?"

"Yangcheng? Is a capital city suitable?"

"Of course it's not in the city center. The Nansha Economic Development Zone was just approved a couple of years ago, and it's right opposite Dongguan."

The plan there is to vigorously develop the shipping and automotive industries. The area and infrastructure are certainly sufficient, and since it's close to provincial-level management, the policies offered will be extremely generous.

Gao Yuliang's suggestion this time was purely from a neutral perspective. The Nansha Development Zone is currently in a state of undeveloped development. At this time, by demanding preferential treatment from the aircraft factory, they can definitely secure the most lucrative deal.

The other two cities are also doing well, but they certainly aren't as proactive in attracting investment as Nansha District.

Tang Wen: "But if we set up an assembly plant there, won't the passenger plane test flights disturb the public and interfere with normal flight routes?"

"What's a disturbance to the neighbors? They'd love to have as many as possible!"

Gao Yuliang looked indignant. The planes in the Dawan tourist area are buzzing around all day long, and who in Echeng dares to say it's disturbing the peace?
A hundred passenger planes represent enormous economic benefits; what is a little noise compared to that?

With the last concern resolved and the venue and equipment finalized, all that remained was the personnel.

Although Hongdu was willing to provide support, Tang Wen preferred to have a professional passenger aircraft assembly team.

Commissioner Geng is currently in Shanghai coordinating equipment transfer and factory relocation, which is a good opportunity to lend a small helping hand.

"What? No, no, this is playing with fire."

Upon hearing Tang Wen's request, Commissioner Geng immediately refused. He was bold, not reckless.

The aviation machinery factory has permission from above to acquire it, so using some tricks wouldn't be a problem. What Tang Wen is asking him to do now is really too unethical.

Tang Wen, however, spoke with righteous indignation:
"What do you mean by risking your life? This is just normal talent mobility. Going into business is so popular, it's normal for a few more people to do it!"

"You want me to move everyone out of the entire Shanghai aircraft factory?! I almost got hit by a car last time, and this time even if I'm on a plane, Shanghai will still chase me down and bring me back, you believe me?"

It wasn't that he didn't want to, but Tang Wen had actually brought his idea to the engineers and technicians at the aircraft manufacturing plant who had worked on the McDonnell Douglas 90 and MD-82.

If they really dig this up, it's hard to say whether they'll even be able to walk out of Shanghai on their own two feet.

Seeing that Commissioner Geng refused to agree no matter what, Tang Wen had no choice but to come up with a crooked idea:
"Commissioner Geng, you're also in charge of investment promotion in Guangzhou, right? As long as you ask, McDonnell Douglas's final assembly line will be located in Nansha."

"Nansha District or not, I just like to help businesses. You can just wait to get your airfare reimbursed."

(End of this chapter)