Back in 1978, I was admitted to Northwestern Polytechnical University.

Chapter 15 Becoming an Arms Dealer
After Qin Liang said this, the meeting room became even quieter.

"Sigh, Qin Liang, you've only just started university and don't understand many policies," Old Tu sighed as he explained to Qin Liang.

Qin Liang is still too young and doesn't understand many policies.

Over the years, we have never sold any weapons. If our brothers need them, we will provide them with weapons directly!
In fact, Qin Liang was certainly aware of this national policy, but at the same time, he also knew that with the opening of the country's doors, the country's focus shifted to economic development, and the country had changed its previous policies.

Seeing everyone's dejected expressions, Qin Liang figured that he was just a college student who hadn't officially enrolled yet, a young and fearless person, and that even if he said something that wasn't in line with the times, everyone would be forgiving.

We still have to wait another six months for the reform and opening-up policy to be officially implemented. At that time, we will have to follow the path of market economy, and selling arms will be perfectly justified!

Thinking of this, Qin Liang smiled and said, "Yes, we weren't arms dealers before, but that doesn't mean we won't be in the future! Our current task is to develop the economy, so why can't we sell weapons?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression changed. How could such words be spoken so casually? Aren't you afraid that the situation might revert to the way it was before...?

Qin Liang wasn't afraid, because he knew the trajectory of history. Since he had already said it, he might as well make a statement that would shock everyone!
"Ahem, Qin Liang, didn't I tell you that I'd only say these things to you casually, but you shouldn't go around saying them?" Professor Liu couldn't hold back any longer and quickly said, "Director Luo, I'm sorry, I apologize here. It's all my fault. I only said these things to Qin Liang in private..."

At this moment, Director Liu had an awkward smile on his face, and while speaking, he was also giving Qin Liang a wink.

A warm feeling welled up in Qin Liang's heart again. Professor Liu was protecting him; if something really happened, he would take the blame for him! People who came from that special era always had a tight rein on their guard!
just now……

"Qin Liang is from our aircraft department. His remarks are all due to my dereliction of duty as the department head..." Director Luo continued.

Then look at Old Tu... At this moment, Old Tu's gaze wandered, looking out the window, and it took him a long time to come back to his senses.

"Huh? What did they just say? I was lost in thought, I didn't hear anything."

“Yes, we didn’t hear anything,” the other visitors from Factory 132 echoed.

Qin Liang was somewhat speechless. "Gentlemen, I know you mean well, but could you please let me finish? I've already thought through the entire business!"

"I think it's about time, and we're all hungry. Let's go to the cafeteria for something to eat! Northwestern Polytechnical University is treating, and all the guests from Factory 132 only need to pay us three liang (150 grams) of grain coupons! They're valid nationwide!" Director Luo said, then looked at Qin Liang: "Qin Liang, you come too, you don't need to pay anything..."

These days, when you treat someone to a meal, you can pay for it yourself, but the other person has to pay for the food stamps, since food stamps are a fixed amount, and each person only has that much for a year.

Generally speaking, two liang (a unit of weight) of grain coupons is enough for a regular meal of rice or noodles, while three liang (a unit of weight) will definitely include meat and vegetables.

As for treating people to food at the canteen, there were often more than one serving of meat and vegetables; a few ounces were just a token gesture—that was the custom. Hearing that he could also join in the meal without having to pay with food coupons or money, Qin Liang was incredibly excited and followed the group out of the conference room.

Wait, something's wrong!

Everyone else kept their distance from him, but only Old Tu came up to him!

"Qin Liang, I found your words very interesting. How did you know that we're going to pursue arms exports?"

Such words cannot be spoken in public, for no one knows whether there are those among the people present who harbor ill intentions.

However, in private, it's okay; you can absolutely trust Old Tu's character.

"Because we need to develop our economy, Mr. Tu. You probably know how much our country's foreign exchange reserves are, right?"

"Hmm, a little over one hundred million, less than two hundred million," Old Tu said.

In 1978, the country's foreign exchange reserves were only 1.78 million US dollars. It was very difficult to buy things on the international market, since the RMB on hand could not be spent and the US dollars were pitifully scarce.

"On the one hand, our country's foreign exchange reserves are too low, and on the other hand, our domestic military factories are in a difficult situation. At this time, we must sell weapons to kill two birds with one stone."

"You little rascal, you know quite a lot!"

"Well, I've been to the library a few times recently, looked at the newspapers there, and figured it out myself..."

"So tell me, if we're going to sell it, who should we sell it to?"

Under the planned economy system, doing business was considered speculation and profiteering, and doing business internationally was unprecedented. However, for the sake of the factory's development, Mr. Tu and his colleagues overcame various difficulties with perseverance and successfully made a name for themselves in the foreign trade arms business.

Before his rebirth, Qin Liang would always feel moved by the hardships faced by the older generation of military workers whenever he saw these stories, and he would feel admiration for them. Now that he had encountered them, he was determined to help them, otherwise his rebirth would have been in vain.

“We can’t penetrate the traditional markets of the United States and the Soviet Union. Everything is difficult at the beginning. We have to find our first business in the countries that have previously provided us with free aid. This will make it easier to open up sales channels.”

"Okay! Continue!"

(End of this chapter)