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

Chapter 252 Not a male cat, but a double-shot strong six!

When CATIC was first established, it was just an office in the west annex of the courtyard at No. 67 Jiaodaokou South Street, Dongcheng District, which was the headquarters of the Third Ministry of Machinery Industry. Now, with the continuous expansion of its aviation export business, CATIC has become independent and has its own small building and a large courtyard.

In future generations, this place will be rebuilt into a modern, multifaceted building, right next to the famous Bird's Nest.

At this moment, inside the bungalow canteen of the AVIC compound, two groups of people were facing off against each other. They were all foreigners with high noses, big eyes, and beards.

One group of people, carrying stools and table legs, somehow managed to dismantle the table in a short time. The other group, carrying knives and forks, glared at each other, the air thick with tension. It seemed like a fight was about to break out between the two groups at the slightest provocation.

Manager Liu's forehead was covered in sweat; he hadn't expected this to happen.

After signing the contract with Yituo, Manager Liu planned to take them to a fancy restaurant, but Hamid said that they should just eat something casual and then they would fly back. Seeing that the flight time was tight, Manager Liu took them straight to the canteen of AVIC.

As soon as I came in, I saw another group of people eating. These people were the Langtuo people who had arrived an hour earlier!

When they arrived, the Langtuo people were exhausted and hungry, so Secretary Xiao Zhao took them to the canteen for a meal. They planned to go to the guesthouse to arrange accommodation after the meal. Unexpectedly, the two groups ran into each other!

They were already locked in a life-or-death struggle on the battlefield, and now, after a moment of surprise upon encountering each other, they all grabbed their weapons.

The Langtuo people were eating when they casually picked up their knives and forks. The other people had just entered and were caught off guard, so they could only look for a stool or something nearby.

Fortunately, Manager Liu realized the situation was getting out of hand and quickly stepped forward, standing between the two groups of people; otherwise... they might have started fighting right away!

Although there's no actual fighting, the atmosphere is tense. He's already sent someone to find Qin Liang, but it's unclear when Qin Liang will arrive.

Liangzi, Liangzi, you'd better hurry up and come! I can't handle this situation right now!
Whether it was Manager Liu's plea that moved the heavens or not, a voice came from outside the next moment.

"Everyone, please don't be impulsive! Let's talk this out!"

Upon seeing Qin Liang, Minuseper spoke first: "Qin, are these Italians still coming to CATIC to purchase fighter jets? We can let their previous purchases go, since they were made before the war started. But now that the war has begun, you're still providing them with new fighter jets. This... this... this is simply a betrayal of us!"

What happened to being friends? You guys are still selling fighter jets to Iraq!
Hamid, representing Yituo, then spoke up: "Qin, we Yituo consider you, Dongfang, our best friends! We turned down Dassault fighter jets, we turned down Soviet fighter jets, and we went all out to purchase fighter jets from you, Dongfang. Now, we really didn't expect that you would still do business with Langtuo! Do you still consider us friends?"

"Of course you're friends!" Qin Liang said. "To us, you're all our friends. Why do we have to fight and kill each other? Wouldn't it be better if we sat down together and had a drink?"

Manager Liu was extremely worried. "Liangzi, neither of them drinks. Are you trying to mediate or fan the flames by saying this?"

“We in the East have always loved peace. From the very first day the war broke out between you, we have been calling for peace. War cannot solve problems. Dialogue and negotiation are the best ways to resolve them. If you still consider us friends, then put down what you have in your hands, sit down, and talk together. If you don’t consider us friends… then don’t come again.”

That so-called "friendship theory" is pure bullshit. In this world, there are no eternal friends, nor are there unchanging enemies, only eternal interests!

As for the conflict between Iran and Iraq, it is irreconcilable. One side wants to export revolution and promote their system to other countries, but those countries are well-governed and won't be easily manipulated. The other side wants to expand its territory and recreate the glory of the Babylonian Empire.

We sell weapons to both sides to make money, not for friendship. Now you want them to sit down and be friends?

but……

Under Manager Liu's surprised gaze, one side slowly put down the table legs and stools, while the other side put down the knives and forks. Although the two sides' gazes were still murderous, the atmosphere eased!

"That's right, that's the right way to do it." Qin Liang said with a smile, "Next... Manager Liu, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and have the food served!"

"Yes, yes, everyone's hungry, let's eat!"

Manager Liu felt completely soaked. When he heard Qin Liang say that, he realized what was happening and quickly walked to the cafeteria window. There, the chefs, who were also sweating profusely, also realized what was happening and quickly served the dishes!
The two groups of people would never sit at the same table, never. So, Qin Liang sat down in the middle of the two tables.

Qin Liang raised his glass, which was obviously filled with a soft drink, as were everyone else's. If it were alcohol, the situation would really get out of control after a few drinks.

"We are all gathered here today by fate, so let's raise our glasses together. This first glass is a toast to world peace!"

Glug glug... Qin Liang downed the drink in his cup in one gulp, and then... saw that neither of them was moving.

"What? You don't recognize us as friends from the East?"

The two groups looked at each other, and then... could only raise their glasses and gulp down a drink.

"That's more like it. Actually, many things can be discussed at the table. Gentlemen, we at Dongfang have always considered both of you as friends. So, when you go back, you can pass on a message to your leaders that you are welcome to come to Dongfang anytime, just like we are now. Let's sit down and resolve your issues through negotiations."

"What's there to talk about? There's no way we can talk..." Manager Liu thought to himself. However...

Once the tension subsided and his mind gradually returned to calm, Manager Liu suddenly realized that Qin Liang's method of solving the problem was the most perfect, and that they had already reached the moral high ground!
Moreover, if both sides really come here to resolve their disputes, then regardless of whether the mediation is ultimately successful, our East will be able to accumulate prestige and become an important force in maintaining world peace!

Of course, it's more likely that they simply won't agree in the first place.

What if we disagree?
"Of course, if you don't want to negotiate, then there's nothing I can do. If you feel that our export of weapons to you from the East is hurting our friendship, then that's fine too. We can impose an arms embargo on both sides and not sell to either of us. Without weapons, you shouldn't be able to fight."

"No!"

This time, both sides spoke almost in unison.

Manager Liu was overjoyed; the problem was solved!
Selling weapons to both sides will inevitably lead to exposure sooner or later. What will happen then? Manager Liu had thought about it, but he couldn't do anything about it. So, he could only postpone it one day at a time. But when that day finally came, he found that he seemed to be unable to do anything!
Cutting off funding to one of them would damage the relationship. If both of them cut off funding, how can we make money? Now that Qin Liang has made things clear, neither of them is willing!

For Lang Tuo, the weapons from the East are practically their only source of power. Their air force relies on twin-engine Q-6 missiles to fight back. If the East refuses to sell, how will they fight next?
For Iran, it has already offended France and Russia, two major arms exporters. Moreover, the weapons from the East are the most advanced, and they have no choice but to purchase them!
"In that case, we'll continue to provide weapons to both sides. No one should complain. If you want to fight, then go fight on the battlefield. If you want to talk, our door is always open. What do you think?"

Neither of them spoke.

This is not the outcome they wanted. They only wanted to buy the weapons themselves and prevent the other side from doing so, but... judging from the current situation, it seems that's no longer possible!
"What, you don't agree? Then let's stick to the old method?"

"No!"

"This won't work, that won't work, you're putting me in a really difficult position!" Qin Liang spread his hands helplessly: "Then tell me, what should we do?"

"You can't sell the J-8 and Super-7 fighters we've purchased to Langtuo!"

"We cannot sell the twin-engine Q6 turbocharged aircraft that we purchased to Yituo!"

and many more!

Hamid keenly noticed something: "The variable-sweep wing fighters appearing on the battlefield aren't Tomcats?"

San Diego, California, USA.

California's total economic output accounts for half of the entire United States' total. In California, the largest city is Los Angeles, the second largest is San Francisco, and the third largest is San Diego. California has a unique advantage: a U.S. naval base!
Half of the city's economy revolves around the navy. More than three aircraft carriers are often docked here. This is the birthplace of naval aviation, and the Marine Corps also uses this place as its headquarters. Surrounding the navy are shipyards and aircraft factories.

Grumman's headquarters are located here!

Meanwhile, inside Grumman's headquarters, a group of people, their faces grim, held intelligence provided by the CIA. "We've been publicizing the Tomcat vs. Phantom F1 for ages, and it turns out it wasn't a Tomcat, but some twin-engine Q6?"

Grumman CEO Yono Bryan glared at the crowd, annoyed: "What the hell is this 'Double-Engine Strong 6' from the East?"

"I don't know." Pelehak, the chief designer of the Tomcat fighter jet, was also full of questions: "Judging from the satellite photos, this twin-engine, twin-tail fighter is exactly the same as our Tomcat, but..."

"but what?"

"However, I really don't believe that Easterners can replicate our male cats. After all, even if Lang Tuo really handed over the male cats to them, where would they get the time and technology?"

Before the political turmoil in Langtuo, it was impossible to give the male cat to the East. Even if it was given to the East immediately after the turmoil, it would only take about a year.

Even if the East has the best copying technology, how could it possibly complete the reverse engineering of the Tomcat within a year? This is a twin-engine, heavy, variable-sweep wing fighter jet! The technical difficulty is immense... Even any American aerospace company probably wouldn't have such capabilities!
If American companies can't do it, how could Easterners possibly do it!

They've already hit rock bottom by modifying the MiG-21 into the Super-7 and J-8! Playing with a twin-engine, variable-sweep wing heavy fighter? They're not qualified!

"Let's go take a look, then we'll know," Jono Brian suggested. "Let's go to the Hongdu Machinery Factory that produces the twin-engine Q-6 fighter jets!"

capital.

The meal, which appeared harmonious on the surface but was actually fraught with tension, was finally over. Manager Liu looked left and right, but Qin Liang spoke first.

"It's getting late, everyone should go back and get some rest."

rest!

Manager Liu's eyelids twitched again. These people were all staying in the same guesthouse building. Would they start fighting again later?
"Manager Liu, please make the arrangements. We're all guests, so we can just stay on different floors. I have other things to do, so I'll be leaving now."

"Okay, take care."

Manager Liu took a deep breath. He couldn't afford any more trouble. He couldn't let Qin Liang save the day every time. This time, it was only because Qin Liang happened to be in the capital. If he were in Chang'an, he wouldn't be able to help him in time.

Everyone came out together to see Qin Liang off to his car. After Qin Liang left, Manager Liu suppressed his pounding heart and pretended to be calm. He only breathed a sigh of relief after arranging accommodations for everyone.

The plane was already delayed, so the Yi Tuo group would have to stay another night.

When he walked out of the guesthouse, he saw that familiar car drive back again and park on a street corner out of sight from the guesthouse.

Qin Liang is back!

Manager Liu was overjoyed and strode over.

"Liangzi, thank you!"

"Give them a beating, then a treat; now it's time to go up and give them even bigger benefits."

"Give me a bribe?" Manager Liu asked. "What kind of bribe?"

"To Yituo, tell them about the progress of our export missile development. Tell them not to worry. If the factory that converts the Scud missile into the Hussein missile is destroyed, so be it. We have better ones. To Langtuo, tell them that we plan to develop an export-oriented early warning aircraft. We'll each be in charge of one side. Which side are you going to?"

Manager Liu was unfamiliar with neither of these projects, and he looked at him with a pleading gaze: "Why don't you make a trip to both?"

Qin Liang shook his head helplessly: "China Aviation Technology should pay me a salary."

"Forget about salary, I'd give you the manager position at AVIC Tech without any problem!"

Manager Liu meant it sincerely.

Qin Liang rolled his eyes at him, then went upstairs.

"Hmph, Easterners, they really aren't good friends, still selling weapons to Iran!"

"Yes, how could they do this? We thought they were our good friends!"

Listening to his subordinates' incessant chatter, Minuseper's mood was in turmoil. The twin-engine Q6 had performed exceptionally well this time, and he had come to the East intending to boast to the Easterners about its top-notch performance, but unexpectedly...

Boom boom boom!
Hearing the knock, the subordinate went to open the door and saw that familiar person.

"My friend, I'm so sorry, I didn't expect that Yituo would order Super-7 and J-8 fighter jets again. CATIC really didn't think things through..." Qin Liang said as he walked in.

"Humph……"

These guys were still unhappy, as expected. They only gave in to pressure at the dinner table; they weren't truly convinced.

"To better assist you, I repeatedly applied to the Air Force, and with my insistence, they finally relented and agreed to export a powerful airborne early warning aircraft to you!"

Airborne early warning aircraft?
The camels instantly forgot their earlier displeasure and looked at Qin Liang in surprise: "The East has this kind of airplane?"

"Yes, this is a project we are currently developing, and it is highly confidential. However, we have no secrets from our Langtuo friends. We are willing to offer you our most advanced equipment!"

"Is it an early warning aircraft like the E-3A?"

Langtuo Air Force has always been a very high-end and prestigious organization!
Outsiders know that Lang Tuo bought 80 Tomcats and 79 have been delivered, but this is only part of Lang Tuo's grand air force plan!

In order to phase out their F-4 Phantom fighters, Lang Tuo also ordered F/A-18 Hornet fighters. However, because the performance of this aircraft was not very good, they also decided to invest in upgrading the aircraft. The improved aircraft was called F-18L, where L stands for Land Based.

The carrier-based version is heavier than the land-based version. The fuselage and landing gear need to be strengthened, a carrier hook needs to be installed, and folding wings are also required. The modified version reduces the weight by more than one ton. Once the modification is completed, the performance will definitely be much stronger.

In addition to these, Lang Tuo also requested the purchase of ten E-3A early warning aircraft from the United States! This massive purchase order has even raised suspicions among US congressmen: What is Lang Tuo trying to do? Become the hegemon of the Middle East?
One can imagine that if the storm in Langtuo had arrived a few years later, the Langtuo air force would have been even stronger!
Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs". The Langtu Air Force is currently at its weakest. A few twin-engine Q-6 fighters are not enough to meet their needs. They need more aircraft, especially early warning aircraft!
Now that they hear that the East also has early warning aircraft, they are naturally overjoyed and will buy them, even if it means selling their pots and pans!

"We plan to install airborne early warning radar on the Y-8 airframe. The overall technical level will not be inferior to the E-3A early warning aircraft! Of course, the C-130 transport aircraft you have can also be modified..."

Qin Liang spoke with great enthusiasm, and two hours later, when he emerged from Langtuo's room, it was already past noon. Langtuo was very satisfied. Upon returning, he would submit a report, and once approved by his superiors, they would formally discuss the procurement. Although they had fallen out with the West, they still held Western mindsets and placed great importance on early warning aircraft.

Next, we need to comfort Yituo...

Just as he was organizing his thoughts, Manager Liu came up to him.

"Liangzi, something's happened again. Grumman is coming..."

(End of this chapter)