Chapter 254 The Hometown of Snow Dragon (Additional Update 1)
Therefore, Qin Tao talked about the economic development and the political situation, spitting stars and flying in his mouth, describing a beautiful scene: the distant east will gradually become stronger and stronger, and will even be as prosperous as the Red Empire, and then the Red Empire will collapse. Afterwards, World Police will consider the East as its main competitor.
The East needs aircraft carriers, and the East will also have this strength. Only by going to the East can we realize Babbage's ideal!
"At least from now on, as long as you can go to our east, we will set up a design room specifically for you. You can design it on paper now, whether it is a brand new aircraft carrier or the current Varyag. Modification plan.”
It’s better to act than to think. Even if we can’t produce aircraft carriers yet, we can win on paper now!
Since the collapse of the Red Empire, although Babbage stayed, he had nothing to do. Now, Qin Tao promised to give him a special design room and let him design aircraft carriers. For him, this is quite attractive, even if it is just On paper, that can also make him enjoy it!
“I can promise you that within ten years, you will definitely see the hope that what is on paper will become a reality.” Qin Tao continued.
Babic finally nodded: "Okay, I'm willing to go!"
In fact, during this period, many people have approached him, hoping to hire him with a high salary to work in relevant departments in the West. However, Babbage did not agree because in addition to salary, he also had ideals.
Having regarded the West as the imaginary enemy for half his life, now he is suddenly asked to serve the West, and he cannot do it.
Qin Tao did not promise him a high remuneration, but Qin Tao gave him his ideals and the possibility of realizing his ideals!
Babich can continue to live in his ideal world, and there is no possibility for him to refuse.
"I will specially arrange for you to leave Ermao and go to our east. You cannot be with those workers." Qin Tao said: "After you go back, you cannot stay in Mingzhou. I will arrange for you to work in Huating. I will specially arrange for you to leave Ermao. Establish a design unit for you.”
The west will find out that Babic has disappeared. If it is known that Babic has gone to the east, it will be detrimental to Qin Tao's future plans. Even before Varyag is dragged back to the country, Babic cannot be exposed.
Qin Tao deceiving the workers from here will not arouse their vigilance. After all, the Mingzhou Shipyard needs a large number of workers, which are readily available here. Qin Tao's reasons are sufficient, but if a designer of Babbage's level is used by Qin If Thao poached him, that would be arousing.
Qin Tao needs to say hello to the embassy, ask them for help, and make careful arrangements.
This is just the beginning. Let the embassy get familiar with the routine. In the future, a large number of Ermao technical personnel will go to the motherland under the arrangement of the embassy.
Nicholas only came back that evening. He spent the whole day mainly running to contact Ermao officials to discuss Varyag's affairs, but obviously, things did not go well.
"Those guys who have their eyes high above the top are all demanding the full payment. Hmm, if this continues, the Varyag will be broken into scrap metal and sold for scrap metal price." Nikolai was incomparable. said angrily.
"You guys have big differences, let's forget it." Qin Tao is also trying to persuade Nicholas that only by letting them give up the Varyag will this huge warship become abandoned and eventually be forced to sell it for scrap. .
"Er Mao attaches great importance to these warships that they have not built yet. Not only the Varyag in the 444th Shipyard, but also the Type 1164 Cruiser No. 4 in the 445th Shipyard is also offered as gold and silver, etc. No one will want it if it becomes scrap metal in the future." Qin Tao said to Nicholas.
There are two large shipyards in Nikolayev City. The Black Sea Shipyard is famous for building aircraft carriers, and the 61st Commune Shipyard is famous for building cruisers. Now, there are semi-finished products there.
Compared with the 68% progress of the Varyag, the progress of the unfinished No. 4 Glorious-class cruiser is even higher, reaching 90%. However, even so, the remaining 100% Ten times, it is impossible to complete the construction at all. Even if it is built, there will be no buyers at all.
Da Mao?
Mao can’t afford to keep his own warships, so how can he buy them at a high price? East? Only Dongfang was left. Ermao came to sell door to door twice, but Dongfang didn’t need it! In the first sale, Dongfang couldn't afford it. In the second sale, Dongfang already had its own 10,000-ton drive, so why did it need such junk?
So, the Glory-class cruiser is left rotting and soaking.
"Type 1164? You really should go and have a look." Nicholas said, "I'll go have a look tomorrow. Qin, will you go with me?"
"Of course." Qin Tao was very happy. Whether to buy or not was one thing, but whether to take a look was another. Since he was here, of course he had to go and take a look.
Compared to the rigid character of Makarov of the Black Sea Shipyard, Moskalenko, the head of the 61st Commune Shipyard, is quite witty, and Qin Tao also likes to deal with such people.
Even if you don’t buy that cruiser, you can still get some other good things back home!
The next day, 61 Commune Shipyard.
The construction here has also stopped. The warship, which is 90% built, is quietly docked at the outfitting dock. The huge missile launch tubes on both sides are still showing its power. Just like flexing muscles, the appearance is still bright and beautiful, and it has not experienced the erosion of thirty years of wind and rain.
"Nicholas, do you plan to buy back the Admiral Lobov warship? It only has some internal equipment left to install. As long as there is a customer, it can be installed quickly and delivered to the Navy. It is The most powerful cruiser ever!"
When it first started construction, it was called the Komsomolets. It was recently renamed the "Admiral Lobov". In the future, it will be changed to the name of Ermao's country, which is enough to show how much Ermao values this warship.
But, so what? If no one buys it, it's just a pile of scrap metal.
“If we only pay the remaining 10% of the construction cost, we can consider it.” Nicholas said.
“My friend, you are kidding! It is now our 20-cent property. You must pay 100% of the price before you can drive it away. It is worth at least 500 million US dollars!”
Both of them are friends, and they spoke casually, as if they were joking. After finishing speaking, Moskalenko looked at Qin Tao again: "Qin, do you want to buy it?"
“If I buy it, it’s fifty dollars a ton.” Qin Tao said: “The price is the same as the scrap steel of the aircraft carrier in the Black Sea Shipyard. Do you sell it?”
Moskalenko shook his head: "Of course not for sale. This is a warship that is about to be completed, not scrap steel. Even if I want to sell it, others will not agree."
It’s not scrap steel, just find a way to turn it into scrap steel! Such a thought flashed through Qin Tao's mind, but he still controlled it. You can't keep playing with this method. One day you will lose it. You can also find a warship that is not valued by others. You can play with this method in front of you. The plant is someone else's treasure. If it is tampered with, it will probably be found out.
"As for scrap steel, if you want that floating warehouse over there, you can buy it at the scrap price to make room for us. Our shipyard has the right to decide." Moskalenko pointed to the 956 Said the destroyer's hull.
That was the shame of their 61 Commune Shipyard. A major accident occurred during the construction, and as a result, they were stopped from building destroyers. They focused on building cruisers. The hull of the destroyer was also used as a floating warehouse to use waste heat.
The Red Empire has collapsed. It is difficult for all shipyards. It will be easier to sell some junk. Last time Qin Tao said he wanted to buy it, but they did not dare to sell it. This time, there will be no problem.
Qin Tao glanced at the piece of junk and said, "Okay, let's pay the scrap price now and take it away with the aircraft carrier scrap from the Black Sea Shipyard."
In any case, you have to hire a cargo ship, load the scrap steel in the warehouse, and then drag it to the floating warehouse, which is quite full in one trip.
Moskalenko’s face was full of excitement. Compared with the previous bartering, he preferred the current method, paying directly in US dollars!
"It would be nice if there were other junk." Qin Tao continued to look at the shipyard: "For example, other floating warehouses, floating oil depots and so on."
“Well, there is one at the Kherson Shipyard in the next city. If you need it, I can take you to see it.”
Ermao also has many shipbuilding bases on the Black Sea coast. Kherson, which is dozens of kilometers away from Nikolaev City, also has a large shipyard, but it mainly builds civilian ships, so it is not very famous.
At the same time, it was precisely because of the construction of civilian ships that after the collapse of the Red Empire, the Kherson Shipyard finally survived after a difficult period of transformation. Through the business of taking over civilian ships, it was able to sustain itself until later, brothers After the fight, the shipyard workers woke up and thought, hey, the owner has changed?
The one from Kherson Shipyard?
Hearing the news, Qin Tao also became excited. The promise he made to the navy will soon be realized!
“That is a Fedko-class large comprehensive supply ship, with a full load displacement of nearly 40,000 tons.” Moskalenko introduced it on the way.
"Fedko class? It seems that we don't have this class in our navy, right?" Nicholas was a little curious.
"Yes, it was originally just an oil tanker and was converted into a large supply ship during the construction process. However, it has a large displacement and carries a lot of supplies, which can fully meet the navy's ocean-going equipment. Qin, as the middleman, can contact us. It’s a pity that iron is used, it can be built into regular military equipment,” Moskalenko said.
Qin Tao said calmly: "We can go and take a look first, only if the price is right."
He can't be anxious. He is not in a hurry. The only ones who are anxious are the people with two hairs.
Cherson Shipyard.
Moskalenko had a good relationship with him. They were classmates in college. They were later assigned to different shipyards and gradually climbed up the ladder. Both of them became factory directors and they had a close relationship. Nicholas is from the Far East Pacific Fleet, and he is often seen. It’s fine to be ignored for a while, but this young man with an oriental face in front of them is their savior!
“I heard that there is scrap iron here, so I came to take a look.” Qin Tao said: “I have heard Moskalenko introduce it to me along the way. Is this a converted oil tanker?”
Collect scrap metal?
Wakim frowned, we have no intention of selling those things as scrap metal!
He suppressed his displeasure and forced a smile: "Yes, it was originally a large oil tanker, but it was later planned to be converted into a comprehensive supply ship, and the construction work was half completed. It would be a pity if it was scrap metal. Come on, Come and take a look first."
A group of people came to the unfinished supply ship.
The hull has been built, just like a pot-bellied oil tanker, and the rear deck has been sealed.
“The power unit has been installed. It uses a steam turbine with more than 10,000 horsepower, driving a five-blade variable pitch propeller, with a designed maximum speed of 16 knots..."
"Sure enough, it's just a pile of scrap metal." Qin Tao couldn't help but muttered: "Nicholas, your navy, do you want a comprehensive supply ship that is as slow as a snail? When your fleet needs to sail at high speed, You have to leave your nanny far behind. Especially, there is only one power system, which is fine for civilian use. If it is for military use, once it is damaged on the battlefield, it will completely lose power and become a living coffin on the sea! "
Nicolas shook his head in agreement.
Warships at least have twin-shaft sculls. If they are damaged on the battlefield, they at least have backup and can slowly withdraw from the battlefield. This single-shaft single-scull is too dangerous.
"Moreover, the superstructure, gantry, etc. required by the supply ship have not been installed. This ship can be bought as a tanker. However, it is too small to be an oil tanker and is not economical at all." Qin Tao Shaking his head: "It's worthless, it's worthless!"
At present, oil tankers sailing on the sea are getting bigger and bigger in order to pursue economy. For example, oil tankers that go through the Suez Canal are generally about 150,000 tons. It is simply not cost-effective to drive a 30,000-40,000-ton oil tanker like this.
Qin Tao belittled the ship as worthless. At the same time, he looked around. When he saw another idled ship moored nearby, his eyes lit up. He raised his arm: "Let's go up to that piece of scrap metal and have a look!"
The hull is wide, the bow has a special shape, there is a crane at the front end, and the superstructure behind it, extending to the rear, there is a helicopter platform, and behind it, there are special lifting equipment and so on.
You can tell at a glance that this is a special ship. If you add Qin Tao's knowledge to confirm it, you can come to the conclusion: This is Lao Maozi's unique icebreaker!
As expected, Wakim’s tone was filled with dissatisfaction: “It’s not scrap metal, it’s our Vitas-Bering-class icebreaker!”
Qin Tao repeatedly belittled their ships just to lower the price. Wakim's dissatisfaction has become more and more intense!
Qin Tao didn't pay attention to Wakim's tone, but ran onto the icebreaker.
This is completely unintentional. Now that he has encountered it, of course Qin Tao cannot miss it.
The mysterious Antarctic, covered with ice and snow, hides many scientific mysteries. Countries are heading to the pole to study this unexplored virgin land.
Of course, China cannot be content with lagging behind. In November 1984, 591 people formed China's first Antarctic scientific expedition team, taking the "Xiangyanghong 10" ocean-going scientific research vessel and the "Navy J121" salvage lifeboat to go to Antarctica, establishing my country's first Antarctic expedition. Scientific research station—Great Wall Station.
You can tell by looking at the location of this Great Wall Station that it is on the edge of Antarctica. Why not go further?
Of course not, because these ships simply do not have the ability to navigate in ice and cannot continue to penetrate into the Antarctic continent. Even during the completion of the first Antarctic expedition mission, Xiangyanghong 10 was affected by the harsh weather and the hull was damaged in violent turbulence. Seriously, the result was that it was useless and it was impossible to sail to Antarctica again. From then on, there were no professional ships for Antarctic expeditions!
In 1985, the National Antarctic Expedition Committee purchased the ice-resistant general cargo ship "Rhea" from Finland. After buying it back, it was modified domestically and became a second-generation polar research ship.
After the ship was put into service, it greatly alleviated the situation of no ships available for Antarctic scientific research, and successfully completed the Great Wall Station expansion and scientific survey tasks.
However, you can tell by looking at the name that it is called an ice-resistant ship, not an icebreaker. Therefore, this kind of ship cannot really meet the navigation needs of high latitudes in Antarctica. This ship was put into use from 1986 and made its first voyage to Antarctica in 1994. Retired and completed a total of 6 Antarctic scientific research voyages.
Antarctic scientific research requires professional icebreakers, and now, the ship under Qin Tao's feet has B1-level icebreaking capabilities. It can use its powerful bow to hit the ice and forcefully open a channel in the ice. aisle!
Specifically, it can break through 1.5 meters of ice! There is no road on the ice, but when the icebreaker comes, there is a road!
When it comes to icebreakers, Lao Maozi is definitely the best, because Lao Maozi has this need. Navigating in the Arctic region would be difficult without icebreakers. Over the years, Lao Maozi has built many icebreakers and accumulated rich construction experience. He even has nuclear-powered icebreakers, not to mention this Bering-class icebreaker.
Now, the icebreaker of more than 20,000 tons under my feet is simply tailor-made for the motherland’s Antarctic scientific expedition team!
“This scrap metal ship seems to be in good condition.” Qin Tao said: “Together with the scrap metal ship just now, the two ships are packaged for US$30 million. How about it?”
Wakim suddenly felt a surge of blood. What, thirty million dollars? Are you kidding!
"This is no longer the price of scrap iron. It is much higher than the price of scrap iron. We also have to take a lot of risks." Qin Tao said: "As long as you are willing to sell, we can trade now."
"No, of course not!" Wakim said angrily: "What is the difference between this and selling scrap metal? These two ships are the two best ships in our shipyard, how can they be sold for only 30 million? Dollar?"
Qin Tao smiled: "Yes, it's 30 million, not just the boat, but also all the drawings and craftsmanship. If you sell it, sell it, if you don't sell it, it will be pulled down. That's about it for today, let's go! That's right , if you change your mind in the future and are willing to sell it to us at this price, you can come to me at any time."
Moskalenko was a little embarrassed. After all, he was the one who brought the person, and now the two of them broke up, and there was still an unpleasant quarrel?
"Qin, can you give me some extra?" After getting in the car, Moskalenko looked at the figure still standing on the icebreaker and couldn't help but said.
“How much to add?”
"Add more..." Moskalenko was thinking about the words. Thirty million more wouldn't be much, but if he said it, would Qin fall out with him?
So Moskalenko was speechless for a moment.
"Another two million will be enough." Qin Tao said: "Moskalenko, my friend, as long as the business can be completed, I can give you one million in benefits and Vakim one million in benefits." benefit."
One million in benefits!
Moskalenko's eyes widened instantly, and he swallowed: "But your price..."
"I am a scrap metal collector." Qin Tao said: "They still want to sell those scraps for hundreds of millions? Stop dreaming, two ships worth 30 million is already a lot."
“I think it will be difficult for me to earn this million.”
"What's the difficulty? I have recruited thousands of workers at the Black Sea Shipyard to work in the East. You can spread the news to the Kherson Shipyard. If I am not wrong, this shipyard has also defaulted. Have you been paid for a long time?"
It was only 1992, less than half a year after the collapse of the Red Empire. Therefore, many people still had expectations and hoped that life would be better than before. Qin Tao had to break their illusions and create a crisis for them.
For a shipyard, the most important thing is skilled workers. If these workers are lost, even if there are orders in the future, they will not be able to complete them.
Kherson Shipyard is capable of accepting orders for civilian ships. If the workers run away, how can they continue to develop? If the workers don't run away, then they have to pay wages. To pay wages, they have to have money, and to have money, they have to sell boats!
Other than patrons from the East, who would take a fancy to their ships here? You can ask Western Europe, who will buy it? You can make it yourself!
Once Qin Tao has offered the price, it will not be higher. The next moment will be the stage for Moskalenko to perform. The temptation of one million US dollars in profits is enough for Moskalenko to work hard. The whole Kherson Shipyard was shaken and the order was in chaos.
At that time, in order to stabilize people's hearts, Wakim will have no choice but to accept it.
The price of 30 million is really not low. Even if you dismantle it and sell it for scrap metal, you won’t be able to get it at that price.
Nicholas smiled on the side, and everyone who saw it had a share. Since Nikolai came with him, he would definitely have a share of the benefits, but he couldn't say it in front of Moskalenko.
After returning to Nikolayev City, he sent back Vakim and others. When he returned to his residence, Nikolai said to Qin Tao: "Qin, I'm going back next. Do you want to visit my place?"
"I have to go, but now, I have one more thing to do."
"What's up?"
“Go to St. Petersburg and order a set of equipment from the comprehensive supply ship.”
(End of this chapter)