Chapter 420 Makarov’s visit
Without Qin Tao's relationship, Makarov probably would never have come to the East in his life. But now, he wants to find a new life for the Varyag, and it seems that the only one from the East is the most likely.
So, after repeatedly trying to fool Ah San and ultimately failing, he finally came here, hoping to rebirth Varyag.
His first stop was the Kiev Aircraft Carrier Park.
The cool sea breeze blows across Chongming Island, and you can see the production and construction scenes in the distance. Those arc sparks make Makarov very envious. Once upon a time, his shipyard was also such a bustling scene.
but now…
Makarov sighed as he walked up the long stairs to the Kiev.
Originally, the Kiev would not have an opening in the middle of the hull, but now, this warship has been turned into a park. In order to facilitate getting on and off, an opening needs to be opened in the middle to directly enter the interior of the hull.
“From here, it should be the lower level of the hangar, right?” Makarov was very familiar with this aircraft carrier and asked Qin Tao.
"Yes, the deck below the hangar has been transformed into various entertainment venues."
While he was talking, everyone had already walked up and could see various signs.
Colorful neon lights are flashing, some rooms have rifles and balloons, and go-karts have also been moved in. The former war weapons have now become an entertainment facility.
Of course, most of them are related to Da Mao and the military. For example, in one of the shops, they are all toys made of bullet casings, tanks, aircraft, cannons, and aircraft carrier models.
Standing in front of the aircraft carrier model, Makarov thought for a long time.
After walking three times, we came to the deck.
The sea breeze was blowing in his face, and the flags were flapping. Makarov stepped on the deck with titanium alloy rivets and looked at the fighter planes placed on it, feeling even more emotional.
This kind of Yak-38 fighter has been completely eliminated in the Mao Navy. Most of them have been acquired by the Mingzhou Group, refurbished and then sold.
Da Mao ignored all this. No one actually said that the J-31 was actually an upgraded model of the Yak-38, and the more advanced J-31A was talked about by many people.
Even Ermao had internal ideas and wanted to participate in this project. Of course, in the end, he had to give up because he had no money.
“The J-31A developed by you uses the same idea as the Yak-38, right?” Asnayev asked Qin Tao.
"Yes, the two most successful vertical take-off and landing fighters in the world are the Yak-38 and the Sea Harrier. After comparison, we believe that the Yak-38 is more suitable, especially since we switched to a lift fan. This method will completely solve the problem. Deck ablation problem.”
"This kind of aircraft can also be deployed on the Varyag, take off by ski jump, and finally land vertically." Asnayev said: "We believe that your navy needs this aircraft carrier."
After the collapse of the Red Empire, many things have changed. Even the names of warships are no longer called heavy-duty aircraft carriers. They are called aircraft carriers directly, which sounds more domineering.
Hearing what he said, Qin Tao smiled and did not answer the question: "Let's go to the ship island to have a look. This kind of aircraft carrier has a huge ship island. Now, the Novorossiysk is being refitted , just worried about this ship island."
Compared with the small islands in the West, the islands of the Kiev-class aircraft carriers are really huge.
There are not many passages opened up on the ship island. Most of the cabins are locked and can only be accessed to the aviation bridge. The equipment inside has been repainted and still has a rough old Maozi style.
Standing here, you can overlook the entire deck, and you can also look far ahead.
Makarov thought of a lot, a lot. When looking at other shipyards in the distance, there seemed to be something crystal clear in his eyes.
When he got off the aircraft carrier park, Makarov was a little depressed and said nothing.
“Here, we have the Sino-Japanese War of Sino-Japanese War Memorial Hall that we just opened. Do you want to go in and take a look?” Qin Tao pointed to a building on the side and said.
“The Sino-Japanese War of Sino-Japanese War?”
Makarov thought about history carefully: "Is it the naval battle a hundred years ago? The naval battle in which the entire Beiyang Navy was wiped out?"
"Yes, for all our people, that is a naval battle that will never be forgotten. It always reminds us that if we fall behind, we will be beaten. It is not just buying a few warships to build up coastal defense. We must have our own The military-industrial system is truly powerful.”
After Qin Tao finished speaking, he led everyone through the door.
What is placed at the main entrance is the largest piece of debris fished out of the sea: the 18.7-ton armor plate of the Dingyuan ship.
The armor plate, which is more than three meters long, is stained with rust and has countless bullet holes, which seems to tell the cruelty of that naval battle.
In front of this armor plate, Makarov stood for a long time.
If you fall behind, you will be beaten. In the beginning, it was because we did not have advanced coastal defense that we were opened to the country.
So, what about the Red Empire? It was obviously a powerful empire, but why did it suddenly collapse with a rumble when there were no external enemies?
Makarov was filled with emotion.
The area inside the exhibition hall is not small. First there are the actual objects, which give people a strong visual impact, and then there are various models, including models of warships at sea, including the situation between the enemy and ourselves at the time, the final results, various portraits, sculptures, etc. .
At the end, there is a small studio, where a projector plays videos continuously.
Some of them were shot in the movie "The Sino-Japanese War", and some were shot by Mingzhou Group itself.
This introduction is very detailed. When everyone passed by, the scene of Deng Shichang leading the Zhiyuan ship to attack the enemy was played.
"We joined the army to defend the country, and we have long put life and death at risk. Today's incident is just one death, there is no need to cause chaos! Even though we are dead, the prestige of the navy does not dare to fall. This is serving the country!"
“Charge towards the Yoshino ship!”
The Zhiyuan ship, which had been badly beaten, rushed towards the Yoshino ship at full speed. Although the picture was in black and white, you could see the colorful life.
Everyone stood there, watching intently. Although Makarov and Asnayev could not understand Chinese or read the Chinese and English subtitles above, they could understand just by looking at the movements of those people. Know what you are doing.
Lao Maozi is the best at collision tactics. Even in the Cold War, there have been countless collisions, but now, Makarov and Asnayev are still deeply moved.
One hundred years ago, in the East, a group of people fought a tragic battle to defend their motherland. Although they failed, their spirit inspired countless people. In this spirit, they fought one after another and sacrificed their lives.
It is precisely because of their continuous sacrifices that New China was born. After that, it was the contributions of generations of builders that finally made China what it is today.
This exhibition hall is a patriotic education base. Even Qin Tao will be deeply shocked every time he comes out of here, and then he will devote himself to his work with more enthusiasm.
Asnayev and Makarov also have very complicated emotions.
After the visit, it was already past eleven o'clock. Qin Tao took them directly to the nearby Damao Fengqing Street for an authentic Damao-style lunch.
“Qin, why didn’t you see the military leader yesterday?” Makarov asked him.
"Leader Wu originally planned to accompany you all to visit, but today he suddenly had some other work and couldn't get away." Qin Tao said, "It's enough for me to accompany you. In the afternoon, we will go to our shipyard to see What do you think?"
“It’s still a few hundred kilometers from here to the shipyard, right?” Makarov asked.
“Yes, so we took a helicopter there.”
After dinner, a civilian Mi-17 helicopter landed. After a few people got on the plane, they flew directly to Mingzhou.
“This aircraft belongs to our group. We have a special transportation company, and the An-225 transport aircraft is also in this company.” Qin Tao continued to introduce on the plane.
Makarov nodded, but also recalled in his heart that this day's inspection was all civil contact. Originally, they wanted to sell the Varyag to the Chinese Navy, but so far, the other party still has not given any information. A clear answer comes!
Makarov felt an uneasy feeling in his heart.
Looking down at the entire Mingzhou Shipyard from the air, you can even feel the scale of this shipyard, which is no less than the Black Sea Shipyard!
“Our shipyard is mainly divided into three parts. The first part you see is an indoor factory. The natural gas ships we are currently producing, as well as the submarines we plan to build in the future, are all produced in these closed factories.”
“The middle part is a 100,000-ton slipway. Many warships were built on that slipway, including the aircraft carrier we built for Siam.”
“Looking further into the distance, there is a 400,000-ton dry dock. Large ships are generally built there. Currently, two bulk carriers are being built.”
“There is a building nearby, which is our residential area. Our Mingzhou Group’s guest house is also set up there. Tonight, you can stay in the presidential suite inside.”
"By the way, you can also look to the left. There are two hills in the center of the river, called Dali Mountain and Xiaolie Mountain. We plan to build a nuclear power plant on Dali Mountain to supply our entire group. The excess electricity can also be exported. To Mingzhou City.”
Makarov and Asnayev kept nodding, while also thinking about the meaning of Qin Tao's words.
What point does Qin Tao want to express implicitly?
“Everyone, let’s go to the dock first and have a look. There may be some acquaintances of you there.”
In the dock, a group of old men are still working there.
“Who is coming?”
“Who knows, let’s work!”
Even if the old men were talking, they did not put down their work and were still welding steadily.
Kauzlov also recovered his thoughts and continued working, but not long after, Kozlov saw a group of people striding towards them.
Several of them looked very familiar.
"Is it Factory Director Makarov?" Kozlov lost his composure and quickly climbed down from the scaffolding and ran towards the person coming from the opposite side.
Makarov stood there, watching Kozlov coming over.
"Director Makarov, I'm so happy to see you." Kozlov ran to Makarov in one breath and said to him: "What are you doing here? Are you planning to come to Mingzhou Group too? Ma Director Karloff, you are at the right place, and you will definitely be able to show your abilities here."
“Kozlov, Director Makarov is here for inspection.” Qin Tao quickly interrupted Kauzlov.
If there is only Makarov, that's all. There are Asnaev and others next to him!
Makarov also looked a little embarrassed: "I have retired. This time I just have some things to do, so I came here to see, Kozlov, how are you doing here?"
"It's great, it's like paradise here!" Kozlov gushed: "In the beginning, we came here just to have a drink, but then we gradually fell in love with it and we didn't have to queue. Shopping, and daily necessities are very cheap! Many of our people plan to live here for the rest of their lives. Yuri, do you remember Yuri? He has already married a Chinese wife!"
"Okay, Kozlov, take Mr. Makarov, Mr. Asnaev and others to visit our shipyard. You can be their commentator." Qin Tao continued to interrupt Kozlov. if.
Kozlov nodded: "Of course, come, come and see our shipyard first. What is built here is a super dry cargo ship. At present, only Mingzhou Group dares to build this type of ship. If other shipyards build it, they will Broken into sections in strong winds and waves.”
Kauzlov's introduction was of course to the field of civilian ships. He did not take the warships built on the slipway with him. He only introduced them in the dock and other corners for a whole afternoon.
In the evening, Qin Tao hosted a banquet for Ermao and his party in the main banquet hall of the nearby group guest house. At the same time, dozens of employee representatives from the Black Sea Shipyard in the shipyard also came.
Everyone drank and drank, and Makarov was filled with emotions.
At first, when he learned that Qin Tao was poaching people, Makarov did not stop him because he knew that the Black Sea Shipyard was in decline. Since it was unable to pay the shipwrights wages, it was appropriate to let the shipwrights find their own way.
Many people left and went to different places.
But now it seems that these people who came to the East undoubtedly have the happiest life. From their smiling faces and their chatty expressions, it can be seen that they are living a good life.
“Director Makarov, I want to toast you.” Kozlov came over with a glass of wine in his hand: “Without your acquiescence at that time, we would not have been able to leave the Black Sea Shipyard.”
"It's nothing, these are what I should do." Makarov was very polite.
"Director Makarov, you have retired. I sincerely recommend that you come here. Your ideals will definitely be realized here."
Makarov was stunned: "Can my ideal be realized here?"
"Yes, all kinds of ships can be built here, including aircraft carriers." Kozlov said: "An aircraft carrier has been built here for the Siamese Kingdom, and an aircraft carrier is still being designed for the Turkish Kingdom. There is no such thing as an aircraft carrier that cannot be built here." s things."
"Kozlov, you have welded several heavy-duty aircraft carrier cruisers. You should know that these are of different levels. Needless to say, the high-strength steel used in the aircraft carrier deck cannot be produced here."
"Why not?" Kozlov said: "The bulk carriers we built use part of the high-strength steel to ensure the strength of the hull. The high-strength steel developed here also has quite good performance, and some of it can even reach One thousand megapascals.”
“This is impossible!” Makarov was surprised.
“Everything is possible here,” says Kozloff.
After drinking, Kozlov left, while Makarov fell into shock.
Everything can be produced here!
Others are not what Makarov has to consider. In his mind, he keeps repeating one thought: aircraft carriers can be built here, aircraft carriers can be built here!
They came here to sell the Varyag to China. They believe that the navy here needs an aircraft carrier, and the Varyag is the best choice.
But now, Makarov is disappointed.
The Varyag is just a shell, and there is a lot of wasted space.
For example, they plan to sell the anti-ship missile launcher as an aircraft carrier, but that kind of supersonic anti-ship missile cannot be provided to users. After the user buys it back, the space in front of it will be completely wasted. .
Although it is huge in size, it cannot carry many carrier-based aircraft, making it a useless thing.
Would the Chinese want it?
Before coming, they had confidence, but after coming, their confidence finally fell to the bottom.
The night is already dark.
Makarov and Asnayev moved into the luxurious suite arranged for them by Qin Tao, but neither of them felt sleepy.
"Asnayev, we are going to return in vain this time." Makarov said to Asnayev: "While drinking just now, I got the news that this place has all the conditions for the production of aircraft carriers. Therefore, they will not take a fancy to our Varyag, and they will produce their own aircraft carriers."
“Damn, we only need 400 million US dollars, which is the price of two 956 destroyers. Are they not willing to purchase them?” Asnayev was a little angry.
“I don’t think they are willing to purchase it. If they produce it themselves, the cost will be lower than the US$400 million.”
I’m just afraid of comparison shopping.
Mingzhou Group is developing too fast, and the foundations for building aircraft carriers are already available. If they want a large aircraft carrier, they can just build it themselves. Why buy a semi-finished Varyag?
Makarov has become discouraged.
"No wonder the Wu leader never showed up, because they are no longer interested in Varyag." Asnayev said: "Those greedy guys, when we sold Asanda Hao for 400 million U.S. dollars, The price has to be two billion U.S. dollars, and now it can only be sold as scrap metal!"
In another room.
“Mr. Qin, it’s not good for us to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations like this.” Xu Zhengyang said to Qin Tao with some worry.
When such a person comes out, he must be accompanied by technical personnel. If he finds that there is a bugging device in the room, he may become furious.
"We are not eavesdropping, we are helping them." Qin Tao said: "After this day of inspection, they finally understood. It is good for both of us."
Only Qin Tao can say this kind of thing openly and openly without a red face and a heartbeat.
“Mr. Qin, what should we do next?”
"Of course I'm helping them come up with ideas. Aren't they trying to sell Varyag? Our navy is useless. If they really want to sell it, selling it to us at the scrap price and transforming it into a maritime casino is the best solution. "
Qin Tao had a smile on his face.
the next day.
Makarov and Asnayev's eyes were red. It was obvious that they had not had a good rest last night. It was already past nine o'clock when they came to the restaurant to have breakfast.
There was no one in the restaurant. Only Qin Tao and Xu Zhengyang had just finished breakfast and were still chatting there.
"Mr. Qin, I want to get a clear answer." After seeing Qin Tao, Makarov couldn't help it and came straight to the point: "Your navy is not interested in our Varyag?"
If there is no interest here, then they will not go around in circles here, and they will leave when they have to, and do not do such meaningless things.
“Have you heard about our J-31A project?” Qin Tao did not answer directly and went around in a circle.
“I’ve heard that this is an international cooperation project.”
“I can reveal a secret. Our Navy is very interested in this project. When this project matures, the Navy will also purchase a batch of them, including carrier-based aircraft.”
“It will take at least ten years.” Asnayev said.
How can it be so easy to develop a brand new fighter aircraft? Ten years is too early, maybe twenty years, or even longer.
"Yes, we can wait." Qin Tao said: "There are three versions of this kind of fighter aircraft, among which there are conventional catapult-takeoff carrier-based aircraft. The Navy is the most looking forward to it. In the future, the Navy's aircraft carriers will definitely be catapult-type."
“How is that possible? You don’t have catapult technology.”
“How do you know we don’t have it? Perhaps we not only have this technology, but also more advanced electromagnetic ejection technology?”
“Having said so much, your navy no longer looks down on the Varyag?” Makarov continued to go straight to the point.
"Our Mingzhou Group is very interested in that warship. Yesterday you also saw our Kiev aircraft carrier park." Qin Tao said: "In 1999, there will be another place to return to the motherland, where traditional industries, Our country will not interfere, and we, the Mingzhou Group, also want to get a share of the pie. So, if we buy the Varyag for scrap metal, we will transform it into a maritime casino."
Qin Tao looked at Makarov: "You sell that warship first. If it cannot be sold as a finished warship, you can consider our Mingzhou Group's proposal. After all, this fate is better than being broken into scrap metal. It would be better. What do you think?"
(End of this chapter)