Chapter 542: 500 million tug fee
If there is a glimmer of hope, Balwinder is still willing to work hard, but the situation is now clear. They need to save themselves first. If the cable is not cut off, and a storm comes, their tugboat may be separated from the one behind it. aircraft carriers collided with each other.
The aircraft carrier is fine, but their tugboat is about to be smashed into pieces.
There is no other way, now we can only consider saving ourselves. As for the Super Sun King, then just wish yourself good luck.
Creak, snap!
Just before they could cut the cable, the cable broke on its own.
Balwinder was overjoyed: "Hurry, use full power and go to the harbor to take shelter from the wind!"
The Chaoriwang, with a displacement of more than 40,000 tons, struggled in the storm.
If there is power, an aircraft carrier of this level will not have too many problems. It can completely adjust its direction and move forward in the direction of the storm. It will soon be able to pass through the storm area. In fact, even the Navy's more than 1,000-ton aircraft carrier No frigate is afraid of such waves.
But now they have no motivation!
They can only drift with the wind and waves, there is no other way.
The deck sometimes turned to the left, with a deflection of more than 30 degrees, and sometimes to the right, with a deflection of more than 35 degrees. It seemed that it could capsize at any time. However, several people on the island held the railing tightly with their hands and kept their bodies. There is no other way but to stay still.
Of course there are, such as cursing.
“Damn it, why weren’t you warned in advance?”
“If we had been warned, we could have avoided this storm!”
ˆTheir only source of information channels is their hometown! And the meteorological department of their Asan naval fleet is controlled by Chhetri.
Chhetri has been defeated by Sunil, and the finishing work of Chaori King is all directed by Sunil. At this time, even Chhetri's meteorological department can discover storms in the Pacific that have nothing to do with them. , will also deliberately pretend to be confused.
After all, if something goes wrong along the way, Sunil will be unlucky. As for being accused of bad weather forecasts? We are focusing on the Indian Ocean. Who knows what is going on in the Pacific Ocean? Besides, we don’t know where the Super Sun King is. What’s your action? You didn’t take the initiative to ask for weather information, and you came to accuse us? Besides, several countries in the east should all have weather forecasts. Can't you just pay more attention to them?
Various bureaucracy, intrigues, and dereliction of duties put the Chaori King in crisis at this time.
“Where is the tugboat? Why did the tugboat disappear?”
The only thing left for them was shouting. Of course, shouting in danger can also relieve tension.
At this moment, the bow of the ship suddenly lifted high, and everyone screamed again.
After screaming, they were surprised to find that the hull seemed to no longer rock from side to side?
what happened?
Gulmad looked outside tremblingly, when lightning struck, and he saw the flat land outside.
"We are stranded!" Gulmad made a judgment. At this time, he was just rejoicing. Fortunately, he was stranded. Although the waves were still beating against the hull, the hull was no longer shaking violently. They were at least temporarily safe. .
As for what to do next, let’s wait until the storm passes.
The high-level meeting of the Asan Navy was held urgently three hours later.
In the conference room, Sunil had a gloomy face. Although Chhetri opposite him also had a serious face, he was clearly laughing in his heart.
"This is a major accident. Currently our Super Sun King has been stranded on an unnamed island in the Ryukyu Islands." The leader who presided over the meeting was extremely angry: "Our navy has spent billions on the Super Sun King. An important pillar of our future navy, now such an accident has occurred, and people all over the world are watching our joke!"
"Yes, leader, the relevant responsible persons must be dealt with seriously this time. They neglected their duties and showed lawlessness. There must be some economic problems. We spent a lot of money for this operation, but something like this happened. Result!" Chhetri immediately started to add insult to injury.
Where did the money spent go? No safety measures were taken?
“Leader, please listen to me explain, our accident this time is...”
"Is there any explanation? The Orientals towed the Varyag on such a long voyage without any accidents. We towed an aircraft carrier with a displacement much smaller than it, but such an accident occurred. This is dereliction of duty. Serious dereliction of duty!" The leader was very angry.
"Orientals use floating docks." Sunil knew that if he didn't argue with reason this time, he would really be doomed: "Currently, only Easterners have floating docks in the world that can carry aircraft carriers, but you have already Rejected our offer.”
The leader suddenly became speechless.
The best solution for tugboats is of course to use a floating dock and bring the aircraft carrier back with it. However, how can they shamelessly ask the Easterners to rent a floating dock?
Their pride won’t allow it!
Sunil was secretly happy. Thanks to the fact that he reported it to the leader, but was finally denied by the leader. Now, the responsibility lies with the leader!
“Leader, now that the incident has happened, the pursuit of responsibility can be put later. Our most important thing at the moment is how to rescue the ship and how to avoid similar problems in the future.”
The leader nodded: “Let’s talk about how to deal with it first.”
"The best solution at present is to rent the Shenzhou floating dock." Sunil said: "Currently our Chaori King has been stranded, and we don't know the damage. If water leaks during the subsequent towing process, it is very likely that It will sink midway.”
Actually, even Sunil himself was not satisfied with this plan, but he also knew that there was nothing that could be done about it. Who said that only Easterners in the world had it? Moreover, the Easterners are the closest to there and can get there in the shortest time. The longer the Super Sun King is stranded, the greater their embarrassment will be.
This time the leader finally nodded.
“Okay, then contact them and ask them to help with the shipment. We can’t have any accidents this time, and we must ensure absolute safety!”
Pride and self-respect aside, if the Super Sun King sank, that would be the most embarrassing thing for them.
It took several years and billions of dollars, but in the end it was all wasted. I can’t afford to lose that person!
“Sunil, you are personally responsible for this matter.” The leader spoke.
"Yes." Sunil breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he was not held accountable on the spot, he would be very sure to escape punishment. As long as the next thing was done well, the leader would no longer hold him accountable.
The Capital International Defense Exhibition has come to a successful conclusion, and Qin Tao has also returned to Mingzhou. Currently, their most important construction task is the 052C destroyer, and even the modification of the aircraft carrier has been ranked second.
After all, this destroyer will be the main force of the navy in the future! It is an all-rounder that can perform various tasks. This first warship must be built so that the navy feels that even if it is much more expensive than the 052B, it is still worth the money.
Since the national defense lottery business has been launched, the military’s procurement funds will be abundant. After comparison, the Navy will definitely purchase a large number of 052C. As for the low-cost 052B, it is more suitable to turn to the export market.
(Some readers complained a lot earlier, why not just let the protagonist win the bid? There are two main considerations. One is the funding issue. After all, the year in the book is 1996, and defense expenditures are not very large. Our shield and sword make dumplings, then It was two thousand years later. Now that the navy has spread out so much and has aircraft carriers, funds must be tight. On the other hand, this 052C needs to be equipped in large quantities domestically, and the 052B can become an export model. Warships, exported ones are one level lower than those used for personal use, and Europeans are dumbfounded. The designs of European anti-aircraft ships have to copy our 052B, we are the original ones.)
The advanced CNC bending machine is at work. By inputting the computer design drawing, the steel plate can be bent into the corresponding shape. The work that was once very time-consuming has now become easy.
"The use of this bending machine has greatly improved our manufacturing efficiency." Cong Ju was full of praise: "At present, almost all the steel plates of the ships we are building are made with this bending machine. Yes, many of our old masters who used to operate ordinary plate bending machines can be freed up and transferred to other positions."
“This is the power of science and technology. Our Mingzhou Shipyard has strong scientific and technological strength, can build ships quickly, and the manufacturing costs will be reduced. In this way, we can be in an advantageous position in the competition.”
While talking, a steel plate had been bent into the corresponding shape, and then moved away by the suction cup, and another steel plate was stuffed in. It originally required several skilled plate bending machine masters, but after many repeated bendings, it became complicated. The process of bending the shape, which often took several hours, now only takes a few minutes!
Amidst the crisp sound of the diesel engine, a multi-axle vehicle appeared nearby.
The thick tires look very spectacular, and the tall cab is even more domineering.
Maz-7907!
This is simply a waste of money. This kind of vehicle, which was originally used to transport the Big Satan, is currently in short supply at the Mingzhou Shipyard!
The gas turbine has been replaced by an MTU396 diesel engine, which is powerful and fuel-efficient. The back shelf of this car is filled with several layers of steel plates, weighing at least three hundred tons according to visual inspection!
When Qin Tao bought this big thing, he had planned this use. Many things in the shipyard are large and inconvenient to transport. Although there are various gantry cranes and ordinary tower cranes, at some point, it will still cause a headache when they need to be transported.
Now, with this kind of super-large truck, there is no problem. Even a welded hull of several hundred tons can be moved with this big guy.
For the second artillery?
There is no need for the second artillery now! Dongfeng 21 is still the main force, and Dongfeng-31 will only be successfully test-fired in 1999, and it is a waste for such a big guy to carry Dongfeng-41.
Domestic ballistic missile launch vehicles are also under development. This defense exhibition has already begun contact with the Minsk Automobile Manufacturing Plant. Qin Tao does not need to worry about subsequent development. Moreover, domestic ballistic missile launch vehicles have always used shaft drives. , I have never used this form of electric transmission, so Qin Tao does not feel that I am wasting it. No matter how advanced technology is, it must be transformed into productivity.
"Mr. Qin, someone came to ask for help." At this moment, Yang Dawei ran over and said to Qin Tao.
"who?"
“Asan.”
Qin Tao was stunned for a moment: "How could Ah San come to see us?"
"What?"
This time it was Qin Tao's turn to be shocked.
After returning, Qin Tao was so busy that he actually ignored the Super Sun King towed on the sea!
As Yang Dawei walked, he introduced it to Qin Tao. After hearing the whole thing, Qin Tao was even more surprised: "This is our Dragon King of the East China Sea showing off his power."
Apart from doing some tricks in the weather forecast, Qin Tao has no other tricks. After all, it is impossible for him to interfere with the meteorological departments of other countries, let alone arrange people for Asan. Therefore, all this is still God's will.
"Our group has a floating dock for the Shenzhou, and we also have the experience of successfully transporting the Dongfang Sea Dacheng, so Ah San can only come to us." Yang Dawei said: "The Chaori King ran aground again, it seems The injuries are serious, and it might sink if we enter the water. If we don't help, their ship might be ruined."
This is Yang Dawei's idea. Mingzhou Group has plenty of money and doesn't care about these three melons and two dates. If it can give up cooperation and let Asan destroy the aircraft carrier, it might not be a bad idea.
“Of course not. We are a country of etiquette and we always like to help others. Of course we have to do this.”
Yang Dawei was a little surprised.
Qin Tao looked at Yang Dawei with a smile: "After this grounding, the Super Sun King has been damaged, especially the deck steel, which has suffered a huge impact. So after arriving, it was found that the carrier-based aircraft could not take off and land, but You can’t blame us.”
Yang Dawei suddenly understood.
If Asan completely abandons this aircraft carrier, then they will wholeheartedly build a domestic aircraft carrier, and resources will be more concentrated. Therefore, this aircraft carrier must fall into Asan's hands, allowing them to continue to invest in improvements and waste money again. A large amount of money was spent, but after the construction was completed, it was found that it was not usable.
This greatly delayed Ah San's time to obtain the aircraft carrier. Moreover, he couldn't blame others because the deck collapsed? It was obviously internal injuries caused by being stranded in the last storm!
Mr. Qin’s plan is better.
Shipyard conference room.
“Mr. Qin, I accepted the commission from Asan Navy and would like to ask you for help.” Choudary stood up and said respectfully to Qin Tao.
At the International Defense Exhibition, he used to pretend to be a reporter. Now, he is still half-covering his face with his pipa, and he dare not openly reveal that he is a member of the Asan Navy.
Is it because you feel embarrassed?
Qin Tao felt very funny in his heart.
“Welcome, our Mingzhou Group is open and willing to cooperate with anyone. What are your needs?”
"Our aircraft carrier Super Sun King has been stranded on the beach of an unnamed island in the Ryukyu Islands. I hope you can dispatch rescue forces to help us rescue this aircraft carrier, and then use your Shenzhou floating dock to bring this aircraft carrier out." The aircraft carrier is back to our shipyard."
"Well." Qin Tao looked at the scene outside the window hesitantly: "But, in our floating dock, ships are being built!"
This is true.
Last year, the Shenzhou floating dock undertook the modification work of the destroyer No. 138. The construction schedule at that time was very tight, so construction was continued on the floating dock. It was not until a few months ago that the Shenzhou floating dock was empty when No. 138 was launched. out.
However, if such a large floating dock is idle, it will be a waste after all. Just a month ago, it undertook the maintenance work of a certain cargo ship.
In fact, the maintenance has come to an end, and the freighter can be re-launched at any time. However, since there is demand from Asan's side, of course we have to take the opportunity to create difficulties.
“Mr. Yang, how long will the construction period of that ship last?” Qin Tao finished speaking and asked Yang Dawei who was standing aside.
“It will take about two years to report to Mr. Qin.”
"Well, it will take another two years for our floating dock to be vacated." Qin Tao said: "When our work is completed in two years, we will go to rescue you as soon as possible."
Two years? Can I still want the Super Sun King? Must it become scrap metal?
“Mr. Qin, can we dispatch the troops soon?” Choudary said.
"Recently? I don't have time recently. How about you go to rescue agencies in other countries? There must be various rescue agencies that will come up with ways to help you." Qin Tao said: "We are really helpless. "
There is absolutely no need to worry about this. As long as Asan can find an organization to help, he will never come to Dongfang for help. Now they have no other choice but to come to Mingzhou Group.
“Mr. Qin, can you put down the cargo ship that is under construction first, help us, and then build it after you come back?” Choudary asked cautiously.
This is indeed a bit difficult.
“Well, it’s not impossible. The problem is that if this happens, we will face many problems. The construction period is delayed, the ship owner claims compensation, and it will cost a lot of money to restart the construction project after it is interrupted.”
“We can provide the money!” Chaudhary said.
As long as we can dispatch, everything else is easy.
“Mr. Yang, please calculate how much damage will be caused if work is stopped now to help with consignments.”
“Yes.” Yang Dawei took the order and left. In fact, he drank two cups of tea in the office next to him, and then came over with the documents.
“Reporting to Mr. Qin, we have just calculated and initially estimated the loss to be US$400 million.”
What?
Chaudhary opened his eyes wide.
He didn’t expect there to be so many!
"The loss is 400 million U.S. dollars. Our cost for one dispatch is 80 million U.S. dollars. We will make another 20 million U.S. dollars in profit. Let's do this, 500 million U.S. dollars. As long as you pay the money first, we will take action immediately."
500 million!
Chaudhary's words were almost pleading: "Mr. Qin, can it be cheaper? The cost is a bit high."
“We have no choice. As you know, most of the compensation is paid to the shipowner, and we earn hard money. If you think it is expensive, you can consider others!”
There was embarrassment on Qin Tao's face: "Please go back and discuss it carefully. You can also look for other rescue companies. If there is a cheaper one, then find someone else. Our price is indeed a bit high, but we It’s also very difficult.”
Chaudhary's back looked extremely lonely as he left.
"Mr. Qin, can Asan accept this price?" Yang Dawei was a little worried. Mr. Qin's ability to extort money was getting better and better. This time he actually offered Asan 500 million US dollars in one go. After excluding the cost of 10 million, the rest It's all profit.
"What do you think? If we simply look at the rescue cost, it is indeed sky-high. However, if we look at the value of the aircraft carrier, it is still acceptable. If we don't take action, then their Super Sun King will have to be scrapped. , This is not only a matter of wasted investment in the past, but also related to Ah San’s next naval strategy. Their aircraft carriers have entered the phase of elimination, and they urgently need to obtain new aircraft carriers.”
The Asan Navy does not know how much they are looking forward to this aircraft carrier to satisfy their vanity, so they have to grit their teeth and agree to the price. After all, their own aircraft carrier does not know how long it will take to build it.
“Of course, it depends on God’s help. Our weather forecast can help.”
The news spread back to the capital of Asan, and suddenly a large group of people were stunned.
They thought Mingzhou Group would extort money, but they didn't expect it to be so capable. The maximum price is 100 million, which is a sky-high price. They actually asked for 500 million!
"This money must not be given. This is simply an act of treason!" Chhetri was very excited, as if he had been given a shot of blood: "The money we spent at the beginning was at least used on modifications, but now? Now it is just to delay the payment." We have to spend so much money to come back, and we must not let others take advantage of us!"
"The main reason is that the Shenzhou floating dock is in use, and we are the ones who jumped in line, so we have to pay liquidated damages due to our use." Sunil said: "The separate tug fee is within our expectations. "
“Then wait two years and then drag it back!”
“That’s right, with this money, we can start building our own aircraft carrier. Sunil, what’s the deal with the design drawings of that aircraft carrier? Haven’t we already paid for it? Where are the design drawings?”
This project was also handled by Sunil, but there were huge mistakes. He entrusted the Neva Design Bureau to purchase the drawings, but the Neva Design Bureau directly brought the drawings back!
Who is Party A? Why is the Neva Design Bureau so disobedient? Are there any corruption issues?
What Sunil blamed Chhetri at the beginning, now Chhetri can return it.
There was a lot of quarreling in the conference room.
“Everyone, I just received news that Tropical Storm No. 4 in the Pacific is moving westward and may reach the Ryukyu Islands in the next week!”
What?
Everyone’s expressions changed.
This is a big problem. Who knows if the Chaori King has been damaged or not? What should I do if I am blown into the sea by a storm again and then sink?
“We can no longer hesitate, we must take action immediately!”
PS: Regarding the matter of missile launch vehicles, some book friends have made great comments before, saying that today’s trailers can also run in the mountains. This is no problem. Our old Jiefang could also go into the mountains back then, but running in the mountains does not mean that it can Off-road. When Lao Maozi's missile launcher encountered a ditch one or two meters wide, he drove directly over it. Traveling through mountains and rivers was impossible, but our trailer could only walk on dirt roads in the mountainous areas. Our Dongfeng 21 uses a Hanyang 6*6 tractor in the front, and a three-axle trailer in the back without any power. When it comes to the Dongfeng 31, an 8*8 tractor is used in the front, and the four-axle trailer in the back has a hydraulic Motor, which can provide power for a short period of time. The specific content can be found in "Great Powers and Heavy Tanks" by Heroes of East China. Starting from Chapter 1137, it tells the story of the love and hatred of two missile launch vehicle manufacturers. If you like it, you are welcome to read it.
(End of this chapter)