Chapter 848 In addition to digging, canals can also be blown up
Using explosives to blow up a canal sounds like a fantasy, but in fact it is not completely unfounded. Qin Tao knows that in his own time and space, the Pinglu Canal, known as the backbone project of the New Western Land-Sea Corridor, is like this To build it, first use explosives to blast a channel, and then repair the channel, and a canal will come out. This canal is 135 kilometers long from the mouth of the Pingtang River to the Beibu Gulf. It was all dug out in this way. Oriental infrastructure maniac The title is not given for nothing.
Similarly, there is Tianfu International Airport. In order to build an airport in the Sichuan Basin that is large enough to take off and land international flights, domestic engineers used 9,000 tons of explosives to flatten the peaks of more than 70 mountains and fill the valleys with collapsed rocks. , which turned into a large piece of flat land and built a large airport.
Since the Pinglu Canal can be blown up like this, and since the Tianfu International Airport can be blown up like this, of course the 100-kilometer Kra Canal can also be blown up like this. The only question is, do the people in front of me dare?
It is of great significance to their country, but for the navy, it is just a detour. Therefore, their navy may not be tempted. If the navy is not tempted, then Qin Tao will have nothing to do.
Is the cost of two large drones enough?
“Mr. Qin, what our navy is currently in urgent need of is vertical take-off and landing fighter jets that can be deployed on aircraft carriers.” Lakour began to negotiate terms.
Their aircraft carrier has a displacement of only more than 10,000 tons, and it must have used a ski jump to take off. When it was first put into service, it was equipped with J-31 fighters. This kind of fighter was modified from the Yak 38, and its performance was not very advanced. , it just solves the problem of presence or absence.
Now, the J-31A developed by Mingzhou Group is a fourth-generation carrier-based vertical take-off and landing fighter with stealth capabilities. If this aircraft can be equipped in their hands, it will be a shotgun exchange for a cannon.
So, they are very eager to obtain this kind of fighter plane.
However, if this kind of fighter plane is used in exchange for the excavation of the Kra Canal, the price will be too high. After all, this kind of fighter plane is expensive and cannot be given away casually.
However, the other party also knows that he will not give the fighter plane to them, so he should not ask for it directly.
Qin Tao looked at the other party curiously: "So?"
“If this canal can be successfully dug, we will have an extra income, and our navy will be able to equip this advanced fighter earlier. For this fighter, we are willing to give it a try.”
Qin Tao breathed a sigh of relief and nodded: "Okay, as long as you help, when you order fighter planes in the future, we will give you priority in production."
So, the deal was concluded, and the whole process was so smooth that Qin Tao felt a little unbelievable.
The Kra Isthmus is located in the northern part of the Malay Peninsula in southeastern Asia. It is bounded by the Indochina Peninsula to the north, the Malay Peninsula to the south, the Gulf of Siam to the east, and the Andaman Sea to the west. It is a narrow strip of land in Chumphon and Ranong in southern Siam, more than 700 kilometers away from the Strait of Malacca.
Looking at the terrain, it has plains in the east and a long and narrow mountain range in the north and south directions in the west. Whether it is the northern or southern route, it needs to pass through this mountainous area. However, if you take the southern route, you can use This is the easiest way to build a canyon between mountains.
Of course, although it is called a mountain, it is actually not very high. The highest altitude of the mountains here is only 75 meters. As for the mountains that need to be crossed on the northern line, the highest point is less than forty meters, and only a few hundred tons of high explosives are enough.
Walking more than a hundred kilometers southwest from the capital of Siam, then turning south and continuing forward, you can reach the Isthmus of Kra. A convoy was traveling **** the road.
Looking at the mound-like peaks on both sides, Qin Tao's eyes were full of disdain. Only people who have lived in the plains since childhood and have never seen mountains would think that this is a mountain, right? These are clearly just small mounds!
"Mr. Qin, the roads we are taking now are in the mountains, and some of them are not easy to walk." In the car, Rakul said to Qin Tao: "It may not be easy to blow up these mountains with explosives, and you have to go deep underground. Bar?"
"What's so difficult about this?" Qin Tao smiled: "Second brother, how much explosives do you think we need?"
Since we are engaged in infrastructure construction, of course, the power of Mingzhou Group is indispensable. Qin Tao specially called Kong Laoer over. Although he is not a professional, he has seen a lot and has a broad vision. He is not comparable to these bumpkin.
"Mr. Qin, if you just want to blow a hole in the mountain, two hundred tons of explosives will be enough. But if you want to blow another twenty-five meters below, you will have to use four hundred tons of explosives." , if a forty-ton truck is used to transport it, ten vehicles will be enough."
Four hundred tons!
LaCour was shocked by this statement: "Then if it explodes, wouldn't it cause a magnitude 7 earthquake?"
“It’s not level seven, it must be below level five. If it reaches your capital, it will be around level two or three. If it’s at night, many people won’t feel it.” Kong Laoer said.
The energy released by a magnitude 5 earthquake is about two megajoules, which is about the equivalent of 477 tons of TNT, which is basically equivalent to the power of a large ammunition depot explosion. The four hundred tons we are talking about now are definitely worse than this.
Lakul swallowed and said: "Okay, you survey the terrain and make preparations. When you make the arrangements, we will transport the explosives."
"Don't worry, Lakul, nothing will happen. We have rich experience. When the mountain explodes into a canal, no force can stop the construction of this canal. You will be the biggest hero."
Although Qin Tao was so comforting, Rakul couldn't calm down. After all, this matter was too big. If he messed up, he might not be able to gain a foothold in Siam and would have to go east to find Qin Tao for shelter. .
However, Qin is always very righteous. If it comes to that point, Mr. Qin will definitely take him in and let him continue to enjoy the treatment he deserves.
“Ahead is the best excavation point that has been surveyed many times.” Lakul said, pointing ahead.
Everyone got off the car and walked up the dirt **** to the top of the mountain. Standing on the dirt **** of more than 40 meters, they could clearly see that the sea water in the west was rolling over. A small town called Ranong was not far away. Very quaint.
"The explosion may affect Ranong, but for them, this is just a shock. When the canal here is successfully constructed, Ranong will transform into the most eye-catching place in the world. Everyone here will also be affected by the canal. And benefit.”
With mountains to eat, water to eat, and canals, Ranong will definitely develop into a big city quickly. If petrochemical companies and other companies move in in the future, it will bring about earth-shaking changes.
So, for the sake of a better life in the future, it is appropriate to be frightened once.
“Quick, everyone, take action!” Kong Laoer shouted to the people behind him.
Hence, the vehicles following behind stopped. Excavators, pile drivers, etc., and various machinery were driven off the trailers.
One of the crawler vehicles is particularly dazzling. Its entire body is yellow, the color of normal construction machinery. The crawler track is in the middle and is very long. There is a large shovel in front of the crawler track. There is also a special rotating transport equipment on the shovel. The soil that falls on it is transported directly to the back of the vehicle body and then pulled away by a dump truck.
Above the shovel is its most important component: a rotating cutterhead extending forward, with the alloy blades shining in the sun.
As long as you see this thing, you can know how it works. The rotating cutterhead in the front excavates the working surface. Not to mention the soil, it is estimated that even the rocks can be dug out. The excavated things fall on the shovel below. , then transferred to the back, and then transported out.
“Come here, dig in for me, we have to dig to the deepest part of this hill.”
If you place explosives directly on the surface, a lot of the energy of the explosion will be wasted. Professional blasting must bury the explosives inside. For a mountain, of course, you have to dig into the center of the mountain.
The cutterhead in front rotated and drilled into the hillside like cutting tofu. Visible to the naked eye, a large hole was quickly forming. Looking at this thing, Rakul was stunned.
“What kind of machine is this?”
“Tunnel boring machine.” Kong Laoer introduced: “The machine developed by our Mingzhou Group is very good at digging tunnels.”
It is not a real shield machine. The kind of shield machine used to dig railway and highway tunnels is very large, expensive to build, and complicated to use. Generally speaking, once a tunnel is dug, the shield machine is useless. , after all, it is not convenient to move.
The tunnel boring machine is different. It is a tracked vehicle, which is easy to move and use. It can move the battlefield at any time. Of course, its function is definitely not as strong as the shield machine. For example, it only digs holes and does not provide any support.
“The progress is so fast, can the digging be completed tonight?” Lakul was excited.
Even without the use of explosives, with Mingzhou Group’s strong construction team, it probably won’t be too difficult to dig a canal, right?
I didn’t expect that Mingzhou Group, whose main business is shipbuilding, is also very good at these side businesses!
"Not tonight, but at least three days. It should be fine in three days." Kong Laoer looked at the scene around him and said, "There are no people here anyway, so the secret should be kept, right?" (A mountain of dirt dozens of meters high. , it should be enough time to dig a few hundred meters in.)
"There should be no problem. We have blocked all the intersections here as an excuse for exercises." Rakul said: "It's no problem to delay it for a week. Then you continue the construction here, and I will mobilize the explosives."
Qin Tao nodded: "Lakul, whether our canal can be built depends entirely on whether this operation is kept secret. I hope you will take various confidentiality measures and not let anyone know."
"Of course." Lakour said: "What I am mobilizing now are my most trusted troops. This operation is related to whether our navy can obtain advanced carrier-based aircraft, and we will go all out."
“It’s not just carrier-based aircraft, there may be other warships as well.”
“That’s right.”
Seeing Lakul leading the people away, Xu Zhengyang hesitated: "Mr. Qin, will we be tricked by him?"
President Qin proposed a plan to blow up a canal, and LaCour agreed. However, LaCour could only provide explosives, but not explosion conditions. If he wanted to blow up a canal instead of a pit, the requirements for explosion conditions would be too high. .
Therefore, Qin Tao transferred Kong Laoer, so that the Mingzhou Group truly participated in this operation. However, this operation has not been officially confirmed after all. What if something happens?
"What else can happen? Our sixth **** fleet is passing through the Strait of Malacca. If something unexpected happens here, we will throw the equipment here and everyone will leave by helicopter. Next, the Siamese Navy will Don’t want any advanced carrier-based aircraft!”
Of course, Qin Tao is already prepared. He came here at the right time. A new batch of **** formations from the navy are coming. If anything happens, they can leave at any time. However, this is only the worst case scenario. As long as the Siam Navy is not stupid. , they should know that cheating Mr. Qin will do them no good.
Other than Mingzhou Group, which can provide them with fourth-generation stealth carrier-based aircraft, there is no second supplier in the world. The United States? The U.S. carrier-based aircraft is still in the development stage. Even if it is built, it will be given priority to those partners. If the Siamese Navy wants to buy it, it may not be able to buy it twenty years later.
There is nothing we can do about this. If we follow the normal process, all forces will get involved. No matter how powerful the Mingzhou Group is, it will not be able to do this. The only solution is to cut the knot with a knife and cook it until it is ready. meal!
The oil pipeline from the north to Damao has been opened, the Arctic route has been opened, these have been completed in the north, the oil pipeline from Laoba is being connected, and the Gwadar Port has also developed. What Qin Tao has done has given him a sense of accomplishment. Now, of course, I have to do bigger things and do things that others can't do.
Xu Zhengyang nodded. The **** formation usually consists of two destroyers and a supply ship. The three warships carry four carrier-based helicopters. If they all come here, they can really take everyone away at once.
However, things can’t be that bad, right?
With such expectations, Xu Zhengyang continues to do his job: safety and security must not let any accidents happen!
The workers were busy, from day to night, and from night to day. On the afternoon of the third day, a convoy drove in, all of which were Mercedes-Benz heavy trucks. The trucks' cargo compartments were full, and the tires looked a little flat. .
“Mr. Qin, I’m back, how are you doing here?” Rakul jumped out of the car and asked Qin Tao.
“I have completed the work here. Every scheduled explosion point has been marked. I just need to place the corresponding explosives according to the plan and adjust the detonation time.”
“Okay, leave it to us!”
Behind Lakour, the navy soldiers took action. They carried the boxes of explosives and headed to various predetermined explosion points, working from the afternoon until midnight.
Everything is ready.
Qin Tao raised his head and looked at the stars in the sky: "Rakul, success or failure depends on this one move. If you regret it now, it's still too late."
"Regret? I'm just worried that it's too late, Mr. Qin. If this happens, we will be recorded in history!"
How many canals are there in the world? Everyone knows that there are two, namely the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal, and now the third canal is finally coming out!
“All personnel have evacuated the scene!”
"Start the countdown now!, ten, nine, eight...zero! Detonate!"
Boom!
Dozens of meters high mounds of earth were blown away, and countless earth and rocks flew outward, forming a spectacular scene. Although it was dark now, the huge fire from the explosion completely illuminated the explosion point, and the flying earth and rocks were illuminated. Be clear.
The ground beneath his feet also trembled, as if an earth dragon was wandering around.
Qin Tao suddenly thought: It's thanks to the people here that they don't believe in the theory of earth veins. Otherwise, he would be hostile to countless people if he made such a fuss.
This is just the beginning.
Boom, boom, boom!
The sound of explosions came one after another, and the explosion points detonated one after another. Flames rose and earth and rocks flew.
At the foot of the mountain, the small town of Ranong was suddenly alarmed.
Some houses had lights on, dogs were barking, and someone started shouting.
“Earthquake, earthquake, run quickly.”
“It’s not an earthquake, it’s an explosion. Look at the mountains over there!”
Countless people ran out, a little panicked. When they saw what was happening on the mountain to the north, they were even more surprised. What was going on there?
Those who woke up first could still see the rising flames, but those who ran out later could not see anything and could only smell the smoke and dust in the air, with fear in their eyes.
What exactly is going on? Why did there be an explosion suddenly?
Is there a coup?
No, even if there is a coup, it will not happen here. It should go to the capital.
The earthquake was also felt in the capital, but no explosion was heard, and it only shook twice. Many people did not notice anything in their sleep, but a few people were awakened.
Some departments in the capital also started operating quickly, and they quickly investigated. What is going on?
"Report, the Navy sent news that a Navy convoy had an accident while passing through the Kra Isthmus, and the explosives carried on the vehicle exploded!" Soon, they received accurate news.
Isthmus of Kra, dynamite exploded?
Qiu Daxin frowned: "What does the army want to do?"
His first thought was a coup, but the coup seemed to be out of place, so why go to the barren Kra Isthmus?
“Where is Rakul? Let Rakul come to see me!” Qiu Daxin said.
“It’s so late, is it appropriate to call him?”
"Of course, if something happens to their navy, of course he has to take responsibility!" Qiu Daxin said: "It's just the navy, don't worry."
Even though he called, Nalakul could not arrive immediately. It was not until eight or nine o'clock in the morning that Rakul appeared in front of him.
“Lakour, why did the Navy’s explosives transport convoy end up at the Kra Isthmus? What were you doing there? How could there be an explosion?”
“I’m not sure. The navy is currently investigating.” LaCour said, “However, the scene after the explosion is very interesting.”
"Interesting? This is a vicious incident, and many people have to pay the price for it!" Qiu Daxin was very dissatisfied. You don't take me seriously, right? I must bring down a few unlucky ones!
“In order to investigate the results of the explosion, we specially took off a helicopter and took pictures of the scene above the explosion. Although the explosion was not what we wanted to see, after the explosion, here... you still have to see it for yourself.”
LaCour handed over the photo.
Qiu Daxin took the photo in dissatisfaction. When he saw it for the first time, his eyes immediately widened.
how so?
He originally thought that the explosion would create a big crater. After all, this is the most common. What about the one in front of him? The explosion actually created a trench!
"how so?"
“The convoy was driving well, and then it exploded, one vehicle after another, so it just followed the trajectory of the convoy and it exploded like this.”
Convoy?
Although Qiu Daxin is an outsider, he can also see that even if the convoy explodes one after another, it cannot explode like this, because...
“This place is a bit strange. Why are the two sides so high? Can you give me a full view?”
“This is a panoramic view.” Rakul handed over a new one.
After getting this picture, Qiu Daxin took a breath of air: "Is this the peak on the Kra Isthmus? Did you blow up the peak? This is impossible!"
There is a break in the mountains in the north-south direction. A horizontal trench separates it into two parts, just like a hole cut with a knife. There are piles of soil on both sides of the hole, which just forms a canal. !
“How deep was the explosion?”
"There is no measurement yet, but based on visual inspection, it is about 25 meters. The mounds on both sides are also 20 meters high. The width of the explosion is about 400 meters. This explosion has never happened before." Er said.
“Prepare a helicopter for me immediately! I want to go over and have a look!” Qiu Daxin became excited.
How to punish the navy is a matter for the future. For now, Qiu Daxin can't wait to go to the scene to see it.
Reconnaissance satellites in space also passed by here inadvertently. After the image was transmitted back to the ground, the ground personnel almost ignored it. He was rubbing his eyes at the time. Just when he was about to skip this photo, an experienced intelligence analyst Suddenly he shouted: "God, there is a scar here. How did this happen? Quick, zoom in!"
Soon, the information was reported.
Reporters have the most sensitive sense of smell. After hearing about the explosion in the Kra Isthmus, they moved overnight and arrived at the scene that morning. However, the scene was under martial law and they could not enter. They could only wait anxiously outside, and then , they saw a helicopter landing directly in the explosion area, presumably for the aftermath, right?
"Great, well done, well done!" Qiu Daxin had just been on the helicopter and could already see the scene below. His heart was beating violently at that time. Now, stepping on the exploded On the land, he was still in a state of excitement.
"We have long planned to build a canal here. The main problem is that the construction cost is too high, especially the northern line. It is even more difficult to pass through this mountainous area. We did not expect that you can actually use explosives to blow up a canal. Channel, the mountains and rivers here have been connected, and the plains on both sides are even easier! Since your navy did this, can you continue to use explosives to blow out the entire canal? "
(End of this chapter)