Chapter 112: The Beijixiong Has Discovered

The working principle of this Numerical Control System is relatively simple: by inputting a program through a punched paper tape, the control system reads the information and then drives stepper motors to move the three axes (X, Y, and Z axes) of the machine tool along a predetermined trajectory, thereby achieving precise automatic machining.

Although it cannot yet handle complex three-dimensional surfaces, it is already sufficiently precise and efficient for planar machining and simple three-dimensional shapes.

Most importantly, it can achieve batch and standardized production, greatly reducing the reliance on skilled workers.

Li Mingyuan checked his watch; it was already three o'clock in the morning.

He stretched tiredly but excitedly, preparing to rest for a while. Just then, the laboratory door was knocked on gently.

"Please come in." Li Mingyuan was somewhat puzzled; who could it be at such a late hour?

The door opened, and Factory Lou Changzhang hurried in, an anxious expression on his face.

"Chief Engineer Li, sorry to disturb you so late," Factory Lou Changzhang said, panting, "There is an emergency. Minister Yang just called; the Beijixiong side has discovered our weapon transactions."

Li Mingyuan frowned: "What is their reaction?"

"The specific details are not yet clear," Factory Lou Changzhang said, "Minister Yang wants us to remain vigilant and strengthen confidentiality work when necessary. He will come to the factory in person early tomorrow morning to explain in detail."

Li Mingyuan nodded: "Understood, thank you, Factory Director. You should go back and rest first; we will talk tomorrow."

After Factory Lou Changzhang left, Li Mingyuan fell into deep thought.

That Beijixiong had discovered Long Country's weapon transactions was within expectations.

After all, when those Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries began purchasing large quantities of Long Country weapons, the news would sooner or later reach the ears of Beijixiong.

The question is, how will Beijixiong react? What measures will they take to deal with this new competitor?

Li Mingyuan sighed and turned off the laboratory lights.

These problems could only be solved tomorrow.

……

At the Beijixiong Ministry of National Defense, a special meeting was underway.

"Comrades, we have received intelligence that Long Country has begun exporting weapons to Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian countries," reported Colonel Andrei Ivanov of the intelligence department, "Mainly the Type Automatic Rifle and the mm Rocket Launcher."

"Type?" General Petrov of the Military Industry Department frowned, "Isn't that just their copy of the AK-47?"

"Basically, yes," Ivanov nodded, "but according to our intelligence, they have made some improvements, especially in terms of reliability. It is said that its performance in extremely harsh environments even exceeds our AK."

"Impossible!" Petrov slammed the table and stood up, "The AK-47 is the most reliable rifle in the world, bar none!"

"Calm down, Comrade Petrov," the meeting chair—Deputy Minister of National Defense Kuznetsov raised a hand to signal, "We need to analyze the situation objectively. Comrade Ivanov, continue your report."

Ivanov opened a folder: "The mm Rocket Launcher is their own self-developed product; its range and power are quite good, and it is very suitable for guerrilla warfare. The most worrying thing is that Long Country's asking price is 30% lower than ours, and it has already attracted many countries that were originally our customers."

There was an uproar in the conference room.

Beijixiong has always been the leader in the world weapon market, especially for bloc and Third World countries, holding a near-monopoly.

Now that Long Country has suddenly emerged, and is offering even lower prices, it is indeed shocking.

"Long Country is still in a state of war, yet they have the capacity to export weapons?" an economic expert asked in confusion, "This does not conform to logic."

"They are indeed very short of resources," another expert explained, "According to our intelligence, they are not asking for foreign exchange, but are bartering—exchanging weapons for strategic resources such as oil, rubber, and non-ferrous metals."

"Ah, so that's it," Kuznetsov said thoughtfully, "They want to use this method to break the blockade and obtain the resources needed for construction."

"This is a clever strategy," the economic expert nodded, "Utilizing their own weapon industry advantage to exchange for the most scarce resources—killing two birds with one stone."

Petrov sneered: "It's just a drop in the bucket. How many weapons can they export? How many resources can they exchange for? It fundamentally cannot solve the root problem."

"Do not underestimate them," Ivanov warned, "The people of Long Country have always been good at finding a way out in difficult situations. Furthermore, as far as we know, there are several very outstanding designers among their weapon designers, especially a young engineer named Li Mingyuan, who is said to be a genius-level figure."

"Li Mingyuan?" Kuznetsov asked, "Is there detailed information on him?"

Ivanov handed over a thin file: "The information is very limited. He is in his early twenties, graduated from our Mocheng Industrial Institute, and quickly rose to prominence after returning to his country. It is said that both the rocket launcher and the firearms were designed by him, and he recently developed a type of high-efficiency Engine."

Kuznetsov flipped through the file, lost in thought: "Interesting... This talent is only in his twenties and has so many achievements; he is indeed not simple."

"But in the end, he is only one person," Petrov said dismissively, "How much can one person change? Long Country's industrial foundation is weak and its technology is backward; even with a few geniuses, it is difficult to catch up with our decades of accumulation."

"For the time being, that is indeed the case," Kuznetsov nodded, but his tone carried a hint of vigilance.

"However, we cannot let our guard down. After all, Long Country possesses a massive population base and abundant natural resources; once industrialization starts, the speed of development may exceed our imagination."

He closed the file and looked around at everyone in the conference room: "Regarding the matter of Long Country's weapon exports, we do not need to worry excessively for now. Their scale is limited, their influence is limited, and a 30% lower price is within our tolerance. However, we need to closely monitor this person Li Mingyuan and his team; they may bring more surprises—or rather, shocks to us."

"Should we take some... special measures?" Ivanov asked pointedly.

Kuznetsov thought for a moment and shook his head firmly: "Now is not the time. Long Country is our ally, and we need them to contain the Star-Spangled Country. Unless there is conclusive evidence that they threaten our core interests, do not act rashly."

"Then what about our weapon prices? Should we adjust them to cope with the competition?" someone asked.

"Maintain the status quo," Kuznetsov ordered, "Our weapons have brand advantages and technical advantages; there is no need to compete with them on price. Closely monitor market dynamics, and if necessary, we can make some flexible adjustments in specific regions and for specific products."

After the meeting ended, Kuznetsov remained in his office alone, opened Li Mingyuan's file again, and fell into deep thought.