Chapter 111: Mass Production! The Waves of Happiness and Trouble

In the newly completed final assembly workshop of the Longyin Research Institute, Wang Hao's pig-slaughtering-like wails were currently echoing:

"Holy crap! Brother Li, you call this thing a 'Simplified Mass-Production Model'?! This damn thing is even fiercer than the Mark I we hand-rubbed back in the day!"

In the center of the workshop, a highly finished "Jing-An Type 1" mech was undergoing its final calibration.

The dark gray Dragon Scale composite armor shimmered with a cold, sharp luster under the lights.

The optimized "Somersault Cloud" propulsion backpack on its back had been reduced in volume by a third, but its six vector nozzles looked even more ferocious.

Li Yang calmly tapped on the control terminal: "I just hard-coded the power distribution algorithm optimized by the 'Torch Dragon' AI."

"The mass-production model sacrifices fifteen percent of its extreme overload capacity in exchange for a forty percent increase in reliability."

As he pressed the start key, the dual eye sensors of the "Jing-An Type 1" suddenly lit up with a ghostly blue glow.

There was no earth-shaking roar like when the Mark I started, only a low, steady hum.

It was like a sleeping giant beast that had retracted its claws and fangs, yet it was all the more heart-palpitating.

"Come, come, come, let me show you something good!" Wang Hao excitedly scurried to the test bench, pointing at a row of newly off-the-line "Iron Wolf - Assault Types" next to it.

Compared to the old models, the new "Iron Wolf" was significantly leaner and tougher.

The Dragon Core mini-motors at the joints had shrunk by a circle, but the real-time data Li Yang pulled up showed that its instantaneous explosive power had actually increased by twenty percent.

"See that? Zhao Kaiyuan's new 'Xuanwu-III' battery—the energy density has gone up another notch, damn it!" Wang Hao proudly patted the leg armor of the exoskeleton.

"Endurance increased by fifty percent, maximum load raised to three hundred kilograms."

"I specifically had Zhao Gong add universal rails to the shoulders—see this slot?"

"From now on, you can hang missiles if you want to hang missiles, or rocket pods if you want to hang rocket pods!"

Chen Guang silently pushed over a tablet showing the data from the simulation confrontation that had just ended:

"Under the coordination of the 'Torch Dragon' AI, three 'Iron Wolf - Assault Types' paired with one 'Jing-An Type 1' can suppress a conventional armored company in a complex urban environment."

"The combat loss exchange ratio... I'm a bit embarrassed to say it."

"Say it! You must say it!" Wang Hao snatched the tablet and read it out with wide eyes.

"Holy shit! 1:127?! Guangzi, are you sure you didn't add an extra zero?"

"Considering the 'Jing-An's' laser defense matrix and the 'Iron Wolf's' mobility, this data is reasonable." Chen Guang pushed up his glasses.

"However, the premise is sufficient energy, and—"

"—And that we can actually build them first!" Zhao Gong's booming voice came from the workshop entrance.

The old man carried a thermos cup covered in oil stains, pointing a dark face toward the window.

"The special materials warehouse is almost bottomed out!"

"That kid Li Kui squats in front of the furnace praying to Buddha every day; the yield rate has gone up, but the production capacity is only so much!"

"Do you understand that a clever housewife cannot cook without rice?"

These words were like a basin of cold water, extinguishing most of everyone's excitement.

Indeed, the Longyin Research Institute was currently caught in a kind of happy trouble.

They had successfully designed powerful military equipment far exceeding expectations, but were stuck at the threshold of mass production.

It was amidst this chaos that Feng Yan was invited to the conference room by Lin.

Pushing open the door, two visitors in plain clothes but with strikingly prominent shoulder boards were waiting.

"President Feng, this is Director Zheng, a special commissioner directly under the General Armament Department, and this is Senior Colonel Liu from the Combat Requirements Bureau." Lin introduced in a low voice.

Director Zheng got straight to the point, pushing a document marked "Top Secret" in front of Feng Yan: "President Feng, let's keep it short."

"The priority for equipping the 'Longyin' system has been raised to the highest level—the first batch of thirty 'Jing-An Type 1s' and sixty 'Iron Wolf - Assault Types' must be delivered within three months."

Feng Yan's eyelids twitched: "Three months? Director Zheng, we don't even have a complete production line yet..."

"Resources are not a problem." Senior Colonel Liu took over, pulling up a long list.

"Three state-owned precision manufacturing enterprises have completed restructuring and are specifically producing joint bearings and transmission components for you."

"The Southwest Special Metallurgy Plant will prioritize supplying the rare metals Master Li Kui needs. Additionally..."

He paused, his voice lowering a few degrees: "The border hasn't been peaceful lately; certain neighbors see us developing fast and always want to pull some small stunts."

"The higher-ups need a force capable of 'settling the universe' that can heavily strike certain restless hands and feet at critical moments."

Feng Yan immediately caught the subtext—this was preparing for a potential conflict.

He recalled the news from intelligence briefings a while ago about frequent unusual movements by certain countries at the border.

"I understand." Feng Yan took a deep breath.

"Longyin guarantees the completion of the mission!"

After seeing off the two big figures, Feng Yan immediately summoned all core personnel.

When he announced the equipment requirements and the timeline, the workshop exploded.

"Thirty mechs? You couldn't build them even if you tore me apart!" Wang Hao was the first to wail.

Li Yang was already buried in calculations: "If we adopt a modular assembly approach and outsource core components to partner factories."

"We only handle final integration and calibration... perhaps it's possible."

"My 'Torch Dragon' batch-loading system still needs final testing..." Chen Guang muttered softly.

Zhao Gong snorted: "Test my ass! Just start working!"

"Change while you work! Back in the old Third Front days, machine tools were assembled while parts were still being made!"

Feng Yan slammed the table hard: "Stop arguing!"

"From now on, the institute enters a wartime state!"

"Li Yang leads the team to tackle the 'Jing-An' production line, Wang Hao is responsible for 'Iron Wolf' mass production, Chen Guang optimizes the AI loading process, Zhao Gong coordinates production, and Master Li Kui watches the materials!"

"I want to see the first demonstration assembly line running within two weeks!"

Once the order was given, the entire institute began to run frantically like a precision war machine.

Li Yang, along with the technicians from the Mech Institute, divided the final assembly workshop into functional zones.

Huge holographic blueprints floated in mid-air, and workers wearing mechanical exoskeletons carried structural parts weighing several tons for precise positioning.

The new automated riveting robotic arms emitted a rhythmic roar, leaving perfect weld seams on the alloy frames with every strike.

Wang Hao's side had an even more unique style.

This guy didn't know where he got a handheld plasma megaphone, standing at the head of the assembly line like a peddler shouting in a wet market:

"Station Number Two! That drive shaft needs thermal conductive silicone grease!"

"Not lubricating oil! Do you want the 'Iron Wolf' to turn into a roasted wolf while running?"

"The young lady at Station Number Five! Yes, you!"

"Just tighten the screws, don't use all your strength! This stuff is titanium alloy, not steel rebar!"

A young female worker was so embarrassed her face turned red, while the old masters next to her laughed until they doubled over.

Zhao Kaiyuan and his energy team shuttled between stations, testing the newly off-the-line battery modules.

Occasionally, unqualified products were picked out, and Wang Hao would immediately be heartbroken: "Kaiyuan! This is all money! How many pounds of pork ribs could this buy!"

The most headache-inducing part was material supply.

Despite support from brother units, special alloy smelting remained a slow process that required meticulous work.

Master Li Kui guarded the improved electric arc furnace all day, his eyes fixed on the dashboard with more tenderness than he would show his own son.

"Temperature fluctuations cannot exceed plus or minus five degrees! Check the atmosphere protection again!" Li Kui roared at his apprentices, then turned to see Feng Yan, revealing a rare smile.

"President Feng, if this furnace succeeds, the yield rate can reach seventy percent!"

Amidst this bustling busyness, Feng Yan's encrypted communicator rang. It was Brigade Commander Gao Hongbo.

"President Feng, giving you a heads-up." Brigade Commander Gao's voice carried irrepressible excitement.

"The selection for the 'Dragon Rider' guard has ended; one hundred of the most stubborn elite soldiers in the entire army will report to you next Monday."

"How about it, are you ready?"

Feng Yan looked at the workshop, busy like ants moving house, and wiped the oil stains off his face with a wry smile: "Brigade Commander Gao, you're not leaving us a way out..."

"A way out? The soldiers on the front line are the ones who need a way out!" Brigade Commander Gao's tone suddenly turned serious.

"Remember, the sooner you form combat effectiveness, the less blood will be shed on the border line."

The communication ended, and Feng Yan was silent for a long time before suddenly grabbing the internal communicator:

"Attention everyone! The 'Dragon Rider' rookies arrive next week! Extra meals in the cafeteria! Logistics, get all the dormitory air conditioners checked!"

He paused, a mischievous smirk curling his lips:

"We have to let these proud sons of heaven see what is called—Longyin's way of hospitality!" ===== CHAPTER 112 =====