Chapter 106: How Can We Reach a Conclusion Without Trying?

Tang Qiusheng and the other person thought carefully, simultaneously tapping the tabletop lightly with their fingers.

It was Lei Zhan'ge who first asked in doubt: "Other matters, let's set them aside for now; about this reliable information you mentioned, where did you hear it from?"

Given their ranks, neither he nor Tang Qiusheng had heard of this, so how could Lu Cheng know about it?

Lu Cheng recalled it suddenly, based on memories from his previous life.

"I… can tell, but the two leaders must not hold me accountable for any mistake."

Upon hearing this, the two exchanged glances, and finally Tang Qiusheng decided: "Go ahead, there's no one else here; at worst we'll count it as you misspoke."

A slip of the tongue and an error differ by a single character, yet their nature is completely different.

A misspeak is a momentary lapse that can be forgiven, but committing an error makes the matter rather serious.

Hearing Tang Qiusheng say that, Lu Cheng finally spoke with relief.

"Actually, I heard it on a radio broadcast."

Tang Qiusheng immediately understood: "You were listening to a foreign station, weren't you?"

Lu Cheng nodded without denying.

These days, daring to tune into foreign stations—especially enemy ones—carries severe consequences; at best you lose your radio, get suspended, subjected to criticism sessions, which is routine, and if it's serious, you go straight to prison.

Lei Zhan'ge shook his head helplessly: "You youngsters only know how to meddle blindly; from now on you're not allowed to tamper with broadcasts again. As for this, Director Tang and I will pretend we didn't hear it."

That was the handling of the misspeak—just a few verbal admonitions—so Lu Cheng quickly agreed.

"I get it, I was just curious, but it wasn't for nothing. If we can actually get that destroyer, then Beijing Station can add a few train service lines without any problem."

It's normal for youngsters to be curious; Lei Zhan'ge now has no appetite to pursue the matter, he only wants to solve the train issue.

Getting things done is far more important than probing those trivial issues.

"Alright, as you said, West Germany has a destroyer slated for a park exhibition, but that must be a decommissioned one. Once we acquire it, which entity do you think we should sell it to?"

Lu Cheng had already thought it through: "I plan to split the sale into two steps to maximize profit."

Lei Zhan'ge glanced at Tang Qiusheng and expressed disbelief; a retired, antiquated warship would have had all its critical component parts stripped, so how could it possibly yield maximum profit?

"Then tell me…"

Lu Cheng cleared his throat: "The first step is to sell it to a military factory. Although the critical components have certainly been stripped, West Germany's military technology remains there; even obsolete tech is worth studying, then assimilating, then innovating."

"Conveniently, after the military factory studies it, it also helps with dismantling, saving us a dismantling fee."

With the two nodding in agreement, Lu Cheng continued.

"The second step is to sell it as scrap, but not ordinary scrap. The destroyer's hull is made of premium steel plates; if we sell them to a steel factory for further processing into other products, the steel mill will definitely profit. Such high‑quality steel will surely be snapped up by the mill."

Tang Qiusheng looked up, his eyes full of surprise, then let out a hearty laugh.

"You little comrade, you managed to sell an old warship to two parties; I think you've got a real knack for business. Even a Junior Police Officer would be envious of you."

Lu Cheng smiled: "I'm just trying to do my part for our Railway Department."

Lei Zhan'ge inhaled: "As long as we can get it, selling won't be a problem; the key is how to bring it over."

After all, this isn't an ordinary commodity; a warship isn't something you can just buy on a whim. It involves countless aspects: technology transfer, international relations, maritime customs clearance, local conditions, and so on.

If any link fails, the whole venture could collapse midway.

Lu Cheng thought for a moment and replied: "Then only the Department Committee can step in, followed by coordination through the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I think we can start from international relations and look for a balance point."

The remark actually prompted Tang Qiusheng beside him: "Since our relations with the old Russians soured, East Germany's ties with us have also suffered, whereas West Germany remains friendly. Perhaps the balance point Xiao Lu mentioned could be tested here."

Hearing Tang Qiusheng's words, Lei Zhan'ge cleared the gloom and gained a bit more confidence.

"Then what are we waiting for, Lao Tang? Go handle it quickly."

Tang Qiusheng signaled him not to rush: "Lao Lei, I know you're impatient, but this can't be hurried. If we can get it done in three months, maybe half a year, that would be good enough."

The international situation is intricate and especially, under various national technology restrictions, even a retired, antiquated warship would still encounter multiple obstacles.

Lei Zhan'ge was unperturbed: "Everything is hard at the start; you have to take the first step. Right now there truly isn't a good solution."

Tang Qiusheng nodded: "Alright, later I'll personally approach the Department Committee, try to coordinate the various relations, and push this through."

"Then let me thank Director Tang right now. If this can truly be accomplished, it will provide Beijing Station with funds to buy trains. Lao Tang, when Xiao Lu and I succeed, we'll have done a great service; you'll have to remember that."

Although the plan is still in its infancy, its feasibility is high; regardless of the final outcome, Tang Qiusheng already admired Lu Cheng for proposing the idea.

Tang Qiusheng laughed heartily: "Looks like we really are old, lacking the youthful spark. Lao Lei, would you really consider letting Xiao Lu come to my place?"

Lei Zhan'ge immediately put on a stern face: "Xiao Wang, see the guests off, see the guests off!"

Wang Fengshi, who had just returned, laughed along; of course he knew they were joking.

"Group Leader Lu, it's almost departure time, and Da Kui and the others are still standing there."

He's just a junior director; he wouldn't dare shoo Tang Qiusheng away, so he could only suggest that Lu Cheng, the key figure, leave first.

Lu Cheng, of course, understood Wang Fengshi's meaning and, with good humor, stood up: "Da Kui and the others are being way too disobedient. Director Tang, Captain Lei, you two continue; I'll step out to take a look."

The two gestured with their hands, and after Lu Cheng left, Lei Zhan'ge finally said: "Xiao Wang, brew a fresh cup of tea for Director Tang; we need to discuss today's matter thoroughly."

Wang Fengshi fetched the tea box, opened the iron lid, and gave it a couple of shakes.

"Captain Lei, there are only a few left!"

Lei Zhan'ge was stunned for a moment: "Next time Xiao Lu comes to the office, you buy me a few locks and lock everything up."

Tang Qiusheng laughed, waving his hand: "No need for fresh tea, just top up the water; let's continue discussing the warship purchase."

Lei Zhan'ge became serious: "Lao Tang, give me the lowdown—how confident are we of securing this warship?"

"Thirty percent, at most thirty percent. You have to understand that the myriad inter‑party relations are too many; it's not up to a single department to decide."

"Damn, thirty percent works too; the outcome depends on us. How can we draw a conclusion without trying!"