Chapter 158: with translation of chapter title

Old He, aren't you supposed to be leading the Thus: Space Institute to pursue a market economy? Aren't you supposed to sell the equipment?

Now, you actually oppose selling the Dongfeng-3; then, what exactly can be sold?

According to your argument, the Dongfeng-1 already exceeds the limit; why does the Thus: Space Institute still pursue market-oriented reform? Might as well just cling to the old almanac and take each day as it comes!

Because they are relatives, Zhang Wanhe temporarily can't refute He Panshan's accusation of splashing dirty water on Qin Miao... but... this grudge is now formed!

He Panshan remained calm: 'During this period, I have been studying the market; I believe we need to develop a missile with a range of three hundred kilometers according to market standards, specifically for export.'

Old Huang stood up with a grim face: 'Developing a missile with a range of three hundred kilometers will require an estimated R&D cost of eighty million.'

He Panshan frowned: 'How could that be? We just need to shrink the Dongfeng-1 a bit, and that would work, right?'

As soon as he said that, many people scoffed, calling him an outsider—how could an outsider get into the Thus: Space Institute? Not a technical background, an outsider leading insiders!

'If the missile's range is reduced, the engine thrust must be reduced; we need to specially develop a small rocket engine and shrink the warhead—there's a lot of work involved. Eighty million is just a rough estimate; it could be even more expensive. Comrade He Panshan, regardless of range, this constitutes a new model—do you understand?'

'Then our solid-fuel rockets are already mature...'

'Comrade He Panshan, you won't even export outdated liquid rockets, yet now you want us to export the latest solid-fuel technology? If the Americans see our equipment, it will cause a serious leak!'

He Panshan says a sentence, Old Huang counters with a sentence.

What are you? You're just a political cadre transferred from elsewhere; because you support the market economy, the leadership values you to carry out market-oriented reform, yet you don't know where your loyalties lie, you don't consider the space system, and you're settling personal scores under the guise of public duty!

Just watch us old-timers not kick you out!

Old Huang had just thought of this when another person beside him spoke up.

'Comrades, I believe that based on Comrade He Panshan's demonstrated qualities, he is no longer fit to bear the heavy responsibility of marketizing our space system; as a political cadre, he lacks technical knowledge, and our space system cannot function without technology—an outsider leading insiders will only create huge obstacles for our reform and opening-up cause!'

Old Ren spoke up!

He Panshan was stunned, 'Hey, we have no grudge... what I said is completely reasonable!'

'Exactly, in his view our space work is like kids playing house, missile size can be changed at will—he really is an outsider, I agree with Old Ren's opinion.' Old Tu spoke.

Three senior figures in the space system have voiced their opinions! Their unanimous agreement means it can pass!

He Panshan grew anxious: 'Seniors... I... since taking on this job, I deeply feel the weight of responsibility, working late every night, exhausting myself for our marketization—surely I have at least put in hard work, even if I lack achievements?'

'I say, you three old-timers bullying a middle-aged cadre like this is going too far!'

He Panshan looked gratefully over—Old Liang! Good, Old Liang is on his side.

'How can you compare Comrade He Panshan with Comrade Qin Miao? His level is a bit lower, his vision also a bit narrower, but... you can't expect everyone to be as capable as Qin Miao, can you? Our space department can't transfer Qin Miao over, so we have to pick the tallest among the short...'

He Panshan's face turned pale—was this just giving himself a pep talk?

'Qin Miao is truly capable, envied and smeared—we all understand that.' Old Huang said: 'If you ask me, Qin Miao is just overfed and meddling in our space affairs; the modified Red Flag-2 has already been sold, and the Beidou navigation funding is secured—there's absolutely no need to take on any more projects!'

He Panshan's face began to darken.

Those remarks just now had no positive effect; instead they made him look completely foolish—his biggest oversight was not realizing that Qin Miao was actually being so strongly supported by these people!

At the head table, Old Zhang said: 'If you say that, letting Qin Miao go to your space department to oversee this marketization reform would be best, right?'

'Exactly!'

Now, the people of the space department almost unanimously said: 'We welcome Qin Miao's arrival!'

He Panshan, get out fast! You're just occupying a position without doing any work—sitting on the toilet and not defecating; giving the seat to Qin Miao would be perfect!

Old Zhang looked at He Panshan: 'Comrade He Panshan, your remarks disappoint me; you are responsible for the Thus: Space Institute's marketization work, your duty is to sell the institute's products—even if you can't sell them, you must find a way to do so, after all, what we need most now is funding, and in this regard Comrade Qin Miao has done well... you... you may leave now; your work will be taken over by someone else.'

He Panshan clenched his fists; only now did he finally understand where his problem lay.

Everyone at the Thus: Space Institute expects to sell products and make money to solve the R&D funding issue, yet I have become their stumbling block—if they don't kick me out, it's unbelievable; were those opinions even mine to raise?

Stupid! How could I make such a mistake? Zhang Wanhe keeps looking at me, making me unable to stay calm; back then I thought of standing up to oppose him, just to see his shit-eating expression... I never imagined this was a trap!

But now there's no turning back; he can only leave this lucrative position...

'Everyone, let's continue the meeting.' Old Zhang glanced at the attendees, then his gaze fell on Zhang Wanhe.

'Old Zhang, let Qin Miao chair this transaction—what do you think?'

Zhang Wanhe hurriedly shook his head: 'No, no, that won't do—he's just started his first year of university, how could he handle this business? Besides, Ha Gong Da won't let him go.'

Zhang Wanhe said he couldn't, but inside he was gleeful—if He Panshan knew his position had been taken by Qin Miao, he'd be furious; hum, let him speak ill of Qin Miao...

By the way, there's another matter!

Zhang Wanhe thought of something and continued: 'Leaders, taking this opportunity, I have a few more things to report—San Shui not only brought in this big deal of the Dongfeng-3 on his trip, but also found sales channels for many of our light industrial products...'

Everyone widened their eyes, listening to Zhang Wanhe's introduction.

Thermos, folding fan, flashlight, electric rice cooker...