Chapter 270: with translation of chapter title

It's already late September; coming to the grassland now is absolutely the most beautiful season!

Translation: "Time has already entered late September; coming to the grassland now is absolutely the most beautiful season!"

Check: keep meaning. Could be "Time has already entered late September; coming to the grassland now is absolutely the most beautiful season!" That's fine.

The sky is azure, a blue untouched by industrial pollution; white clouds drift across it, the blue and white blending into a breathtaking sight.

Translation: "The sky is azure, a blue utterly untouched by industrial pollution! White clouds drift above, blue and white intermingling, breathtakingly beautiful."

Below lies an endless expanse of grassland; the wild grass remains lush green, and in the warm sunlight it bursts with vitality.

Translation: "Below lies an endless expanse of grassland; the wild grass remains lush green, and in the warm sunlight it shows vigorous vitality."

Herds of cattle and sheep roam leisurely, grazing as they walk, as if they could trek all the way to the horizon.

Translation: "Cattle and sheep roam in herds, leisurely walking and grazing, as if they could walk all the way to the horizon!"

This view… I wish I could bring my wife along!

Translation: "This scenery…… I wish I could bring my wife along!"

Unfortunately, school just started, so my wife can't leave; besides, I'm only here for a special reason, and I couldn't even notify her.

Translation: "Unfortunately, just as school started, my wife couldn't get away; moreover, this trip is only due to special circumstances, and I couldn't even notify her."

As Qin Miao was lost in thought, a song floated to his ears.

Translation: "In the midst of Qin Miao's sighs, a song drifted to his ears."

"Little swallow, wearing flowered clothes…"

Translation: "\"Little swallow, wearing flowered clothes……\""

Qin Miao was somewhat taken aback; this style seems wrong—here, shouldn't they be singing about the blue sky and white clouds drifting?

Translation: "Qin Miao was somewhat taken aback; this style is wrong—here, shouldn't they be singing about the blue sky and white clouds drifting?"

Old Zhu, what…

Translation: "Zhu Lao, you……"

Hearing that Qin Miao was coming to the grassland, Old Zhu followed along; the reason is simple—this grassland is a tank industrial base!

Translation: "Having heard Qin Miao was coming to the grassland, Zhu Lao followed along; the reason is simple—this grassland is a tank industrial base!"

Back then, during the First Five-Year Plan after the founding of New China, the Soviet Union aided in constructing 156 projects; both State-owned Factory 617 and Factory 447 in Qingshan District of Grassland City were among them!

Translation: "Back then, after the founding of New China, during the First Five-Year Plan, the Soviet Union aided in constructing 156 projects; the state-owned Factory 617 and Factory 447 in Qingshan District of Grassland City were both included!"

"Little swallow, let me tell you, this place is even more beautiful this year—we've built a big factory and installed new machinery…"

Translation: "\"Little swallow, let me tell you, this place is even more beautiful this year; we've built a big factory and installed new machinery……\""

When Old Zhu sang up to this point, Qin Miao seemed to realize something.

Translation: "When Zhu Lao sang up to this point, Qin Miao seemed to realize something."

After the song ended, Qin Miao spoke: "Old Zhu, this song must be describing the grassland, right?"

Translation: "After the song ended, Qin Miao spoke: \"Zhu Lao, this song must be describing the grassland, right? \""

"Yes, back then we sang this song while throwing ourselves into the fervent production and construction; when we first arrived here, the population was sparse and yellow sand filled the sky…"

Translation: "\"Yes, back then we sang this song while throwing ourselves into the tumultuous production and construction; when we first arrived here, the population was sparse and yellow sand filled the sky……\""

Recalling those times, Old Zhu is filled with memories.

Translation: "Recalling these, Zhu Lao was also full of memories."

Back then, after some research, the superiors selected the western part of the grassland; this area has abundant mineral resources—iron, niobium, titanium, gold, copper, and especially rare earths accounting for eighty percent of the nation's reserves!

Translation: "Back then, after some research, the superiors selected the western region of the grassland; this area has abundant mineral resources—iron, niobium, titanium, gold, copper and other metals, especially rare earths accounting for eighty percent of the nation's reserves!"

Establishing an industrial city here would be suitable, but… building a city from scratch is unimaginably difficult.

Translation: "Building an industrial city here is quite suitable, but… constructing a city from scratch is unimaginably difficult."

The workers of that era are all worthy of respect!

Translation: "The workers of that era are all worthy of respect!"

This little swallow song describes the construction process of the tank base here, brimming with revolutionary optimism!

Translation: "This little swallow's song describes the construction process of the tank base here, filled with revolutionary optimistic spirit!"

Lost in Qin Miao's reflections, the car entered Factory 447; on the platform stood a large crowd of enthusiastic, expectant people.

Translation: "In Qin Miao's contemplation, the vehicle entered Factory 447; on the platform stood a large crowd of enthusiastic, expectant people."

That's right—Qin Miao arrived by train, indeed a military train transporting military supplies, which can go straight into the factory.

Translation: "Indeed, Qin Miao came by train, and moreover a military train transporting military supplies, which could go straight into the factory."

"Old Zhu, welcome to Grassland Second Machinery Factory! This must be Comrade Qin Miao, right? On behalf of the Second Machinery Factory, I thank you for your strong support. By the way, let me introduce myself—I'm Factory Chief Zhao Man Gui; you can call me Old Zhao."

Translation: "\"Zhu Lao, welcome to Grassland Second Machinery Factory! This must be Comrade Qin Miao, right? I represent the Second Machinery Factory and thank you for your strong support. By the way, let me introduce myself—I'm Factory Director Zhao Man'gui; you can call me Old Zhao. \""

Back then, two factories were built in Grassland City: State-owned Factory 617, externally known as Grassland First Machinery Factory, which mainly produces tanks, its flagship product being the Type 59 tank; and State-owned Factory 447, Grassland Second Machinery Factory, which is responsible for manufacturing artillery.

Translation: "Back then, two factories were built in Grassland City: state-owned Factory 617, externally named Grassland First Machinery Factory, which mainly produces tanks, its main product being the Type 59 tank; state-owned Factory 447, Grassland Second Machinery Factory, which is responsible for manufacturing guns."

Tank guns, naval guns, anti-aircraft guns… more than half of the country's artillery is produced here!

Translation: "Tank guns, naval guns, anti-aircraft guns…… more than half of the country's artillery are produced here!"

Before, they could only use traditional techniques; but last year, after acquiring the vertical metal extrusion machine, they could produce guns much faster!

Translation: "Before, they could only use traditional techniques; but last year, after acquiring the vertical metal extruder, they could produce guns much faster!"

Fewer processes, faster production, lower cost, and still good quality—this vertical metal extrusion machine is truly the treasure of the Second Machinery Factory!

Translation: "Fewer processes, faster production, lower cost, and still good quality! One could say this vertical metal extruder is absolutely the treasure of the Second Machinery Factory!"

This machine was provided by Harbin Institute of Technology! Promoted by Comrade Qin Miao!

Translation: "This came from Ha Gong Da! Promoted by Comrade Qin Miao!"

In their eyes, Qin Miao is an absolute benefactor of the factory! They had long wanted to visit him in person but never had the time; this time, Qin Miao came of his own accord!

Translation: "In their eyes, Qin Miao is absolutely a great benefactor of their factory! They had long wanted to visit in person, but never had the time; this time, Qin Miao came of his own accord!"

"Factory Chief Zhao, I came here because I want to order a few steel tubes."

Translation: "\"Factory Director Zhao, I came here just to order a few steel tubes. \""

"All right, no problem. Old Luo, notify the vertical metal extrusion workshop: after finishing this batch of production tasks, stop immediately and wait to make steel tubes for Comrade Qin Miao."

Translation: "\"Okay, no problem, Old Luo, notify the vertical metal extruder workshop to, after finishing this batch of production tasks, immediately stop and wait to make steel tubes for Comrade Qin Miao. \""

"Factory Chief Zhao, our production tasks are very urgent…"

Translation: "\"Factory Director Zhao, our production tasks are very urgent……\""

"No matter how urgent, it can't outweigh Comrade Qin Miao's needs! Director Luo, carry out the order!" Factory Chief Zhao's face darkened. "What do you mean? Without Qin Miao, could we even have this machine? You little brat, still making excuses? I feel like kicking his rear!"

Translation: "\"No matter how urgent, it can't outweigh Comrade Qin Miao's needs! Luo Director, carry out the order! \" Factory Director Zhao's face darkened; \"What do you mean? Without Qin Miao, could we even have that machine equipment? You little brat, still making objections? I really want to kick his ass! \""

"Don't rush, Factory Chief Zhao; let me first get the situation straight… shall we talk while we walk?"

Translation: "\"Don't rush, Factory Director Zhao; let me first get the situation… Shall we talk while we walk? \""

"Okay."

Translation: "\"Okay. \""

Old Zhu was left aside; he wasn't in a hurry either and followed along.

Translation: "Zhu Lao was left aside, not in a hurry, and followed along walking."

The ground-penetrating shell also interested Old Zhu; it's basically a large armor-piercing round, but… just how big is it? Old Zhu has no idea.

Translation: "Earth-penetrating bomb—Zhu Lao is also interested; this is just a large armor-piercing shell, but…… how big is it exactly…… Zhu Lao has no idea."

The factory grounds are huge; the big guy hopped into a 212, drove around the factory for ten or so minutes, and finally reached the vertical metal extrusion workshop.

Translation: "The factory grounds are huge; the big guys boarded a 212, drove around the factory area for ten-odd minutes before finally reaching the vertical metal extruder workshop."

The workshop is tall; upon entering, one sees a huge machine whose overall shape resembles a doorway; inside the doorway glows a red-hot steel ingot, being slowly pressed upward from below into the mold.

Translation: "The workshop is very tall; upon entering, one can see a huge machine whose overall appearance resembles a doorway; inside the doorway is a red-hot steel ingot, being slowly pressed upward from below into the mold."

Above, there is a crane that slowly lifts the already extruded steel tube upward until the entire tube is fully formed.

Translation: "Above, there is a crane that slowly lifts the already extruded steel tube upward until the entire tube is fully extruded."

Watching this process is oddly satisfying—it's sheer force producing miracles.

Translation: "Watching this process is quite relieving; it's truly a case of great force producing miracles."

"Before, making a gun barrel required repeatedly hammering the gun steel into a blank, then drilling, boring, turning the outer rim… even a veteran craftsman would need a month or two to produce a barrel blank; now, a few minutes suffice, boosting production efficiency by tens of times."

Translation: "\"Before, to produce a gun barrel we had to repeatedly hammer the gun steel into a blank, then drill, bore, turn the outer edge…… even a veteran master would need a month or two to make a barrel blank; now, a few minutes suffice to produce one, increasing production efficiency by dozens of times. \""

Speaking of this, Zhao Man Gui feels deeply moved.

Translation: "Speaking of this, Zhao Man'gui became very emotional."

"Hmm, our truck-mounted guns are also produced here; we'll have even more cooperation in the future. By the way, what are we producing now?"

Translation: "\"Hmm, our truck cannon is also produced here; in the future we'll have even more cooperation. By the way, what are we producing now? \""

"A 120-millimeter tank gun."

Translation: "\"A 120-millimeter tank gun. \""

Qin Miao was stunned: "What?"

Translation: "Qin Miao was instantly shocked: \"What? \""

"Currently, the only mature gun we have domestically is the 105-millimeter; it solves the existence issue but can't meet future demands, so we're still researching a larger-caliber tank gun." Old Zhu added from the side.

Translation: "\"Currently, the only mature gun we have domestically is the 105-millimeter; although it solves the existence issue, it cannot meet future demands, so we are still researching a larger-caliber tank gun. \" Zhu Lao explained from the side."

On March 7, 1978, the East and Britain formally signed a contract to import Britain's L7 105-millimeter tank gun and a full set of ammunition—this is the renowned '37 Project'.

Translation: "On March 7, 1978, East and Britain formally signed a contract to import Britain's L7 105-millimeter tank gun and full ammunition set; this is the renowned Project 3-7."

After several years, domestic production of the 105-millimeter tank gun became possible, equipping tanks and temporarily solving the problem; however, it's not a long-term solution—looking worldwide, the 120-millimeter tank gun is the standard, and even the Russians have increased caliber to 125 millimeters!

Translation: "After several years, domestic production of the 105-millimeter tank gun finally became possible; equipping tanks with it temporarily solved the problem, but it's not a long-term solution—looking worldwide, the 120-millimeter tank gun is the way forward, and even the old Maoists have increased caliber to 125 millimeters!"

In fact, as early as 1976, China had produced a 120-millimeter smoothbore gun, but using outdated technology, it had low chamber pressure and poor penetration, unable to meet requirements.

Translation: "In fact, as early as 1976, domestic production of a 120-millimeter smoothbore gun had occurred, but it used outdated technology, with low chamber pressure and poor penetration depth, unable to meet requirements."

In April 1978, the superiors issued a task to research a high-chamber-pressure 120-millimeter tank gun; from the timeline it's clear this was meant to build upon the 37 Project and advance further.

Translation: "In April 1978, the superiors issued a task to research a high-chamber-pressure 120-millimeter tank gun; looking at the timeline, one knows this is meant to further advance beyond the Project 3-7 foundation."

However, in later years, domestically produced tanks didn't adopt this caliber; they chose the 125-millimeter standard instead. The current R&D results ended up being used on self-propelled anti-tank guns, which were later retired.

Translation: "However…… in later generations, domestically produced tanks did not adopt this caliber, opting instead for the 125-millimeter benchmark; the current R&D results were used in self-propelled anti-tank guns, which were later retired."

In other words, what we're doing now is purely a waste of time and effort!

Translation: "In other words, what we're doing now is purely a waste of time and effort!"

Zhu Lao was observing Qin Miao's facial expression changes, speaking lightly: "San Shui, do you think this plan has a problem?"