Chapter 357

Old Yuan had retired, returned to the capital to enjoy his old age; hearing that a tank was coming, he ran over to take a look, and happened to meet Qin Miao.

Translation: Yuan Lao had already retired, returned to the Capital to spend his old age, hearing that a tank had come over, he ran over to have a look, and happened to meet Qin Miao.

We need to keep it concise but include all info. Let's produce: Yuan Lao had already retired, returned to the Capital to spend his old age; hearing that a tank had come over, he ran over to have a look and happened to meet Qin Miao.

Make sure it's one line.

Qin Miao felt a bit embarrassed: "Old Yuan, this tank was developed by Institute 201; it has nothing to do with us at Harbin Institute of Technology."

Translation: Qin Miao felt a bit embarrassed: "Yuan Lao, this tank was developed by Institute 201 and has nothing to do with our Ha Gong Da."

"No relation? Wasn't the engine improved with your help?"

Translation: "No relation? Wasn't the engine improved with your help?"

The engine is the heart of the tank, and domestic industrial technology is backward, making the engine a major hurdle; a third‑generation tank requires at least 1,200 horsepower of power output.

Translation: The engine is the heart of the tank, and with domestic industrial technology lagging, the engine is a major hurdle; a third-generation tank requires at least 1,200 horsepower output.

Without Harbin Institute of Technology and Qin Miao, the country would still be debating two technical routes; Qin Miao joined the meetings, quickly unified thinking, decided on the development path, and during development, key components such as the turbocharger, high‑pressure oil pump, and fuel injectors were all produced by HIT.

Translation: Without Ha Gong Da and Qin Miao, the country would still be debating two technical routes; Qin Miao joined the meetings, quickly unified thinking, decided on the development path, and during development, key components such as turbochargers, high-pressure oil pumps, and fuel injectors were all produced by Ha Gong Da.

Without them, there would be no mature, reliable power!

Translation: Without them, there would be no mature and reliable power!

As for the transmission, following Qin Miao's suggestion they avoided a complex hydraulic system, first using a makeshift mechanical transmission; however, the layout of the dual‑side planetary gearbox is still an improvement over the previous design, and with a decent power‑assist system, operation is simple and effortless.

Translation: As for the transmission, following Qin Miao's suggestion, they didn't adopt a complex hydraulic transmission system, first using a mechanical transmission as a makeshift; however, the layout of the dual-side planetary transmission was still an improvement over the previous one, and with a decent assist system, operation was also simple and labor-saving.

"Take another look at the gun barrel—it was also your suggestion from Harbin Institute of Technology; the tank gun tested on the grasslands showed considerable power, and the automatic loader mounted on it is a major feature!"

Translation: "Take another look at this gun barrel—it was also Ha Gong Da's suggestion; this tank gun, when test-fired on the grasslands, showed considerable power, and the autoloader mounted on it is an even greater feature!"

The 125 mm gun has world‑leading power; from the barrel blank to the chamber, everything was Qin Miao's suggestion, and the automatic loader, also following his advice, was based on the T‑72 design but with improvements that made it even better.

Translation: The 125mm gun has the world's greatest power! From the gun barrel blank to the chamber, everything was Qin Miao's suggestion; moreover, the autoloader, following Qin Miao's suggestion, took the T-72's approach but with improvements, yielding better results.

"However, the thing we are most satisfied with is the fire‑control system; our old tanks could only fire when stationary, but this tank can fire while on the move—a huge leap! Most of the technology in this fire‑control suite comes from Harbin Institute of Technology, and there's also a BeiDou terminal!"

Translation: "However, if we had to say what satisfies us most, it's the fire control system; our old tanks could only fire while stationary, but this tank can fire on the move—a huge leap! Most of the technology in this fire control system comes from Ha Gong Da, and there's also a Beidou terminal!"

The BeiDou navigation terminal was also installed, putting this tank on the fast track to informatization.

Translation: The Beidou navigation terminal was also installed; such a tank has already boarded the fast track of informatization!

Qin Miao scratched his head: "Alright, these technologies were developed with our help, but… the comrades of Institute 201 made the biggest contribution."

Translation: Qin Miao scratched his head: "Well, these technologies were developed with our help, but… the comrades of Institute 201 made the biggest contribution."

"That's only natural, especially Old Zhu, who has been running back and forth these past years for the new tank."

Translation: "That's only natural, especially Old Zhu, who has been running back and forth these past few years for the new tank."

Old Zhu smiled: "Being able to develop a third‑generation tank to solve the army's urgent problem is our honor."

Translation: Zhu Lao smiled: "Being able to develop a third-generation tank to solve the army's urgent problem is our honor."

"What's all this running back and forth? This is just what we ought to do!"

Translation: "What's this running back and forth? This is just what we should do!"

Old Zhu is modest yet proud.

Translation: Zhu Lao was modest and proud.

"By the way, this tank has already been slated for next year's parade, Old Zhu—you guys won't let us down, will you?"

Translation: "By the way, our tank has already been slated for next year's parade, Old Zhu—you guys won't drop the ball, right?"

1984, the parade!

Translation: 1984, parade!

Back then, when the country was newly founded, there was a parade every year; later, considering it wasteful, they changed it to once every five years, and then, encountering special circumstances, they stopped holding parades altogether.

Translation: Back then, when the country had just been founded, there was a parade every year; later, considering it wasteful, they changed it to once every five years, and then, encountering special periods, they simply stopped holding parades.

In recent years the nation has developed well, and it is time to use a parade to display the might of the Eastern armed forces; moreover, 1984 coincides with the 35th anniversary, so the parade was scheduled.

Translation: In recent years, the nation has developed well, and it's also time to use a parade to display the mighty bearing of the Eastern army; moreover, 1984 happened to coincide with the 35th anniversary, a fine day, so the parade was set.

The army's training and selection are about to begin, and the equipment also needs to be finalized.

Translation: The army's training and selection are about to begin, and the equipment also needs to be finalized.

Old Zhu furrowed his brow: "These are only a few prototype vehicles; the numbers are rather small."

Translation: Zhu Lao furrowed his brow: "These are just a few sample vehicles; the numbers are rather low."

"We could have the grasslands produce another batch; the key is whether you have confidence. If you lack certainty, better not proceed. The Northern Institute, lacking confidence, dared not field their modified Jian‑8‑2 fighter."

Translation: "You could have the grasslands produce another batch; the key is whether you have confidence. If you lack confidence, better not proceed. The Northern Institute, lacking confidence, didn't dare to put up their modified Jian-8 II fighter."

Qin Miao felt a sigh of resignation: "Indeed, they just can't be helped."

Translation: Qin Miao felt sighing: "Indeed, they still can't be helped."

Historically, the Jian‑8 missed the 1984 parade because they were afraid to fly, fearing problems; even they themselves had no confidence.

Translation: Historically, the Jian-8 missed the 1984 parade; the reason… they dared not fly, fearing problems, to the point that even they themselves lacked confidence.

This incident left a bad impression in the military's mind, so the armed forces firmly backed Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group—this is why they were disappointed with the Northern Institute.

Translation: This affair left a bad impression in the military's mind, so the military firmly supported Chengdu Aircraft, which is why they were disappointed with the Northern Institute.

Thinking of Chengdu Aircraft, Qin Miao couldn't help but ask: "What about the Jian‑10?"

Translation: Thinking of Chengdu Aircraft, Qin Miao couldn't help but ask: "What about the Jian-10?"

"Over in Chengdu, they volunteered, inviting the Jian‑10 to join; although they can at most produce two prototypes, they are confident they can fly over the parade ground, but higher‑level leaders have some reservations, fearing…"

Translation: "Over in Chengdu, they volunteered, inviting the Jian-10 to participate; although they can at most produce two prototype aircraft, they are confident they can fly over the parade field, but higher-ups have some reservations, fearing…"

"Afraid of crashing?"

Translation: "Afraid of crashing?"

"No, it's fear of exposure, after all it's our most advanced fighter."

Translation: "No, it's fear of exposure, after all, it's our most advanced fighter jet."

"What's there to fear about exposure? Look at the West—they develop a fighter and it's just a PowerPoint, yet they rush to broadcast it worldwide, terrified that no one will know, while we have to hide ours."

Translation: "What's there to fear about exposure? Look at the West—they develop a fighter jet and it's just a PowerPoint, yet they rush to blow it worldwide, terrified that others won't know, while we still have to hide it."

"Domestically, whatever we develop is kept tightly under wraps, fearing others will find out; abroad, especially Dassault, because they need to sell their fighters, they promote them worldwide, terrified that no one will know."

Translation: Whatever we develop domestically is kept under wraps, for fear of others finding out; whereas abroad, especially Dassault Company, needing to sell their fighter jets, they advertise worldwide, terrified that others won't know.

"That's the gap!"

Translation: This is the gap!

"Yeah, if you have time, go talk to the relevant authorities?"

Translation: "Yeah, if you have time, go talk to the relevant departments."

"I… I'll first go to Chengdu to check on the Jian‑10's progress."

Translation: "I… I'll first go to Chengdu to check on the Jian-10's progress."

Chengdu, Factory 132.

Translation: Chengdu, Factory 132.

"Comrade Qin Miao, welcome! Come, take a look—over here in the workshop is the third aircraft we are assembling; this plane already has all its technical systems ready, its avionics are fully equipped, and Harbin Institute of Technology is truly impressive—in just one year you developed this advanced airborne radar for us!"

Translation: "Comrade Qin Miao, welcome! Come, look, in this workshop is the third aircraft we're assembling; this aircraft already qualifies as a technically complete aircraft, its avionics are fully equipped, and Ha Gong Da is truly impressive—in just one year they developed this advanced airborne radar for us!"

"Cough, cough—this radar was developed by Institute 607; we at Harbin Institute of Technology merely…"

Translation: "Cough, cough, this radar was developed by Institute 607; we Ha Gong Da merely…"

"Don't be modest—the staff of Institute 607 have always been working with you at Harbin Institute of Technology, whether it's antenna processing or crystal production; it's all done by HIT, and they say they were just learning before." Old Song beamed: "Of course, the reason this aircraft could make its maiden flight so quickly is thanks to the powerful engine."

Translation: "Don't be modest—the staff of Institute 607 have always been at Ha Gong Da, whether processing antennas or producing semiconductor chips, it's all done by Ha Gong Da; they say they were merely learning before." Song Lao beamed: "Of course, the reason this aircraft could make its maiden flight so quickly is thanks to the powerful engine."

"Initially, Qin Miao openly criticized the No. 6 turbofan from Factory 410 as worthless, which led the superiors to abandon support for the Turbofan‑6 project; they also skipped reverse‑engineering the F100 and instead began reverse‑engineering the M53 engine, and now…"

Translation: Back then, Qin Miao bluntly criticized the WS-6 from Factory 410 as worthless, ultimately leading superiors to abandon support for the WS-6 project, and not even bothering to reverse-engineer the F100, but instead launching work to reverse-engineer the M53 engine; now…

"Have we already reverse‑engineered the engine?"

Translation: "Have we already reverse-engineered the engine?"

"Of course, and it's quite mature; frankly, many of its technologies surpass those of the French, so our reverse‑engineered product is fully qualified—if we hadn't taken this route, our Jian‑10 simply couldn't fly!"

Translation: "That's only natural, and it's also very mature; frankly, many of its technologies surpass those of the French, so our reverse-engineered product is fully qualified—if we hadn't taken this route, our Jian-10 simply couldn't fly now!"

"Later on, the Jian‑11 waited for the Turbofan‑10, but when it didn't arrive, the higher‑ups decided to swap in the 'third‑uncle' engine; this caused major changes to the Jian‑10, yet ultimately allowed it to take to the skies!"

Translation: In later generations, the Jian-11 waited for the WS-10 in vain; then higher-ups decided to swap in the "third aunt's husband"! This caused major modifications to the Jian-10, but ultimately allowed the Jian-10 to take to the skies!

"As for the Turbofan‑10, it only began to replace the Jian‑10's engines after 2010."

Translation: As for the WS-10, it only began to replace the Jian-10 after 2010.

"Now, the single‑rotor M53, although technologically backward, is still usable—good enough!"

Translation: Now, the single-rotor M53, though technologically backward, is still usable—good enough!

"We used our own technology to improve and boost the engine's thrust; the maximum afterburner thrust now reaches twelve tonnes, fully sufficient to power our Jian‑10's flight." Old Song beamed: "The No. 01 prototype has already flown dozens of times, performing very well; it will take part in the parade, though it will be a steady, level flight—our aircraft will absolutely have no problems!"

Translation: "Using our own technology, we've improved and increased the engine's thrust; maximum afterburner thrust can now output twelve tonnes, fully sufficient to support the Jian-10's flight." Song Lao was delighted: "The No. 01 sortie has already flown dozens of times, performance is excellent; for the parade, it's just steady and level flight—our aircraft will absolutely not encounter any problems!"

Well, since we're confident here, when we get back I'll go lend you a hand!