Inside the military factory.
Jiang Chuan, having just hung up the satellite phone, stroked his chin and squinted as he thought about Smaha’s order.
30,000 gas canisters, plus 5,000 steel pipes.
To be honest, the total value of this order was quite substantial.
Buying these things from the Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory and the gas canister factory didn’t cost him much, and after a little modification, he’d sell them to the Smaha organization.
The total value of this order was already over a hundred million, and he could even make a hundred million in profit from just this one order.
He had to admit, the arms business really was profitable—visibly, undeniably profitable.
In just these few short months, he had already earned over a hundred million.
That kind of money, in the past, he wouldn’t have even dared to dream of.
However, Jiang Chuan wasn’t planning to send some money home and tell his parents they didn’t need to be frugal anymore, that their son was rich now.
He still understood the principle of not flaunting one’s wealth.
Besides, he knew his parents well. If he suddenly gave them a large sum of money, he was afraid they’d think he’d done something utterly unconscionable.
Wasn’t that exactly what happened before when he returned the scammer’s money to his parents?
It was better to wait until he’d earned even more, and then let his parents enjoy a comfortable life with him.
By that time, he’d also find some bodyguards for his parents to protect the old couple’s safety.
After all, in the arms business, it was hard not to make enemies, and it was easy to get burned.
On his end, it was fine—he had Task Force 141 protecting him, and Guo Dastanson, a top-tier fighter, by his side, so he wouldn’t have any problems.
But his parents’ side was a different story.
The era of “harm not extending to family” was long gone. Now, the rule was that harm absolutely did extend to family.
After letting his mind wander for a while, Jiang Chuan smiled.
He picked up the phone and was about to call the Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory to order another batch of steel pipes.
…
Jiuzhou, Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory.
Factory director Liang Shaoke sat in his office, smoking with a furrowed brow.
Ever since that big client had ordered the 1,000 steel pipes from their warehouse, business at the Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory had never picked up again.
There was no helping it—after waiting so long, he still hadn’t found a bigger client.
And that previous big client had just purchased a batch of steel pipes, so presumably wouldn’t be ordering a second batch anytime soon.
But the Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory’s business was visibly dismal.
He kept wondering whether he should call that big client and ask if he still needed steel pipes.
After all, the workers were complaining.
They’d finally gotten a big order last time and worked enthusiastically for a week, and now they were idle at home again with no work…
Just as Liang Shaoke was at his wit’s end, the desk phone rang.
He immediately stubbed out the half-smoked cigarette in his hand and picked up the phone: “Hello, Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory, I’m Director Liang Shaoke. If you need to order steel pipes, choosing us is definitely the right call!”
“Director Liang, long time no see.” Jiang Chuan’s voice came through the phone.
Liang Shaoke’s eyes lit up like a hungry wolf spotting food: “President Liu! Hello, hello! How are things? Are you satisfied with that batch of steel pipes? If there’s anything unsatisfactory, you must tell me.
Whether it’s improving the craftsmanship or replacing workers, I’ll definitely meet your needs.”
Liang Shaoke couldn’t care about much else now. He’d finally gotten such a big client, and he had to hold on to him tightly.
Even if it meant constantly lowering his posture, even if it meant being as humble as dirt, he absolutely had to keep Liu Shan.
How much was pride worth? Keeping the factory alive was what mattered most.
On the phone, Jiang Chuan laughed: “Director Liang, I have to say, I sent that batch of steel pipes to my client, and they received unanimous praise.”
Hearing this, Liang Shaoke was so excited he could almost jump up and bite someone: “That’s great, that’s great! President Liu, as long as it’s produced by our Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory, you can rest easy—there will absolutely be no problems.”
Then, he slightly softened his tone and smiled fawningly: “Um, President Liu, you’re calling this time because you’re planning to order another batch of steel pipes?”
“That’s right, Director Liang. I’m here this time to order another batch of steel pipes. The quantity might be fairly large this time, but the deadline is quite short. I’m not sure if you can handle it.” Jiang Chuan didn’t specify the quantity upfront.
Liang Shaoke didn’t hesitate at all: “President Liu, let me put it this way—right now, all the workers at our Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory are sitting at home with no work to do. They’ve all got wives and kids to support, and they’re really short on money.
Even if the quantity is large, I can deliver it with quality and quantity guaranteed!”
“With those words from you, I’m relieved, Director Liang. This time I need 5,000 steel pipes, same specifications as last time. For the deadline, a month and a half—is that enough time?” Jiang Chuan asked.
Hearing the quantity and then the deadline, Liang Shaoke gritted his teeth: “Deal! We Laiyang people can’t say we can’t do it. President Liu, let’s settle it then. I’ll have the workers come in for overtime right now.
I guarantee that in a month and a half, you’ll have those 5,000 steel pipes, and the quality will be the same as before.”
“Alright, Director Liang. Same as usual—I’ll wire the full payment directly to your company’s account.”
With that, Jiang Chuan hung up the phone.
After putting down the receiver, Liang Shaoke sat in his chair with a blank expression, still a bit unable to process what had happened.
After all, the deal had been negotiated way too fast. Before they’d even said a few words, the other party had ordered another 5,000 pipes.
5,000 steel pipes!
Although the quantity didn’t seem like much, it was all cold, hard cash!
Moreover, this big client was now making a second purchase. It was inevitable that there would be a third, fourth, fifth…
In fact, as long as they held on to this big client Liu Shan, it wasn’t impossible for the Laiyang Steel Pipe Factory to come back from the dead!
At this thought, he excitedly stood up, put his hands on his hips, leaned back, and laughed wildly.
The laughter directly drew in his secretary.
The secretary looked at Liang Shaoke in panic and cried out: “Director, Director, what’s wrong? What happened?”
Then, he excitedly shouted outside: “Someone come quick! The director’s gone mad!”
Liang Shaoke grabbed the secretary’s head, rubbed it over and over, kissed it again and again, and shouted excitedly: “I’m not mad! Quick, go call the workers back to start work—5,000 steel pipes, to be completed in a month and a half, go!”
The secretary, completely bewildered from being kissed, let out an “Ah.”
“Ah, my ass! Go!”
The secretary was overjoyed: “Alright! I, I’ll go find all the workers right now!”
…
The same scene was also playing out at the Minnuo Special Equipment Production Factory in Sudi.
Factory director Kong Shun’s mouth was wide open, his eyes almost bulging out, as he exclaimed: “President Liu, you’re not joking with me, are you?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?” Jiang Chuan said over the phone.
Kong Shun quickly explained: “No, President Liu, that’s not what I meant. I meant, you really plan to order 30,000 gas canisters at once?”
“That’s right, same specifications as before, 30,000. Full payment directly to your company’s account.” Jiang Chuan didn’t hesitate at all.
Kong Shun was so excited he wanted to scream, but he forcibly suppressed the joy in his heart, his voice trembling slightly: “Um, President Liu, rest assured, 30,000 gas canisters, I’ll absolutely get them done for you within a month and a half!
If I can’t produce 30,000 gas canisters in a month and a half, I’ll refund every last cent of your payment!”
“Good, Director Kong. Then it’s settled. I’ll have my secretary wire the full payment to your company’s account shortly.”
With that, Jiang Chuan once again decisively hung up the phone.
After putting down the phone, Kong Shun laughed heartily.
The assistant standing nearby was also beaming: “Director, I’ll have the workers speed up production right away!”
“Yes, hurry up and go. Two shifts—no, three shifts! Open up all the production lines. Hire people, hire people quickly! Oh, and pay the overtime wages as usual, and raise the wages too!” Kong Shun said immediately.
“You got it, Director!”
…
Meanwhile.
In the distant country of Barto.
General Charles from Eagle Sauce sat in a military off-road vehicle, gazing into the distance at the destroyed military base.
Behind the vehicle he was riding in, there were two more military off-road vehicles and two military transport trucks.
As the road bumped along, Charles arrived at the entrance of the destroyed military base.
The military base’s gate had long been blown beyond recognition. At a glance, one could see the scene inside, like ruins, and bodies and wreckage everywhere.
Even after a whole night, he could still smell the thick smoke and gunpowder lingering in the air.
After getting out of the car and stepping into the military base, he stared gravely at the ruins before him.
“General Charles, according to our preliminary investigation, the military base was clearly hit by a large-scale bombardment of mortars or rockets.
This surprise attack was most likely carried out by the Smaha organization. They used a large number of shells—preliminarily estimated at hundreds, or even over a thousand—to raze the military base to the ground in an instant.”
Hearing the on-site investigator’s report, Charles frowned: “A large number of mortars and rockets? Are you sure?”
The investigator nodded heavily: “I’m certain, General Charles. There’s absolutely no mistake. Judging from the shrapnel remnants at the scene, the enemy used rockets with a caliber of over 350 millimeters.”
Charles’s expression darkened: “350-caliber rockets? How is that possible!”
Currently, the largest rocket caliber in the world was 600 millimeters.
Although such rockets had a large caliber, their range was very short—absolutely no more than 8 kilometers.
Most importantly, even if the enemy really did have rocket shells with a caliber exceeding 350 millimeters and a range of up to 10 kilometers, why would there be so many of them?
After all, before coming to Barto to provide support, Charles had already conducted an investigation.
According to the investigation, after Eagle Sauce intervened in the Barto conflict, no country in the world was selling arms to the Smaha organization.
So the Smaha organization most likely had no military weapons left to use.
As for that incident last time when the Smaha organization suddenly had a lot of firearms, he and other Eagle Sauce officers had assumed it was a batch of arms Smaha had secretly stockpiled before.
But now, what was the deal with these over a thousand rocket shells with a caliber exceeding 350 millimeters?
It simply didn’t make sense.
Unless someone was secretly selling arms to the Smaha organization.
“Investigate immediately! Find out where the Smaha organization’s arms are coming from. Don’t limit it to countries—check the arms dealers too! Once we find out who’s selling arms to Smaha…”
At this point, Charles’s eyes turned fierce: “Destroy them completely!”
Daring to sell arms to the Smaha organization right under Eagle Sauce’s nose—even if the other party was a major arms dealer, Eagle Sauce would absolutely not let them off.
After all, this surprise attack had cost them a large number of Eagle Sauce soldiers’ lives, and even General Michel, his most capable subordinate, had died in the attack. How could he not be furious?
“Yes! General Charles.”
Then, Charles noticed something else was off and immediately asked: “By the way, what about the Iron Dome system? Why didn’t it intercept these shells?”
The Iron Dome system was an interception system modified from Eagle Sauce’s outdated technology, specifically designed to intercept rockets, mortars, and drones.
The Iron Dome system’s maximum interception capacity, according to their tests, was several hundred shells in one go.
If this surprise attack really involved the Smaha organization using a large number of rocket shells, that would mean the Iron Dome system intercepted at least several thousand rockets.
Did the Smaha organization really have that kind of capability—to use nearly ten thousand rockets at once just to destroy a single military base?
That was clearly unrealistic and impossible.
If the Smaha organization were really that wealthy and that powerful, Barto would already be under Smaha’s control.
The investigator’s expression was grim. Hearing Charles’s question, he stammered: “Um, General Charles, the Iron Dome system… the Iron Dome system didn’t take effect.”
“Didn’t take effect? How is that possible!” Charles stared at the investigator in shock.
The investigator quickly explained: “That’s right, General Charles. The Iron Dome system really didn’t intercept anything. However, after professional inspection, it was found that the Iron Dome system was operating normally during the time of Smaha’s attack.
In other words, the Iron Dome system did not intercept any of the rockets fired by Smaha.
The enemy… the enemy only used over a thousand rockets to destroy the military base…”
Charles’s mouth hung open as he stared at the investigator in disbelief.
His mind was full of question marks. He had never expected this to be the result.
This was impossible. Absolutely impossible!
Even though the Iron Dome system was modified from Eagle Sauce’s outdated technology, it had never failed when it came to intercepting rockets and mortar shells.
And how could a small organization like Smaha possibly develop an advanced device capable of bypassing the Iron Dome interception system?
This was Eagle Sauce’s technology!
“General Charles, that is the truth. I… I can’t explain this strange phenomenon either. The only possibility is… is that Smaha really has mastered a device that can evade the Iron Dome interception system,” the investigator said again.
Charles gazed at the ruins before him, unable to say a single word. He was completely in a state of near-stupor.
Just then.
A soldier hurriedly ran up to him.
“Report, General Charles! Within a 10-kilometer radius of the military base, we discovered something suspected to be rocket launch tubes!” The soldier raised his hand in salute and spoke solemnly.
