Warship of Great Power

"What happened, why did you react so strongly?" Qin Tao asked curiously when he saw Pu Douxuan who had regained his composure.

"President Qin, after the Minsk ship arrived at our port, we discovered that five of the eight boilers were broken." Pu Douxuan said, "This warship is already useless!"

"What? The boilers are all broken?" Qin Tao said, "How is this possible? Isn't that warship just decommissioned? Wait!"

Qin Tao suddenly thought of something: "Ah San first took a fancy to the Minsk, and later changed to the Kiev. Could it be that they knew that the boiler was broken? It was too much, the boiler was broken, and they didn't report Let it go, it's too much, it's too much!"

scold who?

old man?

It's useless to scold the old man! After all, Lao Maozi made it clear at the time that they wanted to disassemble and sell scrap iron. They bid a high price, which was voluntary and not forced.

He had to find someone to vent to, so Ah San was picked out like this.

Ah San must have known about it, otherwise why would they change warships midway?

"President Qin, don't you know?"

"How would I know? If I knew, why would I bid? Our base price is just over 40 million. Who would have thought that you quoted a price of 80 million. We have no choice but to return empty-handed. Qin Tao had lingering fears: "Fortunately, we didn't win the bid at the beginning. If you stop shouting when it reaches 40 million, then this thing will fall into our hands."

Although it is declared to be scrap iron to the outside world, everyone knows what it is actually used for!

What Qin Tao said dispelled Pu Douxuan's worries. Yes, if he knew that the boiler was broken, then there was no need for President Qin to bid. If Dazhou Company stopped calling, it would fall into Qin Tao's hands. .

After all, even if Qin Tao had a relationship with someone from the Pacific Fleet, it was impossible for him to be too close. How could Qin Tao know such a secret?

Thinking of this, Pu Douxuan was also speechless. Their company paid a high price of 80 million yuan to buy such a thing, and this time it was a big loss.

"However, there must be a way for the car to reach the mountain." Qin Tao continued: "Although the boiler is broken, it will definitely hurt the muscles and bones, but there is no problem in repairing it. Just cut the steel plate, and then put the broken boiler Just change it."

Change? You put it simply! Pu Douxuan felt extremely aggrieved: "Boss Qin, although our kimchi country has a well-developed shipbuilding industry, the main engines of ships are mainly diesel engines and gas turbines. We rarely use boilers, and we cannot produce boilers of the same type in our country."

Regardless of whether it is an oil tanker or a cargo ship, diesel engines are mainly used. Even if there are still boilers, the boilers used are low-power boilers, which are not at the same level as the boilers needed on aircraft carriers.

Lao Maozi’s heavy-duty aircraft-carrying cruiser, whether it is the Kiev class or the Kubota, all use the same type of KBG-4 boiler. This is the pinnacle of steam power for ships in the Soviet era. If it burns at full power, it will burn for an hour. Can produce 115 tons of high-pressure steam.

In this way, the eight boilers are more than 900 tons per hour, which is about the same as the steam burned in the Nimitz nuclear reactor boiler.

It is impossible for Kimchi Country to create a boiler of this level.

"Well, then I can only order from Lao Maozi." Qin Tao said: "It is estimated that only Lao Maozi can produce this kind of boiler in the world. Now their domestic enterprises are not doing well. If there is an order, then It’s something you can’t ask for.”

"Order with Lao Maozi?" Pu Douxuan seriously thought about Qin Tao's words, and had to say, this is really a solution to the problem. Since the boiler has blown up, it's better to reset the boiler, but...

"If we order five boilers at once, will the old man be suspicious?" Pu Douxuan became alert again.

When the warship was first sold, the old man made it clear that he asked to dismantle and sell scrap iron. Five boilers were blown inside. The old man must have known that when they went to order the boiler, the old man would soon think of the usefulness of the boiler. ah.

The old man's Pacific Fleet, can't bear to watch the Minsk they just sold become the flagship of Kimchi? Just thinking about it is disgusting enough, so the old man must object.

"It's easy, you can entrust me with the task of ordering." Qin Tao said: "I have a relationship, go directly to Lao Maozi's boiler factory to place an order, even if the Pacific Fleet protests, it's useless, the boiler factory has to survive .”

Entrusted to Qin Tao?

A trace of hesitation flashed in Pu Douxuan's eyes.

"Of course, for me, it's just a hand in hand, and you don't mind if you have concerns. I also see our close cooperation in the export of natural gas ship technology. I see that you have bid for the Minsk and helped our group Recover the loss, otherwise, I don't have to go into the muddy water."

Pu Douxuan swallowed and spit: "Okay, I will report to the company immediately, if purchased, how much will these boilers cost?"

"I'm not too sure, two million should be no problem."

"okay."

Pu Douxuan left, Cong Ju, who witnessed the whole negotiation process, admired Qin Tao even more, why didn't he think of it? The boiler exploded, contact them directly for a new boiler!

In this way, a business can still be done, and the two parties have not hurt the peace. How did they quarrel at that time?

Thinking of this, Cong Ju smiled wryly: "Boss Qin, it seems that I still have a lot to learn! I haven't even discovered the business of two million."

"You're a technical person. It's normal to not think of these things. However, you seem to have misunderstood it. What I just said is 2 million boilers. If they buy five, that's 10 million."

Cong Ju opened her eyes wide and looked at Qin Tao, did she understand wrong? It was you who misled on purpose just now, you are too ruthless, and you want to cheat others ten million!

It took time for Pu Douxuan to report and the other party to respond. After all, the other party had to hold a meeting to discuss whether they had the heart to dismantle the scrap iron or spend money to repair it.

"Okay, this matter is over first, let's consider the future development of our shipyard." Qin Tao said: "Have you contacted the French GTT company?"

"I've already contacted them. The other party welcomes us and can go over to negotiate at any time. However, Mr. Qin, their conditions are too harsh. Is it necessary for us to introduce their system? After all, the MOSS tanks we manufacture now can also work normally. It works, and it works well.”

"Of course, technology is constantly developing, and the MOSS tank system will be eliminated. If we can't build a membrane-type natural gas ship, then we will suffer in this regard in the future. By the way, what about the steel plant? , Has Invar Steel been made?"

If you want to build a membrane-type natural gas ship, you must use Invar steel. If this special steel is imported, it will be a huge investment. Therefore, Qin Tao has already started to make plans for Mingzhou Iron and Steel. The factory has developed Invar steel.

Just don't know what the situation is now.

"I'm not too clear about this, you should go and investigate yourself." Cong Ju said: "Mr. Qin, I still think that if we import technology from the French, then we will become working for the French, and a lot of profits will be made." They were all taken away by the French, even if we use the Invar steel produced by ourselves, we are earning hard money.”

Cong Ju still felt that it was not worth it.

Qin Tao smiled: "Sister Cong Ju, to be honest with you, we introduced technology and built one, and then we invented a new fence system, leaving aside the patents of the French, we just let them lead in. This tuition fee still needs to be paid.”

With such a huge profit from natural gas ships, how can Qin Tao make the French earn a lot of money? His plan is huge. He will introduce French technology, build his own technical team, gain the approval of users, and then go it alone without the French!

It was only then that Cong Ju suddenly realized, that's right, when did Boss Qin do something that was a disadvantage? It doesn't work if it's cheap!

"You stay here and work hard, arrange the work for the latest period, and then take a group of old welders to the French this time. If the deal is reached, go directly to them and train a group of our excellent welders. Come back after getting the G certificate."

Most of the natural gas ships are welded automatically, but a few parts still have to be welded manually, and a group of excellent welders is needed.

Cong Ju nodded, and then thought of something: "Mr. Qin, among those old welders, there are also many skilled welders. Do you want to choose from them?"

old man?

Too many things have happened recently. Qin Tao has been busy, but there are still many things that he has not taken care of. For example, thousands of skilled workers have been tricked by Lao Maozi. The joining of those workers has greatly relieved Mingzhou The shortage of labor in the shipyard allows them to build various ships in an orderly manner without having to redeploy manpower back and forth.

The skills of some of these workers are still very good, Cong Ju is also very satisfied, and now he is going to train welders, maybe he can choose a few from them.

Qin Tao thought about it, then shook his head: "No need. It's not long, and their loyalty is not enough."

It's only been a month or so, and Lao Maozi has just adapted to the life here. It's enough to let them work step by step. The opportunity for further study cannot be left to them.

In a few years, let's talk about them completely integrating into Mingzhou.

The Mercedes-Benz Big G left the shipyard and went straight to the Mingzhou Iron and Steel Works.

The tall chimneys are constantly emitting blue smoke. On the open space of the steel factory, iron ore imported from Australia is piled up like a mountain. The scrap iron that used to be has been almost consumed. However, wait until the Black Sea Shipyard The scrap steel from the dismantled nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is brought in, and the scrap iron will pile up again. (It seems that the shipping time was considered less in the past, so let these things float on the sea for a while longer this time.)

On one side of the steel factory, a small three-story building has been newly built. This is the research institute specially established by the steel factory.

"Mr. Qin, you are a busy person, but you are back." After seeing Qin Tao, Zhang Jinxi immediately ran over excitedly to say hello.

"Yeah, I've been busy recently. A few months ago, I bought 30,000 tons of scrap steel from the Black Sea Shipyard. Most of the steel is high-strength. After getting it, you still smelt it separately. Excellent steel with a yield of seven to eight hundred MPa."

"Is it the steel of the Ulyanovsk? We are all looking forward to it." Mr. Zhou also came over.

Although Qin Tao hadn't told them the news yet, they could guess something from the news.

This is the first time they have come into contact with aircraft carrier steel!

"Yes, especially the upper deck steel. We need to study the composition inside, and then develop steel with the same performance." Qin Tao said: "This is the sacred mission given to us by history."

In the future, I will definitely build an aircraft carrier. Do I want to buy steel from Lao Maozi like the third brother?

Of course it won't work, domestically produced aircraft carriers must be able to produce steel themselves! Qin Tao helped Makarov dispose of the scraps and got back the scrap steel for his own research, and then imitated steel plates with the same performance.

Mr. Zhou nodded: "Boss Qin, of course we know the importance of these projects, but if we want to produce this kind of steel, we still need special equipment, and the size of the existing equipment is too small."

It is not difficult to select different types of steel from the pile of scrap steel. It is enough to distinguish them according to their thickness. The deck of the aircraft carrier is the strongest and the thickest, with a full thickness of 330 millimeters.

The huge aircraft carrier deck is welded piece by piece of steel plate. If the area of ​​the steel plate produced in the steel factory is too small, it will require a lot of welding work, which is obviously not cost-effective.

However, if you want to make large-area steel plates, you need special processing equipment.

Qin Tao nodded: "Of course, the update of the equipment is the responsibility of the group. We need to contact Yizhong Machinery, and at the same time, we may ask for foreign technical support to build a king of rolling mills."

"King of the mill?"

"That's right, a rolling mill that can manufacture steel plates with a width of 5.5 meters." Qin Tao said: "It will have a rolling force of 100,000 tons and produce steel products that are more than 40 meters long. In this way, the length of welding required will be greatly reduced. gone."

Such a steel plate is equivalent to four times the area of ​​the current conventional steel plate! This can greatly save welding work.

At this time, the people in the room were speechless in amazement, they could not imagine how huge this rolling mill would be.

Suddenly, Qin Tao thought of something: "By the way, I didn't come here to imagine the future. How is our Invar steel research going?"

"At present, we can already manufacture the initial products in the laboratory." Zhou Jie said, leading Qin Tao to the experimental area, changed into a white coat and white gloves, and picked up an A4 Paper-sized sparkling samples come.

Qin Tao took it solemnly, looked at the thickness of the steel, looked at the color of the surface, and even picked up a magnifying glass.

"On the whole, this piece of Invar steel can meet the needs. Professor Zhou, you have worked hard."

Qin Tao in his previous life was very familiar with this material. At that time, it took four years in China to create a qualified Invar steel for natural gas ships. satisfaction. With this thing, there is capital to negotiate with the French.

"Well, it's just this small piece. The previous ones are all waste products. We have just mastered the skill of making invar steel. Besides, Mr. Qin, you know that there are still many steps to go from laboratory to industrial production. It's a long way to go." Zhou Lao said.

"Well, I know, but everything is difficult at the beginning. Making it in the laboratory is the first step, and we will be able to expand to industrial production in the future."

"Boss Qin, this requires a lot of professional equipment." Zhang Jinxi said.

"No problem, we'll buy the equipment we need! We'll build the new factory buildings we need, and we'll train the professional workers we need!" Qin Tao waved his hand, isn't it just spending money? Our group has plenty of money!

In addition to those regular businesses, Qin Tao has been running back and forth recently, earning a lot of extra money. Even if all the money is invested in the production line of Inwa Steel, Qin Tao is not stingy, and he is willing to spend money to make money. Membrane-type natural gas ships are lucrative.

"Boss Qin, besides these, we still have another problem to solve." Elder Zhou continued.

"what is the problem?"

"A source of nickel."

They can make Invar steel in the laboratory because they already know its composition: 36% nickel, 63.8% iron, 0.2% carbon, you know After these ingredients, it's easy to do the experiment again.

High-frequency electric furnaces are used in the laboratory to explore the process. After all, only a small amount is needed. However, if it is to be mass-produced, it must have a stable source of nickel.

Specifically, to build an LNG carrier of nearly 150,000 cubic meters, 450 tons of Invar steel, of which 36% nickel is required, means more than 160 tons of nickel.

There has to be a steady source of nickel, otherwise problems could go wrong at any time later.

Qin Tao nodded: "You're right. We need to plan in advance. When I have a chance in the future, I have to go to Lao Maozi and buy a stake in a mine in the Ural Mountains, so I don't have to worry about the source of nickel."

Qin Tao's solution to the problem was so domineering that everyone present was startled.

Worried about nickel supply? Simple, let's just buy a mine!

In the world, Canada has the highest output of nickel ore, but there are risks in that place, so don't dabble in it casually. The second largest in the world is Lao Maozi, who can produce more than 100,000 tons of nickel every year. Therefore, Qin Tao and the others need this, that is, drizzle.

In the central and southeastern part of the Urals of Lao Maozi, there are nickel oxide ores, and there are copper-nickel sulfide ores in the Arctic Circle. Although the grade is not high, but the reserves are large. Speaking of the vast land and rich resources, Lao Maozi's land is definitely qualified.

In the past few years, just in time for another good opportunity, a large amount of the inheritance of the Red Empire will be divided up by the giants. Therefore, if you find the right partner, it is not a big problem to invest in a mine. As long as you are not too greedy, there should be no big problem.

"Mr. Qin, let us do the production, but the welding of this thing is not easy, we have to be prepared."

"Of course, we will go to France soon to discuss the introduction of their technology. By the way, Mr. Zhou, you will go with me when the time comes."

"Me?" Elder Zhou was a little surprised, what are you doing by yourself?

"That's right, take our sample with you!" Qin Tao continued to look at this sample of Inwa Steel. Although it is only a small step in the laboratory, it is a part of the entire Mingzhou Group and the entire domestic shipbuilding industry. stride.

Since there are membrane-type LNG ships, the technology is all in the French, and the natural gas ships built in various countries have to be purchased from France. A lot of profits have been taken away by the French. If they can produce it, they can save money. A lot of money, what you save is what you earn!

With a happy mood, Qin Tao walked around the Mingzhou Iron and Steel Plant again. Everything was in order, so he left with peace of mind.

After returning, Qin Tao saw Pu Douxuan again.

"Mr. Qin, our company has made a decision to entrust you to purchase five boilers for two million yuan, and hope to deliver them as soon as possible." Pu Douxuan said to Qin Tao nervously.

"Well, I can accept the two million deposit, and then I will arrange it for you."

"Wait, Mr. Qin, why is the two million yuan a deposit? Isn't it the full amount?"

"How could it be the full payment?" Qin Tao said, "Two million for one, and five for ten million. You give me two million first, it's just a deposit."

"What?" Pu Douxuan was dumbfounded.

The 80 million ship was bought, the 20 million blueprint was also bought, and the final 2 million boiler was bought. They Dazhou Company can still afford this money.

But what about now? Made a mistake? Two million is the price of one, and five sets cost ten million?

"Boss Qin, didn't you say two million at that time?" Pu Douxuan was about to cry.

"That's right, it's two million!"

That's what he said at the beginning, but Qin Tao didn't say whether it was one or five, the unit price or the total price.

"If this is the price of one set, will it be too high?" Pu Douxuan asked pleadingly.

"You don't understand Lao Maozi. Many of their factories are in arrears of wages. Giving them two million means that the workers' wages are paid. Only when the workers are paid are they willing to work. They have to go Upstream manufacturers also have similar problems when purchasing goods, think about it, if the money is low, can they produce it?" Qin Tao said: "Only liars will fool you, two million can buy five boilers back, if you think It’s expensive, so why don’t you try to find other manufacturers? Maybe the United States can produce similar models?”

USA?

Damn it if the United States is willing to help them!

Needless to say, complicated political issues and balance issues, just talking about technology, the United States does not have it. The United States has long used gas turbines in large quantities. Aircraft carriers use boilers, but others use nuclear-powered boilers.

It is impossible for them to buy a nuclear reactor from the United States and install it on the Minsk!

"You can think about it first, I have something to do recently, and I need to travel far away."

The price changed, and Pu Douxuan had to report it. I don't know how there will be any reaction this time. In short, whether he likes to buy or not, Qin Tao doesn't have so much energy to play with them.

Qin Tao went out without looking at Pu Douxuan's eyes, disappointed, helpless, depressed...