Chapter 142 First Visit to the Shipyard (Revised)...
This was He Changyi's first time in Uzbekistan.
As a former union republic that recently gained independence, Uzbekistan shares a similar cultural core with Oros, but harbors a deep-seated distrust of its former allies.
Or rather, the Uzbeks have had a deep-rooted anti-Ethiopian tradition since ancient times.
Despite being the breadbasket of Europe, Ukraine was dragged into industrialization by the Alliance, which propelled it to become an important industrial, military, and scientific research center. However, it seems that Ukraine is not grateful to the Alliance.
On the contrary, after the alliance disintegrated, Uzbekistan was eager to squander the inheritance it had received from the alliance.
While the Oros also sold off their land without a second thought, at least the spoils ended up rotting within their own borders; but the Uzbeks are different. They squander what they get for free without a second thought, and they go to great lengths to erase any trace of the Alliance, as if only in this way can they prove their independence.
For example, when most countries desired to possess nuclear weapons but could not, Ukraine disarmed itself in order to join the democratic and free world—as the world's third-largest nuclear power at the time, Ukraine voluntarily destroyed all its nuclear weapons.
Even Lin Pingzhi only castrated himself after obtaining the Sunflower Manual, while Usak's behavior was like picking up a flyer at a martial arts tournament that advertised the number one martial art in the world, and before even seeing the cover of the Sunflower Manual, he couldn't wait to cut off his egg.
If they can just abandon nuclear weapons like that, it's not surprising that Uzbekistan is now selling its aircraft carrier for scrap metal.
When He Changyi saw the rusty giant ship docked at the shipyard port, the words General Qin had said came to mind: "This is Zhongguo's only chance!"
It is indeed the only opportunity. Where else in the world can you find a second fool who would sacrifice himself for the benefit of others, besides Ukraine?
He Changyi glanced at the Udnev aircraft carrier one last time, then turned to ask about the other aircraft carrier: "So, what about that big ship that has already been completely dismantled?"
The shipyard's deputy director, who was accompanying the tour, asked in bewilderment, "You don't want the Udnev? Why? It's a complete aircraft carrier, and you only need to buy it back for the price of scrap metal. You know, just a few years ago, this ship was priced at two hundred million US dollars."
He Changyi said in surprise, "I'm in the scrap metal business, why would I want to buy an aircraft carrier?"
The deputy factory director was taken aback, and tentatively asked, "That's an aircraft carrier, you won't find another one like it in the whole world..."
He Changyi politely interrupted him: "Aircraft carriers are indeed very good, but I don't need them. You should probably try to sell them to countries that need them. I am a businessman, and making money is my top priority. Therefore, scrap steel, which does not require additional dismantling and tugboat fees, is certainly more suitable."
The deputy factory director said dryly, "Your idea is very unique..."
He Changyi shrugged indifferently and urged, "Let's go look at the scrap steel. I heard that an aircraft carrier can yield thousands of tons of titanium alloy. We agreed that these titanium alloys would be sold together with the scrap steel."
The deputy factory director seemed to have mixed feelings.
He probably originally thought this was another representative from a certain country secretly purchasing an aircraft carrier, but he didn't expect it to be just a scrap metal dealer.
"Okay, okay..."
The deputy factory director muttered something and led He Changyi and his group away from the port.
"At least the money from selling scrap steel can be used to pay wages... We haven't paid our workers for over a year..."
As the group walked further and further away, the massive rust mountain continued to stand in the harbor, accompanied only by seagulls and female workers who spontaneously stood guard.
Led by the deputy factory director, He Changyi arrived at the open-air warehouse where scrap steel from the aircraft carrier brand was stored.
This aircraft carrier, now dismantled into pieces, was once the world's most advanced nuclear-powered carrier, hailed as a true work of genius, embodying all of the Alliance's ambitions regarding the seas. However, when it was only 30% complete and had never been launched, the Alliance dissolved, construction halted, and it ultimately became a pile of scrap metal before He Changyi's eyes.
Is everything here?
He Changyi asked, "I'm referring to the ship's boilers, main engines, and sonar domes. If I remember correctly, these are all made of titanium alloy. There are also some precious metal products such as gold and silver. I won't argue about those things, but the titanium alloy is indispensable."
The deputy factory director joked, "You may not know much about aircraft carriers, but you certainly know the most valuable part of one."
He Changyi raised his eyebrows and said, "Of course, I've said it before, I'm a businessman."
The deputy factory director smiled and shook his head, handing He Changyi a list of aircraft carrier dismantling. Without even glancing at it, she handed it to her assistant behind her, instructing him to take people to verify it.
The shipbuilding experts who came with He Changyi looked around at the parts in the warehouse, occasionally touching and tapping them out of curiosity.
The deputy factory manager was very generous, letting them look around as they pleased, and even allowing them to take some small metal parts as samples for testing.
He Changyi asked, "While I am very grateful for your generosity, I am still a little curious. Doesn't the shipyard worry about the leakage of metallurgical technology?"
The deputy factory director said with a wry smile, "We no longer need to worry about leaks. Labs all over the world probably already have the specific data."
He patted the scrap metal beside him with lingering affection and sighed, "It was a scam. We were like foolish deer, only seeing the bait on the ground, and happily rushed into the trap."
The dismantling of this nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was an outright conspiracy.
Due to the collapse of the alliance, Ukraine had no money and no intention of continuing to build aircraft carriers, so it decided to sell the unfinished aircraft carriers for a good price.
However, at that time, there were very few countries that were willing and able to purchase aircraft carriers. If you counted all the countries in the world, large and small, you could count less than a handful. And for various reasons, these countries eventually gave up on buying aircraft carriers from Ukraine.
Year after year, the two aircraft carriers could only sit in the dock and rust. Seeing no hope of selling the ships, the Ukrainian government simply delegated the decision-making power to the shipyard, allowing it to dispose of them as it saw fit.
The shipyard certainly wanted to complete the aircraft carrier, which was their child. More than anyone else, the shipyard wanted to see the two ships sailing the seas. However, the shipyard had no money and couldn't even pay wages.
Just when the shipyard was about to run out of supplies, a large order came in. A Nordic customer wanted to build six large merchant ships, enough to make the shipyard a fortune. However, the slipways for building large ships were already occupied by aircraft carriers. Just when the shipyard was in a dilemma, a foreign company offered to buy the aircraft carrier scrap steel at a price far higher than the international market price.
Ultimately, the shipyard agreed. After all, the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was only 30% complete, with little hope of completion. Dismantling the carrier would be a win-win situation: it would free up a large slipway for building merchant ships and generate a large sum of money by selling scrap steel. With that money, they might be able to complete the Udnev, which was more complete.
However, things don't always go as planned.
After the shipyard dismantled the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier into scrap metal, the company that claimed to be acquiring it suddenly disappeared, along with the Nordic company that placed the merchant ship order.
The deputy factory director cursed angrily, "They deceived us! Whether it's the merchant ship orders or the purchase of scrap steel, it's all lies, lies!"
He looked up at He Changyi as if he were looking at a lifeline.
"Is it true that you want to buy scrap steel? We can't afford to be scammed a second time."
Before He Changyi could answer, the deputy factory director suddenly shook his head with a self-deprecating smile: "No, we have nothing left to lose, unless you intend for us to dismantle the Udnev again."
After listening to the deputy factory director's explanation, He Changyi remained expressionless and simply said, "Don't worry, I do intend to buy this scrap steel, but you must understand that I can only pay according to the international market price."
The deputy factory director said happily, "I understand, I completely understand! After all, only swindlers make unrealistic promises, because they have no intention of fulfilling them!"
After inspecting the actual scrap steel, both parties will sit down to discuss specific cooperation details.
It was only at this point that He Changyi saw Xu Shaobo again.
At the entrance of the shipyard's office building, Xu Shaobo, drunk, was embracing a foreign leader-looking man and slurring his words, "Don't worry, don't worry! I have plenty of money! Don't think it's just one aircraft carrier; even if there are two more, I can still buy them! Hey you, translate what I said to our Uzbek leader, don't change a single word!"
However, when Xu Shaobo saw that the person walking towards him was He Changyi, he was stunned. He subconsciously raised his hand to rub his eyes and said incredulously, "How did you get here? Who brought you to the shipyard? Do you know people from the embassy?"
He Changyi stopped and looked at Xu Shaobo with a half-smile.
“Mr. Xu, you’re underestimating me. Who says you can only contact shipyards through the embassy? Every snake has its own way, and every rat has its own path. People with a way will always find a way. Haven’t you found a way too?”
Xu Shaobo was somewhat wary of He Changyi and didn't want to argue with her, so he turned and vented his anger on the translator: "Don't listen to nonsense! Is this something you can translate?!"
The young translator was completely bewildered. He hadn't said a word, so how could he be blamed for this?
The leader, who was standing nearby, became curious and asked in Emei language who He Changyi was.
Despite having been independent for several years, many Ukrainians still prefer to communicate in Ethnic Ukrainian, and the differences between the two languages are like those between Mandarin and dialects, so there are no communication problems.
He Changyi then skillfully introduced himself in Ethnic language: "Hello, I am a friend of Mr. Xu. I am here to purchase scrap steel from the aircraft carrier. If you don't mind, I am also very interested in the Udnev."
Upon hearing this, the leader of the Russian shipyard laughed loudly: "Of course we don't mind! Our shipyard has already decided to sell all the aircraft carriers at the price of scrap metal. Of course, it would be even better if you decided to tow the whole ship away. After all, it's a big ship that we built with our own hands. No one has the heart to dismantle it with their own hands. That would be like killing their own child!"
He Changyi readily agreed, “No problem. I would be happy to buy the entire Udnev. I must say, it is a unique ship, made with the finest steel in the world.”
Seeing that the two were communicating smoothly, Xu Shaobo became anxious. He didn't understand Emei language and kept urging the translator, "Quickly, tell me what they're saying?!"
The young translator, with a pained expression, began translating from the beginning: "That lady said she is your friend..."
Xu Shaobo interrupted him loudly: "Bullshit! She's not my friend! Tell Victor right now!"
The junior translator hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked, "...Then I'll translate it verbatim?"
Xu Shaobo impatiently yelled, "What are you dawdling for? Hurry up!"
He suspected that if it had been any later, He Changyi would have seduce the shipyard's chief engineer, whom he had worked so hard to win over!
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