Chapter 477 - 441 The Liangxi Airport_2

After less than five minutes, a military off-road vehicle drove out from the gate. It parked directly beside Nie Zhenbang, and a major officer in his thirties stepped down. He walked up to Nie Zhenbang and asked with a smile, “May I ask if you are Mr. Nie Zhenbang?”

Nie Zhenbang also burst into laughter. As Staff Yun could serve as Fang Dajun’s adviser, he must be a special person. He then also reached out his hand and said, “You must be Staff Yun. Hello, hello. I am Nie Zhenbang.”

After loading up the car with the items, the car drove all the way into the military district, stopping in the residential area. Fang Dajun’s residence was a typical Jiangbei-style small garden where Fang Dajun was waiting at the door. At this gesture, Nie Zhenbang stepped up briskly and said, “Commander Fang, you are too kind. Zhenbang is not worthy.”

Nie Zhenbang, with his well-mannered demeanor and modest language, was being assessed by Fang Dajun. Then, Fang Dajun also burst into a hearty laugh saying, “Zhenbang, there’s no need to be so formal. When your grandfather served in East China, I was one of his soldiers. So, technically, I’m an old subordinate of his. You can just call me Uncle Fang.”

Nie Zhenbang, not minding the informalities, immediately replied with, “Uncle Fang.”

Upon entering the living room and sitting in their respective places, Nie Zhenbang put the gift from his uncle on the coffee table, smiling as he said, “Uncle Fang, this is a gift my uncle asked me to bring to you. He said you enjoy good wine. These bottles have been wasted sitting in his place. Wine should be appreciated by those who know its true worth.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Dajun laughed heartily. The military supply of Panda liquor was no surprise. Given Fang Dajun’s position, he also had access to certain supplies. The military community had its own exclusive products that were no less significant. But the wine was indeed a good wine. The 30-year-old special supply Maotai was a rare find. Only well-established families like the Nie’s, Yang’s, and Li’s, could afford to have such reserves.

Inspecting the Maotai, Fang Dajun’s eyes revealed undisguised pleasure. Yet, he set the wine on the table, and, smiling, he said, “Zhenbang, your uncle is considerate. After all these years, he still remembers my fondness.”

Nie Zhenbang also chuckled. Fang Dajun was not a simple man. Such a top-level senior officer who had seen blood and experienced war, had an indomitable will unlike others.

Afterwards, Nie Zhenbang placed his gift on the table and laughed, “Uncle Fang, this is a token of my esteem. It’s a military model of the United States’ Nimitz nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. I hope you will like it.”

On hearing Nie Zhenbang’s words, Fang Dajun brightened up with a smile, “Zhenbang, how considerate! You knew of my hobby. The Nimitz nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, I had the opportunity to board one myself when I accompanied President Yuan. The Americans were stingy and only gave me a model of the USS Lincoln. They never gave me a model of the Nimitz, you have filled a regret of mine today.”

The model was exquisitely detailed. Many parts were made of alloys. The entire model measured 99.87 millimeters in length, proportional to Nimitz’s full-length size of 332.9 meters.

The model even included fine details and similitudes like the command tower and interception warplane models. It was indeed a rare military model collectible.

Seeing Fang Dajun’s affection for the model, Nie Zhenbang felt a sense of relief. He had correctly guessed that Fang Dajun had a special fondness for the Navy.

Nie Zhenbang laughed and said, “Uncle Fang, I believe that in the future, your collection will not only consist of foreign aircraft carrier models. In the not-distant future, I am confident that your collection will include one of our own Huaxia’s aircraft carrier models.”

Nie Zhenbang wasn’t lying. In this life, under his plan and participation, Huaxia’s national strength, particularly its military strength, was far superior to his past life. The military technology of the former Soviet Union wasn’t an exaggeration, and the industrial strength also raised the country’s industrial sector a notch, enabling it to smelt its special steel. There’s been a qualitative improvement in military technology.

Upon hearing this, Fang Dajun laughed heartily, “Good, good. Young people should have such aspirations and courage. You’re truly a tiger, Zhenbang, you’ve spoken the words of my heart.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

At this point, Fang Dajun changed his tone and took the initiative to speak, “Zhenbang, your uncle has mentioned your matter to me. The conversion of Liangxi Airport from military to civilian use is a good thing. Today, with the economic construction, Liangxi Airport, which was once a strategic airport, has now transformed into a training airport. Its function has greatly diminished. The high maintenance costs each year pose a heavy burden on both our Jiangzhou Military District and the country. In this regard, I have made a detailed report to the General Staff and the Military Commission. We have no objections to this proposal put forth by Liangxi City.”

With Fang Dajun speaking like this, it was just as Nie Zhenbang had expected. In his previous life, Liangxi Airport was formally converted from military to civilian use in 2004. This suggested that there weren’t many obstacles for the military turn-over of Liangxi Airport. It just happened six years earlier this time around.

After a moment of contemplation, Nie Zhenbang nodded and expressed, “Uncle Fang, in recent years, the rapid economic development in Liangxi City could greatly benefit from having an airport. We appreciate the military’s strong support for local economic construction. In terms of the military’s conversion to civil use, if the military faces any difficulties, particularly in terms of military personal’s job transfers, we, in Liangxi City, will go all out to do a good job in employment placement for airfield military personnel and their families. We’re determined not to add any troubles for the military.”

Upon hearing this, Fang Dajun was very satisfied. Nie Zhenbang was on the right track. Currently, with regard to the conversion of Liangxi Airport to civilian use, the main opinions are concentrated in this area. If Liangxi City can make this promise, then the resistance will basically be gone.

Fang Dajun immediately motioned, “Zhenbang, I will discuss this matter with Minister Lin as soon as possible. Afterwards, we will hold a Military District Party Committee meeting. Once we have a result, I will inform you.” (