My Items Have an Upgrade Panel

Chapter 167 - 167: Revealing the Family Jewels

Translator: End less Fantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

During dinner, Tang Rui returned home with a troubled expression, his face etched with frustration.

Li Shuyao observed his troubled demeanor and quickly realized that something was amiss.

Concerned, she asked, “What’s bothering you?”

Tang Rui, still immersed in his research-related worries, responded, “It’s nothing, just some difficulties with my research.”

He shook his head, avoiding delving into the specifics.

Li Shuyao didn’t press the issue further. Instead, she immediately set the dining table, placing the dishes before Tang Rui.

“Don’t dwell on it now. Let’s eat first,” she suggested, offering a warm smile.

Tang Rui wasn’t actually depressed; he was just wrestling with a twinge of embarrassment.

He had spent the afternoon engrossed in his laboratory, fine-tuning every aspect of his creation.

However, one vital factor had eluded him: the cost of his project.

The price tag for a single tank, equipped with an advanced integrated optical system, had soared to a staggering 150 million.

It was a sum that would terrify even the most audacious investor. The extravagant optical system included a helmet for the tank driver that granted a 360-degree view of the surroundings while operating the tank.

The system was undeniably remarkable, but the astronomically high cost was a major concern. To add to the extravagance, the tank’s driver wore a helmet resembling those used by fighter jet pilots, with each helmet costing a hefty 3 million.

In addition to this, various other advanced systems had been incorporated, and Tang Rui had even transformed the tank into an amphibious variant.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to call the tank he had designed a “king” on the battlefield, except for its slightly lower firepower. In every other aspect, including mobility, defense, fire control, and optical systems, the tank was at the zenith. However, the daunting problem was the exorbitant cost.

For 35 of these tanks, the total cost price would amount to a staggering 5.25 billion, a sum that was nothing short of intimidating. Therefore, Tang Rui was forced to simplify the tank’s design.

After dinner, Li Shuyao took Tang Rui to the gym, their usual post-dinner routine.

Typically, during their workouts, they would engage in playful banter, but today Tang Rui was unusually subdued. Li Shuyao sensed that something was weighing heavily on him, even if she couldn’t assist with his research.

Instead, she decided to help him unwind in her own special way.

After their workout session, Li Shuyao took a refreshing shower and donned a playful catmaid outfit, which she believed would lighten Tang Rui’s mood.

Playfully, she made a beckoning cat gesture, mimicking a cat’s meow.

Tang Rui, who had set aside his research concerns, now had to deal with this spirited and playful “cat.”

In the ensuing days, Tang Rui labored tirelessly in his laboratory, putting the finishing touches on the simplified tank design.

He had stripped away the comprehensive optical system, retaining only night vision and infrared capabilities while downplaying the radar. The tank’s exceptional armor for both the chassis and turret was left untouched. In light of the downgrades in other aspects, he sought to accentuate the tank’s strongest suit, its impenetrable armor.

No longer intended for breakthroughs, the tank was transformed into a shield, tasked with drawing enemy fire and withstanding damage.

Regarding the rocket artillery vehicle, his original plan was to use trucks for transport. However, given that these rocket artillery vehicles were likely to operate alongside the tanks, he revised the design to employ a tank chassis for this purpose.

From a distance, it bore some resemblance to a Russian flamethrower tank, but Tang Rui’s rocket artillery offered far superior range and accuracy.

The self-propelled howitzer and armored vehicle followed suit, using the tank’s chassis as their base. Among the various equipment, Tang Rui’s favorite was the fire support vehicle, commonly referred to as a “vehicle.”

Although it shared the same tank chassis, the vehicle had undergone a remarkable transformation.

The traditional cannon was replaced with two 35mm rapid-fire cannons, boasting a firing rate of 600 rounds per minute, with a reserve stock of 1,200 rounds. Perched atop the turret were three 22.5mm heavy machine guns, equipped with automatic scanning radar systems capable of providing anti-air capabilities to intercept cruise missiles. Moreover, the vehicle sported two 30mm grenade launchers on each side, along with eight anti-tank missiles.

Had it not been for space constraints and the need for radar and electronic systems, Tang Rui might have added even more firepower. While the vehicle’s firepower was commendable, he still felt it was somewhat lacking.

It was a shame that these pieces of equipment were finally completed. Tang Rui instructed Red Lotus to manufacture one of each type for testing, with the intent of evaluating whether any further refinements were needed.

“Master, here’s the price quote we’ve received from Zhongtai Technology,” Red Lotus informed, opening a folder and presenting a document that appeared before Tang Rui as if it were tangible.

“A single track costs 1.3 million? So, for two tracks on one tank, it would total

2.6 million?”

Tang Rui found the price offered by the company exorbitant, even considering that the tracks were composed of titanium alloy. He wished he had been aware of the price quote earlier, as he could have had Red Lotus set up a track production facility for in-house manufacturing.

“Red Lotus, how much would it cost for us to produce the tracks ourselves?” Tang Rui inquired.

“Between 980 thousand and 1.06 million, depending on the prices of raw materials. The costs may fluctuate,” Red Lotus replied.

Tang Rui contemplated the costs, pondering the prospect of producing the tracks in-house. Red Lotus, however, provided a valid argument.

She explained, “Yes, Master. The primary reason is that the casting process for titanium alloy tracks is intricate, and we would need to manufacture new equipment and production lines, making it impossible to significantly reduce the cost of in-house production.”

Understanding the rationale, Tang Rui finally acquiesced. “I see. In that case, send them an email and inform them that we’d like 160 tracks at the price of 1.15 million each. If they can meet this price, we’ll sign the contract. If not, we’ll produce the tracks ourselves.”

Despite his initial reluctance to engage in low-tech production, the steep price quote left him with little choice.

“Understood, Master. The email has been sent, and we await their response,” Red Lotus promptly acknowledged.

Tang Rui, now free from the burden of managing the tracks, lounged on the couch, finding himself with ample time to spare. He had no inclination to move or address any other matters.

“Red Lotus, are there any noteworthy news or trends online right now?” he inquired, seeking to divert his thoughts from the demanding research.

“Master, the military’s recruitment promotional video has just been released and is gaining rapid popularity,” Red Lotus informed.

The rapid turnaround of the promotional video had piqued Tang Rui’s curiosity. “The promotional video was completed quite swiftly, within a week or so. How’s the director?”

Tang Rui leaned back as the video began to play. In the dimly lit laboratory, a sizable projection screen emerged.

As the video was not in 3D, Red Lotus utilized a holographic projection device to display the 2D video. The video commenced with a brisk drumbeat, accompanying a camera that initially showed only a black expanse. This black canvas turned out to be the exterior of a fighter jet.

As the camera pulled back, a futuristic forward-swept-wing fighter jet graced the screen. The jet roared to life, with its wings slicing through the air, leaving behind a cone-shaped white vapor trail.

As the fighter jet exhibited its aerial prowess, the camera alternated between various angles, seamlessly shifting between close-ups, long shots, slow-motion, and fast-motion sequences.

Tang Rui watched in awe, even though he was the pilot of the White Emperor fighter jet showcased in the video. The vivid maneuvers and acrobatics presented in the footage left him momentarily awestruck.

“Is this some kind of editing wizardry?” he marveled, unable to shake off his amazement.

The scene transitioned as the fighter jet executed a dive, bringing the camera to a plain below. Here, 20 domestically manufactured Guardian-2D rocket artillery vehicles stood in a neat formation.

“Fire!” commanded the unit’s leader, leading to an awe-inspiring spectacle. All 20 rocket launchers opened fire simultaneously. The exhaust flames of these rocket launchers created 20 mesmerizing rainbows in the sky, their fiery hues particularly enchanting.

The camera tracked the path of the rockets as they closed in on the enemy positions. With deafening, earth-shaking explosions that rivaled landslides and tsunamis, the entire enemy stronghold was obliterated, reduced to rubble with no area spared.

“The enemy’s frontline positions have been eradicated. Armored units, advance!”

The video on the command screen displayed the moment the enemy positions had been decimated. The commander promptly issued orders for the armored units to proceed.

The screen then shifted to depict a vast assembly of tanks and armored vehicles on the march. A procession of steel and might surged forward, accompanied by a fitting background score.

“Report, enemy missiles detected.”

“Intercept immediately.”

“Understood.”

The video shifted its focus to an anti-missile system.

“Target locked.”

“Entering firing range.”

“Fire the interception missiles.”

The launch of two interception missiles was illustrated.

As these missiles ascended, they made mid-air adjustments at an altitude of over ten meters from the ground, their rear engines igniting at full throttle as they raced towards their distant targets.

The radar screen showed the icons for the two incoming missiles closing in on the interceptors.

As the two trajectories converged, the radar signal disappeared, signaling a successful interception.

“Report, successful interception.”

Suddenly, an alarm blared, and a new target appeared on the radar: an incoming missile. This missile had emerged from the mountainous terrain and had gone undetected by the radar.

The scene transitioned back to the advancing armored units, now perilously close to being hit by the approaching missile.

In that critical moment, gunfire erupted from the ground, impacting the missile and causing it to disintegrate.

The camera tracked the trajectory of the bullets, leading to the revelation of a Land Shield 3000 short-range air defense system.

On the surface, the Land Shield 3000 seemed unremarkable, resembling a vehicle-mounted 1130 short-range air defense system.

On naval vessels, it was hardly eye-catching, but on land, it required a heavy-duty truck for transport. In terms of dimensions, it was hardly shorter than the bed of a large trailer truck.

As the armored units advanced, the enemy base was showcased on the big screen. Tang Rui couldn’t help but notice a peculiar layout that seemed oddly reminiscent of a certain anime or movie. He wondered if the director was aiming to convey something through this setup.

In the midst of his contemplation, two massive triangular-winged aircraft burst forth from the clouds, capturing Tang Rui’s full attention.

H-20 stealth strategic bombers!

Tang Rui couldn’t help but gasp in amazement as he watched the two H-20 bombers make their striking appearance.

It seemed that every ace up the military’s sleeve was on full display in this promotional video, even the highly classified H-20 stealth strategic bomber that was typically considered too advanced and confidential for public showcase..