Old Wei

Biodata

Feature	Information
Name	Old Wei (卫老)
Alias(es)	Director Wei
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Yan Country Military
Occupation/Role	Head of the Yan Country Military Equipment Department
First Appearance	Chapter 19 19

Background / History

Old Wei presides over Yan Country Military equipment matters. At the Second Generation Main Battle Tank bidding conference, he sets the event’s procedures and outlines the military’s requirements, including advanced fire control, a large-caliber smoothbore cannon, high-performance ammunition, and improved protective technologies. 19 20

He later reveals that the military considered appointing Lin Chenran as director of the 077 Machinery Military Factory a particularly successful decision, citing the Type 59 Civilian Engineering Vehicle, the Second Generation Main Battle Tank, and Special Steel Material as proof. 50

Appearance

Old Wei is described as an elder in military uniform, often presenting a stern expression when confronting Lin Chenran over military funding or factory decisions. 118

Personality

Old Wei combines an intimidating official demeanor with a teasing, familiar manner toward Lin Chenran. He repeatedly anticipates Lin’s requests, calling him out for only contacting him when he needs help, and frequently uses the phrase “congratulations on getting rich” when pursuing the factory’s foreign-exchange earnings. 50 63 88

Despite his pressure tactics, he is attentive to Lin’s safety, industrial plans, and the long-term development of the 077 Machinery Military Factory. He warns Lin about espionage risks surrounding the Apocalypse Tank and argues that the military should not drain the factory’s foreign exchange to the point of “killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.” 90 110

He prioritizes Yan Country’s military modernization, but can support exports and industrial expansion when they generate funding for further research and prevent military factories from stagnating. 58 167

Abilities & Skills

Military Procurement and Equipment Oversight

Old Wei oversees military evaluation, procurement, and development priorities.

• Chairs the Second Generation Main Battle Tank bidding conference and establishes its technical baseline. 19
• Arranges for the military’s T-72 tank to be repaired and sent to the 077 Machinery Military Factory for Special Steel Material testing. 50 51
• Organizes military inspections of the factory’s new equipment, including light weaponry and the Divine Soldier Military Exoskeleton Armor. 167 270
• Recommends a limited purchase of exoskeleton armor for Yan Country special forces after assessing its combat value and cost. 270

Industrial Coordination

Old Wei uses his position to connect the 077 Machinery Military Factory with resources, personnel, and struggling institutions.

• Supports the factory’s export of first-generation Xuanwu Special Steel Material after confirming that second-generation research is already underway. 58
• Proposes merging the struggling 811 Aviation Military Factory and 092 Aviation Military Factory into the 077 Machinery Military Factory to support its helicopter project. 125
• Agrees to help Lin Chenran recruit communications talent and absorb underfunded communications teams and factories. 167
• Recognizes the need to concentrate national resources on essential fields while allowing the 077 factory to take on teams that would otherwise dissolve. 167

Negotiation and Resource Allocation

Old Wei is a persistent negotiator for military funding and foreign exchange.

• Seeks a share of Sha Country’s Apocalypse Tank investment for the Yan Country Military, while acknowledging the factory’s need to import engines, technology, and production lines. 63 64
• Secures foreign-exchange contributions from the factory but opposes taking so much that it undermines future earnings and development. 89 90
• Pressures Lin during later negotiations by threatening to move his office into the factory director’s office or have Lin promoted away from the factory. 104
• Uses the military’s funding shortages and delayed Apocalypse Tank deliveries as leverage when demanding compensation from the factory. 118 119

Relationships

• Lin Chenran — A senior military supporter, mentor-like figure, and frequent negotiating opponent. Old Wei approves of Lin’s leadership and industrial achievements, but regularly pressures him to contribute funds or foreign exchange to the military. 50 63 88 167
• Old Master Lin — Fellow senior figure within Yan Country’s military leadership; Old Wei attends discussions convened by Old Master Lin regarding the Apocalypse Tank and imported engine technology. 78
• Song Xiyun — Works alongside Lin during several of Old Wei’s factory visits and negotiations; Song often witnesses their teasing exchanges. 50 88 104
• Abdul — Meets as a representative of Sha Country during military procurement negotiations, including discussions surrounding missile sales. 203 204

Story Role / Major Arcs

• Second Generation Main Battle Tank bidding — Oversees the bidding conference and formally defines the Yan Country Military’s tank requirements. 19
• Special Steel Material testing — Supports Lin Chenran’s request to test the material against a T-72 tank, personally visits the 077 Machinery Military Factory, and inspects its workshops, laboratory, employee treatment, and production capacity. 50 51 52
• Xuanwu Special Steel export debate — Defends exporting the first-generation material to Sha Country, arguing that export revenue is necessary for the survival and growth of third-tier military factories. 58
• Apocalypse Tank foreign-exchange disputes — Learns of Sha Country’s $250 million investment and repeatedly negotiates with Lin over how much foreign exchange the military should receive. 63 64 89 90
• New weapon-system evaluations — Attends demonstrations of the Apocalypse Tank, Automatic Tracking Rocket Launcher, and other products; he often recognizes Lin’s commercial intentions before Lin admits them. 93 104 105
• Helicopter and communications expansion — Helps the 077 factory acquire aviation factories and communications talent for its expanding helicopter and communications programs. 125 167
• Naval and aerospace development — Relays news of the Linjiang missile destroyer project to naval leadership and assesses the Dragon Shadow Fighter Jet as a Generation 2.5 aircraft with meaningful combat capability. 184 188
• Sha Country missile negotiations — Works with Lin and Yan Country’s military leadership to negotiate arms sales to Sha Country, including DF-3 missiles and continuing upgrade services. 200 203 204
• Zhuhai Weapons and Equipment Exhibition — Urges the 077 Machinery Military Factory to display major equipment, including the Apocalypse Tank and Dragon Shadow Fighter Jet, to uphold Yan Country’s reputation at the exhibition. 258 259
• Divine Soldier Military Exoskeleton Armor — Initially objects to the armor being sold abroad without prior notice, then considers its practical value and supports a small domestic procurement for special forces. 269 270

Notable Quotes

“Lin kid, appointing you as the factory director of the 077 Machinery Military Factory was truly the wisest choice we ever made.” 50

“Do less of this ‘killing the goose that lays the golden eggs’ business.” 90

Trivia

• Old Wei’s recurring “Congratulations on getting rich” greeting usually signals that he has learned of one of Lin Chenran’s lucrative contracts and intends to negotiate for military funding. 63 88 118
• Lin Chenran considers Old Wei unusually sharp at detecting hidden motives, particularly when Lin agrees too readily to provide foreign exchange. 89
• Although he often scolds Lin for his schemes, Old Wei openly admires the 077 Machinery Military Factory’s ability to succeed in every field it enters. 103 167