Recaps

At the test ground, Lin Chenran bet Abdul that the Bear Nation's T-72 could not penetrate 100 mm Xuanwu steel at twenty meters. The test proved him right, and Abdul left eager to import tanks fitted with Xuanwu steel.

• Lin Chenran wagered with Abdul over whether a T-72 armor-piercing round could penetrate the Xuanwu steel plate from twenty meters away.
• The T-72 fired at Target No. 3, and the penetrator lodged in the steel, leaving a dent and a rear bulge.
• The target spotter confirmed that the round had not penetrated the 100 mm plate, prompting cheers and applause.
• Abdul told Lin Chenran that they wanted to import tanks fitted with Xuanwu steel plates.

Lin Chenran used the successful Xuanwu Special Steel test to persuade Abdul to consider funding 077 Machinery Military Factory’s second-generation Main Battle Tank. After the test, the factory hosted Abdul and his delegation at a lavish Sichuan meal, leaving their cooperation on warm terms.

• Lin Chenran told Abdul that 077 Machinery Military Factory had a second-generation Main Battle Tank design ready but lacked funding, and Abdul said cooperation was possible if the terms suited him.
• Lin Chenran, Abdul, and the others examined Target No. 3 and saw that the T-72 armor-piercing shell had dented the Xuanwu Special Steel without penetrating it.
• The executives of 617 Machinery Military Factory loaded the T-72 Tank onto a truck and took it away, while Lin Chenran made no attempt to stop them.
• Old Wei and the other senior military officials left after the test, with Old Wei planning to report the Xuanwu Special Steel results to higher-ups.
• Lin Chenran hosted Abdul and his delegation at a banquet, where Abdul praised the Sichuan cuisine and toasted their friendship with Lin Chenran.

Lin Chenran and Song Xiyun planned to secure Sha Country’s investment in their Second Generation Main Battle Tank, while Flame Nation’s military leadership debated whether to allow exports of the first-generation Xuanwu Special Steel Material. Old Wei persuaded them to approve exports, leaving the upcoming talks with Abdul poised to move forward.

• Lin Chenran assured Song Xiyun that the military would approve exporting the first-generation Xuanwu Special Steel Material because the factory was advancing the Xuanwu-2 version.
• Old Wei convened Flame Nation’s military leaders to discuss the 077 Machinery Military Factory’s plan to export tanks equipped with Xuanwu Special Steel Material.
• Most military leaders opposed exporting the material, fearing foreign countries would obtain and reverse-engineer it.
• Old Wei argued that blocking exports would undermine the domestic military industry and leave Third-tier Military Factories without a way to survive.
• Old Wei revealed that development of the Xuanwu-2 Special Steel Material had already made progress, and the military leaders accepted exporting the first generation.
• Old Wei said Abdul would soon arrive for secret cooperation talks, as Sha Country sought weapons amid instability in the Camel Region and refusals from Eagle Country and the Bear Country.

Lin Chenran presented the 077 Machinery Military Factory’s Apocalypse Tank to Abdul’s delegation and discussed adapting it for export. Abdul left interested in the proposal but planned to consult his country’s tank specialists before choosing a 125mm cannon.

• Lin Chenran welcomed Abdul and his delegation to the 077 Machinery Military Factory and brought them to a closed-door meeting.
• Lin Chenran introduced the Apocalypse Tank and its domestically developed 120mm smoothbore cannon, but Salman interrupted to question its power against foreign tanks.
• Lin Chenran explained the cannon’s manufacturing and fire-control advantages and offered to redesign the tank around a 125mm cannon supplied by Abdul’s side.
• Abdul said his country required a 125mm smoothbore cannon and would choose between Eagle Country’s and Bear Country’s systems within a month.
• Lin Chenran recommended a Soviet-style cannon, explained the tank’s planned 760-horsepower V-46 diesel engine, and continued his presentation before Salman interrupted again.

Lin Chenran presented the Apocalypse Tank to Sha Country’s Camel Region delegation, addressing their concerns about its engine, armor, and cannon options. The delegation discussed a possible purchase while Lin Chenran and the 077 Machinery Military Factory executives waited for their decision.

• Salman questioned whether Flame Nation could make a 760-horsepower tank engine, and Lin Chenran explained that 077 Machinery Military Factory was negotiating to buy Bear Country’s V-46 engine production line and technology.
• Lin Chenran described the Apocalypse Tank’s armor and warned Abdul that scarce Xuanwu Special Steel could make it expensive, but Abdul said Sha Country could afford it.
• Lin Chenran presented the tank’s specifications and performance to the Sha Country delegation, which was satisfied overall but still had questions about its cannon and engine supply.
• Abdul asked for fifteen minutes to discuss the deal, and Lin Chenran agreed before leaving the delegation alone in the conference room.
• Song Xiyun asked Lin Chenran whether the deal would succeed, and Lin Chenran confidently said the delegation’s interest suggested it would.

Sha Country representatives agreed to invest $250 million in 077 Machinery Military Factory’s Apocalypse Tank project and signed a preliminary letter of intent. The deal required priority delivery of fifty tanks, completion of testing and delivery within two years, and help establishing a production line in Sha Country.

• Abdul asked Sha Country’s representatives to assess whether the Apocalypse Tank met their needs, and Salman endorsed the tank while recommending cooperation and local production.
• After fifteen minutes of discussion, Sha Country’s representatives agreed to work with 077 Machinery Military Factory on the Apocalypse Tank.
• Abdul told Lin Chenran that Sha Country wanted a long-term cooperative relationship, and Lin Chenran welcomed the proposal.
• After two hours of negotiations, Sha Country committed $250 million to the project in exchange for priority delivery of fifty tanks, delivery within two years, and help building a manufacturing line.
• Lin Chenran and Abdul signed a preliminary letter of intent, then Abdul and the other representatives departed for Flame Nation’s capital.

After finalizing a $250 million cooperation agreement with Sha Country in the Camel Region, Lin Chenran organized the 077 Machinery Military Factory’s work to meet the two-year Apocalypse Tank deadline. He prepared to travel to Mao Xiong Country to acquire an engine technology and production line, while Flame Nation’s military learned of the agreement.

• Lin Chenran gathered the factory executives and assigned follow-up work for the Apocalypse Tank, putting Song Xiyun in charge of its development.
• Lin Chenran took responsibility for traveling to Mao Xiong Country to purchase technology and a production line for the 760-horsepower V-46 diesel engine.
• The 077 Machinery Military Factory planned to work with the 212 Machinery Military Factory on a 120mm Smoothbore Cannon and offer different Apocalypse Tank versions to future buyers.
• Lin Chenran told Song Xiyun he would leave for Mao Xiong Country in three days, and Song warned that acquiring the engine technology might be difficult.
• Flame Nation’s military learned that the agreement with Sha Country included a $250 million investment.

After learning that Sha Country had invested 250 million US Dollars in 077 Machinery Military Factory’s Apocalypse Tank project, Old Wei called Lin Chenran to discuss the deal and how the money would be spent. Lin Chenran refused to let the military control the funds and said he planned to spend 50 million US Dollars acquiring Bear Union V-46 engine technology.

• Old Wei learned that Sha Country had invested 250 million US Dollars in the Apocalypse Tank project and decided the Flame Nation military should get involved.
• Old Wei called Lin Chenran, congratulated him on getting rich, and questioned how he had secured such a large investment.
• Lin Chenran explained that Sha Country valued the tank and had agreed to the investment alongside technical support, training, and production-line services.
• Old Wei asked how Lin Chenran planned to spend the money, but Lin Chenran refused to let the military plan the budget.
• Lin Chenran said he intended to travel north to the Bear Union and spend about 50 million US Dollars acquiring technology for its 760-horsepower V-46 diesel engine.

Lin Chenran negotiated with Old Wei over funding, imports, and the military procurement price for 077 Machinery Military Factory’s Apocalypse Tanks. Old Wei left to consult the other leaders about whether to buy the early tanks at two million Yan currency each.

• Lin Chenran told Old Wei that 077 Machinery Military Factory needed foreign currency for tank engines, production lines, and other imported equipment, and refused to hand over the two hundred million US Dollars earmarked for those purchases.
• Lin Chenran agreed to exchange fifty million US Dollars for Yan currency to support national defense, while privately anticipating that the military would buy Apocalypse Tanks from his factory.
• Lin Chenran told Old Wei that Sha Country in the Camel Region would pay about 1.5 million US Dollars for each top-spec Apocalypse Tank.
• Old Wei protested when Lin Chenran quoted the military a price of two million Yan currency per early Apocalypse Tank, and Lin Chenran cited import, material, research, and production costs to justify it.
• Old Wei said he would discuss the procurement price with the other leaders and give Lin Chenran an answer later.

Lin Chenran told Old Wei that the Apocalypse Tank would cost the Flame Nation military two million Yan currency per tank, prompting military leaders to debate whether they could afford it. They decided to purchase one regiment, and three days later Lin Chenran headed north to the Bear Nation after returning home at his grandfather’s request.

• Lin Chenran defended the Apocalypse Tank’s two-million-Yan-currency price to Old Wei, who ended their call after telling him to exchange the fifty million US Dollars for Yan currency.
• Old Wei reported the price to the military’s top brass, who were shocked that it was far higher than they had expected.
• Old Wei explained that improved Xuanwu Special Steel armor made the Apocalypse Tank exceptionally hard to penetrate, and some leaders agreed it was worth the cost.
• The military leaders decided to purchase one regiment of Apocalypse Tanks despite their budget concerns.
• Three days later, Lin Chenran returned home at his grandfather’s summons, then departed for the Bear Nation with senior executives from 077 Machinery Military Factory.

Lin Chenran returned to the Imperial Capital and discussed the Apocalypse Tank’s export and military procurement prices with Old Master Lin. Old Master Lin confirmed that the military would keep its order for one hundred tanks.

• Lin Chenran arrived in the Imperial Capital with executives from the 077 Machinery Military Factory, then rode home in a military-plated car sent by Old Master Lin.
• Lin Chenran met Old Master Lin in his study and discussed the price of Apocalypse Tanks sold to Sha Country and the factory’s need to earn a profit.
• Lin Chenran explained that the military’s price of 2 million Yan currency per tank was already a subsidy and could not be lowered further.
• Lin Chenran expressed confidence that the Apocalypse Tank could withstand the Bear Nation’s T-72, and Old Master Lin said the military would keep its order for one hundred tanks.

Lin Chenran traveled to Bear Country with senior executives from 077 Machinery Military Factory to negotiate for a V-46 diesel engine and strengthen their trade route. In Vladivostok, he reunited with Kovalevitch and brought his colleagues to meet him over vodka.

• Old Master Lin arranged Lin Chenran's clearance documents for Bear Country, and He Yi handed them over.
• Lin Chenran traveled north with several senior executives from 077 Machinery Military Factory and entered Bear Country without trouble.
• Kovalevitch, now chief of staff of the Far East Fleet, welcomed Lin Chenran's arrival in Vladivostok.
• Lin Chenran briefed the executives on safety and led them to the Red Romance tavern to meet Kovalevitch.
• Kovalevitch and Lin Chenran began drinking vodka, and the executives joined them despite coughing at the strong burn.

Lin Chenran celebrated Kovalevitch’s promotion and brought 077 Machinery Military Factory executives to meet him, proposing expanded trade between Flame Nation and Mao Xiong Country. After agreeing on a mix of scrapped military equipment and cash as payment, Lin Chenran asked for the V-46 diesel engine technology and production line, surprising Kovalevitch.

• Lin Chenran congratulated Kovalevitch on becoming Chief of Staff of the Far East Fleet, and Kovalevitch drank a bottle of vodka after crediting his promotion to his own abilities.
• Kovalevitch led Lin Chenran and the others from the Red Romance tavern to his villa, where he asked why Lin Chenran had come to Mao Xiong Country.
• Lin Chenran introduced the 077 Machinery Military Factory executives and proposed expanding trade along the International Speculator route between Flame Nation and Mao Xiong Country.
• Lin Chenran and Kovalevitch agreed that trade would be paid for partly with scrapped tanks and warships and partly in cash.
• Lin Chenran asked Kovalevitch for the V-46 diesel engine technology and production line, leaving Kovalevitch startled.

Lin Chenran offered Kovalevitch two ways to help him acquire the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau’s V-46 diesel engine technology and production line. Kovalevitch was tempted by the prospect of a large commission and decided to consult his comrades before agreeing.

• Kovalevitch was shocked when Lin Chenran confirmed he wanted the 760-horsepower V-46 engine used in early T72 tanks.
• Lin Chenran argued that the engine was outdated for Kovalevitch’s side and could be sold to raise money for research and development.
• Lin Chenran offered Kovalevitch 100,000 US Dollars for an introduction to the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau.
• Lin Chenran proposed giving Kovalevitch 50 million US Dollars to negotiate the purchase, with any amount saved from the budget becoming Kovalevitch’s fee.
• Kovalevitch was enticed by the potential commission but neither accepted nor refused, saying he needed to discuss the deal with comrades above him.

Lin Chenran offered Kovalevitch two ways to help secure the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau's V-46 diesel engines, then waited to see whether he would take the riskier deal. After Kovalevitch consulted Leo Gago, the general chose to pursue the fifty-million-dollar purchase proposal.

• Lin Chenran told Kovalevitch he could either earn a guaranteed one hundred thousand US Dollars or participate in negotiating the sale of the V-46 diesel engines for a share of the savings.
• Lin Chenran left after asking Kovalevitch to notify him of any progress, while Kovalevitch departed to consult comrades in the Far East Fleet.
• Kovalevitch told Leo Gago that Lin Chenran had offered fifty million US Dollars for the engines and described the two options.
• Leo Gago weighed the potential profit and told Kovalevitch to inform Lin Chenran that they chose the second option.

Leo Gago and Kovalevitch arranged to sell outdated engine technology to Lin Chenran’s factory while concealing their personal motives. Six days later, Kovalevitch confirmed the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau would sell the V-46 engine technology and production line, but left Lin waiting to hear the price.

• Kovalevitch worried that selling advanced technology cheaply would expose them, but Leo Gago dismissed his concerns and described corrupt deals involving the KGB and high-ranking officials.
• Leo Gago told Kovalevitch to contact the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau and propose a price of twenty million US dollars, while he discussed the sale with higher-ups.
• Leo Gago promised Kovalevitch a share of the benefits and encouraged him to help arrange further cooperation; Kovalevitch left to contact the design bureau.
• Lin Chenran tracked Kovalevitch’s movements and, six days later, brought executives from the 077 Machinery Military Factory to Kovalevitch’s villa.
• Kovalevitch told Lin Chenran that the design bureau had agreed to sell the V-46 engine technology and production line, then began to explain the price.

Lin Chenran negotiated with Kovalevitch over the V-46 diesel engine technology and production line, resisting the quoted price of sixty-five million US dollars. He left the villa after asking to consider the offer, and Kovalevitch called General Gago to push for a lower price.

• Kovalevitch quoted Lin Chenran sixty-five million US dollars, including fifty-five million for the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau and ten million for expenses and connections.
• Lin Chenran concealed his satisfaction with the price and argued that his factory could only afford fifty million US dollars.
• Kovalevitch insisted that sixty-five million US dollars was the lowest price, and the negotiations stalled.
• Lin Chenran said he needed to discuss the offer with his factory executives and left the villa, believing the negotiation was mostly successful.
• Kovalevitch called General Gago and said Lin Chenran might back out, urging him to lower the price.

Lin Chenran and Kovalevitch negotiated the purchase of the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau’s V-46 tank engine technology for 61.5 million US dollars. They prepared to travel to Nizhny Tagil to sign the contract, while Kovalevitch warned Lin Chenran to avoid attracting KGB attention.

• Leo Gago agreed to lower the engine technology’s price but set 60 million US dollars as his minimum.
• Lin Chenran’s executives advised him to prioritize securing the engine technology and production line over bargaining for the lowest price.
• After bargaining, Lin Chenran and Kovalevitch agreed on a purchase price of 61.5 million US dollars.
• Kovalevitch said he would take Lin Chenran’s group to Nizhny Tagil the next day to sign the contract and asked him to prepare part of the payment.
• Kovalevitch warned Lin Chenran that KGB agents were active near Nizhny Tagil, and Lin promised to follow his arrangements and leave soon after signing.
• Kovalevitch called Leo Gago and told him the deal had been settled.

Lin Chenran and Kovalevitch traveled to Nizhny Tagil, where Lin signed a contract to acquire the V-46 diesel engine technology and production line for $61.5 million. After returning to Vladivostok, Lin gave Kovalevitch $500,000 and invited him to celebrate at the Red Romance Tavern.

• Kovalevitch told Leo Gago he had negotiated a price of $61.5 million, and Leo praised him and ordered him to ensure the contract was signed.
• Lin Chenran and his team flew with Kovalevitch from Vladivostok to Nizhny Tagil aboard a Far East Fleet plane.
• Lin Chenran and the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau's senior executives reviewed and signed the contract for the V-46 engine technology and production line.
• Lin Chenran and his group quickly left Nizhny Tagil to avoid attracting the KGB's attention and flew back to Vladivostok.
• Lin Chenran told Kovalevitch he had transferred $500,000 to his overseas account, and Kovalevitch accepted the money.
• Lin Chenran invited Kovalevitch to the Red Romance Tavern to celebrate the deal.

After completing the partnership with the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau, Lin Chenran prepared to return home and left the Bear Nation trade route in the hands of 077 Machinery Military Factory executives. Back home, he received a new Multiverse Travel opportunity as a reward for the engine deal.

• Kovalevitch agreed to attend Lin Chenran’s celebration, then reported the completed contract to Leo Gago at the Far East Fleet base.
• Kovalevitch left the base relieved that his mission had succeeded and planned to attend Lin Chenran’s drinking party.
• Lin Chenran told 077 Machinery Military Factory executives that he would return home and assigned them to manage the trade route between Flame Nation and the Bear Nation.
• Lin Chenran brought factory employees to the Red Romance Tavern to celebrate the partnership with Kovalevitch.
• After returning home, Lin Chenran stayed in the Imperial Capital because his grandfather had summoned him.
• The Multiverse Travel System awarded Lin Chenran one travel opportunity for trading for a 760-horsepower V-46 diesel engine.

Lin Chenran returned from the Bear Country after arranging the purchase of the V-46 diesel engine technology and production line, then explained the cost and political complications to Old Master Lin. Old Master Lin began considering further military procurement through Lin Chenran, but Lin Chenran warned that their new connection with Kovalevitch needed to remain discreet.

• Lin Chenran returned to the Imperial Capital, where He Yi picked him up and teased him about his trip to the Bear Country.
• Lin Chenran went to Old Master Lin's study, and Old Master Lin asked how much the V-46 engine deal had cost.
• Lin Chenran said the technology and production line cost 61.5 million US Dollars, with another 500,000 US Dollars paid privately to Kovalevitch.
• Lin Chenran explained that a direct military purchase might have cost 100 million to 150 million US Dollars, and Old Master Lin accepted that the deal had involved political intricacies.
• Old Master Lin asked about using Lin Chenran as an intermediary for more military procurement, but Lin Chenran warned that they needed to avoid attracting the Bear Country's KGB intelligence organization.

Lin Chenran rejected Old Master Lin’s proposal to pursue further technology from the Bear until 077 Machinery Military Factory had secured the V-46 engine technology and production line. He estimated the Apocalypse Tank would take at least a year and proposed that the military choose between a domestic 115mm cannon and an imported 125mm cannon instead of waiting for the domestic 120mm project.

• Lin Chenran rejected Old Master Lin’s proposal, explaining that it could jeopardize 077 Machinery Military Factory’s deal for the V-46 engine technology and production line.
• Lin Chenran promised to return to the Bear and help the nation after the engine technology had been brought home, easing Old Master Lin’s disappointment.
• Old Master Lin asked when 077 Machinery Military Factory could build the Apocalypse Tank, and Lin Chenran said it would take at least a year.
• Lin Chenran explained that domesticating the V-46 engine and developing the 120mm Smoothbore Cannon were major obstacles to completing the tank.
• Lin Chenran told Old Master Lin that the military could choose a domestic 115mm Smoothbore Cannon or an imported 125mm Smoothbore Cannon instead of waiting for the 120mm project.

Lin Chenran explained that 077 Machinery Military Factory could not yet build a 120mm smoothbore cannon, while Flame Nation's military reconsidered the Apocalypse Tank after the factory acquired V-46 engine technology. He returned to Linjiang Province to handle the engine delivery, as Old Zhu headed for 077 Machinery Military Factory.

• Old Master Lin questioned Lin Chenran about the Apocalypse Tank's cannon options, and Lin Chenran said the factory could not produce a 120mm smoothbore cannon.
• Old Master Lin convened Flame Nation military leaders, and Lin Chenran's account of the V-46 engine technology made them regret choosing the Type 80 Tank over the Apocalypse Tank.
• The military leaders recognized 077 Machinery Military Factory's recovery and its purchase of the V-46 engine technology and production line from the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau for sixty-two million US Dollars.
• Lin Chenran flew back to Linjiang Province after Song Xiyun summoned him to handle factory business and sign for the first batch of V-46 engines.
• Old Zhu set out from 617 Machinery Military Factory for 077 Machinery Military Factory.

Old Zhu visited Lin Chenran to secure the 760-horsepower V-46 engine for the Type 80 Tank, and Lin Chenran agreed to supply it. Old Zhu then revealed that the 617 Machinery Military Factory would receive only twenty million in initial funding for its Second Generation Main Battle Tank bid, leaving Lin Chenran stunned and unsure which currency he meant.

• Old Zhu rushed to Lin Chenran’s office to ask whether the 077 Machinery Military Factory had acquired the V-46 diesel engine technology.
• Lin Chenran confirmed the purchase and said the engine could be adapted for the Type 80 Tank after further research.
• Lin Chenran reassured Old Zhu that he understood the 617 Machinery Military Factory’s predicament and agreed to provide it with the engine.
• Old Zhu raised the subject of overseas arms exports and explained that the 617 Machinery Military Factory wanted to pursue similar opportunities.
• Old Zhu told Lin Chenran that even if the 617 Machinery Military Factory won the Second Generation Main Battle Tank tender, its initial military funding would be only twenty million.
• Lin Chenran reacted with shock and asked whether the twenty million was in US Dollars or Yan currency, and Old Zhu answered with a question.

Lin Chenran advised Old Zhu to seek Iron Brother Country as a funding partner for 617 Machinery Military Factory’s Type 80 Tank project. After Song Xiyun arrived, Lin Chenran discussed the returned engines for the Apocalypse Tank and urged him to accelerate its development, leaving Song Xiyun asking whether the military could buy it in large numbers.

• Lin Chenran recommended that Old Zhu approach Iron Brother Country to co-develop the Type 80 Tank and help fund 617 Machinery Military Factory.
• Old Zhu agreed to take the proposal back to his factory’s senior management and hurried away to contact them.
• Song Xiyun told Lin Chenran that the ten V-46 engines had arrived and could be used to build test versions of the Apocalypse Tank.
• Lin Chenran reaffirmed that Song Xiyun would lead the Apocalypse Tank project and urged him to speed up development because the military wanted it deployed along the border.
• Song Xiyun asked Lin Chenran whether the military could purchase the Apocalypse Tank in large quantities.