NOVEL NEXT Chapter 51
Chapter 51: Contesting the Right to Use Machines
At the harbor, a cargo ship from Panama was granted priority for offloading. The crew members on the ship were unusually delighted. Initially, they expected to wait in line for one to two days, but they didn’t anticipate unloading this early. However, this was common for them. After many years in this industry, they encountered such scenarios numerous times.
Giant cranes placed the containers onto the dock. During the unloading process, the containers were positioned in different areas. Since it was a bulk container ship with containers from various companies containing different goods, it was only natural for them to be stored separately.
Unnoticed, three containers were quietly transported to a large warehouse at the port. Inside the warehouse were military personnel and a few experts disguised in military attire. Under their command, the surrounding area had already been placed under martial law, making it impossible for anyone to approach.
As for drones or similar devices…
This location was a no-fly zone for drones, so there was no need to worry about that aspect. Seeing the three enormous containers slowly arriving, a trace of excitement appeared on the faces of the experts. They were all top experts in this field from domestic shipyards, either Dalian Shipyard or Jiangnan Shipyard.
They didn’t have much knowledge about this matter. They only received orders and came here after signing a confidentiality agreement. It wasn’t until the ship entered the port and the containers were unloaded that they found out.
Among the cargo this time, there was an advanced CNC heavy-duty crankshaft milling compound processing machine. It wasn’t a domestic model but came from that small notebook country, featuring the most advanced model available.
But there was a dilemma. In that small notebook country, they didn’t even have many of their machines of that model, so how could they sell it to them?
They would have thought someone was joking if it weren’t for Xu Lao’s emphatic assurance.
Watching the containers land, the faces of the experts slightly changed, and they shouted, “Be cautious, be cautious! Can’t you handle unloading without being so clumsy?”
The best unloading workers cursed in their hearts, thinking, “If I can’t do it, why don’t you try it?”
However, they understood the importance of the situation after witnessing everything that happened at the port today and didn’t dare to argue. One of the containers slowly opened.
“Hmm?”
The experts exchanged puzzled glances, all wearing expressions of disbelief. Inside the container were several instruments, and their quantity was not insignificant, nor were they lightweight. However, they immediately recognized that these instruments were worthless and scrap materials.
At this point, they were essentially just scrap metal!
The officer in charge also appeared in shock. Although he didn’t understand these things, he had some judgment.
“Open the next one.”
The second container was opened, and then the experts simultaneously let out sighs of disappointment. Inside this container was no longer filled with junk scrap metal but a disassembled giant machine.
After a moment, the third container was also opened, revealing another part of the giant. The officer looked at the experts inspecting the machine, growing somewhat impatient. “How is your inspection going?”
One expert immediately responded, “Based on my preliminary examination, there don’t seem to be any major issues. However, I need further testing.”
“How do you plan to test it?”
“We’ll transport them to Jiangnan Shipyard, assemble them in a suitable location, and then conduct extensive trials to determine their functionality.”
The officer widened his eyes, “Is this the proper way to test them?”
“You’ve mixed in too many personal opinions.”
Another expert approached and said, “No, this machine should be sent to Dalian Shipyard. Our task is significant, and this machine perfectly suits us.”
“Hey, we at Jiangnan Shipyard need it more, and besides, our journey is much shorter,” the previous expert argued, “Give it to us first, and when the next one arrives, we’ll give it to you.”
“No way,” the latter insisted, “Give it to us first, and you can use the next one.”
They were all top experts and understood the severity of the embargo under the Bata regime. Getting one of these machines was already incredibly fortunate. Waiting for the next one would take an eternity.
So, the two of them were willing to argue and even resort to physical confrontation without caring about their image. The officer, watching them, was sweating profusely.
Judging from their expressions, it’s better not to ask.
Whether the machine was genuine or fake was hard to say. But at the very least, these experts recognized it. As for where the machine would ultimately be sent, it was not within their control. The officer retrieved a secure phone and made a call.