After the first mission, he should be quite free for a period of time.
Han Xiao returned to the repair shop and started thinking about how to open up a market.
The retractable knife seemed to be quite popular, and Han Xiao wanted to let more agents of Division 13 know about him as a mechanic. After thinking for a while, he called Li Yalin and asked her to help spread the news. After some coaxing, Han Xiao successfully persuaded Li Yalin to help him promote the retractable knife.
However, there was a problem. Han Xiao was building machines in the repair shop, but the lathes and equipment were limited. Moreover, Lu Qian was watching, so it was not convenient for Han Xiao to mass produce machines. After thinking for a while, he decided to "lay his cards on the table" with Lu Qian.
"Sister Qian, I have something to tell you."
Lu Qian shuddered and sighed inwardly. This day has finally come. Oh well, I've already prepared myself mentally!
"I want to tell you something. Actually, I …"
Lu Qian suddenly turned around and bowed deeply. She stammered, "I'm sorry. You're a good person."
The atmosphere was awkward.
The two of them stared at each other.
Han Xiao's eyes twitched. Although I don't want to pursue you, I'm not happy that you rejected me in such a hurry.
"… You've misunderstood. I'll renovate the repair shop and build a new independent room next to it. I'll work there in the future. My friend will pay for the renovations. It's like expanding the repair shop. What do you think?"
So it was a misunderstanding! Lu Qian's body shook. She was so embarrassed that her heart almost exploded. She forced herself to calm down and said, "Okay, very good. I agree."
Then, she covered her face and ran away.
Sob, sob, sob, so embarrassing!
Han Xiao was speechless. He suspected that Lu Qian did not hear what he said at all.
…
Han Xiao submitted the application for the construction of the workshop to Feng Jun. Feng Jun passed it on to the higher-ups.
Division 13 valued him very much. This reasonable request was quickly approved. The construction team from the engineering department came to expand the repair shop.
Two days later, a new workshop was built beside the repair shop. Division 13 had lent Han Xiao some of the basic equipment as a form of goodwill. Under Han Xiao's request, the Machinery Workshop had a basement that was used to conduct secret research and act as a warehouse.
Li Ya Lin's promotion was very effective. Within a few days, many agents had requested to order the Retractable Knife. Han Xiao did not meet with the customers personally, so he asked Li Ya Lin to transfer the orders for him.
Even though the clients were all agents of Division 13, it was hard to tell what was in a person's heart.
Batch after batch of alloy materials were sent to Han Xiao's workshop. Over the next few days, he had crafted dozens of Retractable Knives and sold them all, earning a lot of EXP. Han Xiao raised [Machinery Affinity Novice] to the maximum level and obtained another Potential Point.
The agents were well-informed. Through Li Ya Lin's promotion, they all found out that Li Ya Lin's team had recruited a mechanic named Han Xiao. He provided private orders and maintenance services.
Orders came in like snowflakes, and Han Xiao was very busy. He could only produce dozens of knives a day, and the EXP he earned in a day was very impressive. Gradually, more EXP appeared on his interface, and his wallet was filled up.
In his previous life, manufacturing and selling machines was how Mechanics grew. The market was very competitive. Now, Han Xiao had almost monopolized the market. He was the only one who wanted to buy the Retractable Knife. Monopolizing the market would allow him to earn a lot of money.
Han Xiao only planned to sell two types of machines: high-explosive ammunition and the Retractable Knife. As a favor, Han Xiao sold a Lightweight Mechanical Arm to Li Ya Lin.
The sales of the Retractable Knife were good, but Han Xiao was not optimistic. Although the Retractable Knife was popular in a short period of time, most people only bought it to try it out. There was a limit to its use, and the customer potential was limited. Also, the Retractable Knife's technical requirements were too simple. An experienced mechanic would be able to derive the blueprint with a few simple touches. Even with the security measures, the Retractable Knife would not be easy to replicate.
Han Xiao only planned to use the Retractable Knife to earn some quick money. In comparison, he was more interested in the prospects of the [High Explosive Ammo]. It was easy to use and cheap, and it was a consumable item that could cultivate a stable customer base.
The high-explosive ammunition was naturally very secretive. The core was the flammable gas inside the bullet head. Once the bullet head was disassembled, the gas would leak out and burn, and could not be stored stably. Without the refining formula of the blueprint, it was almost impossible to replicate … at least not with Stardragon's current level of technology.
Han Xiao planned to accumulate a certain amount of stock before he could find an opportunity to introduce the high-explosive ammunition. He used the money he earned from the Retractable Knife to buy a large amount of bullet materials. Every day, boxes of high-explosive ammunition were accumulated in the underground warehouse.
…
One day, Old Man Lu and Old Man Gao were playing chess in front of the repair shop again. Han Xiao had just finished a batch of orders. Seeing the situation, he walked up to Old Man Gao and smiled. "Is the prosthetic comfortable?"
"Not bad." Old Man Gao smiled and rolled up his sleeves. At this time, he was wearing a prosthetic arm. It was covered with a layer of artificial silicone skin. It looked almost like the real thing.
"It's good that you like it. If there's a malfunction, I'll fix it for you."
Old Man Gao nodded and smiled. "I heard from Old Man Lu that you've joined Division 13?"
"Yes, that's true."
"Young and promising. Work hard and contribute to the country," Old Man Gao said encouragingly.
Han Xiao laughed inwardly. Old Man Gao always thought that he did not know his identity.
His identity as a member of Division 13 did not need to be hidden. Although the average citizen of Stardragon did not have access to this level of information, it did not prevent them from knowing about the existence of Division 13 and thinking that it was a job with a bright future.
Han Xiao nodded and thought about when Old Man Gao would come clean with him. When that time came, should he show some respect and show some surprise?
At this time, Feng Jun walked over with a serious face and said to Han Xiao, "Can I have a word with you?"
As Han Xiao's contact, Feng Jun had been leading a small team to constantly monitor the surroundings of the repair shop. He was worried that the Germinal Organization would find out about Han Xiao.
Old Man Gao naturally recognized Feng Jun. He could not help but be curious about why Feng Jun would personally come to see Han Xiao. What happened?
…
Han Xiao followed Feng Jun to the side. Feng Jun said, "The R&D department has their eyes on you!"
Han Xiao squinted his eyes. "Tell me more."
"The R&D department is responsible for developing new weapons. They also have the authority to conduct risk checks on the new weapons used by special agents. They believe that the Retractable Knife has a risk issue. They want you to submit the Retractable Knife blueprint for them to check for errors. This is the responsibility of the R&D department. No other department can interfere."
So it's my blueprint!
Risk check? That's just an excuse.
Han Xiao snorted. As long as he submitted the blueprint for 'inspection', the R&D department would be able to mass produce the Retractable Knife tomorrow and turn his blueprint into their achievement.
Han Xiao understood the internal situation of Division 13 through Feng Jun. The R&D department and the Internal Affairs Department were both hardliners, and they were not friendly to him.
The R&D department had a serious bureaucratic habit. They had not invented any new weapons for many years, and their annual budget was getting smaller and smaller. In the eyes of special agents, their status was even lower than that of the logistics department, and they urgently needed achievements to strengthen their position. Thus, they had their eyes on the blueprint, the Retractable Knife.
As long as they had the blueprint, the R&D department only needed to write a report to the higher-ups, and they would be able to 'convert' the blueprint into their own invention and achievement.
"What if I don't submit it?"
Feng Jun smiled bitterly. "You will be blacklisted by the R&D department, and it will affect your promotion. However, you are different from other special agents. The department values the information you have, so there shouldn't be a big problem. The R&D department can't force you."
"That's good. I won't hand over the blueprint." Han Xiao shook his head.
Although the market for the Retractable Knife would be saturated in the future, Han Xiao would not give it up for now.
Feng Jun was not surprised. After spending some time together, he had a basic understanding of Han Xiao's character. He was the type that would not be moved by force or persuasion.
…
After the tall old man made a call and understood the situation, his face darkened.
"This bunch of bastards who just sit around and do nothing, they're just too good at ruining things!"
The tall old man valued Han Xiao very much. Under his management, Division 13 and Han Xiao had a good working relationship. However, the R&D department had acted on their own accord and bullied Han Xiao because of their own achievements. They wanted to steal his blueprint, which was simply an act of banditry. Most importantly, it could cause Han Xiao's disgust and ruin his efforts.
The tall old man was furious.
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