Chapter 348: with translation of chapter title

Capital, Princess Tomb, Aircraft Building.

After getting off the plane, the Air Force leadership sent a special car to take Chu Miaomiao back, so Qin Miao could only follow the Air Force leadership to the Aircraft Building.

"Leaders, did you hurt the hearts of the Northern Bureau?"

"Hmph, what does it matter if we hurt their hearts? They haven't spared hurting ours either!" Lao Lin said: "How many years have we spent tossing around a J-8? We didn't dare modify the nose, but if you hadn't given the idea, they still wouldn't dare. Still, you kid are impressive—your suggestions are completely reliable."

"Cough, cough, leaders, what exactly is the matter?"

"The situation over at the Falklands is getting more and more tense; we brought you here to do a war game." Lao Lin said: "You say, will the British suffer if they wage a distant war?"

"The British aren't that strong, but the Crying State is even weaker." Qin Miao naturally knew about this war.

The warlord rule of the Crying State was losing popular support; to salvage things, its leader decided to retake the Falklands, acting swiftly and soon occupying the islands and capturing everyone there.

Then what?

Then all that was left was celebration; they thought Britain would stand by, that the US would at least stay neutral, but...

The British carrier group crossed ten thousand li of ocean; the US firmly stood with Britain; the Crying State's air force fought bravely, its navy after being beaten dared not go out, its army offered no resistance... thus the Falklands were taken back by Britain.

This victory let the Brits celebrate nationwide, but it was only a dying flash; afterward the British navy would continue to decline, Britain tightened its belt, built two Queen-class carriers, then discovered it had no money to buy carrier aircraft or to build escort warships.

Having fallen to this state, they still want to cause trouble for us—can only say the Brits' minds still cling to the fantasy of the former empire where the sun never set; sadly, they can only daydream.

"Speak concretely?"

"After I finish, will you let me go?"

"Of course."

Thus Qin Miao spat and spoke, talking on; he went to eat a meal midway, then continued speaking, and when he finally finished, he saw the time—it was 3 a. m.!

This really is...

The streetlights outside had all gone out!

Back home, Chu Miaomiao hadn't slept yet, waiting for him; although they didn't often return, someone always cleaned the place, so it was neat and tidy.

After sleeping until ten the next morning, Qin Miao was awakened by the sound of firecrackers outside.

"Miaomiao, what's going on out there...?"

"Obviously it's a celebration."

"Celebrating what?"

"The first Mercedes-Benz heavy truck coming off the line?"

"How could that be? It was assembled last year, unless... it's a Mercedes-Benz heavy truck fitted with our domestically produced engine and transmission."

Back when negotiating with Mercedes, Qin Miao deliberately emphasized that this engine and transmission, besides using the original units, also needed to be matched with the Steyr technology we had obtained from the East; after all, the WD615 engine and Fuller transmission could be produced independently, which would lower the price.

Mercedes' price can't stay high forever, otherwise we simply couldn't afford it.

Initially we exchanged an upgraded engine; later we also jointly developed an engine; now... I guess they're fitting it with our own-produced engine?

"Come on, let's go take a look." Qin Miao became interested.

The end of the production line.

Several German engineers stood there, their mood somewhat complicated, after all, their Mercedes heavy trucks had never before been fitted with another engine—how could the three-pointed star badge accommodate a WD615?

But... the original agreement included it, and the parts supplied by the East met their standards, so they could only agree.

The cab has been independently produced at Qingshan Factory; many of its trim pieces can now be supplied by domestic partners, while the parts provided by Germany itself are dwindling.

In the future, will the heavy trucks produced here end up competing with those made in Germany itself?

They are somewhat worried.

The Easterners' faces were full of smiles.

Zhang Wanhe and Qin Jianhua stood on either side of Ge Lixi, their eyes gleaming with spirit.

"Good, the first heavy truck with eighty percent domestic content is finally about to roll off the line!" Zhang Wanhe laughed heartily: "This is a huge leap for our Capital's industry, and also for our Eastern automotive industry!"

This isn't just a standalone project! The Qingshan-Mercedes heavy truck factory needs a large number of parts, and as a result the Capital's automotive industry has revived, with many factories providing support here; because German standards are strict, they've racked their brains to improve technology, and the entire Capital's automotive sector has thus developed.

"Yes, it's finally about to roll off the line—thanks for everyone's efforts!" Qin Jianhua also felt moved: "Especially Factory Director Ge, without you our heavy truck's domestic content wouldn't have risen so quickly!"

"These are just what I should do." Ge Lixi said humbly: "I like the East, and I also like Qingshan Factory."

"Eh, San Shui has come? Great, we've been waiting for you!"

Seeing Qin Miao appear with Chu Miaomiao, everyone was enthusiastic.

"Um, uncles and aunts, can I drive this vehicle?"

"Of course."

Thus Qin Miao jumped into the cab and turned the key.

Vroom, vroom-vroom!

Beneath the seat, the motor's sound rang out, then a strong, resonant oil-pump noise; a few seconds later the seat vibrated slightly—the engine had successfully started!

He pressed the clutch, shifted gears, released the clutch—one smooth motion—and the car crept forward to the outside parking lot; just as it came to a stop, someone approached.

"This truck is mine! From now on I'll rely on it to make money, get rich, and achieve a comfortable life!"

Qin Miao looked astonished at the speaker: "You are..."

"I used to be a driver at the Capital Transportation Company; now I'm also going into business for myself!"

"Do you have that much money to buy a truck?"

"A bank loan—it'll be paid off in less than half a year!"

In later times, truck driving is a hard and dangerous job, but in the 1980s truck drivers were absolutely a hot commodity! Everywhere people begged truck drivers to help deliver goods, and cigarettes and liquor had to be properly offered; they were definitely the elite of blue-collar workers.

Now being able to drive a heavy truck for transport means he'll definitely become a big boss in the future!

"Of course, we also have to thank Qingshan Factory—your increased production capacity is what lets you sell to individual entrepreneurs."

Production capacity increase?

After getting off the truck, Qin Miao looked at his father: "Dad, what's the monthly output of our factory's heavy trucks?"

Currently, monthly production is five thousand vehicles.

Steyr's annual output is only five thousand, while our factory produces five thousand per month!

Does the domestic market need this many vehicles?

Of course they need them! Old Liberation, Old Dongfeng should have been phased out long ago; now, many users look forward to driving our Qingshan-Benz heavy truck!