Chapter 248 - 242: Invitation_1

"Roller coaster?" Zhang Yingming didn’t quite understand Lin Ju’s purpose, but he had a bad feeling, as if something was about to happen to him.

He had certainly been on roller coasters. Zhang Yingming had been to them several times when he was young. Although they were quite thrilling, they didn’t have any effect on his body, and he had never experienced any adverse reactions like vomiting or dizziness.

"I don’t get dizzy. I feel fine. What’s up, Mr. Lin?"

Lin Ju "Oh"ed, leaned forward, and devilishly spat out a sentence:

"Most of the time during the launch of the ’Firmness,’ the G-force is just over 2 and less than 3, barely reaching 4G at times, which is similar to a more thrilling roller coaster.

In my opinion, what publicity stunt could be better than the founder going to space? Mr. Zhang, if you go, I won’t charge you for the ticket for this September’s ’Firmness’ flight. How about a free trip?"

Zhang Yingming: "..."

Wait, what, let me take a moment!

His earlier bad premonition had finally come true—Lin Ju was actually planning to send him to space!

This really shouldn’t be happening... at least not right now, Boss Lin!

As for Zhang Yingming’s somewhat disconcerted reaction, Lin Ju remained very calm and continued to drink his tea without speaking further.

After a while, Zhang Yingming muttered something incomprehensible and, as if possessed, said:

"Mr. Lin, is there enough time? Don’t astronauts need to..."

"Plenty of time! Of course, there’s enough time!"

Lin Ju eagerly thrust the teacup into the other’s hand, slapping his chest in assurance:

"You might not trust others, but you must trust me. I came down not long ago and can tell you clearly that going to space is actually very easy. Moreover, we have professional spacesuits and relief chairs to resist the G-forces. As long as you’re somewhat fit, ordinary people will have no problems!

And it’s just for 24 hours. At least three trained professional astronauts will be there to assist you. The thrust-to-weight ratio of the New Yuan 5B is only 1.2, so the acceleration is very gentle. Just think of it as another roller coaster ride. The return trip is even more like an ordinary airplane flight.

Commercial space flights are mature technology now; I assure you!"

"Then, then can I, really... try it?"

"Absolutely!"

Zhang Yingming was very aware that his mind was somewhat irrational at the thought of space travel, but he just couldn’t find the words to refuse. The allure of space, after all, was irresistible even for an internet entrepreneur worth billions.

Lin Ju: "Tomorrow you will take our company’s private jet to New Yuan where the most professional aerospace medical specialists are waiting. With them overseeing, you definitely won’t have any issues. Besides, you still have a week? Just a bit of jogging to get in shape is completely enough."

Zhang Yingming: "Mr. Lin, the TikTok team will specially optimize the recommendation algorithm for Meridian Network. We will provide the maximum support for your product!"

...

On September 12, just after 7 in the morning, Zhang Yingming sat on an ARJ21 private jet with Lin Ju’s farewell, heading straight to B-level Base.

You may ask why not just go to NACA 507 which is right next door? Of course, it was to keep it a secret from the Aerospace Development Committee. They couldn’t risk them saying something that might affect Zhang Yingming’s confidence on such a hasty trip to space.

Whether ordinary people had the physical condition to go to space had, of course, been meticulously researched by New Yuan, and there was also a considerable amount of literature on it worldwide.

Actually, even with ordinary spacecraft, the vast majority of healthy common people can withstand them. The actual G-force experienced during a normal launch isn’t that high, and for someone who can ride a roller coaster without feeling dizzy or sick, the worst discomfort after riding in a spacecraft might just be feeling a bit nauseous and wanting to vomit.

The way America’s unique space shuttles are launched is even more different, with the main engines operating for a longer duration, maintaining a steady overload of around 3G. Moreover, all space shuttles are much more comfortable when returning than spacecraft.

The reason astronauts train so hard and diligently is actually to prepare for unexpected situations that design personnel try their utmost to avoid. Ordinary people aren’t expected to do anything.

After dismissing Zhang Yingming, Lin Ju went to the space agency to convey the message from the big shot that had been passed through senior management.

"Ma Yilong is coming to China?"

"Yes, his assistant contacted our group through channels, hoping that New Yuan would invite Ma Yilong to China."

"They want us to send the invitation?" The big shot leaned back in his chair, stroking his chin.

"He’s coming to China... oh, for Tesla?"

Lin Ju: "I think so too, Ma Yilong is looking for a way out for Tesla. Clearly, to succeed in the automobile industry, you first need a production site with a full and cheap supply chain of parts, as well as a labor market with a high cost-performance ratio."

Big Shot: "I know some of that... given his status, it should be pretty easy for him to come over, right? We’re not going to detain him."

Lin Ju: "I think Ma Yilong might be worried that him coming over by himself could be interpreted as caving to China. SpaceX’s involvement in the Artemis project is meant to be in direct competition with the Dawn project, and NACA might also be concerned that any slip in public opinion could have an impact."

Big Shot: "In that case, I actually don’t mind. That’s his problem. We won’t have any abnormal reactions anyway. But I think, a meeting between you two would be quite interesting.

What’s this called? A fusion of East and West? Forget all the messy stuff; this is part of normal exchanges, right? The two experimental capsules are launching on the 19th, so why not use that as a reason to have the Aerospace Development Committee invite him over to watch?"

"That’s possible. I’m somewhat looking forward to meeting Ma Yilong myself. I hope there won’t be any obstacles from the American side."

...

"Lady Diana, take a look at this."

In a certain white building, Diana Rode Dame, an aging but still sharp and efficient Caucasian female elite, learned from her assistant that Musk was about to visit China in a preliminary notification.

The assistant specifically mentioned that the primary purpose of Ma Yilong’s visit to China was to build a new Tesla production site and reforge the supply chain there, with no actions that would harm American interests.

They had also communicated in advance with the other side, which had given tacit approval.

Diana carefully read through the information, easily judging that it was most likely true—a keen intuition she honed during her time as First Lady.

At the same time, she understood the potential risks involved, which was why she was being informed in advance and being asked for her opinion.

As for letting Ma go, Diana didn’t think it was a big deal. Although it was a period of space race, it was quite different from the last one.

The last time was about the Iron and Bamboo Curtains. Now, it was the era of globalization. A year into the space race, though both sides were fighting to the death in space, trade volumes were still rising uncontrollably, with many fields interlinked closely.

In certain aspects, it’s not about drawing clear boundaries. The election is just two months away, and she’s about to become the big boss; she needs to pave the way for her future command.

Diana, who already had a plan for her term, didn’t hesitate long before making a decision. She composed an email response to her assistant on her computer. When she logged out, she noticed an ad for a blond-haired man’s election campaign on the webpage.

With a snort of laughter, Diana continued with her work.