Chapter 587 - 575: 3707

B-level Base.

Today, the runway inside the base was exceptionally busy, with three C832s lined up on the runway waiting for take-off, and several C822s boarding passengers. In total, there were 10 C822s and C832s at the base at the same time.

These aircraft were in the midst of test flights and had not yet been officially delivered to Air China or Eastern Airlines. They were temporarily requisitioned to fly people to Modu City, where they would transfer to flights to Edo.

However, the treatment for the base’s senior executives was different, as they would be traveling on the C810 supersonic passenger jet.

Androff, who had already gone off to work on his own, monopolized the seat by the window with a plop, to the chagrin of Xiao Okada, who had originally planned to sit there, leaving him with a head full of black lines.

"Sorry, Okada, I get airsick. Sitting in the front by the window feels more comfortable."

"..."

You’re already a high-level jet instructor, for goodness’ sake!

"An, didn’t you say you were busy dealing with the supersonic airliners? We’ve moved the entire production line from our base to your side, so why haven’t we seen any results? If we had that thing, we could have flown there directly, quickly and in style."

Xiao Okada was actually quite easy-going and sat down behind Androff, starting to inquire about Star Airlines’ C1000 project.

Androff said, "Switching flights is because of the paperwork, not the aircraft... The overall design of the C1000 has been completed, and it’s even bigger than Concorde.

With a maximum take-off weight of 290 tons, it can carry 300 passengers at a cruising speed of Mach 3.0 over a distance of 14,000 kilometers, powered by four of our newly designed XW-20 engines, producing a total thrust of 104 tons. It can reach across the Pacific in just four hours. Impressive, huh?"

Xiao Okada briefly recollected the specs of the Concorde, which could only carry a little over 100 people for 7,000 kilometers. The C1000’s technological indicators had indeed surpassed Concorde’s era.

Such indicators could even be considered strategic bombers last century; indeed civilian demand is the greatest potential.

"Our team in America has basically convinced several aviation giants there. Unless something unexpected happens, they will approve the supersonic jet act in their next fiscal year. Then we can officially start development; otherwise, we may not have any flight routes."

Saying this, Androff sighed and continued with a helpless expression:

"The problem here in America shouldn’t be too big, but Europe is a bit troublesome. Can you believe our lobbying team was blocked by environmental organizations who threw paint at our door? Some people even glued their hands to our car and couldn’t get off.

Airbus has no ambition at all. They don’t even have the confidence to resume production of Concorde, tsk!"

Supersonic jets are technically not an issue for Star Airlines. All their efforts are poured into lobbying various countries. Domestically, because of the continuing operations of the C810, there is basic support, but once they step outside their own borders, there are too many hindrances, and their ability to exert influence is limited.

Xiao Okada could sympathize with Androff’s frustration and offered some comfort:

"At least you’ve persuaded Boeing. They surely won’t be satisfied with just the Pacific routes and will eventually put pressure on Europe.

Speaking of which, with such high targets for the C1000, what is Boeing planning to bring to the table?"

Androff said, "The Boeing 3707. They shared some basic data with us. Guess what this plane resembles?"

"What?"

"The XB70. They plan to modify the basic design of the XB70, replacing the original six GE3 engines with four 60,000-pound thrust engines. The take-off weight, range, and cruising speed are not much different from the C1000.

I guess this must have been one of the scrapped plans from the Boeing 2707 project last century. The likelihood of realization is very high."

Xiao Okada smacked his lips, remarking that America’s resources were indeed substantial; their accumulation of aviation technology was truly enviable.

Having shared his troubles, Androff turned to jest with Xiao Okada:

"Okada, you’re going to the Island Country to see a nuclear explosion. What if an old friend recognizes you?"

"No worries, they watched it too, and even asked me to book ferry tickets, especially the bundle for the last aerial bomb, which was impossible to grab from the few batches released online."

"..."

"By the way, I’d like to say that I am a very orthodox Chinese person."

Xiao Okada’s tone turned serious, and he said earnestly:

"I had my DNA tested, and my ancestors can be traced back to the noble Xixi family of the ancient state of Chu. Their lineage had to move southward due to wars, settling in Nanyue before eventually migrating around the southeast region, almost 1100 years ago they branched out to the Island Country, I am a true Chinese person."

Androff furrowed his brows in confusion and asked:

"Has modern science really advanced to this extent?"

"Yeah, I specially sponsored an academic team from the Geological University. They’re the ones who came up with this conclusion after a nationwide search for bloodline connections, and they even published several papers on it."

"But somehow I feel they’ve just been on a taxpayer-funded vacation..."

"You must trust science!"

"..."

Xiao Okada was overly concerned about his ancestry issue. Androff knew he had recognized kin from a major Xiao family and had filled in more than a dozen generations into his family tree. Last month, he even attended a local "Homeland Ancestral Ritual" and made a small splash on the trending search.

As the two of them were chatting exuberantly, the scene behind them was entirely different.

Xie Liaofu was still engrossed in his tablet, pondering work schedules. Ye Changsi, Guo Shen, and Cheng Nankai all remained uniformly silent, with Ye Changsi’s eyes slightly reddening as he stared ahead, lost in thought.

He was the one most affected by the news among them all – after hearing it, he unexpectedly gave himself a day off to rest.

Last night, the IAEA officially announced the cleanup schedule, stating that on December 13, at 12 o’clock, they would start the cleanup task of reactor 1. If no deviations were found, at 16 o’clock, they would proceed with the cleanup of reactor 2, and from December 15 to 16, the final aerial cleanup procedures would be carried out.

The announcement had a massive impact, with the greatest being felt in the booking numbers for flights to Island Country skyrocketing. Despite airlines desperately adding more flights to those routes, it wasn’t enough – thankfully, the ferry tickets had been sold out well in advance and were unaffected.

As for Ye Changsi, he locked himself up all night. The date had a more profound effect on him than on most people, his excitement obvious.

...

"Sir, this is a fantastic opportunity for us!"

The Minister of the Ministry of Finance, Tsushima Hisaichi, who had been out of sight for a long time, couldn’t contain his excitement, pacing back and forth in front of Nakayama Juji.

He waved all five fingers as he spoke:

"According to our calculations, the tourists in the next two weeks will be five times that of last month’s. It’s beyond imagination. Do you realize how many people that is? So many people!

Even with a tenfold increase in hotel prices in Edo, they sold out within an hour, still not enough to accommodate all these visitors!

Even if they buy only the necessities of life, the economic benefit is unimaginable. Sir, we must seize this opportunity!"

Nakayama Juji, painfully clutching his hair, looked at a jubilantly prancing Tsushima Hisaichi with a twisted expression:

"So, what exactly do you have in mind, sir?"

"Development of guesthouses! Let all the residents of Edo rent their homes to tourists, and we must act swiftly and decisively to eliminate the unfair treatment in the Red-Light District, ensuring every tourist spends as much as possible!

All sightseeing boats and airplanes should be put into operation immediately – we can’t let them keep all the profits!"