1885, I came to save Greece

Chapter 340 The Ugliest Champion

Inside Panathinaikos Stadium, the murmurs of tens of thousands of people merged into a massive, buzzing sound.

Contempt, skepticism, curiosity, and anticipation—a complex mix of emotions swirled among the crowd. The timber merchant who had placed all his hopes on the American Henry Ford was now nervously clenching his fists, his palms sweating. Several Greek merchants beside him continued to shake their heads, refusing to believe that the ugly tin machine could create a miracle.

On the platform, the expressions on the faces of the envoys and military attachés from various European countries were even more fascinating.

Schmidt, the Mercedes representative, returned from the racetrack early in a carriage. He had changed into clean clothes, but his face was paler than the hood of his broken-down race car. He was restless, constantly glancing at the time on his pocket watch.

British military attaché Major Harrison picked up his binoculars with great interest, peering into the deep entrance tunnel of the stadium with a playful smile. The outcome of this match had far exceeded everyone's expectations, turning into a most exciting drama.

Time passed, second by second.

Just when everyone's patience was about to run out.

"Put-putt ...

A faint, monotonous, yet extremely penetrating sound came from the direction of the entrance passage.

The sound was like the faltering footsteps of a weary traveler, or the final gasps of a dying patient.

All the chatter inside the stadium abruptly ceased.

Tens of thousands of eyes were fixed on the single entrance.

An ugly "tin box" covered in yellowish-brown dust appeared in everyone's sight.

It lurched and swayed, one of its mudguards missing, and the exhaust pipe trailing a thin plume of black smoke. It looked like a battered, steel monster that had just crawled out of a mud pit.

It was so slow, so clumsy.

But it came.

It is still alive and moving forward.

The entire audience instinctively stood up from their seats.

They watched as this "ugly duckling," ridiculed by everyone from the very beginning, and how, after all the glamorous "white swans" had failed, it, with its astonishing tenacity, moved alone, step by step, to the finish line.

No one cheered or applauded.

Everyone was filled with admiration and awe, and they were speechless for a moment.

This is no longer a race about speed and aesthetics.

This is an epic tale of survival and endurance.

Henry Ford drove his "four-wheeled vehicle" slowly across the finish line, a symbol of victory, under the gaze of tens of thousands of eyes.

He stopped the car, pulled the handbrake, and then, wearily, turned off the engine.

"Cough, cough—bang."

With the engine's final, reluctant cough, the entire Panathinaikos Stadium fell into an eerie, utter silence.

Three seconds later.

A thunderous roar of applause and cheers erupted!

The sound was more intense and more frantic than ever before!

People clapped loudly and shouted at the top of their lungs, offering their highest respect to this silent, tenacious victor and his equally silent and tenacious machine!

Cheers erupted, completely enveloping Ford and his "tin box".

Ford sat in the driver's seat, somewhat dazed.

He slowly took off his goggles, which were already covered in dust, and then took off his baseball cap, which was also covered in oil stains.

A face with sharp angles, etched with stubbornness and pride, was exposed to the brilliant afternoon sun in Athens.

His blond hair was soaked with sweat, strands clinging to his forehead. His face was a mixture of yellow dust and black grease, like a wild, vibrant abstract painting.

He looked around at the crowd that had stood up and cheered for him.

Then, his usually calm blue eyes burst forth with an unprecedentedly brilliant light.

Constantine also stood up on the platform.

He did not remain in the VIP section to enjoy the glory of victory.

Under the gaze of tens of thousands of people, he strode down from the high stands, crossed the white marble track, and headed straight for that unassuming "tin box" and that equally unassuming engineer from rural America.

The crowd automatically parted to make way for him.

When Ford saw the Crown Prince approaching, he quickly opened the car door and straightened up. He instinctively tried to wipe his hands on his filthy work clothes, only to find that his hands were even dirtier than his clothes.

Constantine walked up to him.

He looked at Ford's face, covered in dust and oil, at his worn-out work clothes, and at his large, rough hands, stained with black engine oil and as rough as tree bark.

Then, with a smile, he casually extended his hand.

Ford paused for a moment, then extended his hand as well.

Constantine's hand was warm and strong.

He looked Ford into the eyes and said sincerely, in a clear, solemn, and unquestionable tone, "Congratulations, Mr. Ford."

He paused for a moment, emphasizing the pronunciation of each word.

"What you built is not a simple car."

"It is a future that everyone can have."

These words, like a bolt of lightning, precisely cleaved through the hardest shell of Ford's heart.

Like a key, it instantly unlocked the long-sealed door deep within his soul.

He spent his entire life explaining his philosophy to others, to bankers, investors, and engineers, explaining why he wanted to build inexpensive, reliable, and mass-market cars.

All he received was ridicule, incomprehension, and contempt.

They called him a madman, a delusional country bumpkin.

No one truly understands him.

At this moment, the young, noble Greek crown prince, who was on the other side of the world, revealed the core of his entire dream in just one sentence!

At that moment, Ford felt his eyes welling up with tears.

Over the past few decades, all the loneliness, all the grievances, and all the perseverance have found their home and received the most perfect interpretation in this one sentence.

An immense sense of happiness—being understood and having met a kindred spirit—instantly washed away all the weariness in his body.

His back straightened even more.

His bright blue eyes shone with an unprecedented light as he stared intently back at the young crown prince before him.