Courtyard House: Initial Donation of 50 Million

The successful entry of the "Jiaolong" submersible into the sea is merely the first step in a long journey. The real challenge lies in how to bring these cold, steel behemoths to life, get them running, and produce qualified or even excellent products.

A major campaign to install and debug equipment has been launched at the Hongxing Automobile Plant! Inside the plant, the lights are on day and night. Senior Chinese engineers from General Motors (motivated by patriotism and high salaries) are mixed with the best technicians and engineers selected from the Hongxing plant, and under the unified command of Wang Huanbo, they have begun the intense and orderly installation and debugging work.

Language barrier? No problem! Gestures, blueprints, and Wang Huanbo's fluent English and technical terminology served as bridges. Standard differences? Overcome! Under Wang Huanbo's guidance—a master of mechanical engineering—the challenges of converting between Chinese and American standards and adapting parts were overcome one by one. The massive stamping press base was hoisted into place, the high-precision welding robot arm was calibrated, automated conveyor belts were laid out like blood vessels, and the paint booths, assembly lines… the prototype of a modern automobile production line began to take shape.

Wang Huanbo practically lived in the workshop. He moved between different workstations, sometimes lying on the floor inspecting equipment foundations, sometimes engaging in heated discussions with engineers about technical parameters, and sometimes personally demonstrating with tools. His energy seemed inexhaustible, and his understanding of technology was profound and precise. He often pinpointed the crux of the problem, leaving the experts who had returned from overseas in awe: "This young Chief Engineer Wang is truly a genius!"

Meanwhile, the development of new models was accelerated. In the highly confidential technology center, the C201 project team (high-end sedan) and the J201 project team (military off-road vehicle), led by Wang Huanbo, launched a competition.

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Project C201: Based on the Mercedes-Benz W116, but Wang Huanbo incorporated more design elements that align with Eastern aesthetics and practical needs. The body lines exude a sense of power within their dignified elegance, and the extended wheelbase provides more spacious rear seating. Interior materials strive for luxury and comfort within reasonable limits. Most importantly, the integration of the ABS system and optimized seatbelts was a key achievement. Wang Huanbo personally led the team to tackle the replication and adaptive matching of the ABS control unit and hydraulic regulator. Indirectly inspired by the Predator's faceplate scanning technology (leading to new insights into the control logic of precision solenoid valves), progress was rapid.

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Project J201 focuses on hardcore off-road capabilities. It utilizes a body-on-frame construction, borrowing the three differential locks from the G-Class, but with enhancements tailored to China's complex road conditions. The powertrain employs a reinforced version of the EA111 series 2.0L engine (later planned as a V6), paired with a new transmission. The chassis tuning is a testament to Wang Huanbo's dedication, combining his expertise with Mercedes-Benz's expertise and his understanding of the future of off-road vehicles, striving to find the optimal balance between off-road capability, reliability in harsh conditions, and comfort on paved roads.

In the materials laboratory, trial production of new high-strength steel plates and corrosion-resistant galvanized steel plates is in full swing. In the engine workshop, new production lines are being assembled, preparing for the next generation of powertrains. The entire Hongxing Plant, like a precise and efficient machine, is roaring to life towards a common goal!

The nation's support, though silent, was powerful. The highest quality domestically produced steel, rubber, glass, and electronic components were prioritized for the Hongxing Factory through planned channels. Supporting factories (such as tire factories, instrument factories, and lighting factories) received secret "special supply" assignments, developing new products according to the stringent technical standards provided by the Hongxing Factory. Outstanding graduates and technical experts from major universities and research institutes were transferred to the front lines of research and production at the Hongxing Factory. A powerful force of "mobilizing the entire nation to accomplish one thing well" was quietly gathering.

Two months later, a day that will go down in history arrived.

In the final assembly workshop of the automobile plant, an excited crowd stood around the brand-new assembly line. Factory leaders, including Secretary Yao and General Manager Yang, representatives from ministries, and numerous engineers and workers working on the front lines eagerly awaited the arrival of the first C201 sedan body frame (body-in-white) as the production line began to roll off the assembly line!

Stamping, welding, painting... qualified parts from the previous processes are gathered here. The robotic arm moves precisely, and the skilled workers operate with practiced ease, hoisting the engine, assembling the chassis, installing the interior, laying wiring... each process proceeds smoothly and methodically. Wang Huanbo stands at the control panel, focused intently, watching every detail through the monitor screen.

As the final process was completed, a C201 luxury sedan, adorned with brand-new red paint, boasting a grand and imposing design, and radiating brilliance, slowly rolled off the assembly line and came to a steady stop at the finish line. The entire workshop fell into a brief silence, which was followed by thunderous applause and cheers! Many people were moved to tears!

"We did it! We did it!"

"This is a luxury car we built ourselves!"

"It's so beautiful!"

Wang Huanbo stepped forward, gently stroking the smooth car body, feeling the warmth of countless people's hard work contained beneath the cold metal. He opened the car door, sat in the driver's seat, inserted the key (symbolicly), and gently turned it. The engine emitted a deep, steady roar, and the instrument panel lights illuminated one by one—everything was normal!

He got out of the car and nodded to Secretary Yao and General Manager Yang. Secretary Yao excitedly picked up the red ribbon that had been prepared in advance, and he and General Manager Yang each took one end and solemnly tied it to the front of the car. There were no firecrackers, no drums, but the solemnity and joy of this moment surpassed any celebration.

"I hereby announce!" Secretary Yao's voice boomed, trembling slightly, "The first Red Star C201 luxury sedan has successfully rolled off the production line! This is a new milestone in the history of China's automotive industry!"

Meanwhile, at the adjacent test track, the first J201 military off-road vehicle prototype was roaring up a steep slope and traversing rough roads, demonstrating its powerful off-road performance and winning unanimous praise from the military representatives present!

The news was quickly reported through confidential channels. Soon, instructions came from Haizi: the C201 model was officially named "Hongqi·Xingyao S-Class"; the J201 model was named "Hongxing·Mengshi"! This meant that the new products would be incorporated into the Hongqi brand system, carrying a higher national symbolic significance!

That evening, the Red Star Factory held a simple yet enthusiastic celebration banquet. Wang Huanbo, breaking with his usual practice, drank a glass of wine. Looking at the faces flushed with excitement and exhaustion before him, he felt a surge of accomplishment. He knew this was just the beginning. With this foundation, with this team, the rise of China's automotive industry would be unstoppable! And his gaze was already fixed on the more distant future—V6 engines, automatic transmissions, even…new energy vehicles? The inspirations from the world of Predators and Ultraman might shine even brighter in the far future.

The winds of the Bohai Bay caress Tianjin's new port. And the "Wang's Loyalty" ship has set sail once more, heading into the depths of the ocean to welcome the next batch of seeds of hope. A path to a strong nation, extending from the traditional courtyard houses, is growing wider and more solid.