70: Starship Motors is established!

One day before New Year's Day.

The conference room of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology building of the Great Xia Country.

The heating was turned up high, but it couldn't suppress the restlessness filling the room.

General Manager Wang of Biyadi held his thermos cup, resting with his eyes closed.

He seemed to be pondering something.

General Manager Li of Changsheng kept looking at his watch, appearing slightly impatient.

The general managers of domestic car manufacturers such as Jili, SAIC, GAC, and BAIC were all seated in the conference room.

They exchanged glances, full of doubt, none of them knowing the topic of the meeting.

"Is everyone here?"

Minister Chen of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology pushed the door open and entered, holding a red-headed document in his hand.

"I called you all here today because I have a major announcement."

He placed the document on the table, his voice resonating clearly:

"The Xia Academy of Sciences is taking the lead in establishing the 'star flying car Company' to develop civilian anti-gravity flying cars."

"Anti-gravity flying car?"

General Manager Wang was stunned, then asked skeptically, "Minister Chen, you must be joking, right? Isn't that something out of science fiction?"

"New energy flying cars haven't even solved the cruising range and safety issues yet, so why are we developing anti-gravity flying cars?"

"Isn't that too big of a leap?"

"Did the Xia Academy of Sciences develop some new technology?"

The general managers of the other car companies were full of doubts.

They had heard of flying cars, and some manufacturers were working on them.

But what the heck was an anti-gravity flying car?

Just hearing the name screamed science fiction!

Minister Chen did not answer directly but pressed the projector button.

The blueprint for a civilian flying car appeared on the screen!

A streamlined fuselage, equipped with a miniature anti-gravity engine at the bottom, with small text beside it indicating: 5,000 km range, fully autonomous driving, and a top speed of Mach 5.

"This is the proposal put forward by the Xia Academy of Sciences."

As soon as Minister Chen finished speaking, the conference room instantly erupted.

"A 5,000 km range??" General Manager Zhang swallowed hard, unable to believe his eyes.

"A speed of Mach 5? That's outrageous!" General Manager Wang was utterly shocked.

The general managers of the other car companies were dumbfounded by the shock.

Where did that leave them?

How could this be called a flying car?

This was clearly an epoch-making black technology only seen in sci-fi movies!

New energy vehicles hadn't even become widespread yet.

Skip new energy vehicles entirely and develop a sci-fi version of the flying car?

This was seriously too ridiculous!

All these car company general managers felt the data was fabricated.

Minister Chen observed their reactions and patiently explained:

"Gentlemen,"

"The technology is sound, the Xia Academy of Sciences will guarantee it..."

"You only need to be responsible for production!"

After hearing Minister Chen's explanation, the car companies finally believed him.

Minister Chen then stopped wasting time and immediately listed the equity distribution method.

Star Technology (subordinate to the Xia Academy of Sciences) holds 30% equity through technology investment.

The remaining 70% would be equally divided among the car manufacturers.

"Equally divided?"

General Manager Wang's eyes lit up, and he loudly declared, "My Biyadi wants 15% equity! We have battery production lines and can quickly adapt to solid-state magnetic field batteries!"

"Why should you get 15%?" General Manager Li grew anxious. "Our Changcheng has experience in complete vehicle manufacturing; we can revamp the production lines!"

"Stop arguing!" General Manager Zhang pulled out his tablet. "My Jili has already laid out plans for low-altitude traffic. When it comes to market research, no one can beat us!"

The conference room devolved into chaos.

The general managers, who had previously maintained their composure, were now like Children fighting over candy.

Minister Chen watched the scene and waved his hand to calm them: "Alright, the equity will be slightly adjusted based on revenue ratio. Sign the contract tomorrow. Remember, this is for the Great Xia Country's automotive industry. Don't engage in internal fighting."

"Fine!"

Since Minister Chen had spoken, they could only drop the argument.

No one wanted to be kicked out... That afternoon.

Car manufacturers in the Great Xia Country announced the termination of all R&D projects for fuel vehicles and new energy vehicles.

Furthermore, production lines were shut down for holidays and technical upgrades!

Overnight.

The collective action of several car companies in the Great Xia Country shocked the world.

Netizens in the Great Xia Country were utterly bewildered.

"Holy crap, what's going on with these car companies? Why did they suddenly halt all fuel vehicle projects?"

"Is it a national order? Did they come up with some new technology again?"

"Definitely! Could it be a new black technology car?"

"I'm so excited!"

Although the citizens of the Great Xia Country were surprised by the car manufacturers' actions.

They were more eager to see what kind of new car the companies would launch next... Volkswagen Germany Headquarters.

The CEO looked at the email from SAIC terminating the cooperation and smashed his coffee cup in anger:

"Are they crazy? Abandoning a multi-billion joint venture project?"

The assistant handed him another document: "It's not just Biyadi; other Great Xia Country car manufacturers have also halted their fuel vehicle projects."

"Investigate! We must find out what's going on!" the CEO roared... Toyota Sakura Country.

President Kishida looked at the news, his face livid:

"Does the Great Xia Country want to monopolize the automotive industry? Tell them, if they dare to cut off the supply of parts, we will set their auto industry back ten years!"

But the message was sent out, falling into the ocean like a stone.

Great Xia car companies couldn't even be bothered to reply... White House.

Trump looked at the intelligence report, frowning deeply: "Is the Great Xia Country crazy?"

After thinking for a moment, he decided this was a good opportunity: "Immediately issue an announcement to sanction their automobile exports!"

Secretary of State Remundo frowned: "Mr. President, our car companies also cooperate with Great Xia. If we impose sanctions..."

"Don't worry about it!" Trump's eyes were filled with greed. "This is the best chance to ruin the Great Xia Country's automotive industry!"

Soon, Eagle Sauce took the lead, uniting European and Sakura Country car companies.

They announced the implementation of a "technology blockade + export ban" against the Great Xia automotive industry.

When the news reached Great Xia, the netizens were amused:

"Haha, sanctions? Who cares about their ban?"

"Anyway, our car exports are already small. Let them sanction us!"

"The domestic car companies are making such huge moves; they must have a new project."

"Just waiting for the new car launch!"

The actions of the Great Xia Country's car companies were quickly overshadowed by the news of Eagle Sauce's sixth-generation fighter jet's maiden flight... On New Year's Day.

Aboard an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean.

The sixth-generation fighter jet was parked on the carrier runway, its fuselage coated with silver-gray coating, looking majestic.

Trump personally attended, standing in front of the microphone, facing the live camera, his voice arrogant:

"Today, we will let the whole world know that the Blue Star technology hegemon will always be us!"

Warm applause erupted at the scene.

The audience in the live broadcast room completely erupted.

"Oh my god! The government didn't lie to us!"

"Haha, great! Our sixth-generation fighter jet is finally going to make its maiden flight."

"Great Xia Country, do you see? We are always the Blue Star technology hegemon!"

"Our sixth-generation fighter jet is making its maiden flight from an aircraft carrier. Do you have one?"

"..."

Netizens from other countries joined in the mockery.

South Korea netizens: "People of Great Xia, let's see if you dare to be arrogant in the future? Be careful, my Daddy Eagle Sauce might beat you up!"

Sakura Country netizens: "Yōshī! Great Xia Country, can you still defend your airspace?"

Fei Hou Country netizens: "Boss Eagle Sauce, take revenge for us!"

Facing the mockery from netizens of those countries.

Great Xia Country netizens were not eager to retaliate as they usually were, but were instead unusually calm.

"Hehe! Don't celebrate too soon, lest you put on a live performance of big fireworks right there!"

"Exactly. Getting excited before it even takes off? Be careful, extreme joy turns to sorrow."

"Even if you succeed in taking off, what good is it? Do you dare to come to our Great Xia Country?"

"..."