50s: Starting with a storage ring

Chapter 771 Borrowing a Car
"Besides, the Queen uses luxury cars every day and hasn't made any excessive demands. It's just a matter of one car. How can we not meet her needs?"

"However, you know the situation at home. The best limousine we have here at the diplomatic post is that Cadillac, which is a bit low-class."

"This has stumped the staff in charge of the reception preparations, because what we consider luxury cars are not even in the same league as the Queen's car."

“Our usual diplomatic vehicles are already considered to be of relatively high quality, but it is clear that those vehicles are not worthy of the Queen’s status.”

"Later, someone in the department found out that the Queen usually travels in the UK in a bulletproof Rolls-Royce."

"If we can find a similar bulletproof Rolls-Royce to use to receive the Queen, it will undoubtedly demonstrate how much importance we attach to her visit."

"So, the car model was decided to be a bulletproof Rolls-Royce. But now that things were at this point, where were they supposed to find a bulletproof Rolls-Royce?"

"So, this problem was reported to higher authorities. But the higher-ups couldn't just conjure up a bulletproof Rolls-Royce."

"Therefore, the leader asked everyone to brainstorm and think of solutions."

"However, they also stipulated that you can't buy them with your own money, you can only borrow them. Now, all the big and small leaders in the department are starting to use their ingenuity to find luxury cars from various sources."

After Lao Han finished speaking, Sun Zhiwei finally understood the reason for this small mission.

"So, when Leader Xu came up with the idea, he thought of me. Why didn't he think of me when he had such good tea?" Sun Zhiwei could only purse his lips after learning the whole story.

"Hahaha, Xu Yimin only has you as one of his top generals. If he doesn't go after you, who else can he go after?"

"I know something. Xu Yimin got some Da Hong Pao tea from his old boss. I heard he's hiding it very well and hasn't been willing to drink it."

"Just tell him that the rental fee for this car for one day is one qian of Da Hong Pao tea. If you have any extra, remember to bring me back one or two liang as well. I haven't tasted it in a long time."

“No problem, we’ll try our best to get all of Lao Xu’s quota for next year.” Sun Zhiwei smiled and gave Lao Han an “OK” sign.

"But speaking of which, Zhiwei, are you actually able to get your hands on that bulletproof Rolls-Royce?"

“If I can get one, I don’t even need to look outside. I have one right at home.”

“I brought my car with me when I came to Washington this time. I bought this car less than a year ago and I don’t use it much. It’s still a new car.”

"However, how do you plan to ship it back? It's too late to ship it by sea now."

Indeed, it's already the 3rd today. The Queen will visit on the 12th, and it won't take 9 days to reach Beijing by sea.

Old Han was happy to hear that he had a car, but Sun Zhiwei's words dampened his spirits.

Seeing his worried expression, Sun Zhiwei couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore. I'll go all the way. I just managed to snatch a C-141 from Java at the beginning of the month. I can use it to help you transport the car back."

"However, you need to apply for air traffic control coordination as soon as possible, time waits for no one."

"Moreover, even if the car is transported back, it will definitely need to undergo a full safety inspection, which will take time."

Old Han never expected that things would take such a turn for the better, and the person who raised the problem helped him solve it, so he quickly gave Sun Zhiwei a thumbs up.

“Zhiwei, I knew you had a way. I’ll apply for the airway and passage permits right away, and they should be ready by tomorrow at the latest.” “Great, I’ll have someone fly a C-141 transport plane from Subi Island overnight.”

He had already asked when he arrived. His two captains, one Russian and one American, were both former Air Force pilots, so they had no problem flying a common type of military transport plane.

In particular, the co-pilot and mechanic, Gene Julian, had previously flown C-141s in the American Air Force.

Although the aircraft Sun Zhiwei obtained was an improved model, the operating procedures were similar. Julian, as the main pilot, had no problem flying the plane from Subi Island to Washington.

The next morning, Sun Zhiwei drove his black bulletproof Rolls-Royce directly onto runway 3 at Washington National Airport, waiting for C-141 to land.

Just after 9 a.m., Sun Zhiwei saw the C-141 descending its altitude from inside the car.

Half an hour later, Sun Zhiwei picked up the two captains and arranged for them to rest at the company's hotel, while he himself boarded the C-141.

That's right, this time he plans to fly by himself. Of course, the route won't be a direct flight to mainland China; instead, his first destination will be Hong Kong Island.

After inspecting the aircraft, he opened the rear cabin door and drove the bulletproof Rolls-Royce that needed to be transported back into the belly of the plane.

The C-141 is a military strategic transport aircraft. As with any military aircraft, comfort is not an option; as long as the machine is reliable, that's all that matters.

Moreover, no one who boards this transport plane is there to enjoy themselves; most people are there for work or to temporarily use it for travel.

The rear cabin of the aircraft is actually very cramped. The claim that it can carry more than 100 soldiers actually refers to the maximum capacity under extreme conditions.

If it were to carry more than 100 people, the rear cabin would be packed with people, making it difficult to even stretch out one's legs.

After the car drove in, there wasn't much space left on either side.

To prevent the car from sliding forward or backward during flight and causing a collision, he used the cables provided in the cabin to completely secure the car's chassis to the metal floor, and then removed the license plates from the front and rear of the car.

At that time, outside the plane, airport staff were refueling the C-141. Once the vehicle was securely fastened, he returned to the front cabin to familiarize himself with the space inside the cockpit.

A few days ago, when he flew the C-141 back, it was at night, and the distance was so short, it was only a short flight of half an hour, so he didn't get a good look at the C-141.

This time he needs to fly for 12 hours straight, so he must prepare in advance.

Compared to passenger aircraft, the C-141's cockpit is very spacious, divided into two areas: the front is the pilot's and co-pilot's seats, and behind the pilot's seats are two side-mounted seats.

These two horizontally placed seats belong to the specialized radar and communications personnel, respectively.

Looking further back, there is a hatch on the left that is wide enough for one person, and three rest seats side by side on the right.

Above these three seats, there are two small beds, so that crew members can even take a nap when they change shifts.

Two hours later, the plane was fully fueled, and Sun Zhiwei began the final preparations for the flight.

Because he was going to fly to an altitude of 10,000 meters, he had to wear an anti-G suit. The oxygen mask was right above his head, and he could easily pull it down and put it on if necessary.

At 11 a.m. on the 4th, under the command of the control tower, C-141 roared into the sky and soared into the blue sky.

(End of this chapter)