Chapter 44: The Sixth Master Makes an Appearance

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Old Jia stood amidst the bustling crowd at the Eastern Airshow, his gaze drifting from one poised warplane to another. He noticed an intriguing phenomenon: the lineup of Chinese military aircraft was not only formidable but also exceptionally pleasing to the eye—each fighter was flanked by a striking female officer. These women were not only stunning but embodied both strength and grace.

“Could this be inspiration drawn from the car model industry? They certainly have more class than those voluptuous car show models!” Old Jia mused to himself. He recalled that last time at the airshow, such treatment was absent. It seemed the Chinese military was becoming more approachable and increasingly confident. These female officers radiated an extraordinary aura, their refreshing beauty and valiant bearing conveyed a surge of unprecedented positive energy.

Old Jia’s attention was soon captured by a H-6K bomber, standing proudly on its display platform like a silent guardian. Its sleek, sturdy lines and silver-gray paint shimmered sharply under the sunlight, exuding an undeniable sense of power. Missiles hung beneath its wings, like sharpened fangs ready to strike, underscoring its formidable offensive capability.

At that moment, a middle-aged woman approached the H-6K, selfie stick in hand. Dressed in a flamboyant blouse and wearing a warm smile, she was clearly live-streaming with her phone attached to the stick. Her eyes reflected both curiosity and reverence for the aircraft.

“What plane is this?” she asked Old Jia.

“H-6K,” he replied.

The woman quickly pulled up some notes on her phone about the H-6K, then set the bomber as her backdrop and began reciting her script like a seasoned commentator. Her voice and images streamed to countless fans, spreading awareness of the bomber’s majesty and power.

“Dear viewers, the plane before me is the domestically developed H-6K strategic bomber,” her voice carried a hint of excitement, her eyes shining with respect. “Known as the ‘God of War,’ the H-6K is the pride of our Air Force. It boasts a long range and heavy payload capacity, capable of executing long-distance strike missions. The H-6 series has served the Chinese Air Force for over half a century, spawning many variants, with the H-6K being one of the most renowned improvements. Due to its long history and crucial role, enthusiasts affectionately call it ‘Master Six.’”

She continued, “The H-6K is not only imposing in appearance but also top-tier in performance. Its maximum range reaches 9,000 kilometers, covering the entire Asian region and beyond. Its payload is astonishing, capable of carrying various missile types, including air-to-ground, air-to-air missiles, and precision-guided bombs.”

Her passionate live broadcast attracted an ever-growing crowd. Though her explanations lacked technical jargon, they were easy to understand, allowing ordinary spectators to grasp the H-6K’s might. Old Jia found himself captivated by her vivid storytelling, surprised that an ordinary middle-aged woman could bring the H-6K to life so compellingly—she probably had millions of followers.

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“Did you know?” the woman’s voice suddenly rose with enthusiasm, “the H-6K also achieved a remarkable feat. In 2015, it crossed the first island chain, flew over the Bashi Channel, and left the Chinese Air Force’s mark in the western Pacific for the first time. This mission set records for the farthest forward deployment of the Air Force at the time, demonstrating the H-6K’s long-range strike capability and strategic deterrence.”

Her livestream continued, infecting everyone present with her zeal. Old Jia felt a warm surge within; this was more than just an airshow—it was a nationwide military education event. These great national assets had never been so close to ordinary citizens, making the power of the motherland tangible and the rise of China unmistakably real.

As her broadcast ended, the crowd slowly dispersed, but the woman’s warm, passionate voice and the imposing figure of the H-6K remained etched in everyone’s mind.

Several electric carts rolled slowly into the exhibition area, stirring a small commotion. Passengers dressed in pristine white robes and vibrant headscarves, their eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses filled with curiosity and interest. The crowd erupted with chatter; someone pointed and shouted, “Look, look, the Saudi tycoons have arrived!”

Before the words faded, another voice corrected, “Don’t be silly, that’s the UAE delegation. Their headscarves are white; Saudi’s are red checkered.” This sparked more laughter, and someone joked, “Who cares if they’re red or white? They’re all major buyers of our Chinese military aircraft.”

The laughter grew louder. A man with graying hair wearing an Aviation Industry Corporation uniform remarked, “You all just focus on the headscarves, but I bet they’re here to buy planes. Our aircraft are becoming more and more popular.” His comment resonated with those around him, nodding in agreement.

A young woman excitedly pulled out her phone, snapping photos of the “tycoons,” saying, “I’m posting this on my social feed with the caption ‘Tycoon buyers’ invasion—our planes are going global!’” Her words prompted a burst of laughter, and others eagerly fished out their phones to capture the amusing scene.

Another young woman suddenly shouted, “Do you think these tycoons will also brag about how many planes they bought on social media, like we do during Double Eleven sales?” This drew even louder laughter, with someone teasing, “The Eastern Airshow is like the Middle East’s Double Eleven; they’re probably competing on who buys the most!”

A middle-aged man added, “Saudi even set up a 300-square-meter exhibition hall here, empty except for a golden coffee pot, saying it’s ‘reserved space,’ just waiting to be filled. Judging by this, they can’t wait to pack everything up and take it home once the show ends.” His remark sparked another round of laughter as everyone enjoyed the lighthearted atmosphere the airshow had created.

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Old Jia, caught up in the joyful mood, watched the exuberant crowd and felt a warmth rise in his heart. Not only were the planes world-class, but the Chinese humorists were unparalleled. Well, that’s the charm of China’s profound culture!

Near the J-10C fighter, a group of foreign military personnel in uniform queued to climb the ladder and take turns experiencing the cockpit. Some Chinese spectators outside the barrier were less pleased. A young man with a crew cut complained to a female officer, “Those foreign soldiers get to sit in it—can we try? I really want to feel what it’s like inside the J-10C.”

The female officer smiled politely and said, “Sorry, they’re here to buy the planes.”

Laughter erupted from the crowd; some heckled, “Buy a J-10C yourself, then you can try sitting in it.”

The young man self-deprecatingly replied, “I can’t afford that plane. It probably costs a small target, right?”

Another asked the officer, “Are they from Pakistan or the Arab world?”

Before she could answer, someone else joked, “Are you Indian or Israeli? What do you mean by asking a panda that?”

The crowd burst into laughter again. Old Jia chuckled too, thinking: This really is a professional event—all talk is military jargon. It’s a paradise for military enthusiasts! When public days come and groups of children flood in, won’t it turn into a grand carnival? But then again, isn’t patriotic education best started from childhood? And isn’t the call for a strong scientific and technological nation the most powerful anthem of our times?