Chapter 135: Technology of the Load-Sensing Mechanism in Braking Systems

The conversation between Zhao Guoyang and Thomas, once translated, immediately riveted the attention of everyone in the hall. The entire audience was consumed by curiosity: who exactly was this young man with such an audacious tone, and how did he dare speak to a vice president of the prestigious Volkswagen Group in such a manner?

When Zhao Guoyang announced his intention to engage in a technical discussion with Mr. Jansen, the head of Volkswagen's technical department, the room fell into a dead silence. All eyes shifted toward Jansen, who was sitting in the audience.

"Mr. Jansen, what do you think..." Thomas had already risen and walked over to Jansen’s side. Although he had great confidence in Jansen's abilities, he felt a flicker of unease when he met Zhao Guoyang’s gaze, which was brimming with self-assurance.

Unlike the anxious Thomas, Jansen remained quite composed. He offered a reassuring look at Thomas and said, "Don't worry, Vice President Thomas. Leave it to me."

Thomas nodded and watched as Jansen stepped onto the stage. Upon arriving, Jansen first bowed to the attendees before turning his gaze to Zhao Guoyang. "Sir," he began, "judging by your tone, I assume you also have a background in engineering."

"While your tone was a bit bold, technical engineers are often known for their intellectual arrogance, so I don't take your remarks personally. However, you claimed that the Volkswagen Group does not hold an absolute advantage in technology. I find that puzzling. On what grounds do you make such a statement?"

As Jansen’s words were translated, the attendees sharpened their focus, clearly eager to see the basis for this young man’s brazen claims.

Zhao Guoyang held the microphone in one hand and raised a finger. "Mr. Jansen, before I answer that, I would like to ask you a question." He glanced at Thomas, who had since taken a seat, and asked clearly, "Mr. Thomas just stated that Volkswagen has begun applying load-sensing brake system technology to its new models, claiming it is a world first for automotive manufacturers. I would like to ask you, sir: is this technology truly an original innovation of the Volkswagen Group?"

Jansen’s expression stiffened. He cast an awkward glance toward Thomas and replied with a somewhat strained tone, "This... it is indeed not." He added, "Vice President Thomas may have misspoken; he likely intended to say that this is the first time the technology has been applied to a mass-produced global vehicle model."

Zhao Guoyang offered a non-committal hum and switched the microphone to his left hand. "I see. Mr. Jansen is indeed an engineer at heart; you are far more candid than Mr. Thomas." Zhao Guoyang shot a mocking sidelong glance at Thomas. "The reason I challenged Mr. Thomas is that I have some knowledge of load-sensing brake system technology. If I recall correctly, the first application of this technology in an automobile was in the McLaren F1. Am I correct, Mr. Jansen?"

Thomas’s face turned pale with fury at the pointed, stinging remark. He had spoken in a moment of enthusiasm, underestimating the expertise of those present, and now, being slapped in the face so bluntly by Zhao Guoyang, he was predictably agitated.

Unlike Thomas’s embarrassment, Jansen’s face displayed genuine astonishment. In his mind, China was a backward nation just beginning its automotive journey at a very rudimentary stage. He assumed that even basic technologies were poorly understood here, let alone the latest advancements. After all, if the Santana—a model on the verge of obsolescence at Volkswagen—could still sell well here, how could he possibly take the local technical personnel seriously? Yet, this young man had not only pinpointed the history of the technology’s global application but appeared to have a deep understanding of it as well. It was baffling to Jansen.

Seeing that his verbal strike had dampened the momentum of the two Volkswagen guests, Zhao Guoyang pressed his advantage. "In fact, it is not just this technology; Volkswagen cannot claim uniqueness in many other new applications. At the very least, there are several car manufacturers globally that can compete with you. Therefore, I disagree with Mr. Thomas’s assertion that Volkswagen holds an absolute technological advantage in its partnership with Songqi Group. The reason is simple: as far as I know, the technical department at Songqi Group has a grasp of load-sensing braking technology that is not inferior to that of Volkswagen..."

After finishing, Zhao Guoyang winked at Mao Zhichun, the Chairman of Songqi Group, who was seated in the front row. The implication was clear: he needed Mao to play along.

"Yes, yes! Little Zhao is correct; our Songqi Group has indeed conducted research into this technology," Mao Zhichun said, forcing himself to speak into the microphone as the eyes of the entire room converged upon him. In truth, this was the first time Mao had ever heard of "load-sensing brake systems." But trapped by the circumstances, he had no choice but to commit to the lie.

Mao hoped to sit down quickly to avoid further questioning, fearing that an expert from one of the international car companies might push for technical details he couldn't possibly provide.

As the saying goes, one’s greatest fear is often realized. No sooner had Mao sat down in trepidation than a guest raised his hand. The guest spoke in Japanese, and after a series of "Hai" and "Sō ka," the translator relayed the question: "Hello, Chairman Mao. I am Aso Yuji from the technical department of Honda. I have a few questions regarding load-sensing brake system technology, and I hope this gentleman under your employ will be so kind as to enlighten us."

As the translator finished, all eyes turned back to Zhao Guoyang, who remained standing on stage. In the audience, Zhao Siyan had long since identified the translator and the man sitting next to her, Mr. Okamoto. There was no doubt that they, along with Aso Yuji, were targeting Zhao Guoyang.

Mao Zhichun’s heart pounded as the question was posed. He struggled to steady his nerves and replied with a guilty conscience, "Mr. Aso, you are mistaken. Comrade Zhao Guoyang is not actually a member of our Songqi Group. Therefore, I am not in a position to direct him to answer your questions. Please forgive me..."

A gasp of astonishment rippled through the hall.