Chapter 137: Setting the Bar So High for Poaching Talent

“I am very grateful to Mr. Yang Sen for making such a commitment...” Zhao Guoyang shifted the microphone slightly closer to himself to ensure his voice was clearer.

“In fact, the working principle of the load-sensing proportioning valve is not complicated. It uses the change in distance between the vehicle body and the axle—caused by external forces—to adjust the preload on the spring. As the vehicle load increases, the valve correspondingly adjusts so that under any load condition, an approximately ideal braking force distribution is achieved.”

Zhao Guoyang gestured casually. “This device is usually installed in the pipeline between the master brake cylinder and the rear wheel brake calipers. It consists of a housing, plunger, valve, spring, and other components. The oil inlet port of the housing communicates with the outlet port of the master cylinder, while the outlet port connects to the wheel brake calipers.”

“When the external force is small, the plunger of the load-sensing proportioning valve is pushed to the far right by the spring preload. At this point, the two ports are connected, and the pressures between the master and slave cylinders are equal.”

“When the external force exceeds the spring preload, it pushes the plunger to the left, causing it to contact and close the valve, cutting off the channel from the master to the slave cylinder.”

“As the external force changes, the proportioning valve repeatedly adjusts the hydraulic pressure of the slave cylinder, continuously regulating the braking force on the rear wheels.”

Perhaps feeling that more detail was warranted, Zhao Guoyang smiled and added, “Currently, the load-sensing proportioning valve is mostly limited to use in racing cars and limited-edition supercars. These vehicles require high sensitivity in their braking systems, and the valve’s sensing is much clearer.”

He paused briefly before continuing, “Volkswagen Group’s intention to use this technology in mass-produced cars is undoubtedly an innovation. Therefore, Mr. Thomas’s pride just now is understandable.”

“In this regard, Volkswagen Group truly lives up to its longstanding motto of ‘Always a Step Ahead,’” Zhao Guoyang concluded diplomatically.

His explanation was logical, well-founded, and easy to understand.

Thanks to his clear and straightforward presentation, almost all the knowledgeable guests at the conference grasped the concept.

After his explanation, Yang Sen’s eyes widened in amazement, his mouth opening as if he could swallow an ostrich egg.

The representatives from major international automakers like Volvo and General Motors exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of disbelief and astonishment.

As for Yuji Masao from Honda, his eyes gleamed with excitement as he whispered eagerly to Okamoto beside him.

After a long moment, Yang Sen finally regained his composure.

He smiled wryly, showing genuine admiration as he said to Zhao Guoyang, “Mr. Zhao, you truly exceeded all expectations. Your presentation just now was textbook material—worthy even of Karlsruhe University.”

Yang Sen’s words clearly conveyed his satisfaction with Zhao Guoyang’s response.

“Now, regarding the issue of the technical equity distribution between Volkswagen Group and Songqi Group...” Zhao Guoyang cheerfully seized the opportunity to press forward.

Thomas, who had been silent for a while, decisively spoke up, “Mr. Zhao, rest assured that Minister Yang’s words represent my position as well.”

With that, Thomas walked over to Mao Zhichun, shaking his hand with deep feeling. “Mr. Mao, please forgive my previous arrogance. In truth, your Songqi Group’s technical department has long been underestimated.”

He then solemnly continued, “Don’t worry, Mr. Mao. As agreed earlier, once we expand cooperation, we will allocate our technical shares according to a new distribution method.”

“As for the exact ratio, we will study it in detail after this meeting. But in any case, your Songqi Group’s share won’t fall below 20%. How does that sound?”

“That’s excellent!” Mao Zhichun exclaimed, shaking hands enthusiastically.

Seeing the matter settled, Zhao Guoyang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, he had been somewhat worried earlier—not that he feared failing to impress Yang Sen on technical grounds, but that he might have overstepped and spoken prematurely.

Fortunately, Yang Sen hadn’t been overly demanding; the question he asked, though sounding complex, was just within Zhao Guoyang’s comfortable grasp, saving him much trouble.

Just as Zhao Guoyang was about to hand the microphone back to the staff, Clark, the Chief Executive Officer of General Motors’ International Operations, seated in the VIP section, immediately stood and took the microphone.

“Mr. Zhao Guoyang, may I ask where you are currently employed? Would you be interested in joining General Motors?”

Zhao Guoyang cast a somewhat wary glance at this sudden proposition.

Noticing his slight surprise, Clark beamed, “Mr. Zhao, rest assured, if you come to General Motors, you can work directly in the Technical Department’s research lab, enjoying the待遇 of a Master Technical Specialist (MTS), with opportunities to engage in project management.”

Clark’s invitation caused an uproar throughout the hall.

In foreign companies, becoming a Master Technical Specialist is the highest engineering rank.

This means Zhao Guoyang would bypass junior and senior engineer ranks entirely, jumping straight to the top.

Moreover, Clark implied that with excellent performance, Zhao Guoyang could be promoted to project manager at any time—a level many engineers never reach in their entire careers.

At this, the faces of other automotive industry leaders in attendance darkened.

Many silently grumbled, “Those Americans really are straightforward and blunt, without any subtlety or strategy. By setting the bar this high from the start, how are we supposed to recruit talent now?”

Just as the room’s mood wavered, Yuji Masao rose once more. Fixing his gaze on Zhao Guoyang, he spoke solemnly, “Mr. Zhao Guoyang, on behalf of Honda’s Technical Headquarters, I sincerely invite you to join our team.”

“If you agree, you can complete the procedures as early as tomorrow and enjoy待遇 equivalent to that of a department head.”

“Ah! Department head待遇!” Zhao Siyuan, sitting beside Zhao Guoyang, couldn’t help but cover her mouth in surprise.

In Japanese companies, hierarchy and待遇 are very strict.

From lowest-level employees to section chiefs, department managers, deputy general managers, and finally department heads.

The department head is the highest among mid-level executives.

One step above would be the full or deputy general manager of the headquarters—the level of Yuji Masao himself.

It’s worth noting that in the early 1990s,待遇 in Japanese companies was ten, even dozens or hundreds of times higher than in China.

At a mega-corporation like Honda, a department head’s annual salary easily exceeded $100,000, even before adjusting for inflation.

Now, Zhao Guoyang was facing such a sincere and enticing offer—how would he respond?