yournovel Chapter 140 Customized Gifts
Chapter 140 Customized Gifts
Chapter 140 Customized Gifts
At 6:30 p.m. on May 27, a long line had already formed outside the famous "SaltLick" Texas BBQ restaurant in downtown Austin.
The air is filled with the rich aroma of oak smoke and roasted meat, mixed with the malty scent of beer, making your mouth water even before you step inside.
Musk booked the largest private room, called the "Longhorn Cow Room," which features a huge Longhorn bull head specimen on the wall, as well as vintage Western firearms and cowboy saddles as decorations.
The log table can seat twelve people and is covered with a red and white checkered oilcloth, giving it a rugged and unrestrained feel.
When Jiang Yu and his group arrived, two Tesla executives were already waiting: CTOJB Straubel, a German engineer with glasses and thinning hair; and CFO Deepak Ahuja, an Indian, with a serious expression but shrewd eyes.
Both of them were dressed casually, creating an interesting contrast with Jiang Yu's team, who were dressed in suits.
"Jiang! Welcome to the real Texas!" Musk introduced with a smile, looking like an adventurer from a Western movie in his faded jeans and cowboy boots.
"Elon, this place is really unique." Jiang Yu looked around. "I've eaten a lot of barbecue in Los Angeles, but this one looks...more authentic."
"It has to be authentic!" Musk patted him on the shoulder. "In Texas, barbecue isn't just food, it's culture! Come on, sit down, let's have a good meal today!"
Everyone took their seats.
Musk took the seat of honor without any hesitation; Jiang Yu sat to his right, and Chen Jingming sat to his left.
JB and Deepak sat on either side.
The waiter was a burly Texas man with a thick beard and a loud voice: "Good evening, everyone! Today's specials are 18-hour slow-roasted brisket, honey-glazed ribs, and a spicy sausage platter, accompanied by grilled corn, grilled beans, and cold cabbage salad."
We have local Austin pale and stout beer. What would you like?
"One of everything, please! And two beers each!" Musk waved his hand generously. "Today we celebrate the rebirth of Tesla!"
"Alright!" The middle-aged man grinned, revealing a smile that showed he was missing a front tooth. "Coming right away!"
While waiting for the food to be served, Musk pulled a small gadget out of his backpack: a silver metal car key with a futuristic design.
"Jiang, this is for you." He pushed the keys in front of Jiang Yu. "The keys to a Tesla Roadster. The car has been delivered to Los Angeles. It's red, the 108th production unit, very meaningful."
Jiang Yu picked up the key.
It's very light, with a simple design and Tesla's "T" logo in the center.
"Thanks, Elon. But... are you just going to keep your car keys with you all the time?"
"Of course!" Musk said matter-of-factly. "I was thinking of giving it to you directly today when we meet. It saves me the trouble of mailing it and worrying about it getting lost. Do you know how rare this car is? There are fewer than two hundred in the whole world!"
Chen Jingming muttered to himself, "This style... is very Musk-like."
Wang Wei couldn't help but laugh.
Soon, the food arrived.
A huge wooden tray almost filled the entire table, piled high with a mountain of roasted meat.
The beef brisket was grilled to a perfect crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, the ribs were brushed with a glistening honey sauce, and the sausages were sizzling with oil.
The side dishes were also served in large platters, in a hearty and unpretentious manner.
"In Texas, there are rules for eating barbecue," Musk said seriously, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "First, no knives and forks, just your hands. Second, drink your beer in big gulps. Third, you can't leave until you've finished your meal; it's a sign of respect for the chef."
JB added with a laugh, "Elon, don't scare the guests. Just eat normally."
"I'm serious!" Musk's eyes widened as he picked up a rib and took a huge bite, juices dripping from his mouth. "See, that's it!"
Jiang Yu smiled and followed suit, picking up a piece of rib.
Indeed, it tastes even better when eaten directly with your hands.
The beer arrived, a large glass of local pale ale, topped with fine foam.
"For the future of Tesla!" Musk raised his glass, "and for our new partners, Jiang and Light Chaser Investment!"
Cheers! "
"Cheers!" Everyone raised their glasses.
After a few drinks, the atmosphere became even more lively.
Musk then moved on to his favorite part: preaching.
"Many people ask me, Elon, why did you make Tesla? Why did you make electric cars?" He put down his glass, leaned forward, and looked on with burning passion. "I told them: It's not about making money, although making money is important too. It's about changing the world."
He picked up a napkin, wiped his hands, and began gesturing on the table: "Look, the three major problems facing humanity today are energy, transportation, and the environment. Energy relies on fossil fuels, which is unsustainable; transportation relies on gasoline-powered vehicles, which are inefficient and polluting; and the environment is being damaged, leading to climate change."
"But there are solutions to these problems." His voice rose. "Solar energy! Batteries! Electric vehicles! It's a perfect closed loop; the sun gives us unlimited energy, we store it in batteries, and use electric motors to power vehicles. Clean, efficient, and sustainable!"
Deepak added data at the opportune moment: "According to our calculations, if all cars in the United States were replaced with electric vehicles, it could reduce carbon emissions by 20 billion tons and save 3000 billion gallons of gasoline each year."
"And the cost will keep decreasing," JB continued. "Battery prices will drop by 15% every year, and solar panel prices will drop by 20% every year. In five years, the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles will be lower than that for gasoline vehicles. In ten years, gasoline vehicles will be relics, just like horse-drawn carriages."
Musk nodded vigorously: "Exactly! Just like horse-drawn carriages! Think about it, a hundred years ago, people traveled by horse-drawn carriages. Then cars appeared, faster, more comfortable, and cheaper. In just two thousand years, horse-drawn carriages were obsolete. Now, it's electric cars' turn to replace gasoline cars!"
He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, pacing back and forth in the private room: "What Tesla is trying to do is what Ford did a hundred years ago—turn new technology into mass-market consumer products. The Roadster proved the concept, the Model S opened up the market, and then there will be even cheaper models... Ultimately, everyone will be able to drive an electric car!"
Jiang Yu listened quietly, occasionally eating something.
He could feel Musk's passion, that genuine, burning enthusiasm, which wasn't feigned.
Such people either change the world or burn themselves to ashes.
"Elon," Jiang Yu asked after Musk calmed down a bit, "what's next after Tesla? What are the plans?"
Musk's eyes shone even brighter, like searchlights in the night: "Tesla is just the first step. The second step is SolarCity, my cousin's company, which makes solar roofs and home batteries. The third step..."
He took a deep breath, lowered his voice, as if sharing a huge secret: "It's about making humanity a multi-planetary species."
The private room was quiet for a few seconds, and even Chen Jingming, who was gnawing on ribs, stopped what he was doing.
"Multi-planetary...you mean space?" Wang Wei asked cautiously.
"Yes! Space!" Musk's voice rose again. "Earth is too fragile! An asteroid, a supervolcanic eruption, a nuclear war... human civilization could be destroyed. If we can establish bases on other planets, humanity will have a backup. This is the most basic risk management!"
He walked to the window, pointed to the night sky: "Look, the universe is so vast, with hundreds of billions of galaxies, each containing hundreds of billions of stars. Are we really confined to this tiny blue dot? That's not right! We must go out! We must explore! We must colonize!"
These words sounded like the opening lines of a science fiction novel, and no one in the room laughed.
Because the person speaking is serious, and he has already invested his entire fortune in it.
"How is SpaceX progressing?" Jiang Yu asked.
"Fantastic!" Musk returned to his seat, but couldn't sit still, gesturing excitedly. "We just won a $16 billion commercial resupply services contract from NASA! Starting next year, we'll be using spacecraft to deliver supplies to the International Space Station! This is the first time in history that a private company has undertaken such a mission!"
He took a sip of his beer and continued, "And it's not just about cargo transport, we also want to make it manned! The manned version of the spacecraft is already under development, with a target maiden flight in 2015. Then, astronauts will be able to go to space aboard SpaceX spacecraft, no longer needing to rely on Russia's Soyuz; those things are too expensive, $7000 million per seat!"
Chen Jingming, true to his profession, started doing the math: "How much does a seat at SpaceX cost?"
"A target price of $2000 million," Musk said without hesitation. "And this is just the beginning. Once the rockets become reusable, the cost will drop even further! To $500 million, $100 million... Eventually, everyone will be able to go to space!"
"Everyone?" Li Ming's eyes widened. "Like flying on an airplane?"
"Yes! Like flying in an airplane!" Musk nodded vigorously. "Of course, not tomorrow, it might take ten or twenty years. But this is the direction! Space shouldn't be the sole domain of governments and the wealthy; it should be open to everyone!"
Jiang Yu interjected at the opportune moment: "Elon, is SpaceX currently short of investment?"
Musk paused for a moment, then looked at Jiang Yu, his eyes turning serious: "We don't need it for now. The advance payment from NASA's contract has arrived, and combined with previous financing, it can last for several years. However..."
He hesitated for a moment: "In the long run, if we want to develop reusable rockets and land on Mars... we'll need even more money. A lot of money. Maybe billions, or even tens of billions."
"If SpaceX needs its next round of funding," Jiang Yu looked directly into Musk's eyes, "please consider me first."
These words were spoken calmly, and the private room fell silent once more.
Musk stared at Jiang Yu for a long time before slowly speaking, "Jiang, are you sure? In the space industry... nine out of ten companies will fail. Virgin Galactic has been working on it for ten years and hasn't even had a formal commercial flight yet. Blue Origin has burned through billions and is still testing suborbital flights. And what we have to do is even harder than them: orbital flight, docking with a space station, and even landing on Mars."
"I know," Jiang Yu nodded. "But I also know that you are the only person who understands technology, management, and has boundless passion. If even you can't do it, then no one in this era can."
Musk paused for a few seconds, then raised his glass: "Cheers to dreamers."
"Cheers."
The two clinked glasses and drank it all in one gulp.
During the dinner that followed, Musk spoke in more detail about SpaceX's technological breakthroughs.
From the four failed launches of Falcon 1 to its eventual success, from the development of the Merlin engine to the design of Falcon 9, from the concept of the Dragon spacecraft to the Mars colonization plan...
He spoke professionally and with great enthusiasm, JB occasionally adding technical details, and Deepak provided financial data.
The three of them worked together seamlessly, like a well-trained band.
Jiang Yu listened attentively, asking questions from time to time.
He discovered that Musk was not only a visionary but also a top-notch engineer; he could memorize every technical parameter, draw structural diagrams of rockets, and explain the most complex physical principles.
Dinner lasted until 9:30 p.m.
When they left the restaurant, everyone was so full they could barely walk.
“Next time you come to Texas,” Musk patted his bulging belly, “I’ll take you boar hunting. Wild boars are rampant in Texas, hunting is legal, and it’s quite challenging.”
"Wild boar?" Wang Wei's face turned pale.
"Don't be afraid, I'll protect you!" Musk laughed. "I'm a great shot!"
On the way back to the hotel, Chen Jingming sighed in the car, "Now I understand why Musk can attract so many followers. When he speaks, you really believe every word he says, even if it sounds like a fantasy."
"That's leadership charisma." Jiang Yu looked out the window at the Austin night view. "He can see a future that others can't, and he has absolute confidence that he can achieve it. There's only one in ten thousand people like that."
"But the risks are too great—" Chen Jingming was still worried. "He's running three high-tech companies at the same time, all of them huge cash burners. Tesla is losing money, SpaceX is burning money, and SolarCity is burning money too. What if the funding chain breaks..."
"So we need to diversify our investments," Jiang Yu said. "Tesla and SpaceX are one part, Hollywood is another, and the domestic market is yet another. And I believe Musk can pull through. He has that kind of... indomitable resilience."
Back at the hotel, Jiang Yu received a video call request from Liu Yifei.
After the call connected, her face, covered by a face mask, appeared on the screen.
"Did you have dinner with Musk?" Her muffled voice came from under the face mask. "Was it fun?"
"It was fun," Jiang Yu laughed. "I ate authentic Texas barbecue and listened to two hours of interstellar colonization plans."
"Interstellar colonization?" Liu Yifei ripped off her face mask, revealing a surprised face. "Weren't you talking about car investment? How did you get onto interstellar colonization?"
"Because Musk doesn't just make cars, he also makes rockets," Jiang Yu explained simply. "He wants humans to colonize Mars."
Liu Yifei's eyes widened: "Mars? That red planet? Really?"
"Really. And he's very serious about it; he's already doing it."
"Wow..." Liu Yifei exclaimed, "You men all have such grand ambitions. One wants to change the world by making special effects, one wants to change the world by building cars, and one wants to immigrate to Mars to change the world... Is Earth not big enough for you all?"
Jiang Yu was amused by her: "The Earth can accommodate us, but we want to see a bigger world."
"Okay, okay, you guys are amazing." Liu Yifei pouted. "By the way, I was suspended by wires and flying around today, and I filmed a really cool action scene. The director praised my talent and said I could be an action star."
"Then be careful not to get hurt."
"Okay! You too, be careful in Texas."
"I will. Good night."
"Good night."
After hanging up the video call, Jiang Yu walked to the window.
The nights in Austin are quieter than in Los Angeles, and the starry sky is clearer.
He could see the three belt stars of Orion, and Sirius twinkling in the south.
He recalled Musk's words: "Make humanity a multi-planetary species."
What a crazy dream, what a grand ambition.
On Friday, May 28th, at 9:00 AM, the meeting room at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin was already set up.
The conference room is large and can accommodate fifty people.
Ahead was a signing table covered with a dark blue tablecloth, on which lay three thick investment agreements.
Behind them was the media area, where more than a dozen media outlets had already set up their cameras: mainly automotive media such as Automotive News and The Detroit News, technology media such as Wired and MIT Technology Review, and local media such as The Austin Chronicle.
Jiang Yu and his group arrived twenty minutes early.
Chen Jingming checked the agreement again, confirming every clause.
"Mr. Jiang, everything has been confirmed." He pushed the agreement over. "Page 7, Article 3, regarding the exclusive cooperation in the Chinese market; Page 12, Article 5, priority for the next round of financing; Page 18, Article 8, board seat arrangements... all are fine."
"Where are the people from Daimler?" Jiang Yu asked.
"They've arrived and are in the lounge next door," Wang Wei reported. "The three representatives are: Investment Director Hans Muller, Technical Director Carl Schmidt, and Legal Counsel Anna Weber. They were all sent directly from the German headquarters."
At 9:15, Jiang Yu went to the next lounge to say hello.
The three Germans were already drinking coffee.
A typical German elite, impeccably dressed, well-mannered, and with a serious expression.
"Good morning, Mr. Jiang." Hans Müller stood up and shook hands. He was in his fifties, with his silver hair neatly combed. His English, spoken with a German accent, was very standard. "Congratulations on your collaboration with Disney. We saw it in the news. It's remarkable."
"Mr. Muller, it's a pleasure to meet you," Jiang Yu replied with a smile. "Daimler is a benchmark in the automotive industry, and it's an honor for us to invest in Tesla together with you."
"We are primarily attracted to Tesla's technology," Hans stated frankly, "especially its battery management system and electronic control technology. Daimler is developing hybrid and electric vehicles and needs advanced solutions. Tesla is a leader in this area."
Technical Director Carl Schmidt nodded and added, "We conducted a detailed technical evaluation. Tesla's battery thermal management system is excellent, ensuring safety and performance under extreme conditions. The motor control algorithm is also advanced, with 5% higher efficiency than our current solution."
Typical German: meticulous, pragmatic, and data-driven.
At 9:30, Musk and his Tesla team arrived on time.
He was wearing a suit today, which was unusual for him. It was dark blue and well-tailored, but his hair was a bit messy, as if he had been forced to sit in a barbershop chair to get it fixed.
"Good morning, everyone!" Musk said energetically. "Thank you all for gathering here on this important day! Today is not only a financing agreement for Tesla, but also a milestone in the history of electric vehicles!"
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the three parties took their seats.
Tesla sat on the left, Daimler on the right, and Jiang Yu's Light Chaser Investment sat in the middle, after all, they were the lead investor.
The signing ceremony officially began with Tesla's legal counsel reading out the key points of the agreement.
"...The total investment is $1 million, with Light Chaser Investment Ltd. investing $6000 million and Daimler AG investing $4000 million. The post-investment valuation is $5 million...Light Chaser Investment acquired a 12% stake, and Daimler acquired an 8% stake...Tesla's board of directors gained two additional seats, appointed by Light Chaser Investment and Daimler respectively..."
The sound of camera shutters clicking was constant in the media area.
After the reading was completed, Musk was the first to sign.
Then it's Jiang Yu.
He signed his name in Chinese, "Jiang Yu," with neat and clear handwriting.
Finally, there's Hans Müller.
He signed his name in German, "HansMuller," stroke by stroke, with utmost care.
After signing, the three parties shook hands.
Musk, holding Jiang Yu's hand with his left and Hans's with his right, flashed a bright smile at the camera: "Now, we're family! For the future of electric cars!"
"For the future!" Jiang Yu and Hans said in unison.
The camera flashed wildly, capturing this historic moment.
After the signing ceremony, we moved on to the Q&A session with the media.
The reporters were already eager to get started.
The first question went straight to the point: "Mr. Musk, Tesla's annual sales are currently less than 1000 vehicles, and it's still operating at a significant loss. How long can this $1 million sustain operations? Will it be enough until the Model S is launched?"
Musk answered confidently: "That's enough. In fact, the Model S is 80% complete, and the prototype will be rolling off the production line next month. We expect to begin deliveries in mid-2012, with a first-year sales target of 2 units."
"20,000 vehicles? Isn't that too optimistic? The total annual sales of electric vehicles in the entire United States are less than 1,000 vehicles."
"That's because existing electric cars are compromises," Musk bluntly stated. "Short range, poor performance, ugly design. The Model S is different; it has a range of 300 miles, accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, and was designed by a former Mazda designer."
It's not an electric car; it's a better car that just happens to be electrically powered.
Another reporter asked Jiang Yu, "Mr. Jiang, as an investor in the entertainment industry, why did you venture into investing in a car company? Are you familiar with the automotive industry?"
Jiang Yu was well-prepared: "First, investment doesn't discriminate by industry; it only looks at trends and the team. Second, I believe the automotive industry is facing an unprecedented transformation, from gasoline to electric, from driving to intelligence. Tesla is at the forefront of this revolution."
"But Tesla is very risky; it might fail..."
"All revolutionary innovations carry significant initial risks," Jiang Yu smiled. "If you wait until the risks diminish, the opportunity is gone. Those who invested in Ford Motor Company in 1903 were considered madmen; why use a gasoline car that could explode when horse-drawn carriages are so much better?"
The reporter wanted to ask further questions, but the host had already moved on to the next question, asking about Daimler.
"Mr. Muller, does Daimler's investment in Tesla, as a traditional automotive giant, mean they are admitting they are falling behind in the electric vehicle field?"
Hans answered tactfully: "The automotive industry is constantly evolving. Daimler has a 125-year history, from the first car to the first diesel car, and then to the first fuel cell car... We have always embraced new technologies. Investing in Tesla is a strategic partnership, a powerful combination; Daimler's manufacturing experience, Tesla's innovative technology."
The press conference lasted for forty minutes.
Afterwards, Musk winked at Jiang Yu: "Good answer. I especially liked the Ford example."
Jiang Yu smiled: "I'm telling the truth."
At noon, Musk arranged lunch at the hotel restaurant.
This time there are fewer people, only the three core personnel.
During the meal, Jiang Yu thought of Liu Yifei's pink Mercedes.
"Elon, Hans," he began, "I personally would like to order two cars."
.
Both of them looked over.
"Mercedes-Benz G65s," Jiang Yu said. "Two. One black, for me. The other pink, with a custom interior, Hello Kitty themed, for my girlfriend."
After these words were spoken, the table fell silent for a few seconds.
Then Musk slammed his fist on the table and laughed: "Hahaha! Jiang! You're hilarious! Ordering a Mercedes at the Tesla signing party! And a pink Hello Kitty one at that!"
Hans smiled, but more restrained: "Mr. Jiang, welcome to your Mercedes-Benz ownership. The G65 is our top-of-the-line off-road vehicle, with a 6.0-liter V12 twin-turbocharged engine producing 612 horsepower—truly a performance monster. However, the pink color... might require a special customization."
"Can you customize it?" Jiang Yu asked.
"Yes," Hans nodded. "We offer 'Bespoke' services to meet clients' personalized needs. It's just that the price will be higher, and it requires about six months of production time."
"Money isn't an issue, and we can wait," Jiang Yu said. "The key is that it has to be special and cute; that's what my girlfriend likes."
Musk was still laughing: "Jiang, you should order a Tesla for your girlfriend! A pink Tesla! I'll have it custom-made for you!"
"Definitely next time," Jiang Yu said with a smile. "This time, I'll go with the Mercedes. As for Hans, regarding the discount..."
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Hans thought for a moment: "Since we're partners and major clients... 15% off. That's the best I can offer. Also, if you're interested, I can arrange for you to visit the factory in Stuttgart, Germany, test drive the G65, and see the interior customization process."
"Okay, thank you in advance." Jiang Yu raised his glass, "To German craftsmanship and romantic sentiment, cheers!"
"Cheers!"
After lunch, the group headed to the Tesla factory.
This was a formal visit, and Tesla's public relations team accompanied and recorded the entire event.
The factory is located in an industrial area outside Austin, covering an area of approximately 50,000 square meters.
From the outside, it looks very ordinary, a gray factory building with a simple sign.
Once inside, you'll find a completely different world.
The production line is semi-automated, with workers busy on the assembly line and robots used in many processes; robotic arms are installing battery packs and automated equipment is testing circuits.
"Currently, we're producing about 15 vehicles per week," Musk explained. "It's all done by hand and semi-automated assembly. It's very costly, but it's a necessary stage; we need to prove the product is viable first, then scale up and optimize costs."
He pointed to a Roadster being assembled: "This car is based on the Lotus Elise chassis, but everything else has been changed except for the chassis and body structure. The engine has been replaced with an electric motor, the fuel tank with a battery pack, and the gearbox... Electric cars don't need a gearbox; the electric motor drives them directly."
Jiang Yu looked at it carefully.
The battery pack is the core of Tesla's battery system, consisting of 6831 18650 lithium-ion batteries divided into 11 modules connected by a complex thermal management system.
"This battery pack," Musk said proudly, "had the highest energy density at the time, and a range of 245 miles."
Moreover, its safety is top-notch. We conducted various extreme tests, including puncture, compression, high temperature, and overcharge, and it did not catch fire.
"What about the cost?" Chen Jingming's professional instincts kicked in again.
"It's very high right now," Musk admitted. "The battery cost for each car is about $3. We're making improvements, and the next generation of batteries will reduce the cost by 30%."
After touring the production line, Musk took them to the research and development center.
This place feels more like a Silicon Valley tech company, with open-plan offices, whiteboards covered in formulas and sketches, and engineers dressed in T-shirts and jeans, focused on their work at their computers.
"This is our core." Musk opened a computer and brought up a complex software interface. "The battery management system, with code we wrote ourselves. It can monitor the voltage, temperature, and internal resistance of each battery cell in real time, intelligently balancing charging and discharging to prevent overcharging and over-discharging. We have applied for twenty-seven patents for this algorithm."
JB added, "In traditional electric vehicles, if the battery pack has a problem, the entire pack needs to be replaced. Our system can pinpoint the specific battery cell that is faulty and replace it individually, greatly reducing maintenance costs."
Jiang Yu watched very carefully.
He knew that Tesla's most valuable asset was this integrated hardware and software system.
In the future, many car manufacturers who want to build electric vehicles will have to learn from Tesla's experience.
At the end of the tour, Musk brought up the matter of giving away a car again.
"Jiang, that red car has been delivered to your Beverly Hills parking lot," he said. "When Tesla becomes the world's number one automaker, this car will be an antique, worth a fortune!"
Jiang Yu didn't refuse: "Thank you, Elon. I'll keep it safe. And I believe it won't be long before Tesla becomes number one in the world."
Musk laughed, "I like your confidence! Let's work together!"
At 2 p.m., the convoy left the Tesla factory and headed to SpaceX’s test site in McGregor.
The test site is in a more remote suburb, along a typical Texas wilderness.
Bushes, cacti, red soil, and occasionally you can see herds of cattle grazing leisurely.
After driving for nearly an hour, we finally saw an area fenced off with barbed wire. There was a security booth and a sign for SpaceX at the entrance.
A warning sign reads "McGregor Test Facility — Authorized Personnel Only".
"This used to be a chemical plant," Musk explained as he drove. "We bought it in 2003 and converted it into a rocket engine testing ground. It was a large, cheap place, and there was no one around. During testing, the noise level reached 140 decibels, equivalent to a jet taking off. If it were in a residential area, we would have received complaints."
Upon entering, the scene was completely different.
The park is very large, with several tall testing platforms, several factory buildings, and an open-air storage area for rocket components.
While not as spectacular as NASA's Kennedy Space Center, it possesses a rugged, industrial aesthetic.
"This is the engine testing area." Musk led them toward the largest building.
Before even entering, a deep rumbling sound could be heard; it wasn't continuous, but rather pulsating, like the heartbeat of a giant. The ground was trembling slightly.
"They're testing the Merlin engine right now!" Musk's eyes lit up. "Come on, I'll show you its true power!"
The factory interior resembles a large hangar, spacious and tall.
In the middle is a huge concrete test platform, on which a silver-white rocket engine is fixed.
The engine is igniting, spewing out blue-white flames that are over ten meters long.
The sound was deafening; even through the thick explosion-proof glass wall, one could feel the air vibrating and feel a tightness in their chest.
"This is the Merlin 1C," Musk announced loudly through the noise, "used on the Falcon 1. 6.7 pounds of thrust, 304 seconds specific impulse. We're testing its throttling capabilities; precise thrust control is needed during rocket recovery."
The test lasted about twenty seconds, then the engine was shut off.
The factory suddenly fell silent, with only the "clicking" sound of metal contracting as the engine cooled and the "hissing" sound of liquid flowing.
"It's so shocking..." Wang Wei murmured, her face turning a little pale.
It was her first time seeing a rocket engine test up close, and the raw power it exuded both frightened and fascinated her.
"That's not even the biggest," Musk said proudly. "We're developing the Merlin 1D, which will have a thrust of 14 pounds. And then there's the Raptor engine, which uses methane and liquid oxygen, with a target thrust of 50 pounds. That's the real monster, the mainstay of the Mars mission."
After leaving the test facility, Musk took them to see the rocket components.
Several sections of silver-white rocket bodies lay on the open ground.
The largest section is about 3.7 meters in diameter and more than ten meters long, and it is printed with "Falcon9" and the SpaceX logo.
"This is the first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket," Musk said, stroking the smooth surface of the rocket. "It has an aluminum alloy shell and nine Merlin 1D engines inside. We'll be using it for our first launch next year to put a satellite into orbit."
"Can I touch it?" Li Ming asked.
He's a space enthusiast, and his eyes are shining like a child seeing their favorite toy.
"Of course!" Musk laughed. "But be careful not to scratch it. This thing is very expensive, costing about $3000 million."
Li Ming cautiously reached out and touched the cold metal surface.
"This is a model of the spaceship," Musk said, pointing to another factory building.
Inside the factory building is a silver-white hull shaped like an inverted bowl, with round portholes and docking mechanisms.
It is about three meters tall and looks smaller than I imagined.
"This is the engineering prototype of the cargo version of the Dragon spacecraft," Musk explained. "It's 3.7 meters in diameter and can carry 6 tons of cargo to the International Space Station. We'll be conducting its first demonstration flight next year, and if successful, NASA will officially launch our service."
"It doesn't look very big," Chen Jingming said.
"Every gram of weight in space is precious," Musk explained. "And this is just the cargo version. The crewed version will be larger, with life support systems, escape systems, more comfortable seats... The goal is the first crewed flight in 2015."
He paused, his tone becoming serious and hopeful: "Then, the next step is landing on Mars. Not a one-way trip, but establishing a permanent base. We need bigger rockets, we call them BFR, the Big Falcon Rocket. We need bigger spacecraft, more advanced life support systems, equipment to produce fuel and oxygen on the Martian surface... This is a ten-year, twenty-year plan. But we are moving forward step by step."
After visiting the test site, Musk took them to the office area.
The office area was very simple, consisting of a few tin-roofed prefabricated houses, simple tables and chairs, and the walls were covered with rocket design drawings, mission schedules, and concept drawings of a Mars base.
There was a sleeping bag and several boxes of energy bars in the corner, so it seems someone often stays up late.
"The conditions are basic, please excuse the poor quality." Musk poured himself a cup of instant coffee in a disposable paper cup. "We need to spend our money wisely: research and development, testing, and manufacturing. An office that can function is sufficient; no need for luxurious decorations."
Jiang Yu took the coffee and looked around.
Just like in the early days of Tesla in the documentary, this place exudes the hardship and passion of a startup.
There is no bureaucracy or waste like in large corporations, only focus and dedication to the goal.
"Elon," he said earnestly, "make sure to let me know about SpaceX's next funding round. I'll invest no matter how much it is."
""
Musk looked at Jiang Yu with a complicated expression: "Jiang, do you really believe we can succeed? Landing on Mars... to many people, it's a crazy fantasy. Even NASA experts say that with current technology, a manned Mars mission is extremely risky, with a success rate of less than 10%."
"I believe it." Jiang Yu nodded. "All great undertakings in history were initially considered the fantasies of madmen."
The Wright brothers' airplane, Einstein's theory of relativity, Steve Jobs' personal computer... but it was these "madmen" who propelled humanity to new heights.
He paused, then continued, "And you're not fighting alone. You have top-notch engineers like JB, shrewd managers like Deepak, and the entire SpaceX team. More importantly, you have countless people who believe in you and support you, including me."
Musk remained silent for a long time.
Then he stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the testing platform in the distance.
"You know, Jiang," he said, his back to everyone, his voice low, "2008 was the darkest time of my life. Tesla was on the verge of bankruptcy, SpaceX's first three launches had failed, I was divorced, I had no money... I had to borrow money from friends to pay my rent. Back then, everyone said I was crazy, that I was doing the impossible."
He turned around, his eyes burning with even more fire: "But I made it through. The fourth launch was a success, NASA gave us a contract, Tesla got investment... and now, we have new partners."
He walked back and patted Jiang Yu on the shoulder forcefully: "Jiang, having an investor like you is our good fortune. Waiting for SpaceX..."
When I need the next round of funding, I'll definitely come to you first! And if we ever land on Mars, I promise to carve your name on it: Jiang Yu, the dreamer from Earth!
"7
These words were spoken half-jokingly and half-seriously, but Jiang Yu could sense the sincerity in them.
"Then I'll wait for that day," he smiled. "But you don't need to engrave your name, just give me a ticket to Mars."
"It's a deal!"
It was already evening when I left SpaceX.
On the way back, Chen Jingming was still in shock: "Now I completely understand why you invested in Musk. This guy... he's not starting a business, he's making history."
"He personally made history," Jiang Yu added. "He didn't sit in his office directing things; he went deep into the front lines and understood every technical detail. Founders like that have a ten times higher success rate than those who can only draw PowerPoint presentations."
"The risks are still very high!" Chen Jingming's professional instincts kicked in again. "SpaceX's next funding round might require hundreds of millions, even billions. Our funds..."
"So we need to make money," Jiang Yu said. "We need to do well on Hollywood projects and domestic projects. We'll use the money we earn to invest in the future."
Wang Wei suddenly spoke up: "Boss, do you think... we'll really see humans land on Mars? In our lifetime?"
Jiang Yu looked out the car window; the first star had already appeared in the sky.
"I believe it can," he said softly. "That would be the greatest achievement of our time."
Back at the hotel, Jiang Yu received a text message from Liu Yifei: "Did you visit the rocket today? Was it fun?"
Jiang Yu replied: "It was fun. I saw a rocket engine test, which was very impressive. I even touched the outer shell of a real rocket; it was cold, like touching the future."
"Wow! I want to see it too! Take me next time!"
"Okay, when you're free. By the way, I've ordered the pink Mercedes, but it'll take six months."
"Six months?! That's a long time!"
"Custom interior design takes time. And I also need to visit the German factory to personally oversee the process."
"Okay... I'll wait. By the way, filming in Thailand is almost finished, and we're heading to Paris next week. What about you? When are you coming back?"
Jiang Yu calculated the time: "The day after tomorrow, wait for me."
"Okay, I don't know anything about business. Anyway, take care of yourself and don't overwork yourself."
"You too, Brother Xiaoyu, goodnight."
Goodnight, Sisi.