Chapter 884 Found a Treasure
The most famous luxury car brand of China Auto is probably 'Hongqi'.
The CA-72 model was the first to bring Hongqi's fame. When it participated in the Leipzig International Fair in 1960, it was called the "Rolls-Royce of China" by Western automobile experts. The CA-770 is an extended version of the CA-72 with three rows of seats, also known as the "Big Hongqi".
"Only a little over 1,300 of these models were produced," Xiao Peng said. "And the one we see here is one of the first 20."
Kasin was stunned: "Boss, how can you be sure that this is one of the first twenty?"
Xiao Peng pointed at the car's body and said, "See that red flag on the side of this car? The first twenty Red Flags had only one red flag on their sides, while the later mass-produced CA770s had three red flags on their sides. But what I'm concerned about now is how this car ended up here? How did it end up in Northern Ireland?"
He had just finished speaking when the repairman who was removing the car seat said, "Mr. Xiao, we found a package inside the car seat. Take a look and see if it's what you need."
"What is that?" Xiao Peng walked over. The last row of seats had been disassembled. The seats were actually a spring sofa made of a wooden frame and springs. There was a medium-sized cloth bag placed in the bottom frame under the seats.
Xiao Peng took out the cloth bag and said, "Hey, a gift for buying a car? This thing is pretty heavy!"
As he spoke, he put the cloth bag on the shelf beside him. When he opened it, the first thing he saw was a pile of notebooks.
"What is this?" Xiao Peng opened a book filled with densely packed words. He was completely absorbed in it after taking a look. Ka Xin interrupted, "Boss, Boss! Come back to your senses. What are you reading that's so engrossed?"
Xiao Peng came back to his senses: "I know who this car belongs to!"
"Who is it?" Kasim asked.
Xiao Peng replied, "Joseph Needham, the 'Ten Constellations Taoist'. This is his handwritten manuscript."
"Is it one of your former leaders in China?" Kasim asked.
Xiao Peng shook his head: "British."
Kasim asked in confusion, "Why would an Englishman have a Chinese name? There are quite a few people on our ship with the surname Li, right?"
Xiao Peng said, "What's so strange about that? Look at how many people in our country have foreign names. As soon as the New Year comes, those 'Linda', 'Mary', 'Jerry', and 'Sam' in the office buildings take the train back to their hometowns and transform themselves into 'Cui Fen', 'Xiu Hua', 'Gou Sheng', 'Tiedan'... Then is it strange for someone in a foreign country to have a Chinese name? Fabian and Pascal both have Chinese names!"
Kasim became interested: "What are their names?"
Xiao Peng sighed, "Don't mention it. Naming them is such a hassle! Aren't their last names Cousteau? I named one Kudan and the other Kucha, but they weren't happy with that and insisted on three-character names to differentiate them from me. So I named them Ku Jianjun and Ku Aiguo, but Pascal wasn't happy with that either. You've heard how bad his relationship with his father was. He insisted on not having the word 'Ku' in the name and that it sound more elegant."
"And then?" Kasim asked curiously.
Xiao Peng said, "Isn't it meant to be elegant? That's easy! We had a historian in ancient times named Sima Qian. I named Pascal Sima Dang and Fabian Huo Ma Yi. See how neat they are? But after hearing me say 'try your best to save a dying horse, try your best,' they refused to accept the names and even made all sorts of demands. In the end, I could only give them names they were satisfied with."
Kasim became even more curious: "What name are they so satisfied with?"
Xiao Peng took out a cigarette, lit it, and said with a lonely look on his face, "Fabian said he wanted a name that sounded like a warrior and a noble. I racked my brains for a long time and finally came up with a founding hero of a certain dynasty in our country. He held a very high title and was also an assistant minister at the time, just like Lancelot, who was by King Arthur's side in British legend. I gave his name to Fabian. He was very satisfied after hearing it!"
"What's your name?" Kasim asked curiously.
"Obai!"
"..." Kasin's face was filled with gloom. "Boss, I've been learning Chinese by watching Chinese films and TV shows lately. I've been watching all of your martial arts films, like 'Dragon Inn', 'The Smiling, Proud Wanderer', 'The Deer and the Cauldron', and so on. Is this Aobai the same Aobai?"
"That's right!" Xiao Peng looked proud.
Kasim didn't know what to say. He coughed twice and said, "What about Pascal?"
Xiao Peng sighed and said, "As you can see, Pascal is small and thin. If he weren't rich, it would be hard for him to find a partner. I just hope he lives a long life. And let's be honest, he's the pillar of our company. Look at you bastards and then look at him. He has a bit of a 'sage' vibe. He's loyal to our company, so we never have to worry about him getting into trouble. I combined these factors and gave him a name that sounds like he has a long life."
"What's your name?" Kasim became even more curious.
Xiao Peng cleared his throat with a dry cough. "'Nine Thousand Years Old' Wei Zhongxian! How's that? It's a name for longevity, right? And it's all good words, right?"
"Pfft!" Kasin spit out, "I should show them those Chinese films and TV shows."
Xiao Peng said smugly, "It's too late. Now their business cards all have their Chinese names printed on them and it's all over the place. Now we can't change it even if we want to!"
Kaxin covered his face and said, "Boss, I won't let you give us Chinese names even if you kill me!"
Xiao Peng waved his hand after hearing this, "Do you think I want to name you? I'm too lazy to even give you names even if you beg me to. What a waste of brain cells! It was easy to name the four of you before. Just name them Mo Liqing, Mo Lihong, Mo Lihai, and Mo Lishou and it would have been fine. But what do you think of the three now? Thunderbolt Tiger? Little Handsome Tiger? Good Boy Tiger? The problem is, you guys don't deserve these names either. If I give you three little names like 'Left Hand, Right Hand, Slow Motion'? I'll be scolded to death! That's why I don't bother naming you!"
Kasim made the sign of the cross on his chest: "Thank God! You let me see your mercy!"
"What do you mean!" Xiao Peng glared.
Kasin quickly changed the subject: "Boss, didn't you say that this car is only for leaders to drive? How come a British guy with a Chinese name also has this car?"
Xiao Peng spread his hands and said, "This is not surprising. When Joseph Needham visited China in the 1960s, he was received by several of our country's top leaders. The reception was higher than that given to heads of state in general!"
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