Walking with Chinese Cars: Zhao Sheng's Eighty Years of Self-Reflection

Author: Zhao Sheng / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: From Zero to Five Million Cars Annually – Witnessing the Development of China's Automotive Industry
From Serving the Nation with Cars to Fulfilling Three Automotive Dreams – The Kindred Reminiscences and Heartfelt Woes of a Veteran
Through the personal experiences of an elderly man, this book narrates the tumultuous journey of China's automotive development. His deep affection for his family and his passion for the automotive industry are condensed into his words, evoking the fervor and determination that echo the footsteps of China's automotive progress. He is Zhao Sheng, a pioneer of China's automotive industry.
To study automotive engineering, one must first become a soldier. The former site of the National Military Mechanization School was in Hongjiang, Hunan. From Ganzhou, Jiangxi to Hongjiang, Hunan, spanning two provinces, Jiangxi and Hunan, was a long and arduous journey. However, as part of the mechanization school's team, most of the journey was facilitated by car transfers, making us these "valedictorians" exuberant and elated. Little did we expect that upon arriving at the school, the very first action we were subjected to was being completely bald. Several barbers were waiting, and without hesitation, they swiftly shaved off our black, oily hair, leaving it scattered on the ground. We were all left bald, like little monks, utterly bewildered between laughter and sorrow.
The full name of the school was the Central Military Mechanization School, often referred to as part of the Whampoa Military Academy. It had divisions including the Recruit Training Unit, Tank Cadre, Technical Cadre, and the Automotive Engineering College. Although we were nominally admitted to the Automotive Engineering College, we first had to undergo a six-month military training period, then enter the Technical Cadre, and pass another selection exam before being admitted to the college. To study automotive engineering, one must first become a soldier. Among my fellow recruits, over 120 came from various examination zones, including Tunxi, Ganzhou, Guangdong, and Chongqing, bringing together people from all walks of life. The valley where the Recruit Training Unit was located was soon filled with the vibrant energy of youth. On the slopes and among the trees, the grass-green uniforms contrasted with the shiny bald heads, forming an unforgettable scene.
During the induction ceremony, the commander delivered a lengthy speech that lasted over an hour. We stood at attention, motionless, and the stern and tense atmosphere remains vivid in my memory. He first explained that from that moment on, we were no longer "civilian" but "soldiers." He elaborated that the character "" (jūn) is composed of "" (chē, meaning "vehicle") and "" (tóukuī, meaning "helmet"). Soldiers are those who wear helmets and drive vehicles to fight enemies. He emphasized the word "" (shā, meaning "kill") several times in a heavy tone.
Recently, a classmate returned from Taiwan for a reunion and mentioned that our commander's name was Su Pengju. We affectionately called him "Su Dapao" (meaning "Su the Cannon") because his speech was like a continuous barrage of bullets. I had long forgotten his full name. In early 2003, he passed away in Taipei, struggling in his old age. His classmates raised funds to arrange his funeral. Everyone regarded him as a great commander and a fine soldier. He was stout and round, with a chest out and belly prominent, always in neat uniform. His tall military cap pressed down to his eyebrows, exuding an air of setting an example for soldiers. I not only admired him as a great commander and soldier but also as an educated man who could draw parallels between the past and present, explaining the character "" (jūn) with great clarity.
The "" (chē) in "" (qìchē, meaning "automobile") is closely tied to "" (jūn). Since I wanted to study automotive engineering, I had to first become a soldier and undergo military training. This resolved the puzzle in my mind. More significantly, he established "" (jūn) on the foundation of "" (chē), which was precisely the (zōngzhǐ, meaning "purpose") of our mechanization school: to build a modern army through mechanization.
During our military training, playing chess with classmates, we engaged in fierce battles and came to understand a profound truth. It turned out that Chinese chess is deeply scholarly. The chariot (), horse (), and cannon () are the main forces for defense and offense, with the chariot being the most powerful, representing mechanized units. It charges forward, invincible. The cannon represents artillery, and the horse represents cavalry, both operating within certain constraints. It seemed that choosing to study automotive engineering and become a mechanized officer was the right path to saving the nation.
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