Chapter 488

Chapter 488: Five Percent

After the J-11 completed its performance and glided towards the parking apron, no one in the audience remained seated. Everyone stood up, giving the J-11 enthusiastic applause. Even the French policemen and soldiers maintaining safety and order joined in.

The French and spectators from various countries expressed their gratitude to the Chinese J-11 for its performance in their own ways.

Although the audience didn’t witness the legendary ultra-low altitude oscillation around the pole, they did see the fighter jet waltz. Everyone was captivated, their eyes wide with amazement.

The thrilling display of the fighter jet was broadcast through cameras, reaching audiences around the globe. The performance of China’s J-11 sent ripples throughout the aviation industry.

After meticulous calculations by aviation experts from different countries, it was just as Sukhoi senior engineer Sergei Sulotov told the senior officers of the Russian Air Force.

To perform such magical maneuvers, most third-generation and above fighter jets equipped with thrust vectoring or post-stall maneuvers could achieve it.

However, the key core lies in the pilot. Without a deep understanding of both the aircraft’s internal and external mechanics and the ability to control it with extreme precision, accomplishing such feats is impossible. Achieving that level requires at least thirty years of immersion in a single aircraft model.

Thirty years?

Typically, air force pilots retire by the age of 45 to 50. Even if one starts training at fifteen and trains for thirty years, they would just be waiting for retirement.

The development cycle for a fighter jet usually exceeds twenty years, and from official induction to retirement, there may not even be twenty years. Spending a large amount of time studying and honing skills to achieve Lin Mo’s maneuverability would provide no value.

Many countries were left wondering how this Chinese pilot had been trained.

On the very day the J-11 performed its fighter jet waltz, twenty units were ordered, leaving National Defense Star grinning widely. The domestic production line was left dumbfounded; it typically only produced two units a year, and producing twenty would max out even with an additional temporary line. What to do with the remaining fifteen, especially since this was just the first day of the exhibition after the opening ceremony?

Of course, with orders in hand, there was no question of holding back. The profit from a single fighter jet is astonishing, and they had to find ways to keep it for themselves. The people at Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group watched with glee, unable to help but assist as they were already swamped with J-10 orders from the Zhuhai Airshow, unable to replenish Lin Mo’s damaged aircraft. Fortunately, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation had lent one J-18. Otherwise, Lin Mo would have to play the infantry for a long time.

Driving Lin Mo’s old-fashioned P-51 Mustang was an option, but seeing an old Mustang bearing the “August 1” five-star insignia in the sky might confuse the ground combat personnel.

While National Defense Star was caught in a bittersweet situation, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation stepped in. They left four self-produced units for National Defense Star and took over the rest of the production. As industry giants, they always had ways to fulfill production tasks.

The agreement still bore the National Defense Star’s name, but most of the products were supplied by Shenyang. The profit-sharing was agreed upon, and after the Paris-Le Bourget International Aerospace Exhibition, Shenyang and National Defense Star would sign another agreement to discuss supply and profit proportions.

For National Defense Star, this was nearly pure profit, every bit earned felt like free money. Although Shenyang would take a significant share, the service and parts profits would undoubtedly belong to them.

This meant a significant opportunity for development. A well-fed aerospace company with orders every year would see geometric growth in its efficiency.

Seeing Lin Mo returning on the transport vehicle to the break area behind the National Defense Star exhibition, Chen Haiqing and engineer Qiu Zhengjun were filled with excitement. Treasure! A human treasure with such miraculous abilities! How could their products not sell out?

“Welcome! Welcome back, hero! This is truly unexpected! You have skills, ‘Dragon Knight’!” Chen Haiqing couldn’t help but rush towards Lin Mo and give him a bear hug. Haha, this "Dragon Knight" was indeed his lucky star. It seemed that after overcoming the toughest challenges, National Defense Star was ready for great success.

It looked like all the effort to bring Lin Mo from his mission in Siberia was proving to be worth it. And this was just the beginning.

In the backstage area, the many beautiful models seemed eager to try their luck. Young heroes always attract the admiration of lovely ladies.

“Stop, stop! I’m not into men!” Lin Mo frowned and pushed Young Master Chen away.

“Of course, I know you like women. I’m the same, don’t worry, I won’t take advantage of you. Look over there; there are plenty! If you’re willing, I bet many of them would be delighted to pay attention to you,” Chen Haiqing pointed at the beautiful models resting. The front stage was crowded, leaving those girls standing with no space and forced to wait backstage.

It seemed the previous plan to attract attention with beauties was unnecessary now, as with Lin Mo, National Defense Star felt the gaze upon them might have become a bit too intense.

As soon as Chen Haiqing pointed, the beautiful models immediately began to make alluring gestures, seemingly eager to create some moments with Lin Mo, removing the “Dragon General” tactical helmet. Although Lin Mo’s looks weren’t exceptionally outstanding, he possessed a unique charisma, a natural pride akin to nobility.

Or perhaps these enchantresses just wanted to sample what it felt like to fly in the sky alongside an eagle-like man.

“Hmm, too many,” Lin Mo shook his head, thinking he wasn’t enough for each of these beauties to take a bite.

“Uh, you truly don’t realize how lucky you are! What a fantastic special service! I won’t let you leave this trip empty-handed; just say what you need.”

National Defense Star was definitely reaping benefits. Chen Haiqing generously praised himself for trying so hard to win Lin Mo over, finding unbelievable returns for his efforts.

“Will you be in the spotlight tomorrow? Looks like I’ll have to fly for seven days,” Lin Mo didn’t respond to Young Master Chen’s teasing but shifted the topic, inquiring about the aspiring pilot.

“With you in the spotlight, I can leave it all to you. Don’t worry! This order will net you a pure profit of five percent.” Chen Haiqing presumed Lin Mo was worried about not getting any benefits. He freely offered a specific profit ratio to Lin Mo.

Five percent seemed small, but for the profit of an export fighter jet, five percent of each unit was quite a sum.

“Five percent?” Lin Mo squinted. Beauties and such were nice, but cash was real; Young Master Chen truly understood him, validating his diligent performance.

If it weren’t for the creation of that “monstrous” super fighter, Lin Mo’s only weakness might just be his craving for money.

“Exactly! For every fighter jet, you can earn four hundred thousand dollars! Twenty units today? Hehe, you’re going to make a killing!” Chen Haiqing offered such a generous sales commission to Lin Mo simply because without Lin Mo’s spectacular performance, who would bother to buy from the new manufacturer, National Defense Star?

Just look at how busy the front stage business was; even Shenyang and Chengdu were overwhelmed.

The base price of the Su-27 on the international market ranges from thirty-five to forty million dollars, but China’s improved J-11 might not even be that expensive. Quality and affordability are China’s trademarks.

After deducting various costs, National Defense Star could net at least eight million dollars from each unit. Five percent meant four hundred thousand dollars, making Lin Mo’s first day income equivalent to robbing a bank.

Eight million dollars even surpassed Lin Mo’s earnings from Zambia, and if the sales continued at this rate in the following days, it might well cover the funding gap for creating the “monstrous” fighter. This was unexpectedly good news for Lin Mo.

“Hmm!”

Chen Haiqing only heard Lin Mo responding lightly without any excitement, obviously not as stirred as he had anticipated.

Though he knew Lin Mo was someone who could quickly earn money, his reaction seemed too indifferent toward the vast fortunes involved. Wouldn’t he even cheer for this? Eight million dollars converted to over fifty million yuan meant an ordinary working-class person would have to toil a lifetime without eating or drinking to amass such wealth.

“What are you looking at? Are you checking out the beauties?” Chen Haiqing noticed Lin Mo’s gaze seemed off, as if fixated on the front stage.

“Hmm!” Lin Mo nodded absentmindedly, casually stating, “I’m watching the beauties!”

“……”

Chen Haiqing felt a rush of frustration; the beauties were off in another direction—how could Lin Mo be looking at them?

Just a moment ago, Lin Mo’s gaze had unintentionally glanced towards National Defense Star’s front exhibition area, unexpectedly spotting a familiar face.

At the front stage, National Defense Star had not only borrowed sales personnel from Shenyang but also quickly brought many others from domestic locations to bolster their force. Countries from the Middle East, Africa, and South America expressed significant interest in the J-11.

Although the J-14 was not for sale, today’s performance had once again charmed clients who were previously dazzled but unable to place orders. Even with the authentic Russian Su-27 present, today’s display led everyone to endorse the Chinese version, the J-11.

The aerial waltz sparked excitement among many clients, transforming the National Defense Star exhibition area into a bustling scene. Simple tables and chairs were set up as discordant translation services were arranged. National Defense Star’s staff were already clutching contracts and engaging those clients in business talks.