Chapter 002: The Old Liberation that has Stalled

"Li Weidong, what do you mean?" Zhao Hu asked with a hostile expression.

Current drivers are relatively unfamiliar with carburetors. This is because, as early as the late 1990s, the country prohibited the production of carbureted vehicles, and by 2001, the sale of carbureted cars was completely halted. In the 1980s, almost all cars were equipped with carburetors

Zhao Hu removed several screws and waved to call over an apprentice: "You help me hold this valve, I will go up and start it to take a look"

If it were the young and impetuous Li Weidong, he would undoubtedly have a dispute with Zhao Hu at this moment. However, the reborn Li Weidong has long since shed the competitive nature of youth. In the face of Zhao Hu's pointing, he merely smiled helplessly and then turned to leave

Everyone turned their gaze towards the sound and happened to see Li Weidong there, sighing and shaking his head.

Oh, so he is Zhao Youtian's son. Master Cai's expression became much more amiable

In the early 1980s, employees of state-owned enterprises held themselves in high regard, and even within the same unit, distinctions could be made among various ranks.

Zhao Hu then said to Master Cai: "Master Cai, he is just a good-for-nothing in our workshop, knows nothing at all. Don't listen to his nonsense. I have already repaired this car, you can drive it on the road now, there will definitely be no problem"

"I said, Li Weidong, you wander aimlessly in the workshop every day. Do you even understand how to repair a car? I fear you can't even distinguish between the brake and the clutch! If you know nothing, then stop talking nonsense and go wherever you feel comfortable!" Zhao Hu said.

Zhao Hu climbed into the driver's seat, turned the ignition, and with a puff of black smoke billowing from the exhaust pipe, the car successfully started.

At that moment, a mechanic in his forties happened to pass by. Without inquiring about the circumstances, he merely glanced at the disassembled carburetor and remarked, "The carburetor is beyond repair and cannot be used any longer"

"Stalling in the middle of the road?" Master Cai was somewhat unclear about Li Weidong's meaning, and then he looked at Zhao Hu with a puzzled expression

Li Weidong had no choice but to explain: "Brother Zhao, this car won't start, and it's not just because of the carburetor issue"

However, Zhao Hu, who was beside him, understood that Li Weidong meant to say that this car had not been repaired at all

Zhao Hu's statement "Zhao You Tian's son" seems to imply that I am his biological child, and you should treat me a little better

The apprentice secured the valve, and Zhao Hu got into the car to start the engine

"It's not a carburetor issue?" Zhao Hu scoffed, curling his lip as he picked up the carburetor that had just been replaced, and said, "Just take a look for yourself, see how gummed up this carburetor is! It's still a carburetor issue."

Zhao Hu was checking the car while asking, "Master Cai, has your car been having trouble starting lately?"

Li Weidong raised his head, glanced at the newly repaired old Liberation truck, then looked at Master Cai, and finally spoke: "Master Cai, if the engine stalls halfway, please bring the vehicle back and have a skilled mechanic take another look at it."

Master Cai saw that Li Weidong looked only about fifteen or sixteen years old, and he immediately knew that this must be a child of the transportation company, which made his attitude appear very friendly. This is because the assigned vocational school students or veterans are not of such a young age.

Zhao Hu continued to ask, "Master Cai, has your car been stalling frequently lately"

For drivers, the platinum ignition system is a significant test of skill, requiring manual adjustment of the platinum gap; any substantial error will prevent the engine from starting

What should we call Master Xiao Zhao? Master Cai casually inquired.

As Zhao Hu mentioned, the inside of this carburetor is dark and sticky, and upon closer inspection, some hardened impurities can be seen. Given this situation, it is certain that there has been significant wear inside.

"There are indeed some issues, but my car is from 1975, and it is quite common for it not to start. I tinkered with it myself and managed to fix it," Master Cai replied.

However, the transportation company is not lacking in highly skilled and experienced drivers; starting an old Jiefang truck is as easy as eating and drinking for them, as they have various methods to start an old Jiefang.

Xiao Zhao stylishly tucked a cigarette behind his ear and then opened the hood of the car

Later, after the introduction of the second generation of the Liberation truck, the trucks imported from Eastern Europe in the 1960s continued to be used, while the older models of the Liberation produced in the 1970s were the first to be eliminated

Master Cai, seeing that Xiao Zhao was young, initially did not intend to pass him a cigarette. However, after some thought, he realized that even if Xiao Zhao could not fix it, he would still have to rely on Xiao Zhao's master. Thus, he decided not to be stingy with this one cigarette.

My name is Zhao Hu, you can just call me Xiao Zhao. Xiao Zhao seemed worried that Master Cai would look down on him, and then said: My father is Zhao Youtian from the logistics department

The mechanic Xiao Zhao approached the old Jiefang truck, and after a moment of hesitation, Master Cai still handed him a cigarette

From the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, during a span of ten years, First Automobile Works could only barely maintain production. The old Jiefang trucks produced during that period had the poorest quality, and minor issues were a common occurrence.

The old-fashioned blue work uniform features two pockets on the chest and two pockets at the waist, which can hold quite a number of items

The old liberation vehicles still use the antiquated platinum ignition, the old Dongfeng Yao Si Ling, and the old Beijing 212 Jeep, all of which utilize platinum ignition

Moreover, drivers of that era had some understanding of car repair techniques; if it was just a minor issue, there was no need to take the car to the repair shop, as experienced drivers could resolve it themselves

"What is this young man, at such a tender age, sighing about?" Master Cai asked with a beaming smile

With the help of several apprentices, Zhao Hu quickly replaced the carburetor

Zhao Hu began to replace the carburetor, while the apprentices gathered around, assisting and learning at the same time

The sound of the engine starting echoed, and through the disassembled valve port, faint glimpses of flames could be seen, yet the engine remained unable to start.

If it were a driver today, even if given an old Jiefang truck, he would not be able to drive it away, and might not even be able to start it

In state-owned enterprises, although they are all workers, local employees who are native to the unit are regarded as being on a completely different level compared to vocational school graduates assigned from outside. Naturally, the local employees receive more attention and support. When one mentions being the child of a certain individual, a circle of uncles and elders will look out for them.

For the old liberation vehicles, it is quite common for them not to start.

"It's done, Master Cai, the car is fixed for you!" Zhao Hu jumped out of the car, his face beaming with pride.

It is evident that this old Jiefang truck was towed to the repair shop due to a problem that even experienced drivers could not resolve

"My hands are dirty." Zhao Hu did not take the cigarette, while Master Cai directly stuffed the cigarette into the pocket on Zhao Hu's chest.

As for the assigned workers, it is one thing if they have urban household registration, but those vocational school graduates from rural backgrounds, when assigned to state-owned enterprises, are inherently at a disadvantage and must often conduct themselves with a sense of inferiority

The words of the old mechanic seemed to strike a decisive note, instantly straightening Zhao Hu's posture significantly

Beside him, several apprentices looked at Li Weidong with disdain, but these apprentices were all temporary workers, while Li Weidong was a formal employee, so the apprentices did not dare to speak disrespectfully to him

"It often stalls, but this has always been a problem with this car," Master Cai said.

"Go ahead, Xiao Zhao, your skills are quite good," Master Cai said, handing over a cigarette.

At that moment, a sigh was heard, particularly attention-grabbing

Zhao Hu jumped down from the driver's cabin, then approached the engine and checked it once more. He then spoke up: "The carburetor is broken and needs to be replaced with a new one. Master Cai, please wait a moment, I will replace the carburetor for you right now"

The newly arrived apprentices may not understand the meaning of Master Cai's words, but Li Weidong does.