MMB Chapter 1519 Dignity?
Chapter 1519 Dignity?
Chapter 1519 Dignity?
"You Honggang don't want the W50?"
Zhu Xiaolin's thinking was peculiar. He did not listen to Dong Qiaomu's advice from Harbin Automobile Group, nor did he accept Wang Xiansheng's reply from Jinan Automobile Group. Instead, he looked at Li Huaide.
Old Li has become an indispensable part of this small circle, and this is especially true as Honggang's business expands and its achievements become more outstanding.
"No, we don't need it."
Li Huaide understood what he meant. Since Jiqi and Chuanqi were both willing to share some technology with Beijing Chemical, this was the best time for Honggang to do the same.
Or perhaps Zhu Xiaolin suspected that Li Huaide was too proud to ask and wanted to use Beijing Chemical as a middleman.
He just didn't expect Li Huaide's answer to be so direct.
"Steel & Auto currently has no plans to launch trucks." Li Huaide picked up a peanut, glanced at him, and said, "You should know that our group has a development plan and outline, right?"
"I know, who in the industrial system doesn't know?" Zhu Xiaolin smiled and introduced to the others, "Our factory has studied and researched Honggang's 'Three-Year Plan' and 'Five-Year Plan,' and they are very meaningful."
"We will not consider any plans or projects that are not included in the Three-Year Plan and the Five-Year Plan in the short term."
Li Huaide put down his chopsticks, glanced at Dong Qiaomu and the others with complicated expressions, and said with a smile, "However, our reluctance does not mean that this project is bad; it is related to the overall planning."
"Frankly speaking, the East German W50 truck is one of the trucks that we can buy completely without worrying about technology reduction."
He paused, then continued, "We all know that Western European countries have more advanced truck technology, but we can't get it."
"Old Wang and Old Tang, don't worry. Our Secretary-General is just lending you a hand; there's no other reason than that."
"Hehehe—" Tang Rongxuan and Wang Xiansheng couldn't help but exchange a glance, their smiles somewhat embarrassed.
“The steel and automobile industry structure has been established. In the future, we may explore a wider range of fields, but we will not expand recklessly.” Li Huaide looked at Zhu Xiaolin and said, “I believe Director Zhu should know this.”
"Yes, I understand the situation."
Zhu Xiaolin nodded and explained, "In the past two years, Honggang has been adjusting its industrial structure, selling off and canceling some of its businesses."
"I have heard that even the tertiary industry sectors, which are currently quite profitable, are preparing to be sold off in a package?"
"It is a joint-venture tertiary industry."
Li Huaide made a note, then looked at everyone and explained, "Including glass, leather, textiles, chemicals, and so on."
"I plan to invite everyone to visit Honggang after we return to Beijing. It would be best if there is a possibility of cooperation."
He smiled and looked at everyone, saying, "Including Shenfei, quite a few companies are planning to take over our tertiary industry shares."
"You're going to sell off all the profitable factories?"
Dong Qiaomu asked in surprise, "Industrial restructuring involves such a large scope?"
"Honggang plans to move towards a technology-plus-management-assisted machinery export-oriented joint venture and agency industry in the future," Zhu Xiaolin said with a smile. "We are also studying and discussing this business theory."
"What do you mean? It sounds a bit complicated."
Dong Qiaomu glanced at him, then looked at Li Huaide, and everyone's eyes followed.
"Hehe, Director Zhu is exaggerating."
Li Huaide smiled reservedly and explained, "To put it bluntly, Honggang's investment over the past three years has been too large. We need to implement a new project with a light asset model and high efficiency."
"In other words, we will increase investment in new technology industry research and development, integrate all current product and channel resources with new technologies and corporate management, and invite more sister companies to cooperate."
"Mr. Li, we're here—"
Dong Qiaomu was a little confused. Seeing that the others were also frowning, he said, "I still don't understand, and I'm even more confused now."
"Take the automobile industry as an example."
Li Huaide nodded and explained, "As I just mentioned, Steel Auto will not invest in more automotive industry projects in the future, but will continue to develop new technologies. With the technology, we can find partners."
He pointed at Dong Qiaomu and said, "For example, if you, Lao Dong, want to upgrade your industry, improve manufacturing efficiency and quality, and reduce and control production costs, you can cooperate with us."
"With Honggang's automotive parts supply chain system, you can cut off the parts production and supporting industries, and use the funds to integrate and upgrade the assembly line workshop and train better employees."
Seeing that he used Harbin Electric as an analogy, Dong Qiaomu listened even more attentively, and seemed genuinely interested in his suggestion.
“We provide the supply chain, advanced production processes, excellent management systems, and a full set of production equipment,” Li Huaide said with a slight smile, continuing, “as well as a nationwide marketing and after-sales service system.”
“Outstanding products can also be included in the export commodity catalog, which we update every six months, and the bidding process is ongoing.”
After he finished speaking, no one at the table touched their chopsticks and put down their wine glasses, because they were already full from Old Li's flatbread and chicken soup.
"Really?" Dong Qiaomu couldn't help but ask, but he regretted it as soon as he finished speaking, his face turning red.
Li Huaide smiled at him but didn't say anything.
At this moment, everyone realized what was happening, suppressing their laughter. They looked at Lao Dong with amusement and at Li Huaide with strange eyes.
If China's automotive industry were ranked by size, Gangqi wouldn't even make it into the top ten, because Gangqi only has assembly plants and key component manufacturing plants, while other components are sourced through supply chain channels.
However, if we calculate based on total sales and total revenue, then steel and automobiles are definitely number one, but the data doesn't reflect that.
why?
It's very simple. Gangqi is a subsidiary of Honggang, and Honggang established a sales headquarters last year, so Gangqi has almost no sales and has always ranked low in the automotive industry system.
However, if you ask about the marketing data of Honggang Sales Corporation, the data is inaccurate because Honggang Sales Corporation has a very wide range of distribution businesses, including automobiles from other factories.
At the beginning of this year, Beijing No. 2 Automobile Co., Ltd.'s BJ130 officially connected with Honggang's sales channels, and now has dealerships in 18 major cities across the country.
It can be said that Beijing No. 2 Automobile Works is the "backbone" supported by Honggang, serving as a benchmark for other partners.
Li Huaide was also surprised by the timing. Li Xuewu originally planned to invite the members of the automobile manufacturing industry participating in this visit to the group in Beijing before bringing up this argument.
But now that the time was ripe, if he didn't speak up, these people might misunderstand, so he threw the bait in front of everyone with a snap.
Oh my, it smells so good!
For a moment, the dinner table fell silent. Everyone exchanged glances and pondered their own thoughts.
Listen to what Li Huaide just said: don't worry about how Honggang will transform its industry; they just need to consider the future development path of their own unit.
There's no need to worry about production technology, production equipment, or even business management, not even about product sales.
It seems that as long as they can provide Honggang with a mature product plan and the corresponding production funds, the two parties can carry out joint venture cooperation and quickly set up the automobile manufacturing plant for production.
Then what's the point of having them?
Just sit back and wait to collect the money?
hiss--
Everyone gasped inwardly, feeling a chill run down their spines. Building cars seemed to be getting easier and easier.
Is this a good thing?
Wrong, this is a fucking gamble!
Honggang's current theory can be applied to both large automakers like Sichuan Auto and medium-sized automakers like Harbin Auto.
It could even be given to some insignificant municipal automobile manufacturer in the country, as long as the other party can provide a product plan and sufficient funds.
What worries and frightens them is not that Honggang is cooperating with local small car companies, because they know that this situation is too abnormal.
Their concern is that Honggang might partner with trust companies in other industries, such as Beijing Chemical.
With the capability, the desire to make money, and the abundance of funds, given Zhu Xiaolin's character, if he were to actually acquire a mature production plan, then Beijing Chemical Industry would only need to spend money to have a modern, high-standard automobile manufacturing plant.
Mud horse—
When Dong Qiaomu and the others finally understood, their eyes widened in shock. Li Huaide hadn't just overturned the table and smashed their rice bowl; he had smashed their entire pot.
One is a leading enterprise driving the transformation of the automotive industry, and the other is a major leader in the chemical industry in North China. If these two scoundrels really get together and try to make a truck business, they'll probably both have to prepare for bankruptcy.
Now, when Lao Li says this at the dinner table, it's an open declaration, a challenge to see if they'll cooperate. If they don't, he'll find a company like Jingcheng Chemical to partner with, destroying the single-project market. After partnering with Honggang, the company will become a joint venture, with Honggang holding at least a portion of the shares.
This is just blatant indecent assault!
They were wondering why Honggang wasn't putting in any effort when everyone was fighting tooth and nail for the W50 truck.
When they heard that Li Xuewu had helped Lao Tang from Sichuan Automobile and Lao Wang from Jinan Automobile acquire the W50 truck, they thought the three companies had some kind of cooperation agreement and were planning to divide the pie among themselves after returning home.
Who would have thought that Honggang didn't have its eye on the W50 truck technology, but instead set its sights on the vast domestic automotive industry, intending to wipe them out in one fell swoop.
What a brilliant scheme, what a clever tactic, what a damn Li Huaide!
Well, the plan was made by Li Xuewu, but Li Huaide was the one who got scolded, since he was the head of Hongxing Steel Group.
Earlier, they discussed Honggang's plan to cultivate a network of treacherous individuals across the country, and then seize the opportune moment to intervene with the company.
Ultimately, they were too timid; they couldn't believe that Li Huaide would dare to swallow the entire automotive industry system in one go.
Of course, the higher-ups wouldn't allow them to do that, but they didn't stop Honggang from developing in that way either. So what did the higher-ups mean?
They are all organized companies, so naturally they have to consider the wishes of their superiors when doing things, and they are all thinking about this issue now.
It's actually quite easy to explain. The authorities simply want to see healthy competition and industrial progress. They haven't intervened to regulate because Honggang hasn't reached that point yet.
If Honggang extends this plan by twenty or thirty years, who can say for sure what will happen twenty or thirty years from now?
The current policy doesn't mean it won't be allowed in the future. This "Heaven-Swallowing Plan" is blatantly presented to them; whether they follow it or not is up to them.
"It's too complicated, I can't handle it."
Zhu Xiaolin was truly afraid of ruining his reputation in his later years, as all the projects he had worked so hard on had benefited Li Huaide.
So, after thinking it through, he decisively abandoned the car manufacturing project as soon as possible. Honggang came on strong, casting a shadow over the automotive industry. With disaster looming, why did he still rush in?
“After we get back, we can do some research. Beijing Chemical Industry could set up a few chemical manufacturing plants related to the automotive industry.” He looked at Li Huaide and said, “We are currently cooperating very well in the fields of engine coolant and car paint. I hope we can continue our efforts after we get back.”
"Director Zhu, did President Li already offer you a project in advance?"
Wang Xiansheng asked with a smile, "Why don't you tell us and share it with us? It would be good for us to have a reference."
"What great project? It's just thermosetting plastics, nothing interesting." He picked up his glass, raised his eyebrows, and said, "Alright, I've reached my limit for today. You guys keep drinking, I'm leaving now."
Zhu Xiaolin was cunning. Seeing that things were not going well, he retreated in advance. He could not afford to waste time with Li Huaide setting up the game.
It was his last night, and he wanted to go to the dance hall downstairs that Li Huaide had mentioned to learn a foreign language.
-
"Can we talk?"
Seeing Li Xuewu get out of the car, Vasilyin emerged from the shadows at the hotel entrance, ignoring the guards who surrounded him with serious and tense expressions. He exhaled a puff of smoke and flicked the cigarette butt away from his hand.
"What do you want to talk about? It's late."
Li Xuewu smiled mockingly as he looked him over and said, "I searched several times that night, but I couldn't find your body."
"I'm sorry to have disappointed you."
Wearing a leather jacket, Vasikin glanced around and jokingly said to the guards, "Guys, don't be nervous. I'm a friend of your Secretary-General Li. You don't need to be like this."
He then looked at Li Xuewu, spread his hands, and said, "I came here with sincerity, don't you want to hear it?"
"Are you sure?" Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow, sized him up, and asked, "You're not strapping grenades to yourself and trying to take me down with you, are you?"
"Don't say that. Although that's what I think, I won't do anything foolish. We don't hate each other, do we?"
Vasikkin shrugged and said, "My superior admires you very much. If it weren't for the limitations, he would like to come and see you in person."
"I don't have that much charm."
Li Xuewu looked at the guards and said, "Search his body, don't miss any details, and kill him if he resists. I said it."
Without waiting for Vasilyin to say anything more, he went into the hall first.
Vasik watched his retreating figure speechlessly, then turned to the guards and asked, "Is your leader always this cautious and timid?"
"I don't know." The guard glanced at him, gestured for him to stretch out his arms, and said casually, "I only heard that he killed dozens of enemies easily and without a scratch."
"There aren't dozens—"
Vasikin wanted to argue, but then felt it was pointless. At this point, what difference did a dozen or several dozen make?
He really wanted to talk to Li Xuewu, so he cooperated with the guards and allowed them to search him. He also calmly accepted the weapons and equipment they found on him.
"What's wrong? Don't you know who I am?" Vasikin seemed to think he was in the right, facing the guards' gazes. "Isn't it normal for me to carry a few weapons?"
The guard was speechless. Are all Russians like this?
"Hey—you can't touch that gun!"
Just as the guard crouched down to search his genitals, the sensitive Vasikkin flinched and frowned, saying, "Don't worry, that gun only shoots women."
The guard ignored his taunts and, after confirming there were no more weapons, pointed to the hall, indicating that he could go in.
"Keep these safe, don't lose them, these are all high-end items!"
Vasikkin pointed to some of his belongings in the guard's hands and reminded him, "I rely on these things to do my job."
The guard remained silent, stuffed his belongings into his pocket, raised his head and glared at him, betting that he wouldn't dare to make a move.
"Fine, you have the numbers."
Vasik pointed at them with his finger, then stepped back into the hall and walked over to where Li Xuewu was.
"You really need to discipline your people; what kind of quality do they have—"
He sat down opposite Li Xuewu, complaining. This was the lounge area in the hotel lobby, where booths and coffee were available.
Li Xuewu didn't like coffee, and there were no tea drinks available, so he didn't plan to ask the other person for a cup.
"Get to the point, it's getting late."
He tapped his watch and reminded the other person, "I'm only giving you five minutes. I don't have time to waste arguing with you."
"Okay, okay, 5 minutes."
Wasikin flicked his gold watch, looked at Li Xuewu with a serious expression, and said, "I can return Fritz Fleischer to you..."
“Let me remind you, say something useful,” Li Xuewu interrupted him, narrowing his eyes. “Fritz Fleischer is not mine.”
“Alright, Fritz Fleischer can return to the prison he has been longing for and has been away from for so long.”
Vasikin raised his hands, feigning helplessness, and said, "From now on, we will not interfere with your transactions."
"If you don't believe me, you can make a phone call right now and ask your Selena. She should have already found Fleischer."
He gestured to the telephone on the small table, indicating that he could wait until Li Xuewu finished his call before continuing.
Li Xuewu, however, did not grant his wish, but instead said calmly, "You have three minutes left."
Damn it! He's completely stubborn!
Vasikkin took a deep breath and said very restrainedly, "Can't you also return our people?"
“You still have business dealings in East Germany, and you should know our capabilities there, so there’s no need to make things so tense, is there?”
He turned his head to the side, raised his eyebrows, and said, "Now let's each take a step back, forgive each other, and this will never happen again."
"You said that?" Li Xuewu looked at him amusedly and asked, "What guarantee do you have?"
"It's not that I look down on you, but a director of the Soviet-German Friendship House dares to make such a promise to me? Do you think I would believe you?"
Without waiting for the other person to speak again, he stood up and said, "Alright, time's up, you can go back now."
"Weren't you the ones who first spied on nuclear power technology?"
Vasik stood up and blocked his way, ignoring the guards who rushed over, and glared at him, saying, "You think I know what you're thinking? You're just a bunch of thieves."
"What are you looking at? Did I say something wrong?"
He was being pulled along by the guards, and he pointed at Li Xuewu, saying, "That Peter, don't tell me he went to find love!"
Do you even know what love is?
Li Xuewu looked at him with amusement and said, "In Peter's eyes, he gave up everything here for love; he is noble."
“You are despicable—” Vasikin immediately retorted, “You are stealing East Germany’s optoelectronic technology, a thief who takes it without asking!”
"Oh—you also know that this is East German technology?"
Li Xuewu tucked his chin in, raised an eyebrow, and asked, "So what does this have to do with you, a guy from the KGB?"
He straightened up and continued to ask, "Wouldn't it be for a sincere heart, for the friendship between the Soviet Union and Germany?"
"Here's a piece of advice for you and the organization behind you: mind your own business."
Li Xuewu approached him, looked him in the eyes, and reminded him, "Your enemy is not us. Don't make trouble for yourselves."
He patted the guard on the shoulder and instructed, "Take him out and give him back his junk. We don't collect garbage."
"besides--"
After taking a couple of steps, as if remembering something, Li Xuewu turned around, pointed at Vasilyin, and said, "Using women to do this kind of thing, you are the most despicable ones!"
-
"The talks broke down?" Back upstairs, Li Xuewu saw that Old Li's room door was open, so he went in.
As soon as I went upstairs, I heard Sha Qizhi and Liu Bin talking about what happened that evening. Director Li even stopped dancing and started to care about work.
"Oh? You're back—"
Li Huaide looked up from the sofa, saw that it was him who came in, rubbed his eyes and said, "I'm a little tired, I almost fell asleep."
"How is she? Is that girl alright?"
"She seems to be in good spirits." Li Xuewu leaned against the TV cabinet, arms crossed, and said, "She chatted with her father for a bit in the hallway."
"If it's too much to ask, there's no need to pretend to be friendly with them."
Li Huaide stood up, stretched his shoulders, and looked at him, saying, "At worst, I'll just stop coming to East Germany. There's nothing to make money from here anymore."
“What’s there to feel aggrieved about? I didn’t contribute anything.” Li Xuewu smiled and said, “If I still can’t understand this, then I shouldn’t be working with you.”
"Hehe—" These words really hit the nail on the head for Li Huaide, who still had a bit of a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) spirit in his personality.
"It's fine to play along, but don't take it to heart—" He pointed at Li Xuewu and reminded him, "You have a bright future ahead of you, don't ruin it with something like this."
"Making friends isn't that complicated."
Li Xuewu raised his chin and said, "Who knows what will happen to East Germany in the future? It's good to keep two lines of communication in place, just in case they come in handy."
"You're too cautious in your actions."
Li Huaide greatly admired his work style, but he himself found it exhausting.
The two lines Li Xuewu mentioned are actually one overt and one covert. The overt line is the Max Schulte Consortium, which has already taken the bait. Now it's up to the Santayar Group to see how they use capitalist means to corrupt them.
The hidden thread is Anna's line. Just when Anna's father came to find him, Li Xuewu decided to use this thread to do something.
Actually, Li Xuewu went to visit Anna at Xiaozhan Hospital to say goodbye, not expecting to have another chance to meet her in the future.
It was Hohenzollern who took the initiative to show up, demonstrating an interest and attitude outside of his own profession. He would feel like he was missing out if he didn't take advantage of it, so he decided to go see Anna that night.
Hohenzollern probably didn't expect that his attempt to steal a chicken would backfire so badly; the hot-blooded young man failed to fool anyone and instead attracted the little fox.
Judging from Li Xuewu's behavior when he visited Anna in the hospital, it's clear that the naive Anna was just one opportunity away from falling for him.
what chance?
A chance to meet again.
Hohenzollern was a seasoned lover in his youth, and he certainly knew that unrequited love is the most agonizing poison.
Li Xuewu, that kind of bad boy, is too dangerous. His daughter is too naive and kind when it comes to relationships, and has no defenses at all.
Li Huaide agreed to visit the other party after listening to Li Xuewu's report and making arrangements for the matter.
"Do you think Hohenzollern has a chance to enter East German politics?" He still didn't quite understand. "Why do you think that?"
"Because he himself was ambitious, and East Germany also needed a strong figure, especially when economic development encountered problems."
Li Xuewu squinted and explained softly, "They want to get rid of the shackles around their necks; they dream about it."
“A dog is a dog, even when chained up it will still try to bite,” Li Huaide said, smoothing his thinning hair. “The Japanese are the same.”
"So I think there's still a chance here."
Li Xuewu smiled, pointed to the ground, and said, "Who knows, we might be able to come back and make a big score in ten years."
What happened ten years later?
The second oil crisis! This was the trigger and an important starting point for the reunification of East and West Germany. East Germany dared to sell off its assets even when its economy was declining. What would happen when its economy collapsed ten years later?
Li Xuewu is waiting to see.
Li Huaide couldn't wait ten years; he felt he wouldn't even last three years before the ceiling above his head shattered.
"The future belongs to you, so keep up the good work."
He smiled, sat back down on the sofa, and gestured to the sofa to the side, indicating that Li Xuewu should also sit down.
"I chatted with Zhu Xiaolin and the others tonight, it was quite interesting."
"I was just about to ask you that, I heard the talks broke down?"
Li Xuewu had originally planned to come over and chat for a bit before going back to rest, but seeing that he was about to launch into a long speech, he sat down on the sofa.
Li Huaide waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter whether the talks break down or not. I didn't discuss it in depth. It's up to them to interpret it."
"Liu Bin said that Liu Yang from Nanjing Automobile left cursing and swearing." Li Xuewu asked with amusement, "What did you say to him?"
"Actually, he didn't say anything—"
Li Huaide couldn't help but laugh as he recalled what had happened that night. He stroked the two cricket-like hairs on his head and said, "I told him that Honggang plans to build a factory in Jiangnan to expand its operations."
"Ha—" Li Xuewu also laughed out loud, crossing his right leg as he said, "This news is going to cause an uproar in the Jiangnan automobile manufacturing industry."
"It's meant to serve as a warning to others—"
Li Huaide nudged him and said with a smile, "This is to tell them that we can intervene whenever we want!"
"I'm saying this for my superiors to hear as well."
He raised an eyebrow and said softly, "You've gained a lot this time. When you get back, you'll inevitably want to loosen the shackles on your body, right?"
"Won't there be any trouble?"
Li Xuewu squinted his left eye and reminded him, "This year's situation looks stable, but there are actually undercurrents. Who knows what might happen next year..."
"I know what I'm doing, both to my superiors and to my friends."
Li Huaide smiled confidently and said, "Your move is brilliant, killing two birds with one stone, answering both questions correctly."
"Don't let it slip—" Li Xuewu reminded him with a smile, "Director Du will definitely punish us if he finds out."
"If other car companies find out, they'll criticize us for being unethical."
"Hahahaha—" Old Li said quite cheerfully, "It's all for development, I can't care about others."
Li Huaide of Hongxing Steel Group is incredibly audacious. He dares to covet the entire automotive industry and wants to become the supreme ruler of everyone!
This news won't take long; it will spread throughout the entire hotel tonight, and perhaps even the dancers will know.
Isn't Lao Li supposed to be low-key? Why is he so arrogant this time, daring to reveal such wicked thoughts?
Even if you have such a plan, you shouldn't say it outright; that would just be asking for trouble.
Yes, it has ambition and strength. The higher-ups want to see what the transformation of the automotive industry can bring to the entire industry, and will give Honggang more lenient policies. But it only cares about the present and not the future.
Everyone was thinking that Old Li had gone too far, and if that day ever came, it would be those above him who would ultimately deal with him.
However, there is a prerequisite: that Honggang actually did it.
On the other hand, would Honggang really do that?
That's nonsense. If something can be said, it can't be true. Both Da Li and Xiao Li are cunning foxes. Can you trust what they say?
This thunderous revelation has a powerful driving force on the development of the supply chain and the transformation of the automotive industry nationwide.
Think about it, in the plan that Li Huaide is promoting, who supports it and who opposes it?
Those who support it will strive to achieve it, and those who oppose it will actively prepare for it; in any case, the national automobile market is about to be revitalized.
These automakers may buy Honggang's technology, management system, and production equipment, but they will definitely not allow Honggang to invest in them.
With this red line in place, won't the supply chain, equipment, and technology output all usher in a new era?
The first revolution in the automotive industry was achieved by Honggang breaking down the barriers to car manufacturing. Now, Honggang has built another barrier, which consists of Honggang's technology, supply chain, management system, and sales channels.
This threshold shattered the dreams of township enterprises to manufacture cars, as well as the dreams of companies like Beijing Chemical.
After a period of clarity, the automotive industry is about to enter a golden age of rapid growth in the number of newly established companies and resource integration.
This threshold forces these companies to work hard and strive to complete their initial capital accumulation as soon as possible, otherwise they will fall behind.
So does Honggang have any plans to establish a new automobile manufacturing plant in Jiangnan?
This plan certainly exists, but it would only be possible if steel and automobiles could not meet market demand, or if the cost of manufacturing cars would require Honggang to build a factory in Jiangnan.
Therefore, Li Huaide's shout was entirely to intimidate these people, while at the same time demonstrating his loyalty to his superiors and his confidence in the development.
What else can you say about Li Xuewu? Can you praise him as an old silver coin?
-
"Beijing Textile has secured cotton and wool orders in Karl Marx City!"
One morning, Li Xuewu came downstairs for breakfast and heard this news, which seemed to have been spread by the Beijing Textile Industry.
“Your performance at Honggang yesterday afternoon was subpar,” Han Song said, sitting down opposite Li Xuewu with his lunchbox and pressing him down to stay seated.
"Director Han, you're up early."
Li Xuewu smiled and said, "We've eaten all the meat, so we should at least give the brothers some soup. Otherwise, people will say we're hoarding it all."
"Is this what you really think?"
Han Song glanced at him with amusement. Of course he knew it was a joke. If there really was meat, would this kid let it go?
"The most obvious change in everyone after this experience is that they have developed a competitive spirit, and I think that's the biggest takeaway."
He took a bite of bread and looked at Li Xuewu, saying, "Honggang performed the best in this event, and was also the most relaxed and well-prepared."
"I told Li Huaide that after you go back, you should make preparations, and I will arrange for other industrial enterprises to come to your place to learn from you."
“What’s there to learn? It’s something you can do with money.” Li Xuewu smiled and looked at him as he said, “Our boss Li emphasized in a meeting that we should keep a low profile and not be too ostentatious.”
"He still has the nerve to hold a meeting for you?"
Han Song shook his head with amusement and said, "I heard last night that he was drinking and spouting nonsense. Has he lost his inhibitions after having a taste of the forbidden fruit?"
"To be honest, our CEO Li hasn't had a drink in a long time. Yesterday was a break from his rule. He really gave us a lot of face."
Li Xuewu wiped his hands and said with a smile, "I just spoke a bit too confidently, which may have put some pressure on the comrades."
"You're no better than me."
Han Song smiled and tapped him, saying, "If others heard this, the reputation of your Red Steel Madman would be ruined."
"You need to have the right to be arrogant, right?"
Li Xuewu nodded and said, "You see, we have achieved results in technology introduction and trade cooperation."
"She's just too calculating—"
Han Song nodded understandingly and said, "None of the members of the entire delegation are as shrewd as you."
In fact, yesterday's trade negotiations were not very fruitful. Li Xuewu chose to start international trade with the Max Schulte Corporation because he saw that the current international shipping costs were unaffordable for Honggang.
On the contrary, it would be more appropriate to transfer this part of the business to the Santayar Group, because the Santayar Group can mobilize resources nearby.
France is not far from Germany. It only took Germany 40 days to conquer France. That shows how close the two countries are.
Of course, Denmark fared even worse, holding out for only 4 hours.
Li Xuewu did indeed inspect the trade situation on-site yesterday, but after doing some mental calculations, he realized that after deducting transportation costs and tariffs, there was basically nothing left.
What's the point of this? The sugar, canned goods, and coffee that are traded with the Max Schutz consortium are supplied through special channels by the Santayana Group. That's what makes it interesting.
His intention in targeting the Max Schütt consortium was to further expand this economic cooperation, with East Germany also receiving a continuous stream of technology transfers to China.
Even without his return to East Germany, the Max Schüt Group would act as a comprador, continuing to use the pretext of technology export to conduct such trade unless they wanted to pay high tariffs and share the profits.
How could Han Song not know this?
The orders secured by Beijing Textile were merely a facade; they had nothing left to show for themselves, hence the loss-making attempt to gain publicity.
Of course, this kind of thing can't be discussed openly, otherwise a large part of the delegation's member units would be shut down.
Why did East Germany invite us to watch a football match?
Li Xuewu didn't intend to continue on that topic, but instead brought up the itinerary for this morning.
To be honest, East Germany was very well-prepared and bold in arranging the delegation's itinerary.
Today's match features a game between teams from the cities of Berlin and Leipzig. The Secretary General of the East German Economic Committee, Felix, is hosting the game and has invited them to the stadium to watch.
"You'll know when you get there."
Han Song looked up at him and said with a smile, "People say you're Honggang's little Zhuge Liang, why don't you analyze it?"
"Me? Little Zhuge Liang?" Li Xuewu shook his head with amusement and said, "That's a nickname you gave me, right? They all say I'm a wolf or a tiger or something."
"Hehehe—" Han Song was also amused by him. While eating, he said, "It's the last day. They just want to promote their cultural and sports life. It's no big deal."
“I don’t think so—” Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and asked softly, “How much do you think East Germany knows about our current situation?”
Upon hearing this question, Han Song's expression instantly became much more serious. However, he also knew that Li Xuewu was not a frivolous person, and there must be a deeper meaning behind his question.
"What do you mean?"
"Me? I didn't think too much about it, I was just a little surprised." Li Xuewu nodded and explained, "Our cultural and sports work is almost paralyzed right now. Are they flexing their muscles here to target us?"
“They all say you know this place very well.” Han Song squinted at him and asked, “Do you know anything about their sports?”
"Yes, I understand some of it, but not much."
Li Xuewu tapped his lunchbox with his fork and said softly, "I heard that they value sports performance very much and have cultivated many outstanding athletes."
"But what I've heard is... that these are all caused by medication."
"Who told you that? That Anna?"
Han Song raised an eyebrow and looked at him, reminding him, "Don't go around saying these things."
"Sigh, who can I talk to—"
Li Xuewu smiled and said, "I only told you because you asked, otherwise...right?"
"Be careful today, don't cause any trouble."
Han Song nodded understandingly and instructed him, "Even if you figure something out, don't say it out loud. We'll talk about it when we get back."
"Understood," Li Xuewu replied, adding, "However, East Germany's physical education system still has its merits."
"I wonder if Deputy Director Li has investigated East Germany's education system. The vocational schools here can train professional workers."
"Like your vocational and technical colleges?" Han Song seemed to understand what he meant, and raised his head slightly to say, "Write me a report about your investigation of the East German vocational education system."
"Stop complaining—" Seeing that Li Xuewu was about to speak, he tapped the table with his finger and said, "I'll give you some space when we get back."
As if afraid that Li Xuewu wouldn't understand, Han Song smiled and emphasized, "You'll be the first one off the plane, so remember to dress presentably."