Feng Yu stood beside the Chief Architect to explain about the facilities in the factory. This was the opportunity to show off his talents. But Feng Yu only know what those facilities were for. He does not know about the technical details.
“Why are they assembling that car by hand? You had told me earlier that your factory’s production uses production lines?”
Feng Yu was also surprised. Assembling by hand were only for the prototypes and samples. Was there a new model? How come I am not aware of it?
Li Mingde stepped forward and answered: “Leader, this car uses the best technologies in our factory and after we had assembled it, we will be giving it to the government as a New Year Gift.”
“Oh? Best technologies? Let’s go over there for a look.” This had sparked the Chief Architect’s interest.
Feng Yu remembered that this was mentioned in one of the documents he read yesterday, and Li Mingde had told him. But he had forgotten.
Two eight grade mechanics were working on the car when they noticed a group of people approaching them. One of them scolded impatiently: “You are blocking the light! Didn’t I said that no one should come close when we are working?”
Li Mingde frowned. Who the hell are you shouting at?
Li Mingde turned and explained embarrassedly: “This is our factory’s most skilled mechanic, Mr. Liu, eight Grade workers. But his temper is a bit impatient.”
Li Mingde turned back to Mr. Liu and said in a softer voice: “Old Liu, shut up! Stop working first.”
Mr. Liu looked up and saw it was Li Mingde. He stopped working reluctantly and realized that there were a lot of people looking at him.
This…… the Chief Architect?
“Sir…… Leader……?” Mr. Liu stretched out both hands to shake the Chief Architect’s hand.
Li Mingde’s eyes opened wide. The gloves you are wearing is covered with oil. How can you shake his hand?! He immediately pushes Mr. Liu’s hands away and stared at him. The other mechanic was standing there in a daze.
The Chief Architect does not mind the oil on Mr. Liu’s gloves. He had participated in wars when he was younger, why would he be bothered with some machine oil? The branch factory’s director immediately passed a pair of new work gloves to the Chief Architect and two other pairs to Mr. Liu and the other mechanic. This was the production floor of the factory. It’s normal for people to wear gloves.
“The both of you had worked hard. This car uses the best technologies in the factory?”
“Of course. These technologies might not be the best in the world, but it is definitely the best in China. Over there, there are two Russians who had attended Germany’s car exhibition two years ago. They said that our technologies had caught up with the technologies of the European cars then.” Mr. Liu said proudly.
Iron-fist Zhu suddenly asked: “How much is the cost of this vehicle? Can this be mass produced?”
“The cost is about 1 million. Mass production? It should not be possible for the time being. This car is too expensive. Not a lot of people can afford.” Li Mingde explained.
“What is the cost of those foreign cars with similar specs?”
“About 300,000 to 400,000 RMB.” Li Mingde replied.
Iron-fist Zhu shook his head. There was a hint of disappointment in his eyes. There was still a significant difference in their production technologies with overseas manufacturers. Their cost was only 300,000 to 400,000, and your cost is about 1 million. How can you compete?
Feng Yu was also helpless. There was nothing he could do. Although he had invested a lot into R&D, these cannot be changed overnight. At least, the Machinery Company had achieved something the other Chinese automobile manufacturers could not. Feng Yu was confident that he would catch up with the rest of the world!
“The cars you manufactured should not be cheap. How are the sales?”
“We had just started selling recently. We do not have many sales yet. But we had already contacted a businessman from Russia. Most of our cars will be exported overseas.”
“Export? Our cars can be exported?” The Chief Architect was surprised. Chinese cars can be exported?
“The prices and quality of our cars suit the Russian market. Of course, we can export to Russia. Mayor Zhang had also met that Russian businessman.” Feng Yu mentioned Zhang Ruiqiang.
Zhang Ruiqiang nodded: “I had met that Russian businessman and he had signed an agreement with the Machinery Company to confirm their purchasing prices. He will send in his order after the new year.”
“Good, good, good!” The Chief Architect said. “I believe the Songjiang Motors vehicles produced by the Machinery Company is the best in China! What difficulties is your company facing? Tell me. I will help you!”
Zhang Ruiqiang immediately pulled Feng Yu back. He knew Feng Yu’s character. Feng Yu would dare to make all sorts of requests!”
Feng Yu kept quiet, but it was Fu Guangzheng that spoke: “Our Machinery Company should get the same government subsidies like those joint-ventured manufacturers!”
Feng Yu had discussed with Fu Guangzheng and Li Mingde. Fu Guangzheng’s status as a Hong Konger was useful. He was the most suitable person to make this request. Furthermore, his surname was Fu. One of the influential family in Hong Kong and even Asia!
The Chief Architect turned and looked at Fu Guangzheng: “You must be Xiao Fu from Hong Kong? When I visited Hong Kong a few years back, I had met your eldest uncle. How is he now?”
The identities and backgrounds of Feng Yu and the rest of them had been investigated by the Chief Architect’s men.
“Thank you, Leader, for asking. My uncle is in good health. But he has been grumbling about Hong Kong should return to our motherland earlier.”
“Hahaha, tell him that I will treat him to Peking duck when he visits Beijing! Zhang Ruiqiang, prepare a report for Iron-fist Zhu. He will help you settle all the Machinery Company’s problems. No matter if this is a private enterprise or a state-owned enterprise, as long as this is a Chinese enterprise, we must support!”
……
Under the persuasion of the accompanying officials, the Chief Architect concluded his tour of Bing City’s Machinery Company and returned to his hotel for lunch. After lunch, he still must visit other places.
When all the leaders had left, Feng Yu waved his hand: “Old Li, Brother Fu, let’s go for lunch. Everybody had done well today. We will have a celebration tonight!” They had shown the top leaders their company’s capabilities and gotten the Leader’s promise of government assistance. This was the perfect ending.
But when the dishes were served, Feng Yu received a call from Zhang Ruiqiang asking him and Fu Guangzheng to go to the Provincial Guesthouse immediately. The top leader wants to see them.
Feng Yu and Fu Guangzheng immediately drove there. The both of them were confused. Why were they summoned over again?
When they arrived, they found out that the Chief Architect had left for other places with the Provincial Governor. It was another top official, Iron-fist Zhu, that wanted to meet them.
“I had asked the both of you here so urgently is because the Senior Official will be leaving when he returns from his visits in Bing City. We still have to go to other provinces.”
Feng Yu and Fu Guangzheng expressed that they do not mind coming over.
“Xiao Fu, I know that you have invested quite a lot of money in China these recent years.”
“I feel that China’s economy will pick up soon and will grow rapidly in the next few years. Furthermore, I am Chinese, and I should do my part of developing China’s economy.” Fu Guangzheng replied.
Feng Yu was despising Fu Guangzheng in his heart. Curry favor. Don’t tell me you also grew up under the red banner?
“You had invested yourself or on behalf of your family?” Iron-fist Zhu continued to ask.
“It’s my family’s idea.” Fu Guangzheng replied confidently. It was his eldest uncle’s instructions.
“I am really thankful that Hong Kong has businessmen like your Fu family. Send my regards to your family.” Iron-fist Zhu stood up and shook hands with Fu Guangzheng.
Fu Guangzheng had represented the Fu family, and this was enough. After all, Fu Guangzheng was not the head of the Fu family. At this moment, Feng Yu was feeling awkward. This talk was over? What about me? Why did you call me over?
Translator’s notes: I think the author uses nicknames for the top officials to avoid censorships. I wonder if Winnie the Pooh appears later in this story.
In case you are wondering who is Winnie the Pooh, check out this link.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/07/china-bans-winnie-the-pooh-film-to-stop-comparisons-to-president-xi
