"Raise the banner a bit higher. Why is that flag crooked? Thereâs still a leaf in the corner, go clean it up quickly! The big boss from Xiangjiang is coming soon. This is a foreign guest, everyone must do a good job of welcoming him. This not only concerns the image of our company, but also the image of the city, and even the province. We must take it seriously, and even more seriously! Factory... no, General Manager, do you think this arrangement is okay?"
Li Mingde took a look and nodded vigorously. "Itâs fine. Is the canteen arranged?"
"Itâs all set. Weâve got a lot of wild game, I guarantee the big boss from Xiangjiang hasnât tasted it before!"
"Good, if this succeeds, you, the office director, will have made a great contribution!"
A black car appeared at the factory gate. The car looked grand and majestic, with a flying lady emblem standing proudly on the hood. Many people thought the car looked luxurious, but they hadnât seen the emblem before. It wasnât a Mercedes, BMW, or even a Jinlu.
The car stopped, the driver got out, and opened the rear door, holding his hand over the top of the car.
A man in a black overcoat, wearing a round top hat, a white scarf, and shiny leather shoes, stepped out of the car, dressed like Xu Wenqiang.
"Who is General Manager Li Mingde?"
Li Mingde hurried forward and shook the manâs right hand with both of his. "I am Li Mingde from Bingcheng Machinery Company. Welcome, Mr. Fu from Xiangjiang, for your investment."
"Itâs for inspection, not yet decided," Fu Guangzheng emphasized. His Mandarin was poor, making Li Mingde uncomfortable, but he had to keep smiling.
The car was a used Rolls-Royce, one that Feng Yu had kept for himself and temporarily lent to him. The driver was brought by Fu Guangzheng, an experienced driver from Nanyue who understood Mandarin and could help with translation.
Feng Yu had told him that the higher the posture for this investment, the better the effect. He mustnât show any eagerness to invest. The less eager and more casual he appeared, the less resistance there would be to the investment, and the terms would be more favorable.
Todayâs attire, which would be fine in the south, was a problem in the northeast, especially in late November, when the temperature was already below zero. He shivered the moment he stepped out of the car, wishing he had worn more layers. He secretly vowed never to come to Bingcheng in winter again; the temperature was too challenging!
"Itâs the same, all the same. After the inspection, it will still be an investment. Mr. Fu, please come in. Iâll show you around our factory. We have the most advanced Soviet production equipment, the most advanced technology, and expert guidance. This is the best in the country," Li Mingde said enthusiastically.
Fu Guangzheng nodded slightly and walked slowly inside, seemingly looking around casually but actually carefully observing the factory.
It was different from what he had imagined. The factory was large and very clean. He saw the banners hanging above the factory gate and the flags on both sides of the road, knowing that this was a special effort to welcome him.
Fu Guangzheng wasnât interested in these formalities. As long as Feng Yu hadnât lied and the factory had the advanced Soviet equipment and technology, he would definitely invest.
"Mr. Fu, look, this is the newly assembled and tested equipment. All the equipment in the workshop is like this. This is a CNC machine tool, capable of producing engines and advanced bearings. Over there, the workers are producing. The noise is low, the efficiency is high, and itâs absolutely leading in the country!"
Fu Guangzheng nodded. The noise was much less than he had expected. The workshop was spacious, and the factory covered a large area. Xiangjiang didnât have such large factories; it wasnât an industrial city.
Fu Guangzheng also saw a Soviet foreigner guiding the workers. Was this the Soviet mechanical expert Feng Yu had mentioned?
"Mr. Fu, these are the finished bearings, with a 100% pass rate, absolutely no defective products..."
Fu Guangzheng wasnât interested in these details. He knew the factory had advanced equipment and technology, so the inspection was essentially over. But he had to maintain the posture, at least visiting for over an hour to show his seriousness. However, the time shouldnât be too long, making him seem eager to invest.
Moreover, the smell in the factory wasnât pleasant. Fu Guangzheng kept a handkerchief over his mouth and nose. He didnât touch the finished products Li Mingde handed him, as they were covered in oil. Did he expect him to grab them with his hands?
Fu Guangzheng had a mild case of OCD, bathing at least twice a day and washing his hands seven to eight times. Oil on his hands was hard to wash off, and even if washed, the smell might not be completely gone. If he got oil on his hands, he wouldnât be able to eat or sleep.
But he couldnât leave now, which troubled Fu Guangzheng.
Li Mingde became more excited as he spoke, seeing the big boss from Xiangjiang nodding continuously, indicating great satisfaction with the factory. He introduced it even more enthusiastically.
The office director was observant and whispered in Li Mingdeâs ear, "General Manager, the big boss from Xiangjiang has been covering his mouth and nose with a handkerchief. Is it because he canât stand the smell in the workshop? Should we invite him to the office to sit for a while and visit our honor room?"
Li Mingde looked and realized it was true. Visiting the honor room was a good idea. The companyâs predecessor, the machinery factory, had won dozens of awards, which could increase the big bossâs interest in investing.
"Mr. Fu, do you want to continue the workshop tour? Or would you like to sit in our office area and see some of our companyâs historical honors?"
Fu Guangzheng nodded quickly. "Iâd like to see that."
On the office building, Fu Guangzheng put the handkerchief in his pocket, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
Li Mingde began to enthusiastically introduce the various honors the companyâs predecessor, the machinery factory, had won, including those from the city, province, and national awards from the Ministry of Machinery.
As he spoke, Li Mingdeâs face was full of pride, even though many of the honors were not won during his tenure. But from his expression, it seemed that without him, there would be no honors.
They chatted for over half an hour, and Li Mingde still hadnât finished. Fu Guangzheng finally became impatient and interrupted Li Mingde. "Mr. Li, can I see the companyâs financial status?"
Li Mingdeâs heart sank. The companyâs finances, while not chaotic, were far from transparent. During the restructuring, the fixed assets were overvalued, and Feng Yu could see through it. The big boss from Xiangjiang might also notice.
"Our companyâs finances are excellent, with ample funds. The fixed assets include the factory site, buildings, equipment, and technology. Do we need to see these again?"
"Itâs like that, right? These fixed assets are not cheap. If I invest, I should have some say in the financial matters, right?" Fu Guangzheng said casually.
"Of course, in a joint-stock company, any shareholder can review the financials. Our other shareholder has already dispatched a financial representative. After your investment, you can also dispatch one!" Li Mingde said through gritted teeth.
Damn, why is this guy from Xiangjiang so fixated on the finances? But this investment must happen. If the cityâs money isnât repaid soon, his position in the leadershipâs eyes will be shaken!