"Boss Chen, you've finally arrived! We've been waiting for you, wishing on stars and the moon!"
Upon arriving in Shanghai, Chen Yang didn't head to school first. Instead, he went straight to Shanghai No. 3 Radio Factory.
"Director Sheng, I suspect you're not waiting for me, but for my money!"
Chen Yang glanced at Sheng Changqing, whose face was plastered with a smile. Chen Yang was certain that if he claimed to have no money now, Sheng Changqing would immediately turn hostile and have him thrown out.
"Boss Chen is joking, but about the money…"
"Boss Chen, please don't misunderstand. I've already reported the matter of the production line to the Ministry of Industry and the Foreign Economic and Trade Commission. They've even assigned people to liaise with foreign merchants for the factory."
"We're in contact with a German manufacturer. They're asking for $160,000 per production line. If you buy two, they can reduce the price by $5,000 per line."
Sheng Changqing's eyes were fixed on Chen Yang. Whether Shanghai No. 3 Radio Factory could be reborn from this point depended on whether Chen Yang could come up with the money now.
"Director Sheng, make a call and ask them if they can lower the price to $150,000 if we buy three lines. Additionally, I need a three-year warranty, and they must arrange for engineers to perform inspections if there are any issues. I'll cover the inspection fees."
"This is very important. I don't want to buy the equipment only for it to break down after a few days. Since we don't know how to repair it, we'll suffer a big loss."
Since the other party was directly communicating with the superior departments, Chen Yang didn't have the right to interrupt. He could only subtly convey his requirements.
Although German craftsmanship was renowned worldwide, it was possible these guys had become unscrupulous.
Think about Volkswagen. Their car sales and reputation are high globally, right? But look at what they sell in China. A Passat costing hundreds of thousands, tested in a crash, and its A-pillar directly bent. Imagine spending hundreds of thousands on a car, only for it to send you to the afterlife in an accident.
Damn it, even buying a Wuling Hongguang minivan for tens of thousands wouldn't be this trashy.
What was most infuriating was that the same model in foreign countries was indestructible, yet in China, it was designed to send drivers to their demise.
Chen Yang feared the Germans might practice differential treatment, making him pay dearly for nothing.
"Boss Chen, I will definitely mention the after-sales maintenance. As for whether the price can be reduced to $150,000 per line if we buy three, that will require negotiation with the Foreign Economic and Trade Commission."
Sheng Changqing replied unhurriedly, but as he spoke, he suddenly froze.
What, buy three lines?
He was sure he heard correctly.
This wasn't ordinary cabbage; this was a television production line. It wasn't priced at five yuan or fifteen yuan, but $160,000 per line!
Even if reduced to $150,000 per line, three production lines would still cost $450,000.
"Boss Chen? Forgive my impudence, but how have you prepared the funds?"
It wasn't that Sheng Changqing didn't trust Chen Yang. This was $450,000, a sum that even Hou Yong, the director of the Shanghai Administration for Industry and Commerce, couldn't readily procure in foreign exchange.
He found it truly hard to believe that Chen Yang, a university student, could come up with such a large sum of money in just one month.
"Liu Yong, come here, show Director Sheng."
Chen Yang naturally understood Sheng Changqing's thoughts. He directly asked Liu Yong, who had accompanied him, to open a combination safe.
"Here is $500,000. It's more than enough to buy three production lines."
Seeing Chen Yang casually produce $500,000, Sheng Changqing froze on the spot.
He must be dreaming!
This, this, this was too good to be true!
They had money, they had money! Shanghai No. 3 Radio Factory was finally saved!
Boss Chen, no, Grandmaster Chen! Sheng Changqing felt like singing a song of praise, "Grandmaster Chen is amazing!"
Before Chen Yang could even react, Sheng Changqing collapsed straight down.
If he hadn't fallen in a direction away from the safe containing the money, Chen Yang would have suspected him of trying to steal it.
"Director Sheng, Director Sheng…"
Fortunately, Chen Yang's reflexes were quick. He grabbed the falling Sheng Changqing, preventing him from hitting the ground. A hard fall would have surely resulted in a bloody head.
"This damned fellow! I brought the money for you, don't get so worked up. What are you getting excited about? If your excitement causes trouble, who will I cooperate with?"
Chen Yang quickly pinched Sheng Changqing's philtrum and loosened his collar to help him breathe. Fortunately, after a series of actions, Sheng Changqing finally managed to catch his breath.
"Director Sheng, please calm down. Whatever it is, let's talk slowly, no need to rush."
"If something happens to you, how can I explain it to Director Hou and the workers of Shanghai No. 3 Radio Factory?"
Seeing Sheng Changqing's complexion return to normal, Chen Yang breathed a sigh of relief.
He would never show off in front of this guy again. It was just $500,000, was it worth almost losing his life here?
"Cough, cough, cough…"
"Boss Chen, you've seen a fool. I was simply too happy."
"I'll inform Director Hou immediately to come discuss how to communicate with the higher authorities. Rest assured, I will handle this matter perfectly for you."
"At that time, if we can indeed buy three production lines for $450,000, then our factory… hehehe… can our factory have two of them?"
Sheng Changqing rubbed his palms together with slight embarrassment. It wasn't that he was shameless; he was genuinely thinking of the factory workers.
Shanghai No. 3 Radio Factory had hundreds of workers. With only one production line, many would still not have a job. If there were two production lines, and he implemented two shifts, then their livelihoods should be secured.
"Don't worry about that for now. First, get the production line purchase settled."
"We can discuss the allocation of things later when the production lines arrive."
Chen Yang wasn't in a hurry to give Sheng Changqing an answer. His radio factory was only in its preliminary stages, and he hadn't even hired permanent workers yet; they were temporarily hiring people to repair old radios.
If they were to operate two production lines simultaneously, it would likely be too much. It wouldn't be impossible to give two to Shanghai No. 3 Radio Factory, as the televisions they produced would be sold through his stores anyway.
In essence, Shanghai No. 3 Radio Factory was his contract manufacturer, albeit one that produced using equipment he purchased.
Even so, Chen Yang wouldn't agree to Sheng Changqing's request on the spot. People don't cherish things they obtain without effort or cost.
Chen Yang wanted him to struggle a bit, so he would understand that these two production lines were hard-earned. Only then would the workers of Shanghai No. 3 Radio Factory work diligently and properly maintain these production lines.