Acquire automobile production qualifications, then not produce for several years, just let them sit and wait for appreciation?
Do nothing at all during these few years?
That's obviously impossible.
At this point, Zhongtai, or now called Tietu, must be hitting walls everywhere, right?
BAIC, FAW, and even Changhe, they've all been approached, but as a small private factory, you simply don't have the qualifications to bargain with these old state-owned enterprises.
For Shanchi Technology, this is an opportunity.
This is the benefit of information asymmetry.
Ever since he had the dream of building cars, Tan Jincheng had been following Zhongtai's development, secretly collecting information.
Due to the insufficient level of informatization, he hasn't been able to collect much data in the past year or two, but he still knows the general progression.
In Tan Jincheng's opinion, Zhongtai is actually a bit of a pity.
If, after the immense popularity of Baoshitai, they had sincerely focused on technological research and development, perhaps their ultimate fate would have been different.
Moreover, Zhongtai was the first company in China to obtain a new energy vehicle license.
However, like most enterprises, they indulged in subsidy fraud during those years.
Coupled with the boss perhaps realizing it was too late to turn things around, they began frantic capital operations, turning a promising car-making dream into a cash-out scheme, and then started to run with the bucket.
It must be said, this is a tragedy.
For ordinary people, it was also a great loss.
After all, although Zhongtai's models had many flaws and were often criticized as "LOW," they were truly cheap, unlike the later new forces where a car easily costs hundreds of thousands.
They constantly benchmark against this and that, claiming to have the best models under 1 million or under 5 million, completely disregarding the wallets of ordinary people.
If Tesla didn't occasionally run price-reduction campaigns, we might truly reach a point where if you don't work hard, you can only drive a BBA.
What if, hypothetically, Zhongtai had not forgotten its original mission and had not ultimately gone bankrupt, would the market have been different? Tan Jincheng couldn't be sure if this hypothesis was valid.
But looking at how established domestic fuel car manufacturers have priced their models after transitioning to new energy, the pricing is still relatively reasonable.
It's expected they wouldn't sell too expensively, at least most models wouldn't be too expensive.
Lunch was still eaten in the small private room of the company cafeteria; Tan Jincheng wasn't completely clueless, he still maintained the necessary decorum, for example, bringing several bottles of mineral water, and the dishes weren't overly extravagant, but still refined.
After the preliminary agreement was signed, both Tao Qinian's side and Tan Jincheng's side felt much more relaxed.
With relaxed moods, the atmosphere at the dinner table became quite lively.
Tao Qinian occasionally clinked glasses and chatted with Tan Lihua and Zhang Xupeng, who had just arrived.
Compared to Tan Jincheng, Zhang Xupeng hadn't yet interacted with leaders of this level, and since they were from his hometown Yicheng, he seemed somewhat nervous, frequently glancing at Tan Jincheng.
However, Tan Jincheng was too busy himself.
Xu Xueming and the head of the finance bureau were currently guarding him; it seemed their division of labor was clear.
Fortunately, Tan Jincheng had told him before they came that the other party seemed interested in introducing Jinpeng Trade to set up a garment factory in Wangjiang County.
As for the decision, Tan Jincheng let Zhang Xupeng decide for himself.
Although Tan Jincheng still hoped that Zhang Xupeng would stay with Jinpeng Trade to earn good money for a few years, and then find an opportunity to "lie flat," so he wouldn't have to worry for a lifetime, or even several lifetimes.
But now Tan Jincheng himself is only a "minor shareholder" of Jinpeng Trade, and company decisions still need to respect Zhang Xupeng, the boss.
Setting up a factory back in his hometown wasn't entirely without benefits; other aspects were quite advantageous.
Firstly, he could take the OEM profits himself, and secondly, costs would be significantly reduced.
The only thing to worry about was the business environment.
One must know that "it's easier to provoke the King of Hell than a petty devil."
Even if Tao Qinian personally introduced it, and it was an enterprise with an annual output value exceeding 100 million, it's hard to guarantee that a group of people below wouldn't try to interfere.
But it doesn't matter.
If they were really misled into going there and then couldn't continue operations, at most it would just be a small loss of profit.
There's nothing wrong with using profit to buy a lesson.
Not short on money!
"Mr. Tan, this is our second time drinking together. Thank you very much for your hospitality during this time in Yongcheng. No need for words, it's all in the glass."
"It was my oversight. I woke up late that day and left in a hurry to catch the flight, so I didn't get a chance to say hello. Mr. Xu, you are generous. I toast this glass to you as an apology."
"You're too kind. Before I came, Xiao Zhang said you were busy leaving. It was I who disturbed you, so an apology is completely unnecessary. But if we're drinking, one glass won't do. How about we have three glasses?"
But what could I do?
The matter was already decided, the agreement was signed.
Could I still go back on it?
"No problem, three glasses it is. However, my alcohol tolerance is limited, so I hope the leaders will be a bit more understanding later, considering I'm younger,"
Tan Jincheng readily agreed.
This old man probably feels a bit displeased.
Three glasses it is.
Although there won't be many opportunities to interact in the future, there's no need to offend him completely.
There's nothing wrong with giving him some face.
That kind of confrontational behavior seen in web novels only shows a lack of common sense.
There's no need to offend someone when there's no conflict of interest.
Previously, Tan Jincheng was displeased with him only because this old man tried to encroach on his interests.
At that time, of course, he pushed back without hesitation, but now that there are no more conflicts of interest between them, mindlessly provoking others would seem a bit brainless.
High-level sparring is driven by interests; low-level sparring is impotent rage.
Seeing Tan Jincheng readily drink three glasses, Xu Xueming's expression softened considerably:
"Mr. Tan is straightforward, a true man of his word!"
Alright, for a young and spirited person to give this much face is already quite good.
It's best to stop while ahead.
Perhaps not gaining anything this time wasn't necessarily a bad thing for him.
The 800,000 offer from that company in Taizhou was truly too far from Shanchi Technology's 5 million price.
If it were really sold to that company, if this kid felt resentful and exposed the matter, it would be a huge problem.
In the latter half of the banquet, Xu Xueming saw that Tan Jincheng only clinked glasses once with others, and even with Tao Qinian.
Seeing his flushed cheeks, his alcohol tolerance was clearly not good, so Xu Xueming did not continue to take advantage of him.
"Mr. Tan, would you like a ceremony for your donation when the time comes? If so, we'll go back and prepare. Also, what purposes do you intend for this donation, and do you have any specific requirements?"
While Tan Jincheng was half-drunk, half-awake, the other head of the finance bureau, who was mainly responsible, asked.
"No need. Doing something for my hometown doesn't require any ceremony. As for the purpose, part of it will be used to improve the county's office conditions, and another part to improve the living and accommodation environment for middle school students in the town. What do you think?"
During the few days he returned to his hometown for Chinese New Year, he had heard his junior high school cousins and other village children talk about how difficult the conditions at the town's junior high school still were, especially for rural students like them who needed to stay at the school.
However, the accommodation environment at the town's middle school, from their descriptions, was truly nothing to write home about, and the cafeteria food was also very poor.
The teenage years are a critical time for physical development.
Poor food, poor living conditions, and heavy study loads — it all sounded quite miserable.
This time, to acquire Andaer's production qualifications, he had proactively offered to make a donation.
Regarding how this money would be used, the other party would certainly respect his opinion.
By taking this opportunity to mention it, he believed they would understand his intentions.
"Understood. Then I'll thank Mr. Tan on behalf of the county staff and the children. I'll finish this glass, Mr. Tan, please help yourself."
At four in the afternoon, Tan Jincheng, who had been sleeping on the office sofa, finally woke up.
Hearing the movement, Zhang Xuhui quickly came in and poured Tan Jincheng a glass of water.
"My dad, Pengya, and the leaders, have they all been sent back?"
Rubbing his head, Tan Jincheng asked.
His alcohol tolerance was already poor, and he was physically exhausted from rushing back from the imperial capital by plane.
Therefore, he was the first to give out, and took the opportunity of a "bathroom escape" to leave the banquet early and lie down in the office.
When Zhang Xuhui found Tan Jincheng, he was already asleep, so he didn't disturb him further.
"Yes, the leaders were sent to the guesthouse, and Uncle and Pengya were sent back to their lodging. Pengya was also a bit drunk, but what's a bit funny is that when he heard you made a donation, he loudly insisted on donating too."
Zhang Xuhui chuckled.
Tan Jincheng was momentarily stunned, his actions stopping:
"What was that?"
"Haha, when the head of the finance bureau was plying him with drinks, he drank a bit too much and started clamoring to be like you."
"Damn, this idiot. You can't just blurt out things like that. If you say it, you have to do it. That entails legal responsibility,"
Tan Jincheng said with a headache.
"Exactly, I was afraid he'd keep talking nonsense later, so I kept an eye on him."
"Alright, never mind him. If he wants to donate, let him donate. You sit down first, let's talk."
"Is something wrong?"
Zhang Xuhui asked somewhat nervously.
The boss rarely spoke to him in this tone.
Tan Jincheng nodded and said,
"There is indeed something. What do you think about working in the imperial capital?"
After much thought, it was still most suitable to send Zhang Xuhui to the imperial capital.
Lack of experience could be learned slowly, and it wouldn't matter if he didn't manage perfectly.
With him overseeing things there, Tan Jincheng would always feel more at ease.
"Work in the imperial capital? Boss, are you Hang New Energy?"
Hearing this news so suddenly, Zhang Xuhui was a bit overwhelmed.
"Yes, I plan to send you there to be a logistics supervisor. You just need to manage spending and purchasing on a daily basis. Are you willing?"
"Uh, but I don't have experience in management. I don't know if I can do it well."
"You can learn if you don't know, can't you? When you first came, you didn't know anything either, and you even looked down on me a bit back then, didn't you? It's okay, just learn slowly. I'm not afraid you won't manage well, just keep an eye on things for me."
Hearing the boss bring up the past, Zhang Xuhui awkwardly scratched his head:
"That was just me being naive right out of school."
"I didn't mean anything else by saying that. You and Pengya are like brothers, I trust you, that's why I'm sending you there. If you're willing, then it's settled."
"Thank you for your trust, Boss. But if I go, you won't have anyone you trust by your side. What will you do then?"
"Easy. I'll give you two days to think about it. If you're willing to go, then in two days, recruit a few assistants for me. You'll be responsible for training them, and once they can take over your work, you can go."
Two days, isn't that just a weekend?
A decision needs to be made by next Monday?
"Uh, alright, I'll think about it then."
(End of Chapter)