Chapter 22: Striving and Not Striving: Part 2

Chen Hongjun overthought it. Chen Geng, who had a second chance, had seen all kinds of situations. The current scene was not even considered a minor issue. Facing everyone's "indignant" gazes, Chen Geng remained calm and said slowly, "If everyone thinks it's inappropriate, then I'll tell Mr. Jindler that this cooperation is off?"

Uh...

The people who were just extremely agitated instantly became dumbfounded: You're not playing by the rules, kid. We can argue, but it's still an internal conflict among the people. What's with you flipping the table?

Liu Qianjin couldn't help but frown.

Was Liu Qianjin really dissatisfied with the profit distribution? A little, but more importantly, he was testing Chen Geng's depth.

No matter whether Chen Geng was dissatisfied or angry, it was all within Liu Qianjin's expectations, and he had a way to deal with it. However, Chen Geng's calmness and his straightforward action of flipping the table made him feel like he was facing an old hand... Xue Fugai was his confidant, and Xue Fugai's challenge was actually his instruction.

"It's all for work. Disagreements are inevitable. Everyone, don't get too excited," Liu Qianjin had to take control of the conversation, waving his hand and saying, "Comrade Chen Geng, this..."

Chen Geng interrupted Liu Qianjin and said slowly, "I don't understand why everyone is unhappy. The products, production equipment, technology, and sales channels are all provided by the other party. We don't have to pay any extra cost. If we don't agree to such favorable cooperation terms..."

At this point, Chen Geng spread his hands and fell silent.

The meaning was clear: Are you all out of your minds?

Although Chen Geng didn't say anything, everyone, being old hands, understood the unspoken message: Not agree? No problem. There are people who want to take on this project. Also, if you play tricks behind the scenes after the cooperation is established, the loan speed from Pusan... well, well...

Understanding Chen Geng's meaning, everyone looked at each other, the situation was clear. If they didn't agree to the other party's terms, everything would be over. But the most important thing was Chen Geng's performance in this process. Was this kid really a recent college graduate, or someone who had been working in the revolution for over a decade?

Chen Geng was a top student from Huqing University. As a student, he had no conflicts of interest with everyone, and everyone naturally envied him and his parents. But now that Chen Geng was working, not only working but also becoming a colleague, and having a conflict of interest, they wouldn't care about his educational background. They would naturally weigh his worth.

Chen Geng's interruption of Liu Qianjin's words was a bit impolite, but everyone's focus wasn't on that. Even Liu Qianjin didn't mind. Everyone was surprised by Chen Geng's performance and found it hard to accept. This wasn't scientific.

Only Cheng Hongjun was flushed with excitement. His son's performance was even better than he had hoped. Seeing his son easily maneuvering among a group of old foxes without any signs of being at a disadvantage, he was completely reassured.

Liu Qianjin was surprised, but as the head of the factory, if he only had these two tricks, he wouldn't be able to hold his position. After a brief moment of surprise, he subtly gestured to the deputy factory manager in charge of production, Cao Jun.

Cao Jun, receiving the hint, immediately said, "Deputy Factory Manager Chen, there's one thing I don't understand. Since this Comrade Jin has such advantages, understands technology, has equipment, and has funds, why doesn't he do it himself? If he cooperates with us, he can only get 30%, but if he does it himself, all the profits would be his."

Comrade Jin... right, Jindler's surname is Jin. Chen Geng thought to himself but smiled and said, "Factory Manager Cao's question is very reasonable. I'm sure everyone is thinking the same thing. Since this business is a sure thing with high profits, why doesn't Mr. Jindler do it himself?" He paused, waiting for everyone's attention to focus on him, then said, "The reason is simple. Mr. Jindler can't do this project himself."

Can't do it himself?!

No one expected Chen Geng to give such an answer. While everyone was still stunned, Secretary Peng Guangming asked, "Why can't he do it himself? Is there a problem?"

That's right. Hearing Secretary Peng's question, everyone, who had just been immersed in Chen Geng's answer, suddenly brightened their eyes: If we can figure out the reason, can we get more benefits?

"There is indeed a problem," Chen Geng nodded and said frankly, "The first reason is that this product is for the localization of Pusan. According to the regulations, these enterprises can only be Chinese-owned. Even joint ventures and foreign enterprises are not allowed."

Peng Guangming thought for a moment and slowly nodded, "That makes sense. What else?"

"Secondly, as I mentioned earlier, Mr. Jindler once worked at the world's largest automotive parts company, Bosch, in Germany, specializing in carburetors. To put it more clearly, the carburetor technology provided by Mr. Jindler is from Bosch. Bosch's technology is very advanced, but foreigners are very particular about patents. If Mr. Jindler produces this carburetor himself, it would be an infringement on Bosch. Not only would he be sued by Bosch, but he would also lose the lawsuit and go bankrupt. Therefore, he absolutely cannot do it himself, but there are no such issues with cooperation."

So it's because of patent issues. Everyone suddenly understood.

After so many years of reform and opening up, everyone had heard about foreigners being very particular about patents. Now they understood what was going on with the carburetor Mr. Jindler was providing to the factory. It was essentially a direct copy of Bosch's product. Such blatant patent infringement was something Mr. Jindler wouldn't dare to do.

But what Mr. Jindler wouldn't dare to do, the Chinese would. Everyone in the room, without exception, didn't think there was anything wrong with copying German products: You've already copied our Santana cars, so copying a carburetor is nothing.

Patents? What are those?

On this point, everyone felt a sense of pride.

As for whether copying Bosch's products would lead to a lawsuit, everyone was even less concerned: Haven't we copied a lot of foreign products over the years? But we've never heard of any company being sued by foreigners.

Liu Qianjin nodded in relief, "I see. Foreigners are so shrewd, how could they let such a profitable business go? It turns out they have their own concerns... Since it's related to patents, that makes sense."

Although they understood, it didn't really help much because the Third Armament Repair Factory couldn't use this to get more money from Mr. Jindler. The reason was simple: if the Third Armament Repair Factory's terms were too strict, Mr. Jindler could find someone else to cooperate with. The state would be happy to see this happen.

Peng Guangming, being in charge of political work, asked after the temptation was resolved, "What is the nature of our factory? A joint venture? There is no policy for our military enterprises to form joint ventures."

This question hit the nail on the head. The Third Armament Repair Factory was a direct enterprise of the East China Military Region, a formal military unit. A military unit forming a joint venture with a foreigner was unprecedented, and such a precedent was always troublesome. Compared to the trouble, everyone would rather not do it.

But thinking about the huge profits, everyone was extremely unwilling: Who has a grudge against money?

"It's not a joint venture," Chen Geng said straightforwardly, meeting everyone's worried and unwilling gazes, "It's just a production equipment lease contract. Mr. Jindler will lease this batch of production equipment to us. We will pay the rent as 30% of the annual profit from this equipment for 10 years. After the 10-year lease period, the ownership of this equipment will belong to us. Apart from providing technical guidance, Mr. Jindler will not participate in the daily management of the enterprise."

Just a production equipment lease contract? Chen Geng's statement instantly relieved everyone: If it's just a lease contract and Mr. Jindler doesn't participate in the factory's daily management, there's no problem, and things will be much simpler.

"Only 10 years?" Liu Qianjin's eyes lit up, and he quickly followed up.

"Exactly, only 10 years," Chen Geng nodded affirmatively.

"Then... can this be written into the contract?" Liu Qianjin's eyes shone even brighter.

Not only Liu Qianjin's eyes, but everyone else's eyes also shone brighter.

"Of course," Chen Geng smiled, "Actually, Mr. Jindler is even more worried. He's afraid we'll take his stuff."

"Ha ha ha..." Hearing Chen Geng's humorous remark, everyone laughed.

Liu Qianjin laughed even more, "Comrade Chen Geng, tell Mr. Jin that he doesn't need to worry at all. The Third Armament Repair Factory is a military unit. Do you think we lack credibility? Old Peng, what do you think?"

Peng Guangming nodded, suppressing his excitement and said slowly, "I think it's fine! Although Mr. Jindler's requirements are high, this opportunity is rare for the Third Armament Repair Factory. It is significant for helping us overcome and get out of our current difficulties. More importantly, the localization of Pusan is a project highly valued by the central leadership. Securing the carburetor part has great practical and political significance.

Therefore, my stance is that no matter how difficult it is, we must firmly seize this opportunity to cooperate with Mr. Jindler and treat this cooperation with Mr. Jindler as a serious battle!"

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