Chapter 34: The First Business: Part 2

Facing Sun Dacheng's doubts, Chen Geng explained: "We completely replaced the original suspension system and tires of the 212 Jeep. Now, all four shock absorbers on this car are high-end German imports, specifically designed for the Santana sedan. The tires are also high-end German imports, specifically for luxury sedans. Both the shock absorbers and tires are the best available; our country can't produce them yet, so of course, they are more comfortable to ride in."

"Are they all German imports?" Sun Dacheng finally realized a serious issue: money! Pure imports must be expensive, right? He cautiously asked, "So, these things aren't cheap, right?"

"Not really, they're not that expensive."

"Then... how much would it cost to modify a car like this?" Sun Dacheng felt a bit guilty asking this question.

"12,000 yuan."

"What? 12,000?!" Sun Dacheng was almost scared by Chen Geng's quote and exclaimed, "How can it be so expensive?"

He had initially estimated it to be around one or two thousand, but 12,000? He couldn't believe it would be that high.

"There's no way around it; these are all high-end products," Chen Geng said, spreading his hands in helplessness. "For example, these shock absorbers, a set of four, are from the world's best car shock absorber company, Sachs, and are German imports. One shock absorber costs over 1,000 yuan, so four of them add up to over 4,000 yuan.

"Then there are these five tires, German imports from Continental, one of the world's top three tire brands, alongside Michelin and Goodyear. They are famous for their comfort and quietness. One tire costs about 1,000 yuan, so four tires plus a spare cost 5,000 yuan. The Santana is so comfortable mainly because of these tires. The cost of the tires and shock absorbers is almost 10,000 yuan. The other miscellaneous parts add up to 2,000 yuan. Do you think this price is high?"

Sun Dacheng had no idea about Sachs shock absorbers or Continental tires, but Chen Geng spoke with such authority that he instinctively believed him. If they were really high-end German imports, the price was acceptable. After all, a Santana sedan isn't cheap, right?

But 12,000 yuan was still a lot of money, so much that it made Sun Dacheng's teeth hurt. As he hesitated about how to respond, Su Jian had already returned.

This was a lifeline!

He immediately asked Su Jian, "Old Su, you know a lot about cars. Have you heard of Sachs shock absorbers and Continental tires?"

"Of course, Continental tires are world-class, and Sachs shock absorbers are top-notch. What's up?" Following Sun Dacheng's gaze, Su Jian's eyes finally landed on the 212 Jeep. Seeing the little horse logo on the tires, he immediately understood: "The tires on this car are German Continentals? No wonder it's so comfortable. Could it be that this car also has Sachs shock absorbers?"

"Exactly," Chen Geng said proudly. "These Sachs shock absorbers are custom-made by the German company Wolfsburg for the Santana model, just like the tires, they are specifically for the Santana."

"With Sachs shock absorbers and Continental tires, no wonder this car is so comfortable." Su Jian had a look of "I see!"

With Su Jian's endorsement, Sun Dacheng's trust in Chen Geng's words increased from three to five points.

But 12,000 yuan was a significant amount of money. If it were just one car, it would be fine, but the administrative office had six cars: one Volga GAZ-21 sedan, one Shanghai sedan, and the remaining four were 212 Jeeps. This meant that if they were to modify all of them, it would cost 60,000 yuan, a huge sum!

The cars were so comfortable, and they definitely needed to be modified, but the cost was a real headache. Sun Dacheng felt his teeth starting to hurt.

Su Jian, however, curiously asked Chen Geng, "Director Chen, I heard that management at the Santana factory is very strict, and it's impossible to get anything out. How did you manage to get these parts? You must have some serious connections."

Sun Dacheng was taken aback.

In state-owned enterprises, people with skills and connections often managed to get things out of their factories to sell, and Sun Dacheng had assumed it was the same at the Santana factory. He hadn't thought much about it until now. Hearing Su Jian's words, he realized the situation was different and quickly asked, "But it's just a few shock absorbers, how hard can it be?"

"It's not just hard; it's impossible," Su Jian corrected, shaking his head. "I have a former comrade who is now a police officer at the Santana factory. We had a drink together before the New Year, and he told me that the Chinese have no say at the Santana factory. The Germans are in charge, and they are very strict. A leader wanted to get some tires for his child to sell, but the Germans reported it to the municipal government, causing the leader a lot of embarrassment."

"Is that true?" Sun Dacheng was so surprised his mouth dropped open. "Do these Germans not understand the principle of leaving a margin for others?"

"My comrade said the Germans' minds are different from ours. Our minds are round, but theirs are square. They don't understand human relationships or flexibility..."

Both men's eyes turned to Chen Geng, filled with curiosity and suspicion: If even the leaders at the Santana factory can't do it, how did you manage to do it? How did you do it?

Chen Geng nodded, "I interned at the Santana factory for over a year and helped them with a big project. These parts are a token of their gratitude."

Sun Dacheng didn't believe him, "What did you help them with that they would give you these parts?"

"I can't say. One reason I can get tires and shock absorbers from them is that I can't reveal what I helped them with."

Sun Dacheng became even more skeptical, "If you don't tell me, how can I believe you?"

"That's easy," Chen Geng said immediately. "Whether what I say is true or not isn't important. What's important is whether these shock absorbers and tires are high-end parts for the Santana. There are many people who know the brands of the Santana's shock absorbers and tires. If you don't believe me, you can have someone verify it. As for how I got these parts, I really can't say."

Chen Geng's words made Sun Dacheng believe him a bit more. Indeed, there were many people who knew the brands of the Santana's shock absorbers and tires. The county committee had a Santana, and if he really wanted to verify it, it wouldn't be difficult. Chen Geng wouldn't tell such an easily verifiable lie, especially since he was a legitimate state official. At this moment, Chen Geng's status as a current state official activated a "trust" aura. As for how Chen Geng managed to get these parts from the Santana factory, it was understandable that he wouldn't reveal it.

But 12,000 yuan was still too expensive!

"Director Sun, I won't hide anything from you. These shock absorbers and tires are spare parts for after-sales service and maintenance for distributors. I can get some, but not too many. If you find it difficult, that's fine. We're still friends, and we can stay in touch. I'll go check with the Shengli Oilfield."

You think the modification cost is high, right? Don't think it's expensive; there's a reason. The tires and shock absorbers are high-quality German imports. How can they not be expensive? If you think it's too expensive and don't buy them... well, there are plenty of people who will. After we visit the Shengli Oilfield, it's uncertain how many sets of shock absorbers and tires will be left.

Sun Dacheng didn't know if Chen Geng was telling the truth, but he didn't dare to take his words lightly. He knew Chen Geng wouldn't lie, and there wouldn't be many of these high-quality parts available through non-official channels.

The administrative office was short of money, but the people at the Shengli Oilfield had money. If they bought all the parts...

If the leaders found out...

Sun Dacheng's forehead started to sweat.

Song Yuhang, who had been standing aside without saying much, suddenly spoke up, "Old Three, the director has been very kind to me. For my sake, you must help us and make the director look good in front of the leaders."

Chen Geng looked troubled and smiled bitterly, "Older Brother, aren't you putting me in a difficult position?"

Sun Dacheng's eyes suddenly lit up, and he quickly asked Song Yuhang, "Little Song, do you know Director Lin?"

"Yes, we are close friends..."

"Oh, why didn't you say so earlier? This is like a flood washing away the Dragon King's temple, family not recognizing family," Sun Dacheng slapped his thigh and said warmly, "Director Chen, you might not know, but I and Little Song's father are old friends. Don't worry, I'll look after Little Song in the administrative office, and I'll make sure he doesn't suffer any losses..."

Patting Song Yuhang on the shoulder, Sun Dacheng was extremely热情, as if the person who had almost ignored Song Yuhang earlier had nothing to do with him.

"Old Three, Director Song really takes good care of me," Song Yuhang also nodded, "Please do me this favor and help me look good in front of the leaders."

"Since Director Sun has said so much, what can I say?" After hesitating for a moment, Chen Geng finally nodded with a bitter smile, looking pained, "Then, 10,000... forget it, I'll only charge the cost of the imported parts, 9,500! The rest is on me."

"Great, 9,500 it is!" Sun Dacheng was overjoyed and quickly agreed!

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End of Chapter 34: The First Business: Part 2