Chapter 78

For someone of Old Mr. Xie's seniority, asking him to serve as the deputy factory manager in charge of production was essentially an insult. However, if the title was President in charge of production, although the meaning and authority remained the same, it sounded much better and was easier to accept.

Old Mr. Xie's reaction was indeed as expected. He smacked his lips and smiled, saying, "President? That sounds quite fancy. Isn't it just the deputy factory manager in charge of production? Good boy, are you planning to have me as your deputy?"

"Look at what you're saying, how could I dare?" Chen Geng said with a grin. "Old Mr. Xie, this is about 1,000 engines per year. Without someone as experienced as you, I wouldn't even have the confidence to do it. If our factory can't handle it, it will affect the big picture. For the sake of our factory, could you please help me for two years?"

If it weren't for Old Mr. Xie, would Chen Geng have agreed to take on those 2,000 engines that he considered worthless? What a joke!

"You little brat..." Old Mr. Xie tapped Chen Geng lightly, shook his head, and laughed. "So, am I just getting what I deserve?"

"Your words make me feel ashamed. It's an honor to have you guide us."

Heh! Look at this smooth-talking kid! The old factory manager, who was always stern, hadn't seen such a cheeky young man in many years. Not only was he not angry, but he was actually a bit pleased. "Aren't you afraid the group's executives won't approve your procurement contract?"

"What reason do they have to disagree?" Chen Geng asked, puzzled. "The 212 Jeep and the Volkswagen Santana don't compete at all. Now, the sales of the Shanghai sedan are not good, and the various parts factories under the SAIC Group are also struggling. Our order of 2,000 engines, though not significant, can still play a role during this critical period of transformation for the SAIC Group. Why would they disagree? As for the group's executives, wouldn't you go and argue with them? Besides... to be honest, I actually hope they don't agree."

Chen Geng's words were quite shameless, but Old Mr. Xie laughed. "Good boy..."

...

"Chen, I heard you hired Xie to be your deputy in charge of production?" On the way to Zhengtai Rubber Factory, Jin Delle asked Chen Geng curiously.

"Really? You already know?" Chen Geng was surprised.

"Why wouldn't I know?" Jin Delle responded, then suddenly raised his voice. "Is this true?"

"It's true, but Old Mr. Xie still needs to think about it," Chen Geng nodded, puzzled. "But why are you so surprised?"

"Why are you so surprised? You tell me!" Jin Delle stared at him, exasperated. "Chen, do you know how proud Xie is? I even think that the executives of SAIC Group are a bit afraid of him. You actually hired him to be your deputy in charge of production?! When I heard this news, I almost thought April Fool's Day had come early."

"Ha ha..." Chen Geng knew Old Mr. Xie was highly respected in the factory, but he didn't expect him to be so influential in the entire SAIC Group. Now, hearing Jin Delle, he felt a bit proud, but humbly said, "Mainly, Old Mr. Xie feels he's still young and wants to do something..."

"Chen, do you know what I admire most about you?"

"What?"

"You're shameless!" Jin Delle looked at Chen Geng seriously. "I'm curious, what happened to the shy young man who used to learn from me?"

"Thank you for the compliment."

"..." Jin Delle was speechless. "I'm not complimenting you."

"It's okay, I know you are."

The two chatted all the way to Zhengtai Rubber Factory.

Compared to the half-dead SAIC Engine Factory, Zhengtai Rubber Factory was thriving, with trucks waiting to pick up goods lined up for over 500 meters.

This bustling scene left Chen Geng speechless. "No way, their business is that good?"

Zhang Xiangyang's reaction wasn't much better. He muttered, "Old Three, if their business is that good, will they do business with us?"

"Definitely!" Although he was a bit nervous, Chen Geng was confident. "Their thriving business is one thing, but don't forget that Zhengtai Rubber Factory mainly produces low-tech truck tires and agricultural vehicle tires. We want to order high-tech, high-profit passenger car tires. Besides, who would turn down money?"

"I hope so." Zhang Xiangyang wasn't very confident, though.

Not only was Zhang Xiangyang not very confident, but Chen Geng himself wasn't very confident either. The reason was that even if Zhengtai didn't do this business, they would still be fine. Whether they did this business or not, they would still be fine. As a state-owned enterprise, the leaders couldn't put the money in their own pockets, so they were naturally unbothered.

Since Zhengtai had little need for Runcha Industry, and they had a major customer like the Volkswagen Santana for their passenger car tires, it was uncertain how much face they would give Chen Geng, even Jin Delle wasn't sure.

The development of events indeed confirmed Chen Geng's guess.

The person who received Chen Geng was not the factory manager or the party secretary of Zhengtai Rubber Factory, but a deputy factory manager surnamed Wang. Seeing Chen Geng, Deputy Manager Wang seemed somewhat disappointed, for some reason. "Manager Chen, our factory has held a special meeting to discuss your matter. The factory's decision is that if your annual order can reach 20,000 sets, or 100,000 tires, we can give you the same procurement price as the Volkswagen Santana. If the order is between 5,000 and 20,000 sets, the price will be 20% higher than the Volkswagen Santana's procurement price..."

"Why?" Zhang Xiangyang, who was impatient, couldn't help but ask. "The Volkswagen Santana's current annual production capacity is less than 10,000 vehicles, and they can only purchase up to 12,000 sets from you. Why do we need to purchase 20,000 sets to get the same price as the Volkswagen Santana?"

Deputy Manager Wang glanced at Zhang Xiangyang with disdain and said lightly, "Ha ha... because they are the Volkswagen Santana, can you compare?"

After saying this with a light, disdainful tone, Deputy Manager Wang immediately turned to Jin Delle with enthusiasm. "Mr. Jin Delle, rest assured. Zhengtai Rubber has a cooperation history of over ten years with the SAIC Group. The Volkswagen Santana is a highly focused project by both the city and the central government. We will provide the best products and services to the Volkswagen Santana at the most favorable prices and with the most enthusiastic attitude."

Chen Geng was so angry he couldn't breathe: Can you be any more shameless?!

Zhang Xiangyang's face turned blue. He had never thought he would suffer such an insult, and he felt a bit wronged: I'm here to give you money, okay?

But what surprised Zhang Xiangyang was that, based on his understanding of Old Three, he should have been angry too, but he seemed completely unaffected, smiling. "Manager Wang, the price is negotiable. It's almost noon, why don't we go out for a simple lunch?"

"No! We have a canteen in our unit!" Deputy Manager Wang looked at Jin Delle and said with a righteous tone. "Comrade Chen Geng, this price was decided at our factory meeting. If you want to sign, you can sign. If not, it's up to you. But let me tell you, if it weren't for Mr. Jin Delle, you wouldn't get this price."

"Old Three..." Zhang Xiangyang didn't want to see his brother being scolded like this and gently tugged at Chen Geng's sleeve.

But Chen Geng shook his head slightly, still smiling. "Since this is the decision of our factory, I have nothing to say. Manager Wang, when can we sign the contract? I plan to order 10,000 sets per year, for two years..."

Deputy Manager Wang interrupted Chen Geng. "No, it can only be one year at a time."

"Why?" Zhang Xiangyang couldn't help but ask. "Why only one year at a time?"

Deputy Manager Wang looked at Zhang Xiangyang as if he were a fool. "If the contract is too long, can you sell them? We are considering your interests."

Chen Geng's teeth were grinding, and his hand under the table was trembling with anger, but his smile was even brighter. "Leaders are thoughtful. Fine, we'll sign for one year. No problem... Comrade Xiangyang, why don't you apologize to Manager Wang?"

What?!

Apologize to this Wang bastard?!

Zhang Xiangyang was stunned.

He was about to say, "We don't have to do business with them, why suffer this humiliation?!" But when his gaze fell on Chen Geng's bloodless fist, his nose suddenly stung, and he stood up, bowing deeply to Deputy Manager Wang. "Manager Wang, I'm sorry. I'm young and just started working, I don't know better. Please don't hold it against me."

Deputy Manager Wang "accidentally" turned to look at Jin Delle, perhaps to appear magnanimous in front of an international friend, or perhaps because he was in a good mood. He huffed and waved his hand. "I can see you're a new worker. Forget it... Learn from your manager, not everyone is as easy to talk to as me."

PS: Today I took my son for a follow-up eye check. It has improved a bit, and I feel a bit relieved.

Also, there were so many people at the hospital, and so many children with eye problems. We arrived at the hospital before 4 PM, but the hospital closed after my son's examination. We had some food and bought some toys for my son. Brothers, this is the only update today. Starting tomorrow, I will update twice a day.

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