Chapter 82

Chen Geng said he had hired some veteran masters from SAIC Motor's engine factory. After receiving this call, the leaders of the Third Armament Repair Factory were so excited that they couldn't sleep well for several days. Compared to their own "advisors," these veteran masters from SAIC Motor's engine factory were the real technical advisors.

The factory leaders not only arranged for a reception and accommodation with the local authorities overnight, but even specially bought two large fat pigs to ensure that these veteran masters from the metropolis would be satisfied with their meals.

Everyone understood how much these technically skilled and experienced veteran masters could benefit the Third Armament Repair Factory and Ronghua Industry. Perhaps the amount of advisory fees they could earn in the future would depend on these veteran masters.

"Director, don't worry," Chen Geng said with a smile, "I've already briefed these veteran masters on our unit's situation before we came. Look at their calm expressions; it shows they are mentally prepared."

Liu Qianjin nodded but was still a bit uneasy, "That's true, but..."

"Director, it's really no problem," Chen Geng said with a smile, "We invited them here to help us build. They are mentally prepared. On the contrary, if we had everything built already, why would we invite them? Don't you think so?"

"That's true..." Liu Qianjin had to admit that Chen Geng was right: if they weren't invited to contribute their strength, why invite them? Right, Chen Geng also mentioned that they would build houses in the metropolis next year and allocate them houses. Wasn't that a big deal?

Thinking about this, Liu Qianjin immediately felt at ease.

Suddenly, Chen Geng remembered something and patted his head, a bit embarrassed, "Oh, I forgot to tell you, I also invited the former factory manager of SAIC Motor's engine factory."

"What? You invited the former factory manager of SAIC Motor's engine factory?" Liu Qianjin's eyes instantly widened! The use of the word "invited" suggested only one possibility, but Liu Qianjin couldn't believe it was true. Stammering and pointing at Chen Geng, he said in shock, "You... you..."

"That's exactly what you're thinking," Chen Geng confirmed Liu Qianjin's guess, "I plan to hire him as the executive president in charge of production at Ronghua Industry. What do you think?"

"Shh..."

Liu Qianjin took a deep breath, didn't answer immediately, but instead said with a bitter smile, "Kid, you've given me a big problem."

Although he didn't know the background, connections, or network of the former factory manager of SAIC Motor's engine factory, even a simple guess would suggest that as the former factory manager of SAIC Motor's engine factory, this old man must be very skilled in management and have a wide network in the metropolis.

"What do you mean?" Chen Geng was a bit puzzled.

Liu Qianjin: "You've dug up a treasure, but do you think you can control this old man?"

"Why control?" Chen Geng was puzzled, "The old man is 66 this year. At his age, there probably aren't many companies willing to give him a platform to showcase his talents. As long as he's not foolish and really wants to do something, he will seize the opportunity. Moreover, I am collaborating with this old man. I provide him with a platform, and he helps me build the company. There's no question of who controls whom, right?"

Liu Qianjin was speechless, but after careful thought, he had to admit that Chen Geng was right: indeed, if it were a man in his thirties or forties, with thirty more years to live, his thoughts might be more active. In a new unit, he might have various ideas. But this old man is already 66, and the basic laws of life and death cannot be defied. Even if he were to push himself to the limit, it would be a great achievement if he could work for another 10 years. After that, his energy would definitely not sustain.

How much ambition could a man who could only work for another 10 years have? He probably couldn't bear the loneliness of being at home, tending to flowers and walking birds after being in a high position. He might be grateful for the platform Chen Geng was willing to provide.

Realizing this, Liu Qianjin suddenly felt that his intelligence was outdated.

Chen Geng didn't notice the gloom in Liu Qianjin's eyes. Thinking about the two Shanghai sedans he and Zhang Laoer had driven back, Chen Geng patted his head: he almost forgot about this.

Pointing to the two black sedans, Chen Geng said to Liu Qianjin, "Oh, Director, these two cars are assigned to the Wolfsburg engineering team by SAIC Motor. Now, the Wolfsburg engineering team has lent these two cars to me. My idea is to use one as a reception car for Ronghua Industry and the other for our repair factory."

Liu Qianjin, of course, noticed the two grand and dignified Shanghai sedans and was very envious, but he didn't think too deeply about it. He subconsciously assumed these cars were sent by SAIC Motor to deliver the veteran masters. Now, hearing Chen Geng say these cars were specifically assigned to the Wolfsburg engineering team and were "lent" to him, he was so shocked that his mouth could have fit a goose egg!

"Borrowing" cars was not uncommon. Saying "borrow" meant free transfer of usage rights. Unless the user encountered a major issue, the vehicle's owning unit generally wouldn't ask for the car back. People wouldn't find this strange; on the contrary, those who could "borrow" cars were usually influential, capable, and well-connected.

Chen Geng could "borrow" the dedicated cars assigned to the Wolfsburg engineering team by SAIC Motor, which completely exceeded Liu Qianjin's imagination. In his heart, Liu Qianjin's evaluation of Chen Geng rose another notch.

Despite his shock, thinking about using such a high-end car, Liu Qianjin immediately became excited. However, he was still a bit embarrassed, "These are borrowed for you. It's not right for us to use them, is it?"

"What's not right about it?" Chen Geng said frankly, "Aren't I also a comrade of our factory? Two cars, one was originally borrowed for our factory... In the future, our factory will frequently interact with external enterprises. Without a decent car to maintain our image, we might be looked down upon. Don't you think so?"

"That's true, then... I won't be polite?"

Chen Geng smiled, "Don't be polite with me. Look, I didn't hesitate to help coordinate the accommodation and meals for these veteran masters, did I?"

Can these two things be compared? But Liu Qianjin understood Chen Geng's meaning: although Ronghua Industry and the Third Armament Repair Factory were now separate, the relationship between the two units was still very close, like a child who grows up and separates from their parents but still maintains a close relationship. Therefore, there was no need to be so formal about everything.

Understanding this, Liu Qianjin felt warm inside and was even more convinced that he hadn't misjudged Chen Geng. Thinking about this, he felt more at ease: "Since you put it that way, I won't be polite! In the future, our factory will indeed need a car to maintain our image... Alright, this car will be our factory's dedicated reception car."

A dedicated reception car meant that neither Liu Qianjin nor Peng Guangming would use it as their personal car.

Chen Geng appreciated Liu Qianjin's decision. Liu Qianjin and Peng Guangming had worked together for nearly 10 years and had always cooperated well. But with only one car, it wouldn't be appropriate to give it to either of them. If this car caused a rift in their cooperation, it would be a great loss. Therefore, it was better for neither of them to use it and instead use it as a dedicated car for important clients. This was a good solution.

In the following days, after learning about the complex relationship between Chen Geng and the Third Armament Repair Factory's leadership, the veteran masters from SAIC Motor's engine factory felt even more at ease. Chen Geng himself was the deputy factory manager of the Third Armament Repair Factory, and his father was also a deputy factory manager. With this relationship, many things would be easier.

When they heard that the leaders of the East China Military Region also paid close attention to Chen Geng, their morale was even higher.

During the subsequent visits to the Third Armament Repair Factory and Ronghua Industry, they were pleasantly surprised. Although the Third Armament Repair Factory didn't have advanced production equipment, it had various types of lathes, milling machines, and other machines. Some of these machines were even the same ones they had used for many years. Small-scale production and heat treatment processes were not a problem, which was much better than the "starting from scratch" situation they had imagined.

After the visit, the former factory manager, Mr. Xie, specifically found Chen Geng and said seriously, "Chen, from what I've seen of your factory's equipment, small-scale production of parts is no problem, but if you want to produce motorcycle engines, your current equipment won't suffice."

"That's true, you're right. Relying solely on this equipment won't work," Chen Geng nodded and said sincerely, "Mr. Xie, you've spent your whole life working on engines. You know best how to produce engines and what equipment is needed. If we want to make a big move, what additional equipment do you think we need, and roughly how much would it cost?"

"That depends on our factory's goals."

Chen Geng thought for a moment and said, "We aim to produce 50,000 engines next year and 150,000 engines the year after."