Chapter 57: Long-term Steel Supply Point

"Let's go in and take a look first." Chen Xie didn't rush to make a decision, and Shen Dong wasn't in a hurry either, leading him around the factory. The factory wasn't large, with just one electric furnace, and the materials were scrap steel. Shen Dong was very honest, continuously introducing the situation.

"In the past, small factories like this weren't strictly regulated, unlike now. The Environmental Protection Bureau requires us to install environmental protection equipment. The equipment isn't expensive, costing less than 100,000 yuan. The problem is that the environmental protection equipment consumes electricity. My electric furnace is 20 tons, with a theoretical annual production of 15-200,000 tons. In the past, our highest annual production was 70,000 tons. Previously, it took 8 kilowatt-hours to produce 1 ton of iron, but now with the old equipment, it takes about 10 kilowatt-hours for 1 ton. With the environmental protection equipment, the profit is very low. There are many local authorities, and they come one after another, making it impossible to operate. So, we just secretly start production at night. After greasing the palms of some departments, no one checks."

"Can you produce spring steel plates? The ones used in tricycles." Chen Xie asked calmly, and Shen Dong was surprised: "Why would you look for a steel mill for this? I just provide the steel. I know this thing; it's not technically demanding. Any small factory can do it, it's just quenching and shaping. Let me think, you don't need high-quality steel, 60Si2Mn steel is enough. I can produce it, but the market for tricycles is almost gone now. Are you sure you want to do this?"

Chen Xie had a serious look: "Just because there's no market in China doesn't mean there's no market abroad. Besides, I'm not making tricycles; I'm just making spring steel plates. Do you understand what I mean?"

Shen Dong quickly caught on: "Oh, you want to sell counterfeit goods to places like Africa. On TV, they show African civil wars with pickup trucks, so it must be for the shock absorber springs of pickup trucks, using inferior materials. The Africans probably can't tell the difference. No matter, as long as it makes money."

"Spring steel is very simple. There used to be a factory nearby that produced tricycle steel plates. But it seems to have been shut down for two or three years, and the boss has switched to being a renovation contractor. How about I help you contact them?"

Chen Xie nodded: "Sure, let's give it a try. If it doesn't work, it's not a big deal. I just need the steel. Besides this, I also plan to purchase some 65Mn steel." Chen Xie had a red heart with two plans. If it doesn't work, he would spend money to have Wu Qi handle the production.

Shen Dong made a call, and soon a man with a receding hairline, looking about thirty, came over, very sturdy.

"Little Shen, what's up? Not your new house for the wedding, right?"

Shen Dong pointed to Chen Xie: "This is Mr. Chen, and this is Guo Nu. You two chat."

Chen Xie threw him a cigarette and smiled: "Mr. Guo, I want to order some spring steel. Shen Dong said you used to do this."

Guo Nu looked disappointed but quickly recovered: "That's too simple. Heat, shape, quench, paint, and it's done. You just need to make the steel plates, which is even simpler. With a bench vise, a little training, and anyone can do it. Mr. Chen, why did you think of this? It has no future!"

"To be honest, I'm in the import and export business. I don't sell these things domestically. The items I need aren't technically demanding, but I can guarantee that the sales won't be small. Let's say a load capacity of 2 tons, can you handle it?"

Guo Nu didn't even think: "This is easy. Design for 2 tons, but produce for 4 tons. Overloading is common in transportation. Your requirement is definitely for pickup trucks. Using 60Si2Mn steel, 5 steel plates are enough. It will last at least a year, but longer is uncertain. But it's cheap. A set of steel plates produced by me won't cost more than 180 yuan. You can also buy from a large factory for over 200 yuan per set."

Chen Xie listened, looking down as if hesitating. Shen Dong and Guo Nu weren't in a hurry, patiently drinking tea and chatting. When Chen Xie spoke again, he surprised them: "10,000 sets of spring steel per year?" Originally, Chen Xie wanted to ask if he could make armor, but since he was already using rifled muskets, why bother with fully enclosed armor? Just a simple vest with multiple pockets, filled with steel plates to protect the front, would be fine.

10,000 sets might not seem like much, but it's a 1.8 million yuan business. With a 5% profit, that's 90,000 yuan. Moreover, they could use the steel mill's facilities to produce together.

"10,000 sets, no problem at all. It can be produced in half a year." Guo Nu was the type who wouldn't let any money slip through his fingers. The key was that he sensed this was just the beginning. Who knows what other counterfeit goods Chen Xie might need in the future? As long as he could sell them, what did it matter to him?

"Since there are no issues, let's prepare the contract. Mr. Shen, I trust the fat man, so I trust you too. I can prepay you 3 million yuan to help you organize production. From today, stop producing rebars. I need high-manganese steel. After ensuring the steel plates are produced, focus on high-manganese steel."

Although there were still many questions, Shen Dong and Guo Nu were smart enough not to ask. At this price, they could guarantee a 10% profit, and in this era, any business with such high profit would be foolish not to agree.

After signing the contract and paying the deposit, Chen Xie left Yang Lili's contact number and said goodbye. Regarding the steel plates, Chen Xie was helpless. He couldn't produce shock absorber steel plates for Ming Dynasty carriages. So, he would first produce the steel plates and then improve the carriages based on them. As for high-manganese steel, there was no problem at all. In the Ming Dynasty, there would be plenty of uses for it. Chen Xie needed a long-term steel supply point, and with this small factory, he wouldn't worry about steel for the next three to five years.

At the riverside warehouse, the old man was sent to guard the door, leaving Chen Xie, Han Qingfeng, Fang Gang, and Wu Qing. The driver parked the car, and Chen Xie used a forklift to unload the container. After the driver left, he opened the container. At the entrance were two bronze cannons, tightly secured with iron wire. Behind were wooden boxes containing musket barrels. Chen Xie first inspected the bronze cannons, then opened a box to check the musket barrels. The barrels were the most important; the Ming Dynasty had no technology to produce them.

After inspecting, Chen Xie was satisfied and got out of the car, saying to the group: "Not bad, no problems. I trust you won't cheat on the quantity." The next steps were simple. After some pleasantries, he invited them to stay at a hotel and have a meal.

Han Qingfeng, flush with money, was eager to return. Fang Gang and Wu Qing were actually on their honeymoon. Chen Xie had to give them a red envelope as a congratulatory gift and arrange a week's stay at a hotel, showing his hospitality.

A month passed quickly, and the good news came from Qian Siyu. This woman really had connections. Zhao Ziyang's galloping horse painting sold for 98 million yuan, and Tang Bohu's erotic paintings caused a sensation nationwide. "Thirty-six Postures of the Mystic Master" was the first time this work appeared to the Chinese public, and it was the second long scroll in Tang Bohu's erotic series. The starting bid was 90 million yuan, and after intense bidding, it was finally bought by an anonymous collector for 150 million yuan.

After deducting various fees and Qian Siyu's commission, Chen Xie received over 200 million yuan, making him an instant billionaire. Cordyceps and the like, were they even worth mentioning? They were nothing!

Qian Siyu, flush with money, was still in Hong Kong and called Chen Xie immediately.

"Rich man, you've struck it rich. Two works sold for 248 million yuan." Qian Siyu reported happily, while Chen Xie was inspecting the trade company. Yang Lili was quick, completing all the procedures in ten days. The business license, office space, and her car cost less than 2 million yuan.

Chen Xie was satisfied with the office space and handed over all the business except for arms to Yang Lili and Qiu Lihua. He then left, and Yang Lili chased after him, throwing him a set of keys: "Boss, your house is ready. It needs to air out for two months before you can move in."

Yang Lili, though still interested in Chen Xie, was no longer as anxious. With such a large company in her hands, she wasn't worried about missing the chance to get close to him.

After Chen Xie left, Yang Lili and Qiu Lihua opened the box and were stunned by the contracts inside. They thought the boss's business wasn't that big, but seeing these long-term contracts, they realized the scope was unimaginable. Was it so easy to make money from the African people? Even military coats could be sold. They also started working on the warehouse, renting more space along the river to store the goods, as Chen Xie required.

They soon realized their job was to buy things, store them, and then do nothing else. Of course, it wasn't easy. They had a lot to do, as Chen Xie had new tasks for them, requiring them to investigate the market and find cheaper sources. Otherwise, how could they make money so easily?

Looking at the 50 million yuan in the account, Yang Lili felt deeply trusted by Chen Xie and decided to work overtime to complete the tasks he assigned. Qiu Lihua was also very diligent. When Yang Lili bought a car, she chose a Tiguan and gave Qiu Lihua a Ford. Despite Chen Xie saying they could choose any car under 1 million yuan, Yang Lili wasn't that foolish. Bosses aren't usually generous. She consciously chose a lower-end model. Both now had cars, but Chen Xie hadn't bought one yet.

It wasn't that he didn't have the money, but that he didn't have the time. Finally, he had some free time, but Qian Sizhang called him.

Because of Qian Siyu, Chen Xie wasn't very willing to go, but he had to give Qian Sizhang some face, so he took a taxi over.