Chapter 334: Huo Yunyan's True Intention

Wu Junhui actually had investigated the problems of the provincial automobile factory before joining the reform team; besides management chaos and financial losses, more importantly, its technology also lagged behind domestic peers.

Participating in the reform work of the provincial automobile factory not only requires a large amount of time and effort, but also faces the risk of mission failure.

Wu Junhui, as chairman of Dongjiangsheng's largest listed company and also the third-in-command in the provincial reform team, simply cannot afford to lose.

By comparison, Xingcheng Food Ltd. is only temporarily behind in technology compared to Laobaixing Meat Industry Co., Ltd. Wu Junhui happens to have several friends who are food science experts; as long as he invites these old friends out of retirement and invests some R&D funds, regaining Dongjiangsheng's sausage market is just a matter of time.

To solve the funding problem, Wu Junhui deliberately chose a junior official from the Provincial Finance Department as his partner. With the Finance Department's backing, obtaining ten to twenty million yuan for food R&D is not difficult at all.

Therefore, Wu Junhui is full of confidence in his bet with Chen Yang. Seeing Chen Yang dragged into the provincial automobile factory's trouble by a little girl, he couldn't help but come to watch the excitement.

Unexpectedly, the thick-skinned Chen Yang directly dragged him into the vortex as well.

"Director Wu, you are a senior figure in Dongjiangsheng's business community; I truly hope you can share your enterprise reform experience with us." Pan Ruoyun, inspired by Chen Yang, also looked at Wu Junhui with eager anticipation.

"Our company's construction machinery equipment differs completely from the provincial automobile factory in both sales audience and production technology; I really can't offer experience in this area." Wu Junhui answered rather politely, after all Pan Ruoyun represents the Provincial Committee Organization Department, and he cannot casually offend her. If she were to file a petty report later, his future advancement would become extremely difficult.

Pan Ruoyun didn't expect that the two most famous entrepreneurs in the team could not offer any constructive suggestions for the reform of the provincial automobile factory, and her mood instantly became a bit low.

Wu Junhui feared that Chen Yang would stir up trouble again, so he hastily pulled his new partner away.

Although Chen Yang thought this partner was a bit self-important, he also didn't want to blunt her enthusiasm too much. So he comforted her, saying, "Comrade Pan, the problems of the provincial automobile factory have accumulated over several decades; they cannot be solved overnight. As long as you do your best, it doesn't matter if you don't succeed."

Pan Ruoyun ignored Chen Yang and left the office with low spirits.

Chen Yang helplessly shook his head. Had the other party chosen a slightly easier target, out of consideration for their partnership, he would have helped if he could. But the difficulty of the provincial automobile factory is truly too great; he really is unable to help.

Seeing everyone receive their assignments and leave, Chen Yang also decided to return to the company first. Wu Junhui wanted to take on the idea of challenging Laobaixing's sausage, so he needed to go back and first communicate with Shen Anna, preparing countermeasures in advance.

However, just as he rose to his feet, Huo Yunyan called out to him.

"Chen Yang, I have something to discuss with you."

"Director Huo, whatever it is, please give your orders!" Chen Yang felt great gratitude and respect toward Director Huo. For the application of the Public Pass payment license, this Director Huo had contributed greatly.

Huo Yunyan solemnly said to Chen Yang, "I hope you can help Xiao Pan with the reform of the provincial automobile factory. She is a child of the provincial automobile factory, having special feelings for that place. Therefore, when she thinks about problems, she may be overly idealistic. You, however, are different; you have reform experience. I believe you can definitely bring something different to the reform of the provincial automobile factory."

Chen Yang felt a bit embarrassed saying to Director Huo, "If it's about driving cars, I can still share some experience. As for manufacturing cars, I am completely an outsider. Having laypeople give advice to insiders—wouldn't that just make things more chaotic?"

Huo Yunyan laughed, "I'm not asking you to lead them in manufacturing cars. You can study the current problems of the provincial automobile factory in depth and then propose some constructive reform suggestions. As for how to implement them, you don't need to worry about that."

Chen Yang had briefly looked at the relevant materials of the provincial automobile factory in the morning. Based on his understanding of the future direction of the automobile industry, he could actually offer some constructive suggestions.

Thus he said to Director Huo, "For the provincial automobile factory to revive from the brink, it must first shake off its current financial burden. I looked at their financial statements; annual expenditures far exceed revenues. No matter how good a company is, if it cannot practice economy and increase income, it will eventually ruin itself."

"The second problem is that the automobiles and trucks produced by the provincial automobile factory lack competitiveness in today's market, whether in core technology or appearance design. To change the situation, more advanced technology must be introduced."

Huo Yunyan quietly listened to Chen Yang's suggestions, her expression showing a bit of disappointment. "Chen Yang, the problems you mentioned are known to the provincial leadership. However, the provincial automobile factory's debt is five hundred million yuan; without external funds, not only is introducing new technology out of the question, even daily operations are very difficult."

Chen Yang asked, puzzled, "If the province wants to help them complete the reform, why doesn't it support them financially?"

Huo Yunyan sighed and said, "The province's money is meant to solve problems, not to fill holes. If the provincial automobile factory cannot find a way to save itself, even if the province had more money, it would still not be enough to fill this hole."

Chen Yang thought for a moment and said, "For the provincial automobile factory to save itself, I have two ideas. The first is to introduce foreign capital or private enterprises, using external funds to first solve the funding for the technology core."

"Once the technology issue is resolved, we can win back the market. Then we can gradually repay the historical debts."

Huo Yunyan nodded; Chen Yang's suggestion coincided with her and Liu Jianghua's ideas. Moreover, they had already selected a joint venture target.

"Chen Yang, are you interested in investing in the provincial automobile factory?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Yang immediately understood Huo Yunyan's true intention. "Director Huo, after all that detour, you just want me to be the sucker!"

Huo Yunyan laughed and said, "The provincial automobile factory is the largest automobile manufacturer in the province. If you can successfully remodel it, you might even pick up a big bargain."

Chen Yang firmly shook his head and refused. Competition in the automobile field is too fierce, requiring immeasurable investment. With the few billion yuan he has at hand, pouring it in would likely not even make a splash.

"Director Huo, thank you for thinking highly of me. But I am merely a seller of agricultural products; I really am powerless when it comes to manufacturing automobiles."

Huo Yunyan said, "Chen Yang, don't rush to refuse. The funding issue, the province will not let you bear the pressure alone. Besides the policy support that should be given, banks will also offer you the maximum loan preferences. In addition, the Provincial State-owned Assets Commission will also invest some funds to cooperate with your reform work."

Chen Yang questioned Director Huo doubtfully, "If the State-owned Assets Commission is willing to invest in the provincial automobile factory, why do they still need me to join in?"