Chapter 390: Zaochuanchang Boat Purchase

Wu Bin stepped on the accelerator and drove off; the Zaochuanchang is not in the urban area, it's in the suburbs, and moreover one has to cross a big bridge.

The two chatted casually in the car, Wu Bin kept probing what relationship Ye Cheng has with President Wang.

Ye Cheng simply said they met when he used to sell vegetables; there's no other relationship.

That indeed is nonexistent; Ye Cheng also didn't count as lying.

Wu Bin, seeing he couldn't get anything from that line, turned to ask Ye Cheng why he was going to the shipyard; hearing Ye Cheng say he wanted to buy a Boat, and a 24-meter big Boat at that, Wu Bin was startled.

"Holy cow, old classmate, do you know how much a 24-meter big Boat costs? Seventy to eighty thousand, do you have that money?"

As he spoke, Wu Bin sized Ye Cheng up from head to toe, but no matter how he looked, he couldn't tell Ye Cheng was a wealthy person.

He's betting that Ye Cheng and President Wang are fellow townsmen; that way he can use this opportunity to get to know President Wang better, maybe even rise a step in the company to become a department head or vice president or something.

"Let's go take a look first; if we can't afford it, forget it."

Wu Bin smiled without speaking; this kid's tone is really big, one moment he disparages my Xiaoli, the next he says he wants to spend seventy to eighty thousand to buy a Boat, fine, then we'll see what you say.

Along a dirt road, the two drove to the Zaochuanchang in Donghai Shi.

The gatekeeper at the factory entrance saw they were driving a car, asked a couple of casual questions, and let them through.

"See, Ye Cheng, if you'd come on a motorcycle, the gatekeeper would definitely stop you; this is called judging by appearance, and the car is the face of the place." Wu Bin was very confident about his car.

Ye Cheng also couldn't be bothered to speak, got out of the car and walked to the riverbank to look.

Many Boats were parked by the riverbank, including Ye Cheng's current 12-meter fishing Boat, also 24-meter ones, and even larger.

The one receiving them was a salesperson surnamed Fang.

"Gentlemen, you want to buy a Boat, right? We have some in stock and some that need pre-ordering; what size are you looking at?"

Because Wu Bin came by car and was dressed appropriately, the salesperson directed his presentation toward Wu Bin.

"Oh, it's my classmate who wants to buy, you ask him." Wu Bin enjoyed the feeling of being valued; as soon as his buddy stepped out, people knew his buddy had money, out there mixing, what you want is just this face.

"Um, the 24-meter one, how much does it cost?" Ye Cheng got straight to the point.

Xiao Fang glanced at Ye Cheng and casually began to introduce,

"This is a 24-meter fishing Boat; brand new it costs 780,000, but you need to pay a deposit first, and we'll deliver after three months."

"780,000?" Ye Cheng frowned; although it's a bit cheaper than the 800,000 I heard, it's still a bit pricey.

"Isn't there any discount or promotional price? We're from the Wang Clan Group." Wu Bin interjected.

Upon hearing they were from the Wang Clan Group, Xiao Fang smiled a bit brighter, but still shook his head,

"Gentlemen bosses, this isn't something I can decide, and besides we're in the Boat-selling business, we don't haggle."

"Ye Cheng, 780,000, can you afford it?" Wu Bin looked at Ye Cheng complacently, wondering how he'd continue to show off.

"Can we do a loan?"

"No."

Ye Cheng's face darkened; "Damn, no wonder this Zaochuanchang later went under—nothing works, this is the drawback of collective enterprises; they never worry about sales channels, and sales channels don't matter to them."

Perhaps for them, selling one less Boat means less hassle.

"If you gentlemen have nothing else, I'll head out?" Seeing the two couldn't afford it, Xiao Fang didn't want to continue entertaining them.

"Wait, do you have used fishing Boats? Those scrapped by the Fishery Company?" Ye Cheng grabbed Xiao Fang and asked.

"Oh, you came to buy those? Sure, I'll take you to have a look." As soon as Xiao Fang heard Ye Cheng was there to buy used fishing Boats, he suddenly became extremely enthusiastic.

Wu Bin glanced at Ye Cheng, spread his hands, and couldn't figure out what that meant.

Ye Cheng also didn't understand, but since the other party was enthusiastic, that's a good thing, so he followed Xiao Fang over.

"Gentlemen bosses, these three Boats are all fishing Boats scrapped by the Fishery Company; although they're scrapped, rest assured, the quality is absolutely fine, we've specially refurbished them, guaranteeing they look as good as new; come, I'll take you aboard."

Xiao Fang, while introducing, brought the two aboard the Boat.

Indeed, just as he said, not only the hull has been painted, but the deck and equipment too have been painted, making it look really like a new Boat.

Ye Cheng walked straight to the helm, opened the maintenance hatch and checked the engine—a Weichai, which looks somewhat aged.

Seeing Ye Cheng directly inspect the engine, Xiao Fang wasn't flustered, but rather openly began to introduce,

"Boss, this Boat is 15 years old in terms of vessel age, but it's been used little; if you maintain it well, another 15 years is no problem."

This is a steel fishing Boat; its lifespan is roughly 25-30 years, but judging by its condition, it's really good.

Ye Cheng didn't rush to speak, but instead examined the other two Boats as well; they were roughly similar.

"How about it, Boss, interested? This is in stock; buy it and you can drive it off now." Xiao Fang enthusiastically produced a cigarette and offered one to Wu Bin and Ye Cheng; this attitude was worlds apart.

Wu Bin took the cigarette and asked curiously,

"Brother, just now when we were talking about buying a new Boat you were all evasive, but now you're so eager about buying a used Boat—could there be some ulterior motive?"

"That's impossible; we're honest folks, there's no ulterior motive—just that the new Boat is state-owned, while the used Boat, hehe——" Xiao Fang gave a vague laugh.

Seeing that look, Wu Bin immediately understood; there's a big background behind it.

For the new Boats they earn wages; for these few used Boats they earn extra income, naturally they're very enthusiastic.

"What's the asking price for these three Boats?" Ye Cheng found these Boats fairly satisfactory; using them would definitely be no problem.

"Around 350,000; if you want it we can negotiate further." Xiao Fang quoted a price, then turned his gaze to Wu Bin.

He didn't think Ye Cheng could come up with over three hundred thousand.

Wu Bin gave a slight smile, looking at Ye Cheng with amusement,

"Ye Cheng, 350,000."

This Boat is truly expensive; you could buy seven of my Xiaolis with that money.

If Ye Cheng can come up with that money, I'll chop off my head.

"They've been 15 years already; a new Boat costs only 780,000, yet your used Boats want 350,000, and future maintenance costs will go up—350,000 is too high, make it cheaper."

Wu Bin:...

"Are you haggling?"

Are you saying you can afford to haggle?

No way.

Xiao Fang was also a bit surprised, but still tentatively said,

"We can give a discount; I don't know how much you, boss, are willing to pay."

"300,000 — if that works, I'll pay now." Ye Cheng said calmly, as if he were buying something worth only 30 dollars.

Wu Bin's sturdy body jolted, "Damn, for real?"

Without waiting for Xiao Fang's reply, Wu Bin grabbed Ye Cheng and pulled him aside, then started speaking,

"No, if you're not buying, don't haggle — otherwise they'll yell at you."