Chapter 160

Going abroad this time, Qin Miao's selling of goods is merely a sideline; after all, if he only sold electric rice cookers, he might be targeted by some who would think he lacks righteousness. In this era, to engage in export you also need to grease the wheels— and it's not just military connections!

But I never expected that the higher-ups would actually allocate an import-export company to Ha Gong Da!

Actually, import-export isn't that complicated: find a seller, negotiate price and quantity, then make payment, ship the goods, receive them, collect the balance… Aside from a few unpleasant customers—like those who treat the down payment as full payment, the so‑called Indian—most customers are easy to deal with, especially that Sha person, who is absolutely a top‑tier client.

But… in this era, import-export is monopolized, so Qin Miao thought that if he took a bunch of light industrial goods to the relevant authorities to handle paperwork, they, seeing the volume of products, would probably not give him a hard time.

Of course, his father‑in‑law certainly has connections too, but… Qin Miao wants to settle this himself, not rely too much on his father‑in‑law.

But now it's unnecessary! His father‑in‑law directly set up an import‑export company for him!

"Dad, you're awesome! You're really my real dad!"

"Awesome? You kid, you always come up with fresh buzzwords." Zhang Wanhe chuckled: "But this really isn't my credit; I just gave a push. It was proposed by Old Zhang, the head of military industry, and he went to talk to the old leaders, so there shouldn't be a big problem."

"Mm‑hm."

"From now on, it's up to you. The Capital has so many light industrial products—you need to push more of them abroad."

The Lu brand hot water bottle is a Capital product, but that Red Double Happiness washbasin is from the Shenyang enamel factory, and the Tiger Head flashlight is from Guangzhou. Actually, the Capital also makes those later items, they're just not as sturdy as other brands.

"Good, as long as the product quality passes, we'll just source from our Capital!"

Exporting large quantities of light industrial goods from the Capital also adds luster to its industry, counting as Zhang Wanhe's political achievement; this must be supported, the only requirement being good quality—cannot let Eastern Manufacturing lose face.

Zhang Wanhe nodded: "That's about right. For now, just accompany me around the Capital to see what light industrial products we can sell…"

"Dad, San Shui brother still has to go back to Ha Cheng with me to study!"

"Your San Shui brother probably doesn't have time to go back."

"Why?"

"Because it's estimated that the approval will be finished in three to five days; then they'll receive that Sha person for an inspection. Since your San Shui brother won't be here, who will handle the connections and negotiate the price?"

One hundred million US dollars each—such a sky‑high price, the old leader will surely agree upon hearing it! Besides, all follow‑up work already has a proper plan; as long as it can be justified, the actual situation… who would be so nitpicky?

"Dad, we can't rush this."

"Not rush?"

"Exactly, we need to wait about a month to show our seriousness…… Well, I'll go back first during this period to set up the import‑export company."

"Are you just trying to show how much work you've done and how hard you've tried?" Zhang Wanhe gave him a sideways glance: "Don't you consider how others feel? If this cooperation fails, nobody will sleep soundly! Wouldn't a quick agreement better show our sincerity?"

Qin Miao resigned: "Alright, I'll follow the superiors' arrangement. Dad, anything else on this meeting?"

Zhang Wanhe fell into thought: "Old He has taken a grudge against you…… but…… don't worry……"

Qin Miao furrowed his brows: "He Xiao's father?"

"Hmm." Zhang Wanhe wore a complex expression; this matter, after all, is still my fault……

"No matter, I've never taken people like him to heart."

A certain office building.

"Damn it, you're making me furious!" He Panshan's eyes blazed, his face full of anger: "I will definitely think of every way to bring Qin Miao down!"

Not to mention Qin Miao—he even wants to bring down Zhang Wanhe!

"Chief He, that Qin Miao is still valued by Old Zhang; now is probably not the time to go after him, as the saying goes, 'As long as the green hills remain, we need not worry about lack of firewood.'"

He Panshan glanced at his secretary: "Old Wang, I just can't swallow this anger; from now on, keep an eye on Qin Miao's side—if he shows any trace……"

"Chief He, if you really want to deal with Qin Miao…… then go to Chaoyang District and find the Eastern Light Industrial Products Import‑Export General Company."

He Panshan's eyes lit up. Exactly, this is a method—now I'll go trip Qin Miao up!

In 1952, the Eastern Light Industrial Products Import‑Export General Company was established, one of the first specialized foreign trade firms at the time; during the planned‑economy era, it bore the responsibility of coordinating the nation's light industrial product imports and exports.

Qin Miao needs to sell flashcards, washbasins, hot water bottles and the like through this company; now Ha Gong Da wants to set up its own specialized import‑export firm— isn't that competing with the Eastern Light Industrial Products Import‑Export General Company for business?

This is a struggle over interests; I'll just go add some eye drops……

"Get a car ready for me right now!"

"You…… you no longer have a car."

"Why?"

"Your position is currently undetermined, so your previously assigned car……"

"Damn it……" He Panshan cursed again, then clattered down the stairs, took a taxi over, and then he could just expense it—someone of his rank shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for a ride, should he?

In this era, taxis aren't something you can summon and dismiss at will; they wait at fixed stands. Whoever wants a ride goes to the stand, tells the driver the destination, the driver takes them there, then drives the cab back to its original stand to wait for the next passenger.

Just wave your hand and expect it to stop? That doesn't exist!

By the time he walked to the nearby stand, he was already drenched in sweat.

"Driver, go to Chaoyang District!"

"Wait a moment!" the driver waved his hand impatiently: "Let's finish this hand of cards first!"

Four drivers were gathered together playing cards! At a time like this you can't rush them; if you really did, you might not be able to catch that cab at all—given his status, he surely couldn't just take a bus, could he?

He joined them, and those four drivers were playing for big stakes—each hand was a 'great unity'!

What kind of world is this now, where even a driver can rake in so much money?

Finally, after that hand ended, the driver who had lost money, fuming, got back on the road, cursing all the way; He Panshan barely replied, afraid the driver would flare up and floor the accelerator…… he really needed his own dedicated car!

"We're here, fifteen!"

"This…… so expensive?"

"What, you don't want to pay?"

Seeing the driver's sullen face, He Panshan knew the driver wanted to vent his anger by beating someone up!

"Okay, okay, okay." He Panshan reached into his pocket, only to discover…… his garment had a big tear—damn it, surely a pickpocket had lifted it while he was watching those guys play cards!

"What now?"

"What, no money? You poor wretch pretending to be generous, dressing like a official, you petty little thing……"

"Yes, yes!" He Panshan finally fished out a piece of paper from another pocket, unfolded it, and instantly his heart blossomed with joy.

Curly‑haired foreigner! Who was it… my son had said, called what Alexander… this is a ten‑dollar foreign exchange!

When did I put the foreign exchange in my pocket? However… finally, I'm considered to have broken the siege!