Chapter 238

Qingshan Factory, cafeteria.

Translation: "Qingshan Factory, cafeteria."

"Come on, Lao Qin, let's the two of us old brothers have a drink; San Shui is a good kid, all of this is thanks to your upbringing."

"Come on, Lao Qin, let's the two of us old brothers have a drink; San Shui is a good kid, all of this is thanks to your upbringing."

"Director Zhang..."

Translation: "\"Leader Zhang... \""

"What's with calling me Director Zhang? At work, you call me leader; now we're drinking together, that's life. I call you Lao Qin, you call me Lao Zhang. Come on, Lao Qin, you have to punish yourself with a drink!"

Translation: "\"What's with 'Leader Zhang'? At work, call me Leader; now that we're drinking together, that's life—I'll call you Lao Qin, you call me Lao Zhang. Come on, Lao Qin, you have to punish yourself with a drink! \"" Need to keep quotes.

"Good!" Qin Jianhua raised his wine cup, glugluglu… one cup went down his throat.

"Good!" Qin Jianhua raised his wine cup, glugluglu… one cup went down his throat.

Qin Miao still wanted to talk them out of it, but after thinking, both fathers were pleased, so a few more drinks didn't matter.

Translation: "Qin Miao still wanted to dissuade them, but after thinking, both fathers were happy, so a few more cups didn't matter."

Now, Qingshan Factory is about to usher in a major development; the capital's industry will also see significant progress, the key being a reform model. Both fathers have benefited, and what comes next is the concrete negotiations with Mercedes-Benz.

Translation: "Now, Qingshan Factory is about to usher in a major new development, the capital's industry will also see significant progress—the key is a reform model; both fathers have gained benefits, and next… it's the concrete negotiations with Mercedes-Benz."

After all, the Germans last time only said they'd go back to ask for instructions, and didn't leave any definite word; now, here too, it's just preparation, with no actual investment yet.

Translation: "After all, last time the Germans merely said they'd go back to ask for instructions, leaving no definite word; now, here too, it's only preparation, with no actual investment yet."

I don't even know when the Germans will come over.

Translation: "I don't even know when the Germans will come over."

Ding ding ding… someone came running in.

Translation: "Ding ding ding… someone ran in."

"Director Zhang, we just got the news that Mercedes-Benz's heavy truck division has decided to send people over again, and this time it's still the chairman leading the team."

Translation: "\"Leader Zhang, we just received news that Mercedes-Benz's heavy-truck division has decided to send people over again; this time it's still the Mercedes-Benz chairman leading the team…\""

Qin Miao instantly felt delighted—great, whatever we think of comes true; this time, Mercedes-Benz is genuinely planning to cooperate with us.

Translation: "Qin Miao instantly felt delighted—great, what you think of comes true; this time, Mercedes-Benz truly intends to formally cooperate with us!"

"Great! Let's find out their flight details and go pick them up when they arrive!" Wanhe Zhang was also very happy.

Translation: "\"Great, let's find out about their flight and pick them up when they arrive! \" Zhang Wanhe was also very pleased."

Two days later, Capital International Airport.

Translation: "Two days later, Capital International Airport."

A Boeing 707 landed smoothly, the cabin door opened, the jet bridge rolled over, and European passengers disembarked, full of curiosity about the unknown East.

Translation: "A Boeing 707 descended smoothly, the cabin door opened, the jet bridge vehicle pulled up, and European passengers disembarked, full of curiosity about the unknown East."

Daimler-Benz chairman Lao Yite stepped off the plane, looking toward the people coming to greet him.

Translation: "Mercedes-Benz chairman Lao Yite stepped off the plane, looking toward the people coming to greet him below."

Either they're wearing green military uniforms or dark Mao suits; around here, it seems you don't see any other colors, and on the distant walls there are also red slogans.

Translation: "Either they were in green military uniforms or dark Mao suits; here, it seemed no other colors could be seen, and on the distant walls there were also red slogans."

This place… seems unchanged from before; Mercedes-Benz choosing this place as a partner—really no problem?

Translation: "This place… seems unchanged from before; is it really no problem for Mercedes-Benz to choose this as a partner?"

"Mr. Lao Yite, welcome to the East." The leading middle-aged person enthusiastically extended his hand: "I represent the capital government, I represent the East, welcome your arrival. Next, I will liaise with you on the specifics of this project cooperation."

Translation: "\"Mr. Lao Yite, welcome to the East. \" The leading middle-aged man warmly extended his hand: \"I represent the Capital Government, I represent the East, welcome your arrival. Next, I will liaise with you on the specifics of this project cooperation. \""

"Wasn't it said that we were cooperating with Harbin Institute of Technology?" Lao Yite was somewhat curious.

Translation: "\"Wasn't it said that we would be cooperating with Ha Gong Da? \" Lao Yite was somewhat curious."

"No, it's Qingshan Company." Qin Miao stepped forward: "Mr. Lao Yite, rest assured, Qingshan Company has very close communication and cooperation with Harbin Institute of Technology."

Translation: "\"No, it's Qingshan Company. \" Qin Miao stepped forward: \"Mr. Lao Yite, please rest assured, our Qingshan Company maintains close communication and cooperation with Ha Gong Da. \""

"Qin Miao?" Lao Yite looked at the young man before him: "I've heard Karl Kensper mention you; you're full of imaginative ideas, you're from Harbin Institute of Technology, what's your relation to Qingshan Company?"

Translation: "\"Qin Miao? \" Lao Yite gazed at the young man before him: \"I heard Ka'er-Kenspei'er mention you—you're full of imaginative ideas; you're from Ha Gong Da, what's your relation to Qingshan Company? \""

"The person in charge of Qingshan Company is my father."

Translation: "\"The person in charge of Qingshan Company is my father. \""

Qin Miao's answer was straightforward, completely dispelling the other's concerns.

Translation: "Qin Miao's answer was straightforward, completely dispelling the other's concerns."

"Let's go, get in the car, we're heading to the Capital Hotel."

Translation: "\"Let's go, get in the car, we're heading to the Capital Hotel. \""

There aren't many foreign-related hotels in the capital; so far there are only the Capital Hotel, the National Hotel, and the New Overseas Hotel, all expensive. Fortunately, the capital government has coordinated things so that these foreigners' stay isn't billed to Qingshan Factory, and Qin Miao doesn't want his father to suffer a loss.

Translation: "Foreign-affiliated guesthouses in the capital are few; so far there are only the Capital Hotel, Minzu Hotel, and Xinqiao Hotel, all expensive. Fortunately, the Capital Government coordinated matters so that these foreigners' lodging would not be charged to Qingshan Factory's account, and Qin Miao did not want his father to suffer a loss."

The motorcade entered the capital, and as Lao Yite gazed at the scenery along the roads, he remarked: "The East is still too backward; you hardly see any vehicles on the roads."

Translation: "The motorcade entered the capital; observing the scenery along the roads, Lao Yite lamented: \"The East is still too backward—there aren't many vehicles on the roads. \""

"That's right; precisely because of that, we have a vast market prospect—if there were one heavy truck per thousand people, that would be millions of vehicles. Building a plant with an annual capacity of 100,000 trucks would suffice for ten years of production, and after ten years those trucks would need updating."

Translation: "\"Exactly, that's precisely why we have such broad market prospects—if there were one heavy truck per thousand people, that would already be a million‑unit scale; building a heavy‑truck factory with an annual output of 100,000 vehicles would suffice for ten years of production, and after ten years those trucks would need to be updated and replaced. \""

The European market is mature; we can only wait for vehicle owners to replace their trucks. Europeans are nostalgic, often seeing vintage cars, so vehicle updates in Europe are infrequent, and the market is nearly saturated.

Translation: "The European market is mature; one can only wait for vehicle owners to update their cars, Europeans are nostalgic, often seeing vintage cars, so vehicle renewal in Europe is limited, and the European market is nearly saturated!"

By comparison, the prospects for the Eastern market are even greater!

Translation: "By contrast, the prospects of the Eastern market are even greater!"

"An annual output of 100,000 vehicles?" Lao Yite expressed surprise: "If I recall correctly, when your Eastern leaders visited Europe and toured our Mercedes-Benz company, they said they wanted to build a plant with an annual capacity of 150,000 trucks. We thought that was impossible at the time, and suggested starting with an annual output of just 6,000."

Translation: "\"An annual output of 100,000 vehicles? \" Lao Yite expressed some surprise: \"If I recall correctly, when your Eastern leaders visited Europe and inspected our Mercedes‑Benz company, they said they wanted to build an automobile plant with an annual output of 150,000 heavy trucks; we thought that was utterly impossible and suggested starting with an annual output of just six thousand vehicles…\""

"Cough cough, I was just giving an example."

Translation: "\"Cough cough, I was just giving an example. \""

Qin Miao certainly wouldn't say that, although many of those 100,000 vehicles would be for export, but talking about stealing Mercedes-Benz's business would scare them off.

Translation: "Qin Miao certainly wouldn't say that an annual output of 100,000 vehicles, many of which are meant for export, but this kind of talk about stealing Mercedes‑Benz's business cannot be uttered, lest it scare the other side away."

"Oh, then what do you plan to do specifically?"

Translation: "\"Oh, then what do you plan to do concretely? \""

"Let's start with an annual output of 10,000 vehicles."

Translation: "\"Let's start with an annual output of 10,000 vehicles. \""

"You haven't had exposure to Western advanced heavy truck technology; even if you had Steyr, your technical level would still be far behind ours, so you'd better start with the CKD approach."

Translation: "\"You have no exposure to Western advanced heavy‑truck technology; even if you had Steyr, your technical level would still be far behind ours, so you had better begin with the CKD approach…\""

CKD—completely knocked down—means delivering complete kits in containers; because of initial inexperience, the production line needs breaking in, making manufacturing costs high, even higher than importing complete vehicles; the Capital Automobile Plant's introduction of the Cherokee years ago was just such an awkward situation.

Translation: "CKD—knock‑down kits, with complete sets of parts shipped in containers; because of initial inexperience, the production line needs break‑in, making manufacturing costs high, even higher than importing complete vehicles outright—as exemplified by the Capital Automobile Plant's introduction of the Cherokee, which was just such an awkward situation."

Now, Mercedes-Benz also hopes to first export a batch of parts, make some money, and then talk more!

Translation: "Now, Mercedes‑Benz also hopes to first export a batch of parts to make some money, then talk later!"

"Sure, we can first purchase the parts for 1,000 heavy trucks, but during this period we also need to continually raise our localization rate; we can't keep buying parts forever, otherwise we'd just be an assembly plant, not a car manufacturer."

Translation: "\"Sure, we can first purchase the loose parts for 1,000 heavy trucks, but during this period we must also continually raise our localization rate; we can't keep buying parts forever—that wouldn't be an automobile plant, merely an assembly shop. \""

Lao Yite nodded: "Okay, but… if you want to put our Mercedes-Benz badge on the vehicle, then the parts you provide must meet our Mercedes-Benz standards."

Translation: "Lao Yite nodded: \"Okay, but… if you want to put our Mercedes‑Benz badge on the vehicle, then the parts you supply must meet our Mercedes‑Benz standards. \""

With the East's industrial foundation, it's impossible to produce first-rate automotive parts; even a car seat might not be manufacturable to qualified standards! In that case, we'd still have to import from Germany.

Translation: "With the East's industrial foundation, it's impossible to produce first‑rate automobile parts; not even a car seat can necessarily be made to qualified standards! In the end, we'd still have to import from Germany!"

Mercedes-Benz's goal is simply to set up an assembly plant in the East!

Translation: "Mercedes‑Benz's goal is merely to set up an assembly plant in the East!"

"Mr. Lao Yite, can the Mercedes-Benz standard be lowered to the German standard?"

Translation: "\"Mr. Lao Yite, can this Mercedes‑Benz standard be lowered to the German standard? \""

Lao Yite paused for a moment: "This… is there a difference?"

Translation: "Lao Yite blinked: \"This… is there a difference? \""

"Yes, we will use some parts that meet German standards and install them on Mercedes-Benz trucks. The purpose is to lower the product's selling price, thereby gaining a larger market."

Translation: "\"Yes, we will use some components that meet German standards and install them on Mercedes‑Benz heavy trucks; the purpose is to lower the product's selling price, thereby gaining a larger market. \""

Lao Yite felt a sense of foreboding: "Specifically, what parts?"

Translation: "A sense of foreboding welled up in Lao Yite's heart: \"Specifically, what components? \""

"For example, we have already imported Steyr's WD615 engine and its matching Fuller transmission; these are cheaper than Mercedes-Benz's equivalents and can greatly reduce the cost of assembling our Mercedes-Benz trucks."

Translation: "\"For example, we have already imported Steyr's WD615 engine and its matching Fuller transmission; these are cheaper than Mercedes‑Benz's, and can greatly reduce the cost of assembling our Mercedes‑Benz heavy trucks…\""

"No, no, no!" Lao Yite's face darkened: "You can't do that! Our Mercedes-Benz trucks will absolutely not tolerate having a Steyr heart; that's an insult! Damn it, if you insist on doing this, then our negotiations are off—we'd rather not cooperate with you Easterners at all."

Translation: "\"No, no, no! \" Lao Yite's face turned grim: \"You can't do that! Our Mercedes‑Benz heavy trucks will absolutely not tolerate having a Steyr heart—this is an insult! Damn it, if you insist on doing this, then we'll call off the negotiations; we'd rather not cooperate with Easterners at all, nor would we…\""

Wanhe Zhang frowned, "Three Shui, why are you in such a rush? You've already provoked the Germans on the way; after we settle into the Capital Hotel, we can talk about it at tonight's dinner—wouldn't the atmosphere be more harmonious?"

Translation: "Zhang Wanhe furrowed his brows: \"San Shui, why are you in such a rush? You've already provoked the Germans on the way; after we arrive at the Capital Hotel and settle in, we can discuss it tonight at the banquet—wouldn't the atmosphere be more harmonious? \""

Qin Miao, however, remained calm: "Your OM442 engine should have no problem reaching 500 horsepower output; the OM423 engine is completely unnecessary."

Translation: "Qin Miao, however, remained calm: \"Your OM442 engine should have no problem reaching five hundred horsepower output; the OM423 engine is entirely unnecessary…\""

What?

Translation: "\"What? \""

Everyone else in the car widened their eyes.