Chapter 585

Ye Yaodong struggled and felt a pang of heartache for quite a while before comforting himself that paying a deposit of four or five thousand yuan should be enough for now, and the remaining eight or nine thousand yuan could still be kept in his pocket for emergencies.

With a two-year delivery period, he could still earn quite a bit in these two years, so he wouldn't be left completely empty-handed.

Besides, there were still treasures at home, and thinking of that, he relaxed a little more.

"So, adding this maritime radio station to the price we discussed yesterday? We agreed yesterday that you'd calculate it carefully and give me a cheaper price..."

"I was just about to talk to you about that. The price I gave yesterday wasn't right; it was just a rough estimate based on your requirements for the construction cost."

"Ah!"

Ye Yaodong widened his eyes.

"Hehe, the boat the shipyard is building right now is only two meters longer than yours, yet it costs 2,000 more."

"Bullshit, how is it only two meters longer? Their engine has 200 horsepower, while mine is only 160. How is that just two meters longer? And what about all the other miscellaneous parts?"

"It was indeed calculated incorrectly; some accessories weren't included!"

"I don't care about that. You already gave me a quote yesterday and said you'd calculate it carefully today and give me a discount."

"No, comrade, yesterday was just a rough estimate. I already said that I'd need to calculate the price carefully to give you an accurate figure..."

How could Ye Yaodong let him continue to bluff? He directly pulled out two cigarettes and handed them to him, effectively interrupting his words, and then lit the cigarette for him.

His behavior was quite civilized and polite, not abrupt at all, and it even helped win some favor!

He blew out the match, threw it on the ground, stepped on it twice, and then said slowly: "That won't do. Manager Wu, you manage such a large shipyard, you can't go back on your word, right? If you don't give me a discount, that's one thing, but you're even raising the price. That makes no sense!"

"In business, we have to value integrity. If you keep changing things, it won't sound good if word gets out, right?"

"You are a person of status and reputation; you need to keep up appearances. You can't go around telling people this. Besides, this is public property, not private. Reporting a lower number shouldn't be a big deal. You have all the authority, and it's all up to you anyway."

As Ye Yaodong said this, he winked at him in a familiar way; he always had a way of naturally getting closer to people.

Moreover, it was rare for him to use honorifics. Usually, he would just say "you" to everyone, but this time he actually used the respectful "you" (nin). However, after only a few sentences, he reverted to his old self and started saying "you" again.

He wasn't used to being so polite! It felt awkward!

"Just do me a favor and let it slide. Give me a discount. Technology on these boats updates so fast; these devices will be obsolete in a few years, and I'll have to come back to you then..."

"Nonsense, the machines on this boat can be used for many years. What updates? I got led into a trap yesterday while talking to you and your brother-in-law, and I almost agreed to give you a discount. If I had opened my mouth to agree, I would have had to pay a large sum of money out of my own pocket and worked for nothing for half a year."

"No, no, the construction cost in our small place isn't as expensive as the others. Otherwise, you can go to the city and ask; there's a shipyard in the city too."

I just went there!

If it weren't for the fact that you're cheaper here, would I have rushed over here like a spinning top?

And running here day after day, I've already been here so many times...

Thinking this in his heart, he spoke righteously.

"Why go to the city? I trust you. I can tell you're an honest person just by looking at your face—full forehead, ruddy complexion, sword-like eyebrows and star-like eyes, and a face full of righteousness. I can tell at a glance that you are an upright and kind person. If I go to the city, who knows if they'll cut corners or use inferior materials? I believe you wouldn't!"

"Besides, I see that our shipyard is very large, and the workers work in cooperation, group by group, which looks very orderly and not chaotic at all. It shows that Manager Wu manages things very well."

"Also, I see that our workers are very respectful to you, Manager Wu. After greeting you, they all have smiles on their faces. It shows that you are a rare and good leader..."

"I'm a local, so of course I support the local shipyard. Other counties don't even have one, but our own county has one. How proud should we be! Fishermen from other places even come here to order boats, so why should I look far away when I have something close by?"

Ye Yaodong's mouth never stopped. He praised the person from head to toe and then praised the shipyard inside and out, not giving the other person any chance to interrupt.

Manager Wu was overjoyed to hear this. Usually, these workers wouldn't know how to praise people like this; they would just bury their heads in hard work.

Those fishermen who wanted to curry favor with him would also look honest and simple, at most smiling a bit obsequiously. How could they be like Ye Yaodong, whose mouth could praise someone inside and out so fluently?

And the way he said it didn't feel abrupt at all; it felt very natural, as if everything he said was the truth!

It made the listener feel as comfortable as drinking a bottle of iced cola in the summer, from the inside out!

How could Ye Yaodong not see that the other person was feeling great? He pressed on.

"Manager Wu, we are also sincerely wanting to finalize this boat with you directly. Otherwise, I wouldn't have mentioned that maritime radio station and spent so much money on it."

"You can just treat it as doing a good deed to support our local fishery development. With one more boat, our local fish output can also increase a bit."

"With more fish, our common people can also improve their consumption level, so we don't have money but can't buy things. What we lack most now is things. With more consumption, it can also promote economic growth..."

"Stop, stop, stop..." Manager Wu was originally feeling quite good about what he said, but he became more and more surprised as he listened to the end.

"You even understand consumption levels and economic growth? I can't tell! You understand these things? You went to high school, right? After high school, you still go fishing?"

Now it was Ye Yaodong's turn to feel great.

"Haha, Manager Wu, you're joking. How could I have gone to high school? I didn't even graduate from elementary school. I probably only finished second grade! I don't even know if I finished it. I just went to a literacy class for a few months last year."

"Don't say that. People still need to be literate to be good. Only by being literate can you understand more. Otherwise, what would I know? By reading more books, reading more newspapers, and listening to the radio, we can know information from the outside world. I have a habit of reading newspapers every day."

"Manager Wu, you look like a cultured person at a glance. You must read the newspaper every day, right? You definitely know more than I do. Not to mention anything else, just about boats, I bet you can't find anyone in the whole county who knows more than you."

As he spoke, he naturally flattered him again...

"So, let's just settle on this transaction price. It's good for you, good for me, and good for everyone..."

"Hmm, hmm, hmm... Huh?"

Manager Wu felt that this person was quite interesting and spoke well. Immersed in it, he nodded whenever he felt what was said was right.

However, huh?

"It's done? You agreed? Okay, then let's follow the plan we discussed yesterday, add a maritime radio station, and forget about the final transaction price. Thank you, Manager Wu, for giving me a 200 yuan discount..."

"Wait, wait, wait, you're talking too fast. How did you jump to the price and finalize the deal? I haven't even..."

"You just nodded! Let's not be long-winded or waste our breath. We've already said a lot just now. We discussed the details yesterday, so let's save some time. Can you show me the order form so we can write down the price? I'll bring you the money when I go back."

Ye Yaodong put his arm around Manager Wu's shoulder and was about to press him into the chair.

Manager Wu was almost dizzy from his talk. He sat down, looked at him, and couldn't help but laugh, pointing his index finger at him a few times.

"Okay, you young man are promising! Just because of your glib tongue, you'll definitely have a great future."

"Sigh, don't joke. No matter how promising I am, I'm just a fisherman. At most, I went to a literacy class for a few days and learned a few words so I wouldn't be cheated."

"You can be cheated? I was almost cheated by you. Fortunately, my willpower is strong enough. The price can't be lower. I've already given you a 300 yuan discount."

"Ah?"

Ye Yaodong was heartbroken. He had said so many nice things, all for nothing, and he still wanted more!

"Sigh, Manager Wu, I'm having a hard time!"

"I'm having a hard time too! If I make too many concessions, I'll have to subsidize it myself. I don't have much of a salary a month. Once your boat is built and you sail it out, it'll be like a hungry dragon, and you'll be making money very fast. If you split it among a few people, you'll be able to break even in less than two years. A 500 yuan concession is too much. Grinding off 300 yuan is already the limit."

"Where did you grind off 300 yuan? Yesterday you said that, and today adding a maritime radio station makes it even. I've wasted so much breath. Sigh, life is not worth it, all wasted effort. Forget it, I'll go back and consider it again!"

Ye Yaodong looked dejected and stood up, ready to walk out.

This time he wasn't pretending; he was truly dejected.

So much money, he asked for it yesterday, and today it increased by so much!

Thinking about it made him sad, and he had wasted so much breath, yet he couldn't even get a 200 yuan discount.

An old fox is an old fox!

Go back and think about it. He was starving. After going back and eating a full meal, he would come back tomorrow to grind some more. He didn't believe he couldn't take down this old guy after a few more trips!

However, when he walked out of the office door, he pricked up his ears to listen for any movement behind him, but found nothing!

Alright, now he was even more disappointed.

Uncomfortable! Damn it! I'll definitely come back tomorrow!

If he wasn't going out to sea next, he would come every day to annoy him to death, just follow this old man and help him out, grind every day, he didn't believe he couldn't get a 200 yuan discount.

Anyway, it's cold, and he's idle anyway. Maybe he could come and learn some techniques?

He thought as he walked, and suddenly felt his heart open up!

That's right! He could also come and steal some techniques. Learning is killing two birds with one stone.

Other people have requirements when recruiting apprentices! He could even learn openly!

After figuring it out, his footsteps became light, and his pace quickened.

But he didn't expect that when he walked out of the shipyard gate and lifted one foot to climb onto the tractor, this person suddenly ran out and called him to stop.