Chapter 1231: Does He Have Three Hundred Million?

On January 1, 1968, Li Li Xuewu, Deputy Director of the Management Committee Office and Deputy Head of the Security Group at Red Star Factory, published a signed article titled "Speak Honest Words, Do Honest Deeds, Be an Honest Person" in the Red Star United Daily.

The article pointed out that under the requirements of the new era, new development, and new production, Red Star Factory faced... in the new year.

"In dealing with reform work, there must be strict requirements, tight organization, serious attitude, and clear discipline."

At the All-Staff Representatives Congress, Li Li Huai De delivered a New Year's speech and issued directives.

He summarized achievements created by Red Star Factory over the past year with the active help and guidance from superiors, covering multiple aspects.

Setting out from the themes of new atmosphere, new goals, and new plans for the New Year, he issued a call to all staff of Red Star Factory to pursue scientific innovation, carry forward the cause, and unswervingly advance the work of grasping reform and promoting production.

News from the Staff Representatives Congress was conveyed to all employees through channels such as broadcasts, radio stations, and newspapers, transmitting the latest work directives.

On the supplementary page of the latest issue of the factory newspaper, workers Liang Chao from Production Workshop Seven, Fu Da Qiang from Dispatch Workshop Three, Zhu Mu Hongyan from Service Team Six, automobile assembly worker Zhao Guoqiang, and others jointly wrote an article titled "This Is How We Will Do It This Year!"

On January 1, on the occasion of the New Year's Day holiday, all factory staff maintained their work enthusiasm and began the first shift of the new year in high spirits.

Li Li Huai De, Director of the Management Committee, Xiang Xiang Jingyu, Deputy Director, and other main leaders went deep into grassroots posts on the production and labor front to extend condolences to the masses of workers and staff.

Director Li Li Huai De rang the bell for the first shift of the new year in Production Workshop Seven.

In his New Year's message to the workshop staff, he stated: "The people choose the era, the era chooses the advanced, but the working class can cast the advancement of the era and represent the advancement of the era with their own hands."

Gu Gu Weijie, Xue Xue Zhifu, and other main leaders of the Management Committee rushed to the homes of workers in difficulty, bringing New Year's condolences and blessings to their families.

During the visits, the two leaders kindly inquired about changes in the workers' families over the past year and sincerely expressed congratulations on such changes.

Deputy Director Gu Gu Weijie stated during the condolences that Red Star Factory would continue to increase and broaden its support and assistance work for workers in difficulty.

From aspects such as clothing, food, housing, and transportation, the factory would improve employee welfare benefits and methods of assistance, prioritizing the resolution of difficult problems regarding the livelihood security of workers in hardship.

Deputy Director Xue Xue Zhifu pointed out in his speech that in the new year, the New Workers' Village project currently under construction at Red Star Factory would be accelerated.

While completing and improving housing welfare for staff, special consideration would also be given to caring for and supporting workers in difficulty.

In the specific work plan, there would be preferential measures regarding education quotas, welfare quotas, and employment quotas.

On the evening of January 1, New Year's Gala performances were held successively at venues including the Red Star Factory Open-Air Stadium, the five Red Star United Theaters in Jingcheng, the Gangcheng Red Star Workers' Stadium, the Fengcheng No. 1 Machinery Factory Stadium, and the Grand Hall of the Tianmen Trade Management Center.

The Red Star United Radio Station broadcast the program showcase at the Red Star Open-Air Stadium live.

All leaders of the Red Star Factory Management Committee attended the event; the cold winter could not block the enthusiasm of the steel workers, nor could it stop the passion of the advanced representatives of cultural propaganda in the steel enterprise.

A splendid array of excellent programs representing the advanced deeds of Red Star Factory staff over the past year unfolded, including songs, operas, crosstalk, and acrobatics.

After the final program of the gala concluded, Management Committee Director Li Li Huai De, on behalf of the entire leadership team, expressed New Year blessings to the workers and families present, as well as to the management and staff still striving on the front lines.

"Dad, I want to eat an apple."

Li Li Xuewu entered the hallway exhaling clouds of breath, only to hear his daughter greet him with this sentence.

Helplessly amused, he touched her little cheek with his cold hand, making Li Shu laugh loudly as she ran into the living room.

"It's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"I insisted on waiting for you to come back before sleeping."

Qin Qin Jingru tapped Li Shu's forehead with a tone of complaint, looking at her and saying, "Even the apples are asleep; are you going to sleep or not?"

"I want to wait for Dad to come back before I sleep!"

Li Shu hopped and jumped to dodge Qin Qin Jingru's finger, then giggled as she pounced onto her mother's lap.

Gu Ning, seeing Li Li Xuewu enter the room, gestured toward the teacup steaming on the coffee table and said, "Just poured."

"It wasn't too cold; it's fine."

Li Li Xuewu hung the coat he had taken off on the wall, changed into slippers at the entrance, and only then walked into the living room.

"We heard the program end on the radio, so we were calculating how long it would take for you to return."

Qin Qin Jingru wore a tight red sweater, looking very festive, truly embodying the meaning of a new atmosphere for the New Year.

This was a gift from Gu Ning, brought out last night and worn today; she clearly liked it very much.

She went to the bathroom to run hot water, then came out and called to Li Shu, "Alright, Dad is back now; let's go to sleep."

"I don't want to—"

Li Shu let out a scream, crawled onto the sofa, and curled into her father's arms, acting spoiled: "I want Dad to coax me to sleep!"

"Dad has worked hard all day; be good."

Qin Qin Jingru walked behind the sofa to coax her, saying, "Auntie will tell you the story of the little rabbit pulling up the radish."

"Then I also want to hear the story of the little rabbit eating cabbage—"

Li Shu acted shamelessly on her father's body, kicking her little feet up as she bargained with her aunt.

Only after her aunt agreed did she hug her father's neck, give him a kiss, and exchange goodnights.

"So your dad is only worth two stories, right?"

Qin Qin Jingru lifted Li Shu up from behind the sofa, smiling as she patted the little devil's bottom, saying, "I'll sell you right now!"

"Hee hee hee—"

Li Shu laughed uncontrollably at her teasing; spotting Han Han Jiankun entering the room, she reached out her hands to play again, but Qin Qin Jingru hoisted her onto her shoulder and suppressed her.

"No more laughing, or you won't be able to fall asleep in a while—"

Carrying Li Shu upstairs, she simultaneously instructed Han Han Jiankun, "The medicine Aunt Liu gave, for our mother, put it in the car first."

"No rush; have a sip of hot tea first."

Li Li Xuewu put down his teacup and tapped the teapot on the table with his finger, signaling Han Han Jiankun to rest a moment.

However, Han Han Jiankun dared not violate Qin Qin Jingru's order; he turned around, picked up the traditional Chinese medicine placed in the hallway, and went out again.

One didn't know how Qin Qin Jingru became so formidable; Han Han Jiankun, a grown young man, was completely submissive before her.

Perhaps this is called one key opening one lock, one steelyard hanging one weight.

After seeing off Han Han Jiankun and his wife, Li Li Xuewu took a bath on the first floor, very afraid of waking his son and daughter upstairs.

Gu Ning was quite casual; her personality carried a strong sense of independence, which applied equally to her family and her children.

In daily life, Li Li Xuewu clearly showed his side as a doting father toward Li Shu and Li Ning; while Gu Ning could not be called a strict mother, she certainly did not spoil the children.

Li Ning was nearly one year old, able to take a couple of wobbly steps while standing, and crawling with lightning speed.

After today, Li Shu's nominal age would be three, and by the fifth lunar month, she would truly become a three-year-old little girl.

Under Li Li Xuewu's doting, neither child had developed any obstinate personality traits, especially Li Shu, whose cheerful laughter could often be heard.

No one knew how Gu Ning had taught them, but after Mother Liu Yin returned home, Li Shu began sleeping alone in the guest room.

Li Ning still shared a room with his parents, yet he rarely cried or made a fuss; even when awake or hungry, he would only call out a couple of times.

When Li Li Xuewu emerged from the bathroom, Gu Ning was still sitting on the sofa reading a book, with no intention of going upstairs to check on the two little rascals.

It had become a habit; not only was she accustomed to it, but the two children were as well—only Li Li Xuewu found it somewhat difficult to adjust.

As a father, he lacked any hard-heartedness, destined never to be a tiger dad.

"If there's no holiday for the solar new year, there certainly won't be one for the lunar new year, right?"

He glanced upstairs, forcibly restraining himself from turning toward the stairs, walked over to the fireplace in his bathrobe to add some firewood, and only then sat down on the sofa.

Borrowing the light from the floor-standing chandelier overhead, Gu Ning read the medical magazine in her hands and casually hummed an "Mm," it being unclear whether she had actually heard his words.

Slurp—

Li Li Xuewu lifted his teacup and took a sip of hot tea; sometimes at home, he would drink tea very loudly, deliberately provoking Gu Ning to glare at him.

However, this trick had lost its effectiveness from overuse; his wife's mouth twitched slightly, giving him a look that said he was being boring.

He didn't mind in the least, asking with a chuckle, "Isn't Gu Yan coming back?"

"Mm—" Gu Ning gave the same answer as before, but after a brief pause, she added, "He said he's joining the company; learning through practice."

"Practicing on whom?"

"...!"

Gu Ning finally lifted her head, though her gaze was somewhat off.

Li Li Xuewu smiled, reached out, and patted her thigh, saying, "Look at you, getting angry again; I was just teasing you."

"Annoying—"

Gu Ning curled her lip, shot him a glance, and snorted lightly, "Find something to do if you have nothing better; don't disturb my reading."

"Who said I have nothing to do?"

Li Li Xuewu shot his wife a flirtatious glance and chuckled, "Isn't showing concern for both families considered a proper matter?"

He shuffled closer to Gu Ning and asked, "Where are Eldest Brother and Sister-in-Law spending the New Year this year?"

"... Are you serious?"

Gu Ning put down her book, studied Li Li Xuewu for quite a while, and then answered, "In Xi Jing; they said the child is too young, making it inconvenient to travel back and forth."

"That's true; our situation is quite similar."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and said, "If Li Ning weren't so small, I would have sent you to Jin Ling to celebrate the New Year; the old couple are quite lonely."

"What difference does it make from year to year?"

Gu Ning lowered her head, looking at the magazine in her hands, and said, "For several days around every New Year's Eve, I never see my father; he's either on standby duty or paying visits of consolation."

"What about Mother? Wasn't she supposed to spend the New Year with you all?"

Li Li Xuewu took a sip of hot tea and asked, "How did you celebrate the New Year when you were little?"

"Just like that; the compound would organize activities," she shook her head slightly and said, "I rarely participated, unless it was at the Great Hall."

"One year, my father took our whole family to the Great Hall; I only remember there were many dishes, but I didn't get full, and nothing else stands out."

"You must have been too reserved," Li Li Xuewu tilted his head, raised an eyebrow, and said, "If it were me, I certainly would have eaten my fill."

Gu Ning glanced at him sideways, wondering what was wrong with him today, as he kept sticking close to talk to her.

"Is everything fine at your unit?"

Not wanting to let this rogue lead her by the nose any longer, she deliberately changed the subject, saying, "Didn't something happen a while ago?"

"Someone else had an incident, not me."

Li Li Xuewu shrugged indifferently and said, "There were more meetings and activities around the solar new year, but otherwise, nothing much."

"Oh, right," he added at this point, "the ministry is going to adjust the factory's management team; there should be some movement soon."

"Adjust? Does that mean replacing people?"

Gu Ning didn't quite understand this, as she paid no attention to such administrative relationships, let alone who was being transferred or reorganized.

"Replacing people? Probably not for now."

Holding his teacup, Li Li Xuewu looked toward the newspaper rack in the corner and answered, "At least within the next year, the higher-ups won't transfer the existing management layer."

"It's about adding new team members," he turned to Gu Ning and asked, "Has there been any change in your hospital's management layer?"

"Mm, Vice Dean Zhou and Vice Dean Shen have been transferred away."

Flipping casually through the magazine, Gu Ning answered, "Two new vice deans have arrived, along with a representative of the Three Supports."

"The one coming to our factory is somewhat similar to that person in your unit."

Li Li Xuewu exhaled and said, "His thinking is very sharp, his methods very cunning, and his work relationships quite complex; everyone says he comes with ill intent."

"Will it affect you?"

Gu Ning's ultimate concern was still Li Li Xuewu; she did not know what similarities existed between the one coming here and the one in her hospital.

She did not seek advancement in administration, interacted very rarely with the hospital's relevant administrative departments, and no one had provoked her.

Therefore, in Gu Ning's understanding, Li Li Xuewu could handle all administrative contradictions and problems; if something truly troubled him, then it was genuinely difficult.

"Me? Hehehe—"

Li Li Xuewu chuckled lightly, raised the teacup in his hand, and said confidently, "If you're asking about influence, then certainly."

"Changes in the factory's management layer will affect all factory employees," he raised his eyebrows to explain, "It's just that different positions mean different degrees of impact."

"The post I occupy should be right at the forefront of the impact."

He shook his head slightly and said, "But even with fierce winds and towering waves, it's hard to shake a reef, isn't it?"

"To forge iron, one must be strong oneself."

Having said this, he set down his teacup, glanced downward, and said to Gu Ning, "See? I told you one must be strong oneself."

"What are you doing! I knew it!"

Gu Ning had long sensed that Li Li Xuewu was acting strangely today; he spoke while leaning close to her, and after her bath, he sat leaning close to her again.

He started conversations about family matters when there was nothing to talk about.

At first, Gu Ning harbored many suspicions in her heart, but since he spoke seriously, she responded seriously as well.

She never expected his turn to be so abrupt; even though she had been prepared, a quick sidestep still failed to let her dodge it.

Li Li Xuewu looked at his wife and chuckled, "I've always been fair and democratic; you choose: go upstairs, to the study, or stay right here."

"Get up first, then I'll answer you."

Gu Ning knew that playing hardball wouldn't work, so even though she pouted, she still spoke words of concession.

But Li Li Xuewu would not fall for her trick; seeing she made no choice, he simply skipped the back-and-forth communication and made the choice for Gu Ning.

"The sofa is nice..."

"Hehehe, what was that phrase again?"

Bao Peigang, director of the Dongcheng Credit Cooperative, laughed, pointed toward Li Li Xuewu with the hand holding a cigarette, and said, "Wasn't it something about blinding my dog eyes?"

"Hahaha—"

Loud laughter immediately erupted in the reception room; even the secretaries serving tea had the corners of their mouths twitching into smiles.

Li Li Xuewu smiled and waved his hand, saying, "Those were just playful words spoken in private; why are you taking them seriously?"

"Ai—how could I not take them seriously!"

Bao Peigang gestured toward Li Li Xuewu's side, then addressed the colleague on his right and Li Li Huai De on his left, saying, "My dog eyes really have been blinded!"

"Hahaha—"

Because of his words, hearty laughter rang out once more in the reception room.

An annual investment of twenty-five million yielding a net profit of thirty-one million seven hundred fifty thousand—this return on investment truly knocked all the onlookers off their feet.

On January 8th, a Wednesday, Bao Peigang, director of the Dongcheng Credit Cooperative, led Deputy Director Hu Youqiang, who was in charge of fund operations, to visit the Red Star Factory as guests.

Li Li Huai De, Xiang Xiang Jingyu, Li Li Xuewu, and Xie Xie Lan Zhi, president of the Joint Savings Bank, accompanied them.

"One has to admit defeat—"

Bao Peigang said to Li Li Huai De, "That time I followed Deputy Director Li to Yingcheng, he asked if I wanted to invest in overseas assets, and I refused on the spot."

"Back then we had money in hand, but how could we dare to throw it away based on just one sentence from him, right?"

He slanted his eyes toward Li Li Xuewu and said, "What if it had vanished into thin air!"

"Hehehe—"

Li Li Huai De had already become a management genius in the financial world, capable of uniting with the Dongcheng Credit Cooperative to establish the Joint Savings Bank and operating overseas assets to reap huge profits.

Just listen to Bao Peigang's words; every single one hit Old Li's sweet spots.

Don't say Old Li doesn't understand finance; that has no direct relation to him becoming a financial genius.

Can you deny that such proud achievements were made during his term?

You can't, can you? Try swapping in someone else; why has no one been able to make money like this before?

Let alone finance; he doesn't even understand the business operations, yet dare you say the Red Star Factory is nearly going under?

Even Yang Jun could do nothing about him; the phrase "modest and cautious, governing through non-action" represented the superiors' evaluation of him as "excellent."

Stop with those sour remarks about luck or opportunism; if you have the ability, try getting lucky once, try being opportunistic once, and earn thirty million yourself.

"Around mid-year, we even discussed this matter during an internal meeting."

Bao Peigang tapped his palm as he introduced to Li Li Huai De and Xiang Xiang Jingyu, "Old Zhou from our unit who manages loan operations, Deputy Director Zhou Yao, told me, 'Director Bao, look, the Red Star Factory really did scatter the money abroad.'"

"I said it couldn't be; they wouldn't have that much audacity!"

He turned sideways, tilted his head, and said, "Later I asked around, and sure enough, it was true—over twenty million! At that moment, I was numb—"

"Hahaha—"

Li Li Huai De laughed and straightened his back; though now it sounds like hindsight or a joke, back then he had borne enormous pressure.

It was only because Xiang Xiang Jingyu proposed it and Li Li Xuewu conducted the background investigation and feasibility recommendations that he finally made up his mind to go for it.

If anyone else had come to him saying to approve Wufeng Bank's loan and throw the funds into operations, wouldn't he have thrown that person out instead?

Of course, now that the funds are secured and the dust has settled, he can brag however he likes.

"I didn't feel there was anything to it."

Old Li gestured toward Xiang Xiang Jingyu and Li Li Xuewu, saying, "For over half a year, I truly didn't even ask about it."

"Good heavens, you too are highly skilled and bold!"

Bao Peigang said with a tone of envy and flattery, "At that time, Deputy Director Ling Yun, who supervised our savings operations, also agreed with my view."

"I said the fund operations undertaken by the Red Star Factory carried too much risk; it would have been safer to invest in the automobile and motorcycle industries."

"You didn't lose—"

Li Li Huai De smiled, pointed at him, then looked at Xiang Xiang Jingyu and asked, "Last year, our motorcycle industry's profits exceeded four million, didn't they?"

"Over four million two hundred seventy thousand," Xiang Xiang Jingyu said with a smile and a nod, "The data covers the period from official production start in September through year-end."

"Four months, four million—"

Li Li Huai De held up four fingers to Bao Peigang and said with a laugh, "The five million you invested will break even within three years; that's acceptable."

"Speaking solely of investment in the motorcycle industry, that return rate is certainly acceptable."

Bao Peigang tilted his head and said, "But it depends on how you look at it; if you really compare it to the nine-month net income of thirty-one million, I still feel we suffered a loss."

"Hahaha—"

Li Li Huai De was so amused by this compliment that he burst into loud laughter once again.

Xiang Xiang Jingyu was also smiling, but she still found a moment to glance at Li Li Xuewu, her eyes tapping out Morse code once more.

【Old Li is showing off too much; be careful he doesn't get blown away by sugar-coated bullets.】

Li Li Xuewu smiled with narrowed eyes, sweeping his gaze over the group from the Credit Cooperative; there was no need to look at Old Li, as he had been watching him all along.

He had already seen the look in Xiang Xiang Jingyu's eyes and naturally understood its meaning; they still possessed that level of tacit understanding.

【No need to panic; Old Li only knows how to show off.】

Hmph—

Xiang Xiang Jingyu subtly rolled her eyes, then turned her head to continue the pleasantries.

What was the purpose of Bao Peigang and his entourage from the Credit Cooperative coming here?

Surely it wasn't just to pay a New Year's visit!

Of course not; on the surface, it was to communicate regarding the joint savings bank's operations, confirm the cooperation goals set last year, and finalize several personnel arrangements.

Last year, when the joint savings bank was first established, both its business volume and scale were insufficient.

Although the Dongcheng Credit Cooperative attached sufficient importance to it, their support for the joint savings bank had not been maximized.

By the end of '67, the Red Star Factory continued to exert force, and a figure of thirty million completely broke through the barrier preventing the joint savings bank from applying for external foreign exchange clearing services.

Seeing the dawn of victory, the Dongcheng Credit Cooperative, with its keen instincts, hurried over, naturally unwilling to miss out on the joint savings bank's new round of expansion and development.

If the Red Star Factory launched a second round of investment and expansion, and they failed to co-invest, there was a high probability their equity would be diluted, or they might even be kicked out entirely.

The purpose of Bao Peigang and others coming here was to test the depths of the Red Star Factory while simultaneously taking the initiative to express their stance and strengthen cooperation.

What was once a small bank had now continuously opened sub-branches and branches, its scale expanding rapidly, giving it the capability to engage in capital warfare, so naturally, greater attention had to be paid.

While there was no objection regarding the appointment of the bank president, the Credit Cooperative also wished to contribute to the appointments of the vice president and the presidents of the newly planned branches.

In addition to equity planning, business planning, and personnel planning, the Credit Cooperative also wanted to know the Red Star Factory's plans for capital operations in the new year.

To put it plainly, since the Red Star Factory made money last year, they wanted to get a share of the pie this year as well.

Of course, they did not dare to dream of something like thirty million again.

After all, such an opportunity involving favorable timing, location, and human harmony was something one might encounter but could not seek; anyone in the financial industry knew this.

But if thirty million was impossible, would three million be acceptable?

Relying on physical foreign trade, the Red Star Factory had constructed channels for the circulation of domestic and foreign funds, undoubtedly clearing the final barrier for capital to go overseas.

With the foreign exchange license of the joint savings bank, Red Star Capital was fully qualified to seek new profit growth points overseas.

Compared to the planned economy domestically, capital could better fight for new opportunities in the sea of a market economy.

Of course, Bao Peigang was also very clear that the more substantial the capital strength, the greater the chance of victory and advantage in the game.

The reason the Red Star Factory could earn thirty million was because two large ships, Ng Fung Hong and Oriental Era Bank, were escorting them.

It could be played this way last year, but what about this year?

Ng Fung Hong had trade relations and business cooperation with the Red Star Factory, but this was not a sufficient reason for cooperation in capital operations.

Bao Peigang was a player in the economic field; his goals and vision were direct, fixed squarely on the Oriental Era Bank.

This was because the "outlet" for Red Star Capital going overseas was the Oriental Era Bank.

By conducting counter-trade through the joint savings bank, cash flow had absolute guarantees, and low-cost small commodities would undoubtedly become a deadly weapon in the market.

If motorcycles could make this much money, then how much would the Red Star Factory's other industries earn?

They dared not imagine it, dared not ask, but there was definitely a share in this for the Credit Cooperative.

The Credit Cooperative had co-invested in the motorcycle industry, the sedan industry, and the newly established aircraft industry.

During the communication just now, Li Li Xuewu had also introduced that the sedan project had already finalized its design and production, and news would arrive very soon.

Preparations for vehicle exports were currently underway, and on the Hong Kong side, preparations for automobile distribution had basically been completed.

According to Li Li Xuewu's introduction, Bao Peigang and others learned that the automobile industry in Gangcheng would achieve mass production of the "Twin Stars" sedans in the first half of this year.

The sedans would first be transported by rail from Gangcheng to the Yingcheng Ship Port terminal, where they would be loaded onto 5,000-ton class car carrier ships specially designed and built by Yingcheng Ships for transport to Hong Kong.

These automobiles might be unloaded in Hong Kong, or after completing trade procedures at the Hong Kong terminal, they might be transshipped to various places in Southeast Asia to complete distribution and sales.

From the moment of arrival at the port, the remaining business would no longer be the responsibility of the Red Star Factory; that was the business of the General Automobile Distribution Company prepared by Smith Parker.

After going through the entire business process, Li Li Xuewu introduced it in great detail, and Bao Peigang and others listened very attentively.

Everyone from the Credit Cooperative became firmly convinced that the motorcycle industry, in which they had initially invested five million, had already started making money and would recoup its costs within three years.

Judging by the Red Star Factory's confidence and preparations for the sedan industry, making money was absolutely certain; now the only question was how long it would take to recoup the costs.

Since both motorcycles and sedans could make money, there was no reason the aircraft industry wouldn't make money, right?

Bao Peigang, Hu Youqiang, and others exchanged glances; this confidence was absolute.

However, Xiang Xiang Jingyu, who could see through the underlying logic, couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

As the deputy director of the Red Star Factory in charge of economics, she was particularly sensitive to funds and budgets; how could she not calculate the business layout?

If you said the motorcycle industry was making huge profits, that was an established fact, irrefutable.

If you said the sedan industry had broad financial prospects, looking at the export planning, she would not refute that either.

But, if you talked about aircraft!

Bao Peigang and others must have learned that the Red Star Factory was going to establish an aircraft manufacturing plant and produce helicopters introduced from Japan.

They must have heard Li Li Xuewu say how best-selling and how expensive this aircraft model was on the international market.

As long as one invested in the aircraft industry, it would absolutely be an industrial project more profitable than motorcycles and sedans.

Saying this wasn't wrong; a motorcycle was priced at 499 yuan, a Twin Stars sedan at less than three thousand yuan, but a helicopter was fifty thousand dollars.

Selling one helicopter could equal how many cars and motorcycles?

But was it actually like that?

To date, including the automotive and electronics industries, the most profitable of the Red Star Factory's tertiary industries remains the hardware industry it established first.

And within the hardware industry, the most profitable item is still that tiny pair of nail clippers.

One cannot look at the unit price; the financial reports clearly show that what Xiang Xiang Jingyu sees is that selling nail clippers is more profitable than selling cars.

Because not everyone can afford a car, but almost every household can afford a pair of nail clippers.

If you were to say that Xiang Xiang Jingyu denied Li Li Xuewu's plans and prospects, that would of course be impossible.

When Li Li Xuewu said the investment prospects for the aircraft industry were broad, to whom was he speaking?

In any case, what she knew was that of the ten million initially invested and subsequently added by the credit union into the aircraft industry, the majority had been allocated by Li Li Xuewu to the Aircraft Research Institute.

The financial status feedback from the institute consisted of only two words: burning money.

Furthermore, regarding the profits of the Aircraft Manufacturing Plant, Li Li Xuewu had allocated all of them in the budget plan submitted to her as investment funds for the Aircraft Research Institute.

Therefore, the hope held by Bao Peigang and others to make money from the aircraft industry could only be an indefinitely deferred hope.

This damn thing was a pit!

A huge pit dug by Li Li Xuewu to attract external investment and burn money for the Aircraft Research Institute.

Aircraft! Such high-end technology; what's wrong with spending a little more money?

Investing in motorcycles pays back in three years, investing in sedans in five years; isn't it reasonable for investing in aircraft to take thirty years to pay back?

Xiang Xiang Jingyu didn't know about others, but she certainly knew that Li Li Xuewu would not pit his own people.

As for who counted as his own people, that had to be viewed dialectically.

At least for now, Bao Peigang, who had already fallen into the pit, did not count as one of his own.

"We are our own people; could I possibly pit you?"

At the lunch banquet in the guesthouse, Old Li waved a finger, looked at Bao Peigang, and stated: "The twenty-five million in payments received this year is still in our accounts."

"The over thirty million in profits is in overseas accounts; we are to operate independently."

He explained to Bao Peigang: "For the Liangma River Industrial Zone and the industrial and technological investments within the next two years, we will use this sum for our budgeting."

"Impressive, truly impressive."

Bao Peigang nodded and praised: "Everyone said the Red Star Factory would lose a fortune developing the Liangma River Industrial Zone; aside from going into debt, they even called it an ecological industrial zone."

"What can be seen now is that the ecological foundation is laid; going into debt is absolutely impossible, leaving only the question of whether we will make money or lose it."

"Losing money? I don't think that's possible—"

Hu Youqiang raised his wine glass, clinked it with Old Li's, and said: "As long as we secure the title of Demonstration Industrial Zone, the Red Star Factory will absolutely not lose money."

"That still depends on the supporting living facilities and service industries meeting the standard for a population of one hundred thousand," he took a sip of wine and continued, "If education and scientific research can form a scale alongside ecological production, I think we will make a huge profit."

"As I just said, we are our own people."

Li Li Huai De tilted his head, drank some wine, and switched into his mode of bragging and painting grand visions; this, after all, was his job.

"Thirty million; we cannot possibly use it all up today. Over the course of two years, we will still need to use this money for investment and operations."

He tapped the table, raised an eyebrow, and asked: "Last year, our factory's foreign trade volume exceeded thirty-seven million; after deducting costs, how much was left?"

"This portion of the money must still be invested into the capital operation plan; money making money, you know!"

The financial genius Li Li Huai De came online, using the theory Li Li Xuewu had taught him to start giving a finance lesson to the credit union crowd.

Overseas investment was not entirely unfamiliar to Bao Peigang and the others, but neither could it be called very familiar.

If you were to say they looked down on Old Li, they wouldn't dare, after all, they hadn't earned thirty million.

But if you were to say they respected Old Li that much, that would be complete nonsense.

Anyone could see that Old Li's words were very hollow; one could only say they were superficial.

At a drinking table, if one out of ten sentences is true, that's enough; the fear is if only one word is true, then things would be ruined.

"I told them that the factory would not withhold any cash flow from the tertiary industries; it will all be invested into the Joint Savings Bank."

Old Li held up one finger and declared fiercely: "Let's set a small goal first: to earn one hundred million within three years!"

Whoa—

At the drinking table, not only were the credit union crowd surprised, but even the few people from the Red Star Factory side were shaken.

Had Old Li drunk too much? He actually dared to say such things!

Li Li Xuewu met the glance Xiang Xiang Jingyu shot over, gritted his back teeth, and gave her a calm look.

【Don't panic; Old Li is just showing off.】

"One hundred million, oh my—"

Bao Peigang shook his head slightly, smiled bitterly, and said: "We wouldn't dare dream of that; following the Red Star Factory, earning thirty million in three years would be enough."

He raised his wine glass to toast Li Li Huai De, saying: "This year, our unit has an investment fund of fifty-five million; I can transfer it all to the Joint Savings Bank."

"We don't ask for much; once we've earned thirty million, we'll stop."

"How is thirty million enough—"

Li Li Huai De smiled, clinked glasses with him, and said: "Three hundred million would be more like it!"

Hm? Had Old Li really drunk too much!

The wine glass Xiang Xiang Jingyu was holding paused; she stopped hiding her feelings and turned to glare at Li Li Xuewu.

【Aren't you going to manage this? It's already three hundred million!】

"Ahem, let me interject."

Li Li Xuewu smiled, raised his wine glass, and said: "Although what we are doing is capital operations, in reality, it relies on exchange operations from import and export trade."

"In Hong Kong City, the Oriental Era Bank is responsible for the market operations of capital; while we have cooperation, execution is independent."

He reminded Bao Peigang: "Regarding which operational project your fifty-five million deposited in the Joint Savings Bank will participate in, we should discuss that later."

"Right, right, right—"

Old Li also realized he had bragged too big; thanks to Li Li Xuewu's interruption, he came to his senses now, called for Bao Peigang to start drinking, and refused to mention the three hundred million matter again.

Xiang Xiang Jingyu glared at Li Li Xuewu, blaming him for indulging Liu Lao Wu; was this damn thing even capital operations?

Don't tell me last night's affair...

With Liu Lao Wu's physical condition, does he have three hundred million?

Capital possesses magnetism, and furthermore, liquidity.

Following the Dongcheng Credit Cooperative's additional fund operation project with the Joint Savings Bank, news that the Red Star Factory earned over thirty million last year quietly spread within Jingcheng's financial and industrial systems.

The working group had already clarified matters earlier, and the superiors knew too, so why hadn't it spread before?

Simple: those thirty-plus million created no favorable impression for either the working group or the First Ministry of Machine Building.

The thirty-plus million represented investment profits; the Red Star Factory's account capital fell outside the scope of unified planning funds and had little to do with the First Ministry of Machine Building.

Thus, now that the news had spread, many enterprises began viewing the Joint Savings Bank with new respect.

Enterprises previously unwilling or lacking confidence to open corporate accounts for trade management now actively transferred their corporate accounts.

Meanwhile, more enterprises were inquiring with both the Red Star Factory and the Joint Savings Bank about handling financial investment services.

When privately confronted by Xiang Xiang Jingyu's questioning, Li Li Xuewu pointed out exactly this: last year, when establishing the Joint Savings Bank to undertake fund operations, everyone claimed there was no capital; now the capital had arrived.

The essence of a bank's investment behavior is using other people's money to make profits.

Why would others give you money to earn profits? The reason is simple: the money in their own hands earns less than what you can generate through operations.

Of course, it also loses less than what you might lose.

When designing the investment plan for the Joint Savings Bank, Li Li Xuewu incorporated a safeguard: capital exchange services relying on domestic and foreign trade.

As long as this major project existed, combined with the oversight and operations of the "seaport" Oriental Era Bank and coordinated actions by enterprises like Ng Fung Hong, one could not absolutely guarantee no losses, but making profits was certainly no problem.

As industrialization continued advancing, the Red Star Factory's financial economy rose and developed in tandem.

Just at this moment, various rumors began circulating within the Red Star Factory's administrative offices.

The most prominent concerned Li Li Xuewu, claiming he would be transferred away from the Security Section.

The rumors sounded convincing, yet those in the know scoffed at the news as utterly outdated.

After all, similar rumors had surfaced and been proven nonsense back in mid-last year.

However, many people clearly understood that Li Li Xuewu was indeed leaving, just not at the rumored time.

Especially this time, the rumor claimed his departure stemmed from problems involving Ding Yan Zigui, Director of the Management Committee Office; if Li Li Xuewu were to assume the post, it would certainly happen at this juncture.

Nevertheless, some countered that Li Li Xuewu could not possibly leap two ranks in a single step.

Meaning, Li Li Xuewu could not possibly move to the Management Committee Office for a promotion to full division-level rank.

Li Li Xuewu, however, remained unaffected by these rumors, continuing with his duties as usual.

Early in the year, his workload was particularly heavy.

The second-phase planning for the Aircraft Manufacturing Factory had been finalized, with construction set to commence after the New Year.

Planning for power station construction in both Jingcheng and Gangcheng had also been settled, and preparations were already underway.

The traditional Chinese medicine cultivation and pharmaceutical development project, planned and finalized in October, had received approval from above and was officially placed on the agenda.

The Red Star Factory had thus gained new projects and a new operational direction.

Li Li Xuewu was currently communicating with the municipal Industry and Commerce authorities, exploring whether they could acquire one or two century-old shops, such as the Hundred Herbs Hall.

Production and sales are inseparable, after all—

PS: The book spans from November 1965 to January 1968; time truly flies!

In the blink of an eye, the New Year approaches; here, Lao Wu wishes everyone a prosperous and auspicious New Year, great fortune and great profit!