Chapter 1488: Foolproof

"I must be responsible for the nine thousand employees of the Second Auto Works."

Gu Litong raised his glass of two *liang* of liquor, looked at Li Xuewu, and said candidly, "I toast you with this cup."

Li Xuewu said nothing; he picked up his glass and drained it in one gulp, even more cleanly and decisively than Gu Litong.

The people at the same table were all executive cadres from various departments of the Second Auto Works; they were watching their leader's performance to decide how to act.

Without Gu Litong's nod, they wouldn't dare act rashly; even when charging into battle, one must listen for the bugle call.

Moreover, the person sitting with Factory Director Gu was none other than the famous "Immortal of Liquor" within the industrial system.

"Originally, I should have toasted you three times."

Gu Litong looked at him, paused, and then continued, "It's a pity my tolerance is average, and I still need to keep my wits about me to talk with you."

"As long as it's not a wheel-battle, it's fine."

Li Xuewu lifted his chin nonchalantly and said, "The guest follows the host's lead."

"Let's drink slowly and have a chat."

Gu Litong waved his hand at his subordinates, signaled to Li Xuewu, and said to them, "Don't listen to him; even if it were a wheel-battle, we wouldn't be able to outdrink him."

"Hahaha—" The crowd let out a light laugh.

Li Xuewu also laughed, twirled his glass, and said, "Isn't drinking just for fun? The fun of 'having friends come from afar, isn't it delightful?'"

"Secretary-General Li, I toast you."

The Office Director, along with several others, raised their glasses and said with a smile, "Welcome to the Second Auto Works."

Li Xuewu did not act reserved or arrogant; he also finished the liquor in his glass.

It wasn't entirely due to his reputation; that these people could toast him together was still out of respect for his ability.

Otherwise?

In this day and age, when a factory entertains guests, they really drink until they drop; if a guest walks out on their own, it would ruin the factory's reputation.

If Factory Director Gu really spoke up, even knowing they couldn't outdrink the Immortal of Liquor, they would have to give it their all and accompany the gentleman at the risk of their lives.

Now it was better; the leader clearly had no intention of rushing the drinking, and what remained was all sincerity and friendship.

In fact, the logic was simple: Gu Litong knew Li Xuewu wasn't afraid of them forcing drinks on him, and the other party wasn't someone who could be coaxed with liquor.

"Honestly, this year is especially difficult."

After everyone set down their glasses and urged Li Xuewu to eat some food, he sighed with emotion, "Harder than last year."

"It wouldn't be because of us, would it?"

Li Xuewu glanced at him sideways and said amusingly, "This isn't the first time I've heard this."

"Whether it's your first time hearing it or not, I have to say it." Gu Litong laughed, picked up the bottle to pour him a glass, and said, "Of course, I can't say something like 'we'd be better off without your Steel Auto Works'."

"That would be so spineless, right?"

Li Xuewu knew what he wanted to say; he joked as he looked at the crowd and raised his glass to toast them proactively.

The crowd naturally accepted his gesture and accompanied him with a drink.

Three rounds of drinks later, that was essentially the meaning.

"I also want to be successful, really."

Gu Litong looked at him sincerely and said, "To be as successful as Steel Auto; I dream about it."

"Steel Auto wasn't built by dreaming."

Li Xuewu looked at him with amusement, set down his chopsticks, nodded, and his expression gradually became serious: "I can understand your feelings; this sense of urgency is also the current mindset of our group."

"You don't believe me?"

He glanced at the stunned Gu Litong, raised an eyebrow, and said, "You think we've started enjoying our achievements and are preparing to sleep on our laurels, right?"

"Of course not—"

Gu Litong smiled and said, "I can still see how busy you are."

"It's not just me who is busy; I couldn't achieve the current results all by myself."

Li Xuewu spoke without false modesty, yet without arrogance, stating straightforwardly, "It is unity and pragmatism; this is the truth."

"You might not imagine that our Director Li is now also leading a team to carry out tasks."

He raised an eyebrow and introduced, "The group has just finished a meeting; whoever's work it is, they are responsible for it, and whoever's duty it is, they must bear it."

"If it's work he should be doing, he must be responsible for it himself. Everyone has work in their hands; no one is idle watching the fun."

"It's the fourth quarter; it's time to get busy."

Gu Litong nodded understandingly and said, "Not to mention that this year is a critical year for your group."

"We are officially becoming a group at the beginning of next year, so how can we not be busy?" Li Xuewu tapped his arm with the back of his hand, frowned, and emphasized in a low voice, "Relocating heavy industry to the Northeast—this has indeed carried a great deal of pressure."

Gu Litong naturally understood the meaning behind his words; the vigorous Third Front construction work was underway, and many industrial enterprises were moving from the Northeast to the Southwest.

But the Red Star Steel Group was doing the opposite, eagerly moving to the Northeast. Was this going against the grain?

He greatly admired this fierce drive of the Red Star Steel Group. Who didn't know that the industrial foundation of the Northeast was thicker? Liaodong was the most suitable place to realize the cluster development of industrial enterprises.

"At the beginning of this year, we decided not to take on large projects and to go all out to finish the work of the third year. And what was the result?"

Li Xuewu clapped his hands, scanned the crowd, and said to Gu Litong, "Two major projects in a row in September."

"Not to mention the cooperation with Shenfei—that didn't involve much money—but what about the International Hotel?"

He spread his hands and emphasized, "Thirteen million, not 1.3 million."

"And this is not to mention that the group's Liangma River Ecological Industrial Zone, the Jinmen Trade Management Center, and the Steel City Red Star Industrial Zone have not yet completely finished construction."

"Three pillar regions." Gu Litong nodded and said with no small amount of envy, "Your steps have been taken; now you just have to run."

"Run? We have to put in the effort."

Li Xuewu tapped the table lightly with his finger and said, "Starting from last year, the group laid out distribution channels and built a central area in Jin Ling. Does this count as a large project?"

"Jin Ling, indeed it is."

Gu Litong thought about the development layout of the Red Star Steel Group and nodded, saying, "A pattern of one in the south and one in the north."

"You know our group." Li Xuewu looked at him, nodded, and said, "With the current organizational structure, is it feasible not to have our own channels?"

"Steel Auto, Steel Aviation, and Steel Electric are all tertiary industrial sectors." Li Xuewu counted on his fingers as he introduced them to him, "The technical innovation of the steel rolling mill, metallurgical plant, and machinery manufacturing plant has led to excess capacity. We have to solve the problem of spillover, right?"

"The food company, energy company, construction engineering company, and logistics company are all joint ventures."

He spread his hands and said, "If we don't sell the products ourselves, who will help us solve the sales problem?"

"This group also has service-type enterprises like property companies, labor service companies, and publishing houses to support."

After Li Xuewu finished counting for everyone, he looked at them candidly and said, "Don't talk about difficulty. No one's difficulty is greater than ours this year, and who isn't gritting their teeth and pushing through?"

"But the technical innovation that started with your Steel Auto has overturned all our tables."

Gu Litong smiled bitterly and said, "I admit that progress is correct, but you all have progressed too fast."

"It makes no sense for you to say it like that. Is it that we have progressed too fast?" Li Xuewu raised an eyebrow and said, "It is that we have fallen too far behind international production standards."

"Three years ago, you knew the total national automobile production—less than 30,000 units."

He said to Gu Litong, "It can be said that transportation tools have held back the overall national economic development."

"I am currently sitting at your Second Auto eating, but I won't say things that deceive myself and others."

Li Xuewu pressed his hand on Gu Litong's hand, which was about to pour him wine, and asked, "If I may offend you by asking, do you think the BJ130 is excellent enough? Does Second Auto dare to take this car to the international market and give it a go?"

Gu Litong's expression instantly became solemn; this question was too damn offensive.

"Steel Auto dares; we really dare."

Li Xuewu let go of his hand, looked at the crowd, and said, "The automobile industry has reached a situation where falling behind really means taking a beating. We know that even if we don't make money, we have to fight."

"If we don't fight? If we don't fight, we really won't see a single domestically produced car in the international automobile market in the future."

He turned his gaze back to Gu Litong and said, "You know that more than 10,000 cars are loaded onto ships at Yingcheng Port every month, but do you know how much we can earn?"

"I'm not afraid of you laughing at me, but last year and this year, Steel Auto's revenue has just leveled with its expenditures; we are not losing money."

Li Xuewu nodded slowly and said to the crowd, whose expressions had also become solemn, "Not losing money is the situation Steel Auto is in right now; it's difficult."

"Without technology, there is no market; without a market, there is no profit; and without profit, you cannot get technology."

"But what if you have the technology?"

He shook his head helplessly and said, "The capacity has gone up, but the quality is a far cry from international industry standards. Are we willing to make cheap cars?"

"That is to say, how many of the 6,000-yuan Ant and 8,000-yuan Aquarius cars can be sold domestically right now?"

Li Xuewu tapped the table with his finger, frowned, and said, "Even if the Comet motorcycle sells out in the domestic market, it's only tens of thousands of units a year, right?"

"The domestic automobile market is too narrow, and our common people are too poor to afford cars."

His helpless tone made everyone's mood sink a bit more, and the food on the table tasted like nothing.

"Having said that, without Steel Auto, which raised the flag for technical innovation last year, how many more years would our automobile industry have to sleep? And what about your Second Auto?"

Li Xuewu brought the topic back to Second Auto and said straightforwardly, "You were so happy you couldn't close your mouths with an annual production of 3,000 cars, right? Compare that to now."

He raised his wine glass, let out a long breath, and said, "Steel Auto and Second Auto are both walking on the correct path of development; this is our responsibility and mission."

Everyone raised their glasses, looking at him with admiration.

"Then, a toast to the correct path?"

Gu Litong held his glass, looked at the other comrades, and said, "A toast to our responsibility and mission."

"Cheers—"

Gu Litong wanted to hear the truth, but Li Xuewu couldn't tell him the truth in front of too many people.

After the drinking session, the two sat in the lounge.

Zhang Enyuan stood outside asking Gu Litong's secretary, Xiao Zhou, about the local customs of the capital, which counted as standing guard.

Li Xuewu took a slow sip from his teacup and said, "You've collected a basket of junk; are you trying to save up enough to form a Second Auto Automobile Group?"

"Do you think we want to?"

Gu Litong lit a cigarette for himself, exhaled smoke, and said, "You try it and see."

"This is what they call being under someone else's roof, having to bow your head." He sighed long and said, "Forget it, take smaller steps, run fast and follow closely."

"We are also facing the problem of employee placement; you caught up with it last time, too."

Li Xuewu crossed his right leg, held the teacup in his hand, and looked at him, saying, "We want all of the several hundred quotas for the Capital Auto; you tell me if the current situation is difficult or not."

"At least you have already shed your burden."

Gu Litong sat up straight and said, "As for Second Auto, they say it's changing, but the burden is getting heavier."

"This cannot simply be described as shedding a burden; we didn't abandon our employees."

Li Xuewu emphasized this point and then continued, "Is the mess left to us by the capital's industry any less than yours? Sixteen enterprises, think about it."

"Then should we learn from you?"

Gu Litong raised an eyebrow and said, "Have you ever thought about what will happen if the New Capital No. 1 Factory cannot hold up? How will tens of thousands of workers be placed then? Rely entirely on the city to solve it?"

"Oh, so that's what you were thinking."

Li Xuewu raised his hand to scratch his eyebrow and asked, "There must be quite a few people in the capital who think this way, right?"

"I don't represent the majority; I only speak the facts." Gu Litong frowned at him and emphasized, "It's a fact that your group diverted more than 20,000 employees to the New Capital No. 1 Factory, right?"

"But these 20,000-plus employees were originally from the capital's industry."

Li Xuewu put down his teacup and explained earnestly, "Our factory originally had less than 30,000 people; it was only after merging sixteen enterprises that the number expanded."

"Even now, part of the 70,000 people are a burden that the capital's industry dumped on us. How do you count this?"

He put down his right leg and said, "Helping the capital's industry set up the New Capital No. 1 Factory was not proposed by us; it was proposed by the capital's industry. You have to think clearly about this."

"But the principle is the same." Gu Litong looked at him and said, "If Second Auto also sets up a factory, implements personnel reform, conducts technical competitions, then transfers employees who have no advantage in performance and age to the new factory, and finally actively promotes the independent operation of the new factory and hands it over to the city."

"The premise is that you dare to do so."

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows at him and emphasized, "If the new factory can support these employees, then why not do it? The city also hopes for more industrial development."

"Can you guarantee that the Capital No. 1 Factory can stand on its own feet?"

Gu Litong looked at him and asked, "What are you using to guarantee it?"

"In June, I was the one who negotiated it."

Li Xuewu said indifferently, "The Red Star Steel Group and the New Capital No. 1 Factory reached a cooperation agreement."

"I won't tell you the specific content of the agreement, but there is one point: technology and production are included in it. Whatever we have, we will support the New Capital No. 1 Factory with."

"Just to place those workers?"

Gu Litong looked at him in surprise and asked, "Does this count as seeking far for what is near?"

"This is called technical adjustment, understand?"

Li Xuewu leaned forward slightly and looked at him, saying, "Have you heard of the term resource integration? You have a hand of rotten cards, and you don't think about playing a straight? Do you want to hold them all in your hand and starve to death together?"

"First, allocate the high-quality assets and resources, travel light, and develop rapidly."

He gestured with his hands and said, "After completing the initial accumulation, then turn back to solve the legacy problems."

"How to solve it?"

Gu Litong seemed to have listened and said with some hesitation, "Once the speed of development cannot keep up with the speed of the deterioration of non-performing assets, the consequences will be unimaginable."

"There is always a glimmer of hope. You came to me because you couldn't make up your mind and wanted a reason, right?"

Li Xuewu looked at him and said, "Let me put it this way: once Steel Auto enters the light cargo field, how long can the current Second Auto last in the market?"

"Don't tell me that the city won't watch you fall into trouble and do nothing; there have been too many industrial adjustments in the past few years."

He threatened him straightforwardly, "The Sea Lion bus that Steel Auto just launched took only 14 months from research and development to rolling off the line. Can Second Auto do that?"

"Are you really going to make light cargo?"

Gu Litong frowned, his inner shock unable to be concealed. If this were true, Second Auto would be in danger.

With the quality of Steel Auto's workers and its capacity, if it really went for light cargo, it would definitely suppress Second Auto until it couldn't breathe.

He didn't think Li Xuewu was making assumptions, because in the interior, buses are never as easy to sell as trucks; this is certain.

Li Xuewu just mentioned the narrowness of the domestic automobile market. If Steel Auto really coveted the light cargo market, with Steel Auto's technical reserves, it might not even take a year. Then it would truly be a case of the brave winning on a narrow road.

Others might not know how strong Steel Auto's technical reserves are, but Second Auto, which has cooperation projects with Steel Auto, knows.

Everyone says the First Factory is the founding ancestor of domestic automobiles and also the place where the dragon rises, with strong technical reserves.

But now, the supply chain of parts and the combination of assembly lines have completely changed the development pattern of the automobile industry. The era of doing everything is about to pass.

Gu Litong looked at Li Xuewu earnestly, wanting to see if his words just now were serious.

Li Xuewu pursed his lips, let out a long breath, and then said, "There is not much time left for you."

Swish—

Cold sweat broke out on Gu Litong's forehead.

Damn! He really guessed it right; Steel Auto really has a light truck project, and it's very likely in the experimental stage.

No, not Steel Auto, but the research institute. He remembered that the Red Star Steel Group has an Automobile Engineering Research Institute, which is the core of the Steel Group's technical development.

"When?"

He stared at Li Xuewu and asked, but how could he get an accurate answer from Li Xuewu?

"Think about it carefully."

Li Xuewu nodded slowly and said, "If you still want to keep up with the tide of the times."

"Remember, this is very likely the last opportunity for domestic automobiles to develop in this era."

"You mean..."

Gu Litong hesitated; he didn't dare to think about what would happen if he really pushed those outdated workers out.

"How about this, I'll give you an idea to consider."

Li Xuewu took a sip of hot tea and said, "As I mentioned in Steel City, you pick a factory, we provide the assembly line equipment, the parts go through the supply chain, we produce Hongyun buses in the capital, and we handle the sales channels."

"The situation is difficult, let's tide over the difficulties together."

"Tide over the difficulties together?"

Gu Litong was no rookie; he looked at him speechlessly and said, "What about the worker quotas? How to divide them?"

"Divide as much as you can." Li Xuewu said straightforwardly, "Our group doesn't have many people left to place; we'll talk about the future in the future."

"Then how is this factory counted?" Gu Litong hesitated for a moment and said, "Counted as a joint venture?"

"Yes, counted as a joint venture."

Li Xuewu nodded and said, "But there can't be only two shareholders. Go ask Director Bao if the Credit Union wants to come and make a profit too."

"Why don't you ask yourself?"

Gu Litong looked at him suspiciously and asked, "Aren't you two on the best terms?"

"It's precisely because we are on good terms that it's inconvenient to ask." Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Just go ask since I told you to. Are you afraid I'll lie to you?"

"I'm afraid you'll lie to me and make me go lie to Bao Peigang." Like a tongue twister, Gu Litong curled his lips and said, "Don't think I don't know."

"You know it and you still ask—"

Li Xuewu glanced at him and said, "I've offended him, so we don't associate anymore."

"Bus manufacturing factory, stuff as many people as you can, don't ask for profit, just don't lose money."

He raised his chin and said, "This way you can also shed your burden and restructure the worker system."

"And then?" Gu Litong looked at him and said, "Once your light trucks are released, what will we do?"

"Do I have to take care of your clothing and food too?"

Li Xuewu looked at him with amusement and anger and said, "For your sake, Steel Auto won't develop?"

"Then let's be frank, what do you want, or rather, what does the Red Star Steel Group want."

Gu Litong looked at him and asked, "According to what you said, our Second Auto seems to have fallen into a dead end."

"You know about the visit to East Germany, right?"

Li Xuewu didn't rush to answer his question, but raised his eyebrows and said, "In late December, the automobile industry in East Germany is the focus of the inspection. Think about it."

"Trucks?" Gu Litong was startled, opened his eyes wide, and looked at him, asking, "Does your group intend to introduce truck production lines and technology from East Germany?"

"Why not?"

Li Xuewu shrugged his shoulders and said, "The group is laying out the Steel City Industrial Zone, throwing so much money into such a big place. Do you think we're going to walk horses?"

"The second breakthrough of the automobile industry is coming."

He scared Gu Litong, "Don't blame me for not reminding you, this is really the last opportunity."

"You are threatening me—"

Gu Litong narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at him, saying, "You don't have a plan for truck production, right?"

Li Xuewu didn't need to answer. He stared into Li Xuewu's eyes and said slowly, "You want to use this project to engage in joint venture cooperation, which is what you call resource integration, right?"

"No need to build a factory yourself, just use Steel Auto's influence and advantages to get technology and production lines through international trade channels, and you can start production in half a year."

He seemed to have guessed Li Xuewu's purpose for coming today. His heart was pounding, and his tone became a bit colder, "I just said, how could you be so kind? I invited you once and you came; that's too righteous."

"What kind of talk is this—"

Having his thoughts exposed, Li Xuewu wasn't embarrassed at all and said very frankly, "I'm also doing this for your own good."

"Oh oh—" Gu Litong was amused by him and said with a curled lip, "I now think Bao Peigang is a decent person; he's right to hate you."

"Bus manufacturing factory cooperation, helping Second Auto shed its burden, accelerating the evolution of assembly line and parts supply chain production models, gradually adjusting Second Auto into Steel Auto's foundry, or rather—a future branch factory."

He raised his head, looked at Li Xuewu, and said, "No matter how Second Auto tosses, it can't escape your encirclement and suppression, right? Steel Auto will block all our development directions and slowly force us to submit, is that it?"

"Hey, it's all a misunderstanding—"

Li Xuewu raised his chin and said, "Don't listen to Old Bao's nonsense; we're all buddies."

"Hehe—" Gu Litong smiled helplessly.

"I'm seeking skin from a tiger, right?"

He looked at Li Xuewu carefully and asked, "Let me ask a sincere question: when did you start eyeing us? Wanting to bring Second Auto under Steel Auto's command."

"Tsk—Old Gu—"

Li Xuewu looked at him slightly embarrassed and said, "Look at what you're saying. I'm such a sincere person; isn't it embarrassing for me to ask you like this?"

"It was from the very beginning, right!"

Gu Litong understood. No wonder Bao Peigang said this bastard shouldn't have friends.

What the hell is "buddies"? He even lies to his own people; is this what you call buddies?

"Fine, this meal today wasn't eaten in vain; I finally figured out the situation."

He smiled bitterly and said, "You, Secretary-General Li, are still the best, planning strategies and winning thousands of miles away."

"What's the point of saying all this—"

Li Xuewu advised in a low voice, "Think about it carefully, do you have any other way out?"

"..." Gu Litong looked at him speechlessly. Does this person have any bottom line left?

"I admit, there isn't."

He wasn't a person who could lie and said straightforwardly, "This is your open conspiracy."

"By creating an automobile parts supply chain system through the Trade Management Center and separating automobile production from parts production with standardized production, that's it."

Gu Litong understood everything. He nodded and said, "You are not doing the automobile industry, but business management, applying your so-called Red Star management model to the automobile industry, and in disguise, using industrial reform to force other automobile industrial enterprises to run forward."

"If we don't follow you, we are in danger of being abandoned by the times and will definitely be defeated by your capacity."

"If we follow you, how can we outrun you? In the end, we become your industrial vassals."

He frowned and looked at Li Xuewu carefully, asking, "How is your brain grown? You laid out such a big trap; aren't you tired?"

"It's okay, not very tired."

Li Xuewu wasn't surprised that he had broken his layout; he just faced it calmly.

This trap cannot be understood from a macro perspective, let alone if you are in it.

You ask if anyone above understands?

Is this important?

Just like what Li Xuewu said to Gu Litong, the situation is laid out, and it's the same whether you follow or not.

Prey targeted by Li Xuewu can never escape his calculations.

Unless Second Auto has policy support from above and breaks this shackle with absolute influence.

But is it possible?

Even if someone in the capital's industry doesn't want to see Second Auto held hostage by the Red Star Steel Group, what can they do?

Can they refuse the temptation of jointly setting up a factory to produce Hongyun vans, or can they resist the tide of the times?

With the Red Star Steel Group's technical reserves plus this overall technical introduction, Second Auto can't withstand the blow.

You say why can't Second Auto also follow to East Germany to introduce technology and industrial lines?

Still the same sentence, resource integration, you have to have resources. Second Auto has the Capital Automobile Factory above it.

The capital's industry has only so many resources. If they give them to Second Auto, they can't give them to Capital Automobile. Who is the favorite son?

If you let Second Auto buy it themselves, they have to have channels and funds. This is called a dilemma.

"We still value Second Auto very much."

Li Xuewu showed his cards and said frankly, "Future development should be a situation of win-win cooperation; we cherish this friendship very much."

"Can I understand it this way."

Gu Litong looked at him and asked, "Is this your final attitude? We have no choice?"

"Don't say that, it makes me feel guilty."

Li Xuewu smiled, stood up, and said, "We sincerely hope that Second Auto can have new development and breakthroughs, and even more hope that Second Auto can surpass Steel Auto and become the representative of domestic automobiles."

Gu Litong couldn't see any sense of guilt on his face at all.

Of course, there was no pride either.

Li Xuewu's words couldn't be easier to understand; it was nothing more than telling Second Auto not to struggle anymore, there was no chance.

"We will not give up."

Gu Litong stood up, looked at Li Xuewu's outstretched right hand, and shook it anyway.

"Of course, this is also what I hope to see."

Seeing him like this, Li Xuewu smiled and shook his hand, then gestured outside the door and said, "Let's leave it at that for today. After I go back, I will connect with General Manager Gao as soon as possible; she is now responsible for all cooperation negotiations for the group."

Gu Litong had resentment in his heart, but he still saw him out, only he didn't have any polite words on his lips.

What else could he do? The cooperation was placed in front of Second Auto, so of course he would take it. Do you think he's a child, still throwing a tantrum?

If he really angered Li Xuewu, where couldn't he find an automobile factory to cooperate with?

From the moment he realized the Red Star Steel Group's original intention of laying out the automobile industry, he knew that Second Auto was definitely not the first company to fall into the pit, nor would it be the last.

What is the Red Star Steel Group trying to do with this move?

Steel Auto has developed and produced so many car models; what is it for, using cheap marketing means to quickly occupy domestic and foreign automobile markets?

He doesn't know about others, but Gu Litong knows that no automobile industry in the country can refuse Steel Auto's cooperation.

Let's put it this way: today Second Auto got Steel Auto's Hongyun van production cooperation project, tomorrow it could be Sichuan Auto getting Steel Auto's engineering vehicle production cooperation project. In the end, Steel Auto will have production factories all over the country.

It seems to be a relatively conservative factory set up to shed burdens and travel light to develop industry quickly, but no one can guarantee how future development will go.

Gu Litong knows that currently, no domestic automobile industrial enterprise's development speed can keep up with Steel Auto.

The First Factory and the Magic City Factory can refuse the olive branch thrown by Steel Auto because they don't need it, but what about other automobile manufacturing factories in their cities?

This is a commercial competition of encirclement and suppression. When there are Steel Auto branch factories all over the country, who can still sit and talk to the Red Star Steel Group?

Gu Litong is now in a state of deep powerlessness. He clearly knows there is a big pit ahead, but he has to jump.

Just like what Li Xuewu said, what if?

What if Second Auto sheds its burden, develops rapidly, and has the confidence in volume and scale to have a go with Steel Auto?

Li Xuewu really isn't afraid of this. No matter which car company wants to have a go with Steel Auto, they must first master the distribution channels in major domestic cities and the ability to export abroad.

Even if a car company has domestic market distribution channels with the help of supply and marketing channels, what about after-sales protection?

The Red Star Steel Group's Steel Auto and the Sales General Company are two units. The Sales General Company has absolutely professional pre-sales and after-sales service plans for this era, which supply and marketing units cannot compare with.

So Gu Litong couldn't refute those polite words Li Xuewu said.

"Then I wish our next cooperation to be as smooth as before."

Before getting into the car, Li Xuewu reached out to say goodbye, but Gu Litong shook his hand, yet didn't say a single polite word, too lazy to even pretend to be polite to Li Xuewu.

"Second Auto is taken, next is Capital Auto."

Li Xuewu returned to the steel rolling mill, stepped up to the third floor, and said to Gao Yaqin, whom he met in the corridor, "Do you have time tomorrow to go with me to see Ding Zhichen of Capital Auto?"

"Taken so quickly?"

Gao Yaqin looked at him in surprise and asked, "How did you talk to Gu Litong?"

"He has no trump cards left—"

Li Xuewu raised his hand to gesture towards Li Huai De's office, signaling her to go together.

"The higher-ups are going to adjust the team of Second Auto; Gu Litong must show something at this time."

He unbuttoned the second button of his shirt collar, knocked on the door, walked into Old Li's office, and continued, "Second Auto only has this one opportunity, and so does he."

"Negotiated?"

Old Li's performance was very calm. Hearing the conversation between the two, he knew things had been handled well. He stood up, greeted Liu Bin to make tea, and signaled the two to sit on the sofa.

"Second Auto is at a critical period of technical reform. Logically speaking, there shouldn't be any changes at this time."

He waved his hand, signaled Li Xuewu and Gao Yaqin to sit, and sat on the sofa himself.

"But Second Auto's Fu Zhantong is at the age limit and must step down next year, so Gu Litong is very passive."

The reason Li Xuewu was able to handle Gu Litong was still Old Li's information support.

"I was thinking when I read the document just now, will Second Auto drag us down?"

He looked at Li Xuewu and the two and said, "This question has troubled me for a while."

"So it's cooperation, not merger."

Li Xuewu looked at Old Li and emphasized earnestly, "Cooperative factory building, cooperative research and development, just not merger."

"Of course, Second Auto cannot be merged."

Gao Yaqin was also of this opinion. She said, "Steel Auto's development has already formed a system. If you stuff a Second Auto in at this time, it will definitely delay development."

"So cooperate, don't merge."

Li Xuewu nodded, took over the conversation, and said, "Putting cooperation projects in Second Auto's factory can also be considered as adding an insurance policy for worker placement and enterprise management."

"How many people does Second Auto need to place?"

Li Huai De nodded and looked at Li Xuewu, asking, "How many people can the newly established project receive?"

"That depends on how Second Auto chooses."

Li Xuewu looked at Gao Yaqin and then said, "I think we can place at least another 3,000 people. Starting next year, a batch of students from the Vocational and Technical College will also need to be placed. This project must be implemented as soon as possible."

"Well, don't worry about Second Auto's affairs."

Li Huai De thought for a while, nodded, and said, "Next, you handle Capital Auto's affairs first, and then return to Liaodong after you're done."

"The notice from above just came."

He beckoned and signaled Liu Bin to hand him the document on the desk.

Li Huai De received it without looking and handed it directly to Li Xuewu, saying, "Depart on the 23rd. You must be prepared; it may take 20 days before and after."

He tapped the armrest of the sofa and emphasized, "We go over to negotiate first; after we negotiate, the leaders will go over."

"This is the maximum condition I could fight for, and it's still because our preparations are sufficient."

"The United Savings Bank has prepared 30 million yuan in funds at the Oriental Era Bank."

Old Li sighed long, crossed his hands on his chest, and said with emotion, "It really hurts."

"If you don't give up the child, you won't catch the wolf."

Li Xuewu finished reading the notice, handed it to Gao Yaqin beside him, and looked at Old Li, saying, "This trip to East Germany might not necessarily use this money, but it's better to be prepared."

"Cooperation that can be achieved through compensation trade will never use foreign exchange; this is the bottom line."

He turned to signal Gao Yaqin and said, "I will solve Capital Auto's cooperation first. You give me all the information on East Germany as soon as possible; I will take it back to Steel City to read."

"Prepare as much as possible."

Li Huai De knew he was serious, nodded, and said, "This opportunity is rare. If you want to catch something, catch something big. Don't forget to bring the Santa Ya Group along."

"How could I forget them."

Li Xuewu smiled and said, "Not only the Santa Ya Group, but I also made appointments with representatives from Jili Star Shipping and Sanhe Co., Ltd. We'll talk tomorrow."

"International trade absolutely cannot do without these people, even if we have a Hong Kong office."

Li Huai De said cautiously, "But we can't trust them completely. After all, East Germany is closer to them, and both sides have a certain foundation of economic exchanges."

"We have understood this point."

Gao Yaqin introduced, "East Germany's automobiles have been sold in West Germany; there are economic exchanges."

"So there must be characteristics." Li Xuewu looked at Old Li and emphasized, "We must make this combination of international trade punches hit with vigor and force."

"Machinery, this is the key point."

Li Huai De leaned on the sofa and looked at him, saying, "Director Du mentioned it to me. Even technology we can't use, bring it back as much as possible. He will arrange it at his discretion and won't let us suffer."

"This is inevitable, but the time is a bit short." Li Xuewu thought for a while and said, "And doing this puts a lot of pressure on capital consumption."

"Do it according to our own." Li Huai De understood his meaning and said straightforwardly, "Precision machinery, automobile industry, metallurgical industry, walk more, look more."

"The expert group members must be screened well this time."

Li Xuewu looked at Gao Yaqin and said, "Bring as few accompanying personnel as possible. Don't need many interpreters; at worst, rent office staff when we get there."

"Use East Germans to do work?" Li Huai De frowned and asked, "Will there be any danger?"

"Can it be kept secret without using East Germans?"

Li Xuewu raised his eyebrows and said, "This is a kind of method; we'll talk about it when the time comes."

"The Hong Kong office can also support it." Gao Yaqin said, "We can send people from Hong Kong first; it's also fine if they just do service work."

"Well, consider it from multiple sides."

Li Huai De nodded and said, "Ensure that this trip to East Germany is foolproof."