Chapter 791: The Best Choice

Li Huai knew that Li Xue would definitely come to report his work to him after returning.

However, he did not expect it to be this late.

It wasn't about the morning's affairs, but rather that the shipyard acquisition proposal Li Xue raised at the meeting had not been communicated to him in advance.

This was the first time he had suffered "neglect" since taking office as the director of the Management Committee.

He currently held absolute influence in the factory and could directly intervene in the work of the Party Committee and the Factory Office.

According to normal logic, if Li Xue wanted to push for the implementation of a project, he would certainly seek the support of various factory leaders, and he himself was Li Xue's greatest supporter.

But judging from the meeting just now, Li Xue did not communicate with him after returning, but instead proposed the motion directly at the meeting and gained the approval of the majority.

What did this mean?

Resentment toward him?

Blaming him?

Or was he unwilling to accept not gaining any benefits from this turmoil?

Listening to Cheng Kaiyuan's tone, Li Huai began to mutter to himself as soon as he returned to his office.

Had he done something wrong, or had he let Li Xue down?

Why the hell did he have a feeling of romantic distress!?

He hadn't forgotten Li Xue, nor would he forget Li Xue; he knew Li Xue's capabilities.

Although he had had thoughts when he heard about Li Xue's job transfer, that was only momentary; he still relied heavily on Li Xue.

Li Huai knew his own abilities and level well; he didn't want to do business, nor was he good at it, so he definitely had to use capable people.

And Li Xue was the most capable person he could use.

Last week, he was still thinking about when Li Xue would return so they could make an appointment to talk about work, especially the next steps.

From the moment he laid his cards on the table with Li Xue to reaching this point today, he would feel guilty if he said there was no help and support from Li Xue.

But if one were to talk about rewarding merit, these helps from Li Xue were all invisible, unlike Zhang Guoqi who charged into battle.

Furthermore, given Li Xue's current age, he had already reached the top; promoting him further would not be a reward, but a "killing by praise."

He dared not do that; Li Xue could calculate others, and could also calculate him in return.

This was a sharp steel blade; if handled poorly, it would turn around and strike him.

Therefore, when Li Xue came in with Jing Yunong, Li Huai appeared very enthusiastic.

He didn't sit at the desk, but invited Li Xue and the other to sit on the sofa.

Li Haiyang smiled and served tea to the two, his eyes full of reverence as he looked at Li Xue.

Li Xue had been away for a month, but this month away did not mean Li Xue's influence had decreased; on the contrary, it had risen by a large margin.

From within the Steel Rolling Factory, everyone clearly felt that after Li Xue went out for training, the security environment in the factory had worsened significantly.

Everyone was saying that Xiao Zihong, who worked in engineering, couldn't do security work; without that fierce tiger suppressing things, the factory would fall into chaos.

Sure enough, every time an incident occurred this month, people in the workshops and offices would talk about Li Xue.

How safe it was when Li Xue was here, how he handled cases, and now that Li Xue wasn't here, didn't trouble happen!

What did this explain? It explained that the Security Division needed a leader, the masses needed a protector, and the Steel Rolling Factory needed a tiger to guard the mountain.

Furthermore, from an external environment perspective, after Li Xue finished his training, the Garrison District had already sent people to coordinate matters regarding Li Xue's cadre status.

Li Xue was officially transferring to the Garrison District; that meant he was a cadre of the Garrison District, and a regimental leader at that, someone truly holding the gun.

Previously, people only feared the "Tiger of the Security Division," but this time, it was truly reverence.

It had spread like wildfire in the offices, saying Li Xue could calculate and predict, was as wise as Zhuge Liang, and planned strategies...

Even the way people looked at Li Xue (the sister) was different, feeling that as Li Xue's younger sister, Li Xue was definitely not as honest and simple as she appeared on the surface.

Li Xue was also very helpless; she had thought about living under her second brother's influence, but never expected the influence to be so great.

She had already been very low-key...

And who wasn't low-key? As Li Huai's secretary, Li Haiyang rose with the tide, and he was also very low-key.

Li Haiyang had always taken Li Xue as a role model and a target to emulate.

This month, Vice Factory Director Li hadn't had as glorious or smooth a time as it appeared on the surface.

He had also heard Vice Factory Director Li mention Li Xue more than once, such as what Li Xue would do if he were at the meeting...

During those days when Wang Jingzhang was at his craziest, without Li Xue protecting him after work, Li Huai appeared very irritable; Li Haiyang felt this most deeply.

Now that Li Xue was back, seeing the increasingly profound and steady demeanor he carried, he was more awe-inspiring than the average vice factory director.

Jing Yunong listened to Li Xue chatting and laughing with Li Huai, reporting on the shipyard work, and watching the service attitude of Li Huai's secretary, she could deeply feel Li Xue's personal charm.

How did a young man in his early twenties cultivate such a mature and steady appearance?

Even with her eyes, having worked in the offices for many years, she couldn't see through Li Xue; this person was truly remarkable.

Li Xue noticed the look Jing Yunong gave him, turned his head, and asked with a smile: "Vice Factory Director Jing, what do you think?"

"Hehe~"

Jing Yunong gave a soft laugh and gestured to Li Huai, saying: "That depends on Director Li's opinion."

"Hey~"

Li Huai said with a smile: "You are the leader in charge of personnel; I should be listening to your opinion."

Jing Yunong's smiling eyes narrowed slightly, she paused, and said: "The mid-year meeting has just passed; in principle, it is not advisable to move cadres who have already been adjusted, and it just so happens that Director Xu is not among them."

"Director Xu has worked in the Factory Office for many years, has rich management and leadership experience, and has deep seniority; I have no objection to him taking the post of shipyard director."

"This time, the cadre selection and transfer will also be examined and recommended by the Personnel Division according to this principle, with a focus on engineering, technology, and production."

"Especially in engineering management, our factory has suffered losses, and the shipyard still has projects under construction, which belong to key control items."

Jing Yunong's tone was very serious, and her opinion was also very pertinent: "Our factory is facing transformation and reform in management, technology, and production; the selection and employment of personnel should be based on a cautious attitude."

"Hmm, what you said is very right."

Li Huai thought about Jing Yunong's words, thought about the situation Li Xue reported to him, nodded, and said: "This matter should still be led by you; I will coordinate with Secretary Gu Weijie."

He didn't know how the two had talked, but Li Huai didn't mince words, or rather, he didn't care about hiding things at all now, directly revealing his intentions to Jing Yunong.

Jing Yunong also understood Li Huai's meaning; she would lead, and Li Huai and Gu Weijie would support; this matter was basically settled.

It also had the meaning of Li Xue, who was sitting on the side; it seemed that the first meeting Li Xue attended after returning this morning had an impact on quite a few people.

Li Xue's proposal, Li Huai's reaction, Gu Weijie's support, and others' opinions—did this make Cheng Kaiyuan feel that Li Xue was going to be alienated from "virtue"?

Or was this Li Xue deliberately showing it to Li Huai, letting him re-examine Li Xue's current influence in the Steel Rolling Factory?

One couldn't blame Jing Yunong for thinking this way; Li Huai had just grasped power, and could be said to be showing his sharp edge, sweeping across the board.

In just one month, the factory's major study activities were completely under his control.

One Workers' Correction Team, one Propaganda Team—the two sharp weapons forged by Li Xue directly helped him reach the top in one step.

Now what she wanted to see was how Li Huai would handle his relationship with Li Xue, and how he would coordinate Li Xue's interests here.

In Jing Yunong's mind, it wasn't just her who wanted to see it; all the leaders in the factory wanted to see it.

Especially Yang Yuansong, who was anxious to restore a state of balance; his current status as the class monitor was very dangerous.

Previously, everyone took Li Xue as Sun Wukong, fearing he would cause trouble, fearing he would go all out.

But now, some people couldn't care about that much anymore; in order to balance Li Huai and the Management Committee, as long as a crack appeared between Li Xue and Li Huai, countless flies would fly over.

Otherwise, why would she have agreed so readily when Li Xue invited her to participate in the report to Li Huai?

Watching a play, sitting in the front row.

"Then, who should take over as the Factory Office Director?"

"This..."

Hearing Jing Yunong ask, Li Huai hesitated for a moment, and tentatively said: "Currently, Zhang Guoqi holds the position of Office Director of the Management Committee, and the Management Committee and the Factory Office are one set of personnel with two signboards."

As he spoke, he glanced at Li Xue and said: "I think Comrade Zhang Guoqi can take on the burden; he is an old hand, and should be competent in this regard."

Jing Yunong also swept her gaze toward Li Xue, smiling and saying: "I thought you would consider Vice Division Director Li."

"Hahaha, no, no, no."

Li Huai smiled and leaned back on the sofa, waving his hand: "This won't do, no need to consider; Comrade Xue is of course competent for this position, but the Security Division needs him more."

Li Xue glanced at Jing Yunong and said with a smile: "Not to mention age and seniority, even in terms of ability, I am not as good as Director Zhang; I still have this bit of self-knowledge."

"Hey~~ don't be self-deprecating~"

Li Huai smiled and waved his hand, pointing at Li Xue and saying: "You still have to keep an eye on this shipyard matter; you have a good relationship with Xu Sinian, so you should help where help is needed."

"Especially the project issues after the shipyard officially starts construction."

Li Huai emphasized seriously: "Since you are back, you still have to take up the trade projects, including the shipyard matters; you need to have a count in your heart about how to operate them later."

These words were too straightforward; it was almost dividing the cake in front of Jing Yunong.

Li Xue hesitated for a moment and said: "Now that the major study activities have entered a normal stage, Director Zhang also has the time and energy; shouldn't the trade projects still be the responsibility of Director Zhang?"

Li Huai frowned slightly and said: "The major study activities still need to be carried out in depth, and there is quite a lot of work here at the Management Committee..."

"Leader, I haven't had time to report to you yet, the work in Steel City is also very urgent."

Li Xue interrupted before he could decide on this matter: "The special steel and alloy steel smelting technology of the Steel Mill has matured, and the conditions for the construction of the industrial production base have matured."

While introducing the situation in Steel City, Li Xue placed several documents on the coffee table in front of Li Huai.

"This is the project proposal for the small hardware production plant; the products mainly include construction hardware, household hardware, plumbing hardware, etc., and the main supply direction is the civilian market."

"This is the project proposal for the tool hardware production plant."

Li Xue took out the second document and handed it over, explaining: "The tool hardware product category is divided into two directions: one is industrial production tools, and the other is household production tools."

As he spoke, he stood up, walked to the door to look, and seeing that the people from the Steel City Liaison Office were ready, he waved his hand, signaling them to bring the things over.

Li Haiyang had been standing at the door for a long time; only after hearing the topic just mentioned in the room did he know why the people from the Steel City Liaison Office had pushed a pile of tools over here and were standing there.

"Division Director Li, I'll help."

Seeing Li Xue about to pull that large toolbox, Li Haiyang was very observant and reached out to help, pushing the large toolbox into the room together with the male comrade from the Steel City Liaison Office.

The two people sitting on the sofa in the room each held a project proposal, staring blankly at the large box transported into the room by Li Xue and the others.

"What is this?"

Li Huai was a bit confused; they were talking well, why did they start moving things?

Li Xue signaled for the few to set the box up, and then introduced to Li Huai and Jing Yunong: "These are two types of hardware toolboxes, considered samples."

As he spoke, he first picked up the small box on top of the large box and opened it on the coffee table.

Li Huai looked carefully; it was similar to the maintenance toolboxes in the workshop, both with tin shells.

It was just that the inside was a bit different; there were no "big, stupid, black, and rough" tools like those in the workshop; the tools inside all looked like exquisitely processed bright-faced parts.

Even if he didn't understand the business, he could still recognize pliers, hammers, and screwdrivers.

Li Xue picked up a small hammer and handed it over, introducing with a smile: "Household toolbox, suitable for simple maintenance scenarios in ordinary households."

While speaking, he opened the four layers below, revealing all the tools.

"Wide-mouth pliers, square-mouth pliers, adjustable wrench, claw hammer, multi-purpose screwdriver bits, multi-purpose extension rod, tape measure, utility knife..."

Li Xue quickly assembled a multi-head screwdriver in the surprised eyes of the two, and then changed the socket head.

Looking at the tools integrated and placed in the box, Li Huai asked in surprise: "This is... what can this be used for?"

"Two directions."

Li Xue handed the multi-purpose extension rod in his hand to the curious Jing Yunong, stood on the side, and explained: "Many households have the virtue of diligence and thrift; 'new for three years, old for three years,' right? What we provide are household item maintenance tools."

As he spoke, he pointed to the claw hammer in Li Huai's hand and said: "If your chair at home is broken, you can find a nail to fix it and continue using it; you can't just throw it away and replace it with a new one, right?"

Li Huai waved the claw hammer in his hand and said with a smile: "You really can think."

Li Xue also laughed, pointed to the hammer in his hand and said: "All tools are made as multi-functional as possible; for example, this hammer can also be used to pull nails; if you want to use it to smash walnuts, that's fine too."

"Hahaha~"

Li Huai waved the hammer at Li Xue, and returned it to Li Xue with a smile.

Jing Yunong shook the multi-purpose extension rod in her hand and said: "Won't this slip?"

"Alloy steel; household standards basically won't have this situation."

Li Xue smiled and said: "Actually, it's not just the common people in our inland who like diligence and thrift; people outside are the same, especially in the US, where they like to repair daily necessities themselves even more."

"Is that so~"

Li Huai nodded with a smile and said: "Then can these things be exported?"

"Hey~ this is the second direction I want to talk about."

Li Xue smiled, walked to the side of the sofa and sat down, saying: "Did you forget? The 20th Commodity Export Trade Fair is to be held in Yangcheng next month."

"Oh?!"

Li Huai's eyes lit up, and he looked at Li Xue with burning eyes and asked: "You mean... can our stuff really be exported?"

"I think there's no problem."

Li Xue said with great confidence: "I asked a friend from the Foreign Affairs Department; very few people in the Foreign Affairs District have come into contact with this stuff, which shows that there is also a market outside."

"Is that so!"

Li Huai sat up straight, glanced at Jing Yunong, and said: "Just such a small thing? And it can export to earn foreign exchange?"

He didn't believe it himself as he said it, and picked up the small hammer he had just put down to look at it carefully again.

Apart from being bright-faced and looking exquisite, there was nothing good about it; no matter how good-looking this thing was made, could it be eaten as a meal?

Jing Yunong understood Li Xue's meaning a bit; she raised her eyebrows and said: "You mean, the things must be made practical, beautiful, and integrated together."

As she spoke, she pointed to the tools inside the toolbox; the handles and grips on top were all of the same material and the same color, looking very neat.

"In other words, practical, beautiful, convenient, and sturdy, right?"

"Yes."

Li Xue patted the box beside him and said: "The basic version can definitely be sold for five yuan in the country; the industrial cost is only two yuan plus; if exported, it will definitely exceed fifty yuan."

"Such high profit?"

Li Huai looked at Li Xue in disbelief and said seriously: "You must be sure about this."

"It's like this."

Li Xue nodded and said: "We say the cost is only two yuan, that's because we have our own steel mill and our own steel rolling factory; producing this stuff is our main job—using a cannon to kill a mosquito."

Li Huai knew this; after all, the Steel Rolling Factory also produced hardware, but it was "big hardware"—steel plates, steel bars, flat iron, universal angle steel, channel steel, I-beams, and various types of iron and steel materials.

The small hardware Li Xue proposed to engage in was easy; after all, the Steel Rolling Factory had its own hardware tool factory.

Jing Yunong also realized this problem, looked at Li Xue and asked: "Can this be placed in the joint enterprise?"

Li Huai narrowed his eyes slightly but didn't speak, waiting for Li Xue to say it.

"Leader, the joint enterprise is used to solve common problems, not to distribute welfare."

Li Xue looked at Jing Yunong and said seriously: "Since we can all determine that this stuff makes money, why share it with others? We don't need their product support."

"Cough, cough."

Li Huai coughed, waved his hand, and said to Li Xue: "You can't say it like that; you must pay attention to unity."

After finishing, he said to Jing Yunong: "Comrade Yunong, what Xue said also makes sense; I don't know much about the export aspect, but you must know it; here..."

"I understand."

Jing Yunong pursed her lips, nodded, and said: "It was me who took it for granted; I didn't realize the value inside."

"Hey~ you can't say it like that either."

Li Huai naturally knew what Jing Yunong meant, but Li Xue had already refused, so he didn't need to be embarrassed anymore.

He signaled to Li Xue and said: "What other products can earn foreign exchange? Tell me."

"This is the household version; there is also an industrial version."

Li Xue stood up, pulled open the drawer on the large box, and signaled for the two to see the tools inside.

This was very symmetrical to the maintenance tools in the workshop; the size and purpose could be matched.

However, the tools inside were the same as the tools in the toolbox just now—bright steel, unified handle style, equally exquisite and beautiful.

Li Huai and Jing Yunong both stood up and looked carefully, pulling out several drawers to verify the tool styles inside.

"Especially complete, mainly used for processing and maintenance during the industrial production process, including machinery, electronics, and other directions."

Li Huai looked at Li Xue and asked: "Also two directions? One internal and one external?"

"Yes."

Li Xue signaled to the tools in the toolbox and said: "But such industrial versions should be purchased in bulk; otherwise, it can only be promoted by our sales office."

As he spoke, he took out the nail clippers from his pocket, handed them to the two, and said: "And this little thing, nail clippers."

"How do you think of all this?"

Li Huai was truly pleasantly surprised again and again, especially the value surprise created by such seemingly ordinary things.

Li Xue smiled and said: "These few things can all go to Yangcheng for exhibition; I think they are very valuable products."

Li Huai smiled and tried the nail clippers; they were unexpectedly easy to use, and even after sitting down, he still fiddled with them in his hand.

Li Xue had just said that this thing was not like the inferior products sold in the supply and marketing cooperatives, which would not be sharp after a few uses; he had even tested the sharpness and durability with iron wire, and it was very good.

By the time Li Xue spoke again, he had already tucked them into his clothes pocket.

The last project proposal Li Xue handed over was for the automobile production plant.

"You should know that the Security Division and the Technical Division have set up an engine R&D center."

"Hmm, I know."

Li Huai had the confidence from Li Xue's introduction just now, took the project proposal, and asked: "Have you already built a small car?"

"Not yet."

Li Xue explained with a smile: "But it's coming soon; the R&D center's progress is that the engine R&D has basically entered the final stage, the gearbox is also in the final stage, and we will see a sample car in November."

"So fast!"

Jing Yunong hadn't expected that the automobile maintenance that Li Xue and Xia Zhongquan were tinkering with could really build a car.

After all, building a car was a big pit for factories now, a particularly big pit.

Ten years ago, many domestic factories responded to the call to be self-reliant, work hard, and build "spirited cars."

And the result? Out of a hundred factories, thirty could build them, but fewer than ten could truly achieve industrial production.

What was particularly ridiculous was that some factories built small cars that could only go forward and not backward—the "stubborn donkey" brand.

Others could only seat two people, not much bigger than the golden beetles crawling on trees.

The automobile industry was very restricted in the country; whether it was rubber or key technology, they were all being choked by others.

When they first heard that Li Xue and Xia Zhongquan were tinkering with cars, they all treated it as a joke, saying Li Xue had money to burn.

The Security Division, the Safety Production Management Division, and the Technical Division cooperated to engage in an automobile maintenance project, and a refurbished car sold for a price of several thousand yuan.

And the scrap recycling price? Some cars only cost less than a hundred yuan; the profit inside had once made Jing Yunong and Yang Fengshan jealous.

Li Xue threw real money into it, and they all said he was throwing money into the water; some even said Li Xue was burning money openly and lining his own pockets secretly.

Now that Li Xue took out the plant construction project proposal, Jing Yunong almost dropped her jaw in surprise.

"It's not fast; I've even wanted to have security guards hold guns and force them to work overtime every day."

Li Xue said with a light laugh: "Speaking of which, this is just plagiarism; it's a copy based on the original foundation of the classic Willys jeep."

"Full copy?"

Li Huai couldn't quite understand the text on the project proposal, flipping hard to the back, wanting to see if there were any pictures.

He only knew how to look at pictures; as long as the design drawing was passable, he felt that even if a horse carriage was fitted with an engine and gearbox, it could run.

Now in the country, even this kind of car couldn't be bought; in other words, as long as it was built, even if it was built exactly like the original, it could be sold.

"No, we also have an attitude toward plagiarism."

Li Xue's words were very arrogant, as if he had found a reason, helping Li Huai find the design drawing.

Of course, he didn't look at the engineering design drawings; these were ideal drawings Li Xue specifically asked the designer to draw.

"Based on the Willys chassis and engine, the exterior was redesigned according to scientific dimensions."

"This car is very beautiful!"

Li Huai and Jing Yunong couldn't take their eyes off the ideal drawing spread on the coffee table; especially Li Huai, whose fingers slid along the exterior of the two-door four-seat jeep, as if touching a real car.

Jing Yunong also nodded, looked at Li Xue and asked: "Can it really be built?"

"Yes."

Li Xue nodded and said: "Our factory has a complete set of industrial foundations; the core components such as the car body, engine, and gearbox are all produced by our own plants, while other parts are arranged through existing parts procurement and entrusted production models."

"Of course, the core components are still in R&D, but the car body structure has been designed, and the construction workshop can build a sample car at any time."

Li Xue raised his hand to signal the project proposal and introduced: "If the sample car is successfully produced in November, then industrial production can be realized in March or April next year."

"Good!"

Li Huai patted the coffee table and said loudly: "This is truly a surprise!"

As he spoke, he pointed to the two toolboxes in front of the coffee table and said to Li Xue and Jing Yunong: "Being able to build a car is much more capable than building these things!"

After finishing, he felt he wasn't excited enough, stood up from the sofa, walked back and forth in the office twice, pointed at Li Xue and said: "Tell Xia Zhongquan to put other work aside and build the car first!"

Li Xue and Jing Yunong looked at each other, both seeing the disdain for Li Huai's "bluntness" in each other's eyes.

Possibly both feeling that the other had seen through their own thoughts, they both guiltily looked away at the same time.

"Leader, I haven't finished yet."

"Good, good, you speak, you speak~"

Li Huai sat back down and said to Li Xue with a smile: "Don't worry about the funding; let go and do it."

When he said this, he glanced at Jing Yunong and changed his tone: "If necessary, you can use the trade profits first."

Jing Yunong lowered her eyes and said warmly: "As long as there is no problem with the technology, the factory's funding and budget can be guaranteed to support it."

"Then I'll thank the two leaders on behalf of our automobile factory first!"

Li Xue thanked the two with a smile, which could be considered using a joke to let Li Huai cool down and let Jing Yunong come back to her senses.

Amidst the laughter of the two, Li Xue pointed to the automobile plant construction project proposal and said: "There are several problems in front of us now that need the two leaders to decide."

"Hahaha~"

Li Huai pointed at Li Xue and said to Jing Yunong with a smile: "It's Division Director Li's style—say the good things first, then the difficult ones."

Jing Yunong also looked at Li Xue with a smile, and then said to Li Huai: "I just said, why did you invite me to come and talk about the project with you just now."

"Haha, no matter."

Li Huai waved his hand and said to Li Xue: "I know your work style very well; you wouldn't bring things here to talk about if you weren't sure, and you wouldn't ask for opinions if you hadn't prepared the work."

After finishing, he said to Jing Yunong: "It's nothing more than money and people; it's easy to solve."

Li Xue smiled and said: "You really guessed it right; it's just these two things."

Under Li Huai's expression of "I guessed it right, sure enough," Li Xue introduced: "In terms of industrial foundation, our factory has no production difficulties in core components such as vehicle frame, gearbox, and engine, but other items..."

Li Xue pointed to the ideal drawing and introduced: "The chassis can be built, but tires, seats, and electrical components cannot be built by us, and it's not worth building them."

"As for procurement, some parts can be purchased from other automobile manufacturing plants, and some can be entrusted for manufacturing."

"However."

Li Xue pointed to several parts with obvious signs and said: "These parts are not difficult to build, but they are not easy to entrust, and they have high requirements for product processing technology; Division Director Xia Zhongquan's opinion is that we should produce them ourselves."

"Then produce them ourselves~"

Li Huai still had the old thinking of not asking for help, closing his eyes and talking big without even looking.

Jing Yunong seemed to hear some meaning, looked at the parts on the drawing seriously, and said: "Can we cooperate?"

"Yes."

Li Xue knocked on the electrical components inside the glass box and said: "I see that there are factories in the joint enterprise directory that can produce these things."

He only said this much, and the rest depended on how Li Huai and Jing Yunong would say it.

Li Huai wasn't laughing anymore, staring at the drawing with a serious expression, as if he could understand it.

Jing Yunong also thought for a while, and then said to Li Huai: "Director Li, I am not very familiar with the business of industrial production; can the joint enterprise consider changing someone to preside over the work?"

What a move of advancing by retreating; Li Huai couldn't see the design proposal, but he could understand Jing Yunong's subtext.

"Hmm... don't decide on this matter yet."

Li Huai leaned back on the sofa, looked at Li Xue and asked: "How many cars do you estimate can be produced per month after the automobile plant is put into production?"

"If the parts production capacity is sufficient, two thousand cars per month is not a problem."

Li Xue signaled the documents on the table and said: "Vehicle assembly is designed according to an assembly line; each workstation is only responsible for one installation task, and the requirements for technology can be lowered."

After finishing, he looked at Jing Yunong and said: "What limits production capacity is not assembly, but the supply of parts; this is a big problem, which is why I thought of the joint enterprise."

"Hmm, this is indeed a problem."

Li Huai frowned and said: "Putting it with anyone else is not as safe as putting it with ourselves."

As he spoke, he looked at Jing Yunong and said: "It's rare to have a good project, and a big project at that; Comrade Yunong, the burden on your shoulders is very heavy."

Jing Yunong knew Li Huai's meaning; this was asking her to continue to be responsible for the joint enterprise project.

"I might have to worry about where to find so many cadres to fill one factory after another."

"Hahaha~"

Li Huai waved his hand happily and said: "This is a happy distress; the more branch factories the Steel Rolling Factory has, the more it can share the overflow of production capacity."

"The more valuable such projects are, the more they can bring achievements and benefits to the Steel Rolling Factory."

The last sentence he said was the reason why he nodded and agreed to this project; whoever could bring him achievements and benefits was his comrade.

Obviously, even if he wanted to take back the joint enterprise, Li Xue couldn't manage such a big stall.

Now looking at how many projects are about to start—shipyard, production base, trade office; just one industrial production base already contains how many industrial projects.

Earning foreign exchange, making achievements, earning benefits; today Li Xue brought Jing Yunong to him, coming to build relationships for them.

Li Xue indeed had this purpose; after Li Huai finished speaking, he took the conversation: "Management cadres are needed, and technical talents are also needed."

As he spoke, he pointed to the drawing and suggested to Li Huai and Jing Yunong: "Whether it's our engine or gearbox, the reason why R&D on the basis of existing physical objects is so slow is nothing more than weak technical accumulation."

"To get rid of technical difficulties, we must include technical talents."

Li Xue said very seriously: "To put it bluntly, relying solely on those industrial designers of Xia Zhongquan, as well as those college students who have just been assigned, cannot support the industrial design work of the automobile plant."

"Hmm, makes sense."

Li Huai nodded and said to Jing Yunong: "Our factory doesn't have specialized automobile engineers and designers; can you think of a way?"

Jing Yunong thought, looked at Li Xue, and tentatively asked: "Division Director Li, since you have proposed this opinion, do you have any solution?"

"Two leaders, I think it's relatively simple."

Li Xue lowered his voice and reported: "We are building cars behind closed doors, but some factories are not; we don't have professional technical talents, but other factories do."

"You mean...!"

Jing Yunong looked at Li Xue with some surprise; she seemed to understand what he meant, but didn't dare to be sure.

Li Xue narrowed his eyes and said: "Now the major study activities are in full swing; many talents in automobile factories and key universities are undergoing labor reform, or even being sent down to the countryside..."

"Xue~"

Li Huai scratched his hair, stood up again in a dilemma; just now it was excitement, but now it was distress.

Li Xue really gave him a big problem; whether it was digging people from other automobile factories or grabbing people from key universities, these were rarely seen now.

If it were Li Xue's wolf-style approach, he was afraid he would offend everyone.

Li Xue didn't care about that; it wasn't him going to dig people, nor was it him going to take the blame, so what was he afraid of?

"Leader, if we go through parts procurement and assembly lines, the cost of one car is only over 2,500 yuan; even if we can't suppress it, it won't exceed 3,000 yuan."

Li Xue's voice was like a devil's bait, like gold falling on the ground, clanging: "But if we set the selling price, I think the range of 5,000 to 7,000 yuan is appropriate."

"Since we want to build cars, we must hit the big ones!"

Li Xue raised his eyebrows and said: "The 212 jeep is bigger than our car, more powerful than our car, but it sells expensive!"

"The current lowest selling price of the 212 is 31,000; that's because their volume is large, and the cost of full parts self-production is high."

"They sell for 31,000; we set thresholds—internal procurement of the joint enterprise sells for 5,000; brother unit suppliers sell for 6,000; other units sell for 7,000."

Li Xue knocked on the coffee table and said with a smile: "Sales also need combat skills; without comparison, there is no buying and selling!"

Li Huai listened to Li Xue, his brows furrowed deeper, his embarrassment clearly visible, and the frequency of his pacing in the room accelerated.

Seeing him not speaking, Li Xue started chanting the economic account:

"The profit of one car is between 2,500 and 4,000 yuan..."

"The production of the Beijing Automobile Factory is about 800 units per month..."

"Our factory must have at least 300 cars per month conservatively..."

"4,000 yuan for one, 300 is 1.35 million..."

"1.35 million a month, one year is..."

"Stop talking!!!"

Li Huai hurriedly waved his hand to interrupt Li Xue; if he continued to listen, he couldn't guarantee he wouldn't grab a gun and go grab people.

"Vice Factory Director Jing, now we need to build an industrial zone, a shipyard, and then revitalize a joint enterprise production zone; look at this personnel...?"

Jing Yunong said with a smile: "If everyone can be as capable and courageous as you, even if it exceeds the budget and personnel quota, I am willing to bear this pressure."

"Hahaha~"

Li Huai was complimented, a smile appeared on his face, he took the wet towel handed by Li Haiyang to wipe his sweat, nodded and said: "The pressure is indeed a bit high~"

"I have some connections in the automobile factory; I'll see if I can contact people."

Jing Yunong naturally wanted to work hard after getting benefits; she was already actively taking responsibility.

But Li Huai waved his hand and said: "It's inconvenient; let's go through the Management Committee."

As he spoke, he walked back to the sofa and sat down, thought for a while, and said: "I'll handle this matter; talents in the automobile industry will definitely be found for you."

"Thank you, leader!"

Li Xue accepted this thanks very readily, smiled and flipped through the project proposal on the table, saying: "Why don't you take another look; there are design drawings for light vans inside."

"Forget it!"

Li Huai pressed down on that project proposal and said to Li Xue with a smile: "For now, I can only afford to see this much; let's not rush this good meal, let's eat it one bite at a time." ===== CHAPTER 792 =====