Chapter 874: The World Is So Big (An extra chapter for Silver Patron Brother Black Night)

"Wow~"

"How novel~"

Ai Ai Jiaqing stood in front of the Red Star Rolling Mill's booth, looking at this exhibition scene; it was truly eye-catching.

Standing beside her were many people: there was Selena, whom Li Li Xuewu had met before; the father-daughter duo Lou Yu, whom he knew all too well; and several cadres from Ng Fung Hong who had visited the rolling mill last time.

When Li Li Xuewu heard the report and walked out to welcome them, seeing them standing in front of the booth, a look of pleasant surprise appeared on his face.

"Director Li, I bet you must have missed me!"

"I've missed you to death!"

Seeing Ai Ai Jiaqing joking, Li Li Xuewu also laughed and said this.

Everyone exchanged pleasantries and handshakes, drawing the gazes of everyone around.

Foreign businessmen who had been chatting in low voices heard the commotion and instinctively frowned and turned around.

But upon being reminded by their entourage that the people standing there were business magnates from Hong Kong, they each switched to faces of admiration.

Merchants value profit over righteousness; what "gentlemanly character"—in the face of money and interests, everything can be compromised.

What made them show fawning expressions wasn't just the reminder that the people from Ng Fung Hong were there, but also that the people from China Resources were present as well.

If you don't know the history of China Resources, then it means you don't understand the history of Hong Kong either.

This company is the trade bridge built between the mainland and Hong Kong.

How important it is, you can tell from their power just by looking at the creation of the first Canton Export Commodities Fair and their role in hosting the distribution of conference invitations.

In 1951, China Resources Chairman Mr. Yang and the manager returned to Beijing, personally communicated with the higher-ups, and set the management policy of long-term planning and full utilization.

They even used the phrase "in and out, coming and going" to clarify the work policy China Resources should adopt in Hong Kong.

The 1956 trade fair was launched under the economic blockade of Western countries, with China Resources actively participating, promoting, advocating, and initiating it.

To do business with the mainland, China Resources was an obstacle that couldn't be bypassed in the past.

Even now, China Resources holds a pivotal position in trade fairs and even in import and export commodity trading projects.

Why?

Because the trade agency work for all domestic import and export corporations is handed over to China Resources. Understand now?

It can't be bypassed; this is also why Li Li Xuewu welcomed them with a smile and invited Jing Jing Yunong to come and welcome them together.

Even Li Li Huai De rushed back from the office side to cordially communicate and exchange with the other party.

Nothing else needs to be said; just the fact that these people sat in the lounge, drank tea, listened to music, and chatted about trade was already the greatest support for the rolling mill.

Li Li Huai De also didn't expect Li Li Xuewu's ability to be so strong that he could invite such big shots to stir things up.

Just looking at the admiring gazes of the foreign businessmen across the hall and the envious gazes of the heads of other exhibiting units, the weight of this advertisement was clear.

Li Li Xuewu naturally didn't have this kind of energy, and neither did Ai Ai Jiaqing; it was Ji Wang Weidong's mother.

It was Fu Fu Caining, a high-level executive at Ng Fung Hong, who took the initiative to contact the other party and asked them to provide some help when convenient.

How should one put it regarding Ng Fung Hong and China Resources? They are one company.

That's right, Ng Fung Hong was merged into China Resources in 1954.

According to modern economics and corporate management models, their merger doesn't represent integration in terms of business.

The business China Resources does, Ng Fung Hong also does; you can see them competing, but in reality, the beneficiary is the same.

So, although Ng Fung Hong is called China Resources Ng Fung, the independently managed Ng Fung Hong still has its own management rights.

Ji Wang Weidong went to Hong Kong and even utilized his "positional convenience" to complete his life's transformation; the Ji family naturally had to show something.

Support for Li Li Xuewu is support for Ji Wang Weidong.

Whether it was Ji Ji Ruixuan at the China Society or Fu Fu Caining at Ng Fung Hong, there were no opportunities for realization beyond the work itself.

But! Ji Wang Weidong could.

The three of them each acted as agents for their units, but only Ji Wang Weidong did the best.

There is a big reason for this involving Li Li Xuewu; the key point lies in the fact that Dongfeng Shipping has personal investments from many people in the Investigation Department.

What does this represent?

In this era, especially in the mainland, this cannot even be spoken of.

But once in Hong Kong, Ji Wang Weidong could use this relationship to conduct business.

Who would dare investigate Dongfeng Shipping? Isn't that investigating the foundation of the Investigation Department?

Investigating Dongfeng Shipping is messing with the Investigation Department's pension fund.

Never mind that the Investigation Department has organizational shares; this part alone doesn't allow Dongfeng Shipping to have problems.

Therefore, the Canton Export Commodities Fair hasn't even ended yet; it's only the second day, and Dongfeng Shipping has already signed a big order.

For all cargo transportation business from the mainland to Hong Kong by Ng Fung Hong, Dongfeng Shipping took in one-fifth.

What!?

Only one-fifth?!

Don't be surprised; this one-fifth is enough to make Dongfeng Shipping fat and full.

Twenty-seven thousand-ton cargo ships—this is the peak of transport capacity; even if given more business, they couldn't handle it.

With Fu Fu Caining there, as long as Dongfeng Shipping and Crown Prince Port are willing to develop, is there any fear of not having business to take in the future?

Besides, good news also came from the offshore shipping business at the Tianjin Port terminal after the trade fair opened; all cargo ships stockpiled in Hong Kong have gone to work.

The time for Dongfeng Shipping to truly make money has arrived; business is maxed out, counting money until hands cramp.

The Vice President of China Resources watched as Dongfeng Shipping representative Wen Wen Hanze signed the contract with Ng Fung Hong representative Ai Ai Jiaqing before leaving.

Wen Wen Saner hurried and rushed, finally arriving; his ship was docked at Ng Fung Hong's pier—it was a Hong Kong pier.

He was sent over by Ji Wang Weidong using a ship; because there was no port entry record, returning to the mainland was convenient.

At the same time this contract was signed, Wen Wen Saner also signed a ship purchase contract and a port usage agreement with the rolling mill on behalf of Dongfeng Shipping.

The contract content includes Dongfeng Shipping ordering twenty thousand-ton cargo ships from the Red Star Rolling Mill's branch, the Yingcheng Shipyard, as well as a business contract for using the Yingcheng Shipyard's pier.

Why put this kind of pre-determined business at the trade fair to sign? Isn't the purpose to drive traffic?

Anyone with a discerning eye can see that this Dongfeng Shipping is the bridge for cooperation between Ng Fung Hong and the rolling mill.

Regardless of whose attribute it currently has, the signing of the contract means the significance doesn't need to be guessed by others.

The business in Li Li Xuewu's hands is either hidden under the feathers of the rolling mill or is slowly surfacing to the shore through this kind of business.

And surfacing to the shore also means the controller of Dongfeng Shipping, Wen Wen Hanze, cannot return to the mainland.

This is a symbolic significance, representing the "correct significance" of Dongfeng Shipping, and also representing their economic and trade service stance.

Otherwise?

Otherwise, the shipping lanes can't be used, the strait can't be crossed, and one must be careful of being sunk.

After registering in Hong Kong, Dongfeng Shipping's ships are truly sailing on the high seas.

Added to the certification from Steel City and the certification from Tianjin Zhongbo, they are unobstructed in the waters at their doorstep.

After seeing off the China Resources Vice President, Ng Fung Hong and the Oriental Trading represented by Lou Yu officially started negotiations with the rolling mill.

With Ng Fung Hong there, the representatives of the Export Corporation couldn't even participate.

Because this cooperation doesn't need the Export Corporation's agency.

This is a procedural issue, not their pride.

All food-category export commodities operated in Hong Kong are fully represented by Ng Fung Hong itself.

The Export Corporation's agent is Ng Fung Hong; if they were to go around another way, wouldn't that be like taking off pants to fart!

So, from the moment the China Resources representative led the Ng Fung system to arrive, the rolling mill's booth appeared even more special and eye-catching.

Without the supervision of the Export Corporation representatives, the two sides sat on each side and started talks in a proper manner.

The main direction of the negotiation was, of course, the agency work for food-category export commodities.

This includes but is not limited to the two sides cooperating to form a large cannery, a large winery, and a multi-functional food processing plant.

And the Oriental Trading that came along with Ng Fung Hong took advantage of the wind to talk to the rolling mill about an all-category agency contract in Hong Kong for the rolling mill's small commodities, small hardware, and other goods.

This aspect was originally supposed to be discussed under the supervision of the Export Corporation representatives, but the other party wasn't there at this moment.

Especially since the share nature of Oriental Trading included Ng Fung Hong's investment attribute, this kind of negotiation very obviously carried the meaning of being a "connected party."

Why did Ng Fung Hong invest in Oriental Trading?

Because Oriental Trading is the bridge for cooperation between Ng Fung Hong and the rolling mill.

This is on the surface!

What about behind the scenes?

The behind-the-scenes can't be said, but one can see the reason just from the fact that Selena sat in the position of Deputy General Manager of Oriental Trading.

A person who jumped from Ng Fung Hong to Oriental Trading to serve as Deputy General Manager, sitting intimately with Ng Fung Hong business executives—doesn't this explain the problem?

Understand "white glove"?

Understand "sack"?

Wage earners are always wage earners; without shares, one isn't the boss.

The shares belong to the organization; they can only invest in this way.

Dongfeng Shipping has the Investigation Department's investment; Oriental Trading naturally has Ng Fung Hong's investment.

This kind of investment includes company investment and employee investment—real money and silver; you say, can Oriental Trading not represent the rolling mill's goods in all categories?

Oriental Trading can't, and other companies can't either!

So the focus of today's negotiation isn't Oriental Trading, but the cooperation between Ng Fung Hong and the rolling mill.

Is this kind of cooperation easy to talk about?

It's very easy to talk about; the mainland's planned economy model and the restrictions on the two sides' public-to-public negotiations are too many, so the room for discussion is actually very small.

Cannery: according to the investment ratio and economic model restrictions, the rolling mill provides land, machinery, raw material supply chains, workers, etc., accounting for 71% of shares; Ng Fung Hong provides sales channels, construction funds, and management, etc., accounting for 29% of shares.

The winery's investment ratio is the same, but Ng Fung Hong provides the brewing formula, brewing technical workers, and exclusive distribution rights, etc.; the rolling mill accounts for 56% of shares, and Ng Fung Hong accounts for 44%.

This can't be negotiated; the rolling mill currently can't handle the brewing and technical workers, let alone the exclusive rights—these are technical and commercial barriers.

Take the Wuxing Maotai formula as an example: Ng Fung Hong can provide a full set of liquor bacteria cultivation technology; the rolling mill can't do it on its own.

Ng Fung Hong can sell Wuxing Maotai (Beijing-produced); the rolling mill can't.

There's no logic to speak of!

If it weren't for the economic system restrictions, maybe they wouldn't even get 56%; the other party could just build a factory themselves.

Of course, the rolling mill can't do this or that, but Ng Fung Hong also has many restrictions in the mainland.

Everyone sitting together to talk has a very deep basis for negotiation.

If it weren't deep, Ng Fung Hong wouldn't have considered it for such a long time and finally chosen the rolling mill at the trade fair.

The rolling mill is a heavy industry enterprise; who else could they cooperate with if not them?

There are many food enterprises in the mainland, but the basis for cooperation isn't something that can be explained in a few simple words.

There must be a willingness to cooperate; without Oriental Trading's representative sitting here, Ng Fung Hong wouldn't be this serious either.

It can be said that whichever cooperation they talked about, they couldn't bypass the obstacle of Oriental Trading.

The discussion on the final multi-functional food processing plant was much more heated; this isn't the rolling mill's one-sided external output, but contract processing.

That is to say, Ng Fung Hong provides processing requirements and formulas, and the rolling mill produces and processes on their behalf.

Ng Fung Hong doesn't invest in this factory, but pays processing fees.

Unlike the winery and cannery, the rolling mill has the ability to carry out processing business on its own; Ng Fung Hong naturally has to consider the mainland market.

But in terms of external food processing, they also have an urgent need for contract processing.

The cost of processing in Hong Kong is too high; if processed directly from the mainland and labeled in Hong Kong, it means the processing cost is directly cut down.

Compared with peers, the profit is higher, the space for promotion is larger, and the ability to face competition is stronger.

Therefore, the multi-functional food processing plant is the bargaining chip for Ng Fung Hong to make concessions on the winery and cannery.

Building a food processing plant according to Ng Fung Hong's requirements means investing to work for others.

If Ng Fung Hong doesn't provide sufficient orders, the multi-functional food processing plant will face the risk of inventory backlog, personnel expenses, and cost consumption.

Then, should this contract processing be done or not?

Of course it should be done; whether it was Li Li Huai De at the scene or Jing Jing Yunong, who temporarily walked over from the foreign businessman negotiation table, both nodded in support of Li Li Xuewu's decision.

And during the negotiation process, Li Li Xuewu not only requested contract processing for food but also requested contract processing for other goods through Oriental Trading, which could include the electronics industry and hardware processing industry.

There was a lot to talk about here.

Ng Fung Hong doesn't mind helping Oriental Trading get involved in this kind of contract processing business; who is afraid of the company they invested in biting their hand?

The cooperation intention was finalized; the details to be discussed next were too many.

Whether it was the China Resources representative, Ng Fung Hong representative Ai Ai Jiaqing, or Oriental Trading representative Selena, none of them dared to leave Canton to go to Beijing.

At this time, it was only because of the trade fair name that they dared to come back; otherwise, did you think they would pass customs?

Not going to Beijing means not being able to see the site, let alone finalize the factory.

What to do?

Relying entirely on Li Li Xuewu, this "mole," to build mutual trust.

This negotiation is stripped away from the trade fair; it borrowed the trade fair's name and venue, but the orders don't count.

So, cooperation has to be discussed slowly; there's still plenty to talk about.

During the negotiation break, Selena even took a fancy to the 66-6 type rifle at the booth and said she wanted to represent weapon exports.

Li Li Xuewu just smiled and ignored her.

If it's to be discussed, it has to be Ji Wang Weidong discussing it; Oriental Trading can't do this business.

This woman was just deliberately looking for trouble to hook him; didn't you see her eyes darting straight at him~

"Come, look at this."

Li Li Huai De raised his neck, handed the newspaper in his hand to Li Li Xuewu, who had walked over, and signaled for him to look.

This is the open-air lounge of the guesthouse; the evening temperature is very pleasant, and the lights on one side of the ceiling are bright but not dazzling.

Perhaps it was because there were no social engagements today, or perhaps the negotiation with Ng Fung Hong had drained his energy, but tonight both Li Li Huai De and Jing Jing Yunong were there.

From the direction of the main entrance came several chirping discussions; it was the girls from the cultural troupe planning to go to the river to play in the water.

Some young men also hurriedly changed clothes and followed, wanting to be their protectors.

Here, there were several rattan chairs, a rattan-woven glass tea table, with teacups and fruit plates on the table; the post-dinner rest time was very comfortable.

Of course, this is the location where the leaders hold meetings; those playing upstairs and downstairs all avoided this side.

Jing Jing Yunong sat on the other side flipping through the documents in her hand, looking completely undisturbed; Li Xue sat on the side like a little transparent person.

My sister hasn't paid attention to me for six days~

When Li Xue saw her second brother coming over, she had already turned her face away, not wanting to see him.

Li Li Xuewu didn't mind either; he sat next to Li Li Huai De's rattan chair, took the newspaper with one hand, and extinguished his cigarette butt with the other.

"Can you eat it? ~"

"My appetite is uncomfortable; eat less at night to rest well."

Seeing Li Li Xuewu caring about him, Li Li Huai De waved his hand, signaling for him to just look.

Only then did Li Li Xuewu take the newspaper and look at it carefully.

He had glanced at it when he took the newspaper; the masthead was "Reference News," and he had already guessed some of the situation in his heart.

Many people might not know much about "Reference News," and in daily life, they might not have even heard of it.

But this newspaper is indeed the one with the largest circulation in the country and is also one of the top-ranked newspapers in the world.

It was founded in 1931; back then, it relied on listening to the radio to make news, and now it is the only newspaper in the country that can legally publish foreign news.

That is to say, in this era, "Reference News" is the only window in the country to legally see the world.

Of course, looking at the world through a window is always so narrow and has limitations.

But this doesn't hinder the cadres in government units from understanding the development and changes of the outside world through it.

At the same time, looking out from this window, the train of thought is consistent with the higher-ups, and the attitude is also consistent.

If you don't have basic determination, if you look at too much miscellaneous knowledge from the outside, sometimes you will doubt your own faith, or even have confused thoughts.

It's not that if you read too many books and learn too much knowledge, you're ruined; this is a paradox.

If you read serious books and learn serious knowledge, it will always improve your cultural literacy, enrich your knowledge, and perfect your thinking.

But if you take reading news as learning knowledge, you're really blind.

What is news?

News is what others want you to see.

What is thought?

Thought is a filter; when you see a piece of news or commentary, you can know whether what they are saying is right or just nonsense.

If you don't have a filter, or if the filter in your brain is unqualified, then receiving news from the outside, what's left isn't just dung?

Even if there are shrimp kernels in that dung, who wants it!

So, don't always say public opinion is restricted, don't always say speech isn't free, and don't always jump the wall to look at those ghostly things; it's useless.

Haven't you seen the latest investigation report from the US CIA!

They've already said it: people jumping the wall are all just going to look at erotic stuff; there aren't many serious people playing it straight.

Every year they invest a lot of manpower, material resources, and financial resources on Twitter, and in the end, the waste they influence and cultivate can't even stir up a splash.

Correct your attitude, arm your mind, possess healthy and perfect thinking, and learn to see the world and think about the world with your own eyes.

Li Li Xuewu shook open the newspaper; he was an old hand, and the filter in his brain was a triple-reverse osmosis one—what dross couldn't be filtered out!

As long as the heart is high-definition, having read the world, even if there is a horse, it's like having no horse!

【Kyodo News, Tokyo, 14th】 Title: "North Bear Launches Exhibition and Trade Talks in Haima Recently"

Good fellow, this title is attractive enough; Li Li Xuewu's eyes widened slightly.

"From now until November, economic exchanges between Haima-Rabbit and Haima-North Bear will appear as a considerable peak with Osaka, Kitakyushu, Nagoya, Beijing, and Canton as stages."

"First, the North Bear Industrial and Commercial Exhibition will be held in Osaka for twelve days starting from the 15th, and the China Trade Exhibition held in Kitakyushu since the 1st—will move to Nagoya to continue the exhibition from November 20th; the intention is obvious."

"On the other hand, the Canton Trade Fair will open in China's Canton City from the 15th, followed by the Haima-Rabbit Comprehensive Trade Fifth Annual Talks to be held in Beijing from around November 5th."

"Around this time, a business delegation led by Komatsu Manufacturing General Manager Kawai will visit China and exchange opinions with China's economic and political dignitaries, centering on the issue of future Japan-China economic exchanges."

"Look at this paragraph."

Seeing Li Li Xuewu reading seriously, Li Li Huai De pointed his finger at one paragraph, reminding him to look carefully.

Li Li Xuewu moved his eyes, following Li Li Huai De's hand to look down:

"The China Trade Exhibition in Kitakyushu had a tortuous and complicated struggle before opening; its result is what people have been paying attention to."

"According to the organizers, now that two-thirds of the exhibition period has passed, the number of visitors has exceeded the scheduled one million; it is a grand occasion, and the goods sold on the spot have been sold out."

"China exhibited about 10,000 products at its trade exhibition, focusing on new working machines that keep pace with 'world levels'."

"And the North Bear side also 'refused to lose,' displaying about 8,000 products centered on working machines, and specially set up a 'Far East Siberia Department'."

Li Li Xuewu read the editor's concluding remark thoughtfully:

Because North Bear's top position in trade with communist countries was snatched away last year, it must desperately promote its goods.

Look at the publication date: 66.10.16.

"Any thoughts?"

Li Li Huai De held his teacup and drank hot tea; seeing Li Li Xuewu finish reading, he raised his eyebrows and asked.

"The general trend, a dragon fighting a tiger."

Li Li Xuewu put down the newspaper, smiled easily, and said: "Even if you hear a dragon roar, you still have to celebrate the New Year; you can't just stop eating dumplings because it roared."

"Heh~"

Li Li Huai De laughed softly, covered the tea lid, put down the teacup, and said to Jing Jing Yunong: "Vice Director Jing, do you underestimate the heroes of the world?"

"I have never underestimated Deputy Team Leader Li."

Jing Jing Yunong crossed her legs, looked at Li Li Xuewu with a smile, and said: "This is called 'a fierce tiger in the chest, sniffing the roses'."

"Hahaha~"

Li Li Huai De laughed loudly, leaned back in the rattan chair, waved his hand, and said: "Only a tiger general can stabilize the country; I don't see a child building the Great Wall."

"Too high~ too high~"

Li Li Xuewu smiled modestly and said: "What do I count as? I can only say that the predecessors planted trees and the descendants enjoy the shade; I am working on the shoulders of giants."

Li Xue's mouth twitched slightly; in terms of talking nonsense, her second brother was definitely a master.

In terms of women, he was also unwilling to be lonely or lag behind others!

On the train here, she saw a woman in her second brother's compartment, so she didn't pay attention to him the whole way.

If you want to hide and not see, you just keep hiding, but the siblings bump into each other from time to time, and there are always inexplicable sparks between them.

Li Xue saw it; the one in her second brother's compartment was Lou Lou Xiaoe.

When she went to the club, she naturally knew what kind of relationship this person had with her second brother.

On the surface, it was explained as a cooperative relationship; after all, one has money and the other has power, so teaming up to run a club is justifiable.

Even if it's not justifiable, can a sister be serious with him?

But bringing her along on a business trip to Canton—what's this supposed to mean!

Especially arranging her in his personal compartment; is it really this unscrupulous and blatant!

Hmph!

"The shoulders of giants are very wide, but not many people can stand on them."

Jing Jing Yunong said with a smile, then turned her gaze back to the documents in her hand.

"Today, the marketing model was changed, the promoted products were updated, and the negotiation model was changed."

"But!"

She tapped the account book with her finger and laughed: "The total order amount has given us a surprise again!"

"Over 8.6 million."

Li Li Huai De also shook his head with emotion and said: "If heavy industry sold this order number, I wouldn't be surprised, but light industry hardware can still sell for this price..."

"Tsk tsk~"

He was also somewhat self-doubting now; were these sales results real?

The cost of heavy industry products naturally cannot be compared with light industry products.

The raw material cost, processing and manufacturing cost, and transportation cost of light industry—no matter which one, they all beat heavy industry.

The profit ratio brought by this low cost is naturally far higher than that of heavy industry.

Li Li Huai De couldn't help but recall his reaction when Li Li Xuewu told him that the steel mill was going to make nail clippers.

How much money can nail clippers sell for?

Three cents? Five cents? How much can this earn!

Didn't expect!

A nail clipper can sell for one yuan!

Even if domestic money isn't worth as much as foreign money, the rolling mill is earning real money!

What is cost?

Cost is the industrial capacity that the rolling mill overflows and cannot consume normally.

Now, this overflowing part is being fully digested, absorbed, and reused, transformed into light industry and processing industry.

With this step taken and sublimated again through the trade fair, Li Li Huai De's horizons are different.

His heart has grown, and he has started to pay attention to foreign trade.

"We can make a fuss about the comprehensive trade annual talks held in Beijing in November."

Li Li Huai De tapped the rattan chair armrest with his finger, his gaze looking at the stars and sea in the sky, already calculating the business opportunities revealed in this news.

"It's not just comprehensive trade talks."

Li Li Xuewu folded the newspaper, looked at the article above, and said: "We can also participate in the next trade exhibition in Japan."

"Oh?"

Li Li Huai De withdrew his "all-encompassing" gaze and looked at Li Li Xuewu together with the surprised Jing Jing Yunong, waiting for his explanation.

"The world is so big, I want to go and see."

Li Li Xuewu didn't mind their surprised gazes, pointed at the newspaper, and raised his head: "The industrial development of this tiny place is really too fast; we have to keep up with his pace."

"If we can't keep up!"

Li Li Xuewu narrowed his eyes and said: "Then I have to trip him up; I can't let it affect our layout in Steel City."

Li Li Huai De really didn't expect that he was crazy enough just a moment ago, but he didn't expect Li Li Xuewu to be even crazier.

He even wants to trip up the little devils; that's a tiny place, but it's also a country.

Manpower has its limits; no matter how awesome the rolling mill is, it's impossible to fight against a country.

Li Li Xuewu naturally wasn't blind enough to dare think of this.

"Our steelmaking and rolling business cannot be lost; this is the foundation of our existence."

He tapped the tea table and said seriously: "Not only can it not be lost, but it must also be updated and iterated to maintain a posture of technical leadership!"

"How to lead technically?"

Li Li Xuewu shook the newspaper, signaling for the two to look: "They have already started to innovate steelmaking technology; the blast furnaces and open-hearth furnaces we learned from North Bear have been gradually innovated and replaced."

"They have started to engage in the oxygen bottom-blown converter steelmaking method, saying that the reaction speed is fast, thermal efficiency is high, and steel quality is good."

"Especially rolling technology."

Li Li Xuewu explained seriously: "This relates to the overall situation of whether the rolling mill can stand firm in the future and whether it can withstand the test of the era."

Jing Jing Yunong glanced at Li Li Huai De and said: "The oxygen bottom-blown converter steelmaking method is also being done in the country, and there are even more advanced electric furnace steelmaking methods."

"But whether it's the rolling mill or the steel mill, saying that we want technical innovation and production process iteration is a not-so-small burden and a difficult decision to make."

Li Li Huai De drank tea, his gaze no longer looking up at the sky; instead, he frowned and lowered his head in thought.

He naturally understood what Li Li Xuewu meant by technical innovation.

Jing Jing Yunong had already explained the answer very clearly.

The rolling mill's existing rolling technology can fully meet the needs of the planned economy, and it is already a leader among Beijing's rolling enterprises.

And the steel mill's technical level and capacity can also meet the needs of the current rolling mill and production base; there are no technical defects.

If we start technical innovation now to catch up with the world's advanced level, it means the rolling mill will have to invest huge manpower, material resources, and financial resources.

Delaying the production plan is easy to explain, but where will this money come from?

Don't look at the 10 million+ orders made at the trade fair these two days; if we really want to change equipment and upgrade technology, that little money will be burned up in an instant.

Li Li Huai De was really getting angry, the kind that tea couldn't extinguish.

He had been in Canton for two days, just signed some orders, just felt like he was going to make money, could relax, and enjoy himself.

Didn't expect!

Li Li Xuewu came up and stuffed a mouthful of anxiety into his mouth.

Why is this money so hard to earn!

Why is this money spent so fast!

Millions of funds—as long as he thinks about the huge amount of money required for technical innovation, his heart feels like it's bleeding.

Then is it okay not to innovate?

Sure, just wait to be beaten if you fall behind!

Anyway, Li Li Xuewu also said that those little devils don't have good intentions.

Buying industrial mother machines at the trade fair isn't that for technical development?

People are already researching technical innovation; isn't it a matter of time before they surpass you?

What if they surpass you?

Nothing else; your layout in Steel City will be defeated, and all the small commodity production bases and industrial production bases in the future will go down the drain.

The steel industry is the foundation of industry; if steelmaking technology cannot lead, you will first suffer a big loss in terms of cost and raw materials.

Clearly, we are already leading domestic peers and can still fight with the outside, but now we have become backward.

This is really... it would have been better not to earn this money!

How good it was to nest in the rolling mill before; didn't have to think about anything, and we were awesome ourselves!

Why did we come out to see the world when we had nothing to do!

This is like playing a game, paying to win, leveling up, thinking you were invincible, but then the version updated and the level cap was adjusted.

Damn, it's really standing on one mountain and looking at another!

Could Li Li Xuewu have mentioned industrial upgrading if he hadn't earned money?

Could Li Li Xuewu have mentioned how to spend money if he hadn't earned money?

He really didn't give him a chance to catch his breath; as soon as the money was in hand, he created anxiety for him, drew big cakes for him, and taught him successology.

What to do?

Either grit your teeth and spend money to innovate technology!

Or stare with wide eyes and remove Li Li Xuewu from his post!

If you can't solve the problem, solve the person who created the problem!

He naturally wanted to choose the latter; the latter was too easy, at least for the time being, he wouldn't have to eat his anxiety and listen to his successology.

But!

Li Li Huai De also had a dream of stars and the sea!

He also wanted to taste the feeling of being a group leader, but he couldn't do it on his own.

Don't look at the fact that he doesn't have much business ability in his stomach, but no one can compare to his eye for people.

Li Li Xuewu could definitely push him to the position of group leader.

Therefore! Li Li Huai De gritted his teeth, shed tears, and made a choice: "Change it, this money should be spent!"

While speaking, he still couldn't vent his anger and said: "I hate the little Japanese the most!"

Jing Jing Yunong looked at Li Li Huai De amusedly and looked at Li Li Xuewu again: "Technical innovation isn't difficult; how to spend money is difficult. Do you have a plan on your side?"

"Just a rough plan in my heart."

Li Li Xuewu deliberated for a moment and explained: "This is also because there's a bit of money in the pocket, so I dare to think bigger."

Hearing him say this, Li Li Huai De clutched his chest, his eyelids jumped, and he thought to himself: don't spend it all; you have to leave some for me!

"Technical innovation should follow the steps of industrial transfer."

Li Li Xuewu said with a serious expression while thinking: "The steel mill should be built furnace by furnace, and stopped and dismantled furnace by furnace."

He pinched the newspaper in his hand, looked at Jing Jing Yunong, and said: "Build first, then dismantle, to ensure the steel mill's capacity isn't affected."

"But before dismantling, you have to find a buyer for these old pieces of equipment."

Li Li Xuewu was talking about big projects, but he was calculating small accounts.

Riding an electric donkey to a bar—save where you should, spend where you should.

"Dismantle the old and change to the new, try to save costs as much as possible, and leave time and space for capacity and workers to adapt."

Li Li Xuewu looked at Li Li Huai De again and said: "Regarding the rolling mill's technical upgrade, we should still go out and bring in."

"The production technology outside has already formed a crushing trend against us; the existing rolling machinery in the country cannot meet the iteration requirements and can only be introduced and purchased!"

"Tell me about it!"

Li Li Huai De clutched his chest, and although his heart ached, he still gritted his teeth and acted generous: "How to introduce it!"

"First is technical means."

Li Li Xuewu looked at him seriously and said: "This tuition must be paid; this trade fair is a good opportunity to find suitable foreign businessmen and learn advanced rolling technology."

"Even if we use existing small commodities and small hardware to exchange with them, we won't be at a loss."

"Then there is production equipment."

Li Li Xuewu pointed at the name of Kyodo News on the newspaper and said: "Japan's equipment should be able to meet our production needs; we can purchase it nearby, and we can also have product interoperability, saving procurement costs."

"Hmm."

Li Li Huai De understood; according to Li Li Xuewu's meaning, learning technology and buying equipment shouldn't be from the same place, which ensures authenticity and reliability.

Now the rolling mill wants to transfer the industrial center of gravity; the rolling equipment in Beijing was originally going to be gradually dismantled and transported to Steel City.

Now it's not needed; Li Li Xuewu wants to use new equipment and new processes directly in Steel City.

The equipment in Beijing can guarantee the planned capacity and at the same time leave time for Steel City.

When the rolling mill in Steel City achieves stable operation, the equipment here can be stopped and dismantled.

At that time, selling the old goods can also recover some capital.

However, no matter how you calculate this account, the investment that should be made must be spent; not a single cent can be saved.

Jing Jing Yunong also said on the side: "If you want a technical upgrade, you have to do it early; if you do it early, the old equipment can still be sold; if you do it late, the old equipment will become obsolete goods."

"It still depends on the specific situation."

Li Li Xuewu also knew that Li Li Huai De's heart ached for this and said: "If the money from selling the equipment isn't as much as the money from continuing production, then we can still operate in two factory areas~"

"No, we can't do that."

Li Li Huai De waved his hand and said: "If we want to upgrade, we must be number one and do the best; can a leader still be dragging his feet?"

"The Management Committee Office will first come up with a plan, and we will study it at the meeting when we go back."

He seemed determined not to regret it and pointed at Li Li Xuewu to remind him: "Xitian, who signed the contract yesterday, is also going to Beijing for the meeting; you should contact him more."

"Understood."

Li Li Xuewu nodded and accepted his arrangement, while reminding him: "North Bear putting the focus of economic and trade confrontation on Japan shows that the economic circle in Steel City is profitable."

"Another thing, Japan is now actively carrying out trade cooperation with us; everyone is on the same level, so this business can be done for a long time."

Li Li Xuewu reminded him: "I think we should express our stance on this trade exhibition and trade agreement meeting."

"Hmm, I also thought of what you said."

Li Li Huai De turned to signal Jing Jing Yunong and said: "You have to work harder in Canton; in the second half, Li Xuewu and I will return to Beijing first to get this done!"

"Don't worry, with me here, I will definitely ensure the smooth progress of trade work."

Hearing Li Li Huai De's arrangement, Jing Jing Yunong also gave a guarantee at this time.

She is the supervisor in charge of economy and trade and is responsible for all work in Canton.

Li Li Huai De opened the situation, and there was nothing left to do.

Of course, including Li Li Xuewu, they must try their best to attend the final closing ceremony.

Because everyone knows that you can see leaders at the closing party and also show your face in front of them.

The three sat in the guesthouse courtyard and finalized the work arrangement for the exhibition team.

And when the girls from the cultural troupe came back tired from playing on the beach, they found that the leader's gathering had dispersed.

Others didn't pay attention to this, but Zhou Zhou Miaomiao was stunned; didn't they have an appointment?

Where did Director Li go? ===== CHAPTER 875 =====