Chapter 907: Upright and honest

"What are you gossiping about~!"

"Hee hee~"

Qin Huairu and her companion were talking at the front desk when they were suddenly startled by a voice from behind.

When she turned to look, it was Feng Juan, looking smug with a giggle.

"Oh my~ you scared me~"

She gave the playful Feng Juan a light pat and chided, "Why did you come from behind?"

"I went to the kitchen~"

Feng Juan explained with a smile, "Speaking of which, Master Qian in the kitchen was just looking for you, asking if the pig trotters should be served."

"Serve them, why wouldn't we?"

Zhang Songying chimed in, "The menu was already set, wasn't it~"

"It's just that they aren't convenient to eat."

Feng Juan looked at her again and said, "Master Qian said the banquet style doesn't matter, and eating with one's hands is fine, but if we're really hosting foreign businessmen, wouldn't it be..."

"Pfft~ don't worry about that."

Zhang Songying hooked her arm through Qin Huairu's and said to Feng Juan, "It's good enough that we're feeding them; are they in a position to be picky?"

"If you ask me, those little devils..."

"Shh~!"

Hearing her speak without restraint, Qin Huairu rolled her eyes to scare her, then immediately signaled with her gaze toward the foreign affairs personnel standing at the entrance.

Zhang Songying also realized she had spoken out of turn; she covered her mouth and giggled, looking quite embarrassed.

Feng Juan, however, understood her and leaned in to whisper, "Master Guo was just muttering earlier, saying he wanted to add some rat poison to avenge his father's tragic death."

"Don't talk nonsense~"

Qin Huairu felt helpless and weary; these two were more restless than the other, both thinking about how to get rid of the Japanese businessmen who arrived today.

And it wasn't just them; it included the kitchen staff and the servers. What year is this? Which family doesn't have some national or personal grudge?

You say the ones who came today love peace?

But in everyone's perception, there are no good little devils; it would be best if they all died.

Otherwise, why would the Rolling Mill's security team and the guesthouse be on high alert today, fearing someone might cause trouble?

This morning, when the foreign businessmen's motorcade entered the Rolling Mill under the arrangements of the security section and the foreign affairs department, people stopped to watch.

Some who were more emotionally agitated were taken away by the security team before they could even commit any drastic acts.

No one said what they were doing was wrong, and no one said seeking revenge wasn't allowed, but today was not the time.

They were invited by the Rolling Mill, they were here to deliver money, and they were wearing suits.

If we're talking about revenge, on the battlefield, Li Xuewu would wear his green uniform and fight any invading enemy to the bitter end.

But having put on a suit and entered the business world, Li Xuewu will fight in a different form.

The most common understanding in this world is that force can never solve problems; it is merely an excuse you use when you want to solve them.

Han Yating walked in from outside. Because of her figure, she wasn't wearing a uniform but rather a relatively loose casual outfit.

"Having a meeting? ~"

She was already very familiar with the guesthouse staff; even Feng Juan, who was new, she often saw over at the finance office.

Seeing her come over to greet them, the three of them responded enthusiastically.

"How many months along?"

"It doesn't really show yet; you must pay attention to your nutrition~"

"Is being pregnant tiring~"

Women, especially married women, always have things to talk about when they get together.

If one of them is pregnant, those who have been through it will take the initiative to pass on a wealth of experience.

The meeting had already started, and the most dangerous time had passed. In this moment of slight relaxation, the few women finally let their guards down.

"Actually, it is a bit tiring."

Han Yating stroked her belly, her smile both gratified and helpless as she said, "It's just that I suddenly felt a heartbeat here; it feels like such a miraculous sensation."

"That's called a mother and child sharing a heart~"

Qin Huairu said with a smile, "Just wait; once it gets a bit bigger, you'll know it's playing with you."

"It can do that?"

Feng Juan, who wasn't married yet, and Zhang Songying, who was married but hadn't had the chance to conceive, both looked at Han Yating's belly with wondrous eyes.

Han Yating was also made to feel a bit shy by the three of them; she didn't know where to put her hands.

Qin Huairu explained, "When it's in the belly, it's not well-behaved at all. It kicks, it thrashes, and it even rolls around to play."

"Then... how does it play inside the belly?"

Feng Juan reached out to touch Han Yating's belly, as if she could feel the fetus's activity.

Han Yating was also a first-time mother; although she was a bit shy, she still wanted to know more about pregnancy.

In this regard, Qin Huairu had the right to speak, after all, she had given birth to three.

"It plays whatever it wants~"

Qin Huairu smiled and gestured toward Han Yating's belly, saying, "When the child is still small, it will do somersaults and play with the umbilical cord. Once it drops into the pelvis, it might be a little better behaved, but its feet will kick around wildly."

She also placed her hand on Han Yating's belly to demonstrate, "By then, you'll find that your belly will bulge where it kicks, and you can even tell which side it's on."

"How miraculous~"

Feng Juan widened her eyes, staring at Han Yating's belly as if she could see through the skin; she really wanted to see the fetus inside.

Han Yating, radiating maternal love, said to Feng Juan, "Hurry up and find a partner, and you'll be just like me."

"I'm just curious~"

As soon as Feng Juan heard the topic of finding a partner, she couldn't help but feel a bit shy.

However, they were all women here; although she said that, the longing in her eyes was still visible.

That's how it is at this time; everyone is in a bit of a rush.

Rushing to grow up, rushing to start work, rushing to get married, rushing to have children, rushing to raise children, rushing to retire—the only thing they aren't rushing is to die.

Just think, when they were in elementary school, they were already thinking about how they would be when they grew up.

Either to serve the country, to make a name for themselves, or to settle old scores.

And by the time they reached middle school and had some thoughts about life, when faced with the choice of going to high school for college or going to vocational school to start working, most chose vocational school.

Because going to high school for college and then waiting for job assignment takes several years longer than going to vocational school for direct job assignment.

If you convert that wasted time into wages, how much would it be? With several children in a family, having one start earning money early reduces the burden on the parents and the family that much more.

By the time they just start working, their parents start worrying for them. Take someone like Feng Juan; if she doesn't get married within three years of working, who knows what gossip the neighbors might spread.

Is her standard too high? Is her character bad? Does she have no social skills at work? And so on.

Just watch, even if you don't want to get married or haven't found the right one, not only will the organization arrange matchmaking meetings for you, but your family will also urge you to go on blind dates every single day.

After finally finding someone decent and just getting married, well, the pressure from parents doubles, and now you have parents-in-law urging you to have children.

Once the child is born, they urge you to raise more children. By the time the children are grown and independent, you yourself are already powerless in life and work.

So what can you do?

Hope, I suppose. Hope for retirement, so you don't have to do anything anymore, just sit at home every day waiting to collect your pension.

This is life—a life pushed along by society and inexplicable relationships.

Feng Juan was at the stage of being besieged on all sides, and she was a bit sensitive to Han Yating's casual remark.

Seeing her go silent, and with Zhang Songying also falling quiet, Qin Huairu had no choice but to pick up the conversation herself.

"Did you tell the leadership when you'll be taking leave?"

She took Han Yating's hand, tested its temperature, and said, "This time is just right; just don't catch a cold, and be careful not to trip or bump into anything."

"I'm alright, though I feel much hotter this year than usual."

Han Yating said, "Maybe wait a bit longer; the leadership also said to let me prepare, but the specific time hasn't been determined yet."

"Then that means there are arrangements; you don't need to worry."

Qin Huairu nodded and said, "After getting pregnant, there are two heartbeats, so the body will be warmer, and the palms will be even hotter."

As she spoke, she squeezed her hand and urged, "Even if you aren't cold, don't catch a chill. Getting sick during pregnancy is no small matter; even a slight cold is something to avoid."

"I know~"

Han Yating glanced toward the stairs and asked, "How many guests are still upstairs? There haven't been any new arrivals since the day before yesterday, right?"

"None. A few left these past few days, and we've already reported it to the security team. We've notified and cautioned the rest."

Qin Huairu replied, "After receiving the notice, we stopped accepting new guests here. We're waiting for notice from the foreign affairs office."

"That's good."

Han Yating nodded and said, "The security section personnel assisting here are all young men. We still need our service staff to help more with communication so that conflicts don't arise."

As she spoke, she gestured toward the Tuanjie Lake direction outside the door and said, "The entire area will be isolated today. It's best to keep the curtains drawn on windows facing this side."

After finishing, she looked at Qin Huairu again and explained, "There will be people downstairs watching the windows upstairs at all times. Don't have any unusual movements, and certainly don't have any extreme behavior."

"I understand."

Qin Huairu glanced at Zhang Songying and said, "We've already held an internal meeting, and we've cautioned the guests upstairs as well."

"Better to strengthen patrols."

Zhang Songying also turned serious; this was no joke. She gestured toward the restaurant and said, "I'll go find a few more people to go upstairs, have them draw the curtains for guests not in their rooms, and mark the rooms that are occupied."

"That's a good method; it saves us a lot of work."

Han Yating nodded to Zhang Songying and said, "From now until the meeting ends this afternoon, there are about six or seven hours left. Let's communicate more; if the security side has any issues, call me directly."

"You shouldn't be too tired either."

Qin Huairu gestured toward the office and said, "The door can be left open; go inside and sit for a while. If anything happens here, we'll notify you in time."

"Thank you, Sister Qin."

Han Yating took the initiative to shake her hand, then shook hands with Zhang Songying and Feng Juan. They were all female comrades, so it was easier to talk.

"Why can't we have more distant regions serve as dumping grounds for electronic and electrical industries?"

Li Xuewu tapped the table with his pencil and said, "The Ugly Country can blockade us, but we have always maintained an attitude of competition and active engagement with the outside world."

"Mr. Nishida should understand this point."

He deliberately pointed at Nishida Kenichi, who was frowning, and said, "Our external attitude has never been one of isolationism or closing our doors to build carts."

"If that were the case, we wouldn't be able to sit here and discuss cooperation, and you and I wouldn't be able to be friends."

"Right, Mr. Nishida?"

Nishida Kenichi was somewhat silent. Hearing Li Xuewu call his name, he scanned the crowd but didn't rush to answer.

Nakamura Shuji pondered for a moment, looked at Li Xuewu, and asked, "Li Sang, how do you judge, or rather, understand, the overseas distribution market?"

"We have never been clear about the reasons and methods for dividing the distribution regions."

He spread his hands in confusion and said, "I have never heard of any enterprise that would separate the Japanese market from the Southern Korean market."

"And I have never heard of any enterprise that would link the Japanese market with the North American market."

Nakamura Shuji's question received collective agreement from the three Japanese businessmen, who all cast puzzled looks toward Li Xuewu.

The Rolling Mill's side of the negotiations had always been led by Li Xuewu. Li Huai De had only given the opening remarks; he was now just waiting for Li Xuewu to finish negotiating the business so he could give the closing remarks.

Hearing the translator relay the Japanese representatives' question, the people on this side either lowered their heads to look at the documents in their hands or looked at Li Xuewu, who was sitting next to Director Li.

"There is no specific division method."

Li Xuewu said very candidly, "Southern Korea has supported the Ugly Country's military actions in Annam and has personally participated in this action, in exchange for the Ugly Country's technical and financial support for its semiconductor industry. This is something I personally cannot understand."

He said very seriously, "I feel regret for this choice made by the person in charge in Southern Korea, and I have adjusted the evaluation criteria for its market, which in turn led to the current decision on distribution region division."

"Does Mr. Li mean..."

Ninomiya Kazuya looked at Li Xuewu with sharp eyes and asked with a hint of probing in his words, "Will your enterprise's operations and production be influenced by the organization?"

"This is not a subjective reason; these are objective factors."

Li Xuewu looked at him and said with a serious face, "Mr. Ninomiya, you wouldn't fail to understand the meaning of what I just said, would you?"

Ninomiya Kazuya tilted his head slightly, looked at Li Xuewu, and said, "I don't understand your way of putting it. Does it mean that in your factory's future operations, you will also adjust this political attitude at any time?"

"I regret that I cannot guarantee the key issue you mentioned. Making arbitrary judgments about the future is in itself an irresponsible act."

Li Xuewu spoke very seriously, "Good-neighborly friendship and win-win cooperation have always been the external cooperation goals our factory pursues."

"However, in the process of production and operation, all factories and enterprises must bear the risks of policy adjustments."

"This includes your side as well. You also wouldn't dare guarantee that tariff policies will always favor the current advantage, right?"

"We have an old Chinese saying: 'Since you have come, you must be at peace.' Let's do what we can do first, and worry about future matters in the future."

Li Xuewu first glanced at Li Huai De, then said to the three of them, "Our factory will not express any political stance externally, nor will we impose political influence on our cooperation."

"Whether it's two parties or multiple parties, production and operation should be achieved through a healthy and forward-looking strategy for win-win results."

"You must fully understand what Deputy Director Li means."

Li Huai De had already received the signal from Li Xuewu and spoke at the right moment, saying, "Including when the translator is relaying, you must carefully consider certain key terms so as not to cause misunderstandings and losses."

His tone was steady and his speed was slow, but what he said had weight. Everyone in the conference room was listening to him.

"What Deputy Director Li mentioned about the relationship between Southern Korea and the Ugly Country, and the Annam issue, is a reminder for your side to pay attention to the influence of the international situation."

"We are all enterprises, all operating units; aren't we all influenced by the international situation!"

He raised his finger and pointed at Nishida Kenichi, who was sitting opposite, and asked, "Does Mr. Nishida have the ability to settle the Ugly Country and make Southern Korea's semiconductor and electronic industry be cut in half?"

"That's not possible, is it?"

Li Huai De didn't wait for them to answer. As he spoke, he looked at the other party nodding and reminded them, "If you ask me, Deputy Director Li is still too conservative; he didn't speak too bluntly or thoroughly!"

"What is risk?"

He tapped the conference table lightly and said sternly, "Now you provide the technology, we provide the production, and the electronic and electrical industry we are building together is suffering from the crisis brought about by the rise of Southern Korea's semiconductor industry. That is what you call risk!"

"Are you right or not?!"

Li Huai De pointed at Nishida Kenichi and asked directly. After the translator interpreted it simultaneously, he couldn't help but nod in acknowledgment.

Inside the conference room, because of Li Huai De's speech, the atmosphere instantly became a bit different; perhaps "sharing hatred of the enemy" would be more appropriate.

Peng Xiaoli, sitting at the door of the conference room, swallowed his saliva, feeling only that it was absurd.

Deputy Director Li fully demonstrated his radical side at the meeting, while Director Li had always sought stability, appearing more conservative.

Now this is great: the conservative Director Li thinks the radical Deputy Director Li is too conservative!

"Li Sang, I am very sorry for my misunderstanding of you."

Ninomiya Kazuya looked at Nishida Kenichi, bowed slightly to express his apology to Li Xuewu, and then said earnestly, "My stock company is willing to accept the Southern Korean distribution agency agreement and can sign it at any time."

"I want to emphasize this point specifically."

Li Xuewu waved his hand, stopping his active application to sign, and said sternly, "This is not a simple distribution agreement; this is a targeted industrial layout."

"You have to know that the impact brought about by the rise of Southern Korea's semiconductor industry is not just your local related industries, but the market structure of all of Southeast Asia."

"Therefore, we must extinguish this danger in the bud, deconstruct Southern Korea's semiconductor industry, and destroy their market structure."

Li Xuewu's gaze was sharp, his tone fierce. The danger in his words was no less than the bullets he fired on the battlefield; every word was fatal and bloody.

Nishida Kenichi's gaze also became more serious as Li Xuewu's words became sharper.

He had a brief exchange with Nakamura Shuji beside him. When he looked at Li Xuewu again, he asked, "Li Sang, do you mean to lay out a targeted economic destruction strategy?"

"This... this is a bit difficult."

He took a deep breath, looked at the negotiation representatives on the Rolling Mill's side, weighed his words, and opened his mouth again, "After all, with your side's strength, even if we participate in it, we cannot resist an industrial rise with support policies, right?"

"I don't know if Mr. Nishida has heard this saying: 'A thousand-mile embankment collapses in an ant hole.'"

Li Xuewu said softly, "Southern Korea's electronic industry has just started. Even if they have the world's most advanced production technology and the best industrial mentors, they still have to go through a learning process, right?"

"We are different; we don't need to learn."

Li Xuewu looked at Nishida Kenichi and said, "Our factory has a complete and mature worker system, has a heavy and light industrial foundation, and has more advantageous development paths."

"Now, we only need your side to fully support us in completing the advanced technological transformation and realizing the full expansion of production capacity."

"I believe that when the first radio, the first washing machine, and the first product on all production lines roll off the line, that will be the moment to draw a round period for Southern Korea's electronic industry development."

"Technology..."

Nishida Kenichi's brow furrowed again. Just a moment ago, he felt that the other party spoke well and made sense, but why did he feel that something was wrong now...

Where exactly was it wrong? It seemed to have started from the moment the other party asked him for technology.

Li Huai De pursed his lips, his nostrils flared, and he keenly sensed a scent of pancakes—the kind he often ate, big and round.

Nishida Kenichi and the others were still a bit confused; after all, they didn't know the five masters of Chinese painting and calligraphy.

Qi Baishi's shrimp, Zhang Daqian's tiger, Xu Beihong's horse, Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, and Li Xuewu's...

"We are not afraid of price wars."

Li Xuewu didn't wait for the reaction of the three Japanese businessmen and waved his hand heroically, saying, "Today, Director Li is here, and I will give you the bottom line."

"In this Southern Korean distribution region, as long as their electronic industrial system has not been destroyed and our electronic products have not completely occupied the Southern Korean market,"

"Then our factory promises that during the price war, we will not earn any profit! We will fully support you!"

"That's right."

Li Huai De didn't give the Japanese representatives a chance to speak and quickly took over Li Xuewu's words, saying very loyally, "I fully support Deputy Director Li's decision. This is a decision with strategic significance for our cooperation."

He tapped the document on the table with his finger and said, "We fully affirm and understand your side's willingness to cooperate and have done a lot of work for the cooperation between the two sides."

"Including inside the factory, outside the factory, above, and below."

Li Huai De's fingers pointed randomly up, down, left, and right as he spoke, looking very dignified.

"I believe that since your side came from Yangcheng to the capital and came to our factory as guests, you have also felt our enthusiasm and willingness to cooperate."

"Both sides have come here and sat together based on the belief and foundation of good-neighborly friendship and win-win cooperation. This is very rare."

"I sincerely hope that the cooperation between your side and our factory can proceed smoothly and provide each other with more excellent enterprise development plans and correct enterprise progress guidance in the future."

Li Huai De pointed to the cooperation plan in front of him again and said, "When facing common production problems and operational difficulties, we are willing to bear the due responsibilities together with your side."

"Always maintain communication and collaboration capabilities and channels, and strive to realize the important influence of the electronic and electrical industry and other cooperation directions on the global market pattern in the future..."

After he finished saying this, it was as if the car door had been welded shut. The three Japanese businessmen looked at each other, all feeling that things had exceeded their expectations.

They were talking well just a moment ago; weren't they here to talk about distribution rights? How did so many new things come up?

The technology support and introduction policies that had been negotiated became common problems that both sides had to face.

They were somewhat silent, but Li Xuewu didn't speak either. The cards were already on the table at this moment; it just depended on how the other party played them.

In the plan studied today, the Rolling Mill not only expressed the need for electronic industrial production technology but also mentioned the demand for automotive industrial production technology and equipment.

Although he already had the technology introduction plan for yacht engines, generators, and transmission systems promised by the Italian businessman Andrew.

However, in the process of automotive industrial development, no manufacturer or representative can deny the achievements made by the little devils in this industry.

You can say their cars have thin skin, you can say their car workmanship is trash, and you can say their cars are bad in this way or that way.

However, you absolutely must admit that they sold cars to every corner of the world.

Li Xuewu never felt inferior about his own backwardness, nor would he be proud and complacent about the little achievements he had made.

It was too early to say that the Red Star Rolling Mill's automotive industry had just started. Compared with the industrial production already completed by the First Auto Works, Second Auto Works, Beijing Factory, etc., it was just a seedling, and it couldn't be compared with the outside automotive industry at all.

Li Xuewu knew very clearly that to achieve rapid progress in related industries, it was inevitable to go through a special process.

Either full technology introduction, accepting the subsequent influence of values and economic views.

Or closing the doors to build carts, realizing self-breakthrough and self-development.

He was familiar with the future and knew that more than ten or twenty years later, the country would embark on such a winding and tortuous road, so why not start walking now?

Walk now, and the outside hasn't run too far yet. If you chase hard, you can still keep up.

If you really wait until others completely disconnect the industrial chain and close the technology, then wanting to catch up will be a huge problem.

Therefore, when the Japanese representatives decided to follow the negotiation team to the capital and come to the Rolling Mill for talks, he had already sharpened his knife.

This time, he wanted to help the Rolling Mill's industrial foundation for several projects achieve a rebirth, including the northward transfer of heavy industrial rolling that was being implemented.

Don't want the original technology and equipment at all. If it's convenient for the Japanese side, purchase from the Japanese side; if it's convenient for the Hong Kong side, purchase from the Hong Kong side.

Even if Andrew said he could get more advanced technology, Li Xuewu was willing to accept Italian industrial technology and equipment.

He wasn't a mud-legged person like Li Yunlong. Even if he couldn't understand the foreign codes on foreign cannons, he could still know how to fire the Second Battalion Commander's Italian cannon.

Now the pit had been dug and the pancake had been fed. If the Japanese representatives chose to withdraw at this time, he would really have to fire the cannon.

Old Li's state today was also surprisingly good. He prepared a pancake, and Old Li served a bowl of chicken soup; they were very tacit.

I don't know if he was trained by Li Xuewu, but anyway, if he smelled the pancake and didn't drink a bowl of soup, he would feel that the taste was wrong no matter what.

Looking at the hesitation of the Japanese representatives, Li Huai De also took the initiative to speak, saying, "Then let's rest for a while; there's no rush."

No rush?

Who exactly is not in a rush!

The three Japanese businessmen looked at each other again. Seeing Li Huai De and Li Xuewu had already taken the initiative to stand up, they could only follow suit.

The delegation that came to the capital for negotiations had time limits, and their time could not all be spent on the Rolling Mill's negotiations.

Including the limited cooperation time given by the foreign affairs department, how could they not be in a rush?

When they went out this morning, the delegation secretary-general Kishida Kenshu also reminded him to pay attention to the negotiation time; after all, this was the interior.

They also knew very clearly that the interior during this period was not suitable for them to carry out commercial activities extensively, and it was even less convenient for them to stay outside for a long time.

Cooperation with interior manufacturers should be carried out under safe and supervised conditions. Every trip required coordination and work from all parties. They knew very clearly what was needed to pay for a negotiation.

They knew, but didn't Li Xuewu know?

Of course he knew. If he didn't know, he wouldn't be waiting here to dig a pit for the other party.

Coming out of the conference room, Li Xuewu followed Li Huai De to the restaurant to smoke. When the two lit their cigarettes, they looked at each other and both showed fox-like smiles.

Li Huai De took a puff, pointed at the watch on his hand, and reminded Li Xuewu to pay attention to the heat.

Li Xuewu didn't care at all and gestured toward the conference room where the Japanese representatives hadn't come out. Everything was under control.

If the little devils were really dissatisfied, they would definitely not wait to death in the conference room; they would definitely come to find him to express their dissatisfaction.

Even if they had full understanding, even if they didn't express their opinions through him, they would still have to come out to talk about their thoughts.

But look now, Li Huai De and Li Xuewu had both come out, but they were discussing. It was obviously the look of being able to accept these conditions.

As for why they didn't agree at the time, then one had to take out the theory Li Xuewu once told Qin Huairu.

There is nothing that cannot be sold; it's just that the price cannot be negotiated, right?

After Li Xuewu accompanied Li Huai De back to the conference room to take their seats, the Japanese representatives really put forward new requirements:

Ninomiya Kazuya stated that his stock company would undertake the distribution agency for Southern Korea, fully agreeing to and promising the relevant terms in the Rolling Mill's cooperation plan.

At the same time, he also stated that he needed the Rolling Mill to provide support in terms of cargo transportation and export routes.

Nakamura Shuji stated that his stock company would undertake the distribution agency for North America.

Correspondingly, for the strategic layout and adjustment period needed for the North American market, he also needed the Rolling Mill's support in terms of price and cargo transportation channels.

Regarding the technology and equipment introduction needs mentioned by the Rolling Mill, Nishida Kenichi answered on behalf of the three-person group.

All three stock companies had the right to export mechanical equipment and, of course, possessed the corresponding technology export capabilities. In this regard, they fully understood the Rolling Mill's needs and also made compromises.

Especially in terms of automotive industrial technology and equipment, they did not possess special channels, but they promised that what they gave the Rolling Mill would be the highest standard within their capabilities.

Under the premise of the above needs, Nishida Kenichi proposed the request to establish a resident office in the capital.

This condition had already been mentioned once when the two sides met. Now that it was formally proposed, it expressed the other party's earnest and serious need.

Li Xuewu looked at Li Huai De, weighed it, and opened his mouth to reply: "Regarding the support for cargo transportation and export proposed by Mr. Ninomiya, I will give an explanation."

"The factory is built in Steel City. Our factory has its own shipyard in Yingcheng, and accordingly, we have our own import and export terminal."

"And for the distance from Steel City to Yingcheng, we not only have railway transportation capacity but also inland river transportation channels, which can fully guarantee the cargo transportation conditions."

"Secondly, for ocean shipping, we can provide excellent shipping solution suppliers to ensure that the other party fully guarantees your side's interest needs during the transportation process."

"Regarding the customs clearance of export commodities, I will also coordinate with Director Li here."

Li Xuewu looked at Li Huai De as he spoke, truly looking like he was being asked a question by the other party on the spot and was communicating to solve it on the spot, saying: "Director Li, look at this..."

"I don't think this is a problem."

Li Huai De didn't take it all on himself, but his attitude was very sincere, saying: "Our foreign trade department holds a supportive and understanding attitude toward commodity exports."

"I believe that as long as our factory operates in compliance with regulations, your side operates in accordance with the law and rules, we understand each other in cooperation, and there are no mistakes in tax issues, I think this matter of customs clearance can be coordinated."

As he said this, he nodded to Li Haiyang at the door and greeted: "After the meeting, remind me to call foreign trade and arrange this matter. Let's go for a trip; we can tell Director Zhang about the actual situation, right?"

Saying this, he nodded to Li Xuewu again and said: "I don't believe he can throw the money in his hands out, right~"

Li Xuewu nodded, looked at Nishida Kenichi and the others, and said: "Since Director Li said it can be coordinated, I think this matter can be put to rest. Let's talk about the office matter proposed by your side."

"From my personal perspective, I very much hope that your side can come over and stay, which will facilitate face-to-face communication and exchange in the future."

His hands spread out to gesture toward the other party, explaining: "But to be honest, the environment and conditions to support your side in establishing an office in the capital are not very mature yet."

Li Xuewu glanced at Li Huai De and, seeing him nodding as well, continued: "Even though there are many foreigners working and living in the capital now, and the organization fully guarantees their legitimate rights and interests,"

"This is only reserved in media and relevant organizational institutions; there are no offices established for economic cooperation and commercial cooperation yet."

"Regarding the system construction of economic and commercial cooperation, we are all exploring it, but I firmly believe that the time for opening up to your side in the future will definitely not be too late."

Just when Nishida Kenichi and the others were furrowing their brows and expressing disappointment, Li Xuewu squeezed his fist again, looked at Li Huai De, and asked: "Director Li, the capital's status is special after all. If it's purely for the needs of economic and commercial exchanges, do you think Jinmen is suitable?"

"This..."

Li Huai De pretended to think, and didn't give an answer the first time.

The three Japanese businessmen of course hoped to place the office in the capital, but Li Xuewu had already explained the reasons why it couldn't be done.

They had already prepared for the inability to gain a foothold in the interior, but they didn't expect Li Xuewu to give another choice like a roller coaster.

After listening to the simultaneous interpretation, the eyes of the few Japanese people gathered on Li Huai De again.

Li Huai De waited for all three to understand Li Xuewu's words before slowly opening his mouth to say: "I think it's feasible. Even the strictest system needs to open a skylight to breathe."

"Then Jinmen it is."

Li Xuewu turned his head to look at Nishida Kenichi and the others, saying: "To be honest, our factory's grasp of commercial and economic trade policies is not as complete and thorough as you imagine."

His fingers tapped the table vertically, and he said with a serious face: "Here, no one dares to say what the weather will be like tomorrow, because all the wind and rain start here, and there is no time to prepare and respond."

"But Jinmen is different. The geographical location is superior, it is not far from the capital, and it has the advantage of a port."

Li Xuewu gestured toward the materials at hand and explained: "Precisely because of the cautious attitude toward commercial trade and economic policies, our commercial trade management center is actually in Jinmen."

"Oh?"

Nishida Kenichi's eyes lit up when he heard Li Xuewu explain it this way. His expression moved slightly, as if he had already understood the meaning in Li Xuewu's words.

The little devils wanting to establish an office in the capital was naturally not a good intention of actively getting close. Li Xuewu sending the other party to Jinmen with one pole also didn't hold any good farts.

Both sides could be said to be evenly matched, half a catty to eight taels.

"Mr. Nishida doesn't need to be too entangled in the location of the office. If it's commercial cooperation, Jinmen will be the Rolling Mill's main operating location in the future."

Li Xuewu smiled, picked up his teacup and took a sip, which was considered to have eased the tense atmosphere in the conference room at the moment.

Li Huai De had always maintained a cautious and conservative attitude, looking like he didn't take the other party seriously.

Watching the two sides about to enter a stalemate again, Momotani Eriko at this moment bowed slightly, looking cautious, and said to Li Xuewu with an extremely ingratiating smile: "Mr. Li, if the office is just in Jinmen, it won't be easy for me to see you."

"Hahahaha~"

"Hehehe~"

The tense atmosphere in the conference room eased because of Li Xuewu's words, and truly eased because Momotani Eriko took the initiative to make an ambiguous joke.

Looking at Momotani Eriko's shy and admiring eyes, everyone looked at Li Xuewu with teasing and interesting meanings when they looked at him again.

Although they all knew that the two were innocent and knew that Li Xuewu was upright and the least interested in women.

They even knew that Momotani Eriko, as the representative of the Japanese resident office, must be a special woman with special tasks.

But in this oppressive atmosphere, everyone needed an outlet for venting, so they could only let them make sacrifices.

Facing Momotani Eriko's teasing, Li Xuewu smiled very calmly, then winked at her and said: "Miss Momotani doesn't need to regret it, because I am the person in charge of our factory's economic and trade management center, and I will be going to Jinmen often in the future."

There was nothing wrong with him saying this, but compared to Momotani Eriko's regretful tone earlier, this answer really seemed to have something ambiguous.

Everyone cast their eyes on the two again, all looking like they were eating melons.

But is it really like this?

Of course not. Momotani Eriko is not as simple as she looks on the surface, and Nishida Kenichi and the others are not fools who don't know when they see a pit.

The other party is using the strategy of overcoming hardness with softness and advancing by retreating to probe the Rolling Mill's true attitude.

Sometimes men and women use joking tones to speak the truest words in their hearts; love is like this, and business is no exception. ===== CHAPTER 908 =====