"What?" Zhao Tao was furious.
He finally understood. Wang Yu was playing a game of "the wool comes from the sheep's body," using the amount owed to increase prices.
The suppliers, eager to recover their debts soon and make an extra profit, were naturally happy to prioritize supply to the automobile factory.
As for the so-called promise to maintain the increased prices for the next three years, it was nonsense.
His automobile factory could collapse at any moment, struggling to get by. Of course, he didn't need to consider such long-term prospects.
These short-sighted fools would jump at any bait thrown their way.
Once Wang Yu launched this price war, his own agricultural machinery factory would be in a passive position!
"Well played, Wang Yu. You do have some cunning ideas. Afraid to confront our agricultural machinery factory head-on, you resorted to these underhanded tactics to control parts supply."
Zhao Tao calmed himself down and began to pace, deep in thought. "But you're mistaken if you think you can defeat me with mere tricks."
As he pondered, Zhao Tao lit a cigarette.
The workshop director beside him, seeing his enraged factory director, could only close his open mouth and subtly move several steps away.
This is a production workshop, not your office, factory director. Smoking is prohibited! With so many flammable and explosive materials, if a spark were to cause an incident, I wouldn't want to die with you.
"You all go to the surrounding counties and cities overnight and find all possible resources to order parts and accessories."
Zhao Tao instructed the workshop director and the head of procurement.
"But Factory Director, the cost of this price..."
"Don't worry about the cost, just do it!" Zhao Tao's tone was irrefutable. "We'll engage in a price war if necessary."
Zhao Tao's words carried confidence. His own factory had deep pockets and could afford losses, while the automobile factory, on the verge of collapse, couldn't possibly compete in a price war of attrition.
Not to mention that they still controlled the sales channels for all agricultural machinery companies in the province. What could the automobile factory's so-called direct retail sales achieve?
"Hmph! Wang Yu! We'll play the long game – we'll see!"
...
"How was it, Lingling jie? My brother's cooking is good, right?"
At Wang Yu's home, Wang Ling was constantly promoting Wang Yu to Wu Lingling, which made him frown deeply.
"Eat properly, your mouth is full of food!" Wang Yu impatiently served Wang Ling another bowl of fish soup. After all, she needed to replenish her nutrition for recovery after surgery.
"Eat up quickly, and then catch up on the homework you've fallen behind on."
He gruffly called out to Wang Ling, eliciting a dissatisfied, delicate huff from her. Finally, seeing her pleas were in vain, she could only return to her room with a dejected look to do her homework.
After Wang Ling left, only Wang Yu and Wu Lingling remained at the dining table. The atmosphere between them was a bit awkward as they had nothing to say.
"Um, thank you for what happened today." After a while, Wang Yu slowly spoke, also serving her a bowl of soup.
"It's nothing, just mutually beneficial," Wu Lingling took the soup and took a sip.
"But I'm a little curious, how do you plan to sell those hundred vehicles?"
Wang Yu asked with interest.
The agricultural machinery company now monopolized almost all sales channels. He himself had organized all the cadres to rush to the front lines, enduring hardships and expending considerable effort, yet only managed to secure forty-seven orders.
How could Wu Lingling, alone, rely on anything or have any confidence in selling a hundred vehicles?
"Heh heh, I admit your direct terminal sales method is indeed very effective, cutting out the middlemen."
Wu Lingling said with a smile, taking a sip of the fish soup. "But middlemen are often very useful. For example, they have more contact with customers than you do! This is also why agricultural machinery companies have the confidence to monopolize the market."
"So, I plan to actively seek out agents to establish a network and break the monopoly of the agricultural machinery company."
Wu Lingling said with a beaming smile as she drank her fish soup. "Of course, it must be stated upfront that the general dealership for Guangjiang Province is mine. Also, I'm very interested in the fuel-assisted bicycles you discussed with Factory Director Huang He earlier."
"Heh heh, the general dealership is no problem. I can take you to see the fuel-assisted bicycles later!"
As the night grew deeper, the two young people conversed, and the lit lamp burned long into the night.
...
A week passed in the blink of an eye. With a large supply of parts and accessories, the first batch of forty-seven new-style agricultural vehicles for Jiangyang Automobile Factory's first order were all produced.
Furthermore, the announcement and qualification review for vehicle registration were approved, which meant they could officially be sold, registered, and delivered to users.
The entire automobile factory was filled with excitement and even euphoria. They felt there was hope for a comeback.
It was all thanks to the young factory director!
As for Wang Yu, who was praised by everyone, he spent this week playing the part of a hands-off boss, accompanying Wu Lingling on excursions.
Yes, to others, this was the case, especially to Zhao Tao, who constantly kept tabs on his every move.
Upon learning of Wang Yu's state, Zhao Tao merely sneered dismissively.
He had achieved a bit of success through luck and was now indulging himself, playing with a young girl. Even if she was a major client, Wang Yu's behavior was utterly contemptible to him.
In the past week, he had finally, at great cost, managed to procure and resolve the parts issue. Now that everything was in place, his new agricultural machinery products were ready for mass production!
Hmph! You, a phoenix that has fallen from grace, have allowed this raccoon dog to triumph like a tiger.
Standing in front of his own production workshop, Zhao Tao sneered dismissively.
"I'll let you enjoy yourself for a week. Soon, you'll know who the true victor is!"
...
In reality, Wang Yu was not just playing around.
Although he was accompanied by a beautiful woman, riding his twenty-eight-inch bicycle around the outskirts of Jiangyang County, he was constantly observing the various factories in the vicinity.
Jiangyang County is the second most populous county in Guangjiang Province and a transportation hub. Coupled with the background of a wild, booming era of economic growth in previous years.
With the right timing, advantageous location, and harmonious human relations, Jiangyang County had become an industrial center.
Although it was just a county town, its status was no less than that of ordinary prefectural-level cities. There were hundreds, even thousands, of factories of various types and sizes, accounting for one-third of the province's total, although most of them were not doing well.
Affected by the trends of the times, most factories were on the verge of collapse, while some were struggling desperately with poor performance, with many unable to secure orders or pay wages.
This was also why the various suppliers had so easily agreed to Wang Yu's terms. After all, they were all eager to recoup funds and pay their employees. Many of them were state-owned enterprises, burdened by heavy responsibilities and the rigid "big pot" system.
During this week, Wang Yu visited factories around the county during the day, meticulously recording details in his notebook for many places.
Wu Lingling accompanied him throughout the entire time. She did not interfere, complain, or give any unsolicited advice. She simply followed Wang Yu quietly, her clear, bright eyes taking in everything. No one knew what she was thinking.
In the evenings, Wang Yu arranged for Wu Lingling to stay at his home, keeping his sister Wang Ling company. As for himself, he stayed at the factory, with the small factory director's office becoming his room.
Everyone could see that the eight-watt desk lamp was always lit throughout the night.
No one knew what Wang Yu was doing, but no one dared to ask.
On one hand, it was out of trust in the young factory director; after all, he was the boss and made the decisions. On the other hand, the young factory director seemed to be becoming increasingly inscrutable.
It was like playing chess; the intention behind his every move was impossible to guess!
And today, Wang Yu suddenly summoned all the employees for a general staff meeting.
A general staff meeting? Did something happen?
Seeing Wang Yu's solemn expression, everyone felt a jolt of apprehension.