Asked Out

Song Xiyun frowned deeply, confusion and puzzlement written across his face. He muttered, "A business trip?"

He simply could not understand why Lin Chenran suddenly wanted to go on a business trip.

"Where to?" Song Xiyun pressed, hoping to get an answer from Lin Chenran.

Lin Chenran answered calmly, "Mao Xiong!!!"

Song Xiyun's eyes widened as he stared at Lin Chenran in disbelief. Then he said in astonishment, "Chenran, are you really going to Mao Xiong to bring in the 760-horsepower four-stroke V-46 V12 diesel engine?"

Lin Chenran nodded.

Song Xiyun continued, "Shouldn't a project like this be negotiated at the national level?" He voiced his doubts.

Generally speaking, projects of this scale were led by the state, which would negotiate and coordinate the handover with the other side before the project could finally enter the implementation stage.

Yet Lin Chenran intended to personally travel to the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau in Mao Xiong to discuss cooperation regarding the 760-horsepower four-stroke V-46 V12 diesel engine.

So fearless—whose general was this?

In Song Xiyun's view, the odds of successfully concluding the deal were minuscule.

After all, Lin Chenran had never even been to Mao Xiong before.

How could he establish contact with the Ural Locomotive and Rolling Stock Plant Design Bureau, then negotiate the import of the technology and production lines for the 760-horsepower four-stroke V-46 V12 diesel engine?

Manage all affairs of the 077 Machinery Military Factory.

A mysterious smile appeared on Lin Chenran's face as he lowered his voice. "Hehe! Naturally, I have my ways."

"Even if we ultimately fail to bring in the 760-horsepower four-stroke V-46 V12 diesel engine, I'm sure we'll gain something else."

A crafty glint flickered in his eyes, as though he were hiding some secret unknown to others.

Song Xiyun could not help but press on. Lin Chenran explained smugly, "Actually, the 760-horsepower four-stroke V-46 V12 diesel engine, along with its related technology and production lines, is only a secondary objective of this trip to Mao Xiong Country."

"My real goal is to become an International Speculator and open up an entirely new source of revenue for our 077 Machinery Military Factory."

Since Flame Nation's military was only purchasing the 077 Machinery Military Factory's Second Generation Main Battle Tanks in small quantities, there was no need to rush the acquisition of the technology and production lines related to the 760-horsepower four-stroke V-46 V12 diesel engine.

Song Xiyun looked astonished upon hearing this.

He had never expected Lin Chenran to have such plans.

Lin Chenran confidently stated that this path of speculation would not only help the 077 Machinery Military Factory rapidly accumulate startup capital, but also allow them to profit when Mao Xiong declined in the future.

"The path of an International Speculator?"

Song Xiyun's eyes widened as he asked in confusion.

He was no stranger to the term "speculator." Usually, such people operated domestically.

They took novel goods from one province and sold them in other provinces.

Yet this time, Lin Chenran wanted to try international speculation and carve out an entirely new path to wealth for the 077 Machinery Military Factory.

Song Xiyun was initially startled by those words, but after giving it some thought, he realized there was potential in international speculation.

After all, Lin Chenran had powerful connections. Obtaining domestic approval documents would be as easy as pie for him.

Once Lin Chenran successfully helped the 077 Machinery Military Factory embark on the path of international speculation—

the 077 Machinery Military Factory's performance would soar.

"I plan to ship a batch of daily necessities, clothing, and other light industrial goods to Mao Xiong for sale."

"Especially high-proof liquor. It's particularly popular in Mao Xiong."

Mao Xiong had always prioritized heavy industry while neglecting the development of light industry.

As a result, its light industry was severely underdeveloped.

Many light industrial products had to be imported.

This left light industrial goods in extremely short supply within Mao Xiong.

If they shipped an entire batch of light industrial goods to Mao Xiong now, they could make a fortune.

"Thick clothes? High-proof liquor?"

Song Xiyun fell into deep thought.

"Uh!"

"Chenran, I heard that the city's Second Textile Factory can't pay its workers' wages. Its warehouses are packed with thick clothes, scarves, and long pants, and the entire factory has now shut down."

After thinking for a moment, Song Xiyun provided a useful piece of information.

Lin Chenran's eyes lit up at once. "Really?"

"That's wonderful. Those are exactly the supplies we need. If we can buy them and transport them to Mao Xiong, we'll definitely make a huge profit."

When the wave of Reform and Opening-Up swept in, the city's Second Textile Factory had been among the first to actively answer the call and undergo transformation.

To cater to the market, the Second Textile Factory's previous director had aggressively brought in textile production lines and ramped up production.

He had originally thought the factory could claim a share of the vast textile market.

Instead, it was crushed by the advanced textile technology of outside factories, while its products also failed to match consumers' aesthetic preferences. The goods produced by the Second Textile Factory immediately became unsellable.

Then, at that very time, the Second Textile Factory's former director was exposed for corruption and sent to prison. The amount involved was reportedly so large that he was preparing to eat "yellow rice grains."

Due to a shortage of funds, the warehouses were piled high with all kinds of clothes, pants, and sweaters, bringing the Second Textile Factory to a complete standstill.

How to deal with the mountain of accumulated goods became the primary task of the Second Textile Factory's newly appointed director.

Otherwise, he would be replaced.

The higher-ups: If you're incapable, don't sit in that position. I'll put someone capable in your place.

Lin Chenran slowly asked, "Do you know who the current director of the Second Textile Factory is?"

"Could you help me contact him and see whether we can make this deal happen?"

Song Xiyun nodded. "Of course. I'll contact him for you as soon as possible."

"Chenran, you should also be prepared. It may take quite a bit of money to buy those supplies."

Lin Chenran smiled confidently. "Don't worry. As long as the price is reasonable, I'm confident I can secure this batch of goods."

Then Lin Chenran said cheerfully, "They might be even more anxious than we are right now."

"Also, I'll pay a thirty-percent deposit first. Once I return from Mao Xiong Country, I'll pay them the rest."

Sure enough, when it came to scheming, Lin Chenran stood in a league of his own.

He was using the Second Textile Factory's "chicken" to lay eggs for himself.

And he would bear only a very small portion of the risk.

His methods were truly brilliant!

After cooperating a few times, Lin Chenran would be able to keep them firmly in his grasp.

The Second Textile Factory would not easily give up their cooperation either.

After hearing Lin Chenran's plan, Song Xiyun beamed and gave him an emphatic thumbs-up.

The next day, Song Xiyun contacted the director of the Second Textile Factory and invited him to dinner.

Second Textile Factory director: ?