Traveling back to 1977

Chapter 932 Drinking Early Morning Wine

Airplanes are a minor matter; although three were purchased at once, they are all small business jets.

This type of aircraft is affordable even for many celebrities and wealthy individuals, let alone three multinational corporations with assets worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

In Chen Fan's opinion, three aircraft were still too few. The total price of three aircraft was not even as high as that of a single Boeing 747. The real giants of American companies almost always used high-end models like the 747 for their CEOs. You would be embarrassed to greet people if you were flying a Bombardier.

Oh, Bombardier hadn't started building airplanes yet at this point, but that's okay, they will in the future.

It can only be said that the Zhou family's ambition is still lacking; they need to work hard to improve their standards.

Then Chen Fan sipped his tea, thinking about when he could go to the capital to see his master and then to Shanghai to see Tian Tian.

No need to buy plane tickets, just fly there and back, it shouldn't be troublesome.

Zhou Yali wanted to show off in front of her younger brother, just like Jiang Lili and Jiang Tiantian had the same blank expressions when they saw the private jet.

But to my surprise, my brother remained unmoved.

Does that mean they don't like it?

At this moment, she recalled what her younger brother had said when they were discussing private jets, and a strange expression appeared on her face.

Do you mean I have to buy my brother a Boeing 747-VIP?

That thing is really expensive!
After taking a sip of tea, Mr. Chen snapped out of his thoughts, put down his teacup, looked at her, and asked, "How long do you plan to stay in the mainland this time?"

Zhou Yali snapped out of her daze, and her lips immediately curled into a wide grin. "I've finished all my courses. In my final year, I applied for a social practice program, and the school approved it."

Our school was supposed to have summer vacation at the end of May, but I had to stay in the US for a month because of work. A few days ago, I finally finished up and went to Hong Kong with my mom.

Then my mom thought I was in the way, so she sent me here to learn from you.

The previous sentence was about studying, but the next sentence became: "Hey bro, are you cooking at home today?"

Zhou Yali clasped her hands to her chest, her eyes shining as she stared at Chen Fan without blinking. "Although Lili cooks very well, it's still not as good as yours. I want to eat Jiangtuan hot pot."

Chen Fan stared blankly at this moment. After she finished speaking, he blinked and looked at her with disbelief, asking, "Not going back for a while? Staying in the mainland the whole time?"

Does that mean my romantic getaway is ruined?

You only had two short months of private space, and it was all ruined by someone?
"what."

Not getting an answer immediately, Zhou Yali was a little disappointed, but she still nodded and said, "The work was all arranged before I came. Dad will help keep an eye on Wan Muchun Company."

He's almost finished talks with the Americans and Motorola, reaching two agreements. One is that we'll provide multi-protocol router technology, and the other is that we'll partner with certain individuals to establish a company that will provide equipment and technical support to the US military…

Hearing this, Chen Fan frowned slightly and looked at her, asking, "Who are these 'certain people'?"

Zhou Yali pursed her lips and shook her head. "Some people are just some people. They might be the owner of a small company, an unknown lawyer, or the chairman or advisor of a non-governmental organization."

He raised an eyebrow and gave Chen Fan a look, "Although they don't have much influence or power themselves, the people behind them can influence some of the military's orders."

Jiang Lili was pouring water for them when she heard this and blurted out, "Isn't that just people with connections?"

Chen Fan already knew what was going on when Zhou Yali said the first half of her sentence. Hearing Jiang Lili's words, he couldn't help but laugh and say, "What do you mean by 'connected person'? She's a spokesperson. There's a difference."

Jiang Lili looked at him, puzzled. "What's the difference?"

Just as Chen Fan was about to speak, Zhou Yali next to him said with a smile, "Spokespersons are usually not very clean, but they can be changed. Those with connections are our own people, and they are very 'pure'."

Jiang Lili opened her eyes wide and thought for a while, then said, "Oh, oh, I understand."

He then sighed, "What spokesperson? Turns out, they're just people who take bribes. Capitalism is truly dark."

Chen Fan smiled but didn't say anything. He turned to look at Zhou Yali and asked, "And then?"

Zhou Yali coughed lightly and said, "If this cooperation is successful, then the cooperation with Motorola will naturally follow."

Wanmuchun Company invested 100 million US dollars, and my father also contributed 50 million from him. They acquired a 30% stake in Motorola's mobile division, with us holding 20% ​​and my father 10%.

Then, as the shareholder representative, Dad automatically became a director of the mobile business unit.

Chen Fan frowned slightly. "You didn't get a seat on the group's board of directors?"

Frankly speaking, $150 million for a 30% stake is not a low percentage. Leaving aside how much Motorola Mobility Holdings was worth at its peak, even during its lowest point in 2012, it was sold for over $12 billion.

If they had kept their 30% stake, they could have recouped three to four billion dollars in cash. Not to mention, if they had sold it at its peak market value, it would have been worth at least several hundred billion dollars.

It's a super gold mine where buying it is a guaranteed profit.

Motorola was secretly laughing at this deal, but they were laughing even louder.

Everyone wants to earn more, and if they could get a board seat in addition to shares, that would be even better.

Zhou Yali shrugged and said, "I can't say I got it, nor can I say I didn't get it."

"Ok?"

Chen Fan looked at her and asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhou Yali made several hand gestures, "meaning we'll see later."

She glanced at the two bewildered men, shrugged, and explained, "Motorola's board seats aren't so easy to get. Even though Dad has made it clear that he doesn't need any authority and it's just to protect our interests in the mobile communications division, they haven't directly agreed."

However, the military and Motorola's board of directors did not rule out the possibility of a definitive answer; they gave them a chance.

That means that during next year's board election, the military will arrange for shareholders to nominate my father as a board candidate. But whether he gets the position depends on his own efforts.

Chen Fan frowned and said, "Could this be a delaying tactic?"

Zhou Yali shrugged and said with a pout, "Who knows? It's only a possibility."

She paused for a moment, then added, "But Dad said there's still a chance."

She shook her head as she spoke, "Sigh, there are so many intricacies involved. I don't understand much of what my dad is saying. He's going to set up a special team to deal with it. I can't figure out such complicated things. If he says so, then so be it."

After she finished speaking, she picked up her teacup, took a sip, and looked up to see Chen Fan deep in thought. She couldn't help but ask, "Brother, what are you thinking about?"

Chen Fan looked up at her and said seriously, "I think your father is right, there are two possibilities. The military and Motorola are indeed stalling, but they haven't completely blocked all avenues; they've left a window open. As for whether you can squeeze through that window, that depends on how your father handles it."

Zhou Yali looked at him blankly. "What do you mean? I don't understand."

Chen Fan chuckled, picked up his teacup, and said, "It's very simple. There are two aspects. One is whether the router company's performance can satisfy the shareholders behind it. This performance doesn't necessarily have to be profit; it could also be sufficient potential."

Another factor is whether the progress of base station construction and the market acceptance of mobile phones in the mobile communications division can satisfy the Motorola Group. After all, your father's board seat in the mobile division is a real and powerful position. If he can play a significant role and demonstrate his abilities and resources to the board, the board should not mind having an additional board seat.

If both conditions are met, your dad should have an 80% chance of getting a board seat at Motorola. Of course, this seat will only give him some influence in the mobile communications division and won't cover other areas, but it will be enough.

Zhou Yali blinked rapidly, and after a long while, she looked at him and said, "We have to demonstrate the potential of the router and achieve results in the mobile communications division, and that's only 80%?"

Chen Fan smiled and said, "The barriers aren't so easy to break down. We probably have to thank the current situation, especially your leader."

Unfortunately, the leader will be replaced next January.

However, it doesn't matter too much. The next administration will place more emphasis on the technology industry and technological development. A Star Wars program could make router companies very profitable. For Wanmu Chun Company, which holds internet patents, it is also a good opportunity.

Of course, the military orders have nothing to do with Wan Muchun Company. Those are the business of the company that was formed through a joint venture with those "minor shareholders". At most, Wan Muchun Company can gain an advantage in the civilian field.

But with just this one opportunity, Zhou Zhengdong had a chance to build connections.

At this moment, Chen Fan especially hoped that his uncle could lend a hand. If he could really get the board seat, his operations overseas would be much more flexible.

It's okay if it doesn't work out in the end; a bit of difficulty is good for personal development.

In any case, given the current foundation and scale of the Zhou family, coupled with the backing of Qianfan and Wanmuchun companies, Comrade Zhou will sooner or later surpass Wang An and become a representative figure of Chinese Americans. At that time, he will naturally have a status and voice commensurate with his identity, and a Motorola board seat will not be particularly important.

Take your time, don't rush. As long as we don't crash or burn, we'll eventually see the day of victory!
Zhou Yali stared blankly at Chen Fan, unable to understand what he was saying.

How does this matter have anything to do with the President again?
Seeing that she didn't understand, Chen Fan didn't bother to explain.

He then asked, "And then, when does your father plan to come to the mainland to discuss investing in a telecommunications company?"

Zhou Yali shook her head, not understanding, and put the matter out of her mind. Just as she was about to speak, her eyes suddenly lit up, and she looked at Chen Fan with a pitiful expression, clutching her stomach. "Brother, we haven't had breakfast yet, and we're so hungry. Can you get us a Jiangtuan hot pot?"

Chen Fan's face darkened. "Who eats Jiangtuan hot pot for breakfast?"

"Yes, I have."

Zhou Yali argued vehemently, "In Jingzhou, Hubei, people drink alcohol early in the morning, especially in Gong'an. They eat beef hot pot with a cup of alcohol in the morning, and can eat from morning until noon. Xiangyang in Hubei, Taihe in Jiangxi, and Xuanhan in Sichuan also have this habit of drinking alcohol early in the morning, and..."

"You don't need any more."

Chen Fan interrupted her, then turned to Jiang Lili and said, "You cook, I'll go to the market to buy groceries. I'll treat my cousin to breakfast today."

Jiang Lili grinned and chuckled, then turned and got off the daybed, slipping on her slippers as she went to the kitchen. "Okay!"

Chen Fan didn't dawdle; he grabbed his car keys and went out.

He bumped into He Qingsheng outside, who was on his way to work. He Qingsheng said loudly, "You're going out again as soon as you get back? Going to work at the Jiangying Film Studio?"

Chen Fan got into the car, closed the door, and sighed, saying, "A little princess came to our house last night. She was clamoring for breakfast this morning, so I'm going to buy groceries for her."

He Qingsheng was taken aback, then bent down and looked into the gate. "Someone's come to the house?"

Unfortunately, he didn't see anything, so he turned to Chen Fan and said, "Who was it? I thought I heard some noises last night, but I went to bed early and didn't pay attention. It shouldn't be Lili, right?"

Lili looks like a well-behaved child, she definitely won't cause trouble for Chen Fan.

Chen Fan turned the car around and chuckled, "Lili and my cousin, it's my cousin who wants to have breakfast. She heard somewhere that some people drink and eat hot pot in the morning. Those people are dockworkers who have been working all night and need to have a drink and a bite to eat before going home to rest. But she's different. She woke up after a nap and started asking for Jiangtuan (a type of fish), so I went out to buy some for her."

Hearing her younger brother revealing her shortcomings to others, Zhou Yali sat on the daybed, silently gesturing with her fists, her mouth puffing out like a goldfish in anger.

If she weren't too ashamed to go out and see anyone right now, she would definitely show that person how powerful she was.

But it's okay, we'll have the strength to take revenge after we've eaten and drunk our fill.

Chen Fan waved goodbye to He Qingsheng, who was laughing heartily, and drove to the small vegetable market next door.

I was lucky today; the fish stall was still well-stocked, and there was even some river catfish that someone had specifically asked for. I immediately bought a few large ones, spending over ten foreign exchange certificates in one go.

This thing is really expensive.

Jiangtuan is a highly sought-after, high-end fish. Not only is it expensive, costing several times more than meat, but you also need fish coupons to buy it, which is why only a few have been kept until now. If it weren't for Mr. Chen pulling out his foreign exchange certificates, he would have only been able to look at the fish longingly and buy a few ordinary crucian carp and common carp to make up for it.

Now that foreign exchange certificates are being used to pave the way, everything goes smoothly. They bought a lot of chicken, duck, fish and meat, and then bought a bamboo basket to carry it all before driving back.

Then, a legend of writer Chen boldly spending foreign exchange certificates in the vegetable market was left behind.

When he got home, He Qingsheng had already gone to work, and no one else in his family was there; the front door was tightly shut.

That saves us the trouble of someone trying to freeload later.

Carrying the basket to the kitchen, with Jiang Lili's help, the pot was placed on the bedside table of the daybed in about twenty minutes.

A large iron pot sits on a kerosene stove, with several catfish chopped into sections and served with potato slices, tofu skin, mushrooms, and other side dishes. The pot simmers and bubbles, and soon the aroma fills the air.

Jiang Lili poured two glasses of wine, placing one in front of Chen Fan and handing the other to Zhou Yali.

Zhou Yali took the wine, and seeing that there was no glass in front of her, immediately asked, "Oh, aren't you going to drink?"

Jiang Lili smiled and shook her head, "I can drink with you tonight, but I can't drink in the morning."

He then picked up a bottle of orange soda, shook it, and said, "This will be fine with me."

Zhou Yali didn't mind, picked up her wine glass and clinked it with Chen Fan's, "Come on, bro, let's have a drink."

Hearing her standard Northeastern accent, Chen Fan couldn't help but ask, "Who taught you that?"

“With my grandfather and his family, they are all from Northeast China.”

Zhou Yali took a sip, and the spiciness made her stick out her tongue. She quickly picked up a piece of catfish and put it in her bowl, blew on it a few times, and then opened her mouth to take a bite.

(End of this chapter)