The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Ma Jianjun nodded and said, "That's an interesting statement. The big American company is indeed a conglomerate with fifty subsidiaries and many directors, such as Rockefeller, Morgan, DuPont, and Mellon."

“There are also various clubs on the surface, all of which are composed of shareholders,” Liu Hua said with a smile. “For example, there’s the Ji Hui, and so on. These people are all old money, and you’re new money. There’s bound to be irreconcilable conflict between you. I don’t think you’re the kind of person who would submit to someone else, are you?”

Ma Jianjun did not answer the question, but instead frowned, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

"Alright, stop thinking about it." Liu Hua smiled. "You came from South Africa to the United States. Even though you're a rich man now, they won't consider you one of their own. The United States' strategy is to attract outstanding talent, but the talent they attract should ideally be their money-making tools, not equals."

“Professor Liu, I feel like you’re trying to seduce me.” Ma Jianjun said with a smile, “I’ve lived in the US for many years, so I know the dirty secrets there, but I’m confident I can integrate into their circle.”

"I didn't try to seduce you, I was just telling the truth." Liu Hua laughed heartily: "In our Chinese terms, your behavior is like judging others by your own petty standards. Do you think I'm encouraging you to become a citizen of our country?"

Ma Jianjun nodded, while Liu Hua shook his head: "We are not an immigrant country, so it is very difficult to obtain Chinese citizenship."

"I think this is not good. We should open our doors and let outstanding immigrants in."

Liu Hua waved his hand: "Whether it's the United States or South Africa, their founding time is too short. Their short history hasn't taught you clear lessons. Our country has five thousand years of civilization, and there are too many experiences and lessons in the world. For example, we know very well what the impact of too many immigrants will be."

“I hate this. I already feel pressured by you, like a teacher facing a student. Plus, you don’t have such a long and rich history, so your lectures feel to me like the strictest teacher criticizing the naughtiest student.”

Seeing Ma Jianjun's slightly embarrassed expression, Liu Hua laughed: "I'm sorry, I've been a teacher for more than ten years, and sometimes I subconsciously use this attitude to treat some young people. However, I usually only use this attitude on those who are worthy of being taught."

Ma Jianjun said with a smile, "That is truly my honor. I understand what you mean. You mean I am a person who can be cultivated."

Liu Hua nodded: "The whole of America is deindustrializing and descientizing, but you are still pursuing science and industry. You are the only smart one among that bunch of idiots."

"You can't say that. There are still many smart people in the US." Ma Jianjun shook his head: "If there weren't smart people, of course we wouldn't be so developed."

"They've just misplaced their intelligence," Liu Hua said dismissively. "The financial industry. It's not that society doesn't need this industry, but rather that it can't over-rely on it. Do those smart Americans think they can control the whole world through this industry?"

"As it turns out, it really works."

Liu Hua smiled dismissively: "Without the support of industry, the US dollar is just waste paper. If a war really breaks out one day, the US dollar will be even less than waste paper. At least waste paper can be used to wipe your butt."

Ma Jianjun is certainly a smart man, but our leader, the United States, is currently very powerful, so the US dollar is very strong. Hearing Liu Hua say that, he immediately became alert.

"Academician Liu, let's get back to the main topic," Ma Jianjun changed the subject. "My Tesla was originally planned to use 18650 cylindrical lithium batteries, but my chief engineer told me that there are better batteries in China—lithium iron phosphate batteries produced by your Taiyi Group. They have a very high energy density, so I'd like to use them in my Tesla." "Absolutely no problem. Just have someone from your company contact us directly," Liu Hua nodded. "You're practically giving me money; of course, I welcome it."

"My Tesla electric car will use a lot of chips. I heard that you are the largest industrial chip manufacturer in China, and we have also tested your company's industrial chips, which fully meet our Tesla needs."

Liu Hua smiled and said, "Just send someone to purchase whatever you need. We'll tell you what we can't sell. There's basically nothing we can't sell except for Dijun Company."

"What about the heavy rocket boosters produced by your Zhou Tian Xing Dou?"

Liu Hua shook his head: "The State Administration of Space Science and Technology has issued a ban on our space engines. If you bring your SpaceX to our country, you can use it domestically, but you can't export it to the United States."

“That’s a real shame. I can’t possibly move SpaceX here,” Ma Jianjun sighed. “My SpaceX actually relies on NASA. If I move the airline to China, then all the patents NASA has granted me will probably be invalidated, and my company will cease to exist.”

“NASA is regressing. How many years has it been since the moon landing in the 60s?” Liu Hua asked with a smile. “If SpaceX wants to develop, it must become self-reliant.”

"My current focus is on Tesla."

"That's right, you're in a really bad situation right now. You desperately need a cash cow. If you don't have an industry that can continuously generate revenue for you, your company might go bankrupt before it even takes off."

"I have just received approval to build a factory in your country to produce Tesla electric vehicles."

“I know,” Liu Hua said proudly. “In the past, all foreign car companies that wanted to develop in our country had to choose a domestic company for a joint venture. But this time, I proposed that we don’t need a joint venture and let you build your own factory to produce cars.”

“It was you who proposed it.” Ma Jianjun excitedly grasped Liu Hua’s hand: “Thank you for your support. Without you, I don’t know when this application would have been approved.”

"I didn't let you in for nothing."

Ma Jianjun patted his chest and said, "I know there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Just tell me your conditions."

"I have no conditions. I just want you to be the catfish in our country's auto market, to push those sardines that will die if they don't move. Otherwise, these companies will really die."

"The catfish effect?" Ma Jianjun smiled and said, "It's my honor, and I'm very grateful for your trust." (End of Chapter)