Siheyuan, Shazhu: I have both parents in this life

Chapter 337 Journey to Eastern Hebei and a New Strategic Plan
He Yuxin's investigation in eastern Hebei lasted for three days.

Accompanied by personnel arranged by Zhao Fengnian, he visited the television factory construction site, the motor factory under expansion, the motorcycle factory that had already started production, and the steel plant that was undergoing technological transformation.

The motorcycle factory was able to move so quickly mainly because the equipment was already in place and could be transported from Hong Kong. Jidong directly gave the motorcycle factory a newly built factory building that was originally intended for another unit.

The people from that original workplace were upset about this and almost reported it to higher authorities. The motorcycle factory leaders finally resolved the issue by promising to help them build a new factory and provide resettlement for some of the unemployed children who had returned to the city from that factory.

On the production line of the motorcycle factory, workers are assembling the latest "Yellow River" brand motorcycles.

The factory manager proudly introduced, "Mr. He, our current monthly production capacity has reached 500 vehicles, and orders are booked until next year. The main problem is the slow production of engines; otherwise, we could produce 1000 vehicles a month."

"An engine? Didn't the production line provide you with one?"

"The main problem is the shortage of skilled workers, and the engine is a highly precise component, so..."

“Then go ahead and train them. If this batch of equipment is fully loaded, it can produce 2000 to 3000 engines per month. You’ve only produced a quarter of that. Shouldn’t you reflect on this?” He Yuxin’s expression was not good.

"This"

"If you have any difficulties, just say so. There's no need to hide anything."

"In the end, it all comes down to people," the factory manager said.

“Then let me give you a clue. Secretary Zhao used to be a teacher at a vocational school in Beijing. His late father-in-law was the principal of that school. Moreover, Secretary Zhao also worked at the steel rolling mill in Beijing. His son is now the director of the automobile factory in Beijing.” He Yuxin had completely betrayed Zhao Fengnian.

"Really?" the factory manager exclaimed.

“Why don’t you just go and ask? But if you want people to come here, the pay will be low, which is a real problem. You know, those people are registered residents of Beijing,” He Yuxin said.

"That's a difficult matter."

"I've given you the idea. Next time I come here, I need to at least double my production, or I'll have to have a serious talk with the higher-ups."

"understand."

"Also, don't just focus on Beijing. There are many vocational schools in Tianjin, and many of the students are from Hebei Province. The TV factory and the motor factory should be in operation soon. You can decide what to do."

"I'll get it done as soon as possible, as soon as possible." Cold sweat broke out on the factory manager's forehead. He had been transferred from another factory and was still acting as an agent.

He Yuxin carefully inspected the production process and quality inspection procedures, and said before leaving: "Quality control must be strict, and research and development cannot be neglected."

"Understood, Mr. He."

The factory manager reacted this way because he didn't take He Yuxin seriously when he first came. As a result, he was talked to by his superiors the next day, who said some very unpleasant things, telling him that if he couldn't do the job, he should go back to his original factory.

He was just a deputy director before, and the factory wasn't doing very well. It would be embarrassing for him to go back, and he wouldn't have anywhere to go there anyway.

At the construction site of the television factory, the massive factory framework has already been erected.

The project manager pointed to the blueprints and reported: "The main construction will be completed next month, and the equipment procurement contracts have been signed. They are all the latest production lines from Japan, and we expect to be able to start trial production before the end of the year."

He Yuxin reminded, "Talent development needs to start in advance. Have we invited the engineers yet?"

"Yes, it's started, but there's no hands-on practice, so progress is a bit slow."

"You should report this to your superiors and see if someone can go to another television factory for a while to learn the skills."

"I hadn't thought of that before; I'll submit a report later."

"Hurry up, or you won't be able to start production once the production line is installed."

"clear."

On the last day, He Yuxin focused on checking the progress of the steel plant's technological transformation.

The newly introduced continuous casting equipment is being installed. The plant's chief engineer explained, "After this equipment is put into operation, the quality of our steel will be improved by one level. It can not only meet the needs of the motorcycle factory, but also prepare for future automobile production."

He Yuxin said to the factory manager, "You can first contact the automobile factory in Xiangdu. The demand there will be huge, but transportation will be a big problem. Of course, there are also nearby factories. You can also contact the automobile factories in Sijiucheng and Tianjin to discuss business."

“Okay, Mr. He, it’s our fault for not doing our job well and neglecting the industries in the surrounding cities,” the steel plant manager said.

“The economic situation has changed now. You need to go out more. If you stay at home waiting for orders, you might go hungry in the future,” He Yuxin said.

"Isn't everyone just waiting for buyers to come to them?" the factory manager said.

“There are many places you can go for procurement, why do you have to come to Jidong? You don’t have any reputation.” He Yuxin said.

"understood."

After the inspection, He Yuxin and Zhao Fengnian had a long talk.

“Uncle Zhao, the progress of these projects is better than I expected. Especially the motorcycle project, the market response is very good.” He Yuxin handed over a report. “These are some of my suggestions, especially regarding sales and talent.”

After carefully reviewing the suggestions, Zhao Fengnian exclaimed, "Yuxin, you brothers are truly business-minded. These are very pertinent suggestions, and I will make sure they are implemented. By the way, how's your hotel project in Beijing going?"

"I only acted as a go-between for that project; there's another team in charge. They're currently investigating, and we should have a preliminary plan soon," He Yuxin said with a smile.

"Your brother really knows how to make a fuss. I heard he's from North America this time?"

"Yes, I haven't known about that company for long, but my brother must have his own reasons for not telling me."

"That's inevitable. The situation didn't allow it in the first few years, but it's different now," Old Zhao said.

"By the way, Uncle Zhao, has there been any feedback from above regarding the port of Caofeidian?"

"Hey, the investment is too big, and it's starting from scratch. It's not that easy. I don't have the money!"

"Then us"

“Go back and tell your brother not to rush into anything. We don’t know how big the problem is yet. Let’s wait and see,” Zhao Fengnian interrupted.

"Okay, I'll go back and tell my brother."

"Don't worry about me quitting in the future and having no one to help me. That's just wishful thinking. You've invested in so many factories. Once they're all in production and have established sales channels, there will be plenty of people speaking up for you when transportation becomes a problem."

"That's true, but we'll have to wait."

"What's the rush? Good food is worth the wait."

“Yes, good things come to those who wait,” He Yuxin said with a smile.

"When do you plan to leave?"

"Leave tomorrow."

"Let's have dinner together tonight."

"this."

"Just the two of us, let's find a place anywhere and have a couple of drinks together."

"That's fine."

"."

Back in Beijing, He Yuxin went to an antique shop, where the two sons of Manager Li were supervising the work.

The main reason was that He Yuxin paid much more than he would have paid as a temporary worker. Manager Li, thinking that the money should not go to outsiders, had his whole family help out, and even his wife and daughter-in-law did the cooking.

He Yuxin had no objection to this; as long as the work was done well, it didn't matter who did it!

Manager Li also asked what the store was called, since they couldn't just put up a sign saying "Yellow River Culture Company."

He Yuxin gave a name directly, a name he had asked He Yuzhu about over the phone: 'Zang Gu Zhai'.

He Yuzhu thought he would collect more in the future, so he gave it this name.

Manager Li got the name and said he'd find a famous calligrapher to write the inscription and carve the plaque. He'd been in this business for many years, so he had some connections.

A week after returning to Beijing, Alan Sheffield's team delivered a preliminary plan drafted after negotiations.

They selected three plots of land: one near the train station, one next to the Beijing Hotel, and one in Zhongguancun.

He Yuxin pointed to the location of Zhongguancun on the map and asked, "Allen, can you tell me why we chose this place?"

"Mr. He, you haven't been to North America. The electronics industry is developing very rapidly now. We simply can't buy up all the hotels around Silicon Valley. They're in high demand."

"Oh, then here."

“According to the investment promotion office, this place should be your Silicon Valley. We’ve discussed it and are planning to invest ahead of schedule. Of course, Mr. He, please feel free to offer any suggestions,” said Alan Sheffield.

"No, I just don't quite understand, since this place is so remote," He Yuxin said.

"Actually, we consulted with the boss, and he supported it." After thinking for a moment, Alan Sheffield still mentioned that he had contacted He Yuzhu.

"It's alright, my judgment is indeed not as good as the boss's," He Yuxin said with a smile.

Hearing He Yuxin say this, the group breathed a sigh of relief, as they knew that this was the boss's younger brother.

Next, He Yuxin looked at the development plans for the three plots of land. Alan Sheffield and his team had done a very detailed job, especially the plan for the plot on East Railway Station Street—a fifty-story hotel catering to foreign guests, with supporting commercial centers and conference facilities.

It's not that we don't want to build taller, but we haven't received approval because we're worried about the technology not meeting the standards.

After reviewing it, He Yuxin asked, "Have you calculated the investment budget and return cycle?"

"Preliminary estimates put the total investment for the three projects at around US$80 million. Considering the growth potential of the mainland market, we expect to recoup the investment in eight to ten years," Allen replied.

"How should the funds be allocated?"

"We can only adopt a joint venture model, with the group contributing 50% of the capital and the Chinese side contributing land and some matching funds. This way, we can meet the policy requirements and reduce our investment risk."

"What about management rights?"

"We have the right to manage it."

He Yuxin nodded: "Should you submit the proposal yourselves, or should I forward it to headquarters?"

“If it’s convenient, you should pass it on, since you’re actually in charge of this trip,” Alan Sheffield said.

“Alright, but you need to be more detailed. Make sure to include the budget and return on investment, as well as future development plans. As you can see, the development here will be faster and faster, and our hotel should be able to anticipate that.”

“No problem, we can just copy the New York one. That hotel will still be great even ten years from now,” Alan Sheffield said.

"Oh, you're leading by that much?"

"It's all thanks to the boss's talent. He came up with many of the ideas, and now many hotels in North America and Europe are copying us."

"Then you guys better not stand still, or you'll be overtaken."

“We are aware of this, and we are constantly improving our services. The Grand Hyatt in New York has the highest occupancy rate in North America, even though we are more expensive than others,” Alan Sheffield said proudly.

"Hahaha, then I'll wait and see if the hotel in Beijing becomes the most expensive hotel in all of China." He Yuxin laughed.

“Yes, it will,” Alan Sheffield affirmed.

Before she could finish these tasks, He Yuxin received an unexpected phone call.

"Yuxin, I'm your Uncle Fang."

"Uncle Fang? What's up? Is there any progress on what happened last time?"

"I've got it, that's why I came to see you this time."

"You say!"

"Yu Xin, those guys are no ordinary people. On the surface, they're all about cultural exchange, businessmen, and collectors, but behind the scenes, they do incredibly dirty things!"

"Hmm, I know a little bit."

“We followed the clues and arrested a few people and seized a batch of items, but they were all tomb raiders and scavengers.”

"A tomb raider?"

"They're grave diggers."

"Ah, tomb raiding!"

“Yes, your word is professional,” Lao Fang said.

"How can I help?"

"That's right. The group of tomb raiders confessed that they had a superior, but my people, the people in the cultural relics department, and the people in the public security department couldn't get in touch with them and couldn't get the final evidence. You know this involves diplomacy."

"No way, what you're saying is all professional stuff," He Yuxin said.

"Hey, they're too professional, they don't seem like vendors at all." "So what do you mean?"

"Could you do your uncle a favor and act as a trafficker for once?"

"I?"

"After thinking about it for a while, I came up with you. My subordinates told me that you look like the kind of person who is, well, rich. Plus, with your domineering attitude in the antique shop, you really do have that vibe."

"No way." He Yuxin said, feeling frustrated.

"Actually, it's just you playing yourself. Anyway, you're going to open an antique shop. I know you've already set up your company and the shop is under renovation."

"Uncle Fang, are you investigating me?"

"Just a side note, just a side note," Lao Fang said somewhat awkwardly.

"I don't think so. Besides, I have other things to do." He Yuxin was not very willing.

He Yuxin politely declined, which confused Lao Fang, but he was asking for a favor, and Lao Fang had no obligation to risk helping him.

“Uncle Fang, I really have something to do. Why don’t you take another look?” He Yuxin said.

"Okay." Old Fang hung up the phone helplessly.

After smoking two cigarettes, Lao Fang picked up the phone, hesitated for a long time, and then asked the operator to connect him to Hong Kong.

"Pillar!"

"Uncle Fang, are you not busy anymore?"

"I wish I wasn't so busy!"

"So you still have time to call me?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Well, I had no other choice."

"Is there something that's preventing you from doing anything? Tell me if you can, so I can have a laugh!"

"You brat, do you really enjoy seeing me make a fool of myself?" Old Fang said irritably.

“After all these years, of course I’m curious about things that are still giving you a headache,” He Yuzhu said.

"Don't be curious, I'm asking you for help."

"Seek help? Talk to me first. I won't do those kinds of things again. I don't want to die," He Yuzhu said.

"What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think your Uncle Fang is that stupid?"

"Yes!" He Yuzhu said.

"Can't we just talk properly?" Old Fang said angrily.

"Sure, go ahead!" He Yuzhu said with a smile.

"Yes, so, so, so this is what happened." Old Fang then explained the difficulties he had encountered and how He Yuxin had refused his help.

"Why did you ask Yuxin about this?" He Yuzhu's tone was a bit unpleasant.

"We just can't find him, can we?" Old Fang said, feeling a little guilty.

"Don't you know how dangerous this is?"

"I know!" Old Fang was speechless.

“My third brother is just a businessman; he’s never experienced anything like that. Are you trying to kill him?”

"Pillar, listen to me."

"Okay, tell me!"

“These people are planning something big recently, and their target is Qin. You know what kind of place that is, right? We really can’t get in touch with them, otherwise I wouldn’t have brought this up.”

"Really can't find anyone?"

"I can't find anyone. Either they can't act convincingly, or they can't handle the pressure. After thinking about it, I thought of your Yuxin. I know a bit about what that kid has been doing in China. He's a capable and ambitious young man."

"So you're going to take the risk with him?" He Yuzhu said irritably.

"Isn't it because you weren't here? Otherwise, why would I bother?" Old Fang said.

"So, I'm just a brick in the revolution? I'm not the same person I used to be," He Yuzhu said.

"But your heart is still the same as before. Don't think I don't know what you two brothers are doing with that antique shop."

"For what?"

"You know it in your heart, that's all that matters."

"Of course I know. I bought it legitimately, with real money, and kept it for my own collection. Is there a problem?"

Old Fang fell silent.

He Yuzhu felt that he had given enough of a warning, so he said, "Uncle Fang, I can understand your feelings, but not everyone is like you. It's not that people don't want the country to prosper, but how many people do you think are willing to risk their lives to do it?"

"There should be quite a few, right?" Old Fang said.

"呲"

"What do you mean by that?" Old Fang snapped again.

"You're talking about decades ago."

“There are people here now,” Old Fang said stubbornly.

"Yes, definitely, but you can't generalize. My third child doesn't have any offspring yet."

"How many of those people had descendants?"

"Can that be the same?"

"How can they be different?"

"In the past, if you didn't resist, you would die—killed, starved, or impoverished. But what about now?"

"Then what do you suggest? I've come to you for help, so you have to help me figure something out." Old Fang started acting like a rogue.

"Will my men be able to go back?"

"You mean Bai Xiaozhi and his gang?"

“So you knew after all,” He Yuzhu said.

"How could I not know? They've dealt with my men before!" Old Fang roared.

"Oh, is that so? I've never heard of it before. Where is it from?" He Yuzhu asked.

"Hmph, you're just gloating, aren't you? My men didn't reveal their identities, so they don't know."

"You can't blame us for that. Who can you blame for hiding it from us?"

"Who knew those were your men? I only found out after I sent people to investigate when those kids came back."

"Okay, you still haven't answered my question."

"What are you trying to do? Arrange bodyguards for your third son?"

“He can’t do this,” He Yuzhu said.

"So what do you mean?"

“I’ll handle it personally, and I guarantee I’ll uproot it completely.”

"Stop bragging. Do you know how much manpower and resources we've invested, and we still haven't found the source?"

“I have my own methods. Just tell me if I can bring people with me,” He Yuzhu said.

"Yes, a maximum of ten, but they can't bring weapons," Old Fang said.

"We can't bring weapons?"

"Nonsense, if I let you bring in weapons, that would be terrible. You need to register with me before you can use them," Old Fang said.

"That works too. I'm going back to the mainland soon anyway, so you're not in a rush, are you?"

"Why are you going back to the mainland? I haven't heard of any big projects there."

"Can't I send my mother and parents back to stay for a while?"

“I was wondering why Yuxin was tinkering with so much furniture the other day. When is he coming back? I don’t think I have that much time to wait.”

"You can wait a week, right?"

"Okay, then I'll wait for you for a week. There's something else I need you to keep an eye on. I heard that a batch of things has already gone to Hong Kong. Find them."

"and then?"

"Send it back!"

"I knew it wouldn't be good. If they hold a proper auction or something, I'll have to lose money again."

"Who told you to have so much money!"

"But I'm not stupid!"

"So what benefits do you want?"

"Get a certificate or something, and you can get some tax breaks, right?"

"I know about paying taxes, but what certificate?"

"A certificate of honor? You can't let me donate for nothing, can you? Nobody will even know who donated it?"

"I'll go ask about that."

"Then you'd better hurry up, including the tax breaks in Beijing. I've already negotiated the terms for my project and I need to use them."

"He Yuzhu!!!"

"What's wrong, Uncle Fang?"

"Were you waiting for me here all along?"

"No, I wouldn't have said no if you hadn't brought it up."

"You're getting slyer and slyer."

"There's no other way. I have too many people to support. Others can get what they want through connections, but I can only get it this way. And even then, I get complained about. Do you think it's easy for me?!"

"Yes, yes, yes, it's easy for you, it's easy for me, okay?"

"Then I'll have to trouble you. My men need your people to pick them up, otherwise..."

"Alright, I'm hanging up. You called me and it made me so angry," Lao Fang said.

"No way, you should live a long and healthy life and enjoy your health for a few more years."

"Get lost, I'm afraid you'll drive me crazy. *beep beep beep*"

He Yuzhu chuckled speechlessly upon hearing the busy tone on the phone. He had said it on purpose, to let Lao Fang know that not everyone is willing to risk their lives without hesitation, and also to remind him that his subordinates needed to be better trained.

As for Lao Fang, he wasn't so angry anymore. How could he not understand what He Yuzhu was saying? He had seen plenty of things like that.

The reason he kept pretending to be angry was actually to get He Yuzhu to take action. He was the best candidate. He didn't even need to act. With such a big boss, why would he need to act? He could just throw money at them and make them dizzy.

Two days later, a group of Bai Yifeng's men took a boat to Huadu. Among them were several members of the "Wolf Fang" gang. Someone in Huadu picked them up with a letter of introduction and led them to Beijing.

Bai Yifeng originally wanted to go too, but He Yuzhu scolded him and told him to go back to his death. He had already registered in mainland China, so he wasn't afraid of not being able to come back.

Just because Lao Fang definitely won't make a move doesn't mean others don't have the same idea.

(End of this chapter)