Crossing through time 04, I blew up the American aircraft carrier.

Laiyang Steel Plant, staff quarters.

Zhao Ergang was dragged home by his mother, Ma Chunhua, with his ear twisted.

"Old Zhao, we just found Er Gang! He was indeed at the internet cafe!"

Whoosh!

Zhao Jianqiang, the father on the sofa, jumped up and pulled out his belt as he walked out.

"Dad, Dad! I didn't go online to play games!"

"What else can you do at an internet cafe if not play games! Look at your brother and sister, they both went to university and changed their lives through knowledge! And you? You've been good-for-nothing since you were little. We paid to get you a job, but you still wouldn't work properly! You ended up getting fired from the factory!"

Zhao Jianqiang's face darkened: "I'll beat you to death, you worthless wretch!"

"No, no, Dad, I really didn't go there for fun, I'm... I'm doing business online!"

"Do business? Who do you think you're fooling?"

"Really, really, Dad, I'm doing big international business! A businessman from Yemen wants me to help him purchase a container of gas cylinders!"

What Egyptian pharaoh? That's all nonsense. Since the delivery address is Yemen, then it's a Yemeni merchant.

"Ye Men? You better be a real man later, don't cry in pain!"

"Dad, it's true! They're going to transfer six thousand dollars into my account!"

At this moment, Zhao Jianqiang had already raised his belt and was about to pull it off when he abruptly stopped.

At the kitchen doorway, Ma Chunhua also put down the rolling pin.

Zhao Ergang breathed a sigh of relief: "Dad, Mom, going to university isn't the only way out. I, Zhao Ergang, am also very successful! I've always been studying international trade!"

"Alright, I'll check your account right now! If it's not there... then prepare for a mixed doubles beating!"

Zhao Ergang's gaze drifted towards the window. "Once you're gone, I'll climb out the window and slip away..."

Seemingly sensing what he was thinking, Zhao Jianqiang picked up a rope: "Hang him up to the door frame first!"

"Dad, Dad, I'm your own son, not some freebie you got with a phone plan! Ouch, ouch, that hurts!"

Zhao Ergang paced back and forth on the doorframe, his heart pounding with anxiety. What if… he really got beaten to death? International money transfers take days, don't they? Besides, did the other party even know his account number?

Time passed by, second by second.

"Ergang, Ergang!"

Zhao Ergang felt a shiver run down his spine. He... he's back so soon?

"Dad, was I really a free gift with your phone plan?" Zhao Ergang knew begging was useless, so he changed his approach: "You're always so kind to my older brother and sister, but you beat and scold me at the drop of a hat! Hit me, beat me to death!"

"What nonsense are you spouting! Old Zhao, put Ergang down right now!"

What do you mean?

Zhao Ergang tentatively asked, "Did the Egyptian Pharaoh, cough cough, no, did the Yemeni merchants send the money?"

"Yes, the six thousand dollars have been deposited into your account!"

Zhao Jianqiang exclaimed excitedly, "That's 50,000 RMB! You're pretty good, kid!"

What? This is real?

"Ergang, hurry up and get on with your important business!"

Sales Department, Laiyang Steel Plant.

"Section Chief Liu, when exactly are you going to be able to open up overseas sales channels?"

"Director Guo, well... we're just a small to medium-sized enterprise. Only large factories like Ansteel and Baosteel can export steel. We... we don't have that capability!"

"The higher-ups have said that if we can't open up export channels, we won't be able to use imported iron ore in the future! The grade of iron ore in Laiyang is too poor; without mixing it with imported iron ore, we can only make iron slag! Moreover, the higher-ups intend to shut down small and medium-sized steel mills. If we don't work harder, we'll have no way out in the future!"

Section Chief Liu was covered in sweat.

"Director Guo, we'll do our best!"

"This year, let's achieve a breakthrough from zero. We don't need much, just sell $100,000 worth of goods. Next year... let's aim for sales of over a million. Then, let's see if the higher-ups dare to shut down our factory!"

dong dong!

Just then, someone ran in.

"Director Guo, Section Chief Liu! Zhao Ergang is here!"

"What is he doing here? He's seriously violating factory rules. He has to be fired, no questions asked!"

"He said he was there to buy gas cylinders and that he would pay in US dollars directly!"

What?

"Quickly, invite him in! No, I'll go invite him myself!"

Laiyang Steel Plant, inside the conference room.

Zhao Ergang, dressed in a suit and tie, sat in the main seat and frowned as he looked at the tea placed in front of him: "Isn't there coffee? I don't like tea."

"Wait here, we'll go make some coffee right away."

Soon, a fragrant cup of coffee was placed in front of him. Zhao Er picked it up and took a sip. Damn, it was really bitter. It wasn't even as good as tea. But he had to keep up the act!

So he took out a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes from his pocket, put one in his mouth, lit it, and took a deep drag.

That's the kind of style those business tycoons on TV should have, right?

No, there's nowhere for these feet to go!

So he put his feet up on the conference room table.

Cool!

"Ergang, you're buying gas cylinders and exporting them?" Section Chief Liu asked, suppressing his dissatisfaction.

"That depends on the quality of the product. If the quality of this export is too poor, it will ruin the reputation of our Oriental Industry!"

"Absolutely top-notch! We select the best quality from the factory!"

"Okay, let's start with a standard container, three hundred gas cylinders... Give me a quote, if it's too high... I'll look at other factories."

Hmph, fire me? Let's see if you regret it.

In 2024, a gas cylinder will cost no more than 200 yuan. In 2004, a gas cylinder would only cost 60 or 70 yuan, and the ex-factory price would not exceed 50 yuan.

With an exchange rate of 8.27, that makes it...

"Six dollars, just six dollars each!" Section Chief Liu quickly quoted a price: "But it must be paid in US dollars!"

Only in this way can they prove that they are doing foreign trade business and can sell their products, thus qualifying them to import iron ore from abroad!

Zhao Ergang was secretly delighted. Including shipping costs, the cost was only ten US dollars. He could make a profit of half. The Egyptian Pharaoh was really generous. He said he would make him rich, and he really did!

"Okay, pack it up and ship it to the port within three days!"

"No problem, no problem!"

Section Chief Liu was secretly delighted, finally achieving a breakthrough in exports.

And Director Guo... forced a smile.

"Comrade Zhao Ergang, I sincerely invite you to join our Laiyang Steel Plant! If you agree to come, you'll be the deputy head of the sales department, specifically responsible for selling the factory's products overseas!"

Standing nearby, Section Chief Liu quickly added his opinion:

"Ergang, on behalf of the sales department, welcome to the team! Someone with your talent shouldn't be overlooked..."

"Ahem, thank you for your kind offer, leaders, but Laiyang Steel Plant doesn't keep idle people. I, Zhao Ergang, am used to a life of leisure and can't adapt to the factory's strict rules and regulations." Zhao Ergang said smugly, "These days, working for someone else is not as good as working for yourself. Being the client is so much more enjoyable!"

Hmph, you fired me! You almost gave me a beating! What's wrong with me skipping work? A reprimand would have been enough, but you actually fired me!

Right now, he just feels incredibly happy!

"We'll meet at the port in three days! I'm not very educated, so don't try to fool me! I'll only release the payment after customs clearance!"