78: Bringing his wife and children to Harbin Institute of Technology

Chapter 163 The Troubles After Getting Money (Part 2)

"28? And you need foreign exchange? Does the school-run factory have foreign exchange quotas?"

After the staff member finished speaking, he laughed helplessly.

"Comrade, our factory has a military order from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense. Could you make a special exception for it?"

As Ye Bingwen spoke, he quickly took out a copy of the contract from his bag and handed it over.

The staff member took the contract, glanced at it, and then looked up at Ye Bingwen.

"The contract you signed is only worth a little over 100,000, which isn't a large amount, but you need 280,000. Even if we make a special exception, you won't be at the top of the queue because there are many places that need it more urgently than you."

"So what should we do to get it approved as soon as possible?"

"Go back and wait. It will probably be around this time next year. I will let you know then."

Ye Bingwen fell silent. Chen An clenched his fists, looking like he was about to explode in anger, but Ye Bingwen quickly stopped him with a look.

The two young men slunk out of the electromechanical company and sat dejectedly on the steps at the entrance, remaining silent.

Chen An said indignantly, "Director Ye, they look down on people."

"Chen An, don't be angry. What they said is true. Our order volume is nothing to them."

"So what should we do? Really wait until next year?"

"I can't wait."

Watching the cars come and go on the street, Ye Bingwen felt a tightness in his chest.

The second batch of 150 orders from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense has not yet been completed, and the third batch of 300 orders is under negotiation.

Based on the production speed, the third batch of 300 pieces simply cannot be completed.

Equipment upgrades cannot be delayed, but this approach is currently not feasible.

The two sat on the steps, lost in thought.

Just then, a middle-aged man walked over. He was around forty years old, wearing an ill-fitting suit, and his hair was slicked back and shiny. "Brother, need any equipment?"

The middle-aged man walked up to Ye Bingwen, asked mysteriously, and handed him a cigarette with practiced ease.

Ye Bingwen did not accept the cigarette.

He asked with a hint of doubt, "Who are you?"

The middle-aged man nodded, revealing his signature smile.

"My surname is Tao. I deal with equipment. I've been watching you guys inside for a while now."

Upon hearing the words "tampering with things," Chen An lost interest in talking to this person.

Ye Bingwen, however, was very interested.

"Mr. Tao, what kind of equipment do you mainly deal in?"

"I can get secondhand equipment from all over the country. As long as the price is right, I can get machines in any condition."

Chen An felt an indescribable disgust looking at Boss Tao's slick manner.

She whispered in Ye Bingwen's ear, "Director Ye, this person cannot be trusted."

Boss Tao was very good at reading people's expressions. Although he didn't hear clearly, he guessed what Chen An was saying.

He said to Chen An and the others, "Young brothers, I've been in this business for seven or eight years. Whether I'm reliable or not, you can find out by asking around. We earn money with a clear conscience and we earn a good reputation."

Ye Bingwen lowered his head and thought for a moment.

"Boss Tao, you saw what I wanted just now. You should know what I need, right?"

Seeing that things were looking promising, Boss Tao took Ye and Chen to a small restaurant opposite the electromechanical company. He very enthusiastically ordered a pot of tea and poured a cup for each of them.

"Director Ye, to be honest, I currently have no inventory, but I have some news that I wonder if you might be interested, brother?"

"you say."

"Have you heard of the large state-owned factory in the provincial capital called Hongxing Machinery General Factory?"

Ye Bingwen nodded.

"Hongxing Factory stopped production this spring. It was heavily in debt and is selling equipment to pay off its debts. One of its equipment was a joint venture hydraulic press with a capacity of 300 tons, which had only been in use for a little over a year."

Chen An interjected, "Since it's a good machine, why sell it?"

Boss Tao counted on his fingers and said, "First, the Red Star Factory is out of money and its assets will be auctioned off by creditors to pay off debts. That machine is still worth some money. Second, that machine was introduced through a joint venture. It is complicated to operate. The master craftsman retired and went back to his hometown last year. Others don't know how to use it, and no one knows how to repair it when it breaks down. This machine has been sitting there for a year and no one dares to touch it."

66

Chen An and Ye Bingwen exchanged a glance.

"Approximately how much will it cost?"

Boss Tao smiled and said, "A little over ten thousand."

More than ten thousand? The German machine costs twenty-eight hundred thousand, the price difference is huge.

"How did Boss Tao find out about this?"

Mr. Tao said with great enthusiasm, "A friend of mine is doing liquidation at the Hongxing Factory. He came to me about this a few days ago and asked me to help him find a buyer."

Ye Bingwen slowly sipped his tea.

How much is the agency fee?

"Brother, you seem like an honest person. Consider this a gesture of friendship. We don't need the agency fee. If your factory ever needs anything in the future, just let us know."

Ye Bingwen smiled.

"Boss Tao, you really know how to do business."

"Director Ye, I know a principle: slow and steady wins the race."

Even after the meal, Chen An still had some doubts.

"Director Ye, how about second-hand equipment? What if we can't get it working after we buy it?"

"I'll discuss this with Master Li and the others. We'll see what the situation is and ask for their opinions."

Back at the factory, Ye Bingwen called over Master Li and Liu Xiaojun and explained the situation.

Liu Xiaojun's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

"Uncle Ye, this is a 300-ton machine, and it's a joint venture. Our factory's old press only has 80 tons."

"Xiao Jun, don't get excited, this is second-hand."

"What's wrong with it being secondhand? As long as it can work, that's fine. Besides, it's only a little over a year old, so it's practically a new machine. I think it can last at least another twenty years."

Mr. Li sat at the doorway smoking, without saying a word.

Ye Bingwen walked over and squatted down beside him.

"What do you think, Master Li?"

Master Li took a deep drag on his cigarette and threw the butt hard onto the ground.

"Xiao Ye, I'm telling you the truth. The used machine market is very murky. You don't know what's going on until you see it for yourself. It could be a bottomless pit, and repairs could cost more than buying a new machine."

"So you mean...."

"I have to go take a look, but let me be clear from the start, you need to be mentally prepared. If there's really something wrong with that machine, then don't buy it."

"Master Li, what about the third batch of orders?"

"Xiaojun, let me finish. Machines can be repaired if they have problems, but some problems are irreparable, such as broken large parts or cracked castings. If you buy it, it's just a pile of scrap metal."

Ye Bingwen thought for a moment and said, "Tomorrow, Chen An, Master Li, and I will go to the provincial capital together to see if that machine is up to par."

.

"Should I go too?"

"Yes, we'll check it out."

After hesitating for a moment, Mr. Li gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I'll go."

Liu Xiaojun looked at Ye Bingwen pitifully from the side.

"Uncle Ye, can I go too?"

"You can't go. You need to stay at the factory to oversee the production of the second batch of parts, seventy pieces in total. I won't feel at ease if you leave."

Liu Xiaojun said helplessly, "Okay."