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

Chapter 164 Bringing Back a Foreign Goddess (Part 1)

When Ye Bingwen returned home that evening, Zheng Shuyun was drying An'an's hair.

"Zheng Shuyun, I'm going to the provincial capital tomorrow."

"How many days will you be gone?"

"Two days, three days at most."

"Will the loan be enough?"

"That's enough. If the machine really costs 10,000 yuan, then with shipping, installation, and factory expansion, it will cost a maximum of 30,000 yuan."

Zheng Shuyun tied An'an's hair up.

"Then go ahead."

Ye Bingwen patted An'an's little head: "An'an, you have to listen to your mother while Daddy is away these two days."

An'an looked up at Ye Bingwen.

"Where is Daddy going?"

"Dad is going to the provincial capital to buy a machine."

"What kind of machine is it?"

"It's a very, very big machine."

An An thought for a moment.

Is it bigger than Grandpa Li's?

"It's even bigger than Grandpa Li's."

An An nodded and went to play with the little panda.

Zheng Shuyun put the towel down.

"Bingwen".

"what?"

"I don't know much about machines, but if it's necessary, just spend the money; don't be stingy."

Ye Bingwen nodded.

"Um.

"6

Ye Bingwen tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep, pondering how to negotiate in the provincial capital the next day, and what the hydraulic press was all about.

At six o'clock in the morning, Ye Bingwen and two others arrived at the train station and set off for the provincial capital.

They arrived in the provincial capital at noon.

The factory that Boss Tao mentioned is in the suburbs.

After getting off the train, Ye Bingwen and his two companions took another bus before finally arriving at the factory.

They arrived at 2 p.m.

Upon arriving at the factory gate, the first thing that catches the eye is the old and dilapidated gate of the Hongxing Factory.

The large red characters of the Red Star Machinery Factory have faded and turned pink and white.

Not to mention the factory area, which is even more desolate.

There were only a few workers smoking in the factory area, and they ignored Ye Bingwen and his two companions when they entered.

Chen An frowned and said, "This factory is even worse than ours."

"Let's leave it here then, otherwise we'll be left picking up the scraps."

Ye Bingwen then went to the liquidation team's office.

The head of the liquidation team did not show any particular enthusiasm when Ye Bingwen and his two companions entered.

"Which one of you is Director Ye?"

"I am."

"Taozi told me you wanted to see that press, right?"

"right."

Director Sun took out the key.

"Come on, I'll show you around."

When Ye Bingwen arrived at the workshop, the windows were broken, indicating that no one had been there for a long time.

In the center of the workshop is a press covered with a huge canvas and tied with ropes, which looks quite spectacular from a distance.

Director Sun walked over, untied the rope, and forcefully lifted the canvas.

When Ye Bingwen saw the press, he realized it was much larger than he had imagined.

The press has a dark gray body with some foreign language markings. The control panel is located on the front left side of the machine and is covered with a dense array of buttons and dials, giving it a high-tech feel.

There is a large worktable under the machine, with many smooth guide rails on it.

After walking around the machine once, Mr. Li squatted down and looked at the bottom of the machine.

"Xiao Ye, come here for a second."

Ye Bingwen walked over and squatted down as well.

"Take a look at this."

Ye Bingwen looked in the direction that Master Li pointed out.

"It is cast as a whole without any welds. Only foreign countries can achieve this kind of technology."

Chen An also went over to take a look.

"So, is this machine manufactured through a joint venture?"

"Yes, it's a joint venture."

After standing up, Mr. Li walked to the control panel.

"Xiao Ye, can you read the words on this panel?"

Ye Bingwen shook his head.

"I don't quite understand either."

Chen An leaned closer to take a look.

"It's in German, and it's the same as the one on the analyzer in our lab."

Director Sun offered an explanation from the side.

"This was imported from West Germany in 1989. We invested 1.8 million yuan in it and used it for a little over a year before we stopped using it."

Ye Bingwen asked, "Why aren't you using it anymore?"

"The production schedule for the past two years has not been full. This machine is too heavy to handle small jobs, and there are no orders for large jobs, so it's been idle."

"Is it still usable?"

Director Sun shook his head.

"I don't know either. I haven't used it since the last time I turned it on last spring."

Mr. Li walked behind the machine and looked at the motor and hydraulic lines.

There was no oil leak in the water pipes, and the sealing rings were in good condition.

He tapped the machine a few times with his hand.

The sound was solid, without any hollowness or excessive vibration.

Ye Bingwen asked, "Master Li, what do you think?"

"I can't see any problem, but we can't rule out the possibility of other issues inside. We'll only know if we turn it on and try it."

The person next to Director Sun said somewhat awkwardly, "The power-on test will be quite troublesome. We'll need to hire an electrician to connect the wires. The power supply to our workshop here has already been cut off."

Ye Bingwen was making plans in his mind.

"Director Sun, how much does this machine cost?"

Director Sun touched his chin with his hand.

"The higher-ups mean it has to sell for at least 30,000."

"Thirty thousand?"

Chen An's eyes widened in surprise; he hadn't expected this price.

"Boss Tao said it would be done for 10,000, but now he's asking for 30,000. It's not what he said."

After thinking for a moment, Ye Bingwen said, "Director Sun, let's go outside and talk."

"Can."

The four people walked out of the workshop and came to an old elm tree in the middle of the yard.

Ye Bingwen offered Director Sun a cigarette.

"Director Sun, let's get straight to the point. This machine has been idle for a year. If it can't be sold soon, it will have to be scrapped by this time next year."

"Our factory happens to need this machine, but we can't afford the price of 30,000 yuan. You said the 30,000 yuan price is at the behest of higher authorities, so can you provide a more reasonable price?"

Director Sun, smoking a cigarette, said, "Director Ye, you don't need to make things difficult for me. I'm just a gofer."

"Let's be frank, what's your bottom line?"

Director Sun hesitated and remained undecided.

"Twenty-eight thousand."

Ye Bingwen shook his head.

"Director Sun, we still can't afford 28,000."

"So how much are you going to give?"

"Twelve thousand."

Director Sun's eyes nearly popped out when he heard the number.

"Director Ye, are you joking? This machine cost 180 million back then."

"Director Sun, can things be the same back then as they are now? If you leave this out for another year, nobody will want it."

Ye Bingwen took out a copy of Engineer Sun's contract from his bag and gave it to the other party.

"Director Sun, please take a look at this."

Director Sun took it and looked at it again.

"A contract from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense?"

"Yes, our factory is currently working on national military projects. This machine will be used for national missions after we buy it."

Director Sun read the red document again.

"Director Ye, this is..."

"Our factory is currently working on a national military project, and all the negotiations have already been completed."

Master Li said from the side.

"Director Sun, if you don't believe me, we can call Engineer Sun from the Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense right away, and he can testify for you."

Director Sun waved his hand.

"No need, no need, official documents don't lie."

"Director Ye, I need to report this matter to the leaders of our liquidation team."

"Then go and report it. We'll wait."

Director Sun left with a copy of the contract.

Mr. Li was smoking under the shade of a tree.

"Xiao Ye, that's a brilliant move."

Chen An whispered from the side, "Director Ye, do you think it's possible to lower the price?"

"I don't know, but it will definitely be lower than this price."

After some time, Director Sun returned.

"Director Ye, I have already reported to the leadership. Since your factory is undertaking a national task, we can sell you this machine at a lower price. The lowest price is 18,000 yuan."

Ye Bingwen thought to himself that 18,000 was still acceptable.