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

The lobby of the state-run restaurant was not large, with seven or eight round tables covered with white tablecloths.

Today's dishes are written on the blackboard on the wall.

When Ye Bingwen and Wang Guoqiang arrived, Liu Jianguo was already there, sitting by the window.

Wang Guoqiang walked over quickly.

"Section Chief Liu, I'm sorry we're late."

"No, no, I arrived a long time ago."

Liu Jianguo shook hands with Wang Guoqiang, then turned to Ye Bingwen.

"This must be Director Ye. I've heard so much about you."

Ye Bingwen shook hands.

Liu Jianguo is in his forties and slightly overweight.

The three people sat down.

The waiter brought over the menu, which Wang Guoqiang took and ordered several dishes.

Liu Jianguo said from the side, "Keep it simple, keep it simple," and Wang Guoqiang smiled and said, "Just these few."

Before the dishes were served, the three of them chatted for a few minutes.

Liu Jianguo inquired about the progress of the new factory, and Ye Bingwen gave a brief explanation.

He then asked about composite materials, and Ye Bingwen didn't hide anything, explaining the situation of Professor Cai and Chen An.

"Director Ye is young and promising."

He picked up his teacup and took a sip.

"I've worked in a steel rolling mill for fifteen years and seen many factory owners, but you're the first one who's run a factory while studying."

"Section Chief Liu, you flatter me. I just want to get some real work done."

The dishes were served, and the three of them ate and chatted.

Wang Guoqiang started by asking about the steel supply.

"Section Chief Liu, you called us the other day to ask about the steel. Is there any news?"

Liu Jianguo put down his chopsticks and thought for a moment.

"Section Chief Wang, to be honest with you, someone put in a good word for me. As for who it was, you know without me saying."

"They asked us to temporarily suspend the supply under the pretext of 'equipment maintenance'."

He paused.

"However, as you know, our Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill has been cooperating with you for over a year and has never stopped supplying you."

"There was no other way this time; it was pressured down from above."

Ye Bingwen put down his chopsticks.

"Section Chief Liu, I have a question. When will your 'equipment overhaul' be completed?"

Liu Jianguo glanced at him.

"Director Ye, that's a smart question."

He picked up the teacup and then put it down again.

"To be honest, our equipment doesn't need maintenance. The so-called maintenance is just a pretext. We can't ignore what they've told us."

"But we can't keep doing 'maintenance' forever, after all, we also need to do business."

"So, what Section Chief Liu means is—"

"What I mean is, let's continue our cooperation once this storm passes. Don't you have another order to fulfill this month?"

"Yes. One hundred and fifty pieces, to be delivered by the end of the month."

"Is there enough steel?"

"That's enough. The inventory is just right."

Ye Bingwen said.

"But it's hard to say about next month's orders."

Liu Jianguo remained silent for a few seconds.

"Director Ye, I don't like beating around the bush. To be frank—your competitor has considerable influence."

"But not everyone is willing to go with him. Our Hongxing factory is unwilling, Jianhua is unwilling, and Xiangyang is even less willing."

"But they've already asked, so we have to give them face. Once we do, the matter is over. Do you understand what I mean?"

Ye Bingwen understood.

Ma Li made the call, and the steel mill had no choice but to comply.

But the steel mill was unwilling to truly offend Ye Bingwen—after all, Ye Bingwen was a long-term customer.

As long as we give the steel mills enough face, the supply will naturally recover once this storm passes.

"Section Chief Liu, let me toast you."

Ye Bingwen picked up his wine glass.

Liu Jianguo also picked up his cup and clinked it against his.

"Director Ye, if you succeed in getting that composite material project done, steel won't be so important."

"I've heard that composite materials are lighter than steel, but just as strong, is that true?"

"Yes. But the composite material is still in the trial production stage and there is still a long way to go before mass production."

"No rush. You have two paths to choose from, so you don't have to worry about others blocking you."

Liu Jianguo put down his wine glass.

"Director Ye, let me be frank with you—you've offended some people."

"But you haven't just offended one person, you've offended an entire circle. As long as that circle doesn't disintegrate, things will be difficult for you."

"I know."

"Just knowing is enough."

Liu Jianguo picked up his chopsticks again.

"Let's eat, the food's getting cold."

After finishing their meal, Wang Guoqiang paid the bill, and the three parted ways at the restaurant entrance.

As Liu Jianguo was leaving, he said, "Let's get together another day."

Ye Bingwen and Wang Guoqiang walked back.

"Director Ye, do you think Section Chief Liu's words are credible?"

Wang Guoqiang asked.

"Believable."

Ye Bingwen lit a cigarette.

"He has no reason to lie to us. If he wanted to help Ma Li, he wouldn't have come out to eat today."

"His coming out to eat was a way of sending us a message—'I can't help it, but I know what's going on, so don't blame me.'"

"Can the steel issue be resolved at all?"

"Yes, but not now."

Ye Bingwen took a drag of his cigarette.

"Once the composite material is made, the steel issue will no longer be a problem. At that time, it won't be us begging them, but them begging us."

By the time I got back to the factory, it was completely dark.

Ye Bingwen sat in his office for a while, organizing the conversation from the day.

There are several key pieces of information in Liu Jianguo's words:

First, Ma Li did indeed make the arrangements;

Second, steel mills do not want to actually cut off supplies;

Third, once the storm passes, the supply will naturally recover.

This is enough.

He didn't necessarily want to fight the steel mill to the death.

What he needs is time—enough time to develop the composite material, build the new factory, and fill the order book.

He closed his notebook, stood up, and prepared to leave.

Just as I reached the door, my pager vibrated.

He looked down and saw that it was Liu Yongqiang from the old factory in the countryside calling.

Ye Bingwen returned the message.

"Yongqiang, what's up?"

"Bingwen, I've sorted out the inventory at the factory in the countryside. We have enough steel for a while, but we're almost done with the orders."

Have you arranged the orders for next month yet?

"It's all arranged. You finish what you're doing now, and I'll let you know once I've arranged next month's orders."

"Okay. There's one more thing."

Liu Yongqiang paused.

"Recently, someone came to the village to inquire about you."

Ye Bingwen's heart tightened.

"What do you want to know?"

"They inquired about your past. They also asked about your spouse."

Ye Bingwen remained silent for a moment.

"Who is it?"

"I don't know them. There were three of them, driving a black sedan. They said they were from the province, but they didn't show any work IDs. The villagers didn't ask any more questions."

"Next time they come, have someone follow them and see where they go."

"understood."

After hanging up the phone, Ye Bingwen stood in his office and finished a whole cigarette.

Ma Li not only took action at the provincial level, but also extended his reach to the countryside.

Inquiring about his past, inquiring about Zheng Shuyun's situation—what does this mean?

It's not technological suppression, nor is it a supply chain blockade.

This is the way to throw dirty water on someone.