Nothing goes smoothly, and business is no exception.
On the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, with only one day left until the New Year, Tan Jincheng didn't expect anyone to still schedule a business meeting with him.
Since they were in such a hurry, Tan Jincheng originally imagined a very harmonious scene, but once he arrived, he truly experienced the arrogance and prejudice of certain people.
Li Shiqi and a leader from the automobile manufacturing plant, named Xu Xueming, accompanied him.
Tan Jincheng hadn't figured out what his rank was, but he knew Li Shiqi.
Although Tan Lihua wasn't keen on promotions, he would still visit his direct superiors during holidays and festivals, occasionally taking Tan Jincheng along to gain experience.
Over time, Tan Jincheng had met Li Shiqi a few times.
The meeting place agreed upon by both parties was a teahouse.
Tan Jincheng came alone; Tan Lihua originally intended to accompany him, but Tan Jincheng felt it wasn't necessary.
For business matters, it was fine for his father to make connections and bridge gaps.
However, it was better for him to participate as little as possible in specific business negotiations, as the bargaining process was often rather unpleasant.
It was best for someone like Tan Lihua, who had never experienced this and had spent his entire life in a technical role at a state-owned enterprise, to stay out of it.
"Uncle Li, Happy New Year!"
As soon as he entered, Tan Jincheng naturally greeted Li Shiqi.
"Oh, little Tan, you're quite something now! Come, let me introduce you. This is Xu Xueming, the general manager of the automobile factory. Your dad told you about him, right?"
Li Shiqi said cheerfully.
Tan Jincheng had practically grown up under Li Shiqi's watchful eye.
He had heard since childhood that the old Tan family had a very handsome boy, and later heard that he did well in school.
He was supposed to follow the footsteps of most good students, going to university step by step.
Who would have thought that an accident after high school graduation would cause such a dramatic change in his life path, and he also didn't expect this young man to be so capable.
Tan Jincheng extended his hand and said,
"Yes, he did. Hello, Manager Xu, I'm Tan Jincheng."
"Mr. Tan, you are young and accomplished, achieving so much at such a young age. Please have a seat,"
Xu Xueming likewise extended his hand and smiled.
"Not at all, it's because of Guo Jia's good policies. We just happened to catch a good time."
"How's that kid from old Zhang's family doing now? I remember you two were always inseparable,"
Li Shiqi inquired.
"He's also in Yongcheng. We used to work together, and later partnered to do some business. Currently, we still have a joint company."
Li Shiqi sighed,
"You really are good friends. So, Shanchi Technology?"
"Shanchi Technology has nothing to do with him. We partnered on other businesses, not directly related to Shanchi Technology. Initially, the money earned from that company made me think of setting up a factory, and then came the current Shanchi Technology."
"So that's how it is. Then both of you can be considered young and accomplished. Two young men, without much help outside, it's not easy to have developed to this point."
A period of casual chat, mainly Li Shiqi and Tan Jincheng "reminiscing."
On one hand, Li Shiqi was interested in Tan Jincheng's entrepreneurial journey, and on the other hand, he wanted to subtly make a point to Xu Xueming, to give him a more comprehensive understanding of Tan Jincheng, so he wouldn't be as arrogant as he was on the phone yesterday.
The three chatted for about half an hour.
Tan Jincheng had drunk a bellyful of tea and was getting a bit impatient; the topics of conversation were too unnutritious.
"Mr. Xu, I heard your company intends to transfer ownership?"
Xu Xueming smiled and said,
"Yes, that's the intention. Poor management, I'm truly ashamed. Little Tan, your business is doing so well, I wonder if you have any pointers?"
Tan Jincheng raised an eyebrow,
"I wouldn't say 'pointers.' Besides, electric scooters are much simpler than cars. I wouldn't dare to speak carelessly about things in different industries."
Li Shiqi sighed inwardly.
It seemed the past half hour of chatting was in vain.
Indeed, some ingrained arrogance and prejudice couldn't be changed quickly.
Honestly, the status of petrochemicals in Yicheng was much higher than that of a bankrupt car factory.
Although he wasn't a top leader, managing a department gave him far more say than Xu Xueming.
Taking time out during the New Year to accompany them was already a great courtesy, yet this guy remained as he always was.
Since that was the case, he couldn't be bothered anymore.
"You guys chat among yourselves. I'll talk to the entrusted person later, and I won't need to be involved anymore."
"Don't be a stranger. You've crossed over from the initial garment trade industry to setting up a factory, so I believe you have some insights. Tell me what you think."
"We are a private enterprise, our nature is different. Asking me about this is like asking a blind man for directions."
"Then I wonder what little Tan's view on cooperation is?"
"Cooperation? What kind of cooperation?"
Xu Xueming took a sip of water to clear his throat and said,
"I've looked into Shanchi Technology's equity structure. You partnered with the local urban investment company to run a factory. I wonder if we could follow this model to jointly run a factory and try to revitalize the Andaer brand?"
Tan Jincheng was speechless for a moment.
Sure enough, that was their intention.
It seemed the city still didn't want to give up on this brand.
Indeed, the national automobile industry was booming right now, with Wuhu developing very well.
Yicheng, on the other hand, could be said to have started early but arrived late.
Apart from still having production qualifications, it had gained nothing.
"Sorry, our company's current strength does not allow us to build cars, so we don't have such an idea for now. Besides, Wuhu is already doing very well with fuel-powered vehicles, and we probably won't get many preferential policies here. Setting up a factory might also be more trouble than it's worth."
In the fuel-powered vehicle sector, Chery was the clear leader in the province.
There were also brands like Jianghuai, and at worst, BYD's founder was also from Wan Province, so cooperation could be discussed with him for introduction.
There was no need for the province to support a brand like Andaer.
Xu Xueming couldn't possibly not know these things.
To say such words, he was either testing Tan Jincheng or genuinely not taking him seriously, thinking of bluffing his way into cooperation first.
After all, there was a big difference in political achievements between a full transfer of ownership and cooperation.
Xu Xueming nodded and continued to ask,
"Well, since your company currently has no plans for the automobile industry, what is this acquisition for?"
"It's for some industrial layout. Our company is about to launch a battery industry, which might be applied to new energy vehicles in the future. So, we're making some industrial layouts in advance. Also, what we value most is your company's automobile production qualification, that is, the intangible assets."
Cooperation was out of the question, and thus the differences between the two parties were significant.
Tan Jincheng simply got straight to the point:
"I'm interested in your automobile production qualification. If you want to sell it, we can discuss it. As for other things, I'm not interested."
As soon as these words were spoken, Xu Xueming's expression became somewhat displeased.
How could he not know that the most important asset in the factory at the moment was the automobile production qualification?
It was precisely because of this asset that there was some room for negotiation.
If this part were sold separately, what would be left of the factory?
Continue making leaf springs?
Forget it, salaries and pensions couldn't even be paid out.
The differences between the two parties were quite large, so the atmosphere in the tearoom became awkward for a while.
Tan Jincheng's merciless refusal also angered Xu Xueming, who for a moment didn't want to speak again to ease the tension.
Seeing this, Li Shiqi shook his head and smiled bitterly, having to step in to ease the mood:
"Differences are a good thing, aren't they? Isn't that how business negotiations are? With differences, there's room for negotiation. This is the first meeting today; how could a deal be struck in one go, right?"
"Uncle Li is right. When Zhang and I first started our clothing business, we went to talk to people, and several companies kicked us out. Later, we thought of many ways before finally getting in,"
Tan Jincheng also responded with a smile.
Li Shiqi also sighed,
"Yes, our petrochemical factory also had a very difficult start. Nothing ever goes smoothly. Also, it's a good thing that little Tan is currently not interested in the automobile factory; in business, you can't bite off more than you can chew. But you can't just think about the benefits; now that you've achieved success in your career, you should also think about contributing to your hometown."
Li Shiqi was reprimanding both sides.
"You, Xu, shouldn't think of taking on too much. Forget about building a new factory. As for you, young Tan, you can't just take away their most valuable asset without leaving any benefits. You have to give them something."
In fact, Li Shiqi also understood that the automobile factory only had those intangible assets.
Anyone who came would only be willing to accept that part.
Tan Jincheng's idea was understandable, but he couldn't say it aloud; he needed some awareness.
Tan Jincheng nodded and said,
"I understand. Although our company is interested in the intangible assets part, specific matters can also be specifically analyzed. We can discuss this later. If Mr. Xu has any ideas, come up with a plan after the New Year, and we can discuss it then, how about that?"
Xu Xueming's expression improved somewhat.
In fact, he also knew that it was impossible for anyone to want to cooperate with them; even brother enterprises only agreed to acquisitions.
However, the young man's unhesitating refusal made him feel a bit embarrassed.
No matter what,
"I am also the general manager of the automobile factory, and I am in your father's generation in terms of age. You could at least speak a little more gently."
"No problem, then let's come up with a specific plan to discuss after the New Year,"
Xu Xueming nodded.
Li Shiqi also breathed a sigh of relief and said,
"That's right. Today was just an initial contact. How could cooperation be reached so quickly? There are still many things to approve later. Little Tan, you also need to understand old Xu; it's not easy for him either."
"Mm, I understand. Mr. Xu is also thinking about the local economy and the factory workers,"
Tan Jincheng replied perfunctorily.
In fact, he inwardly scoffed at Li Shiqi's statement.
"MD, when I talk business with Beicang District ZF and research institutes, as long as they have an intention to cooperate, they aren't as absurd as you guys."
"Coming up immediately with such an outrageous demand, who the hell wants to play with you?"
"Forget it, let Zhang Xuhui talk next time. I can't be bothered with such people. If it's a major cooperation, he's not qualified enough."
(End of Chapter)