Siheyuan: I am Banggeng's uncle

Chapter 836 Breaking Through Technological Barriers!
“A state-of-the-art industrial machine tool from America would normally cost at least hundreds of millions of US dollars, but Wu Tianlin only charged us 20 million US dollars. This is practically like he's paying out of his own pocket to help us purchase the equipment. Could there be some kind of scam?” Upon hearing Zhang Jian’s very confident answer, and thinking about the purchase prices of those Western equipment, Vice President Jiang’s previously incredulous face turned suspicious, and he spoke in a very serious tone.

When Zhang Jian heard the concerns raised by Vice President Jiang, and thought about how they cooperated with Wu Tianlin, he smiled and reported to the two bosses: "President Lin! Vice President Jiang! When I first heard Mr. Wu's price, I also felt that there was something fishy about it. It wasn't until I heard Mr. Wu's proposed method of transaction that I realized that Mr. Wu is a patriotic businessman."

When General Manager Lin heard Zhang Jian's price, he also sensed something was amiss. Now, hearing Zhang Jian's report, General Manager Lin immediately became interested and asked Zhang Jian with curiosity, "Zhang! Tell me quickly, how exactly does Mr. Wu plan to trade with us?"

Upon hearing President Lin's inquiry and seeing the curious expressions on the two executives' faces, Zhang Jian, recalling the transaction method proposed by Wu Tianlin, respectfully explained: "President Lin! Vice President Jiang! According to the transaction method proposed by Mr. Wu, after this batch of equipment arrives in our country, we only need to pay half of the cost first. After Mr. Wu's people have trained the technicians for the control equipment, we will settle the remaining cost."

"Of course, that's not the key point. The most important thing is that Mr. Wu also plans to help us train maintenance personnel for industrial machine tools. The people in charge of training will arrive in Beijing before the equipment is shipped to China. However, we will be responsible for arranging the meals and accommodation for these trainees."

"What! Xiao Zhang! What did you say? Mr. Wu will not only train our technicians to operate the industrial machine tools, but also train our maintenance personnel to repair them. Is that true?" General Manager Lin, who was used to seeing the world, was finally a little flustered when he heard the news from Zhang Jian. He stood up from the sofa and asked Zhang Jian to confirm the news with a serious expression.

Upon hearing President Lin's question and seeing his earnest expression, Zhang Jian nodded firmly and replied respectfully, "President Lin, this is absolutely true. However, Mr. Wu has only given us ten spots."

"Old Lin! If this is true, then we can take the opportunity to learn maintenance techniques, master the technology and related parameters of industrial machine tools, and then reverse engineer them to develop our own domestic industrial machine tools." Vice President Jiang, who was also incredulous, was delighted to hear Zhang Jian's very affirmative answer and, realizing the key to this, reminded President Lin.

As the head of the industrial sector, President Lin knew better than anyone that Western countries had always maintained technical trade barriers against China, especially for technologies and equipment that were crucial to China's industrial development, which they restricted and prohibited from export.

Wu Tianlin not only paid out of his own pocket to help them purchase the most advanced industrial machine tools from the United States, but also promised to teach them maintenance techniques. This was tantamount to indirectly revealing the manufacturing technology of industrial machine tools to them, which was undoubtedly a great thing for China.

Thinking of this, General Manager Lin asked Zhang Jian with great excitement, "Xiao Zhang! Has Mr. Wu made any specific requests regarding the training of operators and maintenance personnel?"

Upon hearing Mr. Lin's inquiry, Zhang Jian immediately reported to him: "According to Mr. Wu's requirements, the technicians who operate the industrial machine tool must first have a certain level of education, and in addition, they must have at least five years of experience working with CNC machine tools. As for the maintenance personnel who learn to repair the industrial machine tool, they must first have many years of experience in repairing mechanical equipment. The rest is up to us to take care of the food and accommodation for the trainees."

Upon hearing Zhang Jian's report, General Manager Lin immediately said to Vice General Manager Jiang, "Old Jiang! It seems we must convene a team meeting immediately to discuss this matter thoroughly and see if we can come up with a proper solution." Vice General Manager Jiang nodded in agreement, replying, "Old Lin! You're right. Arranging for personnel to learn the technology of repairing industrial machine tools is a rare opportunity for us, and we must treat this issue seriously and cautiously."

"Dingling! Dingling! Dingling!"

Around 5 p.m., when the steel rolling mill's loudspeaker played the song announcing the end of the workday, Jia Dongming packed up his things and prepared to go home. Just as he picked up his briefcase and was about to leave the office, the telephone on his desk suddenly rang.

Hearing the phone ring, Jia Dongming reached for it on his desk and politely asked, "Hello! This is Jia Dongming. Who is this?"

"Director Jia! This is Li Huaide! The procurement of equipment for the ministry has been finalized with Mr. Wu. Director Zhang asked me to convey his gratitude to you, and he also said that after he completes this procurement task, he will treat you to dinner at Taifeng Restaurant to express his thanks." As soon as Jia Dongming finished asking the question, Li Huaide's extremely excited reply came from the phone.

Jia Dongming was fully aware of the cooperation plan discussed between Wu Tianlin and Zhang Jian, because everything Wu Tianlin did was at Wu Tianlin's behest. When Jia Dongming heard Li Huaide tell him about the news on the phone, he pretended to be curious and asked Li Huaide, "Director Li! How did you discuss it with Old Wu?"

Upon hearing Jia Dongming's question, Li Huaide, without suspicion, quickly gave Jia Dongming a detailed explanation of the cooperation plan they had discussed with Wu Tianlin.

Upon hearing Li Huaide's explanation, Jia Dongming exclaimed in a shocked tone, "Director Li! I've heard that equipment manufactured in Western countries costs a lot of money. Equipment like industrial machine tools are worth at least hundreds of millions of US dollars. Yet Old Wu only charged us 20 million and even took charge of training the technical personnel. He's practically subsidizing our country's industrial development!"

Hearing Jia Dongming's words, Li Huaide nodded in agreement and said with a smile, "Director Jia! The reason Mr. Wu sold the equipment to us at such a low price is not only to support our country's industrial development, but also because of you. If this procurement plan is successful, not only will I have the opportunity to advance further, but I believe you should also be able to advance further."

Jia Dongming didn't have much of an ambition for officialdom; otherwise, he wouldn't have stayed in the security department of the steel rolling mill. Hearing Li Huaide's words and sensing Li Huaide's excitement, Jia Dongming replied humbly, "Director Li! I'm just helping you make a connection; everything else has nothing to do with me."

(End of this chapter)