The Grandmother in the Siheyuan

Chapter 435 Routine
"I apologize for taking up everyone's time," Liu Hua said modestly. "Regarding our company's collection of high deposits and penalties from Indian businessmen, I believe this is only within the realm of business and should not be subject to public criticism."

A reporter from some metropolitan newspaper raised his microphone high: "Mr. Liu, according to international practice, such a high deposit is not charged in business cooperation. The proportion you have taken is so high that it may even be considered commercial fraud. Therefore, your behavior may very well affect our country's commercial image in the world."

“Stop, I find what you’re saying laughable.” Liu Hua shook his head: “The WTO is an economic organization. It’s not responsible for raising the upper and lower limits of people’s morality. In commercial exchanges, you can talk about whatever conditions you want. As for how much deposit and liquidated damages you want, that’s something we negotiate and agree on. It’s none of anyone else’s business.”

"However, your actions will affect the future international business of other companies in our country."

Liu Hua looked at the man and said coldly, "Please remember your place. You are just a reporter, not a judge. You have no right to make a judgment on me. Whether or not it will affect the business activities of other companies in our country depends solely on whether others want our goods and how much they want."

Liu Hua was, after all, a big boss and a renowned scientist. He held a high position and had long since developed an imposing aura. His cold voice really startled the reporter.

Another reporter asked, "Professor Liu, is there some misunderstanding here? Can you give me a detailed explanation of why you did this? As far as we know, your cooperation with the US and Van Hans has always been quite pleasant. Why is this time different from the norm?"

Liu Hua nodded in satisfaction: "It seems there are some sensible people among you. You've finally gotten to the point. You need to understand the reasons behind things before you can draw a conclusion."

"First of all, I want to tell you that our partner this time is an Indian businessman."

"Aren't all businessmen businessmen? Are you discriminating against them?" the reporter from the morning paper shouted. "All people are born equal. It's not like they're not giving you money. What gives you the right to discriminate against them?"

Liu Hua pointed at him and said, "Shut up! I said I was going to explain the whole story, but you've been shouting. You're not here for an interview; you're here to sow discord. What mission did you take on for USAID?"

The reporter looked bewildered, to which Liu Hua laughed and said, "My mistake. I overestimated you. Someone of your caliber shouldn't even be able to get in touch with USID?"

Although he didn't understand Liu Hua's specific meaning, he knew that Liu Hua was looking down on him. The reporter immediately became furious and pointed at Liu Hua, saying, "You are obstructing press freedom."

“You’ve absolutely chosen the wrong industry,” Liu Hua said with a smile. “From the very beginning of the press conference, you’ve been shouting and yelling. There are hundreds of media outlets here, and you’re the only one making a racket. The thing is, if you were actually conducting an interview, at least the others would get some news material. But as soon as you came in, you started judging and labeling me. Do you still think you’re living in the past?”

The surrounding media personnel glared at the guy. These days, journalists still have a lot of professional ethics. Many of them hope to get to the bottom of the matter, see through the surface, and then write a high-quality article.

Instead of learning from UC's "Shocking News Department," which writes a sensational headline and then explains the literal meaning of the headline in one's native language, calling it news.

You can call this guy bad, but you can't call him stupid. He knew he had angered everyone, so he quietly retreated to the back.

Liu Hua clapped his hands: "Alright, those who are not related feel ashamed, so I can tell you the real reason."

"Our main product at Taiyi Heavy Industry is motorcycle engines," Liu Hua said proudly. "I can say with absolute certainty that our motorcycle engines are world-class. We not only supply Japanese manufacturers, but now even Bombardier, Harley-Davidson, and BMW are purchasing engines from us." "Of course, these companies have their own specific requirements and will make certain demands on the engines. We will also provide them with customized services."

"Mr. Liu, can you get back to the main topic?"

"That's the cause," Liu Hua said with a smile. "Then the consequences began. This businessman from the Third Brother's family came to our company and also requested customized services."

“We naturally welcome this, because customized services are actually more expensive than mass-produced products from ordinary assembly lines.”

"Mr. Liu, is his request for customized services really that outrageous?"

Liu Hua nodded: "Since it's a request for customization, the request will definitely be outrageous, but this third brother's request is outrageous to the extreme."

The reporters were puzzled. What other tricks could you possibly play with a motorcycle engine? You can't exactly say you've customized a motorcycle engine to be used on an airplane, can you?

"They asked us to customize motorcycle engines that, apart from those they use themselves, I think there's probably no other company in the world that can use engines that are compatible with theirs."

One French journalist said, "So you're demanding a high deposit and penalty for breach of contract? If that's the case, it's somewhat understandable, but what you're asking for is far too high."

“That’s certainly not the main reason.” Liu Hua shook his head: “I don’t know if any of you have had experience dealing with Third Brother’s company. I haven’t, but I’ve done some research, and this kind of tactic is something they often use.”

“They often customize highly specialized components, just like this time. No other company can use them except for their own.” Liu Hua clapped his hands: “I think some smart people have already figured out their tricks.”

“Once we finish production, they will voluntarily breach the contract,” Liu Hua said irritably. “If we follow the normal transaction process, they only need to pay a very low price to breach the contract.”

A reporter wearing a name tag that read "Yangtze Evening Post" interjected, "But you've already produced the product, and no other company can use it, so it's stuck with you."

“That’s absolutely right, that’s their usual tactic.” Liu Hua gave a thumbs up: “Because this batch of differentiated products can only be stored in the warehouse, it increases our warehousing costs, so we can only reduce costs by lowering prices.”

At this point, everyone understood the scheme: someone would step forward and buy the parts at an extremely low price.

This is India's scheme.

(End of this chapter)