Siheyuan: I am a trader in both worlds!

"You want to set up a factory? Of course, no problem at all. Not only no problem, we've been looking forward to this day for ages, just waiting for you to open your mouth! But what the hell are motorcycle factories, tricycle factories, and van factories?"

"What the hell? Don't you know what a minivan is? The one Wuling makes, like the Wuling Hongguang and Wuling Rongguang."

"Of course I know about minivans, and I know about the Wuling minivan. But haven't you always only liked high-end sports cars? You felt that only those were worthy of your status. Why are you getting into minivans now? And what's with that three-wheeled vehicle? Why are three-wheeled vehicles even appearing?"

Bai Ling was genuinely bewildered by Ximen Lang's drastic, almost 180-degree turn.

"We were all expecting it to be the top sedan in Beijing, one of the world's leading luxury brands. We were incredibly excited, absolutely thrilled. And then, bam, it's completely wrecked. We waited so long, and all we got was a three-wheeled motorcycle. Is this fair? It doesn't do justice to your status, Brother Lang!"

Of course, Ximen Lang knew that three-wheeled motorcycles and minivans were not worthy of his status as Brother Lang, and he didn't want to lower his image by getting involved with something as ridiculous as a three-wheeled motorcycle.

"But can you blame me? I do want to build supercars, like Apollo, Son of the Wind, Venom, Valkyrie, I want to build them all! What? Not only are the names and designs ready-made, but I've also figured out the best way to maximize the profits."

"Look at me, I'll first use engines far ahead of this era to make a few cuts, and once I've used up most of the engines, I'll upgrade the interior. Regardless of whether it's useful or not, practical or not, I'll install everything that can be installed! Relying on the interior, which this era doesn't pay much attention to, I can make another big cut!"

"Then there's this carbon fiber. This stuff is incredible. It's 10 times stronger than steel, but only a quarter of the weight! Not only is it heat-resistant, but its production is also extremely limited! Even though production has increased dramatically in recent years with advancements in manufacturing technology, we can still use our technological advantage to create a monopoly! We can artificially control production, create the illusion of extreme scarcity, and engage in hunger marketing!"

"After a few more harvests, when the harvest is almost complete, others outside will follow suit and go to great lengths to steal almost everything they can. By then, our high-end brand image will be established. At that point, I can make a fortune just by selling the brand! A very respectable way to make a fortune! The kind of fortune that will be sought after by the world's top billionaires!"

It was the same familiar and highly effective method of exploiting people, which made Bai Ling's breathing immediately quicken.

He quickly opened his mouth and said.

"Then you do it!"

Bai Ling became anxious again.

Ximen Lang was speechless.

"What's the rush? Can't you let me finish what I have to say?"

He gestured to Bai Ling once again to calm down and not be blinded by these benefits.

Ximen Lang said helplessly.

“I did intend to do that, but we simply don’t have the right environment for it here. How am I supposed to do this? Like that new U9 I bought for you, you liked it, didn’t you? So why don’t you drive it? Is it because you don’t like it?”

With just one sentence, Bai Ling was completely silenced.

This silently reveals the fact that the road conditions in Beijing are too harsh, making it impossible for supercars to survive.

Before Bai Ling could even bring up the fact that the city of Beijing was undergoing vigorous development and construction and that a highway network would soon be built, she used this as a counter-argument.

As if he could read Bai Ling's mind, Ximen Lang spoke first.

"Don't bring up the highway network, because that's never the point. The key point is, we simply don't have that many rich people here! Whether it's a supercar or a luxury sedan, they all cost a fortune!"

"In this field, even if you spend a million or a hundred thousand, you'll only be getting started. Those top-tier sports cars I mentioned earlier that I'm using as a reference, any one of them costs at least tens of millions!"

Even considering that the currency here is more valuable and harder to spend, you can't even think about buying it without tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands or millions! A basic model costs tens of thousands, who can afford that?!

After saying that, Bai Ling suddenly pulled out a whole stack of black 10s from somewhere, which seemed to give off a strong sense of déjà vu.

Ximen Lang snatched the big black ten away with a backhand and threw it far away while saying irritably.

"As my wife, of course you can afford it! But besides you, who else can afford it? The two of them?"

As they were talking, their fingers had just pointed at Lao Luo and Hao Pingchuan.

The next second, as if seeing a bone being thrown out, Hao Pingchuan darted out in one step.

In no time at all, he brought the money back as if it were a precious treasure.

Bai Ling and Ximen Lang were speechless.

"Let's speak with facts," Simon Lang said, shrugging.

"Look at this, even a high-ranking official like Lao Hao, whose monthly salary is just over a hundred yuan, is like this! Even if these supercars and luxury cars are built, who are you going to sell them to? Who else can you sell them to? Those old-fashioned remnants who have long since fallen from grace?"

"Don't be ridiculous. These spoiled brats have already squandered most of the meager possessions passed down from their ancestors! If you're relying on them, you'll starve to death without even knowing how!"

"Or are you planning to let someone like Lou Bancheng buy it? How many Lou Banchengs do we have? In this day and age, do you think they would dare to buy this thing so openly? They probably wouldn't, and it's not realistic."

Several rhetorical questions left Bai Ling speechless, unable to utter a single rebuttal.

Ximen Lang affirmed.

"So, let's start with practical vehicles like three-wheeled motorcycles and minivans, and gradually build up our wealth. Let them use these practical vehicles, which can be directly used as means of production and tools, to earn some money first."

"Whether they're setting up stalls in the alleys or trading goods across the country, let them earn their first pot of gold first, then gradually accumulate small amounts into large sums. When they feel this thing is no longer worthy of their status, forget their roots, and want to maintain a respectable image, then we'll start harvesting them one batch at a time, beginning with the Santana!"

Although the words weren't pleasant to hear, that's really how things really are.

Why is the Wuling Hongguang so popular among the Chinese people and considered a legendary car?
It's not just because this thing has a simple structure and doesn't have many electronic devices; it's truly robust and durable.

Another very important reason is that a considerable number of families have gradually escaped poverty and moved towards a better life thanks to the Wuling Hongguang.

In short, it can be used as a production tool.

Its practicality and applicability are truly fantastic!
"Perfect timing! With more and more people in our area pursuing a respectable lifestyle, the sales of Wuling Hongguang and Wuling Rongguang are becoming increasingly sluggish. In that case, let's just move them here!"

"And this amazing motorcycle that can climb hills and go to the countryside, and this three-wheeled vehicle that can carry both goods and people, we'll bring them all over here!"

"We'll go straight to growing alongside our people! We'll make whatever our people need! Once that impression is deeply ingrained, and the image of luxury goods is established with one groundbreaking product after another, then we'll be awesome!"

"When the time comes, whether it's 'Don't Touch Me' or some other weird monsters, they'll all have to watch their noses at us! No matter what good things happen, we'll be the first to get our share! The rest will be left to them!"

In the then-primitive world of Beijing, this idea was absolutely ahead of its time, and equally despicable!

Especially for the simple and unpretentious Gu Zidi!
It's no exaggeration to say that his fist clenched the moment he heard Ximen Lang's words! Indeed, the many good deeds Ximen Lang had done had proven that he was truly a good person.

He was not only a good person, but also a benefactor to him and the entire Ninth Company!
Otherwise, just based on what Ximen Lang just said, Gu Zidi would definitely give him a good beating!
It's not impossible that they might even hang him directly on a street lamp!
Naturally, the gaze directed at Ximen Lang became increasingly hostile.

This really angered Ximen Lang.

Seeing that Gu Zidi's eyes were the same as Bai Ling and Lao Luo's before he was infected, this kid was definitely thinking about how to hang himself on a street lamp!

Ximen Lang couldn't bear it at that moment.

"What kind of look is that? I just helped the Ninth Company clear their name and reclaim the honor that was rightfully theirs. I did you such a big favor, and you turn around and look at me like that! Are you kidding me?!"

These words immediately made Gu Zidi's stubborn temper flare up.

While shouting
"These two things should be kept separate and not confused!"

On one hand, he was willing to chop off his own arm, or even cut off his own head, to repay Ximen Lang's kindness.

Seeing that the situation was about to spiral out of control, Zhao Erdou, who was clearly much smarter than Gu Zidi, stepped forward.

Before Lao Luo and Bai Ling, who were frowning, could get angry, they directly pinned down Gu Zidi, who was about to lose his temper.

He hurriedly apologized to Ximen Lang.

"Brother Lang, this guy is stubborn and slow-witted. Please don't take it personally! Let me explain things to him. Once I've explained, he'll definitely come over to apologize to you later!"

He quickly pulled Gu Zidi aside and began to explain to him in a string of words.

The result, of course, was immediate.

Before long, Gu Zidi was persuaded by Zhao Erdou and obediently came over to apologize to Ximen Lang.

This truly broadened Ximen Lang's horizons.

It's clear that Zhao Erdou really has a knack for persuading people; he can even calm down such a stubborn mule, and do so so quickly.

Ximen Lang quickly inquired further, asking how he had managed to persuade Gu Zidi, that stubborn mule.

After getting to know him, I found that he not only fully understood my profound meaning, but also explained it to Gu Zidi in a simple and easy-to-understand way, and his explanation was very thorough.

Seeing that Zhao Erdou was indeed a talented person, especially after he learned that the young man was also a college student, Ximen Lang immediately developed a fondness for his talent.

"Not bad, you're quite something! You've got a knack for it, really! Hmm, not bad, you're a talent! But wait a minute, I remember you were already a regimental commander back in the War of the Founding of the Nation, right? And an artillery regimental commander at that!"

"Given your current level and your status as a college graduate, your position should have skyrocketed long ago! At the very least, you should have been promoted half a level and given a minor promotion."

"But why are you still stuck at 2.3? What's wrong? Are you feeling underappreciated, or did you make some mistake? Is that why you haven't been moved?"

When it came to making this mistake, Zhao Erdou's face showed a hint of unease, as if he had something hard to say.

Ximen Lang immediately cast an inquiring glance at Lao Luo.

"What happened? Could it be that he actually did something outrageous?"

Upon hearing Ximen Lang's inquiry, Lao Luo, who had already figured everything out, immediately explained the whole story to Ximen Lang.

Simply put, it's still Gu Zidi's fault.

Originally, after the war to establish the nation, based on the merits he made in the war and his academic qualifications, his promotion application was ready, and his superiors valued him highly.

Then, Gu Zidi gave the local comrade who had come to inquire about the situation a sound beating.
Then, his promotion was postponed by his superiors.

Of course, if it were only this, it wouldn't be impossible to salvage the situation.

At most, it will be delayed for a while. With the attention from superiors and his own merits, it will be delayed until the impact subsides, and then the matter will be more or less resolved.

But who told Gu Zidi to mess around at the mine right after?

Zhao Erdou, however, had no choice but to protect him.

As a result of this, his chances of promotion were completely dashed.

Seeing that there was such a hidden story, and that this Zhao Erdou was truly a rare talent who valued loyalty and righteousness.

Without a doubt, this is exactly the kind of good man that Brother Lang likes the most!
Thinking.
With all these reasons in mind, his promotion is definitely out of the question.

Don't even think about it, at least not for the next few years.

"Let's just do it all at once. You and that stubborn mule can both come work for me! He goes to the security department, you go directly to the security office. Hey, you're in charge of this guy, you have to keep him in check, so he doesn't get carried away and do something reckless again!"

Zhao Erdou was already worried about Gu Zidi going to Ximen Lang's place alone, and now he saw that there was such a good thing!

"I'd go through fire and water for you, Brother Lang!"

The man immediately patted his chest and declared his support!

However, his superiors were not happy with his statement.

Why?

If he could be happy about losing his most capable lieutenant, then something really strange would happen!
But who can blame them when the one speaking is Ximen Lang?

That Ximen Lang, whom even Lao Luo had to coax and spoil.

Since he's already spoken, the matter is now a foregone conclusion.

With the assembly call now completely over, the group finally embarked on their journey once more. (End of Chapter)