Return to Hong Kong Island for a Century

Chapter 328 Reminder (5000+ words)

"Then thank you very much, Mr. Li." Ma Shengli also knew how high Li Song's future income would be, and foreign exchange was the key right now.

Foreign exchange is an indispensable part of international trade because other countries do not recognize your own currency.

You need foreign exchange to do business with others and to buy foreign goods.

Without foreign exchange, you're like a cake on the table; others can set the price of your goods however they want.

"You're welcome. Anyway, we don't plan to take the money we earn abroad." Li Song smiled slightly.

While Ma Shengli went to report on his work, Li Song took a stroll around the outboard motor manufacturing plant next door. There were two other outboard motor manufacturers in China, and the sales of outboard motors were constantly increasing, continuously squeezing the market share of Xiaomi and Amer.

The small notebook signed a cooperation agreement with the third boss to establish an outboard motor manufacturing plant on the third boss's side.

Li Song wasn't too worried about this. The internal conflicts within the third-in-command were too great. On one hand, there was government corruption, and on the other hand, there was the caste system.

The good days of the third-in-command in recent years have been built on agricultural exports, with exported beef and rice holding a large share of the international market.

The main problem was that the land in the country was still in the hands of landlords, and the tenants had no say in either politics or economics.

Of course, there is another drawback to land ownership: if the government wants to do something, such as building a new railway or highway, it simply cannot be done.

If someone offers money for demolition, that's all that matters. As long as enough money is offered, why wouldn't those landlords allow it?

Yes, landlords will not give up their land.

Because landlords need the votes from their tenants. For example, the village chief of a village is elected by the people in that village, and landlord A owns 60% of the land in that village.

Landlord A can then have the tenants who rent his land vote for him, and then his descendants will all be village chiefs.

Once landlord A's land is expropriated, the land area might be smaller than landlord B's, resulting in fewer tenants. In the next election, A will not be able to become the village chief.

Therefore, under the third-in-command, no landlord was willing to give up their land, which meant reducing their political influence.

As long as there is enough land and enough tenants, one can become a village chief, town mayor, city mayor, or even a police chief.

Moreover, these landlords became officers in the army and could send their tenants to serve as soldiers. However, it was agreed that half of their wages would be handed over to the landlords before they could join the army. Their food allowance would be further reduced, and the number of tenants they had would be the number of people they earned money from.

Therefore, the most fundamental issue for the third-in-command is land. Developing industry inevitably requires occupying land resources. Factories, electricity, transportation, logistics, warehouses, and so on all require land.

As for the benefits of industrialization, it's that those damned factory owners stole their tenants and their votes.

The conflict over the third leader is irreconcilable unless everything is overturned and started afresh, but that's impossible.

Therefore, Li Song is not worried about the third leader at all. Those who enter the third leader market will have their day.

The way to deal with the third leader is to let him do whatever he wants.

Xiao Benzi was already rushing to invest in other factories before even starting production at the third boss's motorcycle factory.

The main reason was that we were forced into a corner. The cost of the small notebook was too high, and the product was incomparable to BMW outboard motors.

Last time, Li Song refused to allow China to expand its outboard motor technology abroad, and some countries even tried to use the market as leverage, saying they wouldn't buy it anymore.

Li Song scoffed, saying, "Buy it if you want, don't buy it if you don't."

Li Song wasn't afraid that the notebook would spread the technology; industrial products weren't that simple.

To put it bluntly, most countries on Earth cannot even produce a single standard screw independently.

Not to mention the entire industry chain.

Li Song also relied on the vast and comprehensive industrial system in mainland China, as well as policy support.

Of course, the wealthy in any country become wealthy by relying on the country's policies. Once the policies change, some of these wealthy individuals may go bankrupt.

Of course, in 2080, we knew that whether in China or abroad, those who were too arrogant became humble in the end.

The next day, Li Song arrived at the BMW factory. The BMW factory currently has three main products: the Panda aircraft, the 1.2L five-seater minivan, and the 1.5L seven- to nine-seater minivan!
Both of these vans now use cast iron engines.

On the one hand, cast iron engines have a relatively low technical threshold; on the other hand, cast iron engines are robust and durable, and have low maintenance costs.

Both of these vans use a rear-wheel drive system.

Currently, the daily production of these two types of vans is ninety units.

Sixty five-seater vans and thirty seven- to nine-seater vans.

The main issue is that these two types of vehicles have just entered mass production, and each only has one production line. They are currently expanding by adding another production line.

There are two types of vans and four production lines. If all four production lines are running at full capacity, they can produce 200 cars per day and more than 60,000 cars per year. However, due to equipment maintenance and other reasons, the output is lower than the calculated figures.

The technology for minivans has been licensed to several domestic companies, including Kyoto Automobile Factory, Guangzhou Bus Factory (which was originally a repair shop), Liuzhou Automobile Factory in Guizhou Province, Shangdu Automobile Factory in Central China, and Shudu Automobile Factory, totaling six companies.

Li Song simply collects patent fees, which is five percent of the patent fee for each vehicle.

These factories are now sending technicians to BMW to learn from them.

Therefore, BMW now separates its aircraft manufacturing workshops directly from its car manufacturing plants!

BMW's aircraft manufacturing division is already somewhat different from other manufacturers because it needs a runway to test aircraft.

Li Song also had no intention of spinning off the aircraft manufacturing department, because crowdfunding aircraft was a one-off deal.

I can't keep selling Panda planes at a loss!
Of course, now that the higher authorities have exempted me from personal income tax, I can calculate that I will not only not lose money, but will also make a small profit.

Of course, Li Song also knew that the official foreign exchange rate in China was very different from the private exchange rate!

According to the private exchange rate, Li Song would not lose money at all.

Li Song held a short meeting at the car factory for half an hour, mainly to check on the progress in various aspects!

Currently, we mainly produce two types of cars: 1.5L and 2.0L. These cars have several models and two engine options: one made of cast iron and the other of aluminum alloy. They are available in both automatic and manual transmissions.

To be precise, it's the difference between the high-end and low-end configurations.

Of course, modern cars only have a radio, but this radio can play cassette tapes.

During the half-hour meeting, everyone's work reports were very concise because many departments were involved, including the Panda Aircraft Manufacturing Department, the Van Manufacturing Department, the Sedan Manufacturing Department, the Off-Road Vehicle Manufacturing Department, the Sports Car Manufacturing Department, and the Truck Manufacturing Department.

The main focus now is on car manufacturing, and equipment installation for car manufacturing is already underway.

Theoretical research is also being conducted on off-road vehicles, sports cars, and trucks.

Once the trial production of sedans is completed, mass production will begin with the installation, debugging, and other processes on the production line for off-road vehicles, i.e., SUVs.

The most crucial department within the BMW factory is the powertrain division.

Because the core components of BMW engines are all the same, the powertrain division provides the power packs needed for the entire BMW plant.

Each other department is responsible for its own other matters.

We now produce ninety cars a day, fifty of which are planned and forty are market-oriented.

There's nothing we can do about it; BMW's car factory already benefits from the mainland China plan.

"Boss, we have an idea!"

"Form a fleet of vans and drive from Guangzhou to Beijing." After the meeting, the head of the testing department came to find Li Song.

"Tell me more about it?" Li Song actually had an even bolder idea in mind: a minivan for a round-the-world trip.

"According to the schedule, sedans will be able to start trial production in two months, and SUVs should be able to start mass production by the end of August!"

"We'll form a racing team to participate in the National Day celebrations," the head of the testing department explained in detail.

Actually, my ideas are even bolder than yours!

"We can use our BMW to take a round-the-world trip."

"It just means that the itinerary for a round-the-world trip needs to be planned carefully!"

"Another issue is the complicated diplomatic procedures," Li Song said.

Li Song's idea was for the car to start from Guangzhou, then head north to Beijing, then through the current Fei Xiong, and then west to Europe!

The reason Li Song planned the route through Fei Xiong is because Fei Xiong doesn't have a good relationship with us now.

But their area is much safer than Southeast Asia.

Corruption is rampant in the small countries of Southeast Asia, so anything can happen.

We might as well go to Fat Bear's territory!
Then from Europe to North America.

Of course, this is just a rough plan. The specifics need to be reported to the higher authorities, and we also need to find some professional teams.

"Huh!" The head of the testing department's eyes lit up. He hadn't expected his boss to be even bolder than he thought!

"I'll consult some professional companies abroad later."

"Let's stick to your plan for now!"

"We'll implement the global plan after all our products are in mass production." Li Song knew this wasn't something that could be done in a short time.

Every era has its own cultural characteristics, so the suggestion from the head of the testing department is very much in line with the times!

Although the security situation on the transportation line is not very good right now, the security department of the BMW factory is armed, and although the security department of the BMW factory is nominally a factory management department, it is actually a powerful force.

The main problem is that Li Song's foreign-invested enterprise cannot openly possess armed forces. Of course, this also has its advantages, namely, it prevents certain types of crime.

In fact, most factory thefts are orchestrated by insiders and outsiders, and some are even carried out by high-ranking officials in secret.

In the afternoon, Li Song flew directly to Chang'an.

It was still very cold in Chang'an in March. Li Song discovered that many villages near the Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant were being demolished.

They are clearing trees and other things from the ground.

As Section Chief Zhou drove, he explained to Li Song, "Some businesses will be built here, including a waterworks, a sewage treatment plant, and a power plant. Some other businesses will also be relocated here!"

"The higher authorities are planning to build an aircraft manufacturing industrial park."

"This will save a lot of logistics costs!"

"Furthermore, a rocket manufacturing plant is under construction to the west of the Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant!"

"This rocket manufacturing plant was prepared for Mr. Li."

Upon hearing this, Li Song said, "I'll provide you with blueprints later. We'll build according to those blueprints, and also reserve land for future projects."

"We'll be producing satellites here in the future!"

"They might also be able to produce space stations and the like!"

Section Chief Zhou was always nervous whenever Li Song spoke, because he didn't know what frightening things the other person might say.

The International Space Station is undoubtedly the most advanced technology in the world today.

The earliest International Space Station was Salyut 1, launched by Salyut-6 in 1971, and it was launched multiple times. However, Salyut 1 through Salyut 5 did not support cargo ship resupply, while Salyut 6 and Salyut 7 did.

Amy's Skylab went into deep space in 1973 and then fell into the atmosphere and disintegrated in 1979.

Later came the Peacekeeper Space Station of the American Bear, and the International Space Station of the United States.

Then came the International Space Station and the mainland space station.

The importance of the space station in the future is self-evident. Many scientific experiments, as well as many biological experiments, need to be conducted in a microgravity environment.

In particular, the development of many targeted gene therapy drugs.

For example, the space seeds that everyone sees most often.

Li Song has a natural advantage in space exploration, namely that technological research and development is basically free.

Li Song also doesn't need to worry about manufacturing, because he shares his technology with the mainland.

So this project looks so high-end, yet it's also extremely expensive.

For Li Song, it was almost all freebies.

Like rocket technology, Li Song's technology cost very little.

The technology was taken to the mainland for research and production.

Li Song will get a share of these things again!
That's why Li Song dared to set his sights on a mega-project like the International Space Station.

If Li Song were to actually invest money in research and development, that would be completely impossible.

"Okay!" Section Chief Zhou gripped the steering wheel tightly with both hands. Although he was prepared, he was still startled by Li Song's words and managed to utter a "okay" through gritted teeth.

"I have some technical data on medical equipment over there next time."

"I'll have my bodyguard make the contact then."

"All the technical data on these medical devices have been sent to the mainland for research!"

"But we must keep it confidential." Li Song had thought of medical equipment last time: ultrasound, X-ray, MRI, CT, various laboratory equipment, and various surgical instruments and techniques.

"Ok!"

"In addition, there are some seed-related technologies!"

"However, these technologies will not be available until the end of the year."

“So we’re planning to leave some farmland in our plans for next year,” Li Song added.

Li Song had already offered a reward for the seeds, but these seeds would take a long time to develop!
At present, the seeds are mainly hybridized, because you can't buy seeds bred using genetic technology.

Of course, these were hybrid seeds, and they were much better available on secondhand platforms than they are now, because back then there was a wealth of data available for research.

"Okay, but I'd like to know what aspects?"

"Corn, rice, sorghum, millet, soybeans."

"Another issue is that some foreign research institutions are now trying to steal our wild soybeans, because only our country has wild soybeans in the whole world."

"So we need to be careful about this."

"There's another piece of news."

"Brother Zhou, could you give me a report? There's a guy surnamed Jin on Amei's side, and people are starting to suspect him." Li Song suddenly remembered something: there was a guy surnamed Jin on Amei's side who had been betrayed by some people in China.

Although that time is still a few years away, Li Song is giving a heads-up in advance.

"But he's safe for now. Let's find a way to evacuate him as soon as possible." Li Song added, worried that Section Chief Zhou might not understand.

"Gold?" Section Chief Zhou nodded, memorizing the word.

After Li Song arrived at the Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant, Section Chief Zhou met with his superior at a place next to the plant.

"Jin?" Zhou's superior was also somewhat puzzled when he heard this.

"I will go to Kyoto immediately to report!" Section Chief Zhou's superior felt that Li Song would not lie, and that Li Song was going to personally report such sensitive things as space stations and satellites.

Making phone calls or sending telegrams can all lead to leaks of information.

If you want to keep a message confidential, the best way is to pass it from person to person. However, even writing letters or work reports can lead to leaks.

Not to mention making phone calls or sending telegrams.

Section Chief Zhou's superior took the documents and flew to Kyoto.

"boss!"

"Boss!" When Li Song saw the aircraft manufacturing plant, the employees greeted him warmly.

Because many of the technical staff there, especially those from Shanghai, have already been allocated housing.

A small high-rise apartment building with an elevator, measuring over 100 square meters!

What level of official rank would one need to receive such treatment?
Moreover, all these buildings are fully furnished, with toilets and squat toilets inside, and water, electricity, gas and communication are all in place.

The community even has its own kindergarten!

Those who didn't come here with Chief Engineer Ma back then are now regretting it and slapping their thighs when they see their former colleagues getting these houses.

Of course, there are still many people who haven't been allocated housing yet, but everyone knows it's only a matter of time!
"Boss, the landing gear we manufactured ourselves has arrived from Chengdu!"

"The performance fully meets the design requirements!"

"In addition, the main beams of the aircraft will be delivered one after another."

"And this is the engine test data for our Starship passenger plane."

"And test data for some medium- and long-range passenger aircraft engines," Chief Engineer Ma excitedly reported to Li Song.

The Chang'an Aircraft Manufacturing Plant was located not far from the railway, and the railway department built a train station there.

"Let's go take a look!" Upon hearing this, Li Song knew that the hydraulic press, weighing tens of thousands of tons, had been successfully manufactured.

In the future, there will be many more places in the aerospace industry that will need this thing.

Li Song went into the warehouse and saw the aircraft landing gear.

"One-piece die casting is fast!"

"They say it takes less than twenty seconds to make one!"

"Moreover, the overall performance is excellent." General Manager Ma introduced the one-piece cast landing gear to Li Song.

The landing gear is arguably the core component of an aircraft because it has to withstand such a large impact force when the aircraft lands.

Without this kind of casting press, large aircraft would remain just a theoretical concept.

Although there are other solutions for landing gear, such as piecing together parts.

However, the assembled parts are not only heavy, but their performance and data parameters are simply incomparable to those of the die-cast parts.

"Great."

"This way, our medium- and long-range passenger planes won't be delayed." Li Song was also very happy.

The parts for the first medium- and long-range passenger aircraft were brought over by ourselves, but subsequent production would require a 10,000-ton casting press.

(End of this chapter)