Returning wealthy individuals develop their hometowns and become rich in the 1980s

"Minister Zhou, Director Wang, I can accept the conditions you have proposed!"

"Comrade Chen, it's wonderful that you've accepted this," Zhou Bingguo immediately stood up and shook hands with Chen Dong. "Now we can proceed to the next stage of negotiations!"

"Of course, I have looked at the equipment catalog that Directors Mo and Lu gave me last time, and I have also made a rough estimate. Based on the type of equipment and the quotations from various companies, I will have my second brother draft a quotation for you later," Chen Dong gestured to Chen Zaisheng, and Zhou Bingguo and Wang Huaimin nodded at the same time.

"Regarding the priority items mentioned in the catalog, such as large marine propeller machining tools and aero-engine blade machining tools, I currently have clear information on available inventory. I can notify them to begin packing and shipping!"

"And the price, Mr. Chen?"

Zhou Bingguo tried hard not to appear too excited, but the blush on his face betrayed his inner turmoil. Wang Huaimin was in no better shape, and Zhong Dequan was even trembling slightly.

Chen Dong made an eight-sign with his fingers and answered Zhou Bingguo's question in a calm tone, "The price offered by the West German company Waldrich is eight million marks per unit, approximately four million three hundred and ninety thousand US dollars!"

Upon hearing the price of 4.39 million US dollars, Zhou Bingguo and the others managed to calm their excitement. Fortunately, the price wasn't too outrageous and didn't exceed 10 million US dollars, so it was still within a reasonable range.

Seeing their relieved expressions, Chen Dong knew they had misunderstood. He immediately poured cold water on their hopes, saying, "Four million three hundred and ninety thousand US dollars is just the factory price for the bare machine. We haven't even included the five hundred thousand US dollars for the CNC system. And these are just the publicly disclosed prices. What we're discussing now is the price for how to procure it!"

"I need to forge the final user certificate, and then 'launder the country of origin' through multiple neutral countries. The final price for the unlocked machine will not be less than seven million US dollars!"

"Seven million US dollars, and that's just the price of one machine tool! Imagine how much grain, ore, and oil that would buy!" Wang Huaimin muttered to himself. Zhou Bingguo gritted his teeth and said firmly, "Seven million US dollars it is! As long as Comrade Chen can get this done, we'll take it no matter how expensive it is!"

Wang Huaimin knew Zhou Bingguo's determination. He didn't think Chen Dong was exaggerating the price; he just lamented that foreign exchange was too scarce when needed.

Seven million US dollars in 1981 was a real fortune, but even so, Zhou Bingguo insisted on bringing Chen Dong into the business because the large marine propeller machining machine was too important. This machine could not only process submarine propellers, but also large turbine blades, ship diesel engine crankshafts, etc. It was the "mother machine" of the heavy machinery industry.

The quiet propellers manufactured using this technology can greatly enhance the survivability of China's strategic nuclear submarines, forming a reliable sea-based nuclear deterrent.

This is a cornerstone of national security that money can't buy!

"If we don't buy them because they're too expensive, ten years from now, our submarines will still be 'beating drums and gongs' in front of the enemy. The price we'll pay then will be the lives of countless soldiers and the passivity of the nation."

Zhou Bingguo set the tone with a single sentence. As the vice minister and head of the central special delegation, he had been given full authority by the top leaders upon his arrival, and his decisions could represent the central government!

"Machine tools are large and complicated, while CNC systems are much simpler. Operating a CNC cabinet and servo motors, which are only slightly larger than a refrigerator, isn't difficult for me!"

"The price won't fluctuate too much, it's expected to hover around six hundred thousand US dollars," Chen Dong said casually. For him, it was just a matter of delivering something. If it weren't so shocking, he could have conjured it up for them right here in this conference room.

The machine tool is the body, while the CNC system is the brain of the entire machine tool. The CNC system is a collection of software, hardware, and algorithms, which directly determines the precision, efficiency, and functionality of the machine tool.

"In total, one five-axis CNC machine tool costs approximately seven million six hundred thousand US dollars," Chen Dong quoted the final price. "The price for two machines is around fifteen million US dollars. Once you confirm, I can transport all the equipment to Hong Kong in three months at the earliest, and six months at the latest, and then transfer them from Hong Kong to Turkmenistan!"

"We want both machines. That's confirmed right now, Comrade Chen. After the meeting, I will immediately report to the Central Committee and have the People's Bank of China open a secret account just for you, and deposit 30% of the payment for the two machine tools into that secret account!"

Chen Dong nodded to indicate that he understood, and said, "Okay, now that it's confirmed, I will contact my informants in Europe after the meeting and have them get started!"

"Okay! Thank you very much, Comrade Chen!"

"You're too kind!"

The discussion wasn't over yet, Chen Dong continued, "Purchasing and installing the equipment isn't a quick process; there's also the major issue of personnel training!"

"Because the equipment was not imported through proper channels, and due to the embargo imposed by Coordinating Committee, engineers cannot go to overseas factories for on-site training, as this would arouse Coordinating Committee's suspicion. My idea is that I will fund the establishment of the 'Nanshan Precision Machinery Research Institute' in Nanshan County, and I will recruit some Chinese engineers from America or Europe."

"Yes, I completely agree with Comrade Chen's proposal. The state will provide funding and will also assign skilled engineers and university students to participate in the establishment of the Precision Machinery Research Institute!"

"I support it too!"

Zhou Bingguo and Wang Huaimin, the two group leaders, raised their hands in support, and Chen Dong's proposal for the "Nanshan Precision Machinery Research Institute" was thus written into the memorandum.

Chen Dong proposed establishing a mechanical research institute in Nanshan County, Tuocheng, not only because China currently has a genuine need for it, but also to find a way out for Tuocheng's future.

This is also a disguised way of robbing Shenzhen of its talent resources. At the same time, as Chen Dong brings in more and more sophisticated equipment, and with the central government increasing its support for Tuocheng through relevant policies, Tuocheng's economy will continue to grow steadily.

Many people say that Shenzhen was able to surpass Tuocheng and develop because of that fire. But that underestimates the national strategy. To say that Tuocheng was abandoned because of a fire is just a joke.

As long as Tuocheng's future development can surpass Shenzhen, let alone one fire, even two, the central government can take decisive action. Local clans, tax evasion, and smuggling will all be crushed like ants!

The real reason is that Tuocheng's geography, policies, and human resources are all inferior to Shenzhen's. China only had so many resources at that time. When choosing between the two, Tuocheng was the one abandoned by the central government.

The fire was just a coincidence!