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

"By then, with the three of you plus Snapdragon, and potentially even more companies joining in the future, everyone will be too busy to compete. What's the point of fighting then?"

Huang Bin's words made the three of them thoughtful. Ji Shuzhi, who had initially been sharp-tongued, frowned and asked, "Old Huang, so tell me, what should we do about this?"

Huang Bin looked at the three of them and said slowly, "There's absolutely no way to stop Xiaochi Motors from landing in Tuocheng. The Special Economic Zone supports it, and the old man has also agreed. No matter what opinions you raise, it's useless!"

"The most urgent thing now is for you to change your mindset. Stop acting like you're the big brother of a state-owned factory. Before Xiaochi Motors officially lands in Tuocheng, hurry up and talk to them to see if there's any possibility of cooperation!"

"for example?"

"For example, regarding parts supply, aren't all the factories under your three companies idle? As for engines and such, they definitely wouldn't want our old-fashioned stuff anymore. But other things are a different story. We can't supply the three core components, but other things like tires and car windows are negotiable!"

"Then we've become a parts supplier for his Xiaochi cars," Chen Laisheng, as the head of FAW, the eldest son of the Republic, still hadn't completely changed his mindset.

"What, you don't even like her? It's already a favor that she didn't look down on you!"

"Why didn't you go and talk to them when they were just starting out? Why did you have to wait until they built their own parts factory and blocked all your escape routes?"

"Let me tell you, once you miss this opportunity, you'll never have another chance. Don't wait until their Xiaochi Motors industrial park is fully built and you're completely overwhelmed by their success, then come crying to me. I won't be there to help you!"

Bai Jianbo from Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) wasn't as hesitant as Chen Laisheng. He asked in a low voice, "If Xiaochi Automotive is willing to use our parts, SAIC is naturally willing to supply them. The only problem is that they might not be interested in us!"

"Whether they'll approve or not, we'll only know after we go and talk to them. You need to humble yourselves and not feel like you're compromising yourselves," Huang Bin stood up and began tidying up the documents in front of him. "Even if, hypothetically, they really don't want your parts, I'd welcome them to set up their own supporting development plant in Tuocheng!"

"As long as he sells cars, he has to pay taxes to our country; as long as he hires people, he's training excellent automotive industry workers for our country. They use the land, water, and electricity for development... forgetting that they have their own power plants," Huang Bin said, pausing for a moment. "In short, once Xiaochi Motors lands here, it becomes a crucial part of our economic development!"

Huang Bin paused as he spoke, "I'll also pass on to you what Mr. Chen Zaidong said: 'A stagnant pool without competition cannot produce an excellent automobile industry.' We are all in the business of manufacturing, and I myself came from FAW."

"Our country is currently undergoing major economic reforms, and we can no longer protect you in every way as we used to. Industrial development isn't achieved through protection, but through competition!"

"I've said my piece. Go back to the guesthouse and think it over. Once you've made up your minds, book a plane ticket to Tuocheng and, before I approve it, go talk to Mr. Chen Zaidong!"

After saying that, Huang Bin carried a stack of documents and his enamel mug out of the conference room, leaving the three of them sitting in their chairs staring at each other.

"Old Chen, what did FAW say?" Bai Jianbo pulled up his chair, rested his hands on the table, and looked at Chen Laisheng. "I was deeply moved by what Old Huang said. I plan to go to Tuocheng to talk to Chen Zaidong."

Chen Laisheng, his face ashen, did not answer Bai Jianbo's question. Instead, Ji Shuzhi spoke up, "Then I'll go with you. Isn't Xiaochi also planning to get into heavy trucks? I want to go and see what they can come up with."

Ji Shuzhi had actually been persuaded by what Huang Bin had said, but he was still a bit arrogant and stubborn. The old man had been tough all his life, and it was difficult to get him to back down in public.

"Old Chen, what about you? Say something if you're going or not!"

Seeing that Chen Laisheng remained silent, Bai Jianbo had no choice but to reopen old wounds and say, "Old Chen, I know you're upset. As the eldest son of our republic, FAW has always been the one being served by others since its establishment in 53. When have we ever been a supplier for others?"

"But things are different now, Lao Chen. The country is carrying out economic reforms and gradually relaxing restrictions on private enterprises. Today it's Xiaochi Motors, but what about tomorrow, and the day after? More and more capital will enter China's automotive industry. We can't avoid it!"

Hearing Bai Jianbo's words, Chen Laisheng turned his head in annoyance. "If word gets out that we're supplying parts for some foreign-owned car factory that doesn't even exist, where will FAW put its face? Do we even want to maintain our reputation as the eldest son of the Republic?!"

Hearing Chen Laisheng's words, Ji Shuzhi of the Second Automobile Works smiled bitterly, "Old Chen, what has sustained our reputation? It's the national funding, the assistance from our elder brother back then, and the planned allocations that have been in place for decades."

"But look at us now, how much money does the government have left to give us! With reforms going on like this, how much planned allocation is left? Do you really think we can just sit at home and wait for orders like before?"

Seeing that Chen Laisheng's face darkened even more after being rebuked by Ji Shuzhi's words, Bai Jianbo quickly stepped in to smooth things over, "Old Chen, although Old Ji's words were a bit harsh, he didn't mean to belittle FAW. When we go to talk, it's not like we're begging them; it's about cooperation and mutual benefit."

"For Snapdragon to be successfully launched, it needs supporting facilities. We have existing production capacity and skilled workers, which is our advantage. Lao Huang is right. We should take advantage of the fact that they haven't built their own supporting factories yet and go to negotiate now. We have leverage in our hands."

"By the time when everything is ready, then it's truly too late!"

Chen Laisheng looked up at him, his gaze filled with a complex scrutiny. "Old Bai, you really want to go?"

Bai Jianbo sighed and nodded, saying, "Our Shanghai Automotive is not as big and powerful as your FAW. We each have our strengths, but we also have our difficulties. You all know the situation of Shanghai Automotive. If we can provide parts for Xiaochi, even if it's just tires, glass, and interior parts, at least it will give the supporting factories below us some work, so they won't be idle and anxious."

These words were realistic and hurtful, and Chen Laisheng had no rebuttal.

Ji Shuzhi also sighed, "Old Chen, Old Bai is right! You know how many of our supporting factories are operating below capacity."

"If workers can't be paid and equipment sits idle and rusts, that's truly shameful!"

"It's not shameful to be a supplier for Snapdragon! What's shameful is knowing there's a way to survive but choosing to stubbornly wait to die!"