Siheyuan: Reborn Silly Pillar, Taking Control of the Entire Courtyard

Chapter 218 Pirates Intercept Ship and Cause Trouble

Life on Hong Kong Island has always been peaceful and orderly.

After Wang Cuiping and her daughter settled down here, they have not moved out of their temporary residence.

He Yuzhu was meticulous and had already arranged the best place for Yu Zecheng and his wife to stay.

He had his subordinate, Ah Lang, spend several days scouting and selecting locations.

Finally, they settled on a tenement building in a prime location very close to Wong Chuk Hang.

He Yuzhu originally intended to transfer the ownership of this tenement building directly to Wang Siyu's name, essentially giving it away to her.

Yu Zecheng and Wang Cuiping were an upright and principled couple who resolutely and politely declined the generous gift.

They were unwilling to accept such valuable real estate for no reason.

Left with no other option, both parties compromised and agreed to rent the place temporarily.

Regarding the rent, He Yuzhu deliberately only collected a very small amount as a symbolic gesture.

It's practically like living there for free, just so the couple can live there with peace of mind and without any burden.

To this day, how much land, property, and buildings does He Yuzhu actually own?

Even he himself hasn't counted them precisely, but there are already countless numbers.

Over the years, taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the times, he has quietly made strategic plans and amassed wealth.

The quality assets acquired in Hong Kong Island far exceed what most people can imagine.

Except for weekends, Wang Cuiping spends most of her time at the Tanglou building.

Firstly, this place is very close to my workplace, making commuting convenient, time-saving, and effortless.

Secondly, she is thoughtful and virtuous, and can take care of Yu Zecheng's daily life.

Yu Zecheng, an undercover agent in Hong Kong, holds an important position and is constantly on edge and busy with work.

With his wife taking care of his life, he can be free from worries and devote himself to his work.

The long-term strategic plan agreed upon by the two cannot be implemented and effective overnight.

It was a far-reaching plan that took several years to develop and progressed step by step.

To truly unleash the full power of a strategy, a long period of time is needed for it to mature.

We must wait until Yu Zecheng's carefully nurtured group of students have fully established themselves and assumed high positions.

Only then can the entire network of intelligence and personal connections be fully deployed and the overall situation controlled.

He Yuzhu was well aware of this and never rushed to achieve results.

He had already made long-term plans and laid a solid foundation.

In the days to come, he wouldn't mind continuing to pave the way for foreign officials like Orian and Trench.

Willing to be a "tool" for a period of time to help the other party steadily get promoted.

In this unique era, personal connections are the strongest asset.

These kinds of foreign connections, which hold positions of power and control resources, are becoming increasingly rare.

Why not take advantage of it? It's extremely cost-effective.

When I am in a stable situation and can leave to return to my hometown at any time.

These people have long since reached retirement age and are no longer able to control or influence themselves.

At that time, we can simply offer them a generous reward so they can enjoy their retirement and retire gracefully.

It not only repays favors and establishes positive relationships, but also completely severs ties and eliminates any hidden dangers.

Meanwhile, the Yellow River Automobile Plant, which He Yuzhu has devoted himself to building, is progressing steadily.

The vast factory site has already been leveled, and all basic infrastructure has been completed.

The main construction of the core R&D building and professional testing workshop is nearing completion.

Only the final interior decoration, equipment delivery, and debugging work remain.

Talent recruitment has been ongoing and has never stopped.

However, most of the technical personnel recruited so far are recent college graduates.

These young people, full of enthusiasm and hope, came to the new factory to try their luck and gain experience.

However, due to their limited qualifications and lack of experience, they can only be considered low-level basic personnel.

There are still very few core high-end technical backbones and senior engineers.

Ultimately, the Yellow River Automobile Factory was just starting out and had no reputation in the industry.

It lacks established products, market reputation, and industry experience.

It simply cannot attract top-tier, experienced technical experts in the industry to join.

The entire factory adopted the brand name "Yellow River" as decided by He Yuzhu.

It symbolizes the Yellow River's surging flow, its continuous vitality, and the revitalization of national industry, conveying a magnificent and powerful message.

Previously, He Yuzhu had asked Huo Sheng to open up channels in the north and purchase large quantities of industrial steel.

It is used to supply automobile factories for vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure construction, and equipment debugging.

Huo Sheng personally contacted resources in the north, and after some investigation, he brought back bad news.

It's not that the other party is unwilling to sell or cooperate, but rather that current policies restrict sales and channels are blocked.

Steel from the north was unable to be transported out of the country, as all transportation channels were cut off.

This most reliable, cost-effective, and dependable steel procurement channel has been completely rendered obsolete.

This effectively extinguished He Yuzhu's hopes of importing materials in bulk from the mainland.

Just as He Yuzhu was pondering alternative solutions and at a loss for what to do...

Huo Sheng brought another extremely tempting business opportunity.

The island nation is currently dumping industrial steel abroad at an alarming rate, with shipments reaching enormous volumes.

Moreover, the price is extremely low, and the cost-effectiveness far surpasses that of all other retail channels.

It is currently the lowest-priced industrial steel available on the entire Hong Kong Island market.

Huo Sheng immediately informed He Yuzhu of the news, urging him to carefully consider whether to make the purchase.

Upon hearing the news, He Yuzhu neither immediately agreed nor directly refused.

He calmly explained that he needed to carefully consider the matter.

Huo Sheng, on the other end of the phone, was a man of deep business acumen and a keen eye for the business landscape.

His tone was sincere, reflecting the insight and pragmatism of a businessman, and he patiently persuaded her.

"Mr. He, we are all honest businessmen, and making a profit is our top priority in business."

"Putting everything else aside and focusing solely on business, we'll use whoever's products are the cheapest and most reliable."

"I know that you care deeply about your country and are dedicated to helping domestic industries, and you also have a very strong anti-Japanese sentiment."

"But the marketplace is the marketplace, and the nation is the nation. At present, the island nation's steel price advantage is overwhelming."

"You might as well weigh the pros and cons carefully and consider it rationally."

"Moreover, your initial intention in spending a lot of money to build the Yellow River Automobile Factory was to seize the market."

"Ultimately, it's all about going head-to-head with Japanese automakers and competing for business both domestically and internationally, isn't it?"

He Yuzhu tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

Huo Sheng is a man with keen insight, a deep understanding of the world, and the ability to pinpoint the core issues with a single sentence.

"Mr. Huo, you certainly have a keen and insightful understanding."

Huo Sheng chuckled lightly, his tone calm and composed, and continued to tell his story.

"It's not about being precise, it's just that I've seen and experienced a lot."

"Nowadays, almost all the vehicles and family cars that can be seen on the streets of Hong Kong Island are from the island nation."

"It's easy to foresee that in a few years, after the mainland opens up and develops,..."

"The domestic civilian car market will inevitably be completely dominated by Japanese car companies."

"Our national automobile industry has too weak a foundation, started too late, and is too frail."

"You spared no expense in purchasing top-of-the-line equipment, acquiring land to build factories, and assembling a team."

"It's definitely not just about getting a share of the market."

"Your ambitions extend far beyond this; in the future, you will undoubtedly be competing head-on with Japanese automakers!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu gave a heartfelt thumbs-up to the person on the other end of the phone.

His tone conveyed genuine recognition and admiration.

"Your insight is truly remarkable; you saw right through my entire plan at a glance!"

Huo Sheng smiled calmly and then presented the safest cooperation plan.

"Since you have a long-term plan but also psychological concerns, I'll build a bridge for you."

"If you don't want to directly contact Japanese businesses and leave yourself vulnerable."

"I have taken over all procurement coordination, transaction processes, and freight channels."

"You just need to get the goods from me, and I'll cover for you completely."

"With multiple layers of ownership and obscuring the source, outsiders cannot find a single clue."

"If outsiders find out that you are purchasing large quantities of steel from island nations to manufacture cars, they will definitely try to sabotage you and cut off your supply."

He Yuzhu hesitated for two seconds before decisively finalizing the cooperation.

"Can."

"I'll send you a list of precise parameters for all the steel needed to manufacture cars."

"Please help me check the purchase list, and remember to include your profit margin when you quote a price."

"Even between brothers, accounts must be kept clear. Never do anything for me at a loss; don't shortchange me a single penny."

Huo Sheng laughed loudly on the other end of the phone, in an exceptionally cheerful mood.

"Hahaha! Mr. He, you're so generous! Of course, I'll earn your money honestly and diligently."

"I have a whole team of employees and channel staff to support; I won't do business at a loss!"

After careful discussion, the two finalized the cooperation agreement for steel procurement.

After hanging up the phone, He Yuzhu immediately pulled out a complete set of documents related to automobile research and development.

The parameters, material standards, and performance requirements for various steel materials needed for the next main R&D model will be determined.

Each item was organized, categorized, and transcribed, resulting in a complete and detailed document.

He then called Xiaoman over and asked her to be in charge of accurate translation throughout the process.

Over the years, I've followed He Yuzhu to broaden my horizons and learn new skills.

Xiaoman's Japanese is already fluent and natural, making her more than capable of being a professional translator.

Xiaoman took the thick stack of documents and looked at the densely packed professional parameters with a shocked expression.

She looked up at He Yuzhu, her tone full of doubt and surprise.

"Brother Zhu, you secretly brought out all this sophisticated industrial data?"

He Yuzhu remained calm and composed, his tone even and even.

"Um."

"Leaving these cutting-edge technical documents in their original place would be a waste."

"If no one researches it, no one implements it, and no one puts it into production, it will eventually be damaged, lost, and rendered useless."

"Instead of wasting it, I'd rather put it into practice and build our own car."

Xiaoman suddenly realized, and a deep respect flashed in her eyes.

He looked at the complete set of industrial parameters on the table and finally realized what was going on.

"I get it, Brother Zhu, are you really going to open a car factory on a big scale and manufacture cars independently?"

"That's right."

He Yuzhu nodded in confirmation, his eyes firm and steady, radiating confidence.

"Land, factory buildings, equipment, permits, all the preliminary preparations have been completed and put in place."

"The only thing missing is the availability of raw materials and technology; we can start full-scale production and mass research and development at any time."

Xiaoman's eyes burned with passion, her heart filled with longing and anticipation, and she volunteered.

"Brother Zhu, could I work for you in the factory? I'd like to contribute!"

Looking at Xiaoman, who was full of enthusiasm, He Yuzhu nodded gently in agreement.

"Can."

"You can focus on translating all these foreign language parameters and technical data accurately first."

"Clearly organize and classify all the data, and do a good job in the preliminary preparations."

"The factory is currently in the final stages of infrastructure construction, and it's a construction site everywhere, messy and noisy."

"There are no suitable positions available at the moment. We will wait until the R&D workshop is fully completed and the equipment is in place."

"I will transfer you to the factory when the car manufacturing R&D work officially starts."

Xiaoman responded solemnly, her eyes filled with seriousness.

"Okay! I'll definitely do it well!"

He Yuzhu gave a timely reminder to avoid gossip and idle chatter, just to be on the safe side.

"By the way, let's keep this low-key for now and not tell anyone in the family."

"Building a factory to manufacture cars is a major undertaking, and it is not advisable to publicize it before it is accomplished."

Xiaoman nodded repeatedly, fully aware of the priorities.

"I understand, Brother Zhu. I will absolutely keep my mouth shut and won't say a single word."

The core objective is to comprehensively target the island nation's passenger vehicle series that monopolize the market.

Affordable transportation, fuel-efficient and durable, with excellent value for money, precisely targeting the civilian market.

At the same time, high-end luxury models have never been neglected in the market.

He also plans to independently replicate, optimize, and upgrade the Mercedes-Benz series of luxury cars.

A right-hand drive version was specifically designed to be compatible with Hong Kong Island and overseas markets.

Since island nation automakers' low-end cars can sweep across Asia and penetrate the European market.

Why can't the Yellow River luxury cars he painstakingly created go abroad and conquer overseas markets?

He doesn't believe that domestic car manufacturers will always lag behind and never be able to hold their heads high.

After finalizing the preparations for car manufacturing, everyone under his command was busy with their respective duties.

Only He Yuzhu himself found himself with nothing to do again.

But this leisurely time didn't last long, as Xu Damao soon came knocking on his door.

At this moment, Xu Damao had long since shed his former opportunistic, petty, impetuous, and narrow-minded nature.

Having trained under He Yuzhu for many years, my vision, perspective, abilities, and mindset have undergone a complete transformation.

He is calm, capable, bold, and has a keen business sense.

He pushed open the door and entered the room, his expression earnest, getting straight to the point.

"Brother, I've come to see you this time because I want to completely expand production capacity and take the business to the next level!"

He Yuzhu looked up at him, feeling a slight headache coming on.

The beverage manufacturing business may seem simple, but it is actually full of trivial matters and consumes a lot of energy.

He was quite annoyed by the tedious work of following up on matters related to the beverage factory.

To be honest, he had long regretted starting this business so casually.

But things have come to this point; the team is already established, the market has been opened up, and the only option is to grow steadily.

He raised an eyebrow slightly and asked casually.

"Expand production capacity? By how much?"

Xu Damao's eyes were firm, and his tone was full of ambition and planning.

"At least double the size!"

"We currently have sufficient industrial land reserves."

"New production machines and water treatment equipment are being implemented and upgraded by the R&D department."

"In addition, I plan to open stores in batches to expand into the offline market!"

He Yuzhu was slightly taken aback, somewhat surprised by his plan.

"Open a shop? What kind of shop are you planning to open?"

Xu Damao had already given it much thought and explained it clearly and logically.

"It's an ice cream shop!"

"Hong Kong Island is full of herbal tea shops, dessert shops, and beverage stalls."

"It has a wide audience, stable customer flow, and high repurchase rate, making it a business that meets people's basic needs."

"Our beverage equipment is highly automated and does not require a large number of people to operate it."

"The labor cost is extremely low, the cost performance is extremely high, and it is very suitable for mass production."

He Yuzhu nodded slightly, acknowledging his line of thinking, and then followed up with a question.

"Once the store opens, what categories will you primarily sell? Coffee? Cold drinks? Or essential items like iced water?"

A glint of anticipation flashed in Xu Damao's eyes as he outlined his complete plan.

"We make all the basic cold drinks, iced water, and coffee!"

"In addition, I also plan to independently develop several new flavors of soda."

"Break free from the flavor limitations of existing soft drinks on the market and create our own unique and popular product!"

He Yuzhu looked at the energetic Xu Damao and commented.

"You're getting more and more of a business mind."

"However, with our current equipment, personnel, and technological reserves, we are afraid that we cannot support such a large-scale expansion for the time being."

Upon hearing this, Xu Damao, having anticipated it, immediately adopted a pleading posture.

"That's why I came here specifically to ask you for help, bro!"

He Yuzhu asked calmly.

Is it a shortage of manpower or a lack of technical skills?

Xu Damao is straightforward, honest, and decisive.

"We lack nothing, we just lack money!"

"As long as the funding is in place, I'll handle all the remaining minutiae, technology, personnel, and distribution channels myself!"

He Yuzhu continued to ask.

"How much funding is needed?"

Xu Damao hesitated for two seconds before stating his expectations.

"Ideally, they should offer two million Hong Kong dollars!"

"If there's a temporary cash crunch, even one million can be used to quickly initiate expansion!"

He Yuzhu made the decision on the spot without hesitation.

"No need to settle, I'll give you two million directly."

He then casually offered a completely new business strategy that was more comprehensive, more profitable, and more sustainable.

"But I have a new idea for you: don't fixate on the soda market."

"The soft drink market is highly competitive and homogeneous, resulting in limited profit margins."

"You can take advantage of this trend to expand into the ready-to-eat beverage and new-style dessert markets."

"Hong Kong Island is rich in produce, with fresh fruits available year-round. Fruit resources are inexhaustible and extremely low in cost."

"You can develop new products such as fruit tea, fruit ice cream, jam smoothies, and new-style milk tea."

"Novel product category, wider audience, higher premium, and overwhelming competitiveness compared to traditional soft drinks!"

A series of brand-new tracks and new product ideas instantly stunned Xu Damao.

His eyes lit up instantly, and his mind raced, afraid of missing a single word.

He quickly pulled out his notebook and pen from his pocket and raised his hand to stop them.

"Brother! Speak slower! I can't remember if you speak too fast!"

Xu Damao has now developed an extremely meticulous work ethic.

I followed He Yuzhu to do big things, and I was exposed to business layout, track planning and operation ideas.

These were all top-notch ideas that he had never heard of before, and they were worth a fortune.

Whenever he hears useful advice, he immediately records it down and studies it carefully.

He Yuzhu slowed down his speech and patiently offered guidance.

"I'm just giving you ideas to expand your thinking; I'm not limiting your approach."

"Specific flavor adjustments, formula development, and pilot testing require your team to handle these tasks personally."

"In addition, existing cold drink production equipment can be fully upgraded in a iterative manner."

"Ice makers were separated out for a special research project on the top-of-the-line models on the market."

"We directly purchase the equipment we like, disassemble and study it, reverse engineer it, and optimize and upgrade it."

"To build our own custom ice-making equipment and reduce long-term production costs."

Xu Damao's pen flew across the paper as he frantically took notes, asking questions about every detail as he did so.

"Brother, there are still a few details I don't understand!"

"Is milk tea just a mixture of milk and tea leaves brewed together?"

Is fruit tea made by blending fresh fruit with tea?

He Yuzhu gave a brief and casual answer, leaving plenty of room for practical application.

That's the basic principle.

Xu Damao continued to press for answers, his face full of curiosity.

"What about fruit shaved ice? Is it just fruit mixed with ice?"

"It's not that simple."

He Yuzhu corrected him casually.

"These are just basic ingredients; the goal is to create a hit flavor and retain customers."

"It must be paired with exclusive sauces, syrups, and toppings, otherwise it will lack any distinctive features and be difficult to stand out."

"As for the specific formula, you can hire a research and development team to gradually debug and experiment repeatedly."

"Okay! I understand!"

Xu Damao suddenly realized and looked at He Yuzhu with admiration in his eyes.

"Dude, what's wrong with your brain?!"

"I spend every day in the market studying and researching, only thinking about how to imitate ordinary sodas on the market."

"With just a few casual thoughts, you can create a whole new, blockbuster market!"

After saying that, he remembered a crucial question and quickly confirmed it.

"By the way, bro, do all these new products need to be sold in physical stores?"

"That's right."

He Yuzhu nodded in confirmation.

"First, we'll assemble a research and development team, produce samples in batches, and compare and adjust the flavors across multiple versions."

"After the samples are deemed qualified and the taste meets the standards, they are brought to me for tasting and evaluation."

"I nod in approval. You can then proceed with the large-scale rollout, opening of stores, market launch, and comprehensive promotion."

"Okay! I'll go back and arrange the landing right away!"

Xu Damao was full of energy, and then he remembered the question he cared about most.

"Brother, when will the two million yuan arrive?"

"Now."

As He Yuzhu spoke, he took out a promissory note and quickly filled it out with a pen.

A sum of two million Hong Kong dollars was directly transferred to the corporate account of Qinquan Beverage Company.

The entire process was swift and efficient, without any delays.

Xu Damao accepted the check with both hands, his expression both excited and solemn.

"Thank you, brother! I'll definitely do my best and never let you down!"

"come on."

He Yuzhu offered a gentle encouragement.

"Your thinking is constantly evolving; you're always learning and exploring, which is truly commendable."

Xu Damao chuckled, his expression sincere.

"I've always worked for you, brother, and I don't want to embarrass you!"

"Stay for a simple meal before you leave."

He Yuzhu casually tried to persuade him to stay.

"No, brother! There's too much to do; I need to get back and implement the expansion plan immediately!"

Xu Damao carefully put away the check and got up to leave in a hurry.

"Wait a minute."

He Yuzhu called out to him.

"I'll get you a personal car later."

"You got your driver's license a long time ago, right?"

Xu Damao quickly responded.

"I got the license a long time ago! You can't do business on Hong Kong Island without a car."

"I originally planned to save up some money for a while and buy one myself."

"No need to buy it."

He Yuzhu asked casually.

"Will you be able to drive a Jeep off-road vehicle?"

"Sure! It's powerful, durable, and has excellent off-road capability—perfect for sales!"

Xu Damao's eyes lit up.

"Then you just wait."

He Yuzhu gave the order in a calm tone.

"I'll modify and tune the car here, and have someone deliver it directly to you."

"Thank you, bro!"

Xu Damao was overjoyed and filled with gratitude. He turned and left excitedly.

After seeing Xu Damao off, He Yuzhu drove straight to the Yellow River Automobile Factory.

He had stockpiled a large number of idle Jeeps in his storage space.

Selling directly is too conspicuous and easily arouses suspicion, making it difficult to sell.

Leaving them idle is too wasteful; the best solution is to use them internally, modify them for our own use.

A simple change to the exterior color, logo, and interior can give your car a completely new look.

It could easily be used as the first batch of modified finished vehicles from their own car factory to be showcased.

Upon entering the factory area, He Yuzhu went straight to the factory manager, Gu Yuanheng.

Get straight to the point.

"Old Gu, are the painting equipment and modification workshop in the factory currently ready for normal production and use?"

Gu Yuanheng quickly responded, his attitude respectful.

"Absolutely! The equipment is fully tested and all workers are on duty; we can start work at any time!"

"Is the boss planning to modify the vehicle?"

"right."

He Yuzhu nodded.

"I have a batch of idle Jeeps."

"You arrange for workers to repaint, change the color, and improve the exterior and interior."

"Try out several color schemes and select one that is sophisticated, timeless, suitable for business and official use."

Gu Yuanheng immediately accepted the task.

"No problem! Where are the cars? I'll arrange for someone to bring a few back for trial modifications right away!"

He Yuzhu gave the detailed address of a hidden warehouse.

"You can take your people directly to that warehouse to pick up the goods tomorrow."

"good!"

Gu Yuanheng readily agreed and then took the initiative to ask for instructions.

"It just so happens that these newly recruited workers haven't officially started practical work yet."

"Taking advantage of the car modification opportunity, we can get the team working together, familiarize ourselves with the equipment, and hone our skills."

"By the way, boss, besides repainting and interior refurbishment, can you do any other modifications or upgrades?"

"The workshop equipment and manpower are all idle; it would be a waste not to use them."

He Yuzhu spoke calmly, setting the rules.

"You are free to develop your ideas and optimize and upgrade them on your own."

"However, one thing is certain: the modified finished vehicle must meet the standards and pass the inspection."

"If the modifications are crude and of poor quality, affecting the overall look, then you can buy the car outright and drive it yourself!"

Gu Yuanheng patted his chest and gave his assurance, full of confidence.

"Don't worry, boss! There will absolutely be no substandard products!"

He then remembered the crucial details and quickly asked for instructions.

"By the way, boss, should all the vehicle's factory markings and original logos be replaced with our Yellow River's own brand?"

Replace them all.

He Yuzhu's attitude was firm.

"This batch of modified vehicles will be the first batch of finished vehicles produced by our Yellow River Automobile Factory."

"By the way, has the design for the exclusive car logo been finalized yet?"

"We've already finalized several versions of the design!"

Gu Yuanheng quickly responded.

"I'll take you there to inspect and select them yourself!"

He Yuzhu followed him to the design office.

Several meticulously designed brand logos were laid out on the table.

His gaze fell on the main design draft, and he raised an eyebrow slightly.

The image features the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River and the Yellow River's "几" (ji) bend basin as its core elements.

The landscape is magnificent and the artistic conception is grand, with a strong sense of national and familial heritage.

"Was this design based on the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River?"

"That's right!"

Gu Yuanheng nodded.

He Yuzhu asked casually.

"Was the designer brought in from mainland China?"

Gu Yuanheng looked on with surprise.

"Boss, you have such a good eye! How could you tell at a glance?"

"It's very simple."

He Yuzhu explained calmly.

"I have never personally set foot in the Yellow River basin or witnessed the magnificent rushing waters of Hukou Waterfall."

"It's impossible to paint such a vivid, spirited, and powerful picture."

He then offered a fair assessment of the strengths and weaknesses.

"I really like the design concept, the visual depth, and the national and familial symbolism."

"But as a car body emblem, it's too complicated and cumbersome."

"Too many details, too many lines, making it extremely difficult to recognize when scaled down."

"At long distances and high speeds, the outline of the pattern is completely invisible."

"It can be used as a logo for corporate headquarters buildings and promotional posters."

"It is absolutely unsuitable to be used directly as a car body emblem."

Gu Yuanheng immediately realized what was happening and quickly said...

"I'll call the designer over right away and redesign it on the spot!"

"Can."

A moment later, a middle-aged designer in his forties rushed over.

Upon meeting He Yuzhu, who exudes composure and is quite wealthy, he appeared slightly reserved and nervous.

He bowed slightly in greeting.

"Hello, boss."

"Don't be nervous."

He Yuzhu spoke gently, trying to calm the other person down.

"Your design has a solid foundation, excellent artistic conception, and a wonderful original intention."

"It's just that the application scenario doesn't match; car logos need to be simple, sophisticated, and highly recognizable."

"Are there any simpler, more three-dimensional, and more representative redesign options?"

The middle-aged designer pondered for two seconds and then made a bold suggestion.

"Boss, the Yellow River flows endlessly, nurturing China. There is an ancient legend of the Yellow River transforming into a dragon."

"Perhaps the lines of the Yellow River basin can be simplified into a dragon-shaped outline."

"The dragon is the totem of the Chinese nation, majestic and powerful, highly recognizable, and with excellent symbolism."

"Dragon-shaped?"

He Yuzhu's eyes lit up, and he readily agreed.

"That's a great idea! Let's redesign it around the dragon shape!"

"After the initial design draft was completed, it was directly handed over to Factory Director Gu for review, and then I made the final decision."

The designer quickly responded.

"Boss, I had already considered this plan and had prepared a first draft!"

As he spoke, he quickly produced a brand new design draft.

Simple, flowing lines outline an abstract coiled dragon.

The lines are inspired by the bends of the Yellow River, creating a unified, simple, and grand effect.

It contains both the essence of the Yellow River and the majestic aura of the dragon totem.

Even when shrunk, it remains three-dimensional, eye-catching, and highly recognizable.

He Yuzhu made his decision at a glance, his tone decisive.

"This is the version! It's settled!"

He then turned to look at Gu Yuanheng and asked in a deep voice.

"Old Gu, with our current equipment and technology, can we independently die-cast this dragon-shaped car logo?"

Gu Yuanheng carefully examined the design draft and responded confidently.

"We can produce it entirely domestically!"

"The gold plating process requires multiple adjustments and repeated trials."

"Ensure uniform color, high-quality texture, and prevent color fading and oxidation."

"no problem."

He Yuzhu nodded and gave the instructions.

"We will make every effort to adjust the process and strive for perfection."

"In addition, initiate the trademark registration process immediately."

"All countries and regions that are eligible for registration will be registered and filed in a unified manner."

"Secure trademark rights in advance to prevent future imitation, counterfeiting, and preemptive registration."

"To prevent our self-developed brand from being stolen and profited from by others."

Gu Yuanheng responded solemnly.

"Understood, boss! I'll immediately arrange for the legal department to handle this fully!"

After finalizing the car logo and modification details, He Yuzhu left the factory area.

They drove to the secret warehouse that they had previously told Gu Yuanheng about.

The warehouse is located in a remote, sparsely populated, and extremely secluded area.

He pushed open the warehouse door and retrieved the vehicle from the system space.

Two first-generation South China Leopard vehicles and ten second-generation South China Leopard vehicles were placed securely.

They are neatly and orderly parked in the warehouse, ready for later workers to take them away for modification.

After finishing arranging everything, he locked the warehouse door and drove home.

Time flies, and half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Within fifteen days, the factory renovation, debugging, and trial production were steadily implemented.

Gu Yuanheng took the initiative to call and invite He Yuzhu to come and inspect the finished vehicle.

After receiving the call, He Yuzhu immediately drove to the car factory area.

Inside the workshop, twelve modified off-road vehicles are neatly arranged and look brand new.

The entire vehicle has been repainted and recolored, resulting in a high-quality feel, even color, and a sophisticated and pleasing appearance.

All the car logos have been replaced with brand new Yellow River dragon-shaped logos, which are three-dimensional, exquisite, and full of presence.

In addition, the interior has been completely refurbished, and the hydraulic power windows have been upgraded.

The old-fashioned hand-cranked car windows have been upgraded to more convenient electric lifts.

The overall look, quality, and practicality have been comprehensively upgraded and transformed.

He Yuzhu looked at the brand-new finished car and was extremely satisfied.

He simply abandoned the Mercedes-Benz M100 luxury car he was originally riding in.

We randomly selected a modified Yellow River Dragon off-road vehicle and drove it out of the factory area.

A brand new model, a brand new color scheme, and a brand new logo, with a powerful and unique design.

Driving on the streets of Hong Kong Island, it attracts 100% attention, with passersby turning their heads to look at it.

It's definitely an eye-catching device that exudes confidence and charisma.

Gu Yuanheng arranged for a dedicated driver to drive He Yuzhu's Mercedes-Benz back to the villa compound smoothly.

As the vehicle entered the compound, it instantly attracted a crowd of security personnel who gathered around and discussed it animatedly.

A group of security personnel surrounded the brand-new luxury car, their faces filled with envy and amazement.

His eyes were full of longing and anticipation.

A young security guard couldn't help but ask.

"Boss! When will we be issued these new cars?"

"This car is so imposing! Especially the dragon-shaped emblem on the front, it's both cool and powerful!"

He Yuzhu smiled faintly and offered a casual reassurance.

"Don't worry, in a while, everyone will get a new car."

The security guard's eyes lit up instantly, his face filled with surprise.

"Really, boss?!"

"Of course it's true."

He Yuzhu spoke with certainty.

The security guards cheered and jumped for joy, their enthusiasm instantly soaring.

In the evening, the brothers He Yuxin and He Yu rushed over upon hearing the news.

The two teenagers were at the age where they were playful and loved to show off.

As soon as I entered the yard, my eyes were drawn to the brand-new Yellow River Dragon off-road vehicle, filled with envy.

She immediately fawned over He Yuzhu, begging for it.

"Dude! This car is amazing! It's so cool!"

"When are you going to send us one to drive?"

"Is the dragon emblem on the front of the vehicle made of real gold? It looks so exquisite!"

He Yuzhu raised his hand and lightly tapped the two of them on the forehead, his tone somewhat stern.

"What do you mean by real gold or fake gold? It's just an alloy plating process."

"No matter how beautiful it is, it has nothing to do with you at this stage."

"If you are under the age of 18 and do not have a driver's license, it is illegal for you to drive on the road."

"Study hard, get your license when you're an adult, and then talk to me about cars."

He Yuxin muttered a defense in a low voice.

"But many of my classmates, without driver's licenses, secretly drive their family cars out for a spin!"

Upon hearing this, He Yuzhu's face instantly darkened, and he warned sternly in a serious tone.

"Others are others, and you are you!"

"Such illegal and unethical practices are absolutely forbidden—you must not touch them, learn from them, or do them!"

"Anyone who dares to drive without a license will have their legs broken; there will be absolutely no leniency!"

The two brothers had always respected their eldest brother, who was a man of his word and dared to take action.

Compared to a mother who only nags and a father who only punishes.

He Yuzhu's authority was etched in their hearts.

Upon hearing this, she immediately lowered her head and obediently responded.

"We understand, brother, we absolutely wouldn't dare!"

Once all vehicles have been modified and tested, and all procedures have been completed, the process will continue until all procedures are completed.

As previously promised, He Yuzhu allocated a brand-new Yellow River Dragon off-road vehicle separately.

It was specially given to Xu Damao.

Xu Damao was overjoyed and couldn't put the new car down the moment he received it.

That afternoon, he drove his new car alone to the Hong Kong Island waterfront for a drive and to relax.

His wife, Lou Xiao'e, was still pregnant and had difficulty moving around.

He knew what he was doing and dared not take his pregnant wife through any rough or risky travel.

The remaining ten or so brand-new off-road vehicles were all centrally allocated by He Yuzhu.

All of them were equipped to their own security team as official vehicles for official duties.

Previously, the security team was used for patrol duties, business negotiations, and escorting passengers.

Most people can only travel in old-fashioned trucks, which are simple, crude, and lack any class.

When going out to meet with partners or negotiate business, it's easy to appear shabby and cheap.

Now that the unified vehicle has been replaced with the imposing and exquisite Yellow River Dragon off-road vehicle, its aura has instantly transformed.

Ah Lang, the head of the security team, was overjoyed and in high spirits.

Now the security company is registered under his name and managed entirely by him.

With these high-end official vehicles to enhance the image, the prestige of the establishment is instantly elevated.

After that, A Lang went out to discuss cooperation, receive orders, and connect with clients.

He would inevitably be dressed in camouflage formal attire, wearing sunglasses, and driving a Yellow River Dragon off-road vehicle.

They possess a powerful presence, strict discipline, and excellent equipment.

From a distance, their presence is comparable to that of a regular military patrol team.

Impressive presence, strong capabilities, and professionalism—it's all top-notch.

This is a completely revamped and well-equipped security team.

It also inadvertently became the best living advertisement and mobile signboard for the Yellow River Automobile Factory.

Many bosses, partners, and business people in the Hong Kong Island circle.

Witness firsthand these high-quality, imposing domestically produced off-road vehicles.

Many people took the initiative to visit the Yellow River Automobile Factory to inquire about purchasing, customization, and modification services.

The car manufacturer took advantage of this and received several small car purchase orders.

If it weren't for the large inventory of ready-made vehicles that He Yuzhu had stockpiled in his space...

With the factory's current production capacity, it is simply not enough to accept orders, and we can only watch helplessly as business opportunities slip away.

The car manufacturing plan, which was originally progressing steadily and smoothly, suddenly took an unexpected turn.

He Yuzhu received an urgent call from Huo Sheng, bringing bad news.

A shipment of steel from an island nation, ordered previously, encountered an unexpected accident during its sea voyage.

The entire cargo was intercepted and plundered by pirates at sea, resulting in the complete loss of everything.

When the call connected, He Yuzhu spoke calmly and took the initiative to ask questions.

"Mr. Huo, who has the audacity to openly hijack a ship in the waters near Hong Kong Island?"

Huo Sheng's tone was solemn, tinged with helplessness and heaviness.

"Who else could it be but a pirate gang that roams the seas?"

He Yuzhu frowned slightly, a sense of doubt creeping into his heart.

"The waterways near Hong Kong Island have always been relatively safe."

"Piracy has been rare in recent years, so why has there suddenly been a large-scale raid?"

Things are different now.

Huo Sheng explained in a deep voice.

"The scattered small pirate groups have been largely wiped out, but the remaining forces have merged and consolidated with each other."

"It has formed a large-scale pirate gang with enormous size, sophisticated equipment, and a united front."

He Yuzhu's eyes darkened as he pressed for the core details.

"What was the exact size of the pirate group that plundered the cargo ships? How many men and how many ships did they have?"

Huo Sheng relayed the information truthfully based on the reports from the crew members who had escaped.

"The crew members who managed to escape reported that the other side had several hundred men."

"More than ten warships, all bearing the pirate flag of 'Skyrocket Cannon'."

He Yuzhu continued to press for key combat information.

"What is the enemy's equipment level? Do they have heavy firepower?"

"have!"

Huo Sheng's tone grew increasingly heavy.

"The other side has two gunboats with a capacity of 1,000 tons each, and the rest are converted and armed fishing boats."

"The gunboats are equipped with small naval guns and even torpedoes, making them extremely powerful."

"Ordinary crew members cannot distinguish the specific weapon configurations; they can only tell that the firepower is extremely strong."

He Yuzhu tapped the tabletop lightly with his fingertips, quickly reviewing the situation in his mind.

The emergence of professional pirates with gunboats and torpedoes in coastal waters indicates they are no ordinary, scattered bandits.

There must be someone supporting them, backing them up, and providing them with equipment channels.

He continued to ask questions.

"Did you contact the marine police or official maritime authorities immediately to handle the situation?"

"I reported it immediately."

Huo Sheng said helplessly.

"But the marine police were evasive and just told me to wait patiently for further notice."

"There was no action taken to send out ships to pursue, search and rescue, or recover stolen goods; it was clearly a deliberate delay."

"Mr. He, if you urgently need this batch of steel to start construction, I will immediately place a new order to replenish the stock."

He Yuzhu thought for a moment and then spoke calmly.

"Don't rush to restock."

"Something's not right. I'll find someone to investigate the truth behind this and find out the reason."

"Put your operation on the other end paused and wait for my message."

"Okay, I'll wait for your news."

After hanging up with Huo Sheng, He Yuzhu immediately dialed Orian's private number.

The call was quickly connected, and Orion's relaxed and casual voice came from the other end.

"Hey, it's rare for you to call me on your own initiative."

"You wouldn't come to my door without a reason. What brings you here today?"

He Yuzhu got straight to the point.

"Do you have any influence in the marine police or maritime authorities?"

Orion was slightly surprised.

"Marine police? When did you decide to get involved in the shipping business?"

"I'm not in the shipping business."

He Yuzhu briefly explained the situation.

"A friend of mine had his ocean-going cargo ship robbed by pirates at sea, and the entire cargo was lost."

Orion immediately understood and asked casually.

"Which friend?"

"The Fok family of Hong Kong Island, Mr. Fok."

He Yuzhu told the truth.

Orion's tone instantly became subtle.

"Is it the Huo family I know?"

"That's right."

He Yuzhu responded.

"He specifically helped me transport a batch of industrial steel, which was intended to be supplied to my car factory."

"The factory is currently shut down due to a shortage of materials, and we urgently need this batch of steel to be put into production."

Upon hearing this, Orion's tone was tinged with difficulty and helplessness.

"He, I advise you not to get involved in this matter."

"It's simply impossible to do."

He Yuzhu's eyes narrowed slightly, and he pressed for an answer in a deep voice.

"Why? It's just a regular pirate hijacking case."

"ordinary?"

Orion chuckled and revealed the deeper secret.

"You're still too young, just starting out in business, and you don't understand the undercurrents in Hong Kong's business district."

"The Huo family is currently in an extremely delicate and difficult situation."

He Yuzhu keenly captured key information.

"You mean this pirate hijacking wasn't a random act, but rather a deliberate targeting?"

"Everyone in the industry knows this."

Orion spoke frankly and openly.

"You're just starting out in the business world, focused solely on your core business, and oblivious to what's going on around you."

"The Huo family has been having too close and frequent interactions with the north in recent years."

"They have already crossed the line here and are being targeted and deliberately suppressed."

He Yuzhu was startled.

"There's such an inside story? I've never heard Mr. Huo mention a single word about it."

"Of course he wouldn't say."

Orion explained casually.

"Last year, the Huo family suffered a direct loss of more than 20 million Hong Kong dollars on a property investment."

"Cargo routes are subject to numerous restrictions, with a minimum requirement of 200,000 containers of cargo per year."

"The western channels have been completely blocked, and all resources, cooperation, and supplies have been completely cut off."

"With layers of suppression and restrictions everywhere, it has long been difficult to move forward."

He Yuzhu remained silent for a moment, then asked in a deep voice.

"Would it be alright if I stepped in to relay the message and help mediate?"

"Absolutely not."

Orion refused outright.

"This matter has crossed the line; whoever gets involved will be in trouble."

"I dare not and cannot pass on your message; if I get involved, my career will also be affected."

"Take my advice."

Orion earnestly tried to persuade him.

"If that batch of steel wasn't a matter of life and death for you."

"Just consider it a loss, cut your losses, accept your bad luck, and let it go with the money."

"Do not delve too deeply, do not investigate further, and do not confront them head-on."

He Yuzhu nodded slowly, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

"I see."

Orian was afraid that He Yuzhu, with his strong personality and domineering behavior, would impulsively cause trouble.

He quickly began to give instructions.

"He, I know you are skilled, have many capable subordinates, and are decisive in your actions."

"But sea and land are completely different concepts!"

"Those desperate pirates were reckless, suicidal, and well-equipped."

"You absolutely must not act recklessly or go out to sea to seek revenge on your own!"

He Yuzhu spoke in a flat tone.

"I understand, thank you for reminding me."

Orion breathed a sigh of relief and smiled to ease the tension.

"Good to know. Come over to my house for a drink sometime."

"Instead of drinking, come to my house."

He Yuzhu readily agreed.

"You're welcome anytime; my family has plenty of good food and wine."

"No need for alcohol, I can't outdrink you."

Orion smiled and declined.

"Your chef's skills are unparalleled in Hong Kong Island; as long as there's enough good food, we'll be happy."

"no problem."

"That's all for now, I'll hang up."

"etc!"

Orion quickly called a halt and gave another serious warning.

"Remember! Don't do anything reckless! The sea is not land! It's too dangerous!"

"Um."

He Yuzhu responded calmly.

The call was immediately disconnected, followed by a busy tone.

Orian, on the other end of the phone, shook his head helplessly as he held the receiver.

He muttered to himself quietly.

"This guy is too stubborn and too assertive."

"I'm afraid they didn't listen to any advice at all, and might actually sneak out to sea to cause trouble for the pirates."

Inside the study of the villa.

He Yuzhu put down the phone and paced back and forth in deep thought.

The pirate disturbance appeared to be caused by sea raiders.

In reality, it is an overt tactic of political maneuvering and suppression within certain social circles.

Simply eliminating a few pirate gangs won't solve the root problem.

The Huo family suffered from social suppression, policy blockades, and channel blockades.

It is the result of a long-term, continuous, and top-level game.

It is by no means something that he alone or his efforts in a short period of time can reverse.

Even if he wanted to help, he wouldn't know where to start or what to do.

They could only watch as Huo Sheng silently bore all the pressure and losses.

He can subsequently provide Huo Sheng with more business opportunities, support industries, and make up for losses.

The biggest problem right now is that there are no goods to ship and no materials to use.

All business, transportation, and trade were blocked at every level.

After a brief moment of contemplation, He Yuzhu suppressed the distracting thoughts in his mind.

His gaze regained its firmness and composure.

"Forget it, let's deal with the immediate raw material crisis first."

The complex and far-reaching power struggles within different social circles are meaningless.

The most urgent task is to address the steel shortage caused by the shutdown of automobile factories.

He dialed Huo Sheng's number again.

The call was answered immediately, and Huo Sheng's voice came through with a hint of anxiety.

"Mr. He, have you found out what happened? What exactly happened?"

He Yuzhu spoke calmly and truthfully.

"I've had people inquire about this, and it's not appropriate for outsiders to get involved."

Upon hearing this, Huo Sheng sighed softly, his tone one of relief.

"It seems your friend is really reliable and didn't lie to you."

"Being able to say this proves that he has seen through the intricacies of the situation."

He Yuzhu was silent for two seconds, then asked softly.

"Mr. Huo, have you been having a particularly tough time lately?"

Huo Sheng chuckled lightly, feigning ease.

"It's alright, I can barely hold on, it's not too difficult."

He Yuzhu spoke sincerely and with certainty.

"Can we be considered true friends?"

"certainly!"

Huo Sheng responded without hesitation.

"Since we're friends, don't hide the truth from me."

He Yuzhu said in a deep voice.

"Your current situation is definitely not as easy as it seems on the surface."

After a long silence, Huo Sheng finally spoke frankly.

"Fine, I won't hide it from you."

"The waters here are too deep, the implications are too wide, and the risks are too great."

"Your foundation is still shallow, and you're just starting out. There's no need for you to get involved and cause trouble."

"I can handle things on my end, so don't worry about me."

He Yuzhu's eyes were firm, and he no longer dwelled on the other person's predicament.

They then raised their own demands.

"In that case, I won't get involved in your affairs."

"Lend me a boat."

Huo Sheng was stunned for a moment and quickly asked.

"What do you need the boat for?"

"My car factory is waiting for steel production to start; we can't afford to waste time."

He Yuzhu spoke in a calm and decisive tone.

"Even if you repurchase the next batch of goods, there is still a high probability that they will be intercepted and blocked."

"I will personally lead a group out to sea to talk to those pirates."

Upon hearing this, Huo Sheng was greatly alarmed and urgently tried to dissuade him.

"No! Absolutely not! It's too dangerous!"

"It's just a mere thousand tons of steel; I can completely afford the loss!"

"It's simply not worth risking your life at sea!"

"I'll try other channels and other freight companies!"

He Yuzhu shook his head, his gaze fixed on the future.

"It only treats the symptoms, not the root cause."

"My future factory will handle incoming materials, outgoing raw materials, and export of finished products."

"Freight volume will only increase, and we can't rely on others forever."

"If I avoid battle today, I will accept the loss."

"In the future, these pirates and the forces behind them will only become more and more ruthless and manipulate them at every level."

"I can't be controlled by others and have my life held hostage by them!"

Huo Sheng continued to strongly dissuade him.

"But the sea is too dangerous; the desperados are fully armed and have heavy weapons!"

"There will always be a turning point, and there will always be a way to get through this."

He Yuzhu's attitude was firm and left no room for doubt.

"If you refuse to lend me a boat, I'll just buy one from you."

"It doesn't need to be too big; a small to medium-sized cargo ship will suffice."

Left with no other choice, Huo Sheng had to tell the truth about the remaining supplies on the ship.

"Besides steel, the ship also carried a large number of electrical appliances and auto parts."

"The entire shipment was worth millions of Hong Kong dollars, resulting in heavy losses."

He Yuzhu understood.

Despite the huge loss of millions of Hong Kong dollars, the other party remained calm and gritted their teeth to bear the burden.

It is evident how much pressure and losses Huo Sheng endured during this period.

His tone became serious, and he spoke sincerely.

"If you can't hold on any longer, just let me know."

"I will definitely not stand idly by if I can help."

Huo Sheng smiled faintly, his expression carrying a hint of vicissitude and resilience.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Ho."

"After so many years of ups and downs, I've long been used to bearing it all alone."

He Yuzhu stopped pressuring and quietly ended the conversation.

"That's settled then. I'll think of other steel suppliers."

"it is good."

Huo Sheng responded.

"If you really can't find a way, come to me anytime."

"Having lived in Hong Kong for many years, I still have some connections and channels that I can utilize."

"Okay, goodbye."

"goodbye."

The phone call ended, but the turmoil had not subsided and the crisis remained.

A ship hijacking incident at sea has unearthed a deep-seated power struggle among different social circles.

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