190: Give 1 piece to add dragon steel? Where can I find such a good thing?

"You all report first. I need to go to another factory. We'll be in touch by phone later."

Zhou Cun said goodbye to the old factory manager and headed straight to the lighter gasket manufacturing plant.

The old factory manager muttered to himself, "Do you think the higher-ups will have any objections if we sell the factory to Julong Steel for 1 yuan?"

"How could they? Haven't the higher-ups been demanding we completely finish the restructuring by the end of the year? Isn't it good that we finished the task at the beginning of the year?"

"Exactly, exactly. You can't expect the horse to run without feeding it grass. That kind of thing doesn't happen in this world."

"Manager, hurry up and make the call. That's Julong Steel! You won't find another opportunity like this if you miss it."

"Exactly, exactly. I've heard that plenty of steel mills want to partner with Julong Steel, but Director Lu doesn't even bother with them."

"That's right. It's our immense good fortune that Julong Steel even looks at our dumpy factory."

"Manager, hurry up and tell the higher-ups. Don't miss this opportunity."

Seeing them urging him repeatedly, the other workers weren't happy.

"You weren't happy when we switched to producing ballpoint pen tips back then, so why are you urging him now?"

"Did you all forget how you badmouthed the old manager back then?"

The old factory manager waved his hand and said, "Stop arguing at a time like this. I'll go see the bureau chief this afternoon."

If they were selling the steel mill at a high price, the bureau chief would certainly have nothing to say, but selling it for 1 yuan would likely draw some objections from the chief.

That afternoon, at the office of the Anniumshan Industry and Commerce Bureau Chief.

The bureau chief looked solemn. "Old Liu, are you saying this is all true? 1 yuan? Why are you only charging Julong Steel 1 yuan?"

You can join Julong Steel for just 1 yuan? That's a deal you'd have a hard time finding even with a lantern.

The old factory manager explained, "It's not that we are giving them 1 yuan; it's that Julong Steel wants to buy our factory for 1 yuan."

Upon hearing this, the bureau chief perked up. Julong Steel was now an unreachable existence in the Dragon Xia steel production circle. Forget about them paying you 1 yuan for the acquisition; he'd be willing even if he had to pay them a million.

"Old Liu, do you have any acquaintances at Julong Steel?" the bureau chief asked.

"No. They just took a liking to our ballpoint pen tips and fountain pen nibs—the very projects you didn't think highly of two years ago," the old factory manager said truthfully.

"Old Liu, how about this? Selling for 1 yuan is no problem. The bureau can even throw in 2 million, but Julong Steel must package at least three companies at once," the bureau chief pondered.

The old factory manager said in a difficult tone, "This... will it work?"

"Whether it works or not, let's try it first. What if it succeeds?" the bureau chief persuaded.

There were too many lingering issues from the restructuring of industrial and mining enterprises in the old urban area of Anniumshan. If they didn't take the opportunity while Julong Steel was at their doorstep to solve them all at once, when else would they wait for?

The bureau chief was calculating furiously, but over on Zhou Cun's side, he had encountered a tough nut to crack.

"Although the lighter gaskets produced by our factory have a low yield rate, as long as we improve the process, we can definitely make big money. Young Manager Zhou, you want to acquire our factory for just 6 million? Isn't that a bit whimsical?" said Factory Manager Old Hu.

He didn't know Zhou Cun's background, but since the other party opened by wanting to acquire their factory, as an old factory manager, how could he tolerate that?

"Let me introduce myself first. I am from Qinchuan..."

"No matter where you are from, Young Manager Zhou, we will absolutely not sell our factory for less than 10 million!" Old Hu said firmly.

It wasn't easy to catch a sucker; how could they not scrape some grease off him?

"Manager, why isn't that kid saying anything? Don't let him be scared off by our price."

"Exactly, exactly. You can't just keep shearing one sheep to death."

"Shut up. I'm fighting for everyone's benefits. Nowadays, some bosses buy old steel mills just for the steel production enterprise qualification. It's a one-off deal; how can we not ask for a high price?" Factory Manager Hu insisted.

Although the lighter gaskets couldn't compete with imports in the domestic market and few people wanted them, they were, after all, the "core technology" of their own steel mill. Selling them for a low price wouldn't do.

"Alright then, I'll consider it some more," Zhou Cun said, turning to leave.

The price of 10 million already exceeded his psychological expectations; at most, he would give 6 million.

However, since he had already settled the fountain pen nibs and ballpoint pen tips, he had something to report back. The lighter gaskets were not that important.

"Take your time leaving. It's fine to consider it more."

Old Hu handed over a business card. Zhou Cun took it, but threw it away as soon as he exited the factory gate.

Half an hour after Zhou Cun left, Factory Manager Hu received a call from the Industry and Commerce Bureau Chief.

"What did you say? Julong Steel wants to acquire the old steel enterprises in our district? Us! We must be included! I'm not afraid to tell you, just a moment ago, another entity wanted to spend 10 million to acquire our factory," Old Hu said excitedly.

The bureau chief felt a toothache. "Really? Your factory only has seventy or eighty people. Why didn't you sell?"

"Oh, I was just trying to fight for more benefits for the workers, but the other party wasn't happy and turned and left," Factory Manager Hu embellished.

The bureau chief asked curiously, "Was the person who came a tall, thin young man? Did he have a bit of a Northwest accent when he spoke?"

"How did you know? Did that kid look for you?" Factory Manager Hu asked, surprised.

Upon hearing this, the bureau chief's heart sank. This was going to be bad!

"Where is that young man? Where is he now?"

"Seeing that I didn't intend to budge, the kid left on his own."

"What did you say? You let him go?"

"It wasn't that I let him go, it was that he left on his own."

"Oh, Old Hu, Old Hu! You've caused a huge disaster this time. That young man is the representative of Julong Steel. No matter what method you use, find him and bring him back to me now!" the bureau chief said sternly.

They had finally waited for a savior, and you drove him away directly. Is that appropriate?

"Ah? Don't worry, he definitely hasn't gone far. I'll immediately mobilize all the factory workers to find him."

Factory Manager Hu had been muddled for half his life, but this time he was finally clear-headed. All the factory workers were mobilized, searching along the major streets and districts for the person.

Fortunately, the Anniumshan steel industrial park was not big. Within two streets, they found Zhou Cun sitting at a street stall eating Tudang meat noodles.

He was slurping noodles while reporting the situation to Lu Shenwei.

Lu Shenwei nodded and said, "That's fine. Resettling a few dozen people won't cost much. Do as you said."

"Alright, I'll go sign the contract in a while and return to Qinchuan tomorrow morning." Zhou Cun wiped his mouth, took a sip of noodle soup, and was about to leave.

Poor Factory Manager Hu was already fat to begin with; by the time he found Zhou Cun after running two streets, he was panting like an old dog.

"Huff... huff... I finally found you."

Zhou Cun looked at the anxious Factory Manager Hu and said with surprise, "Did you change your mind? Want to lower the price? Sorry, I've already reported to our boss. Even if you give it to me for 6 million, I don't want it anymore."

Ah? This...

How could this be? Isn't this asking me to die?

I can die, but the workers at our steel mill still want to live.

Thump—

Factory Manager Old Hu suddenly fell to his knees on the ground. This gave a start to Zhou Cun, who had wanted to tease him a little.

What's going on? What is this?