Chapter 197 – Upright Character
Feng Yu was parched from persuading Kirilenko, but he finally got Kirilenko to use this opportunity to make more money. Even if Kirilenko’s father did not get promoted, he would have over a hundred million Rubles. He could still be a privileged class!
In this era, the Soviet Union was still a communist state, but there were still about 1.5% of the population in the privileged class, and this figure was still increasing.
Kirilenko was a classic example of privileged class. He had used the army’s name for his machinery trade with Feng Yu. The machines were bought at low cost and used the military train carriages to transport to Bing City for free.
All the expenses from the military plate vehicle which Kirilenko was driving could be reimbursed. Even the money used for purchasing goods were from the military funds. Almost all the officers and their families were doing this, and some were worse than Kirilenko. But there was no one catching them.
Kirilenko’s friend from Kiev had “scrapped” those almost 90% military trucks and sold to Feng Yu, and nothing had happened to him. This person was more daring than Kirilenko, but it was also because his father’s rank was higher than Kirilenko’s father.
Kirilenko thought for a while, his father was a logistics officer, and it was easier for him to do such things. Money in the hands was more important than anything. Even if the Soviet Union was disintegrated, as long as he had money, he can still be above the rest!
Since there were more opportunities to cooperate, then the price of this furnace can be lowered slightly more. In the end, Kirilenko offered 13 million Rubles to Feng Yu. It was the same 30% profits in the past.
Feng Yu accepted the deal readily and promised Kirilenko that he would be able to sell off all advanced machinery and technologies Kirilenko could find, and he would not hold back any payments.
After hanging up, Feng Yu was jumping with joy.
Everything was proceeding smoothly. Feng Yu never expect that Lithuania’s independence would be a good thing for him. He could get his hands on the furnace and the Machinery Company’s shares earlier.
The biggest problem Feng Yu was facing was that he did not have enough funds! The new factory at Guangcheng had used up most of his funds.
Feng Yu do not even have 13 million RMB, let alone 13 million Rubles.
Seems like he needs to talk to Hou Haitao. He needs Hou Haitao to pay some deposits first. If he could make the full payment now, it would be best.
……
“Eh? Manager Feng, why are you here?” Hou Haitao was not happy to see Feng Yu. Feng Yu had snatched a piece of meat from his mouth and promised him to exchange it with ribs. But now, there were still no signs of the ribs.
“Director Hou, you don’t seem to be happy when you see me. Actually, I have some good news for you, but it seems that I had caught you at a wrong time.” Feng Yu turned and walked off.
Good news?
Hou Haitao immediately hold onto Feng Yu’s arms: “Aiya, Manager Feng, what are you saying? I am just busy with work today and was tired. But I will still show mu hospitality to you. Xiao Liu, use the tea leaves from my metal tin to brew a pot of tea for Manager Feng!”
Xiao Liu went to brew tea unwillingly. The tea leaves in the metal tin were given to Hou Haitao from one of the leaders of Beijing’s party committee. Even when the City leaders visited the factory, he never used these tea leaves. Hou Haitao only used those tea leaves twice when the Provincial leader came. What’s wrong with Director Hou today? Why was he using those tea leaves to brew tea for Feng Yu?
Feng Yu was sitting on the sofa crossing his legs. If he lit a cigarette now, he would have an annoying look which everybody wants to slap. All this while since his rebirth, Feng Yu felt that his most significant achievement was that he quit smoking.
Actually, it was not that he does not want to smoke. It was because he was not used to the cigarettes now and if he starts to smoke, not only his parents, even his pregnant sister would be beating him up!
The tea arrived, and Feng Yu took a sip. He glanced at Hou Haitao. This old man actually kept these excellent stuff for himself. He must find a way to take some of these tea leaves back when he left.
Feng Yu did not say anything, and Hou Haitao grew impatient: “Manager Feng, didn’t you said that you have good news for me?”
Feng Yu had a surprised look on his face and said: “Oh, look at me. I had forgotten about it. I must be getting older.”
Hou Haitao twitched. You are not even 20 years’ old, and I am in my 50s. You are telling me you are getting old? What are you implying?
“Director Hou, can your factory spare an empty workshop? The ultra-high powered electric furnace, manufactured by the Soviet in 1985, working condition, no repairs before, was being dismantled and loaded onto a train now.”
Hou Haitao jumped up from his seat: “You serious?”
“Since when did I lied to you?” Feng Yu retorted.
Hou Haitao rolled his eyes. You had tricked me countless times. Such young age and yet as smart as a monkey. But Feng Yu should not and dare not fool him with such important matters.
“Then when can the furnace reach Bing City?” Hou Haitao asked.
“They will start shipping when they received the payments. It will reach Bing City within 7 days. Director Hou, you had been waiting for such a long time, what’s the big deal for you to wait a few more days? This furnace can be considered the most advanced furnace in China. It is much better than the 1970s furnace bought by those two southern factories.”
Feng Yu was hinting to Hou Haitao to prepare the payments, and this furnace would not be cheap.
“Manager Feng, how much are you selling this furnace to us?”
Feng Yu rolled his eyes and moved closer: “Director Hou, do you want to spend more or less?”
Hou Haitao jumped up as if he was a cat which had its tail stepped on. He shouted: “Manager Feng, I am not that type of person. I am a committed member of the Party!”
Feng Yu blinked: “What type of person?”
“Manager Feng, you have a lot of business and should not walk the wrong path. I will not be bribed.”
“What? Bribery? Director Hou, you think that I want to bribe you or be bribed?” Feng Yu asked. “I am trying to tell you that if you want to spend lesser, then make the full payment now and you settle the importation paperwork. You mentioned that if this machine is ordered under the military, you can be exempted from paying taxes. The taxes for this type of heavy machinery are very high.”
What? Tax exemption?
Hou Haitao laughed. So, this was what this kid was talking about He thought Feng Yu wanted to bribe him to report a higher amount to the higher-ups for extra funds.
Hou Haitao had not wanted such things in the first place. But when he heard Feng Yu’s explanation, he felt regretful. He regretted that he was unable to show his upright character as a member of the Party!
Feng Yu added: “Since when did I secretly give gifts to the government officials and agencies? I gave those gifts openly. You mentioned before that you like the Soviet Union military issued flagon. I had specially asked my contacts in the Soviet Union to look for this flagon. This flagon was issued to only Major General and above.”
Hou Haitao’s eyes sparkled. He was in a dilemma. Should he or should he not accept this gift.
In the end, the devil inside of him won. He can show his upright character as a member of the Party next time!