"Director Hou, you go and finalize a rough time, and then inform me so I can prepare some US dollars in advance."
"Two production lines, estimated to cost hundreds of thousands of US dollars. You'll have to give me some time to prepare."
Although Chen Yang spoke confidently, he couldn't even produce a single cent of US dollars at the moment, let alone hundreds of thousands.
"Don't worry, Boss Chen. I understand. Foreign exchange is already tight, let alone hundreds of thousands of US dollars."
"As soon as there's news, I'll notify you immediately. Please leave me your contact information."
Seeing Chen Yang's confident demeanor, Hou Yong felt considerably more at ease. If Chen Yang hadn't brought this up, he would have been more anxious.
Hundreds of thousands of US dollars would require careful consideration from both the Foreign Exchange Bureau and the Economic and Trade Commission; they wouldn't approve it lightly. It would be strange if Chen Yang could produce it so readily.
He didn't pry into how Chen Yang planned to obtain the US dollars. As a cooperating party, it was his job to do his part and wait for Chen Yang's US dollars. Prying would only be unwelcome.
"Director Hou, if you have any news, you can send someone to find me at the East China Institute of Finance and Economics. Chen Yang, Class 2, Accounting, Department of Economics, Class of '79."
"It would be best if you could get some kind of document, stamped with a red seal, stating that I need to cooperate with some work. That way, it'll be easier for me to ask for leave from the school."
Chen Yang chuckled. He had suddenly thought of a great way to skip classes!
The Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Bureau, being an official body, often saw students being scouted by certain state units for internships or training.
After all, these students were slated to be assigned to various units or state-owned enterprises after graduation. Familiarizing themselves with their future roles and industries in advance would also facilitate their future careers.
"Boss Chen is still studying?"
Hou Yong was taken aback when he heard Chen Yang. Chen Yang's demeanor was incredibly poised and his presence commanding. He faced every situation with calm and composure.
This had even made Hou Yong overlook his age. To hear now that Chen Yang was still a student, how could he not be shocked!
"Genuine article. Look, these two are my classmates, both students from the East China Institute of Finance and Economics."
Chen Yang gestured to Wang Baolin and Liu Xiangyu. They, accustomed to the routine, pulled out their student IDs.
Throughout the day, they had been stunned by Chen Yang. First, he had berated a big boss capable of merging state-owned factories like a grandchild.
Then, he had clashed head-on with the director of a state-owned factory and the leaders of the Shanghai Industrial and Commercial Bureau, and finally, he had convinced both leaders.
They were now utterly impressed with Chen Yang, content to be his 'tools.'
Hou Yong glanced at them but didn't actually examine their student IDs.
He merely thought more highly of Chen Yang. At such a young age, to possess such courage and ability, he had to believe Chen Yang based on this alone.
Hou Yong felt that this young man might bring him a great surprise!
"Boss Chen, I'll come to the East China Institute of Finance and Economics to find you as soon as I have news. You should also prepare the foreign exchange as early as possible. Once it's decided, we'll try to expedite the introduction of the production lines."
Hou Yong attached great importance to the upgrading and transformation of the Third Radio Factory. In his opinion, this was crucial for the factory's survival.
"Don't worry, Director Hou. I'll prepare in advance. I certainly won't delay your business."
Hou Yong didn't waste any more words and left with Sheng Changqing, his decisive work style evident.
"Brother, where do we have US dollars? I originally thought we'd pay, and Director Hou and the others would exchange US dollars for us."
Zhang Weiyang felt a bit guilty. If it were tens of thousands, he could manage, but for two production lines, hundreds of thousands of US dollars, he really couldn't come up with it.
"How much working capital do you have on hand?"
Chen Yang glanced at Zhang Weiyang. In those days, controlling foreign exchange could bring unexpected benefits in many domestic dealings.
A significant reason why others couldn't obtain foreign exchange was the lack of information. At that time, most people in China had little understanding of overseas affairs.
However, for Chen Yang, who had studied abroad for many years, this was not a problem.
It might be difficult to go abroad now, but a trip to Hong Kong in the south was not that hard.
"Our current liquid assets on the books are about 300,000 yuan. The factory in Jinling has only just been set up and didn't cost much, so I've been saving it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have dared to discuss merging factories."
Even though he didn't know how Chen Yang planned to obtain foreign exchange, Zhang Weiyang honestly told Chen Yang the current liquid capital.
"I'll give you a week to gather all the money you can get your hands on. Get Baoguo to bring two agile individuals, and we'll head to Hong Kong later."
Chen Yang estimated. He had nearly 300,000 yuan in savings at home, plus the funds from Jiangsu Province, making it over 600,000 yuan.
In the past six months, the radio business in Anhui Province had become quite saturated, and production had shrunk considerably. After Chen Yang started school in September, the revenue and profit from all the stores were only a little over 100,000 yuan, less than half of last year.
However, thanks to the success of the fermented bean curd fish produced by the fermented bean curd fish factory, which was selling out in all the supply and marketing cooperatives in Anhui Province with Zou Chenguang's help.
In just three to four months, the fermented bean curd fish factory had generated over 100,000 yuan in profit. Combined with the radio business, it totaled over 300,000 yuan, even comparable to the revenue and profit from the new radio stores in Jiangsu Province.
"Brother, to Hong Kong?"
"Do you have a way to get to Hong Kong?"
Zhang Weiyang had heard this city's name frequently from others lately. He heard people say that a small fishing village in Guangdong Province in the south had become a special economic zone precisely because it was close to Hong Kong.
In just a few years, the small fishing village had built many buildings, and there were many more cars on the roads.
Most importantly, foreigners and people from Hong Kong were investing. Those people from Hong Kong had plenty of money; even a small tip would start at ten US dollars.
It was hard to imagine how rich Hong Kong in the south must be. How could Zhang Weiyang not long for it?
"You kid, why so many questions? I told you to prepare the money, so hurry up. I'll take you to Hong Kong to broaden your horizons, and you'll know what it means to be truly worldly."
"Expand your horizons, and you'll have a clearer idea of what we need to do in the future."
Chen Yang glared at Zhang Weiyang. This kid was getting more and more brazen, often pestering him. If he were a beautiful girl, Chen Yang might indulge him, but he was a grown man who kept coming around. Chen Yang wasn't gay.
"Brother, don't worry. It won't take seven days, five— no, four days and I'll get it done!"
Zhang Weiyang was so excited at the prospect of going to Hong Kong that he could barely stand still. Chen Yang waved his hand dismissively.
He wasn't going solely to exchange US dollars. This trip to Hong Kong also had a mission: to bring his fermented bean curd fish cans to Hong Kong and find a larger group of partners.
With a greater demand, the factory could achieve better development.