Chapter 98: No kiss, no kiss, no kiss! The Demon Lord ignored: Except...
Chapter 98: No kiss, no kiss, no kiss!
The road from Frankfurt all the way north is full of typical Nordic scenery. There are trees and farms everywhere along the road, and occasionally you can see large machinery working in the fields.
On a slowly moving minibus, the purchasing team and embassy staff who came to assist were holding a meeting.
There is no way to hold a meeting in the car.
The purchasing group was too conspicuous and was likely to be monitored wherever they went, even the minibus they took yesterday was not spared.
Currently this car is a 'clean' car that was borrowed temporarily this morning.
Sister Gao continued to smile. "Some countries are very curious and want to know more about everything. But if we can talk behind closed doors, we don't have to satisfy others' curiosity."
"Although the train is a bit shabby, remember that our first Party Congress was held on a boat on South Lake. Having a small meeting here won't be a big deal. Feel free to ask any questions you have. We'll do our best to answer any that we can. If you don't know, we'll find a solution."
Due to communication methods and confidentiality issues, a lot of information between China and abroad cannot be transmitted in a timely and accurate manner. Especially during the great movements in the past few years, there was a large lack of talent in foreign affairs, especially in foreign trade and economics. In addition, foreign countries have always been unfriendly to us, which has made us less familiar with international trade in recent years, and we often spend a lot of money but end up in a pitfall.
This large-scale purchase was a large-scale foreign-related purchase after the gang of four was eliminated. The preparations were more thorough than before. A lot of research was done in the early stage, including summarizing the shortcomings of the previous times and taking some targeted measures.
The embassy's accompanying personnel mainly introduced the current situation of the local Ruhr Industrial Zone and some information about leading industries and enterprises, as well as copies of contracts for the sale of similar equipment to companies in other countries, which were obtained from unknown channels.
This is very, very powerful.
To be honest, the technical details and prices involved in the contract are all commercial secrets.
Yan Jiuru quickly flipped through the documents brought by the embassy staff. In addition to a thick stack of supplementary provisions to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, there were also these commercial contracts.
In response, Sister Gao just smiled faintly: "There are always patriotic people. No matter where they go, their hearts are still for the Xuan Kingdom." In order to give some help to the country, this patriot also took great risks.
It took a lot of effort for them to obtain copies of these contracts and bring them here.
Before going abroad, Yan Jiuru had brushed up on some international trade knowledge and also borrowed some previous import equipment procurement contracts from the 107th Institute.
Seeing the contracts between the other party and other countries, he couldn't help but frown.
He whispered to Sister Gao, "Why is there such a huge price difference? Over 30%?"
Sister Gao closed her eyes and said, "Do you know the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade?"
Yan Jiuru nodded and said, "I looked up some information and read some of the terms before going abroad. We are one of the original signatories."
When Xuanguo was established, those who fled to Taiwan unilaterally withdrew from the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade? Since then, unfriendly countries in the international community have stopped giving our new Xuanguo most-favored-nation treatment.
"In our international trade, not only are our imports much more expensive than others, but our exports are also subject to high tariffs.
Simply put, for the same product, the most-favored-nation purchase price is 80 cents per item, while our quoted price, even if only 30 cents, will become 90 cents or even 1 yuan after the other party's customs adds double the tariff. Who would pay such a high price for the same product?
"So, any product or business that can export and earn foreign exchange is quite difficult."
If the normal price is added with the other party's high tariffs, it will be impossible to sell it. If the price is low enough, it will be sold at a loss.
Yan Jiuru pointed to the payment method and asked, "So, we all pay 100% in advance, while others pay 30%, 70%, and some even reserve 5% as a quality guarantee. Can't we also enjoy this?"
Sister Gao took the contract and looked at it carefully.
The embassy staff are all diplomatic workers. This time they received instructions from the country to assist the purchasing team. It is already very difficult to find similar purchasing contracts, and they are not very familiar with the commercial terms involved.
Yan Jiuru also quickly browsed the original text of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and the latest supplementary conditions provided by the embassy, but his doubts were still not resolved after reading it.
However, after some thought, Sister Gao said, "This should involve contract negotiations. Normally, the payment method is one of the conditions that can be negotiated. Captain Lin, what do you think?"
Team Leader Lin simply shook his head and said, "This time, the purchasing team has undergone a major shakeup. The previous key members are not here. I didn't discuss this aspect with my predecessor when I handed over the work."
He is a technical expert, whose main task is to ensure that the equipment does not encounter any pitfalls in key technologies. He is relatively weak in business aspects.
Comrade Zhang Zhen from the purchasing team frowned and said, "In any purchasing contract, besides the amount, payment is also a very important condition.
Tens of billions or even hundreds of billions of dollars, a day's interest on deposits is enough to feed the people of a city.
If you could delay your payment by a month, imagine how much money you could save.”
Translator Wang Bi Da muttered, "Our previous import contracts were all 100% LC. This is our usual practice, and it's the same deal we've had with foreign countries. If we do it again, regardless of whether others will agree or not, if we piss them off and they refuse to sell us the equipment, that would be a big deal!"
Upon hearing this, not only Yan Jiuru, but several people looked at him.
Wang Bi Da explained somewhat unnaturally: "I am speaking objectively. We don't have any advantages. We have mentioned this in previous negotiations, but it didn't work out and the Germans were dissatisfied. Delaying delivery for one or two months is also a loss for us."
Team Leader Lin glanced at him and said, "Oh, so Comrade Wang has participated in more than one purchasing mission?"
Wang Bidada looks to be about forty or fifty years old. He wears a pair of gold-rimmed glasses and a short-sleeved white shirt, looking very literary.
He smiled faintly and replied, "Not much. I only served as the translator last time. However, although I didn't join the group the previous two times, I was also responsible for some translation documents in China."
Lin Tuan glanced at Yan Jiuru subtly.
Yan Jiuru curled his lips and continued to look through the information.
***
After more than an hour, the areas where the minibus passed by gradually became less green and more gray. The closer we got to the Ruhr area, the more factories and tall chimneys we saw.
It can be said that the sky in the Ruhr industrial area is gray, without a single bit of blue sky!
"The pollution is quite serious." Captain Lin frowned.
The Ruhr Industrial Area was the heart of Germany's development in the 1940s and 1950s, with the most important heavy industries concentrated here. The so-called Ruhr Industrial Area is not a single city, but a group of connected cities.
In the early years, heavy industries such as coal and steel were developed here, accounting for 70 to 80 percent of Germany's entire heavy industry. Currently, there are also chemical companies such as Bayer and BASF here.
Data shows that in recent years, many industries and companies have actually received competitive pressure from countries such as Japan and the United States. Coupled with factors such as environmental protection and the international environment, these heavy-duty enterprises are actually facing many difficulties, and some have even experienced staff reductions.
The vehicle passed by abandoned mines, mine shafts and coal slag piles everywhere, which made Yan Jiuru think of the scene when he went to a certain mining area. It was so similar!
Further ahead, standardized factories and numerous chimneys were emitting billowing gray-yellow smoke, and the air was filled with a pungent smell. They even saw many dead fish floating on the bank of the Rhine River, emitting a foul stench. Even the homeless people picking up items with garbage bags stayed away.
Sister Gao pointed out the window and said, "Don't approach these people during your free time. They could be homeless or someone else. Always go out in pairs and report in advance."
Their first stop was the KLB factory in Essen, the heart of the Ruhr industrial area.
This is a huge factory full of German charm, with many standardized factory buildings connected together, like neatly arranged shoe boxes.
Yan Jiuru looked around and found that except for the German flag and factory flag fluttering in the wind on the three tall flagpoles in front of the gate, everything else was full of industrial standardization. Even the trees in the factory area were trimmed exactly the same.
It has to be said that compared with the messy image of domestic factories and mines, this kind of visual standardization has a great impact.
At least, most of the people in front of them were shocked by the aura outside the factory, and they felt a head shorter than they actually were before they even met.
Wang Bidada whispered reservedly, "I've been to this factory before. I had to apply for permission to visit inside, and I had to change into shoe covers and wear a helmet."
One of the accompanying staff members was surprised and said, "We can't just visit steel mills in our country. We have to wear helmets too."
"That's different." Wang Bidada shook his head and stopped talking.
The colleague who just spoke up curled his lips.
***
"Welcome, guests from the East!"
Several people came out of the factory. One of them introduced himself as Alfred Schmidt, the factory's sales manager. The other two were administrative and factory staff respectively. There was also a blonde beauty in a suit and high heels named Hannah, the business manager.
The two parties exchanged simple greetings. The other party was not as cold and arrogant as the legend said, and they did not seem very enthusiastic either.
After the purchasing group entered the office area, they were introduced to several senior managers, including a senior executive from the KLB family and another older board member.
Yan Jiuru remembered that according to the information, KLB was an important arms supplier during World War I and World War II, and its Krupp cannons were world-famous.
After the end of World War II, as a defeated country, KLB was subject to international sanctions, the arms business was completely banned, and it turned to the production of civilian equipment.
Even so, thanks to its strong foundation, KLB's special steel and heavy machinery still occupy a very important position.
***
The purchasing delegation was led into a simple conference room. Apart from the oval tables and chairs and small flags symbolizing the two countries, there was only a screen on the wall and a slide projector.
Alfred gave a welcome speech, and then Ms. Hannah played a slide show and gave an explanation, mainly introducing the company's history and qualifications, as well as the main products and performance advantages on the procurement list.
This is just an appetizer.
Next, Team Leader Lin suggested visiting the factory and production line.
This is also what is expected of bulk purchases, and the other party agreed after a brief discussion.
Because he was accompanied by an embassy staff member of a relatively high level, Alfred and KLB executives from the factory also accompanied him throughout the trip.
Captain Lin mainly asked questions and communicated with the other party about technology and performance. Yan Jiuru translated and also used his spiritual sense to explore details such as the factory and production line.
They not only visited the factory area of related equipment, but also visited the steel processing factory area. After all, not purchasing this time does not mean not purchasing next time, so the other party agreed.
Because the factory is so huge, even though it was just a quick tour, it still took up most of the day.
My legs are getting thinner from walking.
However, everyone was very excited to see so many advanced equipment. Since taking photos was not allowed, everyone could only try hard to remember and did not care about being tired at all.
***
That evening, the other party held a small buffet welcome banquet in a hotel in the industrial zone.
This is also allowed in international business.
German barbecue, beer, cocktails, champagne, cream cakes, etc. In addition to the main members of both sides, there were also several blonde beauties involved.
Compared to the indifference of men, the blonde beauty is much more enthusiastic.
"Guten Abend, Herr Wang!"
Hannah, who looked like an elite in a suit during the day, had changed into a simple little black dress, with red earrings hanging on her ears and her snow-white shoulders exposed. She came to Wang Bidada with a cocktail in her hand.
"I remember meeting you a few years ago. Do you remember?"
Wang Bi Da was flattered. He quickly raised his champagne glass, bent slightly, and said earnestly, "Good evening, Ms. Hannah. Of course I remember you."
After greeting, Hannah turned to Yan Jiuru, who was not far away. "Mr. Yan is in great shape. Were you two translators colleagues before?"
Wang Bidada looked at the tall, strong, and handsome Yan Jiuru and said hurriedly, "Nein, das nicht!"
"He's still a student, and he just got admitted to university this year."
Hannah nodded, clinked glasses with him with a smile, and turned to Yan Jiuru.
"Hello, young sir, you are so handsome!" Hannah handed the cocktail glass to Wang Bidada, and then she modestly extended her hand with her palm facing down to Yan Jiuru.
Yan Jiuru was scanning the surrounding environment with his spiritual sense. Hearing the voice, he nodded at her, said hello, and then gently shook the other person's fingertips.
Just let go!
That’s it?!
Not only was Wang Bidada anxious, but several Xuan people nearby also winked at Yan Jiuru.
The basic social etiquette was taught during the intensive training before coming here.
There are two ways to greet a lady's extended hand: a handshake and a hand kiss. In this case, the hand kiss is obviously the preferred option.
The Demon Lord ignored it: What's the point of kissing hands? I won't kiss anyone except my wife and my daughter!
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