Chapter 405 Good news: The God of Wealth has arrived; bad news: Money is burning hot.
Su Yue's heart skipped a beat: "Director, please speak."
"The province is currently promoting investment, and a trade delegation from Hong Kong will be visiting Hainan Island in a couple of days." Director Liu took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, twirled it in his hand without lighting it, and said, "This is the first time since the reform and opening up, and the province is taking it very seriously. I heard that the delegation is being led by the Lin Group from Hong Kong."
"The Lin family?"
“Yes, they started out in shipping and real estate, and they’re rolling in money.” Director Liu pointed in the direction of the laboratory. “The province’s idea is that Lan Hai Daily Chemical Factory is a star enterprise in our province and it’s also high-tech. Could we make some contact with them? If we can attract foreign investment and build your pharmaceutical factory, that would be a win-win situation.”
Before Su Yue could speak, Huo Wenxuan, who had been eavesdropping nearby, suddenly darted out like a cat smelling fish.
"The Lin Group? Is that the Lin family that claims to own 'half of Hong Kong'?" Huo Wenxuan's eyes lit up, and he almost drooled. "Director, we'll take this job! Don't even mention making contact, I'll even carry their bags!"
As long as you have money, you can call anyone "father" or even "ancestor."
He's been so worried about that 500,000 yuan startup capital these past few days that he's lost a lot of hair.
Director Liu was taken aback, then smiled and said, "Alright, it's good that you're so enthusiastic. You can prepare the specific reception plan in the next couple of days. Remember, be neither humble nor arrogant, and showcase the style of our mainland enterprises."
After seeing the inspection team off, Huo Wenxuan excitedly paced around his office.
"Su Yue! We've struck it rich! We've really struck it rich this time!" He grabbed the abacus on the table and started clicking away. "If the Lin family is willing to invest a few million, our pharmaceutical factory can be built immediately! We'll buy all the equipment from Germany and build a three-story factory!"
Su Yue sat in the chair, not responding. She twirled a fountain pen in her hand, the cap tapping gently on the table, making a rhythmic clicking sound.
"What? Are you unhappy?" Huo Wenxuan stopped what he was doing and looked at her with a puzzled expression. "Isn't this the funding you've always wanted?"
“Money is a good thing.” Su Yue threw her pen on the table, “but this money is hot as fire.”
Huo Wenxuan was taken aback: "What do you mean?"
“I’m a military dependent. Gu Beichen is a regimental commander, and Qin Zheng just went to jail once for ‘colluding with the enemy.’” Su Yue stood up and walked to the window. Outside, workers were busily carrying bricks, preparing for the expansion of the factory.
"The situation in the port city is complicated. Although they say they want to attract investment, no one can predict the direction of the policies. What if someone makes a fuss about it, saying that we took money from capitalism, smeared socialism, or even... infiltrated it?"
Su Yue paused, turned around, and looked directly at Huo Wenxuan: "When that happens, this label will be pinned on Gu Beichen's future, and Lanhai Daily Chemical Factory will be uprooted as well."
Huo Wenxuan's smile froze on his face.
He was only thinking about money and forgot about this.
In this era, political awareness is sometimes more important than life itself.
Especially given Su Yue's status, too many people are watching her.
"Then... shall we cancel?" Huo Wenxuan gritted his teeth, feeling as if his flesh was being cut off. "At worst, we can save up slowly ourselves. If one year isn't enough, we can try two."
Su Yue didn't speak, but just looked at the pharmaceutical factory layout plan posted on the wall.
Did you push it?
Those are hundreds, even thousands of lives that might have been lost due to infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
If we don't seize this opportunity, by the time the government allocates funds or we save enough money ourselves, it will be too late.
Evening, in the Gu family courtyard.
Su Yue sat under the grape trellis picking vegetables absentmindedly, tearing the perfectly good water spinach into pieces.
Zhang Huilan came out carrying a basin of washed clothes. Seeing this scene, she put the basin on the stone table and asked, "Is something on your mind?"
Su Yue snapped out of her daze and forced a smile: "It's nothing, it's just something from the factory."
"Is it because of that Hong Kong businessman?" Zhang Huilan wiped her hands on her apron and sat down opposite her. "This afternoon, Huo came to pick up some pickled vegetables, and I heard him muttering to himself."
Su Yue sighed, "Mom, I'm afraid of causing trouble for Beichen. After all, it's foreign capital, and from Hong Kong..."
"What's there to be afraid of?"
Zhang Huilan suddenly swore, startling Su Yue.
The old woman picked up a water spinach and snapped it off cleanly: "I'm just asking you, did you start that pharmaceutical factory to make money for yourself, or to save lives?"
"Save them." Su Yue said without hesitation.
"Is it for the good of our country, or for betraying the country?"
"Of course it's for the good of the country."
"That settles it then!" Zhang Huilan tossed the vegetables into the basket. "A clear conscience fears no accusation. We act uprightly and honestly, working to develop technology for the country and manufacture medicine for the people. Anyone who dares to gossip about this is going against the people and endangering lives!"
“Besides,” Zhang Huilan pointed in the direction of the capital, “if Beichen can’t even handle this little thing, then he shouldn’t be a regimental commander anymore, he should just come back to farming. Since he’s a man, he should support his wife. You’re being so hesitant and fearful here, which makes you look down on him.”
Su Yue was stunned.
Yes, when did she become so hesitant? Where did that courage she had when she ventured alone into the Northwest and confronted Zhao Dezhu head-on go?
She tossed aside the groceries in her hand, stood up, and said, "Mom, I'm going to make a phone call."
Inside the phone booth, Su Yue dialed the number.
This time, the phone was answered after one ring.
"Have you figured it out?" Gu Beichen's voice came through, tinged with amusement, as if he had already guessed she would make this call.
You found out?
"That big mouth Huo Wenxuan sent me a telegram this afternoon. He said you're trying to push away the cash cow to avoid implicating me." Gu Beichen seemed to be flipping through documents on the other end, the papers rustling. "Wife, aren't you underestimating your man?"
Su Yue's nose stung a little: "I'm afraid..."
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Gu Beichen interrupted her. “I’ve studied the policy. The higher-ups’ current intention is to ‘be bolder and move faster.’ Hong Kong capital is still capital. As long as it’s used for the right purposes, it’s a brick and tile for socialist construction.”
He stopped what he was doing, his tone becoming extremely serious: "Su Yue, remember this. As long as it's for this country, for saving lives, even if you cause a huge hole in the sky, I'll patch it up for you. As for the Lin family, let them come. If they come, they're guests. We'll talk as we see fit. If they dare to make any unreasonable demands, or dare to bully you, just tell me. Although I'm not on Hainan Island, I still have the means to deal with a few unscrupulous merchants."
Su Yue held the receiver, the corners of her mouth slowly turning up.
The weight that had been pressing on my heart has been lifted.
“Okay.” Su Yue took a deep breath. “Then let them come. This time, I’m going to show them just how much our mainland technology is worth.”
“That’s more like my wife.” Gu Beichen laughed. “Go ahead and get to work. I’ll stand guard for you.”
After hanging up the phone, Su Yue walked out of the phone booth.
The night breeze felt cool on my face, yet it made me exceptionally alert.
Now that we have the confidence, there's nothing to hesitate about. This is a tough battle, not only a business negotiation but also a psychological game.
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