Since guests have come from afar, regardless of whether the business deal goes through or not, Sheng Xiping should always extend the hospitality of a host and treat them to a meal.
The three of them didn't go anywhere else, but stayed at the restaurant in front of the station, ordered four dishes and a bottle of wine, and chatted while eating and drinking.
"Comrade Sheng, it's really not easy for us to come all this way. I wonder how many wagons of timber you can get for us? And at what price?"
After three cups of wine, Director Zhang couldn't wait to get down to business.
"Director Zhang, I think you know how scarce timber is right now."
Take the inns in our Songjianghe Town, for example. Many of the guests staying there are regulars who come from all over the country to transport timber.
"If I went to those inns right now and shouted, I could get timber. No matter the price, there would be plenty of people scrambling to buy it."
Sheng Xiping did not answer Director Zhang's question directly, but instead played with the wine glass in his hand and said slowly.
"Yes, yes, we believe that."
There is currently a shortage of industrial raw materials such as coal, steel, and timber across the country.
If we hadn't known that Brother Sheng had this ability, we wouldn't have come all this way.
"Hey bro, let's put it this way: if you help close this deal, we'll definitely give you a cut."
Director Zhang and Hou Yashuang exchanged glances and quickly said something.
They were mentally prepared before they came. For business like this, you have to give the middleman some benefits. Otherwise, why would he help you?
Timber is not an ordinary commodity; it requires special permission to be transported.
Without sufficient strength, no matter how much money you have, you won't be able to transport the timber back.
Sheng Xiping nodded. It wasn't that he was petty; sometimes, it's better to be upfront and clear things up than to argue about them later.
"Okay, then thank you for your understanding, Brother Hou and Director Zhang."
Everyone has their own difficulties, and I'll try my best to help you if I can. I definitely won't let you come for nothing.
Upon seeing this, Hou Yashuang quickly poured wine for Sheng Xiping and toasted him.
"Come on, Brother Sheng, let's have a drink. We got along really well back in Shanghai, and I've always thought you Northeasterners are especially genuine."
I'm quite sorry to have taken the liberty of writing to you this time, but I didn't expect you to actually be able to help us. I must thank you.
As he spoke, he clinked glasses with Sheng Xiping.
Hou Yashuang still speaks with a southern accent, but tries to speak in a way that resembles that of a northeasterner, in order to build rapport.
It has to be said that the Northeastern dialect is quite captivating. Hou Yashuang lived with Sheng Xiping and Chen Weimin for more than a month and was indeed infected by it.
Sheng Xiping found Hou Yashuang's words particularly interesting and understood her thoughts.
"Brother Hou, since I dared to let you come, I certainly can't let you go back empty-handed."
Okay, first, give me a list of the types, diameters, and quantities of wood you want.
I'll have someone check the price for you later, and then see how much we can allocate.
This isn't something that can be resolved in just a few words. Please stay at the hotel for a few days; don't rush.
It's not that Sheng Xiping lacks ability; some things just can't be handled too quickly, otherwise people might think you haven't put in any effort.
Others might come to the Northeast and stay for a month or two without getting anything done, so asking Hou Yashuang and his group to wait three to five days is perfectly reasonable.
Hou Yashuang and the other person understood this principle, so they did not ask any further questions.
He simply took out his notebook and, while discussing with Sheng Xiping, wrote down the types and quantities of timber they needed.
Northeast China is rich in timber, including walnut, red pine, ash, yellow poplar, Scots pine, pine, oak, elm, linden, and maple, among others.
The price of each type of timber varies considerably depending on its length and diameter, so it's impossible to quote a price just by saying it outright.
That's why Sheng Xiping said to let Hou Yashuang and the others write out the list first, and he would find someone to check the prices.
"Don't worry, Brother Hou. I'll definitely put in a good word for you regarding the price and try to lower it as much as possible."
"You've come all this way, you should at least make some money."
Sheng Xiping had been in the timber business in his previous life and was very knowledgeable about it.
Currently, the average price of timber allocated under the planned system, also known as unified allocation, is around 110 yuan per cubic meter.
Of course, this is just an average price, which includes small-diameter timber, such as pit props, purlins, and poles, as well as some papermaking materials, all of which are cheaper.
Good timber such as red pine, ash, and oak, with a diameter exceeding 40 centimeters, can cost three to four hundred yuan per cubic meter or more.
For non-standard materials, the price will basically be about three times higher.
Even so, they are still in short supply; it's very difficult to buy them without connections, and even if you pay a higher price, you still can't get them.
Those old timber buyers from the south would go to great lengths to pull strings, buy timber at high prices, and then resell it for a hefty profit.
Therefore, this industry is very complex.
"Alright, then I'll leave everything to Brother Sheng. Don't worry, once we've secured this batch of timber, we'll definitely remember you."
Since Sheng Xiping had already made his point so clear, what else could Hou Yashuang and the others not understand? So they immediately nodded and promised benefits.
Sheng Xiping, Hou Yashuang, and Director Zhang enjoyed a pleasant meal and drinks. After they were full, the two returned to their hotel to rest, while Sheng Xiping went to his father-in-law's house to rest.
The next day, Sheng Xiping met with Zhao Guangning and arranged everything. Then he took a car back to the forest farm to find Zheng Xianyong and get things settled there as well.
A few days later, the forest farm had prepared all the timber. Sheng Xiping called the inn in front of the station and asked Hou Yashuang and the others to pay 80% of the deposit as agreed.
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