Chapter 87: Crisis Looms

Du Qiu clapped his hands and said, “Alright, the reason I gathered everyone today is to tell you about the company’s future positioning and the corresponding structural adjustments.

In the future, my primary work focus will be on the research and development center. Brother Sun will have to bear more responsibility for the work of Dream Technology and the development of its subsidiaries.

The rest of you need to support Brother Sun well. Sister Yuan should actively look for management talent for the subsidiaries.”

Everyone understood that with such adjustments to the company, although the core patents were in Du Qiu’s sole-funded R&D center, the subsidiaries of Dream Technology could potentially engage in financing and listing. Naturally, these veteran employees would have opportunities to obtain shares and cash out.

Sun Hongming was the first to nod and said, “Understood. If it wasn’t for our benefit, there would probably be no need for such complexity.”

“For now, let’s settle on this. However, there might still be changes, as I need to discuss this with Director Xue and Director Ning.”

At that moment, Du Qiu’s phone in his pocket began to vibrate.

Du Qiu took out his phone and saw it was Ning Shuangshuang calling, then immediately said, “Let’s end the meeting for today.”

While answering the phone, Du Qiu walked towards his office.

“Du Qiu, are you available to talk right now?” Ning Shuangshuang’s voice sounded somewhat grave.

“Yes, I’m in the office.” Du Qiu entered his office and closed the door firmly.

“Did your company take on a huge order from Xue Ningmei’s Huading Group?” Ning Shuangshuang asked.

“Yes, did you have the time to look into this matter?”

“Let me tell you, something has happened to Xue Ningmei. The Huading Group has now been taken over by a joint task force from above.”

“What?! Isn’t Huading Group a private enterprise with Xue Ningmei holding a major share? What could have happened to her?”

Ning Shuangshuang replied, “I can’t discuss the specifics right now, but she may be involved in another case.

What I’ve learned is that Xue Ningmei served as someone’s white-glove, using national branding as a cover, and leveraging that person’s connections to win procurement equipment bids from state-owned enterprises in various places.

In reality, they diverted orders from a certain state-owned enterprise to achieve money laundering and asset transfer.”

“This shouldn’t have anything to do with me, right? I’m just a supplier for Huading Group, it’s normal business dealings.”

Ning Shuangshuang spoke with concern, “The joint task force discovered that Huading Group placed an order with your Dream Technology that exceeded its own shipping volume, so they will definitely question you about this.

Since Huading Group also has a wholly-owned subsidiary in Magic City called Tianqi, the task force has sent a team to Magic City led by my university senior sister. You better cooperate well.”

Du Qiu realized the implications and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely cooperate. In fact, just now our management team was discussing the potential problems with the large order.”

“What happened?”

“Xue Ningmei intends to take over my Dream Technology by using the large order to trap us into thinking we had significant support, prompting us to invest heavily. This could potentially lead to cash flow issues and thus fall under their control.”

“Hmm, the business world is indeed full of traps! When the task force investigates you, reflect on this situation. By the way, how is your company’s cash flow situation?” Ning Shuangshuang sighed, her tone laced with worry.

“No worries, I have a contingency plan.”

“That’s good. Be careful and think things through, and don’t make any mistakes,” Ning Shuangshuang advised at the end.

“Don’t worry, Shuangshuang, I have everything under control.”

After hanging up, Du Qiu wiped the sweat from his forehead.

That’s bad, I didn’t expect the Huading Group’s order to be problematic.

Now that the joint task force is in control of Huading Group, the continuation of that order is definitely not going to happen.

No wonder Qin Yun, when calling them yesterday, got a response saying there were financial turnover issues. Their company accounts must have been frozen.

Now Dream Technology is really going to be short on funds. It seems I must quickly finalize a collaboration with Feiyu Technology.

Only by securing that 80 million fast can Dream Technology temporarily overcome the financial strife.

Good thing I didn’t agree to Xue Ningmei’s share swap proposal. If I had agreed in the heat of the moment, would I have been drawn into that sort of case now?

No wonder Xue Ningmei was willing to offer such a big share. She wanted to use my technology to fill in the gaps accumulated over the years, thereby fooling everyone.

Perhaps, there might be other deeper intentions hidden.

“I knew it, where in the world is there someone so powerful that they could recognize that I could come up with so much innovative technology?”

Although faced with a potential crisis, Du Qiu was not panicked. He still had a few aces up his sleeve.

Immediately, Du Qiu called Qin Yun and Batti Rein Leinar, arranging several matters, hoping to get a large sum of funds before they ran out.

“Batti, I am planning to establish a research center in Germany. After you return to your country, you will be in charge of it. Are you willing?” Du Qiu shared his intentions with Rein Leinar.

Rein Leinar was going to return to his home country in July. He had been instructing the hardware and software engineers in the workshop in the recent period so that Du Qiu’s design for the production line could be implemented.

It would be a waste not to make use of such an outstanding talent.

Du Qiu had the idea of setting up a development center in Germany to make good use of the strong talents in the field of intelligent machinery there.

Also, by doing this, he could ensure that any new patented technologies could be concealed from prying eyes.

“I said that if you really come up with a super-precision CNC machining center within three months, I am willing to work with you for life.”

Du Qiu extended his hand, firmly shook hands with Rein Leinar, and said, “Then you can’t escape now. Actually, I need you to help with this matter, but …”

Rein Leinar interrupted, “Hey, I don’t want to listen to any ‘buts.’ I must participate!”

“Well, then you need to accompany Qin Yun on a trip to Germany, get the research center registered, and then return here as quickly as possible.” Du Qiu said with a smile, finishing his sentence.

“What are we waiting for? I’m going to ask for leave at school right away. Tell Qin Yun to book the plane tickets.”

At Feiyu Technology, in Ning Yuzhe’s office.

“Uncle, have you discussed the changes to the gambling agreement I proposed last time at your company?”

Du Qiu still used the term “uncle” to address him, which sounded close and cordial.

During the last negotiation with Ning Yuzhe, Du Qiu thought about being formal and used the title “Director Ning” but found that this elegantly middle-aged handsome uncle was quite uncompromising when it came to conditions.

“Oh, you haven’t woken up yet?” Ning Yuzhe recalled the new terms Du Qiu mentioned last time, which he and Zhao Yicheng didn’t discuss upon returning.

Creating a world-class CNC machining center within three months – who would believe that?

Du Qiu’s face darkened a bit – it turned out Ning Yuzhe didn’t take seriously what he said last time.

“Uncle, I’m not joking. If your Feiyu just provides 80 million for only 40% of the shares, I guarantee a top-tier CNC machining center in three months.”

Ning Yuzhe looked at Du Qiu and, realizing he wasn’t joking, couldn’t help but ask, “Are you truly sure about three months?”

“I’m certain.”

“Really like a newborn calf not afraid of tigers. What if you don’t complete it within three months?”

“Then we’ll go with your initial plan, with your Feiyu Technology taking control. I won’t have any objections.”

“It sounds like I have nothing to lose.”

“Indeed.” Du Qiu nodded, “But I want the funds transferred to the new company’s account as the registered capital within three days.”

Ning Yuzhe pondered, “Three days is definitely impossible. This needs to go through the board of directors. Let’s say within a week.”

“Alright. Starting from the day the registered capital is verified, I will devote myself to the research and development and strive to debut it three months later at the CNC Machining Center Exhibition in Magic City.”

“So you set a three-month deadline to catch this exhibition. Alright, I will arrange for Zhao Yicheng to act as the deputy general manager of the company, responsible for daily management, and you …”

Du Qiu interrupted, “Uncle, let Vice President Zhao be the general manager. On my side, I will only appoint a chief financial officer. All management will be handled by you. Dream Technology will only contribute technology.”

Ning Yuzhe looked at Du Qiu with some surprise and smiled, “I’m glad you trust your uncle. However, this is state-owned capital participation. The camp is iron-clad, but the soldiers are fluid. If you win the gambling agreement, the company will become a holding subsidiary of Dream Technology, and it would be wise to arrange your people to manage the company.”

“No problem. I think Vice President Zhao is trustworthy. If Zhao gets transferred, I will consider it then.”

“Alright, it’s up to you. You might not even win, but from the national perspective, I really hope you do. It would be a proud moment for the country.”

“Let’s sign the agreement now, so I can go back and prepare. Waiting for the funds to arrive from your end.”

“Alright, I’ll notify my secretary to prepare the contract text.”