Chapter 94: Father and Son’s Ambitious Plans

Xu Zhiquan lifted the teapot, took a long sip, then set his face serious as he spoke:

“The Mechanical Factory’s internal assets are already up for liquidation. I spoke with Boss Huang yesterday and got an update on the situation.

From what we’ve seen so far, acquiring this factory will be a huge challenge—but the potential payoff is even bigger!

Right now only the two of us know. Let’s keep our plans under wraps and avoid any troublemakers sneaking in…”

Xu Chen grinned and said,

“Dad, judging by how determined you look, it sounds like we’re a shoo-in!”

Xu Zhiquan laughed heartily twice.

“I’ve been expanding my network lately. We’ll still need connections to pull off this factory deal.

Luckily I’ve lined up one or two key contacts who can put in a good word.

Our biggest hurdle now is the capital. We can get part of it from the bank, but we’ll still need a hefty sum of our own.

A lean camel is still bigger than a horse—even this struggling factory is worth more than most. I checked with the neighboring town’s factory about their restructuring.

I estimate we’ll need to come up with at least a few million in cash—maybe even ten million…

Fortunately, we have time. This won’t happen overnight.

During a state-owned enterprise’s restructuring and bankruptcy process, they tend to drag disputes out for a while. That gives me more time to secure funds.

Next month we’ll get the advance payments on three projects, and two payments for last year’s parts will come in soon.

Plus, we’ve got reserves from previous years.

That’s our foundation.

We can also use our land, saplings, and factory buildings as collateral to raise more cash.

If that still isn’t enough, I’ve got contacts who can lend us more—but that might mean bringing in partners…”

Xu Chen: “Better not bring in partners. Too many headaches down the road.”

Xu Zhiquan took a drag of his cigarette, then laughed and said,

“I know. I’m wary of partners, too.

No matter the business, calling all the shots yourself is safest.

If the prospects look solid, a bank loan beats a partnership any day.

I used to think having a partner would be handy when trouble hit—

but now I realize, when it comes to decisions, consulting my son is all I need!”

Xu Chen imitated his father and chuckled.

It seemed his father had quietly been plotting the factory takeover for a while, and he couldn’t wait to get started.

He was clearly itching to make it happen.

Xu Zhiquan ruffled his son’s hair and continued,

“I’ve also been exploring electric vehicles lately.

Just like you analyzed, now is the perfect time to enter the EV market.

With domestic breakthroughs in batteries and motors over the past two years and new motorcycle bans popping up everywhere, governments are encouraging EV companies.

Manufacturers are already active in Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces—and up north in Tianjin, too.

I plan to take the train to Jiangsu next month. A former classmate of mine is now a local official in a nearby town.

I’ll ask him to pull some strings and see if we can shadow their factory, learn the ropes.”

Xu Zhiquan took another drag of his cigarette.

“I even asked the engineers from our Mechanical Factory. They were planning to build electric tricycles before.

But internal politics and factional infighting killed the project.

They said if we can import a full production line, the process becomes very simple.

Batteries and motors can be sourced directly now that the technology’s matured—entry barriers are low…”

Xu Chen sat quietly, listening.

His father’s execution ability really was frighteningly high…

The two chatted in the courtyard for a while longer, and Xu Zhiquan’s tipsiness finally wore off.

But he’d still had a bit too much to drink and staggered when he walked.

Li Rui came out of the inner room, started the car, and, with Xu Chen, helped Xu Zhiquan into it.

……

……

Early the next morning, Xu Chen didn’t roll out of bed until the sun was high.

He heard a “whoosh” downstairs, peeked out the window, and saw Li Rui washing the car.

As always, breakfast was laid out on the table outside. Xu Chen nibbled a few bites before heading downstairs.

His father sat in the living room, reading the newspaper and sipping hot tea.

“Dad, are you feeling better?”

Xu Zhiquan laughed, “It was hardly much drink!”

Xu Chen grabbed the mop from the bucket and joined Li Rui in washing the car.

Li Rui had a cigarette dangling from his mouth and called out, “Morning, Chen-ge.”

These days Xu Zhiquan often drove up to Beishan on muddy dirt roads, so the car got filthy after just two days.

Before long, the used black Accord shone inside and out.

“Why don’t you head inside and rest, I’ll finish drying it,” Li Rui said.

“No worries, I could use the exercise.”

Li Rui’s phone rang. He checked it, set down his towel, and answered.

Xu Chen kept scrubbing and noticed Li Rui froze after hanging up.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Chen asked.

Li Rui turned around, his expression grim:

“Grandma passed away…”

Xu Chen froze.

“It’s… Bing Ge’s grandmother.”

“…”

Li Rui inhaled sharply and exhaled a big white plume:

“The call was from Fang Tao.

He and Bing Ge grew up in the same village. He said the grandma died suddenly yesterday—details are still unclear.

Bing Ge rushed back home to handle the funeral. Fang Tao’s already gone to help.”

Xu Chen stood there, speechless.

His hand was still wet, but he didn’t have time to dry it before pulling out his phone.

He was about to call Xie Bingran, then paused.

Li Rui dropped his cigarette butt on the ground and said,

“Chen-ge, I should go check on her.

Fang Tao said nobody’s home except her. She’s all alone.

With grandma gone, she needs someone to help.”

Fang Tao was that buzz-cut guy with a hoarse voice.

He was the one who tracked down Bing Ge when we rescued Xie Bingran at the department store.

Fang Tao was also reprimanded with a major demerit when Xie Bingran and Li Rui were expelled.

Xu Chen snapped back to reality. He nodded and said,

“I’ll go with you.”

Xu Zhiquan heard the commotion and emerged holding his newspaper.

“What’s going on?”

Xu Chen and Li Rui turned to face him, both looking troubled.

Xu Zhiquan furrowed his brow, puzzled. He rarely saw his son so unsettled:

“Did something happen?”

Xu Chen: “Li Rui and I need to head out. Can we borrow the car?”

Xu Zhiquan: “Use it however you like. But what’s the matter?”

Xu Chen: “A classmate’s grandmother passed away. She’s all alone. We’re going to help.”

Xu Zhiquan: “That kind of thing you have to help with. I’ll get you some money…”

He turned and went back inside.

A moment later, Xu Zhiquan reappeared carrying a leather satchel and said,

“I’ll come with you. Handling a funeral isn’t something you two kids can manage!”