Chapter Eighty-sixth: The Image of Chinese Entrepreneurs

  On the podium, Su Cheng seemed to be unaware of it, only slightly turning his face to avoid the dazzling flashlights, thinking: Harry Burton's connections are quite good, and he actually invited so many reporters.

  He thought there were as many reporters on the left side as on the right side.

  That's absolutely impossible!

  To the journalists, the old men sitting on the left side, who are in charge of tens of billions of funds and the fate of hundreds of thousands of employees, are just a few old bureaucrats who rose to power by selling oil resources.

  Only the right side representative of Dahua Industry, Su Cheng, although weak and young, has a thriving spirit and an upward momentum, which is exactly what readers hope to see in Chinese entrepreneurs.

  Almost all central and local media swarmed to the right side, flashing Su City with flashlights.

  The journalists who stayed on the left were mostly media people within the petroleum and petrochemical system, helplessly filling in numbers.

  Due to the insufficient number of flashlights, several people on the left side of the stage could clearly see the contrast between the two sides. They were secretly frustrated and somewhat surprised by Su Cheng's popularity. Bao Rong, as a soon-to-be-retired secretary, was able to face this young man's rise with a calm and composed demeanor. However, Mu, the director representing the Petroleum Department, looked like he was constipated, his face scrunched up in concern, thinking: After today, Su Cheng will be known throughout the petroleum system, and if they can't keep him under control, this kid might become a troublemaker, which would be a troublesome affair.

  The people below were even more surprised.

  Even a veteran company like Daqing can only be a procurement party for Halliburton. Dahua Industry has become a supplier to Halliburton, doesn't that mean that none of China's petroleum and chemical enterprises can catch up with Dahua Industry?

  If it were insiders, they would not have come to such an absurd conclusion. But in the eyes of gentlemen outside the petroleum system, things are so simple: Chinese oil companies buy from Halliburton, Halliburton buys from Dahua Industry, and Chinese oil companies are downstream manufacturers of Halliburton, while Dahua Industry is an upstream manufacturer of Halliburton...

  This idea can be said to be very one-sided. However, many people are not pursuing a comprehensive conclusion.

  Especially journalists, who make a living by sensationalizing things, would hardly miss such an opportunity.

  Some people have already made a draft: China's petroleum machinery industry is reshuffling, not only with the entry of foreign giants, but also with the rise of local enterprises. Dahua Industry, an unknown enterprise, suddenly stood between the oil giants...

  He thought and thought, and was delighted, saying to himself: "This Dahua is really something, it's an internationalized petroleum machinery factory!"

  "It's not a petroleum machinery factory, it's a product and service supplier." Director Huo said proudly with his neck raised.

  His soft correction immediately sparked greater interest from the reporter, who immediately asked: "What does Dahua Industrial supply to Halliburton?"

  "Oil pump."

  "Oil extraction equipment?" He asked while still desperately taking notes, "Which unit are you from?"

  "I am Dahua Industry."

  "Hey, if you don't know Taishan, then you must accept my interview."

  "No problem." Director Hu had been eyeing the flashing lights on stage and was excited, striking a pose like an official on a business trip, while grinning foolishly: "When this issue of the newspaper comes out, I'll definitely buy several copies to take back and hang up..."

  The image of Huo Changzhang is very classic, standing in the crowd, with a pioneering appearance and a generous brushwork between gestures.

  Comrade journalist appreciated the way: "Director Huo must often read newspapers, this pose is well-posed."

  Huo Changzhang couldn't say he had practiced at home. While maintaining his pose without moving, he let out a heavy "hmm" and asked, "Did you take the picture?"

  "Oh? Nothing." The reporter looked down and wrote something.

  "Ah, snapshot."

  The reporter was stunned for two seconds before suddenly realizing and regretfully said, "I'm a text reporter, sorry, the photographer is in front."

  On the stage, the host deliberately waited for a while before continuing: "Now, please let's welcome friends from all sides to witness the signing of the contract between Halliburton and its five Chinese regional partners... Halliburton promises that within the next 5 years, it will provide Daqing Oilfield with over 1,000 top-drive drilling rigs, over 1,000 sets of directional drilling equipment, and over 35,000 hours of real-time drilling services... to provide Victory Oilfield with a full set of offshore drilling equipment, ultra-deep logging hoists, 7,000-meter-level hydraulic logging trucks, and over 1,000 mud pumps... to purchase no less than 2,000 special oil extraction pumps from Dahua Industry..."

  Perhaps in order to sound good, Harry Burton added the two words "special" in front of the oil pump, instantly raising the level of Dahua Industry.

  Su Cheng smiled and remained silent, signing his name on the open contract.

  The red-haired foreigner next to him was also like this.

  The applause under the stage was loud and clear, and the flashlights lit up again. This time, the smiles of the oil field leaders were much more forced, they used the dollars earned from selling oil to buy goods, but Dahua Industry was making money in dollars. However, several people were also full of curiosity about that "special oil extractor".

  The signatures were all vice presidents of Halliburton and above, who exchanged two sentences with Su, swapped contracts and took photos, then went to the back, and had staff members responsible for the Chinese region take over.

  Jensen was a chin-out Briton who came to greet Su with a London accent, saying: "Sorry I couldn't see you earlier, the plane was really rushed."

  Su Cheng shook hands with him, and the audience was once again a sea of flashing lights.

  Jensen's smile grew even brighter. In the eyes of foreigners, strength and media attention are equivalent, he couldn't help but laugh: "I didn't expect Dahua Industry to be so popular. You should be one of China's powerful petroleum equipment enterprises, right?"

  "There is still some advantage in technology." At the first meeting, Su Cheng didn't want to belittle himself. He paused for a moment, but curiously asked in English, "What's the situation with this Chinese regional partner?"

  "Sorry for not informing you earlier, but here's the situation: we had originally confirmed three Chinese partners in the region - Daqing, Shengli and Changqing... However, due to the requirements of Baoji Petroleum Machinery Factory, we discovered two oversights. Firstly, there was no oil equipment enterprise, and secondly, there was only a procurement side but no supply side, which didn't look good." Jensen explained in detail, foreign companies have all sorts of speculations about China, and when doing business, they also emphasize fairness, fearing unnecessary trouble. The goodwill of the Chinese public towards foreign enterprises was established during this period and maintained for quite some time.

  "It's a good thing that you can understand, partner." Su Cheng had heard the term "partner" many times before, unlike ordinary people who were clueless.

  Jensen nodded immediately, smiling: "Partners have many rights and obligations, but for your company, it should be beneficial and harmless. We will also require partner companies to mutually guarantee priority repayment, priority delivery of equipment purchases, equipment leasing, personnel allocation and other projects and work. In addition, if you need it, we can also lend our branches around the world..."

  This is actually an unequal policy, because Halliburton is strong and Chinese companies are weak, the latter naturally got a relatively favorable policy. This is also because the other four state-owned enterprises are really rich, they can bring in more than $100 million in revenue to Halliburton every year, while also helping them open up new Chinese markets...

  From Harry Burton's point of view, ensuring the interests of his partners naturally guaranteed their interests.

  It turned out that in the 1980s, any foreign giant who did so got an unimaginable return.

  Su Cheng thought to himself: This time, it's also a good deal. What requirements does Harberton have for the Chinese side? It's probably looking for Victory Oil Field and not Dahua Industry. Requirements like priority repayment and priority procurement are what Dahua has been doing all along. Since they're paying in US dollars, of course we'll send the goods first.

  They chatted, and the reporters gradually dispersed, each conducting their own interviews.

  Su Cheng politely declined two media interviews, and had a bit more free time.

  At this time, Secretary Liu of Daqing Oilfield came with a smile under the leadership of Bo Rong and asked: "Director Su, does Dahua Industry still have secret weapons? I just asked Secretary Bo if he knew what a special oil extraction machine was, but Secretary Bo didn't know either..."

  Su Cheng was speechless and lost his smile, saying: "Special oil extraction machine, that is, double ram oil extraction machine, it's something others added on."

  "What's a twin donkey head oil extractor?" For the secretary of Daqing Oilfield, even if such a term appeared on his desk, it probably wouldn't arouse much interest.

  Su Cheng took the opportunity to explain, saying: "Daqing Oilfield has been allocated more than 10,000 double-acting oil extraction machines. In this regard, I guarantee that the quality of oil extraction machines provided to both domestic and foreign countries is the same."

  "What about the price?" Secretary Liu joked: "We can't charge the price we give to foreigners."

  "We domestically make a 10% profit, overseas we collect in US dollars, based on the RMB exchange rate, and the profit doesn't exceed 30%..."

  The people around burst into laughter. The RMB exchange rate was underestimated by about twice, and then added 30% profit... Several oil field cadres were secretly tongue-tied while laughing: the profit of petroleum equipment is too high, even more than that of oil...

  Then someone asked about the sales situation, and Su Cheng frankly told the truth. Dahua Industry relies on technology to start a business, and in the future, it will also rely on technology to make a living. Under the emotional entanglement of foreign equipment, Halliburton is their best advertisement.

  By the time the press conference was about to end, more than 20 people had taken Su's business card and he also received a considerable number of visiting invitations, all of which were potential users.

  After a moment, Jansen solemnly handed Su an invitation letter and said: "Christmas is just around the corner. The US Embassy in China will be hosting a grand dinner party and ball, I hope Mr. Su can attend."

  "Definitely." Su Cheng was surprised for a moment, then put it away. When he unfolded it to take a look, it turned out to be an invitation from the company, which allowed no more than 6 pairs of men and women to enter the US Embassy to attend the Christmas party.

  "An authentic American Christmas dinner in the 80s, I suppose many people would love it." Su Cheng had an attitude of curiosity, but didn't expect that today's Beijing city, how many people were scrambling for this one spot.