Chapter Eighty-Three: External Demands

  In the 80s, the Beijing International Hotel and the Great Wall Hotel were undoubtedly high-end hotels, China's best buildings, with sincere service that combined simplicity and innocence with rigorous training, trendy restaurants joined by international famous chefs, and prices far beyond enjoyment, all of which made them places where people lingered.

  In international hotels, ordinary rooms are often fully booked. Especially when foreign officials come to Beijing, they always try to stay for one or two days. However, the executive suites from the 23rd floor and above are often empty, because the price is far beyond the travel expenses of hall-level officials, and higher-ranking cadres have well-conditioned reception offices, rarely staying here.

  So the 23rd floor's service is meticulous, the environment is very quiet, and with convenient transportation and delicious food, it makes Suzhou feel like a place that you don't want to leave.

  Huo Chang was somewhat frightened. He was just a deputy factory director at the county level, and his family's living space was less than one-third of the hotel room. The little girl who came to help with making beds, folding quilts, and delivering newspapers every day also made Huo, who was almost 50 years old, very uncomfortable. Moreover, the expensive food was heart-wrenching!

  "The view is too great." Ho Chang sighed to himself. He sat on the balcony of the living room, overlooking the entire Chang'an Street. In the era when the building height in the city was relatively low, the view from the balcony was unparalleled.

  Although he felt it was a waste, under the circumstances of tasting tea and appreciating the scenery, Huo Chang couldn't help but hum a tune.

  After a while, he heard Su Cheng walking out of the house and suddenly gathered up, shouting: "Director Su, where are we going today?"

  "Director Lin will introduce Minister Song to us. If he has time, we'll have a meal together; otherwise, just a cup of wine to break the ice." Su Cheng said it very naturally.

  "It's really hard to do things now." When Huo Chang was young, people all over the country were still wearing urine-soaked pants. Now it's only natural that he can't stand the extravagant lifestyle of eating and drinking on credit cards.

  Su Cheng thought it was very normal. The thickness of the face, outwardly equivalent to the thickness of profit. Inwardly equivalent to the thickness of a firewall. Among East Asian countries, Japan has the thickest face, but also the most developed. Western countries are advanced countries, they have the qualifications to show off their faces, while Asian and African countries are backward countries that need to cultivate thick skin. When it comes to enterprises, Dahua Industry's assets are only in the tens of millions, while Victory Oil Field dares to spend 100 million on a single bridge, and Daqing Oil Field pays taxes of tens of billions of yuan. The oil fields and machinery factories under the Petroleum Department are worth tens of trillions of yuan. A vice minister here, being arrogant is also very normal.

  The key is to convert his arrogance into your own resources, rather than your enemy.

  Su Cheng gathered his belongings and called out to Pangzi and Qin Yun, preparing to head out.

  He Chang suddenly said: "Let's go outside and ask. This hotel, a plate of crystal prawns costs 28 yuan. It's daylight robbery."

  Xiao Pang happened to come out and shouted: "That's authentic Gaoyou Lake shrimp, sent by express train, only half can survive, it's too difficult."

  Su Cheng also nodded and smiled: "In another 20 years, you may not even have the chance to eat it."

  He Chang simply shook his head: "That won't work either, it's too luxurious."

  "Aren't we treating him as a guest? Didn't you see how happy Director Han was yesterday? With just one sentence, he can allocate 3 million yuan of technical renovation funds to the oil field. Although he's not wearing a hat, we can still find someone from the oil field." Su Cheng explained patiently.

  "If you want to talk about luxury, Director Huo, the tea you drink is also Longjing, estimated to be around 10 to 15 yuan." Xiao Pang chuckled.

  He Chang looked at the teacup on the balcony with a wisp of steam and said, "I took it out from the small kitchen."

  Little fatty nodded heavily.

  "Ho Chang suddenly regretted: 'Alas, it's all my fault. I was thinking of the hotel's things and didn't use them for nothing. Now it's all gone, a year's worth of tea money is gone.'"

  "It's all over, we can't even afford a cup of tea. All I can say is that our company has failed." Su Cheng waved his hand and said, "This time out, we're just showing off. If people see that Dahua Industry lives in a 1-dollar-per-month attic and eats fried noodles every day, no matter how good the product and design are, they won't be recognized."

  He Chang thought for a moment and also chose to remain silent.

  Four people went down to the restaurant and confirmed a private room, just as Lin Yonggui's secretary arrived.

  The latter smiled at Su City, re-examined it again, and said: "Director Song gets off work at 12 o'clock, probably arrives at 12:30, sits for about 30 minutes, and there may be other banquets in between. You pay attention to the time."

  Heo Chang secretly cursed. He had risen from technician to deputy factory director step by step, and although he also entertained guests and gave gifts, he had never seen such a scene before. He thought to himself: Even meals only lasted 30 minutes, how could the food be delicious?

  It wasn't until after the banquet started that he realized they didn't eat at all.

  Lin Yonggui took his seat, and Su Cheng accompanied him. As a result, Huo Chang, Xiao Pang, and Qin Yun didn't even have the chance to say a word.

  Most of the time, it was Director Song and Bo Rong chatting, Su Cheng occasionally chiming in with a couple of sentences, while others remained silent unless asked.

  Minister Song stood up and bid farewell without waiting for 30 minutes. Lin Yonggui also reminded Su Cheng of two things before withdrawing, as he had other banquets to attend. The Victory Oil Field is a big family business, and many people want to be the boss's wife, so neither side can afford to offend each other.

  At this time, the wine and dishes on the table had hardly been touched.

  "No wonder the central government has repeatedly ordered to eradicate extravagance and waste. This one meal costs several hundred yuan, just like that, wasted?" Huo Chang sighed, saying for the second time: "Doing something, how can it be so difficult."

  Qin Yun disagreed and said, "That's why the south is developed and the north is backward. In places where the sky is high and the emperor is far away, people have developed on their own. The more officials there are, the worse the economy will be."

  Su Cheng was already used to her eccentric remarks and sat down nonchalantly, recalling the conversation from earlier.

  This is a habit he developed after coming to Beijing, and it can be said that experience has given him new skills.

  It's like Minister Song and other officials at his level have a very high level of understanding of policies, perhaps even an unintentional remark can remind them of themselves.

  Just as I was thinking about it, the door of the private room was suddenly pushed open.

  "Haha, Director Su is really here." Xu Fuyou's voice was a bit sharp and particularly piercing in the private room.

  Qin Yun swiftly stepped forward, furrowing his brow and saying: "Mr. Xu, Director Su is about to leave. If you have any business, it's better to discuss it with me."

  "What's good about talking with you?" Xu Fuyou stood there motionless, and shouted: "Director Su. This time I came, not to discuss the power plant with you."

  Su Cheng sat silently without a word. Since he had handed over the matter to Qin Yun to handle, he didn't want to show up personally anymore.

  That disdainful attitude instantly hurt Xu Fuyou's self-esteem.

  He stared at Su Cheng's face, grinding his teeth twice, and said in a slow voice: "I heard that Dahua Industry is applying for the Science and Technology Achievement Award and the National Science and Technology Plan. Coincidentally, I know a few experts who are responsible for reviewing several times. So, I'm thinking of arranging for Director Su to meet with them. It will increase the success rate."

  He actually wanted to get the application of Dahua Industry stuck. However, doing so would only thoroughly offend Su Cheng, and there wouldn't be any other benefits - after all, once the results are finalized, it would be next year's business to reassess for awards.

  The so-called handle is to grasp it in one's own hands.

  Xu Fuyou came to see Su Cheng. It was in a threatening manner. In his opinion, there were many state-owned enterprises that could be reformed under the sky. You are a rich man, why do you have to take away the factory that I, a poor official, value?

  "The Science and Technology Achievement Award" and the "National Key Technology R&D Program" are both prestigious awards. Especially the latter, which is part of the country's efforts to concentrate its strength on major projects, once selected, not only can receive funding and policy support, but also have access to all relevant research materials in the country, and even borrow researchers. If the technical challenge is completed, it will bring both fame and fortune, if not, there will be no punishment, making it the most sought-after project by domestic research institutions.

  For a company like Dahu, the "Scientific and Technological Achievement Award" is a prerequisite for competing for the "National Science and Technology Plan".

  Xu Fuyou was unable to influence the latter, but had the ability to hinder the former. He thought to himself: Don't mention the benefits of tens of millions, as long as this Su Cheng is not a fool, he should take his prize and ignore the affairs of the Dongli Machinery Factory.

  Qin Yun turned his head and looked towards Su City.

  The latter nodded slightly and said, "Then go see him."

  Xu Fuyou was overjoyed for a moment, and then thought: What am I so happy about?

  The smile on his face was gone again, and he looked even more gloomy.

  Just a few steps away was the private room booked by Xu Fuyou. Inside were three people, apparently the so-called expert review panel.

  Unlike later generations, the expert review of the 1980s had more implicit rules and fewer explicit ones. Because they were all departmental organizations applying for awards, everyone was an official, so it was naturally a case of "eight immortals crossing the sea, each showing their magical powers".

  Generally speaking, when the top expert doesn't speak up, other experts decide on awards based on reputation and appearance. The three people Xu Fuyou brought in may not necessarily win an award, but it's possible they'll ruin the award instead.

  "This is Professor Huang, this is Professor Wang, and this is Professor Sun." Xu Fuyou introduced them one by one with a proud smile.

  Professor Huang with a head full of white hair sat on the left, Professor Wang in the middle had black hair with some white hairs, and Professor Sun seemed to have dyed his hair, which was jet black.

  Su Cheng waved his hand casually.

  Huo Chang, who had met the three men before, smiled and stepped forward to offer them cigarettes. "Professors Huang, Wang, and Sun," he said, "we hope you will pay close attention to our application for the Double Mule-headed Oil Extractor and Anti-bias Milling System."

  Although it is a patent of Suzhou, now it does not emphasize personal application, so it still applies in the name of Dahua Industry, which also benefits the development of the company.

  "We can only do so much." Professor Huang didn't take the cigarette from Ho Chang, but instead sipped his liquor and said: "You should understand that the evaluation criteria for the Science and Technology Achievement Award are very strict. It requires reaching or approaching the domestic advanced level, exceeding the highest level in this field, and having a certain economic benefit and social benefit. Your benefits are not bad, but close to the domestic advanced level, I don't think so."

  "The twin-cylinder oil extraction machine has already reached international standards, how can it not meet the domestic advanced level?" Director Huo argued, being in charge of technology.

  "International level? Ha ha, you can't just say that." Professor Huang nodded his head in satisfaction and continued: "The international level is very formidable, don't be narrow-minded..."

  Huo Changqi hummed and said: "Our twin-donkey-headed oil extractor has undergone several tests..."

  "This test is greatly affected by the environment... and let's talk about your anti-bias grinding system. Various anti-grinding oil pipes are all anti-bias grinding, their level is something that your simple anti-bias grinding system can't reach..."

  "Our wear reduction system can accommodate various types of drill pipes, significantly improving wear resistance and..."

  Su Cheng listened quietly, appearing calm on the surface but actually thinking of a countermeasure. Since these three people were brought by Xu Fuyou, they naturally listened to him. However, the other two didn't speak from start to finish, seeming to be just following the crowd. On the other hand, Professor Huang was a bit too enthusiastic...

  Xu Fuyou finally lifted his long-absent Erlang legs, glanced at Su Cheng, and thought to himself: Let's see how long you can keep up this act.

  Soon, Huo Chang's volume went up, and Professor Huang didn't dare to show weakness either.

  Two other professors had to stand up and persuade him.

  Just at the most intense moment, there were two knocks on the door of the private room.

  It was a waiter who came in and handed Su Cheng an envelope, saying: "Mr. Su, you have a telegram."

  Su Cheng signed his name, pulled it out and took a look, his eyebrows slightly moving.

  He took a deep look at Xu Fuyou, but handed the letter over to Huo Chang instead.

  This is a telegram forwarded by Dahua Industry, which reads: The other party requests to purchase another 1,000 sets of Double Mule Patent.

  Huo Chang burst out laughing, looking at Professor Huang with disdain, and tossed the envelope over, saying: "Hmph, look at this, our twin-cylinder oil extractor has already been sold abroad."

  Professor Huang hastily caught the envelope and saw the two words "foreigner". His eyes had already changed, but he said: "Who knows if you are just putting on a show."

  "Foreign exchange income, can't be fake, right?" He Chang let out a burst of laughter and said: "Our big talker's Double Ram Oil Extractor has already received $1.29 million in patent fees."

  Professor Huang was immediately tongue-tied and couldn't help but look around in all directions.

  The two professors, Sun and Wang, immediately turned their faces away. They were originally just freeloaders, and Xu Fuyou didn't give them any benefits, only treating them to a meal at the Beijing International Hotel.

  Nowadays, intellectuals live a hard life and rarely have the chance to eat and drink well. When someone kindly invites them to the Beijing International Hotel, they naturally won't refuse.

  But it's not worth their reputation.

  Professor Sun looked at Professor Huang with a mixture of sympathy and concern, thinking to himself: Who knows what today's events will lead to.

  Professor Huang became visibly tense, he drained the wine in his cup and insisted: "Even foreigners can be wrong sometimes..."

  "Are you kidding me? You're buying two sets?" Director Huo waved his hand and laughed, "This is the second order!"

  "That doesn't mean your technology is at a high level." Professor Huang suddenly gained some spirit and said, "We have many technologies that haven't reached the level of our foreign counterparts. They were only bought because they were cheap. Many mechanical products, petroleum machinery are sold like this, right?"

  He sought foreign aid once again.

  The two men, Sun and Wang, were silent.

  Su Cheng's mouth twitched slightly as he asked, "Professor Huang, do you know Harry Houdini?"

  Professor Huang suddenly felt a very bad feeling, his hand grasping the table, thinking to himself: It can't be Harriet Burden, it can't be Harriet Burden.